Microscopical Society of Victoria . 
39 
I now turn to a point of importance to us as a society, and one 
wliicli I trust promises well for our future success, i.e. that we 
have ventured on publishing a small record of our proceedings in 
the form of a journal, somewhat perhaps under a rather pretentious 
title and form; but if we respond to it, it will be no more than what 
we ought to accomplish as a society if we have more than a name 
to live. 
Let me pass in review some advantages which will accrue to us 
by such a publication. It is due to every man, if he does any 
work, that the same should find record and expression, even if 
that work cannot be said to be new. The publication of work 
done is a means of assisting others to do the like, and I am sure 
there are many who would work more decidedly if they knew 
that the little they have to give would be beneficial to others, and 
that it could be communicated to them. 
How it may be in other societies I cannot say, but I suppose 
the same amount of corporate action exists, and must exist 
elsewhere, as the law of being of every society, that of giving 
and taking, and taking and giving. 
So we, in opening up a channel of communication with others, 
and conveying even a modicum of information, shall no doubt be 
benefiting ourselves as well ; and I am inclined to think that 
amongst that class which goes by the name of microscopists there 
exists a desire to spread and communicate information in as great 
a degree as among other workers in scientific matters. 
Besides, there are men who will publish their work if they can 
obtain a proper channel to deliver the same to the public, as they 
have no wish that their acquired knowledge should be laid aside 
or misdirected, and hence such may be induced to become 
contributors, and I think we should be ready to open our pages 
to the essays of others besides members of this society, provided 
these contributions shall have been first communicated to the 
society, or passed the Editorial Committee. 
In carrying on the work of publication by a society like ours 
I consider it is an essential point to bear in mind, that the more 
the matter in hand can be subjected to illustration, as by the 
publication of plates or wood-cuts, the more valuable and reliable 
will it become. This procedure requires funds in order to 
