Transcript

of

Obituary notices: Edward Parfitt

Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. 25, (1893) pp.159-162.

by

W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

Edward Parfitt was a self-made man of science of ---type. A native of Norfolk and originally brought to the calling of a gardener, he first came to Devon in that capacity, settling at Exeter. Here he early showed that --- original research in natural history, especially in matters of entomology and fungology, which eventually led to the occupation of all his leisure hours in enthusiastic study. He was a most careful and accurate observer, a skilled microscopist, and made many additions to the Devonian and English faunas. As a gardener such a man was quite out of place, and eventually he obtained a more congenial position, with greater freedom to pursue his studies, as Curator of the Museum at Taunton. He did not, however, remain long there. He was next appointed Librarian to the Devon and Exeter Institution, Exeter, and held that office up until the day of his death. His long association with the Institution made him familiar with many persons and many things. His mind became a storehouse of information, and his opinion at times was much sought after in many branches of science. He compiled many meteorological returns, had marked antiquarian tendencies, and as an entomologist was an acknowledged authority. His collections of butterflies and Devonian insects generally were very valuable and complete. Mr Parfitt was a member of the old Exeter Naturalists' Club, the death of which was a great misfortune for the neighbourhood. At one time he conducted a series of investigations and experiments bearing on the lowest forms of life. For some time before his decease he had been engaged upon the work of classifying insects, and at the time of his illness, had, it is believed almost completed his task. He was one of the original members of this Association, being a member of the Council since 1865, and always took an active part in its proceedings. He was a regular attendant at the annual meetings, and his well-known, familiar figure will be much missed by those who knew him. He enriched the Transactions by contributions on a variety of topics, his papers on the flora and fauna of Devon being monuments of conscientious skill. An incessant worker, shrewd, plain-spoken, but kindly, he never thought anything that came in his way too trivial for investigation, any well ascertained fact unworthy of record, or any error unneeding correction.

The following list comprises the papers read by Mr Parfitt to the Association:

Morphology in Primula Vulgaris Plena-carnea (1863)

The Transmutation of Uredo Rosæ into Aregma Mucronatum (1864)

Crystallization of Felspar in Granite (1865)

Fresh Water Polyzoa (1866)

The Annelids of Devonshire with a Resumé of the Natural History of the County (1867)

A Catalogue of the Annelids of Devonshire, with Notes and Observations (1867)

On the Parasitism of Orobanche Major (1867)

On the Marine and Fresh Water Sponges of Devonshire (1868)

On Spontaneous Generation; or the Origin of Life (1869)

On the Protozoa of Devonshire (1869)

A Catalogue of the Protozoa of Devonshire; with Notes and Observations (1869)

Fossil Sponge Spicules in the Green Sand of Haldon and Blackdown (1870)

Crustacea Podophthalmata and the History of their Shells (1870)

A Catalogue of the Crustacea Podophthalmata of Devonshire (1870)

On the Boring of Molluscs, Annelids and Sponges into Rocks, Wood and Shells (1871)

The Fauna of Devon- Crustacea (Sub-class) Cirripedia (1871)

Some Notes on that part of Mr Chanter's paper relating to the Insect Fauna of Lundy Island (1872)

The Fauna of Devon- Echinodermata (1872)

Annelids versus Raindrops, or Remarks on Mr Hall's Paper of Fossil Rain Drops (1873)

Fauna of Devon, Sessile-eyed Crustacea (1873)

Fauna of Devon- Conchology (1874)

The Fauna of Devon- Myriopoda (1874)

The Fauna of Devon- Fishes (1875)

On the Drift Gravels on the Cliffs of the South Coast of Devon, from Langstone Point towards Dawlish (1875)

On the Decay of Limestone Fragments embedded in the New Red Sandstone Cliffs on the Coast of South Devon (1875)

The Natural History of Euglena Viridis (1875)

The Fauna of Devon- Birds (1876)

Notes on the Idol found at Kingsteignton (1877)

The Fauna of Devon- Reptiles (1877)

The Fauna of Devon- Mammalia (1877)

Archaeological Discoveries made in Exeter during April and May, 1878 (1878)

The Fauna of Devon- Lepidoptera (1878)

Archaeological Discoveries in Exeter, 1878-9 (1879)

The Fauna of Devon- Neuroptera (1879)

Meteorological Phenomena (1879)

On the Boring for Water and the Sinking of two Wells at the two large Breweries- "The City" and "St Anne's"- in Exeter (1880)

The Fauna of Devon- Aculeata (1880)

The Fauna of Devon- Hymenoptera (1881)

The Fauna of Devon- Euplexoptera, Orthoptera, and Homoptera, in part (1882)

The Lichen Fauna of Devonshire (1883)

On Palaeolithic Implements and a Roman Coin found at Broom in the Valley of the Axe (1884)

On Earthquakes in Devonshire (1884)

The Fauna of Devon- Hemiptera Heteroptera; or Plant Bugs (1884)

On Earthquakes in Devonshire- Supplement (1885)

The Moss Flora and Hepatics of Devonshire (1885)

Devon Fresh Water Algæ (1886)

Second Supplement to Paper on Earthquakes in Devonshire, From the Earliest Records to the Present Time (1887)

The Fauna of Devon- Phytophagous Hymenoptera, Saw Flies (1888)

Marine Algæ of Devon (1889)

Devon Collembola and Thysanura (1891)

Mr Parfitt died at his residence in Exeter on January 15th, 1893.