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PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
something better still in this direction, as well as the discovery of a 
new method of mounting dry preparations so that they will not spoil 
(as unfortunately all those with asphalte rings are liable to do), nor 
the covers become dislodged by any blows or falling. 
A very interesting letter was received through the hands of Dr. 
C. L. Anderson, a corresponding member, residing at Santa Cruz, 
in consequence of the interest the mineral he mentions seems to be 
attracting in scientific and other quarters. A slide, received from 
Mr. Allen Y. Moore, of Coldwater, Mich., of the coorongite, was 
handed to Mr. Hanks at a former meeting, hut no report has been 
received from him as yet. Mr. Kinne stated that he understood the 
mineral to be named from the district of Coorong, where it is found. 
With a small quantity of the mineral, Dr. Anderson also sent a small 
piece of what he regarded as a paraffin shale, also from Australia. 
He stated it to be rich in carburetted hydrogen, and presumed it to 
be abundant, from the fact that it can he obtained at about £>25 per 
ton in San Francisco. The origin and extent of the deposit must 
be a subject of interest not only to science hut to commerce. The 
slide sent in by Dr. Anderson, with the samples, was one mounted 
by Mr. Morris, from the coorongite, and was foimd to contain varieties 
of fresh-water diatoms. 
Mr. H. F. Attwood, of Chicago, sent the members of the Society, 
through Mr. Kinne, several slides of diatoms obtained from the water 
supply of his city, and which he stated have recently been receiving 
considerable attention from a Professor Piper there, who, like many 
others, seems to mistake notoriety for fame, and proceeds to fright 
the soul of the average Chicagoan who takes his water straight, by 
badly executed drawings of diatoms and other fresh- water microscopic 
plants. Some of the Professor’s terrible monsters of the deep were at 
once recognized as Diatoma vulgare, Stephanodiscus Niagara, Cyclotella 
operculala, Asterionella formosa, Fragilaria, &c., species which are as 
particular about their water supply as any one need be. 
Indicative of the interest that the microscope is attracting, a letter 
was read to the members from a lady resident of the city who was 
desirous of learning of some one proficient in microscopical studies, 
who would form a class or give private instructions. 
The Secretary of the American Postal Micro-Cabinet Club noti- 
fied the members that the boxes of two of their circuits had come to 
grief in the riots East or been stolen ; at least the use of the highest 
powers he could obtain was unable to resolve them into anything 
tangible. As Mr. Hervey in his letter suggested that “ lightning 
hardly strikes twice in the same place,” the members decided to send 
on some more slides. 
Dunkirk Microscopical Society. 
The regular meeting was held on Friday evening, October 12, 
1877, the President, Dr. Geo. E. Blackham, in the chair. There 
was a large attendance of members and visitors. This being the first 
