Robert Patterson

“ Finally, to contrast the scenery of the Rhine and the Rhone, in vine- covered hills they are alike— the rivers are much on a par— the Rhine rather the grander— the Rhone more varied by the hills coming forward and again receding or folding in the most romantic manner back and forward. No verdure from grass or pasture is to be seen on the Rhone banks, the more Southern character of the vegetation being from ferns springing from a sterile soil. The Rhine has its numerous castles, but against these are the snow-clad mountains seen from the Rhone. ”

“ The first mournful reflections over on visiting such a tomb, do we not feel the bodily and intellectual pulse beat quicker, and urge us on to the best work of which we feel ourselves capable, before we are hidden beneath the flag-stone. ”

“ The connections already formed by the Natural History Society will empower them occasionally to procure seeds and plants from various quarters ; and the garden of the Botanical Society will enable the Natural History Society to cultivate, to greater advantage, the study of one of the most attractive branches of natural history.The views of this Society are not confined to the formation of a museum,consisting, exclusively, of specimens of botany, mineralogy, or zoology.Everything which can illustrate the history or antiquities of Ireland is willingly received ”

“ With spring came a visit to London — then a sojourn with the family at the sea-side — in the autumn a little tour with some friend — an attendance on the meeting of the British Association for Science, or an excursion to shooting quarters in Scotland. The month of November found him settled once more at home, and resuming the daily routine of occupation already mentioned. Throughout life he took pleasure in field sports ”

“ As his labours became better known, correspondents in every province of Ireland sprang up, and information of the most varied character poured in upon him. This was sifted with exemplary care. Questions were asked, and if not answered with sufficient perspicuity, new interrogatories followed, until his own mind was perfectly satisfied as to the accuracy of the statement. It occasionally happened, that the communication related not to something in relation to the habits of a well-known species, but to the capture of a species which was either rare or known only as the denizen of other lands. ”

“ Thompson respecting the Birds of Ireland, the philosophic mind found in its pages fresh food for speculation, especially concerning those great laws which regulate the distribution of animal life. The pains-taking care of its author was visible on every page ; and, if some reader should now and then have wished that dates, localities, and names were of less frequent occurrence, by others these details were regarded as very desirable. To the future explorer of the Natural History of Ireland, such evidence will be of the highest value. ”

“ At the time above alluded to I had commenced forming a collection of stuffed birds, and an old edition of ' Bewick's British Birds,' which was lent me by Dr. Drummond,, was at the time in my office drawer, and at all leisure moments in constant use both for study and reference ; it was therefore a very natural consequence that W. T., who was my sporting companion, should take some interest in the pursuit he saw me attending to with considerable ardour, and when the spoils of the day were brought home he began to be interested in identifying the species acquired ”

“ In many respects is it of high importance that the mortal remains of the workman should thus as it were go hand in hand with his noblest work. Thus are the mortality and immortality of earth a striking lesson ! ”

“ In 1821 he was apprenticed to a highly respectable firm in the linen business, the staple trade of the North of Ireland. The senior partner of that firm, himself a keen sportsman, has survived the subject of the present memoir, and is not unfrequently referred to in the volumes on " The Birds of Ire- land," as an authority on their habits.
A gentleman who was then in the same counting-house, and is now a merchant resident in Belfast, has kindly communicated some particulars respecting Mr. Thompson's habits and tastes at this period of his life. ”

“ In connexion with the fast disappearing gondolas, I could not but think of the changes in Greece and Turkey. Pictorially, it IS a pity that it is becoming a more matter-of-fact world every day, though it is well that the human race is becoming daily more and more one great family. ”

“ Thompson was engaged for more than twenty years of his life were not those which were obvious and external.To many a toiling mortal in his native town, he must have appeared to be one of those favoured individuals who have nothing to do. Yet few were more industrious, or more persevering in the execution of his self-appointed task. Every hour in the day had its allotted duty. ”

“ To London he brought for comparison, specimens which seemed to him ill-defined, and which could not be satisfactorily determined, except by reference to books and spe- cimens which were not accessible in a provincial town. The meetings of the London societies, the conversaziones where the devotees of science, of literature, and of art mingle so happily together, had peculiar attractions to a refined and cultivated mind such as Thompson possessed, and which was not narrowed by a too exclusive attention to one pursuit. ”

“ J. Allman has likewise exhibited to that Society a few species of Infusoria,, which it is unnecessary to name here. In concluding this Report, it may be permitted me to state that no one can be more sensible than myself of its numerous imperfections. With the hope of diminishing their number by a more extended time, I was desirous of its postponement for another year, but it was urged that a Report on the Fauna of Ireland should be brought forward at an Irish meeting of the Association, and to this consideration I at length waived my desire for a longer period of preparation. ”

“ In this way much might be done, as there are few persons who have it not in their power to contribute something to a museum ; and the members feel they can make a request of this kind without hesitation, as they have no individual right of property in a museum intended solely for the promotion of natural science in this part of Ireland.'* The address of the president. ”

“ Thoiupson has himself employed. "Persons even of education," says he, " still exist who are incredulous respecting the fact that many species which in summer frequent the British Islands, winter south of the Mediterranean, and cross that sea annually on their northern migration in the spring ; but surely the fact of twenty-three of them having been seen crossing the Mediterranean during several successive days in spring, and all flying northward, should be a conclusive proof; in addition to which it may be stated, that migratory species only were observed." ”

“ An interchange of specimens, too, has been commenced with America, by means of which the museum will be enriched with the vegetable productions of that extensive continent.Some valuable exotics were lately received, which it is the intention of the members to present to the Botanical Society; and thus, as should always be the case, one scientific institution will lend its aid to the furtheranceof the plans of another. ”

