PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. O 



I was particularly interested in the microscopical details of 

 what are called " common objects " lying all around us. The 

 Senecio vulgaris (Groundsel), the Linaria Cymbalaria (Ivy-leaved 

 Toad-flax), the Anogallis arvensis (Scarlet Pimpernel), afforded me 

 hours and days of interesting study. I found no existing literature 

 which described their microscopical details, and so I was obliged 

 to examine them patiently and carefully before I could write about 

 them. Had opportunity offered, I should have been delighted to 

 pursue similar investigations, for I know of no more fascinating 

 employment for needle, scalpel, and lens, than to prepare and 

 chronicle the hidden beauties of "the commonest objects which He 

 around us. That which I attempted in the field of Botany equally 

 applies to the region of Entomology. If some of our members 

 could be induced to take up such studies in the new year we enter 

 upon to-night, I am confident that their " monographs " would be 

 attractive and instructive, and that many of them will find their 

 way into the pages of our Journal because of their real value. I 

 w'ould also suggest that Animal Parasites offer another field for 

 excellent study, and that they will furnish slides and notes of 

 attractive and instructive character. Since my contributions, as 

 stated before, I was deeply interested in Parasites, as to the variety 

 of form and of appendages, their limb structure so adapted to 

 their habits, and especially as to their frequent rudimentary organs. 

 I commenced a box of slides, with note book and drawings to 

 illustrate a dozen specimens, but, alas ! 



" Art is long, and Time is fleeting." 

 They still lie in my study drawer, incompleted, and filling my heart 

 every now and then with a fond regret. I shall, however, use my 

 best endeavours in the coming winter to resume my studies, and 

 employ some of its hours, if possible, in actively helping our 

 Society. In speaking of work, I am sure it would be interesting 

 to all of us if our members would search their own particular 

 districts for microscopical objects. For example, in my own native 

 city the Mineral Waters of Bath are the habitat of the Fresh 

 Water Alga, Oscillatoria tenuisstma, which, according to Harvey, 

 is only to be found in those celebrated warm waters. Specimens 

 and illustrations of such native subjects would, if circulated among 

 our members, be instructive and beneficial to all. 



