( 191 ) 



OBITUAKY. 



John Clavell Mansel-Pleydell. 



Eeaders of ' The Zoologist ' will learn with regret of the 

 death, after a few hours' illness, of John Clavell Mansel-Pleydell, 

 of Whatcombe, Dorset, at the advanced age of eighty-four. He 

 was one of the few remaining representatives of the older school of 

 general naturalists, and his wide knowledge ranging over so many 

 different branches of zoology rendered him, if not an infallible 

 guide in the study, at any rate an invaluable companion in the 

 field. 



He was also one of the prime movers in the formation of the 

 Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club more than 

 twenty years ago, and had filled the office of president ever 

 since. During that period, in addition to numerous papers on 

 Palaeontology, and addresses on many subjects, he has con- 

 tributed several volumes on the fauna and flora of his native 

 county. 



His kindly disposition, and the readiness with which he gave 

 assistance to any who desired it, have endeared him to all with 

 whom he came into personal contact ; and whether as a personal 

 friend, or as president of the Dorset Field Club, his death has 

 created a loss which will be by no means easily made good. 



Amongst the more important of his publications are the 

 following:—' The Flora of Dorset,' London, 1874 ; ' The Birds 

 of Dorsetshire,' London, 1888 ; ' The Flora of Dorset, with a 

 Sketch of the Geology,' ed. 2, Dorchester, 1895 ; ' TheMollusca 

 and Brachiopoda of Dorsetshire,' Dorchester, 1898 ; ' The Orni- 

 thology and Conchology of the County of Dorset ' ; ' A Brief 

 Memoir of the Geology of Dorset,' Blandford. 



F. P. C. 



