The Presidenfs Address. By L. 8. Beale, F.R.S. 181 



acquainted with him says that he was a most skilful microscopist, 

 and devotedly fond of the work. He was also an excellent micro- 

 photographer. The Bolton Microscopical Society was founded by 

 Mr. Redmayne, and, as his friend remarks, had he lived he would 

 undoubtedly have taken a high place in the scientific world. 



The Society has also lost by death Mr. Frederick Bunting, Mr. 

 M. 0. Hardy, Colonel Hennell, and the Kev. James Clifton Ward, 



F.a.s. 



Dr. Henry E. Fripp, of Clifton, as President of the Bristol 

 Naturahsts' Society, was an Ex-officio Fellow of the Eoyal Micro- 

 scopical Society. He was well known as a physician in Bristol, 

 and he formerly lectured on physiology at the Medical School. He 

 contributed some memoirs to our Society, and several papers to the 

 Bristol Naturalists' Society. His papers " On the Theory of 

 Illuminating Apparatus," published at intervals during the past 

 two years in our ' Transactions,' are of interest and value. 



As it is usual on this occasion for the President to deliver an 

 address, I venture to offer for your consideration this evening some 

 suggestions in connection with a subject which in one or other of 

 its aspects must needs be of great interest to every one who wishes 

 to learn all he can about the wonderful changes which continually 

 go on in all living things, some being within and some beyond the 

 present limit of scientific investigation ; and though I shall express 

 some views with which perhaps many here will not agree, I trust 

 my remarks may kindle interest and encourage discussion, rather 

 than offend. Where wrong I shall be glad to be corrected, but I 

 claim permission to speak freely what I think, and liberty to 

 advance my conclusions, which, though not at present very popular, 

 may yet be worthy of your consideration. 



The Miceoscopic Limit, and Beyond, 



Increased skill and ever-extending knowledge may enable the 

 scientific worker not only to reach the utmost limit of inquiry in 

 his time, but possibly to gratify that constant desire to see into 

 the limitless region which lies beyond the bounds of actual investi- 

 gation. This is the hope which encourages the thoughtful observer ; 

 for who would not consent to spend years in patient research, if by 

 so doing he could succeed, as it were, in projecting his intellect, 

 were it ever so short a distance, beyond the circumscribed region 

 in which the senses can alone operate ? Failures and disappoint- 

 ments may be endured if only the observer's mind be buoyed up by 

 the hope that ere his nerve-tissues grow too old, and begin to fail, 

 the longing of his intellect will probably be gratified. To many, 

 indeed, who are unable or unwilling to look into the secrets of 

 nature, such hopes and desijes will seem unintelligible or incre- 



