MEMOIR OF THE LATE EGBERT BALL, LL, D. 
21 
“I have since I can remember paid much attention to tbe Zoology and 
Botany of my native isle, so much, so that I have added very considerably 
to tbe Banna and Flora of tbis country, and formed a native zoological 
collection of greater extent tban any other existing. It contains many 
of tbe original specimens described as new to our island. I would pro¬ 
pose to tbe College tbe formation of a native zoological collection as a 
distinct portion of tbeir Museum, to embrace tbe whole range of animal 
life, as a matter which tbe advancement of science seems to require, 
which would reflect credit on the College, and tbe want of which in the 
kingdom is considered no small reproach in the eyes of strangers. If 
the matter be deemed worthy of attention, I offer, on being appointed 
Zoological Curator or Director, at a moderate salary, to hand over to the 
College all my Collection of Natural History, the native portion of which, 
as before stated, is very considerable, containing several unique speci¬ 
mens of birds, fishes, &c., and a series of others not to be found elsewhere, 
with skeletons and anatomical details, in the best possible state of preser¬ 
vation. The Conchological portion, including foreign shells, extends to 
about 2000 species, and contains specimens of nearly all the native ge¬ 
nera, several species not to be found in the Museums of Paris or London, 
and is a more instructive collection than any other I am aware of existing 
in this kingdom.” 
Prior to the Museum being placed under the superintendence of Dr. 
Ball, the collection of minerals formed by far the most valuable, well 
arranged, and attractive portion. The harp known as that of Brian 
Boroimhe’s, and the weapons brought home by Captain Cook, are among 
the details which those who, twenty years ago, visited tbe Museum will 
probably recollect; nor will they forget a huge, ungraceful, badly stuffed 
giraffe, which occupied a very prominent position. But the Museum, 
as it then existed, contained nothing That could properly be termed a 
zoological collection: not even in any one department did it exhibit that 
collocation of species which would instruct the student as to names; nor 
had it representatives of the leading groups so as to convey some general 
ideas of classification. A perusal of the three “Reports” respecting the 
University Museum (1845, 1847, 1848) will show how comprehensive 
were the views with which the new Director entered on his duties, and 
with what singular modesty all reference to changes, as Ms doings, were 
avoided. He refers, most properly, to several specimens which, from 
being “ original,” have thereby a peculiar value in the eyes of the natu¬ 
ralist. To have avoided all mention of these, because they were first 
made known by himself, would have been unworthy of the truthfulness 
of his character. 
The Museum, in its present state, is one of which the University of 
Dublin may be justly proud. It is much to be wished that the zealous 
Director who has succeeded Dr. Ball would draw up a Report of the 
present state of the Collection in all its departments. It would be 
an unimpeachable record of the character and abilities of his prede¬ 
cessor. 
In 1850 the Board of Trinity College testified what they were pleased 
