162 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
developed from it, so that the outer case of the ovum became the 
outer skin of the animal. The paper was illustrated by numerous 
beautifully executed drawings. 
Mr. Fitch exhibited and described a rare species of Arenurus 
(A, caudatus), and presented a mounted specimen to the club. 
Annual Meeting, July 28.— Dr. Matthews, F.E.M.S., President, in 
the chair. 
The Secretary read the eleventh annual report of the committee, 
showing that there was no diminution in the prosperity of the club. 
The work during the past year had been above the average ; several 
interesting papers had been contributed by members and friends, the 
excursions and the " gossip nights " had also been well attended. The 
number of members was 540. 
The President then delivered the annual address. Commencing 
with the discussion of the advisability of limiting the area of our 
pursuits, and the wisdom of devoting ourselves to one branch of 
science, and of concentrating our energies upon a single subject, he 
proceeded to consider the effect of such a speciality upon the mental 
faculties, and the increased value of the contributions so made to 
science. He then passed on to the consideration of the future of 
microscopy with respect to its claim to be treated either as a science 
or an art ; and after giving sundry definitions as to the relations of 
art and scieuce, he drew the conclusion that microscopy stood on 
neutral ground between art and science, that it had claims upon 
various branches of science by reason of the great assistance rendered 
by it, and that its students were entitled to be considered as experts, 
and were worthy of recognition as such, for it was mainly by their aid 
that microscoj)ical appliances and manipulation were kept on a level 
with the ever-increasing requirements of scientific research. 
The President then presented the testimonials awarded under the 
donation made by Mr. Frank Crisp. These consisted of objectives, 
books, and apparatus, and had been awarded to Mr. W. Cole for his 
paper on Sphcerularia homhi, to Mr. A. Hammond for his paper on the 
Metamorphoses of the Crane-fly and the Blow-fly, and to Mr. R. P. 
Williams for his improved freezing microtome. 
Votes of thanks were then passed to the President and officers, 
and to the Council of University College, who had so long granted 
permission to hold the meetings in their library. 
The ballot then took place, and Henry Lee, Esq., F.L.S., &c., was 
duly elected President of the club for the ensuing year. Upon his 
election Mr. Lee took the chair, and after a short address conducted 
the business of the ordinary meeting, which was merely of a formal 
character. 
YiOTORiA Microscopical Society. 
The Microscopical Society of Victoria held its monthly meeting 
on February 24. Mr. Ralph, the president, described and exhibited 
an interesting and supposed new conferva found in a stagnant 
pool at BuUeen. The plant was notable for being composed of 
radiating fibres, with branches always dividing into two, and con- 
nected together in globular clusters, the interstices of which were 
