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During the past Session we have had several papers of 

 great interest, and many of our discussions have been very 

 instructive. These are recounted in our proceedings, and 

 afford some indication of our activity in the department of 

 research to which we have devoted ourselves. But yet I fear 

 we cannot feel quite sure that we have been as useful as we 

 might have been, or have made the most of the excellent 

 opportunities enjoyed by all members of the Quekett Club. 

 It has often occurred to me as a thing most to be desired 

 that every new method introduced for the demonstration of 

 microscopical structure should be put to the test by some of 

 our most skilful and experienced members, and that speci- 

 mens illustrating the effects of different methods of investiga- 

 tion should be exhibited at our meetings. In this way the 

 accuracy of original observers would be tested, and science 

 advanced. But undoubtedly the difficulties of carrying out 

 this proposal are considerable, and not to be easily overcome. 

 A student naturally feels that it would be presumptuous on 

 his part to doubt the word of a recognised authority, and he 

 could hardly set to work to test the accuracy of a research 

 without implying that he doubted its truth, which, perhaps, 

 might bring upon him the ridicule of his friends, and would 

 unquestionably expose him to the hostility of many authori- 

 ties who love truth, but at the same time particularly respect 

 the opinions they entertain. 



Every man who devotes himself to any branch of scientific 

 investigation ought to submit to be questioned, and to have 

 his observations repeated and thoroughly tested by others. 

 He who loves science will be the last to display impatience of 

 analytical criticism. He cheerfully encourages re-investiga- 

 tion of everything he has done, instead of proclaiming 

 the intensity of his love for truth and declaring how in- 

 tensely he hates a lie ; at the same time gently intimating 

 that his strength is so great that for him to err would be 



