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J. C. LETTSOM, ESQ. M. D.

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

THE PATRON OF THE LIBERAL SCIENCES,

AND OF NATURAL HISTORY.

IN GRATITUDE AND RESPECT FOR THE NUMEROUS PROOFS
OF UNLIMITED KINDNESS AND REGARD:

AND IN REVERENCE OF THOSE EMINENT TALENTS

WHICH HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXERTED
FOR THE GENERAL HAPPINESS OF MANKIND,
THIS SMALL TESTIMONY OF REGARD,

Is HUMBLY DEDICATED
BY HiS MOST OBEDIENT FRIEND,

AND OBLIGED HUMBLE SERVANT,

GEORGE PERRY.

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J. Strattord. Holborn, Jan. 1:

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Published

AOVDUVLOG Y.

THE TIGER.

Felis Tigris, Lin. Le Tigre, Buffon,

AMoncst the various animals of prey which infest
the sultry regions of Asia, there are few which do not
yield to the Tiger in ferocity and strength. Driven from
the more civilized haunts of Man, and separated from the
society of domestic animals, he ranges through the silent
and trackless forest, indulging his natural thirst for
blood, dealing horror and devastation through the animal
kingdom. In the hotter regions of the Globe where the
smaller animals abound, and the Niger or the Ganges
roll their tributary streams to the Sea, the Tiger reigns
uncontrouled, and spreads his ravages amongst the numerous
herds of Antelopesand Deer, where they resort to the springs
or rivers for refreshment. If we could for a moment
forget the power of his fangs, or the unrelenting fierceness
of his nature, we might contemplate with pleasure, the
beauty of his skin, and the elegant contrast every where
4

ZOOLOGY.

i tang aS ETT SS a NR SSOPSNPREAGIONTNL MOB et OA. *

displayed in his form and contour. But the sense of his
native cruelty, and irreclaimable nature, fill the mind with
a secret and thrilling sense of detestation and horror, while
astonishment usurps the place of pleasure.

The Royal Tiger of Indostan, and which is supposed
to be of the largest race of these animals at present known,
measures fourteen feet from its head to the end of its
tail; his body is muscular and round, his feet large and
projecting, armed with prehensile claws, each of them
enclosed in a hollow horny sheath, like those of the Cat-
tribe, His legs are short and not well calculated for
swiftness, but rather for bounding or leaping upon his
prey, for which he generally lies in wait, making a spring
of twenty or thirty feet at a time upon the object he
intends to seize. His tail is long and beautifully striped,
in a similar manner with his back, having bands of dark
brown placed across: and in this respect he differs mate-
rially from the Leopard and Panther, which are remarkable
rather by their round spots scattered irregularly over
their bodies.

It would be an astonishing circumstance to the human
mind that the merciful Author of Nature should have
created such animals only for the purposes of devastation,
if we were not at the same time convinced how necessary
it is, that the smaller race of animals should be reduced
and kept under, and in this point the balance of nature
is as admirably preserved, the fiercer and more powerful
animals producing only a few young ones at atime, The
Tiger notwithstanding his strength, has the peculiar cow-
ardice never to attack his enemy in front, and unless
urgently pressed by famine, it is probable he would not
fail always to fly from man; but if assaulted, his rage
gets the better of his fear, and he becomes resolute even
to death, The Lion, Buffalo and Rhinoceros are his natural

DSi

4

ZOOLOGY.

and formidable enemies, and with the Buffalo he is fre-
quently enclosed by the Indian Chiefs in a stage-combat
for the purposes of amusement, and in which case he
generally becomes the victim.

Upon the whole there is reason to believe that the
larger animals of prey, as the Lion, Tyger, and others,
are much less numerous than formerly, as Europe is not
able at present to exhibit any (except indeed ia a captive
state) although they formerly abounded there.

We subjoin the following description of ‘the fight
between the Buffalo and Tiger, as described by Captain
Williamson in his Indian Sports. ‘A Pallisado is made
of bamboo, thirty yards in diameter, and strongly fenced
all round, from the’iop of. which the spectators can behold
the combat. As security is the soul of amusement, every
precaution is taken to enclose the Area in ‘such a manner as
to obviate all reasonable fear. Where a Tiger is one
of the Dramatis Persone, toomuch care cannot be used, as
there have been instances of their making their escape, and
putting all the spectators to the rout. The walls of the
Area are raised twenty feet high, and the populace are
placed in an elevated gallery so as to command a view of
the whole.

As soon as the Tiger has entered the Area, the gates
are closed, and a short time is allowed him to look around
and examine his new situation. At first he seems to creep
in a cowardly manner close to the Pallisades, wishfully
looking at the top, and grinding his teeth at the people
who surround the Area. The Buffalo is then introduced,
and nothing can surpass the animation displayed at this
moment, the Buffalo’s eyes sparkle with fury as he views
his sculking enemy; he rushes forward with his head
down and horns direct, at the Tiger’s body, which however

ZOOLOGY.

serves rather to bruise him, than to tear his skin, which
is smooth and pliant. The Tiger starts on one side and
endeayours to plant himself upon the Buffalo’s back by
leaping over his head and neck, and in this he is often unsuc-
cessful, and passing over him, changes his place and falling
down, becomes submitted to the fury of his horns. The
Buffalo however carries on a war of extermination, his
rage being excited by his wounds, and the issue terminates
uncertainly, but generally in the death of the Tiger, who
becomes defeated through the greatness of the fatigue, and
length of the combat. The violence of the Buffalo con-
tinues for some time after the fight; it is prudent therefore
to leave him to cool, and to approach him with water-
and wet grass, of which he partakes with avidity. The
road is afterwards cleared from passengers to prevent all
accidents which might otherwise occur.”

The present specimen was drawn from the beautiful
Tiger in the Menagerie of Mr. Prpcock.

CONCHOL OGY. Pll

C:Lerry ded.

Publishd ts Me” Stratord, L272, Holborn Hill.

CONCHOLOGY.

Tue variety and beautiful colours which are discover-
able in the testaceous Family of Shells, have always ren-.
dered them an interesting subject to the Naturalist and the
Man of Taste.

~ In describing the four Shells contained in the annexed —
Plate, we shall endeavour previously to explain the different
Characters of each Genus, that the Reader may afterwards
more easily recognize each peculiar Distinction appropriate
thereto. '

Shells have always been classed according to certain’
Similarities of Structure, observable in their outward form,
and not from the qualities of the Animals contained in them,
which are, generally speaking, quite unknown, except
from Analogy to those which in the living state, are more
easily within our reach, \

In each Species, we shall elucidate the Genus to which
it belongs, by its most striking peculiarities.

B

CONCHOLOGY.

‘1. Genus, VOLUTELLA.

Character.—Shell univalve, spiral, the central pillar fluted
with four flutes; the body and external cheek
invested with tubercles irregularly placed.

Species.—Volutella divergens; Shell conical, angulated ;
of a bright yellow colour; the surface irregularly
spinous all over; mouth oblong and labiated, of
a rich pink colour.

This Species is very rare, is a Native of the Indian
Ocean: and is delineated from an Original Shellin the Col-
lection of Mr. Greennart, of London. ‘The Genus is
not very numerous, containing only about fifteen known
Species.

2. Genus, SEPTA.

Character.—Shell univalve, spiral, having membranceous
septa or divisions, placed upon the body and spire
opposite and alternate; these are of a different
colour to the rest of the Shell, and slightly tuber-
culated.

Species.—Septa scarlatina ; Shell small, one inch and a half

| Jong; striped with scarlet bands, upon a. yellow:
ground; the mouth white, verging to a brown,
colour. ~

This beautiful little Shell was formerly, placed erro-,
neously with the Genus Buccinum: it is a Native of
“Amboyna, in the East Indies, and: varies from. itself some-
times in having the colours very pale: It has been called;
by the Germans the Liveryhorn. From a Shell in the
Collection of the late Mr. Wixtxson. .

CONCHOLOGY.
ee

3. Genus, ROSTELLARIA.

Character.—Shell univalve, spiral, having the outer cheek
expanded (and united at the top of the mouth) to
the spire; the beak straight and plain, ending in

4 a point,

Species. —Rostellaria rubicunda; Shell ovated and slightly
tuberculated ; the mouth brown and striped; the
spire and body of a dark red colour.

Like the former Shell it is a Native of Amboyna;
and is from the curious and interesting Museum of
Lord VarenTia.

4. Genus, TROCHUS.

Character.—Shell pyramidically shaped, spiral; having
the mouth placed underneath, leaning sideways,
and of a quadrangular form; the spire inclined to
‘the base. :

Species. —Trochus Apiaria; Shell white, striped with green
transversely and irregularly; the sides and base
slightly rounded and tuberculated.

This curious Shell isa Non-descript, and lately im-
ported from Botany Bay, a country which has afforded an’
ample field of new subjects for the Conchologist. Kroma
Specimen in the Museum of Dr. Lerrsou.

CONCHOLOGY.

a,

REMARKS.

The general divisions of ‘Testacea or Shell Animals,
may be classed under the following Orders: Spirales, or
Shells which have a twisted spire: Acuminatzx, or pointed .
Shells, as the Patella, &c.: Bivalvw, or double Shells, as
the Cockle, &c.: and lastly, Muitiloculares, or Shells
having bony compartments, as the Orthoceras, Nautilus, ©
&c. ‘Those which were denominated by Linnzus,*Multi-
alye, are not found upon Analysis to consist of similar
component. materials, and. therefore ought properly to be
separated ; such are the Sabella, Chitons, &c. These
latter are rather to be considered as Animals invested with a
horney or membranaceous Covering, rather than Testaceous
or Shell Fish ; to which may be added, a very considerable
difference in their internal Organization.

Philosophers have been much perplexed to account
for the Manner of the growth of Shell-fish ; and notwith-
standing that matter has received a very copious Investiga-
tion, it is still. involved in considerable doubt. It was once
believed that the animal had the power of adding an exter-
nal Coat or Flap to the side of the Mouth, and which was
repeated at certain intervals, enlarging the circle and size
of the shell as the Animal increased in magnitude. Other
writers haye supposed that the Animal had the power of
forming a new Coyering for itself, and totally deserting the
former slicll when it became too small. It seems more pro-
bable that the Shell has an internal Power of Growth or
Expansion, which exists from its beginning or birth, and
adapts. itself by a general Expansion to the Size of the
Animal. Certain it is, that when the Animal is arrived to
its utmost size, it has the power of spreading over. the
whole Surface of its Mouth a substance of the smoothest
Enamel, which serves at the samie time to thicken and en-
large the Lip; particularly the Strombus and Cowry.

CONCHOLOGY.

The Analogy which exists in the Vegetable and Animal
Kingdoms is in many instances very striking and obvious.
Amongst the Plants lately added by the recent Discoveries
in the Southern Ocean, several have occurred which are
parasitical, or living upon other Trees; of which we have
a familiar instance in the Misletoe. The same circumstance
occurs in the History of Shells, as several of the Lepas
and Patella obviously shew, but the most singular Shell of
this kind is the Proscenula, of. which several have been
lately discovered by Mr. Strucnsury, in the Strombus and
other large Shells, firmly adhering to the inside of the
Mouth. This curious Genus which is hitherto undescribed,
is flat and dish-shaped, in its general Form resembling the
Patella, but differs from it in having its Apex or pointed
summit placed at one end, and also below, a Proscenium,
Plaiform or small Stage, projecting in a-circular form, from
under the Apex. Some of these are so small as to require
the Microscope to investigate them fully; and indeed it is
not at all improbable, but that the Number of those Shells
which are concealed from our View by their smallness,
is greater by far than those which are so obvious and fill
our cabinets. Several Genera exist amongst the more mi-
nute kinds which are astonishing for the Singularity of their
Forms, and the Beauty of their Colours. In this hitherto
unfrequented Path we have only the Labours of two emi-
nent Authors to guide our Steps; we allude to Fichtel and
Soldanus, who have each of them scientifically endeavoured.
to sketch an imperfect outline for the arrangement of future

writers. In the laborious descriptions of Mr. Boys, of /

Sandwich, who endeavoured to form a general Account
of some of the minute English Shells, the plates which
accompany the Work are not either sufficiently expressive

or beautiful. An hiatus therefore is left in this Part of ©

Natural History, which by an accurate delineation of the
objects may prove highly useful and entertaining. The
Fossil Shells, which are found enclosed in the substance of

\

CONCHOLOGY.

Rr

our most solid Mountains (a lasting evidence of the general

Deluge) hold out to the Naturalist a pleasing and inter-

esting Field for Enquiry. Their Forms are so different to

those found recent; their beautiful State of Preservation, the

curious circumstance of their Enclosure in Beds of Rock or.
Clay, lay a claim to farther Enquiry and Investigation.

It is our intention to profit by these Remarks, and to
bring forward from time to time the most singular and rare
Species which may offer themselves to our observation. |

The greatest number or portion of Shells at present
known revolve spirally from the left to the right ; but the
Genera Helix, Melania, and Bulimus, are a remarkable
exception to this rule, having a great many species which
are reversed, still however even in this respect, varying
sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left. ‘The
Diogenes Crab frequently for the purpose of safety and
security, takes up his habitation in the deserted sheil of
some Whelk or Murex, and by this means furnishes a
curious instance of natural instinct; from this time, one
of his prehensile claws becomes gradually much larger
than the other; that which is enclosed in the cover-
ing, shrinks up, and becomes useless, thus adapting itself
admirably to it’s newly-acquired situation. ‘The Argonau- |
ta by the use of it’s oars and sail, has particularly at-
tracted the regard, even of the most ancient writers,
and is supposed to have furnished the first idea of a ship.
Different in it’s internal structure is the form of the
Nautilus, which has a regular assortment of chambered
compartments, connected with each other, and which are
entirely occupied by the animal. In short, the facts and
observations which Conchology brings to our view, open
to the mind, new scenes of continual admiration of that
great Being, who has so wonderfully adapted their singular
forms and instincts to the situations in which they are placed.

LENE

BOTANY

ye

G. Perry del.

PALM TREE
Publishd by J. Strattera. Holborn, Jan’ iE Tae

BOTAN Y.

THE CEROXYLON, OR PALM TREE,

_ Polygamia. Moneecia.

Tue Ceroxylon, or Palm Tree of Peru, which has
been submitted to the class of French Institute, by Mon-
sieur Humbolt, is remarkable for it’s novelty, as well as
it’s situation; for the lofty height to which it elevates
it’s summit; and the singular production of wax it yields ;

from which circumstance it has been sometimes called
the Wax Palm.

Mutis, who has held a distinguished rank amongst
modern naturalists, is the only one who had formed an
idea of it’s existence, which circumstance is mentioned
in the supplement to the third Edition of Linnzus’s
Systema Nature.

According to the Botanical Distinctions of Linneus,_ it
must be classed with the Polygamia ; of the Order. Monecia.

On the lofty and cloud-cap’t summits of the Andes
which separate the Valley of Madeleine from the River

Z.§

BOTANY.

Cauca, this tree chiefly abounds, amidst the most rug-
ged precipices and barren passes of the country.

This Palm Tree is also a Native of Quindiu, one of
the mountainous and snowy regions of Peru, and is called
the Ceroxylon to distinguish it from the Palm Trees already
known: it is said sometimes to reach the amazing height of
160 to 180 feet. The trunk is straight. and swelling out in
the middle, bearing at the top its immense branches in
various directions. The fruit is small and round, containing
an oval kernel; the flowers are of two sorts, growing out of
a sheath ; the hermaphrodite and the female ; and are not
remarkable for their beauty or their size. .

The most extraordinary circumstance relating to this
Tree, is the secretion of Wax, containing a small propor-
tion of Rosin, through the whole outside surface of its bark,
on each side of the circles where there have been the marks' ©
of the former leayes.

Pliny makes mention of a Larix Tree which was used
in the Amphitheatre of Nero, and was 120 feet in heighth ;
but the Tree at present under consideration, may be indeed
regarded as the Monarch of all the Forests of the World,
if its gigantic size can entitle it to that distinction,

No advantageous use has hitherto been made either of
the Wax, which invests the bark of this Tree, or of the
Fruit, both of which might it is supposed be converted to
ithe uses of mankind; the former for giving light; the
latter as a pleasant and wholesome food, and containing
much sugar. The Timber is of a firm texture, and capable
of being formed into beams and rafters for houses; but the »
difficulty of removal from its original mountainous situation —
will perhaps be for ever an inseparable bar to its general use

and consumption.

BOTANY.

The Palm Trees form a most astonishing family in the
History of the Vegetable Kingdom; their amazing height ;
their majestic forms; the delightful and extensive shadows
which they yield to the weary traveller, induced Linnaeus
to give them the name of Princes of India; and if we add
to these external qualities, the Flour, the Wine, and the
Oil, which they so plentifully produce, we may regard
them as one amongst those Blessings for which Man has
reason to be highly ibis to his Creator.

It is also supposed that this Plant might. exist, is
«a comparison of the climate and temperature, if trans-
planted to the mountainous regions of Switzerland ; hitherto
however there is nothing more than conjecture to strengthen

this opinion.

The Flower grows at the upper part of the Tree,
shooting from a sheath or spatha, in clusters or bunches,
upon which the berries are afterwards formed ;: the root
consists of various arms and shoots spreading out at the
foot, and giving security to the trunk.

The circular stripes which appear in the external bark
of the trunk, indicate the gradual expansion of the Tree,
each circle being formed every year, so that: the relative
age of the tree may be easily ascertained.

In the East Indies, the uses of the Palm Trees are
extremely multifarious, for independently of the Canauca,
Palm, which yields an excellent wax from it’s leaves,
by boiling ; there is also another species, which supplies
the natives with the following articles; bread, oil, milk,
wine, ropes, masts, oars, cordage, clothing, wax, rosin,
needles and thread.

BOTANY.

The Indians have a.method of climbing these trees
for the fruit, by placing two large hoops loosely round
the trunk, into the lowest of which they place their
legs, as far as the knee, and then raise themselves by
the upper one, placing it at the utmost extent of their
arms; at other times by shooting an arrow to which
is fixed a rope, over the highest branches of the tree.

We do not find that the Seeds of this Tree have
as yet been brought to Europe.

There has been a considerable difference in the opinion
of Naturalists, as to the distinctive characters of the Palm
Tree; some Botanists having proposed that these should
be referred to the Genus Hexandria, and the Genus Poly-
gamia wholly abolished. The Fig certainly differs so much
from the Palms (by having its blossoms placed within the
receptaculum), that it seems rather absurd to place them
together ; nevertheless as all artificial systems must be subject
to some objections and contradictions, it seems better to
leave the matter as it is laid down by the great Linnzus,
than to abridge the number of the Genera, already spe-
cified, as Dr. Tuornrton in. his late Work has attempted,
perhaps without sufficient reason. If any alteration were
considered as adviseable in the Botanical system of the
illustrious Swede, it would be better perhaps to enlarge than
diminish the number of the Genera, as new discoveries of
events are constantly made which do not readily reconcile
themselves to the present established Genera.

d
Bisa thea ts
me pa

‘erry del.

ENTOMOL OGY.

Fulgo ra

Published by J. Strattord Holborn Jan 1” 1810.

ENTOMOLOGY.

HEMIPTERA.
Genus, Fulgora, or Lantern Fly.

Character.—The Forehead truncated and rounded ; antenuz.
underneath the eyes, and doubly articulated ;
rostrum carved inwardly underneath,

No. I. THE FULGORA PYRORHYNCUS, OR
BENGAL FIRE-FLY.

An Insect hitherto almost unknown and remarkable for
the beautiful purple and green colour of its under wings.
This singular animal which bears some general resemblance
to the Genus Papilio, or Butterfly, has the extraordinary
power of eliciting a Phosporic Light from the internal
cavity of its trunk, which forms a striking character
in its appearance—The wonderful power which the Glow-
Worm possesses of illuminating by its small radiant lamp,
the darkness of night, has been the theme of Poets, as
well as Naturalists. The present Insect, which is a Native
of Indostan, is endowed with a similar power, and con-
tributes in no small degree to excite our wonder by the
curious formation of its trunk or lantern, which is intended
by Nature to light it on its way. One of the largest of —
this family, the Lanternaria, has been ably figured and |
described by Madame Mertan, in her account of the
Indian Insects. Haying received from the Indians several
of these, which she had carefully placed together in a
transparent box, she was surprised in the night by their
luminous appearance, and taking alarm at the display
of the fire, as it indeed appeared to be, let fall the box
to the ground, upon which the cause became obvious by
the liberation of the Insects,

ENTOMOLOGY.

The upper wings of the present species are of a
reddish brown, richly spotted; the trunk of a dark
colour and rounded at the end; the under wings of a
rich purple and green, alternately lanceolated in a pointed
engrailment.

From a specimen in the Collection of Mr. Surry, and
is supposed to be very scarce ; only two being at present
known in England.

No. II. THE FULGORA CANDELARIA,

A Native of China, the trunk of a yellow colour
turned upwards at the end and rounded ; the upper wings
green, streaked with beautiful veins of yellow; the under
wings of yellow, edged with black. There is an agree-
able contrast in the shades and tints of this beautiful
Insect ; but it is impossible to conceive what the effect
of its light must be, except in its native Country, as it
loses it phosporic effect when dried. ‘Travellers who have
visited China may be supposed to have exaggerated its
effects, when they inform us, that the Indians perform their
journies by night, carrying one of them fastened to the
foot, and one in each hand, by this means making all
other light unnecessary.

This Insect undoubtedly has light suflicient for its
own purposes, the acquirement of its proper food, or the
pursuit of its favourite mate; but of its uses to man we
can form no such opinion, as Monsieur Lesser has
figured forth in his Theologia des Insectes, who would
persuade us, that the Natives use no other light in their
houses, than this small phosporic animal.

The present Specimen is figured from the Original
in the Museum of Mr. Srucwpury, and exhibits the
pristine colours in their full beauty and splendour.

OST <P OD WY ON YT (Pepeug pf 4 paysyqng

“MMV NG WLLLV YL
dinas Agsn (Sf a , § , aF P2yetyn DOL

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ote eae

Crotalus horridus ; ox banded Rattlesnake. Linneus.

Ay

Vipera, caudisona, Americana.: Catesby.

Tie Repiite, which is so well. known by the dread-
fully destructive power of it’s poisonous Bite, is a native
of the Western Hemisphere, and is found in most of the
Islands, as well as on the Continent of America. It seems
however to exist chiefly in the hottest parts only, and to
be incapable of resisting the frigid state of all the colder
regions. Three or four different Species are already known
and egg of which the present Snake is the most
important, as it frequently reaches the size of ten feet in
5: length ; and the stripes in the other kinds are much paler,
and not transyerse, but placed in a lozenge form along
the back,

pd , The distinction of the Serpents into the poisonous
and harmless tribes, can only be known by an accurate
examination of their teeth; the fangs or poisoning teeth
being alwa; rs of a tubular or channell’d structure, and
calculated. for the conyeyance or injection of the poison-
ous fluid, from a peculiar reseryoir, communicating. on
each mle of the mouth.
D

*

AMPHIBIA.

The colour of the head of the Rattlesnake, is brown ;
the eye red; the upper part of the body of a brownish
yellow, transversely marked with irregular broad black
lists; the Rattle consisting of several horny membraneous
cells, is brown and cf an undulated form; the articulation
of these parts being very loose, makes them rattle against
each other when the reptile moves his tail, which he
always does when irritated. Yet unless provoked or in
pursuit of it’s prey, the Rattlesnake must be considered
as a sluggish and inactive animal, and is never the aggressor
unless disturbed or assaulted. They make a deep wound
and inject a very considerable portion of venom, but the
poison if applied to the surface of the skin is said to be
quite harmless, unless the skin be broken; and it seems
to have no effect internally upon the stomach, as the
Indians are in the constant habit of sucking the poison
from the wounds of themselves or others; for this cir-
cumstance, we have the authority of Catesby and other
writers on natural history; and it seems not improbable
that the human saliva or spittle may be a true and natu-
ral antidote for the poison of almost all venomous Snakes,
but which opinion however must lay open to farther
experiments and observations. It is a remarkable cir-
cumstance also that the bite of venomous snakes should
be fatal to themselves, which has been proved by experi-
ments when they have been provoked in a state of confine-
ment. The usual time of death ensuing after a person
has been bitten by a Rattlesnake is ‘from two to fifteen
minutes ; this however is supposed to depend upon the
state of irritation of the animal at the time, and upon
the constitution of the patient; there is reason to believe
that in a state of captivity, it’s operation would be weaker,
as the Reptile is then generally considered as being out
of health. The unfortunate man who was bitten to death
lately in London, survived for 18 days, but in the greatest
agony and pain, the inflammation being carried ‘on to

AM PHIBIA.

the greatest degree. The remedies applied were Salvolatile,
Opium, and Brandy mixed with Water, but without the
smallest good etfect ‘being obtained.

The Americans use a vegetable that abounds in their
~ woods, and’ which is said to be a compleat and effica-
cious remedy, by the use of a decoction and cataplasm
made from the root.

Of the Fascination or charming Power of the Rattle-
snake, as it is commonly called, by which it can draw
down from the highest trees small birds and animals,
éausing them to drop into it’s very mouth, much has
been asserted by travellers on each side of the question,
the most probable explanation of this circumstance may
perhaps arise from the terror and confusion into which
the smaller animals are thrown by the sight and soand
of the Rattlesnake preventing them from making” their
escape.

The Rattlesnake is a viviparous animal, producing
it’s young in the month of June, generally about twelve
in number, and which by September acquire the length
of twelve inches. It is said to practise the same extra
ordinary mode of preserving it’s young from danger
which is attributed to the Viper of Europe, viz. of receiving
them into it’s mouth, and swallowing them; they are
afterwards seen to disgorge them when the danger is over.
In Winter they retire to the most secret and. inaccessable
cliffs, where they pass the season in a torpid and dormant
state, till the Spring once more brings them forth from
their dark habitations,

Amongst the most remarkable circumstances in the
conformation of the Rattlesnake, may be considered the
mechanical Construction of his Tail. The form of it is

AMPHIBIA.

so singular, that no description or even delineation of it
will be found fadequate to explain its structure compleatly,
without perhaps an examination. At the end of the body
of the Snake, there is fixed a membrancous appendage
which may be called not improperly, the Radix or Root
of the Rattle, it is flattish in shape as if compressed ;
and upon this are placed ten or twelve horny rings or
circles, which are connected loosely, and on the motion
of the animal rattle against each other, the sound much
resembling that of a persen playing a game with dice.
The circular rings have a strong hold upon each by means
of a tightened collar, so that they may recede or be com-
pressed upon each other, by any. motion of the tail;
and to this impulse the noise is always owing.

As the Rattlesnake changes his skin every year, it
is supposed there is a fresh growth in the joints of the
tail, and which varies according to the age of the animal.
We shall finish our account of this extraordinary Rep-
tile, by a concluding reflection, upon the. wisdom and
goodness of the great Creator, who has not left mankind,
and other creatures, subjected to the danger of .its deadly
bite, without a means of alarm so well calculated to
enable them to avoid and escape the evil. This vengeful
animal is also very much confined in it’s province and
range, there being no authority to justify us in supposing,
that they are ever found in the Eastern parts of the globe ;
they remain confined to the hotter regions of the Western
Hemisphere.

From a fine living Specimen in Mr. Kendrick’s. Mena-
garie, Piccadilly, London.

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SEPTA TRITONIA

as L. Bushy Setedp.

Published by J. Stratford, Holborn. Feb. I8Io

CONCHOLOGY.

Genus, SEPTA TRITONIA, or TRITON’s HORN.

Character.—Shell ‘univalye, spiral, acuminated, divided
longitudinally by membranaceous sutures, placed
irregularly and opposite, upon the folds of the
spire, one of these forming the cheek of the
Mouth or Maxilla Oris, the Columella or central
Pillar corrugated or wrinkled. The Maxilla Oris
is invested with double teeth painted, and of a
brown colour.

THIS Shell, classed with the Genus Septa, and which
has hitherto been described erroneously as a Murex, is a
native of various parts of the Globe, being found in the
Eastern Ocean, andalso in the European Seas. It is dis-
tinguished by the Richness of its Colours. It has some-
times been denominated the Triton’s Horn, from the re-
semblance which it bears to some of the sculptured Relievos
of the Ancients, in which the Tritons, who wait upon
Neptune, are represented holding up Shells of this sort,
and blowing with them from their mouths a Music, suita-
ble enough to those watry beings.

This remarkable Shell varies considerably in size,
being sometimes eighteen inches in length, and by making
a small opening at the upper end, a pleasing and agreeable
sound may be produced, resembling that of a trumpet, but
rather more deep and sonorous in its tone.

Another Shell, which has considerable resemblance in
its general form to the one now described, has lately been
discovered in New Holland, but it differs in the minuter

CONCHOLOGY.

peculiarities of form and colour, being much smaller, and

of a redder colour.

For want of proper and sufficient distinctions, several
preceding Writers upon Conchology, have placed this
Shell with the Murex Genus, but the Murex, strictly speak-
ing, has no Divisions or Sept on its Spire, in which may
be instanced the Murex Morioand Murex Trapezium, &c.
of Linneus, which therefore must be always considered
as belonging to a distinct Family.

From a charming Specimen in the Collection of
Mr, Gwenap, of London.

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ORNITHOLOGY.

THE CONDOR VULTURE.

Character. —Bill hooked, armed with a bulbous Base.
Head and Neck partially bare, with a naked
Skin. '
Neck curved and bent back.
Feet armed with crooked Claws,

Tue Vulture which has excited the miraculous and
fabulous narratives of those who have travelled through the
Regions of Southern America, has lately been introduced
into Europe in the live state, and is found by no means to
equal the astonishing Size which has been recorded of him.
The largest which has been known, did not exceed twelve
feet upon the extended wings. Nevertheless it so far ex»
ceeds the Eagle in grandeur and strength, that if size

ORNITHOLOGY.

$

alone were to constitute superiority, it might be truly de-
nominated the King of Birds.

The Vultures in general differ from the Eagles in
being of a heavier or less active character ; in ferocity how-
ever and the untamable disposition of their nature, they
are by no means inferior.

The Condor Vulture, the largest known at present is
found only in South America, and has made its name
terrible to the Natives by the attacks which it sometimes
makes upon living animals, and in some cases even upon
the human species. Some writers have confidently affirmed
that it has been known to carry away Children where an
opportunity has offered; and two of these birds have been
seen to attack a full-grown heifer, and ultimately cesany it,
by tearing it in pieces.

This curious Bird has a singular pouch placed under
the lower mandible, of a blue colour, and reaching down
the neck; it has also several fleshy appendages on each side
of the throat, diminishing in size as they descend. Below
the principal crest, which is large and upright, is a smaller
one distinct and beset with coarse down. The crest is of a
dark grey, and on the front of the neck is a pendent pearl-
shaped tubercle; there is also a beautiful tippet of white
fur forming an elegant collar round the neck, with the
feathers turned back, and the claws are strongly hooked,

Since this bird was first exhibited in England, Mon-
sieur Humboldt has published his Account of the Condor
Americanus, and he mentions having frequently met with
them on the Andes and Cordilleras Mountains in Peru.
The young birds are entirely destitute of feathers, being
eoyered with a fine whitish down, but which is full as thick

ORNITHOLOGY.

as to giye the young birds all the appearance of the old.
ones.

The Indians are in the habit of taking them by means
of nooses prepared for them, and by meaus of baits of dead,
carcases sett for that purpose; for when the Condor has
gorged itself with food, it becomes indolent and unwilling
to fly, and is taken alive without much difficulty.

A curious stuffed specimen of the Condor Vulture,
was lately preserved in the Leverian Museum, and after-.
wards said to be sold to the Emperor of Austria; we have.
no means therefore of comparing the measurement with the
living Specimen, although from recollection, the size seems.
to have been much the same,

Th its captive state it seems to have lost a great deal of
its original fierceness, and to subinit itself with a consider-
able gentleness of disposition to the different objects which
surround it.

Birds of prey are said to have a greater longevity than
others, and in this respect the life of the Condor Vulture
is reported to coincide. The Golden Eagle has been said
to have lived upwards of one hundred years, and Hawks
and Falcons for a much longer term. ‘Their affection for
their young is very eminent, and at the times of hatching
they are fearless of man and every external danger. Their
nests are formed of sticks and dry grass, and are built upon
the tops of the most inaccessible cliffs, amidst barren moun-
tains, far from the peaceful and hospitable abodes of man,
and where they can undisturbedly indulge in all the gloomy
solitude of their nature.

The Condor Vulture, which is at present in Mr.
Kenpricx’s Menagerie, Piccadilly, London, may be re-

E

ORNITHOLOGY.

garded as a valuable acquisition to those amateurs who take
delight in the curious parts of Natural History: it is
stately and dignified in its appearance, and has preserved
its natural appetite through all the horrors of transportation
and imprisonment. He daily devours a large quantity of
raw beef, and in appearance seems to preserve a vigorous
and healthy constitution. In the annexed plate, he is de-
scribed in the act of carrying away a native Peruvian Child;
and as we have the authority of many grave and respectable
writers to authenticate such a circumstance, we hope that
we shall not incur the censure of the more incredulous and
sceptical part of our Readers. It is no uncommon circum-
stance even in England for the Eagles to carry off Lambs of
a considerable size; nor does it seem either extraordinary
or improbable that a bird whose wings extend twelve feet
from tip to tip, and whose conformation evidently marks
him as a voracious creature, should if ever an opportunity
occurs, readily and easily exercise its fatal powers upon
the unprotected and helpless state of Infancy. The solitary
nature of this bird however, and the particular regions to
which he is confined, are providentially placed as a barrier
and limitation to his otherwise boundless and voracious
appetite. |

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ICHTHYOLOGY.

Genus, SPARUS.

Character—Teeth strong, front teeth sometimes ina single,
sometimes in numerous rows;. grinders, convex,
smooth, and arranged like a pavement; lips
ie) gill- covers unarmed; smooth scaly.

soe

Tur Sparus Bandatus i isa native of the Eastern Ocean, and
is distinguished by the elegance of its form and the richness
of its colours, its eye is large and expressive, the tail very
distinctly forked, the scales are semilunar and orbicrilated,
having three bands of dark brown transversely placed upon
the upper part of the back: It belongs to a very numerous
Genus, of its peculiar habits therefore, nothing is very

particularly known..

ICHTHYOLOGY.

REMARKS,

1N the various scales of living creatures which the exten-
sive Field of Nature opens to our view, none is more calcu-
lated to strike us with astonishment and admiration than
the Wonders of the Deep. Although the quantity of Birds,
Animals and Insects which inhabit the terrestrial part of
the Globe, isso great as almost to bafile all calculation, yet
it is impossible not to suppose that the Ocean contains ani-
mals in a far greater variety and number than has been
hitherto conceived or imagined.

In each individual Fish the increase of the progeny is
almost incredible ; if then we take into our enumerations
the various Regions hitherto unexplored, the Bays and
Gulphs, the Seas and Rivers, with all their boundless
varicty, we shall be lost in astonishment in so wide and.
extensive a view of Nature.

The habits and propensities of Fish are as various as
their forms, whilst some by their voracious qualities are
wisely designed to thin the over numerous: swarms of the
shallow coasts and rivers; others are singularly defended
by acurious coat of external armour, resembling the spines
of the hedgehog, or by a most deadly weapon fixed upon
their beak, as the Sword Fish and the Narwhal.

The most destructive ‘fish, the Shark, produces. only
a few young ones at a time, and by this means the admira-
ble economy of nature is kept up, for if these fish were
to be multiplied as rapidly as some of the smaller ones, the
Ocean would be shortly exhausted of. its population.

ICHTHYOLOGY.

But one of the most singular instruments of defence or
annoyance imparted to fish is that which is displayed in
the Gymnotus Electricus, or Electrical Eel, which has the
power on being touched of imparting a violent electrical
shock, and of repeating it for several times; and _ this
quality seems to be inherited by. several others, even after
they are dead. By this means it is said frequently to fix

upon its prey, and sometimes to defend itself from. its
pursuers.

“ Thus is nature’s vesture wrought
To instruct the wandring thought.”

The Flounder, Soal and other flat fish which reside
always at the bottom of rivers and bays, are deprived by
nature of the air bladder, that. natural instrument by which
other fish can raise themselves to the surface of the sea.

The Whale, tkat fish of tremendous size, found chiefly
in the Northern and Southern Regions of the Globe; is not
found to be piscivorous, but exist chiefly upon a small kind
of worm that exists in great abundance in those seas.

- How astonishing is the instinct which directs the
Herring at particular times of the Year, to seck a milder
and more. genial temperature, as well as the mullitudinous
swarms of Cod Fish which annually pay their expected visit
to the seas and bays of Newfoundland.

Previous to a more particular description of the future
species, the general character of this peculiar tribe of
creatures will be more particularly pointed out. One of the
most striking distinctions of their mode of life,-is their
constant residence and subsistence in Water, which is their

“natural and peculiar element, and for which they are
admirably fitted by the gills or branchie, which answer the

ICHTHYOLOGY.

same purpose as lungs in other animals; without the inter-
vention of an auricle and ventricle. The blood after being:
pushed forward by the heart into the ramification of the
gills, is received by a large number of small veins which.
unite and form a descending aorta, as in the Mammalia.
tribe.

The general form of a fish may be not, improperly
compared to that of a Ship, the tail being regarded as the
rudder, and the side fins as the oars, provided for impulse
through the watery medium in which they dwell. For the
purpose of raising or depressing their bodies in the Sea,
they are preyided with a curious air bladder, which by
muscular compression can be made to condense the air
contained therein, and by this means becoming themselves’
specifically lighter or heavier than the medium ‘in which
they move, they can easily rise or descend at pleasure.’

Fishes are also endued with the sense of hearing, which
has been made evident by several curious experiments ; and
the organ which is adapted for this purpose is situated
immediately behind the eyes.

Their scales form a convenient kind of moveable
armour, which is thoroughly covered with a glutinous
substance for the purpose of gliding more easily through

the waves.

They have also the power of smelling ina very exquisite
degree, as is evidenced by their peculiar manner of taking

or rejecting the bait.

‘

Their eyes are placed variously, being most generally
on the sides of the head, but on the flatter kinds of fish’
always at the top or summit, being in this manner more

essential to their preservation.

ICHTHYOLOGY.

