

Yuly 20, 1871] 

behind him ready for publication a large work on the 
Embryology of Insects, and an immense collection of 
microscopic preparations, of great value, of Annelids. 
Perhaps the most striking discovery recorded in any of 
M. Claparéde’s writings (which should, however, be judged 
by the accumulated value of their immense number of 
anatomical observations) is one among those relating to 
the Annelids of the Bay of Naples. Claparéde found that 
the WMereis Dumeriliz lays eggs, sexually fertilised, which, 
on hatching, produce a worm which had been placed in 
quite a distinct genus (Hed¢evonere?s), and this worm lays 
similar true eggs, which produce sometimes a second kind 
of Heteronereis, or at other seasons the original form 
Nereis Dumeriict again. The difference between Hezero- 
nereis and /Vereis is very great, and one extending into 
such details as the form of the setz of the feet. At pre- 
sent this appears to be the only vea/ case of alternation of 
generations on record, if, by “ generations,” we understand 
“sexual generations.” 
Whilst working so largely as an original observer, M. 
Claparéde occupied himself also in reviewing the labours 
of others from time to time in the Archives Suisses 
published at Lausanne. Though holding the title of 
Professor in the Academy of Geneva, we believe he never 
(certainly not of late years) gave any public lectures on 
zoology ; yet that he was admirably fitted for such work, 
had he thought fit to devote his time to it, is evident 
from the admirable style of his writings, especially the 
reviews and criticisms published in the Archives Suzsses. 
His criticism of Mr. Wallace’s views on the Descent of 
Man is known te our readers. Having access to the 
French world of science as a speaker and writer of the | 
French language, and being thoroughly familiar with 
German writings and thought, both from education and 
continued association, M. Clapartde appears to have 
taken an honest delight in every now and then dealing 
a severe blow at some one or other of the French 
naturalists who might venture to exhibit superficiality 
or dishonesty in his field of study. Dujardin is 
roughly handled in the “Recherches sur les Infu- 
soires ;” Rouget also, who appears to have personally 
resented the correction. Balbiani’s researches on the 
development of the aphides are made the subject of 
special investigation by M. Claparéde, who, three years 
since, studied the embryology of a species of aphis at 
Naples solely with the view of testing some extraordinary 
statements then recently advanced hy the French doctor, 
and came to the conclusion that they were utterly un- 
founded, and that M. Balbiani had not done justice to 
the work of his predecessors, which conclusions he stated 
in very plain language. Theattack on M. de Quatrefages, 
gracefully made and richly deserved, was perhaps the 
most entertaining. For M. de Quatrefages, charged to 
present to the French Academy the work which was 
dedicated to him, and in which, while his good work was 
appreciated, his errors were exposed, thought it advisable 
to reply to some of M. Claparéde’s criticisms, and dis- 
played some temper, and even hinted that the dedication 
was objectionable. The sequel to this is ts be found in 
the dedication of the second volume of the “ Annélides du 
Golfe de Naples.” It is dedicated to Delle Chiaje. Per- 
haps, says M. Claparéde, were he alive he would object 
to this dedication ; he would see with regret many of his 
errors pointed out ; although so much of his work is here 
confirmed, human vanity would suggest to him to refuse 
the dedication of a work, to which, however, posterity 
considers he is justly entitled. It is, he concludes, easier 
sometimes to dedicate a book to a dead than to a living 
man, 
The ardent naturalist, the accurate observer, the bril- 
liant artist, the keen critic, the lucid exponent, has ceased 
his work, but has left a name which may well cheer the 
most faint-hearted among us—even those who feel to want 
the physical vigour of their fellows—for it is to be remem- 
NATURE 

2245 

bered that the works which do most honour tc the name 
of Edouard Claparéde were the labours of a dying man. 
Ee Rees 

ALEXANDER KEITH FOHNSTON, LL.D. 
MEMOIR of Mr, Johnston would be the record of 
a life laboriously and successfully devoted to the 
spread and popularisation of a single science. Mr. John- 
ston’s first maps, the result of a walking excursion through 
the north of Scotland, appeared in 1830, and were issued in 
a Traveller’s Guide-Book. His first large work was the 
“ National Atlas,” folio, on which he was assiduously en- 
gaged for upwards of five years, having projected and 
drawn the greater part of the maps (forty-five in number) 
and written nearly all the names they contain with his 
ownhand. This work went through many editions, and 
was considered the best of its time. 
Having, in the course of his residence in Germany, 
been much interested in the writings of Ritter, Humboldt, 
and Berghaus, on Physical Geography, and having learned 
that Humboldt had éxpressed a desire to see an English 
physical atlas constructed in a manner suited to the taste 
of the British public, and on a scale sufficient to admit of 
entering fully on the details of physical phenomena, Mr, 
Johnston visited Germany in 1842, travelling from Ham- 
burgh to Vienna, collecting materials for such a work, and 
making arrangements for an extensive correspondence. 
Previous to the commencement of Keith Jolinston’s 
Atlas, Physical Geography was an unknown term in 
Briiain. Hence it was predicted that the work would be 
a failure, and it required great faith to enable him to per- 
severe in his self-imposed task. He was unfortunate in 
his first publisher, who was not able to do much with so 
expensive a work ; however, the first edition was sold off, 
and a second was called for, and published in 1856, The 
two editions occupied Mr. Johnston ten years of the best 
period of his life. These writings procured for him, in 
1850, a Fellowship in the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 
In 1850 appeared the first edition of his “ Dictionary 
of Geography, Descriptive, Physical, Statistical, and 
Historical,” 1 vol. 8vo., on a new plan, embracing numerous 
facts in the different branches of science not before noticed 
in similar works. 
In 1851 the author constructed a Physical Globe of 
the carth, thirty inches in diameter, showing in colours 
its Geology, Hydrography, Meteorology, &c, &c. For 
this, the first Physical Globe ever drawn, the medal o7 
the Great Exhibition of 1851 was awarded. The globe 
was not intended to be published. 
Between 1851 and 1855, he constructed and published 
for educational purposes four Atlases, royal $vo.—namely, 
General, Classical, Physical, and Astronomnical, and ore 
Elementary Atlas, small 4to. All these have been im- 
proved, some of them re-engraved, and as many as from 
five to thirty editions of each have been published, oF 
1,000 copies each. In 1852 he prepared an Atlas of Mili- 
tary Geography to accompany Alison’s “ History of 
Europe,” 1 vol. 4to. ‘‘his work was most favourably 
reviewed, and commended by military men. 
In 1855 was commenced the “ Royal Atlas of Modern 
Geography,” on which the author brought to bear the geo- 
graphical experience gained during the labours of a quarter 
of a century. 
In 1865 the University of Edinburgh conferred on him 
the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. 
During the last four years Mr. Keith Johnston was 
engaged in the production and increase of a complete 
series of geographic works for schools. 
From the brief notice which appeared in our last 
number, it will be seen that Mr, Johnston may be said to 
have died in harness, his active labours having been car- 
ried on till the close of his life, 
A 