“ Changes had in some cases taken place in the con dition or in the habits and customs of a community. Thus, in Venice, as the journal informs us, " The gondolas are greatly changed for the worse since 1825, the fine steel front being now only seen on old ones ; the modern are simply bound with polished steel for a protection, and instead of the canopy overhead, a common awning is used, which in some is plain canvas, in others blue and white striped, and a few more tasteful, all as in British boats. ”

“ Science seems to have power to annihilate distance, and to make the antipodes hold converse with each other ; for, besides many specimens of plants, minerals,and subjects of zoology, presented from different parts of Ireland and England, donations have been received from Ceylon, Iceland, the Mediterranean,the West Indies, Mexico, Peru, the Cape of Good Hope, St. ”

“ The chief collections of objects illustrative of the Zoology of Ireland are the following. In Dublin there are of public collections, the Ordnance Museum, Phoenix Park, good in various departments of Vertebrata and Invertebrata , the Royal College of Surgeons Museum, in which Mr. J. V. Thompson's collection of Crustacea is preserved ; Trinity College, containing the late Mr. Tardy's fine collection of Insects, added to by Dr. Coulter ; Natural History Society, Zoophytes, &c. ; Royal Dublin Society, Vertebrata and Invertebrata- of private collections there are in the metropolis Mr. ”

“ The report, among other things, states that the members of the Society are increased to sixty-seven. No very large addition has been made to the collection of minerals ; but some exchanges have been effected, and others are contemplated, by which the different suites will be rendered more complete, and better adapted to illustrate this department of natural science. A collection of native birds was commenced towards the close of last session,to which several valuable specimens have been lately added ”

“ Some of the members who direct their attention principally to entomology have, for some time, been engaged in forming a collection ofnative insects, particularly of those found in the immediate neighbourhood ;and preparations are now making for receiving them into the museum.Various additions have been made to the Hortus Siccus, and we may soon look forward to having a complete collection of the indigenous plants ofIreland. ”

“ But such not being the case, and his mind being of such a cast that frivolous pursuits had no charm, he began in real earnest to devote himself to the investigation of the Natural History of his native country ; and you will observe, that with few exceptions all his observations date from 1832.* *It was in the month of June this year, in company with Mr. Hyndman, that he made his first Natural History excursion to Strangford Lough, County Down, where he visited many of the islands. ”

“ Thompson, had entrusted to him; and we believe we are correct in stating, that the mammalia, reptilia, and fishes were almost entirely revised and arranged for publication by Mr. Garrett, in the very limited leisure his professional duties allowed.He was of remarkably unassuming manners, kindly disposition, and simple, yet refined, tastes. It was natural, therefore, that he should have acquired a large circle of sincere and zealous friends He was, in point of fact " One who in life, where'er he moved, Draw after him the hearts of many." ”

“ During this tour a journal had been regulai'ly kept by Mr. Thompson.It is much fuller and more carefully written than the journal of 1826. Fifteen years had passed since his former visit to the continent, and had brought with them the ordinary amount of change. On a part of the route traversed in either going or returning, steam had been at work, and old modes of conveyance had been superseded. Some of the scenery had been modified in its character ; " formal " vineyards had replaced on the banks of the Rhine much of its natural planting ”

“ To personal friends, therefore, it contains much that is interesting. Yet it cannot be denied that many scenes or incidents which are graphically narrated, are told as well or better by other travellers, such as the ordeal of a Turkish bath— the slave-market at Smyrna— a turtle chase in the Aegean, and the absurd annovances connected with the Lazaretto at Trieste. The journal too is obviously a personal and_ private record, not written with a view to publication. ”

“ My catalogue, which has lain untouched for several seasons, contained of named and described species — " Coleoptera, about 950. A good many of these from Mr. Tardy's MSS., and as his health for some years previous to his death had not allowed him to follow the progress of science, the additions from this source may require some revision. " Some particulars as to Irish Coleoptera are given in Entomologist, Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. ii. Entoni. Magazine, vol. iv. " Strepsiptera, 2 species. " Orthoptera, about 50. ”

“ Mr Mcadam – several specimens of minerals. Captain Howell- specimens of minerals insects and lizards. Hon. East India Company- a collection of the raw products of India. Mr. R. Bell- specimens of Leptocephalus morrissii. Major McPherson- two specimens of fish from Lough Neagh. Dr. Pirrie – Specimens of lizards.Thirteen Bottles of Indian [Family built India line ships ] Reptiles ; presented by Mr Hyndman.Alexander Charters Esq.- a skin of the Sable. William Cairns, Esq. –a pied Blackbird. Mr. William Daragh- a nest of the Tree Wasp and specimens of the Scoup [Scaup] Duck and Cottius Scorpius. ”

“ Hist. (ser. 3) : 2: p. 54 [Coleoptera:Melolonthidae] 2 SYNTYPES Rhizotrogus hirtipectus Walker, F.,1859 Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (ser. 3) : 2: p. 54 [Coleoptera:Melolonthidae] HOLOTYPE Rhizotrogus aequalis Walker, F.,1859 Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (ser. 3) : 2: p. 54 [Coleoptera:Melolonthidae] HOLOTYPE Rhizotrogus costatus Walker, F.,1859 Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (ser. 3) : 2: p. 54 [Coleoptera:Melolonthidae] HOLOTYPE Rhizotrogus indictus Walker, F.,1859 Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (ser. 3) : 2: p. 54 [Coleoptera:Melolonthidae] HOLOTYPE Rhizotrogus exactus Walker, F.,1859 Ann. ”