The namés of the fins which may not improperly be
called their arms, have been distinguished in the following
manner. The dorsal, or back-fins ; the pectoral, or breast-
fins; the ventral, or belly-fins ; the anal, or vent-fins ; and
the caudal, or tail-fin. And lastly, the Cartilaginous fishes
have only a membranaccous skeleton instead of a boney one,
as their naine naturally imports.

There are some kinds of Fish which have the singular
property of being able to exist for a considerable time out of
the water, as is the case with the Eel and the lying Fish.
It must be supposed that there is a corresponding difference
in the organic conformation of the gills. |

Fish are to be considered, by those conversant with’
mechanicie principles, as being admirably adapted by their
form for the quickest and easiest transitions and motion,
For this purpose they are shaped like a wedge, capable of
cutiing and dividing the medium through which they move,
the nose being in general pointed, and the rest of the body
gradually widening in breadth ; this peculiar shape being
the most favourable for swiftness of motion. Some species
of Fish have their mouths placed under their head, as the
Remora, or Sucking Fish, by which they can adhere very
strongly to objects which ihiby seize. By this circumstance
the Shark is obliged to turn himself over, with his body up,
before he can make his’ bite, and from this delay the life of
ihe person devoted to his fury is sometimes saved.

The tail may be considered as a double fin, acting up-
wards and downwards; it can also impart a sudden motion
forwards, in the manner of a scull or oar, such as is used by
boatmen at the stern of their boats. The most surprizing
efforts of all these, and depending upon the motion of the
tail, is that which is exerted by the Salmon, in their passing

ICHTHYOLOGY.

over the celebrated Salmon Leap, at Ballyshannon in Ireland.
The natural instinct of this Fish impells it at certain seasons
of the year to resort upwards, through all the river streams,
for the purpose of depositing its young, where it meets with
a sudden and steep cataract or fall of water, its course would
be ultimately stoped; the Fish however doubles its tail
round as far as the mouth, and by a sudden and elastic
expansion of the tail forces itself into the air; thus by
repeated efforts gaining a greater height than the cataract,
it at last regains the uppermost stream.

It is probable also that the Flying Fish throws itself
into the air by a similar means and process, where it uses
them for a long time as wings only, but afterwards when
they become dry is obliged to drop down again to its native
element.

The specimen of the Sparus Bandatus, was engraved
from a beautiful correct. drawing presented to the Editor;
accompanying the embellishments by Mr, Whichello.

SS
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J C Whichelo. del LIL. Bushy. sculp.

NONPARIEL PARROT.

Published by J Stratford Holborn March 11610,

ORNITHOLOGY.

PSITTACUS NONPAREIL; or NONPAREIL
PARROT,

Character—Bill hooked, prehensile; feet scaled and strong-
ly armed with claws; the head and neck scarlet ;
the back blue streaked with yellow.

THE specimen here described is a native of Botany Bay,
and has lately been imported alive into England; its plu-
mage consists of an assemblage of the richest and most
striking colours, and is delineated from the Museum of
Mr. Buxtock. In size it is considerably less than the
common parrot, but does not resemble it in the imitation
of the human voice; the cry which it sometimes utters,
being rather like that of a Turtle Dove. The Parrot,
Parroquet and Lory differ chiefly from each oiher in the
size of the body, and in the form of the tail, but the
general discriminating character of the bill is similar
throughout the different tribes.

The celebrated naturalist, Linnzus, has divided the
families of the feather’d part of the creation into six orders ;

1. Accipitres ; or Predacious Birds: such as Vultures,
Eagles, Hawks, Owls, and a few others, distinguished by
the bill being of a crooked form.

2. Passeres; or Passerine Birds: comprising Pigeons,
Larks, Thrushes and all the Finches or small hirds in gene-
ral, either with thick or slender bills,

FE

ORNITHOLOGY.

A. Gallinew; or Gallinaceous Birds; or such as are
more or less allied to the common domestic fowl, and con-
sequently containing the Pheasant and Partridge-tribe, the
Turkey, Peacock, and several other birds.

5. Gralle; or Waders: consisting of all the Heron
tribe, the Curlews, the Plovers, &c. having lengthened legs,
and chiefly inhabiting watery situations.

6. Anseres ; or Web-footed Birds: as the Swan, Goose
and Duck tribes; the Gulls, Penguins and many others.

Out of these six Linnewan Orders, some Naturalists
have instituted a few others in order to give a greater degree
of precision to the arrangement ; nevertheless it cannot be
considered as absolutely necessary. Thus the Pigeons have
been sometimes considered as properly forming a distinct
order of Birds, under the title of Columbx, or the Colum-
bine Birds instead of being ranked among the Passeres of
Linneus. The Ostrich, Cassowary and Dodo have been
supposed to constitute a division called the Struthious Order,
instead of being placed with the Gralle or Galline of the
former writer.

Birds are distinguished chiefly from other animals by
the following singularities. In the circumstances of their
anatomy they may be described according to the ancient
method, as a two-footed, feather’d animal: the breast bone
is solid and shaped like ile keel of a ship, for the purposes
of greater security and cleaving the air; the arms (as they
_ would be called in other animals) are covered with long fea-:
thers, and answer to the design of Nature in their winged
flight; the mouth is triangular and projecting; the tail
spread out more or less in a feather’d extremity ; the down

ORNITHOLOGY.

which is frequently involved by the larger feathers, is of a
soft texture like hair, and the quills of the wings gradually
vary in their size from the origin to the extremity, and are
capable of being folded up closely to the body; the feet are
divided into toes or claws branching out and armed at the
ends with a strong hook or point; but the most remarkable
circumstance of ail is their bill which answers the purpose
of mouth and nose; the eyes are placed upon each side of
the head, by which means they are more protected from
external injury and are invested with a curious nictitating
membrane, by which they can exclude any degree of light
when found to be too powerful. The instinct of birds is no
less surprizing than their structure, the conjugal attachments
which they form, so necessary to the protection and support
of their young, the lone and fatiguing journies performed
by the migratory tribes of birds, are proofs of Providence
the most striking and decisive.

The beauty and splendid plumage of the trophical birds
has been the general theme of admiration with almost all
travellers. Nevertheless it is much to be questioned if they
who reside in the temperate regions of the globe, would
willingly exchange those feather’d songsters which charm
them in every succeeding spring, for the gay Birds of Para-
dise or the splendid Macaws. The inhabitants of the hotter
climates of the East and West Indies are frequently stunned
and wearied with a continual noise which results from the
vocal tenants of their forests. The Saw-Bird, so called”
from the incessant croaking noise which it makes in the
night time, is enough to weary the most resolute patience
with its monotonous sounds. In England, if we wish to
be charmed with the songsters of the grove, it is always
from choice, not from necessity, and we must court the
lonely Philomel, if we wish to enjoy her enchanting and

ORNITHOLOGY.

unobtrusive notes; this circumstance has been beautifully
Ulustrated by Mitton :

Thee chantress of the Woods among
I woo to hear thy evening Song!

If the melodious qualities of song are to be highly
valued in preference to gaudy colours, we possess the har-
monious Wood-lark, the cheerful and sociable Robin Red-
breast, the active and lively Sky-lark, to awake our senses-
toa delight for the charms of melody, and which breathe
into our minds a more congenial sentiment than can possibly
be derived from any foreign productions. As nature gives
not all great qualities together, it is possible to admire the
beauties of their plumage, whilst at the same time we lament
their want of harmony and association to the human feelings.

The Parrotis are generally found in the hotter climates
of the globe, and are distinguished by their crooked bill
and the peculiar form of the claws. Those which haye
been lately discovered in New Holland form a numerous
assemblage of new and striking characters hitherto undescri-
bed. From these we have selected the Nonpareil Parrot,
which for the richness of it’s scarlet and blue plumage may
be justly appreciated as one of the most beautiful of it’s
tribe. It’s head and neck are of a deep scarlet ; the back
blue, striped with yellow ; the bill and legs brown, and it’s
character is more lively and interesting than most of its con-
geners. Of its native habits however, we are at present
little acquainted, as the attention of travellers in New Hol-
land has been so much arrested by the great variety of new
objects as to prevent them hitherto from enquiring closely
into the character of each individual species.

— FTE LEI LISELI T, LICE

OT9TT YIUVD Jy ULO qQ°H p4ofyo.y oy i Sq P?2U/Y eT

“SMdALVTId

GOR POUT)

7 yrs Agen TT

ZOOLOGY.

ater
5 eeepc tN TENE

PLATYPUS; or ORNITHORINXUS
PARADOXUS. :

»

THE singular structure and appearance of the animal
which we are about to describe seem to remove it equally
from almost every creature at present known, and with
which, according to the Linnzan system, we should be
inclined to class it. The extensive Continent of New Hol-
land, or rather Island (as it may more properly be termed)
being entirely surrounded by the Sea, is now ascertained to
be of an amazing size, larger than the whole of Europe,
and to contain animals of quite a different nature to those
found in the other parts of the World.

This isto be considered as the strongest natural proof
to a reasoning mind, that the Flood or Diluvian Overflux
of the Ocean, was not universal, for if so, it would be
impossible to account for the restoration of each individual
species to each particular climate.

The Plants, the Insects, the Animals, and even the Fish,
are in this new and lately discovered region, entirely distinct
aud secluded in their nature and manners; even man himself
seems to differ here from his own species in the peculiarly
untractable and sayage constitution of his mind. Although
it is not very improbable that the human species may haye
emigrated to this singularly detached country, from the
neighbouring Islands of the South Sea, yet it is utterly
incredible that the animals could have done so, or that they
could have been brought there for any particular purpose,
as they are not to be found any were else in a similar state.
The Kangaroo, the Opossum and the Wombach of New
Holland, and above all, the animal about to be described,

ZOOLOGY.

are so evidently distinguished, that we must consider them
as created in their present situation, as one great link in the
chain of animated existences. Some modern philosophers
anxious to account for the infinite varieties of animals and
plants, found in different regions of the Globe, have asserted,
that by the lapse of ages, or the change of food and climate,
such an alteration may gradually take place, as to make
from the same individual an apparently different species.
Such a theory however seems by no means reconcilable with
the generally acknowledged facts of nature.

The Platypus might be classed along with the Seals, if
we were to consider only its external appearance, as its legs
are very short and invested with a membranceous fin between
the toes for the purposes of swimming, and which stamps its
character as an aquatic animal. Its nose or bill much
resembles that of a Duck; there are no teeth, but in place
thereof is a serrated ridge on the internal edges of the under
mandible. The lengih of the whole animal is thirteen inches,
measuring from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail.
It resides chiefly in watery situations on the banks of rivers,
and its food is supposed to consist of aquatic plants and
animals. On the upper part of the head, on each side, a
little beyond the beak, are situated two small oval spots of
white, in the lower part of which are imbedded the eyes,
or at least those parts which Nature has allotted for vision,
but they seem (perhaps like those of some of the Moles)
but imperfectly calculated for distinct vision. Its general
conformation appeared so extraordinary that when first dis-
covered, some eminent Naturalists suspected an intention of
deceit in the different descriptions given of it, but several
specimens being lately obtained from New Holland, their
doubts of its originality became compleatly removed.

A second animal of the same Genus, and which may —
be called the Platypus Longirostra, has lately been shot in

ws

ZOOLOGY.

Adyenture Bay, at Van Diemen’s Land, and is supposed to
be closely allied to the above in its external and internal
habits. The chief difference consists in the tail being much
shorter, and the nose much more taper (but still resembling
a Duck’s bill) and the body covered with a brown coat of |
thick hair interspersed thinly with blunt quills. It was 17
inches long and walked about two inches from the ground.
The above description agrees with an accurate drawing
made upon the spot at the time, and bronght over to England
by an eminent Naturalist. These two animals have been
considered by Dr. Suaw, as having a very great analogy
to the Myrmecophaga or Ant-Eater, which it resembles in
the circumstance of being without teeth, but the feet cer-
tainly are very different, as also its ears, which consist
merely of open uncovered foramina, and are placed directly
behind the eyes. The feet of the Ant-[ater have separate
claws, but those of the Platypus are united by a strong mem-
brane, the distinguishing character of all animals which
reside much in the water.

The back of the Platypus is covered all over with
thick and close hair of a dark brown colour, much resem-
bling that of a young Otter, but though obliged to waik
very awkwardly upon land by means of the shortness of
his legs, yet there is no doubt but that in the rivers, he can
make a more rapid progress.

It is an observation which has not escaped the regard
of those Naturalists who have described the creatures of
New Holland, that all the quadrupeds hitherto discovered
in that extensive region are void of symmetry in form and
beauty of colours, whilst in the feather’d tribes, and in the
vegetable kingdom the greatest profusion of beauty prevails.
No beasts of prey have hitherto been discovered, a few
species of the Racoon, Opossum and Kangaroo being al}

ZOOLOGY.

the animals hitherto known, although it is much to be
expected that when the vast internal forests of the country
come to be explored, that animals may perhaps be found
exceeding in singularity and in size any which are now
delineated. Thus the veil of Nature will be gradually
removed, and the advantages of Commerce and Science
ultimately extended to the most distant and unknown re-

gions of the Globe.

All the animals of New Holland seem to be formed with
Jegs and arms either too short or too long. This is remark-
ably the case with the Kangaroo, the Platypus and with the
Kaoli, a new animal of the Sloth kind, lately brought over
from that Country. As this animal is entirely new and
hitherto undescribed, it is our intention to give a delineation
and description of it in one of our succeeding numbers,
from the original animal in Mr. Butiock’s Museum.
The investigation of the different varieties of Nature is at
least highly interesting and instructive, although not at all
times reconcilable to our preconceived ideas of beauty or of
general utility.

The Platypus seems wholly deserted by Nature, as
to any means of defence from its enemies, or from animals
of superior strength, and may therefore be considered as
a perfectly harmless and timid creature.

Ra manny = Pipa oie
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Publithed by J. Stratford Holborn, March 11610.

TL Bisby

s calp.*

ORNITHOLOGY.

PSITTACUS VIRIDIS. GREEN PARROQUET.

FROM NEW HOLLAND.

THE Aras, or Macaw, has been genetally placed by
Naturalists at the head of the numerous family of the Par-
rot tribe, and that chiefly from their superior size and the
magnificent display which they make of their great length
of tail. This distinction seems very proper and indeed
due to them, as it is according to the order of other ar-
rangements of Natural History, the Eagle and Vulture
being placed before the Falcons and Hawks; by this means
we naturally descend to the smaller and less conspicuous
kinds of the Parrot and Parroquet. The Aras, of Macaw,
is discriminated from the other orders by a very particular
mark, which consists in the naked cheek, or rather by a
naked membrane, which being without feathers, embraces
not only the whole of the face but also the lower mandible
of the beak. This membrane which surrounds the eye,
gives to the Physiognomy of the Aras, a disdainful and dis-
agreeable character, it is always found to be white in the
Aras of the New Continent, at least in those species hitherto
found. All of them have the tail very long and variously
divided and joined; to these peculiar characters of all the
Parrotts in general, a bill strong and crooked, which serves
them for climbing ; the upper mandible moveable, the
tongue plump and round and quite blunt; the nostrils round
and situated at the base of the beak, two toes before and two
behind, of which the foremost are very much flattened ;
the tarsus of the foot is short and depressed, and which
forms a rest for their feet when walking.

These birds, according to the report of travellers, genes
rally fly in troops; they perch on the most elevated branches

3 he

ORNITHOLOGY.

of the forest trees; they feed on the different fruits, chiefly
of the Date kind. They are docile and capable of being
iamed and are easily taught some few words, but their
tongue is too thick for them to speak distinctly; and with
a strong and harsh voice they habitually repeat the word
Arra, from which they take their name ;_ they are also long
lived in their own country, but greatly susceptible of the
impression of a colder atmosphere.

The Parroquets on the other hand are distinguished by
a bill and face covered with feathers, and from the different
form of their tails, they have been divided by LevainLant
into three families, of which a future and more particular
description will hereafter be given when the separate species
will be elucidated.

The present bird is the Green Spotted Parroquet of New
Holland, and is supposed to be hitherto undescribed. It is
delineated from a specimen in the Museum of Mr. Buttock,
and is of a form and character highly pleasing. Its gene-
ral colour is of a uniform grass green richly variegated and
adorned with black angular spots, the hinder feathers of the
wings brown, the bill black, and the tail-feathers long and
spotted alternately with black and light green spots. Nature
seems to sport with unbounded variety in the plumage of
the Parrot tribe, yet the transition of the shades is generally
so gradual, owing to the reflection of the rays that every
harsh contrast seems to be carefully avoided. The tufted
species are adorned in a remarkable manner by the spreading
crest, which gives a singular appearance, as they have the
power of raising or depressing it at their pleasure. The
imitation of the human voice, which in some of them is so
close, -as to be hardly distinguished, adds much to the
interest which they otherwise gain over Mankind, and in
some instances they seem, in a certain degree, to possess

ORNITHOLOGY.

that intelligent principle which is denominated Reason.
The number of the species already discovered, it is supposed
must amount to about three thousand, and when the inner
parts of the countries near the South Pole, are farther inves-
tigated, there is little doubt but this curious part of Natural
History will be still further increased and enlarged.

To the above general deseription of the Parrot tribe, we
may add this singular circumstance respecting their mouths,
namely, that they have the power of opening the mouth
wider than any other bird, by means of an elongation of
the hinge of the jaw, without which they would be unable
to eat their food, owing to the great curvature of the upper
mandible of the bill. ‘Their feet are formed like those
of the Cameleon, with two claws before and two behind,
to enable them to ascend or descend with greater ease
amongst the branches of the trees, also to hang downwards
and turn round, of which practice they seem to be particu-
larly fond,

The terms used in describing the Parrot, Parroquet, and
Lory, have been indiscriminately used and confounded with
each other, by which great confusion has been introduced.
Some of our Naturalists following the example of Larnam,
have placed the crested Parrots in a distinct family, but
there seems hardly a sufficient reason for so doing, for iftwo
birds agree with each other in all respects, excepting the
having a crest or haying none, the Genera might then
become too numerous for any convenient purposes of Clas-
sification. Several of the species of Birds which are crested,
particularly the Grebes and Starlings, are not divided from
their congeners, upon the small circumstance of a differ-
ence as aboye mentioned, ‘The form and length of the
Tail is indeed another strong mark; and it seems proper
enough that the form of ihe Bill should be taken into con-
sideration.

ORNITHOLOGY.

The French author, Monsieur LeEvAILLANT, has in
this respect, adopted, as we conceive, a very laudable and
perspicuous arrangement, by placing the Aras at the head
of the grand Work which he has lately published upon this
most interesting subject, afterwards dividing the remainder
of these Tribes into three Genera, by the distinguishing
characters of the Tail. It is our intention therefore to
adopt his system in the future descriptions in this Work,
regarding it as more systematical and classical than any
other that has hitherto been published.

For this purpose we shall shortly present to our Sub-
scribers, a correct Representation of the Ara Militaris, or
Military Macaw, from a fine specimen in the Collection of
Mr. Buxuxock, recently brought over from the South Seas.
These Birds, (the Aras,) partake very much of the cha-
racter of the Eagle, and may be denominated the Kings of
the Parrots, from their superior size and the dignity of their
carriage and demeanour,

In a subsequent number, will also be given, an exact
delineation of the Termes Bellicosus, or African White Ant,
from the same valuable Muscum before mentioned.

G:FPerry, del!

LL Busby, scalp ©

POMACEA MACULATA.

Lublithed by J Stra Yord, Holborn March 11810.

CONCHOLOGY.

POMACEA MACULATA.

Character—Shell univalve, orbicular, spire short, round and
obtuse, mouth open and divided by a circular
margin from the body, beak none,

THE Shell at present to be described, is analogous
to the Helix or Snail in its form and appearance, and has
generally been classed with that Genus by former authors,
nevertheless its distinctions are sufficiently striking to have
prevented such a gross error in its arangement, the mouth
being divided all round from the body by an upright and
distinct margin, which the Helix or Snail Shell is always
without. It is therefore not unappropriately denominated
the Pomacea or Apple-Shell, from its general resemblance
to Pomum, an Apple, the Latin name for that well known
and familiar fruit. It is delineated from a specimen in Mr.
Buxuock’s Museum, and is conceived to be a Native of
the South Sea, but of what part is not at present exactly
known. It may certainly be considered as being very rare.
The colour on the outside is of an olive green; its mouth
of a pale brown, spotted with brown marks; the spire very
small and short, but at the same time strongly furrowed and
very distinguishable. All the fish which-are to be found in
this family of Shells, are highly delicious in their flavor,
and form a most nourishing species of food. Weare in-
formed that the ancient Romans had so great a fondness for
Snails, that they had wells constructed for the purpose of
feeding them, and that they were afterwards sold at very
considerable prices.

The Moderns seem to hold them much in contempt,
and although constantly exposed for sale in the public
markets, seem to be merely appropriated to the sickly and

CONCHOLOGY.

weak, being considered by some as a powerful restorative
in cases of Consumption.

Several of the earliest writers upon Conchology, had
divided the Shells of the Sea from those of the Land, by the
distinguishing names ef the Terrestrial and the Marine, but
this division is now overlooked by the circumstance of
several of them living alternately in fresh water, or Bays
of the Ocean, or in Rivers where the Tides eccasionally
flow inwards and outwards.

The Genus Pomacea does not forma very numerous
assemblage, and indeed has been most surprisingly over-
looked by most of our recent authors. Very few have
hitherto been found on the coasts of England, and those in
general very small. Its natural place is the next in order
to the Genus Helix, before mentioned; it approaches also
in some of its characters to the Genus Bulimus, Melania,
Ancilla, and several others which are without a beak, and
also reside generally in the fresh water rivers and lakes of
different regions.

ENTOMOLOGY.

An Account of the Termites Bellicosus, or White Ants,

foundin Africa: extracted from Mr. Smeathman’s Travels
in that Country.

THE curious history of the Termites, or White Ant
of Africa, has attracted the notice and investigation of
almost all travellers who have visited that immense country,
but hitherto in a very imperfect and unsatisfactory manner.
These extraordinary animals which erect for themselves
buildings of clay, twelve feet high and generally about six
feet broad at the base, are distinguished, like the Bee, the
Ant and other social animals, for the singular art with which
they construct their habitations, which are built with great
strength and solidity. They appear to subsist chiefly upon
decayed timber, or wooden posts found in the villages which
are deserted by the natives, and of these they will devour an
amazing quantity; the reproduction and multiplication of
their own species being astonishing, rapid, and multifarious.
Of the species called Bellicosus, there are three orders, the
working insects, or Labourers; the fighting ones or Soldiers,
which do no kind of labour; and lastly the winged ones, or

perfect insects, which are male and female, and capable of
propagation. ,

These last might very properly be called the nobility or
gentry, for they neither labour, or toil, or fight, being quite
incapable of either, or even of self-defence. ‘These only are
capable of being elected Kings and Queens, and Nature has
so ordained it they generally emigrate in a few weeks after
they are elevated to this estate, and either establish new
kingdoms, or perish within a day or two. When these
insects attack those things which man would not wish to be
injured, they may be considered as being most pernicious,
but when they are employed in destroying decayed trees and
substances, which only encumber the surface of the earth,

ENTOMOLOGY.

they may be justly supposed very useful. The rapid vege-
tation in hot climates, of which no idea can be formed in
other countries, is equalled by as great a degree of destruc-
tion, from natural as well as accidental causes. So when
trees, and even woods, are in part destroyed by tornadoes or
fire, it is wonderful to observe how many agents are employ-
ed in hastening the total dissolution of the rest. In some
parts of Senegal, the number, magnitude and closeness of
their buildings, make them appear like the villages of the
natives, the form of each building being like a sugar loaf.
The inner part is divided into an amazing number of apart-
ments, for the residence of the King and Qucen, and is
considerably larger than the others, it being constantly
also in the centre of the building. The Queen, when at
her full size, becomes very large, and she, as well as the
King, can neyer possibly go out, as the entranees and pas-
sages are only just wide enough to admit the Soldiers or
Labourers, of which great numbers are necessary; and who
are always in the adjoining apartments, to which there are
numerous side passages communicating with each other.
Near these on each side are the magazines and nurseries; in
these are the provisions kept, which consist of raspings of
wood and the particular gums of different plants. There
are also several wide galleries, which intersect the building
in different directions, and the oven, or cell, which contains
the Queen, is placed on level with the external ground and
in the centre of the whole.

It appears that when these animals devour the posts and
beams of the roof of a house, they replace the cavities
which they make by a kind of clay, this, it is supposed, is
to prevent the Ants from following them, and Kemprer
relates an instance of their piercing the leg of a table, then
passing on by the top and down the opposite leg, without
injuring several papers which were left upon it.

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ICHTHYOLOGY.
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THE DOLPHIN,

Delphinus of Pliny. Porcus Marinus of Sibbald.

Character.—Body oblong, round, snout narrew. and pro-
tuberant.

THE Dolphin bears a considerable resemblance in
its external form to the Porpoise, but its nose is more
elongated and acute, the shape of the body also is more
slender throughout, it also grows to a much larger size,
and it sometimes reaches to eight or ten feet in length.
The colour when alive is said to be of a bright green,
spotted with white, which changes much like the Macka-
rel, when it expires; it preys on various kinds of fish
and is said to be sometimes seen attacking and wounding
even the larger kinds of Whales. The mouth of the Dol-
phin is amply furnished in each jaw with a double row
of teeth, and it may on the whole be considered as closely.
allied to the Shark-species. It is said to swim in a crooked
posture, something in the way described by the ancients
in their works of sculpture.

The Dolphin which is herewith delineated, is from
the Museum of Mr. Buttock, and is about three feet in
Jength; the nose of this fish is round and sharply pro-
jecting forwards, ending ina high ridge, continued into
2 long fin upon the back, the belly-fin is also very long
and continuous, the colour of the back is a bright green,
with white spots. Along each side of the body there
runs a line of a dark green colour, which forms a pleasing
@rnament in the appearance of the fish, and the under Jaw

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ICHTHYOLOGY.

of the mouth projects considerably beyond the upper part
of the head, the form altogether is admirably calculated
for swift sailing. Many fabulous reports have been cir-
culated at different times, by former writers, of the attach-
ment of the Dolphin to mankind, of their following close
to the vessels, and sporting in a wanton mood to the
sound of music, as if they had taken particular delight
in the sound of instruments. The poet Ovid describes
the excellent musician Arion, as having performed so ad-
mirably on the Lyre, that he was carried ¢n the back
of a Dolphin, safe to land, in a situation where the rest-
of the mariners were inevitably lost and shipwrecked. But
these devices are to be considered only as the lawful
fiction of the poets, who always delight to deal in the
marvellous. One circumstance however, is indeed very
remarkable, respecting the Natural History of the Dolphin,
and which is strongly confirmed by all navigators, which
is the singular occurrence of a change of colour, which
takes place when removed from its native element, the
the whole body becoming of a bright pink colour, pre-
vious to its death.

The number of species is not at present accurately
known, but it is reported that in the Atlantic Ocean several
kinds exist of a size much superior to those found in the
European seas, but which are difficult to preserve, from
their immense size and consequent tendency to putrefac-
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ZOOLOGY:

THE VICUNA.
Camelus Pacos, Linneus. La Vigogne, Buffon.

THE Pacos or Vicuna of South America, is one of
those animals which was formerly used by the Indians as a
beast of burden, as well as the Lama, which is a larger
creature of a similar nature, both of them having a distant
resemblance to the Camel. Its body is covered with very
fine long wool which is much valued; its colour that of
dried roses or a dull purple; the body and feet white: they
live in vast herds, and inhabit the most elevated parts of the
highest mountains of Peru, where they endure the utmost
rigour of frost and snow.

One of these animals has lately arrived in London, and
exhibits a curious and elegant example of this tribe of
quadrupeds. It is lively and elegant in its form, and seems
to constitute a species between the Antelope and the Camel,
and to fill up the space which Nature has placed between
these two animals, a considerable degree of confusion and
difficulty has arisen with respect tothe distinctions which
-separate this species from the Lama and the Acalpa, both
of Peru. ‘The figures having been generally very imper-
fect, in order therefore to acquire a greater accuracy in this
instance, we have procured an exact drawing made from
the live animal; and such an opportunity is not likely often
to recur.»

Two Lamas, the one male, the other female, have been
procured for the French Menagerie of Bonaparte, and it
is said they have preserved their health exceedingly well,
haying been previously seasoned ‘in the warmer climate of
Barbadoes; of these an engraving has been published,
which differs very materially from the delineation of Buffon,

ZOOLOGY.

and even all other writers upon the subject. The Acalpa
seems to be an animal distinct from both the Lama and
Vicuna, and is perhaps nearly extinct, as it is said to be in-
capable of all domestication, and has been now entirely
hunted down by the Spaniards.

The manner of taking the Vicuna is singular. The
animal seems to have the same dread of smail waving ob-
jects, which most of the deer kind have. The Indians tie
together several cords with picces of wool or cloth hanging -
from them, across the narrow passes in the mountains about
three or four feet from the ground ; they then drive a herd
of these animals towards them, and they are so terrified by
the flutter of the rags, that they dare not go forward, but
huddle together and suffer themselves ta be killed in great
numbers.

The Acalpa is another animal of Peru, and smaller
than either the Lama or Vicunas it appears not to have
been hitherto well described, which is a strong proof how
much yet remains to be cleared up, respecting the natural
history of that interesting region of the globe. It is credi-
bly reported that when the Spaniards first invaded America,
they found there several curious animals, which are now
either wholly anniliated by the increasing population of the
more solitary districts, or by the useless cruelty of their op-
pressors. Amongst these were several curious kinds of
Dogs and Cats, and which have been lately deseribed na
Spanish work upon the animals of Mexico and South Ame-
rica, that are now supposed to be entirely extinct. This
may not improbably shortly be the case with the Vicuna
and Lama, their place being so amply supplied by the
Horse and the Cow—animals more esteemed by all Euro-
peans for their usefulness and docility.

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FOSSILS

Published by S Stratford Holborn April 727610. * ;

CONCHOLOGY.

CLASS, FOSSILIA. ORDER, UNIVALV.

No. 1. Conus angulatus, Shell univalve spiral, found
in a deep bed of clay at Grignon, near Paris, also at Cour-
tagnon in France; its form is elegant and taper, it differs
considerably from any of the recent Cones at present found
in the sea.
No. 2. Aculea angulata. Shell univalve spiral, the
mouth, having no beak, but the base of the shell continued
wholly round at the bottom.

No. 3. Cerithium loevis. Shell univalve spiral spire,
consisting of thirteen folds or revolutions.

No. 4. Cassis verrucosa. Shell oval and accuminated
in the spire; the cheek or columella invested with small
warty protuberances, the top decussated and reticulated;
the mouth opening into a small channel.

The above shells are of the kind found in different
paris of France, in beds of gravel or clay, at a consider-
able depth in the earth, and are in _ the Museum of Mr.
Buttock in London.

REMARKS.
wh
IT has now been concluded, that the shells and
animal-remains with the Madrepores and other foreign sub-
stances which have been found in almost all the dry parts

CONCHOLOGY.

of the surface of the earth, and in a fossil state, are properly
considered as monuments which bear testimony to the revo-
Jutions which the globe has undergone during the lapse of
ages; and the knowledge of these fossil-remains of marine
animals, and which appear to have lived in the same places
where they are at present found is become highly interesting
to the Naturalist.

The investigation of this subject has acquired a higher
degree of importance from the light which it is calculated to
throw, as well upon the true theory of the globe, as upon
the modifications which the living Shells undergo in the
regions in which they exist.

In reality it plainly appears that the fossil shells and
testaceous animals, equally fossil, and the different marine
fragments found in that state, scattered over very opposite
regions of the globe, upon the highest mountains, in the
middle of solid continents, have been the remains of animals
which have resided 2n these very places, and amongst which
we perceive many which have their exact similitudes, now
existing in our seas,

The quantity of these animal-remains which we find
in the dry parts of the globe is found to be so enormously
great, that we can only suppose them to have been, brought
by the movement of the waters, which have formed large
banks, through the extent of many strata. Amongst these
remains certain shells of a tenuity and delicacy are dis-
covered, and still retaining their form complete. These
considerations seem sufficient to some writers to prove that
these fossil remains have really lived in these very paris
of the globe, and consequently that the sea has withdrawn
itself from the land.

CONCHOLOGY.

The interest with which we examine such objects in-
crease greatly, especially when we endeavour to search
the causes which has given rise to them; for we perceive
plainly that the knowledge of fossils teaches us that the
sea has (for a long time at least) sojourned upon parts
of the globe, which are now elevated above the level of
the sea, joining this to the other facts we find that they
are retired now from the places formerly occupied, thus
yielding to some slow but effectual cause, and from con-
tinuity of this cause, it is probable certain parts of the
earth now known, will become hereafter in the lapse of
time a basin for the sea, as these have already been, and
so onwards, the present basin of the sea will find itself
in some future age conyerted to a dry uncovered continent.

But we do not end here; the knowledge of fossils,
by the different important facts which it presents will become
the index of a perpetual change, although it is true, an
infinitely slow one, which operating in all the climates,
will relatively change all the surface of the globe.

Furthermore, amongst the fossil remains of animated
nature found in Europe, there is evident proof, that these
bodies could not have existed long in a climate such as
that where they are now found.

The shells, of which the similitudes do not exist in
our seas, but in the hotter climates, make up part of
those found in our fossil mines. Thus the Nautilus Pom-
pilius is found at Courtagnon and Gregnon which is one
proof, and this is notthe only one, the Rostellaria Fissu-
rella is said to be found recent in the Eastern seas, (vide
Martini) the Pes Pelicani also, and the Turbo Clathrus
are reported (although upon a vague rumour) to be found
in both the fossil and recent states, the Cyprza: Sulcosa

CONCHOLOGY.

‘a. fossil from Grignon, resembles very much the Cyprea
Costata of Gmelin, vol. 5, 3413. The Oliva Triatula of
Gmelin has some resemblance to the Oliva Canalifera of
the Grignon fossils. The Purpura Lapillus of Courtagnon
is no other than the very same shell as the Buccinum
Lapillus of Linneus, a native of the English coast. The
Septa Rubecula, of Mr. Perry’s Work on Conchology,
is also supposed to be the same shell which is found in
a fossil state in several museums. We know also one
species of Cyprxa found recent on the English coast, the
Cyprza Pediculus of Pennant, this is suspected to be the
same which is sometimes found in a fossil state.

The above remarks are chiefly taken from the writings
of Lamarck, &c. In answer to these observations of this
celebrated writer, I have only to remark that his instances
are very few which he brings of a perfect similarity ex-
isting between the fossil and recent shells. 1t may also
be added that upon an actual examination, many of those
which he seems too hastily to have judged to be similar
are found to be essentially and specifically different in
form. It is therefore more rational perhaps to conclude
that there are no fossil shells at all similar to the recent —
ones, in the specific character, though there thay be some
general resemblance, to the eye of the spectator, who is
not precisely critical in the observation of such objects.

Mr. Sowrrsy has observed, very justly, that the
fossil Nautilus, found at Brentford, differs very materially
from the recent Nautilus Pompilius of Linnzus, and from
all others yet known in a recent state; and no doubt similar
distinctions exist in the others.

The Polypi, Madrepores, Marine Plants, and Oceanic
Shells, attest (o our senses and judgment very obviously, the
revolutions which the surface of the earth has undergone im

CONCHOLOGY:

former ages. The highest mountains have undoubtedly
been covered or enveloped for a certain time, by the waters
of the ocean, by some great external revolution, and the sea
has served no doubt.as a vehicle to convey these submarine
vestiges to parts, where the human mind would least expect
to find such an assemblage, in beds of clay, of chalk, or
limestone, and in short almost every variety of situation.

At Grignon, about seven leagues from Paris, innumer-
able Fossil Shells have been found in a bed of calcareous
sand. At Courtagnon also near Rheims, in a sand bank of
a more silicious nature than at Grignon. In Hampshire
also, and the Isle of Wight, at Greenwich and Brentford
numerous quantities of shells have at various times been
found, inclosed in deep beds of gravel 30 or 40 feet deep..

Lamarck observes that the Fossil Shells of France and
England are all of similar genera, and related to each other
exactly in their form; the variety however of the French
Fossils seems to be greater, several species of them have an
exact resemblance in form and size, so that they seem to
have been deposited by one general involution of the sea.
It is very natural to suspect that they were brought from
some very distant seas or coasts, and this has been indeed
the general opinion of writers upon this subject, as we have
no recent species in our own seas which by any means
resemble them in the specific form: nevertheless many of the
genera of Fossil Shells have a distant affinity to the recent
kinds, at present discoverable in the Southern Seas, and
which by analogy indeed may be said to prove (if such
proof will be allowed) that the immense oceans of the South-
ern part of the World, are the depository or storehouse
from whence these shells were originally driven to our
northern latitudes, and there left by the retiring of the
waters. -These shells are scattered partially over particular ’

I

CONCHOLOGY.

parts of the surface of all Europe, and tlie Mountains, of
which they form very often a material and substantial part,
are evidently of a different shape externally to all others that
we are acquainted with. ‘The arrangement of form, and the
shape of their summits is always alluvial or rounded, and
waved with gently undulated lines, as every soft and pulpy
mass would naturally be when operated upon by a fluid,
and by a successive agitation of the waters of the ocean.

- This idea suggests itself to the mind upon examining
the different forms of the Mountains of Portsdown, and the
chalk hills which are so remarkable in the Southern coun-
tries arid the internal part of England, which latter have
inclined, and dipping strata of rock, and which may be
supposed to possess their primeval form.

These immense Masses of chalk, according to this
theory, may be considered as nothing more than the alluvial
remains of some violent agitation of the waters of the ocean,
and which will be more fully expsained in deductions drawn
from a full survey of the facts which nature presents to our

view.

Remarks on the English Fossils.

