6 The Microscope. 



titled to great credit for making it so valuable and practically 

 useful. No man knows better the special aptitudes of the 

 widely scattered microscopical workers of our country than 

 does M Uncle Ezra," and none is more filled with that enthu- 

 siasm which inspires enthusiasm than he. I note, however, that 

 you have fallen somewhat into error in regard to his share in 

 the Chicago meeting, where the " practical session " was first in- 

 troduced. Whatever suggestions Mr. Griffith or others may 

 have made in former years — about which I know nothing per- 

 sonally, except that they were only suggestions — I know that 

 the idea of the need of a great increase in the practicality and 

 " visibility " of our Microscopical Society meetings was one that 

 early and independently suggested itself to me; and the plan 

 of introducing a working session of one whole afternoon, with 

 special hours each day lor examination of slides, etc., referred 

 to in the papers read that day, was resolved upon by me, 

 almost immediately upon my election to the presidency of the 

 Society, was outlined in my circulars and letters, and formally 

 presented in extenso in a communication from me to the Exec- 

 utive Committee in March, 1883. After I had secured promises 

 of qo-operation from various parties, I wrote to B. W. Thomas, 

 of Chicago, and to Mr. Griffith, to aid me in securing, by per- 

 sonal interview and correspondence, others of their acquaint- 

 ance to assist in making this new departure a success. 1 did 

 not, however, commit the whole matter into their hands, but 

 actively organized and directed it up to the last moment, 

 though very heartily and ably assisted, by Mr. Griffith espec- 

 ially, and by others. The scheme was regarded by me as the 

 chief new departure of the Society that year. I hoped that my 

 presidential year would be remembered and signalized by the 

 inauguration of that new feature if by nothing else. I trust 

 therefore ] shall not be blamed if I courteously intimate that 

 I am unwilling that Mr. Griffith or any one else should bemaie 

 to appear as the author of a feature in our meetings which was 

 originated and made an accomplished fact by myself. 1 have 

 since heard, however, that a similar plan was proposed at the 

 Microscopical Congress of 1878 by Mr. Griffith and others, to 

 whom therefore I cheerfully yield priority of idea. Indeed I 

 have no doubt that if I had not introduced the "practical sss- 



