248 THE president's address. 



sistent with what we know in admitting that such transmutation 

 of condition may occur ? The sum of vitality of the fully de- 

 veloped being of high organisation is injfinitely greater than the 

 vitality of the germ from which it has sprung. Whence has come 

 the increase but from the transmutation and absorption, as it were, 

 of physical conditions reacting from without? And may not 

 similar conditions reacting on the dead products of animal and 

 vegetable Kfe cause portions of such products to assume the condi- 

 tion of infusorial life ? 



These and such like suggestions and questions I leave to you. 

 I offer neither comment nor answer. But from the Microscopist 

 comment and answer must come, if they come at all. As yet we 

 do not know enough. "We must investigate and observe further 

 before we can satisfactorily explain the problems submitted to us, 

 and answer the questions, and set at rest the doubts that arise. 

 We .must labour and wait, and sooner or later the Hght will come, 

 and we shall see clearly what now is dark. 



Gentlemen, I thank you very much for the patient attention 

 with which you have listened to me. This is the last occasion on 

 which I shall have the opportunity of addressing you as your Pre- 

 sident. I wish I could have filled my part better than I have done. 

 I repeat my acknowledgements of your unvaried consideration, 

 courtesy, and kindness. The ballot is closed, and it only remains 

 for me to announce to you the result, — to welcome my successor, 

 Mr. Le Neve Foster, to the office to which you have elected him,— 

 and to resign to him this Chair. 



