3792 Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh. 



Dalyell, Dr. Patrick Neill, and Professor M'Gillivray of Aberdeen, each of whom has 

 left a blank not soon to be filled up. Scotland has had few, if any, such accomplished 

 naturalists. It well becomes this Society affectionately and respectfully to cherish 

 the memory of these excellent men. Sir John Dalyell was appointed first President 

 after the revival of the Society ; and although his bodily infirmities prevented him from 

 attending our meetings, we received many proofs of his interest in us, and of his 

 constant desire to promote our object. Of the singleness of aim, indomitable per- 

 severance, profound sagacity, and wonderful success with which Sir John, throughout 

 the course of his long life, gave his days and nights to the searching out of the most 

 obscure parts of the great plan of creation, we may be thankful that so admirable 

 and valuable a monument is preserved to us, as appears in his ' History of Rare and 

 Remarkable Animals of Scotland,' the completion of the publication of which has 

 been entrusted to our distinguished associate Dr. Fleming. To go through that won- 

 derful work is, indeed, to sit at the feet of a great master, in whom we rejoice to see 

 not only an extraordinary amount of knowledge, but a deep veneration for Him whose 

 works he would attempt to unravel. We shall all expect with interest a full 

 biography of Sir John from Dr. Fleming, when he shall have completed the publica- 

 tion of his posthumous works. Dr. Neill also was a member of this Society. He 

 entered it from the Natural History Society in 1812. Few men of his day knew so 

 much from personal observation of the Zoology and Botany of Scotland, as did Dr. 

 Neill. Those who knew him personally (and these were indeed many) will long 

 remember his modesty, simplicity, and acuteness as an observer, and his kindness, 

 steadfastness, and sincerity as a friend. His public spirit was ever active; and to it 

 we are indebted for the institution of the Caledonian Horticultural Society, and of 

 the Zoological Gardens, as well as for abundant and self-denying labours in connexion 

 with many other scientific and charitable institutions. His wondrous little treasury 

 of plants and animals at Canonmills was indeed an earthly paradise to those who 

 could appreciate the moral excellencies of the possessor, as well as the riches of the 

 spot. Professor M'Gillivray was a native of the Hebrides, but resided in Edinburgh 

 for many years before his removal to the Chair of Natural History in Aberdeen. Here 

 he filled in succession, and with great credit, the offices of Assistant-Keeper of the 

 College Museum, and of Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Sur- 

 geons. He was a most laborious student and exact observer. His published works 

 prove how well acquainted he was with a large range of subjects in natural history. 

 Doubtless, had his life been prolonged, he would have done much to extend the 

 science and to foster a taste for the study of natural history." 



Mr. Hugh Miller then read a paper on the ancient Grauwacke Rocks of Scotland, 

 with a historical sketch of the progress of geologic discovery among them during the 

 last sixty years, and a brief description of what is at present known regarding their 

 place, character, and organisms. The paper was illustrated with a fine collection of 

 Scoto-Silurian fossils. On the motion of Professor Fleming, the thanks of the Society 

 were unanimously voted to Mr. Miller for his valuable and interesting paper. 



Saturday, December 11, 1852. — Mr. Hugh Miller, President, in the chair. 



The following donations to the library were laid on the table, and thanks voted to 

 their respective donors: — ' The Transactions of the China Branch of the Royal Asia- 

 tic Society' for 1848 — 50; per Dr. Coldstream. ' Dr. Johnstone's Flora of Berwick- 

 upon-Tweed;' from the author, per R. F. Logan, Esq. 