IN the Fossil Relique found at Willsden, Middle-
sex, the shells were remarkable for their form, and the
fewness of the number which were found; and they were
inclosed in a very solid stratum of steatite or soap rock,
subsistent to bed gravel and flint stones. Several fragments
of carbonaceous black wood of a fibrous texture were found
with them, and several pieces of glassy scoria and lava,
which were filled in part with air bubbles, and had evidently
been at some former period in a state of fusion. The

CONCHOLOGY.

shells themselves had evidently been in a heated state from
some subterraneous cause, previous to their being deposited
by the great diluvial commotion which removed them from
their oyiginal habitation. The inner substance of the shells
seemed eyidenily to consist of an animal substance, incine-
rated and carbonized; and in some of the Teliine the surface
was full of cracks, and discoloured in such a manner. as
could only happen from a sudden and violent degree of
heat. These are to be considered as eyident traces, in this
instance, of some volcanic cause having existed at a distant
period of time; and modern discoveries have confirmed
the idea of volcanos being found in almost every country
known at present: such is the hill of Cloud Thorpe, in
Derbyshire, and of Cader Idris, in North Wales. But it is
plain that volcanos are not peculiar to mountaineous countries,
although any mountain that is very high and conical may
be suspected to be volcanic, witness Teneriffe, the Andes
and Cordilleras in Peru, with many others. In Italy, which
with the surrounding islands and coasts, may be called the
modern Laboratory of Volcanos; it is frequently observed
eyen by the evidence of the present century, that many
small islands and eyen continents, become formed from the
very sea itself by the upheaving of subierraneous volcanos,
causing at the same time a subsidence in some regions from
the falling in of strata, and in others the accretion of moun
tains and hills by the gradual deposition of their mineral
products. Some great external revolution of the waters
must however be supposed once to have existed, to account
for the phenomena of vegetable and animal remains found
in continents now so far distant from the Sea. Perhaps the
inclination of the earth’s axis to the plane of its orbit, whe-
ther it happened suddenly or gradualy, may have caused
such a change in the direction ot the oceanic and equatorial
waters of the ocean, as to make them desert some regions,
leaying them capable of subsidization and vegetation for the

CONCHOLOGY.

purposes of animal and vegetable life, and invading other
regions more exposed to their resistless and overwhelming
force. The Flood however appears to our minds from all
evidence we can derive from facts and reasoning, to have
been attended with a sudden and Vislent impetus of the

greater oceans, from some cause which afterwards gradually
subsided.

If ever the axis of the Earth became suddenly altered
to its present inclination by the attraction of a comet, this
would at once account reasonably and theoretically for
the great and awful effect. For the equatorial and southern
waters which swell gradually out from the centrifugal
force of the earth in its diurnal motion, would be sud-
denly impelled forwards, rush over and cover the whole
North West contment of Europe, and certain parts of
Asia and Africa... Perhaps its force might even reach over
the continent of America. If the earth with a constant
diurnal motion keeping this degree of inclination in its
axis, went on regularly in its annual orbit, the waters
would again retire from those Continents which it had
invaded and enveloped, and the surface of the earth would
be renewed and re-animated from those parts which had
all along remained untouched and unbroken. The parts
of the earth which would escape the force of such an
overwhelming change of the waters, being most distant
from the Equator, would be the whole of the large con-
tinent of New Holland, and some parts of Asia, Africa,
and America, and it will be observed that no fossils are
found in New Holland, nor any plants, or animals, or
shells similar to any other part of the world. But in
respect to those plants and animals which are found fosil
in the mountains of Europe, of Asia, and of America,
partially in different districts of these regions, these reliques
are asserted to be now living in the Equatorial regions,

CONCHOLOGY.

viz. the Elephant, the Ceylon and Gangetic Crocodiles,
and we suspect the Nautilus Pompilius, a remarkable
shell fish (distinguished from all others by its peculiar
structure) the Chatodon Equatoria, and amongst others
of the vegetable tribe, the Mournful Tree (a peculiar
piant well described by Jussieu) the Banana and the
Bamboo. To these may be added the Triplex and Septa
tribes of shells, with all the impressions of fern and sub-
marine plants, Echini, &c¢. which in the living state are
foreign to our northern regions, and which all writers do
agree, from analogical reasoning, came from a southern
and warmer climate. The Southern seas and the Equa-
torial regions are so extensive as to account fully for the
immense quantities and varieties of fossil shells, plants,
and marine exuire, which have at various times been
discovered, Thus it will be found that the best opinion
we can form of the great changes we have observed arises
either from the general action of volcanoes, resulting from
the chemical changes and decompositions of Nature, or
from that great diluvian revolution which was owing to
the flood, or perhaps from both united. Nor can we
suppose these changes to be produced from any gradual
subsidence of the ocean, for if so the effects would be traced
in a more gradual analogy and progression, and not in such
sudden and opposite extremes.

The circumstance of Fossil Shells being found in a
burnt state, and which is not unfrequent in those specimens
which have been found in the mountains of the Tyrol and of
Hungary, are a stong proof that volcanoes did exist before
that time. Nor is the probability denied by modern philo-
sophers, that these eruptions are in general occasioned by a
subterraneous communication of the sea, the latter insinuating
itself through the cavities and strata of the earth, and
meeting with inflammable substances. A general deluge

CONCHOLOGY.

may possibly be considered therefore as a means of at once
diminishing this propensity to the formation of voleanoes, and.
that in the long course of future ages the number and
violence of these eruptions will be gradually diminished,
until nature at last shall rest in undisturbed repose. The
gencral direction and form of the leading continents of the
former earth, seems to have been much the same in their
great outlines, as at the present period, all partial deviations
of the coast and the efforts of volcanoes, lave in general a
peculiar character, operating in a very small proportion or
scale. The great catastrophe which itself must be supposed
to be partial, if produced by the waters of the ocean, might
most probably be occasioned by the sudden inclination of
the earth’s axis, bringing for a certain time an equatorial
flood over a great part of the globe. The objection of a
modern French writer remarks that these fossil remains are
so delicate in their texture and so exquisitely well preserved,
that they could not have been violently hurried by the
waters into their present situation, but must have alway
existed there under a different climate, is unreasonable and
contrary to natural appearances.

For the greatest part of these are really broken and
worn away by some violent pressure, as is evident by their
appearance and by the circumstances of fragments adhering
often in such a way to the Fossil animal body, still preserved
as could only have happened from the circumstance of the
animal being flexible and alive at the time.

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Published 6;

LORIA MARIS.

| Stratford Holborn, April 257810.

LE Busby . s cudp ©

CONCHOLOGY.

CONUS, GLORIA MARIS.

Generic Character.—Shell spiral, oblong, spire short, no
beak, the mouth very long and narrow, ending.at
the base in an open trench arcuated, the whole
form of the shell cone-shaped and pointed

The shell called the Gloria Maris, on account of its
dazzling beauty and the symmetry of its delicate proportions,
is distinguished no less for its great rarity and the propor-
tionably high price which it generally brings from connois-
seurs. ‘The spire consists of several rings, forming a graduat
tapering summit, the body is slightly rounded, as well-as
the cheek of the mouth, the inside of which is white. The
body is of bright olive brown, variegated with white angular
spots placed irregularly ; the larger marks are of a chequered
pattern of a dark rich brown, of the shape of an oblong
square. As these approach to the bottom of the shell, they
are gently turned towards the inside, with the most pleasing
mixture of all the different tint and mixed with grey, which
also occurs irregularly in different parts of the exterior
surface.

That superb shell which was once in the collection of
the late Ducuess of PortLAND, was we are informed, sold
to Lorp TANKERVILLE, whose noble collection of shells it
now adorns. Another we have observed in the British Mu-
seum, and these are, we believe, the only two of the Gloria
Maris, now existing in London.

When the specimens are imperfect from age, the co-
lours are much paler, but the peculiar shape of the spire
and summit will always be a sufficiently characteristic mark

CONCHOLOGY.

to distinguish it from others of its family. By referring to
the Fossil plate in our present number, the reader will per-
ceive the similitude generally existing between the Fossil
and recent shells, and how far the difference of form in these
two instances, separates,and sets them apart although of the
same genus. | —

The Conus has a considerable analogy to the Genus
Volutella, lately established and commonly called the Devil
Shell, but the latter has a much wider mouth, and also a
fluted columella, of the shape of a small screw.

Notwithstanding the great and numerous variety of
species of this kind which have been described, new speci-
mens are almost daily to be met with from the importations
of the sea whalers and others, for almost every Island in the
South sea seems to have its own peculiar shells, distinct
from all others at present known to Conchologist.

iim

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CGrukshanks. del

Bushs

KOALO.

nb. by J Strattord.,Mlay. 1610

ZOOLOGY.

KOALO, or New Hoxuanp Stortn.

Generic Character.—Bradypus or Sloth, having five toes
on each of the fore feet, and four toes on each of
the hind feet ; four cutting teeth in front ; the body
elongated, round, and covered with fine wool ;
the ears bushy and spreading, tipt with dark brown
behind; the head flattened, round; the legs shoit
and depressed, each foot armed with long crooked
prehensile claws; the general colour cinereous,
mixed with a brown tint which predominates on

_ the back; the nose flattened and incurvated down-
_- wards: the form of the molares is unknown.

‘THE Bradypus or Sloth is one of those animals which
are in some degree allied to the Bear, the formation of the
legs and shoulders in a great measure resembling the Iatter.
From this analogy of shape and character, the animal which
has lately been discovered in the East Indies, and has been
described by Bewick as the Ursine Sloth, has excited in the
minds of different philosophers, an expectation of a new and
more correct arrangement of their genera and species. In
this hope however they have hitherto been disappointed, and
we shall most probably have to wait until farther discoveries
in’Natural History shall enable us more accurately to define,
those specimens which we at present exhibit. Even the
different species of Bears are not yet thoroughly understood,

those of Europe not being properly distinguished or de- |

scribed ; but it is a point which the French writers are at
present endeayouring to clear up and make more systematical.
K.

EE

ZOOLOGY.

Previous toa more particular description of the pre-
sent animal, it may be necessary to observe, that although
it does not agree entirely, in the form of its feet, with
either the three-toed or two-toed Bradypus, which are
found in other countries, yet the similitude is so strong
im most peculiaritiés, which it possesses, that-the natu-
ralist may perhaps be considered as fully justified in
placing it with the Genus Bradypus or Sloth. — It is neces-
sary to repeat, that this animal, of which there are but
three or four species known, has received its name from
the sluggishness and inactivity of its character, and for
its remaining for a long time fixed to one spot. It inha-
bits woody situations, where it resides amongst the branches
of trees, feeding upon the leaves and fruit, and is a soli-
tary animal rarely to be met with. It is armed with
hooked claws and the fore feet are in- general longer than
the hinder ones: some of the species of the Bradypus
have a tail, others are without.

Amongst the numerous and curious tribes of animals,
which the hitherto almost undiscovered regions of New
Holland have opened to our view, the creature. which we
are now about to describe stands singularly pre-eminent.
Whether we consider the uncouth and remarkable form
of its body, which is particularly awkward and unweildy,
or its strange physiognomy and manner of living, we are
at a loss to imagine for what particular scale of useful-
ness or happiness such an animal could by the great
Author of Nature possibly be destined. That the soli-
tary and desert wastes of that immense country should be
animated by creatures of so different a texture and appear-
ance to any hitherto known, no Naturalist, however sanguine
in his expectations, could have easily suspected. Many
of the animals that reside in the pathless and extensive
forests of New Holland, are farnished witha flap or appen-

ZOOLOGY.

dage, being a winged membrane covered on the outside
with hair like the rest of the body, and reaching in a
square form from the toes of the fore leg to the binder
one. By the spreading out of these, they can descend,
in the manner of ‘a parachute, from branch to branch, but
at the same time they have no means to fly straight for-
wards. Of these families are various species of Didelphis,
Sciurus volans, Opossum. But it is not to be supposed
that all the animals which reside amongst the branches of
the trees are armed with these useful appendages of motion,
for the Koalo is wholly without them and seems to have
no other means than its claws, which are indeed powerful
and deeply hooked for the purposes of climbing or descent.

The Koalo when fully grown is supposed to be about
two feet and a half in height. [Mr. Buiwocx possesses two
in his Museum, the smallest of these, it is imagined, is a
young one.] The predominant colour of these animals is
a bright brown or snuff colour, but suddenly growing pale
towards the hinder parts or haunches. This animal, like
the Capibara and some other quadrupeds, is wholly without
a tail, and indeed the possession of such an appendage, in
the mode of life which it enjoys, would be of little use,
but rather an annoyance, as it is sufficiently defended from
the flies by the length and thickness of its furry skin. The
ears are dark coloured, bushy and spreading; it has four
ieeth projecting in front, like those of the Rabbit ; but how
the grinders are situated or what is their number is not
hitherto known: The nose is rounded; the fore legs and
underside of the belly pale and ferruginous; the eyes are
sharp and sparkling; each fore foot has two thumbs and three
fingers, the latter conjoined; and the hinder foot has two
thumbs and two fingers, the latter conjoined ; which sin-
gular combination assists them very materially in clasp-
ing hold of the branches of the trees.

ZOOLOGY.

The Kaolo is supposed to live chiefly upon berries
and fruits, and like all animals not carnivorous, to be of a
quiet and peaceful disposition. Its only enemies must be
the Racoon and. Dwarf Bear of that country, and from
which it can easily escape by climbing ; and its appear-
ance at a small distance must resemble a bunch of dry
and dead moss. As there are no kind of Tygers or Wolves
known as yet, except the Australasian Fox should be
reckoned as a Wolf, the smaller animals must be upon
the whole more seeure than in most other countries.

The Koalo has more analogy to the Sloth-tribe than
any other animal that has hitherto been found in New
Holland, the eye is placed like that of the Sloth, very
close to the mouth and nose, which gives it a clumsy
awkward appearance, and void of elegance in the combi-
nation. The motions of such a creature being slow and
Janguid, and the back lengthened out by the continual
hanging posture which they assume; they have little
either in their character or appearance to interest the Na-
turalist or Philosopher. As Nature however provides
nothing in vain, we may suppose that even these torpid,
senseless creatures are wisely intended to fill up one of
the great links of the chain of animated nature, and to
shew forth the extensive variety of the created beings which
Gop has, in his wisdom, constructed.

een it
= a

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28 NYSNT LT

‘OUOT'T PRY ULOQI OL" PLOMOREC? SL LG LYSYQHT

“as UwOoOwWw Viars

* 7ep Silt, LT?

ICHTHYOLOGY.

Genus—-SYNGNATHUS, or HIPPOCAMPUS.
Species—FOLIATUS.

Character.—Animal haying a head formed like a Horse,
the body jointed like armour, the fins placed on
a pedicle irregular in their number and position,
no caudal or terminating fin to the tail.

THE Hippocampus, or Sea-horse, has been always
placed by the most eminent Naturalists with the Syngnathus,
which last is to be considered more strictly as a fish, than
the former, which is without a caudal or tail-fin. If we
were to speak with more exactitude we might, not im-
properly, describe the Hippocampus as a marine insect,
forming a distinct tribe by themselves. They have a sin-
gular resemblance in their head and neck to a Horse, and
the tail may be compared in some degree to the idea which
we have of a Mermaid, the nose consists of a long trunk
and the mouth is small and placed at tlre end, the body
is not covered with scales, but with a jointed kind of
armour, which is divided into pentagonal plates on the
back and sides, the tail is pointed at the end and divided
in a similar manner. In the specimen before us the fins
are shaped like leaves and are placed upon a membranaceous
projecting base or prop, two and two; there is also a crest
on the top of the head, and a single fin standing upon
the neck; but the most remarkable fin is that which is
placed on the back, as it is of a different form to the
others, being oblong and placed near the commencement
of the tail. This singular animal is a native of Botany
Bay and is found in the seas adjacent to that curious
country, it feeds in the shallow bays and coasts upan small

ICHTHYOLOGY.

marine insects. The Hippocampus which is found in the
West Indies, differs considerably from the above in its
general form, having a shorter trunk and body, and seems
to swim in a more erect form. In contemplating the strange
and eccentric arrangement of shapes in this singular anj-
mal, we cannot help supposing that it is possible the idea of
a Dragon or Cockatrice might first have been derived from
such a source, its novel and romantic outline being well
calculated to impress the mind of the Painter with such
an image.

The size of the Hippocampus when alive is about seven
or eight inches, but there is a difference in this respect, in
the male and female. ‘The colour is of pale amber, shaded
with brown, but in its living state, is said to be of a
beautiful bright blue colour on the back and sides.

This circumstance is confirmed by General Davis, a
gentleman whose zeal for the study and advancement of
Natural History has kindly furnished us with several very
useful observations.

The fish called Syngnathus, or Pipe Fish, we cannot
help considering, as decidedly distinct from the proper
Hippocampus, to be divided into a separate genus, and we
regard the different form of the tail already deseribed as
quite a sufficient reason.

Other Naturalists, however, are of opinion, that they
may both be included under the general term of Acus, our
reason for differing from them will be seen in the Generic
Character at the head of the Chapter. ssi 9

ENTOMOLOGY.

Continuation of the History of the African Anis.

THE first object of admiration which strikes the spec-
tator upon opening their hills, is the behaviour of the
soldiers. If a breach be made in their building with a
hoe or pickaxe, in a few seconds a soldier will run out
and walk about the breach, as if to see wether the ene-
my is gone, or ‘what is the cause of the attack. He will
sometimes go in again as if to give the alarm, but most
frequently in a short time is followed by two or three
others, who run as fast as they can, who are soon overtaken
by a large body who rush out as fast as the breach will
permit them, the number increasing as long as any one
batters the building. It is not easy to describe the rage
and fury they shew; in their hurry they frequently miss
their hold and tumble down the sides of the hill but recover
themselves as quickly. as possible, and bite every thing
they run against. On the other hand, if they are left
without interruption, they will in less than half an hour
retire into the nest, as if they supposed the wonderful
animal that damaged their castle was gone beyond their
reach. Before the soldiers are all gone in, the labourers
come forth, all in motion, and hastening towards the breach
eyery one with a burthen of mortar in his mouth ready
tempered. This they stick upon the breach as fast. as

they come up, and although there are thousands of them .

there is no hurry or confusion, but a regular wall gra-
dually arises, filling up the chasm. Here and there a
solitary soldier will be seen, who saunters about but never
touches the mortar either to lift or carry it, now and then
he will raise his head and with his forceps beat upon the
building as if to encourage the others, upon which.a loud

ENTOMOLOGY.

and general hiss takes place from the labourers, who seem
to hasten at such signal, redouble their pace and work
as fast again. If however the assailant should renew his
attack upon the building, the scene suddenly changes, a
loud hiss takes place and the labourers suddenly withdraw
into their pipes and galleries, ina moment they all vanish
and the soldiers come forth as numerous and vindictive
as before. On again ceasing with the attack they retire
and the labourers once more come forth peaceably to their
work. The royal chamber, where the King and Queen
reside, is centrally placed and large enough to hold many
hundreds of the attendants, several of these serve the pur-
pose of nurses, for the deposting of the infant eggs which
are laid by the Queen. The marching Termites are not
less curious in their order than those above described,
and they are larger and scarcer, they live in holes of the
ground about four or five inches wide, from which they
issue in vast numbers and afterwards divided into two streams
or columns, twelve or fifteen abreast, and crowded like
sheep, going straight forward in’a direct course without
deviation to the right or left. The soldiers, who are larger
than the others, -phkace themselves on each side of the
path and stimulate the Ants to move forwards by a striking
noise, which the army return by a loud and general hiss,
and by an increased pace and motion. The C£aonomy
of Nature is wonderfully displayed in the species which
reside under ground, which have no eyes until they
arrive at a more perfect and winged state, at which time
they become furnished with organs suitable to their change
of situation. :

-The nests are formed of a dark brown clay, which
when burnt affords a fine and clear red brick. Within,
the whole building is pretty equally divided into innumera-
ble cells of irregular shapes, sometimes they are quadrangu-
lar or cubic and sometimes pentagonal; but often the angles

ENTOMOLOGY.

are so ill defined, that each half of the cell will be shaped
like the outside of that shell which is called the Sea Ear.

Each cell has two or more entrances, and as there are
galleries communicating with passages erected under ground
on each side, they have ina great measure a certain place
of escape to which they can retire when their principal house
is destroyed. But to return to the Cities from whence these
extraordinary expeditions and operations originate, it seems
there is a degree of necessity for the galleries under the hills
being thus large, being the great thoroughfares for all the
labourers and soldiers going forth or returning from business,
the fetching of clay, wood, water or provisions; and they
are certainly well calculated, for the purposes to which they
are applied, by the spiral slope which is given them, for if
they were perpendicular the labourers would not be able to
carry on the building with so much facility, as they ascend
a perpendicular with great difficulty, and the soldiers can
scarce doit atall. Itis on this account that sometimes a
road like a ledge is made on the perpendicular side of part
of the building, within the hill, like those roads which are
sometimes cut out of the sides of mountains, which would be
otherwise inaccessible, by which and similar contrivances
they travel with great facility to every part.

It has been observed before that of every species of Ter-
mites there are three orders, of these the working insects or
labourers seem to be most numerous, and in the Termes Bel-
licosus there seems to be about one hundred labourers to one
soldier or fighting insect. ‘They are in this state about a
quarter of an inch long, and from their external habits and
fondness for wood have been not inexpressively called Wood
Lice, by which name the French know them. They resem-
ble them it is true very much at a distance, but they run as

L

ENTOMOLOGY.

en

fast or faster than any other insect of their size, and are
incessantly bustling about their affairs.

The seeond order, or soldiers, are of a different form,
having undergone a total change, they are larger than the
Jabourers, being generally half an inch long and are suppo-
sed by some Authors to be the males. The jaws of the mouth
are shaped like two very sharp awls jagged, and are capable
of piercing and wounding their enemies, being as hard as a
Crab’s claw and placed in a strong horney head.

The third order is a winged insect, and differs from
the former one in having large brown transparent wings,
with which at the time of emigration it flies in search of
a new settlement. In the winged state they are much enlar-
ged in size, being now seven tenths of an inch in length.
They are also furnished with two large eyes placed on
each side of the head and very conspicuous, which if they
have any before are not easily to be distinguished. Probably
in their two first states, their eyes, if they have any, may be
small, like those of the Moles, for which as they live a great
part of their time under ground, they have little occasion,
and are of course undistinguishable. Not only all kinds of
Ants, birds and carnivorous reptiles, as well as insects, are
upon the hunt for the ‘Termites, but the inhabitants of many
parts of Africa use them as food, made into a pleasant tasted
pastry, with an admixture of flour.

The most remarkable circumstance in the Queen, is
ihe great enlargement of size which takes place in the abdo-
men during the state of pregnancy, during which they are
expanded to the length of three inches, like an oblong ball
of white Cotton. ‘This circumstance also takes place in the
Pulex Penetrans of Linn xus, commonly called the Jigger
of the West Indies, and also in the different species of
Coccus or Cochineal Insec

ENTOMOLOGY.

The Termites Arborum, those which build in trees,
frequently establish their nests within the roofs and other
parts of houses, to which they do considerable damage if

not early extirpated.

The large species are however more difficult’ to be
guarded against, since they make their approaches chiefly
under ground, descending below the foundations of houses
and stores at several feet from the surface, and rising again,
either in the stores or entering at the bottoms of the posts,
of which the sides of the buildings are composed, boring
quite through them, following the course of the fibres to the
top, or making lateral cavities as they proceed.

While some are employed in gutting the posts, others
ascend from them, entering a rafter, or some other part of
the roof. If they once find the thatch, which is their
favorite food, they soon bring up wet clay and build their
pipes and galleries, through the roof in various directions
as long as it will support them. In the mean time the posts
will be perforated in every direction, as full of holes as that
part of a ship’s bottom which has been bored by worms, the
fibrous and knotty parts being left to the last. The sea
worms, so pernicious to shipping, appear to have the same
use and office allotted them which the Termites have on
Jand. They appear to be the most important beings in the
great chain of creation, and pleasing demonstrations of that
infinitely wise and gracious Power which formed the whole
in harmonious order. If it was not for the rapacity of these
and such other animals, tropical rivers and indeed the ocean
itself would be choaked up with the bodies of trees annually
carried down by rapid torrents, and as many of them would
last for ages, would be productive of evils, of which we can
hardly form any adequate idea.

ENTOMOLOGY.

They sometimes in carrying on their attacks, discover
(although it is difficult to conceive how) that the post has
some weight to support, and then if it is a convenient track
to the roof, they bring their mortar and fill up all or most
of the cavities, leaving the necessary roads, and as fast as
they take away the wood, replace the vacancy with that
material. This they work together more closely and com-
pactly than any human art or strength could ram it, and
when the house is pulled to pieces to examine the posts, the
greater part is found transformed from wood to clay.

These singular insects are not less expeditious in de-
stroying the shelves, the wainscot and other fixtures of a
house than the house itself, they are particularly fond of
Pine boards and Fir, which they excavate in a wonderful
way, carrying away the inside and leaving only a paper-
like surface, which will not weigh more than two sheets of
pasteboard. On these accounts the inhabitants are careful
to set their chests and boxes on stones or bricks so as to raise
the bottoms above the ground, which preserves them from
being so readily discovered by these insects, and also the
numerous tribes of Cockroaches, Centipedes Millepedes,
Scorpions and other noisome insects. Madam Merian de-
scribes a kind of Ant in the East Indies, which is smaller
than the Termites, which strip the trees of their leaves,
which they cut into a round form similar to a Parasol, and
are seen travelling along their roads, each with one of these
small coverings in his mouth, from whence they received
the name of the Parasol Ants. There is also another which
is found in Tobago which is highly mischievous to wooden
buildings, but of which no complete description has yet
been imparted by any writer upon Natural History.

OP. ael&

BULIMUS ZEBRA,

a

Published by J S&attord , Holborn May. 1. 1810.

CONCHOLOGY.:

Genus—BULIMUS. Species—BULIMUS ZEBRA.

Character—Shell univalve, spiral, the spire and body gib-
bous, the summit mamillary or rounded, having
no beak or rostrum, the cheek joined to the base of
the columella by an undulated curve, the form of
the left side of the mouth arcuated. |

THE genus Bulimus has been by some writers upon
Conchology placed with the Bulla or Buccinum, in the
form of the spire and body, however, there is a striking dif-
ference, sufficient to distinguish it compleatly from the
former. ‘The genus Bulla has no spire protruding exter-
nally, but its revolution is involved or included internally,
and the Buccinum is remarkable for a protuberant band,
which is thickened and twisted upon the hinder part of the
rostrum.

In the Bulimus the base of the shell is wholly joined
and has no open cavity, except in front, and is therefore to
be considered as wholly joined to the columella and body by
a gradual rounding, forming a pleasing serpentine line.
The internal surface of the mouth is grey undulated with
darker shades, ihe outside of the shell is richly striped with
purple, brown and yellow, and on the underside the body is
relieved by a rich blue contrasted by gold colour.

The contrast of the colours in the specimen at present
to be described, is rich and harmonious, it is moulded by
the most graceful forms in Nature, a gently swelling oval
predominates throughout the whole and is charmingly va-
ried on the opposite sides of the shell. The spire is of a
pale amber shade at the top and is ornamented in its differ-

CONCHOLOGY.

ent folds with lines of a bright gold colour running round
each division. It is a native of the South Seas and of the
Islands of New Zealand, and is much valued by collectors
for its rarity and elegant form. The substance of the shell
is thin and bears some resemblance to that transparent ap-
‘pearance which is natural to the Helix, the Cyproea, and
the denser shells, being distinguished by a superior hardness
and firmness of texture and also capable of a higher polish
upon their surface. The Bulimus genus contains many
pleasing varieties, amongst which the minuter kinds that
have lately been discovered in the neighbourhood of New
Holland and Botany Bay, exhibit a most striking and curi-
ous tribe of shells, highly worthy of farther investigation to
the Naturalist, and in all which the analogy of the general
form is wonderfully preserved. The above is delineated
from a specimen in Mr. Buiiock’s Museum.

The genus Melania differs from the Bulimus in having
a thick reflexed margin surrounding the whole of the mouth
and a different colour to the rest of the shell, in other
respects the form and character is very similar and not easi-
ly to be distinguished from the above.

| re seat
oltige an He Bie
i ie ake bs

Drawn & Enortly 77. Busby

MILITARY MACAW.

Pub. by J Stratford, May 1610

ORNITHOLOGY.

ARA MILITARIS; or MILITARY MACAW.

Character—Bill hooked, prehensile, square shaped, blunt;
the under mandible closing into the upper part of
the bill; the cheek covered by a circular naked
membrane surrounding the eye; neck and upper
coyerts of an olive green, the back and other parts
blue; the tail longest in the middle, cuneiform and
spread out.

THE elegant and stately bird which we have selected
for the present subject of observation, is of the Parrot-tribe,
and is one of those singular species lately discovered in New
Holland. Its form is graceful and commanding, and it has
a considerable resemblance, in its general expression of cha-

racter, to the majestic Eagle.

The present extended state of navigation and-commerce
having opened to our view, the knowledge of the most dis-
tant islands and climates, has increased in an amazing degree
our numbers of the Parrot-tribe.

The circumstance of the membrance of the bill resem-
bling that of a Vulture, and alluded to in the generic
description of the Ara, leads us to admire the analogy of
Nature, and at the same time a considerable agreement ex-
ists in the bills of this genus of birds, with several of the
Toucan-tribes.

The Parrot seems to have been little known to the
Ancients, and is only slightly mentioned by Aristotle and
Onesicrites; and the Green Parroquette with a red neck, is

ORNITHOLOGY.

said to have been the original bird, first brought to Europe,
and found to have the curious faculty of imitating the human
voice. The Parrot is distinguished by the roundness of the
head and bill, from almost all other birds, also by the deli-
cacy of his constitution, which cannot brave with safety
the rigours of a Winter climate, however, by domestic
attention he is enabled to endure the severity of the European
Winter, and to repay by affection and sympathy, the care
and regard of his keeper.

The Military Macaw is distinguished chiefly by the
following colours. The crown of the head is of an olive
green, the wings of the same colour, the tail of a pale blue
tint shaded on the top with streaks of maroon red, on the
upper bill there is a small round tuft of red feathers project-
ing forwards, the bill and feet are of a cinereous or Ash
colour; the whole bird having much the appearance of the
German military uniform, from which circumstance it not
inappropriately derives its distinctive name.

4

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“OIQl FUN" PLONIOBS [AQ OM

"HOVANOM

ZOOLOGY.

“\

Genus—OPOSSUM. Species—WOMBACH; OR,
OPOSSUM HIRSUTUM.

‘

Character.—Five cutting teeth in front, next to which two
canine teeth and eight grinders ; body having a
pouch for the young; the tail short, concealed
under the furry skin; the fore feet having five
hooked toes, the hind feet only four toes.

THE Wombach is a newly discovered animal from
Botany Bay, and on many accounts highly deserving the
atiention of the Naturalist. He is a thick short-legged ani-
mal, rather inactive in his motions, and of the size of a
turnspit deg. His figure and movements, if they do not
exactly resemble those of a bear, at least strongly remind us
of that creature. His length from the tail to the nose is two
and a half feet; the head seven inches ; the tail only half an
inch; the hair is coarse and about an inch and a half long,
and thickest upon the loins and rump. The.colour is of a
light sandy brown, varying in its shades, but darkest along
the back. The head is large and flattened, and when look-
ing at the animal’s full face, seems to form nearly an equi-
lateral triangle, any side of which is about seven inches and
a half; the hair lies in regular order upon its face, as if it
were combed, with its ends pointing up like radii, from the
nose as its centre. The mouth has whiskers all round, as also
has each cheek, and the nostrils fourm two distinct cavities
in front, placed near to the mouth, which is short and small.
The fore legs are yery strong and muscular, their length to

M

ZOOLOGY.

the sole of the paw is five inches and a half; the hind legs
are less strong and muscular than these, and their length is
also five and a half inches. In size the sexes are nearly the
same, but perhaps the female is to be considered as being
rather the heaviest. |

The Wombach seems to live generally in a loose sandy
soil, burrowing in the ground and concealed under the
‘bushes, near the foot of the hills at Port Jackson. It feeds
upon grass and roots, which it scrapes up with its claws,
and is of a perfectly harmless and inoffensive disposition ;
if, however, violently offended, or teazed, it will snap at the
person who provokes it. It has shewn frequently symptoms
of docility and affection to its keeper, and will beg for food
sometimes, by placing one its fore feet against the knee in
the manner of a lapdog. This circumstance seemed to in-
dicate, that with kind treatment, the Wombach might soon
be rendered extremely tame and friendly, and probably af-
fectionate ; but let his tutor beware of giving him provoca-
tion, at least if he should be full grown. The Wombach
has also been found in Furneaux’s Islands, in the South
Seas, also at Van Diemen’s Land; and according to the ac-
cording to the account given by the natives, the Wombach
of the mountains is never seen during the day, but lives re-
tired in his hole, feeding only in the night ; but that of the
islands is seen to feed in all parts of the day. The country
which these animals inhabit, is in general very destitute of
vegetation ; it is therefore probable that the grass or leaves
which they eat, may by no means constitute the whole of
their food; but that they may also devour some of the
smaller reptiles, which would serve to strengthen the sup-
posed analogy they have to the hog species, which are well
known to be graminivorous, as well as carnivorous, haying
their stomachs appropriated for that sort of nourishment. .

ZOOLOGY:

We shall conclude our description of this curious ani-
mal with the following account of the taking of a live one,
as mentioned by Mr. Bass, in the Second Volume of
Cotxtns’s Account of New Holland :—‘* The Wombach
has not any claim to swiftness of foot, as most men could
run it down. Its pace is hobbling or shuffling, something
like the aukward gait of a bear; but it bites hard, and is
furious when provoked. Jt was in such circumstances only
that I ever heard its voice, it made a low cry, between a
hissing and a whizzing, which could not be heard at the
distance of more than forty yards. I chaced one of them,
and with my hand placed under his belly, suddenly lifted
him off the ground without hurting him, and laid him upon
his back along my arm like a child. 1t made no noise, nor
any effort to eseape, not evena struggle. Its countenance
was placid and undisturbed, and it’seemed as contented as
if it had been nursed by me from its infancy. I carried the
beast upwards of a mile, and often shifted him from arm to
arm, sometimes laying him upon my shoulder, all of which
he took in good part; until being obliged to secure his legs”
while I went into the brush to cut a specimen of new wood,
the creature’s anger arose with the pinching of the twine ;
dhe whizzed with all bis might, kicked and scratched fu-
riously, and: snapped off a piece from my jacket, with his
grass-cutting teeth. Our friendship was here at an end,
and the creature remained implacable all the way to the
boat, ceasing to kick only when it was exhausted. Besides
Furneaux’s Islands, the Wombach inhabits, as has been
seen, the mountains to the westward of Port Jackson; in
both these places its habitation is under’ ground, being ad-
mirably formed for burrowing, but to what depth it descends,
does not seem to be ascertained. His food is not well
known, but it seems probable that he varies it, according to
the situation in which he may be placed. The stomachs of

ZOOLOGY.

such as I examined, were distended with coarse wiry grass ;
and aswell as others, I have seen the animal scratching
among the dry ricks of sea weed thrown up upon the shores,
but could never discover what he was in search of. Now
the inhabitant of the mountain can have no recourse to the
sea shore for his food, nor can he there find any wiry grass
of the islands, but must live upon the food that circumstances
present to him.

«¢ These islands, besides the Kangaroo and Wombach,
are inhabited by the Porcupine Ant-Eater; a Rat with webbed
feet ; Parroquettes and small birds unknown at Port Jackson,
some few of which were of beautiful plumage. Black
Snakes, with venomous fangs, were numerous upon the edges
of the Brush. The rocks towards the sea were covered with
Fur-seals of great beauty. ‘This species seemed to approach
nearest to that named, by naturalists, the Falkland Island
Seal.

*< In point of animated life, Nature seems (says Mr.
‘Bass) to have acted so oddly with this and the neighbouring
islands, that if their stores were thoroughly ransacked, I
‘doubt not but the departments of Natural History would be
enlarged by more new and valuable specimens than could
‘be acquired from any land, many times their extent.” —.
‘(From a specimen in Mr. Buuxiock’s Museum.)

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Bisa

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Drawn & Engreva by TL Sb.

NEw WoOLLAND CRANE.

AN

Pub 4 by I Stcatiord, FuneLEi0.

ORNITHOLOGY.

Genus—ARDEA; or, CRANE. Species-ARDEA
RUBICUNDA:; or, RED-HEADED CRANE
OF NEW HOLLAND.

Character.—Bill elongated, straight and pointed; head
bare of feathers on the sides; body oblong and
oval; neck very long; legs tall, and the thighs
imperfectly covered with feathers.

THE Crane, Heron, Stork and Curlew, form a large
part of the natural division of birds, called the Waders; or,
Grallz : to these the present undescribed bird, from Botany
Bay, is closely assimilated in its form and external habits,
and may be very properly referred to the Ardea ; or, Crane.
Its natural food is supposed to consist of fish, and various
aquatic reptiles, for which it searches, with much patient
care and attention, on the banks of stagnant pools and rivers
in the manner of our own English Heron. For this pur-
pose its long and taper legs are admirably calculated, and
its head being placed aloft, can view to a considerable dis-
tance amongst the reeds and long grass, those objects of
which it is in pursuit.

The Ardea Rubicunda has a very considerable resem-
blance to a bird described by Mr. Epwarps, in his Account
of Foreign Birds, under the name of the Greater Indian
Crane ; but some material differences occur in the feet and
crest. In the present bird there is certainly an appearance
of a web between each of the toes of the foot, which in the
drawing of Mr. Edwards, does not at all appear. He alsoex-
hibits it with a tuft of black feathers projecting from the
back of the head all round the neck, which in this specime
is quite different. Wa

ORNITHOLOGY.

The small and taper form of these singular birds gives
them a facility of motion, suited to their situation, and
which they could not otherwise attain ; how inconvenient,
unsuitable and heavy would the splendid tail of the Peacock
be found, if we were to suppose it changed for that of the

Crane? or if he had the short legs of the Woodpecker or

Dotterell, how ill suited would he be to procure his necessary
food ?

It is observable, that in their flight these birds always
contract their long neck, into a crooked line, doubling it
towards their body, in order to balance it through the air,
and that the action of their wings is more slow and majestic
than that of most other birds. If it should so happen that no
food should offer itself in the fresh water marshes or stagnant
pools where they usually resort, they flock sometimes in im-
mense numbers to the sea shore, at which time their flesh
becomes rancid and disagreeable. Nature has so provided
for them, however, that they are able to endure the wants of
hunger for an amazing length of time, otherwise in their
long periodical journies they would be wearied and ex-
hausted from the length of fatigue.

