306 IN MEMORIAM—J. W. DAVIS. 
Association. In recognition of his services to this society he was 
subsequently elected a life member. 
As a member of the executive of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ 
Union, he was drawn into a close connection with some of the 
ablest of his fellow-workers, and for some years he and the late 
Mr. George Brook, with Messrs. Hobkirk, Cash, Sladen, and others 
met regularly for the study and discussion of biological problems. 
Though perhaps of minor importance, these facts seem deserving 
of mention, because there can be little doubt that this close associa- 
tion with others like-minded to himself, had considerable influence 
was always abundantly illustrated by actual specimens. His 
habit of mind, indeed, seems to have inclined more to the practical 
and the concrete than the theoretical and abstract, and it was no 
doubt this that made his activity on the School Board and the 
Corporation of Halifax, and in other public matters, so serviceable to 
the best interests of his fellow-townsmen. At the same time he had 
a ready perception of the acceptability or otherwise of scientific 
theories, and was not unskilful, when he had thoroughly studied his 
facts, in detecting and applying their theoretical teachings. 
To this habit of mind we may, perhaps, also attribute his success 
when, in the full maturity of his faculties, he elected to devote him- 
self to the investigation of Fossil Fish. The measure of that success 
will be fully estimated in due eid) and we do not erie? to 
anticipate it here. But any one who has perused the m a 
which his unflagging industry enabled him to give to the soa. a. vill cae 
have recognised the directness of the treatment and the firm grasp of 2 
structural details which they exhibit. The style too bears testimony __ 
to the same characteristics, for it is clear, simple, and precise, and is” 
destitute of th rishes orted to by those pigs 
knowledge of details i is wanting in thoroughness. 
In addition to pursuing his own investigations ee more ‘than : 
usual energy, Mr. Davis was ever Teady to stimulate and encourage 
the efforts of others i in their scientific pursuits, whether as. private 
individuals or as members of scientific societies. His wide | 
ae 
Ponce bs the peek of his irae Sng f ‘made him an : a 
