MEMBERS OF THE MICROSCOPIC SECTION. 309 
none more remarkable than the classic one of Trembley 
“On the Fresh-water Polype,”’ which, though penned a 
century ago, seemed to approach as nearly as any other to 
an exhaustion of the subject; but recent inquiries have 
shown us in how many points this history was incomplete. 
What a vast field do these and similar facts open to you. 
How many great subjects remain to be developed in Phy- 
siology — especially as bearing on the healing art, in Che- 
mistry, in Geology, and, most of all, in the endless themes 
which Natural History brings before us ! 
You cannot go wrong in your search for subjects of 
study. The rocky crags of the everlasting hills abound 
with minute memorials of former life. The desert sands 
of Egypt and the rice-swamps of Carolina tell alike of 
ocean waves that once rolled over their spreading plains. 
The dusty ash, cast from the volecano’s mouth and float- 
ing away upon the passing breeze, reveals organic atoms 
drawn from ocean depths. The minutest of the innumer- 
able insects that dance in the laughing sunbeam display 
beauteous forms and elaborate structures. Earth, air, fire 
and water cast their wondrous treasures into the lap of the 
microscopist, and invite him to an exercise of his observa- 
tive skill. 
I must apologize for the rambling nature of this dis- 
course; but I am anxious in every way to confirm and 
encourage you in studies of the fruits of which you cannot 
be robbed. They will abide with you in life and, I be- 
lieve, will survive death. Of how few sources of earthly 
pleasure can this be said! ‘“Tedet me vite” is an old 
cry: the feelings that prompted it were experienced long 
before the exiled Roman orator thus gave utterance to 
disappointed hopes and ungratified ambition; and it is 
still the cry of thousands wearied with ennui and wanting 
interest in the world around. But let our hearts first be 
right, whilst our heads and hands are occupied in cultiva- 
