AO) eas THE NORTHERN MICROSCOPIST. 

Mr. E. Ward said that at the suggestion of Mr. Miles he had used the oil- 
cloth carrier, and was much pleased with its simplicity and usefulness. 
The President, Mr. Brittain, and others described various modifications of 
this plan. 
The President announced his distribution of the eggs of the parasite of the 
partridge, and Mr. Fleming’s distribution of a series of starches. Mr. Thomas 
Brittain, vice-president, having read a paper on the Structure and Modification 
of the Organ of Sight, the usual conversazione followed, but most of the mem- 
bers went upstairs to visit the exhibition of the Photographic Society, from 
whom a general invitation had been sent by the courteous secretary, Mr. 
Chadwick, 5 
MANCHESTER MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY MOUNTING CLASS. 
—The Mounting Class in connection with the Society has again got into full 
operation for the winter session. Numerically the class is a strong one, and 
also includes about a dozen gentlemen who were members last session, who 
continue to take great interest in the work done, which is always practically 
demonstrated by the presiding operator. At the last meeting (the third of the 
session) Mr. Miles officiated, and illustrated mounting in balsam, a transparent 
medium which permanently secures an object between the slide and the cover, 
and gives it the appearance of being beautifully embedded in glass. Mr. Miles 
further successfully demonstrated deep-cell ringing with white zinc varnish, an 
article very difficult to manage, but giving a very handsome finish to mounts, 
hardening with age. This latter operation was watched with much interest. 
Theoretically, the idea is to “ build up” the varnish, but in practice Mr. Miles 
showed that the proper plan is to begin at the top of the ring and allow the 
varnish to gently fall down the sides by gravitation, assisted by the sable pencil. 
Of course, the best and most artistic results will only be obtained after consider- 
able practice. Rich foraminiferous sand from Dog’s Bay, Ireland, was distri- 
buted by Mr. J. A. Furnival, who kindly promised to officiate at the next 
meeting, taking glycerine jelly as the mounting medium. 
MANCHESTER SCIENCE ASSOCIATION.—The third Soirée in connec- 
tion with the Science Classes of the Manchester Mechanics’ Institute was held on 
Saturday, December 17th, when in spite of the miserably wet evening a very 
numerous assemblage filled the different rooms to overflowing. A splendid 
collection of ancient and modern scientific instruments, art models, machinery, 
chemistry, and most branches of science, whether for amusement or purposes of 
trade, had been provided by the members of both Societies, generously aided by 
gentlemen from the Manchester Microscopical Society, Photographic Society, 
&c. The news and art rooms contained the principal part of the Exhibition, 
while the lecture hall was devoted to a laughter-evoking lecture by Mr. Thomas 
Harrison, entitled ‘‘ The Science of Humour,” illustrated by photographs from 
Punch, of ‘John Leech’s’ caricatures, and Caldecott’s ‘ Mad Dog,’ which were 
shown upon the screen by Mr. Chadwick, the Hon. Sec. of the Photographic 
Society. 
The following is a list of the Microscopical objects : 
ANIMAL, 
DELI US: SLO PIGUES PD yelp EE oe, 2 ae ae eet Mr. Jas. Fleming. 
Volvox globator 
SOPHO DUSTCP YS SCGLIETASON & cies Mont eth Ae dh lta Mr. Robt. Graham. 
Vorticella 
Daphnia pulex f 
Hydra fusca } sth Pe Da/ sas Se Tah sea ems hwesesae whee Mr. J. L. W. Miles. 
Spirogyra quinina ‘ 
Melicerta ringens for Heh seg ANE, BOR Satna se ames Mr, E. W. Napper. 

