MAGAZINE ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY. CONDUCTED BY Sir W. JARDINE, Bart.—P. J. SELBY, Esa. ad AND ? Dr JOHNSTON. “ Rerum naturalium sagazx Indagator.”’ VOLUME FIRST. W. H. LIZARS, EDINBURGH ; S. HIGHLEY, 32, FLEET STREET, LONDON; AND W. CURRY, JUN. & CO., DUBLIN. MDCCCXXXVII. _“ Omnes res creatz sunt divine sapientiz et potenti testes, divitie felicitatis numane ; ex harum usu bonitas Creatoris ; ex pulchritudine sapientia Domini; ex ceconomia in conservatione, proportione, renovatione, potentia majestatis elucet. Earum itaque indagatio ab hominibus sibi relictis semper xstimata; a veré eruditis et sapientibus semper exculta; male doctis et barbaris semper inimica fuit.”— Linn. PRINTED BY JOHN STARK, EDINBURGH, II. VIIC. Il. VII. ats bs A LIBR RAE CONTENTS. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. No. I. . Some Remarks on the Study of Zoology, and on the present state of the ea By the Rev. LEonarD JENYNs, M. A.; F.L.S.3; F. Z. S.3 - ° Page 1 On the ere of contiguous ens in the Wood of Exogenous Trees. By Rev. J. S. HENsLow, M.A. Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge, : . The Natural History of the British Ete By WILLIAM BatrD, Surgeon, ; . Notices of British Fungi. By Rev. M. J. Benani ee M. A. No. 1. . Contributions to the Ichthyology of the Firth of Forth. By R. Par- NELL, M. D. No. |. - The Honey-bee community. Length of ‘life allotted to its different members. By EDWARD BEVAN, M. D. . On the Genus Paradoxornis. By J. GouLD, F, I.. s, &ce. The, Natural History of British Zoophytes. By GEORGE JOHNSTON, M. D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, No. ITI. . On the requisites necessary for the advance of Botany. By the Rev. J. S. HENsSLow, M. A., Professor of 7 in the University of Cambridge, Observations on the Digestive Oia: of oe By eee Mac- GILLIVRay, A. M., F. R. S. E., M. W. S. Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Sansone of Edinburgh, Botanical Notes. By CHARLES C. BaBIneTON, M.A. F. L. S. &c. - The Characters of two new Genera of South African Reptiles, with de- scriptions of species belonging to each. By ANDREW SMITH, M. D., M. W..S., &c. - Characters and Descriptions of the raehet Teecte Pee enaes to Bri- tain. By JaMEs Duncan, M. W. S., &c. &c. . Notice of the Lutjanus rupestris of Bloch. By P. J. Set Esq. F. B.S. E., &c. : : - Observations on some circumstances sioeaiie the process of Exuvia- tion in Shrimps and Lobsters. By JoNaTHAN Coucn, F.L. S. No. III. - On the Natural History and Relations of the Family of Cuculide or Cuckoos, with a view to determine the series of their variation. By WILLIAM SwalInson, F. R. & L. S. &c. 113 125 136 141 145 167 170 213 1V Contents. II. The Natural History of British Zoophytes)s By GEORGE JOHNSTON, - M. D. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Page 228 IIf. On the Pollan (Coregonus pollan, Thompson,) of Lough Neagh. By WiLLiAM THOMPSON, Esq., Vice-President of the Natural His- tory Society of Belfast, . ° 247 IV. Descriptions of some new species of Exotic Colsoterous ligeeots from the collection of Sir Patrick Walker. By J. O. WEsTWwooD, F.L.S., &c. é : 5 251 Y- On the Comparative Elevation of Testes in the Alps) By EDwARD ForBEs, 3 ‘ 257 VI. On the Structure of the Fipwees of Biloxa Moschatellina. By the Rev. J.S. HENsLow, M. A. Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge, - : - : E 259 No. 1V. I. The Natural History of the British Entomostracaa By W1LLIAM BAIRD, Surgeon, : : F 309 II. Observations on the Germination of perk By Mr J HENDERSON, 333 III. Observations on the process of Exuviation in the Common Crab (Can- cer pagurus, Linn.) By JonaTHaNn Coucu, F. L. S. 341 IV. Contributions to the Ivhthyology of the Firth of Forth. No. II. By RIcHARD PaRNELL, M. D. . ; 344 V. Observations on the Raptores of South America. Translated from “* Voyages dans l’Amerigue Meridionale, par M. ALcIDE D. D’ORBIGNY,” 2 : ° 347 VI. Characters and Descriptions of the Dipteredd cee indigenous to Britain. By JAMES Duncan, M. W.S., &c. &c. : 309 VII. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorcr JounstTon, M. D. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, : 368 VIII. Remarks on the Reproductive Organs of Pilularia elobulifera) and the Globules of Chara Vulgaris. By Mr GEorceE DickIz, - 382 No. V. ‘I. Observations on the importance of a Local Fauna ;—exemplified in the Fauna of Twizel. By P. J. SeuBy, F.R.S. E., 6 42] If. Observations on the construction of a Local Flora. By H. COTTEREL Watson, Esq. ° 424 III. On the Natural History and Relations of the family of odeundls or Cuckoos, with a view to determine the series of their variation. By WiILLiaM Swainson, F. R. & L.S., &c. , 430. IV. Some account of the Comparative neattiy of two species of the genus Cercocebus, Geoffroy. By P. C. EyrTon, Esq. . ; 437 V. The Natural History of British Zoophytes. By GEORGE JOHNSTON, M. D. Fellow of thé Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, 440 VI. Notes on the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris, Cuv.) as observed in the vicinity of Epping Forest. By HENRY DouBLEDay, Esq. 448 VII. On Hybrids produced in a Wild State between the Black-Grouse (Te- trao tetrix,) and Common Pheasant (Phasianus Colchicus.) By Wirtu1am Tompson, Esq. Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History Society, : : - ‘ 450 . Contents. v VIII. Characters and Descriptions of the Dipterous Insects indigenous to Bri- tain. By JaMEs Duncan, M. W.S., &c. &c. : Page 453 IX. Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By WitLL1am THompsoN, Esq. Vice-President of the Natural History Society of Belfast, : é 459 X. Descriptions of two new species s of Opiittia : with pails on the Struc- ture of the Fruit of Rhipsalis. By Rev. J. S. HENsLow, M. A. 466 Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge, VI. I. Notices of British Fungi. By Rev. M. J. BERKELEY, M. A., F.L.S. 507 Il. The Natural History of the British Entomostraca. By WiILLIaM BatrD, Surgeon, H. C. S. . . III. Contributions to British Ichthyology. By R. ParNnELL, M. D. IV. Miscellanea Zoologica. By GrorGE JounsTon, M. D. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, : V. Notes regarding the distinctive habits of the Scotch Phoce or sa By JAMES Witson, F. R.S. E., &c. REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS. No. I. I. Iconographia della Fauna Italica. DiCarLo Luciano BonaPaRTE, Principe de Musignano. be II. The English Flora. By Sir J. E. Smirn, M. D., F. R. S., it The British Flora. By W. J. aden LL. D., F. R. S., &c. The English Flora, Vol. v. part i. (Or the British Flora, Vol. ii. Part i.) By W. J. Hooker, LL.D, F.R.S., &c. 3 i PERIODICALS. The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, The Magazine of Natural History, and Journal of Zoology, pm Mile: ralogy, Geology, and Meteorology, . Annales des Sciences Naturelles, American Journal of Sciences and Arts, : é - No. If. I. De l’Histoire Naturelle des Cétacés, ou Recueil et Examen des faits dont se compose l’Histoire Naturelle des ces Animaux. Par M. F. CUVIER, ‘ 3 II. A Monograph of the Family Ramps By J. Goutp, F. L. S. Three Parts, folio, é : PERIODICALS. The Entomological Magazine, . ; : : Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. AUDOUIN et MILNE- Epwarps. Botanique. MM. Ap. BRONGNIART et GUILLEMIN, Arcniv fiir Anatomie physiologie und Wissenschaftliche Medicin, &c. Von JOANNES MULLER, : 4 5 - 514 526 529 539 82 93 99 100 101 102 174 187 192 193 196 vi Contents. No. III. L Flora Hibernica, comprising the Flowering Plants, Ferns, Characez, Musci, Hepatic, Lichenes, and Algz of Ireland, arranged according to the Natural System, with a Synopsis of the Genera according to the Linnean System. By JamMEs TowNSEND Mackay, M. R.I. A. &e. “ wee - : +, , Page 262 II. Voyage aux ‘Indes Orientales, par le nord de l'Europe, pendant les an- nées 1825-26-27-28 and 29. ZooxLociEe, par MM. C. Betan- GER, IstDORE GEOFFROY Saint HiLarrE, Lesson, VALEN- CIENNES, DESHAYES, et GUERIN, 2 : 269 III. Nene Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abyssinien gehorig, entdeckt und beschrieben, von Dr EpwarD RiipeELL, : 275 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. A History of British Quadrupeds. By THomas BELL, F, R. S., &c. 4 280 Flora Metropolitana, or Botanical Rambles within thirty miles of London, in- tended for the Student in Practical Botany. By DANIEL CooPER, 281 The Ornithologist’s Text-Book. By NEVILLE Woop, Esq. : 281 British Song Birds, being popular Descriptions and Anecdotes of the Cho- risters of the groves. By NEVILLE Woop, Esq. ; 282 Collection de Perroquets, pour faire suite a la publication de Tepaiiane Par le Dr A. BouRgJatT Saint HILARE, A a 232 Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Par M. le Baron CUVIER, et M. A. Va- LENCIENNES, : 283 Histoire Naturelle Gera et Parivntiers de tous les Cones de Eenailics Univalves marines a l’etat vivant et fossiles. Par P. L. DucLos, 284 Observations on the Genus Unio, together with descriptions of New Genera and Species in the Families Naiades, Conche, Columacea, Lymnzana, Melaniana and Peristomiana. By Isaac LEa, é : 284 Erpetologie Generale ou Histoire Naturelle complete des Reptiles. Par M. C. DUMERIL and G BIBRON, é 6 ‘ J 285 PERIODICALS. The. Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Prof. JamEson, 286 The Magazine of Natural History. Conducted by J. C. Loupon, c 287 Entomological Magazine, . : : . 288 Companion to the Botanical Magazine. a Sir W. J. HOOKER, 289 Annales des Sciences Naturelles, “ ‘ 290 Archiv fiir Anatomie, Physiologie, znd. W ‘ssenceliafttehe Medicin, &c. Von Dr JoANNES MULLER, ' : 5 ; 292 No. IV. I. A History of British Fishes. By WILLIAM YARRELL, F. L. S. 384 It. A Catalogue of British Plants, arranged according to the Natural System. By the Rev. J. S. HENSLow, M. A. . 393 111. The Northern Flora; or a description of the Wild Blanes baler erie to the north and east of Scotland, with an account of their places of growth and properties. By ALEXANDER Murray, M. D. 396 BIBLIOGRAGHICAL NOTICES. Catalogue of British Plants, printed for the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 398 Contents. vil A History of the rare Species of British Birds ; intended as a supplement to the History of British Bile by the late naa! Bewick. By T. C. Eyton, Esq. : OS : Page 400 Herpetologia Mexicana. Edidit Dr Anewp, FRIEDERICUS AUGUSTUS | WEIGMAN, - 401 British Fungi, consisting of dried Snecaaer of the Sfecies avicniben's in Vol. v. Part ii. of the English Flora. By the Rev. M. J. BERKELEY, M. A. 401 PERIODICALS. The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Prof. JamEson, 402 The Magazine of Natural History. Conducted by J. C. Loupon, : 402 Companion to the Botanical Magazine, ; 403 Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wisseutbutten zu Berlin, . 404 Annales des Sciences Naturelles, 4 5 i ‘ 412 No. V. Histoire Naturelle des Iles ma Par MM. P. BarKER-WEBB et SaBIN BERTHELOT, 470 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. Hymenopterorum Inchneumonibus affinium monographiz, Genera Europea et Species illustrantes. Scripsit C. G. NEES AaB ESENBECK, 482 Forstinseckten, &c. Forest Insects. The Natural History of iuscees which prove injurious to Woods. By Professor E. A. RossM&SSLER, X 483 PERIODICALS. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, . : : 484 Annales des Sciences Naturelles, E ‘ ; : 584 The Magazine of Natural History, A : : 489 Entomological Magazine, No. VI. I. Dr Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopedia. Natural History. 1. On the Geo- graphy and Classification of Animals. By W. Swarnson, Esq.— 2. Classification of Quadrupeds. By W. Swarnson, Esq. 545 II. Suites 4 Buffon, formant, avec les ceuvres de cet auteur, un cours com- plet d’histoire naturelle. Collection accompagneée de planches. Dip- : teres, par M. Macauart. Tom. i. 1834.—Species Général des Lepidoptéres, par le Dr BotspuvaL. Tom. i. 1836. . 567 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. A Synopsis of the Birds of Australia and the adjacent Islands. By Joun GouLp, F. L. S., &c. x 5 571 Birds of Europe. By JOHN GOULD, F. L. Ss. : “ie 572 Illustrations of Ornithology. By Sir W. JARDINE, and P. J. SELBY, . 573 PERIODICALS. Transactions of the Linnzan Society of London, 573 The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted _ Prof. va 574 Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History. : “ : 575 Entomological Magazine, - a ‘ ; 577 Pw a6 Vill Contents. Companion to the Botanical Magazine, . . Page 578 Nouveaux Memoires de la Société Imperiale des atnwalaeees de Moscow, 583 Bulletin de la Societé Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscow, . 584 Muller’s Archiv fiir Anatomie, Physiologie, &c. 4 : 586 Linnea—Ein Journal fiir die Botanik, u. s. w. : ; 587 Annales des Sciences Naturelles, e. : é : 588 INTELLIGENCE. No. I. Zoological, 103.—Botanical, 106.—Miscellaneous, 107.—Proceedings of So- cieties, &c. 109.—Obituary, . - - ; 112 No. II. Zoological, 198.—-Botanical, 201.—Miscellaneous, 202.— Proceedings of So- cieties, 205.—Obituary, : iin. hi : 210 No. ITI. Zoological, 293.—Botanical, 295.—Miscellaneous—Report of the Sixth Meet- ing of the British Association for advancement of Science, 297.—-Proceedings of Societies, 306.—Obituary, 4 : 3 : 308 No. IV. Zoological, 414.—Botanical, 415.—Proceedings of Societies, 416.—Miscel- laneous, 418.—Obituary, : 6 = : 419 No. V. Zoological, 491.—Botanical, 495.—Miscellaneous,—Proceedings of Societies, 500 No. VI. Botanical, 591.—Proceedings of Societies, 592.—Obituary, : 595 PLATES. PxiaTE I. Ichthyology of the Firth of Forth. oe : British Fungi. 7 IV. Digestive Organs of Aquila chrysaétos. V. Intestinal Canal of Buteo vulgaris. VI. Crenilabrus rupestris. VII. Coleopterous Insects in Collection of Sir Patrick Walker. _ VIr. IX. British Entomostraca. XI. XII. XIII. Pycnogonide. XIV. Opuntiz. I.* Tadpole Fish. XV. British Fungi. XVI. Cypris Pubera. XVII. XVIII. ‘ Germination of Ferns. ; Planarian Worms. OF . ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. I. —Some Remarks on the Study of Zoology, and on the present state of the Science. By the Rev. Leonarp Jenyns, M.A.; F. L.S.; Be A. Oe S&C. NaTuRAL History has not only, like most other sciences, made great progress of late years, but it has assumed an importance, to which formerly it in vain attempted to lay claim. It is not, indeed, surprising that so long as it was restricted to collecting plants and animals as mere objects of curiosity, or judged to be of no further con- sequence than as it admitted of application to economic purposes, it should be either held up to contempt by the majority of thinking men, or tolerated only so far as it was studied with immediate reference to the ends just alluded to. But there are other grounds upon which, in these days, it is deemed worthy of our regard. The mere collec- tor, indeed, is held in no higher esteem than formerly. The advan- tages. we derive from an acquaintance with those organized beings which are capable of supplying the wants, or augmenting the conve- niences of life, are not overlooked, but are considered rather as indi- rect benefits resulting from the cultivation of this science, than as the immediate objects to which all our researches incline. Natural His- tory is of importance from the effects which it produces, or which at least it is capable of producing, upon the human mind. As a study, it tends equally with all other studies to strengthen the faculties, to fix the attention, and, to a certain extent, to exercise our powers of correct judgment and reasoning. As the particular study of those innumerable beings which people the earth, it has an especial tenden- NO. I. A 2 On the present state of Zoology. cy to infuse habits of accurate observation ; and as one of its objects consists in tracing the complicated relations which these beings bear to one another, it naturally leads the observer to certain first princi- ples of systematic arrangement, which being afterwards transferred to other subjects, are made susceptible of more general application. * There are yet further advantages which accrue from the pursuit of this science, sufficient to recommend it, even when followed for its own sake, and apart from all other inducements. The relaxation which it affords the mind, when fatigued with severer studies, or op- pressed with anxiety ;—the never-failing entertainment whichit yields, even in the most retired and solitary spots ;—the charms with which it can invest a country life, diffusing happiness over our leisure hours, and converting every walk into an intellectual treat ;—these are fruits which will not be esteemed lightly, or considered by a reflecting mind as beneath its notice. Above all, we may allude to those devout me- ditations which this science is calculated to suggest to all such as are alive to the impressions of religion. It tends to uphold that secret communion with the Creator, which Revelation so much encourages. And if this remark has been often made, it only shows how general has been the feeling to which it relates. Strange, indeed, must be the perversion of that mind, which is made neither wiser nor better, by studying the works of Him, whose own wisdom is infinite, and all whose operations tend to good and happiness. We are not disposed to wonder because we find some to whom the study itself fails in afford- ing the same degree of interest which we ourselves derive from it. But to have the thoughts leaning of their own accord to such pur- suits ;—to be able to expatiate with delight on that immense field of ‘wonders which Nature opens to us ;—to trace the workings of the most consummate skill, power, and benevolence ;—and yet in our re- searches to find no room for moral improvement,—no incitement to remember the Great Author of all ;—we fear this indicates a mind estranged from its own best interests, and but ill qualified for the more exalted employments of a future existence. In what follows, it is proposed to confine our observations to that branch of Natural History termed Zoology. This, in its widest ac- ceptation, may be defined as the science which treats of every thing relating to the structure; functions, history, and classification of ani- mals. Under the head of structure, is included the form and arrange- ment of the several organs which enter into the composition of the animal body : under that of functions, the phenomena exhibited by * See Cuv. Reg. An. Preface, p. xix. 3 On the present state of Zoology. 3 these organs, when considered in action and in connection with the living principle. Hence it appears, that Comparative Anatomy and Physiology are properly subordinate departments of Zoology. Never- theless, from the immensity of the field which is thus let in upon our. view, these last may almost be regarded as distinct sciences; and the Zoologist be considered as restricting his enquiries more exclusively to the habits and classification of animals, and to those distinguishing characters by which their different relations are pointed out. Yet, since all natural arrangement is based upon a knowledge of the whole structure, he cannot safely advance on this head any further than the point to which that structure has been revealed by the anatomist. He may succeed in finding certain external signs by which it is pos- sible to discriminate a particular group from all others, but these signs, in order to be of any value, must necessarily be co-ordinate with a given arrangement of the internal organs, which internal organs are therefore assumed as known. It is difficult to form any adequate idea of the large number of facts, which it falls to the province of Zoology, even thus restricted, to re- cord and classify. So various are the forms assumed by different ani- mals ;—so diversified their modes of life,—their habits and economy, —their instincts, whether exerted for the preservation of the indivi- dual or for the continuance of the species ;—so dispersed the localities in which the yare found resident,—the earth,—the air,—the ocean, —all teeming with their respective inhabitants, and giving rise to a countless series of phenomena ;—so complex too are the affinities by which they are severally related to one another ;—that there seems hardly any limit to the enquiries which it becomes necessary to make in order to get acquainted with the details of their history. But our astonishment is excited most, by considering the immense number of species included in the animal kingdom, a number far exceeding that of plants and minerals put together. In an article in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, pubiished in October 1833,* the total number of known living species of animals, is estimated at 78,849. This, however, is probably far below the truth, since, according to Mr Macleay, upwards of 100,000 species of Annulosa alone are already contained in our cabinets.t What may be the entire number of spe- cies actually existing, in all the several classes combined, it is impos- sible to conjecture. Perhaps it may be thought that we are by this time nearly acquainted with the larger animals. But let it be remem- bered that a somewhat similar opinion was entertained by Ray so long * Vol. xy. p.~221. + Hor. Ent. part ii. p. 468. 4 On the present state of Zoology. back as in 1690. The number of known and described species of Beasts, under which term Serpents also were included, was estimated by that naturalist as not above 150 ; and he added his belief that “ not many of any considerable bigness, in the known regions of the world, had escaped the cognizance of the curious.” The number of Birds known and described he considered as nearly 500 ; and the number of Fishes the same ; and he supposed that “ the whole sum of beasts and birds might exceed by a third part, and fishes by one-half, those known.”* Now what has been the result of discovery since then with respect to these groups only? The number of Mammalia has been raised from 150 to 1200,+ the number of Birds from 500 to 65004 ; the number of Reptiles, included by Ray amongst his Beasts, has reached to 1500 § ; the number of Fish, which he considered the. same as that of birds, to 8000.|| But, however large may be the pro- ‘portion of known to unknown species amongst the vertebrate animals, that proportion must be very different, and in all probability quite in- significant, in the case of the invertebrate. After all one thing is cer- tain; that our lists have, from the earliest times, been gradually ex- tending, in proportion to the increased attention which has been paid to the science; and judging from the immense accessions which they have received during the last fifty years, it is clear that if they conti- nue long to augment in the same ratio, we must be yet at a great dis- tance from the knowledge of the entire number. _ It may be safely as- serted that the number of species left recorded by Linnzeus in the twelfth edition of the Systema Nature, the date of which is yet up- wards of seventy years posterior to that of Ray’s work on the Crea- . tion, is certainly not one-twentieth part of those we are now acquaint- ed with. With this immense assemblage of beings, and with all their several peculiarities of character and economy, the Zoologist has to treat. Every part of their history calls for his investigation. He must search them out in their native haunts and recesses ;—follow them through the several stages of their existence ;—observe their habits ;—trace the different degrees of resemblance between different species ;—and, lastly, from the facts thus accumulated, endeavour to ascend to the knowledge of those general laws upon which depend their affinities and natural classification. Well might Ray exclaim, with reference * Wisdom of God manifested in the Works of the Creation. Sixth Edition, p- 21. ‘+ L’Institut, 1854, p. 138. ¢ Edinb. New Phil. Journ. Vol. xv. p. 228. . § Ibid. || Agassiz, Rapport sur les Poissons Fossiles, &c. p. 57. _—_—_"- — On the present state of Zoology. 5 to such pursuits,—“ Here is employment enough for the vastest parts, the most indefatigable industries, the happiest opportunities, the most prolix and undisturbed vacancies.” And well might he add, in the words of Seneca,—“ Multum adhue restat operis, multumque resta- bit, nec ulli nato post mille secula precludetur occasio aliquid ad- hue adjiciendi.”* If we turn from contemplating this extensive field to taking a ge- neral view of what has been as yet effected in it, we shall not be sur- prised at finding the progress of the science to have been very un- equal in its different departments. This may be attributed to two causes. One is the natural predilection shown by most observers to- wards certain branches of Zoology in preference to others; those es- pecially which are calculated to excite notice by reason of the size or beauty of the animals of which they treat. It is this circumstance which has obtained for the Mammalia and Birds so large a share of the attention of naturalists, whilst it has caused the Reptiles and Fish to be comparatively neglected. The same partiality appears in the case of the Invertebrate animals. It is notorious how the departments of Entomology and Conchology have had their respective admirers from the earliest times, and how seldom we have seen, till lately, any de- sire manifested to investigate the other portions of that immense group. If here and there we find certain individuals who have. de- voted themselves to the more obscure tribes ;—if Ellis and Lamou- roux and a few others have acquired celebrity by their researches into the nature of Corallines and other Zooplytes ;—if the name of Miil- ler will be for ever associated with the microscopic Infusoria, and that of Rudolphi with a class of animals from which most other observers would shrink with disgust ;—these men stand as illustrious exceptions to the general indifference shown towards such departments, and shine the more conspicuous from having so few competitors in the same field. It may, however, be remarked that at the present day this source of unequal progress is much on the decline. Naturalists do not now restrict themselves somuch as formerly to certain branches of the science. There appears to be an earnest wish to set them all as much as possible upon the same footing, and to bring up from the rear some which had for a long time been neglected and overlooked. But another cause operates yet more extensivel and more unavoidably to retard our knowledge of certain groups of animals, and that is the difficulty which in many instances attends the study of them. We find some whose ordinary place of residence is confined to stations not * Wisdom of God in the Creation, &c. p. 173. 6 On the present state of Zoology. easily accessible, and whose habits and economy are in consequence almost entirely concealed from view. We find others possessed of such a delicate and fragile structure, that all attempt to convey them from their native spots, or to preserve them for future examination and comparison, is rendered hopeless. These remarks are especially applicable to the marine Invertebrata, with which our acquaintance is as yet comparatively slight. How many multitudes of species must there be immersed in the profound recesses of a deep ocean, where no net or line ever reached. How many more, which, if known, have been seen only at a casual glance, or at one period of their lives, leaving us in utter ignorance of the details of their history, and of the changes through which they pass in their advance- ment to maturity. How many, like the Acalepha, can hardly be re- moved from their native element, without entailing the entire disor- _ ganization of their substance ; and if there be others which we suc- ceed im preserving in our cabinets, how impossible it is, in most in- stances, to effect the preservation of those parts, on which depend perhaps their most important characters, and in ignorance of which we may adopt the most erroneous views respecting their structure and affinities. We shall be able to appreciate more fully the impediments to the progress of Zoology arising from the sources last mentioned, if we bear in mind two points of great consequence to be remembered. One is the necessity of studying animals throughout their whole ex- istence in order to become possessed of their true history. Not only do all animals differ more or less in their young and their adult states, but many, probably more than we are at present aware of, undergo such great changes of structure, that, unless viewed in their transi- tion forms, it were almost impossible to identify them as the same species. ‘There is no occasion to allude to the Batrachian Reptiles or to the true Insects, in which these changes have been noticed from the earliest times. But we may draw attention to the circumstance that metamorphosis, to ‘a greater or less extent, has been recently de- tected in several groups in which it was not supposed formerly to exist, and that therefore we stand in need of further observation to say in what others it may not also occur. Without insisting on the universality of this phenomenon in the class Crustacea, which can- not he considered as established, and of which we shall have to speak further presently, we may allude to those marked changes of form which have been noticed in certain groups of that class by M. Milne-Ed- wards,* and which, if not amounting to actual metamorphosis proper- * Ann. des Sci. Nat. 1835, tom. iii. p. 321. On the presenti state of Zoology. 7 ly socalled, are sufficiently great to mislead the inexperienced naturalist. Equally important are those changes which have been traced with so much attention and care by Dugés in the case of the Acari,* and which have thus accounted for the apparent anomaly of hexapod and octopod forms coexisting in the same group. But there are other classes in which the metamorphosis is more complete, and attended by such an entire alteration of habits and economy, that by no pos- sible a priori reasoning could we have been led to consider the young and adult states of such animals, if seen separately, as pertaining to the same species. Who would have suspected that the sluggish Bar- nacle, immoveably fixed to some rock or other marine substance, had ever enjoyed a free independent existence, swimming rapidly in the sea under the form of a small bivalve crustacean? Still less who would have anticipated the nature of those changes which attend the early development of the compound Ascidie ? animals appearing at birth as separate individuals, and endued with the power of locomo- tion, uniting afterwards to form one common inert mass !—Yet these are the striking discoveries which have been made known of late years by different observers, and the accuracy of which there appears no reasonable ground for doubting. Now it will hardly be questioned whether it be important for the naturalist to be acquainted with these changes occurring in certain animals. Itis obvious that, except he be, he will be constantly mistaking the immature states of such animals for distinct species, or perhaps be even referring them to dis- tinct genera. We know that such errors in fact have occurred over and over again. Thus the larve of the Acavi were, until the re- searches of Dugés, regarded as permanent forms, and made to consti- tute a peculiar family in that group comprising several genera. The same was the case formerly with some of the Entomostraca. It is also probable that many of the minute animals, which now stand in our systems as distinct forms, are only the first states of some of the higher ones, in which the existence of metamorphosis remains to be discovered.+ But it is not merely to avoid the overmultiplication of genera and species that this acquaintance with animals at different periods of their growth is wanted. It is necessary in order to obtain correct views respecting their affinities. There was a time when, to attain this object, it was thought sufficient to look only to the per- fect state of the species, and scarcely any notice was taken of the * Ann. des Sci. Nat. 1834, tom. i. pp. 5 and 144; and tom. ii. p. 18. + Milne-Edwards thinks it probable that some of the Cercarié are only the young of the compound Ascidie during the first stage of their existence.—See ‘Lamarck’s Hist. Nat. des An. sans Vert. (2d edit.) tom. i. p 428. 8 On the present state of Zoology. previous stages through which it had passed. This idea, however, is in a great measure abandoned. It is now ascertained that the changes of structure experienced by different animals are all the result of cer- tain fixed laws, closely connected with those which regulate their af- finities. Genera which are dissimilar in their adult states sometimes resemble one another during the first periods of their development, thus indicating a relationship which would escape our notice except we were made acquainted with their early history.* It was not until their metamorphosis had been detected, that the Cirripeda were fully ascertained to he allied to the Antomostraca, or the Lernee to the stphonostomous Crustacea. Another point of no less importance to be attended to than the study of animals at different periods of their existence, is the study of their whole structure. We need only observe how imperfect our arrangement of the Mollusca was, so long as conchologists contented themselves with the knowledge of shells, apart from all regard to the nature of their animal inhabitants ; or how far we are still removed from understanding the affinities of several other groups, of whose structure we know little beyond the external form.—lIn all such cases we are carried away by partial resemblances, and led to attach an undue value to organs exercising only a subordinate function in the economy. ‘Thus the characters afforded by shells are not necessarily in direct connection with those derived from the internal organiza- tion. Several instances to the contrary have been adduced by Mr Gray in a paper lately published im the Philosophical Transactions.+ The most remarkable are those of the genera Patella and Lottia. It is observed that in these genera the shells are so perfectly alike, that after. a long-continued study of numerous species of each genus, Mr Gray cannot find any character by which they can be distinguished with certainty, yet their animals are so extremely dissimilar, as to be referable to two very different orders of Mollusca. ‘The Zoophytes or Polypi have been subjected to the same misarrangement as the Mollusca, owing to attention having been given almost exclusively to the nature of the calcareous covering. It was thought by La- mouroux, that this alone was sufficient to serve as the basis of their classification. It is now found that the included animals exhibit very * It would lead us too much into detail, or we might here allude to those beautiful generalizations lately established by Milne-Edwards with regard to the changes of form which occur before and after birth in the Crustacea.—See his memoir in the Ann. des Sci. Nat. already alluded to; also a Report on that memoir by M. Isidore Geoffroy St Hilaire. Id. 1833, tom. xxx. p. 360. + Phil. Trans. 1835, p. 301. On the present state of Zoology. 9 different degrees of complexity of structure ; and that while some are true Polypi, others are more nearly allied to the compound Ascidia.* Indeed it may be observed generally, that the lower we descend the scale of organization, the less reliance are we able to place upon mere external characters, and the more it becomes necessary to investigate those derived from anatomical researches. Did our limits ailow, we should here proceed to notice the most recent additions which have been made to our knowledge of animal organization. We might pursue the subject through each department of the science, and show the endeavours which were being made to advance its progress, as connected with the two principles above al- luded to. But we can scarcely do more than make a few general re- marks on this head, referring for illustration to the more important instances. And first, we are called upon to notice the increased at- tention paid at the present day to the structure of the more minute and delicately-formed animals ; and the discovery, uniformly follow- ing, that this structure is not by any means so simple as was gene- rally supposed formerly. This remark bears especially upon the In- fusoria which have been so profoundly studied by Professor Ehren- berg. We need not speak of the first two memoirs by that acute observer on these animals, which are probably well known to all our naturalists. We may, however, allude to a third, published more recently,+ in which he announces the existence of several systems of organs which he had not previously detected in this group.—Thus he has discovered in the Polygastrica a pharynx and teeth, the absence of which he had formerly considered as a distinctive character of that division. He has also observed what he is inclined to regard as male sexual organs, and likewise a gland secreting a deep blue-coloured li- quid supposed to be the pancreatic fluid. In the Rotatoria he has no- ticed certain internal organs resembling branchie, and, what is a yet more important step, apparently distinct traces of a nervous system. It is curious to reflect, as Ehrenberg himself observes, with reference to the combined discoveries announced in this and in his two former memoirs, that he has been thus led successively to detect in the smal- lest animals which can be perceived with the assistance of the micro- scope, all the systems of organs which form the essential part of the human structure ; and that these organs are not rudimentary, but, after their kind, as perfect as they are in man. It would seem as if * Ann. des Sci. Nat. tom. xv. p. 5. + An abstract of this memoir will be found translated into French, in the Ann. des Sci. Nat. (Second Series.) tom. iii. pp. 281 and 363; and into En- glish, in the Edin. New Phil. Journ. vol. xx. p. 42. 10 On the present state of Zoology. but one type pervaded the whole animal kingdom, which, however modified in different groups, was capable of being traced from man downwards to the Rotatoria, and even to the polygastric monad. Hardly less striking than in the case of the Infusoria, is the astonish- ing accuracy with which the German naturalists have investigated the structure of the more minute Entozoa. We may refer to M. Nordmann’s work * as evincing the patience with which these re- searches have been conducted in the instance of certain parasitic worms found in the eyes of some of the higher animals. The whole group is one which stands much in need of further examination ; and we are glad to find that it has recently engaged the attention of one of our own countrymen, Mr Owen, who has suggested several hints for a better arrangement of its heterogeneous contents.t Although not in all cases offering any difficulty to the anatomist in respect of their size, we have already alluded to the Acalepha as possessing an ex- tremely delicate and transparent organization. M. Ehrenberg has availed himself of this very circumstance for employing the same me- thod of examination in this class, already so successfully resorted to in that of the Infusoria.t By means of indigo, used for colouring the water in which these animals were preserved, he has detected the existence of anal openings, which, previously to this experiment, were thought wanting. The same observer has satisfied himself, that, notwithstanding their supposed simple structure, they possess bran- chiz, eyes, muscles, and nerves. It will be remembered that these last had been previously discovered in the Acalepha by Dr Grant.§ The species principally examined hy Ehrenberg was the Medusa au- rita. In the same paper containing the result of his researches, are detailed some observations on the structure of the Echinedermata.— Allusion has been also made to the Polypi, as a group which, until lately, had been much misunderstood, owing to our slight acquaint- ance with their internal organization. Milne-Edwards, to whom we are mainly indebted for removing part of the obscurity which hung over these animals, has made them the subject of two new memoirs read to the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris during the past year. We must refer to the memoirs themselves for some interesting par- * Mikrographische Beitrage zur Naturgeschichte ‘der wirbellosen Thiere. Berlin, 1832. 4to. Some extracts from this work will be found in the Ann. des Sci. Nat. for 1833, tom. xxx. pp. 268 and 373. + See Proceed. of Zool. Soc. 1835, pp. 23-28; and pp. 73-76. + See Ann. des Sci. Nat. 1835, tom. iv. p. 290. § Zool. Trans. vol. i. p. 10. On the present state of Zoology. 1] ticulars connected with the structure and economy of these animals. * We can only state here, that, according to the researches of that gentleman, the former offers three very distinct modifications, of which two only belong properly to the type characteristic of the Ra- diata. In these two he has traced an organization gradually becom- ing more and more simple from the Actinie and Beroes down to the Hydre. The third series opens a passage from the compound Asci- die to several of the Infusoria Polygastrica of Ehrenberg. When speaking of the importance of studying animals at different periods of their growth, we pointed out certain groups in which strik- ing changes of form had been observed to take place, approaching more or less to the nature of metamorphosis. The desire to investi- gate further these structural changes forms another prominent feature in the memoirs of the present day. The Cirripeda and Crustacea have excited particular interest on this head. It is well known that Mr Thompson was the first to announce the existence of metamor- phosis in each of these two classes, a fact which has been since con- firmed by others as regards the Cirripeda, but which is much doubt- ed by naturalists as regards the Crustacea. During the past year, two memoirs have appeared from the pen of this gentleman devoted respectively to these two subjects. The object of the first + is to make known the discovery that the Lepades are, like the Balani (to which last his former researches alone extended), natatory Crustacea during the first stage of their existence, but ofa totally different struc- ture. The larva is said to resemble that of the genus Cyclops, or still more closely that of the Argulus armiger of Latreille. Mr Thompson is uncertain how long the Lepades remain in this their first or free state, but thinks that it is for a longer or shorter period, according as they may happen to meet with a substance adapted to their habits, to which they can attach themselves. In his second memoir, Mr Thompson treats of the Crustacea ; and his object is, not merely to confirm his former statements respecting the existence of metamorphosis in this class, but to announce the startling discovery that these animals, before attaining to their perfect form, undergo two marked transformations, analogous to those experienced by the true insects. { It will be remembered that the first state in which * See L’Institut, 1835, pp. 10 and 152. Also Ann. des Sci. Nat. (Second series.) tom. iv. p. 321. + Discovery of the Metamorphosis in the second type of the Cirripedes, viz. the Lepades, completing the natural history of these singular animals, and con- firming their affinity with the Crustacea.—Phil. Trans. 1835, p. 355. + On the double Metamorphosis in the Decapodous Crustacea, exemplified in Cancer Menas, Linn.—Phil. Trans. 1835, p. 359. 12 On the present state of Zoology. the Crustacea appear, according to the views of this naturalist pub- lished some years back, is identical with the genus Zoea of Bosc: the second is here affirmed to be the genus Megalopa of Dr Leach. The species in which this double metamorphosis has been more particular- ly noticed is the Carcinus Menas.* We have said that doubts exist respecting the accuracy of these observations. It is rather singular that in the same volume in which Mr Thompson’s paper is contain- ed, there should be also one by Mr Westwood, who is opposed to the views of that gentleman, and who, in our opinion, has very much shaken the grounds for believing in the existence of any metamor- phosis at all. Mr Westwood has not only shown that Mr Thomp- son’s statements are too vague and indefinite, and his observations too deficient in details, to be accepted as conclusive of this question, but he has brought forward some observations of his own of a directly contrary nature. From specimens of the female of the West Indian land crab, he has obtained both eggs and young, some of the latter being evidently just hatched; and he finds these young, as well as the embryo in the egg, bearing the exact form of the adult animal. It may further be added that Mr Westwood has found the young of the common crab of a much smaller size than Mr Thompson’s sup- posed full-grown Zoea which died on the point of undergoing its sup- posed metamorphosis.+ In reviewing the memoirs which have appeared of late years in il- lustration of the structure of animals, there is yet another circum- stance which merits our attention ; and that is—the endeavour to elu- cidate the affinities even of those belonging to the higher classes, by having recourse to anatomical investigation. The importance of this step .in the case of the Mollusca, and of other tribes occupying a low place in the scale of organization, has been already alluded to, and for some time been duly appreciated by naturalists. But, compara- tively speaking, it is only more recently that such researches have been extended to the vertebrate and annulose animals, with an ex- press view to the object above-mentioned. To enter into any detail- ed analysis, or even to particularize the titles of the different memoirs which have appeared of this character, would lead us beyond the li- mits to which we must necessarily restrict this article. But we wish * On the supposed existence of Metamorphosis in the Crustacea.—Phil. Trans. 1835, p. 311. + Zool. Research. p. 9.—It may not be out of place to mention here for the information of our own naturalists, that the supposed Metamorphosis of the Crustacea has been recently proposed as the subject of a prize-essay by the Academy of Sciences at Haarlem.—See L’ Institut, 1835, p. 272. On the present stute of Zoology. 13 to make a few general remarks on this subject, in reply to those who apprehend any detriment to the science of Zoology from the dissections of the comparative anatomists. We are not, then, of the same opinion with these individuals. We rather think that the further we push our inquiries into the real structure of animals, the clearer views we shall get of their organization as a whole, and of the relations which subsist between their internal and external characters. We allow that these last are what the Zoologist has to deal with more particularly. But let it he remembered, that before he can employ them rightly, he must know their true value ; and this can hardly be determined, ex- cept he possess an acquaintance with those concealed organs, and their respective functions, of which they may be considered as the outward signs or indices. Let us assume the case of two allied species, in which we observe slight differences in certain external characters ! and let us suppose that on dissection we find corresponding differences in those internal organs, between which and the former there is an ac- knowledged relation ; as in the instance of the teeth and the alimentary canal. Let us, again, assume another case, in which we find these dif- ferences existing in the former only, there being nothing analogous to them in the latter. Now, under such circumstances, should we not infer rightly, that this slight modification of external structure had a more determinate value in the first, than in the second, instance; and is it not clearly a result, to which nothing but anatomy will con- duct us? It is, in fact, this subordinate science which has led us toa right understanding of some of the primary groups among the high- er animals, and it is only by the same help that we can ever hope to perfect the details of their arrangement. There was atime when bats were considered as birds, and whales as fish ; and lizards were clas- sed with quadrupeds simply because they possessed four feet. These errors, it is true, have been long exploded; but we wish it to be borne in mind, that it was not until naturalists had ascertained the real organization of these animals, that the absurdity of them became apparent. It was then seen that external form, or mere analogy of habits, considered singly, was no sure guide to the knowledge of true affizities. Now the question is—whether this principle which is thus necessary to be remembered on our first attempting to group animals accorJing to their natural relations is ever to be abandoned after- wards ? After having made good in this manner our first steps, can we safely trust to any different reasoning for insuring our progress ? It is clear that the errors we may commit by so doing will be less glaring than those above-mentioned, in proportion as we have to deal with slighter differences than those which separate two distinct clas- 14 On the present state of Zoology. ses of animals. _When the question is reduced to—whether two ani- mals belong to the same species, or whether two species can rightly be referred to the same genus, we can but commit an error of one or a few steps, which, when detected, will excite but little notice. Ne- vertheless, we believe that we should much lessen all chance of er- ror, by knowing the whole structure of the animals before us. In the present state of the science, it is necessary to have recourse to very subtle external distinctions for characterising genera and species. But their very subtility is an argument for enquiring as far as possible in- to their true value; and it remains yet to be shewn, that*there are not, at least in many cases, as subtle distinctions to be found inter- nally, with which the former are associated, and which, being known, tend to raise their importance. It is, then, on these grounds that we rejoice to see so much endeavour at the present day to elucidate the internal organization of animals. Much has been done in this respect by the Zoological Society, which affords to naturalists the double ad- vantage of studying the habits of those animals which it possesses while living, and of investigating their anatomical structure when dead. We need only refer to the Proceedings and Transactions’ of that scientific body, to see the advance which has been made of late years in this very important department of Zoology. But there are other grounds upon which we may take up this ar- gument. Comparative Anatomy is of service to the Zvologist, not merely for helping him to the true value of external characters, but in some cases for determining the actual nature of those external or- gans from which these characters are derived. As an instance in point - we may refer to a remark lately made by Professor Agassiz respect- ing the supposed affinity of the Cyprinide to the Stluride. It would seem, says he, that “ from the bearded Carps to the bearded Stluri there wasanatural transition by means of the bearded Loaches; but it is important to distinguish that in these latter, as well as in the Carps and other Cyprinide, the beards, as they are called, _ are merely processes of the skin; while in the St/wri, the cirri of the angles of the mouth are actually prolongations of the maxillary bones becoming gradually cartilaginous and tapering into thread-lke extre- mities.” * This appears, then, to be a case, in which naturalists had supposed two external organs to be of a similar nature, which, upon dissection, prove different. We do not assert that the affinity be- tween these tribes has been grounded solely upon the presence of such organs: we simply inquire, whether our views are not necessarily a “ Proceed. of Zool. Soc. 1835, p. 150. On the present state of es | with an elongate ae JOMt ATM PCU. ces tees tucescoseasceee OXyYCERA. 5 [ style ; OTIMGCOa ote tecpenenaenset CLITELLARIA. 2) Scutellum un- epicmiiee i abdomen somewhat globular......... PacHYGASTER. armed ; 3d ; ODIONE vsccertiecscsesacassare Sarcus. FOUL OL CHE” (WOVALE “sassstsescnceereacecnascenschvenrssefearsseneancss CHLOROMYIA. antennae SUMLUSHODM a. athe kes. beides semeeciode case. sees dsees NEMOTELUS. Genus STRATIOMYS, Geoffroy. Antenne rather longer than the head, directed forwards, approxi- mating at the base, the third joint diverging obliquely ; the first joint elongate and cylindrical, the second short and cup-shaped, the third very long, subfusiform, divided into five distinct rings, and without a terminal seta, (Fig. 1:) proboscis short ; the labrum li- near, corneous, notched in fronts (Fig. 2 6;) palpi three-jointed, Descriptions of British Diptera. 147 the two lower joints subcylin- dric, the third somewhat thick- ened, obovate and pilose ; (Fig. 2, a.) thorax oval, pubescent ; scu- z tellum semicir- cular, armed pos- teriorly with two spines; abdomen oval, flat or very slightly convex ; winglets and hal- teres rather small; neuration of the wings as in the accompanying figure (3.) Larva aquatic, breathing by means of a star-like radiated appara- tus attached to the tail. Srratiomys is placed at the head of this family, as exemplifying in the most characteristic manner the peculiarities by which it is dis- tinguished. As above defined, this genus comprehends six British species, nearly all that have been ascertained to inhabit Europe. They are all of pretty large size, and very similar to each other in colour, and the distribution of their markings. The larve, which are admirably delineated and described by Swammerdam, under the name of Asilus,* are of singular and elegant structure, especially in their respiratory organs. In the shape of the body they are some- what fusiform, thickest before the middle and tapering to both ends, the eaudal segment much more elongated than the others, and sup- porting at the extremity a circle of about thirty diverging rays. These rays are beautifully feathered, capable of repelling water, and placed round an orifice in the tail, communicating with two very large trachee or air-vessels. When the insect desires a supply of fresh air, the tail is raised to the surface, and these rays expanded on all sides ; a free communication is thus opened by a kind of ob- conical funnel, between the atmosphere and the aperture in the tail, even though the latter be a little beneath the level of the surface. When about to descend, the points of the hairs are drawn towards each other, and a globule of air enclosed, which shines in its pas- sage through the water like a drop of quicksilver. The use of this air-bubble seems to be both to afford a continued supply of air, and to render the body more buoyant when it becomes necessary to re- ascend. To facilitate the same object when the air happens to be exhausted while beneath the surface, the animal seems to possess * Book of Nature, (Hill’s edition,) p. 43-62; pls. 39-42. 148 Descriptions of British Diptera. the power of again replenishing its little reservoir by forcing air into it from the trachez. Its motions in the water are very slow, and it advances by bending its body in different directions. Swammerdam supposed that it fed on clay and soft earth, substances which he sometimes found on dissection lodged in the stomach; but it is much more probable that its food consists of the minute infusoria which abound in the stagnant waters which it usually frequents.* It is furnished with short ciliated organs on each side of the head, which are frequently kept in a state of rapid vibration, by which slight cur- rents are produced in the direction of the mouth,—a circumstance which would tend, on the supposition just made, to bring its food completely within its reach. When about to change into nymphs, the skin of these larvee becomes stiff and rigid, and in that state forms an envelope for the pupa, which is contracted into an obleng figure, and occupies but a small space towards the widest end of its capacious tube. The fly is soon matured, sometimes in six or seven days, and makes its escape by forming a rent in the second segment. It is unnecessary to advert at any length to the opinion entertain- ed by Professor Knoch, and countenanced by Meigen, respecting the larve of the Stratiomydes, namely, that they are of a parasitical na- ture, and live in the interior of the aquatic worms above described, which according to them have long been erroneously regarded as true dipterous larve. The observations on which this view profes- ses to be founded are quite inconclusive, and it is in itself so highly improbable, that it is surprising how it could be advanced in oppo- sition to the well authenticated statements of the older naturalists. ]. STRATIOMYS CHAMELEON. (s.) Musca chameleon, Linn. ; Donovan, i. pl. 31, fig. Ist, pl. 35, larva. La- treille, Gen. Crust. iv. 274. Panzer, Fauna Germ. viii. 24; Geoffroy, Ins. ii. pl. 17. fig. 4; De Geer, Ins. vi. 151, 1.—Swammerdam, Book of Nat. pl. 39 to 42.—Stratiomys chameleon, Meigen, iii. 124 ; Stephens, &c. Head and antenne black, the former with the hypostomet black in * Swammerdam affirms that these insects are found in salt water as well as fresh ; but as this statement has not been confirmed by subsequent observation, and is contrary to what takes place in almost every other instance, it is probable that it was either made inadvertently, or that the larve noticed in such situa- tions by that illustrious physiologist had been transported thither accidentally, which might easily happen by means of running water.. Once conveyed thither they might survive for alength oftime, for they can live upwards of twenty-four hours in spirits of wine and vinegar. So tenacious, indeed, are they of life, that after immersing them in several fluids without effect, Swammerdam’s patience became exhausted, and he proceeded to dissect them alive. + This term, which it is convenient to retain, is employed by Meigen to desig- nate the region of the head lying between the antenne, the eyes, and the mouth. 3 Descriptions of British Diptera. 149 the males with yellow pubescence, and a yellow circle round theeyes ; the hypostome yellow in the females, witha dark line down themiddle ; forehead black and shining, the hinder part of the head yellow: thorax dark-brown and unspotted, clothed with light brown hairs ; scutel- lum yellow, with a triangular black spot at the base, the spines fre- quently tipped with the latter colour: abdomen considerably wider than the thorax, pubescent, and of a deep black above, the second, third, and fourth segments, having a triangular spot of citron-yel- low on each side, the anterior pair large and triangular, the others narrower and more elongate; the anal segment with a triangular spot of the same colour in the centre : on the under side, the abdo- men is dull yellow, with a narrow oblique black streak on both sides of the second and third segments, sometimes united into a continu- ous band on the latter, and the terminal segment edged with black : the scales at the base of the wings and the halteres yellow, the wings pale brown, the principal nervures inclining to ferruginous ; legs nearly of the latter colour, the thighs brown except at the base. Length 71-8 lines. The chameleon fly was so named by Goedart, because he found that it could subsist a very long time without food, a proper- ty for which that animal was long considered famous. It is not so often met with in most parts of England and Scotland as some of the following species, but it may be found occasionally throughout the summer by the sides of ponds and in marshy situations, hovering about the flowers of Caltha palustris and other marsh plants. Sides of Duddingston Loch, Braid marshes, and other similar places round Edinburgh, but not frequent. ‘Cardew Mire.’ —T. C. Heysham, Esq. 2. SrRaTiomys PoramipA. Meig. Zweiflugeligen Insecten, Vol. iii. 137.—Stratiomys Potamida, Ste- phens’s Cat. No. 8469. About the same size as the preceding, to which it bears so close a resemblance that it might readily be taken for a variety ; it is Meigen’s opinion, however, that it is decidedly distinct, as indicated by the following characters : the scutellum, instead of having a tri- angular spot at the base, has a black band, continued across the sur- face and turned over the sides ; the scutellar spines always entirely yellow ; the second segment of the abdomen bears two lateral trian- gular spots, as in S. chameleon, but on the hinder margin of the third there is a yellow band, narrow and continuous in the female, broader and interrupted in the male ; the fourth segment with an en- tire band in both sexes ; anal segment with a yellow triangle: un- der side of the abdomen yellowish, with four narrow black bands, the 3 150 Descriptions of British Diptera. first always, and the second sometimes, interrupted: in other respects corresponding to S. chameleon. Occurs at times along with the preceding species, and is said to have been taken in the vicinity of London. ‘“ Monks Wood, Hunts.” —Charles C. Babington, Esq. 3. STRATIOMYS FURCATA. Stratiomys furcata, Fabr. Meig. Stephens.