Sir William Flower. 81 



the progress of anatomical science. That they know that, whilst he 

 has increased the value and utility of the Museum by enlarging it, by 

 preserving it in perfect order, and by facilitating the study of its con- 

 tents, he also maintained the scientific repute of the College by the 

 numerous works which have gained for him a distinguished position 

 amongst the naturalists and biologists of the present time.' " 



Professor Flower shortly afterwards was elected a Trustee of the 

 Hunterian Collection of the College. 



While in the midst of his labours in the Museum of the Royal 

 College of Surgeons, he was, in 1879, unanimously elected to the im- 

 portant and prominent, though honorary, office of President of the 

 Zoological Society, a post which he held till his death. Under his 

 presidency the Society had an unbroken career of scientific success, 

 and largely through his influence and that of the indefatigable and 

 able secretary of the Society, the Gardens constantly received rare 

 and valuable specimens from every quarter of the globe. The 

 financial depression in the affairs of the Society which ensued in 

 the early eighties was skilfully combated by his patient sagacity 

 and great administrative powers, and long before his death the Society 

 reached a stage of prosperity which had rarely been equalled in its 

 history. Many of his important scientific contributions had been 

 made to the Zoological Society before his election as President, and 

 many others were communicated subsequently, so that with his 

 annual addresses, his experienced remarks from the chair at the ordi- 

 nary meetings, his addresses on special occasions, for instance, in the 

 Jubilee year, he took a conspicuous share in the work of the Society. 

 By nature and culture he made an ideal President of such a body. 

 Many a young zoologist, embarrassed during his communications to the 

 meetings, has been encouraged and aided by the kindly help of the 

 President, whose tact and resource on these occasions were always 

 reliable. Here he also entertained great social gatherings of the 

 Fellows, and their friends, as, for instance, in the garden party in the 

 Zoological Gardens in June, 1887, functions in which he was so ably 

 seconded by Lady Flower, and which rendered these and similar social 

 efforts so successful. The experience gained in similar social gatherings 

 (such as receptions) at the' Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons 

 thus proved of value in other spheres. A distinguished man of science 

 who could at a single reception at the College Museum interest 800 

 guests could not be otherwise than a power in popularising the depart- 

 ment. This indeed was a notable feature in Sir William's career, and 

 one that gave his public life a special character. He was equally at 

 home in taking- Royal Personages through the galleries of the 

 Museum as in receiving bands of working men for the same purpose, 

 and this ease was largely due to the fact that both the one and the 

 other had implicit confidence in him. 



F 



