THK society's HERITAGE FROM THE MACLEAYS. 569 



It is to be remembered, too, that the Macleays were interested in Science lor 

 its own sake, and as a study to be cultivated in their leisure hours. Less than a 

 century ago, an interest in Zoology was a good asset for a hobby, especially 

 for a man of means and leisure, but an unfruitful one for embarking on a 

 professional career. One of a later generation who ventured to make the ex- 

 periment, Edward Forbes (1815-54), almost repented of his choice of Zoology as 

 a profession. Writing to his friend Thompson in January, 1847, he said: "The, 

 more I see, the more I am convinced, that no man should take up Science as his 

 profession, unless he has some independence to fall back on." (Memoir of 

 Edward Forbes, F.R.S., by G. Wilson and A. Geikie, p. 410, 1861.) 



A lack of uniformity in the mode of spelling the family surname wiU be 

 noticeable. By the members of the family in the old days, MacLeay was the 

 customary way ; but, in their later years, both W . S . and William Macleay signed 

 their names in the manner to which we are accustomed. By writers outside the 

 family, the name was sometimes written McLeay or M'Leay. 



W. S. Macleay's Christian names were William Sharp, and not William 

 Sharpe, as so often printed. 



Alexander Macleay, F.R.S., F.L.S. 



Born in the County of Ross, June 24th, 1767 — Chief Clerk of the Prisoners 

 of War OflSce, 1795 — Head of the Department of Correspondence of the 

 Transport Board, 1797— Secretary of the Board, 1806-1818— Colonial Secre- 

 tary of New South Wales, 1825-1836— First Speaker of the Legislative 

 Council, 1843-46— Died in Sydney, July 19th, 1848. 



No definite record of the beginning of Alexander Macleay's interest in 

 Entomology is available. But his election to the Linnean Society, in 1794, offers 

 a suggestive clue. The inaugural meeting of the Society, convened by Dr. J. E. 

 Smith, the possessor of the Linnean collections, was held on 26th February, 1788, 

 seven Naturalists being present, one of whom was Thomas Marsham. At the 

 second meeting, on 18th March, six gentlemen were present. The roll of the 

 foundation members was made up consisting of twenty ordinary Fellows, includ- 

 ing the Rev . William Kirby, three Honorary Fellows, including Sir Joseph Banks, 

 and eleven Associates. Dr. J. E. Smith was elected President, and T. Marsham 

 Secretary. At the third meeting, "at the Opening of the Linnean Society," on 

 8th April, the President delivered a "Discourse on the Rise and Progress of 

 Natural History." 



A. Macleay was elected a Fellow of the Society about six years afterwards, 

 in 1794. In the absence of more exact information, his election may be taken to 

 imply an awakening interest in natural history, and particularly entomology. 

 It is probably true that his friendship with Marsham and Kirby spurred his 

 pursuit of entomology; just as, at a later period, "close relations" with Kirby 

 and Spence, and Alexander Macleay, are said to have spurred W. J. Hooker's 

 pursuit of entomology in his early days, before he devoted himself entirely to 

 botany. In 1798, Marsham retired from the position of Secretary, and was 

 appointed Treasurer; while A. Macleay succeeded him as Secretary. His service 

 in this capacity lasted for twenty-seven years, until May, 1825. when he resigned, 

 in consequence of his contemplated removal to Australia, to fill the position of 

 Colonial Secretary of New South Wales. 



