Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/340

312 It has been thought curious that a lady should take up agricultural entomology and not only dabble in the science, but practically make it her own, as Miss Ormerod has done, so far as this country is concerned. The beginning was undoubtedly example and precept. Dr. George Ormerod, as well as his brothers and ancestors, had been acute observers and practical workers in various fields of science; the same may be said of his wife and of her forbears. Observation of the habits of insects with patient interest was one of Miss Ormerod's earliest recollections. With her, interest was centred in life and habit, not in the making of collections.

As she grew to womanhood the duty fell to her of overseeing the farm and park-lands constituting her father's estate at Sedbury, on the Wye. The recollection of the beauty of Sedbury Park was a constant pleasure; and perhaps there was in it something of a family pride. She seems to have assumed practical management in every branch, and to have entirely won the confidence of those under her orders. She acquired a working knowledge of agriculture, made more thorough and accurate by the habit of intelligent, painstaking observation of little things in early years. Thus was entomology united to agriculture. Opportunity was abundant for observing insect depredation and experimenting for remedy, and the habit was formed of investigating life-history with a view to discovering the vulnerable point of attack, and of seeking hidden causes for visible effects. She became the counsellor of those under her at home, and it was an easy and natural transition to counsel practical farmers farther afield as help was sought.

At her father's death, she and her sister removed to Isleworth, where, in 1877, she determined to publish a few Notes of Observations on Injurious Insects; this was given to numerous correspondents, and was followed next year by a Report of the attacks of the year, with free quotation (carefully acknowledged) from those who had enquired and experimented with remedies. The Reports became Annual, grew in bulk and authority, and soon determined what was to be Miss Ormerod's future life-work.

It was no dilettante work, but involved concentrated application and energy. On various occasions an amanuensis was tried, but unsuccessfully; the only help in correspondence and