MEMOIR OF SIR J. G. DALYELL. xxxiii 



observations, especially in regard to the medusa. So annoyed was he 

 with the conduct of the engraver, and the delay and vexation to which 

 he had been subjected, that it was with great difficulty Professor Fleming 

 and his sister persuaded him to go on with the publication. The work 

 of M. Sars came out in 1846, only one year earlier than that of Sir John. 

 The propagation of the Hydra tuba (originally the offspring of a me- 

 dusa), by throwing ofi'a series of rings or discs, after ceasing germination in 

 the ordinary way, is a fact, observes the reviewer, " our knowledge of 

 which is entirely due to the persevering researches of Sir J. G. Dalyell," 

 and it " is of fundamental importance in our philosophical interpretation 

 of this wonderful process." After several high compliments, the writer 

 concludes his learned article thus : — 



" And last, though not least, we are desirous of holding up Sir John G. Dalyell as an 

 example to our readers of every class — as a fine example of a patient, laborious, discriminat- 

 ing, and unprejudiced observer ; perseveringly carrying out his researches, not merely day 

 after day, and month after month, but year after year, and, we might almost say, ten years 

 after ten years, for the mere love of truth, without the remotest particle of that self-seeking 

 disposition, which, in these days, tempts almost every young investigator to rush into pub- 

 licity with the crude results of his inquiries, rather shunning notoriety than courting it, and 

 modestly expressing simply the facts which he has himself witnessed, without throwing doubt 

 or discredit upon the statements of others. We need not say that we shall anxiously look 

 for a continuation of the present publication ; and that we trust, alike for the sake of science 

 and for Sir J. G. Dalyell's own reputation, that it will not be long delayed." 



Although no date is affixed to the following scrap of a letter from 

 Professor James D. Dana, we have no doubt that it refers to this work : 

 — " The scientific world will be greatly indebted to you for your laboured 

 investigations on the lower aquatic animals, and I shall look forward with 

 great interest to the publication of your work. The Planula is one of 

 the most wonderful results of reproduction, and I long to see the mystery 

 fully and satisflictorily explained." Sir John had been in the habit of 

 corresponding with the writer. 



From the numerous letters of compliment received by Sir John, after 

 the publication of the " Rare Animals of Scotland," we beg to select the 

 following : — 



