546 Biographical Notice of the late Prof. Giglioli. 



attraction, while the wonderful freshness of youth, which he 

 retained to the last, coupled with his bright intelligence and 

 cheery voice and manner, captivated and held one a willing 

 prisoner. For those who knew him intimately, moreover, he 

 had the additional great charm of loyalty and sincerity, and 

 was a true friend on whom they knew they could rely. 

 His personality was considerable, and was repeatedly called 

 into evidence, both at home and abroad, during his long 

 tenure of office. 



Although by reason of his qualifications in many ways 

 eminently fitted for a public life, Giglioli cannot be said to 

 have courted notoriety, but, on the contrary, being naturally 

 of a happy and contented disposition and wrapped up in his 

 work, wdiich was at the same time his pleasure, he seems 

 rather to have avoided it, and to have sought retirement 

 so far as was compatible with the position he occupied. He 

 was indeed probably only too thankful when an opportunity 

 presented itself for a little quiet work in his comfortable 

 study at the Natural History Museum, surrounded by his pet 

 collections. Here I used frequently to pay him a visit, and 

 after a friendly, and to me always an interesting and in- 

 structive chat, we used often to leave the Museum together 

 and walk into the town, as far as the Vieusseux Library, to 

 which Giglioli was wont to resort at the close of the day's 

 work, in order to read the newspapers, the only relaxation 

 he allowed himself. 



During my annual visits to Florence he was always 

 particularly kind in placing his library at my disposal, 

 lending me any books I might wish to consult, and generally 

 rendering me any service in his power. 



I was looking forward to meeting him again last autumn, 

 but was unfortunately prevented from leaving England as 

 early as usual, and towards the end of November I received 

 a letter from him — his last to me — in which, after deploring 

 the reason of my delayed arrival in Florence, he expressed the 

 hope that we should meet there before the 20th of December. 

 This was the date fixed for the celebration of the fortieth 

 anniversary of Giglioli's call to the Cathedra of Zoology and 



