tg2t] BRIEFER ARTICLES 237 
west to make some observations, and then began the collection of data 
upon which the Catalogue of Canadian birds is based, and which is the 
standard authority on that subject. The summers of 1879 and 1880 
Were spent on the prairies, ten parties having been sent to examine the 
country and ascertain its possibilities. Professor Macoun was actively 
engaged in those two years, and in 1881 spent a considerable time in 
northern Manitoba. This long apprenticeship for the government 
service secured his appointment to the Geological and Natural History 
Survey in January, 1882, and the summers of 1882 and 1883 were spent 
around the lower St. Lawrence. In 1884 Professor Macoun was 
located at Lake Nipigon, and in 1885 came back to British Columbia, 
operating in the Selkirks and Rockies. In 1887 he came to Vancouver 
Island again, and the next year moved to the Atlantic, working in Prince 
Edward Island in 1888. He was then promoted to assistant director 
and naturalist of the Survey, which position he continued to fill for many 
years. Since then Professor Macoun made several long excursions to 
the East and West, and had the opportunity to even visit the little known 
Yukon Valley. In 1912 Professor Macoun moved to Sidney, British 
Columbia, where he resided until his death. 
The scientific work of Professor MACOUN covers a wide range in 
botany and zoology. He was remarkably gifted as an observer and col- 
lector. As an author botanists are familiar with his numerous publica- 
tions on natural science, among which the Catalogue of Canadian plants 
is to his credit, representing an immense amount of work done by himself 
and his faithful assistant, his son, the late James M. Macoun. Both 
father and son devoted all their time to the development of natural 
science in Canada. The work they have left is an ample testimony of 
their united labors to promote science, and by their death the Canadian 
Dominion has lost two of its most brilliant and faithful servants.— 
TxEO. Hotm, Clinton, Md. 
