XXII 



efforts at that time, and the munificent provision which he made for 

 meeting the distress, can never be forgotten. They were not un- 

 observed by Her Majesty's Government, and in recognition of his 

 generous conduct he was created a baronet. 



Sir James entered Parliament in 1843, as member for Ashburton, and 

 in 1847 he was returned for the combined counties of Ross and 

 Cromarty, for which he continued to sit until 1868. He was elected 

 a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1846. He died at Mentone on the 

 31st December last, aged 82. Lady Matheson survives him. 



John Miers was born in London on the 25th of August, 1789. He 

 entered his father's business as a jeweller, but evincing a decided 

 inclination for scientific research, devoted himself in his leisure hours 

 to the study of the physical sciences, and especially of chemistry and 

 mineralogy. At this early period of his life he undertook a series of 

 experimental researches in the endeavour to demonstrate the com- 

 pound nature of azote, which resulted in the publication of two papers 

 on this subject in Thomson's " Annals of Philosophy," in the year 

 1814 ; he also took a leading part in the foundation of the <: Philoso- 

 phical Society of London " — an institution with which many young 

 men who in after years distinguished themselves in science were 

 connected. At this time he made the acquaintance of Michael 

 Faraday. 



In 1818 he married, and shortly after, at the invitation of his friend. 

 Lord Cochrane (afterwards Earl Dundonald), proceeded to Chili to 

 assist in the erection of extensive machinery for the reduction and 

 manufacture of copper ; an enterprise in which both were interested. 

 Landing at Buenos Ayres, he traversed the Pampas and the Cordil- 

 leras, and, during six years' residence in the country, devoted his 

 leisure time to the study of its Flora and Fauna. Although at this 

 time unacquainted with the elements of botany, he gradually acquired 

 a practical knowledge of the science by numerous dissections and 

 observations upon the plants of Chili in the living state. He returned 

 to England in 1825, and during a stay of a few months obtained per- 

 sonal introductions to Robert Brown and Dr. Lindley, who encouraged 

 him in his studies. In 1826, shortly after his return to South America, 

 was published his " Travels in Chili and La Plata," in two volumes, 

 a work which was for long regarded as a standard authority on the 

 geography of the countries and customs of the people with which it 

 dealt. He twice again traversed the Pampas, and afterwards resided 

 for seven years in Rio de Janeiro, where he had contracted to erect a 

 Mint for the Brazilian Government, and where, although incessantly 

 engaged in his professional duties, he added largely to his botanical 

 and entomologica 1 collections. 



Mr. Miers returned to England finally in 1838, and from this period 



