432 Obituary — Mr. John W. Salter. 



Devonshire, and his attempts, in spite of much difficulty, to answer 

 the question " how far is it correct to call any Old Eed Sandstone 

 by the name of Devonian, or to consider any part of it as contempo- 

 raneous with the rocks containing marine fossils, to which that 

 designation is fairly applicable,"' will long be remembered; and 

 has a melancholy interest, as there is some reason to think that the 

 overstraining of his mental powers in consequence of this and other 

 labours engaged in at this period, tended to accelerate the progress 

 of the disease to which he subsequently succumbed. 



One of the most valuable works which Professor Jukes completed, 

 was the publication of "The Students Manual of Geology," which 

 was soon followed in 1862 by a second and enlarged Edition. We 

 venture to think that all who have had occasion to use it will 

 readily admit that this is a most useful work of reference. The 

 author was engaged at the time of his deatb in the preparation of 

 a new Edition, and it is to be hoped that some trustworthy hand will 

 carry out his intentions, and render the pages of this manual in 

 accordance with, the ever varying progress of our Science. 



One of the last public acts of Mr. Jukes was to accept an 

 appointment on the Eoyal Coal Commission, instituted by Parlia- 

 ment with the object of determining the possible resources of our 

 Coal-fields and kindred questions. Mr. Jukes' knowledge of the 

 structure of some of the central portions of England was here 

 brought into requisition, but his researches into the resources of 

 the Irish Coal-fields seem to have been terminated by failing health. 

 This, however, is less to be regretted, as we are well aware that the 

 productive Coal-fields of this country are altogether unimportant as 

 bearing on the general question. 



While the career of the late Professor Jukes should be an example 

 and encouragement to students in Science, it should also have the 

 effect of making them guard against the tendency of this impetuous 

 age — to overtask the brain. This impulse permeates more or less all 

 society, but especially men of letters, and cultivators of Science. It 

 is only given to a privileged few, of great intellect and all-enduring 

 brain, to withstand the wear and tear of an intellectual course. The 

 result in most cases may be a rapid rise to distinction, and the 

 acquisition of a vast amount of knowledge ; but it is dearly bought 

 if it curtails, by even a few short years, a life endeared to friendship, 

 and useful to society. E. H. 



We regret that we have also to record the death of one of the 

 ablest Paleontologists of the present age — Mr. John William 

 Salter, A.L.S., F.G.S. (late Palaeontologist to the Geological Sur- 

 vey of Great Britain), whose life of active labour in this department 

 of Science was sadly terminated on 2nd August, 1869. We hope to 

 give a suitable notice of his labours in our October number. — Edit. 



1 " On the Carboniferous Slate (or Devonian Rocks) and the Old Red Sandstone of 

 South Ireland and North Devon." Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. 1866, Vol. xxii. p. 320. 

 "Additional Kotes on the Grouping of Eocks in North Devon and West Somerset." 

 (Printed and published separately.) Dublin, 1867. And " Notes on Parts of South 

 Devon and Cornwall," etc. etc. (Published separately for the author.) Dublin, 1868. 



