390 The Microscope, 



to think that I owe my present position, first and partially, to the 

 fact that for six of the ten years of the Society's existence, I have 

 been intimately associated with its work, as Secretary, and second, 

 but may I hope chiefly, since in one line of research with the micro- 

 scope I have succeeded in bringing to light some forms of minute 

 beings, invisible, indeed, to the unaided eye of man; some of them 

 peculiar and hitherto unknown, whilst others had not been previously 

 announced as occurring in the remarkably varied and interesting 

 microscopic fauna of our native fresh waters. So it seems to me 

 entirely appropriate that on this occasion I should not go outside 

 the line of research to which the greater number of my contribu- 

 tions to the Proceedings have pertained; moreover, it is the branch 

 in which you know me best as a naturalist, and concerning which I 

 feel some confidence to speak in your presence. Hence, I shall ask 

 your attention for this hour to a general discussion of the Nature of 

 Protozoa and Lessons of these Simplest Animals, followed by an 

 account of what has been done in America to elucidate this group. 

 But before proceeding with this subject, permit me to extend some- 

 what these preliminary remarks. 



The American Society of Microscopists, like kindred societies 

 everywhere, is composed of those who use the microscope in many 

 and widely difPerent branches and activities; the most useful instru- 

 ment of investigation yet discovered by the patience and genius of 

 men is the bond of union: it unites those having little else in com- 

 mon save an enthusiastic love of trath, and, naturally, it gives name 

 to these organizations. All who depend upon the powerful aid of 

 the microscope are intensely interested in its improvement and its 

 final perfection. Moreover, the improvements in the methods of its 

 use, and the complicated and delicate operations necessary to its 

 fullest revelations are of scarcely less importance. The microscope 

 and all that pertains to it, its manipulations and the many refine- 

 ments of methods of research into the constitution of the minute, 

 are, therefore, plainly the first subjects to be considered as the espe- 

 cial province of this Society. These should, unquestionably, receive 

 first place in its deliberations. 



This matter was forcibly put four years ago, by Judge Jacob 

 D. Cox, in opening the Rochester meeting of the Society, and quite 

 recently Rev. W. H. Dallinger, President of the Royal Microscopical 

 Society, has expressed similar views. The opinions of these repre- 

 sentative men can not be lightly set aside, nor their advice neglected. 

 Their conclusions are the result of rich experience in affairs. The 

 wise man, it is said- -and is it not also true of organizations of men ? 