The Red-headed Crane, measures about five feet and a
half in height, and may be considered as the tallest of the
Crane-kind at present known ; from wing to wing it measures
six feet three inches; the general colour cinereous ; the
pinion, tail, and chin are black ; the legs of a dark brown,
and the bill of an orange colour ; the back of the neck hasa
xed carunculated skin, without feathers, and in the middle
thereof a circular patch of a brown colour ; the form of the
body ovated and oblong ; and the tail ends abruptly in a
sudden recurvature. It differs entirely from the Ardea Anti-
gone of Linnewus.—(From a specimen in Mr. BuLtock’s
Museum.) ri

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TRIPLE

Stratiora, June 220

CONCHOLOGY.

Genus—TRIPLEX. Species—TRIPLEX FOLI-
ATUS.

Character.—Shell spiral univalve; the body, spire, and
beak invested with three sept or membranaceous
divisions, formed into tubercles and spines; the
mouth round and carunculated, colour varying
from a reddish brown toa pale rose colour.

IT has been very justly remarked by different Con-
chologists, that the external form of Sea Shells (and indeed
of the Land Shells also) affords the only certain criterion by
which each genus may be distinguished. For of the shape
and constitution of the animal itself we must remain for ever
ignorant, as the only state in which the greatest number are
obtained, is when they are empty and deserted by the ani-
mal, washed up by the force of tempests or currents of the
sea. The triplex genus of Shells are remarkable for their
triangulated form, which is occasioned by three thick di-
visions placed lengthwise on the outside of the Shell, and
which form its chief ornament. Other Shells, which in
many respects have a resemblance to it, are distinguished in
a similar way: the Monoplex has one fold on its body; the
Giplex two folds; the Hexaplex six folds, and so on with
the following species, until we arrive at the greatest num-
ber, the Polyplex, in which the folds are very numerous,
but the number not defined, and indeed of these latter but
few have been discovered, and those only in the Southern
Ocean and islands lately discovered by the investigations
of Captain Cooke and other navigators.

Amongst the most agreeable and pleasing forms of
Shells, which the extensive regions of the East Indies have

CONCHOLOGY.

offered to our view, we may class the Triplex Foliatus, so
named from the leafy divisions and branches, forming its
spines and covering its whole surface. Not indeed that
there is much variety in the colours or marking of the
Shell, as there are many which are more magnificently
painted, but because of the elegant and taper character
which it every where exhibits. The plan or structure of
the Shell is three-fold, from hence its distinctive name is
derived, and the folds or divisions being placed longi-
tudinally, are spread out into branching extremities, most
gracefully divided and inverted back upon the body. ‘The
mouth is embossed with a fringed edge; the rostrum or
beak richly ornamented with spines of different sizes and
directions, divided and pointed at the extremities. This
Shell has received the common name of the Rosebush,
though we cannot perceive any striking resemblance in such
a comparison ; the extremities of the spines are, however,
often tinged with a slight shade of rose colour, which may
be one cause of its receiving that name.

Several instances have occurred in specimens of this
Shell, of the animal having added a fourth fold to the other
three before mentioned, in which case the mouth of the Shell
becomes almost closed up. This additional inclosure is
very common in Shells of the Triplex kind, and is to be
considered as a monstrous or unnatural accretion in the
growth of the Shell, in the same manner as cows and other
animals are sometimes found to have more horns than usual,
and which are to be considered as deviations from the gene-

ral laws of Nature.

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MANTIS FOLIATUS.

Lub“ by J. Strattord, June 1610.

ENTOMOLOGY.

* Genus—MANTIS. Species—MANTIS FOLIA-

CEUS; or, WALKING LEAF.

Character—The antenne filiform; the head heartshaped ;
six legs, the foremost with falciform hands, and
a thumb of five joints; the hemelytre folded
crosswise of the length of the wings beneath
them. - . j
THE family of the Mantis differ from the insects
called the Phasmata, or Spectra, in having the antennz
placed on the forehead between the eyes; whereas in the
Phasmata, or Spectra, they stand on the sides of the head,
far apart from each other. The legs of the Phasmata are
all formed for running, like each other, and are placed so
near to the head, that they are excavated near the base, to
make room for the head between them. The Mantis has
instead of fore legs, arms with scissar-formed hands ; the
upper arms and elbows are dentated or fringed.

The Mantis may also be subdivided into two families ;
the gouty ones, which have leaves on their legs, and the
round-legged ones, which are without them. ‘These also
may be divided again into two parties; those which
have round eyes, and those which have angular ones.
These distinctions have been ably elucidated by Dr.
LicuTeEnstTEIN, in the Sixth Volume of the Linnzan Trans-
actions, and which agrees in the main with the learned
FABRICIUS.

There is a remarkable difference also in the mode of
life of the Phasmata and Mantis; the former live solely on

N

ENTOMOLOGY. | a

ra .
vegetable food, laying their eggs like Grasshoppers, in the —
earth; the females being furnished with a style for deposit-
ing them, of an ensiform figure, and covered by leaflets, —
which are found on the last division. of the abdomen: the ~
Mantis, on the contrary, confine themselves intirely to food
taken from the animal kingdom ; their falciform hands serv-
ing to catch and carry to their mouths the flies and other
small insects which they devour; with regard to their meta-
morphosis, they never lay their eggs in the earth, but fix
them on atwig, straw, or blade of grass, and these in rows or
regular masses. hide

The insect at present figured, is from a specimen in
Mr. Buxyock’s Museum, and has a striking resemblance to
the form of a leaf in its wings and coverings, called the
Hemelytre. This curious circumstance, giving to the ani-
mal the appearance of a bunch of dead leaves, is undoubt-
edly intended for its preservation and providential escape _
from birds or enemies who would attack it; its colours and
form serving as a complete disguise. The providence of
Nature is indeed very obvious in the same way in many
other instances of the animated creation; thus the insect
kingdom are found generally to be of a similar colour and
appearance to the objects upon which they feed, which
serves as a preventive check upon their ultimate destruction,
which otherwise might too fatally ensue. ‘Thus partly by
means of defence, and partly by means of disguise and.
escape by flight, or other natural means, these small and
seemingly insignificant creatures elude the attacks of théir
incroaching and formidable adversaries. The colour of the
wings of these insects is infinitely varied, sometimes green,
red, or brown, but always bearing a strong resemblance to
the general. form of a leaf; and hence they have received
their characteristic name. be

©

#

Extractiof a Tour, by Mr. Glas.

SNe ee ee
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“rs We sil ‘ % Sie is
Extract of an Account of a Tour made at the
Top of the Peake of Teneriffe, by. Mr. Guasy.,
in the year 1761.

<¢ The Island of Teneriffe, the highest and most conspi-
cuous of that groupe which has been called the Canaries, is
situated in the Atlantic Ocean; and the Peake, which is by
much the highest point, and resembling in form a cone or
sugar loaf; has been much noticed by those who have had
occasion to pass near it and view its prodigious height.

‘¢ In the month of September, 1761, about four
in the afternoon, 1 set out in company with a friend
from. Port Orataya, to visit the top of the Peake. We
had with us a servant, a muleteer, and a guide; after
ascending gradually for about six miles, we arrived at
sun set at the most distant house’ on this side, and
which stands in a hollow; here we found an aque-
duct, and our servants watered the cattle, and filled
some barrels with water to serve on our expedition. The
valley is very beautiful, abounding with odoriferous trees
and plants, and near the houses are several fields of Indian
corn ; and on this side of the island, the natives have two
crops of grain in the year. Mounting again we travelled
upon a steep road, through trees and shrubs, till we arrived
at that part which is constantly overhung with clouds, and
close to a large wood (it being now midnight) we alighted,

made a fire, and supped ; and then wert to sleep under the
bushes.

‘¢ The moon appearing bright, we mounted again,
and travelled: slowly through an excessively bad road, re-

Extract of a Tour, by Mrs Glas.

ag

had
sembling ruins of stone buildings scattered on,each side,

After we got out of this part, we came upon small white
light pumice-stone, like peas or shingles. Here we rode for
an hour, and the wind being very cold, sharp, and piercing,
our guide advised us to alight and rest till four or five in the
morning.

_ “ We. followed his adyice and entered into a large
cave, the mouth of which was built up to about a man’s
height, to prevent the wind and cold from getting in. Here
we found also some withered branches, with which we
made a large fire to warm ourselves, and passed the time as
well as we could, with one side almost scorched, and the
other benumbed with cold, About five we mounted again,
travelling very slowly, for the road here was very steep and
rugged, till we came to a cottage built of loose stones; the
name of this place, our guide told us, was Estancia de los
Inglesses (or the English Resting Place), for none but fo-
reigners and people who gather brimstone, and by that
means earn their bread, progress that far on the road. Af-
terwards we were obliged to alight, the road being too steep
forriding, until we came to the top of a Rising or Hill,
where there appeared a vast number of great loose stone,
of flat surfaces, ten or more feet every way. ©

‘¢ Here we were compelled to travel by leaping
from reck to rock, for they. were not all close to each
other. Amongst these is a large cavern with a well
or natural reservoir, and into this we descended by a
ladder, which. the poor people have placed there for
that purpose; part of the bottom was covered with
water, but was frozen towards the inner edges; we at-
tempted to drink it, but could not, on account of its
excessive coldness, however the guide filled a bottle which

Extract of a Tour, by Mr. Glas.

he had purposely’ brought from our last station. After tra-
yelling for half a mile over the great stones: or rocks, we
now were arrived at the foot of the real Peake or Sugar
Loaf, which is very steep, and to add to the difficulty of
ascending, the ground is loose and gives way under the
feet, and consequently extremely fatiguing, for although the
length of this eminence is not above half a mile, yet we
were obliged to stop and take breath I believe thirty times ;
but at last we got to the top, where we lay about a quarter
of an hour to rest ourselves, being quite spent with fatigue.
The clouds were now spread out under us like an immense
ocean; and above them, ‘at a distance, we could perceive
something black, which we took to be the Island of Ma-
deira.

‘¢ Had the air been quite clear, | have no doubt but
we could have descried Mount Atlas, in Africa, although
three hundred miles off; for though the Peak can only be
distinguished at sea at the distance of one hundred and fifty
miles, yet the spherical figure of the earth would not pre-
vent our seeing Mount Atlas, because its summit with that
of Teneriffe, would be so far exalted above the horizon.
After we had rested for some time, we began to look about
- and examine the top of the Peake, its dimensions we found
to be as Mr. Even describes, a hundred and forty yards in
length, and one hundred and ten in breadth. It is hollow
and shaped within like a bell subverted. From the edges
or the upper part of this bell or cauldron, as the natives call
it, to the bottom, is about forty yards. In many parts of
this hollow we observed smoke and steams of sulphur issu-
‘ing forth in puffs. |

<¢ The heat of the ground, in some particular places,
“was so great as to penetrate through the soles of our

Extract of a Tour, by Mr. Glas.

shoes to our feet: seeing some spots of earth or soft:
clay, we tried the heat with our fingers, but ‘could not)
thrust them in farther than an inch or two, for the deeper
we went, the more intense the heat. We then took our
cuide’s staff and thrust it to the depth of four or five inches
into a porous place where the smoke seemed to be thickest, ,

and held it there a minute, but drawing it out we found it
burnt to charcoal.

<< We gathered here many pieces of most curious and
beautiful brimstone of all colours, particularly azure blue,
green, violet, yellow, and scarlet. The clouds had a most
uncommon appearance below us, at a great distance, they
seemed like the ocean, only the surface of them was not so
smooth or blue, but had the appearance of very white
wool. When we descended afterwards from the Peake,
and entered the region of the clouds, they appeared to us
as a thick mist or fog in England : all the trees of the fore-
mentioned woods, and our own cloaths were compleatly wet
with it.

“¢ The air on the top of the Peake was thin, cold,
piercing, and of a dry parching nature, like the south-
easterly winds which I have felt in the great Desert of
Africa, or the Levanters of the Mediterranean, or even not

unlike those dry easterly winds, frequent in Europe, in
March or April.

<¢ Tn ascending the highest part of the mountain, called
the Sugar Loaf, which is very steep, our hearts panted and
beat vehemently ; whether this was owing to the thinness of
the air, or the uncommon fatigue of climbing, I cannot de-
termine; perhaps it might be the two combined. Our
guide, a slim agile old man, was not affected in the same

> ;
Extract of & Tour, by Mr. Glas.

“i
manner like us, but climbed with ease like a goat; he being
one of those poor men who earn their living by gathering
brimstone in the cauldren, and other volcanos; the Peake
itself being no other, although it has not burned for some
years past, and all the highest parts of the island shew evi-
dent marks of those great revolutions, which have occurred
in former ages.

‘¢ The Sugar Loaf itself is nothing else than earth
mixed with ashes and calcareous stones, thrown out of the
bowels of the earth; and the great square stones above de-
scribed, seem to have been thrown out of the cauldron or
hollow of the Peake, when it was a volcano. The top is
quite inaccessible on every side, except that on which we
went up, which was the east. We tumbled down some
large rocks towards the west, which rolled a vast way, till
we lost sight of them.

<¢ After taking some repose we began to descend, and
with so much more quickness from the great descent, so
that in a little more than half an hour we cleared the
Peake. About five o’clock we arrived at Oratava: the
whole distance from the base of the Peake we compute to be
fifteen English miles; and the hight of Estancia, above the
level of the sea, 1 estimate at four miles; if to this we add
ove mile more for the Peake, the whole height may be com-
puted at five English miles perpendicular.

‘¢ The situation of Estancia is well adapted for the
purposes of an observatory, if a warm commodious house
was built upon it, to accommodate astronomers, while the
moderate weather continues, viz. in July, August, and
September.

Extract of a Tour, by Mr. Glas.

«¢ But he who visits the summit of this tremendous
mountain, will find it necessary to wait for fine clear wea-
ther, to carry a good tent, and a plentiful supply both of
water and provisions, so that he may remain at Estancia
for four or five days, and visit the top of the Peake twice
or thrice in the time, making his observations at his own
leisure.”

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‘PP Aura

ZOOLOGY.

ieee amet? Species—CHAM ALEO
PALLIDA.

Generic Character—Body elongated, four footed, ending

. in a tail, head flattened, angulated, feet divided

into two sections, the outer section having three toes,

the inner one two, armed with short nails and
prehensile.

_AMONGST the various and singular shapes of Nature,
which have attracted the curiosity or the wonder of
travellers, none are more worthy of attention, or more apt
to excite a strong interest in our minds, than the creature
which we are about to describe. Its melancholy and
wasted appearance indicated by its features, and the lean
character of its limbs and body, would lead us naturally
to consider it as one of the most miserable of created beings,
which however is far fron being the case, Nature having
provided, as in all other instances, for its wants and
gratifications. This remarkable family of animals descri-
bed under the Name of Chameleon, has been placed by
Linneus and other Naturalists with the Lizard tribe,
although certainly nothing can be essentially more different
in its form, particularly in the feet and head. The feet
of the Chameleon have a considerable resemblance to
those of a Parrott, and are formed to clasp the boughs
of the trees, in which it chiefly resides, whereas the
Lizard’s foot approaches in a very great degree to the
human hand, and the eyes are not capable of being
elongated from the head, like those of the Chameleon. Four
or five different species have already been discovered in
Africa, amongst which are the cinerea, nigra, pumila,
rostrata, and the present one, the pallida from Egypt.

o

ZOOLOGY.

The general size of the Chameleon (including the
tail) is from eight inches to fiflcen, in the different Species,
which have been examined, and there is little doubt but
that a great many more remain unknown and undiscovered
in their native forests.

It is a creature quite harmless to man, and supports
itself by feeding upon small insects, for which the tongue
is excellently adapted, being of a contractile nature so
as to be shot forth to a considerable length or drawn back
into the mouth at pleasure; it is also divided at the
end. By the power which it possesses, in common with
the Amphibia, of inflating its chest with Air, it sometimes
appears much more plump and fleshy than at other times,
on this account when in its lean state its ribs may often
be compleatly seen and counted as well as the Vertebre
of the back and neck: the skin is granulated, and com-
posed of small tubercles the size of a pin’s head, of an
irregular Shape. The motions of the Chameleon are ex-
tremely slow, and when sitting on a branch, or passing from
one to another, it fastens itself by curling its tail round
that from which it means to move, till it has secured the
other by its feet. The change of Colour which always
takes place upon bringing it out of a shady place into
the sunshine is very remarkable, from a bluish ash colour,
it becomes rather of a yellow tinge, and spotted with an
appearance of Red: on reversing its body, it becomes
zometimes party-coloured, one side being grey and the
other brown; so that it is impossible to ascertain what exact
colour is really most natural to this truly surprising animal;
or to say with the Poet;

* no Numbers can the varying robe express, ~
As each new day presents a different dress.”

ZOOLOGY.

Upon the return of the English expedition from the
Mediterranean, the wife of an English Soldier having
brought a live Chameleon from Alexandria, supported
it for several months, by keeping it in a box lined with
cotton: it shewed .considerable affection for its keeper,
and lived chiefly upon bread soaked in milk and mixed
with sugar. It was found to undergo all the . relative
changes of colour, which travellers have mentioned, and
which have been so often disbelieved or doubted.

It is no less a remarkable circumstance that the eye
of the Chameleon is capable of being extended from the
head like that of the Snail, by which a greater extension
of Vision is imparted to the creature when in pursuit of
its prey, as it can in all such cases give to its eyes a
different inclination, the pupil being placed at the end
of a muscular pivot, and moving circularly round in
all directions. Its general form and appearance have
not been unsuitably characterized by a modern Poet in
an excellent Fable upon Credulity and Prejudice.

A Lizard’s body, lean and long,

A Fish’s head, a Serpent’s tongue ;
Its claw with triple toes disjoin’d,
And what a length of tail behind!

From the small quantity of food which the Chamazleon
is found to consume it as been idly conjectured by some per-
sons, to live entirely upon air, forming therein an exception
to all the other animated tribes of nature. Upon a minute
dissection however of the stomach it has been discovered
that flies and the larve of small insects, are its general
and natural food, and that it is formed with peculiar
powers from nature, for undergoing a very long cop-
tinuance of abstinence.

ZOOLOGY.

op penne MYER ST TIT TLE TC TS SCL TELLER : C
iT LL

Philosophers have been much!puzzled to account for the
different changes which take place in the shades ‘of
colour, but it is most probably attributed anatomically
io the secretion, or the withdrawing, of some particular
fluid which exists underneath the pores of the skin, and
which the animal can regulate according to its own
pleasure. Such also in the human species is the nervous
sensation of blushing, occasioned by the extreme afflux
of blood to the extremities, or the pallid hue which
results from the sudden withdrawing of the circulating
fluids from extreme terror. It is not to be supposed that
the Black Chameleon can change its hue in so strong
a manner as the other species, and it is accerdingly found
to alter only to a brown or dark purple. The Green or
Olive-Coloured Chameleon (the Chameleon Cinerea of
various authors) seems to have the greatest powers of
change, and the pale species herewith described the least
of all.

Of the object which the great Author of Nature had in
view in such a provision of changeable appearances, it is
perhaps very difficult to judge, but it is most generally and
reasonably supposed io be designed for the purposes of
assisting the concealment of the Animal from its external
enemies, being itself a passive creature, unprovided with
any weapons of offence or defence, and far more capable,
by its situation, of escape than of resistance.

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STROMATE U

Pubtby JStrattord, July 1810.

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iCHTHYOLOGY.

SN ef
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Genus-STROMATEUS. Species-STROMATEUS
DEPRESSUS. 7A

Generic Character—Body oval shaped, flat and compressed,
the eyes placed one on each side, one dorsal and
one abdominal fin each of them commencing at
the swell of the body, one lateral fin on each side
near the gills, the tail divided acutely radiated.

TO the labours of the nical ES and ARTEDI,
we are indebted for the most perfect investigation of the
genera-of Fishes, who have proposed the fins as an admi-
rable characteristic by which to distinguish their form and
mutua analogies. We shall therefore consider the other
parts of each description as subordinate to the above, and
regard the number and arrangement of the fins as a perfect
and natural rule for finding the genus of every kind of Fish
hitherto discovered in Nature. Of the genus Stromateus
which we are about to describe, only four species are men-
tioned by Buiocu, viz. the Fiatola, Cinereus, Argenteus,
and Niger; the present one being entirely new and accu.
rately drawn from a fine specimen in the collection of Mr.
W uusuer, of Chelsea, we have denominated the Depressus
from the circumstance of the singular depression of the nose,
and which is not observable in the others. This Fish when
fully grown, is supposed to be five inches long, and the
physiognomy of its features and character are whimsical and
entertaining. The lower jaw projects a little farther than
the upper, the top of the head has a plate and several spines,
and which are slightly united to the back fin, the eye is
large and flat and placed on each side, the tail is divided
into a two-fold fan, the junction being very narrow and
short between it and the body.

ICHTHYOLOGY.

Such are the leading features of the Stromateus Depres-
sus, to which we may add, that in Nature (although in its
dry state this is but imperfectly shewn) the colours are
delightfully vivid and pleasing. The center of the body
is of a pearly colour and resembles the Opal in its prismatic
variations of tints; the back, face, and tail of yellow. or
amber colour, and in the place of teeth there is a rough
boney process on the upper and lower jaw of the Fish.

At first sight it appears to resemble a goed deal, the
John Dory, a Fish caught frequently in the British Seas,
and which has been often celebrated as an eminent topic of
conversation with epicures; but the generic character is
very different and as before said peculiarly its own. If a
certain method of drying and preserving the Fish of the
Southern regions of the Globe, could be adopted by Natu-
ralists and Travellers visiting those almost unknown regions,
there is no doubt that such a collection might soon be
formed as would tend very much to make the various pro-
ductions of the great deep seem not the least, but most
numerous of the animated families of the Globe, and perhaps
the one least likely ever to be completely numbered. It has
been indeed attempted to number the Animals and Birds,
but in the numberless myriads of Fish that are spread thro’
the Atlantic, Southern, and Pacific Seas, a slight compari-
son and view seems to be all that Mankind can ever attain
to: Nature is boundless and infinite, while the knowledge
of Man takes in but a small span of the wide and extensive
scale of beings existing through the different stages of Ani+
mal life.

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Pubthy TStrattord July 1810

T=

ZOOLOGY.

Genus—DIPUS, or JERBOA. Species—DIPUS
MUSCOLA.

Genric Character.—Incisores or cutting teeth of an irregu-
| lar number, the lower ones placed horizontally, a
wide open space standing between the incisores
and the grinders, the hind legs very long, gene-
rally three times as long as the fore legs, ears
rounded and projecting, body containing an out-
ward pouch for the young, placed like an apron

across the body.

- THE Dipus or Jerboa forms a very remarkable family
of Quadrupeds, and exists in most parts of the World; in
Asia, Africa, and America, one of its strongest distinctions
is the singular length of its hinder legs, to which we may
add its pouch or apron for carrying its young, of which it
has generally two or three at a birth.

Since the discovery of the extensive Continent of New
Holland, by Capt. Cooxe, and other circumnavigators,
various species of the Jerboa have been discovered in
great variety in that curious region of the Globe. Of these
the largest is the brown Kangaroo, the grey and buff kinds
being both much smaller and of different characters. Next
to these is the curious Animal called the Kangaroo Rat,
so well described in Governor Puituips’s Journal of a
Voyage to New Holland. Last of all appears the present
little Animal, which is considerably larger than an English
Mouse, with all the striking characters of the Jerboa or
Kangaroo, and which has been not improperly called by
the Sailors, the Kangaroo Mouse. The number and size
of its teeth is not exactly known or hitherto examined ; and
it is supposed to be a very rare Animal even in its own

ZOOLOGY.

Country, as only one specimen is known to be in England,
and which is in Mr. Butiock’s Museum. The number of
the teeth however is not of so much consequence in this case,
because it varies in almost all the species of the genus
Dipus, the general arrangement or situation however is always.
the same, and agrees with the character of the genus which
we have given at the head of this Chapter. The Dipus
Muscola is ofa placid agreeable appearance and is probably
capable of being tamed, like its relation the Kangaroo, as
it is used to acclimate similar in a great measure to that of
England, it is not wholly improbable but that it may one
day become a domesticated Animal. These Creatures have
also the power of sitting up or resting on their hinder feet
like the Squirrel and the Hare; the flesh of which they
resemble a good deal in flavour, and it is said to be by no
means an unpleasant kind of food. _

The different species of this genus, already discovered
in New Holland, amounts already to five or six, and pro-
bably other kinds may be found when the Country is more
penetrated, for being of itself larger than Europe, it is
natural to suppose that a great variety of Animals must
inhabit so extensive a region. We ought perhaps not to
omit the remark that the two inner claws of the hinder feet

_ of this singular Animal have a ridge or narrow hollow pro-
| cess running down the middle of them, which makes them
look as if they were double, and in which circumstance

they resemble exactly the Kangaroo and other Animals
brought from Botany Bay. The general height of the
Animal is about eight inches, that of the Kangaroo Rat,
twenty-two; the hair of the Dipus Muscola is by far the
most silky and smooth in its texture, and is of a light brown

colour mixed with grey. Tite ae.

SCALARIA.

TBusby we.

Lary det

Pui thy FISrattora, Jay 1820.

¥

CONCHOLOGY.

Genus—SCALARIA. Species—SCALARIA DIS-
JUNCTA.

Generic Character.—Shell spiral, univalve, the different

a stages of the spire rounded and separated from each

other, leaving a cavity within, the spire surrounded

on all sides with ribs intersectionally, placed like

the steps of a ladder; the mouth round, with a

_ > flattened border. The general colour of the shell

pale grey, spotted irreeularly with white spots,
the form altogether pointed and pyramidical.

THE extraordinary Shell which is at present a distin-
guished ornament of Mr. Buniocx’s Museum, is remark-
able for the fine structure and shape of its folds and the

_ Curious arrangements of the parts nearest to the mouth,

which seem as if quite divided from each other. The
Shell is pointed, spiral, and of the form of a pyramid, en-
vironed or surrounded with transverse bands of a beautiful
transparent texture; indeed the whole Shell is so thin and
delicate in its formation that it is almost a miracle to find
one quite perfect and unbroken in all its parts.

It is commonly named the Weniletrap, but from what
derivation that word was taken, is not exactly known; the
learned Author of the Enlargement of Linnzus’s Systema
Conchyliorum, Monsieur Lamarx, has given it the ge-
neric name of Scalaria, from its resemblance to a rope-
ladder, and we have out of respect to his great talents and
learning, adopted his name. Linneus had formerly placed
it with the common Turbo, and indeed at first sight it
might pass for that kind of Shell, until its characteristic
distinctions of the ribs or divisions, are more particularly
pointed out.

CONCHOLOGY.

The Scalaria is generally two inches and three-quarters
in length, and about one and a half in width, of a white
and pale appearance inclining to grey, and it may be aptly
compared to a spiral worm or screw, the folds of which do
not at all touch each other, and that circumstance adds
to its singularity and to the admiration it has excited among
connoisseurs, so that the enormous price of fifty or a
hundred pounds has frequently been offered for a fine
specimen. If we were to speak of its beauty, we should
say that it arises chiefly from its intricacy and transpa-
rency, in the same manner as is the case with a diamond
or a beautiful piece of lace, which is admired more for
rarity than beauty. As for its colours it has little to boast
of in that respect, being, strictly speaking, of a tint which
all artists have agreed to call neutral, and which it is
impossible to describe, except by saying that it inclines to
agrey. It isa native of Ceylon and Amboyna, and resides.
in the deepest seas of those distant regions.

Upon the whole we must consider the Scalaria as a
wonderful piece of workmanship, and highly to be admired
for its singularity aud rarity ; but in respect.to the more
attractive harmony of beautiful colouring, the rich tints of
the Rainbow or Prism, the praise must be conferred upon
other Shells, as the delight with which it fills the mind
arises only from its. singular shape.

The four small Shells which accompany the Wentle-
‘trap are drawn from specimens lately imported from New
South Wales, No. 1 and 2 are of the Conus genus and
‘resemble the larger kind in their form; No. 3 is evidently
of the Trochus kind; No. 4 Pyrula, resembling a little
‘Pear. They are given to shew the variety of their patterns
and form, and are hitherto unnamed by any Conchologist.

SE ET CTE

Mr. Patterson’s Travels in Africa.

Extract from Mr. Patrerson’s Travels in
Africa, in the Year 1778.

“¢ In the month of August we reached the Hart Beast -
River, situated in the Interior of Africa, in the Country of
the Hottentots, and several hundred miles north of the
Cape of Good Hope. The Country which we had passed
through in coming from the Cape was very mountainous,
and most of the Hills form Pyramids of large, loose, red,
sandy stone. Here we found but few Plants in flower,.
except of the succulent kind. We were now arrived near
the Camis Berg, a very high mountain, where we found a
good supply of water; in the morning we directed our
course to the West, and in our road passed several danger-
ous precipices. In the afternoon we came to a House
belonging toa Dutchman, near a River called the Green
River; here we stopped all night.

“< The Hottentots were very civil and friendly, and
brought us some milk, for which we exchanged with them
tobacco and hemp leaves, which they prefer to the former.
Their manner of living is plain and simple, nor did they
seem to possess that savage and uncouth character which
has been so generally attributed to them by travellers.
They amused us fora part of the night by a spectacle of
dancing, and in return we treated them with tobacco and
dacka. Their music consists chiefly of flutes, which they
form from the bark of trees of different sizes. In the after-
noon we directed our course northwards, through a heavy
‘sandy plain, which our cattle had much difficulty in cross-
ing, and at night we came to the Great River, and our
Horses being much fatigued, we waited till our waggon
arrived. Here we found many Hippopotami or River
‘Horses of immense size and bulk, and wounded one, which
afterwards escaped by plunging into the tream.

Mr. Patterson’s Travels in Africa.

«¢ T made an excursion along the side of the Mountain,
and found several new plants, the Mimosa, Salix, and several
shrubby ones; amongst these may be reckoned the Euphor-
bia, the juice of which is supposed to be the strongest vege-
table poison known in Africa: it resembles the creeping
Cereus in its stalk, being prickly all over, having a small
blossom adhering at the top of the stalks, which grow up-
right for fifteen feet. The Hottentots are supplied by this
plant with poison for their arrows, by mixing it with the
expressed juices of a Caterpiliar, taken from another plant
of the Rhus kind; sometimes for the purpose of destroying
the wild Beasts, they throw the plant into certain fountains
of water, frequented by them, which after drinking of the
water, thus poisoned, they seldom get a thousand yards
before they fall down and expire. This practice of poison-
ing the water, proves an additional danger to Travellers
who are unacquainted with the circumstance; though the
Natives generally use the precaution of leading the water
which is to be poisoned into a small channel or drain,
and covering up the principal fountain with boughs of the
largest trees.

We next directed our Course easterly along the
Banks of a river, where I added much to my collection
. of plants, which blossomed all around in the greatest
profusion. We also beheld the most beautiful birds of

gorgeous and opposite colours and numbers of Apes and
Elephants.

On the fifteenth, whilst we were in this situation,
Mr. Van Renan, one of my companions, had a very
narrow escape of his life, in crossing at the Fording
Place, he was attacked and pursued in the water by
two Hippopotami or river horses, he had four Hottentots
with him, and they had the good fortune to get upon

Mr. Patterson’s Travels in Africa.

a rock inthe middle of the river, and their guns being
loaded they killed one of those Animals; the other swam
to the opposite shore. Mr. Van Renan, anxious to go
to the north, in order to meet with the Camelopard,
which he had heard abounded there, while I made
excursions to the eastward in search of curious Plants.

I here found the Boshmen’s Grass, the seed of which
is used by the Boshmen as an excellent substitute for
corn. Locusts at certain times of the year come also
~down in great quantities, so as to destroy most of the
Plants, but in their journey they are themselves eaten
by the Hottentots and are esteemed an excellent and
delicious food.

The next day we killed an Animal of the Antelope
tribe called the Hartbeast, the Capra Dorcas. of Linnzus;
the length of the body, including the tail and head, was
five feet, six inches; it is of a brownish colour, and. the
flesh is palatable though dry. We then proceeded to
the Sondag River, the face of the country at this place
has a very barren appearance, and wild Dogs are found
here which are larger than the Jackal and are very
troublesome to flocks of sheep. The Hippopotami that
are found here are very shy, and the chief Animals found
are the Lion, Panther, Elephant, Rhinoceros, Buffalo,
Antelope, &c. The Natives here are darker in their
complexions but of better shape, than any I have befor2
seen. 5
From the pith of a certain kind of Palm Tree the
inhabitants make an excellent bread. In the neighbour-
hood of this place, we saw a herd of Elephants, as we
conjectured eighty in number at the least, they seemed
very quiet although curious, and came so near us, that

Mr. Patterson's Travels in Africa. ,

we could distinguish the length and thickness of their
teeth. The country is here well watered, and produces
excellent pasture for Cattle. In the evening we saw a
smoke upon the side of a green hill, which our guide
informed us was a Caffree Village, three of the natives
seemed rather alarmed at our arrival and retired to inform
the whole of the villagers; they then received us kindly,
brought us a present of milk, and offered us a fat Bullock,
agreeably to their usual hospitable custom.

«¢ The Village consists of fifty thatched houses and
stands near a very pleasant river called Mugu Ranie and
it belongs to their chief. It contains about four hundred
inhabitants who are in state of vassalage to the chief,
they subsist entirely on the milk of Cows and Game, not
not being allowed to kill any Cattle. The men take
care of the Cattle and milk them, the women cultivate all
the gardens and manage the gathering of the corn.

*¢ The Chief made us a present of a Bullock, which we
afterwards shot, and the Natives were very much surprised
having never seen a gun before, he wished me to have taken
a hundred Bullocks in return for some Beads and Tobacco
which I presented to him, he seemed half offended that I
would not take them, and said, “‘ Well, what do you think
now ofour Country ?”” Their baskets are beautifully woven
from grass by the Women, and are so close that they will
hold water completely. Of these I begged for two, also
two of their lances, which they freely gave me, and begged
of us to stop with them for a few days, but as the weather
was very hot, we chose rather to sleep in the woods, than
in their Huts, and only remained there one night. They
make a kind of punch, which is very pleasant, from the
Guinea Corn; they make use also of Plantain, called by

Mr. Patterson’s Travels in Africa.

Dr. Thunberg, Helaconia Caffraria. The Men are all six
feet high, strong and of great courage in attacking Lions
or any Beasts of prey, their skin is jet black and their
clothing is made from the hides of Oxen, and they are very
fond of tame Dogs, which they always keep by them.

‘¢ In the Plain we observed a very large Tree of the
Mimosa kind, and soon after we came up with six Camel-
opards, my friend Mr. Van Renan shot one of them, which
proved to be a male, I preserved the Skin and the Skeleton,*
the size I found to be as follows.—The height of his natural
position from the hoof to the top of his horns, fourteen feet
nine inches; the length of the body, about six feet. These
Animals eat the fruit of the tallest Trees, such as the
Mimosa and Wild Apricot.

«¢ Their colour is in general red or a dark brown and
white, some black and white, they have no fetlock to the
hoof, they are not very swift, but can continue a long chase
before they stop. At a distance they look like a decayed
Tree, and are spotted in general with Brey spots placed
meen ety, chiefly. on the back.

«* From this place we returned to Bokke Veld, and
arrived there in four days. We had heavy showers of rain
accompanied with thunder and lightning, I found an ever-
green Plant, upon which grows a fruit which the Peasants
use as an ingredient for poisoning the Hyena. The process
is very simple and consists in drying the fruit and grinding
it to powder, which they rub over a piece of flesh and
throw it in places which are infested with these fierce
Animals. Upon eating the flesh, the Hyenas are so imme-

* These are now preserved in the Museum of Mr. Jonn Hunter.

Mr. Patierson’s Travels in Africa.

*
ee

diately poisoned, as generally to be found ata very little
distance from the place where it was laid: this fruit is con-
veyed through the whole Country, for this purpose.

«¢ The next week we departed with a Team of fresh
Oxen to the Berg Valley, and passed the Mountain called
Hocksberg, the summit of which is generally covered with
snow, in this part is the Parel and Draken Styne, a well
watered and fruitful Country, extending far to the South-
ward, and almost the only article of these parts, used in
Commerce is the Wine, which is nearly equal to that of
the Cape.

“~

—o Ss

%

KING BIRD, of PARADICE.

Lub. by J. Strattord, dug.1h0.

ORNITHOLOGY.

Genus—PARADISEA. Species—PARADISEA
REGIA.

Generic Character—The bill covered at the base by irregu-
lar plumes; the side feathers irregular and far
extended; head and legs resembling those of a
Crow, and the feet formed for walking.

THE genus Paradisea seems to present a happy and
striking resemblance of the gorgeous and splendid magnifi-
cence of Eastern pomp; the crowned summit and the varied
and spreading plumage of the wings and tail, frequently
expanded out to an immense length and space, indicate to
our minds, an idea of grandeur which has no other parrallel
in Nature. In praise however to its symmetry and suitable
proportions of form, our admiration must be more limited,
as the head is generally ‘so small as to be out of all natural
proportion, and the legs are coarsely plaited with scales of
an unpleasing texture.

The Bird of Paradise, as far as observation has removed
the veil from Nature, is found only in the regions of Papua
which reach to a few degrees on each side of the Equator.

‘

It is not to be wondered at therefore, considering its
rarity, that amongst the various and delighiful assemblage
of Birds which the Torrid Zone has yielded to the enquiring
Naturalist, none have excited a warmer admiration amongst
collectors, than the Bird of Paradise. It has been imagined
by some authors of repute, to have been the Phoenix of the
most ancient writers; but it is more probable, perhaps, —

Q

ORNITHOLOGY.

wel ve

that the Greeks and Romans were wholly unacquainted witli
this very interesting tribe of birds.

Dr. Foster has presented the learned world with a
classical Dissertation on the fabulous Phoenix of Antiquity,
a bird of the size of an Eagle, decorated with gold and
purple plumage, and more particularly described by Puiny,
as having the splendor of gold round the neck; and the
rest of the body and tail consisting wholly of a prismatic
mixture of different colours.

