Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society
Summary of Reports for the Sessions, 1886-7, 1887-8, 1888-9, 1889-90
To avoid the repetition of the stereotyped phrases which are invariably employed in drawing up Annual Reports, this summary of the work done during four sessions is presented.
Session 1886-7 – A noteworthy feature of this Session was the publication of the transactions of the previous year in the form of a neat pamphlet containing a Photo-Micrograph as a frontispiece. This was issued to the members early in 1887.
I addition to the General Meeting and an Exhibition Meeting seven ordinary meetings were held at which the following papers were read: –
“Milk its Chemical and Microscopical Examination,” by Mr. M. H. Stiles
“The Eye and how we see,” by Mr. Furnival
“Coal Gas,” by Mr. T. H. Easterfield
“Light,” by the Rev. A. C. E. Blomfield
“Bees, and their Work,” by Mr. W. Roberts
“Vivisection,” by Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson
“Medusoe, etc.” by Mr. J. M. Kirk
Average attendance, twenty-three. Income for the year, £10. 19s. 4d. Expenses, £9. 2s. 01/2d. Balance at the end of the year, £9. 3s. 10d.
Session 1887-8 – In view of the ever-increasing popularity of Photography it was decided early in this Session that inducements to join the Society should be offered to those interested in the subject; arrangements were therefore made for occasional meetings at which matters pertaining to this most interesting pursuit could be discussed.
Eight Meetings were held during the Session, the papers and lectures given being as follows: –
“A piece of Chalk,” by the Rev. Cannon Faber
“Photography by artificial Light,” by Mr. M. H. Stiles
“Combustion, spontaneous or otherwise,” by Mr. T. H. Easterfield
“The Microscope, its history and use,” by Mr. J. M. Kirk
“Coal and its Products,” by Mr. T. J. Hasselby
“Astronomy” (illustrated by the Oxy-Hydrogen Lantern), by the Rev. A. C. E. Blomfield, M.A.
“Notes on Development and on Printing,” by Mr. W. Delanoy and Mr. M. H. Stiles
And a Valedictory address “Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society – its work, past, present and future,” by the Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President)
Average attendance, nineteen. Income for the year, £7. 7s. 3d. Expenses, £5. 6s. 0d. Balance at the end of the Session, £11. 5s. 1d.
Session1888-9 – In the early part of the year 1889 (January 1st), the Society sustained a severe loss in the death of the Re. Canon Brock, its first President. To commemorate in some measures his long and pleasant connection with the Society a reproduction of a lifelike Portrait is issued as a frontispiece with this report.
The Programme for the Session was probably the most varied and attractive yet offered to the members, being as follows:
“Lantern slides and how they are made,” by Mr. M. H. Stiles
“Insects injurious to Agriculture,” by Mr. W. Roberts
“The migration of Birds,” by Mr. T. Bunker, Goole
“Landscape Photographs,” by Mr. Geo. Bisat
“The Lower Forms of Animal Life” (sixth paper), by Mr. J. M. Kirk
“Chalk,” bt the Rev. T. E Lindsay, B.A., F.C.S., F.G.S.
“The Rings of Saturn,” by Mr. T. Lovell Atkinson, B.A., LL.B.
“Three Forms of Bacilli,” by Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson
Average attendance, eighteen. Income for the year, £9. 5s. 10d. Expenses, £5. 17s. 0d. Balance at the end of the Session, £14. 13s. 11d.
Session 1889-90 – A pleasing break in the ordinary routine of the Societies Work occurred at the latter end of January, 1890, in the form of an Exhibition Meeting, held in Brown’s Rooms. In addition to a good display of Microscopes, there was an excellent collection of Photographs, chiefly the work of Members of the Society and their friends, and also a number of other objects of scientific interest.
Refreshments were provided by the President, and the Entertainment appeared to afford considerable gratification to a large company consisting mainly of the friends and relatives of the members.
Seven other meetings were held at which the following papers were read: –
“Protective Mimicry as exhibited in British Lepidoptera,” by Mr. H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S.
“A Piece of Clay,” by Mr. T. J. Hasselby
“Local Museums,” by Mr. J. M. Kirk
“Improvements in Photo-micrography,” by Mr. M. H. Stiles
“British Mustelidae,” by Mr. Geo. Chonler
“Photographic Tour in North Wales,” by Mr. G. Bisat
“Ants,” by Mr. W. Roberts
Average attendance, ten. Income for the year, £8. 10s. 6d. Expenses, £5. 16s. 8d. Balance at the end of the Session, £17. 7s. 9d.
A list of Members for the four years comprised in this report is printed inside the cover.
Statement for the Years, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890
|
Receipts |
£ s. d. |
Expenses |
£ s. d. |
|
Balance in hand, Oct 1886 |
7 6 6 |
Printing Report for 1886 |
3 11 0 |
| Members subscriptions, 3 for 1886 |
15 0 |
Printing Notices, Programmes, Etc. |
9 0 0 |
| Members subscriptions, 40 for 1887 |
10 0 0 |
Hire of Rooms for Meetings |
7 6 3 |
| Members subscriptions, 37 for 1888 |
9 5 0 |
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union Levy |
1 5 7 |
| Members subscriptions, 31 for 1889 |
8 0 0 |
Correspondence, Postage, etc. |
2 10 8 |
| Members subscriptions, 25 for 1890 |
6 5 0 |
Books |
17 9 |
| Members subscriptions, 2 for 1891 |
10 0 |
Sundries |
1 10 5 |
| One Associates Subscription for 4 years |
10 0 |
||
| Interest and Sale of Report |
17 11 |
Cash in hand, October, 1890 |
17 7 9 |
|
£43 9 5 |
£43 9 5 |
SESSION 1886-87
Proceedings
General Meeting – October 15th, 1886
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (Vice-President) in the chair
The Honorary Secretary having submitted a Statement of Accounts, Mr. J. G. Walker was requested to audit them, and, being found correct, the Statement and Annual Report were read to the Meeting and adopted.
The following gentlemen were elected Officers for the present Session.
President : Fr, J, Mitchell Wilson
Vice-Presidents : The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A., The Rev. Cannon Brock, J. M. Kirk, and the Rev. W. R. Weston.
Committee : H. Cockill, W. Roberts, The Rev. A. H. Faber,, M.A., J. G. Walker, T. J. Hasselby, and C. H. Loxley.
Honorary Secretary and Treasurer : Mr. M. H. Stiles.
The newly elected President made some very appropriate and suggestive remarks on the present and future work of the Society. The Secretary announced that an excellent Programme had been arranged to commence on November 3rd. with an Exhibition Meeting.
FIRST MEETING – November 3rd, 1886
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair
Member elected – Mr. Darker Parker.
This being an Exhibition Meeting, short Papers and Notes on various subjects were read by the following gentlemen.
Polarized Light – J. M. Kirk
Photomicrography – M. H. Stiles
The Wings of Insects – W. Roberts
The Anthrax Bacillus – Dr. J. M. Wilson
Mr. Furnival also exhibited the circulation of the Blood in the Foot of a Frog under the Microscope.
The Papers and accompanying demonstrations were much appreciated by those members and friends who were present.
SECOND MEETING – November 24th, 1886
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair
A Paper on “Milk, its Chemical and Microscopical Examination,” of which the following is an abstract, was read by Mr. M. H. Stiles.
“The value of milk as an article of food, especially for the young, is so universally recognised, that its examination, with the view of forming n opinion of its quality and genuineness, become a matter of very considerable importance. Average country milk contains from 12 ½ to 13 per cent of solids, consisting of fat about 3 ½, casein (curds) 4, sugar 4 ¾, and ash (mineral matter) ¾ per cent. Many things influence its quality, more particularly the mode of feeding, the age of the cow, and the length of time she has been in milk. Still the variation takes place within limits which experience shows are fairly well defined, and thus analysts are enabled to decide with tolerable certainty whether a sample is genuine or not. The fat of milk, so well known in the form of butter, occurs as tiny globules enclosed in an organic membrane partaking of the nature of a cell. These globules vary considerably in size ranging from 1-1,500th to 1-10,000 of an inch in diameter. When milk is allowed to stand they gradually rise to the surface forming cream. Caseine is the nitrogenous portion of the milk and consists of casein proper and albumen, the latter being that part which forms the scum when the milk is boiled. Caseine is easily separated by adding a little vinegar or a small quantity of rennet and gently heating. The Curds thus produced contain a large proportion of the fat which may be removed by washing with ether. The Curds containing the fat when pressed into a mould and allowed to undergo a slow fermentation become cheese. Sugar is left in the whey after the removal of the caseine and fat, the liquid being boiled down to a syrup and set for sugar to crystallise; the crystals are afterwards refined. In the analysis of milk, the first operation is the estimation of the solids. These are obtained by evaporating a small weighed or measured quantity, in a platinum capsule over a vessel of boiling water for three hours. The dry residue is weighed together with the dish and the known weight of the latter is subtracted from the total. This residue, heated to redness until the organic matter is burnt off, leaves a nearly white ash, consisting chiefly of lime, soda, potash, phosphoric acid, and chlorine, with a small trace of iron. Probably the most important work in connection with milk-analysis is the estimation of fat. By Wankyn’s method, which substantially is that generally adopted throughout this country, the dry solids are boiled with successive quantities of ether, and the solution of fat thus obtained gently evaporated in a weighted dish until the ether is driven off, The weight of the residue consisting of the fat, is then taken, or the remaining solids in the platinum dish may be thoroughly dried and weighed, furnishing the “solids not fat,” the most important factor in determining the amount of water that has been added to adulterated milk. By Wanklyn’s method it has been found that the “solids not fat” of genuine milk never fall below 9 per cent, and seldom lower than 9.3. Nine per cent has accordingly been taken as the limit, and any samples of milk yielding less than 9 per cent, when analysed by Wanklyn’s process, is declared adulterated, the amount of adulteration being determined by the deficiency in the non-fatty solids. The removal of cream is evidenced by the finding of a low per centage of fat, the limit in this case being 2 ½ per cent, although an average milk should certainly give from 3 to 3 ½. The author’s estimations of fat were made by a process differing from Wanklyn’s, a process which he found gave rather higher results as by it the fat was more completely extracted. The weighed or measured quantity of milk was mixed with about three fifths of its weight of clean powdered pumice stone in a porcelain dish, and the whole evaporated to dryness; the contents of the dish were removed, powdered in a mortar, then packed in a percolator and treated with cold ether until all the fat was extracted, The ethereal solution of fat is evaporated and weighed as described above. In working this method there was considerable saving both of time and ether.
