8 
Proceedings of the Royal Society 
fries, where his preliminary education was mainly carried on. He 
served for some years, first in the navy and then in the army, and 
saw a good deal of actual warfare ; but in 1846 he resolved to 
change his profession, and, having commenced with great ardour 
the study of medicine, he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine 
at the University here with high distinction. While yet a student 
he had rendered great assistance to Professor William G-regory in 
his researches as to creatine and the products obtained from uric 
acid, and he received from that eminent chemist a special certificate 
of having exhibited much original research, while he obtained at 
the same time from the Senatus a remission of one Annus Medicus 
of the usual medical curriculum. In 1853, at the time of his 
graduation, he obtained the gold medal of the University of Edin- 
burgh for a series of extended researches on physiology, and in 
December of that year he was appointed by Professor Gregory his 
class and laboratory assistant, with the duty of teaching the class 
of Practical Chemistry. During the winter preceding the Pro- 
fessor’s death, when he was laid aside by illness, Dr Dalzell 
supplied his place in the chemical class, and was afterwards 
appointed by Dr Lyon Playfair, Dr Gregory’s successor, to the 
same duties of conducting the practical laboratory which he had 
formerly discharged. His connection with the University con- 
tinued to the last, with these additional labours, that in 1859 he 
delivered in the New College, Edinburgh, a six months’ course on 
Natural Science, and succeeded the late Dr G-eorge Wilson in the 
Chair of Chemistry and Materia Medica in the Royal Veterinary 
College, which office he filled for many years with credit to 
himself and benefit to his pupils. He was also in much request, 
and much esteemed as a popular lecturer on scientific subjects in 
various institutions in England as well as in Scotland. He was 
possessed of decided talents, and, with much professional infor- 
mation, he had great refinement and elevation of character ; and 
his frank, affectionate, and generous disposition secured the attach- 
ment of all who knew him. With his quick feelings and impulsive 
disposition, it is possible that his health, already affected by over- 
work, may have been further injured by an unpleasant lawsuit in 
connection with his official position in the Veterinary College. 
An erroneous verdict was returned against him, but which, on 
