MEMOIR OF THE LATE PROF. SCHLEGEL. 77 



One of his earliest works was his 'Essai sur la physiognomie 

 des Serisens,' which appeared in 1837, in two vols. 8vo, with a 

 folio Atlas. This may be said to be the first really scientific 

 work on Serpents ever published, and, although since that date 

 great advancement has naturally been made in the science of 

 Ophiology, this work still remains a monument to the learning 

 and zoological acumen of its author. 



In 1844 appeared his ' Eevue Critique des Oiseaux d'Europe,' 

 in French and German, a most useful book in its day, and one 

 which is still quoted with approbation. 



Ten years later came his ' Vogels van Nederland ' (of which 

 another edition appeared in 1878), and in 1857 his useful 

 ' Handleiding der Dierkunde,' in two vols. 8vo, with folio Atlas. 



His intimate knowledge of the birds of prey, as exemplified 

 in ' Die Europaischen Tag-Eaubvogel ' and his ' Traite de 

 Fauconnerie,' was universally recognised ; the last-named folio 

 volume, illustrated by Joseph Wolf with coloured figures, life- 

 size, of all the hawks used by falconers, being justly regarded 

 as the finest work on falconry produced in modern times. 



Quite as important as the ' Fauna Japonica ' or the ' Vogels 

 van Nederlandsch Indie,' published in 1863, are the ' Eecherches 

 sur la Faune de Madagascar,' in which, with the aid of those 

 observant travellers, Pollen and Van Dam, the most valuable 

 additions were made to our knowledge of the Great African 

 Island, whence many rare species were described and figured. 



Not to mention the numerous essays and memoirs which 

 Schlegel's busy pen contributed, in several languages, to various 

 zoological journals during his long scientific career, we may 

 refer to his latest publication — which happens to be in English — 

 ' Notes from the Leiden Museum,' a useful periodical which 

 has found much favour with zoologists in this country. Our 

 readers may remember that an interesting article by Professor 

 Schlegel " On the Winter Nest of the Harvest Mouse " was 

 reprinted from these 'Notes' in 'The Zoologist' for June, 1881. 



For some months before his death, his friends had observed 

 with concern his failing health and fading eyesight, which 

 gradually put a stop to that active daily routine in which he 

 delighted, but which nevertheless did not deter him from visiting 

 to the last the Museum in which he had so long and ably worked, 

 and in which his interest seemed as keen as ever. 



