MEMOIR OF GESNER. 49 



tion of mountain-mouse. Most of the English 

 names of animals were communicated to Gesner by 

 the famous botanist, Dr. Turner. * 



This work, the most famous of Gesner's produc- 

 tions, continued for a considerable period to be the 

 principal authority on zoological subjects. Much of 

 it was copied by Aldrovandus, in his voluminous 

 compilations ; Jonson did little more than abridge 

 it ; and it has formed the basis of works of much 

 more recent date. 



As it was designed to be a general work on ani- 

 mals, it necessarily formed part of the author s plan 

 to include insects, and with this view he had col- 

 lected a good many materials, but of these his early 

 death prevented him making any use. His manu- 

 scripts and wood-engravings on the subject fell into 

 the hands of Dr. Penny, an Englishman, who was 

 at that time travelling in Switzerland, and had be- 

 come intimate with Gesner. It is conjectured by 

 Pulteney that Penny was present at Gesner's death ; 

 and, being a zealous botanist, that he assisted Wolf 

 in arranging the plants of his deceased friend. How- 

 ever this may be, it is well known that Penny 

 studied insects with great care, t and mtist have 



* Prefixed to tlie third volume of the Frankfort edition of 

 Gesner's Hist, Anim,, 1620, we find a letter from Dr. Tm-ner 

 relating to English fishes. It consists of tliree pages, briefly 

 describing more than fifty species ; and seems to be intended 

 to give information respecting English names, which Turner 

 liad carefully noted, and often added the provincial appella- 

 tions.*. Pulten€y''s Sketches of Botany^ vol. 1. 



t As a proof of tliis, and as an example of the subjects ■^^'hieli 



D 



