VI PRESIDEXTIAI. ADDRESS. 



The adoption of the Report was moved by Mr. L. A. Ber- 

 nays, C.M.G., seconded by the Hon. A. Norton, M.L.C., and 

 carried. 



The President then delivered an address entitled : — " The 

 Stockowners' Indebtedness to the Microscope." 



PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, JANUARY, 1898. 



L.UJiES AND Gentlemen, — 



]\Iy year of ofhce having terminated, it devolves upon me as 

 a duty in accordance Avith a time-honored custom, to deliver this 

 ■evening my Presidential Address. 



First of all let me here express my obligations to the worthy 

 officers of this Society who have made my position an easy one 

 .and have thus earned my best thanks, I am particularly indebted 

 to the Vice-President, Mr. S. J. B. Skertchley, who has taken the 

 <;hair on many occasions, when, in consequence of my official 

 duties my absence was quite unavoidable. 



On the present occasion I have thought it advisable, after 

 due consideration, to depart from the usual custom of reviewing 

 the past year's work of this or any other scientific society, by 

 addressing you on a subject which immediately concerns the 

 most importantindustry this Colony possesses, viz. : — The Stock- 

 owners' indebtedness to the microscope, and in order to make the 

 subject more interesting to those engaged in pastoral pursuits I 

 have introduced some notes on my own personal recollections of 

 the invaluable benefit that some stockowners have derived by 

 means of the microscope since I arrived in Australia some six 

 (6) years ago. 



C'p till within recent years the microscope was looked upon 

 by most people merely as a scientific toy, and they believed that 

 little or no benefit could be derived even from its very close 

 acquaintance. 



Diiring my travels through the various pastoral districts of 

 this Colony, I am frequently asked if I have brought my micros- 

 cope with me, on my replying in the affirmative I am at once 

 met with a volley of questions, of Avhich the following may be 



