HOW TO FOUND A LOCAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY, 215° 

fore the proposed meeting is to take place. Resolutions passed by a majority of 
ee at these meetings are to be considered as being passed by a majority of the 
» RYT, 
The Council shall have power to enact Bye-laws for the successful working of the 
Library, Slide-Cabinet, and such other sections which are from time to time estab- 
lished. Such Bye-laws shall have the full power of Rules immediately after their 
enactment ; but they must be brought up for sanction at the ensuing Annual Gene- 
ral Meeting. 
XVII. 
That no alteration be made in these Rules except at the Annual General Meeting or 
at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose. Notice of such alterations shall 
be sent to each member of the Society in writing, at least one month before the meet- 
ing at which the alteration will be proposed. 
A low subscription is advised, a high one is only allowable when 
the Society publishes its own “ Transactions ;” it is, however, 
doubtful how far this step is a wise policy, and it should be well 
considered by the Council of every Society whether it would not 
be better to pay the cost of illustrating their papers in a journal 
such as THE NORTHERN Microscopist, rather than to spend 
more money in issuing a non-illustrated one. A low subscription 
brings in a large army of workers, who have perhaps neither the 
means nor the inclination to pay a high fee; and we take it that 
the chief aim of a Microscopical Society is the diffusion of know- 
ledge, and not to form a select gathering of a monied few. 
While on this subject, just a word of exhortation to the heads of 
Societies. Do not keep aloof from the younger and less favoured 
members ; remember that the success of the Society, the general 
microscopical training, and the polish, so to speak, of the individual 
member depends upon the harmony kept up within its walls. We 
have always found less favoured microscopists very grateful for 
help and information, and, on the other hand, it is impossible to 
come in contact even with students without learning something 
new, and therefore all are benefited. In the North there is no- 
thing to find fault with on this score,—there is a certain feeling of 
scientific equality which smooths over many a difficulty ; but in 
many parts of the South, where microscopical societies should 
flourish more than they do at present, there is more reserve, and 
the different sections hold aloof from each other, as if one was not 
comfortable in the other’s presence. Such feelings are detrimental 
to the welfare of any Society. 
Now, a word to our correspondents—“ How to found a local 
Microscopical Society.” An informal meeting of those who con- 
sider it desirable that a microscopical society be established should 
be held, and there the probable success of the undertaking should 
be freely discussed ; the President and Hon. Secretary should be 
named, and asked if they would accept office if elected. A formal 
meeting should then be called by circular and advertisement, and 
held in some public room, “of all gentlemen interested in the 
formation of a Microscopical Society for the town of ———,” and 

