eleanor ormerod, ll.d.
economic entomologist ©obauto-biography and correspondence sob^sob
GIFT OF Dr. T. I. Storer
Digitized by the Internet Archive . in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/eleanorormerodllOOormerich
|
■E |
^ |
k ^^ |
|
III |
^1 1^ |
V |
|
^^B in |
b% |
Jp |
|
H 1 |
P |
|
|
^H^^F ^^^^^^^^^'^1 |
^R« 's^m* |
^^^^^_j |
|
•«■ « ; .\-T" |
^.<iiix» (&-5^^, ."•;^^.-
^■'Z>a/J,er-&ffoc:Aj^reiCS^A.Sc
OC-i^_^p-'\^
d (h^fM^O^cTi^
ELEANOR ORMEROD,LL.D.
J CONOMIC ENTOMOLOGIST. AUTO- BIOGRAPHY AND CORRFSPONDENCF
EDITED BY. ROBERT \V... (E
PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL BC< ' r. VERSIFY OF £D»BURGH
WITH PORTRAIT AND, ILLUSTRATIONS
NEW YORK . DUTTON AND COMPANY 31 WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET
1904
^^^^
it &^
ELEANOR ORMEROD, LL.D.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGIST. AUTO- BIOGRAPHY AND CORRESPONDENCE
EDITED BY ROBERT WALLACE
PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL ECONOMY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
WITH PORTRAIT AND ILLUSTRATIONS
NEW YORK
E. P. DUTTON AND COMPANY
31 WEST TWENTY-THIRD STREET
1904
DEDICATED
TO ALL
MISS ORMERODS CORRESPONDENTS
IN
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
PREFACE
The idea that Miss Ormerod should write her biography originated with the present writer during one of many visits paid to her at St. Albans. Miss Ormerod had unfolded in charming language and with admirable lucidity and fluency some interesting chapters of her personal experiences and reminiscences. The first working plan of the project in- volved the concealment of a shorthand writer behind a screen in the dining-room while dinner was proceeding, and while the examination of ethnological specimens or other attractive objects gave place for a time to general conversation on subjects grown interesting by age. Although the shorthand writer was selected and is several times referred to in letters written about this period (pp. 304-7), Miss Ormerod, on due reflection, felt that the presence, though unseen, of a stranger at these meet- ings in camera would make the position unnatural, and dislocate the association of ideas to the detriment of the narrative.
She then bethought herself of the method of writing down at leisure moments, from time to time as a suitable subject occurred to her, rough notes (p. 122) to be elaborated later, and when after a time a subject had been exhausted, the rough notes were re-written and welded into a narrative (pp. 304-21). Some four or five of the early chapters were thus treated and then typewritten, but the remainder of the Autobiography was left in crude form, requiring much piecing together and editorial trimming. Had the book been produced on the original plan, it was proposed to name it " Recollections of Changing Times." ^ It would have dealt with a number of subjects of general interest, such as the history of the Post Office, early records of floods and
' See letter to the Editor dated June 14, 1900, p. 304.
r
99/9
vi PREFACE
earthquakes, as well as newspapers of early date. The intro- duction of Miss Ormerod's letters to a few of her leading correspondents was made necessary by the lack of other suitable material. The present volume is still mainly the pro- duct of Miss Ormerod's pen, but with few exceptions general subjects have been eliminated ; and it forms much more a record of her works and ways than it would have done had she been spared to complete it. From the inception of the idea the present writer was appointed editor, but had Miss Ormerod lived to see the book in the hands of the public his share of work would have been light indeed. Armed with absolute authority from her (p. 318) to use his discretion in the work, he has exercised his editorial license in making minor alterations without brackets or other evi- dences of the editorial pen, while at the same time the integrity of the substance has been jealously guarded.
As in Miss Ormerod's correspondence with experts only scientific names for insects and other scientific objects were employed, it was found expedient to introduce the common names within ordinary or round brackets. Much thought and care have been given to the arrangement of the letters, and a sort of compromise was adopted of three different methods that came up for consideration, viz., (i) accord- ing to chronological order, (2) according to the subjects discussed, and (3) grouping under the names of the indi- viduals to whom they were addressed. While the third is the predominant feature of the scheme the chronological order has been maintained within the personal groups, and precedence in the book was generally given to the letters of the oldest date. At the same time, to com- plete a subject in one group written mainly to one corre- spondent, letters dealing with the subject under discussion have been borrowed from their natural places under the
heading of ^^ Letters to Dr. " or ** Letters to Mr. ."
While Miss Ormerod's practice of referring to matters of minor importance and of purely personal interest in correspondence dealing mainly with definite lines of scien- tific research, has not been interfered with in a few instances, in most of the other groups of letters on technical subjects editorial pruning was freely practised to prevent confusion and to concentrate the subject matter. The chief exceptions occur in the voluminous and interesting correspondence with Dr. Fletcher, in her specially confidential letters to Dr. Bethune, and in the very general correspondence with the editor. It was felt that to remove more of the friendly
PREFACE vii
references and passing general remarks to her correspon- dents would have been to invalidate the letters and show the writer of them in a character alien to her own.
