Talk:Alexander Henry Haliday

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Work in some detail of his professional accomplishment (ie, more than a list or publications), for example, the info below. References required also.Heds (talk) 11:49, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

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Haliday on species

“Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.” Friedrich Nietzsche 19th century German philosopher. Haliday on species 1857 Review Zoonomische briefe : allgemeine darstellung der Thierischen Organisation Von Dr. Hermann Burmeister, Professor der Zoologie zu Halle. Ersler und Zweiter Theil 8 vo. Otto Wigand: Leipzig 1856. Natural History Review (Proc.) 4: 69-77. exact translation please

In the year Richard Wagner commenced the three-act opera Tristan and Isolde, a watershed in the history of music concerning the fatal love of the Irish princess Isolde and the Cornish knight Tristan Haliday was hard at work in Dublin.

Properly Introducing one of Burmeister's masterworks, which is, it must be remembered in German, as "Not addressed to the professed zoologist " that is to say intended for an intellectually trained but general readership, Haliday goes on to praise Burmeister's acheivement in matching scholarship and literary style. "The writer's thorough acquaintance with his subject, at once minute and comprehensive, his genuine-even passionate love of nature, and his eminently happy style of painting in words, have qualified him, without renouncing a scientific treatment of his materials, to make out of them two very pleasant volumes". Then, drawing attention to Burmeister's previously attaching too much emphasis to embryology as a phylogenetic (classification based on evolutionary origin) tool, Haliday approves his "riper judgement and experience" in rejecting " the fixed ideas of some extreme devotees of Embyological study." He then begins a diatribe against "The Transcendental School of Natural History" accusing it's adherents of usurping embryology (as a sole basis for classification, and by inference evolution) in the pursuit of a religious belief which is seen as anti-scientific, in the sense that it is not amenable to argument or change. "It might appear too, as if the systematic part of Natural History were thus placed on a more unalterable base, in being referred to certain principles exterior to and independent of the modes of operation of human intellect; as a mere artificial instrument of which classification has sometimes been regarded." The last part of the sentence is the most telling. The attack on the Transcendalists is a preface only. Haliday accuses Burmeister "who has laboured so hard ...to establish a natural classification on philosophic grounds.....almost giving up the objective truths of natural groups in zoology, while he retains them for a method of exposition." (our emphasis). Haliday then quotes Burmeister " The only real existence is the lowest and last division called species; this alone may be seen, felt caught, exhibited in collections; all the other,superior groups are mere conceptions, framed according to the agreement of certain characters, but of which the real existence must be denied." "The fallacy here is so palpable, Haliday protests, that it is hard to imagine how it could, for a moment, have imposed upon a philosopher like Burmeister". "It is clear, continues Haliday, that he {Burmeister] has mystified himself by the use of the term 'real existence '. He [Burmeister] proceeds and now Haliday quotes " Such conceptions, which have no real existence, but can be defined ideally by a certain collection of characters, are called Types of Animal Organisation. Accordingly we speak of the types of Genus, Family, Class &c., and we endeavour to discover by observation the essential properties of each, and to express them in words. These words constitute the character of the group; they convey the definition of the idea, and contain the marks by which the type may be known, and which therefore, are considered as typical of the group"

"This we see", develops Haliday, "is in allusion to, but not quite in accordance with, the doctrine of Linnaeus, that the character does not make the genus, but the reverse". There is a problem here. What Burmeister is saying, that the genus does not exist is not true, however Haliday's insistence that it does, which is true, is then logically undermined by his assertion that knowing what the genus is (by an intuitive process) we can then define it's characters. Burmeister appears to us to be whilst not accepting the reality of the higher groupings is essentially saying the same thing. Neither has made the jump in thinking that Hennig later did later, much later, and amidst much controversy and both are having struggling for a logic. The jump was to analyse the characters, work to a conclusion, however heretical** Note also that Haliday is assuming 1. that Linnaeus had a doctrine and 2. that the doctrine was unassailable. There may be another problem, the German may be confusing and also have the curious dialectical (opposing ideas) of so much German thought.

Interestingly many early authors understood principles of the phylogenetic systematics much better than those who followed them, including many writing today. This is true not only for such evident evolutionists as Lamarck, Darwin, Haeckel or Hennig, but also for Linnaeus, Cuvier and others, who wordily declared anti-evolutionistic ideas, but actually built animal classification on phylogenetic principles.

Digression We must digress here and clarify our position. So much error exists in literature relating to the history of systematics, most of which was written by historians of science unaware of Hennig that an account of Kladistiks in a work such as this is long overdue.

Major Hennigian principles are: (1) Relationships among species are to be interpreted strictly genealogically, as sister-lineages, as clade relations. Empirically, a phylogenetic hypothesis may be determined. (2) Synapomorphies provide the only evidence for identifying relative recency of common ancestry. Synapomorphies are understood to be the shared-derived (evolved, modified) features of organisms. (3) Maximum conformity to evidence is sought (his auxiliary principle). Choice among competing cladistic propositions (cladograms) is decided on the basis of the greatest amount of evidence, the largest number of synapomorphies explainable as homologues. (4) Whenever possible, taxonomy must be logically consistent with the inferred pattern of historical relationships. The rule of monophyly is to be followed, thereby each clade can have its unique place in the hierarchy of taxonomic names.

Hennig suggested that classification should reflect the relative recency of common ancestors. A common point of controversy is the placement of birds among reptiles. There is support for a close descent relationship between birds and crocodiles. According to the overall similarity theory, the crocodiles would be placed with other reptiles, but according to Hennig’s theory, the birds and crocodilians should have a closer classification because of their lineages. “Lineages and histories are real, whereas taxa are human creations that may or may not reflect true relationships.” Monophyletic groups were the only acceptable higher-level taxa to Hennig. A monophyletic group includes an ancestor and all of its descendants. As a consequence, birds would be included under the “reptile” classification. Excluding descendant lineages, like birds, would create a paraphyletic grouping. Proponents of this classification point to prominent features that set a lineage apart from close relatives. In addition to the reptiles, many other traditionally accepted paraphyletic groupings are now rejected as formal taxa by phylogenetic systematics and by a majority of systematists in general. They do not want to abandon paraphyletic relationships, but they want the groupings expanded to reflect Hennig’s theory. How is it that these groups are discovered? Hennig suggested that shared derived characters, homologues, provide evidence of common descent. A derived character that is evidence of a relationship is called an apomorphy and its ancestral form is called a plesiomorphy. If an apomorphy is unique to a species, then is an autapomorphy, and if it is shared by two or more species, it is a synapomorphy. A synapomorphy is evidence that the species with common characteristics also share a common ancestor and can be considered in a monophyletic group.

Today we would say

1.The monophyletic group, say genus, exists and furthermore is the only acceptable group. 2. It is identified by its characters (and not the reverse). 3. Only character states identified as plesiomorphic (ancestral) or apomorphic (derived) can identify monophyletic groups (and the evolutionary history of the group) 4. This analysis may be tested, that is to say a kladistik analysis is in itself a falsifiable theory ie a scientific one. 5. Since apomorphic characters exist so do plesiomorphic characters 6. All characters,except the apomorphies defining species are both plesiomorphic and apomorphic with respect to transition.

A problem remains however. How many species within a monophyletic group constitute a genus?. In this respect the genus is not objectively defined. The same is true of higher level taxa. The nomenclatural genus and higher level taxa remain, then, without any existence in nature. A fascinating parallel to Haliday's unusually forthright comments on "The Transcendental School " is found in the controversy surrounding the introduction of Hennig's cladistic methodology to Britain. Astonishingly the proponents of kladistik were accused of fermenting Marxist revolution; by upsetting the "properly founded" higher groups they were also, it was argued, challenging the rate of evolution. Suggesting, as some did, that evolutionary jumps occurred they were presumed to wish the same for social evolution. Haliday may well have retorted , quoting Schiller " Gegen die Dummheit streben selbst die Goetter vergebens!-Against stupidity even the gods strive in vain.