The names of these Indian birds, both in their own and
the European languages, appear to attribute something of
a celestial origin to them. The Portuguese navigators call
them the Passeros du Sol, or birds of the Sun; in the same
manner as the Kgyptians had regarded the Phoenix as a
symbol of the annual revolution of the Sun, ‘The Inhabi-
tants of the Island of Ternate call them Manz co dewata,
or Birds of God; from this Indian name, the Count de
| Borron has derived the modern name, Manucode.

The Royal, or King Bird of Paradise, is of a bright
orange colour on the neck and shoulders, and is perhaps
more destitute of extended feathers than any other of the
species. It is also the smallest of the Paradise Birds, and
_ usually measuring about five inches and a half in length,
without reckoning the two middle feathers of the tail, which
are most generally six inches long. The colour of the
upper part of the back is in general scarlet; the bill ofa
pale yellow, and about an inch in length; its base, as well
as the fore part of the head, surrounded with silken plumes;
the throat and part of the breast are of a deep red, and
there isa flap affixed to the side of the body, consisting
of feathers elegantly fringed with white and green ends.

ORNITHOLOGY.

The quil-feathers are of a bright orange brown underneath,
the tail darker and more inclining to brown. From the
upper part of the rump over the middle of the tail, extend
two very long naked shafts, divaricating as they extend,
each terminating ina beautiful circular web; the legs are
strongly formed and of a pale brown colour. This species
is called the King Bird, by the Dutch; it is said not to
associate much with the others, but to be of a solitary nature,
feeding upon berries, particularly of the red kind, seldom
or ever settling upon lofty trees, but frequenting shrubs and
bushes. It is considered asa very rare bird, and is said
to breed in Papua, and to emigrate thence into the small
{sland of Arua, or Aroo, during the dry Monsoons,

In contemplating the splendid varieties of the Birds of
Paradise, their costly and magnificent decorations, which
at the same time are attended by no evident utility that we
can perceive to themselves, as natural creatures, or even
man himself, we are led to conclude that the uses of many
of them will perhaps remain for ever concealed. But con-
sidered as objects adorned externally with a small portion
of their Creator’s glory, and with inexpressible beauty, they
may serve to shew forth to the imitative powers of man, a
pleasing and powerful instance of the forcible effect of
opposite colours and combinations. By such means and
studies, the ornamental arts of painting and design will
become gradually enlarged and improved; the painter, the
sculptor, or the embroiderer, may hence adopt a variety of
inventions till now unknown, and add delight to the inno-
cent pleasures and rational existence of man,

The number of the species of these tribes of birds at
present known in the East Indies, is about seventy or eighty ;
and the European bird which seems to have the nearest

ORNITHOLOGY.

affinity tothem is the Hoopoe, sometimes found in England,
having an elegant crest upon the summit of its head, which
it can elevate or depress at pleasure. Like many of the
Birds of Paradise, also, it is migratory, and retires for
certain periods, to some warmer and southern climate,
more congenial to its nature and the habits of its con-
stitution.

The side-feathers which invest the body and neck of
the Bird of Paradise, are admirably adapted to preserve the
natural ballance and weight of the tail, which in most of the
species is excessively long; without this circumstance, their
flight upwards would have been more difficult, if not quite
impossible. The chief advantage of their elasticity and
taper form is to give a buoancy to the flight, and enable
them to change their course more rapidly and effectually.
Travellers who have seen them in their native regions, report
that they have the power of shooting up suddenly to an
astonishing -height in the air, so as to leave all the lower
tenants of the grove at a respectful distance, while the
brightest beams of the sun reflected on their amber plumage,
seem like a sudden flash of lightning or a transient gleam
of light.

From a singularly fine specimen in Mr. Butiock’s
museum.

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VOLUTA PACIFICA,

lub “by J. Stratiird, Aug! 1841.

CONCHOLOGY.

Genus-VOLUTA. Species-VOLUTA PACIFICA.

Generic Character.—Shell univalve, spiral, columella,
having four flutes, the apix mamillary.

AMONGST the univalve shells, which have recently
been discovered in the Southern Ocean, the Voluta, which
we are at present about to describe, stands eminently conspi-
cuous. The genus Voluta is distinguished by the following
striking characters; the shell is spiral and turrited; the
mouth open and spread out, ending ina wide channel at
the base; the columella or central pillar is invested with
four flutes or bands; and the top or apex of the shell is
mammillary, rounded. ‘These characters of form will be
always sufficient to distinguish it from the Murex, Conus,
Volutella, and Ovula, which in other respects ita good
deal resembles. The Voluta Pacifica is about four inches
in length, of a beautiful gold colour, and richly variegated
on the sides and top by elegant waved lines irregularly
placed and of a dark brown colour; the mouth is of an
amber colour, and there is also a remarkable horn or knobb,
placed upon the cheek, which strongly projects, and is
continued afterwards upon the folds of the spire. This
shell is very rare, and has frequently been sold for eight or
ten guineas, when in fine order and colour. It was dis-
covered in one of the small islands near New Zealand, by
that accurate investigator of Nature, Dr. Sotanper,
when employed upon a voyage of discovery with that
illustrious circumnavigator, Capt. CooKe.

This shell is tobe carefully distinguished from the
genus Volutella, by its having no umbilicus, and its body

CONCHOLOGY.

ie

being smooth and without tubercles or spires It has also
a distant resemblance to the Cymbium genus, by the rounded
and mamillary form of the Apex, or summit, but the spire,
in this case, is not involved or covered over by the involu-
tion of the cheek. An immense variely of this genus of
shells have lately been discovered in the regions of New
Holland, and the adjacent coasts, agreeing in the general
forms, as the Voluta Niyalis, Voluta Magnifica, Voluta
Aurantia, &c. with several minuter species hitherto unde-
scribed. These investigations have fortunately tended, by
exciting the surprize of naturalists, to lead to a more exact
and ‘accurate arrangement of the conchological system of
the moderns. The great Linnazvs had not either the time
or opportunities to illustrate sufficiently the necessary dis-
tinctions and analogies incidental to this numerous class of
animals; the scientific world may therefore consider them-
selves as much indebted to the reform which has been
effected in this part of the science, by the modern French
writers, particularly Monsieur Brucuiere and Lamarck,
whose system is far more perfect and complete, although by
no means opposite to that of the great Linnzus. Indeed
it was high time that the darkness which enveloped this
branch of natural knowledge, should be removed, and the
whole subject presented in-a more clear and consistent
form.

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ENTOMOLOGY.

Genus---PAPITIO. Species---PAPILIO
DEMOSTHENES. _
I a. 3
THERE is no division of natural history which has so
much engaged the curiosity and. attention even of the most
indifferent observers of Ni ature, as the Papiliones, or Butter-
fiies. The lively contrast of their: external plumage and
the splendid tints with which Nature has in every country.
adorned them, has constantly fixed the palm of beauty, as
existing in a short lived and apparently insignificant tribe
of insects. — Such pursuits, however, cannot be wholly
deemed unfit for the examination of the human mind, since
their curious and surprising history, arising from the three
great stages of their transformation, is calculated to interest
and instruct the thoughts in the ‘comparative analogies of
Nature. From the first consideration of the Silk-Worm
and attention to its natural instincts, arose the manufacture
of silk, for different articles of clothing, giving an immense
employment to a very large part of the community in every
country of the globe, and which is capable of being mixed
with a thousand other substances to an extent which can
hardly be conceived.

‘>

The Papilio Demosthenes, herewith described, has a
considerable resemblance to the Papilio Teucer of Linn xvs,
but differs from that insect as well as from the Eurilochus of
Cramer, and being found only in the Brazils, must perhaps
be considered as a distinct species. The clitef difference is
in the form and colour of the wings. Tt

He spoik which are
inserted upon the under side of the wings, are extremely
rich, being black and fenced with a half-moon mark of
pure white; the outer wings are of a rich purple verging te

ENTOMOLOGY.

a blue, edged with black, and having at each end or corner
of the wing, a large spot of an amber colour, with small
streaks of white circularly placed. The appearance of the
under wing is divided gradually, the tints being of a plea-
Sing grey softening into a dark brown, and afterwards into
a black.

The specimen from which the present drawing was taken
was lately imported from the Brazils, by Mr. Huvuert,
in whose collection it now remains, and may be considered
as one of the grandest Papilio’s already discovered, as
there is a splendor and simplicity in the forms and colours,
which cannot fail to arrest the attention of the connoisseur.
We may also add that the back of the wings and body are
partly covered with a silky flowing hair, that is difficult to
represent, but which chiefly invests the central part of the
wings.

We have before observed that other species exist,
which much resemble the present, but as they are brought
from the East Indies, it is impossible that they can be the
same as that herewith described, independently of the
difference of form and colour.

Drawn and Engrav & ty

Lub * by J Strattera Aug. 1810.

he

ZOOLOGY

Genus—OPOSSUM. = Species—OPOSSUM
FLYING MOUSE.

Charactcr.—Not exactly known.

IN the discoveries lately prosecuted in New Holland
and ihe southern Islands of the globe, the Opossum Flying
Mouse may justly be classed as the most extraordinary and
eccentric; it resembles in so many of its qualities such a
number of different animals, that it is almost impossible to
determine to which it is most nearly allied. In the form of
its teeth, it is similar to the Jerboa; in the flaps or mem-
branes, uniting the foremost and hinder legs, it resembles
the Flying Squirrel and Flying Dragon; in the pouch,
which is placed like an apron for receiving its young, it
resembles the Common and the Flying Opossum, and in
the tail it differs from all other animals at present known,
in having a flattened fin on each side.

The Opossum Flying Mouse hasa lively sharp appear-
ance, and is one of those animals which live in the trees
and forests of Botany Bay and its neighbourhood, descend-
ing when it choses from bough to bough, and sometimes
to the ground itself, by means of the two broad leathery
flaps that reach along each side of its body,. which are
covered with hair on the upper side.

The teeth are sharp and projecting, and calculated for
piercing and breaking all kinds of nuts and fruits; his hair
is of a pleasing dusky brown, shining, and in some parts
curling agreeably over his back.

R

ZOOLOGY.

Although he cannot be called the least of the quadru-
ped-tribe which inhabit the variously-peopled earth, yet
he undoubtedly may be classed amongst the smallest and
most favoured, perhaps, of Nature’s work, for he lives in a,
country where Cats ‘‘ with deadly instinct never prowl.”

It is our intention in a future number, to present our
readers with a delineation of the natural distinctions of the
animal called the Flying Squirrel of New Holland, from a
specimen lately imported. It will be found in its full growth
to be about twice the size of the present, and will make a
curious and pleasing addition to our knowledge of that
most curious and interesting country, leaving the reader to
his own reflections on the wonderful and extensive varieties
of Nature, as yet, perhaps, only half unfolded.

The delineation of the present animal is from a specimen
belonging to Mr. Buttock, (not at present in his museum)
of the natural size; the tail has much resemblance in form
to a goose quil, being flat and tapering.

>

Extracts from Dr. Winterbotiom’s Travels.

An Account of the Religion and Superstition of
the Modern Africans.

THE immense continent of Africa, except that part
only where Mahommadenism has been impressed upon the
faith of the natives by the Arabs, lies buried in the grossest
ignorance. The Africans all acknowledge a Supreme Being,
the great Creator of the Universe; but they suppose him to
be endowed with too much benevolence to do any harm to
mankind, and therefore think it unnecessary to offer him
any homage. But from demons or evil spirits they appre-
hend great danger, and they endeavour, by all possible.
means to deprecate their wrath by sacrifice and ofiere
ings. These demons are supposed to be divided into two
classes, the larger kind called the Aymins, are supposed
to inhabit, chiefly, the deepest recesses of the forest; and
the places dedicated to these spirits are generally such as
inspire the spectator with awe, or are remarkable for their
strange appearance, as immensely large trees rendered vene-
rable by old age; rocks appearing in the midst of rivers,
that have something in the form either gigantic or abrupt.
Before they begin to sow their plantations they sacrifice a
sheep, goat, fowl, or fish to the Aymin; for were this
neglected, they are persuaded that nothing would grow
there. In the instance where they sacrifice to the deity of
the rock, a part is left for the demons, and the remainder
is eaten by the votaries. If they should see any of the
African Ants carrying away the meat, they imagine that
they are taking it for the spirits. The inferior order of
spirits are called the Griffee, these are supposed to reside in
the skirts of a town, and sometimes even dwell within it,

Extracts from Dr. Winterbottom’s Travels.

When liquor is brought in, although there is no sacri-
fice made, asmall part is always set apart for the Griffee;
and the natives when rowing in canoes, never pass any of the
sacred rocks without stopping to pour out a libation to the
residence of the spirit, before they would venture to put a
foot upon the Island. It was formerly the custom to per-
form religious duties in groves planted for the purpose,
or the dark recesses of a forest were appropriated to this use;
and their custom seems to be followed in Africa at the
present day, where under the shade of the Wild Cotton or
Pullum Tree, they assemble to perform their sacrifices and
other rites.

To the Yahowoos, or evil spirits, are attributed all the
misfortunes and afflictions occasionable to man; _ death,
wounds, bruizes, and all the unlucky accidents of life
are therefore supposed to be reducible from their malign
influence. ‘hey therefore direct their prayers and suppli-
cations to them, as alone capable of appeasing their
malevolence. Near the coast of Sierra Leone, superstition
seems to acquire a greater power and influence over the
human mind; at Whidah the principal national worship of
the country is confined to Serpents, and the King Snake,
which is much worshiped there, is said to be caught wild
and capable of being tamed. ‘They are about the length and
thickness of a man’s arm, beautiful in appearance, being
grey covered with brown and yellow spots. They are
harmless and enter boldly every house, in which is meat
and drink constantly ready for them, and priests appointed
to serve them. ‘The Feteesh also may be reckoned as an
important minor deity, and is represented by a snake,
leopard, alligator, tree, &c. Upon the Kree Coast every
person has his peculiar Feteesh, which is sometimes a goat,
a fowl, a fish, &c. all which he never presumes to eat,

as

Extracts from Dr. Winterbottom’s Travels.

Some dare not eat fowls which are white, others dare not
eat those which are black. But the most extraordinary
worship is perhaps that of the Jackall, which is reckoned
amongst their divinities, notwithstanding the number of
sheep and sometimes children which they carry off.

At Ningo there is a temple dedicated to them and pro-
vided every evening with food, which these ravenous beasts
are of course eager to take away. The Soasoos imagine that
white is a very pleasing colour to the deity, they therefore
when they pray, hold a white fowl in their hand and some-
times a white sheet of paper. The ceremonies of their
funeral are accompanied by the most superstitious usages,
one of the late Kings, who resided near Sierra Leone, lately
died at the River Hunch, whither he had been removed for
his health; the body was removed to the town and placed
in the Palaver House, a message was sent to the Governor
to desire his company at the funeral, the body was carried
to the side of the grave, and a number of questions asked
from the dead person, by different persons who stooped
down to the coffin for that purpose. Pa-demba, a neigh-
bouring chief, expressed his great grief in having lost so
good a father, added, ‘ that he and all the people wished
him to stay a little longer with them, but as he had thought
proper to leave them, they could not help it, but he and
all the people wished him well.”? The umbrella which
belonged to the deceased was put into the coffin, because
they said he liked to walk with it; the pillow also which
he generally used, was put into the grave, and each of the
spectators threw ina handful of earth into the grave; as
soon as it was closed, the women began a dismal ery, which
lasted for a considerable time, until the Europeans had left
the town.

Extracts from Dr. Winterbotiom’s Travels.

The origin of amulets or charms is lost in deep anti-
quity, the Jews had their Phylacterics, the Greeks their
Atropara, and the kkomans their Amuleta; in Europe, at

the present day, the superstitious praetice: of wearing’

amulets still prevails and great faith is reposed in them,
when hung round the necks of children to preserve them
from diseases,

In the Bullum and Timance towns, greegrees are placed
to prevent the incursion of evil spirits or witches, these
consist of pieces of rag like streamers, attatched to a long
pole, and it would give great offence to remove or even to

touch them. Greegrees are often placed in plantations,

to deter people from stealing, and a few old rags placed upon
an Orange Tree, will generally, though not always, secure
the fruit as effectually as if guarded by the Hesperides.
This superstitious dread of witchcraft, which may properly
be considered as a mental disease, like many of those which
the body is subject to, appears to acquire additional vigour
by being transplanted from one country to another. Accor
dingly we find that in the West India Islands the belief in
witchcraft is the occasion of as much if not more terror to
the natives of Africa, where it is known by the name of Obi,
notwithstauding all the efforts made to counteract it.

According to the vulgar prejudice entertained by the
lower classes in England, the blacks are said to have natu-
rally a very deleterious poison growing under their nails,
with which they frequently destroy those who offend them.
This opinion may have originated from the method practised
by a tribe of Indians in Guiana, who sometimes conceal
under their nail part of the kernel of a nut, which they
secretly mix with the drink of any one they hate, and
which proves, slowly, but certainly fatal. Capt. SrzepMan

Extracts from Dr. Winterbottom’s Travels.

relates that by merely dipping their thumb in water, which
they offer as a beverage to the object of their revenge,
they infuse a slow, but certain death.

There is another strange practice, which the Europeans
accuse the Africans of, which, however, as there can be no
real foundation for it, is wrapped up in much mystery and
obscurity. It is said they cause the body of any person
to swell toa prodigious size, by only blowing upon them,
this is sometimes dune in so secret a manner, so as not to be
observed by the injured party, at other times by blowing
a certain substance through a Jong tube across the path of
the traveller. ‘There may indeed be some foundation for the
latter, as the natives of Guiana are known to blow through
a tube six feet long, a kind of small splinter dart dipped in
poison called worrara. It is probable if these arrows possess
the poisonous properties attributed to them, that the whole
story of blowing is only founded upon idle report, and sur-
mises formed from the most superstitious conjectures.

The principal hinderance of improvement and obstruc-
tion of ail civilization to the Africans, seems to arise chiefly
from two causes, the one for want of a full and due commu-
nication with Europe, and the too-free intercourse with the
Arabs or Mahommedans. The Negroes can have no desire
to cultivate the knowledge or arts of more refined countries,
until habit and experience convince them of their own
inferiority, and as they can have no favorable opinion of
virtue and knowledge going hand in hand in the traflick
or examples which they have had before their eyes, in all
European countries, they naturally remain in the same
superstitious bigotted state, without conviction or the free
exercise of their reason.

Exiracts from Dr. Winterbottom’s Travels.

It is nothing uncommon to find many of the black
nations upon the coast, strongly infected with the principles
of Mahommedanism, which they learn from the books and
practices of the Arabs, and as these persons profess some
degree of sanctity and learning, their example is much more
likely to draw them over than the boasted mercies of those
who have triumphed too long in the reign of perfidy and
injustice.

It is to be hoped a happier era will now arrive, when
a period of freedom, mercy, and discussion, will be held
out to the ignorant and superstitious African, and that a
communication, founded upon justice, shall enlighten all
the distant regions of the Atlantic.

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ZOOLOGY.

Genus—TESTUDO, or TORTOISE.
Species—TESTUDO PANAMA Ching-Quaw.

Character.—Body rounded and flattened, armed with scales
geometrically arranged, resembling a coat of mail,
lees very short, the head retractile, mouth armed
with a hooked bill closing over the under man-
dible. |

THIS Tortoise which is here represented for the first
time, is drawn from a live specimen, at present in the pos-
session of Capt. Horrman, of Ealing; it has resided in
England for three years, and has preserved its health exceed-
ingly well. It is one of the smallest of its kind, hitherto
discovered, and is a native of those countries of South
America, adjoining to the Isthmus of Panama, inhabiting
the fresh water rivers and pools of that region, which is
called Terra Firma. Its general and favourite food consists
of a small quantity of dressed meat; in cold weather and the
nights of winter, it is constantly wrapped up in cotton,
which has been deemed necessary to preserve it from the
intemperate climate of Britain.

There is no part of natural history which has been sub-
ject to more errors, as to particular descriptions, than the
genus Testudo; there seems indeed at first sight, to bea
sort of natural division between the Tortoise, which has
its five claws more distinct and lives wholly upon the land,
and the Turtle, which exists chiefly as a marine animal,
and in which the claws are fin-shaped, or more obscure in
their markings, as well as irregular in their number. This
division, however, of the Tortoise from the Turtle, is very

8

ZOOLOGY.

obscure, for several species exist, which resort both to the
Jand and sea, or live on the edge of the larger rivers, whose
waters are alternately salt and fresh. ‘The present ‘Tortoise
from Panama (called by the natives of that country the
Ching-quaw) is supposed to be hitherto wholly undescribed,
it has a considerable resemblance at the first sight to the
Testudo Literatus of Thunberg, but differs in the forms and
markings of the back, and also in the number of plates
forming the external circle. The head, back, and legs are
of a bright orange colour, mixed in a very agreeable man-
ner with dark circles of grey, the edges being of a bright
goid colour.

The protection which Nature has kindly afforded to
this animal, by the strong defence of its armour, is truly
wonderful and striking, affording one of the strongest
instances of previous skill and design. When retiring from
its natural foes, it has the power of concealing its head, legs
and tail under a shelly plated covering, which envelope
both the upper and under side of its body. ‘The tail is ad-
mirably contrived for balancing the motion of the feet,
which answer for the purpose of fins, being webbed between
the toes like those of a Duck. It is with much difficulty
that when placed upon its back in the water, ever it can
recover its natural position, and the strenuous efforts, which
in this case it always makes, are truly entertaining; but at
length by unequally extending its feet and a constriction of
the neck to one side, it overthrows the equilibrium and
restores itself to the wished-for position. Upon land this is
still more difficult and even impossible, the sailors therefore
when they catch them upon the beach are in the habit of
turning over a great number successively, and afterwards
return to carry them off: their eggs also serve as an excel-
lent food,

ZOOLOGY.

Of the sea Turtles, the most in request is the Green
Turtle, so well known to epicures, which amongst other
eminent discoveries of the moderns, is now esteemed a most
wholesome and delicious food. About forty sloops are
employed by the inhabitants of Port Royal in Jamaica, in
the fishery; and as the account of the manner of taking them
is rather interesting, we shall insert it at length.

‘¢ 'The inhabitants of Bahama, who are very expert at
the art, proceed in small boats to Cuba and the adjoining
islands, where in the evening, especially on moonlight
nights, they watch the return of the Turtles to and from
their nests, some are so Sarge that it takes three men to turn
one of them over. At other times they strike at them with
a staff or spear about twelve feet long, when tired and ex-
hausted with the pursuit he sinks to the bottom, ti'l those
who are most expert in diving will descend and bring them
to the top, while another slips a noose around their necks.”

The Tortoise of Ceylon which is extremely small, but
elegant in its markings, has a considerable resemblance to
the Ching-quaw; or, Panama Tortoise; but cannot be cone
sidered as the same animal, being the native of so distant a
country, and the description we have of it is rather imper-
fect. .

Allthe land Tortoises are remarkable for their longevity
and their strong retention of life, even after the head has
been divided from the body, and in this respect have a
striking resemblance to the Kel; some of them have been
authenticated to have existed fora hundred years, and one
of that age is said to be now living at the City of Oxtord.

The ingenuity of man has invented from the covering of
the Tortoise a great variety of pleasing and useful toys,

ZOOLOGY.

such as snuff boxes, knife handles, combs, doors of cabinets
and other articles of ornament; their only practical disad-
vantage, and which seems to prevent the more general use
of these, is their cheapness, and their yielding in elegance
of lustre to the Nacre, or Mother-of-pearl.

The ancient lyre, so much celebrated in the history of
Greece and other ancient nations, derives its form from the
Tortoise-shell, out of which it was originally formed by the
ancient artists, and still appears in the remains of their sculp-
ture and basso-relievos, forming a most pleasing and inter.
esting object. ‘The Romans also adopted the name Testudo,
for one of their most celebrated military arrangements in
war, which consisted in placing a phalanx of their troops,
closely wedged together, in such a manner that the whole of
their shields should join at the top, forming a collected
covering, like that of the Tortoise, impenetrable to all the
arrows, stones, or darts, with which their enemies could
assail them.

Thus from obvious hints, originally suggested by the
simple forms of nature, arise the grander and more compli-«
cated arrangements of man, and from these alone the arts
and sciences take their source, and from the Silk-worm, the
Nautilus, and the Tortoise, mankind have borrowed the
most useful or celebrated inventions, improved and extended
through the different ages of the world.

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ENTOMOLOGY.

Order—NANTES; or, SWIMMERS.
Genus---ECHINUS MARINUS; or, SEA
HEDGEHOG.
Species--ECHINUS CASTANEUS.

Character.—Fish inhabiting a molluscous shell or covering,
circular or oval, invested with spines, placed in a
xted position and answering for the purpose
Of legs, by a rotary motion; an opening placed on
the underside of the shell, geometrically formed,
in some of the species, another opening on the

top.

THE Echinus Castaneus, which we are now about to
describe, belongs to a large and numerous tribe of sea ani-
mals, which bear considerable analogy to the Sea Anemone,
or Animal Plant, and partly to the Polypi, in the circum-
stances of voluntary motion, and their radiated structure.
Sir Hans Stoane, inhis History of Jamaica, has described
several varieties of these curious animals, which seem to
unite the insect, animal, fish, and vegetable tribes. Their
geometrically formed covering, attracts the eye by it’s
symmetry, and even when it is stripped of its spines by
age or accident, it then assumes the appearance of an egg,
and by its beautifui tuberc'es and radiations, is still inter-
esting and delightful. In this state it is frequently found
fossil, enclosed in chalk and clay, and is called the Echinus
Galeatus, Echinus Cordatus, &c. and it is curious to
observe that none of the fossil specimens exactly resemble
the living ones, which are found at the present in the sea.
This circumstance would almost lead us to suppose that
there had formerly been another creation, being confirmed

ENTOMOLOGY.

a ee

by many other circumstances, as that of different animals
being found, fish, plants, insects, and shells, none of which
have their analogies existing at present in the globe.

To return however to the more particular history of
the present animal, the Echinus Castaneus, so called from
Castaneus (the Chesnut,) which it exactly resembles in
colour, is a native of the South Seas, and of the coasts of
New Holland. It is of an oval form consisting of an arched
geometrical body, ornamented with radiated spines of various
lengths and of the shape of a club. hese are of a flat-
tened form, and the young or smaller ones near the center
are of a purple colour. The body is small in proportion
to the spines, the largest of which are about five inches long,
and there is an opening at the top and bottom of the body,
from which different rays issue like ribs down all the sides,
having knobs or tubercles, upon which, as upon a hinge,
ali the spines or clubs revolve. Whether the animal has the
power of moving itself by means of these spines, at the
bottom of the sea, is not well ascertained, and to say the
truth, they do not seem to be very well formed for such an
action, though this has been the assertion of some parti-
cular travellers as well as naturalists.

The most singular animal of this tribe, is the Echinus
Sceptriferus, once in the Duchess of PortLaNnp’s collection,
and at present belonging to that curious museum of Mr,
Jennines, of Chelsea, and which we purpose to delineate
if possible in a future number; it is remarkable for having
jointed spines, and is allowed to be exceedingly rare, if not
quite unique, and is a native of the Eastern Seas, of Asia,
and Ceylon.

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CONCHOLOGY.

Genus---TRIPLEX. Species--TRIPLEX FLAVI-
CUNDA ann TRIPLEX RUBICUNDA.

Character.—Shell spiral, univalye; the body, spire, and
beak inyested with three septa or membranaceous
folds, formed into tubercles or spines, the mouth
round and carunculated, varying in its colours in
the different species.

A DELINEATION of the Triplex Foliatus has been niceocks
inserted in one of our former numbers of the ArcANA, and
exhibits similar characters with the two present species.
The first, which is now in the possession of Dr. Comper, is
of a singular character and colour, and has lately been dis-
covered at Botany Bay and New Zealand. The mouth is
yellow, the body dark brown, but growing paler and brighter
towards the top: this shell may be considered as ‘being very
rare and yaluable, The second is the Triplex Rubicunda,
a scarce shell from the Island of Ceylon, the body and
spire of a dark brown colour, with a bright red lip encircling
the mouth, which is of a dark grey: ee This shell is
always rather smaller th n the other, and has been impro-
perly supposed | by som e collectors, as being of the same
species with No. 1. although the analogy of Nature, one
would suppose would sufficient! y contradict such an Opinion,
since the red mouth Triplex is found at so considerable a
distance as Ceylon and N New Holland. But there i is also a
yery considerable ‘difference in the size and form, when
examined by the eye of a critic or connoisseur.

a, a
It will perhaps be necessary to inform the reader, that
the shells of the Triplex have a strong likeness or relationship

CONCHOLOGY.

to the Monoplex, Biplex, Hexaplex, Polyplex, and a2
number of other genera, recently elucidated and established
by the Editor of this work, in a large work on the History
of Shells, shortly intended to be published, and in which
the generic arrangement will be upon the same improved
plan.

We may perhaps be allowed to observe with what a
graceful and variegated beauty Nature has adorned these
elegant products of her hand, the branching forms and
leafy appendages which ornament the body, the spire,
and the beak, the pleasing lustre and contrast of the colours,
the form of the mouth like that of a beautiful face, quite in
the oval style and richly edged with pearls, which ina
drawing it would be very difficult or perhaps impossible to
imitate. With regard to the uses of these elegant spinous
branches, we are left quite in the dark, and we may naturally
suppose that they were constructed thus and thus, in order
to arrest the admiration and wonder of all persons endowed
with a taste for the beautiful and sublime works of art. It
is a singular circumstance that the great Linnaus never
saw more than one species of this elegant and newly disco-
vered genus, which was the shell which he nominated the
Murex Ramosus, and not being willing to make a new genus
for the sake of one single shell, he crowded it amongst
others, which have no natural relationship with it. Itis a
shell very large, nearly white all over, and is at present
denominated the Triplex Ramosus.

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PAPUAN

LORY.

Lub.by J. Strattord, Sept. 1610

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ORNITHOLOGY.

Genus—PSITTACUS.
Specices—PSITTACUS PAPUENSIS.

Generic Character.—Bill hooked and acuminated and sharpe-
ly pointed, upper mandible projecting twice the
length of the lower one, the head round and
slightly crested, the tail long and tapering twice

eT the length of the body; toes, standing two forward
and two back ward,

THE Parrot which has received the common name of.
ihe Papuan Lory, is brought from Papua in the East Indies,
and is one of the richest coloured individuals of that exten-
sive and almost numberless tribe of birds, Several natural-
ists having discovered that these Parrots, when in their
own regions, uttered frequently a cry similar to the word
lori, gave them the name of Lory, as a denomination, it is
likely however shortly to go out of use, as not sufliciently
distinctive in other respects, of the various birds which
use that sound in particular, We have before remarked
in this work how necessary it now appears to have some
general reform in the historical account of the Parrots, and
on this account we bestowed what we thought a due praise
on Monsieur Levartuant, who ably points out the tail as
the most proper part for establishing a new set of orders
or divisions. .

The tail of the present bird has a good deal of resem-
blance to that of the Ara Miltaris or Military Macaw,
described in the fifth number of the ARcana. The follow-
ing striking circumstances occur in the general contour of
its form, distinguishing it from the rest of its congeners,

T

ORNITHOLOGY.

The head is very round, smooth, and of a highly polish-
ed appearance, and being as well as the neck, of a rich
scarlet colour, is surmounted with a slight hairy crest, con-
sisting of black and green feathers, filling closely. The
biil is pointed and sinuated, projecting over the under
mandible, and of a bright chesnut colour. The shoulders
are tipt with a bright spot of yellow, the middle of the
back and wings are of a rich green, below this three
colours occur, blue in the center, scarlet and green on each
side, and the whole tail is of a dark olive colour, with the
exception of the edges which are of an amber or red, In
respect to elegance of form and appearance, this bird
certainly claims the pre-eminence over most of his compeers,
although the eye being placed very much backwards in
the head gives it rather an uncouth appearance, something
in the same manner as is the case with the Woodcock and
Snipe. To those who are admirers of strong contrast and
glaring colours, we therefore recommend the Papuan Lory,
as Nature establishes varieties sometimes by elegance of
form, joined to neatness of pattern; at other times, by an
amazing richness and contrast of tints, but seldom bestowing
therewith any very valuable qualities of voice or disposition,
so that we may exclaim with one of our most favourite
poets,

*¢ Thus is Nature’s vesture wrought,
To instruct the wand’ring thought.”

Extracts from Barrows Travels in China.

- Extracts from Barrows Travels in China.

ON THE ARTS OF THE NATIVES.

IN respect to the arts which are invented and adopted
by the Chinese, the pride and policy of the government
has always been greatly inimical to the progress of the arts
and sciences. The Chinese people discover no want of
genius to conceive, nor of dexterity to execute, and of their
imitative powers, no dispute has ever been made. Of the
truth of this remark we had several instances at Yuenmin.
The complicated glass lustres, consisting of several hundred
pieces, were taken down, piece by piece, in the course of
half an hour, by two Chinese who had never seen any thing
of the kind before, and were put up again by them with
similar facility, and yet ithad been necessary for our mecha-
nics to attend frequently at Mr. Parxer’s warehouse, in order
_to be able to manage the business on their arrival in China.
A Chinese undertook to cut a slip of glass from a curved
piece, intended to cover the planetarium, after two of our
artificers had broken three similar pieces in attempting to
cut them by means of a diamond. The man performed it
in private, nor could he be prevailed upon io say in what
manner he accomplished it; being a little jagged along the
margin, I suspect it was not cut but fractured, perhaps by
passing a heated iron over a line drawn with water. It is
well known that a Chinese in Canton, on being shewn an
European watch, undertook and succeeded in making one
like it, though he had never seen any thing like it before,
but it was necessary to furnish him with a spring. The
mind of a Chinese is very quick and apprehensive, and his
small hands are fitted for the execution of neat work.

Extracts from Barrow’s Travels in China.

The manufacture of silks in China has been established |
from a period so remote as not to be ascertained by any
history. The time, however, when cotton was first brought
from the north of India into China, is noticed in their
annals.

The Nankin cotton is supposed to be naturally of that
colour, it having been frequently raised at the Cape of Good
Hope, as an experiment, and the pods were always found
to be of a buff or Nankin colour. But of all the mechani-
cal arts, the carving of ivory has attained the greatest degree
of perfection. In this branch they stand unrivalled: even
at Birmingham, where 1 understand it has been attempted
by a machine, to cut fans in imitation of the Chinese, but
the experiment has not produced any articles at all equal
to the other. Nothing can be more exquisitely beautiful’
than the fine open work displayed in a Chinese fan, the
sticks of which it seems are cut singly by the hand, asa
shield with the arms, or a cypher may be finished on the
aiticle at the shortest notice, and close to the drawing. From
a solid ball of ivory with a hole in it not larger than half
an inch across, they will cut from nine to fifteen distinct
hollow globes, one within another all loosely moving, and
capable of being turned round within, in all directions, and
each of them carved full of open work. Models of temples,
pagodas, and other pieces of architecture, are beautifully
worked in ivory, in short all toys are executed in a neater
manner and cheaper in China than any part of the world.

The Bamboo is useful for a thousand purposes of fur-
niture or ornament, and the discovery of making paper
from straw, although new perhaps in Europe, is of very
ancient date in China, the straw of rice and other grain,
the bark of the Mulberry tree, Cotton shrub, Hemp and
Nettles, and other plants and materials are used in the

Extracts from Barrow’s.Travels in China.

paper manufactories in China, where they are prepared so
large as to cover a whole floor. Many old persons and
children earn their livelihood, by washing the ink from written
paper, which being afterwards beaten and boiled to a paste,
is re-manufactured into new sheets, and the ink also is
saved from the water, and preserved for future use.

_ As to the art of Printing, there can be little doubt of its
great antiquity in China, yet they have never proceeded
beyond a wooden block. The nature indeed of the charac-
ter is such, that moveable types would scarcely be practica-
ble. It is true the component parts of the characters are
sufficiently simple and few in number; but the difficulty of .
putting them together upon the frame, into the multitude
of forms of which they are capable, is perliaps not to be
surmounted. The power of the pulley is understood by
them, but only in the single state, at least I never observed
a block with more than one wheel in it. The principle of
the lever should also seem to be well known, as all their
valuable wares, even silver and gold are weighed with a
steel-yard, and the tooth and pin iron wheels are set in
motion by a water wheel. But none of the mechanical
powers are applied on the great scale to facilitate or to
expedite labour. Simplicity is the leading feature in their
contrivances for tlie arts, and each tool answers several
different ends. Thus the bellows of the Black-smithis nothing
more than a cylinder of wood with a valvular piston, which
besides blowing the fire, serves for a seat when set on an end,
and as a box to contain the rest of his tools. The Barber’s
Bamboo basket contains his shaving apparatus, and serves
when turned down as a seat for his customers. The Joiner’s.
tule being strong, serves as a walking slick, the chest
which holds his tools serves him to work on as a bench,
The Pedlar’s box and large umbrella serve to exhibit all
his wares, and to form his little shop.

Extracts from Barrow’s Travels in China.

Swe

Little can be said of their art in poetry, either ancient
or modern, the language being obscured so much by meta
phor, as to speak rather to the eye than the ear. Of their
music I have little to observe, it does not seem to be culti-
vated by them asa science, nor is it much cultivated by
females of high life, except by those who are educated for
sale, or hired out for the entertainment of others: the women
generally perform on the pipe or flute, the gentlemen on
guitars of two, four, or seven strings: they seem in their
chorusses, to delight in the intenseness of the noise, and for
this purpose the gong is admirably adapted: they have a
kind of clarionet, and their kettle drums are shaped gene-
tally like barrels. ‘The Chinese are quite unacquainted
with the counter point, although they sometimes take an
octave, and indeed it is not to be wondered at, as the elegant
Greeks were unacquainted with it, and it was unused, even
in Europe, till the monkish ages.

With regard to painting, they must be considered in
two different respects. In history, as miserable daubers,
unable or unwilling to execute any thing well.

In drawings of natural objects, such as flowers, birds,
and insects they imitate with a great degree of exactness
and brilliancy of colour, whatever is presented to their
view. In landscapes they finish their pictures with great
minuteness, but are deficient in those strong lights and
masses of shade which give force and effect to the imitation.
In the perspective delineation of buildings, there are many
oversights in the arrangements of the outlines. The spe-
cimens of beautiful flowers, birds, and insects, brought over
to Europe, are the work of arlists at Canton, where from
being in the habit of copying prints and drawings, carried
thither for the purpose cf being transferred to porcelain, or
as articles of commerce, they have acquired a better taste.

