42 MEMORIAL TRIBUTE 



did not include the subjects of his teaching. Even 

 brother professors, unable to resist his magnetic 

 influence, were not unfrequently seen on the benches 

 in front of him. The late Professor Blackie, 

 then occupant of the Humanity Chair in Marischal 

 College, actually enrolled himself as one of his 

 students ! 



An example of MacGillivray's wonderful aptitude 

 for work connected with his chair, and of the rapidity, 

 and at the same time careful accuracy, with which he 

 was able to accomplish it, was the preparation and 

 publication, within two years of his appointment, of 

 his History of the Mollusca of the North- East of 

 Scotland. That work includes, with very full descrip- 

 tions, upwards of 300 species, all of which, except 

 one, had, he says, been carefully examined by him- 

 self, while he had gathered two - thirds of them 

 with his own hands about twenty being new to 

 science. 



In the work of collecting he was aided by mem- 

 bers of his own family, by students, and by friends 

 resident in various parts of the adjoining districts, 

 all of whom, inspired by him, were more than 

 willing to contribute to his work any aid in their 

 power. 



In his preface to that book he remarks : " I present 

 it " (the book) " with confidence to the public, because I 

 am conscious of having produced it with great care, and 

 because I think it will be useful." It was intended, 

 he says, for his pupils and persons commencing the 



