THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 129
in chloroform or benzole is placed over it, the cover-glass is put on,
and the mount is complete.
It is perhaps unnecessary to mention that corrosive sublimate
is a dangerous poison if swallowed. It should be purchased in
the dry condition and dissolved in warm water, and then left to cool.
In using osmic acid care should be taken not to breathe the fumes of
it or to let them act upon the eyes, as they are extremely irritating
to the mucous membranes. Osmic acid is sold in sealed tubes, con-
taining one gramme in the crystalline state ; it is soluble in cold water.
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Visit to the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons.
Saturday, June 11th, 1892.
On the kind invitation of Prof. Charles Stewart, M.A. (Hunterian Curator, and
President of the Linnean Society), a very pleasant and instructive visit was paid to
the magnificent museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields, endeared to all naturalists as
being the repository of John Hunter's specimens, and as the scene of the labours
of Quekett, Owen, and Flower.
The party first assembled in the lecture theatre, where Prof. Stewart had
arranged a series of very beautiful specimens illustrating the subject of symbiosis
in the animal kingdom, and upon which he delivered a most instructive address,
further illustrating various points with drawings upon the black-board. It is
unnecessary to give any summary of Prof. Stewart's lecture, as symbiosis formed
the subject of his Annual Address as President of the Linnean Society for the
present year, and which will be published in the Proceedings of that Society.
On the proposal of Mr. Walter Crouch and Mr. J. Spiller, a very cordial vote
of thanks was passed to Prof. Stewart for his address, and for his kindness in
receiving the Club that afternoon.
The Professor then conducted the party over those portions of the museum
more particularly interesting to the general naturalist, giving occasional demon-
strations. The visit was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by all privileged to
take part in it.
Field Meeting in the Writtle and Blackmore High Woods and in
Writtle Park.
Saturday, June 25th, 1892.
This meeting was a heathland and woodland ramble, arranged at the sugges-
tion of the conductor, Mr. Miller Christy, F.L.S., in order to enable members to
inspect the fine woods of the Writtle district under more favourable conditions
than on the last visit of the Club to the locality. This was on May 11th, 1889,
and the day will be long remembered as one of the wettest excursions ever under-
taken by the Club (see report in Essex Naturalist, vol. iii., pp. 203-208).