OBITUAKY. 



John Francis Campbell (of Islay), F.G.S., was a well-known 

 geologist some years ago, but for some time he had published little. 



Born on 29th December, 182 1, he at first seemed likely to in- 

 herit a large estate, but shortly after he came of age he lost it. 

 He therefore studied law, but in 1855 ne became private secretary 

 to the Duke of Argyle, and afterwards to the Mines Commission, 

 and the Lighthouse Commission ; and from 1860-80 he held posts 

 in the Queen's household. He died at Cannes on nth February, 

 1885. His duties required frequent journeys into Iceland, Scan- 

 dinavia, through Russia, Egypt, Syria, India, and Eastern Asia. 



His natural taste led him to the study of Geology, for which 

 his journeys afforded him numerous opportunities. His books 

 are, however, more directed to pointing out defects in the work 

 of others than to original investigations. 



They are, " My Circular Notes," "Frost and Fire," " Glaciation," 

 "Something from the Gold-diggings of Sutherland." In them 

 geological observations are mingled with incidents of his travels. 



He also interested himself greatly in the folk-lore of the West 

 Highlanders, the results of which were published in well-known 

 books, entitled " Popular Tales of the West Highlands." Besides 

 the above, he occupied himself with solar physics, and invented a 

 heliometer, which has received high praise from eminent physicists. 



Thomas Davidson, L.L.D., F.R.S., had for years been recognised 

 as the leading authority on " Brachiopoda," and especially on the 

 fossil species. On this group of animals he wrote standard works, 

 several of which were published by the Palseontographical Society, 

 while others were published in France. Dr. Davidson was born 

 in Edinburgh in 181 7, of a good family in Midlothian; but he was 

 taken to France at an early age, and there he was for the most 

 part educated, though for a brief period he was a student in the 



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