152 



in jffflemorfam. 



FREDERIC KITTON. 



It is with the greatest possible regret that we have to record 

 the death of our esteemed Hon. Member Mr. F. Kitton, which 

 occurred at his residence, 8, West Kensington Terrace, W., on 

 July 22nd last. Born at Cambridge in April, 1827, as a youth 

 he entered a lawyer's office ; force of circumstances, however, 

 compelled him to leave the University town for Norwich, and to 

 associate himself with a wholesale and retail tobacco business, with 

 which an uncle was also connected. The proprietor, Mr. Robert 

 Wigham, was well known in Norwich as a practical botanist, and it 

 was doubtless he who first inspired Mr. Kitton with a love of botany 

 and kindred subjects, more particularly such as required the aid of 

 the microscope, an instrument already beginning to take its place 

 as an indispensable companion in such pursuits. Somewhat later 

 he took up the special study of the Diatomacea?, a field in 

 which he soon distinguished himself, and became everywhere 

 regarded as an expert in this department of microscopy. It is to 

 be feared, indeed, that this peculiarly fascinating study somewhat 

 interrupted, or caused him to neglect his ordinary business con- 

 cerns, which really never possessed any attractions for Mr. Kitton ; 

 but, be this as it may, it is certain that his place of business in 

 Norwich was frequented by many to whom the purchase of tobacco, 

 either wholesale or retail, was of very subordinate importance to 

 the views or opinions of the proprietor on matters which had no 

 relation whatsoever with commerce. The activity of Mr. Kitton 

 in his favourite pursuit is best shown by his numerous papers in 

 various scientific publications and Transactions of Learned 

 Societies, a complete list of which, we understand, will be put 

 together by his son, Mr. F. G. Kitton, and also by his very large 

 correspondence with almost every diatomist of eminence in all 

 parts of the world. With advancing years, and latterly from 



