XXYIU MEMOIR Ol' THE LATE 



Britannica." The " Hortus siccus " formed by Mr. Thompson, and now in 

 the Belfast Museum, is of itself an enduring evidence of his industry and 

 research. 



For many years prior to his death he was in the habit of giving every 

 aid in his power to those who were preparing for publication works on 

 certain departments of either Zoology or Botany. His specimens and his 

 notes were ever freely given for such purposes. There are few authors of 

 such works in these kingdoms who have not gratefully acknowledged 

 their obligations to him ; and some distinguished continental naturalists 

 have expressed their thanks for favours of a similar kind. 



In connexion with his labours it is a natural inquiry, Avhat was the 

 number of his various published papers ? where and when did they ap- 

 pear ? what were their subjects ? what was the extent of each ? It is 

 fortunate that to all these queries a satisfactory reply can be given, for a 

 list in his own hand- writing, found after his death among his MSS., gives 

 the desired information. The list is published in the Appendix to the 

 present volume, and extends to nearly 100 papers, exclusive of '' The Na- 

 tural History of Ireland," which, however, embodied much of the mate- 

 rial dispersed throughout his previous writings. 



Another inquiry naturally arises from a glance over the titles of these 

 publications. Many of them contained notices of species new to the 

 Irish Fauna ; some of them species unrecorded as British, and a few of 

 them animals previously undescribed, or, to use his own words, " new to 

 science." The papers embody not only his own observations, but, as has 

 been already stated, those of many individuals in different parts of Ireland 

 "with Avhom he was in correspondence. How many species, it may be 

 asked, was he the means of recording as additions to the Irish Fauna ? 

 The total number is between 900 and 1000. It cannot be stated with 

 perfect accuracy, for some species are what are termed " critical," and 

 with regard to some, ^Ir. Thompson's own views underwent a change. 

 But this does not materially affect the result, and he, therefore, stood in 

 the proud position of having made known nearly a thousand species of 

 animals living in Ireland or on its coasts, whose existence there was pre- 

 viously unrecorded. Our admiration of the assiduous labour by Avhich 

 this was accomplished is enhanced by the consideration that, during the 

 latter portion of his life, it was carried on amid the weakness and sufier- 

 ing attendant on failing health. But the result remains, forming a last- 

 ing addition to our stores of knowledge, and a monument to him as a man 

 of science, more imperishable than the " storied urn or animated bust " of 

 the sculptor. 



Let us now turn from the consideration of Mr. Thompson as a man of 

 science, to those manifestations of his habits of mind, his peculiarities of 

 taste, and his modes of action, which may serve to indicate to those who 

 knew him not, what " manner of man " he was. 



To a stranger introduced to him when he was attending one of the 

 Tondon Societies, or presiding at one of the meetings in the Museum at 

 Belfast, he would have appeared courteous, but formal, polite, but re- 

 served ; willing to listen, and ready to impart information, if required. 

 But a stranger wojild not suspect that under that cold exterior there 

 lurked a quick jjerception of the ludicrous, and a truly Irish enjoyment of 

 humour. And none but intimate friends could be aware how deeply the 

 poetic element was interwoven in the tissues of his existence. Shakspcare 

 ever continued his prime favourite ; and a volume of extracts from his 

 plays was his constant travelling companion ; but Milton, Burns, Byron, 



