168 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



tion of his mineral collection. No man among the members perhaps manifested more 

 genius for scientific work. Had the truly brilliant suggestions of his mind been always 

 followed up by prompt endeavor to obtain practical results, he would have been recog- 

 nized everywhere as a great discoverer and benefactor. This is not the place to discuss 

 questions relative to his instrumentality in the introduction of ether as an anaesthetic 

 agent. Suffice it here to express what is clearly true that the friends who knew him the 

 most intimately and who were his constant companions, ever felt that much more was due 

 to him than the world awarded. Whatever may be said, however, upon mooted points, all 

 who were members of the Society in his days of activity will agree that he served it well 

 and faithfully and that he richly earned its gratitude. Possessed of a good memory, and 

 having a great fund of information upon almost all subjects that came up for discussion 

 at the meetings, Dr. Jackson became much relied upon to take part when there was any 

 lack of speakers, and thus often largely contributed to the interest of proceedings that 

 might otherwise have been dull. Moreover, he frequently read papers of great value 

 which appeared in the publications of the Society. 



In the Council meeting first held after the annual one of the Society, the usual commit- 

 tees for the year were formed, and a new arrangement was made with the Custodian, by 

 which it was understood that he should give all his time to the Society, excepting such as 

 was required by him for his regular lectures, and be held responsible for the building and 

 all the employees under his charge ; these to be considered his assistants and not those of ' 

 the other officers or of members of the Council. The Custodian or the Museum assistant 

 to be present during office hours. The Secretary to be present only when necessary, 

 and the second assistant to be a general assistant under his charge. 



In furtherance of the plan still in progress to arrange the collections in consecutive 

 order, the Council voted, upon representation of Mr. Bouve in behalf of the committee 

 on alterations, that it was necessary to fit up the gallery on the south side of the building 

 for the reception of Protozoans and Radiates. 



Walker Prizes. The subject proposed for the Walker annual prize for 1874 was "The 

 comparative structure of the limbs of birds and reptiles." No essay of sufficient merit 

 for an award was presented. 



In June of this year, the subject of a Zoological Garden came before the Society and 

 the Council. At a meeting of the former, it was voted, upon motion of Mr. G. Washing- 

 ton Warren, that a committee be appointed by the Chair to urge, in ' the name of the 

 Society, before the Park Commissioners and the City Council, the importance of providing 

 for the establishment of a Zoological Garden and Aquarium in connection with one of the 

 proposed public parks, and that said committee have power to call a special meeting of 

 the Society whenever it may be thought expedient to consider such recommendation as 

 the committee may suggest in relation to the subject. 



Whether this committee was appointed and if so what they did, is not reported in the 

 records. The matter is quoted as indicating the readiness of the Society to cooperate 

 with the City government in any movement that may be made towards the establishment 

 of a Zoological Garden. 



