The President's Address. By Wm. Carruthers. 141 



graceful specimens of the same skill, learning and talent, that they 

 piainly declare their Malpighian origin. Proceed, most learned Sir, 

 in the things you have so excellently begun, and strive to bind us 

 and posterity more each day to your honourable memory. 



Your most affectionate 



Nehemiah Grew." 



Grew was a man of extensive knowledge and possessed by a philo- 

 sophic spirit, with a keen appreciation of the affinities of plants and 

 animals, though frequently led astray by the imperfect knowledge and 

 fanciful theories of his day. He laid the foundations of vegetable 

 histology with remarkable intelligence and accuracy. His descriptions 

 are careful, and his drawings admirable, though sometimes diagram- 

 matic and often helped by " reason " because of the imperfections of 

 his Microscope and its adjuncts. His sections of woods, his details 

 of flowers, fruits, and seeds have scarcely been surpassed. 



One that knew him well says that " he was grave and serious in 

 his conversation, yet affable and courteous with an obliging civility 

 without nervousness, at the same time inviting your acquaintance and 

 commanding your respect. He did not only mind his own things, 

 but was truly concerned for the public." He was much beloved as a 

 physician. His death took place suddenly, when engaged in his pro- 

 fessional work, on the 25th March, 1712. 



