to which Mr. Leigh alluded in his Paper. Professor 
Williamson further suggested for inquiry, how far the 
structureless basement membrane seen underlying the 
calcareous layer of many calcified structures ( e.g . the pulp 
membrane of the tooth) played some part equivalent to the 
parchment dialyser of the Master of the Mint. 
Mr. Moslev read extracts from a Report to the Cotton 
Supply Association, of a microscopical examination of a sample 
of cotton supposed to have some peculiarities. On comparison 
with good American cotton it was found to contain a greater 
proportion of round and partially flattened filaments, all more 
or less twisted, but full and w r ell developed ; the polarised 
colours were more bright and vivid, all indicative, he con- 
sidered, of strong and vigorous growth in a congenial soil, and 
careful gathering when the pod was at its highest stage of 
development. The fibres varied in size, from flattened ribbons 
of in of an inch broad to cylindrical fibres of ttoo of an inch 
in diameter ; the variation being due mainly to the amount 
of compression of the cylinder rather than to actual difference 
in bulk. The staple measured from 1 inch to lj inch in 
length. The contrast with some inferior cottons w r as strongly 
marked, as regards their twisted, flat, tape-like appearance, 
and faint polariscopic colouring, which he attributed either 
to weakly growth or to having been picked from over-ripe 
pods, when the fibre had become dry and sapless. Too little 
is, however, known to form an exact opinion ; dissection of 
buds and pods in all stages of growth would be necessary for 
a full and exhaustive investigation of the subject. 
In reply to a question from Dr. Roberts, Professor 
Williamson stated that, like all vegetable hairs, the cotton 
fibre in its early stage is unquestionably cylindrical. 
Mr. Sidebotham exhibited a convenient and effective 
form of binocular microscope, by Mr. Dancer, suitable for 
naturalists and others. 