Species

Haliday next turns to the reality of species. "That very real existence of species, to which Burmeister yet clings- as it seems however not without a wavering faith even as to this- as the last floating straw of a drowning system , is just as truly an abstraction of the mind as any of the higher groups. Define it as we will, the idea of species comprehends some relation which cannot be seen, felt or exhibited corporeally- such as that of continuous development from one stock; or, if we admit that no irrefragable proof has yet been adduced of the necessary descent of all the individuals of a species from one original pair, or parent, then our idea of species must differ still less in kind from that of any higher group. We must be able to conceive, as possible at least, if we do not actually presume as true, the original existence of several individuals and one species, to which they are subordinated not by that peculiar relation of Generation, but by other agreements, of the same sort, and only greater, in number or degree, than, those we recognize among the higher groups, an in the one case, as in the other, coupled with Differences;- whether these be Specific, Generic, or simply Individual, does not materially effect the present question. In this case, whether we trace these correspondences up to Creative Design, or view them simply in reference to our own Modes of Perception, the result is equally that those Relations and Agreements, and, consequently, also, the Groups connoted, or denoted, by the character, have a real existence as truly in the Higher (genus, &c.) as in the Lower (species)- yet not Lowest group so long as some individuals of the Species present fewer differences and more points of agreement amongst themselves (Races, Varieties, &c.) , than others. Again whatever be our Idea of "Species" abstractedly, The Character of any particular species is a collection of marks of a precisely similar nature with those which make up the character of a Genus, or any higher group, differing only in being more numerous and particular , inasmuchas the character of the Species includes the complete character of the Genus, and of every higher group, in direct ascending Series, and something more. In Direct ascending Series- we repeat- for the Character of some genus, in another, ie. Collateral series, may embrace more numerous marks than that of a species not subordinate to it. Practically, too, it is the character that determines the idea of the species, which is then of the same sort as that of genus, &c., and applied in the same way, so that it is hard to tell why the one should be said to have a real existence more than the other."

A fixity of species and classes

A fierce opponent of Darwin, whose Origin of Species was published two years after Zoonomische briefe, Burmeister, like his contemporary Louis Agassiz held on to Baron Cuvier's catastrophy theory according to which species were fixed, and only through great cataclysms (glaciations in Agassiz's 'neptunist', volcanic eruptions in Burmeister's 'vulcanist' hypothesis) was change in nature possible. While Agassiz was to deduce from this model of nature a social theory of racial segregation enthusiastically applauded by US-American and Brazilian slaveholders, and a monarchist theory of class segregation in Europe Burmeister, who in his youth had sympathized with republican radicals and whose decision to emigrate to Argentina may have been informed by the political authoritarianism of Bismark's Prussia, held positions closer to Humboldt's romantic naturalism. Curiously Haliday's political views were not progressive, at least in respect of the American Civil war "Now I am afraid these are as remote as the hope of peace in N. America, while Abraham Lincoln is in place".

Letters between Alexander Henry Haliday and Henry Tibbats Stainton 1862 -1863 TRANSCRIPTION OF LETTERS BETWEEN A. H. HALIDAY AND H. J. STAINTON 1862 — 1863 In the Library of the Hope Department University of Oxford

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H J. Stainton  27 January, 1862

H.J. Stainton Esq.

My dear sir,

In drawing the cheque for £16 wh. I enclose to you this morn.  I believe I forgot to designate the Union Bank Charing Cross.  Will you however observe that it should be presented to that branch only.

Yours truly

Alex. H. Haliday

1862.1.27

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H J. Stainton  28 January, 1862

My Dear Sir,

Will you consider me ‘mobilior aqua’, if I ask you, after all, not to propose me the M.E.S. at present, if you have not already committed yourself which I rather suppose is not the case and would not be till February meeting.  The fact is I came here quite ignorant of the antecedents and some subsequents have occurred ‘over which I had no control’ which make me think   be as well to pause till I come home again.  In any case if committed let it be, pray now as an Annual Member only

I shall not forget your work if I hear of any leaf-mining or other micro-phili [ ] Dohrn has given me his list of Ent. Associates I hope to go to Tuscany by Turin and to [meet] Bellardi at least [ ] Ghiliani etc. Etc.

   Yours very truly,
   A.H. Haliday
   1 Buckland Crescent NW
   1862.1.28
   7 p.m.

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H J. Stainton 30 January, 1862

I am certainly rather disconcerted by your letter received this morning as it implies you are now doubtful of joining the Entomological Society.  As I fancy you can hardly be acquainted either with the antecedents or subsequents —  in all their learnings —  I would suggest that you should allow me a discretionary power to propose you on Monday next as originally intended if Mr. Saunders should concur with me that such a course would really be the most beneficial for the interests of the Society I think you have sufficient confidence in the discretion of Mr. Saunders and myself to know that we would not place you in any false position.  After your election I will defer any payment until I hear from you.
Under these circumstances I ought to return your cheque but I have already paid it in to my bankers —  shall I therefore send you a cheque for £16. 3.11 that is for £12. 9. —  Please let me have a line in reply and I will look upon that as conclusive.
Letter from A.H. Haliday to H J. Stainton 30.  .1862

My Dear Sir,

Your kind note obviates some of the difficulties which sprang up out of my imperfect information.  I considered that you might be unwilling to suggest any further deliberation when I asked you to propose me unconditionally.  But if you and Mr. Saunders will consent to judge for me on the grounds I state and decide on the affirmative I shall have no longer any apprehension of having happened on an unseasonable occasion for joining the society I wish to see an “United Italy” not to enter into a divided camp, if you and Mr. Saunders believe that there is good prospect of the Society now going on harmoniously in the main I put myself entirely in your hands and if proposed and elected I would wish at once to have the entrance fee and annual subscription paid.  Perhaps you will be so good as to retain a few pounds besides in case of my again (as before) availing myself of the good offices of the Stettin Soct to procure books for instance —  if in their list of separate impressions are Thomson’s Proctotrupinae of Sweden, 6 papers and of Swedish Academy “Ofversigt”.  The German Ent. Societies seem rather controversially given, too, between (if no within) themselves; but after all one must consider that one or two angry wasps make more noise than a whole hive of sober, busy bees.  I have looked over the list,

I have got this morning some hints, which incline me to take the route by Toulon, Nice, Genoa and in preference either to the [Mo Cenis] or the longer sea from Marseille to Genoa. When I have oriented myself at the other side of the Eternal Hills I will write to you, if I make any discoveries of Microphili. With my best regards to Mr. Saunders I remain, your faithfully, Alex. H. Haliday Did I give you my future address say from middle of February San Concordis Lucca — Toscania = 1 Buckland Crescent N.W. 1862.1.30 9 p.m.

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H J. Stainton 1st February 1862

My Dear Sir, I have to thank you for your note enclosing a cheque for £8 (eight pounds). I have no doubt that when you and Mr. Saunders think the time convenient I shall be glad of it a I wish well to the Society. Dohrns relations were with Colts only — as Bellardi, Costa etc. Were among them — at all events I shall have a [nature] to look out for Micros Linnaeus I mean — the others I scarcely venture to handle. Believe me Yours sincerely,

Obliged etc.  Alex. H. Haliday

1 Buckland Crescent N.W. 1862.2.1

I shall be gland to get through Stettin Socty any of the separate impressions I ment[ioned] from Swedish Academy Transns and Proceedings viz Holmgren
x Thomson
Letter from A.H. Haliday to H J. Stainton 19 February, 1862

Hotel R de la Victoria — Paris 1862.2.19 My Dear Sir,

As bad news flies fast I hasten to inform you of the result of my enquiries at Turin after Lepidopterologi or even Lepidopterophili.  My kind acquaintances there Profrs Bellardi and Ghiliani ignore their existence, Micro Achille Costa is now engrossed too much by the of University duties —  Ghillini himself is in bad health and has too much on his hands —  if I can excite my Coleopterists  (few also) to take up the microlepidopt in hope of exchange from Coleopteri of the North or foreign I will not omit the opportunity.
Hitherto I have been in a constant hurry and partly not quite strong to sustain it.  At Paris the Museum where I had Meigen’s and Macquart’s

[note at side of page] — Directions for taking and setting ( ) Microlepidoptera — where? Stettin Ent. Zeitung Band — types of Diptera to collate — the Hymenoptera of Dr. Sichel — the Diptera of Mr. Bigot kept me on another stretch — I did not go out of my way for a single sight non Entomol altho’ I had not been in Paris for 16 years past. My stay was [frustrated] to nearly a week by the illness of one of my travelling companions. At Amiens I spent a day (a lovely Spring day) with Dr. Dours two hours of it in and on the fine Cathedral. The journey from Paris to Turin was but 34 hours but fatiquing; in the descent from Mo Cenis our carriage drag was red hot and strong smell of combustion and at this present rate of travelling accidents have been frequent. We had the advantage of full-moon and lost note of the scenery unless by slumber. At Turin I spent three days very pleasantly proceeding by Genoa to Leghorn and as then the wind was contrary, we had not quite reached La Spezzia when I went on deck in the so I did not have that view by the night passage. Here we are without a particle of baggage for the

