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of Edinburgh, Session 1879 - 80 . 
all that was known at the time upon the subject. A more 
important work was his well-known “ Manual of Mineralogy ” which 
has long been a standard book of reference. 
His papers giving promise of much ability, he was appointed to 
the important office of Assistant Secretary of the Geological Society 
of London, where he came into intimate relations with the leading 
geologists of the day. Afterwards he became Professor of Geology 
at Queen’s College, Cork — an office he soon vacated for the chair 
of natural history in the Aberdeen University, in the discharge of 
the duties of which he has spent the larger part of his scientific 
career. 
For the last fifteen years he published scarcely any scientific 
papers, devoting his time principally to the business of the College, 
in which he took an active interest. During summer, however, he 
was in the habit of making excursions into the Highland mountains, 
where he renewed his acquaintance with minerals and rocks, which 
retained their interest for him to the last. Eetiring in disposition, 
and latterly in somewhat enfeebled health, he allowed himself 
almost to drop out of the acquaintance of his fellow geologists, who 
rarely had an opportunity of seeing him save by visiting him at 
Aberdeen, or joining him in one of his Highland rambles. His 
unfailing kindliness and readiness to help others greatly endeared 
him to his students. 
Dr John Smith. By Dr Batty Tnke. 
Dr John Smith was horn in the year 1798. His father combined 
the business of brassfounder and farmer, renting the Calton Hill 
and a few adjacent fields. It may he interesting to place on record 
that Dr Smith’s father’s mother was horn in 1685, the last year of 
the reign of Charles the Second. lie was educated at Heriot’s 
Hospital, by the Governor of which institution he was recommended 
to Dr George Wood, son of the well-known Dr Alexander Wood, as 
an apprentice. He took the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the 
Edinburgh University in the year 1822, and became a Fellow of the 
Eoyal College of Physicians in 1833. After graduation he acted as 
Dr Wood’s assistant, and eventually succeeded to his practice, which 
included the management of the Saughton Hall Asylum for the 
