306 PROF. WILLIAMSON’S ADDRESS TO THE 
to select some standard work, such as those of Schwann or 
Schleiden, on cell-growths, or Balfour’s Manual of Botany; 
in which the illustrations are mainly taken from common 
objects, easily obtained. I would recommend you to study 
these works with the microscope by your side, and, as you 
read, examine the objects which the authors describe. By 
thus repeating the experiments of others, on any subject, 
you gradually learn what to see and how to see, and are 
thus made familiar with the modes of conducting original 
researches. Whilst carrying on this process, you either 
confirm your author’s observations, or note the points in 
which they do not harmonise with your own. When the 
latter is the case, the discrepancy suggests new observa- 
tions, correcting or confirming your independent opinion ; 
and you thus take your first steps as original observers. 
Above all, I would guard you against desultory obser- 
vations. Let whatever you do with the microscope be 
part of a fixed plan. The reward which, sooner or later, 
such a system brings will amply repay you for your 
labour. 
Another course which I would strongly recommend to 
our younger members is, that each should undertake to 
lay before the Society a report on the existing state of 
knowledge on some fixed subject, accompanied by illustra- 
tive specimens. The twofold result would be the produc- 
tion of good and interesting Papers, and the acquirement 
by the reporter of that practical power of observation that 
would best fit him for original investigations. But, whilst 
adopting this plan, I cannot too strongly warn you against 
an uninquiring acceptance of all published results, and 
undue submission to the authority of great names. Aware 
beforehand of what we may expect to see, there is danger 
of our imagining that we do see all that has been described. 
I have myself been led astray in this manner, so that I 
speak feelingly. When I began my researches on the 
