30 
The Queensland Naturalist August 1946 
paramount in liis own make-up — an intense love of nature. 
His most important work was performed in tlie 
geological field, extending as far back as 1866. Darwin 
praised his work and ability, and lie assisted in tlie 
preparation of Geike’s “Great Ice Age’’ and Wallace’s 
“Island Life,” 
Professor Skertchly lies in tlie little cemetery at 
Nerang. As a result of a fund raised by different scien- 
tific societies in Brisbane his grave is surmounted by a 
massive granite memorial stone on which is inscribed the 
quotation from Keats he gave the Club as a motto in his 
first presidential address: “The Poetry of Earth is never 
dead. 
Next among the founders of the Club comes Mr. Henry 
Tryon. Of a notable English family, among whom were 
distinguished naval officers (a service in which he himself 
received early training) he went to New Zealand after 
leaving the land of his birth. From thence lie came to 
Queensland, where he was associated with 1 he Public Ser- 
vice of the State for nearly half a century. After being a 
member of the scientific staff of the Queensland Museum, 
he was appointed to the Department of Agriculture and 
Stock, where he performed much important work in many 
branches of science. His official title, Government Entomo- 
logist and Vegetable Pathologist, alone shows the breadth 
of his knowledge. Primarily an entomologist, he was an 
expert in many branches of national history. Indeed, his 
mind seemed to contain veritable text books of zoology and 
botany. Australia has greatly benefited by his work. His 
services to the sugar industry alone have been of immense 
value. As a result of a visit paid by him to New Guinea 
in 1896, new varieties of sugar cane were introduced to 
Queensland, including the variety known as Badila, which 
have proved of great economic importance. 
When, in 1888, a Royal Commission was appointed in 
New South Wales to inquire into various schemes for the 
extermination of rabbits, Mr. Tryon was appointed as one 
of two Queensland representatives, and in this capacity, 
he did special service. 
His work in connection with the suppression of 
prickly pear was also of great importance. He was the 
first to suggest the possibility of using natural enemies in 
combating the pest, and this suggestion led to the ultimate 
conquest of the pest. 
Mr. Tryon published more than 150 reports and 
