150 
DAVIS : ML'GH KDWi:s' STIUCKI.A^D, T.ll.S., ETC. 
tioii. Much ci.ssistciiice was given by Bowerbaiik and Edward 
Forbes, and several other eminent naturalists of the time, but the 
real institution of the Society rests with Strickland, Dr. Johnson, 
and Sir William Jardine, each of whom wrote many hundreds of 
letters during the hrst year in organizing the Society. The new 
Society speedily increased in numbers, and was soon placed on a 
thoroughly good basis, and has continued to the present day to pub- 
lish most valuable original papers, which have added greatly to 
the interest of zoological studies both in this country and abroad. 
The value of Strickland's plan, having regard to the existing forms 
of animal life, w^as proved by the geologists immediately starting a 
Society of their own on a similar basis and managed most success- 
fully by nearly the same rules, and the Palieontographical has 
furnished to its subscribers a continuous series of volumes, beauti- 
fully and elaborately illustrated, of the greatest interest. Geo- 
graphers were not far behind, and the name of Hackluyt is immor- 
talized by another Society which has printed a series of voyages and 
travels that were before almost or quite inaccessible. Strickland's 
interest in the Hay Society was very great and one of the most 
useful of its w'orks is due mainly to his zeal and energy. Professor 
Agassiz had commenced some time previously a compilation of a 
Bibliographia Zoologiie et CTeologia3 for his own private use, but it 
increased to such bulk and importance that its publication w^as 
rendered an object to be desired. M. Agassiz had frequently 
corresponded with Strickland with reference to this work and the 
institution of the Ray Society presented an opening which it occurred 
to the latter might be made useful to the Swiss naturalist, and at the 
same time advantageous and lionourable to the Society. It wtm, 
therefore, jjroposed that the manuscript of Professor Agassiz should 
be purchased and published by the Society. Eventually, a sum of 
£300 was agreed upon as the price of the manuscript, a very con- 
siderable one to be incurred by so young a Society. The expenditure, 
however, was spread over several years, and the publication of tne 
work w^as begun. The manuscript was set up in type and printed on 
large sheets and distributed to various naturalists for additions and 
corrections. The editing of the volumes occupied a large portion of 
