PREFACE 



In concluding the first volume of the ' Transactions of the 

 Microscopical Society,' the Council feel it necessary to make a 

 few observations upon the origin, progress, and present state of 

 that Society. 



It was founded in the year 1840, by the exertions of a few 

 gentlemen engaged in scientific pursuits, for the purpose of 

 affording assistance and encouragement to microscopical inves- 

 tigations, by promoting that ready intercourse between those 

 engaged in such pursuits, by which not only are great advanta- 

 ges mutually gained, but also information of the most valuable 

 kind disseminated and perpetuated. Another important conse- 

 quence resulting from the establishment of this Society, and the 

 increasing interest in microscopical pursuits excited by it, is the 

 encouragement and stimulus given to the scientific makers of 

 the microscope, by which that valuable instrument is now rapidly 

 advancing to the highest degree of perfection. 



The progress of the Society has been so satisfactory, that 

 although the subscription is but one guinea per annum, the 

 Council have been enabled, not only to pay its current expenses, 

 but also to purchase for the use of the Members, three micro- 

 scopes of the very finest description, with all the recent improve- 

 ments, constructed by Messrs. Powell, Ross, and Smith, artists 

 whose talents are too well known to need any comment here. 

 It is also a subject of congratulation, that they are enabled to 

 present the concluding part of this volume free of expense to 



