386 Obituary. 



defatigable man began publishing- his " General History of Birds,'' 

 which was completed in 10 vols. 4to. In 1835, he for the first time 

 began to feel the failure of his sight. Infirmities gradually increased 

 on him ; but he was still an active and cheerful man, taking his daily 

 walk alone, and scorning the assistance of an arm. Four days before 

 his death he exhibited unusual vivacity ; this was followed by a fail- 

 ure of understanding, and he fell into a deep sleep, in which he expir- 

 ed without a pang. Though chiefly known, and most successful as a 

 naturalist, Dr L. was also much attached to antiquities. In a letter 

 to Mr Denne, written in 1 797, he remarked, " In respect to natural 

 history and antiquities, I compare myself to Garrick, between Tra- 

 gedy and Comedy ; and, though not so great a man, I cannot help, 

 like him, squinting towards that which pleases me best." — Extracted 

 from the Gentleman s Magazine for July 1837. 



Dr Latham's works in natural history were confined to Ornitho- 

 logy, in which they were for long the universal text-books, and they 

 are still held in considerable estimation. Cuvier says — "II a surtout 

 enrichi l'Ornithologie de belles especes nouvelles ; mais ses ouvrages 

 sans critique veulent etre lus avec precaution." 



On the 6th July 1837, Dr James Woodforde, of Castle Carey, 

 Somerset. — Dr W. completed his medical studies at the University 

 of Edinburgh, where he graduated M. D. in 1825. The year pre- 

 vious he published " a Catalogue of the Indigenous Phenogamic 

 Plants growing in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh^ — the result of 

 much industry, and a usefid companion in botanical excursions. 

 Can we suppose that in the motto prefixed to this work Dr W. had 

 the anticipation of his own brief career? 



" Brevi cadentia haecce 

 Brevem docentne vitam ?" 



EDINBURGH : 

 TRINTED BY JOHN STARK, OLD ASSEMBLY CLOSE. 



