446 HISTORY OF ENTOMOLOGY. 
was celebrated for the assiduity with which lie studied 
insects ; and in the former of these works has concen- 
trated a vast number of interesting observations con- 
nected with their anatomy and history. No Englishman 
contributed more to the progress of Natural History, 
both as a writer and collector, than that disinterested 
physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane, whose exten- 
sive and valuable library and well-stored cabinets formed 
the original nucleus of the present vast collection of the 
British Museum. Amongst other departments, that of 
insects was not overlooked by him ; and it is to be re- 
gretted that those which he had accumulated have either 
perished from neglect or are not accessible. Other 
Entomologists were eminent at this period in Britain. 
The principal of these were Petiver, Dale (to whom Ray 
bequeathed his collection of insects), Bobart, Bradley, 
and Dandridge; the last of whom, as Bradley tells us, 
delineated and described 1 4-0 species of spiders. 
I must not omit here to observe that our Royal So- 
ciety, the origin of which took place in this era, com- 
municated a new and powerful impulse to the public mind 
in favour of Physical Science, and greatly accelerated 
the progress of Natural History. It acted not only as 
a centre of excitement which stimulated to exertion, but 
also as a focus to collect the scattered rays of light before, 
they were dissipated. Insulated observations in every 
department of nature were thus preserved; and commu- 
nications from the most eminent naturalists in various 
parts of Europe ornamented its Transactions. So that 
from the establishment of this illustrious Society, the 
triumphant march of Physical Science of every kind to- 
wards its acme may be dated. 
