Proceedings of Societies
1886; The Company of Biologists; Volume: S2-6; Issue: 23 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1242/jcs.s2-6.23.170
ISSN1477-9137
Autores ResumoMarch 14th, 1866.The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed,A Member inquired, in reference to the proposed incorporation of the Society, if it could take the ordinary style of the "'Royal' Microscopical Society."The President explained that, to entitle the Society to use the style "Royal," it was necessary that some royal personage should be connected with it. The primary object would be to obtain the Charter in the form in which they could then take it, and, if necessary, it could be subsequently renewed under the altered name.A paper "On a Brass Slide Clip," by Dr. Maddox, was read. ('Trans.,' p. 65.)A vote of thanks to Dr. Maddox was passed.Two papers by Mr. Tuffen West were then read. ('Trans.,' pp. 67, 69.)The thanks of the Society were tendered to Mr. West.A paper by Dr. Greville was also read. ('Trans.,' p. 77.)The usual vote of thanks was awarded.A paper by Captain Mitchell, Superintendent of the Madras Government Museum, "On the True Reading of Measurements with the Cobweb Micrometer," was read, and the thanks of the Society awarded for the same. ('Trans.,' p. 71.)A paper by H. Charlton Bastian, Esq., M.A., F.J.S.S., communicated by Mr. W. H. Ince, F.L.S., was read. ('Trans.,' p. 86.)After some remarks by Mr. Brooks and the President, and the thanks of the Society having been given to Mr. Bastian and Mr. Ince. A paper "On a New and Adjustable Diaphragm," by Sydney D. Kincaid, Esq., was read. ('Trans.,' p. 75.)After a few remarks from M. Wenham, the thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Kincaid.Dr. HALIFAX produced some specimens of Insects, chiefly Bees, Wasps, &c. prepared by him, and explained his method of preparing them. The objects were operated upon by the ordinary cutting instrument, with a cylinder in the middle of the brass plate, and the object is raised by means of a screw rod working a small circular plate that rises up in the cylinder, or the well, as he should call it. The only alteration he made was to enlarge the instrument, so as to adapt it to the size of the object, it being usually furnished with but a small aperture which is not sufficient to receive a large bee or a beetle, or even a wasp. This he endeavoured to accomplish by means of an additional plate, placed over the ordinary brass plate, having a larger aperture, being an adaptation of the well of the smaller instrument, so that the same screw may operate upon the plug, and raise the object, the same as in the smaller instrument. He might add, that he found a glass surface answer better with regard to the razor or cutting instrument than the ordinary plate. The razor works very easily over the surface, and is less liable to injury from scratches. The object must, of course, be fixed, in order to be available for the cutting of the razor; and this he effected by placing the object in a paper cell, and imbedding it in wax. (Dr. Halifax produced a specimen prepared in this way.) Then the plug or block, which is to be received by the well of the cutting instrument, will consist of a little cylinder, made up partly by a small cylinder of wood, and partly by a small cylinder of wax, and wax contents. In some cases the objects become almost useless, from the difficulty of removing the wax afterwards; and, to avoid that, he previously immersed the object in stiff gum, and allowed it a very short time to harden before inserting it iu the wax capsule. Dr. Halifax concluded by showing several specimens, and explained fully the details of the plan adopted by him.The PRESIDENT announced that the Soirée of the Society would be held on the 4th of April; also that the meeting to be held on the 9th of May would be made special, to take into consideration the changes in the constitution of the Society suggested by the Council, and, if approved, to adopt them. He also read a communication received by the Committee from the Committee of the Hackney Working Men's Institute. (See p. 194.)April 4th, 1866.The Annual Soirée of the Microscopical Society was held in the Society's Booms, King's College, London, on April 4th, and was attended by nearly a thousand members and visitors. The walls of the rooms were hung with beautiful drawings and diagrams, illustrating various microscopic objects and minute tissues of the animal and vegetable kingdom. On the tables were arranged two hundred microscopes, a large portion of which were first-class instruments. The whole of the arrangements and preparations for the Soirée were under the superintendence of Mr. Blenkins, one of the Honorary Secretaries, and the company were received, on entering, by the President, James Glaisher, Esq., F.lt.S.—Mr. Williams had charge of the ancient microscopes, including the large Martin microscope, the property of the Society. This collection excited much interest, as showing the gradual improvement and development of the instrument.