90 
The Presidents Address. 
Histology and the laws of development in relation to the vege- 
table kingdom^ and Ehrenberg was studying the forms of 
infusorial animalcules in every part of the world. It was not, 
however^ till the production of Mr. Lister^s paper in the 
^ Philosophical Transactions/ in 1828;, that a new impetus 
was given to microscopical research, and a literature sprung 
up unrivalled in the past history of the microscope. It would 
be impossible for me here to attempt to analyse this literature. 
It includes investigations with the microscope in every branch 
of natural science. It contains observations on the forms of 
crystals^ plants, and animals ; it embraces the highest gene- 
ralisations of physiological science, and includes countless in- 
vestigations into the origin, forms, and modes of growth of 
organs and the ultimate parts of organs of both plants and 
animals. Altogether, it forms an assemblage of facts and 
reasonings the most imposing that has ever been presented 
to the human mind in the same space of time in the whole 
history of science. To increase the stock of this literature, to 
render it accessible to all inquirers, and to make it the means 
of educating future observers by the aid of this instrument, 
will, I hope, be one of the constant aims of this Society. 
From the Library let us turn to the Museum. It seems to 
me, when we consider the little cost and facility of keeping 
microscopic objects, that the development of the Museum 
should be more an object of attention than it has ever yet 
been to the Society. The whole collection of objects amounts 
to six hundred and sixty-three, seventy-three of which have 
been added during the past year. If illustrated works are a 
source of instruction, and important as enabling one inquirer 
to understand the views of another, there can be no doubt that 
properly named specimens are of more importance. This is 
especially the case with the forms of minute animals and plants 
which are described from time to time by different authors. If 
collections of species named by authors could be obtained from 
those who have first described them, they would be of great 
value for reference in all time to come. When we consider 
that the number of specimens in our Museum is not so great 
as those offered in the lists of those who vend these objects, and 
that their maximum value is not twelve pounds, I would sug- 
gest that we should do one of two things — either abandon 
the idea of a collection altogether, or place it in a position 
more worthy the credit and dignity of the Society. 
Let me now call your attention to the work of the Society 
during the past year. Having been hastily summoned to 
quit our apartments in llegent- street, at the beginning of the 
year, and not having a place to meet in at the commence- 