 —  all having gone on (though    ) by the train to Florence —  the only contretemps on the whole journey —  except being served with Aquavitae for Vin Blanc [d’Isle] at the Table d’Hote at Turin.  I intend to write soon to Dr. Dohrn and will mention to him that I asked of you to get from the Society the separate imprints of Holmgrens several papers on Ichneumonidae —  also (if ox  ) of Thomson’s Swedish Proctotrupier —  Will you have the kindness to send me via Williams and Norgate (who send me books to Florence about the end of the month or in March) a stock of good entom pins, Germany by preference, but none long.  I do not like the very long ones —  but such as would be short with Continentals though long for us —  chiefly fine ones (as for mounting wedges of card short ones of any sort suffice and some fine English ones of  length.  Excuse this petition —  here I find the pins are so bad that they got them from Germany.  I shall be glad to hear from you if you have time any London Scient news and am yours very truly

Alex. H. Haliday

H.T. Stainton Esq

Letter from H.J. Stainton to a.H. Haliday 13 July 1862

Copy to A.H. Haliday July 13/62 [Mountsfield, Lewisham, SE] printed letter heading

I  certainly cannot announce that we have yet reached a peaceful state of things at the Ent. Soc. Though we may be tending that way.  Nothing whatever appears yet to have been done to arrange matters.  The Council seems to have gone to sleep leaving it to time to obliterate all unpleasantness.
I believe that only 5 of the Society have actually seceded —  but there are many who are dissatisfied and may yet secede —  an unwise policy as I tell them for unless they are prepared to form a new Society they had better remain in the old one.
One of the seceders was a Member of Council and his retirement making a vacancy I was proposed to fill up[ the gap.  I remonstrated as I certainly did not wish till matters had got a little straightened out to resume a seat on the Council —  besides as it is well enough known I have never for one moment relaxed any exertions to procure a change in the Curatorship I could not conceive that my election would be allowed to pass without opposition.   However the Council would not listen to my remonstrances and my nomination went forward.
I, of course, abstained from attending the next meeting but I am assured that my election was unanimous —  which to me certainly appears most irregular.
I did not at once assent to accept the seat on the Council but begged to know beforehand “what steps the Council had taken or was taking to restore the Socy. To its former vigorous condition”.
To this the Council reply that “they looked upon my re-election as a step towards the restoration of the Society and trusted they would have my assistance in enabling them to complete the restoration of the Society” —  so though I have done it with some reluctance I have today written to the Socy to say that I accept the seat on the Council.
What will come to pass next I cannot foresee but they certainly cannot expect me to support a do-nothing policy.

I fear I have written a wondrous long story about myself so that you will be well-nigh disgusted with the egotism of the writer but I can assure you I feel most lamentably the inconveniences of having greatness thrust upon me and I am very far from conceiving that I have done anything towards achieving greatness.

The black Zygaena concerning which you enquire is Syntomus phegea.

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H J. Stainton dated 20th September 1862

Monte Bonelli - Lucca 20 Sept.1862 My Dear Sir, I asked Wollaston to present my remembrances when he should be at Monatsfields but from a later letter of his I apprehend he did not get mine in time. It is a good while since I have heard from you and I should be glad of intelligence — about Ent. Soc. Of which I should be desirous to hear peaceful prospects — about Dr. Dohrn — H. Schaum whom you will have seen lately — I am back but a few days from an excursion in the Appenines cut short by unfavourable weather. I took a horse and man from [baths of] Lucca and found myself at Abetone the pass between Tuscany and Modena — ascending Gvione the highest point of the central Appenines which lies a little detached from the chain so commanding a more extensive view including both seas Adriatic and Tyorhem but I saw on the top only fog, rain and rock. Rondinago the next highest (in the main chain) was little better as to view and in the mist my guide who had never been at the summit took me up the most precipitous side really a perilous climb in fog — I had intended going on to some of the Apuan Alps (or Carrara range) but this experience discouraged me — also I found that the season was too far advanced in respect to vegetation and consequently insects. Though I have not attended specially to the Leps I continue to think that the number of species here is comparatively small — judging from what I see obvious and from the paucity of Ichneumonidae parasites of larger and Enicdontidae of the leafminers. I was much struck in the Alpine valley but the gregarious habits of certain butterflies especially a satyrid and a Dolyommatus — the names of which I note but cannot find now. I was too much rapt in scenery and the exercise necessary to devour it — to leave much leisure for collecting there. But I am seriously thinking of Sardinia for next spring if as I hope I can muster a party to camp out. My Alpine excursion was mostly solitary as Bellardi stayed only a week. So our function was defeated by delays of post — it was also cut short by an accident which reduced me from a pedestrian to a mulerider so I reserved Mr. Blair of the Matterhorn (the gem of all!) for another season if such be allowed and contented myself with three weeks at Monte Rosa. My brother Col. W.N. Halliday is coming out to Italy the last week of October to remain the winter and join me I hope in my island plan for Spring — the address is U. Service Club if you have any letter or book to send — I am not sure but think I asked you about getting through Stettin Ent. Socy for me Holmgrens Monographs of Swedish Ichneumones (Ophiones, Tryphones etc). I had some intention of going to Vienna next month to meet Loew there but have not heard from him now for two months and as he is a great invalid I fear he may have suffered from the fatigue of travelling this summer. I should probably have diverged into the Tyrol to look for him when Bellardi left us in the Lesothal but Lowe’s letter giving his route and a day for his southern were I might meet him was a little too late in reaching me in the valleys (where there are but 3 foot-posts exactly) to admit of the attempt. I have found one more Lucchese Entomologist this summer — a Coleopterist only — a medical student and land proprietor at the Bagni. When an Irish friend failed me as a companion for the Appenines I tried to get this [Oberto Mommi] to come with me, but both were withheld by the same cause a medical non-fiat. I was glad to receive the other day from Curtis a note telling me he was in the course of recovery though slow and precarious — I had been much tried when at [ ] by the loss (in the post of a note from him in reply to my anxious enquired along with other letters which had followed me through several retransmissions. If you find leisure at present to let me have a line pray tell me whether you know if J.O. Westwood is at Oxford. I have been expecting to hear from him but lately have understood he was on a tour abroad. I find so little help in books in the libraries here that I am getting out a few of my own for winter use rather than depend on a brief visit to Florence where I believe the Palatine Library is well supplied. Can you tell me where Forsters monograph on Psyllidae was published. I cannot remember and my own separate copy was not to be found when other books were collected for dispatch — but I may probably find the volume of Transactions at Florence if I know where it way. Believe me yours very faithfully. Alex. H. Haliday

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H J. Stainton 18 Oct. 1862 My dear Sir, Thanks for your letter which gave me much desirable information as well as the pleasant prospect of meeting you and Dr. Dohrn (at last) next spring. If you do come out to Rome it will go hard but I the meeting there and then we may see the Campagnia of which Zeller absolutely refused to let me have his experience lest it should tempt me into danger in the hot season. I expect my brother (as well as some other relations will be out in Italy by the end of this month so that I have more inducement to prolong my own stay into the next year. I shall probably be encouraged to write to Dohrn meantime but to prevent my again rushing on ambiguities I will ask you to procure me through him Holmgrens various Monographs of Swedish Ichneumonidae (Ophiones, Tryphones etc). I hope in about a month to have out here a few of my books for use. I have unfortunately lost some of the most interesting of my captures of the summer by the moisture of the air which has even marked my microscope fittings, steel implements etc in a way which 10 years would not have done in Dublin. But I have a few things which when collecting is over — and the October weather so far has been far from favourable — I have to examine, describe etc. A recent letter from Loew removed all my inducements to take a flight to Vienna at this season — to meet him after the disappointment about a junction at Monte Rosa. Your account of the Ent. Soc. Is as favourable “as could be expected” seeing that a firm and settled peace cannot be guaranteed without some continued calm. I am sorry to see so many of the German entomologists are affected by this pugnacious spirit of the age — but this you know all about doubtless from Dohrn and Schaum. I got weary of getting only half of my English newspapers by post and waiting and paying for duplicates of the lost and missing — so stopped my subscription when I started for the Alps and since that my news has been nearly confirmed to a very rare peep into a newsroom at Lucca where no English paper is taken in — As to reports of rumours, here above all, I cannot believe a word I hear in Lucca. I have not stirred from home further than the weekly drive to and from the Bagni (16 miles from this) which now also will cease as the Chaplain returns to Pisa for the winter. I told you of my curtailed and unsatisfactory ride and walk in the [superincumbent] Appenines. If the weather would settle at all I think of a visit next week to some of the caverns of the Apuscu. There ought to be Spelaeophila in Italy also though one exploration was Yours very truly Alex. H. Haliday 8 Oct ‘62

