72 THE IBIS 



is largely a record of ancient friendships. My only con- 

 solation is that the protracted delay has not been my own 

 fault, as I can honestly say that whenever the cessation 

 of more important duties gave me opportunity, I resumed 

 my labour of love, but again and again months — ^not to 

 say years— passed without such opportunity recurring.* 



The " Ootheca WoUeyana " has been well described as 

 a monumental work, and that it was very truly a" labour 

 of love " may be seen from the concluding paragraph of 

 the " Memoir " in Part II. 



To describe John Wolley's character at any length 

 has not been my intention. I have tried, without the 

 desire of unduly exalting the value of any branch of 

 Natural Science, to give in outUne the chief events of a 

 life which, if the study of God's creatures deserves 

 encouragement, cannot be said to have been uselessly 

 spent, for it added not inconsiderably to our knowledge 

 of them, and, if unswerving devotion to the cause of 

 Truth merits any praise, must be admitted to have been 

 honourably passed. The facts narrated here and in the 

 following pages are left to speak for themselves : on 

 them must Wolley's reputation rest. It would add little 

 to them to state that, in the various capacities of relative, 

 friend, and companion, there was httle wanting in him, 

 for such encomiums are too often applied without due 

 cause. His good qualities are treasured in the recollec- 

 tion of those who knew him — ^now, alas ! dwindled to a 

 small number — ^and especially of that one of them to 

 whom he gave the last token of his esteem. Having 

 endeavoured (how imperfectly no one knows better than 

 myself) to discharge a duty owing to the memory of a 

 deeply lamented comrade, I cannot conclude this sketch 

 without an expression of gratitude at having been 

 permitted to share so largely the intimacy and confidence 

 of such an upright man. 



* " Ootheca Wolleyana," Preface. 



