1883. ] 289 
nized an analogous kind of vegetation in following the data furnished by 
remains of fossil plants southward to the shores of the Baltic sea, and 
even to those of the Mediterranean in Italy. This fact of course concern- 
ing the distribution of plants during the Miocene or Tertiary period has 
forcibly modified the views formerly admitted respecting the physical cir- 
cumstances which have governed the earth during geological times, and 
has compelled physicists and geologists to renew their researches for the 
solution of important problems concerning the distribution and the cause 
of heat, and changes in the temperature of the globe. Heer has described 
also a Cretaceous flora from Greenland bearing evident relation to that of 
the same period observed in North America and in Europe ; a flora 
representing a number of types which, persisting through the floras 
of the more recent formations, are still present in the North American 
vegetation of the present epoch. He has thus evidenced by his Arctic 
flora the gradual development of vegetable types since the times when 
the first traces of dicotyledonous plants are recognizable. He has com- 
pelled the admission of vegetable paleontology into the domain of geol- 
ogy by the manifest determination of the age of any formation from the 
characters of its plants only. With only one mistake on that subject has 
he been unjustly reproached, viz., his reference to the Tertiary of three or 
four Cretaceous leaves of which he had merely poor sketches to base his 
determination on. 
The noble character of Heer has greatly contributed to give to his works 
a degree of authority superior to that acquired by any paleontologist be- 
fore him. Simple, modest in the highest degree, of a serious though con- 
templative mind, his life was resumed on the fulfillment of the duty o 
every day. When the University of Switzerland was established at 
Zurich, he had been named Professor of Natural History and Director o 
the Museum. THis lectures at the University were always followed by a 
large number of students ; So full of interest were they that even strangers 
and common town-people requested the privilege of attending them. 
Ie never missed an opportunity to show his deep interest in the scientific 
and moral progress of the students. Even in his days of sickness (for all 
his life he has had to fight against attacks of severe illness), he gave his 
lessons in his own room, lecturing from his bed. He had been called 
once by his countrymen to a highly honorable position as a member of the 
Jouncil of State; but he found that the new duty required too much of 
his time, and he gave in his resignation in order to continue without hin- 
drance his scientific pursuits, 
What can I say more of the fri 
= 
rH 
end with whom I have been in intimate 
relationship long years, Heer united in himself a powerful intellect, 
trained by severe studies, with the simplicity of a child and the conscience 
Me a true Christian. His works are the expression of the principles of his 
ife. 
L. Lasquerevx. 
PROC. AMER. PHILOS. soc, xxt, 114. 2x. PRINTED JANUARY 10, 1884. 