—Stratiomys panthaleon, Fallen. —Musca singularius, Harris, Expos. pl. xi. fig. 2. Head and antenne black, the former with light grey pubescence, two narrow yellow streaks over the insertion of the antennx, and two marks of the same colour on the crown: thorax pitch-brown, pretty thickly clothed with greyish hairs ; the scutellum, together with its two spines, yellow, and having a triangular black mark at the base: abdomen slightly clothed with short pubescence similar to _ that on the thorax, the ground colour black, the sides with several straw-coloured spots ; viz. a pretty large triangular one on each side of the second segment extending a little way over the anterior edge of the third segment ; two sublinear marks on the latter emitting an obtuse salient point at the inner end directed forwards, and likewise extending across the incisure behind ; two elongate ones on the fourth segment, and the usual triangular mark at the extremity : under side of the abdomen black, with four irregular straw-coloured fascie, narrowed on each side to a point and not reaching the margin ; thighs dark-brown, the tarsi and greater part of the tibiz pale yel- low : wings tinged with ferruginous anteriorly. (See Fig. 4th of the last wood-cut.) 7-8 lines. Scarce ; has been taken near London, and in a few other places. «In ponds, Helywood, on Belfast Lough, County Down: at Kil- larney.”—A. H. Haliday, Esq. 4. STRATIOMYS RIPARIA. (Ss. ) Meig. Zwet. iii. 138. Head of the male black, in the other sex marked like that of the female of §. furcata, in both clothed with long whitish pubescence : thorax thickly covered with reddish-yellow hairs, the surface pitchy brown ; scutellum and spines yellow, the former more or less mark- ed with black at the base: hinder margin of the second, third, and fourth segments of the abdomen with a white or yellowish stripe on both sides, the anal one with a triangle of the same colour; the rest of the surface black ; under side with three white bands not reaching to the edge, and the anus margined with the same colour : legs pale, the thighs and hinder portion of the tibiz brown ; the wings brown slightly tinged with yellow, and having dark nervures. 6 lines. Descriptions of British Diptera. 151 Once taken near Duddingston ; likewise found in the vicinity of London, and in other parts of England. 5. STRATIOMYS STRIGATA. (S.) Stratiomys strigata, Fabr; Meig. iii. 139.—Musca strigata, Gimelin.—Hir- tea longicornis, Scopoli, Ent. Car.—Musca tenebricus, Harris, Expos. pl. xi. fig 3 2? Readily distinguished from any of the preceding by having the surface of the abdomen entirely black: head, thorax, and scutellum brownish-black, clothed with tawny hairs ; the spines of the latter small and yellow: eyes greenish, pubescent, with two purple fas- ciz, the anterior one very narrow ; antennae black: abdomen black, thinly clothed with tawny hairs, the under side with three narrow yellowish-white bands narrowed to a point at each side, and placed on the hinder margin of the segments: thighs brown; tibiz yellow with a brownish ring near the middle and another at the apex : the tarsi tinged with brown. The female differs in having a yellow triangular spot between the eyes and another on the hinder part of the head ; the pubescence on the latter is light-coloured, and on the sides of the abdomen it is nearly pearl-white. 6-73 lines. Apparently occurring more frequently in Britain than any of the preceding species. ‘“ Near London,” Slephens’s Catal. “ New Forest,” J. C. Dale, Esq.* “ Raehills,” Rev. William Tattle. Besides the above species, Mr Stephens possesses another true Stratiomys, which he names S. triangulata, the characters of which have not been published. Genus ODONTOMYIA, Meig. Antennz longer than the head, the two first joints short and near- ly of equal length, the third elongate and conical, divided into five distinct rings, the apex compressed and narrowed into a short style : proboscis rather slender ; the labrum narrow and elongate ; scutel- lum with two spines; eyes of the male with the facettes much larger on the upper than on the under side. In its other characters this genus scarcely differs from the preceding. The two groups, indeed, are so closely allied that Meigen has latter- ly included both in his genus Stratiomys. This he has probably been induced to do by observing that the antenne of O. microleon and O. argentata are of a structure nearly intermediate between the ty- pical form of Stratiomys and Odontomyia, the first joint being a good deal longer than the second. With this exception, however, the * Loudon’s Mag. Nat. Hist. iv. p. 265. 152 Descriptions of British Diptera, species are sufliciently dissimilar to be entitled to a distinctive name. The larve, one of which is figured and described by De Geer, are aquatic, and seem in no respects to differ from those of Stratiomys- 1. ODONTOMYIA ARGENTATA. Stratiomys argentata, Fabr. Meig. Zwei. iii. 141.—Panzer, Fauna Germ. Ixxi. fig. 20 @, eviii. fig. 10 9.—Odontomyia argentata, Latr. Head and antennz black, eyes greenish with a purple fascia, the forehead clothed with shining silvery hairs; thorax and scutellum dark-brown, with brownish-yellow pile, the scutellar spines small and inconspicuous ; abdomen black, clothed throughout with silvery hairs, having a bluish tint, with an acute triangular yellow spot on each side of the second and third segment, and the anus likewise of that colour; under side black slightly tinged with green: wings vitreous, the nervures and asmall spot near the middle of the costa brown ; legs of the latter colour, the tibiz ferruginous, with a - brown mark near the middle. The female differs chiefly in having the body of a deeper black and clothed throughout, except on the sides of the abdomen, with pile of a golden-green colour. 44 lines. Rare ; has been found in the vicinity of London, and indigenous specimens are preserved in the British Museum, and likewise in the cabinet of the Rev. Mr Kirby, now in the possession of the Ento- mological Society of London. “ Cambridge, 1832.”—Charles C. Babington, Esq. 2. ODONTOMYIA ORNATA. (Ss _) Odon. furcata, Meig. Klassif: i. 129, pl. vii. fig. 22. Latr. Gen. Crust. iv. Reaumur, iy. pl. 24, fig. 4-7 ? Eyes green and unspotted ; antennz and hypostome dark brown, the latter with yellowish hairs ; thorax and scutellum dark brown, clothed with rufescent hairs, the scutellum margined with reddish- yellow, and the spines likewise of that colour, with the tip black ; abdomen black above, and somewhat glossy ; with fulvous triangular spots on the sides, and the anal segment edged with fulvous ; the _ under side pale, having a pair of dusky spots on the third and fourth segments ; legs ferruginous, the basal half of the thighs black, and the tibiz and tarsi more or less spotted with brown ; wings transpa- rent, the nervures yellowish.—In the female the legs are entirely ferruginous, and the forehead of the same colour, with a black line in the middle, and a spot on each side. 6-7 lines. In spring and summer, eccasional. Occurs in Roxburghshire and near Edinburgh. ‘‘ Near London,” Stephens’s Catal. ‘* Dalmeny,” Rev. Wiliam Little. Descriptions of British Diptera. 1538 3. ODONTOMYIA FELINA. Stratiomys felina, Meig. Zwei. ii. p. 145. Panzer, Fauna Germ. lviii. 22 ? Musca Mycroleon, Harris, Expos. pl. xi. fig. 5. Head and antenne black, the hypostome with whitish hairs ; thorax also black, clothed with yellow pile ; the scutellum ferrugi- nous posteriorly, the spines lighter: abdomen reddish yellow, with a broad black band along the back, dilated on the posterior segments, and leaving only a small portion at the sides yellow: under side pale green ; legs ferruginous, the wings entirely transparent, with yel- low nervures. 4-43 lines. Has been found in several parts of the country, but appears to be uncommon. ‘ Cardew Mire,” 7. C. Heysham, Esq. 4, Oponromy1a Hypropora. Stratiomys Hydropota, Meig. Zwei. iii. 147. About the size of the preceding or somewhat larger ; the hypos- tome black, the region of the mouth rufescent ; antenne entirely ferruginous in the male, having the two lowest joints rufescent, and the terminal one blackish in the female; thorax shining dark-brown, pretty thickly clothed with hairs, which are whitish on the disk and tinged with yellow on the sides; scutellum with the margin and spines rufous, the latter small and tipped with black : abdomen pale green both above and below, somewhat pellu- cid, with a broad angular dorsal stripe, rather widest at the base, and not extending quite to the hinder extremity: legs rufous. The female has the head rufescent, with a deep black line on the fore- head, the crown black, a white spot near the inner margin of the eyes, and two ferruginous spots on the vertex, the dorsal stripe wi- der than in the male. 54 lines. Not of frequent occurrence ; inhabits the vicinity of London. 5. Opontomy1a HypRoLEon. Stratiomys hydroleon, Fabr. Meig. Zwei. iii. 148. — Musca hydroleon, Linn. ; De Geer,vi. pl. 9, fig. 4. —Odontomyia hydroleon, Latr. Stephens. Head and thorax black, the latter with yellowish gray pubescence, the former having the hypostome clothed with fine white hairs ; anten- nx dark-brown ; eyes green ; scutellum the colour of the thorax at the base, the apex rufous, as well as the spines, which are tipped with black ; the abdomen is of a clear green both above and below, the middle of the back occupied by a broad deep black stripe den- tate on the sides, and not reaching either the lateral or hinder edges. The legs are pale ochreous, the hinder tibie usually with traces of a brown ring near the middle ; wings very clear and transparent, the nervures yellow ; halteres white. In the female the head is ful- 154 Descriptions of British Diptera. vous, the hypostome with two black points anteriorly, and the crown with another black spot ; the margin of the eyes yellow ; the pubescence on the thorax is yellowish-green, and scutellar spines en- tirely yellow. 33-43 lines. Not so plentiful as the following, but occurring now and then on banks and in meadows. ‘ Cardew Mire,” T. C. Heysham, Esq. “ In ponds, Holywood: Killarney, &c.” 4. H. Haliday, Esq. 6. ODONTOMYIA VIRIDULA. (Ss. ) Stratiomys viridula, Fabr. Panzer, Fauna Germ. lvili. 18. Meig. Zwei. iii. 149.—Odontomyia viridula, Latr. Gen. Crust. Head and antennae blackish, the former with whitish silky pu- bescence ; eyes green, with a purple band; thorax entirely clothed with short hairs of a golden or brassy colour ; the hinder margin of the scutellum and the two spines yellowish: abdomen yellowish- green both above and below, with a black band along the back, ra- ther narrow, and widened posteriorly in the male, but broad in the female, and widening suddenly on the third and fourth segments ; legs entirely yellow ; halteres whitish ; wings with yellow nervures, and having a single submarginal cell. 3-33 lines. A species of frequent occurrence in damp meadows, and on the margin of ponds, &c. throughout England and the south of Scotland during the summer months. Taken plentifully about Edinburgh. « Chelsea,” Rev. A. Badger. It is probably distributed over the whole island. 7. ODONTOMYIA TIGRINA. Musca tigrina, G'melin.—Stratiomys tigrina, Fabr. Meig. Panzer, Faun. Germ. lviii. fig. 20.--Odontomyia tigrina, Latr. Stephens. ‘Head and antennz black, the hypostome in the female with grey hairs ; eyes with a purple fascia ; thorax black, with pubescence of the same colour in the male, but the pubescence in the female yel- lowish, inclining to green when seen in certain lights ; abdomen entirely black above, rufous beneath, the under side of the female widely margined with black ; legs ferruginous, the thighs nearly all brown, and the tibiz having a patch of that colour towards the middle. 34-4 lines. Has been taken near London and elsewhere, but appears to be rare. Genus CLITELLARIA, Meg. Antenne about the length of the head, the two first joints near- ly equal, short and somewhat cup-shaped, the third thicker and conical, five-ringed, and terminating in a two-jointed style, (Fig. 1 ;) Descriptions of British Diptera. 155 labrum short and horny, placed at the base of the la- bium, the apex notched (Fig. 2,6;) palpi triarticulate, the third joint ovate, pu- bescent, (Fig. 2. a;) scu- tellum semicircular, armed with two spines. The genus Clitellaria of Meigen corresponds to that named Ephip- pium by Latreille. The former of these authors includes in it the Nemotelus villosus of Fabr. and two other species which are desti- tute of spines both on the thorax and scutellum, besides differ- ing in some other particulars from the insect described below. As it seems improper to associate species so dissimilar in structure, the genus has been defined above, so as to restrict its application to the kinds provided with a spinous scutellum, all of which, with a single exception, are exotic. The name used by Latreille may be applied to the others. 1. CLITELLARIA EPHIPPiIuM. Musca ephippium, Gmelin, Donovan, xvi. pl. 559.—Stratiomys ephippium, Fabr.—Ephippium thoracicum, Latr. Gen. iv. 276.—Clit. Ephippium, Meig. Zwei. iii. 122, Stephens, Catal. Head black, the female with two small white spots on the fore- head ; thorax clothed with silky pubescence of a bright-red colour, the breast and sides black ; before the insertion of the wing on each side, there is a pretty long projecting spine ; scutellum and its two spines, likewise the abdomen and legs black ; halteres yellow ; wings reddish-brown. 443-5 lines. (See Fig. 3 of the above cut.) This insect is apparently scarce in Britain, but it is sometimes found near London. “‘ Ccombe Wood by George Milne, Esq.—Kent,” —Donovan, I. c. © Genus OXYCERA, Meig. Antenne rather shorter than the head, approximating at the base, but diverging anteriorly, the two first joints nearly equal, subcylindrical, somewhat widened at the apex, and pilose, the third as long as hoth the others, tapering to the extremity, and di- vided into four rings, the apex with a two-jointed style, generally inserted on the back just before the summit, (Fig. 156 Descriptions of British Diptera. 1 ;) thorax and abdomenoval, the latter somewhat convex ; scutellum with two posterior spines: eyes slightly pubescent in the males. This genus approximates pretty closely to Clitellaria, but is suf- ficiently distinct. The species, which are not numerous, are all of small size, some of those found on the continent being even very minute: and they are prettily coloured, with the abdomen general- ly fasciated or spotted at the sides with yellow. They frequent flowers and foliage, usually in the vicinity of ponds and other col- lections of water. The larve seem to be unknown. 1. OXYCERA PULCHELLA. Meig. Zwei. iii. 125, pl. 25, fig. 29, 9. Musca hypoleon, Donovan, v. _. pl. 146. fig. 2.—Musea tardigradus, Harris, Expos. pl. xi. fig. 6. Head and antenne black, the forehead with two silvery pubes- cent spots in the male, yellow in the female, with a black line in the middle ; the hypostome and space behind the eyes likewise yel- low in the latter sex ; eyes with a purple band : thorax black, mar- gined on the sides with yellow from the front to a little behind the base of the wing, beyond this a triangular yellow spot on each side of the scutellum ; the latter yellow, the spines tipped with black ; abdomen black, with a pretty large oblique yellow spot on each side of the third and fourth segments, and a triangular one at the extre- mity ; in addition to these, the female has a yellow mark on the first segment, just below the scutellum ; under side of the abdomen black, the second, third, and fourth segments more or less yellow in the middle ; legs yellow, upper half of the thighs black, and the termi- nal joints of the tarsi likewise of that colour. About 3 lines in length. (Preceding wood-cut, fig. 2.) Battersea Fields and other places in the vicinity of London. « Near Portland, on 24th June 1831.”—J. C. Dale, Esq. 2. OXYCERA TRILINEATA. Stratiomys trilineata, Fabr.—Musca trilineata, Linn. ; Donovan,.v. pl. 151. fig. 5.—Musca Hydroleon, Harris, Expos. pl. xi. fig. 4. Nearly of the same size as the preceding, the prevailing hue green, or yellowish-green, the one colour sometimes predominating and sometimes the other ; antenne yellow, the forehead of the female with three black streaks, the lateral ones abbreviated ; thorax with three black longitudinal lines approximating, sometimes confluent, at both ends ; scutellum with its spines of the same colour as the body ; abdomen with irregular transverse black bands on the back, not reaching the margin, and frequently having the ends turned for- wards so as to give them a crescent shape ; legs and halteres yellow ; wings vitreous. Descriptions of British Diptera. 157 Apparently a scarce insect, but found occasionally near London and in other parts of England. “ Cardew Mire’”.—T7. C. Heysham, Esq. ‘ Marshes, Ireland, common.”—4A. H. Haliday, Esq. 3. OxYCERA MUSCARIA. Stratiomys muscaria, Fabr. Panzer, Fauna Germ. eviii. 15 ¢, 16 9.—Meig. Zwei. iii. 125. Head black, the forehead, crown, and hinder margin of the eyes yellow in the female ; thorax in the male shining black, with an interrupted lateral stripe of yellow, and a spot of the same colour beneath the insertion of the wing ; in the female yellow, with three black longitudinal lines, and a small black spot at the base of the wings ; scutellum and spines wholly yellow ; abdomen black and shining, with triangular yellow marks on the sides, nearly semicir- cular in the female, which are united at the margin ; anus yellow ; under side of the abdomen black, the incisures and the outer margin edged with yellow ; halteres and legs of the latter colour ; the wings nearly hyaline, with yellowish-brown nervures. 2 lines. Probably a scarce species in Britain ; it occurs near London ; but very few British localities have hitherto been cited for it. It is pretty widely distributed over the continent of Europe. 4. OXYCERA FORMOSA. Meig. Zwei. iii. 127. Nearly of the same size as the preceding ; shining black, the forehead of the females yellow at the sides ; thorax black, with the sides yellow, that of the females with two additional yellow lines united in front to the marginal stripe ; scutellum with its two spines pale-yellow ; abdomen black, that of the male with two lateral yel- low spots, that of the female with three ; the anus likewise yellow. 2 lines. Not having seen examples of this and the two following species, recourse has been had for their distinctive characters to the descrip- tions of continental naturalists. The only notice which we have seen of their occurrence in Britain, occurs in a communication by Mr Dale to Loudon’s Magazine of Nat. History, and wishing that no species recorded as indigenous should be omitted in these de- scriptive notices, they are accordingly inserted on his authority. The insect above described was found at Mullet’s Copse, near Glan- ville’s Wootton. 5. OxycERA TERMINATA. - Megerle ; Meig. Zwez. iii. 180. Head shining black, base of the antennae ferruginous ; forehead 158 Descriptions of British Diptera. with a white spot before the ocelli ; thorax with a lateral line of sulphur-yellow on each side extending to the base of the wings ; scutellum and spines sulphur-yellow ; anus with a semicircular pale-yellow spot ; halteres whitish ; legs reddish-yellow, the hinder thighs brownish before the apex. 22 lines. « Glanville’s Wootton.”—J. C. Dale, F'sq. 6. OxyYCERA ANALIs. Meig. iii. 130; Megerle. Somewhat larger than the preceding, to which it is very similar : antenne entirely black ; thorax with a yellow lateral line, the scu- tellum and a mark above the anus of the same colour ; wings with a fuscous spot ; thighs entirely black, except a small portion at the apex, the hinder tibize marked with a dark-brown spot. 22 lines. “* Mullet’s Copse ; Glanville’s Wootton.”—J. C. Dale, Esq. Genus NEMOTELUS, Geoff. Antenne nearly as in Oxycera, the two first joints being almost equal, the third elongate, divided into four rings, and having a short two-jointed style at the extremity, (Fig. 2 ;) inserted at the apex of a conical hypostome projecting in the form of a beak, and covering the ' proboscis, which is long, slender, geniculated and without distinct lobes ; la- brum long, narrow, and pointed ; palpi very mi- nute, if they exist at all; thorax subquadrate ; abdo- men oval, scarcely wider than the head ; scutellum unarmed ; hal- teres uncovered. The short conical beak readily distinguishes this genus from others of the family. The species are rather of small size, few in number, and frequent marshy places ; the larve probably inhabiting stagnant pools. As in most of the allied genera, the sexes are distinguished by the size of the eyes, those of the male being large, and meeting at their inner edges, while in the female they are smaller, and se- parated from each other by a considerable space. 1. NEMOTELUS ULIGINOSUS. (s.) Musca uliginosa, Linn. ; Donovan, xy. pl. 519. Nemotelus uliginosus, Fabr. ; Meig. Zwei. iii. 114, pl. 25, fig. 19, 9. Head black, with a white spot over the antennzin the male, which Descriptions of British Diptera. 159 assumes the form of an interrupted white line in the female ; tho- rax shining black, with fine grey pubescence, having a white lateral line on each side extending from the shoulder to the insertion of the wing ; scutellum concolorous with the thorax ; abdomen of the male white, with the base black and a spot of that colour at the apex ; that of the female black margined with white, having a row of small white triangular marks down the middle, and another on each side ; the spots of the latter united to the white margin: thighs black with the apex white, all the rest of the leg of the latter colour, except the hinder tibiz, which are black in the middle; wings vitreous, the costal nervures yellowish. 3 —3} lines.—(Wood-cut, Fig. 1st. 2 ) Found occasionally on flowers in marshes and damp meadows from May to August, probably inhabiting most parts of the country. «On Umbellifere, common in Ireland.”—d. H. Haliday, Esq. 2. NEMOTELUS PANTHERINUS. Musca pantherina, Linn.—Nemotelus marginatus, Fabr.—Nemotelus pan- therinus, Meig. Zwei. iii. 115, pl. 25, fig. 20, ¢. Very closely resembles the preceding in its general appearance, but is considerably less, seldom exceeding 2 or 21 lines. Head of the female without any white mark over the base of the antenne ; thorax pubescent, of a uniform black colour without any white marks; abdomen of the male white, with a black spot just before the apex ; that of the female black, with a single dorsal series of small white spots: thighs black, white at the apex ; tibize white, with a brown mark before the apex ; tarsi entirely white. 2—21 lines. Found with the preceding, but less frequently. “‘ Near London,” Stephens’s Catal. ‘‘ Cambridge,” Charles C. Babington, Esq. 3. NEMOTELUS NIGRINUS. Nemotelus nigritus, Panzer, Fauna Germ. cvii. 17.—Nem. nigrinus, Fallen, Diptera Suecice.—Meig. Zwei. iii. 117. Considerably less than either of the preceding ; head shining black, antenne brown ; thorax with a yellow humeral dot, from which a yellow line extends to the base of the wings ; the other parts of the , thorax and the whole of the abdomen shining black in both sexes ; halteres and legs white, slightly tinged with yellow ; thighs black, except at the apex; anterior tibiz tinged with brown, the hinder pair nearly black. 13—2 lines. This likewise has occurred in the vicinity of London and in a few other places. “ Bog of Allen ; Connemara ; Holywood,” 4. H. Ha- liday, Esq. 160 Descriptions of British Diptera. 4. NEMOTELUS BREVIROSTRIS. Meig. Zwei. ui. 117. The most distinctive mark in this small species is in the form of the rostrum, which is very short and truncated ; the prevailing co- lour of the body shining black, the antennz brownish, and an inter- rupted white line above their base ; thorax with a dilated abbrevi- ated yellowish-white line on both sides; abdomen with a posterior whitish triangle on the second segment, a semicircular dorsal spot on the fourth, and a transverse white line at the extremity ; legs yellow- ish-white, the thighs and hinder tibie black, with the apex yellow. 13 lines. Rare ; inhabits some parts of Middlesex, but no other British lo- calities have hitherto been given for it. Genus SARGUS, Fabr. Antenne very short, placed close together at the base, inclining sidewise, the radical joint subovate and truncate, pilose, the second cup-shaped and like- wise pilose, the third nearly orbicular, divid- ed into four rings, one of them very indistinct, and having along nak- ed seta attached to the ; upper side, (Fig. 1 ;) palpi wanting ; labium large, fleshy and bilobed ; the labrum short, and notched at the apex ; maxille slender and acute, about the length of the labrum ; eyes somewhat remote in both sexes ; ocelli placed on the forehead, the anterior one generally somewhat re- mote from the others, (Fig. 2;) thorax with a cross suture most dis- tinctly marked at the sides ; abdomen flat, narrow, and much elon- gated in the male, shorter and wider in the female ; scutellum semi- circular, without spines ; halteres rather long, subtrigonate ; winglets wanting ; basal joint of the tarsi as long as all the other joints taken together. The flies included in this genus are insects of great beauty, being of very elegant forms, and ornamented with brilliant metallic colours. They are rather inactive in their habits, delighting to repose on the foliage of plants, particularly the glossy leaves of the laurel and other evergreens, during warm and sunny weather. They are sel- dom noticed on flowers, and several of the larger kinds shew no preference to marshy situations, like so many others of the same family, but frequent gardens, shrubberies, skirts of woods, &c. a Descriptions of Britesh Diptera. 16] ‘They probably derive their nourishment from the saccharine juices which frequently exude from the leaves of plants. We are still imperfectly acquainted with their larve. One described by Reaumur was found to live in cow-dung. It was of an oblong fi- gure, narrowing to a point anteriorly, and furnished with two hooks at the head, which is of a scaly texture. Its metamorphosis took place within the skin of the larva, and the fly made its exit by push- ing outwards the portion that covered the head and first segment. * 1. SarGus cUPRARIUS, (s.) Musca cupraria, Zinn. Fabr.—Nemotelus cuprarius, De Geer, vi. 200, tab. 12, fig. 4. —Sargus cuprarius, Fabr. Syst. Ant. Forehead bluish-black, shining and pubescent, narrow in the males, somewhat wider in the females ; antenne brown, with a small white spot over the base of each ; eyes brassy green during life, with a horizontal purple band a little above the middle, the superior space more or less inclining to that colour, particularly behind ; thorax shining golden-green, pubescent, the sides blue-black ; halteres pale yellow, or whitish ; wings vitreous at the base, more or less clouded with brown in the middle, especially from the anterior margin across the discoidal cell ; abdomen cupreous, shining and pubescent, the hinder parts more or less glossed with violet, the whole being of the latter colour in the female except at the base; the under side shin- ing black inclining to blue ; legs black, the tip of the thigh, base of the tibiz, and some of the joints of the tarsi inclining to reddish- yellow. 4 5 lines. This beautiful insect is found from May till August, and seems to be not uncommon in most parts of the country. It frequents gar- dens, shrubberies, and sheltered lanes, and is not observed much on the wing, but reposing on the foliage, as if enjoying the sunshine. It has been noticed in many parts of Scotland, and it is sometimes rather plentiful in the Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, and other places near the Scottish metropolis. The female is always much more plentiful than the male. “ I found this splendid insect in abundance on the borders of a wood near Dover, on the 14th of July, and took a female in Scotland the same month.”—Curtis, B. E. vii. fol. 305. “ Near London,” Stephens. ‘* Dunkeld and Dum- * Reaumur, Memoires pour I’ Histoire des Insectes, iv. 348.—It is difficult to determine from his rude figure, (pl. 22, fig. 7-8,) what species of Sargus origi- nated from this larva ; it cannot be S. cuprarius,as De Geer and Latreille sup- pose, (Regne Animal, v. p. 487,) for the belly and legs are described as being pale yellow. ‘Meigen conjectures that it is the species which has since been named S. Reaumuri. NO. II. L 162 Descriptions of British Diptera. fries-shire,” Sir William Jardine, Bart. “ Woods near Newby Cross, in the vicinity of Carlisle,” JT. C. Heysham, Esq. “ Bath,” Charles C. Babington, Esq. ‘* Twizell,”’ P. J. Selby, Esq. ‘« Com- mon in Ireland,” A. H. Haliday, Esq. 2. SARGUS INFUSCATUS. (S.) Meigen, Zwei. iii. 107. Antenne, head, eyes, and thorax as in the last ; abdomen cupre- ous, glossed with violet behind, and entirely of the latter colour in the female, the base sometimes with a cupreous tinge: wings most~ ly suffused with dusky brown, the region of the stigma and discoi- dal cell darker than the rest, the base rather pale: legs obscurely fuscous. 43-5 lines. By no means a scarce insect throughout Britain, and so closely al- lied to the preceding that the respective species are not readily dis- ‘tinguished ; indeed there is every reason to believe that this is a mere variety of S.cuprarius. It is not very rare in gardens near Edinburgh, and in Dumfries and Roxburghshires. “ Raehills,” Rev. William Little. << Beginning of June, roads and gardens near London,” Curtis, l.c. “ Near Twizell,” P. J.Selby, Esq. “ Woods near Newby Cross,” J. C. Heysham, Esq. “ Bath: Needwood Forest, Staffordshire,” Charles C. Babington, Esq. 3. SARGUS NITIDUS. Meig. Zwei. iii. 108. Very closely resembling the two preceding insects in its general appearance, but differs in being considerably less, and in wanting the purple band across the eyes. ‘The wings are dusky, but not so dark as in S. infuscatus, and the stigma is obsolete; in other re- spects it nearly agrees with the species just named. 3 lines. Apparently rare ; it has been taken, however, near London. “ At Portland, 28th June,” J. C. Dale, Esq. 4. SARGUS FLAVIPES. (S.) Meig. Zwei. Insecten, iii. 108. pl. 25, fig. 14. Hypostome and forehead deep glossy black, with a bluish tinge, and two minute whitish points over the base of the antenne ; the latter dark-brown: surface of the thorax and scutellum brilliant golden green, sometimes glossed with copper-colour, the breast and sides black, all these parts thinly covered with whitish pubescence ; abdomen shining copper-colour above, more or less tinged with steel- blue towards the apex, especially in the female ; the under side near- x Descriptions of British Diptera. 163 ly black ; halteres pale yellow; wings brownish yellow, darkest about the discoidal cell; legs yellow, the thighs, particularly the anterior pair, and frequently the extremity of the tarsi, slightly tin- ged with dusky. Length about 4 lines. Not a very abundant species, but found occasionally throughout England and in the south of Scotland. In the vicinity of Edin- burgh it has been taken at Duddingston, and in the Botanic Gar- den ; likewise in Roxburghshire and East Lothian. “ Near Dor- chester,” J. C. Dale, Esq. ‘ Bath,” Charles C. Babington, Esq. « Not rare in Ireland,” A. H. Haliday, Esq. 5. Sareus Reaumupi. (s.) Fabr. Syst. Antl. 256.—Meig. Zwei. Ins. iii. 109.—Curtis, Brit. Ent. vii. 305. 9 In this beautiful species there is a remarkable discrepancy in the appearance of the sexes, the female being conspicuously distinguish- ed by having the base of the abdomen of a bright red ; in both sexes the head and antennz are blackish, the hypostome blue-black ; - two white spots over the base’of the antenne, the ocelli placed on the crown almost at equal distances from each other, the anterior one not being so remote as in any of the preceding species: thorax bright gold- en-green above, and bluish or greenish black beneath, each side with a whitish longitudinal line, separating the two colours: abdomen in the male long and narrow, of a uniform light copper-colour, clothed on the sides with rather long whitish hairs standing at right angles with the surface ; in the female the two first segments red with a quadrate violaceous spot on the back of the first segment, and an elongate-ovate one on the second, the remaining segments shining steel blue, with ochreous pubescence: halteres and legs ochreous yellow, the tarsi blackish towards the tip: wings light brown, slight- ly iridescent, the nervures piceous. Length of the male 6 lines ; of the female 43-5. ( Woodcut, p. 160, fig.3. 9 ) Scarce, but occurring at times in many parts of the country. A considerable number of both sexes were once taken by Mr Duncan in an open and marshy part of a wood on the banks of the Tiviot, in the month of August, and others have been noticed in the vicini- ty of Edinburgh. “ Rockcliff Moss, Cumberland, taken on 5th July by T. C. Heysham, Esq.; and I possess a specimen which was found, I believe, in Kent.” Curtis, B. E. vii. fol. 305. “ Braid Hills, near Edinburgh,” Dr Stark. “Jedburgh,” Rev. William Little. “ Holmes, ~ Roxburghsire,” Sir William Jardine, Bart. ‘“< Twizell, occasional,” P. J. Selby, Esq. 164 Descriptions of British Diptera. Genus CHLOROMYIA, Nob. Antenne rather short, the two first joints nearly as in Sargus, the third ovate or elliptical, with the rings rather distinctly marked, the seta pubescent at the base ; (Fig. 1,) palpi two, three-jointed, the first joint short and cylin- drical, the second likewise cylindrical, but slender, the “ third globular and pubes- cent, (Fig. 2. 6.) Maxille very minute, or wanting: eyes united in the male ; ocelli placed near each other on the crown: abdomen not much elongated and rather wide ; scutellum and halteres as in Sargus. The distinctive characters of the insects included in the present genus were first accurately pointed out by Meigen, although he _ improperly allowed them to remain as a sectional division of Sargus. The same plan was followed by Macquart, but the differences be- tween the two are far too important to allow this connection to be maintained with propriety. In colouring and aspect, these flies are not unlike the Sargi, but they differ somewhat in their habits, and are much more frequently found on flowers. The species first de- scribed differs from the others in having the eyes pubescent, and the terminal joint of the antennz considerably elongated ; that arti- culation in C. polita and C, flavicornis inclining more to an orbicular shape, as among the true Sargi. ]. CHLOROMYIA FORMOSA. (S. ) Shrank, Meig. Zwei. iii. 110. Musca aurata, Fabr. Donovan, iv. pl. 142. fig. 1. Nemotelus flavogeniculatus, De Geer, vi. 81. Sargus xanthopte- rus, Fallen, Latr.—Sargus auratus, Fabr. Syst. Ant. 257. 4. Musca Ci- cur, Harris, Expos. pl. xi. figs. 8, 8, (left hand fig. ¢, right hand 9.) Hypostome shining black, with rather long ochreous pubescence ; eyes likewise pubescent, greenish during life, with a purple band ; antenne brownish-black : thorax shining golden-green, sometimes glossed with violet in the female, covered throughout with rather long ochreous hairs ; abdomen of the male bright brassy or golden- yellow, that of the female strongly tinted with violet blue, changing according to the direction of the light, in both sexes clothed with ferruginous hairs, which are longest in the male, and seen most dis- tinctly when viewed from the head ; under side of the body and sides of the breast black, shining, and rather sparingly pubescent ; the belly of the female bluish ; legs brownish-black, the apex of the thighs and base of the tibia reddish-yellow ; halteres pale yellow ; wings : 3 Descriptions of British Diptera. 165 of a uniform yellowish-brown, with the nervures darker. 33 to 4 lines. (Preceding wood-cut, fig. 3.) A beautiful and very distinct species, occurring rather plentifully on flowers in meadows and marshes, during the months of June, July, and August. Near Edinburgh it is found in many situations, and oc- casionally in great abundance on the irrigated meadows between Portobello and Leith. “ Near London, ‘* Stephens’s Catal. “ Rae- hills, Dumfries-shire,”’ Rev. William Little. “ Holmes, Roxburgh- shire,” Sir William Jardine, Bart. ‘‘ Woods near Newby Cross,” T. C. Heysham, Esq. “ Bath,” Charles C. Babington, Esq. “ Com- mon in Crucifere, in Ireland,” 4. H. Haliday, Esq. 2. CHLOROMYIA POLITA. (s.) Musca polita, Zinn. Sargus politus, Fabr. Syst. Ant.; Meig. Zwei. iii. 111. Nemotelus auratus, De Geer, vi. 81. Musca vitreus, Harris, Ex- pos. xi. fig. 9 and 10, ¢. Colour of the body golden green, the surface highly polished and shining, the pubescence being so short and scattered as to be scarce- ly perceptible ; eyes brassy-green, without pubescence ; antenne dark-brown ; forehead of the female shining green, sometimes in- clining to blue ; abdomen slightly tinged with copper-colour, and having a violaceous play of colour in the female ; under side of the body black, the legs yellow with the thighs black, except at the apex, the hinder and sometimes the intermediate tibie brownish near the apex ; halteres pale yellow ; wings vitreous, very slightly tinted with yellow, iridescent, the nervures brown. 13-2 lines. Rather a common fly throughout the south of Scotland during the summer months, and apparently equally plentiful in England. «« Near London,” Stephens’s Catalogue. “ Isle of Wight and Lon- don,” Curtis, B. E. vii. fol. 305. “ Neighbourhood of Twizell,” P. J. Selby, Esq. ‘ Woods near Newbigging Hall,” T. C. Heysham, Esq. ‘ Needwood Forest, Staffordshire,” C. C. Babington, Esq. « Common in hedges in Ireland,” A. H. Haliday, Esq. 3. CHLOROMYIA FLAVICORNIS. (S.) ‘Meig. Zwei. iii. 112. About the size of C. polita ; antenne yellow; thorax shining golden-green, glossed with blue posteriorly ; abdomen yellowish, with a blue play of colour ; legs pale-yellow, the hinder thighs black, with the base and apex yellow, the hinder tibiz tinged with brown before the apex ; halteres and wings as C. polita. This species was first described by Meigen, from a specimen 166 Descriptions of British Diptera. transmitted to him by Dr Leach, which was taken in England, pro- bably in Devonshire, There seems reason to suppose that it is only a variety of C. polita, as that species evidently varies considerably, and in ordinary specimens the base of the antenne are frequently yellow. In an example of C. flavicornis taken last summer in Rox- burghshire, the legs are entirely pale-yellow, the hinder thighs scarcely tinged with brown. If carefully sought after it will pro- bably be found not to be rare. «© Once taken at Dover,” Curtis, B. E. vii. fol. 305. “ Dumfries- shire,” Sir W. Jardine, Bart. ‘ Common in Ireland, along with C. polita,” A. H. Haliday, Esq. / Genus PACHYGASTER, Meg. Antenne small, approximating at the base, turned obliquely out- wards anteriorly, the radical joint minute, the second larger and transverse, the third large and spherical, divided into four’ very indistinct rings, and having a slightly pubescent seta attached to the outer side near the extremity, (Fig. 1 ;) palpi inserted at the base of the maxille, very minute, (Fig. 2, a ;) labrum robust and cylin- S dric, the apex ob- tuse and slight- ly notched, (Fig. 2, 6 ;) tongue about half the length of the la- brum, horny, and attenuated from the base to the apex, (Fig. 2, c;) maxilla long, slender, and acute, (Fig. 2, d;) eyes approximating in the males ; ocelli' three ; thorax with a transverse suture; scutellum without spines ; abdomen much wider than the thorax, subglobose ; halteres large and ovate. This genus was constituted by Meigen, and is synonymous with that named Vappo by Fabricius and Latreille. It includes only two species, one of which does not appear to be known to continental naturalists. They are both minute insects, of obscure colours, and frequent woods and gardens. ‘The larva of P. ater is described by Macquart as elongated, of a reddish-grey colour, and marked with three obscure longitudinal bands. ]. PacHYGASTER ATER. Vappo ater, Fabr. Zatr. Sargus pachygaster, Fallen. Nemotelus ater, Pan- zer, liv. fig. 5; Meig. Zwei. iii. 102, pl. 24, fig. 17. Body black, smooth and shining, marked with minute punctures ; Notice of the Lutjanus rupestris. 167 antenne brownish in the male, ferruginous in the female, the seta in both sexes pale-yellow; eyes dark-green, the forehead of the males with a whitish play of colour ; the abdomen is convex above, but flat on the under side, the incisures very faintly marked; legs pale-yellow, the thighs black ; halteres with the knob dark-brown, the stalk yellow ; wings with the lower half brown, the upper half vitreous. 2 lines. (Woodcut, fig. 3.) Not a very scarce insect, usually found in July and August in hedges and woods. It is not unfrequent in woods near London, and has been noticed in many other parts of England. ‘ Cambridge ; Bath,” Charles C. Babington, Esq. 2. PAcHYGASTER LEACHII, Stephens’s Cat.—Curtis, B. E. i. pl. 42. Body black and shining, minutely punctured ; antenne reddish, (in the female,) the eyes likewise inclining to that colour during life ; legs pale-yellow, the hinder thighs with a small black spot near the apex ; halteres brownish; wings entirely hyaline, with pale-brown nervures. 1} lines. First discovered in Devonshire by Dr Leach, and subsequently taken in the same county by Mr Curtis, but it-appears to be rather a rare species. ‘‘ Near Wareham Harbour, Dorset,” J. C. Dule, Esq. ‘‘ Madingley Wood, near Cambridge, in July,” Charles C. Babington, Esq. VI.—WNotice of the Lutjanus rupestris of Bloch. By P. J.Sexzy, Esq. F. R. S. E., &ce. Pl. VI. AFTER the reflux of the extraordinary high tide, so severely felt along the whole of the eastern coast of the island, on the 20th of February 1836, produced by the concurrent effects of a long- continued southern gale and a spring tide, numbers of fish of different kinds, evidences of the convulsed and unusually agitat- ed state of the ocean, were, with other matters, thrown dead upon the’ shore far beyond the usual line of high water-mark. The species which suffered most upon the northern parts of the Northumberland and Berwickshire coasts, so far as I have been able to ascertain, belonged to the Labride (Wrasses) which may be at- tributed to the habits of the group, most of which affect a hard or rocky bottomed sea, though I am informed that in some parts where a sandy bay or soft bottom occurred, soles and other flat fish were also thrown out in considerable numbers. The species noticed, most- 168 Notice of the Lutjanus rupestris. ly belonged to the Labrus maculatus, Yarrell, (Ballan Wrasse,) but three specimens of a different kind were fortunately preserved, two of which, picked up in Berwick Bay, were secured by Dr Johnston, the third found near Barncleugh, was sent to me, a day or two after the event which cast them on shore. Upon consulting different ichthyo- logical writers, these fish appear to be identical with Jago’s Gold- sinny, as figured and described in Ray’s Synopsis Av. et Pisce. App. p. 163, fig. 3, where the rude engraving accurately expresses the specific markings of the species ; and with Bloch’s Lutjanus ru- pestris, whose detailed description and figure also agree in every re- spect with the specimens in question. It does not appear, however, to be the Goldsinny of Pennant and subsequent writers, who under that name have figured and described a different species. This error seems to have originated with Pennant, who having never seen or examined the true Goldsinny of Jago, has incorporated in his slight ‘notice of that fish the description of another species, to which his fi- gure refers. Bloch seems to have entertained this opinion, for al-_ though he has quoted Pennant’s Goldsinny asa synonym of his Luty. rupestris, supposing it to refer to Jago’s fish, he afterwards, in the last paragraph of his description, remarks, that the fish described and figured by Pennant could scarcely be the same as the Goldsinny of Jago, or his’ Lut. rupestris, as it differed from it in figure, pecu- liar markings, and in the number of the hard rays of the dorsal fin. The true Goldsinny seems to have escaped the notice of subsequent writers, as the figures and descriptions we possess are all referable to the other species, distinguished by a black or dark spot at the base of the caudal fin, but always situated upon or rather below the _ lateral line, and not upon the upper edge of the base of the tail, as in the true Goldsinny of Jago ; it also wants the black patch upon the anterior portion or rays of the dorsal fin; both of which specific cha- racters are accurately displayed in Bloch’s figure, as well as in the less finished engraving in Ray’s Synopsis. Mr Yarrell, to whom a specimen has been submitted, considers it as distinct from any of the species described in his beautiful work on the _ British fishes, though hethinks, and we agree with him, that the small figure constituting the vignette to page 301, is perhaps referable to it rather than tothe Scale-rayed Wrasse, the young of which it was sup- posed to be by M. Couch, but to which it bears very little resemblance. In that figure, taken from a specimen about three inches in length, the black spot at the upper part of the base of the caudal fin is ex- pressed, but no indication of the other at the anterior part of the dor- sal fin: in shape it agrees pretty well with my specimen. With Notice of the Lutjanus rupestris. 169 Crenilabrus luscus, the Labrus' luscus of Couch’s fishes of Cornwall, described and figured in the fifth volume of Loudon’sMagazine of Nat. Hist. (Scale-rayed Wrasse, Yarr.) it cannot well be confounded, the proportions of the bodies of the two fish being very different, and the formula of the fin rays dissimilar. ‘The corkwing of that able ich- thyologist is evidently, from the wood-cut given, the same as the Goldsinny of M. Yarrell, who indeed quotes it as a synonym, and M. Jenyns’s Labrus Cornubicus, in the manual of Br. Vert. Animals, is descriptive of the same fish, and not of the Goldsinny of Jago, al- though Ray’s authority is quoted first. In its general form it ap- proaches nearest to the Crenilabrus' tinca, Yarr. (Gilthead,) but this fish is destitute of the two black spots, so conspicuous in the other ; the number of the fin rays is also different, and the margins of the preopercle in the Gilthead are more strongly denticulated. The following is a description of the specimen in my possession, with a correct outline engraving of the natural size. Description. Length, six inches and three-quarters. — Gene- ral form resembling that of Crenilabrus tinca. Length of head alone, to head and body without ‘the caudal rays, as one to three. Greatest depth of the body, exclusive of fin, about two inches, or rather more than a third of the length of the body. Thickness contained about twice and a-half in the depth. Dorsal line rounded, falling regularly, and continuous with the profile, with little or no depression at the nape. Jaws equal, teeth pro- minent, the anterior middle ones rather large, their tops bending inwards, about eighteen above, and twenty below ; a second row of smaller ones behind in each jaw. Eyes rather large, placed high up near to the line of profile. Preopercle scaled, the ascend- ing line strait, and finely denticulated, the under line slightly round- ed. Opercle smooth, slightly sinuated below, emarginate above. Forehead smooth, lateral line following the contour of the body till it approaches the base of the dorsal fin, where it suddenly bends down, and is then continued in a strait line to the middle of the base of the caudal fin. The scales large, and thirty-five or thirty-six in number longitudinally. Dorsal and pectoral fins commencing upon the same line. Soft rays of the dorsal fin ending a little beyond the line of the terminating rays of the anal fin. Spiny rays of the dorsal rather short and nearly all of the same length, the soft rays longer and rounded. Pectoral fins large, rounded. Ventral fins with an elongated scale between them. The number of fin rays. D.18+9. P.14. V.1+5. A.8+8. C. 15 and 2 short. Colour. The general colour of the specimen I received when first found, was described as being of a rich pink or rose-colour, inter- 170 Exuviation in Shrimps and Lobsters. mixed upon the sides with golden yellow, and showing indications of darker transverse bands upon the back ; upon the opercle a spot of blue, continued towards the eye ; fins rosy pink mixed with yellow. Upon the anterior part of the dorsal fin a deep black spot or blotch, occupying the greater part of the membranes of the three first rays ; another upon the upper margin of the base of the caudal fin. These spots were similar in size and situation in Dr Johnston’s spe- cimens, and they continue unaltered in the spirits, although the other colours have faded to a pinkish brown. As the specific title of Cornubicus has been applied to the other species, and described as the Goldsinny by various writers subse- quent to Pennant, it is proposed to designate the present species as the Labrus (Crenilabrus) rupestris, (Jago’s Goldsinny,) to which the following synonyms may be appended. Goldsinny, Ray’s Syn. Av. et Pisce. App. Catalogus quorundum -rariorum, &c. D. Georgius Jago, p. 163, f. 3. Die Seekarausche, Lutjanus rupestris, Bloch. Naturg. der Aus- landischen fische, ii. p. 117, pl. 250, fig. 1. VII.— Observations on some circumstances attending the process of Exuviation in Shrimps and Lobsters. By JonarHan Covucu, F. L. S. Dr Mitnz-Epwarps, in his Histoire Naturelle des Crustaces, has given an account of what may be considered the present state of our knowledge, of the circumstances under which the process of ex- uviation is effected, and the methods by which it is accomplished . in the long-tailed stalk-eyed crustaceans ; but as much of what that eminent naturalist advances is derived from other authorities, and I have reason to conclude, contrery to the general opinion, that the circumstances attending this process of nature, are different in even nearly allied species, there still remains space for enquiry. Réaumur is our only original authority for the minute circum- _ stances attending the process of exuviation, which he observed in the River Crayfish (Potamobius fluviatilis, Leach ;) but not baving an opportunity of consulting that author’s work, I copy his narrative from Dr M. Edwards’s quotation: ‘‘ A few days previous to the com- mencement of the operation, the creattire abstains from all solid nourishment, and the carapace and abdominal segments willbe found to offer less than the usual resistance to the pressure of the finger. Shortly afterwards the crayfish appears restless, and rubs its legs against each other ; it then throws itself on its back, agitates its whole body and then distends it, by which the membrane joining Exuviation in Shrimps and Lobsters. 171 the carapace to the abdomen is burst, and this great dorsal plate is raised. Some degree of rest follows these first struggles ; but after a short time the animal again puts all its organs in motion, the ca- rapace is seen to rise gradually from the legs beneath, and in less than half an hour, the animal has extricated itself from this portion of its slough. By retracting its head, the antenne, eyes, and legs are withdrawn as froma case; and the extrication of the last, being the most dithicult and complicated operation, is attended w th so much pain, that the effort sometimes occasions the loss of one or more of the organs. The hinder parts are withdrawn with less difhculty ; the head is conducted below the carapace, and the tail being thrown off by a forward motion attended with a brisk and distensive action, the creature is seen divested of all its encumbrances, and the case is left unbroken, as if no struggle had ever taken place within it. I have no doubt that the process here described in the Cray-fish corresponds to what takes place in the common prawn (Palemon serratus, Leach,) although I have never been able to observe it in operation ;—the following is a description of the case from which the animal has recently extricated itself : The whole is thin, elastic and transparent ; the carapace with its serrated process whole, the an- tenne perfect to their minute extremities: the palpiand jaws drawn within the cavity of the thorax, and partially separated from the sternal plate ; the latter with the legs still forming a loose attach- ment to each other, and without fracture, but drawn somewhat pos- teriorly into the thoracic cavity. The case and pedestal of one eye were within the thorax, but the other could not be found ;—the legs perfect, and attached to the sternal plate. The caudal plates were united at their joints, but in no part was there any intervening mem- brane, this portion of the body not appearing to be thrown off with the more solid covering : a circumstance which will account for the fact, that the eyes do not long remain attached to the adjacent parts after the slough is left by its inhabitant. The habits of the Lobster (Astacus Europeus, Leach,) at this pe- _ riodical crisis, and the circumstances attending it, present a very considerable difference from those of the species already mentioned. So far from abstaining from food, it is not uncommon for it to be taken in crab pots, which it has been enticed to enter by the allure- ment of the usual bait; and instances have been related to me, where, when the fisherman commenced to handle his capture, the animal has slipped away, leaving an empty husk as the only reward of hislabour. It was by a circumstance somewhat similar that the opportunity is afforded me of giving a minute description of a very perfect case, 172 Exuviation in Shrimps and Lobsters. left by the creature when it made its escape :—for escape it did, through an aperture too narrow to have allowed it to pass if its new covering had possessed a very moderate degree of firmness—to the no small annoyance of the fisherman, who had calculated on the pos- session of a prize somewhat above the ordinary magnitude. I can- not find that any extraordinary actions or contortions have been ob- served in the lobster, when engaged in delivering itself from its trammels, or that the time is prolonged, as is the case with the cray- fish : circumstances which are easily accounted for by an examina- tion of the crust ; and it is certain that when delivered it possesses great activity in effecting its escape, and that neither the prawn nor the lobster devour, as has been supposed, any portion of the old shell. In the specimen referred to, the case of the antennpz and palpi, was perfect to their minutest extremities ; the stalk also, and tran- ‘Sparent covering of the eyes, were uninjured, but the former was at- tached on its inferior portion only, the superior half hanging loose, so that it would soon have fallen away in the agitation of the sea. The segments and joints of the posterior portion of the body, with the caudal plates, were all joined together, but without any inter- vening membrane ; and the inferior parts from beneath the snout, including the jaws and footjaws, cheledlegs, with the sternal plate, oesophagus and internal coat of the stomach, formed one connected portion, with no farther separation than arises from the absence of every portion of membrane. The whole of these inferior por- tions was drawn very considerably within the carapace ; and it was the latter section of the surface only that showed a mark of the man- ner in which the animal had delivered itself from its case ; and this it did. in a way not to be mistaken. Through the middle of this space, ran a line as straight as if it had been cut with a knife, and evidently formed by a natural process of separation : for it even pro- ceeded through the centre of the snout, to the terminal pointed pro- cess, at the root of which it turned off on the right side ; so that the least effort of the animal was sufficient to afford it a passage. The observation here made on a very perfect specimen that came into my possession by great accident, has been further confirmed by a careful examination, both of the living lobster, in which an obscure line is perceptible, where the natural separation takes place; and also of a specimen of small size, in which the sloughing or na- tural process of division had only begun. In the,latter case a deep channel had been formed on the external part, nearly half through the carapace ; while the internal portion still remained firm; but Exuviation in Shrimps and Lobsters. 173 I have little doubt that if the creature had lived but a few days longer, the separation would have been complete, and the animal would have escaped from its prison. The growth of the young of the long-tailed Crustaceans, is well known to be exceedingly rapid ; and there seems reason to believe that the process of exuviation is repeated at least two or three times in the course of the first year of their age. In the course of a summer, among many prawns one or two may always be found in a state that indicates the having lately passed through this process ; but about October or November they all seem to undergo it at once, the breeding season finishes, and no further change in the shell takes place until the approach of the spring. It is not improbable that the general opinion is correct, which limits the exuviation of the adult animals to once in the year; but from the marks of old inju- ries, and the incrustation of parasitic animals, I have come to, the conclusion that in advanced age the lobster does not throw off its case with any regularity, and perhaps not at all. F174] REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS. 1.—De I Histoire Naturelle des Célacés, ou Recueil et Examen des fails dont se compose [ Histoire Naturelle des ces Animaua. Par M. F. Cuvier, de l’Académie des Sciences, de la Societé Roy. de Londres, &c. 8vo. «Avec Planches xxiv. Pp. lii. and 416. Paris, 1836. _ We had for some time been anxiously waiting for the appearance of this work ; and as, on perusal, we have been somewhat disap- pointed, we'think it best at once to say so. Our disappointment, however, may, to a certain extent, be our own fault ; for we have so long been accustomed to connect all that is most admirable and wonderful in natural history with the name of Cuvier, that our as- sociations and expectations concerning every thing coming from one bearing that honoured name have probably been too high. Another and more tangible cause of our disappointment has arisen from a misapprehension of the avowed object of the treatise, and as this may mislead others also, we take leave to point it out. The title does not bear that the work is a natural history of the Cetacea, but, in the words of our author, only a history of their natural history,— ‘certainly quite a different, though a very important, subject. Not only is this clearly declared to be the ostensible object in the title- page, but the respected author takes early and frequent opportuni- ty to press it upon the attention of his readers, “ J'ai cru étre utile a la science en retracant en quelque sort l’histoire de V’histoire na- turelle de ces mammiféres aquatiques,” (xlix.) ; and again, “ Bien loin d’avoir eu le project de donner Vhistoire naturelle de cet ordre entier de mammiféres, je n’ai pas méme dt concevoir la pensée de donner l’histoire d’une seule de ses espéces.” (iv-) Our author even goes further, the object of his introductory remarks being to prove, that the time has-not yet arrived, when the natural history of the Cetacea can be judiciously or profitably undertaken. It is no difficult matter to discover the circumstances which gave rise to this train of reflexion, and dictated these remarks. The sub- De l Histoire Naturelle des Cétacés. 