148 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



and in the aeration and general management of the fish- tanks — the 

 latest attraction of the Garden — he made many improvements. 



But it would be endless to speak of the many ways in which he 

 made his talents useful on every subject that engaged his attention — 

 whether it were devising tanks, dredges, and nets for the zoologist ; 

 fern-cases for the botanist; rapid diagram paintings for the lecturer; or 

 in arrangements for facilitating the dispatch of the official business in 

 which he was so much engaged. I would rather dwell for a moment on 

 that feature of his character which attracted and fixed the friendship of 

 so many distinguished men, I mean his perfect openness and truthful- 

 ness, and the pleasure he took in imparting to any sincere inquirer 

 whatever information was in his power on subjects connected with his 

 favourite science. 



He has not published much, but he has communicated much valua- 

 ble and original information to others, by whom it has been made pub- 

 lic. It is only necessary to turn to the works of Yarrell on Birds and 

 Fishes, of Bell on Quadrupeds and Crustacea, of Forbes on the Starfishes 

 andMollusca, not to speak of Thompson's " Natural History of Ireland," to 

 see that Robert Ball's researches in British Zoology very largely enriched 

 those works with materials. Besides work in the field, he had read much 

 on his favourite science. His zoological library was large, and he was 

 well acquainted with the contents of his books, which were equally at the 

 service of his friends and fellow- students as were the resources of his 

 own mind. In a word, he lived for others more than for himself. Had he 

 been as studious of fame as he was anxious to diffuse knowledge, his 

 name might have been more widely known to those who were personally 

 strangers to him ; but he could not have been more beloved or more 

 worthy of our love. I speak not of the esteem in which he was held 

 by the public ; the unsolicited cortege that followed his remains to the 

 grave renders such eulogy needless. 



It was moved by "W. Andrews, Esq., seconded by Dr. Kinahan, 

 and unanimously resolved — 



" That this Meeting fully concurring in these statements, the Presi- 

 sident be requested to allow the Address just read to be inserted on the 

 Minutes, and published in the Transactions of the Society." 



The question of adjournment having been put, was carried unani- 

 mously, and the Meeting adjourned to the 17th of April. 



