The only contribution to geological literature which we owe to 
<'nm-c!;dl i- die chapter from his pen on tin- plnsical structure of the 
^lomite M ; hi s shows no sign of independent 
work it indicates that the writer had studied the more important 
books and papers relating to the physical geography and geology 
of the region, and proves that he was no mere'snmmarist, but one 
who was competent to discuss and criticise the hypotheses that had 
been advanced with regard to the origin of dolomite. " In the 
two aspects of alpinist and geologist," remarks one who is himself 
equally and eminently both, "my general impression is that 
Churchill was a true lover of the Alps without being a climber 
in the technical sense, and had a good general acquaintance with 
geology without being a specialist, I imagine, but here I am 
venturing off my own ground, that in his knowledge of the 
Alpine flora he was second only to Ball." 
This estimate of Churchill's acquaintance with the vegetation of 
the Alps is probably just : Ins kim-.y h,dg - (i f alpine was extensive 
and nun ute, nor was hlew alone indebted to him for the accurate 
determination <>l critical species. Another friend of many 
}e;u ' s ^"uliiu:, (o who,,, -arden Churchill paid annual visits, 
writes:—' As \ye went round tiw garden he was ready to examine 
every plant and to tell me if it was rightly or wrongly named. 
If he was uncertain he would take some of the plant home and in 
a few days came a full account of it, with the authorities. He was 
most painstaking and with his kind courtesy it seemed as if 
nothing gave him so much pleasure as to hunt out for a friend all 
he information m his power. I always felt that when I got his 
decision on a plant I had touched rock." 
th^w tS ° f ther ^European had little attraction for him, unless 
be herefrom the iHimalayasor from AJpine Chinaandwere related 
to Kurop.an species. Little of his great and critical knowledge 
i made gen.. rally available, though he 
the work of others and sometimes, as 
f lie of ball's tables of the distribution of 
nth side of the Alps, for the posthumous 
^'~ f 7r botauisrs :»•*; indebted to the piety of the 
Director of Kew, he supplemented this interest with direct 
active encouragement. 
Another instance of his 
by the appearance of 
n,,| nnther light he describes (Jmw -'n ; 
there mor P n,„i 17 ' tiiat .the more he examined the (Vnuaiis 
asw,ll ; :',, v of hybrids 
tin af e ^ , - l:i fonns. Also if you would 
y tew specimens of any plants that look like G. germemica, W. 
and activ 
merest m matters alpine was aiforded 
the Journal of the r 1 ^ "^ Gentians ; Notes and 
