32 . DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 



"I have since I can remember paid much attention to the Zoology and 

 Botany of my native isle, so much so that I have added very considerably 

 to the Fauna and Flora of this country, and formed a native zoological 

 collection of greater extent than any other existing. It contains many 

 of the original specimens described as new to our island. I would pro- 

 pose to the College the formation of a native zoological collection as a 

 distinct portion of their Museum, to embrace the whole range of animal 

 life, as a matter which the advancement of science seems to require, 

 which would reflect credit on the College, and the want of which in the 

 kingdom is considered no small reproach in the eyes of strangers. If 

 the matter be deemed worthy of attention, I offer, on being appointed 

 Zoological Curator or Director, at a moderate salary, to hand over to the 

 College all my Collection of Natural History, the native portion of which, 

 as before stated, is very considerable, containing several unique speci- 

 mens of birds, fishes, &c, and a series of others not to be found elsewhere, 

 with skeletons and anatomical details, in the best possible state of preser- 

 vation. The Conchological portion, including foreign shells, extends to 

 about 2000 species, and contains specimens of nearly all the native ge- 

 nera, several species not to be found in the Museums of Paris or London, 

 and is a more instructive collection than any other I am aware of existing 

 in this kingdom.' ' 



Prior to the Museum being placed under the superintendence of Dr. 

 Ball, the collection of minerals formed by far the most valuable, well 

 arranged, and attractive portion. The harp known as that of Brian 

 Boroimhe's, and the weapons brought home by Captain Cook, are among 

 the details which those who, twenty years ago, visited the Museum will 

 probably recollect; nor will they forget a huge, ungraceful, badly stuffed 

 giraffe, which occupied a very prominent position. But the Museum, 

 as it then existed, contained nothing that could properly be termed a 

 zoological collection : not even in any one department did it exhibit that 

 collocation of species which would instruct the student as to names; nor 

 had it representatives of the leading groups so as to convey some general 

 ideas of classification. A perusal of the three "Reports" respecting the 

 University Museum (1845, 1847, 1848) will show how comprehensive 

 were the views with which the new Director entered on his duties, and 

 with what singular modesty all reference to changes, as his doings, were 

 avoided. He refers, most properly, to several specimens which, from 

 being " original," have thereby a peculiar value in the eyes of the natu- 



