Monthly Microscopical"! 
Journal, Feb. 1, 1869. J 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
137 
characters of the plant, and mentioned that it could be most readily 
identified by the porcelain-like appearance of the lower part of the 
culms. — A paper by Mr. E. Heelis, Dimbula, was communicated by 
Mr. H. A. Hurst, entitled " Ceylon : its Climate, Natural History, &c." 
The paper included many interesting facts having reference to the 
zoology, botany, and geology of the central portion of the island. — 
Mr. J. B. Dancer, F.R. A.S., exhibited a series of microscopical slides, 
consisting chiefly of the leaves of tropical plants. 
Beading Microscopical Society. 
15th Bee, 1868. 
The usual monthly meeting was held at the Athenaeum, Captain 
Lang presiding. 
The ordinary business having been transacted, the President re- 
minded members of an old custom of entering, upon a paper lying 
upon the table for that purpose, the names of objects brought for 
exhibition ; and suggested that it should be resumed. 
Mr. F. J. Blandy then read, " Some Remarks on the History of 
the Development of Infusorial Animal Life," in which he referred 
to the opinions, experiments, and conclusions of Aristotle, Lewes, Car" 
penter, Schultze, Pouchet, De Quatrefages, and others, as to sponta- 
neous generation and the existence of Infusoria under most unlikely 
conditions. 
Mr. Tatem exhibited an unrecorded form of Infusorium,* for 
which a new genus would have to be founded. 
Microscopical Society of Liverpool. 
The first meeting of this Society was held at the Eoyal Institution, 
on Tuesday, January 5 ; Dr. Thomas Inman was elected Vice-President 
and Mr. W. M. Bywater an Honorary Member. 
The list of members was read by the Secretary, Mr. C. H. Stearn, 
after which the inaugural address of the session was delivered by the 
President, Dr. J. Birkbeck Nevins. 
After commenting on the advantages to be derived from co-opera- 
tion and intercourse between workers in the same branch of science. 
Dr. Nevins dwelt at some length on the reasons that had induced this 
Society to depart from the usual practice of scientific associations by 
admitting ladies as members. 
He pointed out the necessity of hard work and careful observation 
in order to attain proficiency in Microscopy, and what valuable work 
might be done by the use of low powers and inexpensive apparatus. 
Dr. Nevins concluded by directing the attention of microscopists to 
the important problem of the origin of epidemic disease, and recom- 
mended a careful examination of the constituents of the atmosphere in 
time of health and at all periods of the year. 
After a vote of thanks to the President for his excellent address, 
the meeting resolved itself into a conversazione. 
* Described in Mr. Tatem's communication in this number. — Ed. M. M. J. 
