PROCEEDINGS XIX 



J\lr. Fergusson although for many years engaged in the 

 routine work of an industrial laboratory, never allowed himself 

 to fall into the rut to which work of that kind is so apt to lead. 

 On the contrary, by every means within his power, he kept his 

 scientific interests sharpened and whenever recent advances 

 in chemistry and physics were discussed at our meetings here 

 or in the Journal Club at Daliiousie, we could always depend 

 on Mr. Fergusson to take an active part. 



A pleasing personality combined with a bright sense of 

 humor made him a delightful friend, and I am sure that the 

 members of the Institute who knew him, must feel in his death 

 a keen sense of personal loss. 



During the late summer, the Institute again suffered a loss 

 in the death of F. W. Dobsox, D. D. S., who joined as an or- 

 dinary member in March 1922. Dr. Dobson being a recent 

 member, had not entered into any of the activities of the society, 

 but his expressed interest in scientific work, and in the wel- 

 fare of Nova Scotia, would undoubtedly have led him to do so 

 had he lived. I had only a slight acquaintance with Dr. Dobson 

 and I am therefore unable to speak more intimately of his 

 life and work outside of the Institute. 



In the sudden and unexpected death of Frank W. Ryan, 

 D. D. S., on the 17th of October, the Institute also lost a valued 

 friend and member. Dr. Ryan was born in New Brunswick 

 in 1860, and since 1900 he had been a well-known dentist in 

 this city. He became interested in the Nova Scotian Institute 

 of Science and joined as an ordinary member in Nov. 1919, 

 and at our last annual meeting was elected a member of the 

 Council. Dr. Ryan at the time of his death was Dean of the 

 Dental Faculty of Dalhousie University, and also Professor 

 of Operative and Dental Surgery. No sketch of Dr. Ryan's 

 life and work could be adequate which did not recall his per- 

 sonality. Always genial and sympathetic, his work both as 

 an educator and a member of the Institute's council, will make 

 his name to be long remembered by the members of this society. 



