2 THE ZOOLOQIOAL SOCIETY. 



physical science, natural history had to put up with less 

 attention than many of the Fellows considered the subject 

 deserved. This led to the foundation of the Linnean Society in 

 1788, by Dr. James Edward Smith, a young Norwich physician, 

 who was knighted in 1814. Its object was defined as " the 

 cultivation of the science of Natural History in all its branches, 

 and more especially of the Natural History of Great Britain 

 and Ireland." But considering that the botanical work of the 

 great Swedish naturalist was then rated as of more importance 

 than his zoological studies, and that his books, manuscripts, 

 and herbarium were purchased by Dr. Smith on the death of 

 the younger Linnaeus in 1783, it will appear only natural 

 that, in the early years of the Society, botany received more 

 attention than the sister science of zoology. To this Sir 

 William Flower alluded in his address to the Zoological 

 Society at the meeting in the Gardens, June 16, 1887, on 

 the occasion of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. He expressed the 

 opinion that, if the leading Fellows of the Linnean Society 

 had displayed more energy, it might have kept in its hands 

 the principal direction of the biological studies of the country, 

 instead of allowing the Zoological Society, which had since 

 proved so formidable a rival, to spring up, and to absorb so 

 large a portion of its useful function. Sir William was not 

 curious to inquire into the reasons why the Linnean Society 

 did not take advantage of the opportunity, but contented 

 himself with the remark that " it did not supply all the needs 

 of the lovers of Zoology." 



Hence it came about that some members, quite as much 

 interested in animals as in plants, determined to do some- 

 thing to spread the systematic study of natural history. On 

 November 29, 1822, the birthday of John Ray, "the father 

 of modern zoology," a meeting was held at the rooms of the 

 Linnean Society in Soho Square."^ The Rev. William Kirby, 

 joint author with Spence of the famous " Introduction to 



* On the death of Sir Joseph Banks in June, 1820, Robert Brown, the famous 

 botanist, " clerk, housekeeper, and librarian " to the Society, suggested the advisa- 

 bility of removal to Banks's house, in the south-west corner of Soho Square. The 

 front part overlooking the square was accordingly taken, and here it vras that the 

 meetings of the Zoological Club of the Linnean Society were held. 