Mr. Stiles also showed how the specific gravity – the comparative weight of equal bulk of milk and water – was taken, a delicate balance being used for the purpose. He had constructed a table showing results of his own analysis of 12 samples of milk obtained in the town and neighbourhood, the average of these agreeing in a most remarkable manner with the average obtained by various workers in operating upon many thousands of samples throughout the country. Slides were exhibited under the microscope, showing fresh milk and the way in which measurements of the fat globules were taken, and also sour milk containing Bacterium Lactis.”
A discussion followed in which Messrs. Kirk, Furnival, and the chairman took part. A vote of thanks to the lecturer terminated the proceedings.
THIRD MEETING – December 15th, 1886
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair
Member elected – Mr. Chas. Parkin.
The chairman drew attention to a proof of the Transactions of the Society for the past Session, which the Secretary has just placed on the table.
Mr. Furnival then read a paper on “The Eye and how we see”
After describing the structure of the Human Eye by the aid of diagrams and sketches on the black board, the lecturer referred to the means by which rays of light pass (through the cornea, aqueous humour and the crystalline lens), and showed how these rays are refracted and brough to a focus by the wonderful self-adjusting power of the lens. The causes of long and short sight were explained; the former being due to a flattening of the lens and the gradual loss of power of the accommodation incidental to old age; the latter being caused by abnormal convexity of the lens or the cornea. He also gave illustrations of “persistence of vision,” the appreciable duration of the vibrations set up in the retina by a ray of light, and in addition showed how bright colours will fatigue the retina even to blindness.
A very interesting discussion followed in which the chairman and Messrs. Armitage, Easterfield and Stiles took part.
FOURTH MEETING – January 5th, 1887
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair
Members elected – Mr. F. Bonnett, Mr. W. H. Smith
A paper on “Coal Gas, “ was read by Mr. T. H. Easterfield, Scholar of Clare College, Cambridge.
The Lecturer began by referring briefly to the early history of Coal-gas as an illuminating agent, and then went on to describe in detail the manufacture and purification of Gas as used for lighting purposes, explaining as simple as possible the chemical changes which take place I the conversion of solid black coal into an invisible gas, burning with a brilliant flame. Subsequently he drew attention to the properties peculiar to Coal-gas and shewed experimentally how violently a mixture of this gas and oxygen explode if brought together into contact with a flame. All important points of the paper were illustrated by a series of striking experiments. A number of specimens and diagrams relating to the manufacture of gas were also exhibited.
At the conclusion of the paper an interesting discussion ensued in which Messrs. Bridge, Furnival, Smith, and Stiles together with the chairman and reader of the paper took part.
FIFTH MEETING – January 26th, 1887
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair
A Lecture on “Light, with special reference to the Spectroscope and Polariscope” was given by the Rev. A. C. E. Blomfield, M.A.
The Lecturer drew attention in the first place to the many analogies between Light and Sound, and described at considerable length the leading features of the wave theory of Light, illustrating his meaning by diagrams and familiar examples.
Light travels at the rate of 185,000 miles per second and at this speed would occupy nearly eight minutes in traversing the distance between the Earth and the Sun. Many of the properties of Light were described and especial attention was drawn to its Spectroscopic Study. The popular form of the Spectroscope was shown and the advantages resulting from the employment of a narrow slit in place of circular aperture referred to. Mr. Blomfield then exhibited a diagram of the Solar Spectrum and fully explained the reason why dark bands occur in it in bright lines.
Polarized Light and some of its properties were then alluded to and the construction of the Nicol Prism explained and illustrated.
Additional interest was given to the subject by the exhibition of well executed diagrams prepared as Lantern Slides; these were thrown upon the screen by means of an Oxy-hydrogen Lantern lent for the occasion by Mr. Stiles and manipulated by him. The valuable assistance thus rendered the Lecturer acknowledged in very kindly terms,
At the close Dr. Sykes proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Blomfield for his clever and most interesting lecture.
SIXTH MEETING – Friday 16th, 1887
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair.
Associate elected – Mr. Sidney Wilton.
A Paper on “Bees and their work,” was read by Mr. Walter Roberts.
“There is no insect better known or more deservedly popular than the Bee” and when we consider its marvelous instinct, its active industry and the useful products resulting from its labours we cannot wonder that from the remotest times it has excited general attention and interest. A hive of bees consists of from 12,000 to 18,000 individuals. These are divided into three different kinds constituting to all appearances as many modifications of sex. (There are the queens, workers, and drones). The drones which are the males of the species, comprise some three or four hundred of the community. The workers or females incapable of reproduction, are distinguishable by the smallness of their size, their lengthened proboscis, and the peculiar structure of their legs and thighs, which are adapted for collection of certain materials that are obtained from flowers. The queen bee who is at once monarch and mother of the community is larger than any of the others and is provided with a sting. Her life is chiefly occupied with laying eggs. It is now proved that a queen is developed from the same egg and larva as a worker, the change being produced bt the difference in the size of the cells and the nature and quantity of food given to the young larva. The first business of the bee is the construction of cells or comb. This structure is composed of wax and is used as the receptacle for the eggs and larva, as magazines for honey, and as storehouses for bee bread. Wax is a secretion formed from the food taken into the stomach afterwards exuding through the segments of the abdomen into “wax Pockets” or membranous bags, situated at the base of each intermediate segment of the abdomen. Honey, the principal product of the hive, is the pure fluid of the nectaries of flowers and which the length of their tongues enable them to reach in most blossoms. Darting the tongue rapidly between the petals of flowers it licks up all the nectar they contain, conveying it into the first stomach or honey bag, from which it is disgorged into the honey pots or cells. When the bee has supplied herself with all the honey she is capable of carrying she next. By means of a pencil of hairs on the legs, collects the fertilising dust of flowers. This is as necessary to the bees as honey, as from it the bee bread is made. This she kneads into tiny pellets and packs into a little space situated in the middle joint of the hinder leg called the basket. Much of the time of the worker bees is taken up in nursing the young larva, which are diligently fed and cared for.
Many bees are occupied in the curious work of ventilating the hives. The heat is at all times very great and the air thus becomes unfit for respiration.
A capital discussion followed, in which the chairman, Messrs. Kirk, Stiles, Furnival and others, in addition to the Lecturer, took part.
SEVENTH MEETING – March 16th, 1887
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair.
The Hon. Secretary announced that he had five other Members of the society (including the President), had attended the Annual Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union at Dewsbury, on which occasion the Rev. Dr. Dallinger, President of the Union, had delivered a most interesting address on “My latest Lenses and their most recent work.”
A paper on “Vivisection,” was read by Dr. Mitchell Wilson
The Lecturer introduced the subject as one of interest to every Scientific Society, seeing that what he considered the misdirected efforts of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had succeeded in obtaining an Act of Parliament to control, and nearly to prohibit, all experiments upon living animals. Statements had been made of the cruelty of such experiments, so greatly exaggerated that a Royal Commission was appointed to inquire into the whole subject. That commission reported – “We have satisfaction in assuring your majesty that at the present time a general sentiment of humanity on this subject appeared to pervade all classes in this country, and that the principle is accepted by the very highly educated men whose lives are devoted either to scientific investigations and education, or to the investigation or removal of the suffering of their fellow creatures, that the infliction of unnecessary pain upon any animal deserves detestation and abhorrence.”
In spite of that acquittal an Act of Parliament has been passed which has already hindered some, and entirely prevented other scientific inquiries into the relation of disease, the action of drugs, and the search after antidotes to animal and vegetable poisons.
Examples were quoted of each of these investigations having been stopped or greatly hindered in this country, while foreign scientists are permitted to carry put their investigations with Parliamentary assistance, instead of severe and undeserved restrictions.
A few cases were quoted of advances previously made, mainly through experiments upon animals, such as: – Harvey and the Circulation of the Blood, Jno. Hunter in dealing with Aneurisms, Sir C. Bell’s discoveries of the Nerve Supply, Jenner, Lister, Pasteur, and Koch, and others whose work is likely to prove an incalculable blessing to themselves, and yet based upon experiments upon animals.
Dr. Wilson compared the present means of dealing with this great question, when compared with such cruel pursuits as Pigeon Shooting, Hare Coursing and the like, and concluded by asking if there is only a reasonable hope that pain can be relieved or life prolonged in the infliction of pain not then justified. There is no condition of man free from the inheritance of suffering, and our very existence, the comforts, the liberty, the safety we enjoy are gifts bestowed upon us through the suffering of our fellows, and should animals be hedged in through false feelings of humanity?
EIGHTH MEETING – March 30th, 1887
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair.
A Paper on “Medusae” – the fifth in a series on the Lower Forms of Animal Life – was read by Mr. J. M. Kirk.
