Zoological Club. 463 



duties of their station imperatively call on them to look prin- 

 cipally at the human subject : it is not wonderful, therefore, 

 that they should feel disposed to refer all minor forms imme- 

 diately to that standard. 



The zoologist has still other objects, and those of no com- 

 mon interest, that merit his attention. The busy world of ani- 

 mals that move around him, does not include the whole circle 

 of his science ; there are others that call to him from the dust, 

 victims of that niighty catastrophe that once overwhelmed our 

 globe and its inhabitants, — antique forms that have not yet been 

 met with by those " that run to and fro to increase knowledge." 

 These also, from the giant mammoth and megatherium to the 

 most minute grain of an oolithe, afford a legitimate subject to 

 the zoologist ; and amongst our members we number some 

 who have highly distinguished themselves in this vast arena. 



To conclude. There is one other and great object which 

 ought to stand first with every Naturalist or Association of 

 Naturalists, the mention of which cannot with any propriety 

 be omitted by me, especially upon the natal day of that illus- 

 trious Englishman, the father and founder of Natural History 

 in this our country, whose delight it was to celebrate " the 

 Wisdom of God "in the Creation," — that great object is the 

 Glory of the Omnipotent Creator. " Finis creationis ielluris," 

 says \he immortal Swede, " rsf gloria Dei ex opere naturcB 

 per homiiicm solum" We fulfill this great end when we 

 ascribe to him the glory of his works ; and more especially 

 when, setting aside, as much as possible, every false bias, our 

 crreat aim is to discover the truth of things, their real nature and 

 relations. And may we all with patient assiduity walk in this 

 path, " and proving all things, may we finally hold fast that 

 which is good !" 



The following members of the Chib were appointed to form 

 tlie Committee for the management of the affairs of the Club 

 for the ensuing year : 



Joseph Sabine, Esq. ; Rev. Wm. Kirby ; Adrian Hardy 

 Haworth, Esq.; Nicholas Ay I ward Vigors, Esq.; Thomas 

 Horsfield, M.D. ; James Francis Stephens, Esq. ; Mr. Thomas 

 Bell ; Mr. Edward Turner Bennct; George Milne, Esq. 



And the fcillowing members were elected Officers for the 

 same period : 



.Joseph Sabine, Esq., Chairman; 

 James Francis Stephens, Esc]., Treasurer; 

 Nicholas Aylward Vigors, Es(i., Secretary. 

 [We are glad to express our satisfaction at this new pl:in 

 for the })romotion of a branch of knowledge not at present in 

 a due state of advancement in this country; as it will serve to 

 produce co-opcral ion and increased activity amongst our Zoo. 

 ' lof'ists. 