175 ject is confessedly a difficult one, and has made less advance than many others in natural history ; the real facts collected concerning the order are comparatively few, and the fictions and errors are pe- culiarly numerous, so that every one who would presecute the sub- ject is soon taught, that in using the accumulated mass of materials the greatest caution is necessary, and that much must be rejected, and but little adopted. ‘This in fact has been the course pursued by all those who have lately taken up the subject ; the Baron Cu- vier led the way in this most irksome but necessary task, and we may remark, that we know no portion of his labours which is more © striking and successful than that in which he applied an enlighten- ed criticism to the review of the alleged species of this order ; had then his brother done nothing more than presented to the public, in a portable and cheap form this work, which occupies a half of the fifth ponderous 4to on the Ossemens Fossiles, he would have ren- dered a most essential service to the cause of Cetology ; and had he systematically devoted his pen to the removal of the serious ob- stacles just alluded to, we should have been the first to appreciate and commend his labours. But while M. F. Cuvier has most distinctly announced the nature and design of his work to be those which we have stated above in his own words, it is not possible to proceed far in the perusal of his volume without discovering, that he has soon entirely departed from his avowed purpose, and, for reasons which are not explained, has executed his work very much on the usual and common plan of such treatises on natural history. In fact, had we not been so distinctly and frequently advertised on the point, we should not have disco- vered that he had even contemplated making any difference between his plan and that of the other natural histories of the Cetacea which have appeared either in more remote or more modern times. Our author himself seems to be fully conscious that he has deviated from his proper design, and has thereby introduced a want of symme- try and unity which cannot be too much regretted. He states the work to be one “ ou il devroit y avoir plus d’accord, plus d’ordre, et surtout plus d’unite.” (p. 1.) An acknowledgment such as this seems to have anticipated, and so far as we are concerned, it disarms criticism ; and we should not perhaps have given the prominence we have done to the circum- stance, had it not been necessary in the way of accounting for a very decided tone of criticism which pervades the work, and which will probably call for a vigorous defence from those living authors who have been assailed. There is, however, another feature of the work 176 M. F. Cuvier De ? Histoire which this circumstance does not so readily explain, which may be characterized under the name of innovation, and which assuredly should not have been employed to the extent it has been, without some very urgent and pressing necessity. In many particulars, in- deed, M. Cuvier manifests a becoming respect towards the decisions of his illustrious brother, but in not a few instances he treats his opinions with as little ceremony as he does those of others, and re- jects his proposals, and substitutes other views, which of course he regards as preferable. Thus, whilst he follows the new and admi- rable arrangement of the Baron with regard to the herbivorous Ce- tacea, and to the great whales, he very much forsakes and opposes him, and so innovates, in reference to that very numerous group which is intermediate between these two extremes. There can be little doubt that this is now the most perplexed and difficult part of the subject, and in illustration of the statement just made, _and still more, as bearing very essentially on the future progress of the science, we judge it right to dwell somewhat more at large on the point. Most of our readers are probably aware that some progress has been made in classifying these unnumbered, not to say innumerable species of smaller Cetacea. In the time of Bonnaterre, not fifty years ago, the genus Delphinus contained only nine species, but since that period this number has so much augmented, and is still so rapidly increasing, that it has long been felt necessary to break it up and subdivide it. It was the illustrious Lacépéde who led the way in this division by the introduction of his Delphinapterus, including those which had no dorsal fin. Rafinesque Smaltz followed, by his discovering a species with two dorsal fins, which he named owypte- rus. , Baron Cuvier introduced a distinction founded upon what we may call the facial line of the living animal, thus separating the Phocena, whose head and snout are uniformly curved to the ex- tremity, from the Delphinus, which has a distinct fall or groove be- tween the forehead and beak. Pursuing the same idea, Blainville introduced the Delphinorhyncus, which has a beak, which separates it from the phocene, and yet the beak not distinguished from the forehead, as in the dolphins, but on a uniform slope from the top of the head to the extreme point ; and finally, Lesson has proposed to constitute the Globiceps, whose heads are almost wholly rounded like a globe, into a genus. Now these proposals have all, more or less, been adopted, and most of them, as the Delphinapterus, Del- phinus, Delphinorhyncus, Phocena, universally by later writers, such as Desmarest, Cuvier, Scoresby, Blainville, Lesson, &c. An- Naturelle des Cétacés. 177 other respectable individual who had adopted the majority of these subdivisions was M. F. Cuvier himself, who, in his Mammiféres, for years has familiarly discoursed of Delphinapteri, Delphinorhynci, Phocenx, &c. Being thus personally committed, and so many other respectable authors having long consigned works to futurity with these distinctions, we think nothing can be more apparent, than that the advance thus made should not on slight grounds have been abandoned. Our author, however, has so abandoned it, and this is the first of many innovations which he proposes. Thus, the Beluga or white whale, which for some sixty years has been universally ranked among the Delphinapteri, is no longer to be found in that genus ; no more is it to be found among the dolphins, where it pre- viously was, but, according to our author, it takes place among the porpoises. The reasons which our author assigns for his innovations appear to us anything but satisfactory. After enumerating three of the sources whence generic characters have been drawn, /irst, the oldest one, the dental system, so useful in classification throughout the animal series; secondly, the organs of movement, proposed by Lacépéde ; and thirdly, what we have named the facial line, in- troduced by his brother,—‘ Mon frére y ajouta les formes de la téte de l’animal vivant, et en fit l’application aux dauphins dans la formation du groupe des marsouins,’—he assigns, as the only reason for setting these characters aside, that there are cases in which they are of no great moment, or are equivocal, or uncertain. In particular cases, and of the characters severally, this is true ; but could M. F. Cuvier forget that this was probably as well known to his brother as to himself ; and that still notwithstanding, these prin- ciples of classification were in part introduced, and were all distinct- ly stamped by the Baron’s high authority. The mode in which our author treats the genus Delphinorhyncus shows a contempt of authority, and a carelessness regarding classi- fication and nomenclature, which astonished us nota little. He does retain the term Delphinorhyncus, and includes several spe- cies under it ; but itis not the Delphinorhyncus which Blainville in- troduced, and which Desmarest, and Baron Cuvier, and M. F. Cu- vier, and many others adopted ; but it is quite a different Delphi- norhyncus, based on a different ground,—not on the form of the head of the living animal, but on the form of the maxillary and inter- maxillary bones of the dead,—a character, we may remark in pas- sing, most obscure and objectionable. Regarding the established basis of the genus, described in his own words as ‘‘une téte sans NO. I. M 178 M. F. Cuvier De ? Histoire front, ou le bec est tout d’une venu avec la crane,” he hints that the substitution of the term Cephalorhyncus might be advisable, and remarks that such a ground of distinction and division may probably, on more accurate information, be necessary !* Notwith- standing this proposal of a new generic name, he applies the term to an individual species,—to the Delphinus cephalorhyncus ;—to an animal which Baron Cuvier described as the Cape porpoise, and which he himself had both described and figured as the Phocena Capensis. The inaccuracy and inconvenience of referring the same name toa speciesanda genus, as here proposed for the Cephalorhyncus, is too manifest, we apprehend, to require any elucidation ; but this in- accuracy is only inkeeping with our author’s mode of treating the dol- phins. Generally he discourses of them as the first great subdivision of theordinary Cetacea, which he divides into seven genera, and then he applies the term, par excellence, to one of those genera which, in his view, comprehends somewhere between sixteen and forty-four species. We need not say that much confusion, which could easily be avoided, is hence the necessary consequence. Another instance of the boldness of M. Cuvier’s criticism occurs in his treatment of that group which Desmarest, Blainville, Lesson, and others, had recognized under the term Heterodon. This was not proposed as a generic term, but was employed to comprehend a number of genera which, though not very closely connected, yet, with other resemblances, had this feature in common, that their teeth were very heterogeneous, very few, and sometimes rudimental and appa- rently absent. Among other genera this group included the Nar- WHAL, the Diopon, the HyPpreRoopon, the Aopon, andthe ZipPuius, which Baron Cuvier regarded as entirely toothless. After a few words of criticism, our author rejects the Aodon altogether, and loses sight of, or entirely metamorphoses, three out of five of the genera we have just named. We must not leave this part of the subject without making a few remarks on the author’s Delphinus Rostratus. The“ history of the natural history” of this species is somewhat curious, and very clearly illustrates the error and confusion, which, without the most scrupulous care and honesty, is sure to be introduced. This animal was first brought into notice, from imperfect data, in 1817, by Ba- ron Cuvier, under the trivial name of Dauphin a bec minee, t and he attached to it the synonym of the Rostratus of Shaw. In 1823, (Oss. Fos.) he associated this bec mince with a specimen sent from Lisbon by M. Geoffroy, and to the two thus connected he gave the name Frontaius. Cuvier soon, however, discovered, from ® Poo. Régne Animal, 1817, 378. Hr =~ Naturelle des Cétacés. 179 some specimens transmitted to him by M. Van Breda, a relative of the illustrious Camper, that these two were quite distinct ; that the Rostratus of Shaw was the Gangeticus, and that the Frontatus, M. Geoffroy’s specimen, had the dorsal fin of the same species. * In 1828, Mr Lesson gave an accurate account of Van Breda’s specimen under the name of Delphinorhyncus Bredanensis, a name quite appropriate and unobjectionable, Next year, however, (loc. cit.) Cuvier refers to this species under the appellation of the Rostratus, which, according to another statement, in the same page, is the Gangeticus: he also distinctly places it among the Delphinorhynci. Again, our author, in 1833, states that his bro- ther had named this new species Rostratus, referring in proof to the Oss. Fos. v. 400, where we find that no such name was given to it: at the same time he applies a new trivial name to it, D. @ long bec. In the work before us he changes his ground, and adduces as proof that the Baron had named the species Rostratus, in the Régne Animal, 1817, where the Rostratus of Shawalone is named. Finally, our author, who in 1833 had followed his brother, and had taken pains to show that this was a Delphinorhyncus,—<< le museau de cet espéce montre assez quelle appartient a ta division qu’on a plus par- ticulierement designée Delphinorhynque,’—three years afterwards, in the work before us, excludes it from this genus, and ranks it as a Delphinus. It is assuredly not a little grievous, that when the great Cuvier could say of this very species, “ Ces indications serve 4 met- tre les naturalists a la torture,” M. Frederic should now be acting in a way so truly extraordinary, for it is not easy to regard his entangled web as the result of mere carelessness or accident. The fossils of this order of Mammalia have an interest peculiarly their own. ‘To find not quadrupeds—the congeners of those which now tread upon the soil, but the mighty monarchs of the deep, in the centre of immense continents, and on the slopes of lofty hills, cannot fail to excite the most profound reflections. This, along with the fact, that Cuvier has devoted to them a most painful and successful investigation, has conferred on them an interest of the highest cha- racter ; and hence we are not surprised to find that these fossils re- ceive a prominent place in almost every history of the order which has appeared. From the work before us, however, they are exclud- ed ; and our author in a few words of the introduction advertises us of this peculiarity, remarking, that he has always considered these organic remains as the proper subject of a distinct branch of science. On several grounds we consider this as matter of regret. Were the treatise entirely popular, still we think that a passing notice of these * Reégne Animal, 1829, 289. 180 M. F. Cuvier De ? Histoire species would only increase its popularity. This is true of the other orders of the animal series. The fossil elk, the great mammoth, the extinct rhinoceros, the cave-bear, and many others which might be mentioned, are not the least interesting species of their respective gene- ra, and are most attractive objects of natural history as beings of a by- gone age, not one of which could be distinguished except by a most minute comparison with the living species. And surely, therefore, in a work like the present, which is altogether of a scientific cast, it seems a pity that they should be wholly neglected ; the more so, as the science of geology must always turn to the zoologist for all the information it desiderates concerning this interesting department of its fascinating inquiries. We now proceed to lay before our readers whatever appears most new and interesting in the work before us. The preliminary discourse, extending to fifty pages, is composed of a general survey of the order, and dwells more especially on the peculiarities of their comparative anatomy. Here our author is mi- nute and lucid, describing the internal as well as the external struc- ture. One of the most interesting statements relates to a peculia- rity of the arterial system, which is connected with the function of respiration. It consists in an innumerable congeries,—a vast plexus of great arteries, which, after respiration, is filled with highly purified blood, and which is lodged beneath the pleure, be- tween the ribs, and on each side of the spine. The vessels forming this plexus rise from the upper intercostals, and they penetrate into the vertebral canal, and even into the cranium, by the occipital fora- men. The plexus is not formed of ramifications which anastomose with ~ each other, for they may in some degree be followed out, and unra- velled as if they were only a single vessel twisted a thousand times upon itself. In addition to their connection with the intercostals, they are also connected with the vertebrals and carotids. They do not appear to communicate directly with any vein. The vena azygos is not situated anteriorly to the spinal cord, but is replaced by a - considerable trunk on each side and posteriorly to the cord, which receives the intercostal and lumbar veins, and joins the superior ve- na cava. It is conceived that this singular structure is connected with the occasional long-continued suspension of respiration in the Cetacea; extending to the long period of an hour, and sometimes even more. These vessels, it will be seen, become a reservoir of highly arterialized blood, which entering gradually into the circula- tion will, for a long period, maintain life.* * See p. xvii. 90. Naturelle des Cétacés. 18] No distinct mention is made of the source whence the informa- tion concerning this very peculiar structure has been derived. But J. Hunter accurately described it in his paper in the Phil. Trans. ; and Dr Barclay pointed it out many years ago as surrounding the spinal cord of the Beluga.* Neither of these gentlemen, however, ventured to assign a use to it. M. Breschet published some remarks concerning it in the Mem. de I’Acad. des Sciences for 1834: this volume we have not been able to procure; but we learn,—though not from the work before us,—that to him belongs the merit of as- sociuting this very peculiar structure, with the no less extraordinary anomaly in the function of breathing, in this Order. Our author introduces the subject both when treating of the smaller Cetacea ge- nerally, and also in his preliminary discourse, whence we are led to infer that this remarkable piece of anatomy is not peculiar to the smaller, but occurs also among the largest genera. Another statement, new to us, and also introduced without any reference to other authority, relates to the functions of respiration, and the anatomy of the lungs. It is in these words: “ It is said that the (dauphins) smaller Cetacea have the lungs surrounded with muscular fibres, which contract both in the act of inspiration and ex- piration ; and that the tubes so communicate with each other, that by inflating one you inflate all.” In the latter part of this announce- ment, we recognize an observation which was made long ago by Mr J. Hunter, and therefore we have no doubt of its accuracy. The former part of the statement, on the other hand, we do not remem- ber to have previously met with; and, if true, it would bear more ample details than have here been bestowed upon it. A third interesting observation respects the skin, and rests upon the investigations of MM. Breschet and Roussel. According to these able anatumists, there may be discovered in the skin of the Cetacea, as well as of other Mammalia, six principal parts which rest on or penetrate into it, but which have all special and distinct func- tions to perform. These are, first, the derme or truc-skin, a dense, fibrous, cellular canvas or net-work, which contains and protects all the rest. In the whales it is always white and opaque, and its su- perior surface exhibits a set of papilla, the intervals of which are filled with a horny tissue—the epidermis. There is, 2dly, the pa- pille just alluded to, which in the whale are several lines long, and are of a pearly colour ; they are composed of fibres coming from and returning to the subcutaneous nervous plexi ; and among them the blood-vessels freely penetrate. 3dly, There are the exhalents or * Wern. Mem. iii. 182 M. F. Cuvier De ? Histoire perspiring apparatus, consisting of soft, elastic, spiral canals ex- tending across the cutis, and having at their mouths a small epider- mic valve, which is usually shut. 4éhly, The inhalents or absorbing vessels, are extremely fine, smooth, branched, and easily torn, anas- tomosing with each other, and forming a net-work in the skin, un- derneath the papille ; they have valves. Sthly, There is the blenno- gene apparatus, composed of secretory glands and excretory canals, which open among the papille, situated on the true skin, and pro- duce a mucous matter which, in drying, becomes the epidermis ; and, Gthly, there is the colouring apparatus, also composed of secreting glands and excreting canals, and situated in the upper layers of the skin. This is assuredly a far more detailed account of the various parts of that wonderful covering the skin, than any we have yet happened to meet ; and appears to be alike minute and accurate. Leaving these introductory details, our author proceeds to the her- _ bivorous Cetacea, to which he devotes seventy pages, containing much valuable information. Nothing, however, occurs as peculiarly re- quiring our notice, except some statements regarding the Stellerus of Cuvier, concerning which we have a translation of the whole of Stel- ler’s accurate memoir in the Nove Commentarie Petropololit. As this work is not easily procured we regard this as a very valuable gift. Copious extracts from the memoir are to be found in Buffon and others of our more common books, but the whole will amply re- pay a careful perusal. ‘We shall here specify only two particulars; and the structure of the heart shall be the first. Many of our rea- ders may remember that an interesting account and drawing of the heart of the Dugong were given by the late Sir E. Home in one of the volumes of the Philosophical Transactions some fifteen years ago. In this paper he states that the peculiarity seen in its heart is not to be met with in any other animal. From Steller’s account, however, we learn that it occurs also in the animal which is now known by his name ; thus showing a curious correspondence in these two genera of the herbivorous Cetacea. The heart, says Steller, does not taper from the base to the apex, there to terminate in a single point, but it terminates in two distinct and separate apices, corresponding to the two ventricles : the separation reaches to about one-third of their extent, at which place they unite, and there re- semble the usual appearance exhibited by the organ. The other particular we shall advert to regards the mouth and the masticating apparatus. It would appear that both lips are double, that is, that there are first external and then internal lips, When the jaws approximate, the void space they circumscribe is Naturelle des Cétacés. 1838 filled up by a band of strong white bristles, somewhat like pigeon’s quills, which acting like a sieve, hinder the escape of the food when the water is discharged from the mouth. The masticating appa- ratus is quite peculiar. It is composed not of teeth, of which this animal has none, but of two large white bones or dental masses, of which the one adheres to the palate, and the other, its opposite, to the lower jaw. Even the insertion of these bones is peculiar, for it is not into the maxillaries, but they adhere by numerous pores and tubercles corresponding to others respectively on the palate and lower jaw.* Our interest in this curious structure is still farther heightened by the details of a minute examination by Mr Brandt, of certain specimens preserved in the museum of St Petersburgh. He ascertained that they were wholly horny, and composed of fibres agelutinated to one another like the baleen of the whale, and that these fibres, when examined by the microscope, are found to be com- posed of tubes, as is also ascertained to be the case with a great num- ber of hairs.t Plate 7, a, affords a correct representation of these appearances. (This structure associates the Stellerus both with the great whales) and the Dugong ; of which latter Dr Knox remarks, an extremely firm horny-looking substance seems to supply the place of the incisive teeth. It encrusts that remarkable portion of the up- per jaw which, together with a corresponding and opposite one in the lower jaw, similarly encrusted, forms an extraordinary feature in the face of the Dugong.’¢ In the discourse concerning the lesser Cetacea generally, there is an account of the osteology of the cranium of the Micropterus of Cuvier, which has not previously been published ; and which, with the accompanying plate, gives an accurate idea of this part of its anatomy. Our author, in this place also, gives a rapid sketch of the anatomical structure of the group, concerning which there is little to call for observation ; if it be not the oracular manner in which he determines the question now agitated regarding the func- tions of the blowing canal, and thé spoutings of these animals. The point is discussed and dismissed in these words, “‘ quoique quelques auteurs aient pensé le contraire, il parait certain que les narines des dauphins offrent un passage 4 l’eau que ces animaux puivent avoir besoin de faire sortir de leur arriére bouche: les attestations d’une multitude d’observateurs mettent ce fait hors de doubte.”§ What will -Mr Scoresby and Blainville say to this? A few details are collected concerning the size of the brain; but whether in one or more spe- cies we are not informed, and a very firm stand is thereupon made * Seep. 48. + See p. 376. } Edin. Jour. of Science, i. 157. § P. 83. 184 M. F. Cuvier De Histoire for their intelligence and amiability. M. F. Cuvier seems disposed to dispute the opinion given in the Régne Animal, thatthey are the most carnivorous and cruel of the order ;* and accordingly, he would exclude from the crowd of fictions which have been framed, the account given by Pliny of that kind dolphin which daily transported his youthful friend to school, and of that other, which used to be the companion and play-fellow of the bathers in the present Gulf of St Euphemia on the coast of Naples; and, thirdly, Pliny’s additional statement, that the fishermen were in the habit of employing dolphins to assist them in their labours, and then rewarded them for their trouble ; he thinks they may contract familiarity with man, may recognize his voice, and obey him. t+ We have no doubt that several, perhaps the majority, of the lesser whales are acute and sagacious animals. The ancients very generally made this statement, and probably had good grounds for doing so; but we cannot suppose that such an exposition of Pliny’s statements as the above, will be regarded as very satisfactory by most of our readers. In descending to the species of this subdivision, we find that M. Cuvier has 3 Delphinorhynci, 16 Dolphins, properly so called, 1 Inia, 7 Phocene, and 27 Dolphins, (we use his language), whose existence and characters are not yet satisfactorily ascertained ; then succeed the Narwhal, Hypercodon, and Plantanista genera, each containing one species. Recognizing, for the moment, the arrangement indi- cated above, we may state concerning the dolphins, that there is a notice of a new species not generally known in this country, and which we have not seen in any other systematic work. Our author calls it the Ceruleo-albus. Its characters are very slightly touched upon. The snout is said te be more covered and compressed than ‘in the common dolphin, and its fins more pointed ; seen from above it is wholly of a deep steel-blue colour ; the under parts are of a pure and brilliant white, variously marked with black. It frequents the eastern shores of South America. This account is taken from the Nov. Acta Nat. Cuv. T. xvi. Another animal which is here for the first time introduced intoa systematic work is the /mzas, a very curious variety lately describ- ed by M. D’Orbigny, (Nouv. Ann. des Mus. T. iii.) In the work now under review, it is placed somewhat inaccurately between the dolphins and phoczenz or porpoises, in as much as M. D’Orbigny re- marks that it forms a link between the Platanista and the Stelle- rus. The learned naturalist encountered this animal in (High Peru) Bolivia, in a tributary of the Amazons, 2100 miles from the sea ; and in this locality it abounds, and is fished for its oil. Inia is a * P, 287. + P. 99. ae es Naturelle des Cétacés. 185 name adopted from the natives. Its body is shorter and stouter than that of many of the smaller Cetacea ; its snout is in the form of a long and very slender beak, almost cylindrical, and obtuse at its extremity. It has about 134 teeth ; incisors in front, and molars curiously fashioned behind, where their summits are of an ir- regular mammillary shape: the auditory opening is conspicuous ; the blowing canal runs obliquely from before backwards, and opens nearly over the pectorals. The swimming paws are large, bulky, and obtuse at their extremities ; the dorsal starts two-thirds down the back, and has more the appearance of a low ridge than a fin ; the tail is large: total length about 12 feet. The colour varies, and is generally a pale blue above, passing into a rose-colour beneath. This species appears to be an inhabitant solely of the rivers, and neighbouring fresh water lakes, far up the Amazons. It associates in small troops, lives wholly on fish, and seems to come more fre- quently to the surface to respire, and sometimes to masticate its prey, than the salt water species. It manifests the usual strong parental affection of the order. To M. D’Orbigny we are also indebted for a more accurate account of the Griseus of Cuvier, than any we have hitherto met with. Our author assigns to it the name of this enterprizing traveller, which, however, we must deprecate, as being likely to lead to confusion. M. D’Orbigny had an opportunity of examining four grown individuals of the species, which were stranded on the coast of La Vendee, so that all doubt is now removed concerning its long doubtful characters. M. Cuvier has favoured us with a very fair representation of this and the last named animal, the Inia. This he has likewise done with regard to the beautiful Globiceps of Risso, taken from a specimen stranded near Nice in 1629, and communicated to our author by M. Lauvillard. This gentleman mentions a trait in the habits of this species which we do not remember to have before heard of in regard toany other. It was in the month of June that a troop of them ap- proached the shore, inthe Bay of St Jean. It was then observed that they often placed themselves in a vertical position, head downwards, with the tail and the posterior third of the body projecting from the water, and continued in this position for ten or fifteen minutes at a time ; they appeared as if observing what was passing at the bot- tom of the sea, and were probably watching for their prey. It is also mentioned, that the colour of the sexes differs, the ground-work of the males being bluish-white, and that of the females a uniform brown. But our space warns us that we must be drawing to a close, and we the less regret this, as we have but few observations to make on 186 M. F. Cuvier De ? Histoire Naturelle des Cétacés. the remaining pages of the volume. The author’s description of the Chachalot—the Physeter or sperm whale, is imperfect, as it could scarcely fail to be; and more especially as Mr Beale’s valuable pam- phlet had not reached his hand till after his treatise had well nigh passed through the press. Like the Baron our author reduces the alleged species to one only, the Macrocephalus. M. Cuvier numbers only three species under the genus Rorqual, es- tablished by his brother ; these are the Jubbarte, the Mediterranean, and Cape of Good Hope species, thusinaccurately rejecting the Rustra- tus of Fabricius. In his plate of the first of these, which, to all appear- alice, is an exact copy of Lacépéde's /useau pointu, he represents a great pouch projecting from under the tongue; and in the introductory discourse, after inquiring what is the nature of this sac, he answers, that it still remains to be ascertained. Headds, that some have suppos- ed it to be connected with the respiratory apparatus, and others have viewed it as a swimming vessel, and, dissatisfied with these supposi- tions, suggests it may probably be the stomach distended after death by gus. But why the stomach? As every one knows there is much loose cellular membrane in this part of the body ; and it is equally notorious that the whole of this tissue has the greatest liability to very rapid distension : this sac has only in one instance, we be- lieve, been seen in the living, but very often in the dead animal ; and we confess that this fact suggests an explanation which is alike simple and satisfactory——We are also told, in the words of Van Breda, that the use of furrows under the lower jaw and throat is also unknown. So long as the animal is observed out of its native element we can easily believe that no satisfactory idea could be formed of its use ; but when seen in water, and when it is there observed, that these furrows open out, and so produce an immense hollow bag or sac, thus supplying to the lower jaw of the Rorqual, that space which the Mysticetus, from its different shape, enjoys in the upper, then, we apprehend, that no difficulty should remain. If we remember right, M. J. Hunter, after examining the parts in the dead animal, was led to believe that these folds had no peculiar pliability, and that they could never relax and open out in the man- ner we have just mentioned: but, we know it is not less true that, having been examined in water, the augmented capacity of the mouth thus produced by this structure has been ascertained to be a fact, and its use thus demonstrated beyond a doubt. In our author’s account of the Greenland whale he repeats the old tale, that it reaches the length of 80, and even it is said, of 100 feet.* Ina note he tells us that this is contrary to Mr Scoresby’s * PP 365 Monograph of the Kamily Ramphastide. 187 opinion ; but meets this statement by the query, Does not the great destruction of these animals prevent them from attaining their full size? We apprehend Mr Scoresby’s most satisfactory answer should have superseded the necessity of this inquiry. * Upon the whole, this volume will be found a very extensive and therefore valuable repository of facts and opinions concerning the Cetacea, somewhat hurriedly, we apprehend, and withal confusedly thrown together ; a particular prominency being at the same time given to the scientific—it would often be more appropriately called the unscientific—history of the several species. The work, moreover, embodies several valuable memoirs which are not of easy attainment. Among these the most valuable are Steller’s account of the Rytina, already dwelt upon. There is also the fullest account of the Beluga, we know of, given in the words of the learned Pallas, which is ori- ginal, and truly valuable from the opportunities that illustrious in- dividual enjoyed of investigating its habits and structure : it is taken from his Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica. We may also mention an in- teresting memoir of Van Breda’s upon the skeleton of the great Ror- qual brought into Ostend in 1827, and measuring 95 feet ; and another, by Mr Campanyo, concerning the anatomy of the Mediter- ranean Rorqual, as seen in an animai GO feet long, which was strand- ed at the foot of the Eastern Pyrenees in 1828. The skeleton of the former of these has been an object of interest first in Paris, and now in the United States, and that of the latter was last year ex- hibited in Lyons. Read with caution, this volume will prove valu- able to the student, and will be found useful by the man of science. II.—A Monograph of the Family Ramphastide. By J. Goup, F.L.S. Three parts, folio. 1833-386. London. THE ornithological works of Mr Gould have now reached to such an extent, and the illustrations are conducted with so much care, that they have become important as a series of correct and faithful- ly coloured figures. In 1830 a valuable collection of birds was re- ceived from the region.of the Himalayas, containing several new forms, and many of the splendid species which were known only from collections of Indian drawings, or by the descriptions in Latham’s general history, drawn up chiefly from these works of eastern artists. It was deemed advisable to publish a selection of these specimens, and under the auspices of the Zoological Society, his first work, ‘The Century of Birds from the Himalaya Mountains,” appeared; a * See Edin. Phil. Journ. Vol. i. 188 Mr Gould’s Monograph of the hundred species represented on eighty plates, accompanied with short descriptions by N. A. Vigors, Esq. Success in this work, and the wishes of several friends, induced Mr Gould to undertake another of greater magnitude, and requiring more labour to collect the species and information regarding them, “ The Birds of Europe.” The first seventeen numbers of this ‘‘ouvrage de luxe” have appeared; it con- tinues with regularity, and many of the continental ornithologists are lending their aid to procure the rarer European birds, and to render the undertaking complete, and when it epproaches the conclusion we shall devote a few pages to its examination. Nearly at the same time with this last mentioned work, Mr Gould published the first part of his “ Monograph of the Ramphastide,” and about twelve months after, the commencement of a similar his- tory of the “ Trogonide.” The last has reached its second number, and is a work of illustrations exquisitely finished ; the former is com- pleted in three parts, and contains figures of all the species which are known to ornithologists at the present time. The size of ali these works is folio, the plates are entirely lithographic, drawn most- ly by Mrs Gould, and at times when the press of matter is too great, by Mr Lear. With few exceptions, they are figures of great beauty, are delineated with correctness, and, as illustrated works in or- nithology, they will perhaps stand at the head of any that are now in progress. We shall now examine in more detail that which we have noted at the head of this article. The Ramphastide, taken as a family among the Scansores, will contain several more forms than those to which Mr Gould has de- voted his present monograph, which might with more propriety be entitled an account of the Linnzan genus Ramphastos. It is confined ~ to the illustration of Ramphastos, as now restricted by ornithulogists, and to Pleroglossus, as separated from it by Illiger. ‘These birds, though of clumsy and inelegant form, presented many enticing points for the monographists They were yet known to inhabit only the forests of tropical America, almost unexplored, except upon the coast or the margins of some of the great rivers, and extremely diffi- cult of access. Except in the works of Azara, and previous to the expeditions of the German naturalists to the Brazils, little was known of their manners, farther than that they frequented the deepest and most secluded thickets, their habits were only seen by the native hunters who had been dispatched on an errand which might have proved fatal to the European, and the dried spoils only reached the collections of this country. A great similarity in the colours of the Family Ramphastide. 189 plumage, varying in many instances only by a difference in the distribution of the markings, required much discrimination to dis- tinguish what had been esteemed species ; and the brilliant colours of the bill, equally varied, and as closely allied in their distribu- tion, and fading immediately after death, rendered accurate and carefully coloured plates the only way to preserve a similitude of the original tints. Our illustrations were contained in the works of Vail- lant and Vieillot, both not easily procured, or they were to be found among the scattered plates of other ornithologists. Wagler,* in 1827, published the first part of his Systema Avium, describing twelve species of Ramphastos and fourteen Pleroglossi, and in general his descriptions are characterized by great correctness. They are the latest, and were looked upon as the best and most authentic. In the monograph before us, some of that naturalist’s species are made sy- nonymous with those of the older writers, and with Mr Gould’s fi- gures, while one or two are left apparently unaccounted for. This it will now be our endeavour as far as possible to point out, and we suspect that ere long another fasciculus will be required for the re- presentation of additional birds. In the true Toucans (Ramphastos,) the colours of the plumage are invariably black, white, red, or yellow, the throat and upper part of the breast, the rump and under tail coverts exhibiting the latter colours, while the body, wings, and tail are always dark. Ornithologists have taken their divisions from these ; Wagler makes two, with the breast white, or with the breast yellow ; Mr Gould separates them into four, A. B.C. D., combining with the colours of the breast those of the tail and coverts ; but in a group so limited, the first is perhaps sufficient for every artificial purpose, and his third division C, is only characterized by a species, which is confessedly intermediate be- tween it and the fourth or D. In the first four species of the mono- graph we see a great alliance in colour ; they are all white, or nearly white-breasted, banded beneath narrowly w ith red, and the distin- guishing marks are seen on the rump and tail coverts by yellow or red, and in the form and colour of the bill. FR. culminalus, Gould, is given as undescribed ; it has nothing near it in Wagler, except R. Cuvier, Wagl. but seems at once distinguished from it, by the great size of the bill, its more gradual bend, and different form. R. citreopigeus, Gould, from the collection of Mr Swainson, seems a well * This excellent ornithologist met with an untimely death in 1833, while on a shooting excursion near Munich: his gun. exploded with fatal effect, while he was in the act of passing through a hedge.— Gould’s Monograph. 190 Mr Gould’s Monograph of the marked species, distinguished by the lemon colour of the rump, and the entirely black bill banded with blue at the base; &. erythro- rhynchus is known by the brilliant colour of its beak. Under this bird Wagler’s R. Levaillanti is placed, perhaps correctly. The latter writer describes the bill of erythrorhynchus as “ obscuré purpurea- rubra” of “ Levaillantii,” as lete aurantia ; in the figure it is brilliant crimson, and we can easily reconcile the above descriptions to the fading colours of dried skins ; a slight difference in size is the only other distinction pointed out. R. osculans, Gould, from the Vienna collection, is new, distinguished from the last by its yellow breast, and from R. vitellinus by its differently coloured bill and yellow rump. J. toco is a well known bird, but not very commonly brought to this country. . carinatus is also well-marked. R. Swainsonit, Gould, has R. ambiguus of Sw. Zool. Mlustr. given as a synonym with a? but if the lower figure be compared, there can be little doubt of their identity, the difference of marking in the bill, being very slight, is all that is mentioned as separating them. WR. dicolorus we have always considered a well-marked bird, and one of the most common in Brazil, and the R. tucaz, Wag., which Mr Gould places as a sy- nonym, had not been seen by Wagler when he made his descriptions. The remaining two figures of our author, R. vilellinus and Ariel, Vi- gors,are very closely allied, and among their synonymy is unnecessarily entangled, that of the true R. tucanus of Linn. This bird isnot known at all to present ornithologists. By Linneus it is described “ crisso uropygioque flavis,” and we can see no reason to doubt the existence of a species with such a distribution of colours, particularly as we see so much alliance among the others. We should be inclined, therefore, to strike out éucanus altogether as a synomym to these birds, and either retain the species on the authority of Linnzeus, or place it in the list of nominal ones until'a specimen occurs. JR. callorhinchus, Wagl. seems unnoticed in the monograph. The Pteroglossi of lig. exhibiting nearly an equal disproportion of bill, are aficed by a greater variation of tints, and the tail is longer and cuneated ; green is the prevailing colour in these birds ; _ red and yellow still continue to mark the lower parts, the rump and crissum, but they are not distributed with so much regularity, and sometimes occur in large patches ; white is wanting entirely. Wag- ler describes twelve species, all which are figured by Gould, with the exception of P. Aldrovandi, a bird which has got into our systems and histories, but for which we do not seem to have any good authority at the present day. To these eleven, another eleven spe- — Family Ramphastide. Ton cies, which appear to be all well marked, are added,—a very large increase within a few years to a group so limited. P. aracari is well known. The immature plumage of the bird is also represented, and shows a much less development of the bill, and a total want of the deep black which marks the culmen and the whole under mandible of the adult. From this bird Lichtenstein has separated one of the varieties of Latham, &c. under the name of P. regalis, distinguished by a different marking of the bill and a diffe- rent distribution of the colours. P. castanotis differs also by the colours of the bill, and from P. bilorquatus by this also, and by the greater proportion of red which occurs on the under parts of the lat- ter; P. Azare is also of allied colours, but such distinctions can scarcely be pointed out except upon the specimen or in an accurate figure. The most remarkable bird in the whole work is that which occurs next, P. ulocomus, Gould. The head and back part of the neck are covered with feathers of a whalebone-like consistence, flat glossy black, curled at their tips, and resembling in their consistency what we see on the neck of Gallus Soneratii, or one or two species of the Ibis. It has also another peculiarity in the rich vinous tint which covers the mantle or back, not seen in any other species, P. hipo- glaucus is nearly of equal interest ; it is said to be from the most elevated part of the Andes, and is remarkable for its vividly colour- ed bill and the bluish grey tint which entirely covers the lower parts, combined with a yellow rump and crimson lower tail coverts. P. in- scriplus ; Snain.,and Humboldtii, Wagl. come in here, singular from the irregular markings on the bill. P. Baillonu, Wag. (Aracari, Baillon, Vaill. Pt. croceus, Jard. and Selby,) is remarkable for the nearly uniform greenish saffron tint of the whole plumage. The rump is red, but it is an exception to the general colour of the group. P. culik, Wag. and P. maculirostris, Lichten. and the Mo- nograph, are allied in form, the males in colour, but easily dis- tinguished by the spotted bill of the latter. P. maculatus (taken from the same marks on the bill) was the original name for this rare bird, but changed by moderns to maculirostris, perhaps without much necessity. To the first of these birds is also closely allied P. Reinwardtu, Wag. but it is considered distinct. The bill is some- what intermediate between the two last, but an abdominal band of yellow marks their separation. P. Natterii, Gould, also of the same form, and coming near to maculirostris, is more decidedly marked than the last. P. Langsdorfii allied to Reinwardtii, but differing in the colours of the bill. These five birds, varying in form from the lengthened and more graceful aracari, might, to the minute di- 192 Entomological Magazine. viding systematist, form a small group, characterized by smaller size, but thicker and more robust make, a very general similarity of plumage both in marking and distribution, a bill of moderate size, and often marked with blotches of dark colour. In the same manner might be separated the next birds, which indeed has been done by our author under the title of Aulacorhinchus ; they exhibit plu- mage entirely of a grass green, and the size of the bill is not compa- ratively large, but in neither case do we now think this necessary: These birds of green plumage were formerly known only by P. sulca- tus, Swain. from specimens in the collection of Earl Derby, but they have been increased by four in addition: P. prasinus, Lichten. P. Derbianus pavoninus, and haematopigius, Gould ; the last, at once distinguished by a crimson rump, a variation of colour not seen in any of the others bearing this plumage. In addition to the figures and descriptions of the birds there is an _ interesting essay on “the Anatomy of the Toucan” by Mr Owen, with a plate exhibiting the tongue and the feet, and a section of the bill. TRANSACTIONS AND PER1opICcALS—JHritish. The Entomological Magazine. London, January and April, 1836. Tue January number commences with, 1st, Wanderings and Ponderings of an_ Insect-hunter, a discursive and affected paper. 2. A. H. Haliday, M. A. Bri- tish species of the Dipterous Tribe Spheroceride. In this paper, the arrange- ment and nomenclature of Macquart is adhered to, and thirty-eight species are described 3. Portions of a letter from the author of the letters of Rusticus to Edward Newman. ‘These extracts contain observations on certain species of Aphides, and on the Blacks or larve of the Athalia centifolie, so destructive to the young turnip plant._—4, Francis Walker on the species of Teleas, &c. 5. J. V. Thompson, F. L. S. Deputy-Inspector of Hospitals. Of thedouble metamorphosis in Macropodia phalangium or Spider Crab, with proofs of the larve being Zoéa in Gegarcinus hydrodomus, Thelphusa erythropus, Eripea Car- ribea, and Graspus pelagicus,—an interesting paper, but the proofs are scarce- ly so satisfactory or fully detailed as might be wished for. 6. Notes on vari- ous Insects, by Ionicus. 7. Henry Metford, M. R. C. S. on the origin of the ' Entozoa in the bodies of animals,—a paper of interest, in which the author en- deavours to prove, that none of the hypotheses hitherto advanced can be sup- ported, or are sufficient to account for the origin of these beings. 8. Francis Walker, Notes on the genus Aphis. 9. Varieties, among these : the capture of various insects is recorded, among them Colias hyale and electra Deilephila galii, (Sphinx ) convolwuli, &c. The contents of the April number are, 1. Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia, &c. By William Bartram. Extracts. 2. Appendix to Captain Sir John Ross’s Narrative of his second voyage. Extracts, witha catalogue of the Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 1938 animals described by Captain J. C. Ross as natives of Boothia. 3. George Col- gate on the Husk or Hoore in Cattle. 4. A. H. Haliday, M. A., An Epitome of the British genera in the order Thysanoptera, with indications of a few spe- cies. 5. J. V. Thompson, F. L. S. Deputy-Inspector of Hospitals. Natural History and Metamorphosis of an Anomalous Crustaceous parasite of Carcinus menas, the Sacculina carcint. An interesting notice of an extraordinary para- sitic animal, apparently “ less perfect and more simple in its last stage than in that of its larva :” it is desirable, however, that the intermediate stages of the sup - posed larva should be more accurately traced. 6. Extracts of letters from C. Darwin, Esq. to Professor Henslow. From these extracts, much may be expect- ed from the assiduity of Mr Darwin. 7. Notes on various insects by Ionicus. 8. Francis Walker, Monographia Chalcididum, (continued from page 206.) 9. G. R. Waterhouse, Curator to the Museum of the Royal Institution, Liver- pool, A few observations on the habits of some species of Bees. 10. Ed- ward Newman, Entomological Notes, (continued from Vol. ii. p. 516.) 113 Notes on the Cheese and Bacon-hoppers, and the Cheese Mite. 12. List of Entomological Works. 13. Varieties. TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS—Foreign. Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. Aunourn et MItne- Epwarps. Botanique, MM. Av. Broneniarr et GuiLLemIn. (From page 102.) Crochard and Co. Paris, Fevrier 1836. 1. Zoology. Fiourens’ Recherches sur les communications vasculaires entre la mére et le fetus. M. Flourens’ experiments appear to prove, that there exists a vascular communication between the foetus and the mother, and e contra a like communi- cation between the mother and the fcetus, in all animals which have a single pla- centa ; while in animals, such as the sow, which have several placente, there is no vascular communication, and the connection between the mother and feetus is one merely of contact. His experiments on ruminating animals, which have a peculiar confirmation of the placenta, were less decisive, but an attentive exa- mination convinced him, that they were in this respect like the Pachydermata, or multi-placentular animals. F. G. Picret, Mémoire sur le genre Sialis de Latreille, et Considérations sur la classification de lordre des Neuropteres,—an interesting essay. The following is an outline of M. Pictet’s classification of the Neuroptera. ( * NV. a demi-metamorphoses. Termitines propr........ Termes. PSOCIAES... cade ssciceee ..+++» Psoques. Perles. Nemoures. Ephémérides............. Ephéméres. | Libellules. TERMITINES. ; PERLIDESO soci Sauce beled debah cerweceests } Neuroptera. —— /Eshnes. Agrions. Libellulines ........... SUBULICORNES. L No. II. N 194 Annales des Sciences Naturelles. [** IN. & metamorphose complete. per S. $ Myrmél onides..... ae ie Hémérobes. Osmyles. | | Nymphés. (| Hemerobius......... ; Corydales. | Chauliodes. Sialis. Raphidies. Mantispes ? { Némopteres. PANORPA UES Fete cn ders eatiemnaedecesetseansts Bittaques. | | Panorpes. | ‘ PLANIPENNES.... ; Neuroptera. AQ. | Borées. ( Phryganes. ! Mystacides. Trichostomes. PHRYCANIDEBS..00 bie idertenen taemeee teh os d Sericostomes. | Phyacophiles. | Hydropsychés. Psychomyies. L Hydroptiles. Of Stalis two species are described—one of them for the first time, and illus- trated by good figures. The larva is aquatic, but the pupa is terrestrial—an anomalous fact first observed by Roesel, and confirmed by Pictet. But, says Pictet, I have been much astonished to find, in spring, these larve at from six to eight feet from the water buried in a very dry earth, at the root of trees. They lived there with other terrestrial larve, and also with those of a Colymbetes, which appears to have the same habits. On finding these larve, not doubting but that they were true terrestrial species, I reared them in the earth. They lived at least fifteen days before their metamorphosis, and did not seem to have been injured. This fact, which is interesting as a trait in the economy of the genus, is important in the history of respiration. It is indeed the first instance of insects with external respiratory appendages breathing the atmosphere. The structure of these appendages is usually such, that they can fulfil their functions only when in a moist condition ; if left dry they shrivel and become useless. I had reason, therefore to be astonished when I saw such larve live so long a time uninjured in a very dry soil. Branpt, Remarques sur les nerfs stomato-gas- triques ou intestinaux (nervus sympathicus seu nervi reproductorii,) dans les animaux invertébrés. A translation from the German of an elaborate memoir in the third volume of “ Memoires de l’ Académie Impériale des Sciences.” Pot- -SEUILLE, Recherches sur les causes du mouvement du sang dans les vaisseaux capil- laries. ANALYSE des travaux anatomiques, physiologiques et zoologiques pre- sentés a l Academie des Sciences pendant le mois de Fevrier 1836. Of these no- tices we need specify the following only: Jacquremin’s Recherches sur le deve- loppement des Mollusques.——PE. TIER sur les animaux -microscopiques—who de- nies the accuracy of Ehrenberg’s observations on polygastric animalcules, and does not agree with Dujardin either,—affording a proof at least of the difficulty of microscopical inquiries in the ablest hands, and their great liability to decep- tion. Douvernoy, Memoire sur quelques particularites des organes dela degluti - tion de la classe des oiseaux et des reptiles. Dumerit, Observations sur less mouvemens de la langue chez les Caméleons. 4 L ee i ery Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 195 II.— Botany. A continuation of Ners D’EsENBEcK et MontaGNr’s Jungermanicarum spe- cies.—A translation of D. Don’s paper on the class of Personate plants in Edin. New Phil. Journ. for April 1835. Kocu’s Description des Orobanches de la Flora d’ Allemagne. Dre CanDot_-e sur la decouverte du Thé dans une province del’ Inde Anglaise: abstract ofa paper published in the “Bibliotheque Universelle de Genevé” for June 1835. A society was some time ago formed at Calcutta to ascertain the possibility of cultivating tea in India, and the best locality for mak- ing the attempt. The province of Assam, which adjoins the Chinese empire, was thought of ; and in answer to their inquiries, Captain Jenkins informed the Committee that the mountainous region lying between Cachan and Assam ap- peared to him to be extremely favourable to their purpose, and that indeed in the district of Beesa a kind of tea grew wild. This important notice having been confirmed, it remained to be ascertained if the wild plant had the delicious fla- vour of the Chinese : and if the province was really suitable either to its cul- ture, or to the preparation of the leaves. De Candolle fears that the wild plant of Beesa will afford an inferior tea,—not that he denies the identity of the spe- cies with the true tea, but it may prove to be a variety with only a slight odorous property. We know that even in China the value of the tea varies much in different places: it is with the Thea as with the vine, which affords from even near localities a product very different in quality, and this need give us no surprise, for, besides diversity of soil and exposure, the shrub may be in- fluenced by many differences in the period of the gathering of the leaves, in the number of these gatherings, in the preparation of the leaves, and perhaps also in the races or varieties which have been cultivated time immemorial in each locality. The wild Thea will probably give a stronger and more acrid savour, and a less delicate perfume. This consideration, however, does not lessen the in- terest of the discovery. If the province of Assam, which adjoins China, pro- duces the Thea indigenous, it ought to be eminently suited to the culture of the shrub ; and were the wild plant to be found an inferior object to the cultivator, the reclaimed race might be introduced advantageously from China. The Cal- cutta Society have acted wisely in sending Dr Wallich, with able assistants, to examine Assam; and in such hands there can be no doubt that what science, skill, and zeal can do in effecting the society’s object, will be done. We can- not refuse ourselves the pleasure of giving a translation of the following letter from Dr Wallich to M. Benjamin Delessert, dated Calcutta 10th August 1835. “ T reckon on departing in four days—first for the mountains which adjoin the Sillet, particularly for Chuvra-Poonje and Myrung, where I shall sojurn until October. Crossing then the mountains of Khassea, I shall go directly to Gowa- hatty in Assam, and thence to Suddeya in Upper Assam, upon the river Ber- hampooter, where my investigations in relation to the tea will begin. I shall be accompanied by a physician whose name is well known to you as to MM. Mir- bel and Brongniart— William Griffith—a young man skilled in general and phy- siological botany, and who cannot fail to acquire a high reputation. Another per- son attached to the medical service of the India Company is to accompany me in the quality of geologist,—it is Mr John MacCleland, who is now publishing a work on the geology of the province of Kamaon. I make it my boast that it was at my recommendation that these gentlemen have been attached to the mis- sion. 196 Archiv fiir Anatomie Physiologie “* We hope to return in April of next year, by which time the principal object of the tour will be, I think, satisfactorily attained. This object is to make every possible research relative to the locality of the true Thea (wild and indigenous) in Upper Assam. I need not say that I reckon on making with Mr Griffith ‘enormous collections of plants,—nor need I add that I desire especially to send you a good part. I shall address the whole to the Indian Company, but I will expressly demand that the duplicates be delivered to you, and I know too well the munificence of the Directors to doubt that my request will not be complied with. Government has been very liberal in the dispositions which’ it has made for our mission to Assam, both to myself and to my assistants. I shall take with me several artists and gardeners, and if I can display the same ardour and ener- gy that I had in my first expeditions, I believe I shall obtain good results. I confess, however, that twenty-eight years sojourn in India has enfeebled me both in body and mind ;—so that the best guarantee for my success rests on the inap- preciable advantage of having such excellent fellow-travellers.” The other papers in this number of the Annales are copied from the “ Flora,” with the exception of the last, entitled Animadversiones botanice nonnulle nova- rumque aut non rite cognitarum plantaram diagnoses, auch. F. E. L. Fisher et C. A. Meyer. Archiv fiir Anatomie Physiologie und Wissenschaftliche Medicin, §c. Von Dr JoHANNES Miitter. G. Eichler, Berlin, Heft i. 1836. 8vo. The first article is by Dr Bischoff of Heidelberg, on the structure of the heart and circulation of the blood in Crocodiles. —The opinion and observations of se- veral authors who have written on this subject, as Cuvier, Panizza, Goldfuss, Meckel, &c. are compared and commented on. Dr Bischoff seems to think that the opinions of Cuvier have not been fully borne out by more receut obser- vations, and that the arterial system of these animals is more nearlyallied to that of the Mammalia and Aves than was supposed the case by that great authority. We cannot be much surprised at the existence of discrepancies, when we recol- lect the obscurity in which the whole subject was involved, when the great pro- fessor commenced his labours, and when we consider the difficulty even now, of procuring the dissection of living adults of the greater part of the genus. It appears that some differences in the internal structure of the species have already been observed, and we have no doubt that, as investigation is carried far- ther, that others will be found. In habits some of these creatures differ con- siderably from others. Crocodilus lucius, which is found in the Floridas and other southern provinces of the United States, passes the winter buried in the mud ina state of entire torpor, so that it may be cut in pieces without showing any signs of life. This habit is, we believe, unknown to the intertropical species, from the very obvious cause, that the equality of the high temperature they live in, does not require it.