74 BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 



and Davis Straits, for the benefit of Science and Commerce." 

 Plans Just Winkelmann published in Oldenburg in 1664 " Der 

 Amerikanischen neuen Welt Bescreibung." &c, with descrip- 

 tions and figures of animals and plants. 



Christian Bullen. in 1667, made a voyage to Greenland and 

 Spitsbergen, an account of which, including interesting observa- 

 tions on whales and the whale fishery, was printed at Bremen in 

 1668. 



Marcgrave. Krieg, the two Forsters, and Schoepf are referred 

 to elsewhere. Steller, Pallas and Chamisso are mentioned in 

 connection with Russian explorations. 



Madame Maria Sibilla Merian, [b. 1647, d. 171 7], who was a 

 native of Frankfort, was an enthusiastic entomologist who trav- 

 elled in Surinam from 1699-1701. Her paintings of tropical in- 

 sects were reproduced in a magnificent folio volume, printed 

 170^-9, which was one of the wonders of her day, and which, 

 together with her other writings upon insects, have secured her a 

 prominent place in the early history of science. 



VI. 



The seventeenth century was not, upon the whole, a period fa- 

 vorable to the promotion of science, for all Europe was agitated 

 by war and political strife, and men had neither opportunity nor 

 inclination for intellectual pursuits. During its latter half, how- 

 ever, and with the return of peace and tranquillity, science grew 

 in favor as it had never done before. The restoration of the 

 Stuarts to the English throne was quickly followed by the estab- 

 lishment of the Royal Society. Louis XIV. made the period of 

 his accession memorable by founding the Royal Academy of 

 Sciences, and by building an observatory. 



This was the period of intellectual activity which followed the 

 revival of letters in Europe. Carus, in his History of Zoology, 

 calls it the period of encyclopaedia-making, (Pcriode der en- 

 cykloftadische Darstellungen) , filling the interspace between 



