Mr. Crowther. 1633 



gist ' ! The writer is respectfully informed that when it becomes 

 necessary to suppress truth or conceal opinions in order to obtain a 

 sale for the ' Zoologist,' I will take into consideration the propriety of 

 doing so, and publish his letter, which virtually recommends such a 

 course, as a prelude to this change in the plan of management] . 



[2nd P.S.— A long letter has just reached me from Mr. Glennon ; 

 I extract this interesting passage.—" I have lately obtained a skull of 

 the giant deer, with portions of fatty matter, flesh and skin still at- 

 tached to the forehead and lower part of the head ; the fatty matter 

 bore the impression of coarse hair, and burned readily when held in 

 the flame of a candle." Other extracts from this letter will be made 

 hereafter. — E. N.] 



Notice of the late Mr. Crowther, of Manchester. — The death of this remarkable man 

 is doubtless known to most readers of the ' Zoologist,' but probably few are acquainted 

 with the extent of his merits, both as an entomologist and a botanist. He had acquired, 

 under unfavourable circumstances, a great amount of knowledge, although, as fre- 

 quently happens, others contrived to reap the credit of his researches. In conjunction 

 with his friend E. Hobson, Koland Detrosier, and a few others, he took part in the 

 formation of the Banksian Society, a body of naturalists chiefly from amongst the 

 working classes, which flourished for some years. Afterwards it was united with the 

 Manchester Mechanics' Institution, where its weekly meetings were held for some time. 

 Latterly, however, they have, as I am told, been discontinued, and the Museum 

 chiefly, if not entirely, dispersed, owing to the growing rage for light literature and 

 amusements. As' was stated in the Manchester Guardian, several of the scientific 

 companions of the deceased still survive, aud are at once a pleasing and a painful 

 sight. It is pleasing to see, in men whose days are consumed by manual labour, such 

 a love for natural science, and such great acquirements, — so great, indeed, that if 

 honours were always awarded according to merit, many an F.K.S. (not forgetting the 

 author of ' Errors in Chemistry, &c.'), would have to yield precedence to these rustic 

 philosophers. At the same time it is painful that such talents should be so little fos- 

 tered and appreciated. There is in Lancashire an astonishing love for science : within 

 a few miles I could point out entomologists, botanists, chemists, mathematicians, of 

 sterling merit, amongst the working classes, many of whom, if they had access to 

 books, museums, &c, must have held distinguished positions; but turned upon Na- 

 ture, as they too often are, without other guide than their own powers of observation, 

 and compelled to discover anew for themselves much that is already known, can we 

 wonder that their progress is not greater, or that they frequently take up erroneous and 

 antiquated views ? It was at one time hoped that the Mechanics' Institutions would 

 have afforded such men the needful aid and guidance, but they seem at present more 

 engaged with frivolity than with science. — /. W. Slater. 