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton Dec. 22 1862 Monte Bonelli, Lucca Decr. 22/62

My Dear Sir, Thank you very much for your letter of 17th and the two enclosures which you were at pains to send me. I am glad at least you do not dismiss the prospect, to which you alluded before, of a visit to Italy, next Spring, though still with that human particle an if. I did not much expect to hear from you, in reply to mine (of no particular contents) of last Octr unless you had some pleasant account to give of peaceful prospects. Now I am afraid these are as remote as the hope of peace in N. America, while Abraham Lincoln is in place. It is a misfortune, that Entomologists, when the diffusion of scientific education has raised them above the place they held in public estimation when Kirby and Spence published the Introduction (see preface) should make for themselves the character of being quarrelsome, especially, among all the sections of Naturalists. The shepherds description of a wasp in [Noctes Amrbosianas] might serve as a parable for E.S. The Wiener Ent. Monatschift in like manner is far too much engrossed with personal piques and criticisms arising out of private enmities. Naturally I get Entoml. Periodicals, here, but scantily and occasionally. The last part of Stettin Ent. Zg. That I have, through Williams and N, are the 4 for 1862 (a bad illustration as they are the last yet out) — but the Berlin Zg. I have not recd beyond 1861. The winter is now well set in here but when I get over to Pisa I find only the outskirts of frost extending to the neighbourhood, the Lungarno bright and warm, and our friends at Livorno say the name of frost sounds strange to them. My brother has been laid up at Brighton and will have so much to occupy him in London before he can get under way, that I am obliged to give up the expectation of having him for a little shooting here, before moving into town. So we move after Xmas into Casa Mnarsoni ni Lucca. However I do not expect to be much in Lucca myself as I shall have attractions to Florence, when he does come; and then Naples and Rome succeed. Insect collecting is pretty well over for the present and instead I was on my perch [post] for an hour this morning with both barrels ready for hares, but it was so dry the scent did not lie, and the whole line of sportsmen in that time had not one shot among them. So I thought it would be pleasanter sitting by my study fire and on coming in, I found your letter and the Times awaiting me. Nevertheless it is not a week since Colias, Hipparchi, Vanessa, Polymmatus, pterophorus, Xanthia and some Tineina were out, dragonflies hawking even over frozen pools, Locusts and Chrysopa, Hemerobius etc and Chrysomela americana and its larva to be found abroad on the Lavandula stoechas, now out in second bloom; while the spring flowers, janquils and pasqueflowers, by the wayside are meeting the lingering flowers of Autumn. If the operation of moving and some other engagements leave me time I am tempted to take another flight up to Abetone, the pass on the Appenines into the Modenese to see what the fir and beech-woods are like in their greatcoat of snow which peeps so brilliantly over the lower range of the Pizzorna intervening there and Lucca. I seem to gather from Dr. Hagens letter that the Entomological Bibliography is as yet only in press and indeed I had supposed but another told me he had seen the second volume lately. I almost fancy he has confounded it with the two new volumes of Engelmanns Zoological Bibliography which came out in 1860-1861. As I have noting to communicate I will not bore you with more writing about nothing. If the anniversary meeting turns out well perhaps you will think this sufficiently interesting to produce a line to tell me — meantime I conclude. Yours very faithfully, Alex. H. Haliday

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton  1st Jan 1863

1/1/63 My Dear Sir, As I had written in acknowledgement of yours of 17 with its two enclosures the day before the line came from you informing me of the returned letter I have thought it unnecessary to write instantly as I should otherwise have done as you promise me an intelligence of the safety of that treble one/the communication of the strayed one the contents of which I should be sorry to lose even at this interval. Its fate redirected as it was to St. Vincent, which was only a passing point, not even a halt, and not create misgiving as the others. As I was descending from the Jon pass into the vale of [Aosta] and we came in sight of St. Vincent (nearly two hours later than it should have been, by of the wretched heart which was hastily furnished. In the morning when I found my legs would not start the days work) I suffered the mule to put down her head in pity of the state of gore she was in from attacks of horse-flies. She took advantage of this to lie down and I had to move sharply to avoid a crush. I then left her in the hands of the guide and presently the diligence by which I had intended proceeding to Austa passed. However I caught it at the office in time to secure a seat and there were no letters then awaiting me and I gave the true direction for forwarding any that should come. Two did find their way to me at different intervals after my return having travelled first to [ ] but none were so long in abeyance as yours has been of which I had no augury to make me enquire for it. Some letters however each way did disappear entirely while I was at [ ] where there was only a walking post, three times a week but now perhaps even they may turn up someday. I hope before long you will be able to give the assurance and some notion of routes and dates of your visit to Rome etc. with Dohrn who refers to February for our probable meeting. If you take the western route by Piedmont rather than that by [Trieste], Lucca will not be out of your way to Florence to which there are two routes from Pisa and differing not much in length. I had intelligence, yesterday, which had it arrived a little sooner night have decided us on Florence for the four next months — but now we are settled in Lucca — i.e. as a centre, for I do not expect top be much there at least after January. We have had a fine bright Xmas day though with hard frost. The snowy girdle of the Apennines looked so bright and clear the day before that being alone this morning I set off on foot for a neighbouring hilltop which commands a fine panorama, but a mist which gradually appeared on the horizon and in the valley, as the sun got high altered my plans and I contented myself with a stroll observing what insects were out — very few, of these mostly Diptera, no butterflies, dragonflies or Locusts now — swarms of a little Haltica on the flax which is about a foot high. The next fortnight will be a critical time for the [vines] which so far make a fine show here though they have suffered in other parts: Twelfth night passed they are considered to be safe. I had written so far a good many days since awaiting a dispatch with a fascicle of other which had not all [gone] yet — A few days since I heard from my brother that he was only beginning to recover from an alarming attack he had in London after getting up [Miller] from Brighton with [ ] and which had prevented his being able to write for several days. This will naturally still further delay his setting out already so often [ ]. My cousin and I move into Lucca Cassa Massoni for the four opening months of the year 1863. As soon as two individuals at present confined to these rooms are well enough to face the air and change of apartment. The continued hard frosts had for a good while with a clear sunshine has yielded to thaw mist and showers of Italian profusion. When the horizon clears I suppose the distant mountains will show that they have had their share of water in the form of fresh layers of snow. Here meanwhile the latest bloom of the expiring year[ ] confronting the premature flowers of Anemone pulsatella in the wayside and the abundant show of early Jonquils (N. tazetta towit) and we flatter ourselves the remaining crop of olives which have been seasonably by the of moisture may tide over the turn of the year without injury and that the winter be short as by the end of February the blossoming of Erica scoparia on the hills beghins to give an aspect of Spring to the vicinity of Lucca. Best wishes of the opening year to you — in hopes of a not distant meeting in the early part — believe me, Yours very sincerely Alexr H. haliday.

