PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 123 
In contemplating the progress and possible results of 
microscopical investigation, one may be allowed to indulge in 
a little speculation on the purpose which this collection may 
serve. 
While some microscopists are endeavouring to determine 
the exact boundary between the animal and vegetable king- 
doms, and are classifying with rigid accuracy the minute 
organisms which border each side of that line, others, who 
probably think with the poet, that 
“The proper study of mankind is man,” 
are carefully investigating the structure of the nervous system 
in the higher animals. Should their researches ultimately 
afford some insight into the operation of matter upon mind, 
they may be disposed to carry them still farther, and, study- 
ing the reflex action of mind upon matter, may reconstruct 
the science of Lavater on a microscopic basis. 
It is generally agreed that the physiognomy is modified by 
the prevailing habits of thought. If this be true, there should 
be found in every one of the portraits m our cabinet some 
trait which would indicate a propensity to pry ito minute 
matters, for that tendency may fairly be presumed to exist in 
all of us. To discover this general trait will be the first object 
of inquiry, and will probably occupy the attention of observers 
for a long time before it is clearly determined. 
Some of these members have contributed papers to our 
‘Transactions,’ and have thus afforded particular indications 
of their peculiar mental operations. The subjects they have 
taken up, the manner of treating them, and even the style of 
composition, show so many points of character, as to render 
the study of these individual cases highly interesting to the 
scientific investigator; and the circumstance that the minute 
size of the pictures will oblige him to pursue it by the aid 
of his favorite instrument, cannot fail to make it peculiarly 
pleasing to the microscopist. 
To pursue this speculation further would be a very unpro- 
fitable occupation of your time, and I think I have already 
said enough to give some idea of the immense field of research 
which a single drawer of our cabinet may perchance afford, 
when filled with objects which most of us will be inclined to 
regard merely as amusing curiosities.—I am, &c. 
GEORGE JACKSON. 
A report from the Library Committee was read and ap- 
proved. 
