336 



THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. 



The method is particularly useful in the study of cavities, such 

 as the blood-vessels, which when filled with an opaque injection 

 can be seen in their true relations down to the minutest detail. 



In the Frog exhibited the saccus endolymphaticus, owing to 

 the fact that it is packed with calcium carbonate (otoconia), 

 remains opaque, in the same way as an injection, though the rest 

 of the body has been made transparent. Thus it stands out from 

 its surroundings sharp and black when viewed by . transmitted 

 light, or brilliantly white if seen against a dark background by 

 reflected light. 



It is interesting to recall in connection with this comparatively 

 new method of preparation that the older Anatomists were in 

 the habit of using a method very similar both in principle and 

 practise to obtain transparency for the study of the blood-vessels, 

 centres of ossification and similar structures. Many of John 

 Hunter's preparations were " dried and preserved in oil of tur- 

 pentine," and even after more than 100 years show results, 

 rougher no doubt, but still worthy to be compared with those 

 obtained by Dr. Spalteholz. 



Prof. F. Wood Jones, M.B., D.Sc, F.Z.S., exhibited a series 

 of brains prepared in the Prosectorium, and called attention to 

 the fact that specimens preserved by the spirit method differed 

 not only in size but in surface details from those prepared by 

 more perfect formalin methods, and commented on the necessity 

 of revising much descriptive work on the anatomy of mammalian 

 brains from the better material that was now available. 



The Secretary, on behalf of Mr. D. Seth-Smith, F.Z.S., 

 Curator of Birds, exhibited a set of lantern -slides prepared from 

 photographs of mammals taken by Mr. Seth-Smith in the 

 Society's Gardens. 



November 20th, 1917. 



E. G. B. Meade- Waldo, Esq., Vice-President, 

 in the Chair. 



The Secretary read the following Report on the Additions 

 made to the Society's Menagerie during the month of October, 

 1917 : — 



The registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during 

 the month of October were 118 in number. Of these 36 were 

 acquired by presentation, 77 were received on deposit, 3 received 

 in exchange, and 2 were born in the Gardens. 



