REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
27 
difficulties encountered. Sociological Section, December 20th.— 
The President, Mr. W. R. Hughes, in the chair. The attendance was 
small, being doubtless reduced by the near approach of Christmas. 
The elucidation of chapters 5 and 6 of the Principles of Biology was 
proceeded with by Mr. J. O. W. Barratt, B.Sc. Bond., and illustrated 
by exhibits showing the approximate proportions of oxygen and water, 
and of carbonic acid, urea, and water, which might be supposed to 
be respectively assimilated and got rid of by a simple organism such 
as an amoeba. Hydra fusca was also exhibited as a compound 
organism of higher grade. The discussion turned on the adaptation 
of marine animals to fresh water, on the bulk of organisms relatively 
to their daily food, and on the proportion which length of animal life 
bears to intelligence. An abstract of Mr. Barratt’s elucidation will 
be printed hereafter. 
BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE SCIENTIFIC 
SOCIETY.— Photographic Section. —December 5th. Mr. R. Fisher 
gave a demonstration of the “ Platinotype.” This is a new method of 
printing photographs with salts of platinum instead of silver, whereby 
it is claimed that the results cannot possibly fade. The prepared 
paper or linen is supplied by the Platinotype Company, who hold the 
patent; and after being printed is developed by immersion in a hot 
solution of potassic oxalate. Since the platinum salt does not show 
any visible change before development, an iron salt is used in addi¬ 
tion to that of platinum, in order to guide the operator to the exposure 
to light required, and this is afterwards dissolved out by hydrochloric 
acid, and the print finally washed. The resulting colour resembles 
that of an engraving, and, as such, does not meet with much favour 
from those accustomed to the warmer tone of silver prints. 
BEDFORDSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY & FIELD 
CLUB.—This Society is trying the experiment of furnishing lecturers 
on scientific subjects for the towns and larger villages of the county. A 
committee has been appointed for the purpose of making the necessary 
arrangements, Mr. Arthur Ransom acting as chairman, and Mr. J. 
Hamson as secretary. A scheme has been prepared by the Committee 
and adopted by the Society, providing that upon proper application to 
the secretary of the Lecture Committee, a lecturer may be supplied. 
It requires that the lectures shall be brief, popular, and, as far as 
possible, practical, and it is suggested that objects of the county would 
be the most proper subjects to expatiate upon. The lecturers are to 
give their services gratuitously, but the applicants are required to 
defray all expenses incurred for travelling, refreshments, experiments, 
etc. The secretary was instructed to send circulars, explanatory of 
this offer and the terms, to the clergy, chairmen of school boards, 
schoolmasters, secretaries of local institutes, temperance societies, etc., 
in the county. A list has been drawn up of the names of gentlemen who 
are prepared with suitable papers, and upon receiving an application, 
the secretary negotiates for the subject and date, etc. At present the 
project is in its initiatory stage, and but two or three lectures have 
been given under it. It is perhaps premature to form any opinions as 
to the success of this undertaking, but so far the number of appli¬ 
cations has by no means realised the hopes of its promoters. In fact, 
we are inclined to think science is by no means appreciated in the 
rural districts of Bedfordshire, whatever may be the case in other 
counties. The advice of some of your contributors would be acceptable. 
—J. Hamson. 
