Eleanor Ormerod, Ll. D., Economic Entomologist : Autobiography and Correspondence

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.

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