138 . Notice of British Naturalists. 



appears to have accomplished during his leisure hours. His pro- 

 fessional practice was large ; he was by no means unacquainted 

 with the writings of preceding PhysicianS; and his information 

 on general topics was such as might be expected from one hold- 

 ing the high station in society which he did. What has been 

 justly remarked of those among the ancients who wrote on Nat- 

 ural History, w^e may apply, without much change, to Lister^ 

 that they were men of enlarged minds^ who were far from being 

 confined to one study; that their views were elevated, and their 

 knowledge various and profound ; and that while no object appear- 

 ed too minute for their consideration, their depth of thought pre- 



served them from trifling or unimportant investigations. Lister 



may be said to be the father of Conchology in England ; and his 



anatomical examinations prove how correct a view he took of the 



subject. In these writings he has displayed both great accuracy 



of observation, and indefatigable industry in detecting the most 



minute particulars of the economy of this part of creation j and 



we may still refer to his works with profit, instruction, and in- 

 terest. 



Sir Robert Sibbald, — The principal source of information re- 

 specting him, is from an autobiography w>itten in 1695, recently 

 published, with other scraps of Scottishhistbry* under the tide of 

 " Analecta Scotica." He was descended from a noble family of 

 great antiquity, and enjoyed the influence of a judicious and ex- 

 cellent mother, who was very careful of his education. He was 

 born at Edinburgh, AprU 15, 1641, and received his education in 

 the high school and university of that city. He then spent two 

 years and a half on the continent, studying medicine at Leyden 

 and in Paris, and cultivating the acquaintance of the leading sa- 

 vans of the day. Having obtained a French diploma of medicine 

 he travelled in various parts of France, and returned through Eng- 

 land to Edinburgh in October, 1662. There was in those days no 

 public coach north of York, whence he travelled to Newcastle 

 on horseback with a guide, whom he retained through the re- 

 mainder of his journey. 



On his return to his native country, he projected the plan for 

 establishing a Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh, and was 

 active in carrying it into effect. In 1686 he is said to have embra- 

 ced Popery ; from which, in a few years, he again recanted. 



^ 



* Naturalist's Library, voL ix, p. IS. 



