22 MEMOIR OF PALLAS. 



mentioned above as composed at Gottingen. This 

 Tliesis seems to have been his first work, and was 

 published in the nineteenth year of his age. 



At this epoch, the possession of numerous colo- 

 nies all over the world, as well as the first and 

 longest established rank in commerce, had accumu- 

 lated a vast number of rare natural productions in 

 the several museums of Holland, and natural history 

 itself was receiving a new impetus, from the taste 

 and attention bestowed upon it by the gifted mother 

 of the last Stadtholder. We cannot be surprised, 

 therefore, that during his stay at Leyden, this 

 science should have become the predominant pas- 

 sion of our enthusiastic student, who employed all 

 the time he could spare from his professional pur- 

 suits in visiting the public and private museums, 

 and in carefully noting what was most worthy of 

 attention. 



Having visited the principal cities of Holland, 

 Pallas directed his course to London, where he 

 arrived in July 17^1 ; the ostensible objects of his 

 journey to England being to improve his know- 

 ledge of medicine and surgery, and to inspect the 

 hospitals. He was now, however, so much absorbed 

 in his contemplations on zoology, that he neglected 

 every other pursuit, and gave himself up entirely to 

 his favourite branch of science. At this juncture 

 his zeal was so ardent, that after having passed the 

 day in curiously examining the various collections 

 of natural history, and perusing the principal works 

 he could procure on the subject, he would frequently 



