Sir a W. Thomson. 281 



3. " On the Analogy between the Processes of Reproduc- 

 tion in the Plant and in the Hydroid Zoophyte." July 1854. 



4. " Notes on the Character of the Vegetation of Fuegia 

 and Southern Patagonia." May 1877. 



Since this notice was read to the Society, the Com- 

 missioners of Supply for the County of Linlithgow 

 unanimously passed a minute of condolence with Lady 

 Thomson and her son. The meeting further agreed to set 

 on foot a Committee charged to take steps to rear a 

 monument to Sir Wyville Thomson in his native parish, 

 and probably to take steps also to perpetuate his name in 

 some suitable way in connection with the University of 

 Edinburgh, At this meeting Mr Chalmers thus spoke of 

 his lamented fellow-commissioner and former pupil at 

 Merchiston Castle School : — 



"When a boy lie was a universal favourite with his school 

 fellows, and was highly esteemed by his teachers for his conscien- 

 tious discharge of every duty. In his riper years every one who was 

 favoured with his acquaintance and friendship can bear testimony 

 to the delightful urbanity of his manner, and his charming social 

 qualities. He was no pedant ; he never bored people Avith his 

 scientific lore ; but whether at his own table entertaining guests, or 

 joining in the innocent hilarities of a garden or lawn-tennis party, 

 lie was remarkable for the pleasantry and geniality of his conversa- 

 tion. At the same time, if one introduced any scientific subject, or 

 wished information, he was ever ready to impart it, and entered into 



the question eo?i amore When at home, and even after his 



return from the Challenger expedition, when, owing to the vast 

 amount of work he had on hand, under the burden of which his 

 health and strength too prematurely gave way, he might have been 

 excused from attending our meetings, and those of the Justice of 

 Peace Courts, he was found invariably at his post if his health 

 permitted ; and it is with melanclioly regret I recall the last public 

 occasion on which he presided on the bench, on the 22nd of Peh- 

 ruary last, just sixteen days before his death, spending two or three 

 hours in trying some comparatively trifling cases. On my return 

 home from court that day I found his medical man caUing at my 

 house, and on my mentioning that Sir Wyvihe had been presiding 

 at the court, Dr Hunter shook his head, and said he ought not to 

 have been there. His fears were, alas ! too soon realised. On 

 the mornhig of the Fiars Court day, the 10th of March, he was 



called away to another world and land at rest It was a real 



pleasure to meet him in his own home. So universally known 

 among men of science, one freciuently met there men of the highest 

 distinction in all the varied departments of natural history. One 



