The naturalist in Nicaragua

Abstract

The Naturalist in Nicaragua unassuming and even-tempered, he was only roused to anger by acts of oppression or wanton cruelty.Then his indignation, though not loud, was very real, and he acted with a promptitude which would hardly have been ex- pected from his usually placid demeanour.A story is told of how one day sitting at table he saw through the window a man belabouring a woman.Without saying a word, he rushed out, pinioned the offender by the elbows and, running him to the top of a steep slope in the street, gave him a kick which sent him flying down the declivity.The incident is recalled merely as an illustration of his practical way of dealing with difficulties which stood him in good stead in many an out-of-the-way corner of the world when contending with obstacles caused either by the perversity of man or the forces of nature.He never carried fire-arms even when travelling in the most unsettled districts, and his firm but conciliatory manner overcame opposition in a wonderful way.In ordinary Ufe he was the kindest and most considerate of men, and his transparent sincerity made friends for him everywhere.Nor was he ever happier than when assisting others in those pursuits which occupied his own leisure.The interesting question as to what led Belt to become a naturalist is difficult to answer." Environment " nowa- days accounts for much, but none of his brothers -and all the family had a similar bringing-up-showed any inclination for what with him became the ruling passion of his Hfe.And yet, in a wider sense, " environment " had probably something to do with it.Inthe first half of the nineteenth century Newcastle could boast of a succession of field-naturalists unequalled in the country -Joshua Alder and Albany Hancock, who wrote the monograph on British nudibranchiate moUusca for the Ray Society; WilUam Hutton and John Thornhill, botanists; W. C.

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