292 EEPORTS FROM THE SECTIONS. 



WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY, 1876. 

 Alfred Eoberts, M.E.C.S., in tlie Chair. 



After arrangements had been made as^ to the future conduct of 

 business brought before the Section, the Chairman presented a 

 collection of slides ,of diatoms, mounted and named by Dr. Smith 

 of Edinburgh. 



Mr. Eoberts then exhibited a very convenient arrangement for 

 mounting with despatch and freedom from air-bubbles objects in 

 Canada balsam. It consists of a tin stand constructed to hold 

 water, which is kept hot by a spirit lamp underneath, the balsam 

 contained in a small glass tube being retained in a fluid state by 

 the steam which is confined in an outer chamber. The top of 

 the stand forms a table on which the slides are laid during the 

 operation of mounting, and by which they are kept warm as long 

 as is desired. Mr. Wm. MacDonnell exhibited a large micro- 

 scope by Powell and Lealand, with a quantity of accessory 

 apparatus. This instrument was lent for the occasion by Mr, 

 Cathcart of Newtown. Mr. II. Paterson exhibited an injection 

 of the dentinal pulp of a kitten. This slide possessed special 

 interest, having been prepared by the late Professor Queckett. 

 Mr. G-eorge Hirst, a slide showing the formation at a very early 

 date of striated muscular fibre in the human embryo. Dr. Mil- 

 ford some scolices of Eccinococcus from the human subject. 

 Some G-erman objectives, on the immersion principle, by Siebert, 

 were also exhibitejd by Mr. MacDonnell. These lenses possess 

 remarkable defining and penetrating power, and work through 

 considerable thickness of covering glass. 



WEDNESDAY, 16 AUGUST, 1876. 

 Alfred Eoserts, M.E.C.S., in the Chair. 



There was a good attendance of members. The Secretary 

 reported that, in response to the request of the Committee, the 

 Council of the Society had sent to London for a substantial 

 microscope stand and necessary addenda for the use of this and 

 the other sections. 



Mr. H. Paterson presented a slide containing a section of the 

 dentinal tubes and enamel of the adult human tooth. 



Mr. Gr. D. Hirst read a paper on the action of alkali on wool 



fibres. 



Dr. MiLFORD read a paper on the starch of the Macrozamia 



spiralis. 



The following objects were exhibited : — By }Ir. Alfred 



•Egberts, duodena of toad and black snake injected, and ova of 



ivo" ; Mr. H. Paterson, sections of teeth ; Mr. Toohet, Toriila 



or yeast plant ; Mr. Wm. MacDonnell, scales of MorpJio 



menaJaus. 



