56 MEMOIR OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 



We have inserted the foregoing abstract of Dr. Barton's 

 paper, in the hope that some of our readers will favour us with 

 their observations on this interesting subject. We cannot 

 agree in all the conclusions drawn by the Doctor, and have 

 reason to question the accuracy of some of his facts. — We 

 are inclined to think that he has not dissected the head of a 

 rattle-snake, or he would have discovered that the bone on the 

 top of the head is not " so thin and brittle that it is thought 

 that a stroke from the wing of a thrush or robin would be 

 sufficient to break it." At the same time we must admit 

 that there is considerable weight in the reasons he gives in. 

 support of his explanation of this singular supposed faculty. 



Editor. 



MEMOIR OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 



We propose occasionally to present our readers with short 

 memoirs of the most distinguished naturalists, and of persons 

 who have, either by their discoveries or their scientific attain^ 

 ments, made valuable additions to our knowledge of zoology, 

 or have contributed to the advancement of any branch of 

 natural history. 



Foremost in the rank of such persons, we must place the 

 subject of the present memoir, who may claim our attention 

 not on any one of these grounds singly, but on all of them. 

 He united a love of science with an earnest zeal and steady 

 perseverance in its pursuit ; an energetic and courageous 

 disposition, combined with ample pecuniary resources, and 

 the friendship and patronage of those in power, and thus pos- 

 sessed qualifications seldom met with in one individual. 



These numerous advantages were well bestowed on Sir 

 Joseph Banks. In all his undertakings the chief object 

 he had in view was the general advancement of science, and 

 particularly his favourite study, natural history. Totally 

 free from all selfish feelings he seems ever to have considered 

 his acquisitions and discoveries as public property ; and his 

 splendid library and magnificent collection of specimens and 

 drawings were always at the service of scientific men. Indeed 

 the unbounded generosity with which he communicated his 

 treasures to those whom he considered woulji duly appreciate 

 them, may be considered as a remarkable trait in his character. 

 — But we feel that we are anticipating, and that we ought to 

 state shortly, the history of this enterprising individual, be- 

 fore we offer any further remarks. 



Sir Joseph Banks was born 13th December, 1743. Some 

 doubt appears to exist as to the period at which his ancestors 



