PROFESSOR H. M. HOWE i9y 



Professor H. M. Howe {communicated). 



All our present conceptions of the nature of alloys are due to 

 the microscope. The labours of Sorby, of Osmond, and of Le 

 Chatelier, brought us to the point at which we recongise pearlite as 

 an eutectoid, the great turning point in the progress of our concep- 

 tions. 



One finds important . problems solved quickly and surely by means 

 of a magnification of 2,000 which ' completely baffled us when our 

 magnification was confined to 200 diameters. Thus, just as the first 

 step of slight magnification opened up a new world to us, so a second 

 step has brought new and important conceptions of great potential 

 service. 



Have we not good reason to hope from the past that like impor- 

 tant knowledge awaits further increase in our powers of magnifica- 

 tion? Have we not every reason to believe that this knowledge is 

 there to-day, behind that closed door, awaiting its unlocking by 

 him who shall devise the key ? No doubt the technical difiiculties 

 are extreme, but surely the reward which awaits success should be 

 proportionally great. 



A group of papers, presented and taken as read, discussed 

 various other aspects of the microscope, its use and 

 applications. 



