26 
MEMOIR OE THE LATE ROBERT BALL, LL. D. 
of its Council from that period until his death; hut did not read any 
papers, nor take any active part in its proceedings. 
Of the Society referred to at page 22, he was emphatically the founder, 
and by every means in his power endeavoured to aid its advancement. 
It was originally restricted to Zoology, hut afterwards extended its 
range, and became known as the Dublin University Zoological and Bo¬ 
tanical Association. From his Address as President (November 16,1855) 
we learn that the Association was founded early in 1853, with the gra¬ 
cious approval of the Provost and Board of Trinity College. In that 
Address, after lamenting the death of several fellow-workers, he directs 
the attention of the members to branches of inquiry with which he had 
to some extent been occupied. Among them are local and Irish names 
of species, and remains of extinct mammalia found in hogs ; dredging; 
excursions; observations of periodical phenomena; collection and pre¬ 
servation of specimens; uses of museums ; comparative anatomy; rea¬ 
sons for studying zoology, and the practical applications of zoological 
knowledge. 
When a President can speak from his own knowledge and experience 
on topics such as these, and addresses a society of young and energetic 
spirits, satisfactory results are sure to follow. The seed falls on good 
soil, and will bring forth fruit abundantly. Such is the respect in which 
he was held by the students who then gathered around him, such the 
influence of his example, that it may with truth he said, that he yet con¬ 
tinues to teach, and that the meeting-room, No. 5, Trinity College, is still 
redolent of his presence. 
Through the kindness of Edward Clibborn, Esq., of the Boyal Irish 
Academy, I am enabled to give the following particulars :— 
Dr. Ball became a member of the Academy in the spring of 1835, and 
was elected a member of the Council, in the Department of Science, in 
March, 1838. On the 15th March, 1845, he was chosen Treasurer, and 
continued to hold that office up to the period of his death. 
The value of his services was felt in all that was going forward, and 
in the suggestions and remarks that he threw out on the various subjects 
that came under the notice of the Academy. Among his communications 
may he mentioned those— 
“ On the Species of Seals, Phocidse, inhabiting the Irish Seas.” 
“ Transactions,” vol. xviii., p. 80. 
“ On the Bemains of Oxen found in the Bogs of Ireland.” “ Pro¬ 
ceedings,” vol. xv., p. 253. 
“ On a Species of Loligo found on the Shore of Dublin Bay.” Nov. 30, 
1839. 
“On a Species of Sturgeon (Accipenser Thompsoni ).” “Proceed¬ 
ings,” vol. xxv., p. 21. 
“ On the Cephalopoda of the Irish Seas.” “ Proceedings,” vol. xxxii., 
p. 192. 
“Notes on Acetabuliferous Cephalopoda, including two new species 
ofRossia.” January 10, 1842. 
