INTRODUCTION 



Tegetmeier felt himself equipped to deal with 

 his subject, whatever it might be, the proba- 

 bility was there could be little more to learn 

 concerning it. 



The popular papers on Natural History topics 

 which he contributed in such numbers to the 

 columns of the Field, invariably displayed that 

 close observation and study which distinguished 

 his more scientific writings. It was natural to 

 the man to investigate and sift : his was the 

 scientific cast of mind which seeks out truth 

 for its own sake, and will never be content with 

 the superficial. It was this thoroughness, this 

 determination to get at facts, which made his 

 co-operation invaluable to his friend Darwin. 

 How much that great man owed to Tegetmeier, 

 readers of his works are aware. There can be 

 no more eloquent tribute to the value of 

 Tegetmeier' s minute accuracy of observation, than 

 the absolute reliance placed upon his work by 

 Darwin. Tegetmeier always referred with pride 

 and affection to the close association with which, 

 for a quarter of a century, he worked in colla- 

 boration with the famous naturalist. 



Most men as they become advanced in years 

 lose, to a greater or less extent, the interests 

 which have served them during their life- time ; 

 but this was not the case with Tegetmeier. His 

 high vitality, and the excellent health he enjoyed, 

 were evidenced in old age by the wonderful 



▼ii. 



