Xll 



Obituary Notice of Fellow deceased. 



Jahreshefte ' in 1853, in the same journal by his second note, " Beitrage 

 zur Fauna Wurttembergs," by his " Fische des Neckars " in 1853 ; and by his. 

 4 Handbuch der Medicinischen Zoologie' in 1858. He fully qualified himself, 

 howfever, for medicine, even studying for a time in St. Bartholomew's 

 Hospital, and graduated as M.D. at Tubingen in 1858. Thus he also 

 illustrated the indissoluble brotherhood between medicine and zoology, of 

 which Prof. Allman (himself an M.D.) made so much in his introductory 

 lecture in Edinburgh University in 1854, and which has been a striking 

 feature from the earliest times till now. 



The " Fische des ISTeckars "* gives an earnest of that methodical habit, 

 accuracy, and patient investigation of his later years, both as regards the 

 systematic examination of the conformation of each species, its size, colour, 

 fins and fin-rays, scales, skeleton, eggs, parasites, and haunts. It is a model 

 of what a local fauna should be. About thirty species, including the Cyclo- 

 stomes, were entered, and at that date the young (so-called Ammoccete) was 

 considered a separate genus. This paper appeared also as a separate treatise 

 with a finely coloured plate of Leuciscus muticcllus, Bonap., which the author 

 had detected in the river, and which was drawn by Prof. Eapp.f 



The 'Handbuch der Medicinischen Zoologie' (1858) must have been a 

 useful treatise for medical and other students. It commences with the 

 higher mammalia, concludes with the infusoria and sponges, and touches 

 most forms of service or of interest to the student, and, without being too 

 prolix, it gives a comprehensive grasp of the subject — specially alluding to 

 the medical products derived from the various forms. It does credit to the 

 studious and earnest author even at this early period of his career. 



Visiting his mother in England in 1855, he met Dr. John Edward Gray 

 and Prof. Owen in the British Museum, and both, having a knowledge of 

 his previous work, took an interest in him, and a friendship sprang up 

 between them. Two years later Dr. Giinther was selected to arrange and 

 describe the Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles in the National Collection, 

 which task, sufficiently onerous then, became increasingly laborious as time 

 advanced, whilst the work at first had little relation to adequate financial 

 inducement. The eager naturalist cared little for the latter if only the 

 opportunity for extending knowledge, and for placing the varied collections 

 committed to his care on a proper footing, were given him, and from October, 

 1857,+ onward, he devoted himself to this task. Those familiar with his 

 cellar-like apartments in the old Museum will appreciate the enthusiasm 

 and unswerving loyalty, as well as remarkable ability, he brought to bear 

 on his work, apparently indifferent to depressing surroundings and formidable 

 difficulties connected with literature and specimens. 



In glancing at the remarkable list of memoirs (246) and papers entered 



* ' "VVihttembergische Naturwissenschaftliche Jahreshefte,' Stuttgart, 1853. 

 t For much information contained in this notice of Dr. Giinther I am indebted to his 

 son, Mr. E. Giinther, M.A., Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. 

 X They started him with 2,000 bottles of snakes in 1857. 



