53 



members would be taught where and how to look for microscopic 

 life ; that a microscopist required to understand the order of nature 

 as much when searching for a gnat as a geologist did when searching 

 for coal. 



Diatoms were next considered. This subject was chosen not 

 only because of the important part which diatoms play in the 

 economy of nature, but also because they are amongst the best 

 tests for the defining power of microscope objectives. The important 

 parts played by diatoms in nature was made apparent when viewing 

 oceanic life, and the chairman pointed out that they were not only 

 the fundamental food supply, but the primeval supply which has 

 determined the whole course of Marine life, and that this was the 

 fundamental conception of marine biology. Many interesting 

 lantern slides of diatoms, from photomicrographs by the Chairman, 

 were shown — a number showing secondary structure as seen under 

 a one-twelfth inch oil immersion lens. Many diatom slides were 

 shown under microscopes by members. 



This took place on May 5th. Collecting was 

 Excursion to engaged in along the banks of the Stour. Many 

 West Parley. interesting larvae of Ephemeridae were obtained, 



also the fresh water limpet (Ancylus fluviatilis) the 

 water spider (Avgyroneta aquatica), and other more ordinary forms. 

 On May 6th, a meeting was held in the Society's room when the 

 specimens obtained were exhibited under microscopes. 



Excursion 

 to East 

 Parley Ponds 



var caeruleus. 



Took place on May 15th. Besides the ordinary 

 forms of pond life, as Volvox, Hydra vulgaris and 

 viridis, Daphnia, Cyclops, &c, which were obtained 

 the only noteworthy find was Diaptomus castor, 



On June 19th, on the return journey from Mudeford 

 Dredging in to Christchurch Quay, a dredge was used from 

 ChristchiErch the motor-boat, also a small tow net. Several 

 Harbour. species of Mysis, the phantom shrimp, which has 



an auditory organ in the tail, were obtained, also 

 Gammarus marinus and Sphaeroma serratum. The tow net yielded 

 one specimen — a Hydra fusca — which was evidently floating out 

 to sea. 



This was made on July 21st, when a delightful day 

 Excursion to was spent, and many captures made — larvae of 

 Marlboro' Deep Ephemeridae and Corethra plumicornis, the phan- 

 at Wootton. torn larva, were obtained, as well as many Entomos- 



traca, also an interesting infusoria Ophrydium 

 versatile and a red alga Palmella cruenta. 



