86 JOURNAL OF THE [July, 



INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT, 



p. H. DUDLEY, C. E. 

 (^Delivered January fjth, 1890.) 



In the selection of your presiding officer, I am deeply sensi- 

 ble of the honor conferred, and not unmindful of the responsi- 

 bilities implied. The Society has now entered upon the thir- 

 teenth year of its corporate existence, showing even in this busy 

 city, the commercial metropolis of the country, that there is a 

 necessity and demand for such a society as this. By its support 

 and constant growth the wisdom of its incorporators has been 

 shown. As members of the Society it is not only our duty, but 

 also our pleasure, to take up the work they so well began and 

 carry it on with a will, so that the society interests may be duly 

 enhanced 



The evidences of material prosperity are before you. 



1. Ten fine microscope stands. 



2. A cabinet of slides containing many valuable and rare 

 specimens. 



3. A library containing the current publications of interest to 

 the Society. 



4. And last, but not least, the publication of a Quarterly 

 Journal of the proceedings of the Society, which goes to all parts 

 of the civilized world. This last feature I believe is not enjoyed 

 by any similar society in the United States. These are 

 substantial facts in which each one can take a just pride and 

 feel honored by being a member. 



The building up and maintaining the work of the Society can- 

 not be best done by a few individuals, no matter how important 

 their contributions may be, but by the combined work of all its 

 individual members. It is not necessary, nor is it expected, 

 that all devote their energies to the same branch ; but that each 

 work in that which is of special interest to him. One of the im- 

 portant advantages of the Society is that members can bring 

 their special work before a body where it will be appreciated, 

 and in return receive that sympathetic stimulus which en- 

 courages them to greater efforts. On the other hand, members 

 who are not working in that special field gather in a few mo- 