—Another species, the C. sclerops, which lives in the Maranon and Guiana, is subject, from the exisccation of marshy districts, in certain seasons to be left dry for considerable periods. The great gavial of the Ganges, C. longirostris, is entirely piscivorous and harmless to man, although it attains very large dimensions, whilst the common crocodile, which abounds in the same river, is extremely ferocious, and lives in a great measure on the bodies which . Sea und Wissenschaftliche Medicin, &c. 197 are floated down by the stream. We think it very probable, that, although there may not be any striking difference in their internal organization, that in some points their structure may be modified to suit the peculiar economy, and adapt them to the necessities of their existence. The C. Rhombifer, in its internal structure, bears some affinity to the Ophidians. In general the circulation is lan- guid, and the volume of blood small in proportion to their dimensions. An illus- trative plate of the heart of C. lucius is given. The second article is from Dr C. T. Von Siebold of Dantzic, on the Sper- mal Ducts of Crustacea, Insects, Gasteropodes, &c. with two explanatory plates. Dr Weber of Bonn contributes some very interesting observations on the hip- joint and the theory ofmotion of the human step. Some notices on the anatomy of the windpipe of Anas leucocephalus and Ibis falcinellus, founded on observations made upon a set of preparations in spirit of wine brought from Sardinia by Mr Kiister, with other remarks on compara- tive anatomy, are given by Professor Wagner of Erlangen. The windpipe of a male of Anas leucocephalus was found to have a widen- ing at the top, somewhat like that in Anas clangula, an inch and a-half long, below which the pipe is very narrow. In Ibis falcinellus (the common Ibis,) the lower rings of the windpipe are very small, thin and rather round. They run close together, but are not joined. From the whole circumference of the last rings a strong membrane springs, which binds the two bronchials to the windpipe. ZOOLOGICAL INFORMATION. Geographical distribution of the Chelones.—The Chelones are principally dis- tributed in the warmer regions of the world, and near to the tropics, but they extend also to many portions of the temperate zones, reaching in the northern hemisphere to the 50° and beyond it, though in the southern they scarcely pass the 35° of S. latitude. It has been observed that the sea tortoises prefer the warmer climates, and some species are peculiar to certain parallels. The Che- lonia imbricata delights in the intertropical seas, although it appears not to have been found either upon the coast of Africa or on the great Indian Ocean. The Ch. viridis, on the contrary, frequents all the seas of the torrid zone; but the Ch. cephalos, which is generally met with in the northern hemisphere, advan- cing to the 48°, is common in the western part of the world, while it is rare in the eastern, and appears only accidentally to frequent the coasts of countries situated beyond the equator. Spargis, again, may be considered cosmopolite, and is found either indigenously or accidentally in most of the seas frequented by the marine tortoises. Of all countri¢s, America produces the greatest number of the Chelones which are comprehended in the genus Emys, but this vast continent at the same time maintains only a single species of the genus Trionyx, confined apparently to the southern parts of the United States, while the only land tortoise of the new world Test. tabulata, extends from South Carolina over the greater part of inter- tropical America ; we are ignorant, however, whether this species, common to many of the Antilles, has been originally indigenous to them, or has been im- ported. We might also presume this to be the case with the Indian tortoise, whichis at this time distributed over the western coasts of N. and S. America from California to Chili, and we might even have suspected, that this large tortoise ‘had been naturalized upon the Galapago isles of the Pacific, although at so great a distance from its true country if the early Spanish navigators had not met with it in abundance on these solitary and deserted islands. We have already re- marked, that North America produced only one speciesof Trionyx, Tr. ferox, and that this country, on the contrary, is remarkably rich in species of the genus Emys. All the species agree, however, nearly with the last, or they may be con- sidered as tortoises inhabiting equally the land or water. One of them, E. ser- pentina, spread over most of the provinces of the United States, is peculiarly aquatic in its habits, and evidently forms the passage to the genus Trionyx; an- other, on the contrary, EK. clausa, common from Hudson’s bay to the Floridas, approaches in its manners to the land tortoises, which it seems intended to ally to the genus it has been placed in from its own structure. Other species, as E. punctata and odorata, approach the manners of the land division, though ina less degree. They are common in the United States, but the first does not exist in the southern provinces, which the second inhabits, and has been found as far south as the river Alvarado, in Mexico. The other Emydes of North America are, E. picta, Miillenbergii and centrata, species more peculiar to the northern states, reaching even to Canada ; also E. serrata, reticularia and geographica, which Zoology. 199 have been taken in many situations far distant from each other. South Ame- rica also produces anomalous Emydes, possessing an organization which enables them to live habitually in the water. E. chelys, a species very remarkable from the singular form of some of its parts, inhabits the marshes of Cayenne and the province’ of Para; E. platycephala, common throughout Brazil and Surinam, belongs to the long-necked section, a small group characterized by habits still more peculiarly aquatic. Following these Emydes may naturally be placed the E. expansa and Dumerilii, species of large size which inhabit the banks of the Maranon. and its tributaries. Finally, the E. punctularia and scorpioides, com - mon both in the same situations and in Guiana, and differing from the preced- ing, the one to approach the typical forms of the genus, the other to the E. odo- rata, which it replaces in Southern America, and of which it is even suspected to be a variety consequent to the difference of climate. Africa presents to us in reference to the geographical distribution of the Che- lones, phenomena entirely different from those which we observed in the new world. The barren plains of this immense peninsula give rise only to torrents whose waters, absorbed during summer in the moving sands, are exhausted and dried up by the influence of the tropical heats. It is to this that we must attribute the existence of that small number of fresh water species, compared with the very considerable amount of those spread over America, and it is also from this reason that Africa maintains so many terrestrial Chelones. A single Emys, E. galeata, from the group of the long-necked Emydes, inhabits the rivers of the Cape, and is found also in Senegal. It appears that the Nile wants them en- tirely, for this river maintains only a single species of Trionyx, distributed also over a great part of Africa which lies under the tropics. But this vast con- tinent with its neighbouring islands produces seven different species of land tor- toises, or rather the whole known species of the genus, with the exception of that from America. Three of these, Test. angulata, areolata, and geometrica, in- habit the vicinity of Cape Town, but they are at the same time found in Mada- gascar, and the first has been observed at Sierra Leone. The Testt. pardalis is found on the eastern part of the colony of the Cape ; the Test. radiata at Mada- gascar, and perhaps also in Senegal and Abyssinia. The Tes‘. Indica is now in- digenous to Madagascar, and also on the neighbouring islets, though it has been exterminated from those on which Europeans have been established. The Test. Greca again is only found on the northern coast of Africa from the states of Barbary to Syria. The same land tortoise (Test. Greca, the only European species, ) frequents, in this part of the world, the well-watered countries of the Mediterranean, from the Morea to France. These parts produce an Emys, E. Europea, which inhabits also Germany and Prussia, and has been found upon the Wolga ; but the second Eu- ropean species of the genus E. vulgaris has only been observed in Spain, in Dal- matia, on the Morea, and on the shores of the Caspian sea. Asia is inhabited by a very considerable number of fresh water tortoises, but this vast extent ofcountry only maintains a fewspecies of land tortoises. We have already stated thatthe Test. Greca inhabitsa part of Syria; the Test. geo- metrica, an African species, is found also in the island of Ceylon ; but the exist- ence of the Test. Indica in a natural state upon the coast of Coromandel, re- quires yet to be confirmed by more accurate observations. Of the six known species of Trionyx, no less than five inhabit the rivers of Southern Asia. One has been observed in the Euphrates, which is perhaps identical with the Trionyx 200 Zoology. of the Nile, also found in Industan. The Ganges maintains a species, Tr. Gan- geticus, peculiar, as far as it is known, to that river ; another, the Tr. granosus, which forms the passage to the Emydes, is found also on the coast of Coroman- del; while two others, Tr. stellatus and subplanus, have been observed from Bengal to the Island of Java. The Trionyx of Japan belongs most probably to the first of these, which would thus be nearly as widely diffused as the KE. vul- garis, of which a local variety is found in the islands of that empire. The other Emydes of the south-eastern portion of Asia are E. tectum; E. megacephala, so characteristic in its heavy or unwieldy form; E. tetraonyx, intermediate be- tween the Emydes and Trionyx, and a native of the river Irawaddy; E. Spen- gleri, of which several interesting varieties are known from the isle of France, Ceylon, Penang, Malacca, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and China; and finally, two species, which vary from the others by their rounded shell, and of which one pos- sesses a moveable sternum ; E. couro inhabits China, the southern point of Ce- lebs, and the islands of Penang, Java,and Amboyna ; while the other, E. trijuga, has only been found in Java. We are only acquainted with a single tortoise from New Holland, the E. lon- gicollis, belonging to the group of long-necked Emydes.—Siebold, Faun. Jap. Chelonit per C. J. Temminck, and H. Schlegel. Motacilla neglecta, Gould.— An adult male bird of this species was killed by Mr Hoy, in the parish of Stoke Maryland, Suffolk, on the 2d of May 1836.. This we believe is the first authenticated British example of the grey-headed wagtail. Tringa pectoralis, Buonap.—The same gentleman has also in his possession a specimen of the Pectoral Tringa, killed upon the borders of Breyden Broad, near Yarmouth. Upon dissection it proved a female. Mr Anderson, who exa- mined the specimen, pronounced it to be the Tringa pectoralis of the United States. Salmon, food of.—From the rare occurrence of being able to detect any thing ~ recognizable in the stomach of the salmon /S. salar) on its first egress from the sea, it has by many been supposed to feed entirely upon animalcula or mi- nute entomostraca, (according to Dr Knox upon the spawn of certain species of Asterias or star-fish.) The following fact, however, evidently shows that it is not always content with such minute prey, as indeed we had previously been satisfied in our own mind was the case, from the circumstance of its voracity in rivers, as well as in large estuaries, where it is frequently taken, by a sand- lTaunce, used as a bait. “ On Saturday, June 18, 1836, (my correspondent, G. C. Atkinson, Esq. informs me,) afemale fish S. salar of twelve pounds weight, was taken at Tynemouth Bar, in the stomach of which were thirteen herring sprats ; there was nothing remarkable in the external appearance of the fish, but the stomach was of large size, and has a diseased appearance.” This probably arose from its great distension, but as the viscus has been preserved, we shall upon inspection be better able to judge whether this is the case or not. In corrobora- tion of the predatory habits of the salmon, I may add, that Dr Johnston inform- ed me a few days ago, that the stomach of a grisle (the young of S. salar,) of one and a-half pound weight, and one of the first taken this season in the Tweed, ie Botany. 201 upon dissection, contained a large herring sprat, recently swallowed, as appeared from the slight decomposition that had taken place.—P. J. S. Woodcock breeding in Scotland.—Within late years it has been remarked that woodcocks remain and breed more frequently in Scotland, and in greater num- bers than they used to do. We are informed by a gentleman who rents a shoot- ing district in the north-west of Aberdeenshire, that this season there are seve~ ral pairs breeding upon the property, though they were not known to do soa few years ago, and the same is the case in vther districts, as in Strathmore, &c. What reason is to be assigned for this change in their habits ? is it to be attri- buted to a change in our seasons, or are we to look for it in the great increase of woods or plantations so general over all the island, affording these birds ad- ditional and secure retreats, as well as an abundant and constant supply of food. eee ess Ammocetes branchialis and Gasterosteus semiarmatus. Dr R. Parnell has taken specimens of both these fish in the Tweed near Berwick: the most northern habitat for them in Britain, which has been ascertained.—G. J. Raniceps trifurcatus.—I picked up a specimen on the sands near Tynemouth, Northumberland, where it had been left by the tide. The fish was still alive, though, judging by the distance the sea had ebbed, it must have been out of its element for two hours.—Albany Hancock, May 26, 1836.—G. J. Neritina fluviatilis, Paludina achatina, vivipara, and impura,—have lately been found in considerable numbers on the shores of the Forth, at St Davids in Fifeshire, As far as Iam aware they have not hitherto been found in Scot- land, and their occurrence in such a suspicious locality renders it probable that they were conveyed there in ballast, from which source the flora of the same neighbourhood has been enriched with several plants not indigenous to Britain. —E, Forbes. Helix Scarburgensis.—This, the prettiest of all our native Helices, is found in one or two spots in the dean at Twizel-house, Northumberland. I have also found it, though very seldom, in Berwickshire.—G. J. BOTANICAL INFORMATION. Alge Britannice.—Sir W. J. Hooker is preparing a “ Manual of the British Marine Alge,” and will be thankful to receive specimens of new or rare spe- cies from any part of our coasts, as well as information respecting unpublished localities of the scarce kinds. The descriptions will be written entirely in En- glish, and all unnecessary technical terms will be avoided.—Comp. to Bot. Mag. for June 1836. Erica Mackaiana, Babington.—Many-branched cross-leaved heath. ‘‘ Leaves four in a whorl, ovate, ciliated, smooth ; flowers capitate, pedicelled ; sepals ovate, ciliated; smooth; pedicels villous and downy ; corolla oblongo-ovate ; anthers awned, included; style exserted.”—-Bab. MSS. On the declivity of a hill by the road side within three miles of Roundstone, Cunnamara, Mr W. M‘Calla. Fl. July, Aug. Specimens of this presumed new 202 Miscellaneous. species were left for me in September 1835, by Mr Babington, and soon after Ire- ceived others from the discoverer, when at first sight it struck me as being dif- ferent from any species I was acquainted with. In its ovate, ciliated leaves, it much resembles E. ciliaris, while in its mode of flowering and awned anthers it agrees with E. Tetralix ; it, however, differs from that species in its more shrubby habit and in the disposition of its branches, which, instead of having the flowering ramuli generally springing from one point (determinate ramosi) they are irregularly disposed and much crowded towards the top of the main branch- es. Dr Hooker, who has kindly sent mea figure of this, is not as yet de- cided in his opinion whether it will ultimately prove a distinct species from E. Tetralix. There is, however, I think, no doubt of its being at least a very dis- tinct variety.— Fl. Hibernica, J. T. Mackay. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. Questions de l Académie Royale des Sciences de Berlin pour les concours des années 1837 et 1839.—1. Parmi les Vers soit d’eau douce soit d’eau marine soit intestinaux il en est plusieurs auxquels on ne sauroit encore assigner avec une précision suffisante leur place dans le systéme, parceque leur anatomie est ou bien entiérement ignorée ou imparfaitement connue. L’Académie demande Vanatomie exacte des formes aux quelles ces incertitudes s’appliquent le plus éminemment: parmi les Vers, Gordius aquaticus (ou telle autre espéce de Gor- dius), surtout s’il est possible Nemertes Borlasii ; ici ce que Von connoit déja de la structure de Anguillula fluviatilis, Ehrenb., des Annelides, des Planaires et des Filaires pourra servir de point de comparaison. Quant aux Vers intestinaux l Académie désire des renseignemens nouveaux sur Pentastoma, sur une espéce quelconque des Tenioides et des vers vesiculaires, et sur les Cercaires. Le but de ces recherches est d’arriver a une description anatomique du systéme digestif, de celui des organes de la genération, et des systémes nerveux et vasculaire, ou du moins des parties de ces systémes organiques dont il aura été possible d’ay- érer l’existence. En combinant ensuite les résultats de ces nouvelles recher- ches, avec les données anatomiques précedement connues on soumettra, a un examen critique les différentes positions assignées a ces Vers et a ces Intesti- naux dans les systémes zoologiques. Le 31 Mars 1837 est le terme de rigueur pour la rentrée des Mémoires, qui doivent étre anonymes et accompagnés d’une devise avec nom d’auteur sous ca- chet. L/attribution du prix de 50 ducats est fixée ala séance publique du 3 Juillet méme année. 2.—Prix fondé par legs pour une Question d’Economie Rurale.—Parmi les végétaux d’une saveur douce il en est plusieurs qui contiennent le sucre en des proportions quelques fois assez ramarquables, ausi que Marccrar l’a déja prouvé pour la Bette rave, qui par les procédés appropriés a l’extraction du su- cre est devenue dans plusieurs pais un produit trés important de l’économie in- dustrielle.—L’ Académie désire que pour une grande majorité de plantes abon- ' dantes dans nos climats qui non point encore été soumises avec succés a un pa- reil examen, on applique les mémes tentatives d’extraction soit a la plante en- tiére soit 4 quelcune de ses parties. L’ Académie demande en outre pour chaque plante une détermination précise de l’espéce de sucre qu’elle contient, soit de Cannes soit de Grappes soit de Manne soit de telle autre modification. II est par conséquent nécessaire que les competiteurs joignent a leurs mémoires un échantillon du sucre extrait de chaque végétal, et cela en etat de crystallisation Miscellaneous. 203 s'il est de la nature du sucre de Cannes; mais comme il est souvent trés diffi- cile en opérant sur de petites quantités de faire disparoitre entiérement les sub- stances étrangéres qui donnent au sucre une couleur brune, l’on n’exige pas que les échantillons soient d’une pureté et d’une blancheur parfaite. Considérant l’étendue et la multiplicité des détails d’une pareille recherche la Classe fixe 4 quatre années la durée du concours et en double le prix. Le 31 Mars 1839 est le terme de rigueur pour la rentrée des Mémoires, qui doivent étre anonymes et accompagnées d’une devise avec nom d’auteur sous cachet. L/’attribution du prix de 100 ducats est fixée a Ja séance publique du 3 Juillet méme année. State of Natural History in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.—It is only of late years that an institution has been established in Newcastle for the promotion of Na- tural History, yet previously there had not been wanting a few individuals who had devoted their attention to this branch of science with success. Among these may be mentioned the celebrated Bewick, whose histories of Quadrupeds and British Birds are too well known to need commendation here. But the atten- tion of the Newcastle naturalists was until lately principally directed to the study of Botany. The result of a careful investigation of the Flora of the district was given to the public in 1805, in the form of a Botanist’s Guide to the counties of Northumberland and Durham, by Messrs Winch, Thornhill, and Waugh. Mr Winch has since published several detached essays on botanical subjects. The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle, a valuable institution, founded upon a liberal basis, has now been in existence for upwards of forty years. This institution supports an extensive library, an annual course of lec- tures on literature, natural philosophy or natural history, and, according to the plan of its founders, a museum. This latter object, owing to the want of suf- ficient funds, and perhaps also to the lukewarmness of a majority of its mem- bers, remained for a number of years little more than adead letter. In the year 1822, however, the society, on the recommendation of G. T. Fox, Esq. purchased the private museum of the late George Allan, Esq. of Blackwell Grange. This collection, celebrated in its day, was originally formed by Marmaduke Tunstall, Esq. of Wycliffe, and afforded many subjects for the works of Pennant, Latham, and Brown. Bewick also drew from specimens contained in it some of the rarer species of his “ British Birds.” The principal feature of this museum, in fact, was the fine collection of British birds, many of which have now suffered from the unsparing hand of time. It also contained a good collection of the South Sea curiosities brought to England by the celebrated Captain Cook. The his- tory of the whole collection, with biographies of its former possessors, is mi- nutely detailed in a volume published by Mr Fox, entitled a “ Synopsis of the Newcastle Museum.” The society first opened this museum to the public ina room of their new building in 1826, and appropriated a portion of their funds for its support. This was afterwards increased bya private subscription among the friends of natural history. But it was soon found that to support a museum at all adequate to the importance of the town and the increasing taste for the sub- ject, required funds far beyond what the Literary and Philosophical Society could spare for the purpose. Under these circumstances a few of the friends of na- tural science in Newcastle undertook the establishment of a Natural History So- ciety. The project succeeded even beyond their most sanguine expectations ; and, 204 Miscellaneous. aided by several country gentlemen and coal-owners of the neighbourhood, the present ‘“‘ Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham, and New castle-upon-Tyne” soon sprang into existence ; the Duke of Northumberland con- senting to accept the office of Patron, and the Bishop of Durham that of Presi- dent. Exotic Coleopterous Insects. 255 racis marginem anticum productum fere absconditum: ocul: mag- ni, laterales: antenne 11-articulate, corporis fere longitudine, in- ter partem inferiorem oculorum insertx, articulo Imo ovali; 2do minuto; 8vis proximis, ramum elongatum, compressum, singulatim emittentibus ; 1lmo elongato, compresso: labrum parvum, trans- versum, angulis anticislateralibus rotundatis, lobo minuto, triangulari, membranaceo, in medio instructum : mandibule valide, cornez, acu- tz, curvate, dente acuto infra apicem internum ; extus pilosis: maxille membranacee, lobis ducbus instructz, lobo externo magno, et in quatuor filamenta pilosa et in longitudine decrescentia diviso, lobo interno gracili piloso, setisque decumbentibus, in medio in- duto: palpi maxillares, breves, crassi, 4-articulati, pilosi, articulo Imo brevi, 2do et 4to ejusdem longitudinis, hoc elongato-ovato, apice subtruncato: mentum brevissimum, coriaceum, labrum in fila- mentis 4 gracilibus, quorum intermedia longiora et pilosa, divisum ; palpi labiales breves, crassi, 4 articulati, articulo 2do brevissimo; 3tio et 4to subequalibus, hoc elongato, apice subtruncato: tho- rax semicircularis, margine antico deflexo, et supra caput quasi cucullato ; angulis posticis subacutis, et ad basin elytrorum arcte applicatis, margineque postico in medio paulo producto: elytra ob- longo-ovalia, convexa ;scutellum parvum, subrotundatum: prosternum simplex, inter pedes anticos haud protrusum, pedes breves, graciles, tarsis 5-articulatis, articulo 3tio bilobo, 4to minutissimo versus ba- sin articuli precedentis insito, 5to elongato, pulvillis nullis. This is a very interesting genus, which, if we were to admit the tarsal system in an unlimited manner as our guide in the distribution of the Coleoptera, it would be necessary to place in the section Te- tramera, with some species of which, as the Galerucide, it has in- deed considerable analogy. Its chief affinity is however, Atopa, with which it agrees in several particulars, but the structure of the tarsi and antenne remove it from that genus, and indeed from the little group in which Atopa is placed by M. le Comte de Castelneau in his Memoir upon the Rhipiceride, in which he has given the character of antennx not branched’as that of the Atope. The structure of the lower jaws and lower lip is very beautiful, and Mr Curtis has represented a somewhat similar structure in Atopa, whilst De Geer has figured the maxille of Leptura 4-fasciata, (Mémoires, Vol. v. pl.4, fig. 13,) which very closely resembles that of Cladotoma, and which De Geer considers serviceable in collecting the honey of flowers. Sp. 1. Cuaporoma ova.is. (Fig. 3.) Fusca, elytris fulvis, basi et thorace obscurioribus, sutura albida. 256 Descriptions of Exotic Coleopterous Insects. Long. corp. lin. 6.—Habitat in Brasilia. In Museo P. Walkeri, Eq. Ovalis, fusca, tenuissime punctato, sericie grisea induta: caput.cum oculis nigrum, mandibule ad apices nigre, antenne fusce, ramis fulvis: thorax fuscus, subnitidus margine antico et postico (in me- dio) fulvo, scutellum et sutura elytrorum albidis: elytra subelevata convexa, lineis nonnullis longitudinalibus, fulva versus basin, ob- scuriora marginibus lateralibus, sericie alibicantibus: pedes fusci, sericii, corpus subtus fuscum griseo-sericeum. (LamMELLICORNES.) Fam.—ScaRABHIDE. Hygoma cARINATA. Fig. 4. Nigra, obscura, thorace in medio valde elevato bicarinato, elytris in mediis et versus apices tuberculis acutis curvatis instructis. Long. corp. Lin. 7.—Habitat. in America Meridionali. In Museo Patr. Walkeri, Eq. Nigra subopaca, sub lente fortissimo punctis circularibus undi- que notata: caput magnum, planum, deflexum antice, lobo parvo centrali bifido armatum, et ad latera ante oculos utrinque incisum : oculz lunati, (seu potius margine laterali capitis antice intranti :) antenne fusce, 9-articulate : thorax magnus, ad latera angulatus, dorsoque valde elevato et bicarnato, carinis postice connexis, scu- tellum obsoletum: elytra planiuscula subquadrata; pone medium paulo dilatata, disco subundulato, carina elevata, acuta, humerali, tuberculisque duobus centralibus, curvatis et acutis in singulo, alte- risque quatuor in singulo versus apicem forme ejusdem, margo la- teralis inflexus: pygidiuwm nudum deflexum: pedes graciles, inter- medii ad basin valde remoti, tibie antic marginibus externis ser- ratis, et ad apicem 3-dentate, tarsi antici, minutissimi sed distincté 5-articulati, tibiz intermediz 2-calcaratz, postice longiores curvati, l1-calcaratz simplices, tarsis ad apicem tibiarum insertis. Fam.—GEOTRUPIDE. GEOTRUPES LETHROIDES. (Fig. 5.) G. niger, latissimus, capitis cornu erecto, thorace impressione magno antico, postice elevato, elytris semiglobosis. Long. corp. lin, 94, lat. lin. 6.— Habitat in America Meridionali. In Museo Patr. Walkeri, Eq. Niger, subopacus, et sub lente forti tuberculis minutissimis undi- que obtectus: caput transversum, clypei margine antico rotundato, in medio cornu brevi erecto armatum: labrum transversum, mem- branaceo-marginatum, setosum, mandibule oblonge, extus obtuse Comparative elevation of Testacea in the Alps. 257 cornuto, et ad apicem dentibus duobus acutis, alteroque infero trun- cato, armate, intus ciliate : mawille et organa labialia ut in Geotru- pidibus typicalibus: antenne longiores, 11]-articulate, articulis 2, 3, 4, subequalibus: thorax magnus, transversus, lateraliter et postice elevatus, depressione magna subrotundata, partem anticam thoracis occupanti, in qua ad marginem anticum, tuberculum parvum longi- tudinale exstat ; margo ipsius partis depressus ad latera, subacutus, postice vero depressus ; angulis posticis thoracis productis subacutis : elylra semiglobosa, valde convexa, nec striata nec oculo nudo punc- tata, tenue marginata: pedes robusti, tibiis anticis 6-dentata. The remarkable outline of this insect, with its dentate mandible, subelongated antennz, carinated head, singularly depressed thorax, and smooth gibbous elytra, seem to be characters of higher value than those indicating a species. I have not, however, ventured to separate it generically from Geotrupes, but have figured the essen- tial organs for comparison. G. latus of Leach, figured by Sturm in his Catalogue, and said by Dejean to be from Barbary, seems to be allied to this species, but wants the remarkable characters ex- hibited by the head and thorax of G. lethroides. V.—On the Comparative Elevation of Testacea in the Alps. By Epwarp Forsses. Tue influence of elevation on the distribution of plants is at pre- sent a popular theme with the botanist, whilst the same influence on that of animals is comparatively neglected, though (among the invertebral tribes particularly) many important results may be ex- pected from researches on that subject. The following data, though few, may yet have their use in showing how far such an influence affects the species of shell-bearing mollusca. The stations at which the observations were made are the Pass of the Gemmi, and the mountain of Faulhorn in the Swiss Alps, during the month of July 1835. The highest part of the Gemmi is that beside the Dauben- see, marked by Keller at 6360 feet. The summit of the Faulhorn is 8200 feet above the sea-level. In the absence of accurate mea- surements, I have marked the distribution by the characteristic plants of the elevations at which the species were found. I. The highest Testacea occurred at the edges of glacial masses by the Dauben-see, and on the Faulhorn at about 7000 feet. Vege- tation that of “the Glacial Zone :” Soldanella alpina and minima, &e. 258). Comparative elevation of Testacea in the Alps. Vitrina, nov. sp. V. glacialis, Mihi. Testa hyalina, supra plana, sp?- ris duobus ; apertura patentissima, ovato-oblonga. Long. } poll. Lat. 4. Animal nigrum ; capite, cauda, tentaculisque obtusis. I found this heautiful and very distinct species of Vitrina in con- siderable plenty under stones on the high elevations referred to, and only there. Ferrussac figures two alpine species, the V. annulata, «‘ Venetz,” and the V. pyrenaica, both of which appear to be varie- ties of V. pellucida, and far removed from the V. glacialis, the nearest ally of which is perhaps the V. elongata of Draparnaud : but the animal of V. elongata is grayish-white, a distinction suffi- ciently specific, independent of the comparative characters of the shells. The V. glacialis seems to have escaped the observation of the ‘Swiss conchologists Thomas and Studer, neither of whom refer to any other species in their catalogues, besides V. pellucida and V. elongata. Few indeed would think of searching for shells in such an icy habitat as that of the V. glacialis. Helix arbustorum, var. alpina, Ferr. This dwarf variety is found abundantly atabout the same elevation with the Vitrina, and ceases in the following zone. II. At Swaribach on the Gemmi and similar elevations, never very closé to the snow masses. Plants—Nigritella angustifolia, Polygala chamaebuxus, &c. Bulimus (Cionella) lubrica, var. alpina. A very pretty and curious variety of this species, distinguished _ from the normal form by its dwarf size, more contracted mouth, and whitish colour. Pupa secale, Drap. cylindrica, Ferr. marginata, Drap. Clausilia with the shell tapering, almost smooth: mouth with a single primary tooth and an obsolete secondary fold. Var. of C. - minima, Pfeiffer ? Helix rupestris, Drap. erystallina, Drap. trochilus, Mont. (fulva, Mull.) — nitida, Mull. In springs on the Faulhorn at the same elevation I found Lym- nea fossaria, 8. minuta, Drap. an Cyclas (Pisidium) obtusale, Pfeiff ? Ill. The dwarf pines appear. All the species mentioned under II. are found in this and the following zone, with the exception of Structure of Flowers of Adoxa moschatellina. 259 the alpine form of Bulimus lubricus and the Clausilia above-men- tioned. Helix hispida, 8, (an Helix concinna, Ferr ?) rotundata, Mull. (radiata, Mont.) IV. The following species were plentiful in the first pine forests : Helix villosa, Drap. pomatia, Lin. personata, Drap. obvoluta, Mull. Clausilia bidens, Dr. rugosa, Dr. perversa, Pfeiff. solida, Drap. Bulimus montanus, Drap. (cionella) lubrica, Mull. In the lowlands of Berne the Testacea are those of the north of Europe and Germany, but in the Vallais the conchology assumes a more southern character. The trunks of the chestnut trees about Sion are often covered with the Helix sylvatica, Drap. and under stones we find Bulimus radiatus, Pupa quadridentata, and Pomatias maculata. VI.—On the Structure of the Flowers of Adoxa moschatellina. By the Rev. J. S. Henstow, M.A. Professor of Botany in the Uni- versity of Cambridge. Tue flower of Adoxa moschatellina, as is well known, are ar- ranged in ahead, and are so placed that oneis terminal, and four others lateral. They are composed of four whorls; but the number of the parts in each is usually different in the terminal and in the lateral flowers. In speaking of the subordinate parts of the two outer whorls we shall consider them as sepals and petals, which cohere to forma gamosepalous calyx and gamopetalous corolla, In this sense then, the terminal flower more usually Fig. 1. contains 2 sepals, 4 petals, 8 sta- mens, and a 4-celled ovarium, which may be considered as com- pounded of 4 carpels, while the lateral flowers contain 3 sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens, and 5 carpels (Fig. 1.) Such is the ordinary view taken of the structure of these flowers. They are, however, very subject to vary in the number of their parts, and we propose to exa- mine each whorl in detail. gty ZEW a BN _ OU 260 Structure of Flowers of Adoxa moschatellina. 1. The calyx. This whorl varies both in the terminal and lateral flowers, with 2, 3, or 4 sepals. In the latter case 3 of the sepals were observed to alternate with 4 petals, and the fourth sepal to be opposite a fifth petal. De Candolle does not consider this whorl as atrue calyx, but calls the corolla a calyx. This reduces the sepals to bractex, and as these are combined, the whorl must be considered as an involucrum. In this case we have the tube of the involucrum combining with the lower half of the ovarium, and also uniting with the calyx and sta- mens. ‘There seems to be no sufficient reason for admitting such an anomaly, and the view usually taken appears to be preferable, 2. The Corolla. This is always composed of either 4 or 5 petals, which cohere by their bases and to the upper edge of the calyx, where it becomes free from the ovarium. Some of the petals are sometimes opposite and sometimes alternate with the sepals, which they exceed in number by 1, 2, or 3 parts. 3. The Stamens. These are placed very evidently in pairs, a sin- gle stamen of each pair standing on either side of the sinus formed by the union of two contiguous petals. Fig. 2. De Candolle asserts that half are oppo- site, and half alternate, with the petals. This view must be ascribed to a desire to obviate the apparent anomaly of their being neither opposite nor strictly alter- nate with the petals, but it is decidedly inadmissible. He has not observed that the anthers consist of a single lobe, nor can I discover that this fact _ has been previously noticed by any author except Dr Hooker, who in his Flora Scotica has the following remark : “ Stamens united in ¢pairs, or they may be considered as 4 or 5 forked stamens, each ramification terminated by a single cell of an anther, and all spring- ing from a fleshy ring that surrounds the germen.” I was ignorant of this observation, but was led to make the same remark last spring, by reflecting in Fig. 3. what way it would be possible to re- duce the anomalous structure of this flower to some normal condition, in which the parts of the several whorls would be arranged agreeably to the generally established rules of morphology. De Candolle’s view ap- peared to be quite untenable. Upon examining a great number of specimens, I observed in many instances a very decided tendency 4 ZS 42 j Z Structure of Flowers of Adoxa moschatellina. 261 in the filaments to combine in pairs. Following up the hint which was thus afforded, I found that the anthers were composed of a single cell ; and that it was in those cases only where two contiguous fila- ments had become completely united, that we ever have a perfect sta- men crowned by a two-lobed anther. Thisat once solved the difficulty, and reduced the structure of the flower within the usual conditions. Dr Hooker has not decided which structure should be adopted, and has followed the arrangement generally adopted of classing this plant under Octandria. The fact of the frequent coherence of the filaments in the contiguous stamens, combined with the regularity thus introdu- ced into the arrangement of the several parts ofthe contiguous whorls, singularly strengthens the conjecture he had hazarded from the con- sideration of the anthers being one-celled, and may indeed be con- sidered as affording as direct a proof of the normal condition of this flower as the subject will admit. It may therefore be stated as con- taining 4 whorls of 5 parts each, the parts alternating in the suc- cessive whorls,—a structure eminently characteristic of a dicotyle- donous plant, and probably exhibited in greater perfection in the genus Crassula than in any other. In the present case, the devia- tion from the normal character in the lateral flowers consists in the ordinary suppression of 2 or 3 parts in the calyx, sometimes of 1 only ; and in the terminal flower in the suppression of one part in all the whorls as they are usually exhibited in the lateral flowers. Among the numerous specimens which I Fig. 4 examined, some had the stamens partially con- verted to leaves ; two small ones being placed facing each other and occupying their usual position on the corolla. (Fig. 4.) In some cases a supernumerary petal of small dimen- sions was accompanied by a thick filament bearing a three-lobed anther, a monstrosity which apparently originat- Fig. 5. ed in a complete and super- numerary stamen having ip been also developed, and ~ united with the half sta- ay ~ men to which it was con- \ y tiguous. In other cases, the contiguous filaments were united, and one part foliaceous, the other antheriferous, recalling the structure of the sta- ‘ mens in a Canna. I.—Flora Hibernica, comprising the Flowering Plants, Ferns, Cha- race, Musci, Hepaticw, Lichenes, and Alge of Ireland, arrang- ed according to the Natural System, with a Synopsis of the Gene- ra according to the Linnean System. By James TowNsEND Mackay, M.R.I. A. &c. 8vo. Dublin, 1836. AN Irish Flora has been long felt to be a desideratum. While Great Britain was glutted, as it were, with descriptions of its vege- table productions, no attempt was made even to enumerate the plants of Ireland, until 1824, when the worthy author of the pre- sent volume gave to the Royal Irish Academy, his Catalogue of the Phenogamous Piants and Ferns which he had then ascertained to be natives of the country. This catalogue was, he informs us, the result of twenty years observation, and in the preface he an- nounced his intention of extending it intoa complete Flora. Such a work has been therefore looked for at his hands, and although it is somewhat of the latest in its appearance, we receive it with a cordial welcome. It seems from a paragraph in the intro- duction that, “in 1833, a small volume appeared entitled the Irish Flora, containing short descriptions of most of the Phznogamous Plants and Ferns of Ireland that wereknown up to that time.” This work we have never seen. The Flora Hibernica is arranged according to the Natural System, and is divided into three parts ; the first containing the flowering plants and ferns ; the second, the Muscz, Hepatice, and Lichenes ; and the third, the Algw. In regard to the first part, (which is pre- ceded by a synopsis of the genera according to the Linnzan method, ) the best idea we can give of the manner in which it is executed is to say that, with the exception of the arrangement, the whole is constructed on the model of the British Flora. We must not be un- derstood as bringing any charge of plagiarism against Mr Mackay, for he candidly informs the reader that his descriptions both of ge- 3 Mr Mackay’s Hora Hibernica. 263 nera and species, are generally adopted from the British Flora, as well as the etymologies of the generic names. We are convin- ced that the work has not lost any practical value in so excellent a guide having been followed as Sir W. J. Hooker ; but at the same time, our friend Mr Mackay will allow us to express a regret that, in the first respectable Flora of such a country as Ireland, a little originality should not have been exhibited. We are sorry also not to see a few observations upon the geographical distribution of Irish plants, as compared with England and Scotland; but this most interesting subject will probably increase the value of a second edition at no distant period. * The plan adopted by the author, of treading for the most part in the steps of Hooker, leaves little scope for critical remarks. He has naturally enough followed the example offered by the Floras of Eng- land and Scotland, of admitting various doubtful plants into his list ; but there are two which we consider as more than usually questionable ; viz. Dianthus plumarius, and Lythrum virgatum. A * Jn addition to remarks on the geographical distribution of plants hinted at by our contributor of the above article, we should like to see embodied in a new edition, which we sincerely trust is already called for, a little more distinction, marked either by type or otherwise, between the plants which are really indige- nous and those of spurious rank ; the localities more decidedly pointed out, and the places of growth stated with more precision, and “ with a steady eye to their mineralogical characters,”—and surely it is indispensable to have the proviucial names noted in the native Irish. Ireland has ever been to us a favourite coun- try, and we have looked upon it as affording peculiarities remarkably enticing to the faunist or florist. It is of sufficient extent to be itself a province, has va- riety of hill and dale, of wide-spreading lakes and noble rivers, of waste and woodland, of sea-coast and of alpine ranges. It is separated from its sister isle, (from which the annexed table will show it to vary curiously in its botani- cal productions,) only by a narrow strait, from the continent of Europe by a wider space, while on another side it is open, and exposed to the storms and surge of the ocean. It would be curious to trace the influence of the nearest lands on its animal productions, and on its flora. The vegetation of the west coast might be contrasted with that of the east and north. The influence which the greater moisture and less severity of her winters had on the habits and phy- siognomy of the vegetation, or in clothing her hills with mossy and saxifragous plants, might be carefully marked and compared. This, we know, would be a task difficult and tedious, though to some delightful ; but the Florist of Ireland, independent of his scientific acquirements, must catch the spirit of the clime ; he must learn to love the green isle and its every beauty ; he must add some tincture of the poet and a love for the olden time, a taint of the learning and eccentrici- ty of the antiquary ;—before commencing he must invoke the manes of Linneus and of Wahlenberg. 264 Mr Mackay’s Flora Hibernica. more interesting plant is a curious heath, named by Mr Babington Erica Mackaiana. We wish it may be truly distinct, but it is very nearly allied to E. tetraliz, whichit resembles in its flowers and awned anthers, while in its leaves it approaches E. ciliaris.* Itis found in Cunnamara, the country of E. Mediterranea, and Menziesia polyfolia. Saxifraga geum, 6. of Hooker is raised to the rank of a species, un- der the name of S. elegans ; the author states that it has retained its distinctive characters in cultivation since 1807. The Irish whin, Ulea strictus of the catalogue of Irish plants, is reduced to a varie- ty of U. Europeus ; but we confess we are as much in doubt re- specting that peculiar-looking plant, as Sir W. J. Hooker, who ad- mits that he is at a loss whether to refer it to U. Europeus, or na- nus, or to consider it as a species. But surely the same scruple need not exist in regard to the Florencecourt yew, the Taxus fastigiata of Lindley’s Synopsis. Individuals exist in Ireland of fifty years growth. In some few instances Mr Mackay differs from Sir W. J. Hooker ; for example, the genus Conopodium of Koch is preferred to Bunium for the common earth-nut ; and Helosciadium of Koch adopted by Hooker for Siwm nodiflorum, repens and innudatum is re- jected. Calamintha officinalis is also still included in the genus Thy- mus. He has fallen into the same error as Sir W. J. Hooker in describing Habenaria chlorantha both under that name, and also under the denomination of H. bifolia, but there is reason to believe that Mr Mackay had not seen the true H. bifolia of Linneus, which is probably not a native of Ireland. The three common Primule are kept up with an observation that many botanists consider them as only varieties. There seems to be a delicate for- ‘ bearance exercised by almost all writers of floras towards the “ pale primrose,” the “ freckled cowslip,’ and their supposed hybrid the oxlip. Linnzus believed them to be the children of one parent. Professor Henslow brought the question to the test of direct ex- periment, and raised them all from the same root. Hooker ob- serves, “ They are rarely found intermixed, and in Scotland the two last kinds (P. elatior and veris) are scarcely known.t Mr H- F. Talbot found upon the summit of a high mountain near the lake of Thun, in Switzerland, P. elatior in abundance, while P. veris was confined to the base of the hill, and P. vulgaris was not found * See Mr Babington’s characters at page 201. + This is a mistake as far as regards P. veris, which is by no means unfre- quent. We have seen whole fields as thickly dotted with cowslips in Scotland as in England. Mr Mackay’s Flora Hibernica. 265 within fifty miles of it.” This is a highly curious fact; but sup- posing the plants to be varieties, it only proves their characters to be singularly constant. If it is an ascertained fact that they are really varieties, they ought to be acknowledged as such, and a scien- tific truth recognized. It is very remarkable that Primula farinosa has not been found in Ireland.* The second part of the volume is from the pen of Dr Taylor, the able coadjutor of Professor Hooker in the well-known Muscologia Britannica. The acute observer is manifest in every page, but es- pecially in the descriptions of the Hepatice, which evidently exhi- bit the result of a long series of observations upon the living plants. A new genus (Hygrophila) is established to receive the Marchan- tia irrigua of Wilson f (in Brit. Fl.) and we have two new species of Jungermannia ; one hitherto confounded with J. epiphylla ; the other parasitic upon Hypnum loreum, and so minute as to be only visible under the microscope. Among the Musci we have a recent acquisition (Gynostomum tortile, Schw.) a near species of Glyphomi- trion, and anew species of Bridel’s genus Zygotrichia. Ireland seems to be exceedingly rich in lichens. Besides a host of species already known as inhabiting the British islands, Dr Taylor has de- scribed forty-three new species belonging to various genera, eleven * There is one other point well worthy of attention,—and yet but slightly noticed in this work,—we mean the bog-timber of Ireland, more particularly the pine tribe. Mr Mackay appears to have satisfied himself that not more than one species of pine is found in the bogs, and that that is identical with the Pinus sylvestris, for he says under that head, (p. 259) “ this tree appears to have been abundant in Ireland, as trunks of very large dimensions are often found in the bogs,” and expresses no doubt of their identity with the Scotch fir. Any person reading this observation would suppose that the point was settled, yet, indeed, there still remains great doubts on the subject, for apparently at least two different kinds of deal exist in the bogs. One has a stem spirally twisted in a very marked manner, is very inflammable, gives out a fine perfume when burned, and is used in the place of candles and torches by the peasantry in many parts of the island. One of them also, we believe the latter, has the root far larger in proportion to the timber, than it is found to be in the Scotch fir. It is more than a speculative point to determine the species, for since a fir once grew to a very large size in the wetter of the Irish bogs, it might do so again could we succeed in obtaining the same species of tree; and there is no way to come to the desired information, excepting by a careful and microscopical exami- nation of the structure of every kind of bog-timber. + Ord. Hepatic. Genus HycropniLa.—Male receptacle pedunculated, hir- sute, with short scattered hairs. Female receptacle pedunculated, hirsute, with short scattered hairs. Calyx none. Loculi univalved, carnose, opening at the top with a vertical short fissure. (Frond without pores. ) 266 Mr Mackay’s Flora Hibernica. known species introduced for the first time into our Flora, besides a new genus called Syncesia, constructed to receive a rather obscure plant allied to Arthonia.* Dy Taylor has performed his share in the Flora Hibernica admirably ; and we are only disposed to complain of his having adhered too rigidly to the genera of Acharius after they have been, by universal consent, more or less modified. The last division of the work, devoted exclusively to the Algae, has been contributed by Mr Harvey, whose intimate acquaintance with the order is sufficiently shown in Hooker’s British Flora. It is a department as full of interest, as the objects themselves are of- ten graceful and beautiful. Mr Harvey has done his part well and carefully. The Alga Britannice of Dr Greville has to a considerable extent served him as a guide, and he has adopted verbatim, with due acknowledgement, that author’s description of the Diatomacee, as contributed to the British Flora. But Mr Harvey is no copier,— he plainly investigates and thinks for himself ; and his portion of the Flora Hibernica contains much valuable information. All the Irish Alge he has arranged into three grand divisions, which, from the colour of the seeds, hedenominates MELANOSPERME, RHODOSPER- MEZ, and CHLOROSPERMEZ. In the first division we find the tribe Ectocarpee placed between Dictyotee and Chordariew ; and in the second division, Glotocladew, the first tribe, containing the genera Mesogloia, Gloiosiphonia and Chetospora, precedes the Gastrocar- pee. Such an arrangement exhibits new and ingenious views re- specting the affinities of Eciospermew and Gloiocladew. In order to add some degree of interest to this article, we have drawn up a table, which exhibits at one view the relative Floras of _ England, Scotland, and Ireland, in regard tothe total number of ge- nera and species in each natural order ; as well as a list of those British genera in which the Irish Flora is deficient. * Ord. Licuenrs. Genus Syncresta.—Thallus crustaceous. Apothecia ob- longo-elongate, stellato-radiata, aggregated and immersed in scattered thallodal verruce. Perithecitum none. Lamina prolifera pellucid, supported on opaque vertical layers. or ip oo bo a ~Mr Mackay’s Flora Hibernica. ORDERS. - Ranunculacee, ’ Berberidee Nymphezacee, . Papaveracee, Fumariacee, . Crucifere, . Resedacez, . Cistiner, . Violaries, . Droseracez, - Polygalez, . Frankeniacez, . Elatinee, . Caryophyllee, . Linea, . Malvacez, . Tiliaciz, . Hypericinee, . Acerinez, . Geraniacee, . Balsamine, . Oxalides, . Celastrinee, . Rhamnee, . Leguminose, - Rosacez, . Pomacee, . Amygdaleze, . Sanguisorbee, . Onagrarie, . Haloragee, . Ceratophyllez, . Lythrarie, . Tamariscinee, . Cucurbitacez, . Portulacee, . Paronychiez, . Crassulacez, . Grossulariez, . Saxifragez, . Umbelliferz, . Araliacex, 43. Cornee, England. | Scotland. Gen.| Sp.|Gen.| Sp 30 _ bo femelle fd fd fom oe mb PH De obo a) x me DD Oo ROD bo & Or S m= bo bo — me DPE wWNHWENS YV Bee pe D—wD — bo 26 —_ a DoH BHD Or Or 09 — 10 17 Ireland. Gen.| Spe 8 | 24 1 ] 2 2 4. 8 2 4 93 | 49 1 3 1 1 l 8 ] 3 1 ] 1 ] 10 | 36 2 5 3 | 5 1 2 2110 1 2 2/13 1 1 ] ] 1 2 16 | 41 10 | 41 2 5 1 5 2 4 2 8 oh ee) 1 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 4}; 10 1 3 2) 16 30 | 44 Fl 1 ] 267 British Genera not repre- sented in the Irish Flora. Adonis, Pzonia, Del- phinium, Myosurus. Epimedium. Actea, Aconitum, Teesdalia, Turritis, Iberis, Hutchinsia, Dentaria, Vella, Ko- niga. Frankenia. | Buffonia, Cherleria, Holosteum, Moenchia. Impatiens. Staphylea. { Hippocrepis, Onobry- chis, Oxytropis. Sibbaldia. Mespilus. Sanguisorba. Isnardia, GEnothera. Tamarix. Bryonia. Corrigiola, Herniaria, } eed, Polycar- pon. Tillea. AXthusa, Coriandrum, Meum, Seseli, Tordy- lium, Petroselinum, Physospermum, Sison. 268 Mr Mackay’s Flora Hibernica. British Genera not repre- | Pagan. Scotland.\ Ireland. ORDERS. sented in the Irish Flora. Gen.| Sp. |Gen.| Sp. |Gen.| Sp. 44, Loranthee, ] 1 1 1 Viscum. 45. Caprifoliacez, 4) 8] 4] 7] 38| 4 |Linnea. 46. Stellate, 4°)18}) 31 16 | -4) 13 47. Valerianez, DAE Oa oil) ea pk 48. Dipsacee, a4) Oo) ba) Ts ibs { Borkhausia, Chrysoco- ma, Cineraria, Conyza, 49. Composite, 48 |122 | 43 |106 | 40 | 87 en Doronicum, Lactuca, Echinophora, Ree, Serratula 50. Campanulacee, 2) 11 ] a ] 4 |Phyteuma. 51. Lobeliacee, 2 3 2 Pe 2 3) 52. Vaccinier, ] 4 1 4 ] 3 53. Ericez, 4 a 6 9 45 9 | Azalea. 54. Monotropex, 2554 1 Qe peo 55. ITlicinex, ] 1 I 1 ] J 56. Oleinee, 2 2 2 2 2 2 57. Apocynez, I a A a Se 58. Gentianee, 7 | 14 3 8 6 | 11 |Swertia. 59. Polemoniacee, 1 1 1 ] ] 1 60. Convolvulacee, 2 5 2 5 2 4 61. Boraginee, 10 | 25 | 10 | 21 | 8 | 15 |Asperugo, Pulmonaria 62. Solanez, 5 | 1b 4 8 5 7 63. Orobanchee, 2 7 Oia ee 4 64. Scrophularinee, | 12 | 42 | 11 | 35 | 11 | 32 |Limosella. 65. Labiate, 23 | 54 | 21 | 42 | 20 | 42 |Acinos, Melittis 66. Verbenacee, 1 1 ] 1 I 67. Lentibularie, 2 5 6 2 6 68. Primulacez, 9] 17 15 | 7. | 13 |Cyclamen, Trientalis. 69. Plumbaginee, Tihs 25) Sy |i iels <3 70. Plantaginee, 2 6 6 ) 6 71. Amaranthacee, ] 1 Amaranthus. 72. Chenopodee, 5 | 23 18 | 5] 19 73. Polygonee, Qe II 3920 74. Eleagnee, be Hippophae. 75. Thymelez, | 1 Daphne. 76. Santalacee, 1 ] Thesium. 77. Aristolochiex, 2 eal i Aristolochia, Asarum. 78. Empetree, ] ] 1 1 ] ] 79. Euphorbiacez, 3} 16 2 9 2 9 |Buxus. 80. Urticee, 3 17o) Seba) eke 81. Ulmacee, 1 7 ] 4 1 4 82. Betulinee, 2 2 2 3} 2 By 83. Salicinee, 2 "50 2 | 65 D) 5 84. Corylacee, 5} 6{ 5] 6] 5] 6 |Castanea. 85. Myricee, 1 1 ] I 1 1 86. Conifere, 2) 2) By 3) Sil V3 87. Alismacee, 3 5 I 3 i) 4 | Actinocarpus. 88. Butomee, ] ] I ] 1 ] 89. Juncaginee, 2/ 3} 2} 8] 11] 2 |Scheuchzeria. 90. Aroidez, 1p oll 1 ] 1 ] 91. Acoracez, ] 1 ] J Acorus. 92. Typhacee, 2 MOS 2 Lod 2a) to. 93. Pistiacee, 1 Aa 4\| 1 4 94, Fluviales, 4! 18 4116 4 5 Voyage auz Indes Orientales. 269 England. | Scotland. Treland. British Genera notrepre- ORDERS. * sented in‘the Irish Flora. Gen., Sp. |Gen.[{ Sp. |Gen.) Sp. 95. Smilacee, 3 5 3 5 9 2 |Ruscus. 96. Liliacee, 2 2 ] ] Tulipa. Anthericum, Aspara- 97. Asphodelez, Sp lei= Gopi) 3 | 6 J, Gagea, Muscari, Ornithogalum. 98. Melanthacez, Dail (Dal Qiliz Qolonl 1 |Tofieldia. 99. Eriocaulonee, imo 1 1 1 100. Juncee, a 22 | ooo } ol Lo 101. Hydrocharidew,|; 2} 2/ 2} 2] 2) 2 Aceras, Corallorhiza, 102. Orchidez, 12) 35: 8] 19) 8| 22 } Cypripdiom, Goody- rea, Herminum, Liparis 103. Iridez, 3 9 i] ] 2 3 |Trichonema. 104. Amaryllidee, Sh 5| 2) 2) 2! 4 \Leucojum- 105. Dioscoree, 1 1 Tamus. { Cynodon, Gastridium, \ eee Knappia, 106. Gramineae, 40 {113 | 32 | 96 | 30 | 80 Panicum, Setaria, | Spartina, Stipa, Lagu- Lrus, Polypogon. 107, Cyperacee, 10} 78 | 9 | 81 | 8 | 66 |Cyperus, Elyna. IIl.—Voyage aux Indes Orientales, par le nord del Europe, pendant les années 1825-26-27-28 and 29. Zootocis, par MM. C. Be- LANGER, Isipore Grorrroy Saint Hiuaire, Lesson, Va- LENCIENNES, Desuayss, et Guerin. 8vo. Avec atlas grand in 4to. Paris, Arthur Bertrand, 1834. THouGH the above noted volumes commenced their appearance more than two years since, we have thought them sufficiently im- portant, and suficiently little known to the British Zoologist, to merit a short notice under our section of “‘ Reviews and Analysis ;” while the botanical portion, having lately commenced, the entire work may be said to be only approaching its completion. M. C. Belanger was one of those enthusiastic naturalists whom the superintendents of the continental museums have employed with so much success ; and we cannot help expressing our regret that something similar is not attempted by the institutions of this country, assisted by our government. Young men possessed of an ardent love of nature are selected, they are brought to the capital, and receive instructions, and study under the first professors. The desiderata in every branch are pointed out, the facts and species which require elucidation, species which have not been sufficiently made out, physiological investigations which can only be noted on the spot which the animal inhabits, and a long list of queries to be solved, in all the departments, are given to them before they are 270 Voyage aux Indes Orientales dispatched on their various expeditions ; and if they do not always possess the experience of matured study, they are at the season of life when their zeal is ardent, and their activity and enthusiasm are unbounded. It is in this manner that the collections on the continent so long surpassed in the number of species those of this country ; and the expense of maintaining those travelling naturalists is in reality not greater, than that arising from the large prices occasion- ally paid for some privately procured collection, or for some rare specimen. Returning from the expedition, the results are placed in the hands of gentlemen versed by long experience in the branches they undertake, and, as in the present instance, they often appear as a series of essays by the individuals to whom they had been en- trusted. Belanger left Paris in 1825. He crossed Germany, Poland, Southern Prussia, Georgia, and the Persian Provinces under the Russian dominion, and penetrating into Persia, he embarked for Bombay, and finally arrived at Pondicherry in the commencement of 1836. Persia he crossed from Erivan to Bouchir, running over the most interesting parts, but travelling with a caravan, and being dependent on the season for crossing the Caucasian chain, the time spent in this country was comparatively lost. At Bombay he suf- fered under ill health brought on by the climate and exertion, but visited the Isle of Elephanta and the coast of Malabar, and made some additions to his collections ; but it was not till some time after his arrival at Pondicherry, which he made head-quarters, that the most profitable part of his expedition might be said really to com- mence. From hence he made extensive excursions, and for a time removed to Bengal, where he explored the riches of the Ganges.