—Mr. Wenham exhibited an improved form of binocular microscope for the highest powers, starting from the recent idea brought out by Messrs. Powell and Lcaland of obtaining the whole aperture of the object-glass in each eye by means of the direct transmission and partial reflection from an inclined plate of glass placed behind the object-glass. It seems most desirable to increase, if possible, the quantity of light in the reflected image, as when the disc of plate glass is inclined at an angle of 45° the quantity of light is less than– part of the incident rays. Mr. Wenham has succeeded in effecting this by reducing the number of transmitting surfaces and obtaining the light in the inclined tube by means of two reflectors. A small prism is used, in form and size resembling the common binocular prism, but with the two reflecting surfaces more inclined, so as to be beyond the angle of total reflection. In contact with the first reflecting surface is another small triangular prism, whose upper plane is parallel with the base of the main prism; the rays from the object-glass will then pass direct through without refraction, and the same rays are reflected from the two contact surfaces in the inclined body in the usual way. The arrangement nearly equalises the amount of light in each eye.—Mr. Browning exhibited some of his now celebrated micro-spectroscopes, such as has been so successfully applied by Dr. Bird Herapath to the detection of blood-stains in the Ash murder case. Mr. Browning also exhibited some very beautiful, curious, and interesting spectra, among which we noticed Cochineal, Brazilwood, and, most curious of all, Sumach.—Mr. Conrad W. Cooke exhibited an instrument designed by him, and to which he has given the name of "Micrographic Camera;" one of the purposes for which it is intended, being to facilitate the figuring of microscopic objects to any desired scale. By this instrument an image (with perfect definition) can be thrown on a sheet of paper placed in a horizontal or slanting position, so that an uneducated eye can appreciate the form, and any one may trace the outlines and detail, with a fair amount of accuracy, on the paper. It is useful also for purposes of demonstration, for two or more persons may at the same time conveniently examine the image formed on the. paper: this, for the explanation of minute organic structure to students and others, may be found of value. This instrument may be worked as well in an illuminated room as in a dark one, because the head of the observer is isolated from external light by means of a curtain which falls over the back of his chair. Measurement of the objects shown in this camera may very easily be made, for it is furnished with boxwood scales corresponding to the magnifying powers of the different objectives employed. Thus, the image may be treated as a drawing, and measured and delineated with rules and compasses in the usual way. All the necessary adjustments can be effected from the inside, in order to avoid the inconvenience to the observer of continually altering his position. The use of this microscope is not entirely confined to the examination of transparent objects, for an image of many of the opaque bodies may be shown with it on the paper. The effects of dark field illumination (with the paraboloid and Lieber-kuhn) and those of the polariscope may be shown on the paper without loss of definition, and all these accessories, as well as the objectives used, are the same as those of a microscope of the ordinary construction. The whole apparatus is made to fold up so as to occupy as little space as possible for the sake of portability. Mr. Cooke also exhibited a simple form of heliostat, which is useful when the camera is worked for a long time with sun-light. Mr. Boss, relying on his well-earned fame rather than on questionable novelties, exhibited, in a collection of his highly-finished first-class instruments, a variety of specimens of marine Polyzoa, &c., remarkable for their beauty and the perfection with which they were shown.—Messrs. Powell and Lealand showed their new binocular with some first-class instruments. Under one of their instruments was exhibited a beautiful illustration of the marvellous power of the eye of a beetle. A likeness of the Princess of Wales was reflected through the 100 facets of that compound structure, and in each part was distinctly seen a perfect image of the Princess. Mr. Lealand also showed the objects for which he is so celebrated, the circulation in the Vallisneria and the Volvox globator.—Messrs. Smith and Beck exhibited a variety of beautiful objects under many of their best instruments.—Mr. James How had some beautiful examples of Zoophytes with expanded tentacles, Halodactylus, Sertularia, &c.; the larvæ of the shore crab, circulation of the blood in the frog, specimens of Trichina spiralis in human muscle, &e. Mr. How also exhibited, in one of the rooms upstairs, by means of the oxyhydrogen light, a selection of photomicrographs by Dr. Maddox, consisting of vegetable structures, diatoms, parasites, parts of insects (some of these exibited for the first time), such as preparations of the head and wings of the male and female gnat, and larvæ and pupa state of the same, and a fine photograph of the tongue of the house-cricket.