Pi^esidenVs Address. 
213 
Mr Olipliant. You are all aware, too, what an interest Mr 
Oliphant took in our scientific pursuits, and that it was 
through him, in the first instance, that an introduction was 
obtained to the Calabar missionaries, whose contributions 
to the zoology of Western Africa have afforded so many 
interesting communications. 
During the recess, another and venerable member of our 
Society has also paid the debt of nature,— Mr Alexander 
Eose, long a well-known lecturer on geology and mineralogy 
in this city, who, as often as the growing infirmities of a 
good old age would permit, was always a welcome and re- 
spected member among us. Mr Eose, a native of Dingwall, 
Eoss-shire, not far removed from the birth-place of another 
of our late lamented and celebrated associates, Mr Hugh 
Miller, was also, like him, a self-taught geologist and man 
of science — if it may not be said that every man of science 
is, in a great measure, self-taught. Mr Eose in early life 
became a citizen of Edinburgh ; and, after some years, re- 
linquishing an art in which he was both expert and inge- 
nious,* he resolved to follow the irresistible bent of his taste 
and inclinations, and in time became a celebrated practical 
mineralogist and geologist. He, too, was characterised by 
his unassuming and genial disposition ; and there are not a 
few of his attached friends and former pupils who can bear 
testimony to his suavity of manners, and the readiness and 
ability with which he was ever glad to communicate his 
stores of knowledge. 
Mr Ehind then referred to the beautiful Ordnance maps 
of the county of Edinburgh now before the Society, and 
observed that it was no small pleasure to find every inch of 
ground which several of us have gone over again and again, 
so accurately and so artistically displayed in one compre- 
hensive view before us. To those who many years ago 
began their studies in the only field where real knowledge 
can be obtained, — in the open field of nature, — such maps 
would have been invaluable. What labour, and doubts, and 
Mr Koso was originally a turner of wood and ivory. He was nnich era- 
ployed by tlie late Sir John Leslie in tlie construction of his many meteoro- 
logical instruments. 
