6^ 



MICROSCOPICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SECTIO>\ 



November 4th, 1872. 



Professor W. C. Williamson, F.RS., President of the 

 Section, in the Chair. 



The President delivered an address of which the follow- 

 ing is an abstract : — 



Your secretary has intimaied that a few remarks would 

 be expected from me on the occasion of our entry upon the 

 work of a new session and of my occupying once more 

 your presidential chair. Under these circumstances I would 

 direct your attention for a few moments to a question that 

 vitally affects us as Lancashii'e naturalists. We live in a 

 district that has long been celebi*ated for the multitudes of 

 men who have devoted their leisure to the study of nature 

 in some one or other of its varied aspects. It was the home 

 of Hobson and of Caley, of Crowther and of Buxton, and the 

 race is still perpetuated by a large number of men like 

 Butter worth, Nield, and Whittaker, to whose field-labours, 

 as active collectors, the special investigations upon which I 

 have long been engaged owe so much of their success. The 

 energetic spirits of a kindred society — the Scientific Stu- 

 dents' Association — are in like maimer taking a fair share in 

 the work of sustaining the reputation of Lancashire for the 

 earnestness of its practical naturalists. We have much 

 reason for being thankful that we are surrounded by so 

 many men who are able and willing thus to carry on this 

 labour of love. 