—Mr. Baker showed binocular microscopes, under which were many striking illustrations of pond and marine life—such as Tabularía and Campanularia, minute crabs, and other crustaceans, fresh from their native element, a novel feature in objects usually shown at these meetings.—Mr. Charles Tyler exhibited silicious sponges from Barbadoes, opaque and in section; new Grantias from Australia; keratose sponges, with a new variety from Australia; a unique sponge with inhalent orifices. Dr. Miller showed Conochilus Volvox in his usual beautiful manner, and recent—Mr. Henry Lee exhibited living young salmon, living larvæ of gnats, and preparations of Asteridæ. There were numerous other exhibitors with most interesting objects, which were highly appreciated and most attentively examined by the large numbers assembled on the occasion.May 9th, 1866.JAMES GTLATSHEB, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the Chair.Two papers by James Smith, Esq., F.L.S., "On a Leaf-holder for the Microscope," and "On a revolving Slide-holder with Selenite Stage," were read. ('Trans.,' p. 100.)The thanks of the Society were tendered to Mr. Smith.A paper, by F. H. Wenham, Esq., "On a Binocular Microscope with High Powers," was read. ('Trans.,' 103.)Mr. BECK thought a distinction should now be drawn between the binocular microscope and the microscope with stereoscopic vision. Hitherto the binocular microscope had been looked on as giving stereoscopic vision; but in the present case there was rather a tendency to give the objects a flatter appearance. He was of opinion that Mr. Wenham's invention would render little aid in matters of research, and remarked that Mr. Wenham had not in his paper given any instance in which his own arrangement or Messrs. Powell and Leyland's prisms would be of any real advantage.Mr. BROWNING supported Mr. Beck's views with regard to stereoscopic vision. He had been unable to get stereoscopic effect from any arrangement of the kind under discussion, and when he attempted to do so a part of the field of view was cut off. It was too far from the object-glass necessarily used with high powers. There was, no doubt, a certain comfort in being able to use both eyes, and in this lay the real merit of the invention. The same advantage attended the use of the binocular telescope, as it enabled the observer to continue his observations with less fatigue; but he had never been able by it to produce the slightest stereoscopic relief.A MEMBER thought it would be difficult to overrate the value of being able to use both eyes. He had attempted to improve the binocular telescope with a view to bringing it to a moderate price; but though he had not succeeded in that object, he had produced some good binocular telescopes which answered very well, and but for their being less portable he thought no one who could obtain a binocular telescope would use a monocular one.Mr. SLACK said that his two eyes differed in focus to such an extent that he did not care for the ordinary binocular arrangement, but thought that persons whose eyes were ordinarily nearly alike in focus would be saved fatigue in making quick comparisons, as by using both eyes alternately one eye could be kept comparatively fresh, and this alternation would be favorable to the prolonged examination of exceedingly delicate objects. He thought, too, that Mr. Wenham's invention would be exceedingly valuable for objects which required the stereoscopic effect of combining two dissimilar images. He presumed it would not be doubted that this result would be obtained. No one could look at the moon through an ordinary stereoscope and say it appeared flat; and he (Mr. Slack) had never met with any person who could see even an approximation to flatness, and though in his own case he could not say that the invention produced the stereoscopic effect of the combination of two dissimilar objects, it certainly did not give the idea of flatness. Mr. Slack concluded by asking Mr. Wenham whether in his arrangement each eye got exactly the same proportion of marginal and peripheral ray, as a difference in this respect might produce a difference in result.Mr. WENHAM said that with the eight and twelve and higher powers the images would be identical. On drawing out the prism it would simply cut off a portion of the field of view, and this would be done simultaneously with both eye-pieces.Mr. GRAY thought Mr. Slack had combined two things which were essentially different—the stereoscopic effect produced by single vision, such as looking through a telescope, and the effect of viewing the same object binocularly. There were two ways of arriving at a conclusion whether an object was flat or not. In the case of the moon they would see the shadows of that body.Mr. WENHAM.