MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES

Evening Star, Issue 21721, 16 May 1934, Page 14

MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES

OTAGO INSTITUTE EXTENDS ACTIVITIES

A farther extension of the activities of the Otago Institute was made last evening at a meeting in the Medical School by the formation of a branch known as the microscopical branch. Dr M. N. Watt, who presided, explained that the branch was to f be formed with two main objects. The first was to encourage those who had not got microscopes to get them, and the second was to show those who possessed microscopes how to obtain the greatest amount of pleasure from them. Microscopical study was, he added, a most delightful hobby, and there were a great many beautiful things in the world that could be- seen only by means of a microscope. It was proposed to deliver a number of suitable lectures on subjects of interest to members, and members would be able to hire or borrow equipment from the club. The first step was to appoint officers. The following officers were elected: — 'Chairman, Dr Watt; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Dickie; committee— Dr .1. E. Holloway, Messrs S. H. llawson,- H. L. Tily, and Laing. Dr Holloway delivered a brief lecture on fossil* wood, during which ho explained that a fossil was the preserved remains of some ancient animal or plant. Fossil wood was often found in beds of coal, and in some specimens it was possible to remove leaves in layers. The speaker showed some petrified remains from Curio Bay, one example being a portion of a tree trunk with the rings clearly defined. In some coal mines in England objects known as “coal balls” were frequently found—_ useless from the mine owners’ point of view, but of- great interest to botanists. These, when broken open, revealed fossilised forms of plant life, and all sorts of interesting discoveries were made, as they were really like big lucky bags. The first fossils, Dr Holloway said, had come from the early Devonian and late Silurian periods, and it was from these fossils that botanists were able to read the earlier chapters in the evolution of the plant. Simpler and more primitive groups were discovered in this way. Fossils had filled a great may gaps in our knowledge of the evolution tree of the plant. After Dr Holloway’s address those present were given a practical demonstration of microscopical study, and tiny leaves and fronds, and other objects were examined through the instruments with keen interest.