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton  6 Jan 1863

Casa Massoni Via del Pescata Lucca. My Dear Stainton, Your letter of 13th July 10-Jany has just come to hand. I can assure you that the details metd past 7 were very interesting as I consider the prospect of the Society for which no man living has laboured as much as you have done do very much depend on your continued co-operation being regained for them. I hope therefore to have from you a more favourable report (after the anniversary which seems now to be the crisis) perhaps orally as the last accounts I have make it [likely] I shall have to proceed to England in the course of the current month — perhaps in a few days. In these circumstance I will not occupy your time with things which may have no result — or which I may have an opportunity of speaking about — I heard from T.V. Wollaston that you were to be with him on a visit in passing and hope to hear from you that he seems strong. His gardening passion may do no harm in diverting him from too close sitting at study — Only he takes it up so warmly that I think of his Snowdon experience and dread rheum which is so unkind to gardeners in our damp English climate — not so damp as this however — judging by the state of insect collection and metal fittings since I have been here. Believe me. Yours very faithfully, 6 Janry /63 A.H. Haliday

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton   15 Jan 1863

Casa Massoni, Lucca 15 Jany 1863

My dear Stainton, I am in hopes of hearing from you before I leave Lucca the result of the Anniversary Meeting and prospects of the ES and at the same time m9ore positive assurance of your journey to Italy, next month, being agreed on with Dohrn and some notion of route and times to facilitate meeting and cooperation here. If this has not proceeded however perhaps you will meet me by letter at Paris (poste restante) where at present I calculate on arriving in the beginning of February, as I am not likely to leave this till about 27th, travelling leisure and halting perhaps at Florence, parma-Turin. Whether I go on the London remains to be settled. I am disposed to do so but time and other considerations make Paris the town [term?] from which to turn back with my expected company. I am so much occupied here meantime that I scarcely expect to find time to write to Dohrn in acknowledgement of his very kind letter. When you are writing to him assure him from me of the pleasure that the prospect of soon meeting him, at last — and on this side the Alps suggests. He was quite right in not encouraging me in regard to friend A. Forster. My second unanswered letter to the same is now of such distant date, as leaves me quite hopeless of a reply. But there may be sufficient reasons for his silence — In hope of a not distant meeting (in any sense) with both of you I am Very sincerely yours Alexr H. Haliday.

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton

Casa Massoni, Lucca Jany 21/1863 21st Jan. 1863 My Dear Stainton, I am anxious that no contretemps should deprive me of the pleasure of meeting you and Dohrn if you pursue your plan of journey and therefore I will keep you informed of my own movements as far as I can calculate them lest letters addressed to Lucca should miss me and a like disappointment recur as with Loew last summer. I have told my brother to have letters awaiting me Poste restanta, Paris by 2nd February not that I am so sure of arriving there so early but I may. Of course when I reached London. Of course when I reach London I will inquire if you are still stationary. We have had great floods in Tuscany. The Lungarno at Pisa was all under water on Sunday night — the parapets of the upper bridge invisable. I had passed over the middle bridge returning from Livorno to Lucca about 5pm — all the population seemed to be out gazing at the Arno tumbling past in muddy mountains. Returning to Pisa before 9 next morning I found the river subsided below the line of the head walls which were crowded with sand-bags to strengthen defences — the bridge above parapets too strewed with waifs — the Lugarno still a chain of lakes with temporary wooden bridges on trestles for foot passengers. At Florence and along the middle course of Arno it is worse the Pontedera line of railway is underwater — one bridge of communication swept away and all traffic throw on Lucca line. More inconvenient for my plans which was feared and is now assured by the post mark of my letters returned from Bologna to Turin to come round by Massa the Appenine road from Bologna to Pasloja is interrupted and probably will not be in working order for weeks — I had just settled with Rondani and Passerini to stop at Parma on the way to see them — I hear too that the St. Gothard etc are impassable with snow. No specific mention of Mt Ceni and I have written to Bellardi to let me know the accounts of this at Turin, to determine me whether to go by Genoa or at once take the steamer from Livorno to Marseilles. I intend going for a few days to Florence as soon as I hear what days my friends name as convenient and there I shall get more intelligence than her where it is difficult to obtain any intelligence and that usually untrustworthy. My brothers progress towards recovery is so slow that there is noting to hurry me and I have friends to see at many places by the way going or returning — the latter may suit the early stages that will be requisite if poor Hogan consents to come with me — Turin, Lyon, Amiencs, Lille, Aix la Chapelle and Crefeld for a detour all have attractions for me — Paris once approached the vortex is inevitable for some days and Sichel expects me there. [Bigot] writes from the bosom of fogs and gloom [ ] to congratulate me on enjoying the cloudless sky and balmy air of Italy. I know better! And for [shame] could not venture on the subject of meteorology in reply. This killing weather literally — everyone ill — the old and weakly falling fast. I have not yet quite [ ] and cannot shake off the oppression partly no doubt at the alarm and anxiety I had though not prolonged at its height — and I feel the jolting inconvenience of a journey will set me up better than anything stationary. Besides even if my brother were fit to travel alone — as he expects to be — but his Doctor does not say I am anxious to get A.R. Hogan out of the fit of mire he is plunged into at present by constitutionalo causes — and see him able to exert and enjoy himself again. The Sirocco has not yet shifted and there is no depending on the seeming improvement of weather till the wind comes round. The friend in Florence who I am going to see chiefly, is sending up wishes, from his bed, he were back at his rectory in Northamptonshire with the climate he left for that of Florence. Our friends, from Naples write the heat is not yet intolerable: they do not seem to be uneasy:- but through Italian sources I understand, matters there are becoming worse and worse! I know not why — unless it be the large levies by conscription from which the peasants are flying into the Roman states; but there is a strong impression here of war in the Spring. Madness it would be, it seems, with [finances] so encumbered and civil war in a fourth part or more of the kingdom. Dr. Schiner from his experience of Italy warns me not to miss the south; it would make a pretty vignette for travels in the Abruzzi, his adventure — while gazing entranced on the ruins or site of Horace’s villa, the unwelcome ‘hope I don’t intrude’ of a company of bandits. Now you know pretty much as I d0 myself my dates and time of travel you will not let me miss any chance of meeting or knowing where to find you and A. Dohrn. I have not written to him again and shall not have time now. I have otherwise been contributing so largely to the postal revenue of the Kingdom of Italy that the minister of finance in his difficulties should give me a [d ]. I am yours sincerely, Alex. H. Haliday

Casa Massoni, Lucca Jany 21/63 [At bottom of page — upside down] J.C. Dale wrote about a sand fracture in a drawer of his boy’s insect collection (itself infant) — I trust to have such news of L.E.S.

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton dated Jany 1863 Lucca Jany 28/63 My dear Stainton,

Thanks for your note which was forwarded to me at Florence from which I returned last night.  This morning I had a note from my brother and as his convalencence proceeds very slowly and the prospect of his be [fit for travel] is somewhat adjourned I shall also put off my journey a little.  The route by Bologna and Mt. Ceni which had been interrupted by floods and snow resprectively being again open I can resume my place of joining and make the halt I intended at Parma — as well as Turin.  I thought the Anniversary of Ent Soc was earlier in the month than the date you give d but I hope to receive your letter with [  ] of news at Paris after not many days sojourn in post.  I had a very friendly reception at Florence from Piccioli who had seed the day before from Dr. Sichel a letter to respect the introduction a year old which I carried with me.  I was introduced to Parlatore [  ] also and happened to travel in same carriage with an acquaintance of my friends who often visit the [Masemmina] a region I [coveted] to explore — I have acquired a prospect of doing so this spring advantageously without being reduced to depend on the country inns which are few and not good.  I hope “we three” shall have some similar excursions together about Rome or elsewhere before long — though I had also hoped to be back here sooner than I can now propose so as to coincide more nearly with the date which Dr. Dohrn indicated.

Yours faithfully Alex. H. Haliday

Transcribed by R. Nash, 1982 from xerox of original in BM (NH) Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton dated 5 February 1863

My dear Stainton, My departure from this has been delayed some days. I expect to reach Paris about 10-11. Whether to stay some days or proceed at once to London will depend on the letters and [ ] awaiting me there. I write this scrap to [ ] you in case you may pass through Paris on your road at any time coincident. I hope to be on the way out again before the end of the week — travelling slowly by short stages to Marseilles and thence by sea to Livorno.

Yours truly, A.H. Haliday Friday 5th

Letter from H.J. Stainton to Alex. H. Haliday Feb.2 1863 Feb.2 1863

A.H. Haliday Esq.

Your letter of the 21st January gives certainly a most doleful account of Italian weather — but I hope that the bad is now past and the good is coming whereas here we are expecting the bad weather.

We shall start from here on or about the 17th of the month to stop a day or two in Paris at the Grand Hotel — then we go to Lyon where I must see Milliere, the only great Microlepidopterist in France and Monday the 23rd I have proposed to Dohrn to meet him at the Hotel des Bergues — Geneva, from that point I expect we go nearly direct to Rome. If you reach London before we start I shall be glad to meet you and arrange an intersection of our orbits. All serene at the Ent Soc.

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton 13 February 1863 3 Charles Street St.James 13 Feby 10.A.M.

