MEMOIR OF THE LATE 
xxviii 
Britannica.” The “ Hortus siccus ” formed by Mr. Thompson, and now in 
the Belfast Museum, is of itself an enduring evidence of his industry and 
research. 
For many years prior to his death he was in the habit of giving every 
aid in his power to those who were preparing for publication works on 
certain departments of either Zoology or Botany. His specimens and his 
notes were ever freely given for such purposes. There are few authors of 
such works in these kingdoms who have not gratefully acknowledged 
their obligations to him ; and some distinguished continental naturalists 
have expressed their thanks for favours of a similar kind. 
In connexion with his labours it is a natural inquiry, what was the 
number of his various published papers ? where and when did they ap- 
pear ? what were their subjects? what was the extent of each? It is 
fortunate that to all these queries a satisfactory reply can be given, for a 
list in his own hand-writing, found after his death among his MSS., gives 
the desired information. The list is published in the Appendix to the 
present volume, and extends to nearly 100 papers, exclusive of “ The Na- 
tural History of Ireland,” which, however, embodied much of the mate- 
rial dispersed throughout his previous writings. 
Another inquiry naturally arises from a glance over the titles of these 
publications. Many of them contained notices of species new to the 
Irish Fauna; some of them species unrecorded as British, and a few of 
them animals previously undescribed, or, to use his own words, “ new to 
science.” The papers embody not only his own observations, but, as has 
been already stated, those of many individuals in different parts of Ireland 
with whom he was in correspondence. How many species, it may be 
asked, was he the means of recording as additions to the Irish Fauna ? 
The total number is between 900 and 1000. It cannot be stated with 
perfect accuracy, for some species are what are termed “ critical,” and 
with regard to some, Mr. Thompson’s own views underwent a change. 
But this does not materially affect the result, and he, therefore, stood in 
the proud position of having made known nearly a thousand species of 
animals living in Ireland or on its coasts, whose existence there was pre- 
viously unrecorded. Our admiration of the assiduous labour by which 
this was accomplished is enhanced by the consideration that, during the 
latter portion of his life, it was carried on amid the weakness and suffer- 
ing attendant on failing health. But the result remains, forming a last- 
ing addition to our stores of knowledge, and a monument to him as a man 
of science, more imperishable than the “ storied urn or animated bust ” of 
the sculptor. 
Let us now turn from the consideration of Mr. Thompson as a man of 
science, to those manifestations of his habits of mind, his peculiarities of 
taste, and his modes of action, which may serve to indicate to those who 
knew him not, what “ manner of man ” he was. 
To a stranger introduced to him when he was attending one of the 
London Societies, or presiding at one of the meetings in the Museum at 
Belfast, he would have appeared courteous, but formal, polite, but re- 
served ; willing to listen, and ready to impart information, if required. 
But a stranger would not suspect that under that cold exterior there 
lurked a quick perception of the ludicrous, and a truly Irish enjoyment of 
humour. And none but intimate friends could be aware how deeply the 
poetic element was interwoven in the tissues of his existence. Shakspeare 
ever continued his prime favourite ; and a volume of extracts from his 
plays was his constant travelling companion ; but Milton, Burns, Byron, 
