Ill Anniversary Address. 



of thought, but also stirs the higher faculties of the soul to 

 wonder and awe and adoration. As the infinitely great acts 

 on the astronomer, so the infinitely little acts on the mycolo- 

 gist. The one with his telescope penetrates the immensity 

 of space until -he reaches some misty nebula which refuses to 

 be resolved, but which may be only the nearer limit of a still 

 more vast Beyond. The other with his microscope pursues 

 nature in the other direction, and strives to make her yield 

 up her secrets in the innermost recesses in which she hides 

 herself. But the latter has no better success than the former. 

 Perfect his instruments as he may, it is only to discover fresh 

 wonders and beauties in the objects of his search without 

 ever coming to the end. A thread of mould on paste, or a 

 speck of rust on grass, will continue to show itself in ever 

 new and perfect forms as we add one magnifying power to 

 another, and we stop at last, not because we have discovered 

 all, but because our vision can pierce no farther. It is the 

 highest education which leads us through an intimate know- 

 ledge of His works to bow ourselves humbly down at the feet 

 of Him who is the infinitely Great and Wise. 



There is room, Gentlemen, for many more workers among 

 us in every one of the fields which we try to occupy. And 

 there may be many of our members who are looking round 

 for some interesting pursuit to which they may devote them- 

 selves. There are no doubt several of our younger botanists 

 who would like to penetrate beyond the region of the flower- 

 ing plants. I would commend to them this tract of country 

 to which I have been seeking to point out the road. In the 

 distance it looks inhospitable and barren, but when you pass 

 within it, it is full of interest ami beauty, and it will draw 

 you on by an attraction of its own. 



