354 Obituary. 



and F. D, Godman, with others of the brotlierhood, stayed 

 for some little time at the Bull Hotel, in order to take part 

 in the proceedings. 



Simpson's latest expeditions in the pursuit of ornithology 

 took place during the years 1859 and 1860, chiefly in Greece, 

 but also to a less extent in that part of Turkey known 

 as the Dobrudscha, which has since become a portion of 

 the State of Rumania. In Greece he had the advantage of 

 the company of Dr. Kriiper during part of the time, especially 

 in the neighbourhood of Mcsolonghi, where some interesting 

 captures were made. He was able to study the country 

 both in its summer and its winter aspect, and the results of 

 his experiences are recorded in some of the earlier volumes 

 of 'The Ibis/ 



Shortly after his return from Turkey, viz. in June 1860, 

 he attended the memorable meeting of the British Asso- 

 ciation at Oxford, where there w^as a considerable gathering 

 of original members of the B. O. U. The general results 

 of that meeting are a matter of history, but the more 

 immediate result ;is regards the ornithologists present was 

 to confirm their leaning towards the doctrine of Evolution, 

 then for the first time brought to the notice of the public. 



Simpson made a trip to Switzerland in the spring of 1861, 

 and several interesting finds were the result, such as the 

 Golden Eagle from Ben Laoghal, the Grey-lag Goose from 

 Loch Laoghal, and two or three complete nests of the 

 Greenshank — substantially the last eggs he took. 



Henceforth he determined to devote his energies to some- 

 thing more practical, and, as a preliminary course, to undertake 

 his own re-education, so as to be less dependent on classical 

 knowledge only. With this object in view, in the winter of 

 1862-63, he studied chemistry under Playfair at Edinburgh, 

 where he obtained the University medal in that branch of 

 science. Subsequently, for three successive winters, he con- 

 tinued those studies at the Royal College of Chemistry in 

 London, and ultimately set up his own laboratory in Chelsea, 

 where he was able to conduct mineral analysis on his own 

 account. 



