APPENDIX. 491 



not, perhaps, be expected to originate measures for the improvement of 

 natural knowledge ; it is for you, therefore, to suggest them ; the govern- 

 ment can have no other wish than to give effect to the suggestions of dis- 

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

 general 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 Lad peculiar pleasure in 

 being present upon such an occasion. 



Mr. Green ough passed a high eulogy on the character of Ray ; and said 

 that the meeting gave a strong proot that honorable 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 returning 

 thanks, spoke of the high sense now entertained of Ray's merits as a philo- 

 sophigj^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 Deacon to more 

 modern labourers. In entomology, the branch of science to which he himself 

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

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

 dam, and cleared the way for Linnaeus. Much had been done to unveil 

 nature, but still much remained to be done ; and he hoped that a course of 

 perseverance would be pursued until all was accomplished. 



The healths of Cuvier and Jussieu, and the naturalists of Europe, were 

 drunk with much approbation. 



Dr.Buckland's health, and "Prosperity to the University of Oxford," having 

 been most cordially received ; the learned professor addressed the meeting 

 as follows : 



" The President of the Royal Society has already informed you, by a 

 detailed examination of his extensive works, how great are the advantages 

 which natural history has derived from the labours and the genius of Ray ; 

 and in the presence of so many illustrious botanists as I now see assembled 

 in this place, it would be highly presumptuous in me to say one word on the 

 benefits, the inestimable benefits, which he has conferred on the science of 

 botany. My excellent friend and colleague, Professor Sedgwick, were he 

 now present (and I regret that severe illness alone has caused his absence), 

 would tell you how extensively the influence of his exertions and his example 

 have operated to excite a taste for natural knowledge iu the University of 

 Cambridge, a taste which he, a member of the same college, and animated 

 with the same spirit as the immortal Ray, maintains and keeps alive in the 

 present generation with a zeal and talent worthy to follow his great prede- 

 cessor in the field of natural science. 



" As a member of the University of Oxford, I rejoice to bear most ample 

 testimony to the lasting benefits which the exertions of the age and friends 

 of Ray have transmitted to that scat of learning, to which it is my happiness 



