April 4, 1896.
I am now writing to you on a point on which I think that you—ex officio—are the first I should consult, and I should greatly like your opinion; and next (if, as I hope, you approve of my sister’s and my own proposed presentation), that you will kindly tell me to whom to apply in requisite form. We have, by request of the Council of the Bath and West Society, been preparing an exhibit of Economic Entomology for their approaching Show here. My sister’s part consists of twenty coloured diagrams, nineteen injurious insects and their works, and one finger and toe—these are very beautifully executed and fitted with loops all ready for hanging; size 26 ins. long by 21 wide. My part is seventeen cases—of which the enclosed slips, to be affixed on light slanting strips of wood at end or side of the cases, give just a general idea for observers without a catalogue (Appendix [C].). I have tried, you will see, to give just a few illustrations of the main sorts of attack. Scientific names are used of course, but it is essentially an Agricultural Entomological exhibition made to help the plainest understanding, so I have not taken up space with mere scientific details, and I have spared neither trouble nor cost in procuring specimens, especially of the various Œstridæ (bot-flies). Also that there might be no possible doubt as to accuracy of nomenclature I got Mr. O. E. Janson to spend two or three hours in rigid investigation, and the only error in naming he found was in the name, or synonym, of a decayed wood-eating wireworm-beetle which I removed to make all sure. Fifteen of the cases are white pine, with what I call “detection” fittings outside. The glass is laid on the top but is kept in place by a handsome narrow brass band. Thus the inside of the case is at once accessible for any authorised purpose; but those not knowing the arrangements would cause such a clatter and disturbance that their misdoings would be very public. The cases are all as nearly as may be 12 ins. by 8 by 2½. Two of them completing the seventeen are “Live Boxes” of polished mahogany, same size, but of different make to prevent escape.
Now, I much want you to tell us whether you think that after exhibition here the collection, including my sister’s diagrams, would be acceptable as a presentation to the museum of your Edinburgh University. It is not for me to speak of my own work, but I think it would be of use both in your work and Dr. Fream’s, so I am writing to you first of all. If approved and we can arrange comfortably, I contemplate sending it (at my own cost) in charge of an expert who could repair damage. I shall wait your reply with great interest.
April 16, 1896.
Indeed, I thank you heartily for your kind letter of the 13th. It is a very great pleasure both to my sister and myself that you think our collection likely to be of use. I thought perhaps you had started on your long tour, so I wrote to Dr. Taylor, and yesterday we had a letter from him which pleased us exceedingly, with the kindly expressed acceptance of the University Court; and Sir W. Muir also was good enough to write, which we took to be very kind of him. I shall hope now, all being well, to collect, and (with permission) add as occasion allows. You would notice that some of the great attacks, Tipula (Daddy longlegs), leather-jacket grubs, for instance, and Charæas graminis (Antler moth), were not represented, for they were not about in the winter, but I shall hope to go on now. I should like you to see the cases, and we should much like a chat before you go; it is long since we met, and as the collection will not be free to go down till a little after the beginning of June, I suppose you will be far away then? I do not know the difference between the University Court and the Senatus. Very ridiculous you will think this; but I should like to understand about it.
May 30, 1896.
Many thanks for your letter received this afternoon, with address of Sir Robert Murdoch Smith [the curator]. From this I understand that the collection is to be placed in the “Museum of Science and Art,” Chambers Street, as the property of the University Court of Edinburgh University? You will think me tedious, but I was under an impression that there was a “University Museum” pur et simple. I should not be easy at all in sending the exhibit down excepting in skilled hands. I had the great pleasure yesterday of showing them to the Prince and Princess (p. [123]), and to-day I hear there is such a crowd that even our own people could only get a sight of two cases.
PLATE XXVII.
Yours truly
Georgiana E. Ormerod
Miss Georgiana Elizabeth Ormerod.
Photo by Elliott & Fry.
(pp. [16], [30], [37], [88], [90], [123].)
October 22, 1896.