﻿192 Ohitiiary- — Br. Boiverhank. 



became acquainted with many scientific men, and earnestly entered 

 upon a course of Natural Science studies, which were steadily con- 

 tinued, although he was actively emj^loyed in a business demanding 

 constant and careful attention for at least twelve hours daily. His 

 pursuit of science was a labour of love, for at that period but little 

 favour was bestowed either upon science or its votaries. 



During the years 1822, 1823, and 1824, he delivered courses of 

 public lectures on Botanj'^, and later, in 1831, on Human Osteology. 

 About 1836 he formed, with F. E. Edwards, Searles Y. "Wood, 

 John Morris, Alfred White, and N. T. Wetherell, "The London Clay 

 Club ; ^ the members of which devoted themselves to the task of 

 examining the fossils of the London Clay, and making a complete 

 list of the species. 



In 1847, after the reading of a paper by Prof. Prestwich, at the 

 Geological Society, " On the Structure, etc., of the London Clay," 

 Bowerbank joined in the discussion, and in the tea-room, after the 

 meeting, solicited the leading geologists present to support him in 

 establishing a Society for the publication of undescribed British 

 fossils. Buckland, De la Beche, Fitton, and others who were 

 present, gave him their names, and thus originated the Palceonto- 

 graphical Society.^ 



In 1840 Bowerbank jDublished a separate work, entitled: "On 

 the Fossil Fruits of the London Clay," still the only publication in 

 which these interesting remains have been described and figured. 



In 1842 Dr. Bowerbank was elected a Fellow of the Eoyal 

 Society. He contributed upwards of thirty papers to the various 

 learned Societies, to the Annals Nat. Hist, and the Microscopical 

 Journal. His scientific collections^ were most extensive, comprising 

 fossils from every geological horizon, many of which are figured 

 in the various Monographs of the Palaeontographical Society. 



From 1844 to 1864 Dr. Bowerbank was in the habit of receiving 

 once a week, at his residence in Park Street, and afterwards at High- 

 bury Grove. On these occasions every youthful geological student 

 found in him a willing instructor and a sincere and kind friend. 

 The treasures of his Museum, the use of his microscopes, and his 

 persona] assistance, were at the disposal of every one. 



Since his retirement to St. Leonard's, Dr. Bowerbank rarely 

 visited London ; only a few of his scientific friends have therefore 

 been able to keep up a personal intercourse with him. Mr. Dinkel 

 writes, " For the last six or nine months I have been with him 

 daily, but there is little to mention save his fervent desire to finish 

 his great work on Sponges. He employed almost all his time upon 

 it, and begged me to remain till all the plates were executed. We 

 reached the last plate, and Avhen half of it was drawn, he became 

 sadly depressed, and so weak that the finishing was postponed from 

 day to day till his death. There will be no difficulty, however, in 

 completing the work." 



1 See Geol. Mag. 1875, p. 571. 



2 Extract of letter from Prof. Prestwich, F.E.S. 



^ It will be interesting to our readers to learn that, in 1864, Dr. Bowerbank's 

 magnificent collection was purchased for the British Museum, and now forms part 

 of our National treasures. 



