114 
OBITUARY, 
in that case there would, we conceive, be intermediate species. The first figure 
is best, but both are good. 
The number concludes with three excellent representations of the eggs of the 
Common Ruff {Machetes pugnax)^ which, as every ornithologist knows, are sub¬ 
ject to considerable variety, both in shape and colour. 
We shall not, at present, say more about the British Oology^ but may, in con¬ 
clusion, be permitted to observe, that each number of this beautiful and classical 
work contains a rich treat for the oologist; and that the subjects and the illustra¬ 
tions are such as must surely be interesting to every one embued with the slightest 
love of Nature. We believe another double part appears cotemporaneously with 
this number of the Naturalist. 
OBITUARY. 
The rigours of the past season, and “ the influenza ” have swept away from 
the land of the living thousands of individuals whose names are unknown beyond 
the limited circle of their relations and friends; and thus a single line in the 
newspapers signalizes the departure from amongst us of beings whose existence 
first becomes known to us after their death. But the influenza appears to have 
been desirous of proving that it is no respecter of persons. We accordingly find 
it our melancholy duty to record the demise of several individuals, eminent in 
Natural Science, whom the world could ill afford to spare. Wm. Elford Leach, 
M. D., died at Genoa some months ago, of a few days* illness from cholera.—• 
Mons. A. L. DE Jussieu expired at Paris, at the advanced age of eighty-nine.— 
Edward Turner Bennet. Esq., died on the 21st of August, 183fl, after a short 
illness. He is the well known author of the Tower Menagerie., and Menagerie 
of the Zoological Society., and published, shortly before his death, an edition of 
White’s Selborne. He was an active and efficient office-bearer of the Zoological 
Society, and edited the Transactions of that body, which will long have reason to 
deplore his loss.—January 22, 1837, at his residence, Howland Street, London, 
Hr. Thornton, the celebrated botanist.—January 24, aged 67, Joseph Sabine, 
Esq., F. R. S., L. S., PI. S., Z. S-, &c., many years Honorary Secretary to the 
London Horticultural Society, and a well-known amateur of Botany. Mr. Sabine 
was brought up to the bar; but shortly after he had begun to practise, he received 
an appointment under government, at a salary of £600 a-year. This office he 
held till 1835, when he was put upon the retired allowance of £350 per annum. 
In 1810, Mr. S. joined the Horticultural Society, of which he was made Honorary 
Secretary on May 1 of the same year, upon the resignation of R. A. Salisbury, 
Esq. After Mr. S. ceased to be Hon. Sec., he became an active member of the 
Zoological Society, and was the means of greatly increasing its collection of 
ornamental plants, in the Regent’s Park. 
Erratum.—P age 84, for “ usual,” read “ unusual.’’ 
