The President's Address. 31 



and illustratioiis of tlie development of Coniatiihi, and some 

 micro-photograplis by the late Mr. Jackson. 



At the first meeting of the present session an elaborate 

 report was made by a committee, consisting of Mr. Farrants, 

 Mr. Lobb, and Mr. Legg, appointed to examine, arrange, 

 and report upon the objects in the cabinet. This task has 

 been performed by these gentlemen in a most satisfactory 

 manner, as may be seen by the report ; and the result of 

 their investigation is, that at the date of the report, October 

 3, 1860, the cabinet contained 832 objects, which for facility 

 of reference they had arranged under 13 heads or classes, 

 distinguished by the capital letters from A to M. They at the 

 same time made a suggestion as to an arrangement by which 

 the objects might be allowed to be taken out by the members 

 under certain regulations, to which arrangement the Council 

 have given their assent. 



The Journal has continued to be published regularly, and 

 circulated as usual. 



The President thru delivered the follov, iug address: 



The Presidext's Address /(>/• the year 1861. 



By Professor John Qi;ekett, F.R.S. 



Gentlemen, — Before proceeding to the general business 

 which usually occupies the attentioii of the members of the 

 Microscopical Society on this, the evening of the anniver- 

 sary, I have much to say to you in the way of apology for 

 my seeming neglect in never having occupied the chair, to 

 which, unknov/n to me, I had been elected by the Council. 

 Feeling that the state of my health did not allow me to 

 perform the duties of the office in such a manner as I could 

 wish, I did all in my power to prevent the appointment 

 when it was hinted to me as likely to be made. Kot having 

 been consulted in the matter, nor officially informed of the 

 intention of the Council, but heai-ing through a private 

 source that I had been proposed to fill the office of Presi- 

 dent, I wrote a letter to the Council, telling them that, had 

 my health permitted, I should have felt much honoured by 

 the appointment; but that, as things stood, I must neces- 

 sarily decline it. In February last, however, and but a few 

 evenings before the Anniversary, I was, for the first time, 

 officially informed that my letter, declining the position of 



