figured specimens in his own cabinet, that were originally collected by the late Duchess of Portland, Marmaduke Tunstall, a Governor Holford (many years resident in India), a Mr. Ellis, George Keate, a Mr. Yeats, and a Mr. Bailey. He also studied the collections of John Francillon, Dru Drury and Alexander Macleay. His patron was Joseph Banks. It is the first illustrated publication dealing with the entomology of India. The exact publication date, stated on the title page as being 1800, is also unclear as most plates are later; for example, the plate for Cicada indica is dated 1 February 1804. Many of the butterflies figured are from the Americas. In the works of Johan Christian Fabricius on which the Epitome was based "Indiis" confusingly refers to the West Indies or northern South America. He co-published his books with a book-seller instead of the more usual arrangement of working with a publisher. Donovan's expensive purchases, his dealings with (according to him) his unscrupulous book seller Rivingtons of St Paul's Churchyard (after many previous years on good terms), and the economic decline in England after the Napoleonic Wars, always made his financial position precarious. He had begun selling parts of his collections in 1788 and was forced to close his museum in 1817. The main auction of his collection in 1818 took eight days. He continued to publish, but his financial position worsened. His collection was an important resource for his publications and its dispersal caused problems. In 1833 he made an unsuccessful published plea for funds from his supporters to bring a lawsuit against the (according to him) his unscrupulous book seller Rivingtons of St Paul's Churchyard (after many previous years on good terms). Works Botanical Review, Or the Beauties of Flora. London. 1789–1790. The Natural History of British Insects: Explaining Them in Their Several States, With the Periods of Their Transformations, Their Food, Oeconomy, &c. Together With the History of Such Minute Insects As Require Investigation by the Microscope, the Whole Illustrated by Coloured Figures, Designed and Executed from Living Specimens. London. F. and C. Rivington. 1792–1813. 16 volumes with a total of 576 plates (568 coloured). The Natural History of British Birds: Or, a Selection of the Most Rare, Beautiful, and Interesting Birds Which Inhabit this Country. London. 1794–1819. 10 volumes with a total of 244 plates. The Natural History of British Fishes: Including Scientific and General Descriptions of