Obituary. 225 



Hospitals where he attended. In October, 1853, he re- 

 turned to Canada, and commenced practice in Montreal ; 

 and, consequently, at the time of his death he had been 

 upwards of four years a Physician in our city. — We have 

 said that he graduated at Edinburgh, before his twenty- 

 first year, with the highest honors. During his stay at the 

 University he carried of several prizes, two of which were 

 for Botany, one of his favorite studies. In Medical Sci- 

 ence, Midwifery was the particular branch to which he 

 devoted himself. He made it indeed, to some extent, a 

 special duty. In the year 1857 he was appointed to the 

 newly-established chair of Botany in McGill College; and 

 had nearly completed his first course of lectures when 

 prostrated by illness. His class-lectures were distinguished 

 by an intimate knowledge of his subject, clearness of illus- 

 tration, and appreciation of the difficulties of learners, 

 which gave earnest of the highest success as a teacher of 

 this delightful branch of natural science. During his stu- 

 dies in Scotland, he made a large collection of Botanical 

 Specimens ; and it was his delight, when time and oppor- 

 tunity offered, to add to and increase this from the great 

 variety to be found on the Mountain, and in the vicinity 

 of Montreal. He had commenced a detailed catalogue of 

 Canadian plants, which it is hoped may be sufficiently ad- 

 vanced to be in part, at least, published ; and which would 

 have given him a high place in American Botany. — Dr. 

 Barnston held until the time of his death the office' of 

 Curator and Librarian to the Natural History Society. He 

 was one of its most valued members, and foremost and 

 most active friends. He read many interesting papers, 

 and delivered many delightful, and instructive lectures, be- 

 fore its members ; and among those of his own age, 

 whom he has left behind, we fear the Society will find 

 few upon whom his mantle will fall. — In private life, the 

 Doctor was quiet, unassuming and gentle. There was 

 something about him which provoked to love ; and to 

 those with whom he was intimate, he was a friend indeed. 

 For a young man, who had so lately entered upon the 

 practice of a profession numbering so many old and honor- 



