[Illustration:
Elliott & Fry. Photo Walker & Cookerell Ph. So.
Eleanor A. Ormerod
]
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ELEANOR ORMEROD, LL.D.,
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGIST:
AUTOBIOGRAPHY 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
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DEDICATED
TO ALL
MISS ORMEROD’S CORRESPONDENTS
IN
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
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PREFACE
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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
involved 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. 304-307), Miss Ormerod, on due
reflection, felt that the presence, though unseen, of a stranger at
these meetings _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. 318) 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. 304-321). 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.”[1] 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 earthquakes,
as well as newspapers of early date. The introduction 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
product 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 evidences 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., (1) according to
chronological order, (2) according to the subjects discussed, and (3)
grouping under the names of the individuals 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 complete a subject in one group written
mainly to one correspondent, 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 scientific 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 references and passing general remarks to her correspondents
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.[2] 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 preventive
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., XI., 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
correspondence, 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 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 publisher 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
modifications, 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”.
Page 130, line 11, for “Ceutorhyncus” read “Ceuthorhyncus”.
Page 130 in description of Fig. 14, for “CEUTORHYNCUS” read
“CEUTHORHYNCUS”.
Page 144, line 7, for “importad” read “imported”.
Page 185, line 1, for “Lucania” read “Leucania”.
=Transcriber’s note:=
These errata have been applied to this Project Gutenberg text.
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CONTENTS
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CHAPTER I
PAGE
BIRTH, CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION: Born at Sedbury Park, May, 1
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 II
PARENTAGE: Localities of Sedbury Park and Tyldesley, the 7
properties of George Ormerod—Roman remains—The family of
Ormerod since 1311—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 I.—The right of the Ormerod family to
the “Port Fellowship” of Brasenose College.
CHAPTER III
REMINISCENCES OF SEDBURY BY MISS DIANA LATHAM: The Ormerod 14
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
neighbours—Annual visit to London—Drives and
Excursions—The elder and the younger sections of the
family—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.
CHAPTER IV
CHURCH AND PARISH: Tidenham parish church—Leaden font—The 20
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: “Forest Peninsula” between Severn and 33
Wye—Ruined chapel of St. Tecla—Muddy experiences—Scenery
on the Severn—Rise of Tides—Colour and width of the
river—Sailing merchant fleet 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: Many coaches 43
passing Sedbury Park gates—Dangers of travelling—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-like ferry
telegraph—The ferry piers—The first railways—Curious early
train experiences.
CHAPTER VII
CHARTIST RISING IN MONMOUTHSHIRE IN 1839: Chartist rising in 47
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.
CHAPTER VIII
BEGINNING THE STUDY OF ENTOMOLOGY, COLLECTIONS OF ECONOMIC 53
ENTOMOLOGICAL SPECIMENS, AND FAMILY DISPERSAL: 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 59
OF INJURIOUS INSECTS: 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 engravings 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: First employment as an expert 68
witness in 1889—Case of Wilkinson _v._ The Houghton Main
Colliery Company, Limited—Form of subpœna—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: Reasons for changes of 73
residence—Intimacy with Sir Joseph and Lady Hooker at
Kew—Interesting people met there—Appointed Consulting
Entomologist to the Royal Agricultural Society of
England—Insect diagrams—Serious carriage accident—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_): Public 83
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—Historical oaks at
Sedbury—Fond of children and thoughtful of
employees—Charity—Public liberality—Subsidiary employments
and amusements—Made LL.D.—Fellowships of
societies—Medals—Treatment of letters.
CHAPTER XIII
LETTERS TO COLONEL COUSSMAKER AND MR. ROBERT SERVICE: 99
(_Coussmaker_) 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: Mr. Bailey’s letter to H.G. the 109
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 Edinburgh 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 colleagueship.
CHAPTER XV
LETTERS TO MR. D. D. GIBB: Great tortoiseshell butterfly 128
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—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 149
(_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 caterpillars. (_Tegetmeier_) Scheme of Miss Ormerod’s
leaflet on the house sparrow plague—Earlier
authorities—Enormous success of the free distribution of
the leaflet—Miss Carrington’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. CONNOLD, AND MESSRS. 169
COLEMAN AND SONS: (_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—Professor Ward describes the fungus—Dr. Nalepa’s
publications. (_Coleman and Sons_) Attack of caterpillars
of the silver Y-moth—Origin of the name.
