THE LATE PROFESSOR EDWARD FORBES. 93 



Fi-ance, Algiers, and Norway added richly to his already increasing stock of 

 specimens, and not a little to his knowledge of the natural sciences. Many 

 papers had in the meantime been contributed to various literary periodicals ; 

 but, in 1838, he appeared before the public for the first time as the author 

 of a book, entitled, " Malacologia Monensis," descriptive of the mollusca of 

 his native island and its surrounding waters. Three years later appeared 

 one of the best monographs vi^hich has ever issued from the press, i.e., 

 " A History of British Starfishes." The work is replete with every variety 

 of information required, whether by the tyro or the philosopher. Every 

 species is drawn with a fidelity only to be looked for in one who combined 

 in a high degree the joint qualities of a naturalist and an artist. The accu- 

 racy of the scientific details, the clearness of his descriptions, and above all, 

 the stamp of reality which the book bears on its every page, must endear it 

 and the author to every lover of nature. He was no compiler, no writer of 

 other people's discoveries, but a most scrupulous investigator. In company 

 with his friend John Goodsir, now Professor of Anatomy, he had dredged 

 many a long day for the materials for his work ; adding by this means no less 

 than eighteen new species to the Echinodermata of Britain. The last para- 

 graph in the work gives us an insight into the secret of his success. " The 

 naturalist whose acquaintance is confined to preserved specimens in a 

 cabinet, can form but a vague idea of the glorious variety of nature, of the 

 wisdom displayed in the building up of the atoms of matter to be the houses 

 of life and intellect. And unless we study the creatures living around us, 

 how can we gain that delightful knowledge. The passing note of an animal 

 during travel is an addition to science not to be scorned; the briefly 

 characterizing of a new species from a preserved specimen, if done with 

 judgment, is of importance; but the real progress of Natural History must 

 ever depend on the detailed examination of the beings gathered around us 

 by the laws of geographical distribution, living and multiplying in their 

 destined homes and habitats." 



In 1841, Forbes sailed for Syria, in the ship Beacon, visiting and exploring 

 with all his wonted enthusiasm, the greater pai't of Asia Minor. Shortly 

 after his return, in 1843, he commenced his duties as Professor of Botany, 

 in King's College, London. He was now in a fair way to fortune, every year 

 receiving fresh tributes to his learning and genius. It were in vain to 

 enumerate the many contributions, avowed or anonj'mous, which from that 

 time to the year of his death emanated from his pen. By far the most 

 important, however, was the work undertaken conjointly with Mr. Hanley, 

 on the " British Mollusca." The work is in four large volumes, and contains 

 besides lucid descriptions, exquisitely drawn figures of every species. 



In 1852, he was appointed to the chair of Natural History, in the University 

 of Edinburgh. His long cherished ambition was now satisfied, and he 

 looked forward to making the museum where he had learned some of his 



