The Preside nt^'i Address. 
31 
and illustrations of tlie development of Comatuia. and some 
micro-photograplis by tlie late Mr. Jackson. 
At the first meeting of tlie present session an elaborate 
report was made by a committee^ consisting of Mr. Farrants^ 
Mr. Lobb, and Mr. Legg, appointed to examine^ arrange, 
and report upon the objects in the cabinet. This task has 
been performed by these gentlemen in a most satisfactory 
manner, as may be seen by the report ; and the result of 
their investigation is, that at the date of the report, October 
3, 1860, the cabinet contained 832 objects, which for facility 
of reference they had arranged under 13 heads or classes, 
distinguished by the capital letters from A to M. They at the 
same time made a suggestion as to an arrangement by which 
the objects might be allowed to be taken out by the members 
under certain regulations, to which arrangement the Council 
have given their assent. 
The Journal has continued to be published regularly, and 
circulated as usual. 
The President then delivered the follovving address : 
The Puesibent's Address /or the year 1861. 
pjy Professor John Quekett, F.H.S. 
Gentlemen, — Before proceeding to the general business 
which usually occupies the attention of the members of the 
Microscopical Society on this, the evening of the anniver- 
sary, I have much to say to you in the way of apology for 
my seeming neglect in never having occupied the chair, to 
which, unknown to me, I had been elected by the Council. 
Feeling that the state of my health did not allow m.e to 
perform the duties of the office in such a manner as I could 
wish, I did all in my power to prevent the appointment 
when it was hinted to me as likely to be made. Not having 
been consulted in the matter, nor officially informed of the 
intention of the Council, but hearing through a private 
source that I had been proposed to fill the office of Presi- 
dent, I wrote a letter to the Council, telling them that, had 
my health permitted, I should have felt much honoured by 
the appointment; but that, as things stood, I must neces- 
sarily decline it. In February last, however, and but a few 
evenings before the Anniversary, I was, for the first time, 
officially informed that my letter, declining the position of 
