MKMnlh'. xlix 



never wholly relinquished it, although its fulfilment was 

 postponed from time to time for so many years. Here 

 and there in his correspondence it reappears. 



In an unpublished letter to Pennant (July 19, 1771) 

 occurs the following passage, which clearly indicates that 

 some communication had taken place between them on 

 this subject. After referring to the correspondence 

 which was at that time going on between his brother 

 John and Pennant respecting the work on the Natural 

 History of Gibraltar, in which the former was engaged, 

 he says, " As to any publication in this way of my own, 

 I look upon it with great diffidence, finding that I ought 

 to have begun it twenty years ago ; but if I was to 

 attempt anything, it should be somewhat of a Nat : 

 history of my native parish, an Annus historico-naturalis t 

 comprizing a journal for one whole year, and illustrated 

 with large notes and observations. Such a beginning 

 might induce more able naturalists to write the history 

 of various districts, and might in time occasion the 

 production of a work so much to be wished for, a full 

 and compleat nat : history of these kingdoms." This 

 is certainly an interesting passage, as it shows that even 

 at this early period, when contemplating the possible 

 production of his future work, the idea that he might 

 be the pioneer of many labourers in the same field was 

 the ultimate object of his wishes and intentions. It is 

 somewhat disappointing that this object has since been 

 so imperfectly fulfilled, that the long period of nearly a 

 century has passed since so admirable an example was set, 

 and that so little has been done compared with what might 

 have been hoped for, and he had probably anticipated, 

 and that what has been accomplished has never ap- 



