8l2 WILLIAM HERBERT HO BBS 



of Prague and Vienna, where his field of specialization was pale- 

 ontology. In the Austrian capital, his home since 1845, he was 

 in 1852 made an assistant in the geological department of the 

 Hofmuseum and carried out important studies on graptolites and 

 brachiopods. Five years later he was made ausserordentlicher 

 Professor in the university while still retaining his position in the 

 Hofmuseum. Later this museum work had to be given up because 

 of increasing duties in the university, and in 1867 he was made 

 ordentlicher Professor, or full professor, of geology. After occupy- 

 ing this chair for thirty-four years, he delivered his farewell address 

 July 13, 1 90 1, as much revered as a teacher as he was distinguished 

 as scholar and seer. Among his students he numbered such emi- 

 nent geologists as Neumayr, Mojsisovics, Fuchs, Waagen, Penck, 

 and the venerable Judd, who has so delightfully described the 

 relations which existed between the master and his disciples. He 

 tells us: "Amid all the fun and frolic, the signs of affectionate 

 respect and devotion to the great teacher were never for a moment 

 wanting." The generations of students which assembled for the 

 farewell lecture in Vienna ranged "from the renowned and gray- 

 haired members of the Royal Academy to the young fellows with 

 sharp eyes." Looking out over this remarkable assembly, Suess 

 thus concluded his address : 



Bulwer Lytton says in his novel: "When a man of great age is surrounded 

 by children, he then sees at the end of his days, not a period, but a comma." 

 This applies in equal measure to the inquirer and his students. This is my 

 good fortune which today becomes my portion 



And now I have reached the comma. When I became teacher, I did not 

 cease to be a student ; and now that I cease to be a teacher, I shall not cease 

 to be a student so long as my eyes see, my ears hear, and my hands can grasp. 

 With this wish, I therefore do not step out, but take up my former position'. 



And now I thank you all from the depths of my heart for your presence, 

 and beg of you to retain for me a friendly remembrance. 



From this discourse, which fortunately has been published in 

 English translation,^ one is tempted to quote at length, since it 

 reveals the springs of Suess's powerful influence over all who came 



' Charles Schuchert, "Farewell Lecture by Professor Eduard Suess on Resigning 

 His Professorship," Jour. GeoL, XII (1904), 264-75. 



