4 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Scottish Museum. His trained anatomical skill, his know- 

 ledge of the structure of the skeleton in living fishes, and his 

 careful deductions, made his work in this department at once 

 original and reliable, and there can be no question that he 

 held a foremost position in palaeichthyology. Not for 

 generations, perhaps, will be found one who so unselfishly 

 gave up his life to advance our knowledge of this subject, and 

 whose previous training and natural abilities so well fitted him 

 to excel. Thus year by year he communicated the results of 

 his researches either to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, to 

 the Palaeontographical Society, to the Belgian Academy, or 

 to the various journals. He took special interest in the 

 Royal Society of Edinburgh, and was at his death one of its 

 vice-presidents. The record of his work does him infinite 

 credit, and betokens marvellous industry, unflagging zeal, and 

 wide and accurate knowledge. With a few exceptions it is 

 confined to fossil fishes, and these exceptions treat of recent 

 fishes, such as Polypterus, the trout, the black fish, and the 

 skate. Taken all in all, it is an honour to British science, and 

 worthily upholds Scottish traditions. Heedless of promotion 

 to a university Chair or of recognition from the State (often 

 so lightly given), he laboured for the sake of the work itself 

 the only reward that has no alloy. 



When he retired from office a few years ago his health 

 showed signs of failure, but he made no difference in his 

 daily tasks, till increasing weakness prevented walking, and 

 he calmly passed away on the 22nd November. 



Though somewhat reserved and studious, he yet was a 

 most agreeable colleague and companion, whether indoors 

 or out of doors. No one enjoyed more than he the wild 

 scenery of hill and moor, of forest and rocky shore ; and he 

 was equally at home with the grasses as with the insects and 

 birds ever ready to cap a remark with a quaint or humorous 

 Scotch or Irish story, of which he had an inexhaustible 

 collection. Again, many a quaint story he told at the 

 Zoological Dinner of the British Association and elsewhere, 

 at those of the Royal Societies' Club, and of the Royal 

 Physical Society, Edinburgh. 



Though his physique did not fit him for excelling in the 

 rougher games, yet in earl)' life both at Perth and Murthly he 



