14 
REPORT OE THE 
This emineiit Palseontologist was bom in 1817 at Miiir- 
house, in Midlothian, educated in Paris (then the great centre 
of science training), and matriculated at the University of 
Edinbni’gh. Dr. Davidson’s artistic powers were considerable, 
and for some time he was uncertain whether to pursue a scientific 
or an artistic career, being strongly urged to the latter course 
by Paul Delaroche. Fortunately, his scientific leanings pre¬ 
vailed, and by the advice of Yon Buch he undertook the special 
study of the fossil Brachiopoda, a subject on which he soon 
became recognised throughout Europe as the standing authority. 
He did not forget, however, that Palseontology does not repre¬ 
sent the whole history of life on this globe, and his knowledge 
of recent Brachiopoda was as minute and exhaustive as his 
knowledge of their ancestors. A group which was, when he 
commenced working upon it, one of the most obscure and 
neglected divisions of the animal kingdom, has become, under 
his hands, one of the best illustrated and best understood. 
But to obtain this result his labours have been enormous. 
Besides his magnificent work on British Fossil Brachiopoda in 
the Palaeontographical Society’s publications, he has written 
numerous papers and memoirs, conspicuous among which are 
his Monograph on the Brachiopoda collected by H.M.S. 
Challenger,” and his article on Brachiopoda in the “ Encyclo¬ 
paedia Britannica.” When we remember, too, that every one 
of the plates that illustrate his writings (as well as several 
others, such as Plate XY in the “ Yorkshire Lias ”), was the 
work of his own hands, we can form some idea of the prodigious 
amount of labour accomplished, and accomplished in spite of 
very indifferent health. 
Dr. Davidson died October 14, 1885, from an affection of 
the lungs which had caused him much suffering for a long 
time. One provision of his will strikingly shows that earnest 
desire for the advancement of science which marked his whole 
life. He bequeaths his books, papers, drawings, and his splendid 
collection of Brachiopoda (including many figured specimens) to 
the British Museum of Natural History. 
The Society has lost by death during the past year eight 
members and one lady subscriber, whilst sixteen members, four 