— Again penetrating by the river Irawaddi, already known as the scene of the botanical labours of Wallich, he visited Pegu, endea- vouring to collect in his way the productions of the river and its tributaries. Returning to Pondicherry. he made another excursion to the islands and the Straits of Sunda, examining principally the eastern coasts of Java, in the districts of Buitenzorg and Bantam, where Raffles and Horsfield, Khul and Van-Hasselt, had previous- ly toiled in the same vocation, and finally, on account of his health, returned to his country by the Isles of France and Bourbon, and the Cape of Good Hope. The results of this expedition were by his own account, 25 mammulia; 240 birds; 60 reptiles; 250 fishes ; 300 mollusca ; 500 insects ; and 10 crustacea ; in all, 1385 subjects, (it may be remarked, that those which had been met with in Persia were unfortunately lost before their arrival in France,) par le nord de [ Europe. 271 and among these, more than 360 new species or genera were said to be discovered,—a fact which we rather doubt, and which is scarcely borne out by the volumes now before us. Arrived in France, these were put under the care of MM. Isid. Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, Les- son, Valenciennes, Deshayes and Guerin; the historical and bo- tanical portions being entrusted to Belanger. The present volumes, the one an 8vo of descriptive letter-press, the other a 4to atlas of illustrative plates, are devoted to Zoology alone, and we shall now shortly notice them. Mammiferes par M. Isidore Geoff. Saint Hilatre.-—Commences by some short general remarks upon Geographic Zoology.—Next a tabular view of the monkeys of the old world is given, intended as a supplement to what Humboldt has done for those of the new. To Humboldt’s Synopsis a considerable number will now have to be added ; and such is the progress of zoology, that in the last two years, M. Geoffroy’s present list can be yet enlarged. In conclusion, a table is given showing the species of Desmarest and those of Geof- froy. Of the first, 42 species are given as really authenticated ; in the last they are increased to 50. In the first, 4 are held to be al- together suppressed as synonymous or false, and 3 as doubtful. In his own list, 8 are styled as resting upon indifferent authority, and the total number recorded in 1834 are estimated at 58. Geoffroy next procceds to describe five species which he considers new, but without reference to their being procured during the expedition of Belanger, or of being natives of India. Two of these are figured, Semnopithecus cucullatus, Geoff. a native of the coast of Malabar, and vicinity of Bombay, and somewhat allied apparently to the S. maurus ; and Macacus aureus, Geoff. also a native of India and the Islands, and previously noticed as the Cercopithecus mulatta. Among the Cheiroptera, five species are described, and Vesper- tilio Belangerii, Geoff., considered new, is figured, inhabiting the coast of Coromandel, and the houses in the vicinity of Pondicherry. The genus Tupaia of Raffles is first noticed among the “ Insec- tivores.” Speaking of the discovery of this curious genus, he says, it has been sometimes attributed to Raffles, sometimes to Diard ; but the truth is, that it belongs to neither of these travellers, but to M. Leschenault de la Tour, who sent a specimen to the Paris mu- seum in 1807. The known species seem to be under a certain confusion, the young and adult being similarly named at one time, and the reverse at another, by various authors. But M. Geoffroy thinks that the collection of Belanger possessed another, perfectly distinct from any of the states of the formerly known animals, and 272 Voyage aux Indes Orientales it is described and figured under the title of «« Tupaia du Pegow.” It is confessedly, however, nearly allied. The genus Sorex next claims attention. Five Indian species are noticed, with some useful observations, and a table of the distinctions which separate some of the allied species. Four African species are also indicated. Of the Carnivora, a new Felis is described and figured under the title of F. rubiginosa ; it is most closely allied to the F. torquata of F. Cuvier, is about the size of the domestic cat, and was found in the higher woods in the vicinity of Pondicherry. A new genus is established under the name of Melogale ; but in our correspon- dence with Mr Gray, that gentleman considers it as the same as his genus Helictes, described in the proceedings of the Zoological Socie- ty ; and M. personata, Geoff. as probably identical with Gulo ori- entalis of Horsfield. It was found by M. Belanger in the vicinity of Rangoon. The entire length of the animal is about one foot one inch without the tail, that member, being wanting in the specimen, is supposed to be about eight inches. The dental system is 6 incis. 6 incis. Upper jaw. 2 can. 6 false mol. Under jaw. 2 can. (8 false mol. 10 mol. \3 can. 12 mol. }2 can. 2 tuberce. 2 tuberce. Total, 38. The Mammalia are concluded by the “ Rongeurs.” Five squir- rels are described, a hare, and a species of Spermophilus, the only animal noticed from Persia; a figure is given under the title of S. concolor, Geoff. The entire length of this little animal is about thirteen inches, of which the tail is three. ‘The general colour is a pale-fawn, darker at the upper parts, and the tail, flattened and square at the end, is terminated by a black ring, then one of white, and lastly another of black, more indistinct. It was met with in the vast plains in the Persian province of Azerbaidjan. It bur- rows, and conveys grains to its retreat, therefore it is eagerly sought to be extirpated, Oiseaux, par René-Primevere Lesson.—Commences by an essay on the geographical distribution of birds, containing general observa- tions on this subject. The second chapter is entitled, “ Description de plusieurs espéces d’oiseaux nouvelles, ou quelque autres encore incomplétement caractérisees dans les auteurs.” The whole number of birds here described is thirty-nine ; many of these, however, are neither from India or from the collection of Belanger, and we shall confine our notice to those which have been thought worthy of being figured, or have been brought to Europe by our traveller. 4 par le nord de ( Europe. 273 Pernis maculosa, Less. a name applied on account of the mottled state of the plumage. From the dimensions, twenty-two inches in length, this seems the immature state of the P. apivorus, where white much predominates. Melias tristis, from the neighbourhood of Pegu, is figured as new, while a doubt is held out that it may be the Phenocophaus melanagnathus of Horsfield (Trans. Linn. Soc.) Garrulax Belangerii, Less. considered new, and procured during the expedition of Belanger. The bird figured: under this title is the Corvus leucocephalus of Hardwicke, (Trans. Linn. Soc.) the Glandarius leucocephalus of Gould, (Illust. Himal.) From this and another bird figured under the title of Gar. rubrifrons, Less. that gentleman has formed his genus Garrulaz, allied to Turdus, he thinks, and to be placed after Myophonus. They nevertheless appear to us to come much closer to Glandarius, if they can at all bear separation. The first was procured at Pegu, the lat- ter, Java. Cryptonix Dussumierii, Less. is certainly the C. niger of Vigors ; but while M. Lesson has given this bird a new appellation, he at the same time advances another theory. The males of this ge- nus, he remarks, have the eyes always surrounded by a bare and turgid space ; in his C. Dussumieri, the cheeks are entirely covered with feathers, hence it must be a female (an alternative not neces- sary,) and is in reality that sex of the C. coronatus, while the birds which we have been in the habit of considering the female of this species, and the figure of the Planches Colories (PI. cccli.) is a young male in immature plumage. The species described are from the Straits of Malacca, and, he adds, is very rare. Neither the C. co- ronatus, nor this black bird, however, seem uncommon in British col- lections, or in those of the dealers. Phasianus Reynaudii, Less. M. &. F., approaches close to the Ph. lineatus of Latham ; indeed, in our correspondence with Mr Gray remarks, that it is the same, “as I have proved by comparing the figure with the original drawing in possession of the veteran English ornithologist.” Drawings which we have lately received, taken from recent specimens, however, seem to differ somewhat from Lesson’s figure. The female, we believe, has not been previously represented. Otis aurita. Figured in an im- mature state. This appears a very rare bird. Few collections pos- sess it adult. The Museum of Paris has it not. M. Lesson found it on the coast of Coromandel, and remarks, ‘‘ Nous ne connaissons point de figure de l’individu adult.” If he will examine Forbes’ Oriental Memoirs, he will find one ; and in Illust. of Ornith. by Sir W. Jardine and P. J. Selby, three, of the adult male and female, 274 Voyage aux Indes Orientales. and of the immature young somewhat similar to what he has re- presented. Reptiles, par Rene-Primevere Lesson.—This portion of the work is confined to the mere descriptions of thirty-three species, seven of which are figured. One or two new genera and families are pro- posed, but the characters are so slightly and shortly given, that it is not necessary to notice them. And Teiraonyx, Mr Gray remarks, ap- pears to be formed from an imperfect specimen of a young Emys. The same gentleman considers Emys Belangerii as identical with K. trijuga; E. flavonigra as E. thuga; and E. trigibbosa as E. tecta. Poissons, par A. Valenciennes—Commences by a few short preli- minary observations. Upon the coast of Malabar, to judge from the collection of Belanger, and the fishes also procured by Dussumier, the family of the Scienoides among the Acanthropterygii, and of the Clupeadz among the Malacopterygii are the most numerous. At the same time the absence of many jugular fishes is particularly remarkable upon a generally sandy shore; and the Apodes also seem few in number. The fresh waters possess some curious forms, particularly of the Cyprinoides, of which M. Belanger col- lected a considerable number, but in the river fishes he has been in a great measure anticipated by the work of Hamilton Bu- chanan, although that author is not perhaps always correct in the generic situation of his species. Eighteen species are in all de- scribed, of which ten are figured. Péerois is a curiously formed genus, and the members of it ascend the fresh waters periodically like the Salmonide. They also appear to undergo a seasonal change of co- lour.. The abode in the fresh water is, however, so detrimental, that they become weak, and are even carried down the stream upon their sides, while after a sojourn in the salt water, their active habits and brilliant silvery tints are speedily recovered. M. Valenciennes asks what is the cause of this, and remarks, “ that we cannot be- lieve that the act of spawning is the only cause of the disease of those fishes, for id is certain thal many species of salmon pertodical- ly enter the river, and do not every time spawn. (Car il est incontes- table, que plusieurs espéces de saumon entrent periodiquement dans les rivieres, et qu’elles ‘n’y fraient pas chaque fois.) A fact stated so, by an ichthyologist of such celebrity, must have some weight. We are not aware that it is a common fact, or a fact at all, that any of the salmon periodically enter rivers and return without spawning ; but as he promises to dilate upon these and other points when treat- ing of the Salmonide in the Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, now de- Ruppell’s Neue Wirbelthiere. 975 volved upon him, we shall without further remark wait patiently but anxiously for the appearance of the volume. The greater portion of the fishes noticed in this essay have been previously described in Histoire Nat. des Poissons, or by Hamilton Buchanan, to whom refe- rence is frequently made. Mollusques, par G. P. Deshayes—Commences by “ Reflexions sommaires sur l’importance del’etude des mollusques appliquer a V’his- toire chronologique du globe terrestre.” Of the shells twenty-one species are described, and they are all figured ; among them seven from the land and fresh water, which are interesting on account of so few, until lately, from these localities being attended to. Helix, Cyclostoma, Planorbis, Limnea,and Paludina. The essay is conclud- ed by an interesting table of the living shells of India and the Me- diterranean, found in Europe in a fossil state, with the localities where the fossils occur. Insectes, par F. E. Guerin.—Commences by an essay, “ Essai d’unnouvelle arrangement des hemipteres delasection des Homopte- res, et revision de la tribu des Fulgorelles.” Several new genera are proposed ; forty-one species are described as new, and all figured ; and it may be mentioned that the authors of the mollusca and insects have added Latin specific characters to the species they describe, which we consider an improvement upon the other essays in the volume. Zoophytes, par R. P. Lesson.— Only two species are described, the one Tubastrea coccinea, Less. from one of the Society Islands, and Sarcophyton lobulatum, Less. from Port Praslin in New Ireland. Both are beautifully figured. | III.— Neue Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abyssinien gehirig, ent- deckt und beschrieben, von Dr Epwarp Rirrevy. Lieferung 1, 6. Frankfurt, 1835-1836. Tuis work is a continuation of the former “ Zoologischen Atlas zu der Reise im Nordlichen Afrika,” published by the very en- terprizing and scientific traveller whose name it bears, and to whose energies the town of Frankfort on the Maine is indebted for a zoo- logical museum of the first importance, indeed, so rich, that it must be rated next to the large national collections of England, France, Prussia, and Holland, and before any others of the principalities or towns of Europe. This collection of Abyssinian Vertebrata is published in numbers. It commenced 1st January 1835 ; a number appears every three 276 Ruppell’s Neue Wirbelthiere. months, and twelve will compose the present series, so that we may expect its completion in January 1837. Six numbers are now be- fore us ; of these one is devoted to Mammalia, two to Birds, one to Reptiles, and two to Fishes. The first plate of the Mammalia represents a beautiful species of the rare African genus Colobus, C. guereza, Riipp. discovered in the wooded and marshy valleys of south and west Abyssinia, (in the provinces of Godjam and Kulla.) It is jetty black, white cheeks and throat, with a fringe of long white hair arising from the back and hanging down upon the sides, looking as if it were cover- ed with a long veil; but we add the specific characters. Colobus guereza, Riip.—Corpore, facie, sincipite, auchenio et cauda ad dimi- diam usque aterrimis; tenia frontali, regione temporali, parauchenio, mento, gutture et cingulo ab interscapulio ad primnam elongato,—villis sericeis longis- simis, precordia hypochondria et lumbos obtegentibus—candidissimis, niveis. Cauda parte posteriore albicans floccosa, callus analis colore nigro, albo limbato. Macacus gelada, Riipp. occupies plate second, a large species of ape. And under the description of this species, it is mentioned that the little lemur figured by R. Brown in his Illustrations of Zoology (t. 44,) which he had referred to Octolicnus Senagalensis, is quite a distinct species. Three species of antelope and a goat are also de- scribed. Ant. defassa, Ripp. Tab. 3, a species which has been alive for some time in the gardens of the Zoological Society, where it is named Ant. sing-sing. Ant. decula, Rupp. Tab. 4, very like Ant. seripta, but wanting the dorsal stripe, and some of the transverse ones on the hinder part of the back. Ant. besa, Rupp. Tab. 5, a very fine species, and probably the milk-white antelope described by Pennant from a drawing made in Persia, and from which Pallas es- tablished his A. leucoryx. It is quite distinct, however, from the A. leucoryx of Lichtenstein, which comes from the Cape; and, if these surmises should prove correct, the recovery of the species is very interesting. Ruppell obtained it living in small families dur- ing the rainy season, in the low moist valleys on the coast provinces of Massaua. A, beisa, Riipp.—Mas adultus. Antelope cornubus longis, rotundatis, tenui- bus, rectis, parte basali annulatis. Facies exalbida, vittis tribus ex fusco umbri- nis valde distincta, quarum una a fronte ad regionem nasalem lata, sed inter ocu- los angustior, altera a fronte per oculum adgenam, tertia a regione parotidea ad gulam producta. Ejusdem coloris sunt,—tznia, a gula collo anteriore ad ster- num decendens, ubi divisa ad latera pectoris et abdominis decurrit,—armilla an- tibrachii, et caude apex comatus. Corporis colore isabellino, pectoris et abdo- minis albicante, juba cervicali et dorsali, rubiginosa.—Foemina adulta differt a mare juba cervicali et dorsali corporis colore. Ruppell’s Neue Wirbelthiere. 277 Capra malie, Riipp. Tab. 6, is very like the C. ibex, but it has a prominence between the base of the horns, and the legs are coloured like those of C. Nubiana and C. Siberica. The birds described and figured are three species of hornbill, Buceros cristatus, B. limbatus, and B. flavirostris, all somewhat allied, how- ever, to species already known. Corythaix leucotis, Riipp. Tab. 3, a new species, at once distinguished by the white patch at the ex- tremity of the auricular feathers, and making this beautiful genus now consist of six. Corythaix leucotis, Riipp.—Rostro coccineo ; palpebris superioribus papillis carneis ; pileo crista plicatili obscure viridescenti ornato ; collo et pectore laete prasinis ; abdomine et tibiis canescentibus ; dorso, alis et cauda ex violaceo vi- ride-splendentibus ; remigibus ex sanguineo purpurascentibus viride marginatis —macula anteocularis et plaga auricularis ad collum decendens nivee. Chizaerhis zonurus, Riipp. Tab. 4. Very interesting, as being the second species of the genus, and observed by our traveller in the pro- vince of Dembea, &c. It is nearly of the size of the Ch. (muso- phaga) variegatus, and will be at once distinguished by the form of the crest, and the white band on the tail. Ch. zonurus, Riipp.—Rostro citritio, capite et collo ex badia fuscentibus, plu- mis nuche elongatis, lanceolatis, albo marginatis, gastraco et tibiis ex umbrino et albido variis.—Corpus supra ex umbrino cinerascens remigibus nigricantibus ; eorum vexillis internis macula alba. Rectrices dilute brunne, earum concolores, quatuor extern media parte taenia ex albida lata, apicibus fuliginosis. Corvus crassirostris, Riipp. Tab.6.—Considered by Ruppellas dis- tinct but closely allied to the strong-billed species of southern Africa. The distribution of the European crows is mentioned here (p. 10,) from which it appears that the C. cornix is pretty abundant during winter between Cairo and Suez. C. monedula and frugilegus in lower Egypt, and Pica vulgaris during winter in lower Egypt. C. affinis and Capensisare described, but a diagram of the heads and bills is only given. Ptilonorhynchus albirostris, Riipp. Tab. 9. This is an interesting form ; and, if true to the type of the genus in which Rippell has placed it, will show a wider distribution than what was imagined, the form not having been hitherto seen on the African continent. It is a gregarious species ; and, to judge from the habits and distribution of colour, and the figure which we have in this at- las, we should be inclined to consider coming closer to the Lampro- torni. The male and female are figured. Pt. albirostris, Riipp.—Mas, colore supra et subtus nigro splendore ceruleo, remigibus primaris rubiginosis, apice nigro, tectricibus majoribus et cauda ni- gris, rostro albido. Fem, capite collo et pectore cinereo carulescente. NO. III. T 278 Ruppell?s Newe Wirbelthiere. Three Lamprotorni, L. tenuirostris, L. rufiventris, L. chaly- beus. Oriolus moloxitta, Buffon, Tab. 12, Fig. 1, which appears hitherto to have been confounded by various authors, as identical with some of the other black-headed species. Prionops cristatus, Riipp. Tab. 12, Fig. 2, interesting as being a second spécies of the genus, perhaps identical with Lanius cineraceus of Latham. Perdixr me- lanocephala, Riipp. Tab. 5, allied in the form, colouring, and distri- bution of the markings to the little group, of which the red-legged partridges, P. rubra, saxatilis, and their allies of southern Europe and northern Africa are typical. A very beautiful bird, and appa- rently rare, as only two specimens were procured. Perdix melanocephala, Riipp.—Vitta frontali supra pileum ad nucham usque ducta,—infraorbitali, et collari ab regione parotidea, que ex albido et nigro striolata, per latera colli ad pectus plaga angustiori elongata, nigris; vitta su- perciliari lata et gula nivea; collo et medio abdominis ex isabellino rufescente ; _ corpore supra schistaceo, plumis margine rufescentibus, infra dilutiori; hypo- chondriis fasciis albescentibus utrinque nigro marginatis ; cauda supra subtilissi- me undulata; rostro et pedibus colore corallino. Perdi« Erckellu, Rupp. Tab. 6, coming into the division which contains the P. nudicollis of authors. P. Erckellii, Riipp.—Pileo castaneo ; frontis et faciei plumulis rigidioribus nigris albo striolatis ; macula post oculari et gula albis ; plumis colli castaneis, albo marginatis—pectoris griseis, stria intermedia lanceolata castanea—abdomi- nis, crissi_ et hypochondriorum albicantibus stria intermedia lanceolata et mar- gine castaneis.—Dorsalibus et alarum tectricibus hepaticis, margine castaneis, tergo, uropygio, rectricibus et remigibus hepaticis, secundarium vexillis externis colore dilutiori undulatis, rostrum et pedes colore corneo, pedes maris bicalcarati. A fine Otis, O. melanogaster, Rupp. Tab. 7, is figured ; the con- clusion of the description is, however, deferred till next number : melanogaster is not a very good appellative for any of the bustards, as the summer or breeding plumage of nearly all is deep-black on ‘the lower parts. The part containing the Reptiles consists of figures and descrip- tions of three tortoises. Pentonyx gehafie, Rupp. Tab. 1, somewhat similar to the Test. subrufa of the Cape of Good Hope, but differs from it by a character which also separates it from all the other tor- toises known, viz. the pectoral pair of plates are triangular, and do not reach to the centre of the sternum. If many specimens had not been found, one would at first sight have been induced to have con- sidered this structure as an accidental formation. The other true chelones belong to the genus Chelonia, the species of which are so difficult to determine, on account of the creat variation which take Ruppell’s Neue Wirbelthiere. 279 place in the form of the shield at the different periods of their growth, and in the number of plates of the shield and the head of the ani- mal, indifferent specimens of the same species. Carretla bissa, Rupp. Tab. 2, and C. olivacea, Eschscholtz, Tab. 3. Agama colonorum, Daud. Tab. 4. Stellio cyanogaster, Riipp. Tab. 5. Trapelus flavi- maculatus, Rupp. Hemidactylus flavi-viridis, Ripp. ; and Pristurus flavipunctatus, Rupp. Tab. 6. are all interesting, as being figured and coloured from the living animals. And the genus Pristurus, appa- rently belonging to the slender-toed Geckoes, and very peculiar for having a long, much compressed tail, serrated on both its edges, is now described and characterized for the first time. Pristurus, Riipp. Char. Gen.—Caput subdepressum, breve, anticé rotundatum : Nares laterales prope apicem rostri: oculi magni, pupilla nocturna, subrotun- da: membrana tympani profunde latens: lingua crassa, depressa, apice integro: dentes maxillares integri aquales, uncinati: cutis trunci sublevis, subtilissime reticulata: pedes pentadactyli, digiti graciles, rotundati, elongati, uncinati : cau- da compressa, elongata, supra et infra carina serrata: pori femorales nulli. Of the fishes, forty-six species are described and figured in the two numbers already published, most of them are coloured from the fish when alive. Among them are what Dr Ruppell considers the types of four new genera, of which we shall add his characters. Enneapterygius, Riipp. Char. Gen.—Caput alepidotum, preoperculum carinis duabis, operculum supra pinnas pectorales elongatum. Os labiis carneis, denti- bus setaceis minutissimis per multis armatum, membrana branchialis sub gula continuata, radiis 7. Corpus squamis magnis, margine serrato ; linea lateralis sola parte anteriore expressa, pinne dorsales tres, due anteriores spinose. Pinne ventrales thoracici, radiis binis veluti Blennii. Allied to Scorpaena. Species, Enneapt. pusillus, Riipp. Gazza, Riipp. Char. Gen.—Corpus compressum, cute squamis minutissimis tecta ore mediocri, multum protractili, unica serie dentium uncinatorum ar- mata, e quibus nonnulli fortiores elongati. Dentes palatinalis et vomerales nulli preoperculum margine duplici, externo parte inferiore serrato. Characteres re- liquis generis Equula preter spinas ad latera pinne dorsalis et analis, que tactu sed non visu conspicue sunt. Allied to Equula. Species, Gazza equulefor- mis, Riipp. Pseudochromis, Riipp. Char. Gen.—Dentes in utraque maxilla uniseriati, minuti, conici, antice fortiores, irregulares, uncinati ; dentes palatini spheroidei minutissimi, triplici plaga dispositi, arcum semilunarem zquantes ; dentes pha- ryngei uncinati, setiformes ; rictus oris minutus. Labia mediocria ; os non pro- tractile ; operculum angulo postico elongato, preoperculum margine integro, utrumque squamis minutis tectum ; apertura branchialis sub gula continuata ; membrana branchialis radiis sex. Linea lateralis interupta; radii tres ante- riores pinne dorsalis et analis spinosi, reliqui flexibiles. Allied to Julis, Cuv.— Species, Pseud. olivaceus, flavivertex, Riipp. Xenodon, Riipp. Char. Gen.—Dentes in utraque maxilla 8, ordonati, com- 280 Bell’s History of British Quadrupeds. pressi, cestiformes, excepto pari secundo maxille superioris, qui cuneiformes ceterisque longiores ; characteres reliqui a Balistibus non different.—Species Xen. niger, Riipp. In conclusion of this short analysis, we may observe, that the plates are lithographic, and are accurately drawn and well coloured. BievioGRAPHICAL NOriIcEs. A History of British Quadrupeds. By Tuomas Bett, F.R.S., &c. Illustrated by a wood-cut of each Species, and numerous Vig- nettes. Nos. i. ii. London, Von Voorst. 8vo. 1836. Turis work is commenced upon the same plan, and in the same beautiful style of typography and wood-cutting with Mr Yarrell’s British Fishes* to which we expect it will prove a worthy companion. The whole of the first number and the greater portion of the second, are devoted to the Cheiroptera; and although the size of the wood- cuts is rather against the marking of the distinctive characters of this difficult family, this is at once remedied by vignettes devoted to these parts, being of the natural size, which renders the explanation distinct, and the characters easily seized upon. These are taken by Mr Bell principally from the proportions of the ear and tragus, and from the relative proportions of the ear to the head and tragus, to- gether with the formula of dentition. ‘The notch-eared bat, Vesp. emarginatus, Geoff. is given as British, on the authority of the meagre description of its discoverer, who says that it was received, “‘ at some distance from Dover.” This increases the British list of Vespertzliones to twelve, eleven being described in Jenyns’s Manual, and the V. - emarginatus of that author being in the present work considered iden- tical with the V. Daubentonii, Leis. The work will be completed in eight numbers, at 2s. 6d. each, the first of which appeared on the lst July, and we promise an analysis upon its completion. Rumphia,—Sive commentationes botanice imprimis de plantis Indie orientalis, tum penitus incognitis, tum que in libris Rheedii, Rum- phi, Roxburghu, Wallichii, aliorumque recensentur, auctore C. L. BLuME. ComMENCED under the care of Professor Blume, as a supplement to the “ Flora Jave” of that botanist, of the same size, and si- * We may announce the completion of Mr Yarrell’s work, which it will soon be our duty to notice more minutely. The two last numbers were received too late to prepare an analysis for our present number. . ” Oo Cooper’s Flora Metropolitana. 281 milar in type and execution. It will be completed in thirty-six li- vraisons, forming three folio volumes. It will appear every three months. The price of each livraison to subscribers will be five florins and a-half. Flora Metropolitana, or Botanical Rambles within thirty miles of London, intended for the Student in Practical Botany. By Da- NIEL Cooper. 12mo. Pp. 139. London, S. Hicuuey, 1836. ScarceEzy a “ Flora” inthe proper acceptation of the name. Par- tial lists are given of the species found about particular villages, heaths, woods, &c. One hundred and fifty places are named, and each is followed by a list of the plants which grow near it. In a few, the most common are even recorded, but generally some of the rarer spe- cies only, and the nature of the subsoil is occasionally mentioned. The work will be useful to the London botanist as a companion in his ex- cursions. A list of the “ land and fresh water shells found in the environs of London,” with the localities of each, is appended to the volume. The Ornithologist’s Text-Book, being Reviews of Ornithological Works, with an Appendix containing Discussions on various topics of Interest. By NevitLe Woop, Esq. 12mo. Pp. 232. Lon- don, W. Parker, 1836. Tue idea of the work is good, and a volume comprising tables of the various ornithological systems, and a list of all the works upon this branch of Natural History, (either arranged alphabetically or chronologically,) with a short analysis of their contents, would be of much use to the ornithologist. The present work is divided into two parts and a supplement. In the first, or “notices of ornithological works,” 109 notices are given, (the various works of an author being generally placed together ;) but they are written much too superficially to be of real use, and. without a sufficient acquaintance with the works analyzed: some have not been seen at all, such as Illiger’s most useful prodromus, and it is passed with that acknowledgment only. Merrem’s “ Icones et Descriptiones” have not been seen either, and it is scarcely fair to add to this acknowledgment, “ but it is probably of little or no value at the present day ;” and for several of the others a review from another work has been substituted for the opinion of the author. Part II. con- tains tables of seventeen systems, commencing with that of Willough- by, and to its extent this is useful as a reference. The supplement con- tains some additional: notices of books ; «‘ Hints for a new and complete 282 Wood’s British Song: Birds. work on general ornithology ;” ‘“ On the establishment of a new magazine of natural history ;” Habits of the Ivy wren (Anorthuratrog- lodytes, Morris,”) being an extract from a work of the author's then in the press ; and some observations “ on the English nomenclature oibirds. ~ British Song-Birds, being popular Descriptions and Anecdotes of the Choristers of the Groves. By NevitiE Woop, Esq. 12mo, Pp. 408. London, W. Parker, 1836. In most of the works entitled “ Song” or “ Singing-Birds,” many species are introduced, which to our ideas have no business there, but we have no right to quarrel with the tastes of the authors, although we cannot perceive the title of the buntings, or common sparrow, or stone-chat, or wheatear, to be called “ choristers of the groves.” The present volume contains descriptions of seventy-three species, and will be useful to those who possess no work of greater extent. We discover nothing new in it, but there are some pretty descrip- tions, and one or two interesting anecdotes. One favourite chorister we miss, not certainly of the grove ; but if those of the brake and barren waste are admitted, so may he of our mountain torrents. Mr Wood can never have heard the plaintive melody of the water-ouzel (Cin- clus aquaticus.) To the nomenclature we decidedly object; it is often inappropriate, and many of the names may be at once thrown out by using the very rules which our author advocates. We dislike also repetition of the remarks against compilers, and the frequent and sometimes not very gently couched observations upon the works of a living author. Collection de Perroquets, pour faire suite a la publication de Levail- lant, contenant les espéces laissées par cet auteur, ou recemment decouvertes, destiné a compléter une monographie figurée de la famille des Psittacidés. Par le Dr A. Boursat Saint Hinare. Fol. et 4to. A work with the above title is about to be commenced as a sup- plement or continuation of Levaillant. The figures will be lithogra- phic, and are drawn by M. Werner. It will be published in monthly livraisons of four plates each, size, folio and quarto, to correspond with the different editions of Levaillant’s work. The price twelve and fif- teen francs. From 100 to 150 plates are proposed to be given, but if each is devoted to a species, and the sexes are given where the difference is great, that number will not suffice to represent the ad- ditional species known at the present time. ~ Cuvier’s Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. 283 Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Par M. le Baron Cuvier, et M, A. VALENCIENNES. Tome Onzieme. 8vo. 1836. Tue second volume of this important work which has appeared since the death of its illustrious projector. It contains the families of the Mugilloides and Gobioides. 'Vhe first, besides the true mul- lets, Mugil, Linn. has included in it Cestrwus, a genus formed from two fishes natives of the fresh waters of the island of Celebs. Da- jaus, of which the Mugil monticola of Bancroft, inhabiting the fresh waters of the Island of Jamaica, is the type and only species. Nes- tis, frequenting the coasts of the isles of France and Bourbon, limit- ed to two species, and Telragonurus, Risso, formed from the Mugil niger of Rondelet, apparently a very rare Mediterranean fish, and now standing under the title of Tetragon. Cuvierii, Risso. Of Mugil fifty-two species are described,—an immense increase to the number previously known. Of those frequenting the British coasts it is inte- resting to know that the M. curtus of Yarrell, described from a single specimen of about two inches in length, taken at the mouth of Poole harbour, has been a second time met with by M. Bailon in the bay of the Somme, near Abbeville. One specimen in this instance has also only been met with, about eight inches in length, and M. Valenci- ennes is of opinion that the characters given by Mr Yarrell stand con- firmed. The Gobcoides.—Cuvier appears at first to have formed two fami- lies. ‘The Blennioides having six rays to the branchial membrane, and the Gobioides having only five, in the present volume they are re- tained under the last. The family is remarkable as containing several species which are considered viviparous ; and the manner in which the female is impregnated has always been a subject of interest to the na- turalist, the uncertainty being, whether it took place internally or ex- ternally, and we regret that it is still left in doubt. Cuvier has expres- sed his opinion to be in favour of internal impregnation, “ mais avec circonspection ;” and M. Valenciennes, while he leans to the same, is unable to satisfy himself from the form of the parts how it can be ef- fected. The family is commenced with the Blennies ( Blennius) of which thirty species are described. Among those natives of the British seas that figured in Mr Yarrell’s work under the title of “ The Crested Blenny, Bl. palmicornis,” is considered distinct and new, and is de- dicated to the commemoration of our own worthy ichthyologist, Bl. Yarrellii. Valenciennes has never seen the true B. palmicornis ex- cept from the Mediterranean, and he has not seen a specimen of Yarrell’s fish; but he remarks of it, ‘« we find this species already noticed in Fleming and Nilsson, who have confounded it with the Bl. galerita of Linn. Mr Yarrell, perceiving their error, has taken it 284 Duclos’s Histoire Naturelle de Coquilles Univalves. for our palmicornis, but this has never more than from 33 to 35 rays, while his species has from 50 to 51.” Mr Yarrell’s specimen was procured by Dr Johnston near Berwick. The Pholis of Fleming is adopted. A new genus is formed from the Blennius rostratus, Solander, a native of the new Guinea seas. It is named from the large developement ofthe canine teeth, Blennechis (SAzwos and eyi¢,) and several undescribed species areadded. Another contains a single species, Bl. Bosquianus, Lacep. In these the charac- ter of the gills of Blennechis are combined with a wide gape, but with a single row of regular teeth on the outer part of the jaws on- ly, and has been termed Chasmodes. The other genera admitted are Salarias, remarkable for their moveable teeth, and 33 species are described. Clinus, into which the Bl. argentatus, Risso, the only European species will range. Mywodes, formed from a single species, a native of the N. Holland seas, Cl. Australis, Cuv. dif- fering in having the first rays of the dorsal fin separated and ad- vanced upon occiput in the manner of a crest. Cirrhibarbes, a na- tive of the seas of South Africa. T'ripterygion ; Tript. nassus, Ris- so, a native of the Mediterranean, is typical ; the dorsal fin is di- vided into three parts or divisions. Gulnellus, Zoarces, Anarrhichas, of the latter a second species A. leopardus, Agass. is admitted on the authority of a single specimen in the collection of Munich: and Opisthognathus, of whicha single species, scarcely perfect, was known to Cuvier, on the publication of the Régne Animal. Another has since been discovered from the coast of South America, and is dedi- cated to the Baron.—Opist. Cuvierii, Val. Histoire Naturelle Generale et Particuliere de tous les Genres de Coquilles Univalves marines a UVetat vivant et fossiles, publie par monographies. Par P. L. Ducuos. Genre Olive. i. ii. Livraison. Paris, 1835. Folio. THE two parts published contain eleven plates, on each of which several species of the genus are figured. They are beautifully exe- cuted, but, from the expensive senledt in which the work is brought out, it is to be feared that even the genus now being published will never be finished. The text consists merely of a tabular list of the species to be figured, and an index, occupying in all two leaves. —J. E.G. Observations on the Genus Unio, together mith descriptions of new Genera and Species in the families Naiades, Conche, Columacea, Lymneana, Melaniana and Peristomiana. By Isaac Lexa. 4to, Philadelphia, 1836. This work consists of four papers, published at intervals in the Dumeril and Bibron’s Erpetologie Generale. 235 Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. It is occupied principally with descriptions of various species of Uniones, most of them American, with a few from China, and has added greatly to our acquaintance with this large genus. ‘To this are appended ob- servations on the species of Naiades described by Lamarck ; and the descriptions of some new species of shells belonging to other fresh- water or land families, each species described being illustrated with a characteristic coloured figure. Mr Lea has charged some of his countrymen with a fault of which heis himself not guiltless—that of capriciously changing the names of several species; and while he has, rightly perhaps, brought toge- ther as varieties several of the species described by other authors. he has, in other instances, separated individuals from species on very slight differences. Some of his new species have been previously cha- racterized. Unio necklinianus, for example, was described many years ago by Mr Swainson: U. Murchisonianus and Symphynota magnifica are described and figured in Griffith’s Translation of Cu- vier’s “ Régne Animal,” Cyrena Javensis is C. Childrene of Wood’s Supplement ; and C. rotundata is only the adult of the same species. Symphynota bialata is the young state of Dipsas plicata of Dr Leach ; Melanopsis princeps appears to be only the young of Pryena ater ; the Lymnea imperialis is certainly nothing but the very young state of a Bulimus, probably B. heemastomus ; and the shell on which Mr Lea has formed his new genus Aphrodite, and which he considers should be placed after the genus Pyrena, is a well known one, fi- gured by Chemnitz and described by Lamarck, under the name of Cardium Greenlandicum. It is not uncommon on the coast of Green- land, and only differs from the other cardia in the small size of its teeth, which are most developed in the younger specimens. Hence Montagu, who considered it a new species, called it Cardium eden- tula.—J. E. G. Erpetologie Generale ou Histoire Naturelle complete des Reptiles. Par M. C. Dumerit and G. Brsron. Vols. 2, Paris, 8vo. Tuts work, which forms one of an excellent series publishing in Paris under the title of “ Suites 4 Buffon,” is intended to give a complete history of reptiles. The first volume is principally occu- pied with a description of these animals and their organization in ge- neral, to which is appended a list of works on the same subjects in chronological order. It contains likewise the methodical distribu- tion of the Chelonian reptiles into orders, families and genera; an account of their structure and manners, and a list of the authors who have treated of them in particular. The second volume contains the 286 Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. descriptions of the species of Chelonian reptiles : the distribution of the Saurians into their families and genera ; an essay on their or- ganization and habits ; and a similar list of the books which treat of them. The general observations are written by M. Dumeril; while every thing relative to the description and determination of the spe- cies and their synonyms, has been left to M. Bibron, now his as- sistant in the museum, and formerly the animal preserver of the de- partment.* It is much to be regretted that M. Bibron, with the characteris- tic inconsiderateness of a young naturalist, has deemed it necessary to change capriciously many of the established family, generic and specific names; but in so doing he follows many of the modern French authors, who thus affect to give a national character to their works. Thus he has named anew all the families of the Chelonian reptiles; he has changed the name of the genus Chelydra of Schweiger, which Fleming also had called Chelonura, to Emysaura ! Trionyx of Geoffroy, which is the same as Aspidonectes of Wagler, must now be called Gymnopsus ; and Emyda of Gray becomes the Cryptopus of M. Bibron ! M. Bibron has followed the arrangement of the Chelonians pub- lished by Mr Gray in his Synopsis Reptilium. He has given a very extensive list of synonyms, copied in a great measure from the ela- borate paper on the synonyms of these animals written by the unfortunate Schweiger : and to those is added a very verbose de- scription of the species.—J. E. G. TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS.— British. The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Pro- fessor Jameson. April toJuly 1836. Edinburgh. A. & C. Black. (Part Ist of Vol. xxi.) 8vo. (Continued from p. 99.) I. Zoology. Dr Graves of Dublin, “‘ Observations on the Sense of Touch, including an analysis of Weber’s works on that subject,” copied from the March number of the Dublin Medical Journal, p. 67. JOHN GRAHAM Datye Lt, Esq. “ Farther illustrations of the propagation of Scottish Zoophytes.” p. 88. Additions to a communication read before the British Association in 1834, and published in a previous number of the Ed. Phil. Journal. The remarks refer to the propaga- tion of “ Actinia, Aleyonum, Sertulariz, Hydra tuba, Tubularia polyceps, and Cristatelle. ” Mr Joun Suaw, “ An acount of some experiments and observa- tions on the Parr, and on the ova of the Salmon proving the parr to be the young of the Salmon,” p. 99. Interesting experiments plainly detailed, but not “ proy- * Discour. Prelim. p. x. Magazine of Natural History. 287 ing” the parr to be the young of the salmon. Whatever, nevertheless, may be the result of their continuation, they will be of importance either as additions to the natural history of the young states of the salmon, or as elucidating the history of the true parr. It is impossible to detail the author’s experiments without tran- scribing the whole paper ; suffice it tosay, that Mr Shaw considers that the young of the salmon remain in the river two years before migrating to the sea; that they are during this period in the livery of the parr, and are known as such to anglers ; that during the April of the second year they commence to perfect their change to the livery of fry, the scales becoming silvery aud easily deciduous, and that they begin their migration downwards so soon as this is completed. The experiments do not proceed beyond this period of their growth. Mr Krne’s temperature of quadrupeds, birds, fishes, plants, trees, and earth, as ascertained at different times and places in Arctic America, during Captain Back’s expedition, p- 150, a simple table copied from the appendix of Captain Back’s last Narra- tive. I. Botany. Dr Grauam, “ List of new or rare plants which have lately flowered in the néighbourhood of Edinburgh, chiefly in the Royal Botanic Garden, p. 154.” “« Acacia lineata, Cunning. ; stipulissubnullis ; phyllodiis lineari-spathulatis, sub- falcatis, versus marginem superiorem unin augshtice oblique cartilagineo-mucro- nulatis, ramuloque rotundato pubescentibus ; capitulis longe pedunculatis, sub- geminis.” —“ Begonia Fischeri ; caulescens, foliis oblongis, acutis, inequaliter cordatis, dentato serratis, utrinque glabris, nitidis ; stipulis ovatis,integerrimis ; floribus masculis 4-petalis, petalis exterioribus rotundis, concavis, marginibus plano-revolutis ; floribus foemineis 6-petals, petalis ovato-lanceolatis, alis germi- nis inequaliter rotundatis -’—‘‘ Begonia sanguinea, Radd. in Spreng. Syst. Veget. ii. 625, caule ramoso; foliis inequaliter cordatis, acuminatis, coriaceo-carnosis, glaberrimis, subtus sanguineis, margine crenulato revoluto ; germinis alis tribus eequalibus.”—“ Bletia patula ; foliis radicalibus, lanceolatis, plicato-nervosis : seapo elato, subramoso ; floribus patentissimis; sepalis lanceolato-ellipticis, basi attenuatis, subequalibus, patulis ; labello cucullato, lobis lateralibus rotundatis, intermedio emarginato transverse plicato, disco lamellis 6, subramosis, inzequali- bus.” —“ Drosera filiformis ; introduced to'the Edinburgh gardens in 1834, by Mr James Macnab, from plants found by him in a swampabove Tuckerton, New Jersey, U. S. scapis lateralibus, foliis lineari-filiformibus glanduloso-pilosis, dorso glabris canaliculatis, basi lanatis ; staminibus 5 ; stylis 8, in paribus coalitis, basi.” —* Epacris microphylla ; Br. Prodr. Flor. Noy. Holl. calycis foliolis obtusius- culis, tubum corollz zquantibus ; foliis cordatis, acutis, pedunculum superanti- bus, lateribus erectis ; spica apiciflora ; ramulis pilosis.”—“ Fritillaria ruthenica ; Wickstrom? caule subunifloro; foliis lineari-lanceolatis, imis superioribusque subternatis, illis obtusis, his, intermediisque sparsis, cirrhosis; floribus tessela- tis cernuis. The Magazine of Natural History. Conducted by J. C. Loupon, Vol. ix. Nos. from May to August. (Continued from p- 101.) I. Zoology. Woop on the Propriety of altering established Scientific Names in Natural His- tory should they be erroneous, p. 337-342———Wure on the Singing of Birds, p. 281-290 ; and at p. 432, there is a review of thispaper by Mr Conway, 288 Entomological Magazine. WuiTte on the length of Life of a species of Parrot ; with suggestions for ascer- taining the average period of existence of the whole animal creation; and an anecdote on a parrot, p. 547-350. The parrot appears to have died in not less than its 85th year. BiyTH on the various seasonal and other external changes which regularly take place in birds, more particularly in those which occur in Britain ; with remarks on their great importance in indicating the true affinities of species ; and upon the Natural System of arrangement, p. 394—409. Wa- TERTON on the Habits of the Magpie, p. 225-9; of the Dovecot Pigeon, p. 343- 6; andof the Stormcock or Mistletoe Thrush, p. 409-13. Morrison the Ha- bits and personal characteristics of the Crossbill, p. 413-16. —WatERTON and Morris on the office of the gland upon the rump of birds, p. 266-271 ; 323-26; 434-7. The discussion has been carried on in a flippant and acrimonious man- ner creditable to neither party, and very unsatisfactory toanaturalist in search of the truth. We need not, however, hesitate, to express our belief that Mr W. will be found to be correct in his opinions. SALWAY’s notice of the dis- covery of the Skeletons of Swifts and Starlings in the tower of the church at Oswestry, Shropshire. Hoy onthe capture of the Motacilla neglectaat Stoke - Nayland, Suffolk. Orv on the Habits of the Black snake. WATERTON on the Habits of the Chegoe of Guiana, p. 290-293 ; to which the editor has ju- diciously appended a translation of Pohl and Kollar’s account of the Pulex pe- netrans, by Mr SuuckaRD, with some excellent illustrative figures. JOHN- STON on the Acarus Basteri, p. 353; Lamellaria tentaculata, p. 229; Asterias aranciaca, p. 298; Ast. endeca, p. 299; Ophiura Rosula, p. 23] ; and Gordius aquaticus, p. 355, TEMPLETON’S Catalogue of the Annulose Rayed and Poly- pous animals found in Ireland, as selected from the papers of the late J. Tem- pleton, Esq. with localities, descriptions, and illustrations, p. 233-240 ; p. 301— 5; p. 417-421. The Actinia monile of Templeton is the young of Act. senzlis ; and his Actinia margaritifera is the common Act. mesembryanthemum. II. Botany. Baxineron’s Localities of several species of British plants observed during the summer of 1835, p. 243-246. | Entomological Magazine. London, July 1836. (Continued from p- 192.) With this number a fourth volume is commenced, to which we wish success, as it is a publication valuable on many accounts to the entomologist, but par- ticularly so, for the various monographs it contains. It is prefaced by a short introductory address, and the minutes of the Entomological Club, the members _ of which association, in consequence of the valuable property they have acquiredin collections of insects, books, and manuscripts, have found it necessary to frame an institution and code of laws. Among the resolutions we are glad to observe that a special object of the club is to form a model named-cabinet of insects, unquestionably British, and another, that all entomologists consulting the library or Cabinet shall be at perfect liberty to make notes, memoranda, descriptions, or drawings of any insect, or from any book, or manuscripts contained therein. Art. 1. Francis WALKER, Monographia Chalciditum, (continued from Vol. iii. p. 496.) Qd. Wanderings and Ponderings of an Insect-hunter. ad. A. H. Hatipay, M. A. Essay on Parasitic Hymenoptera, (continued from Vol. iii. p. 147.)——4. Observations on certain curious indentations in the old red sand- council of the Worcestershire Natural History Society, &c. Companion to Botanical Magazine. 289 stone of Worcestershire, and Herefordshire, &c. by Jabez ALLIES, Esq. one of the A critique on a work we have not seen, and unconnected with Entomology. 5. New group of Orthoptera, Family Mantides, by M. A. Lr Frpvre, (extracted from the An- nales de la Société Entomologique de France.) The curious insect here noti- cid was found by the author in the Egyptian deserts, where no other insect upon which it might prey could be detected, and where the desert is entirely devoid of vegetation. 6. A list of the Coleoptera, taken in the county of Suther- land in June 1834, by Mr J. Witson, F. R. 8S. E. &e. 7. Entomological notes, by W. E. Tuuckarp. Among these an instance of curious hermaphro- ditism, or rather monstrosity, in Anthophora retusa, Linn. the captive of Hy- lecetus dermestoides, Fab: in Sherwood Forest, and Carabus intricatus upon Horsley Downs.——8. List of Entomological works. 9. Varieties. Companion to the Botanical Magazine. By Sir W. J. Hooker, Professor of Bot. in the Un. of Glasgow. Parts xiii. xiv. (com- mencing Vol. ii.) S8vo. Curtis, London, 1836. We take the opportunity of the commencement of a second yolume of this work, to begin our regular notice of the contents; and to those who are ac- quainted with the “ Botanical Miscellany,” and the “ Journal of Botany” by the same author, of which it is a continuation, it is needless to say more than that it is a worthy “ companion.” It commenced twelve months since, and is in- tended to contain “ such interesting botanical information as does not come - within the prescribed limits ‘of the Magazine ;” that is, Curtis’s Botanical Ma- gazine ; and it can be procured either as a separate monthly periodical, or stitch- ed up under the same cover with that work. No. xiii. commences with “ botanical information,” from a part of which we learn that Mr George Gardener sailed on 20th of May last from Liverpool for Rio de Janeiro, with the intention of travelling in South America as a botanical collector. ‘“ The Organ Mountains, so rich in orchideous plants, will probably be the spot where he will commence his researches; but the chief field of in- vestigation will not be fixed till his arrival in Brazil. Preference will be given to those parts of South America which have been the least explored, and the names of such botanists as intend taking collections of specimens from him at the mo- derate rate of L. 2 the hundred species, is already considerable, so that we have every reason to believe he will meet, in the fullest extent, with the encou- ragement to which his great enthusiasm so justly entitles him. The specimens ticketed in all the collections will be marked with corresponding numbers, which numbers will be referred to when the lists of the species come to be published; as they will be with all convenient speed. Mr Gardener, shortly before his de- parture, published “ Musci Britannici,” or pocket Herbarium of Species of British Mosses, containing a collection of from 200 to 250 species. A few copies remain still for sale in charge of Mr Murray, curator of the Glasgow Botanical Garden. —Synopsis of the Hemimeridez, a tribe of the Scrophulariacee, by George Bentham.—Lacis ceratophylla, with a figure, (the Podostemum ceratophyllus of Michaux, ) a very singular plant, growing and flowering under water, attached to the stones at the bottoms of the North American rivers. Dr Hooker, in his de- scription of this plant, of which he has now for the first time received perfect specimens, remarks, the “ spatha contains what is usually considered as a single 290 Annales des Sciences Naturelles, flower, but which I am madher led to consider as two, a male and female, at the extremity of a peduncle, so short as to be mostly included within the ruptured spatha.”—Erythroxylon coca, or coca shrub of Peru. A figure of the plant is given with a description, intended as a supplement to a paper from the travels of Dr Péppig, relating to the uses, property, and mode of cultivation of the shrub, p- 161 of Vol. ii—A monograph of the North American species of Rhynchospore, by Asa Gray, M. D. from the Annals of the Lyc. of Nat. Hist. N. York. No. xiv. continues and completes Mr Gray’s Rhynchospore ; 30 species are de- scribed.—On the Esculent Plants of Van Diemen’s Land, taken from the Van Diemen Almanac for 1834 and 1835, published anonymously, but due to James Backhouse, Esq. A short but interesting paper, and we should like to see a little of something similar introduced into the provincial Almanacs of Britain, instead of the ridiculous.tales with which they are so frequently concluded.— Pteris esculenta, bearing the place in the pastures of our P. aquilina, is one of the most abundant, commonly used by the natives, and nutritive from the quan- tity of arrow-root contained in its roots, which creep horizontally, and when luxuriant are about the thickness of a man’s thumb.—Agaricus esculentus is abundant in the island, and considered identical with the species in Europe.— Contributions towards a Flora of South America, by Sir W. J. Hooker and G. A. W. Arnot, Esq. continued from Vol. i.—Observations on some new or little known genera and species of Scrophulariacee, by George Bentham, Esq.—No- tice concerning the late Mr Drummond’s collections, made chiefly in the southern and western parts of the United States, continued from Vol. i. TRANSACTIONS AND PERIoDICALS— Foreign. Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. Aupourn et Miune- Epwarps. Botanique, MM. Av. Broneniart et GuiLLeMIN, - (From page 196.) Crochard & Co. Paris, Mars 1836. (Con- tinued from p. 193.) 1. Zoology. Aupoutn, Concernant des calculs trouvés dans les canauzx biliares d’un Cerf- Volant femelle, (Lucanus capreolus,) adressé a Académie des Sciences, le 7 Décembre 1835.—On dissecting a female of Lucanus capreolus, two little cal- culi were found by Dr Aubé, in the slender biliary vessels, attached to the ali- mentary canal. These vessels entomologists in general have agreed to consider as subservient to the secretion of bile, as indeed their name implies, but some peculiarities in their mode of insertion into the intestines, in various insects, had led some of the most distinguished comparative anatomists to doubt the truth of this theory, and to offer other conjectures relative to their functions. The cal- culi above-mentioned being sent to Audouin, he immediately perceived how they might be made to illustrate this question. One of’ them was carefully analyz- ed, and it was ascertained to be composed of uric acid ;—hence it follows, that the biliary vessels are in fact urinary organs. However, says Audouin, I am not unwilling to admit, as Meckel had conjectured, that these vessels of insects are at the same time both urinary and hepatic, not forgetting that some physio- logists have proved, by a series of experiments and ingenious inferences, that 4 Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 291 the bile is not indispensable or even adjuvant to the act of digestion. This point being granted, we may conceive that it is of little consequence whether the urino-biliary-vessels open behind the stomach, in some parts of the intesti- nal tube, or even immediately at the anus, as we find is the case. In a note ap- pended to this letter, Audouin gives a succinct history of the opinions of previous anatomists relative to the functions of the vessels in question. A continua- tion of the translation of Branpi’s Remarques sur les nerfs stomato-gastriques ou intestinaux, dans les animaux invertébrés.——Description d’empreintes de piedes d’ Oiseaux dans le Grés rouge du Massachusets, par KE. Hircucock., A translation from Silliman’s American Journal of Science, of a peculiarly inte- resting paper to all geologists and zoologists. Branbt, Conspectus sectionum, - generum, sub-generum et specierum novorum, que in fasciculo primo Prodromi descriptionum animalium a Mertensio in orbis terrarum circumnavigatione obser- vatorum reperiuntur. ANALYSE des travaux Anatomiques, Physiologiques et Zoologiques présentés a l Académie des Sciences pendant le mois de Mars 1836. There is nothing in these notices of sufficient importance to call for an extract of them. At their conclusion there is announced a new edition of the “ Régne Animal,” preparing for publication, to be illustrated with numerous plates en- graved with every care, and containing a figure of the typical animal of every genus ; as well as plans of the anatomy of the ordinal and classical sections. In what material respects the work is to differ from the “ Iconographie du Régne Animal” of M. Guerin does not appear very evident. II.— Botany. Anatomie d’une branche de. Pinus Strobus, par M. Linx. not having been attached by him to individual species, but left loose in the covers, have been fastened to the new covers, which have also a number, be- ginning from the commencement in the order of his species. and the individual sheets in each cover are also numbered ; so that in referring to any specimen in the Herbarium, it is henceforth identified by quoting the number of the specific cover, and that of the sheet on the cover. I have been particular in describing this, because it appears to me to be the most useful way of presery- ing those Herbaria of distinguished botanists which serve as authorities for their works, and would be far better than the slovenly manner in which Linnzus, Sib- thorp’s, and others of our Herbier’s types areallowed to remain. As to the plants themselves in Willdenow’s Herbarium, there are, perhaps, not quite so many as one might have expected; often bad specimens, and unfortunately in many in- stances, additional specimens have been thrown into the old covers by him with- out examination, and the labels mixed so that it would require much caution in ascertaining which was the individual specimen the author had in view. But it 418 Miscellaneous. is very valuable in containing nearly the whole of the plants he described from the Berlin garden, as well as the oriental plants described in his “ Species Plan- tarum,” from Gundelshiemer’s and Tournefort’s specimens, and the Siberian ones from Stephen ; the latter are beautiful specimens, and some of them little known, even now, by Russian botanists. This Herbarium also contains a tolerable set of Humboldt’s plants. —Comp. to Bot. Mag. ii. p. 75. Helvella elustica, Eng. Fl. V. ii. 184.