MEMOIR OF THE REV. LEONARD BLOMEFIELD. 419 



inspect the Journals which it puts forth from time to time (still so liberally 

 sent to me as they appear), and see the valuable work being done by 

 others, often most elaborate researches into the minute structure of the 

 lower forms of animal and vegetable life, my own doings in Zoology and 

 Botany, fond as I am of the subject even now in extreme old age, seem 

 as nothing. 



" Yet the retrospect is not without other reminiscences of a more 

 pleasurable character. It brings back to my recollection departed friends 

 whose names may be found in the older lists of the Society, with some of 

 whom I joined in the pursuits that gave us so much pleasure, but who 

 have long since been called to their rest. I as yet remain ; if I cannot 

 claim acquaintance with many of the Fellows of the present day, I shall 

 always hold in grateful remembrance those who were instrumental in 

 getting up the Congratulatory Address just received, which shall always 

 have a place ou the walls of my study, whereon there are several portraits 

 of old Linnean Society members, including that of Mr. Macleay (the father 

 of Alexander Macleay), who was, if I remember right, Secretary to the 

 Society on the evening on which I was admitted, Mr. Lambert, V.P., 

 being in the Chair. 



" Once more expressing my gratitude for the great honour that has 

 been done me, 



Believe me, dear Mr. Harting, 

 Sincerely yours, 



Leonard Blomefield." 



This was the last letter received ; and, having regard to its 

 length and to the firm character of the handwriting, it is a 

 remarkable one for a writer then in his ninety-third year. In 

 less than twelve months from the date of it, he was called to his 

 rest ; bat he has left behind him an imperishable name in the 

 annals of English Zoology. 



His life furnishes an excellent example of the good that may 

 be done by a country vicar by encouraging those about him to use 

 their powers of observation, and find a pleasure in contemplating 

 and studying the various forms of animal and plant life by which 

 they may happen to be surrounded. The books and papers 

 which he published, the lectures which he delivered, the Field 

 Club which he founded, all tended in this direction — the 

 encouragement of the study of Natural History — and when we 

 consider the number of years over which his labours extended, 

 it must be admitted that in this particular line he has rendered 

 considerable service to science, 



U2 



