Notice of British Naturalists. 161 
‘He mixed a rough, sound good sense, and some times an orig- 
— Inality of remark in his conversation, which always rendered 
what he said interesting. His pleasantries were less remarkable 
for true wit and delicacy, than for the union of strong sense an 
honest merriment. éf 
His engravings are distinguished by their extreme fidelity, and 
for the truth with which he has caught and transferred to paper 
the peculiar air and habit of his subject; while he reduced it 
from its natural size to a small wood cut. But his-improvements 
in the art of cheap and correct engraving, have had a much more 
| extensive influence than in natural history. Those who may 
| temember, or have seen the books put into the hands of children 
during the last century, will perceive how much, in the present 
day, this all-important class of books owes to Bewick; and how 
the distorted representations of nature, have given place to correct 
: and graceful figures; and those who reflect upon the variety of 
| subjects which now owe their illustrations to the art, will feel in- 
clined to give Bewick the credit of being truly a benefactor of 
Mankind. He left several children. One of his sons is now an 
artist of no small ability. 
In 1800 appeared Turron’s translation of Gmelin’s edition of 
the Systema Nature of Litmeus. This work is printed in 
Seven thick octavo volumes; but at a comparatively low price ; 
and although it is now fallen both in value and estimation, yet at 
the time it did great good in opening the science to the mere En- 
glish reader. It has been accused, and justly, of faults, both de- 
Tived from Gmelin, and from its own author. Varieties are given 
#8 species, synonyms as distinct species, and hypothetical and fab- 
ulous animals are occasionally obtruded as existing. ‘Too much 
dependence was placed upon preceding writers. But consider- 
ing the vastness of the work; the difficulties to be encountered ; 
and the doubt which hung over many parts of it, it is well exe- 
cuted, It is now of value only to the historian of science, the 
‘nnalist, or the professed system maker ; being as faithful a record 
the errors, as of the real science of its period. 
Wittiam Turron, M. D., was through life, a zealous naturalist ; 
and besides this book, he published some smaller volumes on con- 
chology. His favorite pursuit was the investigation of British 
Shells. Fig industry and perseverance were great ; but his cir- 
: ae seine narrow, and he not possessing much originality 
s > No. 1—July, 1839, bis. 21 