My dear Stainton, I reached Paris Wednesday morning; and London, this morning at 6; having spent most of yesterday with Dours, at Amiens. At Paris I got your two notes second of 10th Feb. I am glad to know you are determined on the Italian trip; for although I expect to be at least a week in your wake and of widening distance on account of convoy; — we shall surely be able to concert an intersection. Just arrived and shall be taken up with my brother and Mr. Hogan’s arrangements as to returning with me first — but I hope sincerely to see you, before you leave London. I shall probably be out all the daytime but in after 6 daily — let me know as much about the time where you could be had, as I suppose you are busy enough previous to journey. I hope the very laconic postscript as to ES which I nearly overlooked as a date, means well, as I am desirous to be once more a MESL with apprehension of concatenations. Sichel gave me some message to you but I believe only of friendship, not affairs and you will see him soon. He was the only one I saw in Paris (besides Dessolles) Bigoty was at Compeigne. The morning I left I took a cab to the Museum in hope of a word with Blanchard and Lucas but took nothing by the action but an hours loss of time and risk of losing train also Yours Alex. H. Haliday

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton March 10th 1863 March 10th

My Dear Stainton, On my arrival here last Tuesday 3rd I got your note from Geneva at Dr. Sichels and gave your message of remembrance and thanks duly. I have since dined with him and kept him out of bed anb hour, I fancy,

Another half day at Mr. Bigots — and Mr. Javel dined with me here — .  This has been nearly the amount of entoml society and kind here.  Having little more than seen Lucas and Blanchard — an hour or two each with [  ].  I have not seen Mr  .   Though detained in London had begun to tell and I could not have pushed out but for several long halds — and I had to give up night travelling and take to bed at that season which quite cut up the calculated time.  I stopped at Bruxelles long enough to write and send a note to Wesmael to threaten him with a visit in returning.  I w2as not sure in what humour he might be as he is somewhat uncedrtain  is worth greatness at being forced into the presidents chair of Ac. at Liege I had two hours with Lacardoure and a most cordial reception and brought away his photograph —  he has got a collection of near 60 ents now in his Album.  I reached Aachen at 7h PM Friday got a good nights sleep — so good that I did not appear at Forsters till one hour later than he was ready to receive and I missed Keltenbach who was to have come over to see me there, but came just too lat as  4½ hour [  ].  I got back to Brussels that (Saturday) night and had a couple of hours with Wesmael next morng which I should have doubled willingly — only I could not see him standing and gling to bring out boxes, books [and] for me he seems so feeble and an aged man at 64 — the year he has reached on the photograph he gave me.  I had intended to sleep at Lille but by the falce assurances of Forster and conducteur was lexc to beloieve the carriage I got into in the afternoon wend direct — so gave myself up to slumber and reposed till I found myself in the wrong box somewhere towards Antwerp had to return by an opposite train and sleep at G  .  However I got to Lille time enough for my object the poor debris of Macquarts Dipters — reached Amiens [  ] found the Hogan father and son — but as the night air was feared for the patient I slept there.  I spend the evening with Dr. Dohrn again groaning in gout poor man! And his two little  Marie and Julie.  We reached Paris a little after noon on Tuesday.  We had a carriage to ourselves all the way.  Hogan was little fatigued and is improving in strength and self-reliance.  My brother I don’t expect to see better till we are at the other side of the Alps.  Hogan and I start tomorrow morning sleep at Dijon, [next] Friday at Lyons where my brother rejoins us Mt Ceni being positively forbidden him — hope to [  ] at Marseilles on 15th & be at Lucca on 17th or 18th .  Meanwhile I have just had the bad news by telephone of the death of my friend A.K. Forster who I had hoped to see at Livorno and better than I left him.  We shall be so much behind you in the South as a week [  ] will be required for Lucca that an entire new arrangement will be necessary for any hope of meeting.  There will be time for me to settle with Dohrn our future movements.  Remember me to him very kindly.  I anticipate much pleasure in meeting him (at last!) & perhaps reaching Vienna together.  The Ent. Soc. Meet here on Wednesday evg but we could not [wait] as Hogan wd not venture on the journey with less than four days dispensable and the next steamer will be f4 days later.

Yours very truly Alex. H. Haliday

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton 23 March 1863

My dear Stainton, I am sorry to find that our orbits will only intersect at this time as I had hoped to have enjoyed both Rome and Naples along with you in part. Now I shall only just see you to part again at Naples. We got here on the night of Tuesday 17th having fallen with the same bad weather you seem to have been enjoying all about the Mediterranean at were tossed about for 36 hours between Marseilles and Lyons though making a straight course, but avoided another sort of storm, as the Philo Polish at Marseilles came off the morning after we left. I have found occasion to spend nearly two days at Liverno since with the family of my deceased friend A.K. Forster who was buried there about a week ago. With this and the number of letters I found awaiting me to answer I have been pretty much occupied. We got over the journey very well indeed by taking it very easy — i.e. 4 days between Paris and Marseilles — one for a rest at Lyons where I saw Mulsant and at Dijon Rouget. Hogan I think is already very visibly improving both in actual strength and in self-confidence so that I rather hope he may make up his mind to face another journey so soon as next Friday 27th accompanying my brother [ ] direct from Livorno to Naples. But there we intend to spend some weeks returning by Rome and Florence. I presume from programme of your route that there is no chance of Dohrn remaining in Italy so late as to let us travel together towards Vienna at the [ ] I contemplated — end of May — so as to find E.Pl Wright there — I duly gave your acknowledgements to Dr. Sichel, who was gratified by the remembrance of his reception. Remember me, very positively to Dohrn — I regret that our meeting so long deferred will be but to pass so soon again. As you and he are to separate in so few days why might he not remain a little longer at Naples and perhaps join in a trip to Messina or Palermo. I have still a strong harkening for Sicily were it but to set foot on the soil and breathe the air of it. I should have liked too to the Campagnia of Rome in company, I by the time I get back it may be too late to venture into the Mussemma of Tuscany for which a pleasant and [ ] opportunity has offered itself out of a casual companionship in railway travel to Florence in January last. I hope we shall soon have spring now, the gales of the season having had their [ ] as the best hopes for my invalid companions both are in mild air. Yours very truly A.H. Haliday Casa Massoni, Lucca 23 March 1863

Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton March 25 1863 Casa Massoni Lucca March 25th My dear Stainton,

Lest the expected dates I announced of my [  ] movements should affect yours in any way to your inconveniences I write again as soon as I know of a change which may deprive me of the expected pleasure of even a passing sight of you and Dohrn Mr. Hogan is so far restored from his rather unpleasant recollections of the sea between Marseilles and Livorno that he has given in to the proposition of going on with my brother and me to Naples —  but this with a condition or anex —  pressure of [adieu] which for me amounted to the   to wait till after the Sunday.  Though not having a Sabbatarian conscience myself I respect the principles of those who have especially one who feels his profession to call for especial regard to such order and having heard him out I must not [  ] him believing that both the southern climate and the change of place and continual exercise of travelling (even its small inconveniences) will invigorate him.  So [  ] that my brother proceeds by sea on Friday next and we follow on Monday.  Our rooms will be at the Hotel de Rome if we find such attainable.  I presume that stopping (as all the boats have done since the beginning of this month) at Costa Vecchia Naples cannot be reached till the third day by boats sailing in the eveng from Lyons.  I do not know how far you felt disposed to suffer or countenance my suggestion to Dohrn to wait for me at Naples and forsake you so many days the sooner.  As we think of tem of ten to fourteen days at Naples and then (my brother at least) double that time at Rome, in neighbourhood of which at this season there would be pleasant excursions to make. This would bring us well on to the end of May when I thought of going on to Vienna expecting to meet E.P. Wright & to visit the environs [  ] Neusiedtersee, Lichnieberg etc.  The [ ] continues to keep the air cool here but the sun is getting [ ].  My brother is charmed with the scenery of Lucca but I am expecting a far greater delight in the environs of Naples —  not to speak of a visit to Sicily perhaps if Dohrn will join me to Messina.  I hope I may have a line from you here before starting — not of course in answer to this but [  ] to the indications I gave you in my former note.  Best regards to Dohrn I hope yet of a meeting even the briefest.

