20 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 



riches et immenses contrees agricoles et qui j'aurais a proposer 

 a votre Gouvernement, pour detruire ce fieau, precisement une 

 maladie microbienne." 



I am informed by Mr. F. B. Kyngdon, Chairman of the 

 Microscopical Section, that during the past year a gentleman 

 resident in Sydney — Mr. Francis — found that by applying to the 

 eye-piece of a microscope the analysing prism of the polariscope, 

 the resolution of a high-power objective was intensified to a 

 marked degree. The method was illustrated at the Monthly 

 Meeting of the Royal Microscopical Society, London, in November 

 last, and the experts present — while fully admitting the valuable 

 results obtained when ' close-lined ' tests were shown with oblique 

 light — were unable to account satisfactorily for the optical 

 principles upon which the advantage is based. 



This method of intensifying the resolving power of microscope 

 objectives does not endow a glass with powers beyond what it 

 originally possesses, but it enables it to perform exceptionally 

 well. The action of the prism appears to prevent a slight 

 confusion of rays which may tend to mar the best resolution. In 

 practice this unexpected result of the prism may prove of practical 

 benefit in the workshop of the artist who constructs those perfect 

 specimens of human skill, the modern high power microscope 

 objective; and it is quite possible that some advantage may be gained 

 by its use in the laboratory of the student of Bacteria and other 

 minute forms of life whereby a glimpse may be obtained of an 

 otherwise nearly invisible process. 



As a valuable assistance to Microscopic observers Photography 

 is becoming more and more indispensable. The recent advance 

 in the dry-plate process places within the reach of everybody a 

 simple, cleanly, and most accurate method of recording results. 

 In the study of Bacteria, micro-photography will be increasingly 

 depended Upon. Several very excellent photographs have been 

 taken by members of our Society during the last few months, and 

 I understand that considerable interest will be given to this 

 subject during the coming Session of our Microscopical Section. 



