The President's Address. 
67 
publications of tlie Ray Society, and those of the Sydenham 
Society, which relate to the microscope. It contains many 
volumes illustrating the early history of the microscope, and 
the investigations made by means of its use; it is in fact 
rapidly becoming a complete collection of standard micro- 
graphical works. In short, the state of the library is emi- 
nently satisfactory, for which we are mainly indebted to the 
well-directed labours of Mr. Eoper, and his zealous coadjutor, 
Dr. Millar, the acting members of the Library Committee. 
/3. The Cabinet. — The state of the cabinet is far from being 
as satisfactory as that of the library. The cabinet, it is true, 
is large and convenient, capacious enough to admit of very 
considerable additions to its present contents. The collec- 
tion of objects, however, is not what might reasonably have 
been expected, after twenty-two years of the Society's exist- 
ence. It is true, indeed, that no part of the funds have been 
expended upon it ; such as it is, it is the result of the contri- 
butions of members and other friends. At the date of the 
last report it contained 779 slides, supplied by 33 contribu- 
tors ; during the last year there have been added 103 slides, 
presented by 8 contributors, of whom two were previously 
benefactors. Among these. Dr. W. B. Carpenter is distin- 
guished for the number and value of his presentations. Many 
years ago he was the liberal donor of 66 slides, illustrating 
the structure and development of shell, and again, recently, he 
has added to the number and value of the collection by the 
presentation of 8 slides illustrating the development of Coma- 
tula, and 6 slides of Bryozoa. We have also thankfully to 
acknowledge the presentation by the late George Jackson, 
Esq., of numerous slides illustrating favorite pursuits, micro- 
metry and microphotography. I now take occasion to draw 
attention to — 
a. The valuable collection of diatoms of South Wales, up- 
wards of 200 slides, presented by Fitzmaurice Okeden, C.E. 
b. American diatoms, two series, 26 slides and 39 slides, 
from Messrs. Sullivant and Wormley. 
c. American diatoms, 37 slides, from the Boston Natural 
History Society. 
d. Diatom.s from Warwick, 21 slides, presented by J. Staun- 
ton, Esq. 
e. Diatoms from Australia, by J. Coates, through H. 
Deane, Esq. 
/. A large collection of microscopical specimens of different 
woods used in ship-building, by W. H. Ince, Esq. 
g. Series of slides illustrating researches of G. Bayney, 
Esq., presented by that gentleman at different times. 
