576 Obituary—John Roche Dakyns, M.A. 
Riding. The results of his labours are given on the Geological 
Survey maps, and (as part author) in the memoirs on North 
Derbyshire (1869), the Yorkshire Coal-field (1869 and 1878), Leeds 
and Tadcaster (1870), Dewsbury, Huddersfield, and Halifax (1871), 
the Burnley Coal-field (1875), Bradford and Skipton (1879), 
Bridlington Bay (1885), York and Hull (1886), Driffield (1886), 
Kendal and Sedbergh (2nd ed., 1888), Ingleborough (1890), Maller- 
stang (1891), and Appleby (1897). On the mountains and uplands 
of the Lower Carboniferous rocks Dakyns was in his element, 
whereas when surveying for a time in the lowlands of Holderness 
he was by no means so buoyant in spirits. On the completion of the 
1 inch geological map of England and Wales in 1884 he was 
transferred to the Scottish branch of the Geological Survey, and was 
engaged for ten years in mapping parts of the Forest of Athole, the 
country westwards to the borders of Argyllshire, and that around 
Loch Lomond in the counties of Stirling and Dumbarton. So far as 
mountain scenery was concerned Dakyns was in a kind of paradise, but 
the uncertainties of the geology sorely taxed him, and he was heard 
on one occasion to remark that hell was paved with Highland schists. 
In conjunction with Dr. Teall he communicated to the Geological 
Society mm 1892 an important paper ‘‘On the Plutonic Rocks of 
Garabal Hill and Meall Breac’’. 
In 1894 Dakyns was transferred to South Wales to take part in the 
re-survey, on the 6 inch scale, of the Coal-field and bordering rocks. 
There he rejoiced in mapping the hilly ground of Old Red Sandstone 
and Lower Carboniferous rocks around Abergavenny, and he con- 
tributed to the memoir on that area, which was published in 1900. 
He retired from the Geological Survey on April 30, 1896, soon 
after attaining the age of 60, and took up his residence at Snowdon 
View, Beddgelert, where he spent a pleasant and happy time 
geologizing in that mountain region. He re-mapped on the 6 inch 
scale the greater part of Snowdon, together with much of the adjacent 
country; and his maps and notes embody important revisions and 
additions to the knowledge of the district. It is much to be desired 
that this work should see the light; and as one of his intimate friends 
is, we understand, about to complete the parts left unfinished, we may 
hope that this will be accomplished before long. ‘Through the results 
of a chill his active life was terminated after a brief illness, in his 
75th year. 
Although he never became a Fellow of the Geological Society, 
Dakyns communicated to that Society in 1872 a paper ‘‘On the 
Glacial: Phenomena of the Yorkshire Uplands”; he was a frequent 
contributor to the GrotogrcaL Magazine, on subjects relating more 
especially to Carboniferous and Igneous rocks, to Glacial Phenomena 
and Cave-deposits, and he was author also of papers published by the 
Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Society. Extremely original 
in character, and very widely read, intercourse with him possessed. 
unusual fascinations; moreover, being full of sympathy for all living 
beings, and a staunch friend, he was endeared to all who had the 
privilege of his acquaintance. 
H. B. W. & E.G. 
