2 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
the transactions of this Association, some parts of which have already been trans- 
lated into foreign tongues, it gives you the proceedings of the other Irish societies 
promoting natural history, as well as notices of periodicals, and well written 
reviews of books on natural science. 
Short though the career of the Association has been, it has to mourn severe 
losses, irreparable, perhaps, in this generation. The first name death took from 
our list was that of the amiable and accomplished Dr. Drummond, of Belfast. No 
man was ever more desirous of spreading a taste for the study of natural history; 
and while doing so, he added to the store. His career having been already 
recorded, I briefly allude to it, reminding you that he accomplished much under 
circumstances in which ordinary persons would have supposed they could do 
nothing. 
Mr. Robert Davis, of Clonmel, a Quaker, and in trade, devoted much time and 
attention to the collection of zoological specimens, and to obtaining accurate infor¬ 
mation respecting them. The Association lost in him a useful correspondent. He 
possessed considerable energy, coupled with no ordinary worth of character. I 
received a letter from him a short time before his death, in which he spoke of its 
approach with a calmness becoming a philosopher of his persuasion. 
Professor Jameson’s time-honoured name was enrolled in our lists. His gene¬ 
rous permission to place it there was a recognition of the value he set on the pursuits 
of the Association, of which it may be proud. To call your attention to his well- 
known merits as a philosophic naturalist would be to, tell what all men know. 
Next went his bright successor, the much-loved Edward Forbes, who, having 
obtained the Edinburgh chair, opened for a few months the prospect of a course of 
unexampled usefulness. His brilliant career was suddenly terminated. We cannot 
forget the interest he took in our proceedings, the advice he gave us, and the lucid 
observations he made at the meetings at which he was present; had he lived, we 
should have had still greater proofs of the interest he took in our welfare. Though 
no naturalist has died in our time of whom so much has been written, I feel it is a 
subject which, to enter on, would lead us far into the night. I knew him well; 
and he has left a blank which his friends will find it hard to fill. 
The next name struck from our list is that of Mr. James Garret, an energetic 
and honest attorney, whose recreation was practical ornithology. My much-loved 
friend, W. Thompson, confiding in his ability, named him as one of his executors 
for the publication of his posthumous works. With great care he and his co¬ 
executor gathered poor Thompson’s MSS. together, had them arranged and tran¬ 
scribed ; but as they were ready for the press, fever carried him off. However, the 
book in question will probably make its appearance in a few months. 
Our melancholy list closes with the name of Dr. George Johnston, of Berwick— 
a man who, perhaps, more than any other, promoted the cultivation of native 
zoology. Struggling under straitened circumstances, which called for much per¬ 
sonal exertion, he yet contrived to give to the public a number of excellent works. 
He led and kept together a band of naturalists in his own neighbourhood, and en¬ 
couraged many at a distance. His manner and disposition were as prepossessing as 
his knowledge was sound, and he died deservedly regretted. 
Of the distinguished men of whom I have thus made mention, all save Professor 
Jameson were comparatively young men ; but they did much. When and where shall 
we look for fit successors? This I know, that these men made their great progress 
by positive hard work, and earnest study. None of them ever sought spurious credit 
by decrying the work of others, or by appropriating it. On the contrary, dear and 
personal friends as they were of my own, I have seen how they endeavoured to place 
to the credit of every man his just share, and how they preferred encouraging their 
friends to take up subjects in which they were themselves engaged, their desire 
being to add to the real working body. This is a spirit quite contrary to that of 
pseudo-naturalists, whose practices we cannot too strongly discountenance. 
LOCAL AND IRISH NAMES. 
The members of the Association may, with little trouble, contribute to perfect 
a list of the names of animals in the Irish tongue. These names are fast disap¬ 
pearing, and if lost will be irretrievable. I have taken much pains to collect 
