PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



323 



work), and these two journals are almost microscopical publications, 

 for they contain many most valuable contributions to our knowledge 

 of minute organisms. Now, almost every standard scientific book 

 teems with the results of microscopical investigations. No one 

 would think of competing in any scientific examination without 

 some knowledge of the minute anatomy, &c, which the microscope 

 reveals, and medical men consider the microscope as essential a pro- 

 fessional instrument as lancet or forceps. 



This, gentlemen, is some of the evidence of progress during the 

 past thirty-six years. "We have taken a retrospective view of the 

 past ; we are pretty well acquainted with the present ; what are our 

 hopes and plans for the future ? It seems to me that all the evi- 

 dence, however circumstantial, is in favour of the assumption that 

 the full and rapid development of microscopy in this country is due 

 to the establishment and operations of the Society which was con- 

 stituted at the beginning of that which I have styled the micro- 

 scopical era, and those which followed in the same direction. If this 

 be so, a large amount of responsibility rests upon those who are to 

 carry on the work, and, consecpiently, a share of that responsibility 

 rests upon us. Under these circumstances, we cannot do better 

 than emulate our predecessors. Their work was done in a quiet and 

 unassuming manner, as ours is being done ; and the most pleasing 

 and gratifying observations we read about them are those concerning 

 the good fellowship which existed amongst them, and the free ex- 

 tension of help one towards another. We have not to face the diffi- 

 culties which they had to encounter. We have magnificent instru- 

 ments, which they had not, and we have the testimony of Ehrenberg 

 himself that the preparation of his great works on the Infusoria and 

 Micro -geology was accomplished by means of a microscope inferior 

 in capability to one which could now be purchased for £5. To our 

 hands, and to those of the members of kindred societies, the work 

 of the future is entrusted, and let us hope that we shall so accom- 

 plish it that our successors may be able to pass like encomiums upon 

 us as we confer on those who preceded us ; that they may be able to 

 say that we knew our work, and did it to the best of our ability, 

 with good feeling and good-fellowship. 



My remarks have hitherto related more to the general history of 

 the rise and progress of microscopical science in this country than 

 to any especial influence of the Quekett Club, or any especial regard 

 to its functions and achievements. I cannot, however, close with- 



