The Presidenfs Address, 
75 
1st. A flat flame, of considerable intensity, not quite equal 
either in intensity or colour to that from camphine, but ap- 
proaching it more closely than any other that I have seen. 
2d. The material consumed (Paraffine oil) does not spoil 
by being kept any length of time, thus being suitable for those 
residing in any part of the kingdom, and obviating one of the 
principal objections to the use of camphine. 
3d. Non-liability to produce " blacks" if made to smoke. 
4th. The cotton very rarely requires renewal, and when it 
does the operation is most simply performed. 
5th. Economy and great simplicity of construction.^ 
At the meeting of the British Association for the Advance- 
ment of Science, in Dublin, during the last autumn, there 
were several papers connected with microscopical science by 
Mr. Bowerbank (now, by the way. Dr. Bowerbank, the degree 
of LL.D. having been conferred upon him by the University 
of Aberdeen) , Dr. Lankester, Mr. J oseph Lister, Dr. Red- 
fern, and others ; but as these have been reported in abstract, 
in the October number of the ' Microscopical Journal,' it is 
needless for me to increase the length of my already ex- 
tended remarks by further consideration. 
The microscope, as regards both the optical and mecha- 
nical excellencies, has attained a rank in the present day at 
which any alterations to be considered as improvements must 
of necessity be somewhat rare ; and during the past twelve 
months I am not aware of any that call for special remark. 
I trust, however, that it may not be deemed pertinacious if I 
again draw attention to two desiderata in our objectives, 
which I pointed out last year, viz., a provision for reducing, 
upon occasion, the aperture of those transmitting very large 
angular pencils of rays, and also a substitution of a move- 
ment applied to the back combinations {instead of the front, 
as at present used) when adjusting for thickness of glass 
covering of the object to be viewed. 
I find, from information supplied by Messrs. Powell and 
Lealand, Ross, and Smith and Beck, the three most eminent 
producers of our optical tools, that the number of instru- 
ments supplied by them in the year 1857 amounts to 385. 
The other makers quoted in my last address have not fur- 
nished me with any return ; but as a microscope is not an 
instrument that requires frequent renewal, it is rather a 
matter of surprise that the number demanded should con- 
tinue so large as it is. 
' * Tor the information of those who may wish to procure them, I may 
state that they may be obtained of Mr. M'Keand, 6, City Road, E.G. 
