1885.] NEW youK academy of sciences. 39 



the great Dutch physician, whose name is a household word 

 with the medical profession. 



Martin Lister, secretary to tlie Eoyal Society, then recently 

 instituted, so identified iiimself with Conchology,that he is dubl^ed 

 the " father " of that science. His first work was, "The Spi- 

 ders, Shells, and Fossil Echini of Great Britain." All are well 

 described, and systematically arranged. The name of Lister is 

 identified with the establishment of system. Short and expres- 

 sive specific characters were introduced, a feature that was then 

 uncommon or new. 



It is thought that had Lister added generic distinctions and 

 some additional ])recision to his work, he would have divided 

 with Linna?us his extraoi'dinary reputation. Lister looked at the 

 habits and economy of the insects for indications of their natural 

 arrangement; all of which Linnaeus passed over in his zeal for 

 simi)lification. 



In 1685, Lister's great work appeared, embodying his general 

 system, having 1,059 plates or figures of shells, among which are 

 accurately pictured several of the soft parts of the animal. So 

 accurate are the details of this work, it, is regarded as of equal 

 value to many of the best to this day. 



At this time, natural history began to receive gi-eater atten- 

 tion in Great Britain than in any other part of Europe since 

 the days of Belonius. Neither France nor Italy contributed to 

 the stock. The influence of Bacon, through his philosophical 

 utterances, seems to have ins]")ired the naturalists to greater 

 vigor. The works of Eay and Willughby were little less ci-edita- 

 ■ble. There was a strong tendency now to original work. It 

 was the favorite purpose of Willughby to describe only such 

 objects as he had seen, and for the pur]")ose of extending his 

 course, he proposed to go to America. His untimely death at 

 the early age of thirty-seven prevented the consummation of this 

 design. Ray lived to twice the age of Willughby, and had con- 

 sequently an opportunity to prosecute his work with greater 

 advantages. His reputation is based largely on his " Bisioria 

 Insecioric7n," inxhWshed in 1710. His woi-k entitled "Wisdom 

 of God Manifested in His Works" is said to be the first that 

 embodied an attempt to bring the truth of nature into harmony 

 with revealed religion. 



Zoology was now cultivated with considerable zeal. Museums 

 were established. The Eoyal Society became zealous in the good 

 ■work. A notable collection had become known, including 

 every department of nature. This was the work of one Petti- 

 ver. Its value was so well appreciated that it was purchased by Sir 

 HansSloane for £4,000. Sloane was the most eminent patron of 

 natural science in Great Britain, holding the high professional 



