THE president's ADDEESSi 107 



complished mathematician to whom I have alluded. Keadincss and 

 accuracy of observation are likely to be of more service to most 

 men in this work-a-day world than any amount of what is called 

 scholarship, even together with the high development of the 

 faculties especially cultivated in its attainment. 



Now, when a man is at work with his microscope he is not only 

 leaniing something about the object he may be examining, but he is 

 educating and exercising, in various ways, his observing faculties. 



In the first place, obviously enough, the microscopist learns to 

 use his eyes. And the eyes themselves, if rightly used, and 

 not abused, are thereby improved. The habit of seeing quickly, 

 observing accurately, and discriminating minutely is insensibly 

 acquired, or at any rate effectively cultivated. This habit be- 

 comes of the greatest service in every day life. As a man uses the 

 dumb bells to develope his muscular powers, so he may use his 

 microscope to develope his visual powers, and with an equal prospect 

 of success. There is, however, this difference in favour of the 

 microscope, that in using it knowledge is gained in addition to the 

 advantage derived from the exercise of the sense of sight. 



Again, the microscopist necessarily educates his sense of touch, 

 and practises himself in the use of his hands. And how great a 

 gain is this ! What a difference there must be between the powers 

 of manipulation of the novice who turns down his instru- 

 ment till he smashes his object, and the experienced worker 

 who at once easily and accurately focusses his one-fiftieth 

 of an inch object glass. No one can become a successful micro- 

 scopist without acquiring in a very high degree delicacy of touch, 

 and lightness, accuracy, flexibility, and steadiness of manipulation. 

 These same qualities are most useful in a hundred different ways. 

 The value of an educated hand is not half appreciated, and yet from 

 time to time we become practically sensible of it. Let me tell you 

 an anecdote in illustration : — A gentleman calling one morning, 

 earlier, perhaps, than he ought, found his surgeon doing some 

 microscopical work — dissecting out, I believe, the pygidium of a 

 flea. In reply to questions asked, the nature of the work was ex- 

 plained, and an attempt was made to excite interest in the object. 

 The result was a somewhat contemptuous enquiry — " What good 

 can it do a surgeon to dissect out the posterior parts of a flea ? " 

 Sometime afterwards the gentleman in question had occasion to 

 avail himself of the services of his surgeon in a very painful and 



