104 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
study for the evening, viz. Hydrozoa and Polyzoa. After giving a 
lucid account of the general characters of each of these classes, illus- 
trated by some well- executed drawings, he proceeded to show a collec- 
tion of about fifty varieties he had collected at different points of the 
South Australian coast. Many of these he had been able to name, 
but several differed so much from any illustrations in the books that he 
was inclined to think they were peculiar to Australia. The collec- 
tion was beautifully mounted, and about two hours were spent in 
examining it under several microscopes brought by members of the 
club. 
Memphis Microscopical Society. 
April 15, 1875. — The Society met at the usual hour, with a full 
attendance of members and visitors. 
Donations were received ; several handsomely prepared slides of 
various subjects from Mr. Frank Miller, of New York, and specimens 
of a somewhat rare species of insect, from Mr. N. N. Mason, of Pro- 
vidence, Ehode Island, for all of which a vote of thanks was passed. 
A pamphlet was received from Mr. E. B. ToUes, of Boston, giving a 
summing up of the angular aperture question, which of late has been 
with so much bitterness discussed on both sides of the ocean. A letter 
was read from Mr. Edwin Moulton, of Worcester, Massachusetts, 
asking for information as to the best method of preparing sections of 
coal, stating that the softening process described in the books proved 
very unsatisfactory in his experience. On this point all the members 
present agreed with his conclusion, and could offer no better way than 
to grind down like any specimen of rock. 
A communication was read from Professor E. W. Morley, of 
Hudson, Ohio, giving in detail the measurements of another of 
MoUer's probe plates. The results agree as closely as could be 
expected with the probe plate previously measured, the average varia- 
tion between the two measurements being only about 5 per cent. 
The specimen of A. jpellucida on the last plate gives a measurement 
of 95,000 lines to the inch. The care and patient skill of Professor 
Morley render it sure that the figures given may be implicitly relied 
on as correct. 
The " scientific evening " of the Society having, from various 
causes, been deferred, it was decided to bring the matter to a con- 
clusion by appointing Drs. Willett and Morse and Messrs. Omberg 
and Murray as a committee to carry out the plan and make all needed 
arrangements, unless unforeseen obstacles prevent. A report is to be 
presented by them at the next regular meeting, the first Thursday in 
May, when the Society can take final action. 
A paper on " Plant Crystals " was read by Mr. A. F. Dod. All 
microscopists are familiar with these objects, but their place in the 
vital economy of the plant seems yet undecided. Mr. Dod concludes 
that they simply represent the waste of the plant's life-processes ; in 
brief, that the useless and effete matter which in the animal kingdom 
passes off through the excreting organs, is in the vegetable kingdom 
represented by these raphidcs, &c. After considerable discussion of 
some of the points involved, the Society adjourned to first Thursday 
in May. 
