ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 169 



distressing feelings of lassitude continued at intervals 

 throughout the winter and following spring ; but still 

 neither he nor those about him were much alarmed by them. 

 As the summer drew on, he fancied his bodily strength in some 

 degree restored ; but at the same time he was aware of an 

 occasional loss of memory, which became now and then very 

 apparent in his letters to his friends. In the month of July 

 an accidental and trifling occurrence brought on an attack 

 of a much more serious character, and he then placed him- 

 self under regular medical treatment. No improvement in 

 his symptoms taking place, it was recommended that further 

 advice should be sought, and accordingly he went to London, 

 where the opinion of one of the highest authorities in the 

 profession — himself since removed by death — was taken. 

 Dr. Todd (for he was the physician consulted) at once declared 

 that the case was one in which no hope of recovery could be 

 entertained, that there was an affection of the brain, probably 

 of long standing, and that a speedy change Mould take place. 

 These fatal words were fulfilled to the letter; not many days 

 passed before Wolley experienced another violent attack, 

 from which he only once, and for a short time, rallied. He 

 then seemed quite aware of his approaching end, and expressed 

 his wishes respecting the place of his burial and the disposal 

 of his oological collection. On the 20th of November, 1859, 

 after having for some hours lapsed into a state of complete 

 unconsciousness, he expired without suffering. 



His last wishes were faithfully carried out. In accordance 

 with them, his remains were interred in the churchyard at 

 Matlock — his birthplace — and his vast collection of eggs was 

 handed over to his friend Alfred Newton, who subsequently 

 published, under the title of ' Ootheca Wolleyana,' a full 

 catalogue of the treasures it contained, as a fitting memorial 

 of him who formed it. Wolley had been for some time in 

 the habit of sending yearly to the Museum at Norwich most 

 of the skins of the birds obtained by himself or his agents in 

 Lapland. After his decease his father handsomely presented 

 to the same deserving institution the remaining portion of 

 the collection, where it is known as the " Wolley Donation,' 



SER. IX. VOL. II., JUB.-SUPPL. N 