CHAPTER XVIII
LETTERS TO PROFESSOR RILEY AND DR. HOWARD: (_Riley_) Flour 179
moth caterpillars—Differences of mineral oils—Trapping the
winter moth—Orchard growers Experimental Committee.
(_Howard_) John Curtis, Author of “Farm Insects”—Advance
of Economic Entomology—C. P. Lounsbury, 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.
CHAPTER XIX
LETTERS TO DR. J. FLETCHER: Dr. Voelcker’s gas lime 195
pamphlet—Honorary membership of Entomological Society of
Ontario—Ostrich fly—“Silver-top” in wheat—The
“Crowder”—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.A.S.E.—Finger and toe—Baroness Burdett-Coutts—Gall
and club-roots—Currant scale—Mustard beetle—Professor
Riley.
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
Strawberries—Timberman beetle—Proposal to endow
Agricultural lectureship in Oxford or Cambridge—Legacy of
£5,000 to Edinburgh University—Woburn Experimental 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.
(_Bethune_) Proffered help after a fire—Eye
trouble—Locusts in Alfalfa from Buenos Aires—Handbook of
Orchard Insects—Rare attacks on mangolds and
strawberries—Pressure of work—Death of Dr.
Lintner—Sympathy to Mr. Bethune.
CHAPTER XXI
LETTERS FROM DRS. RITZEMA BOS, SCHÖYEN, REUTER, AND NALEPA, 232
MR. LOUNSBURY AND MR. FULLER: (_Ritzema Bos_) Stem
eel-worms—Cockchafer—Root-knot eel-worm—Black lady-bird
feeding on Red spider—Eyed lady-bird—Professor Westwood on
larvæ of Staphylinidæ. (_Schöyen_) Explanation of
resignation of R.A.S.E. work—Wheat midge—Hessian
fly—Wasps—San José scale—Mr. Newstead’s opinion.
(_Reuter_) Hessian fly—Accept reports on Economic
Entomology—Norwegian dictionary received and successfully
used—Antler moth—Paris-green pamphlet—Swedish grammar—Work
on Cecidomyia by Reuter—Forest fly—“Silver-top” in wheat
probably due to thrips. (_Nalepa_) Gall mites.
(_Lounsbury_) Boot beetle—First report from
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. JANSON AND MR. MEDD: (_Janson_) Deer forest 259
flies—Identification confirmed by Professor 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 Professor
Mik. (_Medd_) 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 1900: “Indian 275
Agriculture”—Wheat screening and washing—Text books of
injurious insects—Grease-banding trees—Dr. Fream—Mosley’s
insect cases—Professor Westwood of Oxford—“Australian
Agriculture”—Text-book “Agricultural
Entomology”—Entomology in Cape Colony—Appointment as
University Examiner in Agricultural
Entomology—Presentation of Economic Entomology Exhibit to
Edinburgh 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 287
OF EDINBURGH: 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.
CHAPTER XXV
LETTERS TO PROFESSOR WALLACE AFTER THE GRADUATION: 299
Congratulations by the London Farmers’ Club—Agricultural
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 Elliott 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—Proofs 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 company in which the
oil painting of Miss Ormerod hangs in the Court Room of
the University.
CHAPTER XXVI
LETTERS TO PROFESSOR WALLACE (_concluded_): Papers of 313
“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” consigned
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 collaborateur—Serious relapse—Proposal of a
pension misappropriate—Improvement 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: A. _Salmon fishing_, from the “Log Book of a 327
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 Professor Riley.