The figures of insects which have been introduced into the correspondence, to lighten it and increase its interest to the reader, have been chiefly borrowed from Miss Ormerod's published works ; and among them will be found a number of illustrations from Curtis's '^ Farm Insects/' for the use of which her acknowledgments were fully given to Messrs. Blackie, the publishers.^ The contents of this volume will afford ample evidence of Miss Ormerod's intense interest in her subject, of the infinite pains she took to investigate the causes of injury, and of the untiring and unceasing efforts she employed to accomplish her object ; also that her determinations relative to the causes and nature of parasitic attacks upon crops, give proof of soundness of judgment, and her advice, chiefly connected with remedial and pre- ventive treatment, was eminently sensible and practical. Mainly by correspondence of the most friendly kind she formed a unique connecting link between economic entomologists in all parts of the world ; and she quoted their various opinions to one another very often in support of her own preconceived ideas.
The three biographical chapters. III., XL, and XII., were added to the autobiographical statements which she had left, with the object merely of supplying some missing personal incidents in an interesting life. Other deficiencies in the Autobiography are made up by Miss Ormerod's correspon- dence, and the history of her work is permitted to evolve from her own letters.
A strong vein of humour runs through many parts of her writings, notably in the chapter on " Church and Parish." The reader will not fail to notice the splendid courtesy and deference to scientific authority, as well as the fullest appreciation of and unselfish sympathy with the genuine scientific work of others, which pervades all she wrote. Prominent among these characteristics of Miss Ormerod should be placed her scrupulous honesty of purpose in acknowledging to the fullest extent the work of others.
The work of collecting material, sifting, and editing has been going on for nearly two years, and could never have been accomplished but for the kindly help rendered by so many of Miss Ormerod's correspondents, all of whom I
' Figs. C. and D. (pp. i6o and 162) are borrowed from Yarrell's British Birds by permission of Messrs. Gurney & Jackson.
viii PREFACE
now cordially thank for invaluable sympathetic assistance. Special acknowledgments are due to Sir Wm. Henry Marling, Bart., the present owner of Sedbury Park, and to Miss Ormerod's nephews and nieces, who have been delighted to render such assistance as could not have been found outside the family circle. Besides Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Janson, Dr. Stewart MacDougall, Professor Hudson Beare, and Mr. T. P. Newman who read the proofs critically, last, but not least, do I thank Mr. John Murray, whose friendly reception of the first overtures made to him as the prospective pub- lisher of this volume brightened some of the dark moments near the close of Miss Ormerod's life. I have had as editor the much appreciated privilege of drawing, in all cases of difficulty, upon Mr. Murray's great literary experience.
In making these pleasing acknowledgments I in no way wish to shift the responsibility as Editor from my own shoulders for defects which may be discovered or for the general scheme of the work, which was, with slight modifi- cations, my own. If it be said in criticism that the Editor is too little in evidence, I shall be all the more satisfied, as that has been throughout one of his leading aims.
ROBERT WALLACE.
University of Edinburgh, 1904.
LIST OF ERRATA.
Page 70, line 31, for " Tenebroides" read " Tenebrioides." „ 130, „ II, ior " Ceutorhyncus" read "CeutJwrhyncus." „ „ in description of Fig. 14, for " Ceutorhyxcus " read
" Ceuthorhyxxus." „ 144, line 7, for "importad" read ** imported." „ 185, „ I, for " Lucania" rea.d '^ Leucania."
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
PAGE
BIRTH, CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION I
Born at Sedbury Park, May, 1828 — Recollections of early childhood — First insect observation — Girlish occupations — Education of the family — Eleanor Ormerod's education at home by her mother — Interests during hours of leisure.
CHAPTER n PARENTAGE 7
Localities of Sedbury Park and Tyldesley, the properties of George Ormerod — Roman remains — The family of Ormerod since 13 11 — Three George Ormerods of Bury — Reference to " Parentalia " by George Ormerod — The alliance of the family with the heiress, Elizabeth Johnson of Tyldesley — " Tyldesley's " experiences during the Stewart rebellion in 1745 — Descent from Thomas Johnson of Tyldesley — George Ormerod, father of Miss Ormerod — John Latham, fellow and president of the Royal College of Physicians, London, maternal grandfather of Miss Ormerod — Connection with the Ardernes of Alvanley and descent from Edward L — The right of the Ormerod family to the " Port Fellowship " of Brasenose College.
CHAPTER III
REMINISCENCES OF SEDBURY BY MISS DIANA LATHAM . I4
The Ormerod family of ten — The father and mother and their respective interests in literature and art — Sedbury Park and the hobbies of its inmates — Paucity of congenial neigh- bours— Annual visit to London — Drives and Excursions — - The elder and the younger sections of the famil}^ — Eleanor Ormerod's favourite sister, Georgiana — Interest in natural history and medicine — Miss Ormerod at twenty -five — Routine of life at Sedbury — Drawings by Mrs. Ormerod — The Library — Music — Models — Separation of the family.
X CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV
PAGE
CHURCH AND PARISH 20
Tidenham parish church — Leaden font — The Norman Chapel of Llancaut — The history of Tidenham Church — Curious practices in neighbouring churches — The church as schoolroom — Pretty customs on special occasions — The discomforts of the usual service — The choral service on high days — No reminiscences of precocious piety — Impressions of sermons by Scobell and Whately — Clerical eccentricities in dress, &c. — The Oxford Movement — Dr. Armstrong — Raising the latch of the chancel door with a ruler — The woman's Clothing Club of the parish — Lending library instituted and successfully managed by Miss G. E. Ormerod— Her accomplishments and merits as a philanthropist.
CHAPTER V SEVERN AND WYE 33
" Forest Peninsula " between Severn and Wye — Ruined chapel of St. Tecla — Muddy experiences — Scenery on the Severn — Rise of Tides — Colour and width of the river — Sailing merchant flieet to and from Gloucester — A " pill " or creek — Salmon fishing from boats — " Putcher " or basket fishing — Disorderly conduct by fishermen — Finds of Natural History specimens in fishing baskets — Severn clay or "mud" — A bottle-nosed whale — Seaweeds — Fossils from Sedbury cliffs — Saurian remains — Dangers of the cliffs.
CHAPTER VI TRAVELLING BY COACH, FERRY, AND RAILWAY ... 43
Many coaches passing Sedbury Park gates — Dangers of travelHng — View of the Severn valley — The Old Ferry passage of the Severn — Swamping of a sailing boat in 1838 — A strange custom when rabies was feared — Window- shutter-Hke ferry telegraph — The ferry piers — The first railways — Curious early train experiences.
CHAPTER VII CHARTIST RISING IN MONMOUTHSHIRE IN 1839 ... 47
Chartist rising in Monmouth under John Frost, ex-draper of Newport — Home experience — Defenceless state of Sedbury house — Trial and sentence of the leaders — Reminiscences of troubles — Attorney-General's address to the jury — Physical features of the disturbed area — Plan of the rising — Prompt action of the Mayor of Newport — Thirty soldiers stationed in the Westgate Hotel — Advance of 5,000 rioters — Their spirited repulse and dispersal — Arrest and punishment of Frost and other leaders.
CONTENTS xi
CHAPTER VIII
PAGE
BEGINNING THE STUDY OF ENTOMOLOGY, COLLECTIONS OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGICAL SPECIMENS, AND FAMILY DISPERSAL . -53
Beginning of Entomology 1852 — A rare locust — Purchase of Stephen's " Manual of British Beetles " — Method of self- instruction — First collection of Economic Entomology specimens sent to Paris — Facilities at Sedbury for collection — Aid given by labourers and their children in collecting — Illness and death of Miss Ormerod's father — Succession and early death of Venerable Thomas J. Ormerod — Succession of the Rev. G. T. B. Ormerod — Miss Ormerod's brothers — Especial copy of "History of Cheshire" presented to the Bodleian Library — A family heirloom.
CHAPTER IX
COMMENCEMENT AND PROGRESS OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF
OBSERVATIONS OF INJURIOUS INSECTS ... 59
Preliminary pamphlet issued in 1877 — Explanation of the objects aimed at— Approval of the public and of the press — Changes in the original arrangement of the subject matter — Classification of facts under headings arranged in 1881 — Sources of information stated and fully acknowledged — Adoption of plain and simple language — Illustrations of first importance — Blackie & Sons supply electros of wood en- gravings from Curtis's " Farm Insects " — The brothers Knight assist — Accumulation of knowledge — General Index to Annual Reports by Newstead — Manual of Injurious Insects and other publications — Notice of the discontinuance of the Annual Reports in the Report for 1900 — " Times " notice of " Miss Ormerod's partial retirement from Entomological Work," in Appendix B.
CHAPTER X
SAMPLES OF LEGAL EXPERIENCES 68
First employment as an expert witness in 1889 — Case of Wilkinson v. The Houghton Main Colliery Company, Limited — Form of subpoena — Rusty-red flour beetle infestation in a cargo of flour transported from New York to Durban — Report on insect presence — Confirmed by Oliver Janson and a Washington expert — A compromise effected — Case of granary weevil infestation in a cargo of flour from San Francisco to Westport — Letter of thanks from William Simpson of R. & H. Hall, Limited.
CHAPTER XI
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH BY THE EDITOR • • • • 73
Reasons for changes of residence — Intimacy with Sir Joseph and Lady Hooker at Kew — Interesting people met there —
xii CONTENTS
Appointed Consulting Entomologist to the Royal Agricultural Society of England— Insect diagrams — Serious carriage acci- dent— Methods adopted in doing entomological work— As a meteorological observer — Professor Westwood as friendly mentor — Appreciation of work by foreign correspondents.
