MEMOIR OE THE LATE ROBERT BALL, LL. D. 
27 
“ On the Eoetus of the Spined Dogfish (Acanthias vulgaris)” April 
27, 1846. 
“ Notice of the Structure and Position of the Nostrils of the Apteryx 
Australis .” May 25, 1846. 
“ On the Possil Eemains of Bears found in the Bogs of Ireland.” 
Dec. 10, 1849. 
“ Remarks on the Periods of the Bones of the Irish Elk, and other 
Animal Remains.” Not. 29, 1851. 
His papers or communications were not limited to zoology, but ex¬ 
tended at times to those which belonged to antiquarian research. ( Vide 
“ Proceedings,” January 8,1844; Eebruary 12,1844; January 13,1845; 
December 11, 1854.) 
Dr. Ball was elected a Life Member of the Royal Dublin Society in 
1834; but did not regularly take any active part in its proceedings. In 
1854 he became a Member of Council. His co-operation, at all times, 
was highly valued. 
I had on many occasions during the last few years urged Dr. Ball to 
give up one, at least, of his public appointments, and to retire from the 
Council of all Societies save one or two. I argued that such a course 
would conduce greatly to his own personal comfort, and would give him 
leisure to work, with greater effect, in a narrower circle. But he re¬ 
plied, that his being associated with so many bodies was in itself pro¬ 
ductive at times of good results; that it rendered mutual co-operation 
more easy, and prevented the jarring of separate interests. The ar¬ 
rangements made between the Royal Dublin Society and the Zoological 
(adverted to hereafter) may, perhaps, afford proof that the opinion of 
my lamented friend was not unfounded. 
Of all the Dublin Societies of which Dr. Ball was a member, the 
Royal Zoological Society, founded in 1830, was that with which he was 
most pre-eminently associated. It was there that he acted, for more than 
twenty years, as an Honorary Secretary, devoting to it “ a large portion 
of valuable time, and the energies of a strong and cultivated under¬ 
standing.” 
He had able and infiuentiai coadjutors in the officers and Committee. 
Gradually, as they saw that he laboured with singleness of purpose for 
the interests of the Garden, and became assured by experience that his 
plans were bojji judicious and comprehensive, they sanctioned his pro¬ 
posed measures, and devolved on him their responsibility. 
Seldom were they disappointed in the results: the work was not 
only done, but done well, and in a way peculiar to himself. Every 
part of the Garden bears witness to his ingenuity, and to his anxiety to 
accomplish his object with the least possible expenditure. No less ob¬ 
vious is the desire to make the collection not a mere show for visitors to 
gaze at, but a school in which the elements of zoology might advan¬ 
tageously be studied. 
The members of the Council of this Society refer affectionately to 
Ball as one to whom they were indebted for much that has been of 
service,—as the establishment, in 1844, of the weekly breakfast at the 
