222 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Glasgow, and a corresponding member of the Geological Society of 

 Glasgow. He was also a corresponding member of this Society, and 

 contributed to the Proceedings several palaeontological papers of 

 interest.* He took a lively interest in geology generally, but had 

 an especial interest in that of his own district, and his fine collection 

 of fossils was almost entirely local, some of the specimens being 

 very rare — indeed, unique. About 1880 he presented it to the 

 Hunterian Museum of the University. When the celebrated Agassiz 

 was in Scotland he visited Carluke to see Dr. Rankin's collection 

 of fish remains, naming several of those new to science after their 

 possessor and discoverer. In 1843 a Sketch of the Geology of 

 Carluke, by Dr. Rankin, was published in the Transactions of the 

 Highland and Agricultural Society. He was also an archaeologist 

 of some note, and wrote a very interesting history of Carluke, but 

 which, however, was printed for private circulation only, and its 

 circulation confined to his friends and acquaintances. In all 

 movements which had for their object the moral and intellectual 

 advancement of the people of his native parish, Dr. Rankin was 

 a leading spirit — his efforts being untiring in connection with the 

 Parish Savings Bank, while he originated the Useful Knowledge 

 Society, which also has been productive of good results. He was 

 possessed of conversational powers of a high order, and had a very 

 keen appreciation of humour. In his dress he was rather peculiar, 

 wearing a surtout of antique cut, Hessian boots, and hair flowing over 

 his shoulders. He was born on 8th April, 1805, and, therefore, at 

 the time of his death, was within a fortnight of completing his 

 seventy-seventh year. He was the son of Mr. James Rankin, 

 shoemaker, Carluke, and practised as a surgeon in his native parish 

 for half-a-century — his patients being mostly the better-class people 

 of the parish ; while to the poor his advice was given gratuitously. 

 As a kindly representative of the old school — few of whom yet 

 survive — Dr. Rankin will be much missed in the district of Carluke, 

 and amongst the circle in which he moved. 



* The titles of these papers are subjoined. It is the more necessary that 

 they should be pointed out here from the fact that, owing to the author's 

 retiring disposition, they were published without his name. 



" Notes and Observations on Injured or Diseased Crinoids," vol. iii., p. 91. 



"Notes and Observations on Injured and Diseased Crinoids; also some 

 Short Notes on Fossils," vol. iii., p. 333. 



" Notes and Observations of Adventitious Structures on Crinoid Stems. 

 By a Corresponding Member," vol. iv., p. 73. 



