OBITUARY NOTICE OF PROF. LA.WSOX. XXV11 



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 Eoyal 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, 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 Xova Scotia. 