—I spoke of the full moon.Mr. GRAY continued—If any one doubted that there was a difference between real stereoscopical vision and inferential stereoscopical vision, let him examine stereoscopic slides of the moon where a corresponding image was taken of two extremities. He could not say that the moon would appear flat through a telescope; it would appear as if reduced into a small globe; but in the stereoscopic slides they saw more than a hemisphere, say three quarters of the diameter, and bearing this difference in mind would simplify the distinction between real stereoscopical and inferentially stereoscopical vision. Mr. Slack had mentioned that one of his eyes differed from the other in focus, and he therefore probably did not fully appreciate the effect that most persons received from a stereoscopic picture, and was therefore the less able to distinguish between the inferentially stereoscopic and real stereoscopic vision.Mr. BECK said that Mr. Slack's remarks confirmed his opinion that the moon could not be seen as flat through an ordinary telescope, but he thought it would be seen flat through a binocular telescope. The effect of the binocular telescope, with its two telescopes placed any farther apart than the ordinary distance of the eyes, would be rather to diminish stereoscopic vision. For instance, a tolerably near object, such as a flower-pot standing outside a window, would, with an ordinary-vision telescope, appear to be outside the window; but with a binocular telescope it would appear in the same plane with the window. The telescope drew the object nearer the eyes, but did not increase the distance of the eyes apart. So an artist, directing the attention of a spectator to a picture, would ask him to look at it with one eye, because looking at it with both at once would show that it was a flat surface; and a similar effect would follow from the use of the binocular telescope.Mr. WENHAM could not agree with Mr. Beck in not being able to procure stereoscopic vision from the binocular telescope. He had used it in his travels on the Nile, in a country where it was difficult to measure distances, and there he bad certainly got the effect of distance. He (Mr. Wenham) had a telescope, made many years ago, in which, viewing the objects with both eyes, they did appear to be stereoscopic. It might be imaginary—indeed, it ought to be—but the object certainly did appear to stand out.The PRESIDENT, in concluding the discussion, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Wenham for his paper, which was duly carried. He could, from his own experience, speak of the fatigue caused by the continuous use of one eye only—not, however, to the eye at work, but to the closed one. Anything that could relieve that fatigue, and enable the observer to use the high powers of the microscope with more comfort, would be a great benefit.A paper by Mr. Beck was then read.The meeting was then made special.The SECRETARY, in moving a resolution approving of certain alterations in the laws of the Society, stated that certain modifications would be necessary in anticipation of the Royal Charter of Incorporation, endeavours to obtain which were being made on. behalf of the Society. This would also afford an opportunity for making a better arrangement of the clauses. In 1840 a law was passed, providing that past Presidents should be permanent members of the Council; but at the suggestion of the present President it was proposed that, while that rule should be acted on up to the year 1866, henceforward there should be four VicePresidents. He therefore moved—" That in the clause relating to the constitution and government of the Society the words 'four Vice-Presidents' be inserted immediately after the word 'President.' "Mr. CHARLES TYLER seconded the motion.The PRESIDENT, in putting the motion to the meeting, explained that retiring Presidents would be eligible to serve as Vice-Presidents.The motion was unanimously carried.It was moved by the SECRETARY, seconded by Mr. HENRY LEE, E.L.S., and carried unanimously—"That the laws, as revised by the Council, be the laws of the Society from the 9th May, 1866."The PRESIDENT announced that the draft of the Charter had been prepared, and that a Committee, consisting of himself, theTreasurer, and Secretaries, had been appointed to act in the matter with Mr. Burr, and that a sum of £135 had been subscribed towards the expenses.SUBSCRIBERS TO THE CHARTER FUND OF THE MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.FURTHER REMARKS on CRYSTALLIZATION.By R. THOMAS.The following diagrams illustrate a series of singular crystalline forms, which I have been enabled to obtain from solutions of sulphate of copper, by carefully crystallizing that salt at various temperatures. I have ventured to apply the term "spiral crystallization" to this peculiar and very beautiful series of phenomena.The first and most difficult stage of the process consists in evaporating a solution of sulphate of copper in such a way that the