DR. GWYN JEFFREYS. 
77 
many valuable essays and papers published by him ; they are known 
to most students of conchology ; his largest and most popular work, 
“ British Concliology,” in five volumes, is the standard work of our 
time on the subject. 
Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys was a great dredger. From 1861 to 1868 he 
explored the Northern seas in the “ Osprey,” his own boat; between- 
times visiting the Channel Isles, S. W. Ireland, Ac. In 1869, in the 
“ Porcupine,” under the auspices of the British Government, and in 
charge of the expedition, he explored the West coast of Ireland; 
in 1870, the great depths of the Southern coasts of Europe were 
explored; in 1876, in the “Valorous” (going out with the Arctic 
Expedition as far as Baffin’s Bay), he dredged in Davis’ Strait and the 
North Atlantic; in 1880, by invitation of the French Government, he 
was with the Gallic savants dredging the depths of the Bay of 
Biscay; in 1878-9, he accompanied the well-known naturalist, the 
Bev. Merle Norman (often before a fellow-worker) to Norway, for 
dredging the fiords. He was well known to every locum tenens digni¬ 
fied by the name “ naturalist” of the best collecting grounds on our 
own coast. “ Why, bless your life, sir,” said one of these worthies to 
us years ago, “ I’ve took Forbes and Jeffreys and Thomson and lots 
o’ them gentlemen, many’s the time, out for days an’ days together.” 
What further passport to oracular belief need he advance ! 
Had the lamented Doctor been spared “yet a little while” he 
would have added still further to our knowledge, as some of his 
intended work remains awaiting the “ touch of a vanished hand.” 
An excellent trait in him was his kind and ever ready help to all who 
sought it in the elucidation of problems or the identification of species, 
as will be testified by a large circle of amateurs. The writer is rich 
in many letters from him. He was always punctual in reply, never 
sparing himself, but giving the benefit of his large and varied 
experience ungrudgingly. 
It is a matter of regret to us that his great and valuable collection 
of typical and representative forms has gone to America. Worthy and 
noble supporter of science, ungrudging and liberal in its cause, an 
example to nations—we only regret our loss ; we do not envy you 
your gain. 
Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys took an active part in the work of the British 
Association, supporting the resolutions recommending its last, and 
coming, meetings in Birmingham. 
Dying at the ripe age of seventy-six—what a revolution has taken 
place since, at the early age of nineteen, he contributed his “ Synopsis of 
the Pneumonobranchous Mollusca of Great Britain” to the pages of the 
Linnean Transactions. With many other of the older naturalists 
he did not take kindly to the new doctrine, whose trumpet blast 
“ shook the walls of the ancient Jericho,” though, if he did not all 
accept it, he never actively opposed it. We do not carp; those who 
make the bricks build, and the temple of knowledge has been raised 
by many and varied hands. The builders have happily “ wrought 
with anxious care,” according to the “ light which was in them.” 
G. S. T. 