Yours very truly Alex. H. Haliday Letter from A.H. Haliday to H.J. Stainton dated 27th March, 18 H.J. Stainton Esq Hotel de la Grande Bretagne Napoli

My dear Stainton, My brother will explain to you the cause of further delay in my voyage which now I must expect will prevent my meeting you — or Dohrn either unless he stay for me which I can scarcely hope. There seems an evil star against my seeing [home]. Yours truly Alex. H. Haliday Lucca 27th March

Braconidae Hincks, W. D.,1944 A note on the nomenclature of some Miscogasterine Braconidae (Hym.), with reference to the works of Haliday and Nees von Esenbeck published in 1834. Ent. Rec. (London) 56, 19- 20

Boxes 1–12: Correspondence of Alexander Henry Haliday (1807–1870)

Haliday was born in Cilfden in County Down on 21 November 1807. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, where he was awarded a gold medal in classics.  Subsequently he studied for the bar but practised for only a short period.  Haliday’s first paper, ?Notices of Insects taken in the North of Ireland’, was published while he was still a student. Thereafter he published extensively and, having moved to Dublin, assisted with the Natural History Review. 
Ill health led Haliday to move to Italy in 1861 where a cousin owned a villa about five miles from Lucca. He took rooms with her and brought out his collections of books and insects. Whilst in Italy he helped establish the Italian Entomological Society. Haliday was a considerable linguist and able to correspond with fellow entomologists in a number of languages. He made excursions around Italy collecting Diptera and Hymenoptera and died on 12 July 1870 after a final trip to Sicily. 
In 1906 Professor E. P. Wright presented Haliday’s correspondence to the Entomological Society of London together with a sum of money to pay for them to be bound in seven volumes.

Box 1

1–90 Correspondence with Dr. Hermann Loew, in Meseritz, Prussia, 1847–1869 (In English and German)

37 Letter from Haliday, Monte Benelli, Lucca, 21 June 1862

‘Wollaston has declined my challenge to him to bivouac on the Sardinian mountains this Autumn – He sticks fast by his Canarian collections & books for the present; and by his Atlantic islands, when he roams. Still it is not impossible I may compass an autumn encampment there, above the zone of malaria; though I have no intention of going alone. Sicily is too lawless & sanguinary, at present, to invite a peaceful Entomologist–but the Sardinians though addicted to blood feuds are hospitable & honest as things go; though I should scarcely do, as one may (according to Wollaston) in the Canaries & Madeira, sleep in an open tent with your purse for pillow, without a fear of molestation & with no snakes either.’ Box 2

1–62 Letters from Francis Walker at 49 Bedford Square, London, Brighton, Arno’s Grove and Grove Cottage, Southgate, 1834–1845

35 Letter: Arno’s Grove, 14 December 1840:

‘I attended the last meeting of the Ent. Society. Schomburgh (who is about to start again for S. America) was there, & a communication from him was read on the flights of emigrating butterflies sometimes seen in S. America, he calculated that upwards of fifty thousand million past him on one day, they all pursued the same course over the tree tops, & when they came to a stream they invariably descended to its surface & rose again having crossed it. Their caterpillars mixed with cassavas or turtle’s eggs form part of the food of the natives. It was said also that in some parts of N. Holland after the rainy season immense herds of caterpillars appear & destroy all vegetation before them, they also are the food of the natives of two birds, a hawk & an ibis. This was observed by Gould who has lately returned from N. Holl. & has brought with him some new Kangaroos & many new birds, & has just commenced publishing figures & descriptions of them.’

Box 3

1–104 Letters from Walker at Grove Cottage and Arno’s Grove, Southgate; 5 The Grove, Highgate; Church End, Finchley; and Elm Hall, Wanstead, 1846–1867 Box 4

1–88 Letters from Walker, Elm Hall, Wanstead, 1867–1869

Box 5

1–115 Letters from Ferdinando Piccioli, Florence, 1863–1869 (In Italian)

Box 6

1–93 Letters from J. C. Dale, Glanville Wootton, Sherborne, Dorset, 6 February 1832–1834 February 1869 including 69 photograph of various types of insect

94–95 Letters from James Hardy, Mulgrave Terrace, Gateshead, County Durham, 31 July and 14 August 1845

96–131 Letters from F. B. Wollaston at Jesus College, Cambridge, Thurloe Square, London, Exeter and Teignmouth, 1846–[? 1860s]

61 Letter. J C. Dale, Newton Montacute alias Glanville Wootton, 5 November 1841:

?Being our Court day I take the opportunity of beginning a letter to you whilst the Steward is about other matters.... Before I proceed with Enty. however I will mention that the place where I am now writing was the property of the famous Duke of Marlboro & the Pond in front of the House has never been filled since it was let down on his departure till now,–this Pond I hope may produce me a few good pond aquatics as it comes from the old pond in front of the House I reside at, this only being occupied by the Tenant–I am going to make a Willow Bed at the upper end of the Pond so as to increase the chance of sport & in other improvements I keep Enty. in view... I have just named and dispatched a small Box to (Mr. Little) wh. he sent for that purpose a week ago–I have now 3 or 4 I want to send off but find difficulty for want of Day-light as I can only devote an hour or two for that purpose & in the evening the candle light wont suit my eyes for small objects–I am now relaxing & near setting & arranging my small Hymenoptera wh. were never in tolerable order before & the insight your names have given me has been of great assistance … The Breakfast is now on the Table & as soon as that is over I start for Sherborne so therefore I conclude rather hastily

Yours (respectfully) J: C: Dale’

Box 7

1–47 Letters from John Curtis at 4 Grove Place, Lisson Grove; 57 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square; 11 Robert Street, Hampstead Road; 18 Belitha Villas, Barnsbury Park, 1830–1862 48–51 Matilda Curtis, 13 Huntingdon Street, 1866

Box 8 Correspondents:

1–2 Nicholas Cooke, Liscard, Cheshire, 1857–1863 3–6 Edwin Brown, Burton-on-Trent, 1863–1868 7–9 George Robert Crotch, Cambridge, 1870 10–12 Alfred Furlong, London, 1851 13–16 R. K. Greville, Edinburgh, 1840–1841 17 Richard Kippish, London, 1863 18–26 Robert McLachlan, Forest Gate and Lewisham, 1868–1869 27–33 Thomas Ansell Marshall, Milford Haven and Barnstaple, 1867–1869 34 Andrew Murray, Royal Horticultural Society, 16 February 1863 35 Edward Newman, Peckham, 28 January 1862 36–40 G. T. Rudd, London and Yarm, Yorkshire, 1830–1838 41 William Wilson Saunders, Margate, 18 February 1863 42 Frederick Smith, British Museum, 7 September 1868 43 Carl August Dohrn, Lewisham, 19 April 1851 44–76 Henry Tibbats Stainton, London and Italy (various), 1851–1869 77–93 John Obadiah Westwood, various, 1866–1869 94 A list of British Brachelytra from Mr. G. R. Waterhouse’s catalogue (printed)

Box 9 Correspondents:

1–5 Jacques Marie Frangile Bigot, 1865–1868 (In French) 6 C. Blanchard, nd (In English) 7–8 Peter Friedrich Bouche, Berlin, 1838 (In German) 9–11 Emil von Brück, Lucca and Crefeld, 1867–1868 (In English) 12–14 Jean Baptiste Lucien Buquet, Paris, 1862–1865 (In French) 15–17 Achille Deyrolle, Paris, 1862 (In French) 18–26 Carl August Dohrn, Stettin, 1862–1869 (In English) 27–29a Jean Antoine Dours, Amiens, 1861–1868 (In French) 29b–35 Aleksyei Pavlovitch Fedtschenko, Salerno, Moscow, Orenburg, Samerkand, 1868–1869 (In French) 36 Professor Dr. Arnold Foerster, 7 March 1863 (In German) 37–38 G. Ritton von Frauenfeld, Vienna, 1868 (In German) 39 Francois Jean-Paul Gervais, Monpellier, 1863 (In French) 40–44 F. Giraud, Paris, 1868–1869 (In French) 45 Herman August Hagen, Konigsberg, 10 December 1862 (In English) 46 F. Jaennicke, Frankfurt, 5 January 1869 (In English) 47–51 Charles Javet, Paris, 1869 (In French) 52–57 Ernest August Hellmuth von Kiesenwetter, Bautreu, 1862–1869 (In German) 58–59 Leopold Anton Kirchner, 1868–69, Kaplitz, 1868 (In German) 60–63 Ernest Gustav Kraatz, Berlin, 1867–1868 (In French) 64 Pierre Hippolyte Lucas, Jardin des Plantes, Paris, 12 February 1869 (In French) 65–66a Gustav Mayr, Vienna, February 1869 (In German) 66b–67 Etienne Mulsant, Lyons, 1867–1869 (In French) 68 H. Milne-Edwards, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 27 January 1862 (In French) 69 Charles Robert Osten-Sacken, New York, 9 January 1869 (In English) 70 Michel Rajewscy, Vienna, 1869 (In French) 71–83 Hermann Reinhard, Bautzen and Dresden, 1860–1869 (In German) 84 Dr. Renard, Moscow, 5 September 1869 (In French) 85 Otho Ruthe, Berlin, 21 February 1863 (In German) 86 Henri Louis Frédéric de Saussure, Geneva, 5 December 1868 (In German) 87 Michel Edmond de Selys-Longchamps, Liege, 14 January 1869 (In French)

