MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. IOI 
spection of many important harbours, the author is convinced that 
allthat is necessary to ensure success in the treatment of our 
different rivers is: ‘* The close observation of physical features 
and effects, and the adoption of means to assist the operations of 
nature, instead of opposing them’’—that is (as expressed in the 
charter of the Institution of Civil Engineers), ‘‘ directing the great 
sources of power in nature for the use and convenience of man.” 
MICROSCOPICAL SECTION. 
Sydney, 12th May, 1884.—Mr. G. D. Hirst in the Chair. 
Dr. Morris exhibited beneath his new microscope, by Powell 
and Lealand, using one of their new formula immersion 4-inch ob- 
jectives, apus corpuscle, having radiating pseudopoaia from a 
case of chronic cystitis. By means of a new staining fluid, to- 
gether with a new medium for mounting, these processes have been 
observed for the first time, and very valuable results are antici- 
pated trom an extended use of the above methods of preparation. 
Dr. Morris also showed the resolution of the Amphipleuva pellucida 
with Powell and Lealand’s new formula 4-inch immersion objec- 
tives, having a balsam angle of 112. This is unquestionably one 
of the finest quarters ever constructed, and its performance of the 
extremely difficult task of resolving this famous test could not be 
excelled by objectives of much greater power. Mr. Hirst dis- 
played a living specimen of the Stentor igneus, commonly called 
the Scarlet Stentor, which is at times so abundant as to colour 
ponds a bright red. This Stentor was toundin a fresh-water 
gathering from a pond in the Botanic Gardens. 
Sydney, gth June, 1884.—Mr. G. D. Hirst in the chair. 
A letter was read from Mr. Henry Watts, of Collingwood, Vic- 
toria, respecting the successful circulation of the box of slides con- 
tributed by the Sydney friends of the Postal Microscopical Society, 
and extracts were read from the manuscript notebook accompany- 
ing the book, testifying to the interest taken by the leading micro- 
scopists of Victoria and South Australia. It should be mentioned 
that the Postal Microscopical Society is based upon the successful so- 
ciety of that name in England, andits purpose is to afford mutual in- 
tercolonial help in microscopical matters, the exchange of boxes of 
slides illustrating Australasian natural history, together with re- 
marks on, suggestions, and illustrations of the same in an accom- 
panying note-book. Dr. Morris exhibited the first microscope ob- 
jective that has reached Australia, by the celebrated American 
optician Spencer, and the opinion may be expressed that it is equal 
to anything hitherto produced. The glass is Spencer’s new 1-1oth 
ot an inch homogeneous immersion objective, having a numerical 
aperture of 1°37, and an angle in Balsam of 127°. This glass 
possesses superb resolving power, and performed admirably on the 
highest test, Diatom, Amphipleura pellucida, mounted in phosphorus, 
using a new immersion fluid, “ oil of rosin.” The markings were 
crisp and clear with the highest eye-piece F. The field was full of 
light and perfectly flat, moreover this definition was obtained 
without the use of stops in the condenser. Dr. Morris called at- 
tention to the “ oil of rosin,” which had been especially prepared 