—Some fine specimens of this rare fun- gus have been sent me from the Hirsel woods, Berwickshire, by Miss Elizabeth Bell of Coldstream. Dickson mentions it as a native of Scotland, but the above is the only Scotch*habitat which has hitherto been recorded.—G. J. New Botanical Work.—Sir W. Jackson Hooker has commenced a new hota- nical work entitled “ Icones Plantarum rariorum vel minus cognitarum ex her- bario Hookeriano selecte.”—The rich collections, made in all parts of the world, which compose the author’s herbarium, will ensure an ample supply of subjects ; _ among which, preference will, of course, be given to those that are most remark- able for their novelty, their structure, or their history; particularly from the vast treasures that have been sent to this country by Dr Wallich and Dr Wight, from the East Indies ; by Colonel and Mrs Walker from Ceylon ; by the Messrs Cunningham, Baxter, Gunn, and Lawrance, in Australia and New Zealand; by Messrs Gillies, Tweedie, Cuming, Mathews, Bridges, &c. in South America 3 and by Messrs Drummond, Douglas, and Tolmie, in the Northern part of the New World ; besides many collections of minor extent, but not of less importance, on account of the rarity of the species, from other celebrated botanists and travel- lers: An ardent desire to promote the cause of his favourite science has alone induced Sir W. J. Hooker to undertake this work, certainly not the expectation of any pecuniary advantage ; for even should the publication meet with the suc- cess that his fondest wishes might anticipate, yet the price set upon it is so low as to forbid any hope of profit; and he is anxious to express his acknowledg- ments to the publishers, Messrs Longman and Co. for kindly guaranteeing him against any positively pecuniary risk in the undertaking. Under their auspices, it is intended that the work shall extend at least to 200 plates, 8vo, to be pub- lished quarterly, in Parts, each consisting of 50 beautifully executed Lithogra- phic Plates, and as many leaves of Letter-press, so that the plates and descrip- tions may be afterwards arranged in whatever manner the possessor may prefer : price 14s. each Part. MISCELLANEOUS. Rev. Dr Carey.—Of this eminent missionary and oriental scholar, a Memoir has been recently published * which, in our opinion, is scarcely worthy of the man, and will, in an especial manner, disappoint those who were aware of his love of natural history, and of his great attainments in Indian botany. The only paragraphs in the volume relating to the subject are the three following, written by his son and which we extract entire, certain to give, in doing so, a gratification to many of our readers. * Memoir of William Carey, D. D. late Missionary to Bengal, &c. by Eustace Carey. Lond. 1836, 8vo. Obituary. 419 “ In objects of nature, my father was exceedingly curious. His collection of mineral ores, and other subjects of natural history, was extensive, and ob- tained his particular attention in seasons of leisure and recreation. The science of botany was his constant delight and study; and his fondness for his garden remained to the last. No one was allowed to interfere iu the arrangements of this his favourite retreat ; and it is here he enjoyed his most pleasant moments of secret devotion and meditation. The arrangements made by him were on the Linnean system; and to disturb the bed or border of the garden was to touch the apple of his eye. The garden formed the best and rarest botanical collection of plants in the east, to the extension of which, by his correspondence with persons of eminence in Europe and other parts of the world, his attention was constantly directed ; and, in return, he supplied his correspondents with collections from the east. It was painful to observe with what distress my fa- ther quitted this scene of his enjoyments, whem extreme weakness, during his last illness, prevented his going to his favourite retreat. Often, when he was unable to walk, he was drawn into the garden in a chair placed on a board with four wheels. “ In order to prevent irregularity in the attendance of the gardeners, he was latterly particular in paying their wages with his own hands; and on the last occasion of doing so, he was much affected that his weakness had increased and confined him to the house. But, notwithstanding he had closed this part of his earthly scene, he could not refrain from sending for his gardeners into the room where he lay, and would converse with them about the plants; and near his couch, against the wall, he placed the picture of a beautiful shrub, upon which he gazed with delight. “ On this science he frequently gave lectures, which were well attended, and never failed to prove interesting. His publication of ‘ Roxburgh’s Flora Indica,’ is a standard work with botanists. Of his botanical friends he spoke with great esteem ; and never failed to defend them when erroneously assailed. He en- couraged the study of the science wherever a desire to acquire it was manifested. In this particular he would sometimes gently reprove those who had no taste for it ; but he would not spare those who attempted to undervalue it. His re- mark of one of his colleagues was keen and striking. When the latter some- what reprehended Dr Carey, to the medical gentlemen attending him, for ex- posing himself so much in the garden, he immediately replied, that his colleague was conversant with the pleasures of a garden, just as an animal was with the grass in the field.”—P. 577-9. Dr Carey was born August 17, 1761, and died on 9th June 1834. OBITUARY. We have this month to record the deaths of two men whose names will be long remembered by the Zoologist and Botanist—Dr Leach and Mon. A. L. de Jussieu. We shall now only mention the fact that their decease has taken place ; but we trust ere long to be able to give some account of their labours in natural science, more consonant to the estimation in which they will continue to be held. Dr Leach died at Genoa of a few days’ illness from cholera. De Jussieu expired at Paris; his body bowed under the weight of years ; his age was eighty-nine. 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Fibs Oped esas TRO, yn Late 3 aoa Mout Youmyades withge. atime 2) a!a,osl, of qwln boy Ueeret g meatus (have tad oat Tessie: TAN. i 9), Secret et 7 Saath me 9 FE § _aaalsio, wach, auata ili ‘ae, gs to, soa se fi of Aaa 2 van ad i eteire Yo idaiyw okt whi bs woud [ ¢hibd a; inn bhi is He ie its it Feb Cy Ages sotacet : ‘are hina shiseliain , . tear ere hay yN See ae Ss fa Dee 1 4a CAG. wanre vine ¥, Tero bs he if eae 4 a MAGAZINE OF ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY... ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. I.—Observations on the importance of a Local Fauna ;—exemplified in the Fauna of Twizel. By P. J. Sevsy, F. B.S. E., &c. Ir has frequently occurred to the writer, that our native or Bri- tish zoology might be greatly improved as well as advanced, by _ well-arranged and carefully-collected Faunas, even where these were confined to districts of very limited extent. The improvement here alluded to, is not the mere extension of the list by the addition of new, or previously undiscovered species, but has in view the addi- tional and interesting information that might be collected and amas- sed respecting many of those already recorded, in whatever relates to their natural history, taking it in its most extensive signification, and of which, in many cases, we are yet either altogether ignorant, or but very partially informed. English botany, it will generally be allowed, has been greatly advanced and enriched by local Floras, and no good reason seems to exist, why our zoology should not re- ceive equal advantages from Faunas of a similar character. These, however, to be of that service to zoology which is here contemplat- ed, ought to be conducted upon a plan, so as to embrace all those objects that have any reference to, or are in any way connected with the history of the various beings we have inview. Thus the situa- tion, relative height above the sea, and general features of the dis- trict to be examined, ought previously to be ascertained, in order to trace whether in any way, or to what extent, these local circum- stances affect the distribution of genera and species. Its geological character also should be studied and specified, as this, to a conside- rable extent, affects and influences its botanical aspect, and conse- NO, V. Ee 422 On the importance quently must, directly or indirectly, have its effect as regards the dis- tribution of species, particularly that of the invertebrated classes, and upon those insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera, as well as other herbivorous insects which feed upon plants peculiar to certain soils and situations. The habits and manners of every tribe should be watched and diligently observed; the anatomy and peculiarities of in- dividuals should also form a prominent feature in the investigation. In regard to insects, attention should be given to the larve, their changes, and other facts connected with this state of being carefully ascertained, the period of appearance, and that of the duration of the imago state regularly noted down, the habitats recorded, and, in short, every thing connected with the economy of life should be made an object of attentive consideration. It is not necessary that the district selected for investigation should be extensive, indeed it would be preferable, provided a sufficient number of zealous natu- ralists could be found in different parts of the country, willing to undertake the task, that it should be of limited or moderate size, so as easily to be commanded, and its boundaries visited without la- bour or fatigue. Its living treasures might then be investigated at leisure during the daily walk, affording an object of pursuit at once delightful and instructive ; repeated observations and experiments, to verify facts, might be made upon particular species, their habits and economy observed in detail, and under various aspects and con- ditions ; arid the investigation, being so entirely under the observer's command, might be extended if agreeable, to more than one depart- ment at a time. A comparison of several Faunas, made in different parts of the kingdom, and thus conducted, there can be little doubt, would present results of great interest and importance to zoology. Among many others, the geographical as well as the local distribu- tion of genera and species would be better ascertained, and in all probability, a knowledge of the principal causes which affect the latter accounted for, so that the naturalist in future, upon the mere inspection of a district, might be able to predicate with some degree of confidence, its principal zoological productions. ‘The discovery of many new species might also be expected, and the natural his- tory of all, better ascertained and understood ; thus paving the way, by the accumulation of a mass of valuable materials, towards the compilation of a British zoology, superior to any we at present pos- sess. Upon this sort of plan a Fauna has been commenced, embrac- ifig a very limited district, and, although it has not been long ‘in ‘Operation, the success that has already attended ‘it, as well as the pleasure it affords, and the increasing interest it creates, gives ample of a Local Fauna. 423 encouragement to proceed ; and as the progress of such an under- taking may not be altogether unacceptable, it is proposed to give from time to time a list of the species taken in the various depart- ments, with such remarks and observations as may be of interest, or calculated to throw any additional light upon the history of the va- rious objects that come under review. The district proposed for investigation is situated in the northern part of Northumberland, and contains an area of nearly 700 acres; its distance from the nearest part of the coast is about three miles and a-half ; its elevation above the sea from 250 to upwards of 300 feet, The general character of the surface soil may be termed stiff and tenacious, (though it varies in parts) resting upon limestone and the other coal measures, the whole of the district forming a portion of one of the small coal basins so prevalent in this portion of that county. It is intersected by several dells or deans, producing a natural growth of birch, hazel, alder, and other underwood, or else planted, and each with a rill or burn running at the bottom, one of considerable size, and dignified with the name of the Waren. More than a third of the rest of this range is in wood and plantation. The list of Mammalia, as might be expected from the extent and nature of the district, is limited, and composed of well-known spe- cies, common to almost every part of the kingdom, and it therefore offers but little subject for remark. It is as follows :— Vespertilio pipistrellus, Gmel. Sorex remifer, Geoff. Plecotus auritus, Geoff. Erinaceus Europeus, Linn. Mustela putorius, Linn. Mus sylvaticus, Linn. vulgaris, Gmel. musculus, Linn. erminea, Linn. decumanus, Pall. Lutra vulgaris, Desm. Arvicola amphibia, Desm. agrestis, Flem. Canis vulpes, Linn. Talpa Europea, Linn. Lepus timidus, Linn. cuniculus, Linn. Sorex araneus, Linn. fodiens, Gmel. In,regard to the bats, it is probable there are more species than the two already detected, but the habits of the family render it a difficult matter to obtain specimens for examination. The ermine or stoat is numerous, more so than the weasel. In severe winters they all assume the arctic dress ; in milder seasons, it has been observed that this change does not take place so fre- quently, -or-to-such an extent in the males as in the other sex. The change of colour takes place in the existing fur, and is not produ- ced by the acquisition of an entire new supply or coat of hair. It is well known that they possess a high developement of the olfactory 494 On the construction organs, and frequently hunt down their prey by the scent. This in- teresting sight the writer has witnessed several times, where the object of pursuit was a leveret ora rabbit. The chase was sometimes of long continuance, although the circuit of operations was confined to a very moderate space, and during the whole of its continuance, it was evident that the ermine trusted more to its nose than to its eyes. It is also a lover of fish, at least of eels, whose remains have been met with when digging the animal out of the burrow, into which it had been traced, but how this slippery prey is captured has not yet been ascertained. The otter is now of rare occurrence, and the last time the tracks of this animal were observed, is about three years since. The mole is very plentiful, finding a secure re- treat in the plantations and deans. Varieties of a cream-colour, as well as of a fine silvery grey, are frequently taken in the traps. The water shrew (Sorex fodiens) is in tolerable plenty about the mar- gins of the rivulets. Like its congener, the Sorex araneus, it is often found dead upon the paths. Upon examination, these all appear to be wounded or bitten near the same part of the body ; the marks of the teeth by which the bites are inflicted are minute ; and there is good reason to believe, that these their death-wounds are received in battles or contests, which take place at certain periods of the year. May not this be a wise provision for keeping within due bounds, a race of animals which appear distasteful to most others, and there- fore not much pursued as an object of prey? It has besides been observed, that this mortality only takes place to any considerable extent when the species are more than usually abundant. When diving, and in search of its food among the stones or beneath the sur- face; the water shrew appears like a moving mass of quicksilver, from the sparkling appearance of the fur, which repels the access or im- mediate contact of the water. The Sorex remifer, which occurs in several of the southern counties, has likewise been detected, a dead specimen having been found upon a path-way, answering in every particular the description of the species, by Jenyns, Bell, &c. The badger, it may be observed, used formerly to have his burrow within the district ; and the wild-cat, Felts catus, was to be found, not more than twelve years ago, within a distance of three miles. ( To be continued.) © I1.— Observations on the construction of a Local Flora. By H. CorreREL Watson, Esq. In the first and second numbers of this Magazine, some re- marks were made on the increased attention given to the study of of a Local Flora. 425 ‘British Botany, and on the number of Floras lately published, descriptive of the vegetable productions of the British islands. While the general Floras have been thus increased in number, and additional species have been yearly added to the lists of our native plants enumerated in them, the department of local botany has been by no means neglected. Perhaps, indeed, we might say of this de- partment, that it has been advanced in more than an equal degree ; our local descriptive catalogues having rapidly multiplied during the present century, and the published localities of the less common spe- cies of plants having been doubled or trebled in the same space of time. The writing of these appears to be still proceeding briskly enough ; and being at once an easy task, and an agreeable employment to botanists, whose professional ties limit their range of observation to one small circuit, the public is likely to continue to receive the be- nefit of their exertions. But taking such works on the broad ground of public usefulness, or their applicability to the general purposes of science, we have to lament that the authors of them usually con- trive to reduce this to its mznamum of amount, by contracting the circulation of their books, through the ridiculously high prices at which they are published. We do not intend to say that the books themselves are at all overcharged, looking to the very limited de- mand which can be anticipated for such works ; indeed, we feel _assured, that the greater number of works of this kind, produce only a pecuniary loss to their authors. What we do condemn, is the expensive form in which the local Floras are written. Half-a- crown, we think, is a very fair price for a local Flora, and we can scarcely conceive a case in which it would be really necessary to double this sum. The authors, however, contrive to swell their works to a size that cannot be sold under four or six times this amount ; and many of them are then published with a certain loss. This addition to the bulk of the books is too often made up only of long descriptions of species, with references to figures and to other works, all of which may be found done equally well, if not better, in the general Floras ; and from which, in two out of every three cases, they are merely transcribed with the pen, or cut out whole- sale with the scissors. In the hope of inducing local botanists to render their exertions more available to science, we shall throw out some hints upon the objects and construction of local Floras and ca- talogues ; and in doing this, we shall take it for granted, that the au- thors are really desirous to convey information to the public, and to make their works serviceable to others. So very moderate an amount of original talent is imperatively required for constructing a local ASG On the construction Flora, by the ready mode of transcribing from the general works of a similar nature, and so small a share of fame attaches to the most laborious, and even original, exertions in this way, that we cannot attribute a great share of the motives for writing, to the small va- nity of making a book, large or little. First, a local Flora, we take it, ought to relate to a definite area, and not pretend to include a wider space than has been really and well investigated. In neglect of the latter part of this rule, all the negative evidence, or that touching the absence of species, becomes altogether worthless ; and, in some instances, it is rendered worse than worthless, by inducing botanists to presume the absence of particular species, within the specified area, contrary to what is the fact. If no definite limits be fixed, both positive and negative evi- dence are greatly diminished in value, and the pretended local Flora is very little better than an imperfectly got up fragment of a gene- ral Flora. Secondly, we should have a full list of species and the more remarkable varieties ; the nomenclature being adapted to that of the standard Floras which relate to Britain generally ; generic and specific characters, descriptions and references, being altogether omitted. The necessity of as full a list of species as possible is founded on the importance of thus marking the absent species, as well as those which do exist within the area of the Flora. Conve- nience suggests a uniformity of nomenclature with that employed in the general Floras ; the synonyms, from two or three of the stand- ard works of this kind, being added to species described in such works under different names. All references to pages, &c. are thus rendered unnecessary, the name itself becoming a clear and unex- ceptionable reference ; while the omission of other references takes off so much from the bulk and cost of the work. The frequent cus- tom of referring to the figures in English Botany is altogether un- necessary. Only the local student can need such references, and he finds them all in the general Floras ; if, indeed, as often happens, these references be not utterly useless to him, from want of access to the plates cited. It is on the score of their being unavoidably attended by a great augmentation in the prices of the works, with- out any equivalent advantage, that we would make a clean sweep- ing away of all descriptions of plants, whether limited to the gene- ric and specific characters, or being of a more detailed kind. To persons who already know the plants, such descriptions are quite unnecessary, and almost every student of botany will possess one of the general Floras, in which the descriptions may be found set forth quite as well. Indeed, as we have intimated, such descriptions are 4 of a Local Flora. 427 usually transcribed from the general works into the local ones, and the public is thus called on to pay for the same matter over and over again, under different names. Exceptions are of course quite allowable in cases where particular species or varieties have been previously inaccurately or insufliciently described. But if such descriptions and references, as are here objected to, be unneces- sary in a local Flora, and serve only to add much to the cost, with little or no addition to the value of the books, the thrusting in of *« Introductions to Botany” is a most inexcusable and absurd way of swelling out alocal Flora ; and it is also an injudicious one, since all unnecessary increase of cost must be attended with a correspond- ing decrease of sale. And still more absurd is it, for authors to re- peat the generic and specific characters twice over, in order to pre- sent two arrangements, the Linnean and Jussieuan ; as if a mere list of the genera were not amply sufficient to meet such an object ! Thirdly, we should desire to see the degree of scarcity or abundance of each species mentioned, in as close an accordance as possible with some fixed scale. ‘The scarcity or abundance of the species, in the tract under consideration, is what any reader would reasonably ex- pect to be intended, when a local author speaks of a plant being “ rare’ or “common.” Yet it is unfortunately true, that these and other such adjectives, in different instances, are copied from the general Floras, and applied to the species of a local tract in direct contradiction to what is the fact there. Fourthly, the time of flower- ing, and the soil and situation affected by each species, should be given from actual observation. Had we not indisputable proofs that the notices of these points were frequently copied from the ge- neral Floras, we might have felt disposed to doubt that writers could be guilty of the slovenly, not to say dishonest, practice of copying local particulars, from works not exclusively (or not at all!) refer- ring to the area to which such copied particulars are applied ; yet this is done without qualification or acknowledgment. Such a course can scarcely fail of leading the copyists to put forth their own blundering misapplications as actual facts, and of misleading others where the blunders are less glaringly apparent. What can be more unmeaning, or more deceptive, than such indications as “ on many moors in the north” occurring in a Flora relating to a tract in the south of England ; or, ‘‘ frequent on mountains” given as the situa- tion of a species found very locally in a tract quite destitute of mountains ; or, “ chiefly on a chalky soil,” for the place of growth of another species, in a county without a yard of chalk through its whole extent! Such errors as these, however, do exist in some works, AQ8 On the construction and arise from the usual situation and frequency of the particular species being copied verbatim from a general Flora, and carelessly applied to.a local tract in utter defiance of fact. The same sort of mistakes exist as to the times of flowering, through authors copying their intimations of such from the works of others, and then pub- lishing them as if set down on their own observation. ifthly, the general distribution of each species, and the localities of the rarer ones, are to be precisely shown. ‘These are commonly indicated with more care and accuracy than is bestowed upon other matters, in our local Floras ; but there is wide room for improvement even here. In addition to stating the known localities for the rarer spe- cies, authors should particularly distinguish those places in which they have themselves seen the plants growing, as well as those sus- pected to be erroneous, or in which the species has become extinct. - Facility fer procuring specimens is one of the principal advantages to be gained from having the localities especially pointed out. This is little aided by the vague indications of a species growing “ near” a particular town or village, unless it be so frequent that a person is almost certain to see it when arriving at the town or village men- tioned. For guiding to a very local species, a fixed point adjacent to its locality, with the bearing and distance of the latter from such point, ought to be specified. We are aware that vague directions are sometimes given with the express design of preventing success to one seeking the plant, from the pretended—or, silly if not pre- tended—fear lest species should be eradicated. They might as well be eradicated as not be found ; and of what consequence is it, if a species do disappear from our soil? It is the sheer and selfish babyism of the old virtuoso, not the expanded conceptions of the man of science, or the dictates of an enlarged and liberal mind, that whispers so paltry an excuse for studied concealment. Sixthly, We should recommend the history of the species to be attended to. Under this head, we would include the possible or probable intro- duction of the species into the tract under consideration ; changes that have occurred in its comparative scarcity or abundance ; alte- rations in character, size, or general appearance, in connection with differences of situation and season. The degree of probability that a species, especially if a rare one, has been originally introduced by human agency, we regret to say, is sometimes misrepresented by local botanists. Botanical writers, too, often exhibit a great desire to swell their lists of species by any means, and to exalt themselves or their friends into discoverers of new species or localities. Strict impartiality is scarcely compatible with the existence of such wishes, of a Local Flora. 429 and accordingly, we always take the certificates of species being « truly indigenous,” “ undoubtedly wild,” “ far from houses,” and so forth, with some grains of reservation or qualification. That all botanists will agree with our views, as to the most eli- gible form for local Floras, we are not confident enough to hope, or ignorant enough to expect. Those heretofore published exhibit sufficing proofs of striking dissimilarity between the ideas of their respective authors. What appears to us to be one of the simplest and best models for a local Flora, among those hitherto published, occurs in a recent Natural History of Yarmouth, by the brothers Pa- get. This is merely a list of species, arranged according to the na- tural method, without references or descriptions ; the names. being made to correspond with those used in Hooker’s British Flora. The usual situations and comparative frequency of the species are almost always intimated ; and a few localities, for the rarer kinds, are particularly specified ; all such being understood to be inserted on the responsibility of the authors, unless other authority is ex- pressly mentioned. The whole list of the phaznogamic plants is thus comprehended in about thirty octavo pages. Woodford’s Ca- talogue of Plants near Edinburgh is also very simple, being a list of species, with one or more localities for each ; localities, verified by the author, being distinguished from the others, and the names being adapted to the works of Smith, Hooker, and Greville. The Flora of Bath corresponds with that for Yarmouth, but the English names are added, and also a very few references and descriptions, where particularly necessary. ‘The phenogamic plants, of these two latter works, are contained in about sixty small pages. The Floras of Glasgow and Tunbridge Wells are catalogues of species, having both the technical and English names; also the times of flowering, situations, comparative frequency, and some specified stations. In the former work, the duration of the species is added, and in the latter, references to the figures of English Botany. In these works, the phenogamic plants fill a hundred and fifteen pages. The Catalogue of Anglesea plants, in Welsh Botanology, is nearly on the same plan; but we have here the addition of the Welsh names of plants, and the omission of references to figures, as well as the equally unnecessary notices of the duration of the species. All the preceding may be called Floral Catalogues ; and they do not in any way claim to be descriptive lists. The Floras of Oxford (Sibthorpe), Bedford, Cambridge, Lanark, Edinburgh, and Berwick, are on a much more extended scale ; including descriptions, refe- rences, synonyms, and other matters, such as we look for in the Flo- 430 On the Natural History of ra of a kingdom. They are, consequently, voluminous in size, and their cost necessarily approaches to the price paid for a general Flo- ra of Britain. The two last have an intrinsic value, in original descriptions, &c. independently of their use as local lists merely. The Midland Flora, and that of Oxford and the adjacent counties (Walker), are further augmented by “ Introductions to Botany ;” and the Flora of Devon, by repeating generic and specific characters, in two arrangements, is really éwo Floras under one cover. Lastly, the Flora of Northumberland and Durham is expanded into a hun- dred and forty quarto pages, (including cryptogamic plants), with double columns, although printed in a close small type, and desti- tute of descriptions or technical characters. ‘The bulk of this work is greatly increased by the name of each species being followed by references usually to four or five works relating to British Botany ; ninety-nine in the hundred of such references not being at all re- quired in a local catalogue. The work, however, is really careful- ly got up, and is a valuable production ; although, taking it in our present light of a local catalogue only, much time and talent has been unnecessarily wasted on it. We mean, that the scientific public would have drawn more advantage from a cheap list or Flora, which might have been written with a quarter of the trouble, and published at a quarter of the price. After the preceding remarks, it is scarcely requisite to say, that we give the preference to the floral catalogues first mentioned, and would willingly limit all such works to fifty pages at the outside; feeling assured that half this number would usually suffice, and that all additions go to increase the bulk and price in a much greater ratio than they can add to the usefulness or the circulation. Let it be remembered, however, that we speak only with respect to the general usefulness of such works to the public. When designed chiefly for local circulation, to be used as class works or other special purposes, change of plan may be necessary. III.— On the Natural History and Relations of the family of Cuculide or Cuckoos, nith a view to determine the series of their variation. By Wixuiam Swainson, F.R. & L.S., &c. (Continued from page 213.) The CucuLinz or Genuine Cuckoos. As the pre-eminent type of the whole family, a perfect ex- ample is seen in the common cuckoo. On examining this bird we observe the following external characters ; 1. the bill is consi- the Family of Cuculide. 431 derably wider at the base than it is high; although, beyond the nostrils, it rather suddenly contracts, and becomes compressed ; 2. the nostrils are naked, and undefended ; opening by a circular aper- ture, round which is a narrow elevated rim ; 3. the upper mandible has a very slight sinuosity at its tip, assuming the form of that notch which is usually seen in dentirostral birds; 4. the wings are of considerable length, nearly reaching to two-thirds the length of the tail, and they are so far pointed, that beyond the fourth quill they begin rapidly to diminish in length; 5. the feet are remarkably short, the tarsus not being longer than the hallux or real hind toe, and the tarsus is thickly clothed with feathers to nearly half its length. Finally, we may remark in this genus, and in nearly all the birds which belong to this sub-family, a decided elongation of the upper cover-feathers of the tail, which are always thick set, narrow, and generally pointed ; they are likewise so rigid that they can only be compared to those of the Ceblepyrine or caterpillar-catch- ers, forming the corresponding type in the circle of the Lamade. Popular interest has been so much confined to the parasitic habits of the cuckoo, that upon many other points of its economy, we are still in comparative ignorance. Hence it is, that we cannot trace, so fully as could be wished, the influence which the structure just described exercises upon the habits and manners of such birds as possess it. We know, however, that all the genuine cuckoos fly with strength and rapidity. Most of them, in fact, are migratory birds. The common species comes to us every spring, from North- ern Africa, or Asia Minor, and returns in autumn. This we know from personal observation ; for vast numbers arrive in the spring in Sicily and Naples, in company with the Bee-eaters, Orioles, Hoopoes, and other migratory birds ; but after remaining a short time, they appear to direct their flight northward, from whence they return in August and September. ‘The form of the nostrils in the typical cuckoos is very peculiar, and I believe that future observations will shew this structure to be intimately connected with their parasitic habits. The nests of those species in which the cuckoo deposits its eggs, we all know, are built in the thickest and most central parts of trees or bushes, to discover which, superior powers of smell have been given tothe Toucans (who feed upon the eggs or young,) and, in a less degree, are probably conferred upon the cuckoos, to facilitate their search after a foster-parent for their young. How far this idea may be correct, future observations will determine. Certain, however, it is, that this peculiar-shaped nostril is restricted te such cuckoos as are parasitic, for the whole of the Coccyzine have the aperture of a lengthened oval shape, or in the form of a 432 On the Natural History of slit, and all we know of these birds sanctions the idea that they are not parasitic. The shortness of the feet, in the typical cuckoos, is another important distinction, and leads to the belief that these members are much less used than those of the Coccyzinaw, whose ha- bits we have already mentioned when alluding to the cuckoos of South America, all of which are excluded from the group now un- der consideration. The English cuckoo, no doubt, searches for its food among foliage, but its nature is so shy, that we never have been fortunate enough to witness its mode of feeding. Montagu, how- ever, one of the best authorities we can cite, says, that its principal food consists of caterpillars,* so that it not only possesses the gene- ral cast of colours, and much of the structure of its prototypes, the Ceblepyrine, but actually feeds on the same description of insects.t In both groups, the predominant colours are grey, transversely banded beneath ; both have pointed wings, thick set and stiff tail-covers, very short feet, broad bills, and smooth gapes. ‘Their skins, also, are unusually thin. We thus perceive, that all the peculiarities of the typical cuckoos are intimately connected with what we know of their economy, and are in harmony with the analogical relations they bear to their types in other families. The shortness of their feet, indeed, might appear at first to militate against the theory of their representing the grallatorial birds, seeing that these latter are proverbial for a structure totally opposite, having, in fact, the long- est legs of any birds in existence; but this objection would be founded on very partial reasoning. It is well known that the Te- nuirostres represent the Grallatores ; now the cuckoos represent both ; but this double representation would not be apparent, if all the analogies of their structure were drawn from only one of these groups. Nature, therefore, has combined them, and in a most beau- tiful manner. The Tenuirostres have the shortest feet of all the incessorial tribes, and the cuckoos have the shortest feet of all the Scansores. On the other hand, their analogy to the Grallatores is preserved by their remarkably long tail-covers, a structure which assimilates them as much to the waders, as their short feet does to the humming-birds. The nature of the food, again, of all three groups, evinces another bond of union. They all live upon the very softest animal substances. Marine worms are the caterpillars of the * Ornithological Dictionary. Original edition. + In an open and muirland district where the cuckoo is very common, we have always found, during May and June, that the stomachs were filled with the re- mains of caterpillars which fed on the various plants frequent in such localities. Among them those of the Zasiocampe formed a great proportion, and hairy spe- ies seem to be preferred.— Envir. the Family of Cuculide. 433 sands, just as larva are the caterpillars of trees ; while the soft, de- licate, dipterous insects upon which the humming-birds occasionally ‘feed, by licking them from the flowers with their tongue, are per- fectly analogous to the soft food of the waders, the cuckoos, the ca- terpillar catchers ( Ceblepyrinw_), and the orioles ( Orioline. ) On the geographic distribution of the typical cuckoos, little can be said of a general nature, but what is subject to exceptions when treating of the subordinate groups. Those composing the genus ‘ Cuculus are restricted entirely to the Old World, and are abun- dant in those regions mid-way between Europe and New Holland, the two extremes of their latitudinal range. In the other, or longi- tudinal direction, they extend from Western Africa to the Indian islands. The birds which we now, for the first time, distinguish as the genus Oxylophus, are also excluded from the New World, and appear to be confined to the tropical latitudes of Africa and India, where they represent the American genus Erythrophrys. The two remaining genera of this division are likewise excluded from the New World, Chaicites being African, while Eudynamys belongs more especially to Australia and the Indian islands. In venturing to characterize so many new groups in this family, it isincumbent upon me to lay before ornithologists those reasons which have led to this determination. The present state of our science demands this, for the time has gone by when genera will be received on the unsupported opinion of the mere systematist, with- out any appeal to acknowledged facts, or palpable analogies ; and it is the more necessary to avoid this error in the present instance, because many new genera of the Cuculid@ have recently been pro- posed in the French publications, which I cannot possibly adopt. They appear to me, in almost every instance, forced and artificial, neither characterized by their geographic distribution, or by those va- riations of structure which are their true distinctions. I may be excused, also, from adopting such names as Jaccocua, Bubutus, Guira, &c. as they cannot be admitted into our classical nomencla- ture, without a violation of those rules to which we are all bound to adhere. The distinctions by which I propose to characterize the genus Cuculus have already been dwelt upon: its exclusive or essential character, however, is to be found in the great breadth and convexi- ty of the bill at the base, and in the short and feathered tarsus : the plumage, moreover, is never vivid, and the upper mandible has a slight or obsolete notch. From the great uniformity of colour which runs through this genus, I am persuaded that several species have been overlooked as varieties of the European cuckoo, some of 434 On the Natural History of which I propose to describe hereafter. All these are more or less of a grey or slate-colour, transversely banded, in various ways, be- neath, upon a whitish ground. In the Cuculus nigricans (Zoolo- gical Ill. ii. pl. 7,) however, we have a species, nearly typical in its structure, but aberrant in its colours: the wing begins to have a less attenuated form, the second quill being of a length intermediate between the first and third, instead of, as in our cuckoo, only a lit- tle shorter than the third. We look upon this bird, therefore, as conducting us to the genus Oxylophus, under which, in a word, I arrange all those birds of M. Vieillot’s genus Coccyzus, inhabiting the Old World, which have pointed wings. Like the typical cuc- koos we have just left, these birds* are likewise parasitic ; but they are distinguished by having wings not quite so long, the third quill being shorter than the fourth: the sides of the bill are more com- pressed, the culmen less convex, and narrower at the base, and the upper mandible is perfectly entire ; the tarsus is longer, but it is still inferior to the longest toe. Most of the species have conspicu- ous crests, the feathers of which are narrow and pointed. The Oxylophus Levaillanti (Zool. Il. ii. pl. 13,) formerly deseribed as an example of the old genus Coccyzus, and Ox. edoiius (e Vail. Ois. d’ Af. v. pl. 207-8,) are both types of this group, and are at once distinguished, as before remarked, from all of the Coccyzine, by their longer, and more pointed wings. There are two or three cuckoos of North America, which I feel persuaded are of a distinct type from those just mentioned, although there is some dithculty in determining what are their external cha- racteristics. We are assured by Levaillant, that all the species of Oxylophus discovered by him are parasitic; but the American birds to which [ now allude (the Carolina. and black-billed cuckoos of Wilson,) ‘are not so, for both migrate into the United States for the purpose of breeding, so that, however their external anatomy may assimilate them to the genus Ozylophus, their internal struc- ture must be different. Their colouring, also, is altogether pecu- liar, plainly intimating their analogy to the Scansorial creepers, and to many of the undoubted representatives of that family. For the present, the formation of their wings will distinguish them at once from Oxylophus, for the third quill is the longest of all; and this makes the wing as much pointed as that of Cuculus. Independent of the two species above-mentioned of this new genus (Erythro- phrys,) thereis another found in Brazil. I feel much more scrupulous in adopting the genus Chalcites, than in proposing that of Erythrophrys. The beautiful little shining ~ Levaillant’s Oiseaux d’ Afrique. the Family of Cuculide. 435 cuckoos, indeed, which have thus been detached, have altogether the appearance of belonging to a different type than those of the genus Cuculus ; and this idea is strengthened, when we find there are al- ready four or five species, all distinguished at first sight by their diminutive size, and their beautiful golden-green plumage. On the other hand, their actual structure is so completely that of an European group, that I must beg to be understood as being by no means satisfied on the propriety of the separation. For the present, however, I shall adopt this genus, conceiving that these ‘splendid little birds may probably constitute the tenuirostral type of the Cuculine, in which case they will be analogous to the humming- birds, and nearly all those genera whose plumage is ornamented with metallic colours. The attempt that has been made to define the group by its bill, nostrils, &c. as distinct from the cuckoos, is singularly unsuccessful ; while those light shades of difference really existing between Chalcites and Cuculus have been completely over- looked. Chalcites, in fact, has the bill, nostrils, feet, and wings of Cuculus, with this difference only, that the tip of the upper man- dible is without the slightest indication of a notch: the second and third quill are longer than the fourth, and the feathers of the rump and upper tail-covers, instead of being thick-set and rigid, are of the same degree of density and softness as in ordinary birds. We have seen, that, however dissimilar in their appearance the foregoing groups of the Cuculine may be, yet that the variation of their ex- ternal structure is but slight. This consideration has much weight with me in the temporary adoption of M. Lesson’s genus Chalcites, for we have just seen an example, in Erythrophrys, where there is an equally slight variation in external form, yet a most important one in economy and internal organization. The genus Eudynamys of MM. Horsefield and Vigors rests on a much better foundation than the last. It is at once distinguish- ed from Cuculus by a stronger and thicker bill, the under mandi- ble of which is not only destitute of any curve, but has a decided angle at the under ridge. The feet are also proportionably strong, and are the most robust of all those groups we have yet noticed : the tarsus is longer, and almost naked, while the rump feathers are short and soft. In other respects, such as the wing, nostrils, and tail, this genus agrees with Cuculus. The nostrils, however, judg- ing from dried specimens, appear to be more oval than round. The great size of the bill in this genus induces me to think it'is that which represents the Toucans, in which case it will be a fissirostral type. All the Cuckoos I have yet seen, with more or less pointed 436. On the Natural History of the Cuculide. wings, and circular nostrils, and whose habits are parasitic, will ar- range themselves under one or other of the foregoing genera. Nor are there wanting considerations, drawn from their analogical re- semblances in other groups, which render it highly probable that they serve to indicate a circular group. Erythrophrys, as the rasorial type, resembles the rufous-winged scansorial creeper ; and as it is by this group that the parasitic cuckoos lead immediately to those which build nests; so we have the external characters of Oxylo- phus joined to the economy of Coccyzus. Chalcites, again, as repre- senting the humming-birds, may be viewed as the tenuirostral type ; while Eudynamys, with its large bill, and black glossy plumage, will become the representative of the Toucans, and of the fissiros- tral type. It may be questioned, indeed, whether Cuculus or Oxy- lophus follows Eudynamys ; but I incline to the series in which they are here placed, from the obvious affinity of Erythrophrys to Oxy- lophus. Concentrating the foregoing remarks, we may state the essential external characters of the sub-family I have now attempted to illus- trate, in the following table of the Sub-family Cuculine. Cucuuus, Linn. Bill broad at the base, compressed beyond, the upper mandible obsoletely notched ; nostrils circular, with a tumid margin ; wings long, pointed, the third quill longest, the second and fourth of equal length ; feet slender, very short, tarsi feathered, posteriorly al- most to the toes ; rump and upper tail-covers long, thick-set, and rigid. Inhabits the old world; parasitic. Type.—Cuculus canorus, Lin. Oxy Lopuus, Sw. Bill slender, considerably compressed nearly its whole length ; upper mandible entire ; nostrils ovately round ; head crested ; wings moderate, pointed, shorter than the tail-covers, the fourth quill long- est ; tarsi moderate, naked ; upper tail-covers long, but not rigid. Inhabits the old world ; parasitic. Type.—Coccyzus. Levaillanti, Sw. Zool. Il. ii. pl. 13. -ERYTHROPHRYS, 57, Bill as in Oxylophus ; head not crested ; nostrils oval ; wings lengthened, pointed, extending beyond the tail covers, the third quill longest, the second much shorter than the fourth ; tarsi mo- derate, naked. Inhabit the new world, and rear their own young. Type.—Cuculus Carolinensis, Wilson, iv. 2°. f. 1. Comparative Anatomy of two Species. of Cercocebus. 437 CuHALcITEs. Lesson. Bill and general structure as in Cuculus. Plumage metallic green ; upper mandible entire ; nostrils circular; wings pointed, the third quill longest, the second much longer than the fourth ; tarsi very short, almost entirely plumed ; rump and upper tail-co- vers soft. Inhabits the tropics of the old world ; parasitic. Type—Cuculus auratus, Auct. Le Vail. Ois. d’Af. v. pl. 210, 211. Eupynamys. Horsf: and Vig. Bill strong, thick, the under mandible not curved, and angulated beneath; upper mandible entire; wings pointed, the fourth quill longest ; tarsi much shorter than the longest toe; the upper part plumed ; rump and tail-covers soft. Inhabits the old world. Type.—Cuculus orientalis, Auct. My next memoir upon this family will contain a similar exposi- tion of the remaining divisions, with the specific characters of several new or obscurely known species. IV.—Some account of the Comparative Anatomy of iwo species of the genus Cercocebus, Geoffroy. By P. C. Eyron, Esq. I obtained the two monkeys from which the following notes were made, from Mr Wombwell, when his menagerie was at Shrews- bury, in January 1836 ; where they died while in his possession. The lungs of both, as well as some of the other viscera, were much diseased, the former adhering in both instances to the parietes. CERcOCEBUS SABzUS, Griffiths’ Cuvier ; Simia sabea, Linn. Green-Monkey, Penn. The description of this monkey, which was a male, corresponded precisely with that given in the synopsis of the Mammalia in Grif- fiths’ translation of the “ Regne Animal,” and also with that in Sir William Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library. The measurements were as follow: Length from the tip of the nose to the root of the tail, 1 foot 53 in. ; length of the tail, 1 foot 4 in. ; length of the intestinal canal from the pylorus to the anus, 14 feet 4 in.; length of the rectum, 3 feet 2 in. :—length of the kidneys, 2 in., greatest diameter, 1 in. :—liver five-lobed :—diameter of the small intestine inflated, 1 in.; above the ccecum, 3 in.; diameter of the rectum, 1 in. ; below the coecum, 14 in.; length of the ccoecum, from the NO. V. Ff 438 Comparative Anatomy of junction of the small intestine 14 in. (Fig. 2 :)—length of the sto- mach (Fig. 1) * inflated, 53 in. ; diameter at the junction of the cesophagus, which is the greatest, 31 in. ; length from the cesopha- gus to cerebral extremity, 2 inches. Upper jaw, molars 8 ; incisives 4; canines 2.—Lower jaw. mo- lars 10 ; incisives 4; canines 2. The posterior molars in the upper jaw were just making their appearance ; in other respects, the dentition agreed with that given of the genus Cercocebus in “‘ F, Cuvier Dents des Mammiferes.” Vertebre, cer. 7 ; dor. 12; lum. 8; sac. 2; caud. 20, some of the latter, probably two or three, were wanting.—Ribs, true, 8 ; false, 4. —Length of ulna, 53 in., of humerus, 5,2, in., of femur, 54 in., of tibia, 53 in. a eee a at Z 1 ' Zz WW =e i) \ Ke ‘ SSS AAW WW CS YY DWH SS SSS CERCOCEBUS FULIGINOSUS, Geoffroy. White-eyelid Monkey, Penn. The specimen was a young female. The teeth were not all de- veloped, and the white on the eyelids, so remarkable in the adult, was not clear or well defined. In other respects it agreed with the description of authors. Length from the nose to the root of the tail, 1 foot 34 in. ; length of the tail, 1 foot 63 in. :—length of the intestinal canal from pylo- rus to anus, 10 feet 9 in. ; length of rectum, 2 feet 9 in. :—dia- meter of the kidney, 1 in., length 2 in. ; liver five-lobed. In the peritoneum were numerous entozoa, about 30 in number. Diameter of the small intestine 1 in., above the ccecum, 7,4, in. ; diameter of the rectum, 1 in., below the coecum, 13 in; length of coecum, 1,®, in.; length of the stomach (Fig. 4) when inflated, 42 in. ; diameter at the junction of the cesophagus, which is the greatest, 23 in.; oesophagus inserted about one-third of the whole length 4 from the cardiac extremity. The ccecum, and the adjoining parts * The dotted lines indicate the direction in which the dimensions have been taken. two Species of Cercocebus.. 439 of the rectum in this species present rather a sacculated appear- ance (Fig. 3.) Upper jaw, molars, 8; incisives, 2 anterior ; canines, 0; milk or first teeth, 2.—Lower jaw, molars, 6; incisives, 2 anterior; ca- nines, 0; milk or first teeth, 4. In the upper and lower jaw the young canines were displacing the two milk teeth adjoining the an- terior incisives, the posterior molars were just beginning to appear. Vertebre, cer. 7; dor. 11; lum. 7; sac. 3; caud. 23, probably the last caudal vertebra was wanting.—Ribs, 9 true, 3 false.— Length of the ulna 5 in., of humerus 4,%, in., of femur 6 in., of ti- bia 5 in. The spleen, in both species, was similar in shape (Fig. 5,) but in C. sabzus rather larger than in C. fuliginosus. From the above account it will be seen that the stomach is larger in C. sabeus than in C. fuliginosus, the contrary being the case with regard to the Ceeca.* (]] CHH—_. ZB YY UI_—~Zz_ LZ Ss Wy Za SS /f fpr € | mm, yf Wii i Wa yo u “ee * Jt will be useful to compare the figures illustrating this paper with those given in the Transactions of the Zool. Society, i. p. 65, plates 8 and 9 of the sacculated stomachs of the Semnopitheci.—Eprr. 440 Natural History of British Roophytes. V.—The Natural History of British Zoophytes. By GrorcE Joun- ston, M. D. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edin- burgh. (Continued from p. 247.) III.—Own tue StrRucTURE AND FORMATION OF THE PoLYPIDomMs. THE existence of a polypidom is not, as has been already men- tioned, essential to a polype ; nor does it exercise, when present, that great influence over the organization of its architects and ten- ants which might have been anticipated. Thus the animal of the madreporous Caryophyllea does not essentially differ from the na- ked Actinia ; and the gelatinous Hydra is a true representative of the tenant of the sheathed Sertulariade and Tubularia. No Asci- dian polype, however, is ever found detached, and without a poly- pidom ; and it is the same with all our native Astroida, but, per- haps, the clustered animal-flower (Actinia sociata, Ellis, Zoanthus, Cuv.) of the Carribean sea, might take its place in this tribe with greater propriety than in any other. In reference to their composition, Polypidoms may be divided into 1. the stony or calcareous, 2. the membrano-calcareous, and 3. the horny and flexible ; but the line which separates these divisions is often as uncertain and debateable as that which is traced between the sister kingdoms. All are composed of the same materials, viz. lime, and a gelatinous or membranaceous substance ; and their pe- culiar characters depend on the different proportions ‘in which the materials are mixed. The calcareous, which are hard and inflexible, and, when dry, assume a white colour, consist principally of carbo- nate of lime, with a small quantity of the phosphate of the same earth, and the gelatinous matter which cements them into one co- herent mass, is in sparing proportion: that proportion is so greatly increased in the polypidoms of the second section, that when the earthy ingredients have been removed by the action of diluted acids, the structure retains its original form, and is, in fact, reduced to the condition of the polypidoms of the third section, which contain no lime, or very little of it, but are formed of a condensed gelatinous membrane, which resembles horn in every essential property.* These diversities in their chemical composition appear to be of little value, either in a physiological or systematical point of view, for in every order of polypiferous zoophytes, we find calcareous and horny polypidoms. A curious species of Actinia secretes a horny * See additional Note, p. 446. Natural History of British Zoophytes. 44] basis, the first rudiment of a madrepore ;* but all other madrepores are calcareous: the axis of the Astroida is sometimes of lime, some- times of horn, and sometimes of membrane: the polypidoms of the Hydroida are flexible and horny in general, and although some cal- careous species will be found arranged in this order, yet it must be acknowledged that, as the animals of these species are unknown, or very imperfectly described, the existence of calcareous polypi- doms in it is somewhat conjectural; but there is no hesitation in asserting, that the ascidian tribes fabricate productions, some of which are referable to every class that the chemist could devise. The reader who is not already familiar with the outward forms of our native polypidoms, will most easily obtain a correct idea of them, by examining the figures which will illustrate this work. The very few and insignificant madrepores, or helianthoid polypi- doms, which inhabit the British shores, form either short cylinders or reversed cones, having the apex cuped and starred with lamelle, which radiate from the depressed centre to the circumference. In the major part of the Astroida, or corticiferous polypidoms, there is a central calcareous or horny axis, which may be compared to the wood of a tree, and which is formed by the successive deposition of layer over layer ; and this is coated or barked round with a living irritable flesh or jelly, thickened with calcareous matter, which has usually crystallized in the form of spicula. The cells of the poly- pes are excavated in this soft bark, on the surface of which they open by an aperture, which is always cut into eight rays disposed in a starred fashion, and corresponding to the number of the poly- pe’s tentacula ; and this aperture can be opened and shut at the pleasure of the inmates. In Alcyonium, although an asteroid, there is no solid axis, but there is an evident tendency to its formation ; the materials lie scattered in the form of spicula in the soft gelati- nous centre; and in the Cydonium these spicula have become so numerous, that they impart considerable rigidity to the whole mass. : The polypidoms of the Hydraform and Ascidian zoophytes are con- structed on very different plans. Were a botanical nomenclature allowable, we might express this difference by saying that those of the asteroid polypes are exogenous, seeing they are formed by the * Jt has been doubted whether this horny base is formed by the Actinia, but I quite agree with Dr Coldstream, that “ it is secreted by its base, and that it is as much part of the animal, in fact its skeleton, as are the calcareous axes of Caryophyllza, Fungia, &c., between which and the true Actinia, it seems to form a well-marked link.” See the Edin. New Phil. Journ. ix. p. 238. 