Extracts from Barrow’s Travels in China.

than in the interior parts of the country. Great quantities
of porcelain are sent from the potteries to Canton perfectly
white, that the purchaser may have them of his own pattern,
and specimens of these bear testimony that they are no
mean copyists. Ina country however, where painting is
at so low an ebb, it is in vain to look for excellent works of
sculpture. Grotesque images of ideal beings and monstrous
distortions of nature are sometimes seen upon the balustrades
of bridges, and in their temples, where the niches are filled
with grotesque figures of baked clay, and sometimes gilded
or covered with varnish. They are as little able to model
as to draw the human figure with any degree of taste or
elegance; which is easily accounted for by their always
drawing from themselves. Their pagodas however, have a
very picturesque and pleasing effect, especially as they are
generally placed on an eminence. Large four-sided blocks
of stone or wood are frequently erected near the gates of
cities, with inscriptions on them, meant to perpetuate the
memory of certain distinguished persons. Their architec-
ture however, in general is slight and unsolid, their pago-
das being the most striking objects, the houses, and indeed
the palaces of state, built very low; their temples are
mostly constructed upon the same plan, with the addition
of a second or a third story, standing upon the roof. The
wooden pillars that constitute the colonade, are generally
of Larch Fir, of no settled proportion between the length
and the diameter, and they are invariably painted red and
sometimes covered with a coat of varnish. Next to the
pagodas is the most stupendous wall which it is supposed was
raised many hundred years ago, to prevent the irruptions of
the Tartars, dividing their country from all the north part
of China. It is built upon the same plan as the wall of
Pekin, being a mound of earth, cased on each side with
bricks or stones, The astonishing magnitude of the
fabric consists not so much in the plan of the work as in the

Extracts from Barrow’s Travels in China.

te

immense distance of fifteen hundred miles, over which it is
extended, over mountains of two or three thousand feet, in
and across deep vallies and rivers. But the thick mass of
the walls has been calculated, and this is found to be so
great that all the materials of the houses of England and
Scotland are supposed to ameunt to less than the bulk of
the wall of China. The projecting massy towers of stone
and brick are not included in this calculation, These
alone are supposed to be equal to all the masonry and
brick-work of London. To give another idea of the mass
of matter in this stupendous fabric, it may be observed, that
it is more than sufficient to surround the circumference of
the earth, on two of its great circles, with two walls, each
six feet high and two feet thick.

We shall now turn to a work of greater general uti-
lity, and scarce of less magnificence and grandeur. This is
what has usually been called the Imperial or Grand
Canal, an inland navigation of such extent and magnitude,
that no other can compare therewith. The antiquity of its
formation is said to be very great, it has however received
many important repairs, and three of the largest rivers in
the Empire carry off the superfluous water to the sea,
The difficulties of such large embankments as must have
been necessary for such a work, as well as the excavations,
fill the mind with the greatest astonishment at the amazing
perserverance and industry of the great body of the people
ef China.

The only parallel perhaps, which can be drawn is
from the gigantic pyramids of Egypt, or in the walls of
the ancient cities of Thebes or Babylon.

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Pub @ bu J. Strattord, Oct 2520.

ENTOMOLOGY.

Genus---PAPILIO. Species---PHAL/ENA.

Generic Character of the Papilio—Body covered with
hair, the wings plain, the antenne armed with
a capitulum or small knob placed at each ex-

tremity. 7"

GenericCharacter of the Phalena—Body covered with hair
as well as the wings, the antennae differing in the
two sexes, in the male single, short, and thread-
shaped, in the female long and branching out and
bushy in its texture, having no knob or capitulum
at the end.

Na former number of the Arcana, we haye deli-
heated two species of the Genus Fulgora, or Lantern

Fly, and endeavoured to point out to our readers, the

distinctions of its form, by which it is separated from the

butterflies and moths. It is a circumstance well known to

Naturalists, although not to every transient observer of the
_ curious works of creation, that the butterfly and moth under-

go several astonishing changes, previous to their acquiring
their winged or perfect state. In the first place, the parent
insect deposits the egg safely under some bough or leaf of a
tree or shrub, which in time becomes a creeping animal
called a caterpillar, this afterwards weaves for itself a warm
kind of covering, in which after laying in a dormant or
torpid state for séveral weeks or months, it bursts forth from
its covering and becomes a Fly endowed with wings. This
singular dormant situation is named the crysalis state, and
when the creature arrives at the fly-state, it becomes a parent
to a numerous progeny of eggs, which in process of time
undergo the same different changes. The latter circumstances

U

ENTOMOLOGY.

of its life have been considered by moralists as a striking
emblem and imitation of the soul, which after the long sleep
of death, suddenly awakens with a renewed vivacity to a
life of more exalted perfection and renewed existence.

To return more immediately to the subject before us,
the upper fly represents the Papilis Phillis, so named by the
learned insectologist Fabricius. It is a native of Mexico,
and the Brazils, and is delineated from a beautiful specimen
in the collection of Mr. WitusHireE of Chelsea. The upper
wings are black with a band of red in the middle of each ;
there is also a yellow band, running each way from the
body; upon the whole it may be considered as a very
pleasing specimen of the natural family Orbati, in which
all the wings are rounded in their shape.

The second represents a Moth the Phalena Corollaria,
an insect from North America, very distinguishable by its
circular spots, those of the under wing being deeply shaded
with blue, the general colour of the whole fly is of a soft
and pleasing yellow. The Phalena or Moth is chiefly
distinguished for the soft and downy appearance of the
wings and body, and in general the colours are not so gay
and vived as in the Papilio Genus.

The antennz in this instance are branched and rounded
in their outline, which circumstance characterizes the
female moth, which unlike the Papilio’s have their antennz
differently formed in the opposite sexes. Nothing satisfac-
tory has hitherto been discovered of the uses of the antennz,
some authors haye supposed that they are an organ of
smelling, others that they are for the purpose of hearing,
and it is most likely the subject will remain in doubt, until
their instincts and anatomy have been in a farther degree
understood.

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ICHTHYOLOGY.

Order--NANTES, or SWIMMERS.
Genus--ECHINUS MARINUS, or SEA HEDGE-
HOG. Species---ECHINUS STELLARIS.

Generic Character—Fish inhabiting a molluscous shell or
covering, circular or oval, invested with spines
placed in a radiated position and answering for the
purpose of legs, by a rotatory motion; an opening
placed on the underside of the shel!, geometrically
formed, in some of ‘the species another opening
on the top.

$ *%

OF the various families of animated n ature, which by
their natural situation are more abstruse and hid from human
investigation, may be classed the Echinus, of which we have
already described one species (the Club Echinus) ina former
number of the ARCANA. The present elegant specimen of
that curious and interesting genus is delineated from a very
perfectly preserved one brought from the South Seas, and
now deposited in Mr. Bullock’s Museum. The centre of
the animal is circular and flat, having an opening at the
top and bottom, geometrically dividid into six partitions,
resembling a piece of basket-work interwoven with the
young spines, shooting from the sides and the top. The
body of the animal is of an orange or flesh- colour, the lesser
spines are of a colour inclining to a pale red, and seem as if
bursting their way through the crevices of the external
surface, The largest spines are more remote from the centre,
of a dark purple brown, inclining in some of them to a grey
colour, and the opening both above and below is furnished
with an hexagonal lid, having several small openings,
through which it is supposed the animal breaths. - The
form of the whole is both interesting and singular, as the

ICHTHYOLOGY.

i EE
spines are placed in bunches, collectively, forming a radiated
and diversified appearance, highly ornamental and pleasing.
We have therefore (it being hitherto undescribed by any
author) to mark it by a distinction and to separate it from
its congeners, which are very numerous, given it the specific
name of the Echinus Stellaris, from a fancied resemblance
to the twinkling rays ofa star. It may be indeed remarked
as a very fortunate circumstance, that the spines should be
so well preserved, as that part is the most apt to suffer from
carriage and external injury. We present it therefore to our
readers, undecorated by any gaudy lustre of colours, not
doubting that the curious construction exhibited in its
formation, will entirely atone for want of splendor. The
infinite variety of the works of the Creator, as exhibited
even in the les sbeautiful objects of investigation, are suflicient
to excite wonder and astonishment even in the most unins
formed minds, much more so with those cultivated by
knowledge, who, as the divine Shakespear has so admirably
expressed it, can still find

** Books in the running brooks;
Sermons in stones, and good in every thing,”

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Drawn by 6Pary Engraved ty Li Bushy

CONUS PARTIC OLAR.

Pub? by J. Stratéord, Oct? 1810.

CONCHOLOGY.

Genus-CONUS. Species-CONUS PARTICOLOR,

Generic Character—Shell univalve, spiral, oblong, spire
short, no beak, the mouth oblong and narrow,
ending at the base in an open cliannel rounded.
The whole form of the shell haying the shape of
a cone, angular and pointed.

OF the natural history of Shell Fish, it appears that the
greatest part remains at present unknown. Of the small
microscopic shells, which do not exceed an eighth of an
inch in size, no work has hitherto been published. OF the
Fossil Shells we may also make the same observations, except
a slight essay by Dr. Souranper “upon the Fossil Shells of
Hampshire, which can contribute little to the general
knowledge of them. Some of the very minute shells have
been published in a partial manner by Soldani Fichtel, and
Dr. Boys, but the plates are so inaccurate, that they convey
no positive information to the mind of the reader as to their
general forms.

Amongst the shells at present known to exist in the sea,
the Genus Conus affords us, perhaps the ‘greatest aitiibers,
and most highly coloured varieties; and amongst these, we
have singled out the shell at present to be deiigiihed. The
Conus Particolor is a shell of a beautiful taper form resem-
bling the Gloria Maris, formerly described in this work, in
its general shape. It is elegantly variegated with a dark
map-pattern of brown and white, and the colour of the mouth
varies indifferent subjects. When we contemplate the
variety and richness of colours, presented to our minds in
the tribes of Shell Fish, we cannot help suggesting who

CONCHOLOGY.

many useful hints the ingenious artist or painter might derive
from them. ‘The forms are generally mathematical, by
which circumstance the study of their shape would adapt
his mind to the principles of perspective ; and the harmony
of the colours would unfold to his thoughts the scientific
principles of Titian and Corregio: The forms of some of
the Cerithiums and Terebras would serve admirably to
convey to his fancy the most pleasing designs for obelisks
or pyramids. Thus the study of Natural History and of
the useful Arts, might be made subservient to each other, and
a general taste predominate, founded only upon the true and
unchangeable principles of Nature.

The idea of the Ionic capital seems to haye been first
derived from the examination of the fossil Cornuammonis,
which is very common in Greece, and others might very
probably be adopted equally ornamental and useful, in the
various arts of human invention,

oS

Ouicksharies del. \ % LL Bushy ve.

SANGLIN MONKEY.

Pub 2 bu; I. StratTora Oct. 2810.

a

Ch ard me

ZOOLOGY.

Natural Division—CERCOPITHECA, or
SANGLIN MONKEY.

Fourth if te ee A having prehensile Tail.
“Specits--SAP AJUS JACCHUS. ‘

A ; ‘ yy e e aes
my a . re

‘ON E of the most extraordinary insite ons “which occtt

lemplation of nature, is the

singula eo > the hur an face which appears in
all “tne lion ey Tribes at present discovered: nor is the

similitude 1 ss striking ri the om of their hands, feet and
bodies. . Nal
Pal
Previously to a more p

present animal, it will be necessary pe
reader, that the Monkey ‘Tribe » be f
divided into four orders, according to ong
anatomical distinctions.

# a ps $f
First. The Simia or Ape, walking w ight, having no
external tail, the large toe of the foot divaricated and stand-
m pe ee

ing short tid separate from the rest. 46
Secondly.. The Baboons, vial oblique, having i in
general a short tail, the nose horizontally placed like that of
a dog, in their nature fierce and untractable. eta eee
* eS et ae
‘Thirdly. © es e Monkies” distinguished bye, round
face and a fous, tail, “cov aes with

€ ms

“Fourthly. The Bape jcli Piehensile eitatike hay-
ing a long tail, capable of hanging thereby to different
bodies, and by coiling this round the boughs of trees or

@

ZOOLOGY.

other objects, it is much assisted in its motions ; the head is
variously shaped. The Sapajus, or Sapajou, is found
only in the Continents of North and South America, form-
ing a distinct race of creatirés peculiar in all their habits.

Much has been discussed respecting’ the reasoning
qualities of the Monkey; and it has been asserted by very
respectable writers in Natural History, that the Orang-
Otang, when taken young, is capable of various domestic
services to mankind, such as laying the table-cloth, cleans
ing shoes and boots, eating from 4 plate, &c. but these are
rather to be considéred as the effects of imitation than of
reason, and there is no doubt that if their keepers were to
provoke them to anger, that all their fancied docility and
sagacity would immediately vanish, and the brutish tem
per quickly regain its ascendancy. The quality which
is denominated Sagacity or Instinct, seems to abound much
more in the Elepliant, the Horse, and the Dog, approach-
ing very nearly in these creatures to what we denominate
in man, Reason.

The Sanglin Monkey, which is delineated from a live
specimen in Mr. Poniro’s Menagerie, Exeter Change, is
an animated and sociabie little creature, not much exceed-
ing in point of size the Squirrel-Tribe; the face is round,
the nose short and flat, and his long whiskers give him a
Judricous and yet expressive physiognomy. His habits
are placable, and suitable to his small powers of strength,
his tail is long and narrow covered all over with short
hairs. It is anative of the Brazils, and is said to subsist
upon fruit, small snails and insects: like all other of its
congeners its chief residence is amongst the trees, in the
highest branches of the forest, where it is secured by its
smallness and agility from the attacks of the larger aninials
of prey.

ZOOLOGY.

There is in the two different specimens which we have
observed, a remarkable white square mark placed in the
middle of the forehead, but this may perhaps not be common
to the whole of the species. The animal above described
used to carry on frequent battles with his keeper with nut-
Shells, in which he displayed singular skill and dexterity ;
when he was intentionally presented with a few deaf nuts,
he displayed considerable contempt and anger, and conti-
nued sullen for a long time after. But the most remarkable
instance of an approach to reason in these creatures, is
mentioned by Epwarps in his Miscellanies. <‘ A pair of
these animals, which belonged toa merchant at Lisbon,
in their state of confinement, brought forth young ones at
that city. These at their birth were exceedingly curious,
having no fur, they used frequently to cling fast to the
teats of their dam, and when they grew a little larger they
used to hang upon her back and shoulders. When she
was tired she would rub them off against the wall, or
whatever else was near, as the only mode of ridding herself
of them. On being forced from her, the male would very
affectionately take his turn of nursing, and allowed them to
hang round him, for the purpose of giving ease to the dam.”’
Monkies are excessively troublesome in the gardens and
plantations of South America, as they sometimes descend
in large parties from the woods, in the night, leaving the
marks of their depredations too obviously in the morning.

An instance of their officious activity lately cccurred
at the house of a gentleman who had received a monkey of
the larger kind, as a present from abroad, and who, while
the family and servants were at church on a Sunday, used
to amuse himself with shaking the boughs of a large apple
tree, to which he was chained, over a pig-stye, and which
the pigs were busily employed in devouring.

x

' ZOOLOGY.

.

The instinct or docility of the Orang Otang exhibits
however, many instances of sagacity more remarkable, and
if speech had not been denied them, would have served to
have filled up a more exact gradation of the human race,
from man to the brute. How infinitely does the divine gift
of reason elevate the faculties above the animal creation,
independent of the anatomical differences, which Dr.
Tissot, the first who anatomized the Orang Otang, has so
ably pointed out. The chief differences in the form of the
skull are the following, the upper part is smaller and
lower than in’ man, the brains much less in quantity,
the occiputal aperture much smaller, the nose flatter, and
the ears more prominent; we may also add to this that he
cannot walk so erect, owing to a particular disposition of
the muscles of the thighs. The Orang Otang in his wild
state is a melancholy, unsocial animal, either incapable or
unwilling to unite himself to those of his own race,
unlike the generality of the monkey kind, a difference,
which is very providentially appointed, since his strength
and numbers might in that case have been obnoxious to
man. As it is, he fills up that space in the chain of anima-
ted nature which gradually descends from the European to
the Negro, and from the Negro to the Brute, and is calcu-
lated by his deficiencies of intellect, to raise in the mind
the warmest gratitude for those wonderful attainments and
advantages, which the light of reason and revelation can
alone impart.

Extracts from Travels in China.

Extracts from the Travels in China, from Sir

George Staunton’s Account.

UPON our arrival at the town of Tacoo in the white
River, a considerable guard of Chinese soldiers were des-
tined to attend the Embassador on shore. Whenever an
European went ashore from any of them, the presence of a
soldier with him, announced the immediate protection of
the government, and might have been intended also as a
check upon his conduct. Besides the yachts intended for
landing the passengers, a large quantity of river lighters
were provided for the discharge of the presents. The
chief conductors of the Route Chowtagin and Vantagin
waited frequently upon the Embassador, not only to pay
their respects to him, but to take his commands in any case
requiring their accommodation or comfort. <A separate table
for the gentlemen in each yacht was served up in the
manner and with all-the delicacies of the country, and
sometimes also, in an aukward imitation of English cook-
ery. The Chinese method of dressing victuals, consisted.
chiefly in stews made from animal substances, divided into
small square pieces mixed with vegetables, and seasoning
them with a variety of savoury sauces and a combination of
opposite tastes. ‘The meat most plentiful was beef and pork.
The common fowls of Europe were also common here.
Among the most expensive articles and accounted the
greatest delicacies at the table, were the nests of a particular
kind of Swallow, which were from a very distant part of
China, and the gelatinous fins of the Shark, both of which
afford rich and nourishing juices, but require like the
Turtle, an admixture of strong spices to be much relished.
With a view to gratify, as was thought, the English appe-

Extracts from Travels in China.

tite, instructions were given by the Mandarines to roast
large pieces, such as pigs, turkies, and geese entire. ‘This
isa mode of preparing food which did not appear to haye
been very well executed by the Chinese cooks.

Baking bread was as little understood as roasting meat,
no proper oven was to be seen in this part of the country;
instead of bread, boiled rice or other grain was generally
used. ‘The rice swells considerably ‘in boiling, and this
operation is supposed to answer the purpose of fermentation
of the dough in regard to bread. ‘To each yacht were sent
jars of a yellow vinous liquor, and also a distilled spirit.
The management of the latter seems to be understood better
than the former, for the, wine was generally muddy, indif-
ferent in taste and soon grew sour. ‘The spirit was strong
and clear, and seldom partook of any empyreumatic odour.
In some of the Chinese provinces it is distilled from Millet,
in others from Rice; it is called by the Chinese show-choo,
which means hot wine.

Supplies were received also of peaches from the neigh~
bourhood of Pekin, in which province they chiefly flourish;
apricots, oranges, and grapes, also sugar candy and brown
sugar from Fochien.

During the Embassador’s stay at Tacoo, there was an
interchange of visits between the Viceroy of the province
and himself, he came also one hundred miles to compliment
his Highness upon the occasion. He was tottering with
age, but dignified, and venerable and polite without any
particular restrain or parade; there was nothing particular
in the present meeting, only that the tea was brought in
cups with covers and infused in each cup separately, the
leaves remaining at the bottom of each cup, and that the

'

Extracts from Travels in China,

simple infusion of this herb was thought by the host, if not
by the guests, preferable to its mixture with cream and
sugar.

The fields in this part of the country exhibited a high
state of cultivation, and were covered with the holcus
sorghum, or tallest of the vegetables producing esculent
grain, commonly called Barbadoes millet. It grows ten or
twelve fect high, and the lowest calculation of its increase
was one hundred fold.

The weather being very warm, several of the troops
carrying fans with their military arms: fans are worn in
China equally by both sexes and by all ranks, and this use
of them at the parade, will appear less surprising to those
who have observed sometimes officers in other parts of the
Kast, exercising their battalions with umbrellas over their

heads.

Amongst other instances of attention from the Viceroy,
a temporary theatre was erecied opposite to his Excellency’s
yachts. ‘The outside was adorned with a variety of brilliant
and lively colours, and an attempt by strong contrasts to
encrease their effect; the inside was managed in a gay and
pleasing style of ornaments; and the actors exhibited, during
the day, several pantomimes and historical plays.

The Chinese have no Sunday nor even such a division
as the week; the temples are however open every day for
the visits of devotees. Persons of that description have
from time to time made grants though to no great amount,
for the maintenance of their Clergy, but none of the lands
are subject to ecclesiastical tythes.. A land tax to govern-
ment has been substituted in the last reign, to a poll tax, as
better proportioned to the faculties of individuals; a transil

Extracts from Travels in China.

duty is likewise laid on goods passing from one province to
another. ;

Near Sanchoo wheat was perceived growing for the
first time by the present travellers, it was about two inches
above the ground, and though on a dry sandy soil;where no
rain had fallen for three months, looked remarkably well.
It was very neatly sown in drills or dibbled, according to
the methed used of late in some parts of England; that of
scattering the seed by broadcast, which on very few acci-
dental occasions only is ever practised by the Chinese, has
been found by them to be attended with a considerable loss
of seed as well as diminution of the crop, which when such
a method is used, is apt to grow in clusters while other
parts are scarcely covered. The drill method serves like-
wise to employ the women and children, for which little
strength is required. A gentleman of the embassy calcu-
lated that the saving of the seed alone in China in this
drill husbandry, which would be lost in that of broadcast,
wou'd be sufficient to maintain ali the Huropean subjeots of

Great Britain.

In the Province of Shan-tung were seen growing smalt
plantations of tobacco, but more of the annual cotton plant.
‘Phe cotton forms much of the cultivation of this and the
adjoining southern Province of Kiang-nan nor is it much
neglected in those places to the northward, where the pods
can be carried to perfection before the severe frosts set in.
It is not uncommon for the cultivator to lop off the tops of
the cotton leaves in order to increase the number of pods and
hasten their production.

In the vicinity of the River Luen and the larger lakes
adjacent, we first met with the Leutze or famed fishing bird
of China, which is instructed in the art or practige of sup-

Extracts from Travels in China

plying bis owner with fish in great abundance. It is a
species of the Pelican, resembling the common Cormorant.
its body is of a brown colour, with the throat white, the tail
rounded and the bill yellow. Ona large lake close to this
river, are thousands of small boats and rafts built entirely
for this species of fishery. On cach boat are ten or a dozen
birds, which at a signal from the owners, plunge into the
water, and it is astonishing to see the enormous size of the
fishes with which they return, grasped firmly in their bills.
They appeared to be so well trained that it did not require
éither ring or cord about their necks to prevent them from
swallowing any portion of their prey, except what the
master was pleased to return them for encouragement and
food. The boat is lightly made and carried by the shoulders
of two fishermen with a pole, the birds being generally
perched in the middle.

In the marshy grounds which surround the lake, we
discovered the singular plant called the Nymphza Nelumbs,
a kind of large and beautiful Water Lilly. The Chinese
have always held this plant in such high value, that at
length they regard it as sacred. That character however
has not confined it to merely useful or ornamental purposes,
as it also introduced by them to the table. The seed are
very numerous and like an acorn in shape, the taste more
delicate than almonds. ‘The roots are cut into slices and in
the summer served with ice. They are also laid up with
salt and vinegar for the winter. This plant has been sup-
posed by some authors to be the Lotus of the Egyptians,
but there are no sufficient proofs to confirm such an
opinion.

The Chinese have also several other species of the
Nympheza. The flat grounds adjoining the rivers serve as
plantations for the cultivation of the rice, and from these by

Extracts from Travels in China.

contrivance of irrigation and flooding of all parts of the
Jand, the Chinese husbandman will raise two crops of rice,
or one of sugar, in each year, he then suffers the land to
rest till the following spring, when the same process is
repeated. And thus from generation to generation succes-
sive crops are reserved from the same soil, without the least
idea of any necessity to Iet the earth lie fallow or idle for a
year. ‘The mulberry trees which are used for the cultiva-
tion of the silk worm do not seem to differ from the common
mulberry trees of Europe, they are planted in rows ten or
twelve feet asunder, in beds of loamy earth, thrown about
a foot hich above the other surface.

The insect Silk-worms are nursed in small huts erected
for that purpose in the middle of the plantations, in order to
be retired from all noise, for the Chinese remark that even
the barking of a dog will do some injury to the worms.
Some are reared however in the towns by persons who buy
the leaves for that purpose, and the eges are placed upon
paper until the period of hatching arrives.

OUR AON PIONS [9G

“hgsng 7.7, ha panbuyyngnoy GW fO'PRBLOUPUL 24) UL PULUP PLL D ULL OPYRYM DT Eq usu

Capes

yey oe

ZOOLOGY.

7 Genus---BRADY PUS.
Species--BRADYPUS STRIATUS; or, WEASEL
SLOTH.

Generic Character.—Bradypus, or Sloth; number of the
ci = claws uncertain ; four cutting eth | in front; the
* gated, covered with wool; ears bushy
5, the head flattened in front; the

3 depressed; each foot armed with
4 claws; the general colour cine-
é to a black; the form of the molares
: } bach and the Koalo,
f nd attention in a
: | hich being lately
; vil h that anatomical
: Id reasonably have
: 1 considerable
| el in its general
: mes in trees, as
Las u srounc upon insects, lave of
Mo 1S 01 , &c. It has 1 exhibited alive in
London, I , withi ‘the last few months,

(fro e draw t am and is reported to have

4 . Sou _ this: fact may perhaps, how-
we have no doubt that at
‘a new-discovered animal,
2 ancient or modern. This

colour of fa cinereous ia of shade, black so hikts and brown

below, the centre white, with three longitudinal black

stripes, the centre one thickencJ in the middle of the back,

the eyes surrounded with a white ring, very bright ard
<

ZOOLOGY.

sparkling, and on the centre of the forehead, a circular
white spot placed in the middle between the eyes. The
body covered with a long coarse bristly wool, the legs
and under-side of the body of a rich pleasing brown colour.

There seems in this animal to be a general resemblance
to the Ursus or Bear species, and we much regret that
we had not an opportunity of a more minute exami-
nation into his form and qualities, which might have tended
to throw some light upon his natural history; but by its
being shortly after the present sketch was taken, removed
from London, no opportunity of that kind has yet
occurred,

It were much to be wished, that a Society of Natur-
alists were established for the express purpose of inves-
tigating and promoting all new discoveries, in respect
particularly to quadrupeds, imported from distant and
unexplored countries, by whom artists might be employed
io draw and anatomize the various species as they occur,
and offering particular rewards for the most curious kinds,
or such as could be conveniently brought over the seas
alive; such a subject would be highly interesting in the
extension of the knowledge of physic, and would form at
once a focus for the reception and dissemination of every
animal hitherto unknown. A National Menagerie, if con-
structed upon liberal and scientific principles, would un-
doubiedly meet with the patronage of the public, to whom
the expences of a trifling admission with money, would,
in a short time, more than reimbarse the incidental or
annual charge of such an establishment. This would prove
a permanent foundation for encreasing knowledge, and in

its progress, might be found worthy of the British Nation,

and an object even of Royal Patronage.

Tillis TBR ALE ETERS PPE TERT ONE

| Drawn by G. Perry = Lngravé by TL Busby

MONOCULITHOS.

Pub & by J. Stratrord,Nov. 1820.

CONCHOLOGY.

Fossilia--FAMILY, NANTES; or, SWIMMERS,
Genus--MONOCULITHOS., Specics--GIGANTEA.

Generic Character.—Body tripartite, narrow at the com-
mencement of the tail; the head gibbous and
flattened, haying two projecting tubercles, resem-
bling eyes; cheeks hexagonal and scaley; mouth
central and elongated ; the body and tail covered
with arcuated ribs; the tail-ending in three small
points joined firmly to a pointed base.

THIS singular petrifaction of the animal above descri-
bed; supposed to have been originally marine, and depo-
sited by the sea at the time of the Deluge, is found
plentifully in ‘the lime-stone rocks of Dudley in Stafford-
shire, and other species are occasionally discovered in
Derbyshire, also in Germany and Bohemia. The difficulty
of knowing with what living creature it was most natural
to place them, has very much puzzled every naturalist,
and on this account it has been named by some, the
Monoculus Paradoxus. From a general resembiance, how-
ever, which it has to the animal called Monoculus, it has
received its present name; in which we are justified by
the remarks of Linnaus, and the late ingenious and much
lamented naturalist, Mr. Martin of Buxton, author of
an Essay on the Derbyshire Fossils,

The present curious specimen, however, is: wholly
undescribed by any author whatever, being much larger
and of a different pattern to those hitherto described, for
which reason we haye denominated it the Gigantea, and
Monoculithos or Monoculus turned to stone,

i CONCHOLOGY.
———SS8S80—$—$—0—$30—0—0 aoa

The specimen is of a brown colour and finely pre-
served, and forms one of the most valuable and curious
petrifactions of Mr, Butnock’s Museum, which has in-
duced us to make the drawings of three others which are
smaller, inthe same collection, with which it is purposed
to present our readers in the ensuing Number, to shew
the various species of this singular natural production.

Some light has lately been thrown upon the history
of. these creatures by Mr. Martin, who has discovered
by microscopic inspection that the surfaces of the tubercles
on the head are reticulated in their appearance, which he
supposes to be a proof that they are really the natural
eyes. This fact, however, we may be allowed to doubt,
since in some of the individual species, six or ten, or
even fifiy tubercles occur upon the head, which unusual
number scem contrary to the laws of nature. We should
be very happy to find out that some ingenious naturalist
could discover by analogy the uses and characters of the
different paris and organs, at present the dissertations of
these abirusive but interesting cbjects, must rest in the
present state till the more fortunate discovery of additional
specimens, either in a living or fossil state, which may
clear away the difficulties, presenting us with a series of
forms, more general and connected in their analogies. In
the mean time we may be allowed to express our surprize
that such marine animals as these, for such they undoubtedly _
are, should ail have become extinct by means of the flood,
and that none should have been preseryed in their own

element.

The yaricty of marine insects found in various parts of —
ihe mountains of Jime-stone and chalk, attest in the strongest
manner the universality of the deluge, The petrified oys-

CONCHOLOGY.

ters, and other sea-shells so strongly prove their marine
origin, that he must be of a sceptical mind who could
doubt any of the circumstances. The singular species of
Lizards and of Crocodiles in a fossil state, and found so
abundantly in Bedfordshire, Devonshire, and Gloucester-
shire, would lead us to suppose that the impulse of the
waters, had at the time of the deluge, brought these objects
from the Southern and Pacific Ocean, and having retired
again to their original beds, had left them to be covered
over by the decomposition of vegetable earths. The sup-
position of some Philosophers who may have conceived that
the axis of the earth, has at some former time, received a
considerable alteration in the inclination of its line to the
plane of its orbit, becomes more and more strengthened and
confirmed by all the facts which the history of extraneous
fossils presents to our view. ‘The tides joined to the centri-
fugal force of the equatorial waters distended by the diurnal
motion of the earth, may be considered as quite equal, in
case of such a change, to the effect which has been pro-
duced,

Tn the most distant regions of Siberia and North America
the immensely large bones of the Mammoth and Elephant,
which have been found in a fossil state, may tend also
strongly to prove some wonderful change of climate, com-
pared with that temperature which is at present experienced
by the inhabitants of the earth. If indeed the climates have
become so materially altered, it accounts in some degree for
ihe circumstances of the large fossil shells of the Cornu
Ammonis kind, with its numerous varieties, being found
different in form and character to any of the recent ones.
The temperature of the ocean would be completely changed
and become only adapted for such animals as belonged only
to a colder region. The difference of organization in the

CONCHOLOGY,

fossil shell called the Orthoceras, is very obyious; this
shell is very rarely found in a recent state, and then only
very small, about an inch long; but in the fossil state, of
an immense size, two or three feet from end to end. When
curved at one end in the manner of the Pastoral Staff or
Crosier, it has been called. the Litnus.. The Cornu Ammonis
has not unfrequently been found in the Island of Portland,
and in Devonshire, six or seven feet in circumference and
one foot or more in thickness, embedded in different strata
of quarry stone, upwards of sixty feet indepth. Near to
these have been numerous fragments of petrified Lizards,
Tortoises, and sometimes Crabs, in a most perfect state of
preservation, Whateyer changes however may haye taken
place in the sea or land to occasion the above phenomena,
it is quite natural to suppose that they happened long before
the creation of man, since not the smallest remains have ever
been found of human bones peirified, in any country, those
which haye been found in the rocks at Gibraltar (and once
supposed to be human) are found enclosed in silicieous
earth, but are known by comparison, to belong to some of
the Ape or Monkey Tribes,

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Drawn by GLeary L Engraved by LL Busby

BULIMUS PHASIANUS.

.
Pub? by J. Strattord, Nov. 110,

CONCHOLOGY.

Genus--BU LIMUS.
Species---BULIMUS PHASIANUS.

Character—Shell univalve, spiral, the spire and body
gibbous; the summit mamillary or rounded, having
no beak or rostrum; the cheek joined to the base
of the body by an undulated curve, the form of
the left side of the mouth arcuated.

THIS elegant shell, so attractive in its form and colour,
is a native of New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land, and
may be worthily classed with the finest productions of the
ocean. Ina former number of the Arcana, we have pre-
sented our readers with a representation of the Bulimus
Zebra, differing from the present one in having a shorter
spire, and a more curvated mouth. The Bulimus Phasianus
or Pheasant Shell, so called from its marks resembling those
of a Pheasant, is generally about five inches long, of a
gently undulated shape and its colour of a rich red tint,
verging to a brown, the mouth of a pale blue. The whole
of the body, cheek, and spire, are variegated with red
streaks.and shadows placed above each other, pyramidically,
in the most elegant gradation, as if on purpose to catch the
eye of the painter, or the admirer of nature. This shel]

- also varies much in the different individuals as to its colour,
being sometimes found of a light or dark brown, sometimes
olive or very pale, which circumstance perhaps makes them
more interesting to the collector, and if well preserved and
large, the price they bring is generally very high, from two
to three guineas each. ‘The Genus Bulimus has been well
elucidated by Brugniere, an eminent French Conchologist,
and what is very remarkable, it had been placed with the

oO

CONCHOLOGY.

Genus Helix which it resembles, in having no beak at the
base of the mouth, but in other respects differs very much.
There is also a smaller species of the Pheasant Shell than
that which we have described, it is generally only one inch
and a half in length, the marking of the pattern is much
closer, and the spire ends rather more abruptly. These
shells are said to be frequently found in the fresh water
rivers as well as in the sea, and sometimes are found ad-
hering to the branches and leaves of trecs which hang over
the stream; if so, this certainly does in some degree join
them to the character of the snail, found in our rivers in
England, of which we have one or two species of a singu-
larly pointed form, with a lengthened mouth, and which
have not yet been described in any recent work of British
Conchology.

Of the Bulimus Genus, very few shells have hitherto
been found in the European Seas, being generally confined
to the more torrid or Southern Regions of the Globe.

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CIRIRI'TELA COERULEA ,

Lub? bu J. Strattera Nov. ako.

ORNITHOLOGY.

Genus--CERITHIA; or, CREEPER.
Species--CERITHIA CQARULEA.

Generic Character.—Body and head tapering in form, the
bill arched, long, incurvated downwards, gradu-
ally acomiaae! ed angular, sharpened at. the

end; at be base ene the bill a nasal opening

94

interesting family, wi ch on
its characters to iss mming
remarkable for the r ace and splendor of their clone

and for the smallness of th is bodies. The French writers.

seem to have described the ¢ renus Cerithia under the name
Colibri, although there is perhaps a difference upon which,
a generic distinction might be formed, if the characters
could be more minutely ascertained. At present, therefore

we shall consider the Cerithia and Colibri as the same

of "arrangement, these
birds not being yet sufficie easly iden identified and understood.
The Trochilus, or Hummin ird, differs from the Cerithia
in the bill, which is more parrallel in its form and sometimes
even thickened at the end and more suddenly terminating.
There is a peculiarity also in the toes of the Humming
Bird, the hinder toe being of the same length as the others.
In the rich splendor of their plumage, the Humming Birds
are perhaps unrivalled, and in respect to their bright
metallic lustre, when examined by certain particular li¢hts,
they haye been distinguished by the names of the precious

ORNITHOLOGY.

stones, as the sapphire, emerald, topaz and ruby, suitably
to the characteristic splendor of their varying and inimita-

ble shades.

The Cerithia Cerulea, which we are now about to
describe, is in no respect inferior to its relatives the Trochili,
or Humming Birds, consisting of three colours, which
predominate in the head, wings and body. The top of
the head is exactly of the colour of a beautiful turquoise
stone, or to speak more plainly, is of a greenish sky-blue.
The back and wings variegated with a blue, black and
brown colour, the tail brown, and ending in four circular
divisions of equal length. Two curious streaks are inserted
upon each side of the tail, the scapulars at the bottom
of the back, blue striped with yellow; the tufts of the
thighs blue, and the legs yellow. The bird altogether has
something of the appearance of second mourning from the
grey effect which arises from the blue and black shadows;
the whole length is about four inches and a half, and it
is a native of the Brazils and Mexico. Its elegantly-turned’
neck, joined to the symmetry and lightness of its form,
serve to mark it as one of the greatest favourites of nature,
for the purposes of the painter or designer, and the bill
is so nicely ballanced to its size as not to appear too long
or preposterous for the rest of the body, which is the
case with many of the birds in the warmer climates, and
its superiority in this and other respects will no doubt
recommend it to’our numerous readers.

Delineated from the Liverpool Museum.

Extracts from Phillips’s Account of New Holland.

Extracts from Phillips’s Account of the Customs
and Arts of the Natives of New Holland.

