OBITUARY NOTICE OF PROF. LAWSON. XXVIL 
Prof, Lawson’s scientific work began in 1846, when, at the early age 
of 19 years, he communicated a series of papers to the Phytologist, 
embodying the results of botanical observations. From that time until 
the present, but few years passed in which he did not make some con- 
tribution, smaller or larger, to the advancement either of his favorite 
subject of Botany or some allied subject. Before coming to Canada, 
as already stated, he had made a distinct reputation as a botanist, having 
published in this department of science forty-four papers and one book, 
and having prepared the manuscript of a second book, which, 
however, through the death of one of the members of the firm 
which had undertaken to issue it, was never published. In addition, he- 
had published a few papers in other departments of natural science, a 
work on British agriculture, and the Catalogue of the Royal Society’s 
Library, and he had for two years issued a monthly serial containing 
treatises on the field crops of Britain. 
During his five years residence at Kingston his scientific activity 
was unabated, notwithstanding the large amount of work which fell to 
his hands in organizing the science teaching of Queen’s College. To 
this period belong thirteen botanical papers, one chemical paper, and 
one agricultural pamphlet. In this period also falls the organization of 
the Botanical Society of Canada, which he was largely instrumental in 
founding 
g, and which, in the few years of its active existence, did good 
work in promoting the study of botany in Canada. 
During his residence in Halifax, Prof. Lawson published thirty-one 
botanical papers, four on chemical subjects and one in zoology. In 
addition he issued the Journal of Agriculture for twelve years, the 
annual reports of the Secretary of Agriculture for thirty years, the 
crop reports of Nova Scotia for six years, a special report on cattle pas- 
tures. and the Nova Scotia register of thoroughbred cattle. It will be 
noticed that the amount of his scientific work, so far as it can be judged 
by mere number of papers, was smaller during the last period than in 
either of the others. This was of course due to the heavy demands 
which his duties as Secretary of Agriculture made upon his time. In 
the interest of pure science, therefore, his appointment to this office is 
to be regretted. But if we take a wider view, and consider the great 
services which, as Secretary, he rendered to the farming industry, it 
may be that the loss to pure science was balanced, and perhaps over- 
balanced, by the improvements in the applications of science which he 
was able to effect in Nova Scotia. 
