16 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS. 
species of diatoms, dismieds and other microscopic forms of life, 
and the iridescent film often seen floating upon rain water is 
composed of beautiful forms whose life history has probably not 
been worked out. Who among us cannot command such a 
field ? 
Few great discoveries or inventions have been the result of a 
single act, but have consisted rather in the aggregation and 
patient reconstruction of scattered material. 
Let us not, therefore, be discouraged though great success 
does not immediately crown our efforts, but push steadily for- 
ward, endeavoring at all times, in the face of seeming obstacles, 
to live up to the motto of our society, to penetrate further into 
the borderland of mystery which surrounds us, guided by the 
ever-increasing light, until, e’er we are compelled to lay down 
the burden, we shall at least have contributed some small parti- 
cles which, collected and cemented by master hands, will assist 
in building up the mighty edifice of knowledge a_ structure 
which is steadily rising and must continue to rise until the key- 
stone shall have been adjusted and the superstructure completed 
so far as time is concerned. 
