Vol. xxviii.n jj^^ j^i^ j^^^ Q J ^^^^^^ ^ ^^ ^^ 



1911 



THE LATE MR. O. A. SAYCE, A.L.S. 



OcTAVius Albert Sayce, whose death was announced in the 

 last Naturalist, was educated at the Scotch College, Melbourne. 

 On leaving school he entered a softgoods warehouse, where in 

 due course he was entrusted with some of the town travelling. 

 About this time he became interested in the application of 

 the microscope, with the result that this instrument hence- 

 forth became his hobby. Evidently of a scientific turn of 

 mind, he entered on a course of practical chemistry, devoting 

 special attention to ferments, and later set up as a manu- 

 facturer on a small scale ; but his efforts did not bring sufficient 

 reward, and he became country traveller for Rocke, Tompsitt 

 and Co., wholesale chemists, with whom he remained many 

 years, becoming town traveller, and making many friends 

 among the pharmaceutical chemists of the metropolis. Though 

 offered inside work of a more responsible kind, his somewhat 

 delicate health compelled him to live an outdoor life as much as 

 possible. While in this employ he applied his knowledge of 

 microscopy to the examination of various pathological speci- 

 mens for medical men, which led him to the study of bacteria and 

 other allied forms. In this, as in other branches of science, 

 he became an adept, and as a result obtained a position on 

 the University staff. 



He was an original member of the Field Naturalists' Club, 

 having been elected in May, 1880. He was a member of com- 

 mittee in 1886-7, and librarian in 1887-8. His frequent 

 absence from town prevented him from taking an active part 

 in Club affairs for some years, but in 1895 he was again elected 

 librarian, and held that office for six years. In the years 1901-2 

 and IQ02-3 he was one of the vice-presidents, and during 1903-5 

 held the position of president. 



As a field naturalist he took up entomology, and was first 

 attracted by the Coleoptera. He was, however, a keen ex- 

 perimenter, and, recognizing that microscopy (which he had 

 studied some years before) was his forte, became a remarkably 

 expert manipulator. His knowledge of chemistry gave him 

 a great advantage in the use of stains, and he attained a 

 thorough knowledge of these, both theoretical and practical — 

 a knowledge that afterwards stood him in good stead. 



A course of practical biology, under the Rev. W. Fielder, 

 opened a new world to him, and he soon rivalled his master in 

 technique. Then followed several years of steady work with 

 the scalpel and microtome. A pleasing incident may be re- 

 lated. He sent a copy of his first important histological paper, 

 on Gryllotalpa, to a well-known English biologist, who at once 

 recognized the ability of the author. The acknowledgment 



