xii MEMOIR OF WILLIAM YARRELL. 



tioned the subject to Mr. Yarrell, hoping that when he 

 knew such a step had been taken he would consent to be 

 put in nomination. On being informed, however, of this 

 movement, which there is no doubt would have met with 

 the unanimous approval of the Council, he declined the 

 honour solely on the ground of advancing age, and his 

 increasing inability to avail himself of the advantages of 

 the position." 



The subjoined list of Mr. Yarrell's publications affords 

 evidence of his industry and the variety of his zoological 

 studies. He became an author evidently from the love 

 of his subjects, and being in no haste to publish until he 

 had duly investigated the matter in hand and brought his 

 clear judgment to bear on the evidence before him, his 

 writings on Natural History soon acquired that value 

 among scientific men which simple and truthful narra- 

 tive always commands. His great works on the Birds 

 and Fishes of Britain are quoted as authorities in all the 

 scientific circles of Europe and America, and are models 

 of local Faunas, both on account of the strictness with 

 which doubtful species are noted or rejected, as well as 

 for the completeness of the lists gained by unwearied 

 diligence and inquiry in every direction. The synonymy 

 is elaborated with care and skill, and the illustrations, 

 liberally provided by his friend and publisher, are worthy 

 of the works, which is no mean praise. Mr. Yarrell and 

 Mr. Van Voorst were first brought together by their 

 mutual friend, the late Mr. Martin, the librarian of the 

 Duke of Bedford, and the conjunction was a most fortu- 

 nate one for the progress of British Zoology, a series of 

 unrivalled illustrated monographs having originated there- 

 from. Mr. Yarrell's inquiries into the changes of plu- 

 mage of hen Pheasants and of birds generally, his dis- 

 sertations on the horny tip of the bill of young chickens, 



