90 OOitxan/— Professor Karl A. von Zlttcl. 



OBITXJ.A.I^~S^- 



PROFESSOR KARL ALFRED VON ZITTEL. 

 BoRX September 2-5, 1839. Died January 5, 1904. 



It would be difficult to estimate the loss sustained by geological 

 and palaiontological science through the lamentable death of 

 Professor K. A. von Zittel, of Munich, who for many years has 

 occupied so eminent a position as a writer and teacher in these 

 subjects, and has been rightl}' regarded as the most eminent of 

 all exponents in the domain of palaeontology. To those who are 

 acquainted with the splendid work of von Zittel, the sudden termi- 

 nation of his brilliant career will come as a shock ; among all who 

 had personal dealings with the man himself, more especially the 

 fortunate ones who, in the capacity of ])upils, were privileged to 

 enjoy the advantages of daily intercourse with a teacher so inspiring 

 and so lovable, there will not be one who does not experience 

 poignant regret and a genuine sense of personal bereavement. 



To the Professor's rare personal qualities and the unfailingly 

 cordial and courteous attitude he displayed towards colleagues and 

 students, must in no small measure be attributed the great success 

 achieved by the Munich school of palseontology during the long- 

 period of von Zittel's tenure of the chair. By his zeal and 

 thoroughness in handling the subject to which he patiently and 

 strenuously devoted so great a part of his energies, he directly 

 accomplished much for science, but also afforded an example which 

 must clearly have borne valuable fruits, especially when we note 

 that his teaching was a reflection of his own admirable method. 

 Au exceptionally lucid and eloquent lecturer. Professor von Zittel 

 regarded palaeontology primarily in its correct aspect as an im- 

 portant branch of biology, and his influence was in no slight degree 

 responsible for the important status which his special subject has 

 attained among the sciences in Germany, a position which even 

 yet seems to be most reluctantly accorded to it in this country. 

 A striking feature of the late Professor's discourses on palseozoology 

 consisted in the remarkably even treatment which he devoted to 

 all parts of the sul)ject ; he seemed to possess an equally extensive 

 knowledge when dealing in turn with each class of animals, while 

 throughout his lengthy course of lectures his deliverances were 

 frequently brightened by an inspiring enthusiasm. 



Scrupulous thoroughness, accurate observation, and cautious 

 interpretation were the principles upon which Professor von Zittel 

 most strongly insisted ; and if he hesitated to express himself 

 concerning the philosophic and speculative aspects of his subject, 

 and, in his published writings, maintained in regard to these 

 a somewhat conservative attitude, we may perceive in this reticence 

 evidence of that cautious and judicial spirit which has ensured 

 soundness and lasting value in his own work and in that of many 

 of his disciples. In an excellent article recently contributed to the 

 columns of Nature, to which the present writer is indebted for 



