32 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, 



century. His labors have been extensive and various, but they find their 

 crown in the magnificent Monograph of the Phycitinae of the World, the 

 first portion of which comprises the seventh volume of the " M^moires 

 sur les L^pidopteres," which are being edited and published by His Im- 

 perial Highness, the Grand Duke Nicholas, of Russia. The second vol- 

 ume was in course of preparation at the time when death overtook the 

 indefatigable laborer, but it is hoped that the work is so well advanced 

 that it may be brought to a successful and worthy completion, even with- 

 out the guiding hand and controling mind of the distinguished author. 

 Monsieur Ragonot was a banker, possessed of the means to enable him 

 to prosecute his researches widely and thoroughly. He had succeeded 

 in bringing together one of the most important and complete collections 

 representing his favorite groups which is in existence, and his well-known 

 reputation for strict probity and scientific ability led to his being entrusted 

 with the treasures of most of the private and public collections of both 

 hemispheres in order to facilitate his labors upon the monumental work 

 which he had undertaken. 



In early life he had been actively engaged in business in the city of 

 London, having resided there for many years. In consequence he was a 

 perfect master of the English tongue, and some of his friends have been 

 in the habit of regarding him as more typically English than French in his 

 style of thought. No one corresponding with him in English would have 

 imagined from the style of his letters that he was other than English, so 

 pure was the idiom and so genuinely English was the style. But he was 

 as intensely French as he was English, and no one familiar with the pleas- 

 ant life of his home, can fail to remember it as a typical French household, 

 full of the brightness and vivacity which characterize the life of that people. 



In person. Monsieur Ragonot was of an engaging presence, modest, 

 aflfable, earnest, yet never so deeply engaged in the absorbing duties of 

 his calling, or the favorite recreations of his study, as to fail to have a 

 moment for the interchange of quiet pleasantries. Bright, quick, precise 

 in speech, instantly ready to grasp an idea, it was a thorough pleasure to 

 be thrown, if even for only a short time, into his society. In his death 

 science has lost one of its leaders. 



W. J. Holland. 



Entomological News for December, was mailed November 30, 1895. 