Medusae, or Jelly fish, have many of the characteristics of the common fresh-water Hydra, so easily obtainable. The green Hydra is composed of a small tubular sac, closed at one end, open at the other, and having round this opening from six to ten tentacles, vert slender. The tubular sac is the body of the animal, the opening is at once the mouth and the entrance to the digestive canal.
The hydra appear to have no lungs, liver, intestines, nervous system nor heart. They have no organ of the senses, except those which may exist in their mouth and skin. The arms are hollow and communicate with the stomach. They are provided with vibratile cilia and are furnished with a large number of stinging thread-like cells, which when the animal is irritated, are thrown out.
The green hydra has thus a very simple organisation. Their multiplication takes place in three different ways – by eggs, by buds after the manner of vegetables, and by separation, in which an individual may be cut in two or more pieces, each reproducing a perfect animal.
On the seashore at low-tide, may often be seen ugly jelly-like lumps of a greenish colour. These are medusae.
When seen suspended in the middle of the waves, like a bell of gauze. Terminating in delicate, silvery garlands, we must be struck with their beauty.
They are found in the seas of every latitude, and are, of all animals. Those which present the least solid substance. Their bodies are little else than water which is scarcely retained by an imperceptible organic net-work. Their bodies are transparent jelly almost without consistence. Yet in the Artic seas they are one of the principal supports of the whale. Their innumerable masses sometimes cover several square leagues in extent. Many species are Phosphorescent during the night. Most of them produce an acute pain when they touch the human body.
The method of reproduction in the Rose Aurelia, a beautiful variety of a pale rose colour, is as follows. It lays eggs, which are transposed into oval larva, They swim about for a short time, with great rapidity, much like some of the infusoria, which they strikingly resemble in other respects. In forty-eight hours these movements decrease, and the larval form attaches itself to some solid body, gumming itself to it. A change of form soon takes place: it becomes elongated; its stalk is contracted, and the other end swells into a sort of cup. An opening soon appears, through which an internal cavity is seen. Four little protuberances have now appeared on the edge, which are, in time, lengthened into arms. Others soon follow; these are the tentacles of a polyp which the young infusorian has now become. The young Medusa lives sometime under this form. It next becomes cylindrical and divided into ten to fourteen rings, which are at first smooth, but soon become pointed at the edges. The animal resembles a pile of plates cut round the edges. In a short time, each ring is slightly raised at the fringed edge, which becomes contractile. Finally the disc becomes detached and begins to swim. They assume their umbrella shape, digestive organs develop, a mouth opens, the tentacles enlarge, the fringe grows, and after all these metamorphoses, the Medusa appears, perfectly resembling, not the parent form, but that form from which its parent originally sprung.
A few years ago, a small medusa, varying from a line to half-an-inch in diameter was found in the Tropical fresh-water lily tank at the London Royal Botanic Society’s Gardens. The water is kept at 86 deg. Fahrenheit. This was probably the Medusoid form of a hydroid Zoophyte, part of the development of these plant animals including a form similar to that of the Medusa or Jelly-fish. It is probably the only instance of a Medusa which can live in perfectly fresh water, and which dies in cold or salt water.
The Medusae proper are each separate and complete animals, but there are many free-swimming oceanic forms, in which the apparent individual is really a colony.
The paper was illustrated by a large number of drawings – specially prepared by the author.
SESSION 1887-88
General Meeting – October 12th, 1887
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair.
Resolved that the report of the Committee as read by the Hon. Secretary, and the Statement of Accounts as presented by him, and audited by Mr. J. G. Walker, be received and adopted.
The following gentlemen were then elected Officers for the present session.
President : The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A.
Vice-Presidents : The Rev. Cannon Brock, M.A., J. M. Kirk, The Rev. W. R. Weston, Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson.
Committee : The Rev. Canon Faber, M.A., J. G. Walker, T. J. Hasselby, C. H. Loxley, T. H. Easterfield, W. E. Atkinson.
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer : M. H. Stiles.
Resolved on the motion of Dr, Wilson, seconded by Mr. Stiles, that a draft memorial respecting a Lecture Room in the New Free Library Buildings, prepared by Mr. J. G. Walker, be referred to a small committee, consisting of the President, the Hon. Secretary, and Mr. Walker. The Hon. Secretary was requested to invite the co-operation of the Committee of the University Extension Society, with the view of bringing this matter before the Mayor.
FIRST MEETING – November 30th, 1887
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President) in the chair.
A paper on “A piece of Chalk” was read by the Rev. Canon Faber, M.A.
The subject was treated in the masterly manner so characteristic of the author, and furnished an excellent epitome of the origin, geological formation, and chemical composition of chalk. Researches and discoveries of recent years, especially those resulting from the soundings made in connection with what may be termed the survey of the bed of the ocean, previous to laying the first Atlantic Cable, and also during the Challenger expedition, have thrown a great flood of light on the origin of chalk. The ooze or mud brought up from the bottom of the Atlantic by the sounding lines was found to consist in great measure of the shells of tiny organisms called Foraminifera. Those which were perfect were chiefly of a more or less rounded shape, and it was found that these or their broken remains constituted about 80 per cent of the dried mud. The chemical composition of this mud is identical with that of chalk, that is, it consists of carbonate of lime. A microscopical examination of chalk proper revealed a similar structure, although of course it was, more difficult to find perfect shells of the low typed animals which by their united efforts during countless years built it up with their imperishable skeletons. Still the shells were present in chalk, and anyone with a decent microscope could easily detect them by scraping a piece of natural chalk into water, washing away the finer particles, and examining the sand-like deposits which was left. A comparison of the two types served to prove that the old chalk cliffs, which gave the name of Albion to our island home, were formed at the bottom of the sea, and have been raised by gradual upheaval to their present position, and that this formation was brought about by tiny animals of the same family as those which were now engaged in similar work on the bed of the Atlantic. The source of the carbonate of lime was the ocean itself, which holds a considerable amount in solution. The animals, in building their shells, abstracted the carbonate of lime from the water around them. The chalk formation, although widely distributed throughout the world, attained probably its greatest and most perfect development in the south and south-west of England, and occurred there in beds of immense thickness. The chalk cliffs of the southern coast were well known. The fossils of the chalk, other than Foraminifera were too numerous to notice in a short abstract.
An interesting discussion was opened by the chairman, and carried on by Dr. Mitchell Wilson, Mr. Stiles, and the lecturer, after which a cordial vote of thanks to the latter for his clever and entertaining paper was proposed by the Rev. W. R. Weston and seconded by Mr. G. Broadrick.
At the close of the meeting slides of recent and fossil Foraminifera, including globigerina, rotaliae, etc., were shown under the microscope.
SECOND MEETING – December 21st, 1887
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President) in the chair.
Prior to the commencement of the ordinary business, a preliminary meeting, with Mr. J. M. Kirk as Chairman, was held to consider the question of the formation of a Students’ Association in connection with this Society. The idea was the outcome of some remarks made by Mr. Moulton at the end of the last Lecture of the University Extension Society. After some discussion it was resolved to refer the question to a meeting of the joint Committees of the two Societies.
A paper on “Photography by artificial Light” was then read ny Mr. M. H. Stiles.
The subject was divided into four sections: – Photo-micrography; the preparation of Lantern Slides from Dry Plates; contact printing on Bromide Paper; and Enlarging.
In connection with Photo-micrography, the necessary appliances were exhibited, and the mode of working explained at some length. The process of preparing Lantern Slides from Gelatine Dry Plates was shown to be extremely simple and easy, where, as in the case taken as an example, the Lantern Slide was of the same size as the negative. Owing to the want of time and the necessary conveniences, the operation could not be carried out to its full extent, so to compensate for this, after the plate had been printed by contact and developed, a finished Lantern Slide from the same negative was exhibited.
Contact printing on Bromide Paper was shown to be very simple and expeditious. A piece of prepared paper coated with an Emulsion of Bromide of Silver in Gelatine (resembling in this respect a Photographic Dry Plate) is placed behind a negative in a printing Frame, and then exposed for a few seconds to the Light from a Gas or Lamp Flame. It is then developed with an Iron developer exactly like a plate, and afterwards cleared and fixed; the resulting picture has the appearance of an etching or soft engraving; this process was also shown in operation.
The last and most interesting feature of the evening was the production of enlargements from small negatives. The apparatus employed consisted of a long box forming a Lantern, and a board on which to support the prepared paper, which was somewhat similar to that used in contact printing. The box contained a Paraffin Lamp as a source of light – a condenser to diffuse the light evenly over the negative – and a Rectilinear Lens to throw an enlarged image on the paper. A 5 by 4 negative of a Railway Bridge over the Don was chosen as a subject, and after an exposure of seven minutes and subsequent development, an enlarged picture was produced, possessing all the details of the original, and giving a much bolder and more beautiful effect.
A discussion eliciting information on various points connected with the process terminated the Lecture.
THIRD MEETING – January 11th, 1888
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President) in the chair.
A paper on “Combustion, spontaneous and otherwise,” was read by Mr. T. H. Easterfield.
The lecturer commenced by considering in detail the combustion of an ordinary candle, and showed an experiment to prove that no loss of weight takes place when a candle burns. He then showed that a gradual process of combustion was always going on in the bodies of all animals. Speaking of the terms, combustible and supporter of combustion, he said that these were purely relative, and illustrated his remarks by showing that air would burn in an atmosphere of coal gas, as readily as coal gas in an atmosphere of air. Subsequently, he showed that light as well as heat could cause combustion to commence. Spontaneous combustion, i.e. combustion which takes place of its own free will, he said, an impossibility, and he explained upon chemical and physical principles what takes place in the phenomena usually said to be spontaneous.
