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قراءة كتاب Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, Volume 1
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place abounds more than rotten trees, for there they hide and secrete themselves in holes among the rotten wood, and are never seen unless they are searched for. Let me here observe, that the different seasons will yield different species of insects, some being to be found in one week that were not to be seen the preceding ones, and the next will afford others differing from the former, while the succeeding one shall produce some other sorts that were not to be seen before; so that by searching for them at different times, you perceive great varieties will be collected. I must also beg you to preserve the horns of them as much as possible, as they in a great measure determine their genus, and as such should not be broke off. The insects placed in the box will serve as samples to show the person you may hire what kinds of things are meant to be collected, who for want of them might not be able to understand your instructions.
I have now, Sir, mentioned every article necessary to be known, therefore shall conclude with once more begging you to assist me in this scheme; and if there is any business, or any other thing, in which I can be serviceable to you here, I beg you would command me; but if there is nothing of that kind by which I can express my gratitude, permit me again to repeat I shall take the first opportunity of making a return fully adequate to your favour.
I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
D. Drury,
At No. 1. in Love Lane, Aldermanbury,
London.
P. S. I forgot to mention that when you employ an agent to collect insects, please to tell him it is not the great number but the variety that I desire, six or eight being enough of any one species.
Subsequently, this fine collection came to the hammer, on Thursday, May 23, 1805, and the two following days. A few of the more interesting lots, with the prices obtained for them, and the names of the purchasers, are given below as an interesting record.
Lot 3 | Phalæna Aprilina, Graminis, and 22 others | 26 | £7 | 12 | 0 | G. Humphrey. |
8 | Sphinx Convolvuli, and 8 others | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | Donovan. |
46 | Papilio Priamus | 1 | 4 | 14 | 6 | General Davies. |
64 | —— Claviger, and 5 others | 6 | 7 | 10 | 0 | MacLeay. |
69 | A variety of curious Spiders, chiefly from Georgia | 110 | 4 | 4 | 0 | Donovan. |
90 | Papilio Iris, Edusa, Hyale, and various | 4 | 10 | 0 | Humphrey. | |
94 | Sixteen curious Curculiones | 16 | 11 | 11 | 0 | Ditto. |
95 | Scarabæus Goliathus, var. | 1 | 12 | 1 | 6 | Ditto. |
100 | Cerambyx Gigas, and 2 others | 3 | 4 | 8 | 0 | Haworth. |
104 | Thirteen Species of the Buprestis Genus | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | MacLeay. |
105 | Elater Flabellicornis, virens, and 8 others | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | Latham. |
112 | Cetonia hamata, nitens, grandis, Scarabæus festivus, and 12 others |
16 | 17 | 0 | 0 | MacLeay. |
123 | A variety of small Insects of the Mordella, Forficula, and other Genera, among which are Diopsis ichneumonea (and also a species of Paussus) |
31 | 7 | 0 | 0 | Ditto. |
201 | Mutilla bimaculata, thoracica, Scolia signata, and 24 others |
27 | 3 | 5 | 0 | Kirby. |
269 | Sphex tropica, frontalis, Africana, &c. | 128 | 6 | 6 | 0 | Ditto. |
The total amount obtained for the Insects was £614. 8s. 6d.; and about £300. more for the Cabinets, Books, &c. with the Copper-plates of the Illustrations.
Of the estimation in which the works and collections of Drury were held by Linnæus, Fabricius, &c. the constant references (especially by the latter) made to them, will sufficiently prove. The former dedicated a fine species of Cimex to Drury, figured in the first volume of these Illustrations, pl. 42. f. 1. 5.; whilst the latter described an American species of Stenocorus from Drury's collection, under the name of St. Drurii (Ent. Syst. 1. 2. p. 302.) and also a Danish Tinea under the name of T. Drurella. The Rev. W. Kirby also in his Monograph upon the English Bees, has named a rare species belonging to the modern genus Eucera, Apis Drurella, with the remark—"In honorem D. Drury, operis entomologici splendidissimi auctoris, cujus museum insectorum rarissimorum undique conquisitorum gazophylacium ditissimum, hanc apem ab illo acceptam nominavi." (Mon. Ap. Angl. 2. p. 286.)
That Drury was in correspondence with these "Heroes Scientiæ" will therefore be unquestioned; and the following letter from the younger Linnæus, communicated to me by the relatives of the former is interesting not only on this account, but for the curious statement relative to the Œstrus humanus then recently discovered in South America.
Celeberrimo Viro D. Drury.
S. pl. d.
Carolus a Linne.
Dum post mortem dilectissimi parentis occupatus fui in redigendo naturalia ab illo in Syst. Nat. nondum determinata, et ut his nomenclaturam pro scientia naturali maxime necessariam continuarem, maxime sollicitus fui illa, quantum mihi possibile foret, synonymis ex præstantioribus auctoribus scientiæ illustrare, imprimis illorum qui pulcherrimis individuorum figuris sint ornati. Tu, Vir Celeberrime, es ex illis, qui in Insectis pulcherrima præstitisti; ex Tuo opere volumina habeo duo, quæ in hereditario cum reliqua Bibliotheca[4] Parentis habeo; sed an tertius termes s. plures post secundum prodiere est quod ignoro, et de qua re rogarem tuam informationem? et si prodiere ubi inveniuntur? et quo prætio? Amicitiam quam erga Parentem habuisti, spero hanc filiolo permittere licentiam. Optandum esset a Te in his majorem videre