y. "Falconer did
enough during his lifetime to render his name as a palaeontologist immortal
in science; but the work which he published was only a fraction of what he
accomplished...He was cautious to a fault; he always feared to commit
himself to an opinion until he was sure he was right, and he died in the
prime of his life and in the fulness of his power." (Biographical sketch
contributed by Charles Murchison to his edition of Hugh Falconer's
"Palaeontological Memoirs and Notes," London, 1868; "Proc. R. Soc." Volume
XV., page xiv., 1867: "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXI., page xlv,
1865.) Hugh Falconer was among those who did not fully accept the views
expressed in the "Origin of Species," but he could differ from Darwin
without any bitterness. Two years before the book was published, Darwin
wrote to Asa Gray: "The last time I saw my dear old friend Falconer he
attacked me most vigorously, but quite kindly, and told me, 'You will do
more harm than any ten naturalists will do good. I can see that you have
already corrupted and half spoiled Hooker.'" ("Life and Letters," II.,
page 121.) The affectionate regard which Darwin felt for Falconer was
shared by their common friend Hooker. The following extract of a letter
from Hooker to Darwin (February 3rd, 1865) shows clearly the strong
friendships which Falconer inspired: "Poor old Falconer! how my mind runs
back to those happiest of all our days that I used to spend at Down twenty
years ago--when I left your home with my heart in my mouth like a
schoolboy. We last heard he was ill on Wednesday or Thursday, and sent
daily to enquire, but the report was so good on Saturday that we sent no
more, and on Monday night he died...What a mountainous mass of admirable
and accurate information dies with our dear old friend! I shall miss him
greatly, not only personally, but as a scientific man of unflinching and
uncompromising integrity--and of great weight in Murchisonian and other
counsels where ballast is sadly needed."
-article in "Natural History Review."
-Darwin's Copley medal and.
-Darwin's criticism of his elephant work.
-Darwin's regard for.
-Forbes attacked by.
-his opinion of Forbes.
-goes to India.
-Hooker's regard for.
-letter to Darwin.
-letter to Sharpey.
-letters to.
-letter to "Athenaeum."
-Lyell and.
-on Mastodon andium.
-on Mastodon of Australia.
-on elephants.
-Owen and.
-on phyllotaxis.