At the conclusion of the lecture a short discussion took place. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the lecturer.
FOURTH MEETING – February 1st, 1888
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President) in the chair.
A Paper on ”The Microscope, its history and use,” was read by Mt. J. M. Kirk.
The lecturer traced at considerable length the early history of the instrument and its development up to the present time, illustrations being furnished by a large collection of microscopes of different dates, including examples resembling those used by Leeuwenhoek and Lieberkuhn. All microscopes, whether simple or compound, magnify by means of lenses which alter the course of the rays of light passing through them. This principle which is termed refraction was rendered intelligible by means of drawings of the various forms of lenses and explanations of their properties. Spherical and Chromatic aberrations are the principal difficulties to be surmounted in the construction of the objectives used in Compound Microscopes, and the removal of these is rendered especially difficult from the small, indeed almost minute size of the glasses worked. They are “corrected” by using a combination of lenses, differing in density and curvature, and so arranged that their opposite aberrations shall neutralise each other. It is only within comparatively recent times that the construction of achromatic object-glasses for microscopes has been found practicable – the first attempt in this direction being made in 1823. Amici in 1827 produced a fair achromatic combination, but his glasses were soon rivalled by those of Andrew Ross and Powell. High power objectives have recently been very much improved by the adaption of the immersion principle which was carefully explained.
A discussion followed eliciting information on various points referred to by the lecturer, to whom a hearty vote of thanks was accorded.
FIFTH MEETING – March 6th, 1888
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President) in the chair.
Members elected – Mr. G. Bisat, Mr. J. R. Thompson
The Hon. Sec. drew attention to the Annual Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, which was arranged to be held in Malton, on March 7th, and invited the attendance of Members of the Society.
A paper was then read by Mr. T. J. Hasselby, on “Coal and its Products.”
The lecturer gave a short history of the substance, its geological position and supposed origin, and then passed on to sketch its best known products – Gas, Tar, Ammonia, and the other important residuals. The chief interest lay in the Bye-Products which were said to number more than 160, not including the recently discovered Saccharine and other articles used in medicine.
An interesting discussion took place in which the chairman, Major Sturrock, Mr. Stiles, and others took part, after which votes of thanks to the lecturer and chairman were unanimously accorded.
SIXTH MEETING – March 21st, 1888
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President) in the chair.
A Lecture on “Astronomy” was given by the Rev. A. C. E. Bromfield, M.A.
The attention of the audience was more particularly drawn to a few of the leading features of the science, including the Milky Way, the constitution of the Solar system, the theory of the Tides, Comets and their orbits, the Solar Spots and Corona, Lunar Eclipses, and the discovery of Neptune. The Illustrations were furnished by a series of very beautiful slides exhibited by means of the Oxy-Hydrogen Lantern. To some of the slides motion was imparted by mechanical arrangements of a very effective character which considerably enhanced their educational value. Amongst other illustrations a photograph of the moon in her first quarter, and an ideal Lunar Landscape were much admired.
At the conclusion of a long and exhaustive Lecture, a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Blomfield was proposed by the chairman and carried unanimously.
SEVENTH MEETING – April 25th, 1888.
Mr. J. M. Kirk (Vice-President) in the chair.
This meeting was devoted to the Photographic Section of the Society.
A short paper on “Development” was read by Mr. W. Delanoy, in which he described the developers in ordinary use, and explained their mode of action. Several Negatives were developed before those present, and attention called to the peculiarities of each.
Mr. M. H. Stiles also gave illustrations of a method of producing satisfactory prints from somewhat under exposed negatives. This consisted in the employment of a print from the same negative as a mask, the dark portion of the print, when placed over the negative, retarding the action of the light, and so preventing the excessive deepening of the shadows. An example was shown of a print obtained with the mask thus employed, and without it, the later showing a very great improvement on the former.
These short papers were listened to with great attention, and a hope was expressed that arrangements would be made for future meetings of the same kind.
Votes of thanks concluded the proceedings.
EIGHTH MEETING – May 16th, 11888
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President) in the chair.
The Chairman gave as a valedictory address the following: –
The origin of the Society is thus recorded in the Minute Book. “The Doncaster Microscopical Society, 13 High Street, Doncaster. With a view of forming a Microscopical Society in Doncaster, a preliminary meeting was held in this house on Monday, February 9th, 1880 – J. M. Kirk, Fred Milner, and M. H. Stiles being present – at which it was resolved that the formation of such a Society was desirable, and that steps should be taken to establish it.” The first President was Canon Brock, and the secretary and treasurer, Mr. Stiles. Thus successfully launched the Society made modest, yet satisfactory progress as these figures testify: –
| Session | No. of Members | Average attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 1880 (half session) | 38 | 17 |
| 1880-1 | 43 | 11 |
| 1881-2 | 59 | 26 |
| 1882-3 | 80 | 34 |
| 1883-4 | 65 | 28 |
| 1884-5 | 51 | 23 |
| 1885-6 | 52 | 25 |
| 1886-7 | 40 | 23 |
In 1881 the name was changed into that of Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society, and ladies were admitted as members. Conversazione have been held at various times, and public lectures have been given, notably in connection with the Gilchrist Trust, and by invitation of the Society, the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union held its annual meeting at Doncaster in 1885. This record gives certainly no ground for depression, yet we must not content ourselves with the glories of the past, but must direct our attention to the future. The following suggestions are made: –
(1) Within the Society, sections should be formed, in time covering the whole scientific field, and means by which the vast majority of all of every class who feel any interest in scientific work might be drawn to the society. The Subscriptions should be (a) a general subscription, say 5s. as at present, admitting to the general meetings of the society, and to all sectional meetings: (b) a sectional subscription of say 2s. 6d. admitting to the general meetings and to one sectional meeting. By these means the society might eventually reckon its members by hundreds.
(2) It should be part of the regular routine proceedings of the society to have a public lecture every session by a man of high scientific reputation. In this way the society would confer a further direct benefit upon the town.
(3) Steps should be taken to establish a Museum. It seems strange that a town boasting its immemorial antiquity, thinks so little of the links connecting it with the past. Ancient coins, Roman pottery, and works of art are dug up, receive some notice in the newspapers, and are dispensed to the four winds. A Museum scientifically arranged would be the educational haunt of the members of the various sections. Its fostering care they would repay by contributing the results of those researches which its suggestions and teaching had stimulated.
(4) The society should form a scientific library, whose shelves would be filled by volumes given bt the friends of the society or bought out of a definite portion of the surplus funds of each year. Also it might be advisable to have a class of honorary subscribers of say one guinea a year. Their subscriptions would support the society in its public works, help to defray the cost of the public lecture, and assist in establishing a museum and library.
After referring to the circumstances which impelled him to bring forward these suggestions, the reader spoke of the educational usefulness of the society. Although science is not able to do much to educate in the strict sense of the word, and cannot in this respect be compared with the rigid training afforded by the study of languages and of mathematics, yet no education is complete without it. He then proceeded to describe it as a study which leads us to use our God-inspired faculties to pierce the veil behind which God is concealed, nay even to find if Him on the veil itself.
A discussion followed in which Dr. J. M. Wilson, Mr. J. G. Walker, Mr. Stiles, and the Chairman took part. A vote of thanks to the President terminated the proceedings.
SESSION 1888-89
GENERAL MEETING – October 29th, 1888
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President) in the chair.
After the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed the Hon. Secretary read the draft Report and Statement of Accounts. On the motion of Mr. Kirk, seconded by Mr. Winter, it was resolved that these be received and adopted.
A ballot having been taken, the following gentlemen were elected to fill the vacancies in the Committee caused by the retirement of others. The new list of officers being thus constituted.
President – Mr. J. M. Kirk
Vice-Presidents – the Rev. W. R. Weston, Dr, J. Mitchell Wilson, W. Roberts, J. G. Walker.
Committee – T. J. Hasselby, T. H. Easterfield, B.A., W. E. Atkinson, Geo. Winter, the Rev. T. E. Lindsey, B.A., F.C.S., F.G.S., the Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A.,
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer – M. H. Stiles.
FIRST MEETING – January 16th, 1889.
Mr. Walter Roberts (Vice-President), in the chair.
A paper on “Lantern Slides and how they are made,” was read by Mr. M. H. Stiles.
After passing in review other modes of making Lantern Slides, the Lecturer proceeded to show by practical demonstration the methods he had adopted in working with dry plates. Where the negatives are of suitable size the slides may be very easily prepared by contact, but when they are larger than ¼ plate size, recourse must be had to reduction in the camera. Inworking with 5 by 4 negatives Mt. Stiles employed the Condenser and Lamp of an enlarger Lantern, placing them at such a distance in front of a square sliding camera with 3 ¼ by 3 ¼ carrier as to produce a sharply focused image of the desired size. The source of light was an ordinary single wick passage lamp, the condenser a 6in. double one, and the lens a 5 by 4 Wray’s Rectilinear with No. 8 stop. Care was taken in arranging the distance between lamp and condenser so as to produce uniform illumination over the focussing glass. A square lantern mask pasted on the later was useful in arranging the size and disposition of the picture. The plates used were Thomas’s; there may be others as good but with these clean and satisfactory slide were invariably obtained. The exposure varied from 2 ½ to 15 and even 20 minutes. With an ordinary Landscape negative, not too dense, about 5 to 10 minutes will be required. Short exposures increase contrast and this may be taken into account in dealing with negatives which with Albuminized Paper would yield a flat picture. The developer used was the following; –
A
Hydroquinone…………….. 60 grains
Sulphite of Soda………….. 480 grains
Citric Acid………………….. 20 grains
Bromide of Potassium …. 10 grains
Water to ……………………. 10 ounces
B
Carbonate of Potash …… 600 grains
Water to …………………… 10 ounces
Take equal parts of each
The time occupied in development should be so arranged that the Gelatine film remains uncoloured, and the exposure should be modified to suit this.
