6 INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. 



prerogative, nor suffer themselves to depart from an opinion wliicli 

 they have once embraced ; but the man of real wisdom is always 

 ready to make a frank acknowledgment of his error, especially in a 

 calling where it is of importance to posterity to record the truth." 



Some may think that the sentiments I have here expressed are 

 decidedly too triste. Pardon me. I have no wish to condemn the 

 present attitude of science, and still less to place a wet blanket over 

 the unpretending observer whose chief and legitimate aim is merely 

 self-improvement. In view of general progress, the true form of the 

 scientist is that of special investigation coupled with a wholesome 

 sympathy for, and regard to, the work being done by others around 

 him. Such a view gives due recognition to the occupation of the 

 humblest amateur ; yet the latter must not be offended if his efforts 

 are at times passed unnoticed. As a matter of fact it is not possible 

 for any one man, however great his capacity may be, to peruse or 

 even to glance at a tithe of the records of natural history and 

 microscopic work published from month to month in our own 

 country, let alone the publications of American and Continental 

 naturalists. To meet the recognised difficulties of the case we have 

 admirable year-books and shorter periodical summaries, collated by 

 men who are both able linguists and conversant with the modern 

 methods of research. The Annual Zoological and Geological 

 Records are invaluable productions ; but in relation to Histology 

 and general microscopic work, I know of nothing to compare 

 with the summaries and bibliographies recorded by Mr. Crisp in 

 the " Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society." In other 

 journals the similar services rendered by Mr. Dallas are an immense 

 boon to those of us who have neither the time nor the ability to 

 jDcrform such herculean tasks. To complete the annual series of 

 works of this order one thing is wanting, and that is a first class 

 Botanical Record. This, doubtless, will ere long make its 

 appearance. 



You will remember that I ventured to hint that our learned col- 

 laborators, notwithstanding their care, have unwittingly overlooked 

 the astonishing advances of certain departments of Biology. This 

 is particularly tlie case with a sub-science in which I take an 

 especial interest. I mean Helminthology. To be sure, neither 

 Messrs. Dallas nor Crisp can be accused of neglecting to inform 

 their readers respecting the memoirs of one or two well-known 

 Continental investigators ; but as regards the subject generally 



