PEOOEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
277 
South Australian Microscope Club. 
Although the number of microscopists in a limited population like 
that of South Australia is necessarily small, it is gratifying to know 
that a Microscope Club has been recently formed in Adelaide, under 
favourable auspices. The idea of forming it arose from a successful 
exhibition of microscopes and objects by members and friends of the 
Philosophical Society. It was found that some fine instruments and 
objectives were in the hands of private gentlemen resident in the 
colony, and it was suggested that it would be useful to form a club for 
the purpose of mutual improvement. About eighteen gentlemen 
united to form the club, and during the last year monthly meetings 
have been regularly held at the of&ces of one of the founders. The 
plan of proceeding has been simple. The first half hour of each 
meeting has been spent in examining new or interesting objects and 
any novel piece of apparatus received by any member since the last 
meeting. The remaining portion of the evening has been spent in 
the study of some special subject notified by the chairman appointed 
at the previous meeting. Mr. Smeaton has acted as secretary and 
convener of the meetings, and during the year the following subjects 
have been studied, viz. insect preparations, mounting in balsam and 
resinous media, polarization of light, spectrum analysis, dental tissues, 
starches, preparation of diatoms, and photography as applied to the 
microscope. Numerous objects have been exhibited, those collected 
in South Australia having attracted special attention. The stands 
brought under the notice of the club have been Beck's large binocular, 
Beck's educational, CoUins's Harley binocular, a medium-sized Powell 
and Lealand, Hartnack's model, and one or two others of smaller con- 
struction. The objectives examined by the members have been a 
complete series of Beck's dry objectives, up to ^gth. inch ; CoUins's 
objectives ; a Y^th. inch by Ross, working wet or dry without change 
of front ; a ^^th inch Powell and Lealand, with immersion arrange- 
ment ; and some very good objectives made in France. 
It will be seen that the club has found ample material for work ; 
and although it cannot hope to rival the great societies at home, it has 
been proposed to imitate them by giving a public exhibition during 
the year, whereby it is expected that a large accession of members will 
be attracted to the club. 
Memphis Microscopical Society. 
The Society met at the usual hour and place, with a large atten- 
dance of members, attesting an increasing interest in its objects and 
proceedings. 
Dr. W. A. Edmonds was unanimously elected to active member- 
ship, and Dr. J. V. Herriott, of Valparaiso, Indiana, as a corresponding 
member. 
A donation was received from Dr. Chris. Johnston, of Baltimore, 
consisting of finely preserved specimens of deutzia leaf, cuticle of 
ladies' slipper, section of lignite, fossil diatoms, &c. Also from Henry 
X 2 