If after fixing and well washing, the sky (presuming that there are no clouds printed in) should be other than clear glass, any deposit present may be removed by careful applying with a camel hair brush, the following freshly mixed: –
Clearing Solution
Ferridcyanide of potassium .. 3 grains
Hyposulphite of Soda ………. 30 grains
Water ……………………………. 4 ounces
A convenient way of employing this is to hold the slide in a slanting position over a white basin partially filled with water, The outline of the sky can thus be carefully followed and the clearing or reducing solution runs away from the portions of the picture it is not intended to act upon. Where there is a slight yellow stain from the developer, or where it is desired to clear and brighten up the whole of the picture, the plate may be immersed for a few seconds in the above solution diluted one part to three parts of water. The solution should be used in a white dish and the process carefully watched, a basin of water being at hand to stop the action when desired. A lantern slide must above all things be free from fog or veil and the above method perfectly removes this defect without, where care is taken, injuring the details of the picture. This process may also be used with excellent results for clearing enlargements. The one thing now remaining is to improve the colour of the picture which is usually at this state of a cold black tint. This was accomplished by the use of the following: –
Toning Solution
Chloride of Gold …………………… 1 grain
Sulphocyanide of Ammonium .. 30 grains
Water ………………….………………. 4 ounces
Dissolve the Sulphocyanide in the water and add gradually the Gold, allowing solution to become perfectly colourless before it is used. The well-washed slide is allowed to remain in this Toning bath until of a rich bluish-black colour; if left in too long, it becomes distinctly blue which should be avoided. The slide should now be thoroughly washed, then carefully dried in a place free from dust and mounted.
Attention to the following points is necessary to ensure success.
– Uniform Illumination.
– Sufficient exposure.
– Solution fresh and clean
The meeting concluded with the exhibition of a number of slides prepared by the lecturer (including some very fine Photo-Micrographs) with the aid of an Oxy-Hydrogen Lantern lent by him.
SECOND MEETING – January 30th, 1889
Mr. J. M. Kirk (President), in the chair.
A paper on “Insects Injurious to Agriculture,” was read by Mr. Walter Roberts, of which the following is an abstract: –
“Among many difficulties that beset the agriculturist in the cultivation of his crops, one of the most serious is that arising from the attacks of Insects. Beetles are among the most destructive of our farm pests, and of this order the click-beetle or skip-jack (so called from the power of regaining its feet with a spring or skip, accompanied by a sharp click), whose larva is the terrible wireworm, may be taken as a type. This small worm, in shape like a piece of flattened wire, inflicts incalculable damage upon every kind of grain and root crop. When feeding it glides about just beneath the surface of the soil, gnawing the roots and underground shoots. And as its habit is to go from plant to plant, it injures and destroys far more than it needs for food.
The turnip-flea Beetle, commonly known as the “Turnip-Fly,” is another variety doing most serious damage to our turnip crops. In this case the Beetle itself does the mischief – devouring the leaf and quickly destroying the young plant.
The Crane-Fly or “Daddy Longlegs” in its larval state is a most injurious insect. It is also known as the Leather-jacket, from the toughness of its skin, and, like the wireworm, it feeds upon the underground shoots of root and corn plants; it also comes up above the surface during the night, and feeds upon the stems of growing crops.
The methods of prevention recommended in the attacks of the fore-going pests are – thorough cleaning of the land from weeds and rubbish likely to harbour and support them – liberal treatment with manure and other fertilizers, to give the crop a good start – careful drainage to remove wet and marshy place, as these are the resorts of the Crane-Fly, where she lays her eggs and where attack begins.
Rolling of the land and the continual treading of it, consequent on sheep-feeding, are of great value in combating the attacks of the larval forms of these pests.
Another Fly (of the Gnat Tribe), the tiny midge does immense damage by depositing its eggs in the florets of the wheat. From these originate the “red maggot,” which devours the germ of the future grain, producing barrenness and sterility.
The Turnip Saw-fly produces the grub known as “The Nigger,” from its colour, whose voracious appetite and countless numbers will frequently clear the turnip crop from the face of the earth.
Much excitement has recently been caused by reported appearance of Hessian Fly. This is no new insect, but was seen in England as early as 1776, and it derived its name from the idea that it was brough over by the Hessian Troops in the straw from Germany. It then did enormous damage to wheat crops by perforating the main stem and depositing its eggs therein, causing it to droop and die.
The small insect called Aphids, or Plant Lice, do immense damage, not only to choice plants and flowers, but to grain and root crops as well. They feed by suction, piercing the plant in its softer parts and withdrawing the juices, thus harming it by removing the sap, in addition to puncturing it with numbers of holes.
There is no doubt that immense benefit is derived from the increasing war carried on by birds, against all kinds of insects. The Rook, the Pewit, and the starling destroy untold numbers of wire-worms, caterpillars, and slugs; whilst almost every kind of small bird – the sparrows perhaps excepted- prays upon aphids, grubs, and other insects. There can be little doubt that the practice of killing birds, whenever possible, is a suicidal policy, the balance of nature being thereby destroyed. An eminent authority says – if we increase the quantity of any special crop, so as to attract any special insect, and at the same time allow birds which feed upon them to be destroyed, we can hardly fail to suffer severely.
THIRD MEETING – February 13th, 1889
Mr. J. M. Kirk (President), in the chair.
Members elected – Mr. T. R. Nicholas, Mr. Geo. Howes
In opening the meeting the chairman alluded to the great loss the Society had sustained in the death of the former President, the late Canon Brock, and on putting it to the meeting a resolution was unanimously passed requesting the Secretary to write a letter of condolence to his widow and family.
The chairman then introduces Mr., Thos. Bunker, of Goole (President of Vertebrate Section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union), who read a paper on “the Migration of Birds.”
The Lecturer, referring to the labours of the Committee appointed by the British Association for the purpose of obtaining observations on the migration of birds, showed that migration was not confined to birds, inasmuch as fishes, seals, whales, etc., migrate.
Herrings, salmon, seals, and other animals migrate to places suitable for the perpetuation of the respective species – rapacious animals in pursuit of prey, and many from a strong hereditary feeling. Birds migrate to colder climates where food for their young is abundant and the days are long so that they are continually being fed.
The routes followed by them on the return from the north were traced on the map and a few general laws regulating them stated. Reasons were also given why large numbers of them landed at certain places while other spots were not visited. The chief routes frequented by our southern visitors were also shewn and the reasons stated why some were chose. The lecturer also referred to the manner in which the great “rushes” of migrants are observed, and showed how a watch was kept on the flocks until they gradually dispersed in Ireland. Statements were quoted showing how hundreds in foggy weather are killed by striking the Lanterns of the lightships and lighthouses. The effects of improved drainage of lowlands and moors, and the increasing impurity of our streams upon our feathered visitors were named. Species were enumerated that are no longer found in our districts, and others that are seldom seen. He condemned severely the conduct of so-called sportsmen who shoot Gulls and other birds when they are unfit for food, and also the absurd fashion of decorating ladies dresses with plumage of beautiful birds.
The lecturer was listened to with great attention and an interesting discussion followed in which several of the audience joined. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Bunker was proposed by Mr. Kirk and seconded by Mr. Hasselby.
FOURTH MEETING – February 27th, 1889
Mr. J. M. Kirk (President), in the chair.
The Hon, Secretary reported that in accordance with a resolution passed at the previous meeting, he had written to Mrs. Brock and had received a reply thanking the Society for their expressions of condolence and sympathy. Copies of the letter are herewith inserted.
February 20th, 1898.
Dear Madam,
I am desired by the committee of the above Society, to express their deep sympathy with you and your family on the occasion of the much lamented death of the late Canon Brock, who was for so many years intimately connected with this Society as their First President, and to whose kindness and courtesy they were on many occasions, so greatly indebted.
I remain, dear Madam,
Your obedient servant,
M. H. Stiles, Hon. Sec.
Brodsworth Vicarage, February 21st, 1898.
Dear Mr. Stiles, Will you kindly convey to the Committee of the Doncaster Microscopical Society, our very sincere thanks for their most kind expressions of sympathy. My husband always took the warmest interest in the Society, though for the last few years he had been unable to attend the meeting owing to our distance from Doncaster. I must not forget to thank you too for writing to me.
Believe me to be,
Yours truly,
Caroline E. Brock.
It was resolved on the motion of Mr. Geo. Winter, seconded by Mr. Walker, that the Society should approach the Corporation, with the view of securing the old Free Library as a Museum and Lecture Room.
Mr. Geo. Bisat then read a paper on “Landscape Photography,” of which following is an abstract.
After commenting upon the desirability of the tyro beginning work by attempting to take a Landscape, Mr. Bisat outlined the principles which should guide the operator in the selection of suitable subjects for such work, advising a preliminary ramble in order to note the best points of view and the time of day yielding the most pleasant lighting. The necessary apparatus was described, and the value of a note-book, in which to enter particulars of date, time of gay, exposure, lens, and stop used, variety of plate, quality of light, etc. etc., was emphasised; deductions from data thus recorded serving as an excellent guide for future work. The use of the Camera in the field was then touched upon, and the principle influencing the selection of stops and the employment of the rising front and swing back were explained.