INDEX 337
FOOTNOTES 359
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT
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PAGE
PUTCHER FOR CATCHING SALMON 36
TIME-TABLE: TRAVELLING 200 YEARS AGO 44
FACSIMILE OF MISS ORMEROD’S HAND-WRITING 89
SURFACE CATERPILLARS 101
WOOD LEOPARD MOTH 102
PUSS MOTH 103
ANTLER MOTH AND CATERPILLARS 105
OX WARBLE FLY, OR BOT FLY 110
PIECE OF SKIN WITH 402 WARBLE-HOLES 111
PIECE OF WARBLED HIDE 112
BREATHING TUBES OF WARBLE MAGGOT, AND OUTSIDE PRICKLES 112
MAGPIE MOTH 114
HORSE BOT FLY, OR HORSE BEE 117
FACSIMILE NOTE RELATING TO THE KING AND QUEEN 122
WATER BEETLE 124
CHEESE AND BACON FLY 125
GREAT TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTERFLY 129
CHARLOCK WEEVIL 130
HESSIAN FLY 131
HESSIAN FLY MAGGOT ON YOUNG WHEAT AND ON BARLEY 132
HESSIAN FLY ATTACK ON BARLEY 132
GOUT FLY, OR RIBBON-FOOTED CORN FLY 133
FOREST FLY 134
GREAT OX GADFLY 135
BREEZE FLIES 136
SADDLE FLY ATTACK ON BARLEY 137
FOOT OF FOREST FLY 139
DEER FOREST FLY 140, 141
SHEEP SPIDER FLY 141
BEET CARRION BEETLE 142
CENTIPEDES AND A MILLEPEDE 143
AMERICAN BLIGHT OR WOOLLY APHIS 144
OAK-LEAF ROLLER MOTH 145
LOOPER CATERPILLARS; WINTER MOTH AND MOTTLED UMBER MOTH 146
CORN SAWFLY 147
RED-BEARDED BOTFLY 150
WATER MOTH AND CADDIS WORMS 152
LAPPET MOTH 158
HOUSE SPARROW 160
TREE SPARROW 162
ELM-BARK BEETLE 170
TUNNELS OF ASH-BARK BEETLE 171
GREATER ASH-BARK BEETLE 172
PIECE OF ASH-BARK WITH BEETLE GALLERIES 173
POCKET OR BLADDER PLUM 176
SILVER Y-MOTH 178
MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH 180
ANGOUMOIS MOTH, OR FLY WEEVIL 188
LESSER EARWIG 189
SNAIL-SLUG 191
FLATWORM, LAND PLANARIAN 192
SHOT-BORER BEETLES 199
STEM-EELWORMS 209
DIAMOND-BACK MOTHS 211
TOMATO ROOT-KNOB EELWORM 213
CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY SCALE 214
MUSTARD BEETLE 215
GOOSEBERRY AND IVY RED SPIDER 221
GROUND BEETLES 223
TIMBERMAN BEETLE 224
SOUTH AMERICAN MIGRATORY LOCUST 229
PIGMY MANGOLD BEETLE 230
SPINACH MOTH 231
COCKCHAFER 233
LADY-BIRDS 234
LONG-HORNED CENTIPEDES 235
EYED LADY-BIRD 237
WHEAT MIDGE 239
NEST OF TREE WASP 241
PEAR LEAF BLISTER MITE 249
CURRANT GALL MITE 251
BREAD, PASTE, OR BOOT BEETLE 253
BOOT INJURED BY PASTE BEETLE MAGGOT 254
GRANARY WEEVIL 262
GROUSE FLY 265
RUST-RED FLOUR BEETLE 266
MOTTLED WILLOW WEEVIL 267
GOAT MOTH 268
PEA AND BEAN WEEVILS 269
BEAN BEETLES 270
“SPLINT,” OR SAP-WOOD BEETLE 271
SHEEP’S NOSTRIL FLY 305
----------------------------
LIST OF FULL-PAGE PLATES
PLATE
ELEANOR ANNE ORMEROD, LL.D. _Frontispiece_
PAGE
I. SEDBURY PARK HOUSE AND GROUNDS 6
II. GEORGE ORMEROD, ESQ., D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S., F.S.A. 8
III. FAMILY GROUP—GEORGE ORMEROD AS A CHILD, AND HIS 10
MOTHER, UNCLE, AND GRANDMOTHER
IV. JOHN LATHAM, ESQ., M.D., F.R.S., PHYSICIAN 12
V. RUINS OF TINTERN ABBEY, MONMOUTHSHIRE 16
VI. NORMAN WORK FROM CHEPSTOW PARISH CHURCH 18
VII. LEADEN FONT IN TIDENHAM CHURCH, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, 20
_AND_ CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN,
TIDENHAM
VIII. NORMAN CHAPEL, LLANCAUT, WYE CLIFFS 22
IX. MAP OF THE BANKS OF THE WYE 32
X. RUINED ANCHORITE’S CHAPEL OF ST. TECLA, _AND_ 34
SEVERN CLIFFS, SEDBURY PARK
XI. ROMAN POTTERY, FOUND IN SEDBURY PARK, _AND_ 40
SAURIAN FROM LIAS, SEDBURY CLIFFS
XII. ROYAL MAIL, OLD GENERAL POST OFFICE, LONDON 42
XIII. OLD CHEPSTOW BRIDGE, WITH POST-CHAISE CROSSING 45
IT
XIV. A WEST OF ENGLAND ROYAL MAIL, _en route_ 46
XV. MAP OF DISTRICT OF THE CHARTIST RISING IN 50
MONMOUTH
XVI. CHEPSTOW CASTLE, MONMOUTHSHIRE 52
XVII. CHEPSTOW WITH THE BRIDGE OVER THE WYE AND 54
CHEPSTOW CASTLE ON THE RIVER BANK
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, 92
SEDBURY PARK
XXII. MISS ORMEROD’S MEDALS, RECEIVED 1870 TO 1900 98
XXIII. FOOT OF FOREST FLY—SIDE VIEW 138
XXIV. FOOT OF FOREST FLY—SEEN FROM ABOVE 138
XXV. RUINS OF CHEPSTOW CASTLE, MONMOUTHSHIRE 174
