PROCEEDINGS FOR 1913 XV 



the moon; 2. The rigidity of the earth. 3. The effect of tidal friction 

 in the retardation of the earth's rotation; 4. A more accurate knowl- 

 edge of the tide-currents over the surface of the ocean; 5. The effect 

 of the wind on the tides from meteorological investigations carried on 

 simultaneously. No one w4io has studied the work of Lord Kelvin and 

 Sir George Darwin would be disposed to assign a minor part to the study 

 of the theory of tides; or to overlook the part such a study has played 

 in our increasing knowledge of cosmic evolution. 



Closely allied to his interest in the tides was Dr. Johnson's anxious 

 wish that greatly increased attention should be paid to coast-surv^eys; 

 these surveys would naturally connect with surveys of a more extended 

 character, both geodetic and hydrographie. 



Any notice of Dr. Johnson's professional career would be incom- 

 plete were the fact overlooked that he carried the burden of teaching 

 Physics as well as Mathematics for many years and laid the foundation 

 securely at McGill University for the late great developments associated 

 with the MacDonald Physical Laboratory. The importance of this 

 preparatory work was fully recognized by Prof. Ernest Rutherford. 

 That Dr. Johnson's love for this side of science did not wane with the 

 years was shown by his regular attendance at the meetings of the 

 McGill University Physical Society and by the keenness and enthusiasm 

 with which he watched the rise of the new subject of Radioactivity from 

 the time of the pioneer work of the Curies and Beequerel to its present 

 commanding position. 



(4). — Rev. George W. Taylor. 



The Rev. George W. Taylor, Entomologist, Conchologist, and Mar- 

 ine Biologist, was a man of varied gifts and of untiring energy. He 

 was so little given to parading his very remarkable knowledge of Zool- 

 ogy and other Sciences, including Botany and Geology, that only in- 

 timate friends realized how versatile he was. A warm friend, and the 

 best of comrades in the field, he was undemonstrative and often severe 

 in manner, and created a wrong impression, at times, in the minds of 

 many who met him only occasionally, or in a casual way. 



He was chosen a Fellow of The Royal Society in 1894,but was rarely 

 able to be present at the annual meeting in Ottawa owing to his resi- 

 dence on the Pacific coast. When last in the capital, in 1908, he had 

 a cordial reception, and saw much of his great friend the lamented Dr- 

 James Fletcher, and of a large circle of Ottawa friends, who were de- 

 lighted to see him once more in their midst. 



A native of Derby, England, he became connected with the local 

 Museum in that great railway centre and gained a reputation as a 