FROM the very extraordinary shyness of the inhabi-
fants of New Holland and Botany Bay, but little addition
has been made to the short, yet faithful account of their
manners attained by the observations of Captain Cooke, and
the earliest circumnayigators of this curious and interesting
country. ‘The whole indeed that can be known of a people
amongst whom civilization and the arts of life have made so
small a progress, must amount to very little in the enumera-
tion. They seem not to have discovered the manufacture
or uses of large nets, as the New Zealanders have, but
some small nets have been obtained from them, the con-
struction of which is very curious. The twine of which
they are made, appears to be composed of the fibres of a
plant resembling flax, with very little previous preparation,
it is very strong, heavy, and so admirably well twisted as
to have the appearance of texture of the best whip cord.
Some of the sailors had obtained lines of their manufacture,
which were made from the fur of some animal, and others
that appeared to be of cotton; the meshes of their nets, very
artificially inserted into each other but without any knots.
At a small distance they haye exactly the appearance of our
common nets, but when they are closely examined, the
peculiar mode in which the loops are arranged, is found to
be different and very remarkable. Some ladies who have
inspected one of these nets lately imported, declare that it is
exactly on the same principle as the ground of point lace,
except that it has only one turn of the thread instead of two,
in every loop. These nets appear to have been used either
gs a landing net, or for the purpose of carrying the fish

Lixtracts from Phillips’s Account of New Holland,

when taken, They have also small hoop nets in which
they catch Lobsters and other sea cray fish. Their canoes
are small and narrow, and sometimes joined together with
cross beards ; they also use a short paddle or oar, rounded
at the lower end and flattened, These savages are tall and
thin, their mouths large, of a visage dark and disgusting ;
they have few ornaments for their persons, except such as
are impressed upon the skin itself or laid on in the manner
of paint. The men keep their beards short, as it is thought
by scorching off the hair, and several of them at the first
arrival of our people, appear to take great delight in being
shaved. They sometimes hang in their hair the teeth of
dogs and other animals, the claws of lobsters, and several
small bones, which they fasten there by means of gum; but
such ornaments have never been seen upon the women,
though they seem not to make any rational attempt at
cloathing themselves ; they are by no means insensible of
the cold, and appear very much to dislike rain. The
Governor therefore being convinced by these circumstances,
that cloathing would be very acceptable to them, if they
could be induced to come sufficiently amongst the English
to learn the use of it, ordered a supply of frocks and jackets
to be made long and loose tu serve either for men or women.
The bodies of these people smell very strangely of oil,
and the natural darkness of their colour is much increased
by dirt.- But although in these points they shew so little
delicacy, they are not without emotion of disgust when
they meet with strong effluvia, to which their organs are
unaccustomed. One of them having touched a piece of
pork, held out his finger for his companion to smell, with
strong marks of distaste. Bread and meat they seldom
refuse to take, but generally throw it away soon after.
Fish they always accept very eagerly. Whether they use
apy particular rites of Burial is not yet known, but it seems

Extracts from Phillips’s Account of New Holland.

from the following account evident that they have the
custom and practice of burning their dead.

The ground had been observed to be raised in several
places, like the ruder kind of graves of the common people
in England, Governor Phillips ordered some of these bar-
rows to be opened. In one of them a jaw-bone was found
not quite consumed, but in general they contained only
ashes. From the manner in which these ashes were dis-
posed, it appeared that the body must have been laid at
length, raised from the ground a few inches only, or just
enotigh to admit a fire under it, and having been consumed
in this posture it must then have been lightly covered over
with mold; fern is generally spread upon the surface with a
few stones to keep it from being dispersed with the wind.
These graves have not been found in very great numbers,
nor eyer near their huts,

The natives of New South Wales, though in so rude
and uncivilized a state as not even to have made an attempt
towards clothing themselves, notwithstanding that at times
they suffer from the cold and wet, are not without notions
of sculpture. In all these excursions of Governor Phillips,
and in the neighbourhood of Botany Bay and Port Jackson,
the figures of animals, of shields and weapons, and even of
men, have been seen carved upon the rocks, roughly
indeed, but sufficiently well to ascertain very fully what
was the object intended. Fish were often represented, and
in one place the form of a large Lizard was sketched out
with very tolerable accuracy. On the top of one of these
hills the figure of a man in the attitude usually assumed
by them when they begin to dance was executed in a still
superior style. That the arts of imitation and amusement
should thus in any degree precede those of necessity, seems

ax

Extracts from Phillips’s Account of New Holland.

an exception to the rules laid down by theory for the
progress of invention, But perhaps it may better be con+
sidered as a proof that the climate is never so severe as to
make the provisions of covering or shelter a matter of
absolute necessity. Had these men been exposed to a
colder atmosphere, they would doubtless have had cloaths
and houses, before they attempted to become sculptors.
The country explored in some of the inner parts was
so good and iit for cultivation, that the Governor resolved
to send a detachment to settle there as soon as convenient.
The natives however who know not how to avail themselves
of the fertility, are still very numerous in the inland
country, and it is wonderful how they subsist. Near to
one of their huts, the bones of a Kangaroo were found and
several trees were seen half burnt, and it seemed evident
that the natives had fled at the approach of the English
party, but so effectually did they conceal themselves that
not one was scen. ‘The huts seen here consist of single
pieces of bark about eleven feet in length and from four to
six in breadth, bent in the middle, while fresh from the
tree and set up so as to form an acute angle, not a little
resembling cards set up by children,

In the few we visited, some spears were found, and it
was conjectured that the use of these structures might partly
be to conceal themselves from the animals for which they
must frequently lie in wait. They may also afford shelter
from a shower of rain to one or two who sit or lie under
them. The men are distinguished by different marks,
some of them want the tooth of the right front jaw; Gover-
nor Phillips having remarked this, pointed out to them
that he himself had lost one of his front teeth, which
occasioned a general clamour. ‘There is sometimes a per-
foration in the cartilage which divides the nostrils and the

Extracts from Phillips’s Account of New Holland.

strange disfiguring ornament of a long bone or stick thrust
through it, was now observed as described by Captain
Cook, and the same appellation of spritsail yard was applied
ludicrously to it by the sailors.

But several very old men were seen who had not lost
the tooth, nor had their noses been prepared to receive that
grotesque appendage, probably therefore these are marks
of distinction; ambition must have its badges, and where
cloaths are not worn the body must be compelled to bear
them. ‘The women seemed in some instances to have one of
their fingers mutilated, by cutting off the first and second
joint. They made no attempt to secret themselves, nor.
seemed impressed with any idea that one part of the body
more requires concealment than another, yet there was,
a shyness and timidity among them which frequently kept
them at a distance. ‘They never would approach so readily.
as the men, and sometimes would not even land from their
canoes, but made signs that what was offered them should
be given tothe men. We are not yet sufliciently acquaint-
ed with the manners of the people, to decide whether this.
reserve proceeds from the fears of the women or from the
jealousy of the husbands, by whom they are evidently kept
in great subordination.

One of their modes of fishing was now observed ; their
hooks were made of the inside of a shell resembling mother
of pearl. When a fish which has taken the bait is sipposed
to be too strong to be drawn up with the line, the canoe
is paddled to shore and while one man gently draws the
fish along, another stands prepared to sirike it with the
spear, in this attempt they seldom fail, When the southern
branch of Broken Bay was first visited, the getting round
the headland that separates the branches, was very dillicult

ww”?

Extracts from Phillips’s Account of New Holland:

on account of the squalls of wind accompanied with rain.
An attempt was made to land where there was not sufficient
water for the boat. During this transaction an old man and
a youth were standing on a rock where the boat was trying
to approach. Having seen how much our men had laboured
to get under land, they were very solicitous to point out the
deepest water. Afterwards they brought fire, and scemed
willing to render any service in their power, two of the
officers suffered themselves to be conducted by the old man
to a cave at some distance, but declined going in, though
he invited them by all the signs he could invent. This was
rather unfortunate, as the rain was falling very violently
and the cave was found next day large enough to have
sheltered the whole party. The old man afterwards assisted
in clearing away the shrubs and making preparations for
the party to sleep on shore, and next morning he was
rewarded with presents for his friendly behaviour, and a.
hatchet seemed to be one of the most acceptable gifts he
could receive The rain which was almost constant, pre-
vented the Governor from returning by land and of course
from making further efforts of conciliation and regard, who
seemed however to haye no sense of the immorality of
thieving until put in mind of it by the notices of some of the
crew, upon which the things which had been pilfered were
readily given up, without any observations by their or our
party.

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HIPPOCAMPUS.

Pubt by J. Strattera Dee12610.

ICHTHYOLOGY.

Genus---SYNGNATHUS; or, HIPPOCAMPUS.
Species--ERECTUS, 3

Character—Animal having a head formed like a Horse,
body jointed like armour, the fins placed on a
pedicle, irregular in their number and position,
no caudal or terminating-fin to the tail.

IN a former number of the Arcana (for May) we
imparted to our readers a new species of this curious genus
of sea animals, and which was of a larger size, and much
longer form than the present Hippocampus, although not
quite so round or broad inthe body. The form of the fins
also were found to be materially different, and much more
numerous. The rarity however of the former animal is
greater than in the present instance, yet the whimsical
fancy, if we may so call it, is equally displayed in the
pattern of each, and it is not, perhaps, impossible that
painters and sculptors may first haye borrowed the idea of
a mermaid, from the specimen now before us, and except-
ing the head and the want of arms and hands, it strongly
reminds us of that object.

The Hippocampus Erectus is a native of the American
Seas, and of the coasts adjacent to Mexico and the West
Indies; its size varies from seven inches to nine, in various
specimens, and which, perhaps, is distinctive of the differ-
ent sexes, the male being the smallest. ‘The head has very
much the resemblance to that of a Horse, in the way repre-
sented by the ancient sculptors of Greece and Rome, the
same similitude is kept ap wonderfully in the proportion
and form of the neck; the organs for hearing being placed

Aa

ICHTHYOLOGY.

at the back part of the neck; and forms externally, an
angular opening. The colour of the body is of a pale
amber, shaded with brown, and which is divided into ribs
transversely placed, and continued in a closer manner upon
the neck and tail; the mouth is truncated and without teeth,
and has two small horns standing upon the forehead imme-
diately above the eyes. Higher up and projecting from
the crown of the head are two pointed tubercles, and one
below, fixed upon the under jaw; the back is invested
with a spreading fin, which is filamentous and pointed downs.
wards. In the front part of the abdomen, are placed two
small circular fins curvated, and these are all which the
animal seems to possess. .

In the infinite varieties which occur in the different
kingdoms of animals, fishes, birds and insects, we have
had frequently our attention drawn to those intergenera, or
connecting links, which unite by analogy, two different
tribes of beings. ‘Thus the Bat exhibits a gradation, being
placed between the bird and the quadruped; the flying fish,
endowed with a power of moving through the air, joins the
characters of the fish and bird, and the present specimen
seems to unite the qualities of fish and insect, its covering
being divided into partitional segments, yet without any fin
to its tail; it still has a sufficient analogy, in its situation
and habits to be reckoned by a superficial observer, a fish,
but a difference in its form from all fish, is observable
thoughout the whole of this most curious animal.

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ENTOMOLOGY.

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Genus---PAPILIO. Division---ARCUATUS.

iT was formerly the method adopted by some emi-
nent naturalists, to class the Butterfly-tribes by placing
them under five principal divisions, or families, and these
again into sub-divisions, according to the spots, the trans-
parency of the wings, or the colour or form of the upper
wings. This was the custom of Linnzxvs and Fasricivs,
and is found now to be entirely wanting in decision and
preciseness of terms, for in many instances, the spots vary
in number and colour, even in the same individual, from
difference of sex, or of food and situation.

The terms of Rurales, Danai, Equites, Nymphe, &c.
are so confused and contradictory to each other, so little
explanatory of their nature and qualities, and drawn from
such opposite and unmeaiing circumstances, added to the
pompous and ridiculous names of the Greeks and Trojans,
that every judicious Papilionist naturally wishes for a new
arrangement in that difficult, yet interesting tribe of insects.
To enter into the full disquisition of the errors and obvious

’ contradictions of such a mode of classification, would be

inconsistent with the conciseness of our present plan in this
work, as we wish rather to draw the attention of our readers
to the general observations of nature, than to abstruse dis-
tinctions of difficult terms. We would therefore suggest,
in preference to the above, a method adopted by an ingeni-
ous naturalist of the present time, who proposes to include
all the Papilio-tribes which are found in nature, under
certain definitional characters, taken entirely from the forms
of the wings, which will impart to us in every word, some
particular character of its shape and proportion. This,

ENTOMOLOGY

undoubtedly, will be found more useful and clearly under-
stood than to take the definitions from the spots, colour, or
transparency of the wings, for these are vague and uncertain
and perpetually varying, whereas the external outline
(which is a grand distinction) is always found to be constant
and persisting.

According to this new division, the present Butterfly
comes under the character called Arcuatus, or bow-shaped,
having in the lower part of the outline an undulated shape,
by the junction of the upper and lower wings, which makes
it resemble a bow. The Orbati have their wings very much
extended, and all of them rounded, as described in the last
number. The Caudati have a long tail, projecting from
each lower wing, and these form a very large family of
foreign Papilios, although but very few of them are found
in England. ‘The Excelsi have their upper wings spread
out, rounded, and very much lifted up. The Cuspidati
have the outermost corners of the upper wings cut off in
an angular form. ‘The Muscarii have wings resembling the
common fly, and which are also transparent.

It appears likely, from the convenience and perspicuity
of the above arrangement, that it may very probably super-
sede the necessity of all the former ones, and illustrate
clearly, by the most exact definitions, this most beautiful
and interesting branch of the animated creation.

Drawn by Lary

Engrava by TL Bushy.

ARANEA GRACILIS.

Lub by J Strattord Decazhro,

CONCHOLOGY.

Genus--ARANEA. Species--ARANEA GRACILIS.

Character.—Shell uniyalve, spiral, the spire and body short
and rounded, the beak long and armed with a
triple row of spines, the mouth undulated and
labiated. The body, spire, and beak inyested
with a triple accumulation of curved and pointed
integuments, open at the base.

THE curious and graceful shell of which we are now
about to present the resemblance to our readers, was classed
by that great naturalist Linnxzus, along with the Murices,
by the name of Murex Tribulus Minor; upon a further
investigation, however, of its form, it seems more properly
to form a genus of itself, of which, about twenty different
_ species are at present known, some of which are three times
as large as the present. By some of our later writers upon
Conchology, it has been called by the name of Venus’s
Comb, or the small Thorney Woodcock, from its supposed
resemblance to a Woodcock’s head and bill.

Of those shells which are denominated the branched
species, the Triplex and the Aranea are the most remark-
able, the distinction which exists between them, has been
remarked in a former number, where several of the Tri-
plices have been already described. The length of the
shell of the Aranea Gracilis is generally from five to six
inches, and exhibits a striking and pleasing object, as to
the elegance, lightness, and intricacy of its parts. The
number of its curved spines or thorns, amounts in the whole
to ninety-five, all of different lengths, and placed each of
them at various distances, in the most curious and agreeable

CONCHOLOGY.

variety. The beak is elongated and tapering, and at the
bottom slightly bent on one side, the spire short and ending
in a round tubercle at the top. The colour of the whole
shell is generally of a pale amber tint, inclining to a red,
the mouth sometimes white, red, or brown, richly streaked
with circular lines. ‘The most elegant specimen of this
shell which we have hitherto seen, is that which was in
the late Mr. Cracuerope’s collection, and now deposited
in the British Museum, the comparative value being appre--
ciated by the number, length and preservation of the spines.
The shells which we have hitherto delineated, have, many
of them, been remarkable for a boldness of outline and
richness of colouring, from which however, the Aranea
differs most materially, recommending itself chiefly by a
graceful lightness of form, with a great intricacy and diver-
sity, which our sublime author the late Mr. Burke, as
well as our illustrious Hocartu, have described, as being
principally necessary to the impressions of beauty. Such
is the astonishing variety of character in each part of indi- i
vidual nature, from which, undoubtedly, all the principles
of artificial taste and beauty were traced and designated by
the ingenious and active powers of man.

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SOHMLITIASD O NOW

PQSNG TY, Fa ponosbury

CONCHOLOGY.

a ee ee a PS ee eereenen

FOSSILIA. Family--NANTES, or SWIMMERS.
Genus---MONOCULITHOS.

Species Two—l. Potymorevus. 2. Hexamorpuus.

THE curious circumstances of the Dudley fossils, have
already engaged a considerable portion of our attention in
the preceding number, and at the same time we endeavoured,
as far as our brief limits would allow, a short but general
account of some pecularities in the fossil kingdom, and we
shall now resume, being a subject hitherto not sufficiently
discussed, so far as relates to the animal-remains of our own
kingdom. It perhaps has not escaped the observation of
the reader, that a great number of the polished marbles used
in the decorations of art, contain a numberless infinitude of
fossil shells, and of animal and vegetable exuvie. The
marble quarries of Kilkenny, in Ireland, contain an amazing
number of petrified shells inclosed in a black ground, and
which; when cut across, resemble the circular slices of ~

~ onions, that these are not of the Cardium, or Cockle-kind,

*

is obvious, and specimens of the Cornu Ammonis, Argo-
nauta, and of many different patterns of the Monoculithos,
as well as the Tubeporite and Madrepore, are frequently
inserted, all attesting their marine origin. In Derbyshire,
Scotland, and Wales, even upon the most inland vallies

-and mountains, the same objects are exhibited in strata of

limestone, chalk, or clay, attesting strongly the univer-
sality of the flood.

If any circumstance were wanting to prove to our -
senses their marine origin, nothing can be stronger than one
of the present instances of Monoculithos Polymorphus,
No.1, where a small fossil-shell of the Mya genus is found

‘CONCHOLOGY.

attached to the side of the stone, containing the fossil. This
specimen is remarkable also for the numerous tubercles which
invest the upper part, or head, and two appendages, or arms,
which hang down on the outside, also tuberculated ; similar
traces, or arms, are also visible in the large one, published
in-a former number. . The tail of No. 1 is ‘curiously
fimbriated and adorned with tubercles and regularly dimi-
nishing.

No. 2, is the Monoculithos Hexamorphus, and has
only six tubercles upon the head, the rest of the body, and
what is generally called the tail, is much less ornamental
in all its parts than the former. These specimens are gene-
rally of a flat shape and character, and the under side
seldom distinguishable from the upper, and therefore not
to be seen completely all round. There is, however, a
striking likeness in the general analogy of the parts, which

“may perhaps lead to a further investigation of their anato-

_ mical structure. It may also perhaps be necessary in this
part of oar subject to add the conjecture of an ingenious
modern naturalist, who supposes them to be the larye, or
chrysaiis of some large Moth, or Insect, ina withered or
contracted state.

Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke.

Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke
in the Interior of Africa, containing an Account
of the River Niger.

ARRIVING at Wassiboo, one of the principal towns
in the neighbourhood of the kingdom of Bambarra, I met
with eight fugitive Kaartans, who offered to accompany me
to Satile, and I acquiesced in their proposals; at day-break
we set out, and travelled with uncommon expedition until
sun-set; we stopped only twice in the course of the day,
once at a watering place in the woods, and another time
at the ruins of a town formerly called Mla-Campe (the Corn
Town.) When we afterwards arrived in the neighbourhood
of Satile, the people who were employed in the corn fields
seeing so many horsemen took us for a party of Moors, and.
ran screaming away. The whole town was alarmed, and
the slaves were seen in every direction driving the cattle
and horses towards the town. It was in vain that one of
our company galloped up to undeceive them, it only
frightened them the more, and when we arrived at the
town we found the gates shut andthe people all under
arms. After a long parley we were permitted to enter,
and as. there was every appearance of a heavy tornado,
the black governor allowed us to sleep in his grounds, and
gaye us each a bullock’s hide for our bed. arly in the
morming we again set forward, the roads were wet and
slippery, but the country was every where beautiful, abound-
ing with riyulets, which were increased by the rain into
rapid streams, we shortly afterwards arrived at Moorja, a
large town famous for its trade in salt, which the Moors
bring here in great quantities, to exchange for corn and

Bb

% COLLECTION jij
Pad

QLtional tase A
saat ee

oe

Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Muigo Parke.

cotton cloths. As most of the black people here are Maho-
medans, it is not allowed to the Caflirs to drink beer,
which they call neo-dollo (corn spirit) exeept in certain
houses. In one of these J saw about twenty people sitting
round large vessels of this beer with the greatest conviviality,
many of them in a state of intoxication. As corn is plenti-
ful, the inhabitants are very hospitable and liberal to
strangers, and | believe we had as much corn and milk
sent us as would have been sufficient for three times -our
number, and though we remained there two days, we
experienced no dimunition of kindness and regard.

We reached the next village, called Datliboo, and
passed a caravan of travellers with corn paddles, mats,
and other household utensils, returning from the town of
Sego. We continued our journey, but having had a light
supper the preceding night, we felt ourselves rather hungry
and endeavoured to procure some corn at this village, but
without success. The towns were now more numerous,
and the Jand that is not employed in cultivation, affords
excellent pasturage for large herds of cattle, but owing to
the great concourse of people daily going to and returning
from Sego, the inhabitants are less hospitable to strangers.
My horse, in this part of my journey, being very much
fatigued, I was walking barefoot and driving my horse,
when I was met by a caravan of slaves, about seventy in
number, coming from Sego. ‘They were tied together by
the necks with thongs of a bullock’s hide twisted like a
rope, seven slaves upon a thong, and a man with a musket
between every seven. Many of the slaves were ill conditi-
oned and a great number of them women; they were to
proceed by the Ludamar and the great desart to Morocco.
At eight o’clock we departed from Doolinkaboo, and stopped
at a large village; hearing that two negroes were going
from thence to Sego, I was happy to have their company,

Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke.

and we set out immediately. About four o’clock we stopped
at asmall village, where one of the negroes met with an
acquaintance, who invited us to a sort of public entertain-
ment, which was conducted with uncommon propriety.
A dish made of sour milk and meal called sinkatoo, and
beer made from their corn was distributed with great libe-
rality, and the women were admitted into the socicty.
There was no compulsion, each was allowed to drink as he
pleased, they nodded to each other when about to drink,
and on setting down the calabash commonly said berka
(thank you.) Both men and women appeared to be some-
what intoxicated, but they were far from being quarrelsome.
We now began to approach the city of Sego, the residence
of the King and the capital of Bambarra, to whom the
Kaartans, my companions, promised to introduce me,

Aterwards we rode through a marshy valley, and as I
was looking out anxiously for the river, one of them called
out ** geo-flilli,” (see the water) and looking forwards, I
saw with infinite pleasure the great object of my mission,
the long sought-for majestic Niger glittering to the morning
sun, as broad as the Thames at Westminster, and flowing
slowly to the eastward. I hastened to the brink, and having
drank of the water, lifted up my fervent thanks in prayer
to the Great Ruler of all things, for having thus far crowned
my endeavours with success. The circumstance of the
Niger flowing towards the east and its collateral points, did
not however excite my surprize, though I had left Europe
in great hesitation on this subject, and rather believed that
it ran in a contrary direction. I had made such frequent
enquiries during my progress concerning it from negroes of
different nations, such clear and decisive assurances, that
its general course was towards the rising sun, as scarce left
any doubt on my mind, especially as Mayor yeaa
had received similar information.

Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke.

SS See

>

Sego, the capital of Bambarra, consists properly of
four distinct towns, two on the north bank of the Niger,
and named Sego-korro and Sego-boo, two on the south
called Sego-soo-korro and Sego-see-korro. ‘They are all
surrounded with high mud walls, the houses are built of
clay, of a square form, with flat roofs, some of them have
two stories, and many of them are whitewashed. Besides
these. buildings, Moorish mosques are seen in every quarter,
and the strects, though narrow, are broad enough for every |
useful purpose where wheel carriages are entirely unknown,
From the best enquiries I could make, I have reason to
believe that Sego contains altogether about thirty thousand
inhabitants. ‘The King of Bambarra resides at Sego-sce-
korro, he employs a great many slaves in conveying people
over the river, and the money they receive (though the fare
is only ten cowries for each person) furnishes a very large
reyenue in the course of the year. The canoes are of a |
singular construction, each of them being formed of the
trunks of two large trees, rendered concave and joined
tugether, not side by side but end to end, the junction being
exactly across the middle of the canoe, they are therefore
very long and disproportionably narrow, and have neither
decks nor masts, they are however very roomy, for I obser-
ved in one of them four horses and several people crossing
over the river. When we arrived at this ferry, we found a
great number waiting for a passage, they looked at me with
silent wonder, and I distinguished with concern many
Moors among them.

There were three different places of embarkation, and
‘the ferry-men were very diligent and expeditious; but
from the crowd of people that had assembled, I could not
immediately obtain a passage, and sat down upon the
bank of the river, to await a more favourable opportu-
nity. The view of this extensive city, the numerous

Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke.

canoes upen the river, the crowded population, and the
cultivated state of the surrounding country, formed altogether
a prospect of civilization and magnificence, which 1 little
expected to find in the bosom of Africa. 1 waited more
than two hours without having an opportunity of crossing
the river, during which time, the people who had crossed
carried information te Mansong the King, that a white man
was waiting for a passage and was coming to see him. He
immediately sent over one of his chief men, who informed
me, that the King could not possibly see me, until he knew
what had brought me in his country, and that I must
not presume to cross the river without the King’s permis
sion. He therefore advised me to lodge at a distant village,
to which he pointed, for the night, and said that in the
morning he would give me further directions how to con-
duct myself. This was very discouraging, however as
there was no remedy, | set off for the village, where I
found to my great mortification, that no person would admit
me into his house, I was regarded with astonishment and
fear, and was obliged to sit all day without victuals, in the
shade of a tree; the night threatened to be very uncomfort-
able, for the wind arose and there was great appearance of
a heavy rain, and the wild beasts are so very numerous in
the neighbourhood, that I should have been under the
necessity of climing up the tree and resting amongst the
branches; about sun-set however as I was preparing to pass
the night in this manner, and had turned my horse loose
that he might graze at liberty, a woman returning from the
labours of the field, stopped to observe me, and perceiving
that 1 was weary and dejected, inquired into my situation,
which I briefly explained to her, whereupon, with looks
of great compassion, she took up my saddle and bridle
and told me to follow her; haying conducted me to her
hut, she lighted up a lamp, spread a mat for me on the
floor, and told me I might remain there for the night;

Exiracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke,

finding 1 was very hungry, she said she would procure me
something to eat; she accordingly went out and returned in
a'short time with a very fine fish, which having caused to
be half broiled upon some embers, she gave me for my
supper. In the afternoon another messenger arrived with a
bag in his hands, he told me it was the King’s pleasure,
that I should depart forthwith from the neighbourhood of
Sego, but that wishing to relieve a while man in distress,
had sent me five thousand cowries, to enable me to purchase
provisions in the course of my journey. Being thus com-
pelled to leave Sego, 1 was conducted the same evening to
a small village about seven miles to the eastward, with
some of which my guide was acquainted, by whom we
were well received. He was very friendly and communica-
tive, and informed me that the cities of Tombuctoo and
Jenne were under the dominion of the Moors. About eight
o’clock we passed a large town called Kabba, situated in
the midst of a beautiful and highly cultivated country,
bearing a considerable resemblance to England. The people
were employed in colleeting the fruit of the shea trees, from
which they prepare a vegetable butter, and which grow in
all parts of Bambarra in great abundance; they are not
planted by the natives, but grow wild and in cleariug wood
land for cultivation, every tree is cut down except the shea.
The tree itself much resembles an American oak, and the
fruit from the kernel of which being dried in the sun, the
butter is prepared by boiling the kernel in water, has some-
thing of the appearance of a Spanish olive; the kernel is
enveloped ina pulp and under a green rind, the butter
produced from it, besides the advantage of its keeping a
whole year without salt, is whiter, firmer, and to my
palate, of a richer flavour than the best butter 1 ever tasted
made from cows’ milk; the growth and preparation of this
commodity seem to be among the first articles of African
industry in this and the neighbouring states, and it constitutes

ae

Extracts from thé Travels of Mr. Mungo Pauke.

a main article of their inland commerce. We passed, in
the course of the day, a great many villages, chiefly inha-
bited by fishermen, and in the evening arrived at Sansanding,
a large town containing as I was told, from eight to ten
thousand inhabitants; this place is much resorted to by the
Moors, who bring salt from Beroo and other Moorish coun-
tries, where on account of the want of rain, no cotton is
cultivated; we rode near the town and river, passing by a
creek or harbour, where I observed twenty large canoes,
most of them fully leaded and covered with mats to keep
out the rain, and in short several others arrived with passen-
gers. The ensuing night I slept at Sibili, from whence,
the next day I arrived at Nyara a large town at some
distance from the river, and the governor very civilly sent
his son to shew me the road te Modiboo, which he assured
me was at no great distance; we rode in a direct line thro’
the woods, but in general went forward with great circum-
spection, my guide frequently stopping and looking under
the bushes; on my enquiring the reason of this caution, he
told me that lions were very numerous in that part of the
country, and frequently attacked persons travelling in the
woods; while he was speaking my horse started, and looking,
I observed a large animal of the Cameleopard kind standing
at a little distance, the neck and fore legs were very long,
the head was furnished with two short black horns turning
backwards, the tail, which reached down to the ham joint,
had a tuft of bair at the end; the animal was of a mouse
colour, and it trotted away from us in a very sluggish man-
ner, moying its head from side to side to see if we were
pursuing it.

Shortly afier this, as we were crossing a large open
plain, where there were a few scattered bushes, my guide,
who was a little before me, wheeled his horse round in a
moment, calling out something in the Foulah language,

Extracts from the Travels of Mr. Mungo Parke.

which I did not understand, I enquired in Mandingo what
he meant, “¢ wara, billi, billi,” (a very large lion) said he,
and made signs for me to ride away; my horse was too
fatigued, so we rode slowly past the bush from which the
animal had given us the alarm, not seeing any thing myself
however, I thought my guide had been mistaken, when the
Foulah suddenly putting his hand to his mouth, exclaimed
*¢ soubah an Allahi,” (God preserve us) and to my great
surprise, 1 then perceived a large lion at a short distance
from the bush with his head couched between his fore paws,
I expected he would instantly spring upon me, and
instinctively pulled my feet from the stirrups, that my
horse might become the victim rather than myself; but
it is probable the lion was not hungry, since he quietly
suffered us to pass, though we were fairly within his reach ;
my eyes were so rivetted upon this sovereign of the beasts,
that I found it impossible to remoye them until we were
at a considerable distance.

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CAMELEOPARD.

Pub L by J. Stratford, Jan.1.26n.

ZOOLOGY.

Genus-CAMELUS. |
Species--CAMELOPARDALIS; or, TORTOISE-
COLOURED ANTELOPE.

Character.—Horns short and small, unite by the skull;
the neck and legs very long; the body short

~ and spotted closely with varidh markings, octa-
gonal, oval, or square; the ears placed upon

the neck; tail short, ending in a hairy extrem-

ity; the feet cloyen and obtusely "pointed ; the

chest high and projecting se my in the
Torrid Zone. A: A

tah * *
at

THE Camelopard i is an ‘phi ‘whichis for the singu-
larity of its form, and immense size, , justly a attractive of the
admiration of mankind, and presents: tovall those who are
deeply interested in. Natural History, a strong and won-
derfal instance of the great variety, which the author of na-
ture has spread through all his works. The head has a strik-
ing resemblance to that, of a Horse, but differs from it essen-
tially in having a high boney process, shaped like the keel
of a ship, and placed i in the centre of the forehead between
the eyes; the horns are small and rounded at the points and
covered with short. hairs at the ends. The legs are beauti-
fully taper, as well as the neck, and whether we consider
the - variety of spots; their waaittciaetical shapes, or the
stately contour visible in its general character, we may cer-

tainly consider it as one of the most majestic animals of the

creation. The Horse inde od _ presents to the eye of the

spectator a different set of proportions, to which our judg-—

ment has become more familiarized, and is of ‘course more

connected with ‘the ideas of utility and intellect than

the former, or any other animal at present discovered,
cc

ZOOLOGY.

The singularity of the Kanguroo and its numerous
species, arises from the extreme shortness of the fore
Jers and length of the ‘hinder ones. In the present
animal, this system is reversed, the fore legs appearing
by much the longest. The Camelopard is’ a_ perfectly
harmless animal, and subsists in the middle and south-
erm parts of Africa, ‘by grazing, and also by feeding on
the young branches of the trees, for which his: long neck
is admirably calculated. He is supposed’ to be quite
incapable of domiciliation and his great size would render
him probably a most inconvenient animal even if tamed.
The present delineation was taken from a fine and noble,
specimen preserved in Mr. Buntock’s Museum, and which
was shot by an English Gentleman near the Cape of Good
Hope. It is found to be the largest specimen ever brought
to England, being seventeen feet in height; but no descrip-
tion whatever can impart the idea of vastness, which the
sight of the animal itself must always inspire in the spec-
tator. He traverses his native plains, when alive, in herds
of twenty or thirty together, and when grazing is said
to bring his head very low between his fore legs in a
striding posture. When pursued by dogs or men, of
both of which he is much afraid, he commences a brisk
ambling trot, and which is afterwards increased in velo-
city, leaving his pursuers far behind. The Camelopard
however, though now very scarce, was well known to the
ancient Romans, having been frequently exhibited by them
in their Circus and publick games, for the gratification
of the populace, who delighted much in these kind of
exhibitions. .

Many various observations have been’ made by differ-
ent naturalists, respecting the comparative anatomy of
the Camelopard, and it has been observed by VAILLANT,
that the same protuberance occurs in this animal, which

ZOOLOGY.

is found upon the back of the Camel and Dromedary.
Even in the Lama and Vicuna, which are found in
South America, described in a former number of the
Arcana, the same elevated rising is observed. In all
these animals the hump or sudden rising of the back,
differ considerably; in the Camel it is very large, and
placed in the centre; in the Dromedary divided into
two prominences, as if for the purpose of placing the
load with safety, and in the Lama and Vicuna it is much
fess obvious. In the Camelopard the same circumstance
exists, only placed closely to the upper part of the
shoulders. This protuberance is to be considered as a
fleshy florescence or tumour, and not connected with
any enlargement of the bone in that part.

The second singular point in the formation of the
Camelopard, is the circumstance of the horns which grow
upon the top of the head, proceeding from a. raised
bony process, which is elevated and higher than the rest
of the skull. It appears also very plain that the— beast
has not the power of casting them, like the Stag, the
Elk and other ruminating animals, but that they are to
be considered as a part of the skull itself, and dating
their existence from the very birth of the creature.

The account of Parrerson, who in his Botanical
Tour in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good Hepe,
shot one of these curious animals, agrees with the ge-
neral account as to their mildness and timidity. The
individual which he killed and which is now in the
Museum of the late Docror Hunter, in Lincoln’s Inn
Fields, was about fifteen fect only in height, and may
therefore be properly supposed to have been a sii
one, or a female.

ZOOLOGY.

The next singularity which we shall. notice inthis
astonishing quadruped is the great number of spots which
amount in the whole to about four hundred. These.
are of different sizes and mathematical forms such as the
square, octagon, circle, oval, pentagon and hexagon almost
as if they had been drawn by a mathematician with his
compasses and square. .

The public will no doubt consider themselves as
much indebted to the liberal generosity of Mr. Bur-
LOcK, in procuring the view of this gigantic animal
which is certainly the tallest in the known world. At
a considerable expence and exertion, he has obtained it
from abroad and finally preserved it here: it will long
remain, an example of a varicty in the quadruped
divisions, though once supposed by sceptical minds to
have been wholly invented by fabulous travellers.

CHrst dd. = PE Bushy saiky

HK, cal TVhalarifies

Pub? by J. Stratford Jon118.

ORNITHOLOGY.

2

; 5 a f a
Af f/ f f > by ny Ap DS a r. forte Dp g-
THAale LEpnaes tea | INAH HIE «ft
, a ae ba adil ‘3 ,
v ©

Order--GRALLA; orn, WADERS.
Genus---TRINGA; or, PHALAROPA.
Species-TRINGA RUBRA. Variety.

Generic Character.—Bill slender and incurvated, either
upwards .or downwards, legs rather lengthened,
the toes divided and partly webbed or scalloped,
the eyes placed very much backwards and up-
wards in the head, the mandibles pointed and of
equal length.

THE Grallez genus are one of the six natural divi-
sions of birds, laid down by Linnzvus, and meant by him
to include the Herons, Curlews, Ploveis, and other water
birds, having in general three long toes in front, and one
short one recurved behind, some exceptions however occur
in certain instances, as Uheir feet being webbed or scalloped,
as in the bird now before us; for in some instances, the
water-birds of this division seem to be half webbed. It
seems therefore that in this part of natural history, a nicer
‘(listinction should be drawn between these families of birds,
called Gralla, and which might easily be done from the
particular form of the feet.

We have received from Mr. Prizstnann, of Stock-
port, a drawing of the Red Phalarope, which is conceived
to be a very rare and singular variety of that curious bird,
and which is described by him in the following manner.
‘¢ ‘The Red. Phalarope was shot near Stockport, in the
winter of 1806; it weighed two ounces only: the bill was
black, slender, and bent a little towards the tip, a dusky
atripe passed below the eye to the back of the head, where

ORNITHOLOGY.

a

it is joined to a reddish stripe which falls down to the neck,
the chin and throat white, with small brown spots, the _
hinder part of the head, neck, and back of a ferruginous
colour, and the wings reaching to the end of the tail. The
breast is very white and faintly spotted with brown, the
legs of a beautiful blue colour, the toes scalloped and
serrated, the nails black.” In the entertaining and useful
work of Mr. Bewrcx, upon the Land and Water Birds in
England, we suppose that he alludes to this bird in the
following words. “‘ Tringa Hyperborea, or Red Phalarope :
the bill is slender and straight, about an inch long and beni
a little downwards at the tip, this species is very rare in
England.”

[ Note of the Editor.| Mr. Bewtck’s remarks respect-
ing the scarcity of this bird, may be applied to a great
many others which are found in England, we shall therefore
feel ourselves highly indebted to those correspondents, who
are possessed of a lucky opportunity of adding to this
desirable knowledge of the varieties of nature, as there is
still an ample field for discoveries of the different tribes of
insects, birds, fish, fossil remains of animals, &c. which
will alone impart a pleasing novelty to a work professing
to exhibit the secrets of nature ; and it is almost unnecessary
to say that all such communications will be most thankfully
received. If accompanied by accurate coloured drawings,
faithfully representing the various objects of description,
our pleasure and advantage will be considerably encreased,
and a rich harvest of knowledge and investigation will
amply repay our time, labour, and exertions.

