THE MICROSCOPE. 123 



AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MICROSCOPISTS. 



Elmira, N. Y., Sept. 25th, 1882. 

 Aly Dear Professor Stowcll : 



You ask me to write a letter to The Microscope, descriptive of 

 the recent meeting of the American Society of Microscopists, in this 

 city. I comply the more cheerfully because of the great success 

 which that scientific body achieved. Successful was it, in the large 

 number of microscopists who attended, in the new memberships 

 added, in the discussions and papers read, and in the social aspect 

 of the meeting. I believe it to be the universal impression among 

 all members of the society that the Elmira meeting was by far the 

 largest and most interesting yet held by the society. While the 

 Elmira society has been much praised for the work done in aiding 

 toward securing this success, we must not lose sight of the herculean 

 work accomplished by our president, to whom, more than any one 

 person, is honor due. I had an opportunity for knowing something 

 of the ways and means by which he manoeuvered to secure so large 

 an attendance of members, with an ample supply of papers. In 

 this he was eminently successful, and was only aided in his methods 

 by the Elmira society. We have reason to rejoice that Dr. Black- 

 ham is likely to have a worthy and eminently capable successor in 

 Prof. McCalla, who, doubtless, will bring all his well-known energy 

 to bear upon the Chicago meeting, next year. 



But to the Elmira meeting ! In the first place, the place of 

 meeting was an admirable one — a better arranged building than 

 Park Church could not well be found anywhere. It is a large build- 

 ing — reaching entirely across the square — is built of stone, vine 

 covered, and located in a shady park. It was, therefore, ample for 

 committee rooms, cool, and in every way convenient. 



The first meeting was announced for 2 o'clock, Aug. 15th. 

 Promptly, at the hour indicated, the members who had already 

 arrived in the city, reinforced by the Elmira society and citizens 

 interested in scientific pursuits, had assembled in the large lecture 

 room in the edifice mentioned. Dr. Gleason, president of the local 

 society, in his quaint way, welcomed the visiting society in the fol- 

 lowing style : 



To the American Society of Microscopists, greeting ; from the 

 Elmira Microscopic Society — not only greeting, but hearty, vigor- 



