RETROGRESSION. I 7 I 



at authorship, by the publication of some numbers of 

 illustrations and descriptions of exotic shells. An attempt 

 to obtain an appointment in the zoological department of 

 the British Museum was not successful, and Swainson, 

 having now married, found it necessary to increase his 

 income. He determined, therefore, to become a pro- 

 fessional author, and was fortunate enough to form a 

 connection with the great publishing house of Longman, 

 Orme, Brown, & Co. The next few years of Swainson's 

 life were occupied in incessant literary and scientific 

 activity. The principal works which he gave to the world 

 are the * Cabinet Cyclopaedia of Natural History,' the 

 portion of the * Fauna Boreali-Americana ' dealing with the 

 birds, a second series of the ' Zoological Illustrations,' and 

 three of the ornithological volumes in the ' Naturalists' 

 Library.' 



In 1835, Swainson lost his wife, and he subsequently 

 determined to emigrate with his family to New Zealand. 

 This determination he carried into effect, and with this 

 closed his scientific career. He died in New Zealand in 

 the year 1855. 



No doubt can be entertained as to Swainson's having 

 possessed considerable natural abilities. Had he received 

 a rigorous and methodical training in early life, he would 

 probably have left a much more abiding mark upon 

 zoological science, and have occupied a more conspicuous 

 place in the long list of British naturalists. As it is, he 

 attained a high reputation in certain departments, and 

 especially in ornithology. It is, however, unnecessary 

 here to discuss the value of Swainson's observations in 

 this last, or in any other of the many branches of natural 