CHAPTER XII
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH BY THE EDITOR (continued) . . 83
Public lectures at the Royal Agricultural College — Reasons why lecturing was ultimately discontinued — Lectures at South Kensington and other places — The Economic Entomology Committee — Simplicity of Miss Ormerod's home life before and after her sister's death — Programme of daily work — Welcome guests — Intimate friends — Sense of humour — Story of a hornet's capture — Proofs of courage — His- torical oaks at Sedbury — Fond of children and thoughtful of employees — Charity — Public liberalit}^ — Subsidiary employ- ments and amusements — Made LL.D. — Fellowships of societies — Medals — Treatment of letters.
CHAPTER XIII
LETTERS TO COLONEL COUSSMAKER AND MR. ROBERT
SERVICE 99
{Coiissmaker) Insect diagrams Royal Agricultural Society — Surface caterpillars — Wood leopard moth — Puss moth. {Service) — Paper by "Mabie Moss" on hill grubs of the Antler moth — The pest checked by parasites.
CHAPTER XIV
LETTERS TO MR. WM. BAILEY I09
Mr. Bailey's letter to H.G. the Duke of Westminster on Ox warble fly — Letter showing the destruction of Ox warbles by the boys — R.A.S.E. recognition — Annual letter and cheque for five guineas for prizes in insect work — Looper caterpillars — Mr. Bailey's method of teaching agricultural entomology — Economic entomology exhibit at Bath and West Society's Show, St. Albans — Examinership at Edin- burgh University — The royal party at the show — Cheese fly maggot — Copies of Manual for free distribution — Presentation slips — LL.D. of the University of Edinburgh — Discontinuing coUeagueship.
CHAPTER XV
LETTERS TO MR. D. D. GIBB 128
Great tortoiseshell butterfly infestation — Charlock weevil — Gout fly — Forest fly — Structure of its foot — Great gadfly — Horse breeze flies — Deer forest fly in Scotland — Sheep forest fly — Hessian fly and elbowed wheat straw — Bean seed beetles
CONTENTS xiii
PAGE
— Millepedes — American blight — Brickdust-like deposit on apple trees — Insect cases for the show at St. Albans — Specimens of forest fly chloroformed — Death from fly poisoning — Looper caterpillars — Diamond back moth — Corn sawfly.
CHAPTER XVI
LETTERS TO MR. GRIMSHAW, MR. WISE, AND MR.
TEGETMEIER . I49
(Grimshaw) The Red-bearded botfly — Deer forest fly — Ox and deer warble flies. (Wise) Case of caddis worms injuring cress-beds— Enemies and means of prevention — Moles — Black currant mites — Biggs' prevention — Dr. Nalepa's views — Attack-resisting varieties of currants from Budapest — Dr. Ritzema Bos's views — Mite-proof currants — Woburn report on gall mites — Narcissus fly — Lappet moth cater- pillars. (Tegetmeier) Scheme of Miss Ormerod's leaflet on the house sparrow plague — Earlier authorities — Enormous success of the free distribution of the leaflet — Miss Carring- ton's opposition pamphlet — One hundred letters in a day received — Unfounded nature of opposition exposed, including Scripture reference to sparrows — Fashionable support — 1,500 letters classified and 100 filed for future use — "The House Sparrow " by W. B. Tegetmeier, with Appendix by Eleanor A. Ormerod.
CHAPTER XVII
LETTERS TO MR. MARTIN, MR. GEORGE, MR. COXNOLD,
AND MESSRS. COLEMAN AND SONS .... 169
{Martin) Elm bark beetle — Ash bark beetle — Large ash bark beetle — Galleries — Preventive measure. {George) Mason bee — Roman coin found near Sedbury — Samian cup — The family grave. {Connold) — Pocket or bladder plums — Pro- fessor Ward describes, the fungus — Dr. Nalepa's publica- tions. {Coleman and Sons) Attack of caterpillars of the silver Y-moth — Origin of the name.
CHAPTER XVIII
LETTERS TO PROFESSOR RILEY AND DR. HOWARD . . 179
{Riley) Flour moth caterpillars — Differences of mineral oils — Trapping the winter moth — Orchard-growers Experi- mental Committee. {Howard) John Curtis, Author of " Farm Insects" — Advance of Economic Entomology — C. P. Louns- bury, Cape Town — Sparrow Leaflet — Shot-borer beetles — Fly weevil — Lesser earwig — Handbook of Orchard Insects — General Index — Flour Moths — Snail slug — Flat-worm — Tick — Degree of LL.D. of Edinburgh University.
xiv CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIX
PAGE
LETTERS TO DR. J. FLETCHER I95
Dr. Voelcker's gas lime pamphlet — Honorary membership of Entomological Society of Ontario — Ostrich fly — " Sil vertop " in wheat— The "Crovvder" — Mill or flour moth— Shot- borers — Progress of Agricultural Entomology — Paris-green as an insecticide — End of Board of Agriculture work — "Manual of Injurious Insects" — Fruit-growers' associations — Lesson book for village schools — Entomology lectures in Edinburgh — Stem eel-worms— Miss Georgiana's insect diagrams — Mr. A. Crawford's death in Adelaide— Diamond- back moth — Insects survive freezing — Resigned post of Consulting Entomologist of R.x\.S.E. — Finger and toe — Baroness Burdett Coutts — Gall and club-roots — Currant scale — Mustard beetle — Professor Rilev.
