54 Address of the President at the Annual Meeting. 
In this work I am extremely anxious to engag:e the active 
co-operation of the Members of our Society. I cannot but 
feel that a great deal of excellent microscope poiuer, if I may 
use the expression, is running to waste. Of the excellence 
of our instruments, it is quite unnecessary for me to speak. Of 
the acute powers of observation of a large proportion of the 
possessors of these instruments, I am equally well assured. 
Yet if we look at the comparative products of England and 
Germany, in the field of sound microscopic observation, we 
cannot but feel that there is some ground for the sarcastic 
observation of Professor Schleiden, that the English cannot 
possess good microscopes, since their contributions to minute 
botanical research have been so trifling. I would not be thought 
unmindful of the many admirable memoirs and monographs, 
which may challenge comparison with those of any other 
country ; they are excellent as far as they go ; but I am san- 
guine enough to believe that these could easily be multiplied 
tenfold, if those who spend their time in desultory observa- 
tions, and in merely looking at some favourite objects over 
and over again, would but concentrate their attention upon 
some particular topic, and work out this with patience and 
perseverance ; and I am not, I think, too ambitious for the 
honour of our country, or too eager for the promotion of true 
Science, in urging the Members of this Society, that they should, 
both individually and collectively, aim at so worthy an object. 
I would assure you from my own somewhat lengthened expe- 
rience, that the microscopist who applies himself to work out 
some particular class of observations, on which he concentrates 
his chief attention, finds it gradually become to him an object 
of such attractive interest, that he experiences a zest in the 
pursuit, to which the mere dilettante is an entire stranger ; and 
I feel confident that it is only by the assumption of some 
systematic guidance as to what and hoto to observe, that the 
influence of our Society will be most beneficially exerted in 
the promotion of microscopic research, and its own highest 
prosperity be most eftectually secured. 