Box 10 Correspondents:

 1–11 Ignaz Rudolph Schiner, Vienna, 1863–1869 (In German) 

12–24 Jules Sichel, Paris, 1863–1868 (In French and English) 25 Victor Antoine Signoret, Paris, 2 February 1868 26–34 S. C. Snellen van Vollenhoven, Leiden, Holland, 1869–1870 (In French and English) 35 Solsky, Simon Martinovitch, St Petersburg, 29 January 1869 (In French) 36 Carl Stål, Stockholm, 30 January 1869 (In English) 37 Carl Gustav Thomson, 20 November 1868 (In German) 38–41 Constantin Wesmael, Brussels, 1867–1869 (In French) 42–51 Winnertz, Johannes, Crefeld, Germany, 1863–1868 (In German)

Box 11 Correspondents (Italian):

1–13 Professor L. Bellardi, Turin and Paris, 1862–1867 (In French) 14–19 Berenger, Alfredo di, Florence, 9 February 1868 20–31 Guido Luigi Carrara, Lucca and S Martino in Freddana,

1868–1869 (In English, French and Italian) 

32–40 Achile Costa, Naples, 1863–1868 (In French and Italian) 41–55 Carlo Emery, Naples, 1869 (In French) 56–59 Antonio Garbiglietti, Turin, 1868–1870 61–68 Victor Ghiliani, Turin, 1867–1869 (In French) 69–105 Odoardo Pirazzol, Domodossola and Imola, 1867–1869 (In English and Italian) 106–110 Giovanni Passerini, Parma, 1863–1867 111–138 Camillo Rondani, Parma, 1863–1869

Box 12 Correspondents (Italian):

1–6 Adolfo Savi, Pisa, 1862–1868 7–14 Emilio Simi, including 2 letters to Vincanzo Pisani, 1863–1868 15–34 Pietro Stefanelli, Florence, 1867–1869 35–47 Adolfo Torgioni-Tozzetti (1823–1902), Florence, 1867–1869 48–50 Giuseppe D’Angiolo, Pisa, 1867–1868 51 Andrea Aradas, Catania, 28 May 1868 52–3 B. Baroni, Lucca, 1868 54 Cesare Bindizi, Lucca, 6 July 1867 55 G. Carina, Florence, 29 May 1867 56–57 Corrado Cavarre, Ste Croix, 1869 (In French and Italian) 58 Louis Chighinzola, Poggio-Seno, 16 February 1867 59 C. F. Cesati, Naples, 20 November 1868 (In French) 60 Apelle Dei, Siena, 20 January 1868 61 Giacomo Doria (1840–1913), Genoa, 2 May 1869 62 C. G. Evesca, Rome, 22 February 1869 63 [? Count] Goppe, Palazzo di Malfa, 2 May 64 Enrico Hillyer Giglioli (1845–1909), Pisa, 3 July 1864 (In English) 65–66 Olinto Moni, Bagni di Lucca, 1862 (In French) 67 Antonio Orbanez, Ascola, 23 September 1867 68 G. [?], Poggio, 17 July 1868 69 Federico Persico, 9 April 1863 70 I. Pronvotori, 1868 invitation to join newly formed society to promote the study of entomology in Italy 71–72 G. B. Rimini, Club Alpino, Turin, 1867 73 Giorgio Schivo, Palermo, 18 October 1868 74 [? N. H.] Spence, Florence nd (In English) 75 C. Girachino Toesca, Turin, 21 March 1869 76 M. [? Fernivi], Pisa, 5 January 1860 77 Flaminio Baudi di Selve, Turin, 1868 78 [? E. Celesig], Genoa, 28 January 1869 79 [?], Bologna, 20 June 1869 80 [?], Arsina, 25 March 1863 81 [?], Vicenza, 9 February 1868 82 Calderino Pretio, Varallo, 10 February 1869 83 Draft or translation into English of letter, nd

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Publications listing Haliday type specimens

• Achterberg, C. van 1997. Revision of the Haliday collection of Braconidae (Hymenoptera). Zool. Verh. Leiden 314:1-115, figs 1-33 ISBN 90-73239-57-5.Naturalis full text.
• Fitton, M.G. 1976 The Western Palaearctic Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) of British authors.Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) 32:303-373. Lists type material.
• Ismay John W, Chandler, P.J O'Connor, J.P., and Nash R., 2001 Additions to the Irish List of Chloropidae, with notes on the A.H. Haliday collection Dipterist's Digest 8: 53-64.Lists type material.
• Kim, K.C. and Coo, E.F. 1966. A comparative external morphology of adult Sphaeroceridae (Diptera). Misc. pub. ent. Soc. America 5(2): 78-100.Lists type material.
• Nash, R, Chandler, P.J , O'Connor, J.P., 2001 The Irish Species of Lesser Dung Flies (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) including a list of type specimens in the Haliday collection National Museum of Ireland and in La Specola, Florence, Italy and six species new to Ireland Bull. Ir. Biogeog. Soc. 25 180-210. Lists type material.
• O’Connor, J.P., Nash,R. and Achterberg, C.van, 1999 A catalogue of the Irish Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) Occasional Publication of the Irish Biogeographical Society No.4 123 p. 7 figs., 4 plates ISBN 9780955080616 Complete synonymic catalogue. Lists type material.
• O’Connor, J.P, Nash, R and Boucek, Z., 2000 A catalogue of the Irish Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) Occasional Publication Irish Biogeographic Society 6 135 pp 19 plates, 12 figures ISBN 0951151452 Complete synonymic catalogue. Lists type material.
• O'Connor, J.P, Nash, R., D.G. Notton. D.G and Fergusson, N. D. M., 2004 A catalogue of the Irish Platygastroidea and Proctotrupoidea Bull. Ir. Biogeog. Soc 110pp. ISBN 0-9511514-6-0. Complete synonymic catalogue. Lists type material.
• O'Connor, J.P, Nash,R. and Fitton, M.G., 2008 A Catalogue of the Irish Ichneumonidae Ir. Biogeog. Soc 310pp.ISBN 978-0-9550806-1-6. Complete synonymic catalogue Lists type material.
• Courcy Williams, M de and O’Connor, J.P., 1989 The Ephydridae (Diptera) relating to species descriptions by A.H. Haliday (1806–1870) in the National Museum of Ireland, with notes on the collection.Proc.R.Ir.Acad.89 (B):59-69
• Graham, M.W.R.de V., 1982 The Haliday collection of Mymaridae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) with taxonomic notes on some material in other collections Proc.R.Ir.Acad.82 (B):190-243.
• Thompson, F.C. and Mathis, W. N 1980 Haliday's generic names of Diptera first published in Curtis' A. Guide to…British Insects (1837).Journal of the. Washington. Academy70:80-89.
• Lindner, E. (Ed.) 1939 - 1976. Die Fliegen der paläarktischen Region Stuttgart, Schweizerbart. Various volumes.
• Notton, D. G. and O’Connor, J. P., 2004 Type specimens of Diapriinae in the Haliday Collection at the Natural History Museum, Dublin - National Museum of Ireland (Hym., Diapriidae). Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 140: 215-218.
• Vlug, H. J., 1985 The types of Platygastridae (Hymenoptera, Scelionoidea) described by Haliday and Walker and preserved in the National Museum of Ireland and the British Museum (Natural History). 2. Keys to species, redescriptions, synonymy. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 127: 179-224.
• Vlug, H. J. and Graham, M. W. R. de V., 1984 The types of Platygastridae (Hymenoptera, Scelionoidea) described by Haliday and Walker and preserved in the National Museum of Ireland and the British Museum (Natural History). 1. Designation of lectotypes. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 127: 115- 135.