Monthly Mlcroscopican 
Journal, Nov. 1, 1869. J 
PROOEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
287 
Jones commenced a second course of ten lectures on " Comparative 
Anatomy," beginning this course with the Crustaceans. 
The Professor took a lobster as a type of the family, and dissected 
it, explaining its various parts. 
Brighton and Sussex Natural History Society.* 
October 14th. — The President, Mr. T. H. Hennah, in the chair. 
An evening for the exhibition of specimens, when a variety of orni- 
thological, entomological, and botanical specimens, many of them 
very rare, were exhibited by various members ; but nothing relating 
to microscopical science was introduced. It was announced that Mr. 
Smith would read a paper at the next meeting " On the Mosses of 
Sussex." 
Oldham Microscopical SociETY.f 
On Tuesday evening, October 12th, the quarterly meeting of this 
Society was held. There was a good attendance of members and 
friends. A paper " On the Microscope in Geology " was read by Mr. 
John Butterworth. After referring to the usefulness of the micro- 
scope to students generally, Mr. Butterworth proceeded to state that 
by its aid the geologist was enabled to trace the various phases of 
animal and plant life existing through the different geologic ages, 
from the lowest Silurian up to the present, and that the important 
discoveries made through its agency have given a great impetus to, 
and interest in, the study of fossil remains. Its use in ascertaining 
the characteristics of the crystalline, stratified, and fossiliferous varie- 
ties of rock, was described at considerable length, and illustrated by 
numerous beautifully-prepared specimens. 
The most interesting part of the paper was that which treated of 
the fossiliferous rocks, sections of which, from the Dudley limestone 
and from the Yoredale rocks in the Hebden Valley, were exhibited, 
showing the internal structure of the corals, zoophytes, goniatites, 
sponges, &c., of which they are composed. 
Special attention was called to the fact that the coal-fields of Lan- 
cashire and Yorkshire are remarkably rich in fossil plants and fish- 
remains, and that in no part perhaps were more interesting specimens 
to be met with than in and around the town ; some of which, gathered 
and prepared by various members, including teeth and scales of fishes, 
coprolites, and fossil wood, were shown under the microscope, by which 
the details of structure were brought out with remarkable distinctness. 
Mr. Butterworth fully described the method by which sections 
for the microscope may be cut and prepared by the amateur at but 
little cost beyond time and patience. At the close of the paper, an 
interesting discussion took place on the merits and peculiarities of the 
various objects exhibited, which added greatly to the information and 
interest of the meeting. 
A vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr. Butterworth 
for the valuable information communicated. 
* Beport supplied by Mr. T. W. Wonfor. f Eeport furnished by Mr. R. Home. 
