Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 1 (1877).djvu/101

Rh Fortunately for others, although the collection had gone, the knowledge gained in forming it had been well stored, and, through the kindness of his friend the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Monquhitter, Edward, whose keen powers of observation gave eloquence to his descriptions, was enabled to impart much valuable information to many of his brother naturalists.

Those who would know something of what he has accomplished in only one department of Zoology, should consult Bates' and Westwood's 'History of British Sessile-eyed Crustacea,' wherein his services are fully acknowledged. Of the numerous Crustacea mentioned in that work, Edward collected one hundred and twenty-seven in the Moray Firth, of which twenty were new species! Many of his beetles and other insects he sent for identification to our late friend Edward Newman, who named them for him, and assisted him liberally with books on Natural History that were likely to be useful to him. Their correspondence originated in his articles on the "Birds of Banffshire," which began to appear in 'The Zoologist' in August, 1856, although this was not his first contribution to this journal. Mr. Newman asked for some information about fishes, which Edward promised to supply: the result was that many new fishes were found in the Moray Firth, simply from his determination to search for, collect, and preserve them.

When Mr. A.G. More was collecting material for his excellent papers on the distribution of birds in Great Britain during the nesting season, published in 'The Ibis' for 1865, Edward was asked by him to act as observer for Banffshire and the northern part of Aberdeen, in which capacity he communicated much useful information, which Mr. More fully acknowledged.

But his most important correspondence has been with Mr. Couch on British fishes, and with Mr. Spence Bate and the Rev. A.M. Norman on Crustacea. To these subjects two chapters (XV. and XVI.) have been wisely devoted in the volume before us, and Mr. Smiles has rendered a service to zoologists by bringing together in this way much valuable information which was previously scattered throughout various books and periodicals. These chapters are very instructive, and should be read in extenso.

Like many others, not alone naturalists, Edward has had his share of loss and disappointment. What more vexing than to lose a beautiful series of Lepidoptera through the depredations of mice, and to have a valuable collection of dried plants, which had