In treating of that all-important question “Exposure,” the lecturer referred to the great assistance he had derived from the use of “Wormald’s Practical Index of Photographic Exposures.” Especial attention was drawn to the importance of giving approximately correct exposures, for, though errors in this respect may to some extent be compensated for in development, still really first-class work was invariably the outcome of care and attention in exposure. The application of Wormald’s Tables was explained, and their value, especially to the inexperienced, enlarged upon.
Turning to the artistic side of the subject, Mr. Bisat dwelt upon the usually accepted principles which should govern the composition of a picture, and at some length urged upon the members the necessity of paying due regard to these if they wished to produce photographs which should also claim the picture. He then proceeded to treat of development, describing the developers in ordinary use and laying especial stress upon the advantages to be gained by a slow or tentative method of working. Personally, he preferred Pyro in a ten per cent solution preserved with meta-bisulphite of potash, with ammonia added from a dropping bottle as the accelerator. The value of cycling as an adjunct to photography was extolled, and the great advantages according from the use of a tricycle for the purpose of conveying a Photographer and this kit was forcibly pointed out, especially if the outfit be of a half-plate or larger size. The lecturer gave a detailed description of the plan he had adopted for carrying his apparatus on his tricycle on a short tour during last summer and spoke very highly of the enjoyment and pleasure to be derived from a holiday in this way; he cordially recommended his hearers to follow his example,
The paper was illustrated by photographs contributed by the lecturer and other members and was listened to throughout with much attention.
A discussion followed, after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Bisat was carried unanimously.
FIFTH HEETING – March 13th, 1889
Dr. J. M. Wilson (Vice-President), in the chair.
Mr. J. M. Kirk (President), read a paper – the sixth of a series – on “The Lower Forms of Animal Life.”
The lecturer stated that it was his intention to deal with those forms of life which he had himself found in the neighbourhood, and he might say that Doncaster was considered by Microscopists in other towns, to be a most advantageous hunting ground, and he had twice when away from home, on admiring some fine specimen, been told that it was obtained at or near this town. On referring to a glass of water freshly drawn from a pond, they would see the higher living things mostly in rapid movement about the liquid, whilst some cling to the small plants and weeds. They were usually the small crustacea, and also the larvae and active Nymphs of insects. Sometimes a water spider was included, and often small wriggling worms were to be seen. But the most numerous dwellers in the water, were either in a few instances just visible to the naked eye, or were to be seen in countless numbers, with the aid of high magnifying powers under a Compound Microscope. A discolouration of water might sometimes be noticed, which was caused by the presence of crowds of microscopic animals, which were called animaclulae, or little animals, and also Infusoria, or animals which live in infusions. In water which might be icy cold or very warm, and in water which was impregnated with foetid gas and decaying animal and vegetable remains, these simple, active, wandering or sedentary microscopic creatures, which constitute the lowest grade of the animal kingdom, and which in some instances were separable only in a very arbitrary way from some members of the vegetable kingdom, might be found in abundance.
If freshly collected rain water were examined I the hope of discovering any of the minute forms of life, they would be disappointed, but if some hay or any vegetable matter were allowed to soak in pure water exposed to the air, or if pieces of flesh or any animal substance were placed in water and also exposed for a day or two, a great many species of these animaclulae or infusoria, the individuals being in vast multitudes, would be distinguishable.
Infusoria were discovered in all climes, they had been found 60 feet below the surface of the earth, and in mud brought up from the ocean bed at a depth of 1600 feet. Their distribution was almost universal. They did not find it easy to explain that the objects which swam about the water with apparently some small amount of will of their own belong to the vegetable, and not the animal kingdom. The axiom of Linnaeus was well known; in the case of the higher animals and plants there was no difficulty – the former being at once distinguished by the possession of nervous system, of moter power which they could use at will, and of an internal cavity fitted to receive and digest food. The higher plants on the other hand had none of these qualifications. Those distinctions, however, did not hold good as regard the lower and less highly organised members of the two kingdoms. As to form and shape no absolute distinction could be laid down and this was also the case as to their internal structures. Next as to moter power, this, though broadly distinctive of animals, could by no means be said to be characteristic of them. As a rule, all plants were endowed with the power of converting inorganic into organic matter. On the other hand, no known animal had that power. Plants were in nature the great manufacturers, animals the great consumers. It might, not unnaturally, have been thought that the lowest classes of animals would show the most affinity to the highest plants and thus a gradual passage between the two kingdoms would be established. That was just what the evolutionist would like. It was not so, however; the lower animals were not allied to the higher plants, but to the lower and it was in the very lowest members of the vegetable kingdom that they found such a decided animal gift as the power of independent locomotion.
The lecturer referred to many different species of animal life and the lecture which was of a most interesting and instructive character, was illustrated with 60 drawings and with many objects shown under the microscope.
SIXTH MEETING – March 27th, 1889.
Mr. J. M. Kirk (President), in the chair.
A paper on “Chalk” was read by the Rev. T. E. Lindsay, B.A., F.C.S., F.G.S.
The lecturer, after giving a detailed account of the Physical and Chemical characters of Chalk, said that the structure, as revealed by the Microscope, showed the formation to be identical with that of the Globigerina Mud formed by the disintegration of shells of Foraminifera in the ocean bed, investigated by Sir Wyville Thompson.
The Geological formation to which this mineral gives name, was described as of very varying character in different places, marked, however, by similar genera of fossils, as the Planer-Kalk, Sandstone, etc. The extent in Europe was described as being two large beds – the Anglo-Paris basin extending in England to the Chiltern Hills and Cambridgeshire, and the Great Southern Formation, stretching to India and the heart of Asia. The various formations characterised of Upper Chalk were then described; –
1. Gault
2. Upper Greensand
3. Chalk Marl
4. White Chalk* without Flints
5. White Chalk* with Flints
6. Most recent beds at Faxoe and Maestrict.
Some Characteristic remains of these beds were next described, and a few diagrams displayed. The Fauna, Birds, Fishes, Saurians and Flora, with many plants now existing were alluded to. The presence of Flint Nodules in Chalk at regular intervals – centres of crystallization – was also touched upon.
A discussion followed, after which a vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. Stiles and seconded by Dr. Mitchell Wilson.
SEVENTH MEETING – April 10th, 1889.
Mr. J. M. Kirk (President), in the chair.
A paper on the “Rings of Saturn,” was read by Mr. T. L. Atkinson, B.A., LL.B., of which the following is an abstract.
Saturn’s planetary nature must have been known at an early period, but it was not until 1610 that his rings were first noticed as protuberances on either side of the planet, nor was it recognised till 1659 that these appearances were due to Saturn being surrounded by a thin flat ring. The Planet revolves in its orbit once every 29 ½ years, the place of the ring always moving parallel to itself and always inclined at an angle of 280 10’ 21-95” to its orbit. Consequently in each complete revolution there are two periods in which the plane of the ring cuts the earths orbit, each of these periods being of rather more than a year’s duration.
During each such period the rings will disappear at least once, since the plane of the rings comes during some part of that period between the Earth and the Sun, and only the unenlightened side of the rings is visible on earth. About 100 years ago Herschell discovered that it was not one ring only which surrounded the planet, but two concentric rings with a considerable interval between them, and in 1850 it was found that within these there was another ring, not bright like the other two, but of a dusty tinge, and such that the planet’s disc could be seen through it without distortion.
And now gaps have been discovered in these three rings, rendering it possible that the ring system consists of many rings. The total breadth of these rings has been estimated at about 37,000 miles, the mean diameter of the planet itself being over 70,000 miles. It was formerly assumed that the ring (as we may call the ring system) was solid. Laplace showed that it must revolve, for if not it would at once fall down upon the surface of the Planet, and Herschell by observing certain spots on the ring, found that it did revolve in about 10 hours 32 minutes and 15 seconds, this period referring to the outer ring. Laplace also showed that the ring system could not consist of one ring only, for such a ring would be unable to withstand the strain that would necessarily be put upon it, a fact which it is very easy to believe when we find that if we were to make a model of the ring 30 feet in diameter it would have to be only about one-fifth of an inch thick, He also showed that the ring, if solid, could not be uniform, for if it were the system would not be stable and the slightest disturbance would precipitate the ring upon the planet.
He suggested that the ring might be loaded at one part, so that the centre of mass should not coincide with the centre of figure, and that this would be significant to preserve stability. But in 1857, Maxwell, in the Adam’s Prize Essay, showed that the distribution of mass would have to be so unsymmetrical that the rings could not have the appearance which they actually present. Hence he concluded that the ring is not solid, and therefore must either be either fluid, or consist of a number of disconnected particles. The former they cannot be, for waves would be created and the ring broken up into satellites. The ring must therefore consist of a large number of small disconnected particles, most probably solid, and possibly arranged in rings, but at all events, independent and revolving about the planet like satellites. In the inner dark ring these particles must be sparsely distributed, and we thus have the explanation of the fact that Saturn is visible through this ring without distortion. It has been thought that the ring has grown in width, though it is not absolutely certain that such is the case, and if such growth has taken place, it is probable that it has done so by the inner boundary of the ring approaching nearer to Saturn, and that the outer boundary has not receded further from the planet to any appreciable extent.
The paper, which was illustrated by diagrams, was followed by a discussion, in which several members joined, after which a vote of thanks to the Lecturer was proposed by Dr. Mitchell Wilson, and seconded by Mr. Furnival.
________________________________________
EIGTH MEETING – April 24th, 1889.
Mr. J. M. Kirk (President), in the chair.
A Paper on “Three Forms of Bacilli,” was read by Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson.
Dr. Wilson introduced his subject as a continuation of a paper upon “Germs” read to the Society seven years ago. Since that time enormous advances have been made in the study and special exertion of every form of Micro-organism.
