Sahitatoty. 55 



between the value of these angles and the quality of the object 

 glass ? 



When we know what a?2gle means, then we are prepared to 

 study the subject of microscopic vision to advantage. The 

 very definition I propose here makes evident the great distinc- 

 tion between the aperture and angle of field. We cannot 

 ignore either of them, for the distinction so plainly visible 

 forces itself upon us. I leave the subject here for your dis- 

 cussion. I hope for a careful and earnest consideration by 

 this congress. It is full time that scientific men should take a 

 firm stand in this matter. 



I am fully aware of the responsibility which we take upon 

 ourselves, but it is not for us to shirk it. There can be no bet- 

 ter time for action than at this first convention, and no better 

 one will ever come to show whether there is a determination 

 to get rid of all future ambiguity in this matter, and the 

 courage to do so. 



^xlit0riaL 



We have no reason to be discouraged with the reception 

 which our journal has met thus far. The list of subscribers 

 is small, but daily increasing, and no doubt will come up to 

 our expectations. It is not, then, with a feeling of disap- 

 pointment that we pen these lines, but rather with the hope 

 of reminding those who do not subscribe and who are per- 

 fectly able, (a large class among those counted as amateurs 

 in science), that they are responsible for the non-existence 

 and financial failure of many a good and truly valuable journal. 



We put it down as a rule, that even the oldest, and appar- 

 ently best established, scientific periodicals of this country 

 are not to-day self-sustaining. 



Perhaps this statement will be a surprise to many. We hope 

 it will serve to indicate one way in which those interested 

 in the progress of science, even though not workers in any 

 of its departments, can be of material benefit to its votaries. 



Without a suitable journal in which discoveries can be 

 announced, and important questions discussed in a public 

 manner, there is little incentive to original work ; but such a 

 journal must receive its financial support not from its con- 



