William Ferguson (botanist and entomologist)

William Ferguson (1820–1887), was a botanist and entomologist.

Biography

Ferguson entered the Ceylon civil service in 1839, arriving in the island in December of that year. Here he resided until his death, which occurred on 31 July 1887. He occupied his leisure time in botanical and entomological studies, gaining an intimate knowledge of the flora and insect life of the island, and publishing from time to time the results of his observations and researches in the Ceylon Observer and the Tropical Agriculturist. His work obtained recognition from Dr. Hooker and other eminent biologists (see Ceylon, Physical, Historical and Topographical).^[1]

Bibliography

Ferguson also published:^[2]

1. ‘The Palmyra Palm, Borassus flabelliformis. A popular Description of the Palm and its Products, having special reference to Ceylon, with a valuable Appendix, embracing extracts from nearly every Author that has noticed the Tree. Illustrated by wood engravings,’ Colombo, 1880, 4to.
2. Correspondence with Sir J. Emerson Tennent on the Botany of Ceylon.
3. A Plan of the Summit of Adam's Peak.
4. Scripture Botany of Ceylon.
5. The Timber Trees of Ceylon.
6. The Reptile Fauna of Ceylon.
7. Ceylon Ferns.’

He also left materials for a monograph on luminous beetles, including fireflies and glowworms, and a vast mass of miscellaneous notes of a scientific character.^[2]

References

Atttribution

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rigg, James McMullen (1889). "Ferguson, William (1820-1887)". In Leslie Stephen. Dictionary of National Biography. 18. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 356–357.  Endnotes:
  • Athenæum, 1887, ii. 287
  • Times, 30 August 1887.