104 PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY [ch. v. 
any rate could do no harm/ This is amusing as 
being 4 first aid ’ from a man who became such a 
benefactor to humanity. 
44 1 was often requested by MacGillivray to 
examine shell sand with a microscope for the 
very dust of the sea was dear to him and I 
frequently found small new forms of great beauty. 
All were eager to work and discover something 
new. 
44 1 remember one evening at a party in 
MacGillivray’s house, the drawing-room door was 
thrown open, and a form in uncouth garb and scant 
of manners bolted into the room and held out some 
new specimen to the Professor, who received the 
lad with the same courtesy as if he had been an 
invited guest. An onlooker, on one occasion, 
remarked that if the Professor’s daughter were to 
discover some new ugly insect, her father would 
likely make her name mother to the 4 Goloch.’ 
44 1 attended one course of botany under 
MacGillivray, and his delicate and expressive hands, 
as he touched the plants, were remarkable. He once 
said when he handed specimens to each, that ladies 
were afraid to examine them minutely, for fear of 
soiling their hands. He made all most clear and 
interesting to us. . 
44 During the winter session, after his lectures in 
Marischal College, he often called on us, and he 
enjoyed a talk round the fireside. He was rather 
reticent in conversation, but now and then there 
flashed out some humorous remark, showing his 
keen observation and knowledge of the human 
heart. I never heard him discuss religious topics, 
but like good and wise men, he was tolerant and 
kindly to others, and evidently reverent in his 
attitude to the great, mysterious, eternal verities, 
as has been the mood of many great scientists. 
For sanctimonious hypocrisy I heard him once 
