FRANCIS WILLUGHBY. 127 
the system contained in- this volume, and the 
descriptions which are acknowledged as his by 
name, might have of themselves been considered 
a very sufficient and praiseworthy occupation of 
his short life. 
Various testimonies of that age are still extant 
of the public estimation in which Mr Willughby 
was held ; one of these, consisting of a compari- 
son between him and Dr Wilkins, may be admit- 
ted, taken from Echard’s .History of England.* 
“ After all these, we shall mention Francis 
Willughby, Esq. of Middleton in Warwickshire, 
one highly celebrated among the great virtuosi of 
Europe. He was descended from two great 
branches of that ancient and most famous family 
of the Willughbies, and proved a mighty orna- 
ment to them both. His rare natural abilities, 
joined with his indefatigable industry, brought 
him to very great skill in all parts of learning, 
and particularly in those sciences which are most 
abstruse and uncommon to vulgar capacities ; 
the. most subtle parts of mathematics and natural 
philosophy ; and more particularly' the history of 
animals, birds, beasts, fishes, and insects, in which 
he distinguished himself almost beyond example, 
and became the glory of his age. In order to 
which he travelled into many countries, and left 
no impediment untried; and last of all, he was 
snatched away in the 37th year of his age, to 
the great concern of all curious and inquisitive- 
Edition folio, 1718, vol. iii. p. 309. 
