316 Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES, 



SOIREE OF THE ROYAL MICROSCOPIC SOCIETY. 



The annual soiree of the Royal Microscopical Society was held 

 at King's College on the 24th April ; James Glaisher, Esq., F.R.S., 

 the President of the Society, receiving the company, which was 

 unusually numerous, and of a distinguished character. The supply 

 of microscopes was very large, and the objects of greater variety 

 and interest than usual. Mr. Sorby exhibited his excellent plan 

 for comparing the spectrum of any object under the microscope 

 with a standard absorption spectrum, obtained by transmitting light 

 through quartz of a given thickness. Mr. Browning showed the 

 same apparatus, carried out as devised by Mr. Sorby. Mr. Sorby 

 likewise exhibited his dichroiscope, a new instrument for the 

 examination of crystals, to which we shall revert on another 

 occasion. Mr. Ross and Mr. Baker exhibited Mr. Slack's adjustible 

 diaphragm for eye-pieces. Messrs. Powell and Lealand showed 

 their binocular arrangement for high powers. Mr. Baker showed a 

 variety of new apparatus, including his travelling microscope. Mr. 

 Plighley showed waistcoat-pocket and other portable microscopes, a 

 new hydrocarbon demonstrating lantern, for exhibiting objects on a 

 screen, etc. Messrs. Murray and Heath brought a new pocket micro- 

 scope, and other useful novelties. Prof. Smith's mechanical finger 

 was shown by Mr. Bailey, and by Mr. Browning in a simplified and 

 economical form. Among the most important objects were a beau- 

 tiful series, shown by Dr. Carpenter, illustrating the development 

 of the comatula, from its pentacrinoid larva; Mr. Whitney's prepa- 

 rations, showing the development of the breathing apparatus of the 

 tadpole ; the structure of the hyalonema, and its encrusting polyps, 

 by Mr. C. Tyler ; some new and rare forms of rhizopoda, etc., obtained 

 by Major Owen, by surface -skimming of the mid ocean ; a diamond, 

 containing an appearance of organic structure, by Mr. W. H. B. 

 Hunt, etc., etc. Mr. Norman brought a very fine series of objects, 

 and the tables of Ross, Powell, R. and J. Beck, Baker, Pillischer, 

 How, Crouch, Collins, etc., were very attractive. In the course of 

 the evening, Mr. High ley exhibited, with the oxy hydrogen lantern, 

 some beautiful views of scenes in Australia and Africa, lent by Mr. 

 Baines. The picture of the Victoria Falls of the Zambesi was much 

 admired, and a view of that remarkable plant, the Welwitcliia 

 oniralilis, attracted great attention. In a living state the leaves are 

 of a beautiful green, and like enormous ribbons stretching along the 

 ground, while the flowers are fine red. Altogether, this soiree was 

 the most successful that the Society has given. 



