THE MICROSCOPE. 125 



more capable than Mr. Vorce to give information relative to the 

 entomostrachse, so that a lively quizzing and extended discussion 

 was kept up as to the identity of the forms and the potability of 

 the water containing them. Some thought, and among 

 them Dr. Taylor, of the Agricultural Department, Washington, Dr. 

 Deeke, of the State Lunatic Asylum, Utica, that the poisonous 

 quality of the water was due entirely to the presence of these ani- 

 malcules; Messrs. Vorce, Hyatt, and Dr. Fell thought that the 

 animalcules themselves are poisonous; while Drs. Newcomer, 

 Gleason, Prof. Gage and the writer, attributed the poison to the 

 condition of the water that afforded these creatures means of sus- 

 tenance, i. e., that the peculiar quality of the water that permitted 

 or made life possible in the animalculaj, was detrimental to health. 

 At the conclusion of this discussion, the society adjourned for the 

 evening meal. At 8 o'clock a large audience assembled in the 

 commodious auditorium of the church to listen to the president's 

 address. The theme was "The Evolution of the Modern Micro- 

 scope," handled in the skillful manner that we would expect of one 

 so capable of discussing it as Dr. Blackham. The address required 

 an hour in its delivery, contained the complete history of the micro- 

 scope from its earliest days to the present, and was exceedingly 

 interesting and instructive. Of course, we cannot give even a 

 synopsis of it in what purports to be only a letter. 



On Wednesday, the second day, at ten o'clock in the mornino-, 

 a much larger number of members were present, many having 

 arrived during the night. The local committee was on hand, at 

 every train, and safely domiciled all who wore the badge of gold, 

 that indicated membership in the society. Three sessions were held 

 on this day. In the morning twelve new members were elected. 

 Then followed the appointment of a nominating committee, consist- 

 ing of ,Dr. Mercer of Syracuse, Dr. Lester Curtis of Chicago, Prof. 

 Ford of Elmira, Edward Bausch of Rochester and W. H. Walmsley 

 of Philadelphia. After they had deliberated together and a majority 

 of them had decided upon a choice for president, it was found that 

 two additional members were required to make the committee a 

 constitutional one. The vacancy was filled by adding Dr. Fell of 

 Buffalo, and Prof. Stowell of Cortland, who sided with the minority 

 and gave us the excellent ticket for officers which was duly elected 



