DONOVAN, EDWARD, a writer on various departments of natural history. One of his earliest publications was 'A Natural History of British Insects,' 16 vols. Svo, commenced in 1792 and finished in 1816. Although at the time this work was published, especially the earlier volumes, it was of great assistance in the study of entomology, it has been surpassed both in execution and matter by more recent works. It will however alwaye be an important work in the history of the literature of entomology. In 1794 he published a little work on the formation of museums of natural history, entitled ' Instructions for Collecting and Preserving various Subjects in Natural History,' 8vo, London. From 1794 to 1797 he published at intervals four volumes of a work containing drawings and descriptions of Mash birds, entitled ' The Natural History of British Birds; See. In 1798 he commenced a series of illustrated works on the insects of Asia. These were called 'An Epitome of the Insects of China,' 1795, 4to, London ; 'Au Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of India,' 1800, 4to, Loudon; ' Au Epitome of the Insects of Asia,' 1793-1805, 3 vols. 4to, Loudon. These works had an extensive sale, and did much for creating a taste for the study of geueral entomology. In 1305 he published a work
entitled 'Descriptive Excursions through South Wales and Moomouth shire in the year ISM and four preceding Summers,' 2 vols. tivo, London. In 1823 he commenced a periodical work entitled ' The Naturalist'e Repository, or Monthly Miscellany of Exotio Natural History.' Of this work three volumes appeared containing descriptions and drawiugs of various animals from different parts of the world. Ile also published 'An Essay on the Minute Parts of Planta in general.' Although constantly occupied on his various works, his profits from them seem to have been small. So great wee his dissatisfaction at the small profits which he received from the publishers of his works, that in 1833 he published A Memorial respecting my Publications on Natural History,' in which he endeavours to prove that, whilst lie had been ruined, those who eold his books had realised large sums.
Science is not indebted to Douovan for any new discovery or important generalisation; but the field which his labours occupied was an important one, and his illustrated works have done much to diffuse a knowledge of and engender a taste for the study of natural history. Ho died on the let of February 1S37.