%\\t Canadian mntomolugist. 



Vol. XLI. GUELPH, NOVEMBER, 1909. No. 11. 



DR. WILLIAM BRODIE. 



We regret to have to record the death of another veteran entomologist 

 in the person of the late Dr. William Brodie, who has recently been 

 contributing a series of articles on galls found. in the neighbourhood of 

 Toronto. On Saturday, July 31st, on his return to his home he com- 

 plained of feeling unwell, and a few days later became seriously ill. On 

 Friday, August 6th, he expired. He was born in Peterhead, Aberdeen, 

 Scotland, and came out to Canada with his parents when a child. His 

 father settled on a farm in the County of York, about 30 miles from 

 Toronto, and there hewed out of the forest a home for his family. From 

 his earliest years Dr. Brodie exhibited an ardent love of nature in all its 

 aspects, and became an omnivorous reader. This habit, formed in child- 

 hood, continued with him throughout his life. While fitting himself for 

 the profession of dentistry he taught school for a time, and became one of 

 the first graduates of the Dental College in Toronto. There he practised 

 his profession very successfully for a long series of years. In 1903 he 

 gave up his work and took charge of the Biological Department of the 

 Provincial Museum. 



While fully occupied during most of his time with the work of his 

 profession, he most industriously devoted every spire moment to his much- 

 loved study of natural history. He was a wonderful collector, and little 

 or nothing, whelheryft?ra qx fauna, came amiss to him in his rambles. He 

 ranged over the whole domain of Natural History, and mastered in all 

 branches information alike interesting and important ; for with all his 

 collecting there went great powers of observation and depth of insight. 

 If he picked up a shell or a fossil, problems of antecedent conditions or of 

 geological eras would be suggested ; if he noticed a plant, some question 

 of ecology or environment would present itself. Scientific theory on its 

 philosophical side always delighted him. His favourite study was 

 entomology. Galls and their inmates had a special fascination for him, 

 and he made large collections of these and many other forms of insect life. 

 His enthusiasm was infectious, and inspired many of his younger friends 

 with a love for nature, and especially for the collection and observation of 



