Charter and Bye-Laws of the Boyal Microscopical Society, 
Objects of the Society. — The Boyal Microscopical Society 
was founded in 1839, and incorporated by Boyal Charter, 
1866, for the promotion and diffusion of improvements in 
the optical and mechanical construction, and in the mode of 
application, of the Microscope : — 
For the communication and discussion of observations and 
discoveries tending to such improvements, or relating to 
subjects of Microscopical observation : — 
For the exhibition of new or interesting Microscopical 
objects and preparations, and for the formation of an arranged 
collection of such objects : — 
For affording the opportunity and means of submitting 
difficult and obscure Microscopical phenomena to the test of 
instruments of different powers and constructions : — 
For the establishment of a Library of standard Micro- 
graphical Works. 
Royal Charter of Incorporation to the Microscopical Society 
of London. 
Victoria, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of 
Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, 
To ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME GREETING : 
Whereas James Scott Bowerbank, Doctor of Laws, Fellow 
of the Boyal Society; Bev. Joseph Bancroft Beade, Master 
of Arts, Fellow of the Boyal Society; Nathaniel Bagshaw 
Ward, Fellow of the Boyal Society; and others of our loving 
subjects, did, in the year 1839, establish a Society by the 
name of “ The Microscopical Society of London,” for the 
advancement of Microscopical Science : 
And whereas it has been represented to us that the same 
Society has, since its establishment, sedulously pursued such 
its proposed object, by the researches of its members, and the 
collection and discussion of observations, and by the publica- 
tion of its transactions from time to time, which have con- 
tributed to the progress of Microscopical knowledge : 
And whereas distinguished individuals in foreign coun- 
tries, as well as British subjects, have availed themselves of 
the facilities offered by the same Society for communicating 
important discoveries, greatly extending Microscopical know- 
ledge ; and the great and general interest now felt in those 
branches of Science, whereof the Microscope is an important 
