Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/341

Rh editorship until the closing years was that of the dearly loved sister, so gifted as an artist—her other self—who died in 1896, and whose death cut away one-half of the light of the life that was left.

With Miss Ormerod correspondence was not perfunctory or official. Extreme and dignified courtesy—perhaps it would be called old-fashioned courtesy—marked her every action and word. Every enquiry (and many were concerning attacks already treated of in the published Reports again and again) would receive full and detailed reply. When on one occasion advised to minimise labour by enclosing a printed account of the remedy, "with Miss Ormerod's compliments," she derided the suggestion—it was not in that manner that her connection had been built up.

On the subject of payment she was very sensitive: payment would be tendered her for official duties, for evidence in law cases; but she would have none of it. Her publications, besides taking time, must have been a considerable item in annual expenditure; they were given to all who had helped her in however small a degree, as well as to scientific colleagues in this and other countries. "If my correspondents thought I was making money out of them, do you think they would continue to help me?" she would ask. Her leaflets upon special subjects were given away by hundreds of thousands, with hearty thanks to those helpers who would intelligently distribute them.

Fourteen years since, during return, somewhat overwrought, from an official meeting, a street accident occasioned an injury which was followed by lameness and almost constant physical suffering. She was never in strong health, and this was a shock to the whole system. "Sometimes," she said, "I lie awake at night wondering whether I can live through the pain until the morning." She not only lived through it, but bravely worked through it day after day, that the farmers whose interests were so near her heart might not suffer from her neglect.

Miss Ormerod valued the honours that were bestowed upon her by scientific societies; but the reason for appending them all on her title-pages was not vain-glory, but lest any should feel hurt by being omitted. She greatly appreciated being elected the first lady member of a learned Society; but what was felt to be the great honour of her life was the conferring upon her by Zool. 4th ser. vol. V., August. 1901.