PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 3 



cultivating scientific researches in the areas lying between towns 

 and cities, where, through paucity of population, scientific societies 

 cannot be maintained. We urge, therefore, the claims of the 

 Society on the microscopists of our cities and towns, not so much 

 for the sake of their own erudition, but we need their experience 

 and help for the benefit of other students of the microscope who 

 have less advantages, and to whom, if I may quote from a well- 

 known advertisement, this Society comes " as a boon and a 

 blessing to men." This great advantage can never materially 

 lessen from the keen scientific competition of the age, because 

 this Society supplements a want beyond its reach. Therein are 

 the elements of growth and prosperity, and we strongly appeal to 

 microscopists in our larger towns to co-operate with us in render- 

 ing the Society attractive and of distinguished value to those who 

 may become members from the rural districts. 



During the last few years we have lost members who were real 

 workers in special subjects in the microscopical world. Their 

 slides, and the note-books which accompanied them, were especially 

 valuable. I am afraid, from what our Secretary tells me, that this 

 loss is still going on. I would strongly urge on those who remain 

 to us, and who are noted for excellent work, to continue that work 

 for the benefit of those who, if less experienced, are not less ardent 

 in their love of microscopical science, and who deserve every 

 encouragement from the more experienced members. 



The Work 



of the Society has passed through many phases, and thanks to our 

 enterprising Honorary Secretary, his fertile brain has often evolved 

 new schemes for attracting scientific pursuits. Boxes of single 

 miscellaneous slides have been supplemented by those of series 

 slides, where members contribute the whole of the contents, and 

 are able to write in and illustrate the note-books in a truly educa- 

 tional spirit. Sections have been formed especially for pathological 

 and botanical study, and if they have not succeeded to the extent 

 that was desired, the experiment was valuable in ascertaining the 

 need or otherwise of such a particular branch of study. Since my 

 selection to fill the chair to-night, I have been careful to note the 

 quality of the contributions which have been circulated during the 



