152 Anniversary Address hy Sir A. Geikie. [Nov. 30, 



In addition to the heavy losses which French science has had to deplore 

 within the last two or three years, another has arisen from the decease of 

 Albert Gaudry, who for more than half a century was one of the leaders of 

 palteontological science, not in France alone, but in every country where the 

 history of life upon the globe is studied. By his original investigations at 

 Pikermi, he added a new and vivid chapter to the records of vertebrate 

 existence, while by his volumes on the genetic connections of the animal 

 world, as shown by fossil organic remains, he gave powerful support to the 

 reception of the doctrines of evolution. Great as was his scientific genius, 

 it was not more impressive than the charm of his personal character. Those 

 who were privileged to know him will long mourn an irreparable blank in 

 their circle of friendsliip. 



Astronomical science has lost one of its most notable cultivators, and the 

 United States have been deprived of their most famous man of science by 

 the death of Simon Newcomb. The successive stages in his interesting 

 career have been sketched by himself in his pleasant autobiography. On his 

 frequent visits to this country he never failed to appear at the meetings of 

 the Eoyal Society, where he was always welcomed. The value of his scientific 

 work was recognised by the Society as far back as 1877, when he was elected 

 a Foreign Member, so that at the time of his death his name stood at the head 

 of our list in point of seniority. In 1890 our higliest distinction, the Copley 

 medal, was awarded to him. 



Tlie zoological circle of sciences has been deprived of one of its most 

 esteemed Members l)y tlie death of Anton Dohrn. The establishment of the 

 great marine biological station at Naples, which he planned and carried out, 

 is one of the most important contributions ever made to the practical 

 development of biological studies, and has given its gifted and enthusiastic 

 fomuler a liigli and enduring ])lace in the history of science. 



Jn tlie modern (Icvclopment of oceanic liydrography no name deserves more 

 honourable mention than that of Georg von Neunifiyer. His long and 

 enthusiastic devotion to this l)ranch of science and the admirable work done 

 under his direction in the Deutsche Seewarte at Ilamlnirg entitle him to 

 lasting reniemljrance. 



By the death of Julius Tlionisen, Denmark has lost one of her most 

 distinguished nicm of science. At tlie advanced age of eighty-three he 

 lias ])aH8ed away, leaving an extensive record of ex})erimental researclies 

 whicli had a fundamental j)art in tlie foundation of tlie science of thermo- 

 chemistry. 



Our losses on the Home List amount to fourteen. TIic late Marquess of 

 IiijKui, wlio became a Fellow of the Sf)ciety in . 1 8()(), filled with distinction 



