PETER, an eminent naturalist and Collinsonian antiquarian, descended of an ancient family, was born on the paternal estate called Hugal Hall, or Height of Hugal, near Windermere lake, in the parish of Staveley, about 10 miles from Kendal in Westmorland. Whilst a youth, he discovered his attachment to natural history. He began early to make a collection of dried specimens of plants, and had access to the best gardens at that time in the neighbourhood of London. He became early acquainted with the most eminent naturalists of his time; the Drs Derham, Woodward, Hale, Lloyd, and Sloane, were amongst his friends. Among the great variety of articles which form that superb collection, now (by the wise disposition of Sir Hans and the munificence of parliament) the British Museum, small was the number of those with whose history Mr Collinson was not well acquainted; he being one of those few who visited Sir Hans at all times familiarly; their inclinations and pursuits in respect to natural history being the same, a firm friendship had early been established between them. Peter Collinson was elected a fellow of the Royal Society on the 12th of December 1728; and perhaps was one of the most diligent and useful members, not only in supplying them with many curious observations himself, but in promoting and preserving a most extensive correspondence with learned and ingenious foreigners, in all countries and on every useful subject. Besides his attention to natural history, he minutely every striking hint that occurred either in reading or conversation; and from this source he derived much information, as there were very few men of learning and ingenuity who were not of his acquaintance at home; and most foreigners of eminence in natural history, or in arts and sciences, were recommended to his notice and friendship. His diligence and economy of time were such that though he never appeared to be in a hurry, he maintained an extensive correspondence with great punctuality; acquainting the learned and ingenious in distant parts of the globe with the discoveries and improvements in natural history in this country, and receiving the like information from the most eminent persons in almost every other. His correspondence with the ingenious Cadwallader Colden, Esq., of New-York, and the justly celebrated Dr Franklin of Philadelphia, furnish instances of the benefit resulting from his attention to all improvements. The latter of these gentlemen communicated his first essays on electricity to Mr Collinson, in a series of letters, which were then published, and have been reprinted in a late edition of the Doctor's ingenious discoveries and improvements. Perhaps, in some future period, the account procured of the management of sheep in Spain, published in the Gentleman's Magazine for May and June 1764, may not be considered among the least of the benefits accruing from his extensive and inquisitive correspondence. His conversation, cheerful and usefully entertaining, rendered his acquaintance much desired by those who had a relish for natural history, or were studious in cultivating rural improvements; and secured him the intimate friendship of some of the most eminent personages in this kingdom, as distinguished by their taste in planting and horticulture, as by their rank and dignity. He was the first who introduced the great variety of seeds and shrubs which are now the principal COLLYRÆ, or Collyrides, in antiquity, a certain ornament of hair, worn by the women on their necks. It was made up in the form of the small roundish cakes called καλλονες, collyra.