510 [Proc. B.N.P.G., 



M.R.I.A., gave a practical demonstration on collecting, mount- 

 ing, and preserving microscopic objects, such as may be most 

 helpful for the purposes of the ordinary members of the field 

 club. A selection of the simplest forms of apparatus was 

 exhibited, together with samples of the cements, varnishes, and 

 preservative fluids required for the several processes in the 

 manipulation of microscopic slides. The uses to which such 

 materials are applied was practically demonstrated by Mr. Gray, 

 who from the crude materials supplied, prepared excellent slides 

 finished for the cabinet. By means of a large number of slides 

 from his own cabinet, and prepared by himself, Mr, Gray 

 illustrated the wide range of attractive and instructive subjects 

 in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms that are at the 

 command of the members of the club in our own locality, or at 

 an easy distance from- Belfast, Mr, Gray's slides included 

 structural details of land and marine plant life, from the giant 

 tree to the lowly fern, moss, and algce, illustrating their decora- 

 tive details, mechanical contrivances, variety, and endless 

 beauty. The vertebrates and invertebrates of the animal king- 

 dom were also illustrated from the higher mammalia to the 

 lowly shell-fish, Crustacea, echinodermata, hydrozoa, and 

 sponges. Even the rocks of Antrim furnished some geological 

 slides of great interest, the sections having been specially cut 

 for Mr. Gray, The evening's microscopic display demonstrated 

 what a wide field of interest and most enjoyable research is 

 open tO' the student who studies natural objects, particularly 

 the lowly forms of plants and animals that people by millions 

 the unfrequented paths of the ordinary observer. Many mem- 

 bers brought their microscopes and followed with keen interest 

 Mr, Gray's methods, embodying as they did his vast experience 

 in his subject, gained after many years of close study. A 

 hearty vote of thanks was accorded to- Mr. Gray, who suitably 

 replied, and referred tO' the microscopic work done by other 

 members of the club, and particularly tO' the excellent prepara- 

 tions of selected diatoms by Mr, William A, Firth, also the 

 valuable researches and report on foraminifera by Mr, Joseph 

 Wright, F,G.S,, and the beautiful slides of foraminifera pre- 

 pared by Mr. Charles Elcock. 



