April, 1926 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
71 
The most important work of Skortchly was done in 
England between the years 1870-1880. In later years 
he developed into an interesting and, indeed, fascinating 
old savant, with an inimitable literary touch, but it is 
not in these years that we find a record of his, best work. 
The half-a-dozen printed addresses given before this 
Club and our Royal vSociety do not contain anything that 
is really comparable to the notable work of Ids earlier 
years. With Ids local geological work I am not competent 
to deal. 
The first refetamce to Skertehly tliat 1 can find is 
in the ‘Wleological ^Magazine/' 1868. p. -192, wliere 
Alfred Tylor in a, letter refei's to a collection of Thames 
\^alleC drift-shells discovered by Mr- Sydney Skertchly 
in 18*66 (60 years ago) and noted in the '‘Nhitural His- 
tory Re])ertory’^ by G. *1. Sndtli in 1867. From 1870 to 
1880 lie did much geological work in England and Egypt, 
Amongst his publications during those years were 
manuals of Geology and Physical Geography, “the Fen- 
land,'’ “Physical >System of the I'tdverse.” and his 
“Report on G unflints." Probably Ids most notable work 
Avas what Dr. W. II. L. Duckworth, in “Prehistoric Man,’’ 
calls “a xery memorable contribntitui (in 1878) from 
Professor Skeidclily. by wliom account Avas taken of the 
stratigraphical ])osition of stone implements.” This is 
also referred to in the British ^lusiuitn Guide to the 
Stone Age. and nndei* the title “Glacial Man: Ma" Part 
in His DiscoA'ery” ( Ih-oceedings of the Royal Society 
of Oueensland, xxxiii. 1921). Skertchly tells the stoi'y 
of his pioneer Avork in demonstrating the antiquity of 
man. This paper contains many nages of interesting 
autobiograohy. and readers Avill find therein the best 
record of his Iif(‘. Tn addition to his AV'ork in England 
and Egypt, lie Avent to America, and siibse(piently 
Ausited Borneo. For some years he AA'as Professor of 
Botany at Hongkong. 
His knoAA'ledge of literature Avas surprising. In the 
big budget of bis letters to rne I find references to 
HebrcAv and Greek classics, (.(notations from English 
poets from B])enser to Swinburne, delighlful AAutti- 
cisms. and shreAvd comments. In lalei' years he Avas con- 
siderably influenced l)y tlie Avorlvs of Sannud Butler, and 
he freuuently onoted from the author of “EroAvhon 
and “Luck or (h.inning*” 
Skerteldv Avas the first President and one of ilie 
founders of this Club. He also insisted that it sliould be a 