442 Natural History of British Zoophytes. deposition of layer over layer, secreted from without ; while those of the tribes in question are endogenous, and receive all their incre- ment in thickness, from secretions deposited from within. When the material is calcareous or membrano-calcarevus, it is moulded into cells or short tubes, which are placed generally in apposition, and in one or two layers or series, and arranged in straight rows in a very regular manner, so that every cell alternates with the one at its side. This arrangement is very obvious in the Flustre, but it is not less real in Cellepora and Eschara, in which, by the cells being immersed, it is partly concealed. When, on the contrary, the material is horny, it is formed into tubular sheaths encasing the living flesh, jointed at intervals, sometimes of the same calibre throughout, but more commonly dilated at intervals into vases or cups, or cells, in which the proper body of the polype is placed. The manner in which the sheath or tube is divided and branched, is limited in diversity only by the number of the species, which are among the most delicate and interesting of all polypidoms, and pre- eminently imitative of vegetable forms. These forms are of course altogether independent of their animated tenants,—these “have been specifically appointed by Him to do what they have done, and are still effectuating. They are mere instrumentalities at His com- mand. They know nothing of the results they cause, nor mean to perform any of them, nor could of themselves co-operate with each other, nor produce any systematical arrangement, or regulated or orderly effects. It is their Master and Maker who organizes, go- verns, and guides them to those movements and operations which they perform, and from all others; so that by His directing will they are made to do what we see them effect, and that only, be- cause He restrains and averts them from all else.” * The formation of polypidoms has been the subject of considerable discussion. The opinion of Ellis, as we have already seen, was, that they are the result solely of a transudation, or excretion of the constituent matters from the body of the polypes, and this opinion has been maintained recently by Lamarck, and some other naturalists. It rests on the assumption that the polypidom is extravascular and inorganic, so that after its first solidification, it suffers no alteration in form and quality,.beyond what is evidently effected by the ope- ration of chemical and mechanical causes: the changes resulting from its increase in size, are not from the activity and pulsion of any inherent principle, but from the super-imposition of addi- tional layers, or from the additions of new cells, or from the pro- * Turner’s Sac. Hist. of the World, Vol. ii. p. 71. Natural History of British Zoophytes. 443 longation of the tubes, which additions are all coetaneous with the growth and multiplication of the polypes, and the results of new secretions. Linnzus, Pallas, and Baster opposed Ellis, and believ- ed in a vegetative principle, inherent in the polypidom itself, so that its growth was in some measure independent of the living ten- ant ; and various arguments have been brought forward by Bory de St Vincent, which appear to him to demonstrate the truth of this doctrine. Let us forget their reasonings, and take a concise review of the facts. The polypes of Pennatula and Alcyonium occupy cells, which are, as it were, immersed in a pulpous mass, containing a consider- able quantity of calcareous spicula, and which appears to be living and organized ; for if the naked stem of the Pennatula, or the sur- face of the Lobularia is irritated, a slow gradual contraction of the whole polypidom apparently proves that the irritation has been felt throughout ; and if left undisturbed for a time, the polypidom will be again distended, until its bulk exceeds by two or three times its dimensions in the collapsed state ; the increase in size being pro- duced by the introduction of water into the interior, and which has percolated, as has been shown, through the stomach and vasculiform appendages of the polypes. ‘The crust or bark of the Gorgoniz is identical in structure with the Alcyonium, and, like it, also a living part, capable of converting nutriment to its own nature, of repairing injuries and losses, and of forming new parts ; but so far from hav- ing anything in common—any aflinity with the proper polypidoms of the Hydroida and Ascidioda, this crust is in fact identical with the medullary pulp of the latter, and the very source of what Ellis and Lamarck would consider the inorganic polypidom.* For it is to be observed, that in the Asteroid (which includes Pennatula, Alcyonium and Gorgonia) the polypes and their medium of union are external or cortical ; there is strictly speaking no polypidom, but the part which a strict analogy teaches us to call so, is the central solid axis which gives form and firmness to the structure. Now, when we trace the formation of this axis through the various genera, from its first appearance in the form of scattered crystalline spicula, until it graduates inte a solid continuous rod, we can searcely doubt its inorganic and extravascular character ; it is the * Bose takes a different, and a strangely erroneous view: He conjectures that the polypes of these polypidoms may have excretory pores of two kinds,— one kind situated at the posterior part of the animal, to give exit to the juice which is converted into the horny axis ; the other kind placed in the collar to excrete the cretaceous or spongoid bark.—Vers, ii. 226. . 444 Natural History of British Zoophytes. crystallization of calcareous matter excreted by the living polypife- reus bark, and once excreted, beyond their power to change it, ex- cepting by the addition of material of the same quality. And to confirm this inference, anatomy lends its aid, for no structure of vessels or of cells in which fluids could circulate, can be detected in the axis; nor can any vessel be shown which can maintain a connection between it and the living pulp. There are certain discrepancies which might render it doubtful how far the same theory can be safely applied to explain the for- mation of the polypidoms of the Hydraform and Ascidian polypes : the axis of the corticiferous species is internal,—the polypidoms of the latter are always external ; the former is solid,—the latter are tubular sheaths or cells, and occupied with the polypes, or with the living pulp, of which the polypes are merely a developement. But the new position and form of these polypidoms has not altered their real nature, for, as in the preceding, their texture is homogeneous, like horn or shell, in which no vascular or cellular structure, simi- lar to that of organs growing by imbibition and assimilation, can be detected, nor can they be made to evince a sign of the lowest ir- ritability by the application of any stimulus. And further, be- tween the polypes, and their sheath or cells, there is no organical connection, and even no very close apposition in the hydracolous tribe, so that when the polype moves in its cell—whether to retreat within its cavity or expand itself beyond the rim—the cell suffers no change or alteration in shape or capacity ; it remains, under all the mutations of the lively and protzan inmate, invariably the same. Seeing, then, that they are undoubtedly extravascular, the ne- cessary inference seems to be, that the polypidoms in question can- not grow as a plant grows, but must be evolved from and moulded on a living basis,—and can be no other than an exudation from the surface of the living flesh: and, accordingly, it has been ascertain- ed by experiment, that if this fleshy substance is destroyed, no horny sheath or skeleton is formed. In the reproductive gemmule there are two substances, viz. the pulp and the thin cuticle or membrane, the latter of which is the germ of the future arborescent or cellular polypidom: by the growth of the pulp the membrane is distended and moulded into a cell, or pushed upwards in the form of a shoot, in which, after a time, the pulp is arrested in its growth longitu- dinally, and swells out, and is developed into an animated polype, furnished with tentacula, and with a mouth and digestive organs. Bursting the cell at the point which becomes the future aperture, Natural History of British Zoophytes. 445 it there displays its organs, and begins the capture of its prey ;* for, unlike higher organisms, the polype is at this the period of its birth as large and as perfect as it ever is at any subsequent period, the walls of the cell having become indurated and unyielding, and set- ting a limit to any further increase in bulk. The growth being thus hindered in that direction, the pulp, incessantly increased by new additions of nutriment from the polype, is constrained and forced into its original direction, so that the extremities of the cell or tube, which have remained soft and pliant, are pushed onwards, the downward shoot becoming a root-like fibre, and the upper con- tinuing3the polypidom, and swelling out as before, at stated inter- vals, into cells for the new developement of other polypes ; and just as the fleshy substance extends in either direction, upwards or ho- rizontally, it exudes from its surface “ a liquid albuminous matter, —at first soft and transparent, but which after a short time becomes consolidated, and, in proportion to the time it remains, becomes more and more dense.” ‘The polypidom then, however like unto certain vegetables in appearance, has, as Ellis said, nothing vegetable about it, but is entirely an animal production, and excreted by the ani- mated pulp which fills its whole interior. Ellis and his followers are only so far wrong, that they have attributed to the polypes themselves what is actually due to the pulp, whether medullary or cortical. The latter is that from which the polypidom is exuded ; for, indeed, the cell or crust always. precedes the existence of the polypus which is developed within it, while the polypidom is de- veloped from the gelatinous substance of the reproductive gemmules before any polypes begin to be formed, and it continues to be de- veloped and extended by the fleshy mass of the zoophyte, whether polypes are developed in the cells or not. ‘ There is but one life, and one plan of developement, in the whole mass ; and this depends not on the polypi, which are but secondary and often deciduous parts, but on the general fleshy substance of the body.” t * « The cell,” says Lamouroux, speaking of the Flustra, “is yet closed, but through the transparent membrane that covers its surface, the movements of a polypus may be perceived, who delays not to burst the enclosure of his little habitation ; then, exulting in the plenitude of existence, he exercises its func- tions, and by the assistance of twelve tentacula that surround his mouth, he gives a rotatory motion to the water, and involves in this diminutive whirlpool the animals on which he feeds.”—Corall, p. 48. + Grant’s Outlines of Comp. Anatomy, p. 14.—We take the opportunity of recommending this valuable work to every student of natural history. 44,6 Natural History of British Zoophytes. Additional Note. The only extensive series of experiments we have on the composition of Polypidoms are those of Mr Hatchett, published in the Philosophical Transac- tions for 1800, and the subsequent progress of zoological and chemical science requires a new investigation of the subject. The general results of Mr Hatch- ett’s experiments are, ‘that the Madrepores and Millepores are formed of a ge- latinous or membranaceous substance, hardened by carbonate of lime, the differ- ence consisting only in the mode in which these materials are combined: that in the Tubipora, Flustra and Corrallina, some phosphate of lime is mixed with the carbonate of lime: that in the Isis the basis is a regularly organized mem- branaceous, cartilaginous and horny substance, hardened by carbonate of lime, one species only (the Isis ochracea) yielding also a small proportion of phos- phate of lime. That the hardening substance of the Gorgonia nobilis is like- wise the carbonate of lime, with a small portion of phosphate; but that the matter forming the membranaceous basis consists of two parts, the interior being gelatinous, and the external a complete membrane, so formed as to cover the stem in the manner of a sheath or tube. That the other Gorgoniz consist of a horny stem coated by a membrane, whichis hardened by carbonate of lime. That the sponges are of a nature similar to the horny stems of the Gorgoniz, and only differ from these and from each other by the quality of texture. And lastly, that the Alcyonia are likewise composed of a soft flexible membranaceous sub- stance,'very similar to the cortical part of some of the Gorgoniz; and in like manner slightly hardened by carbonate, mixed with a small portion of phosphate of lime. “ From this mass of evidence we collect, in general, that the varieties of bone, shell, coral, and the numerous tribe of Zoophytes with which the last are con- nected, only differ in composition by the nature and quantity of the hardening or ossifying pritfciple, and by the state of the substance with which this princi- ple is mixed or connected; the gluten, or jelly, which cements the particles of carbonate or phosphate of lime, and the membrane, cartilage, or horny substance which serves as a basis, appearing to be only modifications of the same sub- stance, which progressively graduates from a viscid liquid, or gluten, into a ge- latinous substance, which again, by increased inspissation, and by the more or less perfect degrees of organic arrangement, forms the varieties of membrane, cartilage, and horn, which, it seems, form the peculiar differences of the several species.” Abst. Phil. Trans. i. 25-26. There is a very full analysis of Hatch- ett’s paper in Thomson’s Syst. of Chem. vy. p. 559, et seq. The paper itself will be found in Phil. Trans. abridg. xviil. p. 706. IV. Tue Britisn ZoopuyTes, DIVIDED INTO FOUR ORDERs. From what has been said in the preceding chapters, it seems to follow that the Polypidom, considered by itself, will prove a fallacious guide in any attempt to classify Zoophytes, if it is wished that that classification (and other classification we hold next to valueless) should give a correct representation of the structure of the animated tenants, and distribute these into groups characterized by a unifor- mity in thejleading traits of their anatomy. It is true, that La- Natural History of British Zoophytes. AAT mouroux and Lamarck entertained a very different opinion. The former, with feigned regret of the hopelessness of an anatomical method, and with a conviction of its inapplicability if attained, pro- ceeded to arrange and subdivide the class on the ground of differ- ences in the chemical composition of the polypidoms; and the latter, assuming that their cells and corals were an exact cast or mould of the features of the polypes, and hence that a sameness in the struc- ture and form of the one necessarily implied a correspondency in the structure of the other, invented a system which he has, with a com- placency that is almost ludicrous, pronounced to be in exact harmony with the march of nature in her creations, or, to use a language more becoming us, with that plan upon which the Author of Nature has apparently proceeded in calling his creatures into existence. We shall analyze these systems hereafter: it is at present sufficient to say, that the result of their labours has been a very preposterous combination of species and genera,—separating, in many cases, what is nearly affined, and, in other instances, assorting together what are most alien. There is indeed no safer course for the systematist than that pointed out more especiaily by Blainville: the anatomy of the polypes must be the basis of his primary divisions, while in the com- position of the polypidoms he may possibly find characters to discri- minate and circumscribe the secondary groups in the absence of that more certain knowledge which the comparative anatomist has yet failed to give him. On this principle we now attempt to classify the British Zoophytes, which it is proposed to divide, in the first place, into the following sub-classes and orders. * Sub-class I. Rap1iatEeD ZooPpHyTeEs. Body contractile in every part, symmetrical ; mouth and anus one ; always gemmiparous ? Order [. Hypro1pa. Polypes compound, rarely single and naked, the mouth encircled with roughish filiform tentacula; stomach with- out proper parietes ; intestine 0 ; anus 0; reproductive gemmules -pullulating from the body and naked, or contained in external ve- sicles. Polypidoms horny, fistular, more or less phytoidal, fixed, external. Marine, excepting Hydra, which is lacustrine. Order II. Asrrrorpa. Polypes compound, the mouth encircled with & fringed tentacula ; stomach membranous, with dependant vasculiform appendages ; intestine 0; anus 0; reproductive gem- mules produced interiorly. Polype-mass variable in form, free or * The classification indicated by Audouin and Milne- Edwards seems in exact harmony with the one here adopted. Recherches pour servir a Histoire Nat. du Littoral de la France, Vol.i. p. 73—6. 448 Notes on the Hawfinch. permanently attached, carnose, generally strengthened with a horny or calcareous axis enveloped with the gelatinous or creto-gelatinous crust in which the polype-cells are immersed, and which open on the surface in a starred fashion with eight rays. Marine. Order III. Hetranruorpa. Polypes single, free or permanently attached, fleshy, naked or encrusted with a calcareous Polypidom, the upper surface of which is crossed with radiating lamelle ; mouth encircled with tubulous tentacula; stomach membranous, plaited ; intestine 0; anus 0; ovaries in thread-like bundles, internal. Ma- rine. Sub-class II. Moituscan Zooruy Tes. _ Body non-contractile, and non-symmetrical ; mouth and anus separate ; always oviparous ? Order IV. Ascrpiorpa. Polypes aggregate, the mouth encircled with filiform ciliated retractile tentacula ; a distinct stomach, with a curved intestine terminating in an anus near the mouth ; ova in- ternal. Polypidoms very variable,—either horny, fistular and con- fervoid, or calcareous, membranous, or fibro-gelatinous, formed of cells connected and arranged in a determinate and usually quin- cuncial manner. Marine and lacustrine. To be continued. VI.—Notes on the Hawfinch (Coccothraustes vulgaris,’ Cuv.) as ob- served in the vicinity of Epping Forest. By Henry Dousie- DAY, Esq. By nearly all our writers on ornithology, the Hawfinch has been considered as only a visitor of the British Islands, and these visits have been supposed to be confined to the winter season, and to occur at rather uncertain periods. Situate in a locality where these birds abound, I have for some years past given close attention to their habits, and I can safely as- sert, that they are permanent residents, nor can I perceive any ad- dition to their numbers by the arrival of foreigners at any period of the year. Their extreme shyness has no doubt contributed to keep us in ignorance of their habits and economy: in ‘this trait they exceed almost any land bird with which I am acquainted, and in open places it it almost impossible to approach them within gunshot. Their principal food here appears to be the seed of the Hornbeam (Carpinus betula, Linn.) which is the prevailing species of tree in Epping forest ; they also feed on the kernels of the haws, plum- Notes on the Hawfinch. 449 stones, laurel-berries, &c. and in summer make great havoc amongst green peas in gardens in the vicinity of the forest. About the middle of April they pair, and in a week or two com- mence nidification. The situation of the nest is various, but is most commonly placed in an old scrubby whitethorn bush, often in a very exposed situation ; they also frequently build on the hori- zontal arms of large oaks, the heads of pollard hornbeams, in hollies, and occasionally in fir trees in plantations, the elevation of the nest varying from five to twenty-five or thirty feet. The most correct description of the nest which I have seen is in Latham’s Synopsis. It is there said to be composed of the dead twigs of oak, honeysuckle, &c. intermixed with pieces of grey lichen ; the quantity of this last material varies much in different nests, but it is never absent: in some it is only very sparingly placed among the twigs, in others, the greater part of the nest is composed of it ; the lining consists of fine roots and a little hair. The whole fabric is very loosely put together, and it requires considerable care to remove it from its situation uninjured. The eggs vary in number from four to six, and are of a pale olive green, spotted with black, and irregularly streaked with dusky. Some specimens are far less marked than others, and I have seen some of a uniform pale green. The young are hatched about the third week in May, and as soon as they are able to provide for themselves, they unite with the old birds, in flocks varying in numbers from fifteen or twenty to one or even two hundred individuals. In this manner they remain through the winter, feeding on the hornbeam seeds which have fallen to the ground, and only separate at the approach of the breeding season. I believe the male has no song worth notice: in warm days in March I have heard them, when a number have been sitting to- gether on a tree, uttering a few notes in a soft tone, bearing some resemblance to those of the bullfinch.’ The plumage of the young bears considerable resemblance to that of the young Greenfinch: the throat is bright yellow ; head, neck, and upper parts olive-brown ; the under parts paler, each feather tipped with brown. In winter the bill is a pinkish horn-colour, but becomes deep blue in the breeding season. Although so common in this neighbourhood, the hawfinch is but little known, which is to be attributed to its shy and retired habits, and I have little doubt it is found in most parts of the kingdom 450 On Hybrids produced in a Wild State where the hornbeam is abundant.* In this vicinity it seems rapidly increasing, and will probably ere long be equally common with its ally the Greenfinch. VII.—On Hybrids produced in a Wild State between the Black- Grouse (Tetrao tetrix,) and Common Pheasant (Phasianus Col- chicus.) By WiuLt1am THompson, Esq. Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History Society.t Havine lately heard that a hybrid bird, bred between the com- mon pheasant (Phasianus Colchicus, Linn.) and black grouse (Te- trao tetrix, Linn.) had been shot in Wigtonshire, and was preserved for Sir Andrew Agnew, Bart., M. P., through the medium of our mutual friend, Captain Foyrer, R. N., I proposed a few queries respecting it. Sir Andrew, on receiving these, thought an examina- tion of the specimen would prove more satisfactory than a mere reply, and, with the kindest consideration, sent the bird from Loch- naw Castle for my inspection. He states that it was shot in the autumn of 1835 in a wild state at Lochnaw, where it had been seen several times on the wing by persons who imagined it to be a wild turkey. Pheasants and black grouse are numerous in the surround- ing plantations ; but this is the only bird of the kind that has been observed. In four instances only am I aware of similar hybrids being re- corded. ‘The first is mentioned in White’s History of Selborne as a curious bird, shot in a coppice at the Holt, and sent by Lord Stawell for his inspection. Its parentage was not rightly conjectured by Mr White, nor even by several later authors who have endeavoured from his description to make it out. Ina note, however, to p. 344 of a late edition of this work (8vo ed. 1833), the Hon. and Rev. William Herbert mentions having seen the specimen in the collection of the Earl of Egremont at Petworth, andspeaks decisively to its true parent- age. The second specimen was exhibited at a meeting of the Zoo- logical Society of London on the 24th of June 1834, by Joseph Sabine, Esq. who stated that it was bred in Cornwall.{ The third, shot near Merrington, in Shropshire, was announced to the same Society on the 12th of May 1835, by T. C. Eyton, Esq. by whom it was described in some detail. In the preface to a subsequent * This is not the case, nor is it.a natural consequence to the abundance of the Hornbeam. ; + Read before this Society on Dec. 7, 1836, when the specimen from: the collection of Sir A. Agnew, Bart. was exhibited. t Proc. Zool. Soc. 1834, p. 52. § Ibid. 1835, p. 62. 3 between the Black Grouse and Common Pheasant. 451 publication, (“‘ History of the Rarer Species of British Birds,”) ° Mr Eyton informs us, that the brood to which this bird belonged consisted of five individuals, all of which were killed, though two only are preserved. In the same work, (p. 101,) the fourth, and last I know to be on record, is mentioned as having been obtained near Corwen, in Wales, and is in the possession of Sir Rowland Hill, Bart. There is not any notice of similar hybrids in the continental works which I have had an opportunity of consulting, and as Temminck is silent on the subject in his comprehensive publications, Histoire Naturelle Générale des Pigeons et des Gallinacés, and Manuel d’Ornithologie de Europe, such birds have most probably never been met with on the continent of Europe. Mr White’s description, with the exception of the “ legs” being “< bare of feathers” applies admirably to the present specimen. He observes, ‘‘ The shape, air, and habit of the bird, and the scarlet ring round the eyes, agreed well with the appearance of a cock pheasant, but then the head and neck, and breast, and belly, were of a glossy black ; and though it weighed 3lb. 330z., the weight of a large full-grown cock pheasant,* yet there were no signs of any spurs on the legs, as is usual with all grown cock pheasants, who have long ones. * * In the tail were no long bending feathers, such as cock pheasants usually have, and are characteristic of the sex. The tail was much shorter than that of a hen pheasant, and blunt and square at the end. The back, wing-feathers, and tail were all of a pale russet, curiously streaked.” With the little that is related of Mr Sabine’s bird, the present individual agrees, but differs much both in colour and dimensions from Mr Eyton’s speci- men. This latter is a female ; the one under consideration is pre- sumed to be a male. In the following table its dimensions are con- trasted with those of the cock pheasant and black-cock. Black . Cock. Hybrid. rah, In. Lines. In. Lines. In. Lines. Length, (total. ) : : 20 +0 25 3 34. OO of tail, : 2 M 9 O 19 O —_——__——— wing from carpus to end of longest quill, 99 10 3 oo _____—. pill above to first feathers on ridge, ; z 0 8 lanl 1.040 * Though the weight of the present specimen cannot now be determined, the size of the body, it may be remarked, is equal to that of the cock pheasant. + To centre of tail. 452 On Hybrids produced in a Wild State, &e. k , Cook, Hybrid eek In. Lines. In. Lines. In. Lines. Length of bill to rictus, te 2 Toad Bijan 4 ———__—— tarsus, OPEN D! 3: fll Bin, x middle toe, 1 10 Dy) 1 ll to nail, 0 8 On! Opa hind toe, 0 5 Or yaa 0 8 to nail, O 4 0 4 0 4 Fourth quill longest in hybrid and black-grouse ; 3d, 4th, and 5th equal in pheasant.* ‘l'ail of hybrid extending 53 inches beyond closed wing, rounded on expansion, containing 17 feathers, all but the longest being regularly matched, it has probably lost one; 18 is the number both in the pheasant and black-grouse. Bill in form differing only from the pheasant in having the upper mandible less arched. Tarsi and toes in form like the pheasant, but having many more plates ; tarsi, bare on the sides and behind, but feathered in front for half their length. Naked skin about the eye equalling in extent the pheasant’s, but differing in form both from it and the black-cock’s merely appearing in advance of the eye, but broadening out to the extent of half an inch just behind it. There is none above the eye as in the latter bird. Form of the feathers on the head, neck, breast, back, belly, and under tail-coverts, intermediate between the two spe- cies ; of the scapulars and wings approximating to those of the black grouse. The quills are similar,—those of the tail unlike either species. In colour the hybrid has head, neck, breast, and belly black, each feather when viewed in the light, terminating in a band of a rich claret colour tinged with gold, which decreases in breadth down- wards, until at the lower part of the belly it disappears. On lay- ing back the breast feathers, the inner ones exhibit about an inch or less from the tip, a somewhat semicircular band of a cream colour ; the inner feathers at upper part of the back similarly examined, shew the cream-coloured marking of the pheasant, the remainder of the feather black, terminating in a claret colour. Upper part of the back, wings, and tail, not resembling either sex of black-grouse or pheasant, but havea soft blending of grey, brownish-yellow, and black, beautifully undulated ; quills differing only from the black-cock’s in the shafts being blackish-brown. Tail-feathers obscurely undulated with black and brownish- yellow, and transversely barred with black, the bars on the outer feathers occupying as much space as the mot- tled plumage, their tips black for about 13 inches ; this colour gra- dually lessens towards the central feathers, the five longest being * By pheasant the male bird is meant throughout, when not otherwise ex- pressed. qd Descriptions of British Diptera. 453 mottled at their extremities. These present a singular reverse to the longest tail feathers of the pheasant, in which the bars become broader as they approach the end, but in this bird altogether disap- pear there. Some of the feathers on the wing-coverts have the shaft cream-coloured, with the centre black, ending in a point towards the tip, as in the pheasant ; but the cream-coloured band surrounding it.in that bird is wanting, and the extremity of the feather is mottled. The lower part of the back and rump has a blending in about equal quantity of black and mottled plumage, each feather terminating in claret colour. The only white in the plumage is a spot on the shoulders similar to that exhibited by both sexes of the black grouse, and a few of the vent feathers partially displaying it. Under tail-coverts black, mottled with rich reddish- brown at their tips. Bill intermediate between the greenish-horny colour of the pheasant and the black of the Tetrao tetrix. Tarsi and toes also intermediate. Mr Sabine and Mr Eyton describe their hybrids as bred between the cock pheasant and grey-hen, but that the produce is as likely to occur from the opposite sexes of these species, is indicated by the following circumstance: A black-cock, a few years since, in the possession of my friend, William Sinclaire, Esq. of Belfast, having been kept along with a cock and two hen pheasants, beat and drove away the cock whenever he approached the hens in spring, and, as a brood of pheasants was wanted, had to be removed to another en- closure. This black-cock at the same time displayed towards these hen pheasants all the attitudes by which, in a wild state, the atten- tion of the females of his own species is attracted, and his love-call, so loud as to be heard at a great distance, was almost incessantly uttered. He was a bird of the previous year, taken in autumn by John Sinclaire, Esq. on his shooting-grounds in Ayrshire, after hav- ing been “ put in” by one of his trained peregrine falcons. VIIL—Characters and Descriptions of the Dipterous Insects indige- nous to Britain. By James Duncan, M. W.S., &. &c. (Con- tinued from p. 368.) Grnus CHRYSOPS, Meig. ANTENN# longer than the head, projecting horizontally, some- what curved upwards at the tip ; three-jointed, the two lowest joints NO. V. Gg 454 Descriptions of British Diptera. cylindrical, equal, and pubescent, third elongate and tapering, di- vided into many rings, the four near the apex being generally most distinct, (Fig.1.); pal- pi pubescent, the first joint short, second long, and somewhat conical in both sexes, (Fig. 3, c) ; proboscis horizontal in the male, vertical in the female, rather slender, the terminal lobes elongated ; labrum long and pointed (Fig. 3, a.) ; eyes golden green, with spots and. bands of purple ; ocelli three ; tibia terminating in two minute spines ; wings half open when at rest, the anal cell scarcely closed at the inner margin. Besides several attributes peculiar to itself, the genus Chrysops (so named on account of the brilliancy of the eyes,) combines some of the separate characters of the preceding and following genera, and thus forms a connecting link between them. its affinity, how- ever, to Hzmatopota is much greater than to Tabanus, as it posses- ses, in common with the former, cylindrical antennz, palpi nearly alike in both sexes, and spines at the extremity of the tibie, besides presenting some other minor points of agreement. Its most strik- ing peculiarities are, the annulated appearance of the whole of the terminal joint: of the antenna, the presence of ocelli, and the obscure coloration of the wings, relieved by a few transparent pale-coloured patches. About a dozen species are known to inhabit Europe, but _ of these a very small proportion occur in Britain. In habits they are similar to the Tabani, and the larve, like those of the group just named, are said to live in the earth ; but this fact comprises all that is known in relation to their early condition. CHRYSOPS CACUTIENS. (s.) Meig. Latr. Macquart, Steph.—Tabanus cecutiens, Linn. De Geer, vi. 224. pl. 13, fig. 3. Donovan, iv. pl. 131. Male: black and pubescent ; hypostome yellow, but the ground colour almost concealed by two large shining black spots ; eyes with two dark-purple bands, the uppermost interrupted ; forehead black: thorax with reddish-yellow pubescence on the sides ; abdomen black, the second segment with a fulvous spot on each side ; under side dark brown, the two first segments yellow, with a brown central streak : legs black ; wings brownish-black, with a small hyaline spot near the middle, at the side of the discoidal cell, a light-coloured Descriptions of British Diptera. 455 triangular spot before the apex, and a streak of the same near the base. | Female: hypostome and forehead greyish-yellow, each of them with two shining black glabrous callosities ; antennze and palpi black ; the radical joint of the former inclining to fulvous at the base ; eyes golden-green, changing with the light, and marked with several angular spots of purple ; thorax shining black, clothed with reddish-yellow hairs, particularly on the sides, and having two faint abbreviated grey lines in front: abdomen with the first segment black, having a yellow spot on each side; second yellow, with two diverging black lines in the middle, enclosing a triangular yellow spot ; remainder black with yellow hairs: halteres and legs black, the basal joint of the hinder tarsi obscure red ; wings brownish- black, with a large pale hyaline spot at the base, not reaching the anterior margin, and another at the apex. 4—4} lines (Fig. 2.) The above description applies to the most ordinary states of this fly, but it is one of the kinds which appear in a great variety of as- pects. In the state most widely removed from the above, it is of small size (33 lines,) clothed with long pubescence, especially on the hypostome and two lower joints of the antennez, and the colour entirely black, the pubescence on the belly alone inclining to ferru- ginous. Several intermediate varieties occur, connecting these two extremes, a circumstance which disinclines us to regard any of them as specifically distinct. These varieties are almost exclusively males, the characters of the other sex being much more constant. ‘Tosome of them may be referred the insects described under the names of Chry. lugubris and viduatus, Fab., C. consimilis, Steph. &c. The females of this pretty fly are of occasional occurrence seem- ingly in all parts of Britain, and in many parts of England they may be regarded as common. ‘The males are comparatively seldom met with, and both sexes become scarcer as we advance northwards. Of the black variety we have seen only one or two examples, males, which were taken in Sutherlandshire and in the south of Scotland.. «* Cambridgeshire, males rare,” Rev. Leonard Jenyns. “ Stocton- upon-Tees, Cambridge,” Charles C. Babington, Esq. “ Wittlesea Mere, &c. &c.” T. C. Dale, Esq. ‘ Dumfries-shire, vicinity of Jar- dine Hall, common.” Str William Jardine, Bart. CHRYSOPS RELICTUS. Chrys. viduatus, Fallen. Meig. Klass. tab. ix. fig. 12. Tabanus cecutiens, Panz. Fauna Germ. xiii. 24. Tab. nubilosus, Harris Expos. pl. vii. fig. 5. About the size of the preceding species, or somewhat larger: hy- postome and forehead yellow, with black spots, as in C. carcutiens ; 456 Descriptions of British Diptera. antenne black, with the base yellow ; palpi testaceous: thorax and scutellum greyish, the former with three black lines on the back, and the sides yellow: abdomen yellow, the first segment black in the centre, the second with two connivent black spots of a triangu- lar shape, the remainder black, with a yellow posterior border, which is dilated in the middle and on the sides ; under side dull yellow, the base of the segments suffused with brown: thighs dark brown ; tibia rufous, the anterior with the upper half brown; tarsi like- wise rufous, the whole of the anterior pair and the apex of the joints in the rest dusky. Rather a scarce species, at least in the more northern parts of the country ; it is common in the north of France, and will pro- bably not be rare in some of the southern counties of England. “ Occurs in Cambridgeshire, but is much less common than C. cecutiens.” Rev. Leonard Jenyns. “ Cambridge,” Charles C. Bab- ington, Esq. ‘ Near London,” Stephens’s Catal. “ Ireland.” A. H. Haliday, Esq. CuRYSOPS PICTUS. ‘Meig. Zwei. ii. 70. Macquart, Dip. du Nord de la France, 166.—-Chry. viduatus, Var. Meig. Klass.i. 158, 2. : Very similar to the foregoing, but differing in several important characters. Hypostome and forehead greyish-white, with several glabrous black spots, as in the other species ; palpi and antennae testaceous ; the terminal joint of the latter dusky, except at the base: thorax shining black, with three longitudinal greyish lines, the sides reddish ; scutellum black: abdomen with the first seg- ment yellow on the sides, and black round the scutellum ; the second yellow, with a small triangular, or rather slightly lunate black spot on its middle; third yellow, with a transverse black fascia broadest towards the middie, but having its centre emar- ginate behind ; the remaining segments black, with the hinder mar- gin yellow: legs yellow, the thighs and last joints of the tarsi black. The wings do not differ much from those of C. cecutiens, but the dark clouds are less opaque, particularly the apical one, and not covering so much of the wing. 44 lines. For a notice of this species, which we have now the pleasure to describe, for the first time, as a British insect, we are indebted to Charles C. Babington,. Esq. who met with it in Monkswood, Hunts, June 23, 1829. The above description applies to the female only, the other sex does not appear to have hitherto been noticed by en- tomologists. Descriptions of British Diptera. * 457 Genus HAXAMATOPOTA, Meg. Antenne longer than the head, radical joint rather long and pu- bescent, elliptical in the males, subcylindrical in the females ; se- 5 cond joint short, cup- shaped, and pubescent ; third naked, elongate and tapering, divided in- to four rings, the first. of which is longer than all the rest taken together, (Fig. 1;) palpi two- jointed and pubescent ; first joint short, second long and conical ; labrum narrow and pointed, nearly as long as the labium ; hypostome with an impressed cross line just beneath the antenne, and a vertical one on each side ; eyes of the male meeting above, the forehead of the female very wide, (Fig. 4 ;) ocelli wanting ; thorax with a cross suture in- terrupted in the middle ; abdomen somewhat conical in the male ; winglets small, not covering the halteres ; tibiz in the intermediate paiy of legs, with two small spines at the tip ; wings lying along the body, and forming a kind of roof over it ; second submarginal cell, with the rudiment of a nerve at the base ; the anal cell ex- tending to the inner edge, (Fig. 5.) The port of the wings, and their speckled appearance, distinguish these insects at first sight from the rest of the Tabanide. Very few kinds are known, and it is even probable that some of those now regarded as species, are not entitled to such a distinction. The fe- males are even more blood-thirsty than the rest of their tribe, and are often extremely troublesome both to men and cattle, particular- ly in warm showery weather, a circumstance which has caused the name pluvialis to be applied the most common species. The males -are seldom seen, and their numbers seem to be remarkably few in proportion to those of the other sex. They appear to subsist en- tirely on the juices of flowers, and in conformity with their in- noxious habits, the oral organs are found to be much less deve- loped than in the female. The natural history of these insects in their early states is unknown. Fabricius states that the larve live in dung. H2MATOPOTA PLUVIALIS (s.) Tabanus pluvialis, Zinn. Fabr. De Geer, tab. 13, fig. 1,2. Hemat. pluvialis, Meig. Latr. Fallen.— Reaumur, iv. pl. 18, fig. 1. Tab. hyeomantis ¢ Shrank. Female: eyes green, with transverse undulating purple-brown 458 Descriptions of British Diptera. bands ; antennz black, the base of the terminal joint sometimes yellowish, the two lower joints not very hairy, and varying some- what in their relative proportions :* palpi and hypostome light ash- grey, the latter with black points at the sides, and four remote black spots towards the middle, two of them deeply impressed, and placed at the lower end of the vertical line ; forehead grey, with a smooth shining-black space just over the antenne, two velvety-black round- ed spots behind it, and a smaller one 4n the middle; the latter sometimes obsolete ; thorax blackish-brown, with greyish-white lon- gitudinal lines, some of them having a whitish spot near the mid- dle; sides of the breast ash-grey, hairy : abdomen dark brown, the hinder margin of the segments, a dorsal line, and a series of faint spots on each side, light grey ; on each segment, beside the lateral spots, there is a short oblique line of small impressed points: un- der side brownish-grey ; thighs grey ; tibize black, reddish-yellow at the base in the anterior legs, and encircled with two broad rings of that colour in the others ; tarsi black, the radical joint reddish- yellow at the base, except in the fore-legs: halteres yellowish- white, the knob with a brown spot: wings greyish-brown, with a dark stigmatic spot, the surface variegated with numerous whitish spots and undulating lines, many of them circular, and one of them forming a short transverse band near the apex. (Fig. 3.) Male: eyes greyish-green, the lower part purplish-brown, with undulating yellowish lines: forehead consisting of a small triangu- lar space, on which there is a callosity, and a grey dot: thorax and abdomen with similar markings to those of the female, the three first segments of the abdomen spotted at the outer side with tawny yellow. This insect occurs in great plenty throughout Britain and Ive- land. In Scotland it is called the Cleg, or Gleg, aterm derived from the Danish word klaeg. It is by far the most troublesome of the Ta- banide, both on account: of its numbers, and its persevering and incessant attacks. The great variations in the proportions of the joints of the antenne, have been thought to indicate distinction of - species, and several have accordingly been established. But this circumstance alone is obviously insufficient, in this instance, to be assumed as a satisfactory proof of specific difference, for the varia- tions seem to be almost without end. Thus, the H. equorum of * The radical joint has frequently a constriction towards the apex, sometimes so strongly marked as to present the appearance of a separate articulation. It was no doubt this circumstance that deceived Reaumur, and led him to represent the antennae as 4-jointed.—See Vol. iv. pl. 18, fig. 2. Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. 459 Fab. has assigned as its characters the thickness of the lower joints of the antennz, with the addition, “ nigricans, abdominis segmen- tis tribus anticis lateribus rufis, alis albo-punctatis ;” properties which are common to nearly all the males of H. pluvialis. A small and dark-coloured variety has been named by Mr Curtis H. hirsuta, in regard to which, however, it is worthy of remark, that both sexes have occurred, a female having been taken by Mr Dale near Loch Rannoch in July 1825. He Italica, figured by Mr Curtis, from its superior size, looks more distinct ; it was taken at Southend, Mer- sey Isle, Essex, by Mr Churchill. Numerous other modifications in the appearance of this fly might be mentioned ; but it is better to consider this tendency to variation as part of its specific cha- racter, than to indicate the varieties as essentially and permanently distinct. It might be worth while, however, to examine the eyes in living specimens, as any marked dissimilarity in the colour and markings of these organs would afford more distinctive and satisfac- tory characters than any hitherto detected. (To be continued.) 1X.— Contributions to the Natural History uf Ireland. By Wi- L1AM THompson, Esq. Vice-President of the Natural History Society of Belfast. No. I. Sterna stolida.— Larus Sabinii.— Cygnus Benickii. * STERNA sToOLipA, Linn. In March 1833, when looking over the collection of Irish birds belonging to Thomas W. Warren, Esq. of Dublin, I perceived, to my great surprise, amongst them (though passing merely under the name of Black Tern, on account of the dark hue of its plumage,) a specimen of the Sterna stolida. On being informed that this bird had been received as Irish from William Massey, Esq. of the Pi- geon-House, and that his collection contained a second specimen, I waited on this gentleman to make inquiry respecting them. In May 1834 he informed me, that in the summer about four years since, he was favoured with the two specimens in question by the captain of a vessel, who stated that they had been shot in his pre- sence a few days before, between the Tusker Light-House, off the coast of Wexford, and Dublin Bay. That only a few days had elapsed since these birds were killed was apparent, not only to Mr Massey himself, (who, frem occasionally preserving birds for his * Part of a paper read before the Linnean Society of London on April 15 and June 3, 1834. 460 Contributions to the own collection, is conversant with such subjects,) but to Mr Glen- nan, the bird. preserver, by whom they were set up. Their having been skinned by an unskilful person, who left some of the flesh ad- hering te the skin without applying any preservative to it, proved their comparatively recent state to more than one sense. The history of these birds, as just given, was related to me when I first saw them ; but I did not feel myself warranted in thus bring- ing it forward, without having the direct testimony of Mr Massey. Both specimens are in mature plumage. This is, I believe, the first record. of the occurrence of the S. stolida in Europe. Larus SaBINII. On the present occasion I have not only the high satisfaction of enriching the British Fauna, by adding to it the beautiful Larus Sabinii, so lately discovered, but of describing the species in the plumage of the first year, in which attire it has never come under the inspection of the ornithologist. The bird now exhibited was shot in Belfast Bay, on the 18th September 1822, by the late John Montgomery, Esq. of Locust Lodge, who carefully preserved it, under the impression that it was an individual of the closely allied species [.arus minutus, by which name it was distinguished, when presented in April 1833 to the Natural History Society of Belfast. Mr Montgomery informed me, that from the diminutive size, &c. of this bird when first seen by him, he had no doubt of its rarity. It was so unwary as to alight once or twice within twenty yards of him ; but, to avoid disfiguring it, he fired from so great a distance, that it was only at the third shot eventually obtained. That the species is regardless of the report of a gun, was witnessed by Cap- tain Sabine in its breeding haunts, within the arctic circle, as he states, that “‘ when one bird of a pair was killed, its mate, though frequently fired at, continued on wing close to the spot where it lay.” Although the Larus Sabini closely approximates the Larus mi- nuius in general appearance, the plumage of the first year, as well as that of maturity, being very similar in both species, the superior size of the L. Sabinii, its tail being forked to the depth of an inch, and the comparatively greater length of its tibia and tarsus, may always (even in a preserved state) afford sufficient specific distine- tion. In the form of the tail, the L. Sabini approaches the typical species of Sterna more nearly than its congener, the L. minutus. The latter, however, resembles that genus more in the form of the bill, and in the dimensions of the tarsus and tibia. In this specimen of the L. Sabinzz, in the autumnal plumage of the Natural History of Ireland. 461 first year, the forehead, space immediately above the eye, and be- tween it and the bill, (with the exception of the narrow ‘line of greyish-black closely encircling the front and lower part of the eye,) upper part of the throat, and sides of the neck are white ; crown, nape, and back of the neck, blackish-grey ; back, scapulars, greater and lesser wing-coverts, blackish-grey, tinged with yellowish-brown, the extremity of every feather varying from greyish-white to white, as it approaches the tail ; under part of the throat and upper part of the breast, pale ash-colour ; lower breast and all the under plum- age, white ; shafts of the first 6 primaries brownish-black at base, becoming gradually darker towards the extremity, where they are black in the first 3, but in the 4th, 5th, and 6th assimilate in co- lour to the feather at that part, which is white ; the entire of the outer webs of the first 5 black ; the inner webs, with a broad edging of white, to within from one to two inches of the end, which part is black in the first 3, but tipped with white in the 4th and 5th ; in the 6th the inner web is white, the outer black, excepting for three or four lines from the tip, where it is white, and again, at about an inch from the end, where a white spot of an oval form ap- pears.* Feathers of the tail 12 in number, white, with black tips ; in the two shortest the latter colour extends upwards of an inch from the end, in the outer web especially ; of the other feathers, the black prevails in a less degree as they increase in length ; upper and under tail-coverts white. Length, (total) - = - 12 inches. 0 lines. of tail, = a. . 4 9 wing from carpus to end of Ist quill, 10 0 bill from forehead to point, - 0 10 bill from rictus to point, - - 1 5 tibia bare of feathers from the tarsal joint for 0 9 tarsus, = = = 1 4 middle toe and nail, - - I Ik outer toe and nail, = : 1 1 inner toe and nail, = = 0 gz hinder toe + and nail, = - 0 2 Depth of fork of tail, - “ - 1 0 In the museum of the Royal Dublin Society, I lately observed, * This marking of the 6th primary is just the opposite of that observed by Mr Sabine in some mature specimens, in which its prevailing colour was white, “* with sometimes a black spot near the end.” Dr Richardson has remarked, in the Fauna Bor. Amer., that this primary is subject to variation. + This is placed so high that the point of the nail does not reach within 14 lines of the ground. 462 Contributions to the without having any label attached so it, a second specimen of Larus Sabinii. Upon inquiry from Mr Wall, the very obliging curator (who treasured the bird as a rarity, though he had not ascertained its species,) I learned that it had been shot by himself in Dublin Bay, near to Kingstown, a few years before, but he could not recol- lect at what season. The stage of plumage, however, affords sufh- cient evidence that it was killed in autumn, being a bird of the first year, and similar in appearance to the specimen in the Belfast Museum. The occurrence of only two specimens of this Gull within the Eastern Hemisphere, has hitherto been recorded, both of which were obtained by Captain Sabine at Spitzbergen. Cyenus Bewicku, Yarr. In the winter of 1829-80, a specimen of the Cygnus Benicku, shot, I believe, in Lough Neagh, was brought to Belfast market. It was purchased for the Natural History Society of that town, and set up for their museum, the sternum, trachea, &c. being carefully preserved. In February 1830, a flock containing seven of these swans alighted in a flooded meadow near Belfast, when they were shot at, and two of them so disabled by the one discharge, as to be after some difficulty secured. They were bought by my friend William Sinclaire, Esq. ; and on their wounds being found so trivial, as merely to incapacitate them from flight, were placed in his aquatic mena- gerie, where, in company with many other species of wild fowl, chiefly Anatide, they have ever since remained. On March 13, 1830, another specimen of C. Bewickii appeared in our market, and met with a purchaser in my friend Richard Langtry, Esq., who has it preserved in his collection. On a comparison of the first mentioned individual, with the de- scription of Cygnus’ Bemickii by Mr Yarrell,* Mr Selby, + and Sir William Jardine, { I found the internal structure to agree, but in the external characters, there was one important difference, the number of tail-feathers being 20 instead of 18, as specified by these distinguished ornithologists. The result of this discrepancy induced me in February last to examine Mr Sinclaire’s birds, which I did, with the assistance of that gentleman. These individuals differed from the descriptions above referred to in the following * Linnean Transactions, Vol. xvi. p. 445. et seq. + Illustrations of British Ornithology, letter- press to, pro tempore, p. 119. { Jardine and Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology, part 6. Natural History of Ireland. 463 characters :—In the number of tail-feathers, which in both birds amounted to 20 ;* in the irides, those of both birds being blackish instead of orange-yellow. The feathers on the forehead and region of the eyes were white, though the plumage of these parts was of a rust colour when the birds were captured. The two preserved specimens also have this rust colour about the head, but do not, like the immature birds described by Mr Yarrell, exhibit the least ap- pearance of it on “ the under surface of the belly.” This part of the plumage being white, hence we may conclude, that the speci- mens under consideration were older than those so described by that gentleman, and that the head of the C. Bemicki retains the reddish plumage for a longer period than the under parts. Mr Yarrell has correctly remarked, that the plumage of the C. Bewicki is “ ul- timately pure white ;’ but Sir Wm. Jardine and Mr Selby have as- sumed that the ferruginous markings on the head are permanent, as they are thus described in their specific characters of this swan, ‘« fronte genisque ferrugineo maculatis.” In one of the living birds there is not even, up to the present time. the slightest appearance of a tubercle or knob at the base of the upper mandible. This swan seems to be a female ; her neck, whether on land or water, is always borne in such a manner as to appear much shorter than that of her companion: the yellow of her bill also is of a pale lemon-colour, whilst that of the other bird is orange: there are also such other differences observable as serve to distinguish the sexes of swans and geese in a living state. I1n conclusion, I shall only remark, that these swans were similar in length and breadth, each being 3 feet 10 inches from the point of the beak to the extremity of the tail, and 6 feet 4 inches across the wings: that the tubercle on the bill of the assumed male has not during four years increased in size ; and that this ridge of the upper mandible in the assumed female is black from base to point, a small patch of pale-yellow, irregular in outline, appearing on the sides only of that mandible, about 3 lines from the base ; the yellow colour is indeed differently disposed on the bills of all the four specimens. Mr Sinclaire informs me, that every spring and autumn since he has had these swans, they have regularly, about the months of March and September, become very restless, and for the period of at least three weeks, have wandered from the enclosure within which they are contented to remain all the rest of the year. In disposi- * In the Fauna Bor. Amer. part 2, p. 465, a specimen killed at Iglvolik is described as having 18 tail-feathers, and the irides of an orange colour. 464 Contributions to the tion, they are timid and extremely gentle, and never attempt to molest any of the wild fowl confined in the same pond with them, though all of these are their inferiors in strength and size. Their call, chiefly uttered at the migratory periods, is a low deep-toned whistle, once repeated. On the water, the carriage of the Cygnus Bewicki is intermediate in its character between that of the mute swan and common goose ; but if these birds exhibit not the grace and majesty of the former on this element, they appear to much more advantage on the land, where, by choice, they spend the greater portion of their time. The Museum of the Royal Dublin Society contains a specimen of the Cygnus Bewickii (though not so labelled) which was shot in November 1830, on the west of Ireland. It exhibits the rust-co- lour on the head, indicative of immaturity. In the collection of William Massey, Esq. of the Pigeon House, Dublin, 1 recognized another individual of this species, in the immaculate plumage of maturity. This was, along with a second specimen, killed by Mr Massey, out of a flock of five, in Dublin bay, on the 18th December 1829. The Cygnus Benickiu has not before been recorded as oc- curring in Ireland. I subjoin the following notes, made subsequent to June 3, 1834, when the last part of this paper was read : Larus SaBinit. ‘«« A third specimen of this bird occurred last autumn in Ireland. It was shot on or about September 15, 1834, on the shore of Belfast Bay, near Claremont, the residence of Mr Clewlow, in whose pos- session it now is. It is a young bird of the year, and in plumage _similar to the other two individuals of this species, which I had the satisfaction of announcing to the Linnean Society, last year, as having been obtained in Ireland.”* The dimensions of this bird, taken in the same manner, and compared with those of the indivi- © dual above described, exhibit but one difference at all worthy of notice ; its first quill being longer than the second, though the se- cond slightly exceeds the first, in the latter specimen. Cyenus BEwWICKII. June 1834. On a fine sheet of water, in the demesne of the Marquis of Sligo, at. Westport, county of Mayo, I observed a swan * Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London for 1835, p. 83. Natural History of Ireland. 465 of this species, in mature plumage, but could not learn any parti- eulars of its capture. January 5, 1836. William Sinclaire, Esq. informs me, that he heard of two “strings” of wild swans, consisting of twenty-eight birds, having been seen yesterday atthe bog-meadows, near Belfast ; and that he to-day saw a string of nineteen, flying with extreme slowness, from the direction of Belfast Bay, to the same place: from their call, though somewhat hoarser, being like that of the individuals in Mr Sinclaire’s possession ; and from their ap- parent similarity in size, he was fully satisfied that they were the Cygnus Bewickhit. Dublin, February 5, 1836. In a letter to me of this date, Ro- bert Ball, Esq. mentions having recently got three specimens of Cygnus Bewickiu ; two of which were shot in the county Fermanagh, and a third he bought in Dublin market ; along with the last, there was another exposed for sale, but he could not ascertain where they were killed. March 17, 1836. I examined a specimen of Cygnus Benicki, which'was shot at Lough Beg, adjoining Lough Neagh, on the 12th instant. Its length is 3 feet 9 in.; tail feathers 20; knob in bill very small ; feathers on forehead deep rust colour ; on sides of head tinged with pale rust-colour at their extremities ; tips of feathers on breast and entire under surface of belly of a rust-colour, so ex- tremely pale, as to have the appearance merely of being soiled ; bill pale orange on the ridge, as far as nostrils: on the sides, this colour advancing a little farther, thence to tip black. On dissection, it proved a female. Its stomach was filled with minute seeds and gra- vel. As I have, during the last two months, heard of flocks of wild swans being frequently seen on Lough Neagh, there is little doubt that they have been there since first observed in January, and that they will most probably remain until the period of their vernal mi- gration. The five remaining birds of the flock, out of which Mr Sinclaire’s specimens were obtained in 1830, went off in the direc- tion of Lough Neagh, and a similar number, presumed to be the same individuals, were a few days afterwards seen in the flooded meadows, where they had been fired at. This is mentioned, simply to show their continuance in the neighbourhood. Although the Cygnus Bewickii is considered to visit England less commonly than the Cygnus ferus, it is certainly of more fre- quent occurrence than this species in Ireland. 