1877. | | . Microscopy. | 441 
and Alex. Winchell, who will leave nothing undone that is believed to be 
for the advantage of this department. As microscopy has been made a 
permanent sub-section, it is now, in reality, a national society of microsco- 
pists, with power to elect officers and continue its organization from year 
to year, and to avail itself of the great facilities and advantages of meet- 
ing with, and as members of the American Association. It was the unan- 
imous and earnest desire of the members present at the last meeting, at 
Buffalo, that all the microscopists of the country, and especially the “offi 
cers and members of microscopical societies, should take a hearty inter- 
est in the enterprise, and contribute to its usefulness by attending the 
meetings when possible, and sending contributions to be read if unable to 
attend personally. Circulars giving particulars of the arrangements for 
this meeting can be obtained from Dr. T. O. Summers, Jr., of Nashville, 
chairman of the local sub-committee, or from the editor of the micro- 
scopical department of the NATURALIST. 
HELL-SAND FROM THE BERMUDAS. — C. C. Merriman, of Rochester, 
N. Y., whose name we have had occasion to mention before in these 
pages, has just returned from a few months’ visit at the Bermuda Isl- 
ands, where he has gathered some quite remarkable specimens of shell- 
‘sand, composed almost entirely of foraminifera. It is interesting not 
only as a beautiful object under the microscope, but as being the mate- 
rial of which the islands are formed. In favorable conditions of winds 
and tides it may be gathered on.the sand beaches quite fresh from the 
ocean, in which case the shells and corallines and sponge spicules are in 
great part unbroken, and many of them beautifully colored. Such con- 
ditions, however, occur quite rarely, as Mr. Merriman was able on two 
days, only, of his visit to make perfectly satisfactory collections. He 
has contributed a set of six exceedingly interesting and beautiful slides 
to the “ Postal Club.” Slides or material for the same can be obtained — 
from him in exchange for any really interesting or valuable slides or 
material. 
Derectrion or CRmMINALS BY Hanp Marks. — In a very instructive 
lecture on the uses of the microscope, delivered at Washington, on April 
30th, by Mr. Thomas Taylor, Microscopist of the Department of Agri- 
culture, a view was presented on the screen showing the markings on 
the palms of the hands and tips of the fingers, and the important sug- 
gestion was made that the microscope might be used to effect in the 
detection of criminals by comparing the marks of a murderer’s hands or 
fingers, which are often impressed in blood stains on the weapons used, 
with impressions in wax taken from the hands of accused or suspected 
persons. 
OrcGanisms In Rocuester Hyprant Water. — The Hemlock Take 
water supply of the city of Rochester must be of extraordinary purity, 
if its ordinary condition is represented by the observations of Prof. S. A. : 
Lattimore of that city, who examined it for the sake of detecting the 
