PREFACE. 
vii 
zoophyte to which their names are respectively affixed,- — follow- 
ing immediately the specific character. This has been a 
pleasing inquiry. Smit with the beauty — real or fancied — of 
the objects of his study, a curiosity is naturally awakened to 
discover the name and degree of the person who had first deem- 
ed it worthy of his examination and participated in our pleasure, 
for we conclude assuredly that he who had taken the trouble to 
record the name and treasure up the object, was one of like mind, 
and imbued with much of the same affections and dispositions 
as ourselves. Some of them were found to be men of renown, — 
others in whom I felt a deeper sympathy, are now forgotten, 
their name and their labours swallowed up in the higher and 
more enduring reputation of those whom they were honoured 
to assist and delighted to serve. The genuine naturalist will 
not censure this 44 fond attempt” to restore the faint traces of 
men who had sought the best occupation of a leisure hour in 
congenial pursuits and studies ; but rather will with me lament 
the obscurity and shortness of their 44 simple annals.” 
“ Paullum sepultae distat inertiee 
“ Celata virtus. Non ego te meis 
“ Chartis inornatum silebo, 
“ Totve tuos patiar labores 
“ lmpune carpere lividas 
“ Obliviones. * Hor. Carm. iv. 9. 
It was gratifying to remark that most of my predecessors in 
this field of inquiry were members of the medical profession. 
How largely natural science, in all its branches, has been in- 
debted for its progress to this body is too notorious to be insisted 
* The first stanza in Shenstone’s “ School -mistress” may serve as a translation 
of this passage : 
“ Ah me ! full sorely is my heart forlorn, 
To think how modest worth neglected lies ; 
* * w * * * 
let me try 
To sound the praise of merit, ere it dies, 
Such as I oft have chanced to espy, 
Lost in the dreary shades of dull obscurity.” 
