clxvi Journal of Proceedings.
flies, noctural and diurnal ; nor, should I live ten years longer, were I
like to come to any near prospect of the end of it, should I pursue it
with that diligence and application I have done now these seven years.
What then shall I say of the other tribes of Searabaei [beetles] and
flies ; which are as numerous as they. You would not imagine how
much time it takes one to search out and to feed them, I mean the
Erucae [larvae]." Our author, then, was not unmindful of the largeness
of his subject and his anxiety to make the work as complete as possible
is shown throughout the correspondence of his later years—as Haworth
says, " He was indeed one of the brightest ornaments in the history of
our science.''
On April 15th, 1699, he still writes to Sloane : " For my own part,
though I have taken a great deal of pains, yet have I made but little
progress in the History of Insects. The most that I have done is in
observing the generation and transmutations of the papilionaceous tribe
[not of plants but insects—Lepidoptera], of which I have found at least
200 species near my own habitation, neidum finitae, every year bringing
new ones to my knowledge. Of these, as many as 1 could get the eggs
or caterpillars of I have fed and endeavoured to bring to their changes,
though I have failed in many. This hath taken me up no small
time and pains; and yet, if I had not taken this course I had never
seen abundance which now I have knowledge of. The other tribes of
insects I have not been so diligent and curious in observing, yet have I
made collections of such as came in my way. The next tribe intended
to have fixed upon after I had despatched Papilios was Beetles, which are
no less numerous, and whose way of generation is the same with Papilios ;
and which may be as easily fed and brought to change as they. But,
alas ! my glass is almost out, and I am so afflicted with pains, that I
have no heart to proceed any further. Indeed, I could do very little all
last summer, and I must alii lampada tradere." The work certainly was
entrusted to others ; but it was John Ray of Notley who made the founda-
tions of entomological science sure, and laid a grand corner stone in
his 'Historia Insectorum.' On this Linnaeus, Cuvier, Reaumur,
De Geer, Latreille, and our own Kirby and Spence, Curtis, Stephens.
Newman and Westwood have raised a suitable superstructure, and the
work is still progressing, somewhat slowly, but, let us hope, surely. The
bounds have been enlarged and more securely fenced, but the work of
the founder remains. Lett-he members of the Essex Field Club emulate
his example.
From about 1600, when Ray was 63, for about ten years he worked
hard at his entomological studies under many and great difficulties.
Following Swammerdam, and using the notes of his frequent correspon-
dent, Dr. Lister, and his ever honoured friend, Francis Willughby, and
with the co-operation of Derham, Sloane and Petiver, his work was
assuming something of its final form, when on Dec. 1st, 1700, we find
him writing : " I am now much worse than when I wrote to you last,
being, by the sharpness of my pains, reduced to that weakness that I
can scarce stand alone, so that I lay aside all thoughts of the History of
Insects, and despair even of life itself." It was Johnson, I think, who
told us that great works are performed, not by strength, but by persever-
ance ; here is a noble instance. In May, 1702, when Ray was almost
75 years old, we find him writing to Derham : " It is not many years
since I applied myself to the observation and search of insects in order
to compose the history of them, but now I am wholly taken off from that
study by the afflictive pains I almost constantly labour under, by
reason of ulcers upon my legs. I have not been a half a mile out of my
house these four years; and, though I have made use of many means,
and have had the advice of some of the most skilful surgeons and