THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 159 



Academy presented a collection of volcanic specimens 

 and hard woods, to be annexed to the Leskean cabinet. 

 In 1809, it was reported that a complete and scientific 

 survey of mineral productions was necessary, and 

 Richard Griffith, jun., was recommended as eminently 

 qualified for the undertaking. ^300 were allocated 

 in 1 8 16, to complete the systematic part of the collec- 

 tion, so as to include specimens of all known species 

 of simple minerals. The collection was then deficient 

 by 129 species and substances. Major Birch, r.a., in 

 18 17, presented to the museum many articles, among 

 them Roman remains and marbles from Cateja, An- 

 dalusia ; from Malta, two long swords used by the 

 Knights, and part of the coat of mail of the Grand 

 Master Wignacourt, 16 1 5 ; from Egypt, a sarcophagus 

 and phallus, and idols from the Great Pyramid ; from 

 Agrigentum, porcelain vases ; also an antique Irish 

 vessel from a bog in the county Roscommon, and a 

 number of minerals. Mr. Gregory, of Coole, sent 

 specimens of marble found in a quarry on his estate. 



For some time the Society had been in a transition 

 stage. The old order was more or less passing, and a 

 new set of circumstances and new conditions were 

 being developed. With the advent of the Farming 

 Society, as to which more will be said in another 

 chapter, the Dublin Society abandoned the premium 

 system, which had so much, and for so long a period, 

 occupied its attention. It was felt that the time had 

 come when the formation of schools of science, in 

 which qualified professors might lecture, were, under 

 altered conditions in the country, and in accordance 

 with the example and precedent set in such matters in 

 England and Scotland, more likely to further the 

 purposes for which the Society had originally been 

 founded. Accordingly, on the establishment of the 



