37^ [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



Mr. Andrew, L.D.S.Eng,, demonstrated the preparing and 

 mounting of hard substances, such as teeth, bones, and rocks. 

 Taking a human tooth, he cut it into sHces about one-sixteenth 

 of an inch thick by means of a fine spring saw. These he 

 further reduced by rubbing on a fine hone, kept wet with 

 plenty of water, until they were sufficiently thin, examining 

 them frequently by means of the microscope towards the end of 

 the process, to avoid grinding them too much. A piece of bone 

 was treated in a similar manner. Thin chips of Carboniferous 

 limestone and some fossil teeth (Psammodus porosus) were used 

 to illustrate the preparation of geological specimens. These 

 were first ground flat on one side, and polished on a very fine 

 hone. The flat surface was then cemented to a glass slip with 

 gum shellac, after which the other side of the piece was rubbed 

 down until the section became thin enough to show the struc- 

 ture. The slip with the section on it was then placed in 

 alcohol, which dissolved the shellac and allowed the section to 

 float off. They were then mounted in Canada balsam in the 

 same way as the soft structures before described. The entire 

 processes of both operator? were closely watched by as many as 

 could conveniently get within view, and the admirably-finished 

 slides testified to their ability and manipulative skill. 



Mr. Charles Elcock exhibited specimens of several new and 

 undescribed Foraminifera obtained by him from various " Chal- 

 lenger " dredgings. He also exhibited specimens of Technitella 

 legumen, which he found in abundance in a gathering from the 

 Irish Sea. A very interesting series of specimens of three 

 species of Carpenteria^ and a large and beautiful Frondicularia 

 (not described in the "Challenger" Report), also several very 

 fine recent Polycystince^ were among the rarities exhibited. 

 Some fossil Foraminifera new to the chalk at Magheramorne, 

 as Thurammina^ Hormesina, OrbuUna^ Globigerina cequilate- 

 ralis, &c., were also shown. 



Mr. Joseph Wright, F.G.S., exhibited some fossil Foramini- 

 fera, which had been found in chalk powder (in flint) at Keady 

 Hill, County Derry. These were to illustrate a communication 

 given by him at the last meeting of the Club, on Foraminifera 