After defining the micrococcus, the bacillus, and the spirillum, the reader said his paper would deal with three forms of the bacillus only. Bacilli are minute vegetable cells without a nucleus, they multiply by fission; the granular contents have the power of retaining dyes and from this observers are assisted in distinguishing several varieties of the bacillus. Some forms have the power of spore formation, and bt this means the germ increases at a very rapid rate. Further, the spores are able to withstand greater degrees of heat and cold, and stronger chemical action than the adult bacillus. Spores can only be formed where there is an ample supply of oxygen and moisture, and cannot be formed below 120 or over 440 Boiling for less than 10 minutes does not destroy the spore nor any known degree of cold.
Bacilli are recognised in two main groups non-pathogenic or harmless, and pathogenic or associated with some form of diseased state. The three forms considered were the Bacillus-subtilis or hay Bacillus, the Bacillus-anthrax, or that form associated with splenic fevers, and the Bacillus-tuberculosus or that form associated with tubercle, The bacillus subtills is a variety of the group of septic bacteria or those associated with putrefaction; they do not produce any clearly defined form of illness in the animal body. They are largely concerned with splitting up of decaying organic matter into simple inorganic elements, this action is, however, often accompanied by the formation of an alkaloid “sepsis” which may re-act as a poison on the animal body. The theory that the Hay bacillus was under certain conditions convertible into Anthrax bacillus and vice versa was proved to be untenable.
The Anthrax Bacillus is the cause of splenic fever in animals, and the wool sorter’s disease in man. The bacillus is known to be introduced into this country among the wool and hair of animals which have died of Anthrax. It can be artificially cultivated in many nutrient media. A description was given of the methods adopted in making such cultivations, and the proofs required before admitting any form of bacillus as the cause of disease. Pasteur’s work in protecting sheep against splenic fever by attenuated or weakened virus was referred to, and the means now being adopted to protect wool sorters by disinfecting the fleeces.
The bacillus tuberculosus was first discovered by Koch, of Berlin, in the sputum of persons and animals suffering from tubercles. It measures from one seven thousandths to one eleven thousandths of an inch in length, and therefore requires the highest powers of the microscope for the detection. That work is greatly assisted by the action of various colouring or staining solutions. The presence of this micro-organism in the milk or flesh of animals generally used as food was discussed as a matter of preventive medicine.
SESSION 1889-90
General Meeting – October 30th, 1889
Mr. J. M. Kirk (President), in the chair.
Members elected – Mr. H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S.
After the minutes of the last Ordinary meeting had been read and confirmed, the President called upon the Hon. Secretary to present the statement of accounts, and to read the Annual Report. On the motion of Mt. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Winter, it was resolved that these be received and adopted.
The following gentlemen were elected as Office-bearers for the coming Session.
President – Mr. Walter Roberts
Vice-Presidents – The Rev. W. R. Weston, Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson, Mr. J. G. Walker, and the Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A.
Committee – Mr. W. E. Atkinson, Mr. Geo. Winter, Rev. T. E. Lindsay, B.A., F.C.S., F.G.S., Mr. J. M. Kirk, Mr. G. B. Bisat. And Mr. T. R. Nicholas.
Hon. Secretary and Treasurer – Mr. M. H. Stiles.
The Hon. Sec. then read the Memorial which had been prepared by the Committee, asking the Corporation to grant them the use of the Old Free Library, for the Museum and other purposes. It was unanimously resolved that this be adopted and presented with the signatures of the members of this Society, and of other persons interested in it.
COPY OF MEMORIAL.
To the Worshipful the Mayor, Aldermen and Councilors of the Borough of Doncaster.
We, the undersigned President, Vie-Presidents, Committee and Members of the Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society, and other persons interested in this Memorial, beg most respectfully to solicit your aid in furthering the objects of the Society, and in helping the diffusion of a taste for science and kindred subjects, by granting the use of the Old Free Library for our Meetings and Lectures, and for the purpose of establishing a Town Museum. The remarkable success of the Mayor’s Exhibition in May last, afforded ample evidence of the deep interest taken in such maters by all classes of our fellow townsmen. That interesting and instructive display drew forth many expressions of opinion that it was desirable, by the establishment of a Museum to render permanent the advantages derived from such a collection. In this Museum could be deposited the Antiquarian Curiosities together with the objects and specimens illustrative of Natural History, which are from time to time found in the Town or Neighbourhood, or which are now in the possession of private persons. Many of these persons would gladly hand them over for the purposes of a Local Museum, and indeed some of them have already done so.
It is well known that places considerably smaller, and of less importance than Doncaster, have well appointed and valuable Museums. Your memorialists are of opinion that the present is an eminently suitable opportunity for the founding of one in Doncaster. With this view we venture to ask your kind co-operation, to enable us to form the nucleus of a collection, which may, we hope, hereafter grow to be worthy of the Town.
FIRST MEETING – November 13th, 1889.
Mr. Walter Roberts (President) in the chair.
After a few opening remarks by the Chairman, Mr. H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S., read a paper on “Protective Mimicry as exhibited in British Lepidoptera.”
The Lecturer introduced the subject by defining Protective Mimicry as “any form or colour possessed by an animal or plant, which, by resembling surrounding objects either inanimate or animate, gives its possessor greater chances of avoiding observation by its foes.” Examples are found both in animal and vegetable worlds. Dealing specially with British Lepidoptera, examples were taken from all four stages of an insects life.
The EGGS are mostly similar in colour to the objects upon which they are laid, but some imitate other objects, the eggs of the Puss Moth being laid on a Willow leaf and resembling the galls on those leaves, In other cases the eggs are laid on and simulate the bark, etc.
LARVAE – Many are very like their surroundings. Most of those that feed exposed upon leaves are green; others, which depart from the green colour of the leaves imitate the browns and greys of the branches and are in many cases provided with bud-like and thorn-like projections from their bodies. The larvae of the Catocala are exactly like a branch of Ivy with the rootlets at the sides. Miselia oxyacanthae is just like a twig of the white thorn upon which it feeds. Imitations of leaves were also noticed.
POPAE– Nearly all subterranean pupae are black or brown and many are enclosed in a cocoon of silk and earth which renders them very inconspicuous, others are hidden in the crevices of the bark of trees and are protected by small cocoons made of chips of bark rendering them almost impossible to be detected.
IMAGO – Butterflies at rest have their wings closed upwards with the inferior surface exposed; consequently, the protective colours are found on the lower side. Many moths on the other hand rest with the upper surface of the primaries exposed and it is here that we meet with protective colourings in those cases. Others have all the wings fully exposed when at rest, and then the protective colours are seen in both pairs of wings, The group of moths known as Clearwings imitate bees, wasps, and other insects, their wings being transparent and the abdomen coloured. Other examples of mimicry were also mentioned.
The president at some length opened an interesting discussion in which several on the members joined, after which a cordial vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. Stile and seconded by Mr. W. E. Atkinson.
SECOND MEETING – December 11th, 1889
Mr. Walter Roberts (President) in the chair.
A Paper on a “Piece of Clay” was read by Mr. J. T. Hasselby
Referring in the first place to the antiquity of its use, the Lecturer followed by a statement of the composition of the various clays ordinarily employed. These were shown to be chiefly Silicates of Aluminum, with varying amounts of lime, Iron, and other substances. The purest of all clays – Kaolin, which is the principal constituent of Chinese Porcelain, was described, and an account given of the discovery of the secret of its production and of its influence upon European manufacturers. Varieties of clays from different localities were shown, and their geological origin from granite alluded to, followed by a notice of the diversified applications of clay, artistic and domestic, from the earliest times to the present day, and an account of their more prominent characteristics. The paper closed with a reference to the Chemistry of clay and its constituents, from the Ruby and Saphire to the metal Aluminim, with special reference to the future applications of the later.
A long and interesting discussion followed, embracing the chemical, geological, and Industrial applications of the subject, after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Hasselby for his very able and interesting paper was proposed by Mr. Stiles, and seconded by Mr. J. Furnival.
THIRD MEETING _ January 8th, 1890.
Mr. Walter Roberts (President) in the chair.
A discussion on “Local Museums” was opened by Mr. J. M. Kirk, who drew attention to the desirability of establishing one in Doncaster, and read the Memorial which had been framed by the Committee, with the view of asking the Corporation to brant this Society the use of the Old Free Library for the purpose referred to.
The Memorial appears as an appendix to the Annual Report for 1889. Several gentlemen spoke more or less in favour of the project, including, the Chairman, Mr. Stiles, Mr. W. E. Atkinson, Mr. Furnival, and Mr. Geo. Winter, and eventually it was proposed by Mr. Roberts, and seconded by Mr. Stiles, that the Memorial as read by Mr. Kirk be presented to the Corporation. Most of those present offered to assist in obtaining signatures to the Memorial.
The Meeting ended with the usual vote of thanks to the introducer of the subject.
FOURTH MEETING – January 29th, 1890.
This termed in the programme an Exhibition Meeting, took the form of a Conversazione, and was held in Brown’s Rooms, High Street. Refreshments were provided through the kindness of the President, and his efforts coupled with those of the Exhibitors, resulted in a very enjoyable and entertaining evening being spent by a large and appreciative company. Amongst other Exhibits may be mentioned a very fine collection of Lepidoptera, by Mr. H. H. Corbett, and Photographs of Scotch, Welsh, Norwegian, and Local Views, by Mr. Roberts, Mr. Geo. Bisat, Mt. W. Y. Gent, and Mr. Stiles. The display of Microscopes was a very good one, and was furnished by Messrs. Roberts, Winter, Hasselby, Kirk, Stott, Lewis, Jackson, Corbett, Stiles, B. S. Brundell, Clark, Burman, Burman jun., Robinson, Bisat, and the Revs W. Smith, and W. R. Weston. Among the living objects which attracted special attention were Voloz Globator, Fish Lice, and some newly hatched Trout. The Ova of the latter had been procured on the previous day for exhibiting but during the night were hatched. Under a low power Binocular the circulation of blood was splendidly shown.
