Welsh Journals

Honoris causa Among the scientists who have received the degree of Magister in Scientia honoris causa by the University of Wales there are twelve who have received it for their contributions to the study of nature in Wales. It seems appropriate, therefore, that the various citations are brought together in Nature in Wales. The tributes are given in chronological sequence. The name of the person who introduced the graduand is given at the end of each item. 1917: David Cledlyn Evans Mr. Vice Chancellor, It is to me both a great pleasure and a privilege to present to you David Cledlyn Evans, a Welshman hailing from the confines of Carmarthenshire, upon whom the University is bestowing an honorary degree in recognition of his long sustained researches in the geological structure of parts of his native land. It is no small achievement for anyone to have carried out with such success the detailed examination of some of the most difficult regions in Wales and to have solved their intricate geological problems; but to labour as he has done most of the time alone, and without such encouragement as is given by companionship with others of kindred interests has called for patience, fortitude and scientific ability which fall to the share of but few men. Almost the sole encouragement he has had has been derived from the interest of the problems on which he was engaged, and the pleasure of honest work, well done. Although for many years he has devoted most of the scanty leisure which he could obtain during the pursuit of his scholastic profession to the geological survey of a part of western Carmarthenshire, his activities and interests have not been confined to that branch of knowledge alone, but he has made considerable contributions to the archaeology, music and literature of Wales. He has brought to bear upon all these a masterly judgment, independence of thought, and originality which stamp him as a man of exceptional gifts, and in recognizing such sterling merit and achievements the University is not merely conferring an honour but that honour is shared by the University and adds to its lustre. Professor O. T. Jones, MA, DSc 1918: Daniel Angell Jones Mr. Vice-Chancellor, It is a privilege and a pleasure to present to you, Daniel Angell Jones, of Harlech, to whom the University has awarded the degree of M.Sc. honoris causa. Thirty-six years ago, Mr. Jones and I sat in the same class in Botany in the Normal College, Bangor, at the feet of one of the most inspiring teachers that Wales has ever produced the late Mr. John Price, Vice-Principal of that pioneer College. Eight years earlier, Professor Reginald W. Phillips, of Bangor, and Professor J. Lloyd Williams, of Aberystwyth, were receiving from the same great teacher a similar inspiration, one that was to mould and fashion definitely their future careers. When it is said that Wales is unable to produce men of science, let it be remembered that she has in her three Colleges three native professors of Botany, and outside their walls Welshmen, like Daniel Angell Jones, whom the University today is pleased to honour. Mr. Jones has found time, despite the exacting duties which his profession of a schoolmaster has imposed upon him, to extend considerably our knowledge of Botany, and especially of the Botany of Wales. Until quite recently the only works of importance on the Flora of Wales were the Welsh Botanology of Davies, dealing with the Flora of Anglesey, already over 100 years old, and the much later Flora of Anglesey and Carnarvon of Griffiths. To these there have been added since 1907 two separate accounts of the Flora of Glamorgan and a number of papers in the "Journal of Botany" on the Flora of Denbigh and Flint. Mr. Jones worked with indefatigable energy for a considerable number of years at the Flora of his native county of Merioneth, and produced in 1898 a "Handbook of the Flora of Merioneth. For this he was awarded a prize at the National Eisteddfod, held at Blaenau Ffestiniog in that year. Professor Phillips, adjudicating upon his work, said "The Committee of the Eisteddfod may congratulate themselves upon the fact that the first visit of the National Eisteddfod to Merionethshire has called forth a work which will live in the records of Science, and I earnestly hope that they will be both able and willing to undertake its publication." I regret to say that the Flora has nevertheless not yet been published, and I take this opportunity to commend it to the favourable consideration of the new Board of Celtic Studies. The counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, Cardigan, Brecon, Radnor, Montgomery and Monmouth are still awaiting similar detailed investigation. Let us hope that Mr. Jones's example and success may prove a stimulus to others to follow in his footsteps. In recent years Mr. Jones has taken for his special study the Bryophytes a difficult group of plants, requiring a keen eye in the field and patient microscopic investigation at home or in the laboratory. In this province of Botany he has travelled beyond the confines of his native land and discovered new special and interesting features in their past history. The University will doubtless always take special pleasure in honouring men of the type of Daniel Angell Jones men native of the soil, real sons of Wales who combine the aims of the idealist with the tenacity of purpose of the man of affairs; men undismayed by difficulties, seeking no pecuniary rewards, but simply animated by the love of Nature and of Truth. Professor A. H. Trow, DSc 1921: David Davies Mr. Vice-Chancellor I have the honour to present to you for the Degree of Master of Science, honoris causa, Mr. David Davies, F.G.S. Mr. Davies is one who, despite the claims of a responsible position and a busy commercial life, has yet found time to follow the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake without thought of reward, and has always been prepared to make material sacrifices to increase our knowledge of the truth. He has seized the opportunity afforded him by his occupation to carry out elaborate investigations into the geology and palaeontology of the district in which he is resident. This he has done working alone and practically unaided. What determination, what sacrifice of leisure and devotion to research this involves, only the specialist can adequately realise. By his painstaking and accurate researches, conducted along highly original lines, Mr. Davies has added greatly to our knowledge of the sequence of floras in South Wales, and has done much to remove the reproach that while our Coalfield is commercially the most famous in the world, palaeontologically it has long remained inadequately known. Mr. Davies is not