ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL ASSOCIATION. 33 



ralist To have avoided all mention of these, because they were first 

 made known by himself, would have been unworthy of the truthfulness 

 of his character. 



The Museum, in its present state, is one of which the University of 

 Dublin may be justly proud. It is much to be wished that the zealous 

 Director who has succeeded Dr. Ball would draw up a Report of the 

 present state of the Collection in all its departments. It would be 

 an unimpeachable record of the character and abilities of his prede- 

 cessor. 



In 1 850 the Board of Trinity College testified what they were pleased 

 to term " their sense of his distinguished merits," by conferring on him 

 the honorary degree of LL. D. 



From the time that he entered fairly on the duties of his new office, 

 Dr. Ball looked forward to making the Museum directly the means of 

 instruction; and in the first "Report" announced his intention (when 

 the arrangements were further advanced) "to form a class of Practical 

 and Philosophical Zoology." " In the meantime," it added, "he will 

 be happy to afford to students all the information in his power to aid 

 them in any zoological pursuits they may engage in." This scheme was 

 never carried out as originally contemplated ; but, a few years after- 

 wards, a new organization was formed, under his auspices, which suc- 

 ceeded in drawing together some ardent and youthful naturalists, whose 

 zeal required not to be stimulated, but merely to be guided aright. He 

 became the personal friend of each of its members and their much- 

 respected President. To this reference will be made hereafter. 



In 1851, on the formation of the Queen's University in Ireland, he 

 was honoured with a request from Lord Clarendon and the Senate that 

 he would undertake the office of Secretary. He made this known to the 

 Provost and Board of Trinity College, and, after consulting them on the 

 subject, he, with their full approval, accepted the highly flattering pro- 



of the nature of the varied and responsible duties in connexion with 

 this appointment, no one not a member of the Senate, is competent to 

 speak. Their opinion on the subject was afterwards expressed under 

 circumstances that gave a peculiar solemnity to the act 



In the autumn of 1854 he was requested to act as Secretary to 

 the Joint Committee of Lectures. That Committee was appointed 

 under the Department of Science and Art, and consisted of eight members, 



ZOOL. A BOT. SOC. PROC. — VOL. I. F 