XXVI. RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER THE WYE, NEAR CHEPSTOW 208
XXVII. MISS GEORGIANA ELIZABETH ORMEROD 284
XXVIII. ORMEROD HOUSE, LANCASHIRE 300
XXIX. ELEANOR ANNE ORMEROD, LL.D., F.R.MET.SOC. 312
XXX. MISS ORMEROD’S FATHER, AT FIVE YEARS OLD, _AND_ 324
MISS ORMEROD IN CHILDHOOD
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CHAPTER I
BIRTH, CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION
I was born at Sedbury Park, in West Gloucestershire, on a sunny Sunday
morning (the 11th of May, 1828), being the youngest of the ten children
of George and Sarah Ormerod, 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 at the back of one of the boxes and
see His Majesty. I do not in the least believe that I saw the right man.
However, it is something to remember that about the year 1835, if I 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 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 foundation which had been laid by
my mother for the school work, 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._, 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
“experiments,” 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, the period when
instruction—commonly known as education—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 Coleridges),
and embraced the former much more fully than is the case at the
present day. There was no undue pressure 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 education is frequently
held up to contempt, still some recollections 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
knowledge 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,”
_i.e._, 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 “large 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 memory. I seem to hear my mother
inculcating briskness in giving names of county towns—“Northumberland?
Now then! quick as lightning, answer.” “Newcastle, Morpeth and
Alnwick, in Northumberland”; and to enforce attention a tap of my
mother’s thimble on the table, or possibly, if stupidity required
great rousing, with more gentle application on the top of my head. If
things were bad beyond endurance, the book was sent with a skim across
the room, which had an enlivening effect; but this rarely happened. My
mother gave the morning hours to the work (unless there was some
higher claim upon them, such as my father requiring her for some
purpose or other) but she always declared that she would have nothing
to do with the preparation of lessons in the afternoon. If all went
fairly well, as usual, the passage for next day’s lesson was carefully
read over at my mother’s side, and difficulties explained, and then I
was expected to learn it by myself. What we knew as “doing
lessons”—which now I believe passes under the more advanced name of
“preparation”—was left to my own care, and if this proved next morning
not to have been duly given I had reason to amend my ways. The
preparation hour was from four to five o’clock, but if the lessons had
not been learned by that time they were expected to be done somehow,
though I think my mother was very lenient if any tolerably presentable
reason were given for short measure. If the work were completed in
less than the allotted time, I was allowed to amuse myself by reading
poetry, of which I was excessively fond, from the great volume of
“Extracts” from which my lesson had been learned. This plan seems to
me to have had many advantages. For one thing, I carried the morning’s
explanations in my head till called upon, and for another, I think it
gave some degree of self-reliance, as well as a habit of useful, quiet
self-employment for a definite time. This was, in all reason, expected
to be carefully adhered to, and I can well remember when I had hurried
home from a summer’s walk how the muscles in my legs would twitch
whilst I endeavoured to learn a French verb.
