104 The Microscope. 



keeping pace with the times." He referred to the visits of many 

 distinguished microscopists during the year. " In our earlier days," 

 he said, " the microscope, in our hands, was more of a toy with which 

 to pass a few pleasant hours, than an instrument of real value in all 

 matters requiring minute examination in scientific investigation, but 

 now it has become an absolute necessity in not only the hands of the 

 professional men, but to those who pursue almost all branches of 

 industry. Any attempt to enumerate the purposes to which it is 

 now of every-day application would consume too much of your time, 

 and only tell you what you already know. It is gratifying that you 

 have early recognized its value, and not allowed yourselves to 

 relapse into indifference or neglect, but have been constantly on the 

 alert for new fields of labor in which its application will aid you." 



Meetings were reported to have been well attended, vciy enjoy- 

 able and beneficial, and have contributed to the advancement of 

 microscopy generally. More than the usual number of matters of 

 importance came before the Society, and every member manifested 

 deep interest in the proceedings. 



"A number of valuable papers have been read and illustrated in 

 a manner that would do credit to any society. So much has been 

 done that it would hardly be possible to enter into detail, though I 

 cannot refrain from mentioning a most exhaustive paper by one of 

 cm- members, which graced the first pages of the American Micro- 

 scopical Journal for December, 1886, and I have no doubt will 

 afford great pleasure to all who are interested in the subject. In 

 mentioning this I do not mean to disparage the splendid woi'k done 

 by many other members, a detailed account of which would be too 

 long for the present occasion." 



The annual exhibition was greatly enjoyed, and probably 

 excelled in all of its appointments any previous effort of the society. 

 The annual receptions are much appreciated by guests. Valuable 

 donations were received during the year, notably among them the 

 splendid collection of diatoms from AVm. Norris, who had with great 

 pains been years in accumulating them. 



The retiring President had no suggestion to make as. to the 

 future, "other than that you i:)ursue the course you have already 

 adopted, of patient and industrial labor, each member laying out for 

 himself the work best suited to his taste or the facilities at his 

 command. By this co-operation we bring into the common store an 

 amount of knowledge that could not be acquired by any one 

 working single-handed." In conclusion, he thanked the members 

 of the Society for uniform courtesy and kindness. 



