In 1882 the late Professor F. M. Balfour suggested my undertaking the study of the development of the peculiar Australian Mammalia and Ceratodus . In 1883 I decided to carry out this suggestion, and was elected to the travelling studentship founded in Balfour’s memory. The Committee of the Royal Society appointed to administer the Government Grant for the endowment of research gave me a sum of £400 for equipment.