xix. 



the stern and harsh rule of priority to too great an extent, much confusion 

 would be avoided. And, after all, are the publishers' dates of any 

 vital importance ? Is it of any real importance whether a certain name 

 was given in 1775 or 1776? Perhaps the work published in 1776 was 

 really written before that published in 1775, and delayed being given to 

 the world through some error on the part of the publisher. 



If we turn to our own country again, we find that the Linnsean Society 

 was instituted in London in 1788, under the direction and presidency of 

 Dr. J. E. Smith. On the death of Charles Linnaeus, son of the great 

 Linnaeus, in 1783, the whole of the collections of both father and son; the 

 library, consisting of about 2,500 volumes ; and the manuscripts and corres- 

 pondence, were offered to Sir Joseph Banks, as the most liberal and wealthy 

 naturalist in Europe, for the sum of 1,000 guineas. Sir Joseph himself 

 declined the purchase, but recommended it to the consideration of his friend, 

 Dr. Smith. After some negociation the bargain was concluded, and these 

 inestimable treasures were sent to England in twenty-six large packages. 



Two years previously, on the 24th of April, 1786, and thirty-seven follow- 

 ing days, was sold by public auction, the museum belonging to and founded 

 by the celebrated Duchess Dowager of Portland. 



In 1789, the celebrated Gilbert White published the " Natural History 

 and Antiquities of Selborne; and in the following year was published the 

 " Naturalist's Miscellany," by Dr. Shaw and Fred. T. Nodder. 



The next writer is Edward Donovan, who in 1792, began to publish, at 

 London, "The Natural History of British Insects," explaining them in their 

 various states, with the periods of their transformations, their food, economy, 

 as illustrated by coloured figures, designed and executed from living speci- 

 mens. It was regularly published in monthly numbers, until fourteen 

 volumes of twelve numbers each were completed, when it closed in 1810. 

 This work did much to forward the progress of entomology in Britain, as 

 did that of Lewin, entitled " The Insects of Great Britain, systematically 

 arranged, accurately engraved, and painted from nature, with the natural 

 history of each species, from a close application to the subject, and obser- 

 vations made in different counties of this kingdom ; as well as from breeding 

 numbers from the egg, as caterpillar, during the last thirty years. The 

 figures engraved from the subjects themselves by the author, William Lewin, 

 Fellow of the Linnsean Society, and printed under his immediate direction." 

 Yol. I., London, 1795. 



This volume contains all the butterflies known in the British Isles, and is 

 a valuable publication. No others were published owing to the death of 

 the author. The species contained in the work are 62 in number, viz : — 



