

NOTICES OF MEETINGS, 221 

defined, and a good description given of the Megascopic characters 
of the Spinal Cord, its microscopical character and blood vessels, 
Finally, there are six methods of preparation given, and a biblio- 
graphy relating to the subject. No. 8 is devoted to the bracken 
fern (fPterts aguilina). No. 9 to a section of the Human Liver : 
while No. ro gives a clear account of the thallus of the sea-weed 
fiucus vesiculosus, or bladder-wrack. The chromo-lithographs are 
really the best of the kind that have hitherto appeared. Messrs. 
Watson & Son have now a claim to be considered perfect delinea- 
tors of microscopic objects. None the less perfect are the slides 
accompanying the periodical, and we strongly hope Mr. Cole will 
meet with such encouragement as to cause him to look upon his 
undertaking as a permanent work. 
We have also received the Report and Proceedings of the Man- 
chester Scientific Students’ Association for the year 1881, containing 
much interesting matter; the Proceedings of the Liverpool Field 
Naturalists Club for the year 1881-82, shewing that that Society is 
doing a great deal of useful work, and of which the President’s 
address on Animal Adornments, may be read with profit ; and the 
April and May Zransactions of the Hertfordshire Natural LZistory 
Society, which complete their yearly volume, and contain reports of 
field meetings and general society business, 

TO SECRETARIES OF SOCIETIES. 
In view of the constantly increasing pressure upon our columns, we find it impossible 
to give such full and complete lists of objects shown at the Ordinary Meetings and 
Soirees of Societies, as we hitherto have done. 
We do not wish all lists expunged from reports, but that there should be some 
method in enumeration is evinced by the numerous letters we have received during 
the last six months, to the effect that in the opinion of our correspondents, many of 
these lists are of but little use. Our own views coincide completely with those of 
our correspondents. We had long been of opinion that the lists of objects might be 
cut down with advantage, but wished for twelve months at least, to provide a per- 
manent record, useful to young Societies and to those wishful to exhibit at Soirees. 
We have done this, and therefore ask the Secretaries of Societies to aid us in making 
their lists as interesting as possible, confining it to objects shown to illustrate papers 
o other communications, new apparatus, and to rare specimens met with in the 
district. 


NOTICES OF MEETINGS. 
BOLTON MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—This Society made its first 
ramble during the summer recess on Saturday last. Taking the 2.50 train to 
Atherton, the members were conducted by Messrs. Midgley and Shipperbottom 
to the various ponds and ditches which abound between there and Chequerbent. 
In a pond found soon after leaving the station, the larva of the great water- 
