14 Proceedings. 



I have been Induced to indulge in this criticism (which 

 I offer with every proper sentiment of modesty) by a con- 

 viction that the present-day tendency to round off the 

 scheme of the universe and sum up the nature of things in 

 a few simple generalisations, based on apparent analogies, 

 is a real danger to the progress of science. It has recently 

 been declared on high authority that " life is governed by 

 chemical and physical forces even though we cannot in 

 every case explain its phenomena in terms of these forces." 

 A generalisation which avowedly fails to explain all the 

 phenomena should be regarded with suspicion ; and I think 

 that in the future, as in the past, discovery is still likely to 

 reward those who allow at least equal probability to the 

 converse statement, which is more in accordance with the 

 Pasteurian philosophy: that chemical and physical forces 

 are governed by life. 



MICROSCOPICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY 



SECTION. 



Ordinary Meeting, October loth, 1887. 



Mr. Thos. Rogers in the Chair. 



Reference was made to the death of Mr. Joseph 



Baxendell, a member of the section and at one time 



President. A resolution was adopted directing the Hon. 



Secretary to write to Mrs. Baxendell, and express the 



sympathy of the members and associates. 



Mr. James Cash, Sale, and Mr. Tiios. Noton, Urmston, 

 were elected associates. 



Mr. P. Cameron exhibited a parasite from the Hessian fly. 

 Mr. H. Hyde showed some skeletonized leaves prepared 

 by maceration. 



Under the microscope Mr. FLEMING exhibited the 

 fresh-water Polyzoa Paludicella cJiristata ; and Mr. Moss 

 a number of sections of various ferns. 



