The Pi^esidenfs Address, 
31 
learn^ proportionate to the demand for instruments ; so great 
indeed is it^ that it is with difficulty the supply keeps pace 
with it. 
We have had the usual number of ordinary meetings^ with 
the usual annual soiree, the full attendance at which may be 
accepted as additional evidence of the interest taken by a 
large portion of the public in microscopical pursuits. 
Our members have not failed to furnish material for con- 
sideration and discussion at the ordinary meetings. On one 
evening only the Council were not provided with a written 
communication to submit to the meetings and on that occa- 
sion the unusual and unexpected deficiency was amply com- 
pensated by the valuable observations and interesting discus- 
sion elicited on subjects extemporally introduced by the Hev. 
J. B. Eeade and Mr. H. Deane_, which I shall presently have 
to notice. 
We have had several communications on methods of pre- 
paring objects for examination with the microscope : — 
1. The first of these was On the Preservation and Mount- 
ing of Microscopic Objects in Minute Tubes.^^ By Dr. Guy. 
(Eead March 12th ; published in ^ Trans. Mic. Soc' vol. Xj 
N. S., p. 77.) 
The mode of preparing the tube^ introducing the object^ 
and securing it_, by sealing both ends of the tube_, are 
fully and clearly explained_, and the classes of objects to 
Vv'hich the method is especially adapted are indicated. Such 
are chemical sublimates^ as of arsenious acid_, antimony 
some volatile chemical substances^ as camphor^ iodine^ sul- 
phur_, &c.j small seeds^ pollen^ and starch_, and small ^''cylin- 
drical objects_, as the antennse of insects_, and the stamens 
and pistils of most plants.^^ Minute insects_, also^ may be 
well preserved in this way. The advantages of the plan, 
when appropriate^ are, the objects are preserved from pres- 
sure or distortion, and the necessity of using any preservative 
medium is superseded, as the exclusion of air and moisture, 
by sealing the tubes at both ends, answers every purpose of 
preservation. Specimens of objects thus mounted were ex- 
hibited. One particularly remarkable was a stamen of the 
rhododendron, which had been enclosed in the tube more 
than nine months, and was then as fresh and clear as when 
first introduced. 
2. On a Revolving Disc-holder for Opaque Objects.^^ 
By Mr. Uichard Beck. (Bead June 11th; published in 
^ Trans. Mic. Soc.,' vol. x, N. S., p. 101). 
The author gave a short description of the apparatus which 
is designed to facilitate the examination of objects under 