evaporation be not conducted too slowly, and that the heat employed be not excessive. By steering warily between these two extremes, we avoid on the one hand crystallization of the solution, on the other the formation of small granular masses, which cover the slide and spoil it for future operations; and we are enabled to obtain an uncrystallized film, out of which the different crystalline forms under consideration may presently develop themselves. If, now, such a film be subjected (after the manner indicated in my paper contained in the April number of this Journal) to a temperature of about 60° Fahr., numerous foliated crystals radiating from centres will soon be seen to form, and, if the slide be examined minutely, other small round forms will be noticed, which have no connection with the foliated crystals, but which constitute the first stage of the spiral. (Fig. 1.)At 65° the foliated structures are lost, and the round crystals only are seen in great numbers, clearly showing a further advance in the direction of the spiral, and presenting a well-marked but curved black cross. (Fig. 2.)At 70° the spiral is still more marked. (Fig. 3.)At 80° to 90° the lines are smaller and more numerous, while the spiral is evidently more pronounced. (Fig. 4.)At 90° to 100°, if the slide be kept free from dust, numbers of the most perfect spiral crystals, some right-some left-handed, will be seen to cover the slide. (Fig. 5.)I have no doubt that some of these crystals are, in reality, cones standing out in relief from the slide. Of this I have satisfied myself by allowing them to form in a partial vacuum in the receiver of an air-pump, and then suddenly letting in the air upon them, when I have seen the apex of the cone broken or forced in by the atmospheric pressure. I may also add that, under all circumstances, the crystals thus formed in a vacuum are more perfect than when exposed to the air, owing to the exclusion of foreign matters, such as small particles of dust, which are apt to interfere with the formation of the curves.Very beautiful effects may likewise be produced by allowing the film to crystallize gradually in Canada balsam. The balsam should be gently warmed, hut not sufficiently heated to drive off the few atoms of water contained in it. The salt gradually absorbs this water, and crystallization is slowly effected.November 16th, 1865.Dr. E. Perceval Wright exhibited some spirally twisted cases of a phryganidous insect, collected by Professor Harvey some years ago in Australia. They had been taken, with a large number of minute Helices and Bitbiniæ, from under stones on the borders of a pond, and had been overlooked as small shells allied to Valvata. A microscopical examination, however, not only at once showed that they belonged to the genus Helicopsyche, of Bremi,but likewise made apparent the dried-up thorax and limbs of the insect. At present, Dr. Wright knew of but two species of this genus, H. Shuttleworthii, Bremi, from Corsica and Como, and H. minima, Bremi, from Porto Rico, which they resembled; and, looking at the differences in the localities of these two species and of the one he now exhibited, he believed it would be found that these helicine cases belonged to a different phry-ganidous insect, to which he would venture to give the provisional name of H. Sieboldii, after the distinguished Professor of Zoology at Munich. Dr. Wright had not, however, been enabled to consult Dr. Hagen's paper in the Stettin's Entomological Society's Proceedings.Mr. Archer exhibited specimens, obtained from Yorkshire (near Market-Weighton), through the kindness of Professor Gagliardi, at present resident there, of Glosterium aciculare, West. This elegant form seems to be rare; he (Mr. Archer) had only once met with it in Ireland, in a collection made by Mr. Porte in the King's County. These specimens, however, were not so very long, in proportion to their extreme slenderness, as the original specimens described by Mr. Tuffen West; hence Mr. Archer sent some on that occasion to that gentleman, who kindly informed him that the Irish specimens were truly his G. acicalare. The specimens now exhibited seemed to Mr. Archer quite to agree with those he had previously seen.In the same Yorkshire gathering Mr. Archer drew attention likewise to some specimens of Gonatozygon Ralfsii, De Bary (= Docidiwm asperum, HaHs), in which the characteristic superficial roughnesses were the least evident he had ever seen. Indeed, at first glance one would have thought them absent; but a closer examination revealed their existence, and the comparatively smooth appearance of the surface seemed to be due to the pellucid character of the minute granules, but they were probably also less elevated than usual. There could not, however, be a doubt as to the identity of the plant.Mr. Porte exhibited a gold-fish having a large patch of Saprolegnia growing upon its side, and which stood out, perhaps, three-quarters of an inch. This proved to be in the state of developing the zoospores, some of which