CONVERSAZIONE. 
553 
Several exhibitors were at the same time showing the platino-eyanide of 
thallium, another very beautiful object, but about which there seems to be 
a suspicion that it is not a thallium compound at all. Some specimens have 
been placed in the hands of Mr. Crookes for the determination of this point. 
One object of peculiar interest was exhibited by Mr. Roberts (assistant to 
Rrof. Graham). This gentleman has discovered a number of minute or¬ 
ganisms the germs of which come doubtless from the air, flourishing in arti¬ 
ficial silica prepared by dialysis. The structure and position of these singular 
bodies throw considerable light upon the origin of moss-agates and similar 
natural productions. Mr. Ladd exhibited, with the kind permission of the in¬ 
ventor, the new voltaic battery of silver and zinc, constructed by Mr. Warren 
De la Rue, F.R..S. He also showed a new form of medical magnetic machine, 
in which the currents are all in one direction, and a dynamo-magnetic ma¬ 
chine, which well illustrates the convertibility of force. 
In the Lecture Theatre Mr. How entertained the visitors at intervals by 
an exhibition of photographs upon the screen, by the aid of the oxyhydrogen 
light; amongst the rest a portrait of Faraday. The Secretary’s office was 
devoted to the display of Geissler vacuum tubes, by Dr. W. S. Squire. Some 
of the fluorescent tubes were particularly beautiful. 
Among the hosts of valuable works of art with which the reception-rooms 
were adorned were paintings supplied by Messrs. Voluns; “ Sheep Wash¬ 
ing,” by E. Duncan; “ Home Again,” by H. O’JSTeill, R.A.; Six Angels, 
from Fra Angelica; water-colour drawings, exquisite in colour and touch, by 
R. P. Burcham, Esq.; photographic illustrations of Highland scenery, by 
Mr. Vernon Heath ; engravings and portraits, illustrative of ancient phar¬ 
macy, kindly contributed by J. Ince, Esq., the President, and T. JM. B. 
Morson, Esq. The London Stereoscopic Compai^ sent enlarged photo¬ 
graphs of the Pope, Lord Elcho, Shirley Brooks, and Adelina Patti; also an 
album of photographic views taken in the Holy Land ; Messrs. Maull and 
Co., a series of portraits of eminent pharmaceutists; W. L. Bird, Esq., a 
collection of exquisite photographs, by G. Dunmore ; and Mr. Groves (Wey¬ 
mouth) a painting of an alchemist at work. Engravings, showing two 
stages of the work, taken from the portrait by Sir Edwin Landseer, of the 
late Mr. Jacob Bell, and shortly to be published, were hung in the reception- 
room by T. H. Hills, Estp ; who also contributed a fine engraving of the 
painting of Sir Edward Landseer, surrounded by his dogs. 
A large collection of bronzes, porcelain figures and vases, and majolica 
ware, was exhibited by Messrs. Miller and Sons, Jackson and Graham, 
Copeland, Gilbertson, and Phillips. Mr. T. Butler exhibited busts of Kemble 
and C. Kean, and also a bust of a lady, life-size, in marble. Messrs. Phillips, 
of Cockspur Street, lent for the occasion a collection of arms from the Indian 
Court in the Paris Exhibition, 1867 ; two very fine specimens of Siberian and 
Australian malachite ; and, in addition, one of the largest known specimens 
of tourmaline, of great value, the property of Colonel Guthrie. The Council- 
room was almost entirely occupied by a fine collection ot living medicinal 
and economic plants, for which thanks are due to Professor Bentley. Amongst 
others might have been seen a fine specimen ot aucubain fruit, the sugar-cane 
(Saccharum officinarum ), the cocoa-nut ( Cocos nucifera), black pepper ( Piper 
nigrum), and cubeb pepper ( Cubeba officinalis ), tea ( Thea viridis and T. 
JJohea), coffee ( Cojfea arabica), matico ( Artanthe elongata), cinnamon ( China - 
momum zeylanicum), pimento {Eugenia pimento), the plant from the fruit of 
which palm-oil is obtained (Elais guineensis), and many others. 
In the Laboratory Mr. Scholl gave ocular proof of the efficiency of his 
“ gas perfecter.” This really ingenious contrivance consists in the introduc¬ 
tion of a small slip of platinum foil into the non-luminous base of the flame ; 
