810 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 
photography, but a chief feature about them was that they were printed 
in ordinary printing ink and were therefore absolutely permanent. He 
hardly saw how in perfection of illustration anything could go beyond 
these. 
The Secretary said they would not have the advantage of the com- 
munication from Mr. E. M. Nelson which was down upon the Agenda, as 
that gentleman was unfortunately ill. 
Mr. C. L. Curties exhibited a new Microscope by Leitz, of Wetzlar, 
made on the English model, with the tripod foot and inclining body now 
found in most of our best instruments, as well as the substage fittings, 
Nelson’s horse-shoe stage, sliding bar, &c. ; there was also a new 
arrangement for keeping the rack up to its work by means of a steel 
spring acted upon by screws. 
Prof. Bell said that their Assistant-Secretary had been lately pre- 
paring an inventory of the Society’s instruments and apparatus. This 
was a matter of much importance and one which ought to have been 
carried out long ago. One result of his efforts had been so far to dis- 
cover that they had a considerable number of objects concerning which 
they were unable to obtain any information, although such records of the 
meetings as were available were being carefully searched with the idea 
of tracing them. Many of these things were no doubt of great historical 
interest, and the Council would be very glad if any of the Fellows who 
were in the habit of attending the earlier meetings of the Society would 
look through the list and give any information as to those objects about 
which they were anxious for particulars. The lamented death of Mr. 
Mayall frustrated an intention to catalogue the apparatus in the Society’s 
collection, and it was doubtful if the whole of the Fellows of the 
Society combined more knowledge than he possessed on such matters. 
The list which had been prepared would remain in the Library for their 
inspection, and if Fellows would afford the help of any recollections or 
suggestions upon the subject the Council would be greatly obliged. It 
was hoped that at some future time the list would be put into shape, 
and that it would then be of value. Of course at present it must 
necessarily remain in the rough. 
The President said if there was any Fellow present who could sug- 
gest any means by which this matter might be better dealt with they 
would be very glad to receive such suggestions. 
Mr. T. C. White thought that a search through the minute books, 
going back to the early meetings of the Society, would be likely to 
throw much light on the subject ; or, failing this, the published reports 
of some of their earlier transactions might afford information as to the 
donations which were presented at those periods. 
The President believed that Mr. Brown had been engaged in a search 
through the two sources of information mentioned, and the results of 
this would of course be incorporated in the rough catalogue. 
Prof. Bell feared that the references made in the minutes, though 
sufficient at the time to recall the particulars when the objects were 
