118 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. Breer ent 
Mr. Hennah announced that Mr. Peake had discovered a pygidium 
in the lace-wing fly (Chrysopa pera) ; this was believed to be an original 
discovery, and would be exhibited at the microscopical meeting. 
Mr. Wonfor announced that the first meeting of the Microscopical 
Section would be held on Thursday, May 26th, when the President 
would give an inaugural address. It was hoped that members would 
bring microscopes and objects, and be prepared with contributions of 
slides for the Society’s cabinet. 
Microscopical Section. 
May 26th.—The President, Mr. T. H. Hennah, F.R.M.S., in the 
chair. 
This being the first meeting of the Section, Mr. Wonfor, Hon. 
Sec., stated the reasons for forming and objects sought to be done by 
the Section, and announced the receipt of eighteen slides from Mr. 
Hennah, six from Dr. Hallifax, and thirty-eight from himself, for the 
Society’s cabinet, and urged on all the members to contribute. 
Mr. Hennah then read a paper “ On Systematic Recent Examina- 
tion with Moderate Powers.” 
As a suggestive subject for consideration at the first meeting of 
our Section, I have to ask your attention to a few notes on Micro- 
scopical Examination, in its application to our objects as members of 
the Natural History Society. The limited time at our disposal obliges 
a rather special view ; and I propose to take, as my text, “ Systematic 
Recent Examination, with moderate powers,” believing that, whether 
we regard the extension of our knowledge of Natural History, the 
success of this Section, or our own pleasure in microscopic study, it is 
alike indispensable. Most of the discoveries with the microscope have 
been made with instruments of moderate power and cost, and have re- 
sulted from patient, diligent observation. As we glance through the 
history of the microscope, we cannot avoid noticing how little has de- 
pended upon the instruments, and how much upon the method and 
perseverance of the men who have accumulated so vast an amount of 
information ; and although the wonderful perfection of modern high 
powers,—and, indeed, of the microscope generally,—has undoubtedly 
increased both our means of research and the number of observers, 
the conclusion is forced upon us that—as we use it—the microscope 
is almost a new sense, or a mere toy. I hope the growing tendency 
to the latter result may find no place amongst us. Pride in the posses- 
sion of a fine instrument, and a consequent desire to exhibit its powers, 
often leads to the exclusive study of conventional test-objects, which, 
while it gives command to the microscope in a special way, and stimu- 
lates opticians to improvements, too frequently arrests original in- 
vestigation. The ordinary work of the naturalist can, in the first 
instance, be better pursued with low than with high powers. Extreme 
nicety of preparation and elaborate illumination are not required with 
them, while the excellence of modern halfs and fifths is so great that 
appeals to higher powers are only occasionally needed. I would not 
at the same time underrate the importance of having a reserve of 
power, as some investigations cannot be carried on except under the 