CHAPTER XX
LETTERS TO DR. J. FLETCHER {continued) AND TO DR.
BETHUNE 217
{Fletcher) Foreign authorities in correspondence — Dr. Nalepa's books — Silk moths — Red spider — Formalin as a disinfectant — Professor Riley's resignation — " Agricultural Zoology" by Dr. Ritzema Bos — Ground Beetles on Straw- berries— Timberman beetle — Proposal to endow Agri- cultural lectureship in Oxford or Cambridge — Legacy of ;^5,ooo to Edinburgh University — Woburn Experi- mental Fruit Grounds — Insects in a mild winter — Index of Annual Reports — "Recent additions" by Dr. Fletcher — Proposed book on "Forest Insects" conjointly with Dr. MacDougall. {Bcthune) Proffered help after a fire — Eye trouble — Locusts in Alfalfa from Buenos Aires — Handbook of Orchard Insects — Rare attacks on mangolds and straw- berries— Pressure of work — Death of Dr. Lintner — Sympathy to Mr. Bethune.
CHAPTER XXI
LETTERS FROM DRS. RITZEMA BOS, SCHOYEX, REUTER, AND
NALEPA, MR. LOUXSBURY AND MR. FULLER . . 232
{Ritzema Bos) Stem eelworms — Cockchafer — Root-knot eel- worm — Black lady-bird feeding on Red spider — Eyed lady-bird — Professor Westwood on larvae of Staphylinidce. {Schoyen) Explanation of resignation of R.A.S.E. work — Wheat midge — Hessian fly — Wasps — San Jose scale — Mr. Newstead's opinion. {Renter) Hessian fly — Accept reports on Economic Entomology — Norwegian dictionary received and successfully used — Antler moth — Paris-green pamphlet — Swedish grammar — Work on Cecidomyia by Renter — Forest fly — "Silver-top" in wheat probably due to thrips. {Nalepa) Gall mites. {Lounshitry) Boot beetle — First report from
CONTENTS XV
PAGE
Capetown — Supplies electros for future reports— Mr. Fuller goes to Natal — Pleased to receive visits from entomological friends. {Fuller) Experiences in publishing technical literature.
CHAPTER XXII
LETTERS TO MR. JAXSON AND MR. MEDD .... 259
[Janson) Deer forest flies — Identification confirmed by Pro- ■ lessor Joseph Mik — Flour or mill moth — Granary Weevils — Shot-borer beetles — Pine beetles — Contemplated removal to Brighton — Grouse fly from a lamb — Cheese and bacon fly — Case of rust-red flour beetle — Willow beetles — White ants — Bean-seed beetles — Sapwood beetle — Death of Pro- fessor Mik. (Mcdci) Agricultural Education Committee joined reluctantly on account of pressure of Entomological work — Sympathy expressed with desire to improve " nature teaching" in rural districts — One hundred copies of the Manual and many leaflets presented — Proposed simple paper on common fly attacks on live stock — Objection to the Water-baby leaflet of the committee — Paper on wasps in the " Rural Reader " — Retiral from the Agricultural Education Committee.
CHAPTER XXIII
LETTERS TO PROFESSOR ROBERT WALLACE BEFORE I9OO 275
" Indian Agriculture " — Wheat screening and washing — Text books of injurious insects — Grease-banding trees — Dr. Fream — Mosley's insect cases — Professor Westwood of Oxford — " AustraHan Agriculture " — Text-book "Agricultural Entomology" — Entomology in Cape Colony — Appointment as University Examiner in Agricultural Entomology — Presentation of Economic Entomology Exhibit to Edin- burgh University — Death of Miss Georgiana Ormerod — Pine and Elm beetles — Index of the first series of Annual Reports.
CHAPTER XXIV
LETTERS TO PROFESSOR WALLACE ON THE LL.D. OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH 287
Proposal of the Senatus of Edinburgh University to confer the LL.D. on Miss E. A. Ormerod as the first woman honorary graduate — Great appreciation of the prospective honour as giving a stamp of the highest distinction to her life's work — Detailed arrangements preparing for graduation — Miss Ormerod's books presented" to the University Library — Successful journey to Edinburgh — Stay at Balmoral Hotel — Letter of thanks for personal attention sent after the event — Howard's views of the honour to Economic Entomology, and of the value of the Edinburgh LL.D. — Slight chill on the return journey.
xvi CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXV
PAGE
LETTERS TO PROFESSOR WALLACE AFTER THE GRADUATION 299
Congratulations by the London Farmers' Club — Agricul- tural education and how to help it — Painting in oil of Miss Ormerod for the Edinburgh University — Copies of ''Manual of Injurious Insects" for free distribution — Book of sketches for the University — Photographs by EUiott and Fry — Proposed "Handbook of Forest Insects" in collaboration with Dr. MacDougall— Proposed " Recollections of Changing Times " — Pamphlet on " Flies Injurious to Stock " — Graduation book — Proof s of " Stock Flies " — Thanks for " Quasi Cursores " — Digest of an inaugural address on "Famine in India" — Presentation of the oil painting — Re Sulphate of copper for Professor Jablonowski — Gall mite experiments on black currants — Appreciation of the com- pany in which the oil painting of Miss Ormerod hangs in the Court Room of the University.
