FRANCIS WJLLUGHBY. 127 



the system contained in this volume, and the 

 descriptions which are acknowledged as his by 

 name, might have of themselves been considered 

 a very sufficient and praiseworthy occupation of 

 his short life. 



Various testimonies of that age are still extant 

 of the public estimation in which Mr Willughby 

 was held ; one of these, consisting of a compari- 

 son between him and Dr Wilkins, may be admit- 

 ted, taken from Echard's History of England.* 



" After all these, we shall mention Francis 

 Willughby, Esq. of Middleton in Warwickshire, 

 one highly celebrated among the great virtuosi of 

 Europe. He was descended from two great 

 branches of that ancient and most famous family 

 of the \Villughbies, and proved a mighty orna- 

 ment to them both. His rare natural abilities, 

 joined with his indefatigable industry, brought 

 him to very great skill in all parts of learning, 

 and particularly in those sciences which are most 

 abstruse and uncommon to vulgar capacities ; 

 the most subtle parts of mathematics and natural 

 philosophy; and more particularly the history of 

 animals, birds, beasts, fishes, and insects, in which 

 he distinguished himself almost beyond example, 

 and became the glory of his age. In order to 

 which he travelled into many countries, and left 

 no impediment untried ; and last of all. he was 

 snatched away in the 37th year of his age, to 

 the great concern of all curious and inquisitive 



* Edition folio, 1718, vol. iii. p. 309. 



