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OBITUARY NOTICE: EDWARD COLLIER. 



By R. STANDEN. 



(Read before the Society, June gth, 1920), 



By the death of Edward Collier, on 25th April last, the Society loses 

 one of its oldest and most valued members. For a long time he had 

 been in failing health, but until the last retained his vivid interest 

 in tlie Society. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, his 

 delightful companionship and cheery and helpful disposition making 

 him popular with everyone. 



Collier was born at Woodley, near Hyde, on May 5th, 1846. He 

 very early developed an ardent love of natural history in all its 

 branches, which culminated in especial devotion to the non-marine mol- 

 lusca. His favourites were Helicidce, Land Operculata, and Claiisilia. 

 The study of geographical distribution interested him greatly, par- 

 ticularly the problems connected with insular molluscan faunas. He 

 had an extensive correspondence with leading conchologists both at 

 home and abroad, and further enriched his series by purchases at 

 the sales of famous collections. He also collected extensively in 

 many parts of England, and on the continent, and made many 

 excursions to Ireland. Sometimes we joined the Triennial Excur- 

 sions of the Irish Field Clubs, or witli other friends penetrated into 

 remote and unworked districts in the north, west, and south. Tlie 

 results were published in the Journal of Concholo^y or The Irish 

 Naturalist. The memory of the delightful times we had together 

 will remain evergreen in the writer's memory ! 



No one who was privileged to inspect his collection could fail to 

 be impressed by the painstaking care shown in the selection of 

 specimens, and the neatness and beauty of their display. Only the 

 very best satisfied him. It is satisfactory to note that it will not be 

 dispersed, having been bequeathed to his only son Frank. 



Mr. Collier joined the Conchological Society in 1880, and served 

 on the Council, and then as Vice-President for many years. Although 

 often pressed to accept the Presidency, it was only very recently that 

 his innate modesty was overcome, and he was elected President in 

 19 19. He was a member of the Malacological Society of London, 

 and the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society. 



In February, 1888, he invited local conchologists to meet at his 

 house, and "The Manchester Conchological Club" was inaugurated, 

 with the late Mr. R. D. Darbishire as President ; Mr. Collier, 

 Treasurer ; and the writer as Secretary. The club soon grew into a 