^ CHAPTER XXVI
LETTERS TO PROFESSOR WALLACE {concluded) . . -313
Papers of "Reminiscences" sent to the editor — Details of letterpress material and of subjects for plates — Photo of oil painting taken by Elliott and Fry— -Proclamation of the King — Publisher for "Reminiscences" — Return of papers to Miss Ormerod — One of several visits to St. Albans — "Taking in sail " by discontinuing the Annual Report — Illness becoming alarming — Material for "Reminiscences" con- signed to the editor with power of discretion as to use — Continued weakness — Proposed week-end visit shortened — Taking work easier — First chapters of "Reminiscences" typewritten — Dr. MacDougall as coUaborateur — Serious relapse — Proposal "of a pension misappropriate — Improve- ment in health followed by frequent relapses — Pleasure of looking up " Reminiscences " in bed — Medical consultation with Dr. J. A. Ormerod — Liver complications — Fifteenth relapse — Touching farewell letters written in pencil — Obituary notices in the " Times " and the " Canadian Entomologist."
APPENDICES 327
A, Salmon fishing, from the " Log Book of a Fisherman " —
B. "Times" notice of partial retirement — C. Insect cases and their contents presented to Edinburgh University — D. Note on Xyleborus dispar—E. Obituary notice of Pro- fessor Riley.
INDEX 337
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT
PUTCHER FOR CATCHING SALMON
TIME-TABLE : TRAVELLING 200 YEARS AGO
FACSIMILE OF MISS ORMEROD'S HAND-WRITING
SURFACE CATERPILLARS . . . j
WOOD LEOPARD MOTH . . .
PUSS MOTH ......
ANTLER MOTH AND CATERPILLARS
OX WARBLE FLY, OR BOT FLY.
PIECE OF SKIN WITH 402 WARBLE-HOLES
PIECE OF WARBLED HIDE . . . .
BREATHING TUBES OF WARBLE MAGGOT, AND OUTSIDE PRICKLES
MAGPIE MOTH ......
HORSE BOT FLY, OR HORSE BEE
FACSIMILE NOTE RELATING TO THE KING AND QUEEN
WATER BEETLE .....
CHEESE AND BACON FLY ....
GREAT TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTERFLY .
CHARLOCK WEEVIL .....
HESSIAN FLY . . . . . - .
HESSIAN FLY MAGGOT ON YOUNG WHEAT AND ON BARLEY
HESSIAN FLY ATTACK ON BARLEY . .
GOUT FLY, OR RIBBON-FOOTED CORN FLY
FOREST FLY ......
GREAT OX GADFLY .....
BREEZE FLIES ......
SADDLE FLY ATTACK ON BARLEY
FOOT OF FOREST FLY .....
36 44 89
lOI 102 103
IIO
III
112 H2 114 117 122 124
129 130
132 132
134 135
137 139
xviii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT
DEER FOREST FLY
SHEEP SPIDER FLY
BEET CARRION BEETLE
CENTIPEDES AND A MILLEPEDE
AMERICAN BLIGHT OR WOOLLY APHIS
OAK LEAF-ROLLER MOTH
LOOPER caterpillars: WINTER MOTH
MOTH . . .
CORN SAWFLY . . .
RED-BEARDED BOTFLY WATER MOTH AND CADDIS WORMS LAPPET MOTH . HOUSE SPARROW TREE SPARROW ELM-BARK BEETLE TUNNELS OF ASH-BARK BEETLE GREATER ASH-BARK BEETLE . PIECE OF ASH BARK WITH BEETLE GALLERIES POCKET OR BLADDER PLUM SILVER Y-MOTH
MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH ANGOUMOIS MOTH, OR FLY WEEVIL LESSER EARWIG SNAIL-SLUG
FLATWORM, LAND PLANARIAN SHOT-BORER BEETLES . STEM-EELWORMS DIAMOND-BACK MOTHS . TOMATO ROOT-KNOB EELWORM CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY SCALE MUSTARD BEETLE
GOOSEBERRY AND IVY RED SPIDER GROUND BEETLES TIMBERMAN BEETLE
SOUTH AMERICAN MIGRATORY LOCUST PIGMY MANGOLD BEETLE
AND MOTTLED
UMBER
LIST OF FULL-PAGE PLATES
XIX
spinach moth
cockchafer .
lady-birds
long-horned centipedp:s
eyed ladybird
wheat midge .
nest of tree wasp .
pear leaf blister mite
currant gall mite .
bread, paste, or boot beetle
boot injured by paste beetle maggot
granary weevil
grouse fly .
rust-red flour beetle
mottled willow weevil
goat moth
pea and bean weevils
bean beetles
"splint," or sap-wood beetle
sheep's nostril FLY .
PAGE 231
234 235 237 239 241
249 251 253 254 262 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 305
LIST OF FULL-PAGE PLATES
ELEANOR ANNE ORMEROD, LL.D.
