ADDRESS ON RESIGNING THE CHAIR. 7 



resembles the stem of a hazel, or other branch whose buds are 

 regularly alternate. 



Ladies and Gentlemen, — I hoped to have read this paper in 

 person, but have been prevented, and consequently must entrust 

 the reading of it to my predecessor in the Presidential 

 Chair. I trust that you will have a good meeting, and express 

 very sincere regret for my unavoidable absence. 



abt)re60 on IReeionincj tbe Cbain 



By Arthur Hammond, F.L.S. 



Ladies and Gentlemen, — 



IN drawing up for your information a short account of the 

 work done by the members of our Society during the past 

 twelve months, I have to acknowledge the great assistance 

 afforded me by the valuable copy of the contents of the Note- 

 Books supplied to me by our Hon. Secretary, Mr. Allen. This 

 appears to be quite an incidental portion of the services rendered 

 to the Society by that gentleman, and I am quite sure that if any 

 of our members have the curiosity to look at the bulky bundle of 

 manuscripts to which I refer, they will agree with me that the 

 duties which devolve upon the Hon. Secretary of the " Postal 

 Microscopical Society " are by no means a light undertaking. It 

 would be impracticable to notice all the communications which 

 appear in the Note-Books ; and a selection therefore becoming 

 desirable, I trust if any important omission is made, that I may 

 receive a kindly pardon. Referring to the Rules of our Society, 

 as stated in the part of our Journal published in December of 

 last year, I find that the purpose of the Society " shall be the 

 circulation, study, and discussion of Microscopic objects, and the 

 general advancement of Microscopy and the Natural Sciences 

 among its members," and much of the utiUty of the work done, 