TIgT Une “PLosmnngy AQ MT

VNW IVH d

Aqsng: Ty hq pavabuy huwg' fig uns

ENTOMOLOGY.

Distinctive Genus---PHALGENA. .
Division---ARCUATA VITREA; or, ATLAS
MOTH.

THE fanciful powers of the mind of tne great ip Ait
w=us, have no where been more plainly exemplified | than

in his various descriptions of the insect tribes. "The name
of Ailas has been therefore given by: him to. the moth which
is here represented, and who was r eported by the ancient

ios
mythological writers, to be: so ‘strong as to. be able to carry

the whole wo d upon his ‘shoulders, in which attitude, he
is general ‘represented by the ancient sculptors. Alas is
said also_ to have been a gre astronomer and to have
exami the courses of the plane pets) and stars, from that
celebrated mountain in Africa which still bears his name.
The present. moth | being ofa larger size and strength than
most others of his t , ibe, might pethaps os ag yeason for
that distinctive © Dalyeemey. 0 ’

The Phalena of our present number, is a native of
South America, and like most of that tribe of insects, is of
a predominer t brown colour, in opposition the Papilios,
which consist : general of wings more variegated in their
tints. Its form is arcuated, , or shaped like a bow, and pre-
sents a most graceful and elegant outline on every side.
On the middle of each “upper and lower wing, is placed a
very remarkable spot angular, of a whitish brown colour,

and of a transparent appearance ‘similar to glass or tale.

We prefer therefore the name of vitrea, or glassy, een

specific description, as intimating more plainly tlrose pecus
liar marks,

ENTOMOLOGY

The wings of all the Papilios‘and Phalwnas already
discovered are composed of a membranaceous or transparent
skin, extended between the tendons, or sinews; these are
generally covered with small feathers of different shapes and
colours, which present, when rubbed off, to the powers of
the microscope, a most curious object, being placed over
each other like the tiles of a house. When these are only
inserted on certain parts of the wing, the rest appear
transparent, similar to those of the common fly. The
present moth is from a fine specimen in Mr. Buitock’s
collection, and is a male insect, the female is possessed of
wings one inch larger in length and breadth; although this
observation of the superior size is not always a certain
criterion, as in some few species nature varies from that
rule. The under wings are ornamented hy a_ beautiful
chain-border, the upper wings consist of red and black
streaks at each extremity, the space chiefly occupied with
undulated dashes of black and brown, the anienns are
short and plain, and the whole presents to the view the true
character of the Simplex Munditiis of Horace, which, if
it could possibly be translated, might be cence sd, cle-
gance joined with neatness,

iE a ae
ore eee
Bp PEt

“Aiewad Fi

ade

-,

oes,

Seo ahey

Drawn by GLerry. Engrava by oe L Bushy.

STROMBUS SOLITARIS.

Pub ? by J Stratford Jan2.2é6n.

CONCHOLOGY.

Character.—Shell ni e, spiral, the cheek or Maxilla
Oris turn wards, and spread out like a flap,
» cut open and furrowed at the ue

Ils presented
few which

ae trombus, The
u small, but the
in the cheek of the
d in the side, and
Ae _ change

finds its o ; ow to
it occupies, it flexible instru ke ag form of a
trowel, and vy h y provided it, and
spreads a natu x plaister round the
edge of the mo g and adding to it,
as it progressiy this ,period it also
provides a safe cove!
the spire or long horn the :
the shell in the annexed y 1g Most of the other
Strombi however have five or six imitations of this principal
spire, and are generally placed u on the side of the cheek,
at regular distances. The inside ‘of ihe: Strombus Solitaris
(so named from the circumstance of its haying only one
| pd

%

CONCHOLOGY.

horn or spine) is of a bright red colour, and the whole shell
both within and. without, is undulated and tuberculated,
the beak and spire are sharp and pointed, and like the body
adorned with red streaks. Its form is strongly contrasted
with the Cyprxa, for in the latter shell the flap of the
cheek is always doubled and bent inwards upon the body.

The present shell which we have now executed is
drawn from an original in Mr. Buxiiock’s Museum, and
is a native of Africa and the East Indies. It has more of
singularity perhaps than beauty of colour, and resembles
in its outline an Urn or Vase upon the side where the spire
forms the principal termination. About fifteen species are
at present known, of which the Strombus Chiragra is the
most distinguishable for the great length and curvature of
the spines, and smallness of the body; which makes it
resemble the common star-fish so frequently found upon
the English Coast. ‘This curious shell with others of the

Strombus Genus we purpose to insert in some future num- —

ber of the Arcana, hoping that they will form an interest-
ing and comparative series of this singular division, to each
enquiring Conchologist.

GENERAL REMARKS

ON THE

FORMS AND ANALOGY OF THE TOUCAN,
PARROT, AND EAGLE.

2 he By Mr. G. Perry.

THE curious, yet sometimes almost insensible differ-
- ence in the bill and feet, which exists in the divisions of
the claws, has frequently suggested to my mind, the wish
for a more exact analogy and description. I have therefore
endeayoured in the account of three particular genera, to
mark out some outlines of character, in a more distinct
manner than has hitherto been done.

The Toucan is a native of Africa and the West
Indies, and is also found in all the countries bordering
upon the Torrid Zone. The bill of this curious bird is
of an uncommon shape, as to its immense length and thick-
ness, when compared with its body, which is sometimes
rather small; the bill resembles the claw of a large Lobster,
and this extraordinary bill is in one species seven inches
and a half long, and flattened like the handle of a knife.
The double billed Toucan, or Hornbill, has a second bill
standing upon the top of the other, but something less in its
size and length, yet it adds very much to the usual thick-
ness of the head, and gives it a very heavy appearance.
The generic name for these birds is Ramphostos, under
this family we also inclnde the Buceros of Linnzvs, not
seeing any sufficient difference for separating it. These
birds, although so formidable in their appearance, aré
quite harmless and gentle; they feed principal'y on pey-per, |
which they devour with great ardour, gorging thems: |ves
in such a manner as to yoid it crude and undigested, this

General Remarks, &c.

however is no objection to the natives using it again; they
even prefer it to that which is got fresh from the tree, and
seem persuaded that the strength and heat of the pepper is
qualified by the bird, and that all its noxious qualities are
thus extenuated.

We also add that their bills are bent downwards,
scythe-shaped, the upper mandible longest and bent over
the lower one at the tip of the bill, although this is ima
small degree.

The feet of the Toucan resemble those of a Parrot in
in every respect, having on each foot two claws placed
before and two behind, all of unequal Jength, and roundly
hooked at the ends, the outside longest and thickest.

OF THE PARROT.

The bill of this bird so emincnily distinguishing it

from all other birds, is much shorter and rounder therm

that of the Toucan, and the upper mandible hangs out

much farther over the end of the lower one, and is more —

hooked at the point.

The various circumstances of its shape are worthy of
a close investigation. First, the bill quarterly formed, each
part of the bill making an exact quarter of a circle. Se-
coudly, the quarterly formed, projecting. Thirdly, aqui-
line: Fourthly, aquiline projecting; and Fifthly, by
a crenated or channeled front. These distinctions seem to
form the most striking varieties that we have hitherto seen,
and are each of them to be found in the different Genera
of former Authors, such as the Macaw, Parrot, Parroquet,
Lory, &c. ‘The Macaw has a circular rim, bare of feathers
round the eye, which circumstance assimilates it to the

Toucan, but separates it from the Parrot and other smaller
birds. .

General Remarks, &c.

For the Character of the feet in the Parrot we refer
our reader to the foregoing account of the Toucan, they
being exactly the same in all respects.

The Parroquettes seem on the other hand always to
have a cheek and face covered, and are in some instances
crested with tufts, spread like the larger Parrots, but the
best division of these into sub-genera, would perhaps be
from the form of the tail, which is a more sure test than the —
colour of the body or wings, which frequently vary in the
male and female. The colours in the crest of the Hawk
Parrot exhibit all the richest tints of the rainbow, and the
bill is singularly marked with a hollow channel in the front,
and ending square at the bottom.

The Papuan Lory is distinguished by the great length
of the tail, its sharp bill ending ina crooked point, seem _
strongly to distinguish it from the rest of its congeners, and
to assimilate it in some to the elegant birds of Paradise.
The eyes of many of these birds seem to project for-
ward, and by this means to loose that natural projection,
which a hollow cavity would have improved, as in the
human head, where the eyes is quared by a projection.
of the forehead and temples, but in these birds the de-
ficiency (if so it may be called) is amply supplied by
the nistitating membrane, which a protecting skin or
membrane, with which the eyes is immediately covercd
oyer on any approach of danger, and at other times
seems to tubricate and moisten the surface, as often as
is necessary. We cannot help remarking in this the
singular bill of the Jabiru, the lower mandible being
turned upwards, something in the manner of the Avoset
anda few other curious species, equally curious in that
ef the spoonbill, which terminates in an increaved breadth
at the tip or extremity of the bill.

The Rhynchops Nigra is also a singular bird, of
the size of twelve inches, found on the shoals of the Islands.

General Remarks, &¢.

in the West Indies, the undermandible of the bill being
about two inches longer than the upper. It is said to
skim along the surface of the sea, many leagues from
Land alternately dipping its bill into the waves for the
capture of its prey. The Loxia also has in general the
upper and lower mandible of the bill crossing each other
for the convenient purpose of breaking open the core of
different sorts of nuts, for which end it is admirably
adopted.

Birds are distinguished chiefly from other animals
by the following singularities. In the circumstance of
their anatemy, they may be described when flying, as
a ship having wings for oars, a bill resembling a bows
sprit, its breast bone the keel, the legs and feet seem to
be the only part not employed, but these hang down
and answer for ballast to keep the vessel steady, and
lastly the tail is a rudder of the best kind, to steer its
passage through the ambient air. The neck is made
beautiful and soft in its texture by the interposition of
silky hairs placed amongst the feathers, and the quills
of the wings gradually increases in their size from the
origin to the extremity, and are capable by different
joints, of being folded up closely to the body and serves
to keep it warm, but the most remarkable conformation
of all is in their bill, which answers the purpose of mouth
and nose.

The Golden Eagle has been generally esteemed the-
sovereign of the feathered tribe, the dignity and majesty of
its form are strongly indicated by his large and muscular
neck, his powerful talons and broad spreading wings made
him an object of admiration in ancient times, and the
Romans adopted its image as the great standard for their
armies, and the emblem of supreme power. .

If the size and strength are to be supposed to constitute
the superior claim to the title of king of the birds, perhaps

General Remarks, &c.

the Condor Vulture* might dispute the right even with the
Eagle, as the extent of his wings far surpasses all other
birds that are known. The bill of the Eagle has ‘an entire
resemblance to that of the Parrot and Vulture-tribes, except
that the latter has a large fleshy protuberance branching
forth from the root of the bill. ‘It has three lengthened
toes in front and one behind, which, like the bill, is always
of a yellow colour in the female, and from whence he has
taken the title ofthe Golden Eagle. The male, in this
genus, has this singular peculiarity attached to it, of being

much smaller than the female, and which is usual also in
the Hawks and Owls; it is found frequently upon the coasts
of England and Scotland.

The Eagle is a solitary bird, and brings forth three or
four young at a time. It generally chooses some high
rock near the sea-coast, where he sits for whole days watch-
ing for his prey, the lonely tyrant of the stormy waste.

The Sea Eagle is a Jarge majestic bird, his bill is very
strongly bent, his eye fierce and frowning, and his food
consists principally of fish, or carcases of dead animals
thrown upon the coast, the bill is wholly black, the legs
and feet of a bright yellow, and slender in form. |

The Black Eagle is the smallest of the English, and
is only two feet three inches in length, from the tip of the
bill to the extremity of the tail.

The White-Tailed Eagle is conceived to be the strong-
est and largest of this tribe, its bill is very broad, the hook
of it pointed and projecting in the extremest part; the
nostril is deep and plainly marked: his whole features
exhibit a haughty ferocity and untameable cruelty. The
tail is broad, spreading and white,. the back feathers of a
light and dark brown mixed, like most of its congeners.

* See No. 2. of the ARCANA.

General Remarks, &e.

2 PALE RSS a

Having thus given a comparative outline of the most
remarkable circumstances of the bills and feet, in what we
-have described of the Linnean genera, we cannot help ,
noticing the curious bill of the Pelican,* which is provided
with a large flexible pouch, in the under-side of which he
can carry away half a bushel of dead fish.

The Flamingo owes all its singulatity to the amazing
length of its neck and legs, the bill is broadest in the
middle and bending suddenly inwards, something like the
head of a walking stick, and the lower mandible also, -
three times as thick asthe upper one. This is the only
instance that is known in nature of a bird having such a
form, The Horned Screamer-has a kind of sharp bill
springing out of the shoulder of each wing and supposed to
be extended for self-preservation, and from the center of
the forehead proceeds a sharp and curvated bristle hanging
forwards over the bill. Such are some of the most striking
contrasts and exhibitions of variety, not demonstrated always
through a whole family of birds, but most likely brought
forward by the hand of the Creator, to excite our wonder
and surprize at the greatness of all his designs.

%* We shall shortly have the pleasure of presenting our Subscribers with #
representation of the Pelican, from the drawing taken from a beautiful living
~ specimen in the possession ef Mr. Poxrro, '

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“PERRY'S ARCANA »__AN OVERLOOKED WORK.

By Grecory M. MAtuews, F.R.S.E., anp Tom IREDALE.
? ‘ ?

Jhe Field Yaturalists’ Club of Victoria.
|

(Read 15th January, 1912.)

ao te Farris gee Pie
f-—sonian Instit;, .o>
4, VA a ? uty,

LA

RICHMOND
COLLECTION. i

nage a Ae

Reprinted from the ‘‘ Victorian Naturalist,’ Vol. XXIX., No. 1.

IssuED 9TH May, 1912.

° *

N

ee | MATHEWS AND IREDALE, “ Perry's Aycana.”’

“PERRY’S ARCANA”—AN OVERLOOKED WORK.

By GreGorRY M. MAtTHEws, F.R.S.E., AND Tom IREDALE.

(Communicated by F. G. A. Barnard.)
(itead before the Field Naturalists’ Club of Victoria, 15th fan., 1912.)
It rarely happens that a work published in monthly parts, of
which twenty-one were issued, and dealing with subjects from
every class of natural history, entirely escapes the notice of
systematists in every branch of science for one hundred years.
That such would appear to be the case with the periodical
above named suggests that a réswmé of its contents will be of
interest, especially as many novelties are described and new
generic names introduced.

On the 1st January, 1810, appeared the first part of a monthly
journal after the style of the well-known “ Naturalists’
Miscellany’ of Shaw and Nodder. It contained four plates,
with accompanying letter-press and additional pages of in-
teresting matter. Twenty similar parts were issued, but as
the book now under review does not include the original
wrappers we cannot give the title, but the title-page of the
bound parts reads :—

“ Arcana——or The Museum of Natural History : con-
taining the most——recent discovered objects. Embellished
with coloured plates, and——corresponding descriptions :
with——Extracts relating to Animals, and. remarks
of celebrated travellers ;——combining a general survey of
Nature. London: Printed by George Smeeton, St. Martin’s
Lane for James Stratford, 112 Holborn Hill.——r8rr.”’

A page of dedication to J. C. Lettsom, Esq., M.D., &c., is
concluded ‘‘by George Perry.’ The first four plates are
beaded +) Zoology, Pl. 1,*..‘/,Conchology, :Pl, 1.;’° "Botany,
Pl. I.,” and ‘“‘ Entomology, Pl. I.’ This plan was not implicitly
followed, though a similar system of plate division was adopted,
the plates dealing with diverse subjects each month.

We are acquainted with only four copies of the work—one in
the Natural History Museum, South Kensington; one in the
library of the Zoological Society, London; one in Sweden,
and the fourth in our private library at Watford.

We have carefully collated the work, and as the plates are
all dated in fours we conclude they were issued as dated. This
conclusion is reinforced by internal evidence, as we note in the
letter-press to a December plate the following :—‘‘ In a former
number of the ‘ Arcana’ (for May) we imparted to our readers
a new species of this curious genus.’ Upon reference we find
the plate referred to is dated May. Again, in the September
plates a direct reference to the forthcoming publication of a
work is given, which work did not appear until after January,
1811. Other confirmatory notes we give in the following pages.

8 MATHEWS AND IREDALE, “‘ Perry’s Aycana.”’ wt eee

The plates and letter-press are neither numbered nor paged,
so for the purposes of this paper we have numbered the plates
I. to LXXXIV., and will refer to them under these numbers
It is easily remembered that Plates I. to XLVIII. were issued
in 1810, and Plates XLIX. to LXXXIV. in 1811, while, as
_ four were published monthly, the exact month is soon cal-
\ culated.

It is only just to record that Mr. C. Davies Sherborn, while
engaged on the second part of his monumental work, the
“Index Animalium,” had duly noted all the new names in
this work, and they have been carefully recorded for the
benefit of scientific workers and are at present available in the
Geological Department of the British Museum (Natural
History). It would thus have been unnecessary to draw up
these notes were it not for the fact that the publication of that
much-desired second volume of the “ Index’’ does not seem
to be yet in sight, owing to the colossal nature of the under-
taking.

Interested mainly in birds and shells, we shall first deal with
the plates covering these subjects, and then note the other
plates discussing points that have attracted us while working
up the first two subjects.

The author of the “‘ Arcana’ also published a “ Conchology,”’
and the Australian shells therein have been discussed by
Hedley (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 1902, p. 24),* who has given
a history of that book, as well as a life of the author. The
“Arcana’”’ is important inasmuch as it was mainly published
before the appearance of the ‘‘ Conchology,” and, dealing with
much the same material, antedates the ‘‘ Conchology,” and this
precedence of this hitherto unquoted work necessitates some
rather important alterations.

AVES.

Plate VII. is the first to give a bird, the Condor Vulture being
there represented without any scientific equivalent being pro-
posed. This is one of the few instances where no Latin name
is quoted. .

Plate IX. is named Psittacus nonpareil, a hitherto unrecorded
synonym of Platycercus eximius, Shaw.

Plate XI. is of Psitiacus viridis, which enters into the
synonymy of Pezoporus terrestris, Shaw.

Plate XX. shows Ara militaris from ‘“‘ New Holland,” being,
however, Ava mulitarvis (Linné) of South America.

Plate XXII. is a splendid figure of the Red-headed Crane of
New Holland, which Perry named Ardea rubicunda. One of

*See also a paper by Mr. J. H. Gatliff in Victorian Naturalist for
September, 1902 (xix., p. 75).—Epb. Vict. Nat.

May,

eee MATHEWS AND IREDALE, ‘‘ Perry’s Aycana.’’ 9

us has already pointed out (Nov. Zool., vol. xvii., p. 499, I9Io)
that this name must be used.

Plate XXIX. is of Paradisea regia, and is Linné’s species.

Plate XXXVI. figures Psittacus papuensis, from Papua.

In the text is written, ‘‘resemblance to that of the Ava
militaris or Military Macaw, described in the fifth number of
the ‘Arcana.’ Ava muilitaris is Plate XX., showing that up
to this point the four plates per man had apparently been
duly issued. 7At, XLT. Cone cots
~ Plate -L. represents the Red Phalacanes panel Perry names
Tringa rubra, variety.

Plate LVI. is of Pelicanus africanus, which must enter into
the synonymy of Pelecanus rufescens.

Plate LIX. is of the Black Swan, which Perry called Anas
cygnus-niger.

Plate LXX., figuring Lantus aurantius, from Buenos Ayres,
is a species of Thamnophilus, but seems indeterminable.

Plate LXXVIII., of the Crowned Crane of Africa, is called
Ardea coronata, which passes into the synonymy of A. pavonina,
Linné.

Plate LXXXII. is a figure of a Cassowary, which they called
Cassowara eximia, and guessed as habitat South America. It
is apparently a New Guinea form, and this name has not pre-
viously been noticed in literature.

MOLLUSCA.

Plate II. is very important to conchologists. On it are
figured four shells, of which No. 1 is called Volutella divergens,
No. 2 Septa scarlatina, No. 3 Rostellaria rubicauda, and No. 4
Trochus apiaria. The text states :—‘‘In describing the four
shells contained in the annexed plate, we shall endeavour pre-
viously to explain the different characters of each genus, that
the reader may afterwards more clearly recognize each peculiar
distinction appropriate thereto.”

This is the first introduction of the generic name Volutella,
which, however, falls as a synonym of Vasum, Bolten (Museum
Boltenianum, p. 56, 1798) ; this species is perhaps V. muricatum,
Born.

This introduction of the genus Sepia, however, once more
disorganizes the nomenclature of the Tritons. Perry diagnoses
it thus :—‘‘ Shell univalve, spiral, having membranaceous septa
or divisions, placed upon the body and spire opposite and
alternate; these are of a different colour to the rest of the
shell, and slightly tuberculated.”’ The only species at that
time noted and figured is Septa scarlatina ; consequently this
species becomes automatically the type of Sepia. This shell
s easily identified as Murex rubecula, Linné (Syst. Nat., roth

ra ) ; ” Vict. Nat.
10 MATHEWS AND IREDALE, “‘ Perry’s Arcana. Vol. XXX.

ed., p. 749, 1758). In the Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, vol.
Xx., part I, 1900, p. 416, Dall and Simpson used Septa, Perry
(1811), to replace Tvzton, Montfort (1810), not Linné (1758),
Tritonium, Cuvier (1817), not Muller (1776), for the shells
congeneric with Murex tritonis, Linné.

In the Smithsonian Miscell. Collections, vol. xlvii., pp. 114
et seq. (1904), Dall wrote up an historical and systematic review
of the Frog-shells and Tritons, and therein gave his reasons for
thus accepting Septa, and named as type S. rubicunda, Perry.

But this prior introduction of Sefta in conjunction with a
shell not congeneric with S. rubicunda, Perry, necessitates a
readjustment of names. Pilsbry (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Philad., vol. lvi., p. 21, 1904) cited Sepia as a sub-genus of
Aquillus, Montfort, but as Sepa appeared on Ist January,
1810, and Aguillus 1810, it is very doubtful whether the latter
appeared at such an early date. It is certain that Septa must
be referred to the neighbourhood of Cymatium, Bolten (1798),
but whether as an absolute synonym of that name or whether
it can be retained sub-generically we are not prepared to
decide. A monograph of the Tritons is much required, and
would appear to be urgently necessary, inasmuch as Dall’s
review (above quoted) was of a skeletal nature, and not
altogether satisfactory, as we have seen the same shell given
three different generic locations by students attempting to
utilize Dall’s key.

The third shell is called Rostellarta rubtcunda, and it is
obviously the same shell as figured by Chemnitz (vol. x1i., p.
146, tab. 195A) as Strombus erythrinus, and which Tryon
(Man. Conch., vol. vil., p. 119, 1885) relegated to the synonymy
of Strombus dentatus, Linné, with varietal rank.

The fourth is Tvochus apiaria, “a nondescript, lately im-
ported from Botany Bay.’’ The same figure is given in the
‘Conchology,” pl. xlvii., fig 3, with the description shghtly
altered and the locality given as Van Diemen’s Land. When
Hedley discussed Perry’s Australian shells he ignored this
species, and we are unable to definitely name it.

Plate VI. is of Septa tritoma = Murex tritonis, Linné.

Perry wrote :—‘‘ This shell, classed with the genus Sepia,
and which has hitherto been described erroneously as a
Murex. .’; and then noted—‘‘ Another shell, which
has considerable resemblance in its general form to the one
now described, has lately been discovered in New Holland,
but it differs in the minuter peculiarities of form and colour,
being much smaller, and of a redder colour.” This apparently
refers to the shell figured in the ‘‘Conchology”’ as Septa
rubicunda. In the later work Septa tritonia is not reproduced,
though most of the ‘‘ Arcana”’ shells are here again illustrated.

pte | MATHEWS AND IREDALE, “ Perry’s Arcana.” II

Plate XII. is of Pomacea maculata, which “is conceived to
be a native of the South Seas.’’ This is the first use of the
generic name Pomacea, which is a synonym of Ampullaria,
Lamarck. The species we cannot recognize, while the habitat,
when it was re-figured in the ‘Conchology,” pl. xxxviii.,
fig. 3, was altered to West Indies.

Plate XV. contains figures of four fossil shells, named Conus
angulatus, Aculea angulata, Ceritthium levis, and Cassis

verrucosa, of which is written :—‘‘ The above shells are of the
kind found in different parts of France, in beds of gravel or
clay.”

Plate XVI. purports to be a figure of Conus gloria-maris,
and a shell in the British Museum is mentioned. When the same
figure was reproduced in the “ Conchology,” pl. xxv., fig. I,
it was definitely said to be “ delineated from a fine specimen
in the British Museum.’ The figure seems, however, to have
been drawn from a nice specimen of Conus textilis ; moreover,
no record is kept of a British Museum specimen of Conus
gloria-maris at that early date. Perry notes :—‘‘ The Conus
has a considerable analogy to the genus Volutella, lately
established.”’

Plate XIX. is a good representation of “‘ Bulimus zebra, a
native of the South Seas and of the islands of New Zealand,”’
which shows a quaint mixing of localities, the shell being the
well-known Achatina zebra, Gmelin, of Africa.

Plate XXIII. introduces the genus 771Alex, the species name
chosen being foliatus. This is a splendid figure of the shell
many years later named M. palmarose, Lamarck (Anim. s.
Wereavol. tees p-.572)-5) When, later, Perry reproduced. the
same figure in the “‘Conchology”’ (pl. vi., fig. 3), he altered
the specific name to 7. vosavia, and the reproduction is not
such a nice picture as the “ Arcana’’ one. Thus by monotypy
the type of T7iplex is T. foliatus, Perry, and the specific name
supersedes M. palmarose, Lam.

Perry remarks :—‘‘ The Triplex genus of shells are re-
markable for their triangular form, which is occasioned by three
thick divisions placed lengthwise on the outside of the shell,
and which form its chief ornament. Other shells, which in
many respects have a resemblance to it, are distinguished in
a similar way: the Monoplex has one fold on its body; the
Biplex two folds ; the Hexaplex six folds, and so on with the
following species, until we arrive at the greatest number, the
Polyplex, in which the folds are very numerous, but the
number not defined.”

Plate XXVIII. contains figures of five shells, the centre one
being Scalaria disjuncta, the Turbo scalaris, Linné. Of the
other four is written :—‘‘ The four small shells which accom-

12 MatHEws AND IREDALE, “ Perry’s Arcana.” [Vict Net.
pany the Wentletrap are drawn from specimens lately im-
ported from New South Wales. Nos. 1 and 2 are of the
Conus genus, and resemble the larger kind in their form;
No. 3 is evidently of the Tvochus kind; No. 4, Pyrula, re-
sembling a little pear. They are given to show the variety of
their patterns and form, and are hitherto unnamed by any
conchologist.”’

Plate XXX. is a nice figure of Voluta pacifica, of which it is
written that it was discovered “‘ by that accurate investigator
of nature, Dr. Solander, in one of the small islands near New
Zealand, when employed upon a voyage of discovery with that
illustrious circumnavigator, Captain Cooke.”

Plate XXV. contains two beautiful figures of shells, Triplex
flavicunda, from Botany Bay and New Zealand, and Triplex
vubicunda, from Ceylon. These were both figured under the
same names, but not such good figures, in the ‘‘ Conchology ”’
(pl. vi., pp. 2 and 4), concerning which Hedley wrote :—
“Triplex flavicunda, Perry, and T. rubicunda, Perry, are
marked by Deshayes (An. s. Vert., 1x., p. 574) as synonyms
of Murex adustus, Lam. (1822). Over all these names Purpura
scabra, Martyn (Univ. Conch. (1789), pl. 113) has precedence.
While agreeing that Tviplex flavicunda, Perry = Purpura
scabra, Martyn, we would point out that Triplex rubicunda,
Perry, seems to differ, and is identical with the shell named
Murex rubiginosus by Reeve (Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1845, p. 86),
over which it has priority. We have examined Reeve’s type.

Perry notes that Murex ramosus, Linné, should be called
Triplex ramosus, as it is not referable to Murex as he restricts it.

Plate XXIX., named Conus particolor, is a good figure of a
specimen of Conus aulicus, Linné. This was omitted from the
““Conchology,’’ so has hitherto been unrecorded.

Plate XLIII. shows Perry’s Bulimus phasianus, which
becomes a synonym of Phastanella australis, Gmelin.

Plate XLVII. is a beautiful figure of the shell later named
Murex tenuspina by Lamarck. It was _ re-figured in the
“Conchology,” pl. xlv., fig. 3. and there re-named Avanea
trivemis. This name has been accepted in lieu of M. tenuispina,
Lamarck, by Hedley, but another alteration seems necessary,
as on this plate, which has priority, the name chosen is Avanea
gracilis.

Plate LII. is named by Perry Stvombus solitaris, which name
becomes a synonym of Strombus gallus, Linné.

Plate LIV. is of a magnificent species of Murex, measuring
184 mm. in length, and which is named Aranea conspicua
This is a much better figure than the one under the same name
in the ‘‘ Conchology”’ (pl. xlvi., fig. 3), and, though of such grand
dimensions, we have been unable to identify it.

ail MATHEWS AND IREDALE, “‘ Perry's Aycana.” 13

Plate LVIII. is lettered Buccinum dilatum, but the text is
headed Buccinum orbiculare. It is a good figure of the shell
later named Dolium maculatum by Lamarck (An. s. Vert.,
vol. x., p. 140, 1844), and, as both Perry’s names have priority,
we prefer the text name, and therefore Tonna orbicularis, Perry,
must be used for the shell now called Jonna maculata, Lamarck.

Plate LXII., named Trochus zebra, is a fair figure of Trochus
niloticus, Linné.

‘Plate LXVI. is called Buccinum distentum, and of which Perry
writes :—‘‘ It differs from others chiefly in the shortness of the
rostrum or beak, and more especially from that which we have
described formerly in No. XV. of the ‘Arcana.’”’ The figure
is indeterminable, but seems to have been drawn from a specimen
of Turbo petholatus, Linné, and, the mouth having been
damaged, the artist has imagined a canal. No. XV. of the
“Arcana,” above referred to, would contain Plate LVIIL.,
where the other dissimilar Buccinum is figured, and it would
follow that four plates to each number had been adhered to.

Plate LXXI., of Pecten sanguineum, from the Red Sea, is
another indeterminable figure.

Plate LXXV. is a figure of Strombus chiragra, Linné, which
Perry named on the plate Strombus divergens and in the text
Strombus nigricans.

Plate LXXX., giving a splendid figure of a Cone which Perry
called Conus bandatus, is another of his puzzles. It is quite
indeterminable, but may have been drawn from a specimen
of Conus miles, Linné, to which has been added a little imagina-
tion by the artist.

Plate LXXXIV. is entitled Pinus. The text is headed
“Class Fossilia, Order Univalvia, Species Rostellaria.” This
last would seem to have meant genus, and the text bears this
out, but “appears to belong to the genus Rostellaria.”’

ECHINODERMA.

Plate XXXIV. is of Echinus castaneus, a native of the South
Seas and of the coasts of New Holland.

Plate XXXVIII. represents Echinus stellaris, from the
South Seas, and in the text another species is mentioned as
Echinus sceptriferus. None of these names appear to have been
noticed before in literature.

MAMMALIA.

Plate I. figures the Tiger, Felis tigris, Linn.

Plate X. is of the Platypus, or Ornithorinxus paradoxus, from
New Holland. The text contains the following :—‘‘ A second
animal of the same genus, and which may be called the Platypus
longirostra, has lately been shot. in Adventure Bay, at Van
Dieman’s Land.’ Then follows the description, which seems

ree ce ? ” Vict. Nat.
14 MATHEWS AND IREDALE, “ Perry’s Arcana.” | yo)"xxIx.

to pertain to Echidna setosa, Cuvier, as figured in Gould’s
‘Mammals of Australia,”’ vol. i., pl. 3, and has priority.

Plate XIII. is of the Dolphin.

Plate XIV. represents the Vicuna, Camelus pacos, Linné.

Plate XVII. is of the Koalo, or New Holland Sloth.

Plate XXI. is a nice figure of the Wombach of Botany Bay,
which Perry called Opossum hirsutum. This is the first and
only time we can note Opossum being used as a generic name.
Fortunately, it falls as a synonym of Phascolomis, Geoffroy
(1803). The specific hirsutum, however, would appear applic-
able to the New South Wales Wombat, and the earliest name
available.

Plate XXVII. figures Dipus muscola, from New Holland.
We are unable to identify this figure.

Plate XXXII. illustrates the ‘‘Opossum Flying Mouse, that
lives in the trees and forests of Botany Bay.’ Perry writes :—
‘““Character.—Not exactly known.”

Plate XL. is a figure of Sapajus jacchus.

Plate XLI. illustrates Bradypus striatus, supposed to come
from South America.

Plate XLIX. figures the Giraffe, from near the Cape ai Good
Hope, which Perry called Camelus camelopardalis.

Plate LIII. introduces the genus Antelopa, the plate repre-
senting Anteloba montana, the Mountain Cow of Morocco.

Plate LVII. is the Lion, Felis leo.

Plate LXI. is of the Elephant, from Africa and Asia, which
Perry named Elephas gigas, and in the text he wrote :—
“There is also found a second and different species, which is
said to reside in the kingdom of Tibet, and, being much smaller
and of an opposite form, is to be considered as a separate
animal from the above under the title or name of Elephas
socotrus.”’

Plate LXIII. is of the Panther, Felis pantherus, from Senegal.

Plate LXV. is of the Leopard, Felis leopardis.

Plate LXVII. figures a skull of Babyrousa quadri-cornua,
from Amboyna. According to Palmer (Index Generum
Mammalium, 1904, p. 130), the earliest name for this genus is
Babirussa, Frisch, but as that name is invalid, that writer
being non-binomial (= non-binary), the next in sequence is
Babiroussus, Gray (Lond. Med. Repos., vol. xv., p. 306, April,
1821). Perry’s Babyrousa would thus appear applicable,
having ten years’ priority over Gray’s name.

Plate LXVIII. is a figure of the Guanaco, which Perry called
Guanaco patagonia. Again referring to Palmer (p. 128‘, we
find the earliest name for this genus is Auchenia, Illiger, pro-
posed the same year as Perry’s, but that this name is pre-
occupied by Thunberg (1789), and therefore Dvomedarius,

aoe | MATHEWS AND IREDALE, “ Pevyy’s Arcana.” 15
Wagler (1830), is considered available. Perry’s Guanaco seems
to claim usage, being nineteen years earlier than Wagler’s
name.

Plate LXXII. is a skull of the fossil Elk, Cervus fossilis.

Plate LXXIII is of Dipus tridactylus, or Kangaroo.

Plate LXXVI. figures Equus zebra.

Plate LXXVII. illustrates Ovts aries.

Plate LX XXIII. is of the Hyzna.

REPTILIA.

Plate V. is a picture of the Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus,
Linné.

Plate XXV. is a new Chameleon, called Chameleo pallida,
from Egypt.

Plate XXXIII. figures a tortoise from Panama, which Perry
calls Testudo panama.

PISCES.

Plate VIII. is of Sparus bandatus.

Plate XVIII. is of the Sea Horse, genus Syngnathus, or
Hippocampus, species foliatus, a native of Botany Bay. In the

text is written :—‘ The Hippocampus, or Sea Horse, has been
always placed by the most eminent naturalists with Syngnathus
SUG. sise oi. a nel ish called: Sypnenatius. OF

Pipe Fish, we cannot help considering as decidedly distinct
from the proper Hippocampus, to be divided into a separate
form, and we regard the different form of the tail already
described as quite sufficient reason.’ This is the first use of
Hippocampus generically, and as type must be quoted 4H.
foliatus.

Plate XXVI. purports to figure a new species of Stvomateus
—viz., depressus.

Plate XLV. represents Hippocampus erectus, and in the text

we again note :—‘‘ In a former number of the ‘ Arcana’ (for
May) we imparted to our readers a new species of this curious
genus. . . . The Hippocampus erectus is a native of the

American Seas.’ Plate XVIII. is here referred to, confirming
the conclusion that four plates were regularly issued monthly.
Plate LV., figuring Congiopodus percatus, appears to intro-
duce a new generic name which has not hitherto been noticed.
Plate LXIV. is of Esox niloticus, from the Nile.
Plate LXXIX. figures Zeus faber, or John Dory.

INSECTA.
Plate IV. gives figures of two species of Fulgova—F. pyro-
rhynchus, from ‘‘ Bengal,” and F. candelaria, a native of China.
Plate XXIV. figures Mantis foliaceus.
Plate XXXI. is of Papilio demosthenes, from the Brazils.
Plate XXXVII. contains two figures—the upper one of

Vict. Nat.
Vol. XXIX.

Papilio phillts, Fabricius, from Mexico; the lower, Phalena
corollaria, from North America.

Plate XLVI. figures a Papilio of the division Arcuatus, which
Perry then called Arcuatus ceruleus. In the text Perry pro-
poses a new classification of the Papilionide, naming the
divisions from the shape of the wings. His six divisions are
named—Arcuatt, Orbatt, Caudati, Excelsi, Cuspidati, and
Muscarw. Though noting these are divisional names only,
and using them as such, in a few cases, as the one under notice,
he omits the prefixation of the generic Papilio.

Plate LI. is of a Phalena of the division Arcuata, species
name witvea, from South America.

Plate LX. represents a Papilio which Perry called Arcuatus
catenarius, from the Brazils.

Plate LXIX. is a beautiful figure of Sphynx castaneus, said
to have arrived from Port Jackson.

Plate LXXIV. represents a Phalena of the division Arcuatus,
but here called P. fenestra.

Plate LXXXI. is of Papilio volcanica, from Rio de la Plata
and Peru.

‘ PAL ONTOLOGY.

Plate XLII. illustrates a fossil Trilobite, which Perry called
Monoculithos gigantea, a generic introduction previously un-
noticed.

Plate XLVIII. contains two more species of Perry’s genus
Monoculithos, the specific names used being folymorphus and
hexamorphus.

16 MATHEWS AND IREDALE, “‘ Perry’s Aycana.”’

BOTANY.

Plate III. in the first part is headed ‘“‘ Botany, Pl. I.,’”’ and is
noteworthy as being the first and last to deal with a botanical
subject, the plate representing the Ceroxylon, or Palm-tree.

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