were discharged, others just discharging, and some with the secondary or tertiary sporangia formed one within the other, thus identifying the genus. This growth had manifested itself upon the side of the fish where it had met with an accidental injury, thus indicating that its presence was a consequence, not the cause, of disease.Mr. Archer showed specimens of Cosmarium quadratwm, in allusion to the Cosmarium shown by Dr. J. Barker at last meeting of the Club, in. order to draw attention to the great differences between them, both in size and figure.Dr. John Barker exhibited blood of the Napu Deer (Tragulus Javanicus), composed mostly of red corpuscles which are amongst the smallest in mammalia, measuring, according to Gulliver, diameter. As far as Dr. Barker could see, they are not perfectly round.December 21st, 1865.Dr. John Barker showed specimens of an Acineta, which had become produced in considerable quantity in a gathering made so long ago as the occasion of the Lugnaquilla excursion. It was very interesting to watch the disappearance and gradual return of the well-marked circular contractile vacuole. He had noticed a curious kind of swarming movement of the granular contents, not like the jerking or dancing movement of the granules (as, for instance, in the Desmidiaceæ, &c.), but a slower and more decided change of place of the particles in a curious writhing manner.Mr. Archer drew attention to the seemingly not uncommon but remarkable organism Anthophysa Miilleri, lately taken by Dr. J. Barker near Tinglas. Mr. Archer read a lengthened extract from Professor Cohn's remarks on this curious production in his * Untersuch ungen uber die Entwickelungsgeschichte der mikroskopischen Algen und Pilze,' pp. 109 et seq. The specimens now exhibited, probably being too long kept, did not show any of the Uvella-like bodies at the summits of the so-called "Stereonema" filaments, which Dr. Barker and he had seen in company. However, at the apices of some of the younger, pale greenish, or colourless filaments of the same, and not a distinct organism, a single globose body was here and there seated, with pale granular contents, seemingly the forerunner, by subsequent division, of a future Uvella-like family. On the present occasion a specimen turned up in which the body at the apex of one of the filaments, here of an elliptic shape, had its contents divided into a number of portions, still confined within their common boundary. It became a question as to this being a more advanced state, tending towards the Uvella-like family. In any case this may, perhaps, be of some interest, as Cohn had not seen these bodies otherwise than as fully developed Uvella-like clusters. Mr. Archer was disposed to think that the filaments themselves grew and branched, and that the indications seemed to point to the conclusion that the Uvella-like bodies were a subsequent development at the summit of certain seemingly soft, and younger, and nearly colourless branches, not that the Uvella-like bodies developed the stipes analogous to that of Gomphonema, &c., amongst diatoms. Thus, the quondam Stereonema filaments and their accompanying TJvella-like terminal clusters together form Anthophysa Mülleri, that is, both these portions of this curious growth are part and parcel of the same organism, though it is not easy to perceive, regarding the Uvella-like group as germs, how these would again develop a new "Stereonema" thread, giving the stipes that name as a convenient one, though, of course, as Cohn most justly states, "Stereonema," as either an algal or fungal genus, quite falls to the ground; but, on the other hand, it might, perhaps, be too hasty an assumption that all Uvellæ were but detached groups or clusters of Anthophysa.In connection with the foregoing, and as in a measure supplementary thereto, Mr. Archer took occasion to exhibit a production seemingly not uncommon in certain localities, and which he has several times brought down to the meetings, but had never presented, as on those occasions so many other objects had pressed themselves on attention. Of this production he had not been able to find any record, though doubtless such may exist; he thought the present a good opportunity to show it to the Club on account of a possible affinity—at least, a certain amount of resemblance—to Anthophysa. This formed a much-compressed, plane, broad, more or less and indefinitely branched production, the branches plane, broad, more or less curved, divergent, gradually widening from below upwards; the ends abruptly rounded off; their surface furnished with interrupted coarse ridges, giving the whole the appearance of being formed of elongate cells; the whole structure free; colour yellowish, reddish, or brown. This production Mr. Archer had met with several times, but without being able to make anything more of it, until on one occasion, in company with Dr. Barker, who,indeed, drew attention to it,aview of a further characteristic was obtaine
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