114 OBITUARY. 



in that case there would, we conceive, be intermediate species. The first figure 

 is best, but both are good. 



The number concludes with three excellent representations of the eggs of the 

 Common Ruff {Machetes pugnax), which, as every ornithologist knows, are sub- 

 ject to considerable variety, both in shape and colour. 



We shall not, at present, say more about the British Oology, but may, in con- 

 clusion, be permitted to observe, that each number of this beautiful and classical 

 work contains a rich treat for the oologist ; and that the subjects and the illustra- 

 tions are such as must surely be interesting to every one embued with the slightest 

 love of Nature. We believe another double part appears cotemporaneously with 

 this number of the Naturalist. 



OBITUARY. 



The rigours of the past season, and " the influenza " have swept away from 

 the land of the living thousands of individuals whose names are unknown beyond 

 the limited circle of their relations and friends ; and thus a single line in the 

 newspapers signalizes the departure from amongst us of beings whose existence 

 first becomes known to us after their death. But the influenza appears to have 

 been desirous of proving that it is no respecter of persons. We accordingly find 

 it our melancholy duty to record the demise of several individuals, eminent in 

 Natural Science, whom the world could ill afford to spare. Wm. Elford Leach, 

 M. D., died at Genoa some months ago, of a few days' illness from cholera. — • 

 Mons. A. L. de Jussieu expired at Paris, at the advanced age of eighty -nine. — 

 Edward Turner Bennet, Esq., died on the 21st of August, 1836, after a short 

 illness. He is the well known author of the Tower Menagerie, and Menagerie 

 of the Zoological Society, and published, shortly before his death, an edition of 

 White's Selborne. He was an active and efficient office-bearer of the Zoological 

 Society, and edited the Transactions of that body, which will long have reason to 

 deplore his loss. — January 22, 1837, at his residence, Howland Street, London, 

 Dr. Thornton, the celebrated botanist. — January 24, aged 67, Joseph Sabine, 

 Esq., F. R. S., L. S., H. S., Z. S-, &c, many years Honorary Secretary to the 

 London Horticultural Society, and a well-known amateur of Botany. Mr. Sabine 

 was brought up to the bar ; but shortly after he had begun to practise, he received 

 an appointment under government, at a salary of £600 a-year. This office he 

 held till 1835, when he was put upon the retired allowance of £350 per annum. 

 In 1810, Mr. S. joined the Horticultural Society, of which he was made Honorary 

 Secretary on May 1 of the same year, upon the resignation of R. A. Salisbury, 

 Esq. After Mr. S. ceased to be Hon. Sec, he became an active member of the 

 Zoological Society, and was the means of greatly increasing its collection of 

 ornamental plants, in the Regent's Park. 



Erratum.— Page 84, for " usual," read " unusual.'' 



