BRITISH ZOOLOGISTS. 113 



minute and methodical observation of the most trivial 

 details. 



' His diaries/ says Mr Jesse, ' were kept with unremit- 

 ting diligence; and in his annual migrations to Oriel 

 College and other places, his man Thomas, who seems 

 to have been well qualified for the office, recorded 

 the weather journal. The state of the thermometer, 

 barometer, and the variations of the wind are noted, as 

 well as the quantity of rain which fell. We have daily 

 accounts of the weather, whether hot or cold, sunny or 

 cloudy; we have also information of the first tree in 

 leaf, and even of the appearance of the first fungi, and 

 of the plants first in blossom. We are told when mosses 

 vegetate, and when insects first appear and disappear. 

 There are also remarks with regard to fish and other 

 animals ; with miscellaneous observations and memoranda 

 on various subjects.' Through this mass of what many 

 people might regard as insignificant, not to say wearisome, 

 details, runs a strong vein of humanity. To quote Mr 

 Jesse once more : c He " chronicled " his ale and beer, as 

 they were brewed by his man Thomas, who appears to 

 have been his valet, gardener, and assistant naturalist. 

 He takes notice of the quantity of port wine which came 

 to his share when he divided a pipe of it with some of his 

 neighbours ; and he makes frequent mention of his crops, 

 his fine and early cucumbers, and the flavour of his Card- 

 illiac peas he evidently passing much time in his garden. 

 The appearance of his neighbours' hops, the beginning 

 and ending of their harvests, their bees, pigs, and poultry, 

 are also noticed in succession, and appear to have added 

 to the interest he took in rural life.' 



