L. 
There is also a fine collection of Crustacea comprising 7000 or 8000 specimens, 
and a good series of Australian Spiders. 
The Mollusca, though not nearly so numerous as the Insects, are yet a very 
numerous collection, which Mr. Masters estimates at not less than 50,000. 
Of the numbers of the other Invertebrata, no estimate has been formed ; but 
there are many thousands of specimens of Worms, Echinoderms, Coelenterates and 
Sponges. 
Besides these zoological specimens, there is also a considerable, though much 
less important, collection of geological specimens from various sources. 
In his Presidential Address to the Linnean Society of New South Wales in 
1892, Professor Haswell in reviewing Sir William Macleay’s well-directed plans to 
promote the welfare of science pertinently poimted out that— 
“There are several ways in which an individual possessed of the necessary means and the necessary 
enlightenment may further the ends of science. He may himself add by his own investigations to the sum 
total of our knowledge. He may, without himself prosecuting any researches, accumulate in an intelligent 
way material with the aid of which others may be enabled to advance the science in which he is interested. 
He may by his personal influence and example be the means of inducing others to devote their energies to 
scientific work. He may provide facilities, as, for example, by building laboratories or biological stations, 
furnishing instruments and apparatus, and forming collections of scientific books, by which scientific 
workers may carry on their work with convenience and thoroughness. Or he may provide funds by means 
of which investigators may be enabled to devote all their time and energy to the work of research. 
“ Now I think I may say that Sir William Macleay contributed to the progress of science to a greater 
or less extent, not in one or two only, but in all of these ways.” 
The indebtedness of the Colony of New South Wales to Sir Wiliam Macleay is 
not alone confined to the services rendered by him of which mention has already been 
made. He was at all times ready to place his scientific knowledge and experience at 
the service of the country, and in this capacity rendered important and valuable aid 
as Chairman of the Royal Commission on Oyster Culture in 1877, as Chairman also 
of the Royal Commission appointed in 1880 to inquire into and report upon the 
actual state and prospect of the Fisheries of the Colony, as Chairman of the first 
Fisheries Commission appointed under the Fisheries Act, as a Member of the Board 
of Trustees of the Australian Museum and also of the Public Library, and from 1875 
as Fellow of the Senate of the University of Sydney. Sir William Macleay also for 
a time was Captain in the Volunteer Artillery. 
The honour of Knight Bachelor was conferred upon Sir William Macleay in 
1889. His death took place on December 7th, 1891, in his seventy-second year. 
