1873-1874.] 2 7 



the minimum of 20,000,000 years. " I am, therefore, of opinion," 

 the essayist proceeded to say, " that there must have been several 

 centres — not local but animated centres — from which, and by 

 which, all the world was peopled, or stocked, with all life ; and I 

 believe that these centres were presided over by one supreme, 

 omnipotent, and omnipresent Creator. But if asked to define one 

 of these centres, I at once admit my inability to do so. It is even 

 yet with difficulty that naturalists resolve or place animals in their 

 proper orders ; and this is especially the case in regard to inverte- 

 brates. I believe the ' Book of Nature ' will never be disclosed 

 and laid open before us, so that we can say, Lo ! here is the com- 

 mencement of life ; from this germ, or such as this, sprang such 

 and such organisms and forms. Yet I consider the theory which 

 I have advanced is the one most in accordance with revealed 

 truth — geological and otherwise — and, I say it with due reverence, 

 also with what I conceive to be the intelligence of a divine 

 Creator." 



On 15th January, the meeting was devoted to the 



EXHIBITION OF MICROSCOPES AND MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 



The meeting was largely attended, and a considerable number 

 of the members exhibited their collections of microscopic prepa- 

 rations. A great variety of the more common objects were on 

 view, and, in addition, a series of chemical preparations, and a 

 large number of the recently-discovered microzoa from the Chalk 

 flints. A spectroscope was also exhibited by Dr. Henry Burden, 

 giving those present an opportunity of observing the spectra of 

 the various metals, &c, and comparing the characteristic bands 

 shown during the combustion of each. 



