2 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



union is an interest in some one or more of the branches of 

 science, in which the Microscope is an essential aid. These are 

 so varied and extensive, that scarcely any branch of modern 

 enquiry can be said to be independent of its assistance. Neither 

 the botanist, biologist, chemist, geologist, nor the students of any 

 department of natural history, can altogether dispense with its 

 services. 



The attractions and uses of the Microscope being so multi- 

 farious, it need be no matter of surprise that Microscopical 

 Societies should have sprung up in so many different parts of the 

 country, each with its special field of work. 



What, then, is the special mission of the Postal Microscopical 

 Society ? Let us seek an answer in its history : What was the first 

 conception of the society by Mr. Atkinson, its first President ? 

 He says in his first letter to Science Gossip, in May, 1873, " Let a 

 certain number of persons, living in different parts of the country, 

 agree to form a Postal Cabinet Association," and in his letter he 

 further developes a plan, which, after modification and assistance 

 from Mr. Allen, our present secretary, resulted in the establish- 

 ment of our society : the essence of the whole being the 

 association of a number of workers separated from each other by 

 long distances, and thus isolated in their work ; but now, by 

 means of the post, linked together into a brotherhood, and 

 enabled to communicate with each other, and to obtain en- 

 couragement, sympathy, and instruction from intercommunication. 



Now, of all the departments of Microscopical work, there is, 

 perhaps, no other in which mutual sympathy and help is more 

 needed, and in which one is more likely to be discouraged by 

 isolation than the department of mounting objects for the 

 Microscope. This is an especial trouble to young students and 

 to those who are only in the outset of their microscopical career. 

 Suppose, having become the possessor of a much-coveted 

 instrument, the student essays to mount the simplest object — 

 probably he has never seen an object mounted — how is he to go to 

 work ? He consults his books. But all persons of practical 

 experience know how difficult it is to acquire any art from books, 

 more particularly one so full of mimitice as that of mounting. 

 This art, which consists in displaying and preserving the minute 



