6 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



had long proved an insoluble difficulty, but " as all things come to 

 him who waits," so also this problem has found its solution in the 

 publication of our very excellent journal, edited by Mr. Allen. 

 This journal has already attained a very wide circulation — a circu- 

 lation due entirely to its own merits, and all members of the Postal 

 Microscopical Society ought to give it their earnest support. The 

 following is the testimony of a gentleman, a member of various 

 learned societies, whom I invited to join us, but who is at present 

 unable to do so. He says : — " I have a very good opinion of 

 your society, derived from a perusal of its publications, which I 

 have taken from their commencement." In this journal not only 

 have we had many original papers far too long for our circulating 

 manuscript note-books, but many interesting items have been 

 drawn from our old note-books, wherein they were entombed. 



It is beyond question that the microscope may be used both 

 as a means of affording amusement, and as an instrument for 

 scientific research. It has occasionally been made a reproach to 

 our association, that it is mainly used for the former purpose 

 —amusement — and that the chief end of the society has been the 

 circulation of *' Objects for the Microscope." Supposing this 

 reproach to be true, which it is not, is it possible, I ask, to use the 

 Microscope as a means of amusement — that is, to gratify the eye 

 without occupying, stimulating, and enlarging the mind ? I 

 unhesitatingly avow the contrary : it is not possible. Can any 

 man or woman view without thought the beautiful revelations of 

 the diaphanous and exquisitely-formed Daphnia, or Rotifer, or 

 Floscule ? Is it possible, think you, that anyone can thus view the 

 workings of the interior economy of these beautiful little crea- 

 tures without some reflections on the perfection of the unseen. 

 Is it nothing, then, that our friends should be able to combine for 

 " intellectual amusement " ? We may not be able (and indeed all 

 are not adapted by bent of mind) to adduce much original work 

 as the result of the workings of our society, yet it has been 

 helpful to many, and may even now be preparing some few of its 

 members to such an end. For original workers are not born ; they 

 must be trained. Especially is this true of microscopical workers. 

 Dr. Bealesays : — "For however some may be inclined to disparage 

 hand work as distinguished from head work, it is certain that no 



