386 In Memoriam : John Roche Dakyns. 



demonstration, even when, from the nature of the case, the 

 full evidence he desired was palpably unattainable. In geology, 

 as in the practical affairs of life, it is often only possible to 

 strike the balance of probabilities ; but this was a course to 

 which Dakyns hated to be driven. 



When his retirement from the Survey gave him freedom of 

 choice, he went with delight to dwell among the mountains 

 of North Wales, for which from the time of his early holidays 

 he had maintained a longing affection ; and there the remaining 

 years of his life were spent. At first he came down occasion- 

 ally in the winter to visit his friends on the plain, but latterly 

 he never left his valley under the peaks of Snowdon ; and now" 

 he lies buried at Beddgelert, overlooked by the peaks that he 

 loved so well. 



During these years in Wales he applied himself to the 

 arduous task of mapping the Snowdonian massif geologically 

 on the six-inch scale. A large portion of the work was accom- 

 plished, but it is left incomplete and unpublished. There is 

 hope, however, that his labour will not be lost, for it is likely 

 to be continued by one of his closest friends. 



His bent toward Natural Science was indicated in his 

 boyhood by his devotion to the study of birds, and by his 

 gentle care for them — traits which were sustained to the end 

 of his life. (I vividly recall his agitation, during my penultimate 

 visit to him in Wales, lest a big owl that had strayed into the 

 valley should become victim to the gunners who were in chase 

 of it). During his college career, mathematics and astronomy 

 were the subjects that especially attracted him ; but the range 

 of his intellectual interests became ever wider and more varied, 

 and he read deeply and earnestly in i~)hilosophy, history and 

 anthropology, while the old folk-lore stories were always his 

 recreation and delight. Combined with an intellect of excep- 

 tional acuteness and insight, he possessed a charming frankness 

 and simplicity of chai^acter that gained him friends in every 

 rank. His personality was striking ; his disposition truly 

 lovable ; and his life's path was everywhere marked by deeds 

 of unobtrusive generosity and kindness. He remained un- 

 married, though his tenderness towards children was always 

 notable. His affection for all dumb animals was unbounded ; 

 and his whole-hearted devotion to his favourite dog is likety 

 to become legendary in the valley of his last abode. 



Such are the main facts of his life. And finally, let me touch 



Naturalist, 



