{Authors are responsible for nomenclature used.) 



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The Scottish Naturalist 



Nos. 97 AND 98.] 1920 [Jan. -Feb. 



Professor J. W. H. TRAIL, A.M., M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S.^ 



Scottish natural history will long feel the loss caused by 

 the sudden death of Professor Trail, on i8th September 1919, 

 but longer it will remember his contributions to its stores of 

 knowledge, and his efforts to give it a unified national 

 expression. 



James William Helenus Trail was a son of Orkney, born 

 at Birsay on 4th March 1851. Previous to his entry to the 

 University of Aberdeen, at the age of 15, his bent towards 

 the study of nature had been ignored at home and at school ; 

 but at the University it at last found scope, and in 1870 he 

 graduated M.A., with Honours in Natural Science. With 

 a thirst for knowledge stimulated by his experience, Trail 

 determined to continue his studies at the University, and 

 entering the Faculty of Medicine, not only worked with 

 success at the routine of the medical curriculum, but acted 

 at the same time as assistant to the Professors of Botany, 

 Chemistry, and Natural History. Yet, that nature and not 

 medicine was his chief objective is shown by the readiness 

 with which, in 1873, he temporarily threw aside his studies 

 to share, as botanist, in the adventures of an expedition to 



^ The block of the plate illustrating this notice has been kindly lent 

 by the Committee of Alma Alater, the Aberdeen University Students' 

 Magazine. 



97 AND 98 A 



?. 9. ^ (1 2 



