28 
REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 
abbot deposited in the chapel. Abbot George pulled down the nave 
of the chapel—it was only the chancel they met in—and gave the 
materials for the building of the parish (St. John Baptist's) church. 
Later it ceased to be used as a chapel and was handed over by order of 
Henry VIII. for the purpose of a King’s School, and King’s School it 
had remained until a year ago, when they had to move the school to 
the new site, and so the chapel was left empty. He rejoiced that for 
the present this society should find its home and dwelling place there, 
hut hoped that it would occupy a first place in connection with a Free 
Library and other public buildings before many years had passed; 
and was sure they would all feel that the opening of the Museum that 
night was an augury of future success and would all do their utmost 
to promote the welfare of the society. The Mayor next addressed 
the meeting and was very surprised at the altered appearance of the 
building from what it was when he was first acquainted with it in 1828. 
He welcomed the society there but thought the building ought to be 
used for the Chapter Library, but that could not be at present. 
Seeing the society were desirous of purchasing all the back numbers 
of the Palaeontographical Society’s works he should be most happy to 
give £5 towards that object. Mr. J. W. Bodger, the Hon. Secretary 
and Treasurer, then gave an interesting report of the history of the 
society from its commencement in 1871, through the instrumentality 
of the late Mr. Bentley. The Museum was commenced in 1880, and 
owing to the kindness of the Dowager Lady Huntly, the President, 
the Mayoress, and many others, they now could call the treasures 
displayed that evening their own, excepting a few groups of specimens 
which were as yet only lent to the society, including the magnificent 
Roman bronze equestrian figure, the property of Dr. T. J. Walker. 
Lieut.-Colonel Strong proposed a vote of thanks to the President, to 
the Mayor and Corporation for their attendance, and he wished to 
include the name of Mr. Bodger in the vote of thanks, as he had for 
the past thirteen and a half years worked so hard for the society as 
Honorary Secretary. The Dean in acknowledging the compliment 
said he almost felt ashamed because the kind friends in Peterborough 
so over-rated the little he had done, but he did feel the Secretary did 
merit their most hearty thanks, as it was mainly owing to his exertions 
the society was in its present position. The President then declaring 
the Museum open, microscopical exhibits were made by Messrs. A. 
Gee, C. A. Beale, and G. W. Leigh. Mr. Beale exhibited young oysters, 
Polycistina from Barbadoes, gold quartz, eye of drone fly, micro¬ 
photographs, and by polarised light, sulphate of calcium, cocoon of 
silkworm, and various kinds of hair. By Mr. A. Gee, elytron of 
diamond beetle (Entimus nobilis), gemmules of sponge (Gossia), embryo 
oyster shells, Polycistina from Barbadoes and San Domingo, fossil 
diatoms from Stoney Ford, Armagh, polyzoa (Bugula plumosa), diatoms 
in situ on algse (Isthmia nervosa), North Atlantic soundings (two miles 
deep), ditto (422 fathoms deep), injected skin of salamander, section of 
human skin showing perspiration glands and ducts. For Mr. J. W. 
Bodger, various plant sections illustrating the different forms of tissue, 
plumes of moth (Nepticula), bones from the mouth of a star-fish, 
cartilage from ear of common mouse, sting of wasp, leaf of sundew 
(Drosera rotundi folia) with insects in situ. By Mr. Leigh, section of 
human scalp showing roots of hair. Section of young palm, ooze 
from the Atlantic bed (2,000 fathoms) ; Ptilota serrata , North 
America; eye of gadfly, spiracles of water-beetle (Dytiscus marginal is). 
The Roman and Saxon remains from Peterborough and the neighbour¬ 
hood attracted considerable attention. 
