^Z^nllK'rimT PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 331 
and hot-plate, &c., which ordinarily occupy too much space to be 
compatible with great portability and compactness. A number of 
these instruments are now in use, and they are found very convenient 
for supplying a desideratum that I believe has not before been met ; 
and they have been made very complete by improvements in the 
working-out of the details suggested by several microscopic friends. 
William P. Marshall. 
PEOCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.* 
EoYAL Microscopical Society. 
King's Colu<igie, November 10, 1869. 
The Eev. J. B. Eeade, F.E.S., President, in the chair. 
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. 
A list of donations made to the Society was read, and a vote of 
thanks passed to the various donors. Special mention was made by 
Mr. Slack of a very interesting present to the Society by Dr. Millar, 
in the form of a fine specimen of an Amici reflecting microscope, the 
objectives of which were like miniature Newtonian telescopes. The 
present had acquired additional value by the gift on the part of 
the President of three powers adapted to the instrument. 
A special vote of thanks was given to Dr. Millar and the President. 
Mr. Slack also announced that Mr. Collins had presented to the 
Society an improved form (modified by Mr. Brooke) of his double 
nose-piece, the apparatus having been so constructed as to reduce the 
weight and lessen the price. 
Mr. Slack exhibited on behalf of Mr. Blankley, F.E.M.S., a new 
polarizing apparatus devised by him, containing a sliding wedge of 
selenite working under a circular rotating-plate of the same material, 
and affording gradations of tint. 
The President announced that Mr. Stevenson had brought for 
exhibition his new safety stage, which effectually protected the most 
delicate object-glasses and objects from injury. It consisted of a brass 
frame adjusted so as to allow the objective to come down just as far 
as the covering-glass of the object, but no farther. [For description 
and figures, see " Notes and Memoranda."] 
A vote of thanks was passed to each of these gentlemen. 
Mr. Hogg exhibited a new portable microscope by Mr. Collins, 
describing it as most convenient in form, and of very ingenious con- 
struction. 
Dr. Pigott, who had intended to read his paper on " High Power 
Definition, with illustrative Examples," being unavoidably absent, the 
President requested Mr. Slack to read the communication. Mr. S. 
Mclntyre having written a paper on a cognate subject, " The Scales 
* Secretaries of Societies will greatly oblige us by writing out their reports 
legibly — especially the technical terms — and iby "underlining" words, such as 
specific names, which must be printed in italics. They will thus ensure accuracy 
and enhance the value of their proceedings. — Ed. M. M. J. 
