In memoriam — david Robertson. 37 



In 1895 the Universitv of Glasgow conferred on him the 

 honorary degree of LL.D., in recognition of his eminent attain- 

 ments as a naturalist. 



In the case of not a few men, enojrossino; studies seem to have 

 the effect of inducing habits of isolation and exclusiveness which 

 tend to check the flow of the benevolent sympathies. But it was 

 not so with Robertson. He desired that the study of marine 

 zoology, which had yielded himself an endless round of the purest 

 pleasures, should also be taken up by the inhabitants of Millport, 

 as well as by the visitors who flock thither during the summer 

 months. With this end in view, he exhibited portions of his 

 collections in the public halls at various times, and read explanatory 

 papers, written by himself in a style fitted to awaken popular 

 interest in the subjects to which they related. As already 

 indicated, he took an active interest in promoting the establishment 

 of a IMarine Biological Station at Millport, and had promised to 

 its museum the greater part of his own unrivalled collections. 

 He lived to see the approximate fulfilment, if not the complete 

 realisation, of this cherished scheme. 



Encouraged by the success which had attended the opening of 

 the Ark as a temporary station, he aimed at the erection and 

 endowment of a building in all respects suited to the requirements 

 of marine research. Mainly through his own personal efibrts, 

 an influential committee was appointed to raise the funds and 

 make the arrangements necessary for carrying the scheme into 

 eflect. A free grant of a site on the shore near Keppel Pier has 

 been obtained from the Marquis of Bute, and on this has been 

 erected a handsome structure of red sandstone, which is now 

 approaching completion. The first sod was cut by Mr. Kobertson 

 on 7th August, 1896, and on 17th October the foundation-stone 

 of the buildins: was laid bv Dr. Thomas Reid, LL.D. Much to 

 Mr. Robertson's regret, he was prevented by illness from being 

 present at the ceremony. 



From this attack of illness he never recovered. After lingering 

 five weeks, during which his resources of strength were gradually 

 exhausted, his death took place on the evening of Friday, 20th 

 November. 



On Tuesday, 24:th November, his remains were interred in the 

 cemetery adjoining Cumbrae Cathedral, w^here the burial service 



