2 
to the scientific staff of Scott’s first Antarctic Expedition (1901-4), 
for which one alone could be accepted. To the rejected applicant 
fell the consolation of compiling for the use of his successful 
“rival” the chapter on seals in the Anxtarctec Manual (1901). 
We considered ourselves exceptionally fortunate when Wilson 
found himself able to undertake the work, and he threw himself 
into it with all the ardour and enthusiasm of the simple-minded 
naturalist that he was. The “free hand,” so often longed for, 
so rarely permitted, was granted, the result being a long series 
of drawings which we contend mark a new epoch in the illus- 
tration of a British book of the present class. The only cause 
for regret is that the processes of reproduction have toned down 
Wilson’s colour, always his strong point. So keen was he about 
his illustrations, that he made a special journey to Shetland to 
study whales at the whaling stations ; and he confidently hoped 
to bring back from his long voyage to the Antarctic much 
new information to form the basis of further illustrations of 
the Cetacea. 
On Wilson’s second departure to the Antarctic a few draw- 
ings were still wanting to finish the scheme, and we think we 
may congratulate ourselves on having secured Mr Guy Dollmann, 
of the British Museum of Natural History, to complete the 
task. Mr M. A. C. Hinton has also supplied many technical 
drawings, his unique knowledge of the skulls and teeth of our 
extinct micromammalia making his work peculiarly valuable. 
Of the man Wilson we say little, as he himself would 
undoubtedly have wished. Simplicity, straightforwardness, 
patience, enthusiasm, were all strong points in his character. 
One could not associate with him without feeling that one had 
gained something. While his natural breadth of mind must 
sometimes have revolted against the minute detail inseparable 
from mammalogy, he yet lavished the most careful attention on 
the numerous technical diagrams, to master the meaning of 
which meant much study on what was to him a novel subject. A 
dreamer of great dreams, it was sometimes necessary to call 