One educational detail which, as far as my experience goes, appears to
have been much better conducted in my young days than at present, was
that reading aloud to the little people had not then come into vogue. I
have no recollection of being allowed to lie about on the carpet, heels
in the air, whilst some one read a book to me. There was also the
peculiarity to which, if I remember rightly, Sir Benjamin Brodie
attributes in his autobiography some of his success in life, viz., work
was almost continuous. There was never an interval of some weeks’
holidays. A holiday was granted on some great occasion, such as the
anniversary of my father and mother’s wedding-day and birthdays, and on
the birthdays of other members of the family, but (if occurring on
consecutive days) somewhat under protest; and half-holidays were not
uncommon in summer. These consisted of my being excused the afternoon
preparation of lessons, and as the pretext for asking was generally the
weather’s being “so very fine,” I conjecture it was thought that an
extra run in the fresh air was perhaps a healthy variety of occupation.
Any way, the learning lost must have been small, for excepting the
written part of the work the lessons were expected to appear next
morning in perfect form, however miscellaneously acquired. One way or
other there were occasional breaks by pleasant episodes such as picnics,
on fine summer days, to one of the many old ruined castles, or disused
little Monmouthshire churches, or Roman remains in the neighbourhood,
where my father worked up the material for some forthcoming
archæological essay and my mother executed some of her beautiful
sketches (plate VI.). The carriage-load of young ones enjoyed themselves
exceedingly, and prevented the work from becoming monotonous or
burdensome. And there were joyful days before and after going from home,
and now and then, when it was impossible for my mother to give her
morning up to the work, if she had not appointed one of the elder of the
young fry her deputy for the occasion. I remember, too, that I took my
book in play hours, when and where I wished; sometimes on a fine summer
afternoon the “where” might be sitting on a horizontal bough of a large
old Portugal laurel in the garden. And I fancy that the perch in the
fresh air, with the green light shimmering round me, was as good for my
bodily health (by no means robust) as my entertaining little book for my
progress in reading.
It was remarkable the small quantity of food which it was at one time
thought the right thing for ladies to take in public. I suppose from
early habit, my mother, who was active both in body and mind, used to
eat very little. At lunch she would divide a slice of meat with me.
Although now the death, in her confinement, of the Princess Charlotte,
“the people’s darling,” which plunged the nation in sorrow, is a thing
only of history, yet it is on record how she almost implored for more
food, the special desire being mutton chops. Though not in any way
connected with the Royal Family, my mother held in memory the unhappy
event from its consequences. Sir Richard Croft, whose medical attentions
had been so inefficient to the Princess, was shortly after called to
attend in a similar capacity on Mrs. Thackeray, wife of Dr. Thackeray,
then or after Provost of King’s College, Cambridge. For some reason or
other he left his patient for a while, and the story went that, finding
pistols in the room where he was resting, he shot himself. Miss
Cotton—Mrs. Thackeray’s sister—was a friend of my mother. Miss
Thackeray, the infant who was ushered into the world by the death of
both her mother and the doctor, survived, and in her young-lady days was
particularly fond of dancing; and I have the remembrance of my first
London ball being at her aunt’s house.
[Illustration:
PLATE I.
SEDBURY PARK HOUSE AND GROUNDS, DISTANT VIEW.
]
[Illustration:
MANSION HOUSE, SEDBURY PARK; MISS GEORGIANA ORMEROD ON THE LEFT, MISS
ELEANOR ORMEROD ON THE RIGHT.
(_pp. 14, 48._)
]
------------------------------------------------------------------------