1874.] Death of Br, F, Stoliczlca. 153 



this Society and the strength he gave it, I can hardly realize the void his 

 death has caused. 



The story of his bright, short life, so sadly in honour ended, is to be 

 told, but at some other time, for my heart is full, sorrow stifles my speech, 

 and all that I can now do is to submit my proposition that.this Meeting 

 adjourn in mourning as a tribute of respect for our late Secretary, Dr. 

 Stoliczka. 



Mr. Medlicott said— 



As a member of the Asiatic Society I join in the tribute of sorrow 

 we collectively pay to the memory of our very distinguished Natural His- 

 tory Secretary. But I may be permitted to add, that as a member of the 

 Geological Survey of India, I have, if possible, still greater cause to lament 

 the untimely fate that has befallen Dr. Stoliczka. To that service his 

 labours for the last twelve years have been chiefl}' devoted. As Palaeonto- 

 logist to the Geological Survey of India he had, only just before starting 

 with the Mission to Kashgar, completed his voluminous work on the Creta- 

 ceous Fauna of Southern India, which will be the chief monument of his 

 great power as a naturalist. 



The work -he himself had most at heart, his enthusiasm for which has 

 at last cost him his life, was the Geology of the Himalaya. Before coming 

 to this country, he had, as a member of the Geological Survey of Austriaj 

 done good work in Alpine geolog}^ and he was naturally tempted to carry 

 on those studies in the greater field of the Himalaya. What we do know 

 of those difficult regions, is principally from his work, accomplished in the 

 summers of 1864 and 1865. 



In May of last year, he had made arrangements to visit Vienna, 

 where no doubt he would have met with a worthy reception among men 

 who know how to value scientific work ; but when he heard of the intended 

 Mission to Yarkand, he eagerly volunteered to go as Geologist and Natura- 

 list, giving up without a thought the tempting opportunity of a trip to 

 Europe. He did so too against the advice of some of his best friends, who 

 knew how severely the hardships of mountain travel had told upon him on 

 the occasion of his last visit to Tibet. These fears were alarmingly ful- 

 filled in the dangerous attack he suffered from in crossing the passes in 

 October last. He was able, however, to make good use of his opportunity ; 

 and the latest letters received from himself, gave us much hope that in 

 crossing the mountains at a less trj-ing season, he would return in safety. 

 He wrote in great spirits, expressing his satisfaction at the observations 

 and collections he had been able to make. Those hopes are now for ever 

 gone ; and the materials so exulted over are comparatively lost, without the 

 informing mind of the accomplished observer who gathered them. 



