Dr. A. Geikie, F.R.S. 51 



been the author of many essays and reviews — signed and unsigned — 

 in the leading reviews and journals. Some of these were selected 

 and published in 1882 in a volume entitled " Geological Sketches at 

 Home and Abroad." The main aim of these writings has been to make 

 Science intelligible and interesting to those outside of the circle of 

 actual workers. He has also written a number of biographical 

 notices of his contemporaries published in " Nature," and in the 

 Journals or Proceedings of scientific societies. Two larger bio- 

 graphies — " Memoirs of Edward Forbes " (in conjunction with Dr. 

 George Wilson), and the "Life of Murchison"— the latter giving a 

 sketch of the rise and progress of Palaeozoic Geology in Britain, 

 are also from the same prolific pen. 



Those who are familiar with Dr. Geikie's style will, we feel 

 sure, agree with us, that he is one of the pleasantest and most 

 attractive writers of our time. His articles have adorned the pages 

 of this Magazine, since its commencement in July, 1864, and have 

 always been most valuable and suggestive, whether they dealt with 

 some special geological phenomenon, such as "the Old Man of Hoy;" 

 •" a volcanic bomb in the cliff at Burntisland," or with broad subjects 

 such as subaerial denudation and the physical features and scenery 

 of a country, or the volcanic phenomena of the British Islands. 



In these and kindred subjects, Dr. Geikie has shown, not only the 

 pen of the ready writer, but also the pencil of the accomplished 

 artist, and doubtless much of the charm he possesses is due to the 

 combined power to take in and fix rapidly with pencil, as well as 

 graphically to describe, the salient features of the country he is 

 traversing. 



It is satisfactory to know that the continuous labour and scientific 

 studies of Dr. Geikie have not passed without recognition. He has 

 been elected into many scientific societies at home and abroad. He 

 entered the Royal Society before reaching the age of 30, a most 

 unusual honour; has been Vice-President, and was recently elected 

 Foreign Secretary of that Society. Within the last few months the 

 Berlin Academy has placed him in its ranks, the Royal Academy 

 of Sciences of Gottingen has elected him to the vacancy caused by 

 the death of the illustrious Studer — the Nestor of Swiss geology, 

 and the Imperial Leopold-Caroline Academy — the oldest scientific 

 Society of Germany — has enrolled him among its members. Dr. 

 Geikie has also been the recipient of the Murchison medal of the 

 Geological Society, and has twice received the MacDougal Brisbane 

 Gold Medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He is an Honorary 

 LL.D. of the Universities of St. Andrew's and Edinburgh. 



The Geological Survey of the United Kingdom has every reason 

 to congratulate itself in having for its Director-General not only 

 a practical geologist, but a gentleman so widely known and respected 

 and of such scholarly attainments as Professor Archibald Geikie. 



It is an open secret we believe, with most scientific men about 

 London, that Dr. Geikie is the President-designate of the Geological 

 Society, a choice which will be sure to meet with the cordial support 

 and approval of all its Fellows. 



