THE 



EDINBURGH 

 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 



Art. I. — Biographical Notice of the late Sir J. E. Smith, 

 President of the Linncean Society^ with an estimate of the 

 character and influence of his botanical labours. By the 

 Rev. E. B. Ramsay, A. B. F. R. S. E. F. S. A. Scot. * 

 Communicated by the Author. 



The characters of the illustrious dead, their virtues, their 

 diligence and attainments, are interesting and profitable sub- 

 jects of contemplation. An opportunity is given us to take a 

 view of the periods in which they lived, — to notice the progress 

 or decline of sound philosophy, — and to form an estimate of the 

 influence of their labours on the advancement of knowledge in 

 general, and of that department of it particularly in which they 



* excelled. From general views we often return with advantage 

 to a study of detail. Such discussions have often a favourable 



, effect in stimulating the zeal, and directing the energies of 

 young students in those fields of inquiry where master minds 

 have been successful ; and at any rate those who cannot attain 

 their excellence, may at least avoid their errors. 



In this article we propose to give a short biographical notice 

 of the late Sir J. E. Smith, President of the Linnaean Society, 



* Read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh, January 6, 1829. 

 NEW SERIES. VOL. I. NO I. JULY 1829. A 