I. SEDBURY PARK HOUSE AND GROUNDS . II. GEORGE ORMEROD, ESQ., D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S., F.S.A.
III. FAMILY GROUP GEORGE ORMEROD AS A CHILD,
AND HIS MOTHER, UNCLE, AND GRANDMOTHER
IV. JOHN LATHAM, ESQ., M.D., F.R.S., PHYSICIAN V. RUINS OF TINTERN ABBEY, MONMOUTHSHIRE
VI. NORMAN WORK FROM CHEPSTOW PARISH CHURCH VII. LEADEN FONT IN TIDENHAM CHURCH, GLOU- CESTERSHIRE, AND CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, TIDENHAM ....
Frontispiece
Facing p. 6 8
10 12 16 18
XX LIST OF FULL-PAGE PLATES
PLATE
VIIL NORMAN CHAPEL, LLANCAUT, WYE CUFFS . Fodrig p. 2 2 IX. MAP OF THE BANKS OF THE WYE . r, 32
X. RUINED anchorite's CHAPEL OF ST. TECLA,
Alfn SEVERN CLIFFS, SEDBURY PARK ,. 34
XI. ROMAN POTTERY, FOUND IN SEDBURY PARK,
Ayn SAURIAN FROM UAS, SEDBURY CLIFFS ., 40
XII. ROYAL MAIL, OLD GENERAL POST OFFICE,
LONDON . . . . . „ 42
XIII. OLD CHEPSTOW BRIDGE, WITH POST-CHAISE
CROSSING IT . . . ... 44
XIV. A WEST OF ENGLAND ROYAL MAIL, en rOUtC . 46 XV. MAP OF DISTRICT OF THE CHARTIST RISING
IN MONMOUTH . . • v 5©
XVI. CHEPSTOW CASTLE, MONMOUTHSHIRE . • ,. 52 XVII. CHEPSTOW WITH THE BRIDGE OVER THE WYE
AND CHEPSTOW CASTLE ON THE RIVER BANK ,, 54
XVIII. ANTIQUE CARVED CHEST, AN HEIRLOOM . ,, 58
XIX. TORRINGTON HOUSE, ST. ALBANS, HERTS „ 74
XX. MISS ORMEROD'S METEOROLOGICAL STATION . ., 80
XXI. HEDGEHOG OAK, SEDBURY PARK, AND AP
ADAM OAK, SEDBURY PARK . . , 92 XXII. MISS ORMEROD'S MEDALS, RECEIVED 1870 TO
1900 . . . . • >, 9^
XXIII. FOOT OF FOREST FLY — SIDE VIEW . „ 1 38
XXIV. FOOT OF FOREST FLY — SEEN FROM ABOVE . ,. 1 38 XXV. RUINS OF CHEPSTOW CASTLE, MONMOUTH- SHIRE . . . . . „ 174
XXVI. RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER THE WYE, NEAR
CHEPSTOW . . . . ' „ 208
XXVII. MISS GEORGIANA ELIZABETH ORMEROD . „ 284
XXVIII. ORMEROD HOUSE, LANCASHIRE . . r, 3^0
XXIX. ELEANOR ANNE ORMEROD, LL.D., F.R.MET.SOC. „ 3^2
XXX. MISS ORMEROD's F.\THER, AT FIVE YEARS OLD,
AND MISS ORMEROD IN CHILDHOOD . „ 324
CHAPTER I
BIRTH, CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION
I WAS born at Sedbury Park, in West Gloucestershire, on a sunny Sunday morning (the nth of May, 1828), being the youngest of the ten children of George and Sarah Orme- rod, of Sedbury Park, Gloucestershire, and Tyldesley, Lancashire. As a long time had elapsed since the birth of the last of the other children (my two sisters and seven brothers), my arrival could hardly have been a family comfort. Nursery arrangements, which had been broken up, had to be re-established. I have been told that I started on what was to be my long life journey, with a face pale as a sheet, a quantity of black hair, and a constitution that refused anything tendered excepting a concoction of a kind of rusk made only at Monmouth. The very earliest event of which I have a clear remembrance was being knocked down on the nursery stairs when I was three years old by a cousin of my own age. The damage was small, but the indignity great, and, moreover, the young man stole the lump of sugar which was meant to console me, so the grievance made an impression. A year later a real shock happened to my small mind. Whilst my sister, Georgiana, five years my senior, was warming herself in the nursery, her frock caught fire. She flew down the room, threw herself on the sheepskin rug at the door, and rolled till the fire was put out. But she was so badly burnt that the injuries required dressing, and this event also made a great impression on me. Other reminiscences of pleasure and of pain come back, in thinking over those long past days, but none of such special and wonderful interest as that of being held up to see King William IV. Little as I was, I had been taken to one of the theatres, and my father carried me along one of the galleries, and raised me in his arms that I might look through the glass window
2 AUTOBIOGRAPHY [Chap. i.
at the back of one of the boxes and see His Majesty. I do not in the least beUeve that I saw the right man. However, it is something to remember that about the year 1835, ^^ ^ had not been so frightened, I might have seen the King.
