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Obituary — Dr. Bowerbank. 
became acquainted with many scientific men, and earnestly entered 
upon a course of Natural Science studies, wbicb were steadily con- 
tinued, althougli lie was actively employed in a business demanding 
constant and careful attention for at least twelve bours daily. His 
pursuit of Science was a labour of love, for at that period but little 
favour was bestowed either upon scieuce or its votaries. 
Düring tbe years 1822, 1823, and 1824, be delivered courses of 
public lectures on Botany, and later, in 1831, on Human Osteology. 
About 1836 be formed, with F. E. Edwards, Searles Y. Wood, 
Jobn Morris, Alfred Wbite, and N. T. Wetberell, “Tbe London Clay 
Club ; 1 tbe members of wbich devoted tbemselyes to tbe task of 
examining tbe fossils of tbe London Clay, and making a complete 
list of tbe species. 
In 1847, after tbe reading of a paper by Prof. Prestwicb, at tbe 
Geological Society, “ On tbe Structure, etc., of tbe London Clay,” 
Bowerbank joined in tbe discussion, and in tbe tea-room, after the 
meeting, solicited tbe leading geologists present to support bim in 
establisbing a Society for tbe publication of undescribed British 
fossils. Buckland, De la Beche, Fitton, and otbers wbo were 
present, gave bim tbeir names, and tbus originated tbe Pakeonto- 
grapbical Society. 2 
In 1840 Bowerbank publisbed a separate work, entitled: “On 
tbe Fossil Fruits of tbe London Clay,” still tbe only publication in 
wbicb tbese interesting remains bave been described and figured. 
In 1842 Dr. Bowerbank was elected a Fellow of tbe Koyal 
Society. He contributed upwards of tbirty papers to tbe various 
learned Societies, to tbe Annals Nat. Hist, and tbe Microscopical 
Journal. His scientific collections 3 were most extensive, comprising 
fossils from every geological borizon, many of wbicb are figured 
in tbe various Monograpbs of tbe Palaeontograpbical Society. 
From 1844 to 1864 Dr. Bowerbank was in tbe babit of receiving 
once a week, at bis residence in Park Street, and afterwards at Higb- 
bury Grove. On tbese occasions every youthful geological Student 
found in bim a willing instructor and a sincere and kind friend. 
Tbe treasures of bis Museum, tbe use of bis microscopes, and bis 
personal assistance, were at tbe disposal of every one. 
Since bis retirement to St. Leonard’s, Dr. Bowerbank rarely 
visited London ; only a few of bis scientific friends bave tberefore 
been able to keep up a personal intercourse witb bim. Mr. Dinkel 
writes, “ For tbe last six or nine montbs I bave been witb bim 
daily, but tbere is little to mention save bis fervent desire to finisb 
bis great work on Sponges. He employed almost all bis time upon 
it, and begged me to remain tili all tbe plates were executed. We 
reacbed the last plate, and wben half of it was drawn, be became 
sadly depressed, and so weak that tbe finishing was postponed from 
day to day tili bis deatb. Tbere will be no difficult.y, liowever, in 
completing tbe work.” 
1 See Geol. Mag. 1875, p. 571. 
2 Extract of letter from Prof. Prestwich, F.R.S. 
3 It will be interesting to our readers to learn that, in 1864, Dr. Bowerbank’s 
magnificent collection was pureliased for the British Museum, and now forms part 
of our National treasures. 