FIFTH MEETING – February 19th, 1890
Mr. Walter Roberts (President) in the chair.
A paper on “Improvements in Photomicrography” was given by Mr. M. H. Stiles.
The lecturer stated that during the past few years very considerable improvements had taken place in the department of Photography which embraced the delineation of magnified Microscopic objects. These improvements were of three-fold character and had reference to the arrangement of apparatus including methods of illumination, the use of special objectives and the employment of colour sensitive plates.
After a thorough trial of the two systems of working – one with the ordinary eye-piece, the other without, Mr. Stiles had come to the conclusion that better results were obtainable by the latter method, the field being flatter and the general definition consequently more perfect. The plan of working with the eye-piece necessitated the use of longer Camera combined with a special appliance for turning the milled head of the fine adjustment for focusing.
It is a great advantage to have the Microscope and source of light arranged on a separate baseboard, especially when the higher powers used; the object can thus be singled out and all adjustments made with the minimum of trouble and under direct observation, When everything is satisfactory arranged the Eye-piece is withdrawn, a black-lined tube put in its place and the Microscope baseboard with the illuminating apparatus attached placed on the general baseboard which carries the camera. In setting up the apparatus, everything is adjusted so that the centre of the flame, the axes of the condenser and of the Microscope, and the centre of the plate are in the same line; with the higher powers this is especially important.
As a source of light, a single wick Paraffin Lamp was found to answer capitally for all powers up to and including a one-twelfth immersion. The Lamp was used with the edge of the flame turned to the stage, the rays being parallelised by a Bull’s Eye Condenser place with its flat side close to the Flame and art a distance of about 8 or 9 inches from the object. For powers of ½ inch and upwards an Achromatic Condenser was employed. For low powers 1 inch to 4 inch a double convex lens of 2 ½ inch focus was substituted for the Achromatic Condenser and gave excellent results; for the 4 inch the flame of the lamp was placed slightly obliquely.
Although objectives can now be obtained specially corrected for Photomicrography, those in ordinary use invariably require a certain amount of correction for the want of coincidence between their visual and chemical rays. A simple and easy plan of ascertaining the correction required with any objective was shown and specimen trial plates were exhibited. The importance of accurate focusing was insisted on and the lecturer explained his method of doing this and exhibited the apparatus employed; the latter, which was very simple and effective, consisted of a wooden block, pierced by a hole about 2 ½ inches in diameter, to replace the ordinary focussing screen. A brass plate sliding over the hole carried an aperture for the No. 1 Eye-piece, the position of the latter being so adjusted that when an object was in sharp focus on the ground glass it was also seen at its best through the eye-piece. The advantage of this method is especially apparent with high powers.
The value of Isochromatic or Colour-sensitive plates in Photomicrography was so obvious that they no sooner became an article of trade that they began to be employed for this work. It is well known that the dark brown Chitinous tissue of insects is particularly non-actinic and that deep coloured insect preparations show, when photographed, very little detail in their shadows. This defect may to a great extent be overcome by the use of Isochromatic Plates. And yet there are other important advantages which the Lecturer believed had up to the present time not been pointed out. These Plates are extremely sensitive to artificial light, so much so that Edward’s medium rapidity are 8 to 10 times as quick as an Ilford ordinary Plate.
On another point further experiments are required before a definite opinion can be given, but the Lecturer had every reason to believe that, with these plates, no correction for want of coincidence between the visual and chemical rays was required with objectives that needed it in working with ordinary plates.
SIXTH MEETING – March 12th, 1890.
Mr. Walter Roberts (president), in the chair.
A Paper on “British Mustelidae” was read by Mr. George Chouler. A description was given of the type of animals constituting this order, and attention was drawn to their points of resemblance and general habits of the class – their comparison with Felines in dentition and shape of skull, and also their mode of pursuing and attacking their prey.
The Lecturer then enumerated the various species, commencing with the Weasel – the smallest of the tribe – and following with the Stoat, the Polecat, and the Otter; his remarks were illustrated by reference to fine preserved and mounted specimens, an excellent case of which was exhibited. A live Ferret was also shown, and which gave striking evidence of the remarkable tenacity of the tribe.
After an interesting discussion, a vote of thanks to Mr. Chouler was proposed by Mr. J. G. Walker, seconded by Mr. Stiles, and supported by Mr. J. M. Kirk.
SEVENTH MEETING – March 26th,1890.
Mr. Walter Roberts (president), in the chair.
A Paper on “A Photographic Tour in North Wales” was read by Mr. George Bisat.
In the course of an interesting paper, the Lecturer gave a graphic description of a very pleasant holiday which he and a friend had spent during the previous season with his camera, in the midst of some of the most beautiful scenery of the Principality.
They had selected Barmouth as a centre, and from that place made excursions of greater or less extent into the surrounding country. Although not favoured on the whole with particularly good Photographic weather, he had succeeded in obtaining between 30 and 40 views, some of them of considerable beauty and interest.
After the delivery of the paper, the Meeting became a conservational one, and the remainder of the evening was spent in examining and criticising the Photographs produced by the Lecturer. A cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Bisat was proposed by Mr. Stiles and seconded by Mr. W. E. Atkinson.
EIGHTH MEETING – April 30th, 1890.
Mr. H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S., in the chair.
The Hon. Secretary reported that Dr, Emerson, the author of Naturalistic Photography, had presented to the Society a copy of his work, Entitled “Pictures of East Anglian Life.” It was unanimously resolved that a vote of thanks be conveyed to Dr, Emerson in acknowledgement of this. Mr. W. Roberts the read a paper on “Ants,” of which the following is an abstract.
With the exception perhaps of the Bee there is no insect better known or more universally popular than the Ant. Like Bees, ants are social insects, living in communities regulated by definite laws, each member of the society bearing a separate and well-defined part in the organisation and arrangement of the colony. An ants’ nest contains three kinds of individuals representing a three-fold distinction of sex. There are the workers or neuters, males, and females or queens, The males and females have four delicately-formed and transparent wings, The queen may be distinguished by her larger size and greater expansion of wing. The workers never have wings. The workers constitute the majority of the population of the colony, and they perform all the duties that contribute to the welfare of the community. They build the nest and keep it in repair; they provide all the food; they attend to the hatching and rearing of the young; they defend the nest against depredation and carry on aggressive warfare. Much of the time of the workers is occupied in attending to the eggs and larvae for which they evince the greatest devotion. Immediately the eggs are laid they are collected and placed in heaps, moistened with their tongues and carried to warmer or cooler situations in the nest as the weather may render needful. They spare neither time, labour, nor their own lives in the care and protection of the helpless larvae. The ants nest or formicary varies much in form and material, scarcely two species build alike. Clay, earth and vegetable matter are the chief materials employed and excavations under the ground and erections above the ground in trees, walls, or house roofs are the most common situation of nests. The general plan shows an arrangement of flats or stories connected throughout by passages and supported by pillars. A story with solons, vaulted roofs, partitions and galleries will be completed in seven or eight hours. Ants are capable of communicating to each other their ideas and wishes. They do not emit any sound, but by signs and signals communicate by touching each other with their antennae. Ants feed upon both animal and vegetable substances, they destroy large numbers of caterpillars and small insects and so are very beneficial to plants. They are particularly found of saccharine matter and many species feed largely on the sweet fluid known as honey dew, which is exuded from the bodies of aphides or plant lice. It has been stated that ants do not harvest their food in the summer as stated by Solomon. But the observations of those making the statement have not extended beyond the British Isles. It is true that British Ants do not lay up store for the winter. But in tropical countries and in the warmer parts of Europe ants do harvest grain in the manner alluded to by the Wise Man.
A discussion followed, after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Roberts for his exhaustive and interesting paper was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Mr. Stiles.
LIST OF MEMBERS, 1886-1890
Kirk, J. M., F.R.M.S
Stiles, M. H.
Winter, George
Brock, Rev. Canon, M.A.
Weston, Rev. W. R.
Wilson, J. Mitchell, M.D.
Smith, Re. George, M.A.
Roberts, W.
Sykes, J., M.D., J.P.
Shotton, J.
Easterfield, T. H.
Smith, J. W.
Eardley, Rev. W., M.A.
Lockley, C. H.
Brundell, B. S., J.P.
Brundell, H. A.
Thellusson, P., J.P.
Somerville, Captain
Sturrock, Major, J.P.
Faber, Rev. Cannon, M.A.
Hartley, C. M.
Cockill, H.
Turner, T., J.P.
Morris, R., J.P.
Gent, P., J.P.
Stirling, P., J.P.
Stockil, R., J.P.
Meacock, S. J.P.
Liddle, G.
Liddle, Miss
Turner, Mrs.
Hasselby, T. J.
Athron, Thos.
Walker, J. G.
Furnival, J.
Stott, W. H.
Delanoy, W.
Deardon, Mrs.
Chonler, George
Atkinson, W. E.
Robinson, R.
Parkin, Chas.
Parker, D.
Smith, W. H.
Wilton, Sidney
Bisat, George B.
Thompson, J. R.
Nicholas, T. R.
Howes, George
Lindsay, Rev. T. E., B.A., F.G.S., F.G.S
Corbett, H. H., M.R.C.S.