June] MONTREAL MICROSCOPIC CLUB. 225 



MONTREAL MICROSCOPIC CLUB. 



This Association was founded early in 1868 for the "promotion 

 of microscopic knowledge amongst its members, by regular 

 meetings for practical microscopic work, and for the interchange of 

 ideas and experiences on microscopical subjects." The microscope 

 is an eminently social instrument, for there is a natural craving 

 in the mind of the observer of the beautiful, to share his pleasure 

 with another. This Club is also of a highly social character, 

 and its meetings are held fortnightly at the members' residences 

 during the winter season. The "utile" is thus combined with 

 the "dulce," and, without the reading of formal papers, valuable 

 practical information is exchanged. From the pleasant and 

 profitable working of this Club, we would strongly recommend 

 the multipHcation of such organizations in the cities of the 

 Dominion — and look forward to a pleasant interchange of com- 

 munication from such societies when formed. In England they 

 have proved a remarkable success, and whilst in London such a 

 Club formed the original nucleus of the Royal Microscopic 

 Society, in the large county towns they have multiplied the 

 number of microscopic observers an hundred fold. We hope to 

 be able to chronicle a similar result in this country, where we 

 have a glorious field for original investigation in every department 

 of natural science. For the encouragement of similar elforts, we 

 publish our plan of association, which we believe has been very 

 successful, both here and at home, and therefore submit the 

 following hints, It is desirable that such a Club should not be too 

 numerous — from twelve to fifteen members is an amply sufficient 

 number. It is better that these should be acquainted with each 

 other, and that they should represent various professions. Here is a 

 ground upon which clergy and laity, law and commerce, physician 

 and patient, can meet on a common platform of intelligence and 

 research ; and no man's occupation or profession need prove the 

 slightest barrier to his co-operation. Some may be proficient in 

 the art, or be so favoured as to possess a valuable instrument ; 

 others may be disciples only, but rich in zeal; some may possess 

 well-stored cabinets of choice objects, and others bring the 



" Comely eels " from " the verdant mud " 

 All are welcome, and amongst the rich gifts of abundant nature 



