NO. 58. — 1907.] JOAN GIDEON LOTEN, F.R.S. 



249 



vicar, and where, in all probability, she was born. That 

 Loten was possessed of considerable property, in Holland as 

 well as in England, is amply proved by the many and valuable 

 bequests* devised by him in his will and its half-dozen 

 codicils. 



Now as to Loten's collection of paintings. I have said 

 above that the second part of Edwards's Gleanings of Natural 

 History, in which Loten's name appears as a subscriber, was 

 published in 1760. The third and last part was issued in 

 1764 ; and in the list of subscribers we find " John Gideon 

 Loten, Esq ; F.R.S. 2 Books." But an examination of the 

 volume shows us that Loten had done more than subscribe to 

 the work; for at page 229, f in chap, cvi., which describes 

 plate 316, " The Great Black Cockatoo, "J we read : — 



This figure was taken from a drawing § done from the life, of 

 its natural size, by the order of John Gideon Loten, Esq ; late 

 Governor in the Island of Ceylon, and other Dutch settlements in 

 the East Indies. I shall take this earliest opportunity gratefully 

 to acknowledge the high obligations I owe to this worthy and 

 curious|| Gentleman, as he hath contributed every thing in his 

 power to assist me in the completion of this work, by furnishing 

 me with many new and curious natural specimens in high preser- 

 vation, as well as curious drawings after nature. He has also 

 greatly obliged the curious^ of these kingdoms, by presenting to 

 the British Museum a very large, curious, and valuable collection 

 of original Drawings, in water-colours, of the most curious Ani- 

 mals, Vegetables, &c. the productions of India ; together with 

 many specimens of the natural productions, well preserved ; all 

 which have been helps to me. 



* Among these are some Gey Ion " curios." A valuable collection 

 of shells made by him Mrs. Loten bequeathed to his nephew or grandson 

 (I am not sure which). Loten also had a number of valuable books, 

 which he left by his will to one or other of these. As regards his natural 

 history paintings, see further on. 



t The pagination is continued from the previous parts, this part 

 beginning with p. 221. 



% This plate is dated 15th October 1761. (The plates, it will be 

 seen, are arranged scientifically, not chronologically.) 



§ See what is stated below in the description of plate 338. 



|| This word has here one of its obsolete meanings — studious, diligent, 

 or exact. 



\ That is, connoisseurs. 



L 2 



