XII. 
of W. S. Macleay’s real merits; for he was admittedly a man of originality of mind 
and of very distinguished abilities. A recent critic by no means in sympathy with 
the views of Macleay’s ornithological followers, refers to him as “a man of education 
and real genius.”* The following passage from another source is also worthy of 
notice :— 
“Tt would be out of place here to enter into an analysis or criticism of this work (the ‘ Hore 
Entomologicz’), in which, however, it may be said are contained some of the most important speculations 
as to the affinities or relations of various groups of animals to each other ever offered to the world, and of 
which it is almost impossible to overrate the suggestive value. Speculative ideas, however, of such a 
general kind, even in the hands of their author, are apt to be carried too far in their application, and, 
when they fall into those of other speculators of less information and less capacity, can hardly fail to be 
grossly misused. This has been the case with Mr. Macleay’s ideas; and thus, as observed by the author of 
a notice in the ‘ Reader,’ of his labours, the name of the ‘circular system’ and of ‘quinarianism’ became 
almost by-words; and the work of one of the most thoughtful and original of English biologists sank at one 
time into most unmerited neglect.” + 
As in the case also of his father, it is a matter of regret that there is so little on 
record of first impressions of Australia, or of observations in natural history in the 
early days when the field was new ; for it is precisely of such experienced and learned 
men, and in the case of so young a commonwealth, that the lament becomes so true 
that “one of the saddest things in life is to realise that in the death of the elder 
members of the community, so much that is precious in the way of knowledge and 
experience is lost to the world.” 
WittrAm Joy, or, as he called himself in later life, simply Wituram Macteay, 
with whom we are more immediately concerned, unlike his uncle and cousin who at 
the time of their settling in Australia were men already advanced in years, with 
considerable experience of the world, and with European reputations, came out to the 
colony a youth of about nineteen with his career all before him. Yet imbued with 
the spirit of his predecessors, and by taking advantage of the opportunities which 
presented themselves, he shaped such a course for himself as, it is not too much to 
say, not only worthily to sustain but even to enhance the family reputation for zeal 
in the service of Science. 
He was the second son of Kenneth Macleay of Keiss, and was born at Wick, 
County Caithness, on June 13th, 1820. He was educated at the Edinburgh 
Academy, and subsequently entered the University with a view of studying medicine, 
but before graduating the death of his widowed mother entirely changed his plans, 
and shortly after with his younger brother John he came out to Australia in the 
same ship as his cousin W. S. Macleay, arriving in Sydney in March, 1839. 
* Ency. Brit. 9th Edit. Vol. XVIII. (1885), p. 15 (article ‘‘ Ornithology”). 
+ Obituary Notice of W. S. Macleay, Proc. Linn, Soc. London, 1864-65, p. cil. 