In regard to any special likings of my earliest years it seems to me, from what I can remember or have been told, that there were signs even then of the chief tastes which have accompanied me through life — an intense love of flowers ; a fondness for insect investigation ; and a fondness also for writing. In my babyhood, even before I could speak, the sight of a bunch of flowers was the signal for both arms being held out to beg for the coveted treasure, and the taste was utilised when I was a little older, in checking a somewhat incomprehensible failure of health during the spring visit of the family to London. Some one suggested trying the effect of a supply of flower roots and seeds for me to exercise my love of gardening on, and the experiment was successful. I can remember my delight at the sight of the boxes of common garden plants — pansies, daisies, and the like ; and I suppose some feeling of the restored comfort has remained through all these years to give a charm (not peculiarly exciting in itself) to the smell of bast mats and other appurtenances of the outside of Covent Garden market.
My first insect observation I remember perfectly. It was typical of many others since. I was quite right, absolutely and demonstrably right, but I was above my audience and fared accordingly. One day while the family were engaged watching the letting out of a pond, or some similar matter, I was perched on a chair, and given to watch, to keep me quiet at home, a tumbler of water with about half-a-dozen great water grubs in it. One of them had been much injured and his companions proceeded quite to demolish him. I was exceedingly interested, and when the family came home gave them the results of my observations, which were entirely disbelieved. Arguing was not permitted, so I said nothing (as far as I remember) ; but I had made my first step in Entomology.
Writing was a great pleasure. A treat was to go into the library and to sit near, without disturbing, my father, and " write a letter " on a bit of paper granted for epistolary purposes. The letter was presently sealed with one of the great armorial seals which my father wore — as gentlemen did then — in a bunch at what was called the " fob." The whole affair must have been of a very elementary sort, but
Chap, l] CHILDHOOD 3
it was no bad application of the schoolroom lessons, for thus, quite at my own free will, I was practising the spelling of easy words, and their combination into little sentences, and also how to bring pen, ink, and paper into connection without necessitating an inky deluge. In those days children were not ^' amused " as is the fashion now. We neither went to parties, nor were there children's parties at home, but I fancy we were just as happy. As soon as possible a certain amount of lessons, given by my mother, formed the backbone of the day's employment. In the higher branches requisite for preparation for Public School work, my mother was so successful as to have the pleasure of receiving a special message of appreciation of her work sent to my father by Dr. Arnold, Head-master of Rugby. All my brothers were educated under Dr. Arnold, two as his private pupils, and the five younger as Rugby schoolboys, and he spoke with great appreciation of the sound founda- tion which had been laid by my mother for the school w^ork, especially as regarded religious instruction. From the fact of my brothers being so much older than I, the latter point is the only one which remains in my memory ; but I have a clear recollection of my mother's mustering her family class on Sunday afternoons, i.e.y all whose age afforded her any excuse to lay hands on them. Whether in the earlier foundation or more advanced work, my mother's own great store of solid information, and her gift for imparting it, enabled her to keep us steadily progressing. Everything was thoroughly learned, and once learned never permitted to be forgotten. Nothing was attempted that could not be well understood, and this was expected to be mastered. In playtime we were allowed great liberty to follow our own pursuits, in which the elders of the family generally participated, and as we grew older we made collections (in which my sister Georgiana's love of shells laid the foundation of what was afterwards a collection of 3,000 species), and carried on '* ex- periments," everlasting re-arrangement of our small libraries, and amateur book-binding. All imaginable ways of using our hands kept us very happily employed indoors. Out of doors there was great enjoyment in the pursuits which a country property gives room for, and I think I was a very happy child, although I fancy what is called a '' very old- fashioned" one, from not having companions of my own age.
On looking back over the years of my early childhood,
4 AUTOBIOGRAPHY [Chap. l.
the period when instruction — commonly known as edu- cation— is imparted, it seems to me that this followed the distinction between education and the mere acquirement of knowledge (well brought out by one of the Cole- ridges), and embraced the former much more fully than is the case at the present day. There was no undue pres- sure on bodily or mental powers, but the work was steady and constant. The instruction, except in music, was given by my mother, who had, in an eminent degree, the gift of teaching. Although at the present time home educa- tion is frequently held up to contempt, still some recollec- tions of my own home teaching may be of interest. The subjects studied were those included in what is called a "solid English education." First in order was biblical know- ledge and moral precepts, practical as well as expository, which seem to have glided into my head without my being aware how, excepting in the case of the enormity of any deviation from truth. In each of the six week-days' work came a chapter of Scripture, read aloud, half in English, and half in French, by my sister and me. The " lessons," ix.y recitation, inspection of exercises, &c., followed. The subjects at first were few — but they were thoroughly explained. Geography, for example, was taken at first in its broad bearings, viz., countries, provinces, chief towns, mountains, rivers, and so on (what comes back to my mind as corresponding to 'Marge print"), and gradually the "small print" was added, with as minute information as was considered necessary. Use of the map was strictly enforced, and repetition to impress it on the