126 The Micboscope. 



abandon the effort, as a novice to propose membership in a micro- 

 scopical society would be mutually regarded as an impertinence. He 

 might readily have a teacher for the banjo or the accordion, but not 

 for the microscope, except in such advanced cities as Boston and 

 Detroit. 



To meet this condition of affairs, and afford opportunity for the 

 growth of amateur microscopists in its vicinity, the Illinois State 

 Microscopical Society has taken the initiative in the new method. It 

 has partly opened its doors to beginners, and already made bo much 

 of a success in the experiment, as to demonstrate the great possibili- 

 ties in that direction. For prudential reasons only limited publicity 

 was given to the new departure, lest the society might, in so large a 

 city, be overwhelmed with the inexperienced members who, if too 

 numerous, might not receive the attention promised. In fact, the 

 considerable increase in membership has come from almost confiden- 

 tial disclosure of the new plan of giving them of the science of micro- 

 scopy withou.t money or price, beyond the almost nominal dues. 

 The experiment has made apparent that there are many who will 

 come to this science if an inviting opportunity is afforded. 



Doubtless some of these new members will " fall by the wayside" 

 and not go veiy far when they learn that it is not so easy, or funny, 

 as they expected. But there will be some of them to become experts, 

 and if the plan is continued there will be enough obtained who will 

 hold to the faith and help to make an interesting and valuable 

 society, such as never could have resulted by continuing vain attempts 

 to add to its growth at the wrong end. To maintain a practical 

 interest at the meetings, the " working session " method of instruc- 

 tion has been adopted. Fortunately the Society has enough experts 

 in special lines to furnish many sessions, at which the varied process 

 of work will be shown. While thus the methods will be disclosed, it 

 is not desired that the beginners will attempt them all; but will, 

 rather, as his taste may suggest, select one line on which to concen- 

 trate with more prospect of marked success. 



The experienced members acting under the plan as tutors will 

 naturally give a diversified direction to the work of the beginners, 

 who, as they progress, will react with benefit to the tutors in compel- 

 ling them to sharpen their attention to the subjects under consid- 

 eration. 



Thus, while they may seem to be losing time with the beginners, 

 they will be likely to make quite as much progress for themselves. 



B. F. QTJIMBY. 



