Readers of 'The Zoologist' will learn with regret of the death, after a few hours' illness, of John Clavell Mansel-Pleydell, of Whatcombe, Dorset, at the advanced age of eighty-four. He was one of the few remaining representatives of the older school of general naturalists, and his wide knowledge ranging over so many different branches of zoology rendered him, if not an infallible guide in the study, at any rate an invaluable companion in the field.
He was also one of the prime movers in the formation of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club more than twenty years ago, and had filled the office of president ever since. During that period, in addition to numerous papers on Palæontology, and addresses on many subjects, he has contributed several volumes on the fauna and flora of his native county.
His kindly disposition, and the readiness with which he gave assistance to any who desired it, have endeared him to all with whom he came into personal contact; and whether as a personal friend, or as president of the Dorset Field Club, his death has created a loss which will be by no means easily made good.
Amongst the more important of his publications are the following:—'The Flora of Dorset,' London, 1874; 'The Birds of Dorsetshire,' London, 1888; 'The Flora of Dorset, with a Sketch of the Geology,' ed. 2, Dorchester, 1895; 'The Mollusca and Brachiopoda of Dorsetshire,' Dorchester, 1898; 'The Ornithology and Conchology of the County of Dorset'; 'A Brief Memoir of the Geology of Dorset,' Blandford.
F.P.C.[1]
- ↑ F.P.C.=Frederick (Octavius) Pickard Cambridge (Wikisource-Ed.)
