Doncaster Microscopical Society
The third meeting of this society was held on Wednesday evening, the Rev. W. Smith in the chair.
Mr. Milner read a paper on “The origin of chalk, as shown by the microscope.”
After describing the extent & thickness of the chalk deposit, he pointed out its relationship to other formations and mentioned many of the larger fossils in it. Chalk is essentially carbonate of Lime, and for the most part consists of the fossil shells of minute animals known as Foraminifera.
At the present time a vast bed of chalk is being formed by these tiny creatures at the bottom of the Atlantic; the mud brought up by the sounding lead being found by the microscope to be composed chiefly of the shells of two or three species of these interesting organisms associated with the remains of others (Coecospheres) of still simpler structure;
A discussion followed, in which Messrs. Smith, Stiles, and Milner took part. After a vote of thanks to the lecturer, the secretary announced that the next meeting would be held on April 21st, when he hoped there would be a good display of microscopical subjects.
[Doncaster, Nottingham & Lincoln Gazette, 9th April 1880]
Also, in this edition
At a meeting of the Estates Committee, held yesterday (Thursday), at the Mansion House, the Mayor presided, and there were also present Alderman Stockil and Smith, and Councilors Tomlinson, Hough, and J. Elwis.
It was recommended that certain fields on the Carr, in the occupation of Mr. Richard Elwess, be drained, under the direction of the borough surveyor, the tiles to be provided by the Corporation, and the labour in laying them to be repaid by the tenant.