96 THE president's address. 



But the late members of oui- club to whom I refer, however dear to 

 their several families, however highly honoured and esteemed in 

 their respective social circles, do not appear to have contributed in 

 any notable degree to the advancement of microscopical know- 

 ledge. There is, therefore, nothing for me, in my present capacity, 

 to record respecting them. 



Next, with regard to improvements made during the past year in 

 our instruments — the microscope itself, and the various appliances 

 and contrivances useful in microscopical research. 



I do not know that anything has been done to which I am espe- 

 cially bound to direct your attention. 



Many ingenious devices have been from time to time conceived, 

 and many clever little dodges (if you will allow the expression) have 

 been made known, by means of which time and labour may be 

 saved, or increased facilities for observation afforded. The publi- 

 cation of such devices and " dodges " — trifling as they may seem to 

 some — is, I think, highly commendable, and very much to be en- 

 couraged. Cleverness in little things often constitutes the great 

 difference between the successful and the unsuccessful microscopist. 

 A hint from the clever contriver, or a glimpse of his contrivance, 

 sometimes proves of the greatest value to the industrious and 

 honest, but hitherto unsuccessful worker. Many unpretending little 

 instruments and methods of the kind I am alluding to, have been 

 brought before the members of our club. It is to be hoped that 

 many more will follow. Our meetings afford peculiarly good op- 

 portunities to those who have anything of the kind to shew or to 

 suggest, — tempting opportunities, indeed, to all who can be tempted 

 by the prospect of unostentatiously, but certainly, rendering their 

 own experiences useful to others of kindred tastes and pursuits. 



Beyond the minor aids which I have thus mentioned collectively, 

 little or nothing worthy of note has been recently brought out. 



We have among us many able and eminent makers, who cer- 

 tainly surpass all foreign competitors in the excellence of their 

 workmanship, if not in the lowness of their prices. Probably they 

 could tell us, if they would, of the successes they have severally 

 achieved in disposing of very many microscopes during the past 

 twelve months. Such successes on their parts, may fairly be con- 

 sidered matter for congratulation on ours. The sale of an increas- 

 ing number of good instruments affords unimpeachable evidence of 

 a growing interest in the use of the microscope ; and the distribu- 



