I?itelligenre and MisccUaneous Articles. 145 



partments of Natural History, to wbicli his attention was principally- 

 devoted. But there. were more general views, — which made him rejoice 

 that a meeting like this had been brought together. — It proved, and 

 must if possible contribute to increase, the cordiality of intercourse 

 and feeling, that distinguish, so very creditably, the naturalists of 

 this country ; — and it tended also to increase their power and re- 

 sources. It had been said, perhaps with too much truth, that Eng- 

 land, notwithstanding the number and wide distribution of its co- 

 lonies, — has done much less to advance the Natural History of foreign 

 countries than might have been expected : occasional meetings like 

 the present must facilitate tlie inquiries of our naturalists, not only 

 by enabling them to combine their own exertions, but by impress- 

 ing upon the Government of the country, the importance and 

 value of the researches in which they are engaged. In a country 

 like ours, the Government itself could not, perhaps, be expected to 

 originate measures for the improvement of natural knowledge; — it 

 is for you, therefore, to suggest them ; — the Government can have no 

 other wish, than to give effect to the suggestions of disinterested 

 and well-informed men. — On every ground therefore, — both of ge- 

 neral feeling, and as a member of a Society, to the success of 

 which the progress of the other departments of Natural History is 

 almost essential, — he was happy that this meeting had been held, 

 and had peculiar pleasure in being present upon such an occasion. 



Mr. Greenough passed a high eulogy on the character of Ray ; and 

 said that the meeting gave a strong proof that honourable exertions 

 were never thrown away. Independent of the inward pleasure they 

 gave, they were sure of receiving the admiration of the good and the 

 informed. After some remarks upon the rapid spread of the study of 

 Geology, he concluded by expressing his hope that that science 

 would daily become more general. 



"The Zoological Society" was then given ; and Mr. Vigors, in re- 

 turning thanks, spoke of the high sense now entertained of Ray's 

 merits as a philosophical Zoologist ; and alluded to the advantages 

 which were to be expected from the establishment of the Zoological 

 Society. 



On the healths of the Naturalists of Great Britain and Ireland being 

 drunk, coupled with the name of Mr. Kirby, the Rev. Gentleman 

 said that he had never before addressed a public assembly of a festive 

 character ; but he felt it right to take that opportunity of testifying 

 his admiration of the great and good Ray. He was great as a natural 

 philosopher, and great also as a moral philosopher. He penetrated 

 the world of science further than any of his contemporaries, and by 

 his exertions formed a bright constellation of information, whose 

 beams had served as a guide and beacon to more modern labourers. 

 In Entomology, the branch of science to which he himself was de- 

 voted, the naturalist of the present time was indeed deeply indebted 

 to Ray, who had combined the system of Aristotle with that of Swam- 

 merdam, and cleared the way for Linnseus. Mucli had been done to 

 unveil nature, but still much remained to be done ; and he hoped 

 NrwSiries. Vol. 5. No. 26. Feb. 1829. U that 



