Il
xlv MEMOIR OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF
observed, had made considerable progress in collecting snakes, and making experiments
on the effects of tlieir b i t e s a branch of natiiral history hitherto little understood or
attended to, and to many, from tlie appearance of the animals, exceedingly disgusting and
terrific. He continued his researches ^vith unwearied zeal ; and after his return home, the
Honourable Court of Directors took upon themselves the expense of publishing coloured
figures of the Snakes, accompanied with descriptions by Dr. Russell. The first volume
was completed and published in 1 7 96, under the title of " An Account of Indian Serpents
collected on the Coast of Coromandel, containing Descriptions and Drawings of each
species ; together with Experiments and Remarks on their several Poisons, by Patrick
Russell, M. D. F. R. S. presented to the Honourable Court of Directors of the India Company,
and published by their Order, under the Superintendance of the Author."^ The
first and second fasciculus of the second volume were published under the Doctor's eye,
in 1801 and 1802.
It was before stated, that when on tlie Coast of Coromandel, Dr. Russell had paid particular
attention to the fishes caught there, and had deposited his collection of specimens
in the Company's Museum at Madras. The drawings and descriptions of these he carried
with him to Britain, and presented to the Court of Directors ; and in 1803 there appeared,
in two large and elegant volumes folio, " Descriptions and Figures of Two Hundred
Fishes, collected at Vizagapatam, by Patrick Russell, M. D. and published by Order of
the Court of Directors, under the Superintendance of the Author."
I n 1804, he had laid before the Royal Society,'^ Remarks on the voluntary expansion
of the skin of the neck of the Cobra de Capella, or Hooded Snake." His friend, Everard •
Home, Esq. surgeon, added a description of the structure of the parts which perform the
office of expansion.i-
Dr. Russell died in London on the 2d ofjuly, 1805, after a short illness of three days. '
Dr. Russell was never married. He named Sir Hugh Inglis, Bart, and Josias Dupree
Porcher, Esq. along with his brother Claud, to be his executors. In a paper addressed to
them, he gave particular instructions as to his funeral, which, as exhibiting a trait of his
cliaracter, is here inserted : - It is my request to be interred in the nearest burial ground,
in the most private manner that custom will permit, but not be deposited within the walls
of any place dedicated to public worship."
In strict conformity with these directions, he was interred 6th J u l y , in Mary-le-bone
burying-ground, in presence of a few of his intimate friends. It may be remarked, that
Dr. Russell having taken many opportunities of reprobating the practice of burying^ in
churches, as useless to the dead, and prejudicial to the living, thus gave a last practical
testimony against the custom ; and in the privacy which he requested, may be traced the
habitual humility of his mind.
I n his library the Executors found a sealed parcel, containing books directed for the
British Museum, which was accordingly sent unopened to that national reposUory. In
obedience to special instructions, a Botanical Cabinet, consisting chiefly of Indian plants,
was transmitted to the University of Edinburgh ; and a considerable collection of specimens
of serpents, including all those received from India after his return home (many
of which his sudden death prevented Jiim from describing), was deposited in tlie Honourable
Company's Museum at the India House.
PATRICK RUSSELL, M. D. xv
The reputation of Dr. Russell in the literary and scientific world has been established
by the various publications which have been mentioned. In zeal for the advancement of
natural knowledge he could not be surpassed. While he paid due attention to the description
and nomenclature of plants and of animals, he never failed to attend also to their
peculiar habits, and to the useful purposes, if any, to which they might be applied. The
discrimination of noxious from harmless serpents, was a service done, not merely to
science in general, but to every individual who has occasion to visit tropical climates.
Dr. Russell's writings are remarkable for perspicuity of style, and unaffected simplicity,
t l i s unassuming manner of expressing himself, serves only to engage the reader to rely
more implicitly on what he says, and convince him of his scrupulous integrity.
I n private life he was a most affectionate relative ; and many still alive can testify the
warmth and zeal of his friendship. He was a lively and agreeable companion, gentle in
his manners, and liberal in his ideas; close in argument, and occasionally strong in censure.
In Ills person he was rather above the middle stature, with a very expressive countenance,
and an uncommonly penetrating eye.® In his address he was polite ; and in his
ordinary conversation he displayed a pleasant vivacity. He was remarkable for clieerfulness
of temper; and this happy disposition continued to the last, although a defect lu
hearing had unluckily for some years encreased so much as to deprive him in a great
measure of the enjoyment of society. Many of his familiar letters written from abroad,
and in possession of his relations in Scotland, are highly interesting and amusing : they
are pictures of his conversation ; often exhibiting a lively imagination, with a witty playfulness
of thought and expression.
Since Dr. Russell's death, the third fasciculus of the second volume on Indian Serpents
has been published (1807) from manuscripts prepared for the press by himself. The
fourth fasciculus, which completes the second vohmre, derived chiefly from the same
source, is now presented to the public.
November, 1809.
• The Portrait which accompanies this account, is taken from a picltire bylli
in his 55th year, and now in tlie possession of his brother, Mr. Claud Russell.
. Vartlet of Bath, when the Doctor w
• Phil. Trans, for I805.
+ The only other works of Dr. Russell, not here enumerated, are, a
paper in the Transactions of a Socicty for the
in» an account of two cases of Small-pox ami
improvement of Medical and Chirurgical Knowledge, London, 1800, giv
Measles existing in the same person at the same time ; and one of an ag