PKOCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
37 
might be sent to the Assistant Secretary if any special arrangements 
were required for purposes of exhibition by any of the Fellows of 
the Society. 
The President having expressed a hope that as many of their 
number as possible would attend on that occasion, and bring with them 
matters of interest, the proceedings were adjourned to January 6, 1875. 
Scientific Evening, December 9, 1874. 
On this occasion an unusual number of remarkable objects were 
brought together for exhibition, as the subjoined list will show. The 
illustrations ^of minute anatomy excited special admiration. It will 
be seen that Dr. Urban Pritchard contributed a valuable and instructive 
series of preparations and models showing the comparative anatomy 
of the cochlea, rods of Corti, and other portions of the ear ; while 
Mr. Loy's modestly-mentioned " Dissections of lepidopterous larvae," 
comprised a large collection of objects, prepared and moimted with 
extraordinary skill. 
The two marine creatures exhibited by Mr. Browning have not yet 
been identified by any authority. The " insect " maybe a larval form. 
It has apparently only six legs, and jaws well adapted for biting. Both 
these creatures are reported to be serious foes to electric telegraph 
cables, one assailing the hemp, and the other the guttapercha. 
M. de Souza Guimaraens exhibited the ovum, larva, and pupa of 
the Phylloxera vastatrix, the cause of so much damage to the vines. 
He also exhibited the Phylloxera of the oak, including the male, 
illustrating Balbiani's researches, which will be found in the ' Eevue 
Scientifique,' June 6, 1874. 
Messrs. R. and J. Beck exhibited a microscope made for a surgeon 
in New Orleans. It was on the design of their large best portable 
stand, with a complete series of object-glasses and apparatus. The 
limb was made of solid silver, as also the bodies. The pillars and stand 
were of aluminium bronze, and the movable parts and apparatus of alu- 
minium. The fittings for rack work and the slow motion were of steel. 
The distribution of the various metals was arranged so as to 
endeavour to obtain the greatest stability, freedom from tremor, and 
minimum of friction. The whole of the apparatus was packed witli 
the stand in an elaborate rosewood case, every block being screwed 
into an inner carcase. 
They also exhibited a beautiful specimen of Spirogyra dubia, 
showing the anatomy of the cells, prepared by Dr. J. G. Hunt, of 
Philadelphia. 
Messrs. Powell and Lealand exhibited two glasses on a new formula ; 
one, ith, showing the lines of Amphi/pleura pellucida ; and the other, 
■|th, showing Pleurosigma angulatum x 4000. This object was illu- 
minated by direct light. The effect was to show the interspaces re- 
markably magnified, and the beads comparatively small. They stood 
out like minute spheres of pink coral on a white ground. 
Messrs. Ross and Co. exhibited a new portable microscope of 
elegant appearance. The stem of the arm to which the body is at- 
tached slides through a socket, forming a coarse adjustment. This 