466 Description of two new species of Opuntia. X.— Description of two new species of Opuntia ; with remarks on the Structure of the Fruit of Rhipsalis. By Rev. J. S. Hensuow, M. A. Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge. Sp. 1. Opuntia Darninit,—prostrata, articulis globoso-ovatis, aculea- rum validioribus elongatis tricuspdiatis, floribus magnis solitariis. Plate XIV. Fig 1. Tue terminal articulation (the only one seen) globoso-ovate, with distant areole beset with short tomentum, and those towards the anterior extremity with four to six stiff spines of various lengths, of which the stoutest are one and a half inches long, evidently formed out of three combined, and whose points are free, so that the compound spine appears compressed and tricuspidate. They most- ly point forward,"but some spread in all directions. Flowers soli- tary, larger than the articulations which they terminate, yellow. Perianth of six whorls, each of five parts, gradually passing from the form of small fleshy bracteal scales to membranous petaloid seg- ments ; spirally arranged at somewhat more than the fifth of a cir- cle asunder, so as to:form five distinct secondary spirals, correspond- ing to.as many, formed by the areole on the fleshy tube investing and surmountingtheovarium. These areolz are placed upon slight tuber- cular elevations, each bearing a small fleshy bracteal scale, in whose axil is a tuft of yellow tomentum, and those on the upper extremi- ty are also furnished with about half a dozen stiff acicular spines. The*segments of the perianth pass gradually from the ovate-apicu- late bracteal form of those in the outermost whorl to the cuneatu- obcordate, and slightly mucronate petaloid form of those in the in- nermost, (Fig. 6.) Stamens numerous, covering the inner paries of the fleshy tube, (Fig. c.) Style remarkably stout, cylindrical, with nine thick ra- diating stigmata, reaching above the fleshy tube, and a little beyond the uppermost stamens. Ovarium, a small cell, the width of the style, surrounded by the very thick fleshy walls of the lower part of tube or floral receptacle. The character of the herbage appears to agree with that of Caclus moniliformis, Lin., which De Candolle places in his division Opuntiacex of the genus Cereus; and of which division he says, “ An genus proprium inter Cereos et Opuntias medium ?” The flowers of our plant, however, are strictly those of an Opuntia. In assigning the character of “ tubum supra ovarium nullum” to Opuntia, De Candolle must consider the whole of the fleshy tubular portion of the receptacle to which the stamens are at- 4. i Description of two new species of Opuntia. 467 tached as part of the ovarium, which, inceed, it appears to be, when seen from the outside of the flower, but in a transverse section (Fig. c.) is evidently prolonged above it. I have named this interesting Cactus after my friend C. Darwin, Esq. who has recently returned to England, after a five years ab- sence, on board his H. M.S. Beagle, whilst she was employed in surveying the southernmost parts of South America. The speci- men figured was gathered in the month of J anuary, at Port Desire, lat. 47°. S.in Patagonia. He recollects also to have seen the same plant in flower as far south as Port St Julian in lat. 49°. S. It is a small species growing close to the ground on arid gravelly plains, at no great distance from the sea. The flowers had one day arrest- ed his attention by the great irritability which their stamens mani- fested upon his inserting a piece of straw into the tube, when they immediately collapsed round the pistil, and the segments of the pe- rianth soon after closed also. He had intended to procure fresh specimens on the following day, and returned to the ship with the one now figured, but unfortunately she sailed immediately after- wards, and he was prevented from obtaining any more. The geo- graphical position of this species is beyond the limits hitherto as- signed to any of the order, which are not recorded as growing much south of the tropic of Capricorn. The climate is remarkably dry and clear, hot in summer, but with sharp frosts during the winter nights. He found Cacti both abundant and of a large size, a little further to the north at Rio-Negro in latitude 41°. S. Sp. 2. Opuntia galapageia.—articulis compressis (saltem junioribus) obovato-rotundis, aculeis setiformibus, longis, penicillatim dispo- sitis, lanugine supra ovarium densa. Plate XIV. Fig. 2. I am also indebted to Mr Darwin for this second Cactus, of which he brought home in a dry state the specimens here figured. He found it at the Galapagos islands, where it attains to the form of a tree, averaging from six to ten feet high, and about a foot in diame- ter, perfectly cylindrical or very slightly tapering. The bark is pale-coloured, and in old trees hangs in a ragged manner upon the trunk, which is covered with very strong sharp spines, five to ten of which are set in each fasciculus, in a radiatory manner. From the summit of the trunk numerous branches spread on all sides, somewhat in the manner represented by Fig. f-, taken from a very rude sketch of Mr Darwin’s. He states these branches to be composed of com- pressed, rounded, oval articulations, each of which is about one foot in length, wholly without the true spines found on the trunk ; but 468 Description of two new Species of Opuntia. with numerous scattered fasciculi of long elastic bristles strongly resembling hogs’ bristles. Flowers solitary small, like those of O. Hernandezi, a few toge- ther on the edges of the articulations, (Fig. 6 ) red, with the lanu- go in the areola on the ovarium dense, especially towards the upper parts, and with a dense tuft also surrounding its base. Outermost segmentsof the perianth somewhat scarious, cuneato-obcordate, with an apex, theinnermost membranaceous petaloid obovate, emarginate, with a slight mucro. Stamens very numerous and crowded, covering the whole inner surface of thetube. Style cylindrical, stout, (flex- uous ?) with eight stigraata, which are thick, erect, and closely ap- pressed. - This species grows in the lower regions of James’s Island, one of the Galapagos, where the soil is extremely arid and rocky, and where it is the only plant of sufficient magnitude to afford any shade, the next in size forming nearly leafless bushes. The want of water is very great, and the succulent branches of these trees are eagerly devoured by the large tortoises from which the islands have received their name, by large lizards which also abound, and by va- rious other animals. Mr Darwin considers that they are occasionally furnished with a supply of this food from branches broken off by the. wind. He found that lizards four feet in length were easily enticed, whenever he threw them a piece of a branch, and small birds would come within a few feet of him and peck at the one extremity, whilst the lizard was eating at the opposite end. Another Cactus was observed in these islands with the habit of Cereus peruvianus, but which does not attain to more than two or three feet in height. It is the first plant that takes possession of the newly formed beds of lava. Not finding it in fower, Mr Darwin did not preserve a specimen. Explanation of the Figures. Fig. I. (a) an articulation with a flower; (b) a petal; (ce) a longitudinal section of the flower, shewing the position of the sta- mens, &c. All of the natural size. Fig. II. (a) part of a large articulation, with a young one at- tached to it ; (b) four flowers, one expanded, and three in bud, seated on the edge of an articulation ; (c) a longitudinal section of a flower bud enlarged ; (d) a sepal or outer segment of the pe- rianth ; (e) a petal or inner segment ; (f) a rough sketch of 2 tree. All, except c and fy of the natural size. 3 Remarks on the structure of the Fruit of Rhipsalis. 469 On the Structure ‘of the Fruit of Rhipsalis. The fruit of Rhipsalis has been considered to possess a different structure from that of all other Cactex,.in having placentz in the axis of the berry instead of on the paries, and the berry itself has also been considered as probably trilocular, whilst those of all other genera in the order are unilocular. Hence De Candolle has placed it in a separate tribe, his Rhipsalidee, expressing, however, some doubts about the accuracy of the observations upon which he has founded his arrangement. In his last memoir on the Cactex (1834,) he separates Rhipsalis salicornioides from the rest, under the generic name of Hariota ; and in that species he states that he had ascer- tained the ovary to be unilocular, and the placentz parietal. I have lately had an opportunity of examining the fruit of Rhipsalis cas- sytha in all stages of its growth, and can safely assert that both suppositions, of its being trilocular and having central placente, have originated in a mistake. When the fruit is ripe, the seeds are nestled'in the midst of a very liquid pulp, and are no longer attached to any part ; but in earlier stages of its growth, they are found to adhere in double rows upon three placentz, disposed lon- gitudinally on the paries. At’ first sight there is a deceptive ap- pearance of three dissepiments, or at least of three inwardly pro- jecting placentz, to the innermost extremities of which the seeds are attached; but further examination shews this to arise, mere- ly from the close agglomeration of the funicular chords (see Fig. A;) which stretch from the paries towards the axis, and from whose extremities the ovules are suspended in a reversed position. The placentz themselves scarcely form any projection on the paries, as is very evident in some cases where’ many of the ovules have become abortive ; A and, indeed, several are so in all cases, and then appear as small brown spots attached to the paries. It seems to me likely that the watery pulp in which the seeds are nestled in this and other genera of the order is derived from the super-developement of the cellular tissue’ of the funicular chords. The whole coat of the berry, form- ed by the union of the calyx tube and pericarp, is very succulent, but the interior pulp is much more so ; and-this does not appear any way connected with, or to originate from the inner coats of the pericarp, but in the way here suggested. Be this as it may, itris sufficiently evident that the ovary and fruit of Rhipsalis are strictly unilocular with parietal placente, as in all other Cactex, and, con- sequently, it'is necessary that the tribe Rhipsalidex should be sup- pressed. NO. V. oh SIR REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS. Histoire Naturelle des Iles Canaries.—Par MM. P. BarKenr- Wess et SasBin BERTHELOT. 4to. avec Atlas in Fol, Livs. i. vii. Paris, 1836. Tue Canary Isles are so frequently the first extra- European land which is visited by a traveller, either in the pursuit of commerce, or to explore the riches of nature, that we do not wonder at the delight and enthusiasm with which naturalists have landed on their shores, and enjoyed the few days which the farther pro- gress of the voyage would allow them to devote to their examina- tion. To such feelings we are indebted for the glowing description which M. Humboldt has given us of his six days residence there, on his way to the sterner, and more stupendous scenery of the Andes ; and to such more lately, the rapture of D’Orbigny, while travers- ing their ravines before proceeding to the same regions. These is- lands have also been a favourite theatre for the experiments of many men well versed in the physical sciences, or attached to the history of the laws affecting the geographical distribution of plants. Their geography and history have received able contributions from Fuillée, George Glass, Bory de Saint. Vincent, Cordier, and others ; while the short visit of Humboldt, and the residences of Broussonet and Von Buche, produced a mass of information of the utmost impor- tance, both to the above-mentioned branches and to their natural history. But the works of all these able men are scattered, and seem to have been severally conducted with no view to any general plan. The authors of the work whose title we have just quoted, on the other hand, possessed of all the knowledge which the researches of their predecessors could give, have undertaken a series of obser- vations, which time has enabled them to complete, and of which the commencement is given in the livraisons now before us. M. Berthelot arrived in Teneriffe towards the end of 1829, and, dur- ing a residence of ten years, explored the riches of the island, while at the same time he endeavoured to perfect the management of an accli- 4: Histoire Naturelle des Iles Canaries. 471 matory garden, which he had been requested by the Marquis Villa Nueva del Prado to superintend. This important object was frus- trated by an ill-natured jealousy and the spirit of party, which, though it rendered his attempts for that purpose unavailable, per- mitted him more leisure, which was profitably employed in researches through the island. In 1828 he was joined by Mr Webb, and the two following years were spent in exploring Teneriffe, and the ad- jacent Canaries. The plan of Webb and Berthelot’s, « Histowre Naturelle des Isles Canaries,” is as follows :—The work will form three quarto volumes, With figures on a similar scale, accompanied by a folio atlas, con- taining from twenty-five to thirty plates, and the whole number of plates engraved or lithographed will be about 300. The first volume (to be sold separately, ) will contain a kind of historical mis- cellany,—the History of the Conquest of the Canaries, Statistical tables, &. The second volume will comprehend the Geography, Geology, and Zoology ; while in the third will be given the general Flora of the Canaries, their botanical geography and phytography. Fifty livraisons will complete the work, and two numbers are pub- lished monthly. It is with the zoology and botany that we feel most interested. The first we cannot now enter on, no part of the letter-press having yet appeared, and only one plate of the illustrations being publish- ed, a figure of Fringilla Teydea, w. and 8. male and female; a lovely finch, and so far as we can judge from the well-executed fi- gures, joining the finches to the Tanagers by means of the birds al- lied to Tanagra episcopus. In the botanical portion we shall first speak of the plates of the phytographic department, or the figures of the species which have been thought worthy of illustration. (None of the descriptive letter- press has yet appeared.) These are engraved upon stone by M. Vielle of Paris, in a style of sharp boldness which could not be improved by the graver, while the details and characters are execut- ed with decision and botanical accuracy. The colouring is slight, but sufficient and clean, and as figures they: will rank with the per- formances of masters of the science and the art. The Cistinew, Cru- cifere, Frankeniacew, Resedacee, Hypericinee, Malvacee, and Zygophyllee, have been already partly illustrated. The phytostatic branch of the work, to us the most interesting as perhaps comparatively the most novel, is much more difficult, and requires a union of talent for its execution, which is not always to ~ be found combined. We are happy, however, to think that some 472 MM. P. Barker Webb et Sabin Berthelot, travellers are following the hints which were given by Martius in his “ Palms,” and in his interesting plate of the “ interior of a Bra- zilian forest.” D’Orbigny has commenced this plan in his great work though only one plate has yet been given ; and in the publication before us we have already six views of some of the most prominent regional vegetations. There is something peculiar in the vegetation of every clime and country which stamps the landscape for its own, The deep and sombre gloom of the European pine forests, or the grander character of those of the new world. The “ gray old trunks that high in heaven mingle their mossy boughs,” the peculiarity of the carpet underneath, ‘“‘ Beauty such as blooms not in the glare of the broad sun,” would form pictures strong in contrast with: the rich and broad foliage of the tropics, their profuse blossoms and their gorgeous hues. ; and which would show even a wider change if com- pared with the-low vegetation of the far north ; clothing a view often boundless.in extent with a uniformity of colouring, dark green and gloomy, or brown and sombre, and interrupted only by some pin- nacle of cold grey rock, or the icy glance of some distant, water. In these landscapes, however, the general characters would. be at once felt and caught, and the distinction could not fail to be marked; but when. the zonal plants of an island have to. be characterized, the short and peculiar growth of the coast contrasted with those of higher regions, we find the artist at a.loss and hampered, and the aid of the botanist, required. Hence it.is, that such views as we have now be- fore us, are.of most diflicuJt execution, for while the vegetation must be the prominent feature in the landscape, it should not be such as to affect the harmony of the whole. This it never does in nature, and it is only when transferred to the canvass that the inferiority is per- ceived, and the difficulty of its execution ascertained. In the phytostatic views already published, though a great deal is sacrificed, and. properly so, to the botanist, there is in some of them. considerable merit as. pictures, and no over obtrusion of the vegetation. We like No. 1 and 3 best. The first is a view of a mountainous coast, the rocks tufted with Euphorbia Canariensis and piscatoria, Kleinia neriifolia, whose rather stiff appearance is reliev- ed. by the Plocama pendula. No.2, Vue d’un Baranca, something in. the same style of mountain and precipice, is curious, but not so much to our taste. It is a stiff landscape. But'No. 3, « Vue de grand ravin du Badajos,” witha little more force, would make a grand pic- ture, while the introduction of some wild animals, or the soaring of an accipitrine bird, (if such in reality abide there,) would give ex- Histoire Naturelle des Lles Canaries. A473 pression to the solitariness. The other three are interesting, but want force as landscapes ; andin No. 4, the interior of a forest, there is a want of richness as well as force, which we are certain the ori- ginal would admit of ; the great mass of vegetation in the centre is quite undefined. But we have another series of plates belonging to this part, and which are useful; they are termed “ Facies,” and re- present small groups of plantson a considerable scale, illustrating their natural characters when growing together. These two series of views in combination give all that is desired, and we would only recommend to the artist to use a little more decision. Of the letter-press belonging to the botanical portion of this work, two chapters have been published, of which the first, devoted to the general vegetation of the Canary isles, “ Aspect général de la vegetation dans les Iles Canaries,” has been already well translated in Dr Hooker’s Botanical Miscellany, and will be found worthy of perusal where the original cannot be procured. We transcribe the ‘ opening paragraph, which will both exhibit a specimen of the style of the authors and explain some of the views which are entertained of the botany of the group. “«« Les Iles Canaries, par leur proximité des tropiques, se tiennent situées sous une des latitudes les plus favorable 4 la végétation ; leur climat se ressent 4 la fois de l’énergie de la zone torride, et de la fraicheur de la zone tempérée. La chaleur du soleil s’est combinée avec le principes le plus actifs pour feconder cette terre que les vol- cans semblaient avoir frappée de sterilité placées dans d’autres con- ditions d’existence, de nouveaux germes se sont développés ; se sol . vierge s'est couvert des produits d'une flore spéciale, et plus tard les influences climatériques sont renues se préter a la naturalisation des planies des deux hemisphéres. Les espéces aborigénes qui appa- rerent spontanément dans ces iles Atlantiques, appartiennent la plu- part a des genres d’Europe, mais elles sont plus vivaces, plus lig- neuses, et souvent arborescentes. len est aussi d’autres qui ont d’autres formes et un autre aspect; plusieurs sont des monotypes de genres qui n’ont pas encore d’analogues, tandis que d’autres con- stituent des groupes d’espéces endémiques d’un facies remarquable. Parmi ces végétaux divers, ceux-ci sont empreints d’un caractére, Africain, et ceux la, quoique’n plus petit nombre, laissent déja en- turois quelques traits de la végetation d’Amerique. Ainsi la flore Canarienne parait établir le passage des plantes des nos pays tem- pérés 4 celles des contrées intertropicales. Si l’on a egard a la quantité des espéces locales, a la nouveauté de leurs formes 4 l’etran- geté de leur port, caractéres d’autant plus frappans qu’ils appartien- 474 MM. P. Barker-Webb et Sabin Berthelot, nent 4 la masse des plantes dominantes, l’archipel des Canaries merite bien le titre de Région botanique.” In very many instances do these islands present most interesting subjects for the researches of the botanist and vegetable physiolo- gist. The mixture of species from a temperate clime with those of the tropics, as mentioned in our quotation, is important, but every island in the group presents something curious in the general as- pect of its vegetation; each may be said to possess a miniature Flora of its own; and there are in all, species, which are either peculiar, or are remarkable for their abundance in only one or two stations ; while the more that an advance is made towards the centre of the Archipelago, the richer does the Flora become in Canarian species. The western group of these islands differs very markedly from the eastern, and possesses some species quite exclusively. A new species of a Cape genus, Manulea Canariensis, w. and B., is esta- blished in the ancient crater of Bandama, and Commelina Canarien- sisis only found on the banks of the rivulets around Cuidad and Ter- ror. At Palma, the Umbilicus Heylandi, w. and B.,is found only in the pine woods of Barlavento. The Sempervivum Goochia, w. and B., grows only in the ravines of the eastern coast, while the Bethen- courtia Palmencis is almost concealed in the immense depths of the Caldera. The existence of these plants, and of many others in so- litary stations, seems quite inexplicable, and appears to be much in- fluenced by local circumstances of soil and atmosphere. ‘“ Les lois de la repartition des germes sur la surface du globe, peuvent seul don- ner l’explication de ces bizarres anomalies: Mais ces lois se lient, aux causes premieres par lesquelles la nature agit secretement ; ce sont de principes quelle ne nous a pas revéles, et de long-temps, peut-etre, nous ne pourrons pas plus pénétrer le mystere de ces crea- tions spontanées que celui de leur stabilite ou de leur migration,” The littoral aspect of Teneriffe, as well as that of Canaria, Palma, Gomera, and the “isle de Fer,” present as it were a bulwark of cliffs. The plantsin these districts take root in the chinks, clothing the slopes and flats that surmount them. They are for the most part species with fleshy leaves, which imbibe the vapours of the atmo- sphere, or the exhalations from the sea-breeze. They belong to the Ficoidee, Chenopodee, Euphorbia, Crassulaceé, &c., and though these sometimes overrun the slopes of the valleys, and the sides of the ravines, they cannot exist far from the influence of the sea. On a little higher range we have another tribe of succulent plants, Sem- pervive, but which are not so dependent on the same circumstan- ces of exposure. ‘They are a numerous class, and grow on old walls or mural precipices, where the moisture, though abundant, does not lodge or remain long at atime. Rising above these cliffs the Histoire Naturelles des Iles Canaries. 475 country stretches into plains, which again rise towards the centre of the island, and are rent into valleys and ravines. Here the vegeta- tion is characterized by naked trunks, and pale glaucous foliage, and assumes an African character ; Euphorbia Canariensis prevails, mixed with Kleinie and Plocame. But in the valleys intersecting this maritime expanse, a much more anomalous mixture is present- ed, for the introduced species, the date, papaw trees, orange, peach, and banana, mingle with the Dracena, Bosea, and Ardisia. The ra- vines in these islands also affect a peculiar character; they are com- monly like large fissures radiating from the centre, with precipitous basaltic walls on each side, often 800 feet in height, and sometimes so near and narrow, that the plants on either side weave a canopy above. At their entrance, the vegetation of the coast is prevalent, but it changes with rich luxuriance, and ultimately assimilates with the character of the woods, and exhibits scenes of grand and pictur- esque beauty. Thus they lead to the region of the forest, where the laurels prevail over all the other woody plants, and where the four Canarian species, L. Canartensis, Indica, barbusanaand Per- sea feetens, mingle with the heaths, Visneew, Ilex, and Arbutus. Next rise the wasted plains where vegetation, at first luxuriant, becomes gradually more thin and scattered, and at last is restricted to bushes of Cytisus and Pieris, which spread in masses to the boundaries of the pine woods. The Canary pine, in general form and appearance, re- sembles the species of Europe, and this region calls to mind the ap- pearance of our alpine forests. It grows on the steep slopes, and more elevated descents of the mountains, but seldom surmounts the crests of the ridges. Underneath these gigantic trees, the soil is dry and light, and the number of nemoral plants is comparatively limit- ed. Ascending still higher, the pinnacles which surround the peak, when seen at a distance, appear bleak and barren, but even here there are several plants which cannot be elsewhere gathered, such as Carlina xeranthemoides, Cheiranthus scoparius, or the Plan- tago Teydea; a single shrub Ihamnus coriaceus grows only on the summit of Guaxana; the Juniperus cedrus crowns the cone of Cedro, while the Rose of Armida, and a variety of Pyrus aria inha- bit exclusively two spots considerably apart from each other, the mountain of Rosal, and the Tiro del Guanche of the Canadas,—and above this elevation, when the traveller reaches the peak itself, the ‘ Teyda,” the vegetation of these wild regions is found to be alto- gether original. Cylisus proliferus is the first shrub which is seen onentering the gorge of the Canadas, then Adenocarpus frankenioides and Cytisus nubigenus ; lastly, Silene nocteolens,and Viola cheiranthi- Jolia, appear on the peak itself, among masses of pumice, the last of 476 MM. P. Barker-Webb et Sabin Berthelot, the flowering plants. Lichens and a few minute mosses mark a farther but now nearly exhausted state of vegetation; and at 11,424 feet Weissia verlicillata springs in the crevices, heated by the constantly exhaling vapours. Such is a very rapid sketch of the manner in which the plants rise from the coast to the nearly barren summits. In the second chapter, the ‘‘ Distribution Phytostatique,” the distribution of the plants, taken according to the mass of species which prevail in certain ranges, from the shore to the summits of the peaks, with the relation between the vegetation and the cli- mates, have served MM. Webb and Berthelot for the basis of their tables. These differ considerably from those of their predecessors in research : Humboldt selecting Teneriffe as possessing the greatest range of elevation, and placing a height of 10,500 feet as the limit of vegetation, divided their altitude into five zones, viz. the zone of Vines ; of Laurels; of Pines; of the Retamas; and of the Graminee. Our authors, in dissenting from this division, observe, that the first zone is inaccurately defined, for the vineyards occupy but a small space in the whole, and do not reach to the sea, while they cease before attaining the elevation marked for the commencement of the second region. The Quercus Canariensis, (Brouss.) which is noted as indicating the zone of Laurels, is thought to be only the Q. pu- bescens, introduced by the first settlers after the conquest of Tene- riffe, and now ina state modified by climate. The Juniperus cedro, (Brouss.) which is placed in the third zone among the pines, accord- ing to the researches of our authors, ought to occupy a much higher station. The zones of the Retamas and Graminee, placed at an elevation analogous to the highest ridges of the Pyrenees, should only include the last ; two species of grasses only presenting them- selves on the highest range ; but our naturalists, at the same time, are unwilling to admit any zone of grasses at all, considering that M. Humboldt must have been deceived by false accounts, and stat- ing, that none of the Cerealia are now cultivated beyond a height of 4,800. The distribution of Von Buch is also differed from ; here the same island is divided into five zones, characterized by elevation and temperature. I. La region subtropicale ou des : formes Africains, - 1.200. cl. Egypt and Barbary. 2. La region Mediterraniemne, ou des cultures Europeans, 2.580. cl. France and Cent. Italy. 3. La region tonjours verte, ou celle : des forets, : ; 4.100. el. Lyons and Lombardy. 4, La region du pinar, ou des pins des Canaries, - 4 5.900. cl. France, Scotland, N. of Germany. ; 3 Histoire Naturelle des Iles Canaries. 477 5. La region des cumbre, ou celle des Retamas blancas, . 10.380. cl. N. Scotland, Drontheim. The first zone is considered to be too restricted, and that it should have extended at least 400 feet higher. The second is not sufii- ciently defined, from the variable circumstances which influence the distribution of the Cerealia and cultivated plants. The third zone, or that of the forests, is liable to the same objection, a want of sufii- cient definition ; while the indications of the temperature, and the comparison of it with the climates of Europe, do not give an exact idea of the state of the atmosphere in each region, because there is no proportion of time between the seasons of heat and those of cold. The olive, indigenous to the Canaries, and growing at an elevation of 2,109 feet, has never been naturalized in the basin of the Po, a fact at variance with the stated resemblance of this zone to the cli- mate of Lyons and Lombardy. Neither can the clime of the fourth region be compared with that of Germany or Scotland. In those countries Pinus Canariensis can never be kept alive out of the green- house. In fixing their own divisions of the vegetation of Teneriffe, MM. Webb and Berthelot have taken almost every local circumstance into consideration. From numerous observations on the tempera- ture, made at different heights, and kept simultaneously in various stations, the following results have appeared. To the height of 1,500 the temperature continues very equal, varying only from one to two degrees, according to the direction of the openings of the valleys, or as it may be influenced by the exposure, nature of the soil, or proximity to wooded hills. According to the same local circumstances, its variation above a height of 1,500 to about 4,000 is from two to eight degrees ; but in this region clouds and vapours almost constantly rest on the hills and slopes, and afford a supply of moisture most favourable for vegetation, and the plants are thus found here, growing luxuriantly, and distributed in large masses. From 4,000 to the summit of the peak there is not the same mois- ture furnished by vapour, while the temperature diminishes pro- portionally to the ascent, and taking a line along the slope of 8,000, a difference is perceived of from nine to seventeen or eighteen de- grees below the temperature of the coast. Upon these deductions, and allowing for variation from locality and the state of the atmo- sphere, our authors have divided Teneriffe into three great climates, and have given three tables, which, while they completely explain their views, are otherwise so extremely interesting, that we are in- duced to copy them. 478 MM. P. Barker Webb, et Sabin Berthelot, PREMIER CLIMAT. (INFERIEUR.) EXPOSITLON DU NORD. Limites. Depuis le niveau de la mer jus- qu’a 1,500 pieds au-dessus. TEMPERATURE CHAUDE, Maximum de la chaleur sur la cOte, au ni- veau de la mer. : iy as 30° Minimum. . bie Id. 16,1 Différence de température avec celle du ni- veau de la mer, suivant l’altitude des sta- tions de ; . &. 18 la 2° Etat de Vatmosphére. Brises réguliéres ve- riant dau N.-N.-O. aVE-N.-K. Ciel presque toujours sans nuages. Quelques averses de novembre en janvier. Terrains. Tuts volcaniques, basaltes, sco- ries et nappes de lave en décomposition. Ire classe. Gréves bordées de falaises; co- teaux maritimes coupés par des ravins. 2me classe. Ravins protonds souvent par- courus par des torrens ; berges escarpées. VEGETATION. REGION DES EUPHORBES DANS LES TERRAINS DE LA PREMIERE CLASSE. PLANTES DOMINANTES: Euphorbia Ca- nariensis, E. piscatoria, Kleinia neriifolia, Plocama pendula. EsPECES EPARSES qui appartiennent aux genres Conyza, Aizoon, Sta- tice, Artemisia, Prenanthes; Achy- ranthes, Chrysanthemum, Astyda- mia, Kochia, Periploca, Frankenia, Crithmum, Forskalea, ete. VEGETAUX NATURALISES. Paliniers, Nopals, Figuiers, Agaves, Bananiers, Mariers, Orangers, etc. REGION DES PLANTES RUPESTRES DANS LES TERRAINS DE LA DEUX- IEME CLASSE. EsPECES EPARSES appartenant aux genres Hypericum, Bystropogon, Echium, Lavandula, Digitalis, Sonchus, Messerschmidia, Thymus, Tanacetum, Teucrium, Sempervi- vum, Stachys, Salix, Sisymbrium, Solanum, Pyrethrum, Datura, Ci- neraria, Anthemis, Asparagus, Athamantha, Canarina, Globula- ria, Rumex, Bosea, Peucedanum, Phyllis Crambe, Camyglanthus, Carlowizia, Bryonia, Cyperus, Dactylis, Drusa, Lavatera, Adian- thum, etc. EXPOSITION DU SUD-EST. ET DU SUD-OUEST. Limites. Depuis le niveau de la mer jus- qu’a 2,500 pieds au-dessus, et méme plus plus haut dans certaines Jocalités. (Ex- emp. vallée de San-Jago.) TEMPE ATURE TRES CHAUDE. Maximum de la chaleur sur la cote, au ni- veau de la mer. . : 33°,3 Minimum. ._ Id. : ld. 18,8 Différence de température avec celle du ni- veau de la mer, suivant l’altitude des sta- tions de. § : A 14 2°,5 Etat de Vatmospheére. Calme, parfois inter- rompu par des vents d’Ouest ou de Sud— Est. Ciel presque toujours sans nuage. Pluies fort rares, méme en hiver. Terrains. Nappes de lave, tufs volcaniques, basaltes, scories et ponces en décomposi- tio. Ire clusse. Gréves, plages sablonneuses, fa- laises et coteaux maritimes coupés par des ravins. 2me classe. Ravins nombreux et trés—pro- fonds, rarement parcourus par les tor- rens, berges escarpées. VEGETATION. REGION DES EUPHORBES DANS LES TER- RAINS DE LA PREMIERE CLASSE. PLanTEs DOMINANTES. Euphorbia balsamifera, E. Canariensis, E. aphylla, Cneorum pulverulentum, Zygophyllum Fontanesii, Prenan- thes spinosa. EspECES EPARSES appartenant aux genres Ceropegia, Gnaphalium, Heliotropium, Salvia, Linaria, Lo- tus, Lycium, Mesembryanthemum, Reseda, Aloe, Artemisia, Notoce- ras, Paronychia, Physalis, Jasmi- num, Saccharum, Sempervivum, Sida, Gymnocarpus, etc. VEGETAUX NATURALISES. Nopals, Agave, Figuiers, Amandiers, etc. REGION DES PLANTES RUPESTRES DAN LZS TERRAINS DE LA DEUXIEME CLASSE. EsPECES EPARSES appartenant aux genres Cheiranthus, Euphorbia, Salvia, Lotus, Dracena, Helian- themum, Hypericum, Bystropogon, Echium, Juniperus, Lavatera, La- vandula, Convolvulus, Asparagus, Pyrethrum, Rhamnus, Rubia, Side- ritis, Sonchus, Cineraria, Conyza, Salix, Bosea, Forskalea, Justicia. Bupleurum, Cyathea, Roccella. Fiistoire Naturelle des Iles Canaries. 479 SECOND CLIMAT. (INTERMEDIAIRE.) EXPOSITION DU NORD. Limites. Depuis 1,500 pieds d’altitude jusqu’a plus de 5,000 pieds. Température humide. Difference de la température avec celle de la cOte, suivant l’altitude des sta- tions, de 2 a 8°. Etat de Vatmosphére. Brises fraiches va- riant du N.-N.-O. al’E.N.E. Ciel pres- que toujours couvert denuages, surtout pendant le jour. Brumes et bruines fréquentes en été. Orages et fortes pluies en hiver. Observation. La neige, qui, dans la sai- son hivernale arrive parfois jusqu’a la limite supérieure de ce climat, s'y fond presque aussitot. Terrains. Vallées et montagnes ; sol ar- gilo-volcanique chargé d’humus. Laves décomposées VEGETATION. REGION DES LAURIERS ET DES PLAN- TES NEMORALES. Esprces Dominantes. Laurus Ca- nariensis, L. Indica, L. Barbu- sano, Persea fatens, Myrica Fa- y4@, et autres espéces éparses ap- partenant aux genres Arbutus, Ardisia, Bekmeria, Cerasus, Ce- lastrus, Erica, Ilex, Myrsine, Olea, Pittosporum, Rhamnus, Viburnum, Visnea. ARBRES NATURALISEsS. Castanea _ __ vesca, Quercus pubescens. PLANTES NEMORALES des genres Adenocarpus, Cineraria, Con- volvulus, Dracocephalum, Exa- cum, Fragaria, Genista, Festuca, Geranium, Hedera, Luzula, Myo- sotis, Origanum, Ranunculus, Rubus, Ruscus, Scrophularia, Sempervivum, Smilax, Solanum, Viola, ete. Foucures. Diverses espéces des genres Adiantum, Asplenium, Blechnum, Cyathea, Davailia, Gymnogramme, Trichomanes, Woodwardia, etc. Moussss et Licnens. REGION DES BRUYERES ET DES CISTES. Erica arborea, E. scoparia, Cis- tus vaginatus, C. candidissimus, C. Monspeliensis, Helianthemum guttatum. Foucerrs. Pteris Aquilina, No- thochlena Marante et N. vellea. EXPOSITION DU SUD-EST ET DU SUD OUEST. Limites. Depuis 2,500 pieds jusqu’a en- viron 4,000 et quelquefois moins, sui- vant les localités. Température. Chaude et séche. Différence de température avec celle de la cote, suivant l’altitude des stations de 3 a 6°. Etat de Vatmosphére. Calme, parfois in- terrompu par des vents de 8.-E. trés- chauds. Ciel presque toujours sans nuage ; seulement que!ques brouillards dans les vallées boisées. Pluies rares, orages instantanés en hiver. Observation, 1.a nzige descend rarement jusqu’a la limite supérieure de ce cli- mat et s’y fond assuitét. Terrains. Vallées et montagnes presque généralement dépourvues de foréts lau- riferes, sol la moins substantiel, pentes plus rapides. VEGETATION. Seulement quelques petits grou- pes de Lauriers, d’ Arbousiers et de Bruyeres dans les gorges les plus anfractueuses du Sud-Est et du Sud Ouest. Les Cistes en plus grande masse. Observation. De ce coté les Cistes sont rarement accompagnés par les bruyeres; ils occupent, le long de la bande méridionale de Pile, un espace beaucoup plus large que sur l’autre versant et s’étendent depuis laltitude de 1,800 pieds jusque sur la lisiére des bois de Pins (4,000 pieds). Les principales espéces de la ré- gion des Cistes sont le C. vagi. natus, le C. Candidissimus, le C. Monspeliensis et ? Helianthemum guttatum. Le Cistus vaginatus est toujours l’espéce dominante, le C. candidissimus est fort rare ; on rencontre ordinairement le C. Monspeliensis dans les stations plus rapprochées de la céte. Quant a l Helianthemum gutta- tum, il croit un, peu partout, mé- me dans la région des Pins. > 480 MM. P. Barker-Webb et Sabin Berthelot, TROISIEME CLIMAT. (SUPERIEUR.) Observation préalable. 1a distribution phytostatique n’est plus modifiée ici par lexpositiun ; les nuages restent ordinairement stationnaires au-dessous de la zone dans laquelle le troisieme climat se trouve compris, et les brises de mer exercent peu dinfluence a cette hauteur. Bimites. Depuis ath pieds du coté du Sud pier la cime du Pic (11,424 “ pieds du coté du Nord § pieds.) Température. “Assez chaude et séche pendant le jour, froide et parfois humide pen- dant la nuit. Difference de température avec celle de la cote, suivant l’altitude des stations, de 9 a 18°. Etat de Vatmosphére. Vent faible et chaud pendant le jour sur tous les plateaux _supérieurs et les cretes des montagnes ; calme pendant la nuit, mais cet état de quiétude est souvent troublé, au moment du lever du soleil, par les bourrasques subites et passagéres qui se manifestent au sommet du Pic (1.) Ciel sans nuage, air trés-rarcfié, soleil brilant, nuits froides, pluies trés-rares en été, orages instantanés en hiver. Observations. La neige s’amoncelle sur les hautes cimes de Vile de Palma, dans le cirque des canadas, a Téneriffe, et sur lescrétes des alentours ; mais le plus souvent elle s’y fond de suite ou disparait balayée par les vents. Elle n’est per- manente que sur le pic de Teyde pendant deux mois environ ; plusieurs hivers se passent méme sans qu’elle y reste plus de deux ou trois semaines. La glace ce maintient tout el’année dans la grotte de la Nieve a 9,312 pieds d’élevation au- dessus du nivea dela mer. {1 géle quelquefois dans la nuit vers la fin de decembre et dans le mois de janvier, sur les rochers isolés et a l’ombre mais ces sortes de cas sont rares et ne se manifestent presque Jamais au-dessous de 7,000 pieds. Terrains. Talus trés-rapides, plateaux et sommets culminans, mornes escarpés et pics volcaniques. Sol presque entiérement envahi par les éruptions, roches tra- chytiques par grandes masses, tufis, scories et torrens de lave de différente nature. VEGETATION. REGION DES PINS. EsPEcE UNIQUE. Pinus Canariensis. PLANTES NEMORALES. Helianthemum guttatum, Lotus angustissimus, Festuca Myurus, Erigeron viscosum, Thymus Calamintha, Asphodelus ramosus, Pteris Aquilina, ete. (A Palma, Umbilicus Heylandi N.). REGION DES LEGUMINEUSES FRUTESCENTES ET DES PLANTES ALPINES. EsPECEsS DOMINANTES. Cytisus nubigenus, Adenocarpus frankenioides (et. Cytisus proliferus dans des stations inférieures ). PLaNTEs ALPINES. Eparses a Teneriffe parmi les legumineuses du grand plateau ou cirque des Canadas. Centaurea aynaroides, Chrysanthe- mum Broussonetii, Echium Auberianum, N., Nepeta Teydea, N., Po- lycarpe aristata, Scrophularia glabrata, Pteris Aquilina, ete. Ip. sur la créte des montagnes centrales a Tenériffe. Arabis albida, Carlina x°ranthemoides, Cheiranthus scoparius, Jun’perus Cedrus, Ephedra monostachya, Festuca laxa, Pimpinelia Cumbre, P. Den- droselinum, N., Pyrus Aria, var, Rhamnus coriaceus, Rosa Armide, N., Satureja tenuis, Bethencourtia Palmensis, Tolpis lagopoda, Thy- mus Bentham, N., etc. Ip. a Canaria, Satureja lanata, S. tenuis, Genista microphylla, etc. Ip. a Palma. Juniperus Cedrus, Arabis albida, Cerastium strictum, var, Viola Palmensis, etc. Sur les pentes du Pic de Tenériffe. Silene nocteolens, N. et Viola chet- ranthifolia, depuis Valtitude de 7,500 pieds jusqu’a 9,850. A la cime du Pic, sur les bords du cratere (11,424 pieds). Weissia- verticillata, var, et Scytonema myocrhus. * Ce vent, qui oblige souvent les voyageurs d’abandonner cette station, souffle presque toujours dans une direction contraire au yent de mer, Histoire Naturelle des Iles Canaries. 481 __ In these “ climates” our learned authors remark, “ Nous n’avons valu présenter que la repartition des plantes sous le rapport des es- péces qi’on rencontre par grandes masses en suivant une méme ligne de pente; le régions que nous indiquons ne sont point des zones de végétaux toujours régulicrement superposées les unes aux autres, mais seulement de groupes partiels et isoles.” And those tables of the geographical distribution of plants, divid- ing them into defined limits, are considered as much too restricted, and so lose their greatest value, unless the effects of local circum- stances, exposure, &c: come to be taken into the account. In fact, that altitude and temperature are not the only circumstances which have to be considered, or that the sort of established rule, <‘ that every 100 feet of height’ would lower the temperature 1° Reaum., and was equal to 1° of distance from the pole,” would depend in many, if not in most instances, upon modifications entirely local. In illus- - tration of this, we may quote a paragraph which soon follows the remarks on zonal vegetation. <‘ Lorsqu’ apres avoir parcouru les vertes forets qui couvre une partie des versons du nord de Tene- riffe, on tourne l’isle par la pointe la plus occidentale, les bois des lauriers ne se retrouvent plus que dans le fond des etroites vallées comprises entre le Cap de Zeno et le port de San-Jago. Quelque groupes d’arbres forestiers garnissent encore, de ce cété, les an- fractuosités les plus humides; tandis que partout ailleurs ce ne sont que pentes arides et nues. A mesure qu’on s’avouer sur le re- vers meridional, le pays est encore plus dévasté: la, plus de brises rafraichissantes, plus de nuages ; mais le climat de la Mauritanie meridionale avec la secheresse desesperante et son atmosphere de feu.” | But amidst the varied vegetation of these islands, there are some plants which defy a rule of confined distribution, “ plantes vaga- bondes,” as they are graphically termed, which seem to delight in no peculiar zone, and to belong to every climate. Among these stragglers in Teneriffe, Pieris aquilina, Hypericum grandiflorum, and Erigeron viscosum, are widely scattered ; the two first appear at from 1000 to 1500 feet of elevation, and are met with as high as 7000 feet. Some plants which grow at a low elevation, are not found for a long space, but appear again suddenly at some height, thus Pancratium Canariense, growing on the shore of the Val-de Guerra, appears.again on the plateau of Trebejo, after an interval of 3800. feet. Among the plants introduced to the Canaries, our authors are unwilling to include the Dracena draco, This plant, supposed to be 482 Bibliographical Notices. a native originally of the East Indies, is found in the Archipelago of the Canaries, as well as at Madeira and Porto Santo. It abounds on the volcanic slopes of the Bréna, in the island of Palma; at Teneriffe, some aged specimens are found in the valley of Ora- tava, and in the Ravin de l’Enfer ; adorning the basaltic pinnacles of the eastern slopes. Pistachus lentiscus, and Olea Europea are profusely diveitated over the great Canary, but in Teneriffe and Palma, they have given way to the culture of the vine, though the names, still existing in the hills and valleys, shew that they were once abundant. There are many other remarks and observations which might be taken from this department, but in noticing them all, we should have in reality to transcribe the chapter. We unhesitatingly recom- mend the work for perusal to botanists ; they will find much informa- tion and much useful criticism upon the histories of Humboldt and Von Buch, &c., which have the additional merit cf being candidly and modestly expressed, do full justice to the labours of these dis- tinguished individuals, and we feel convinced will be read by them with pleasure, and without any of that feeling of asperity which the remarks of one traveller upon the works of his predecessors so frequently calls forth. BiBLioGRAPHICAL NorIcss. Hymenopterorum Ichneumonibus affintum monographie, Genera Europea et Species illustrantes. Scripsit C. G. NEEs aB EsEn- BECK. 2 vols. 8vo. This work, though one of importance, is known to be merely an extract from a much more voluminous one, still in MS., consisting of ten volumes in quarto. It is preserved in the museum of Bonn, to which the author was formerly attached, prior to his settlement at Breslaw. He had there formed a collection of 25,000 insects, among which are contained all the Hymenoptera described in the work above named. M. Nees d’Esenbeck is a noted botanist, and successfully combines the study of two departments of natural his- tory, the practical pursuit of each of which so well accords with the other. ‘This work may be regarded as a supplement to or rather a completion of M. Gravenhorst’s [chneumonologia Europea, publish- ed in three very thick volumes in 1829. These authors worked with a mutual understanding of each others labours, and while the latter undertook and completed the [chneumones, properly so called, Forest Insects. 483 the former, with equal skill and assiduity, has illustrated the Ich- neumones adscilt. Forstinseckten, &c. Forest Insects. The Natural History of Insects which prove injurious to Woods. By Professor E. A. Rossmms- sLER. 1 Vol. 8vo. (100 pages) with a lithographic plate. Leip- sig, 1834. This compendious work is one of the few which treats the sub- ject to which it is devoted in a systematic manner. It consists of 25 paragraphs, containing observations on the generalities, the clas- sification, the retreats, the nourishment, and the mode of distinguish- ing insects injurious to trees ; likewise descriptions of the species in their different states, and a detailed account of the injuries they occasion. ‘The author confines his remarks to the species which at- tack forest trees, in strict consistence with the title of his work, al- though it would have added both to the interest and importance of his labours, had he extended them tothe fruit department. He ar- ranges his insect species (only twenty in number) in reference to the trees which they attack :—as follows. A. CONIFERZ. I. Pinus abies. a. The young plants: Curculio abietis. b. The old trees: Bostrichus typographicus ; Hylesinus piniper- da; Bostrichus chalcographus ; Rhagium inquisitor (less hurtful than the others) ; Sirex gigas. II. Pinus silvestris. L. a. The young plants: Tortrix turiona ; Tortrix Buoliana ; Cur- culio abietis. b. The old trees. Bombyx pini; Bombyx monacha ; Geometra piniaria ; Noctua piniperda ; Tenthredo pini ; Bostrichus pinastri. III. Pinus picea. L. Bostrichus abietiperda. IV. Pinus larix. L. Bostrichus laricis. B. LEAFY TREES. Melolontha vulgaris and solstitialis ; Bombyx processionea ; Bom- byx salicis. 484 Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. TRANSACTIONS AND PEerRiopIcALs.— British. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. Vol. ii. Part i. Longnian and Co. London. Printed for the Society. 4to. 1836, Wiru this part a second volume of these beautiful Transactions has been com- menced ; a publication unrivalled in the masterly execution and accuracy of its illustrations, and doing much honour to the important society by which it is pub- lished and patronised. I. On the quails and Hemipodii of India. By Lieut. Col. W. H. Sykes. In the introductory part of the paper, remarks are made on the value of characters, specific and generic, a subject which has long been fruitful, and does now furnish more than the usual material for criticism. We may observe at once, that we dis- like sections in a genus ; if they are very marked, they deserve a more decided se- paration, if not, they do not require to be sectioned ; and it must always be recol- lected, that if the typical form of a genus is properly selected, in other words, if the genus really deserves that rank, these variations will always mark its correct- ness, and some species will always be seen with characters called aberrant, unit- ing them with the genera which stand on either side. We fully coincide with Colonel Sykes when he says, “ I have long thought, and daily experience tends to confirm my opinion, that the researches of present and future naturalists, will deprive discoverers of many of their honours in esta- blishing new species of birds ;” at the same time what can they do so long as no authentic system exists. Colonel Sykes considers that the quails and partridges should be united, that the former are in reality only “ dwarf partridges.” The characters of Cotur- nix are remodelled, but the structure of the wing is omitted in the’ generic cha- racter, while three sections are formed, two of which depend on “ alis acumi- natis,” and “ alis rotundatis.” Perdix and Francolinus are also considered hardly sufficiently separated, and H. Ponticerianus is instanced, but this is just one of the specimens which will stand almost on the confines of either, and will point out their alliance. Five species of Indian quails are described, three.of which are named as new. They are beautifully represented by lithographs from the pencil of Mrs Gould: C. dactylisonanis, specimens from India, are considered identical with the bird of Europe, and with those from the Cape, and we agree in the wide distribution given to the species ; we know that it stretches nearly over the whole of the old world. C. textilis is abundant in Bengal, Madras, and the Dukhun ; and it is remarked here, that “ so abundant are the different species of quails in the Dukhun, that in April 1829, 517 brace were killed in nine days by four guns.” C. erythrorhyncha, N. S. met with only in the valley of Karleh in the Ghats, frequenting the same ground with the Perdix picta.—C. argoondah, rock-quail of the Dukhun, N. &., found in the level country amidst rocks and low bushes, rising in coveys of from ten to twenty or more. There is a bird from the Himalaya closely resembling some of the varieties which Colonel Sykes notices, being without the black mark- ings, and nearly similar in plumage to the female, having the strong bill and slight- ly graduated quill feathers. The white streak above the eye, however, extends through it to the bill.—C. pentah, mountain quail, N. S., met with only on the mountains, seems a very variable species, and specimens from Himalaya, exhibit considerable distinctive marks. We here remark that we dislike the specific names which have been given to the two last, as well as toa Hemipodius, (H. Taigoor) ; Transactions of the Zeological Society of London. 485 we allow the difficulty of finding appropriate names, but these have nothing to recommend them. Three Hemipodii are noticed, H. pugnax, Dussumerii, and H. Taigoor, N. S., difiering from H. pugnax in its more slender bill and white chin and throat. Il. Descriptions of a few invertebrated animals obtained at the Isle of France. By Rosert TEMPLETON, Esq.—Four animals are described, illus- trated by a well-finished plate. III. On a remarkable species of Pteropine bat, By E. T. Bennet, Esq.—On several of the bats there seems to be cavities and pouches connected with a glandular apparatus; and in the one now described, there is a patch of long white hairs on each side of the neck, which Mr Bennet suspects is connected with some similar arrangement. This patch is about one inch in diameter ; the hairs are longer than those on the rest of the body, and they spring in tufts from a common centre, diverging to either side. In one or two other species, tufts somewhat similar have been observed, but in the pre- sent animal the greatest developement of it appears ; while in most of them we also have a modification of the form, and a difference in the number of the grinders, which may ultimately be made the basis of characters for a separate genus. ‘This animal has been named Pteropus Whiteii, and two plates are de.. voted to it, one to a figure of the bat itself, another to the appearance of the fur, taken from different parts of the body, greatly magnified. IV. Some ac- count of the Crustacea of the Coasts of South America, with descriptions of New Genera and species, founded principally on the Collections obtained by Mr Cum- ing and Mr Miller. By Tuomas Brit, Esq.—A valuable paper, continued from page 335 of Vol. I. but too long to be slightly noticed here. The first paper was devoted to the illustration of thegenus Cancer brought home by the above named collectors, and three new species are figured and described, The pre- sent communication is devoted to the Oxyrhynchi. They are illustrated by five plates, containing representations of twenty-two species. V. Some Observa- tions on the Economy of an Insect destructive to Turnips. By WiLL1AM YARRELL, Ksq-—Observations on the Athalia centifolie, which has, during the last year, committed so much damage to the turnip crops both in England and Scotland. We regret, however, that the range of this pest hasnot been more decidedly pointed out. We do not know how far it has extended either to the south or north; and it also appears to have passed, as it were, over some districts, and again appeared. On the Border counties of England and Scotland it was abundant, and committed severe depredations. Figures of the perfect insect, and its different stages, by Mr Westwood, accompany this paper. VI. Mémoire sur une Nouvelle espéce de poisson du Genre Histiophore, dela mer Rouge. Par M. E. Ruppews, M. D. Membre Externe de la Société Zoologique.—The description of Hist. immacu- latus, Rupp., which that gentleman considers distinct from the three previously known species of the genus. The colours of this fish are of a uniform dull blue above, changing to silvery on the lower parts; the upper fins are blackish blue, the lower greyish and all spotless, with the exception of a dark mark on the pectoral at its lower part. The formula of the fins is— P.1 + 19 V.3+ 0, D. 47 + 0,0 + 7.A.10+0,0+7.C.5+17+4+5. M. 13.7. VII. On the genus Ocropon, and on its relations with Crenomys, Blain. and PorpHacomys, Ff. Cuv. including a Description of a New Species of Ctenomys. By E. T. Benner, Esq. F. L. 8. &c.—An excellent paper, entering in Mr Bennet’s own manner, into the relations of the genera mentioned above, and illustrated by good figures of Octodon Cummingii, and Ctenomys Magella - NO. V. Il 486 Annales des Sciences Naturelles. nicus. One thing we would remark of the very beautiful figures of animals which have from time to time appeared in these Transactions, the effect of the picture is destroyed by the introduction of the skulls and details of anatomy be- side the figure; they would be much more efficient for reference, as bold wood-cuts, perhaps, not more expensive. The skull in the plate of Macropus Parry? is quite an outrage. TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS—Foreign. Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. Avpovuin et Mitne-Epwarps. Botanique, MM. Ap. Broneniart et GuiL- LEMIN. Crochard and Co. Paris, Mai, Juin, 1836. (Continued from page 413.) 1. Zoology. Tue few first pages in the Number for May are occupied with the conclusion of Lesson’s memoir “ sur les Beroides.” Ravius Observations anatomiques sur les Fanons, sur leur mode d’insertion entre aux et avec la membrane palatine. These observations were made on a specimen of the Balena rostrata, forty-two feet in length and twenty feet in circumference, which was cast dead upon the shore of Cayeux, near Saint Valery. A figure of the species is given, as also several illustrations of the anatomical details of the jaws and their remarkable appendages. VANBENEDEN’S Memoiresur l’anatomie de U' Helix algira. The differences between it and H. pomatia are summed up in the following particu- lars: 1. There are two ganglions representing the brain in H. algira, and four ganglions underneath ; there is only a nervous ring without distinct ganglions, excepting perhaps a superior and inferior, in H. pomatia. 2. The real number of filaments issuing from the nervous ring is much more considerable, and the filaments more slender in H. algira than they are in H. pomatia. 3. The sali- vary glands surround the cesophagus in H. algira, and the stomach in H. pomatia. 4. The upper jaw or tooth is crenulate in H. pomatia, while in H. algira there is a single medial prominence. 5. The appendix of the penis, as well as the duct of the urinary bladder (so we translate “a vessie du pourpre,”) is much longer in H. pomatia. 6. There is no “love dart” in the algira, and the bag which should contain it becomes a passage to the female organs. 7. The mul- tifid vesicles are represented by a glandular body, without any appendix in the H. algira. 8. The urinary bladder is free and floating at the end of its canal in H. pomatia, and adheres to the oviduct in the H. algira. DESHAYES sur Pestimation de la température des périodes tertiaires en Europe, fondée sur le con- .sideration des coquilles fossiles. An ingenious application of conchology to the determination of some interesting points in geology. Deshayes, as is well known, arranges the tertiary formations in three groups, deposited in successive periods ; and his investigations in the present paper lead to the conclusion that in the first of these periods—the Eocene of Lyell—the temperature of the globe was equatorial, and probably several degrees warmer than that of the present equator ; that during the second, or Miocene period, of which the deposits occupy the centre of Europe, the temperature was like that of Senegal and Guinea, while the temperature of the third or Pliocene period, at first a little more ele- vated than ours in the Mediterranean basin, became latterly as low as that which _ Now exists. Hopeson sur les Chévres et les Moutons sauvages de l’ Hyma- Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 487 laya. A translation from the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal: Rusconr sur les changemens que les ceufs des Poissons eprouvant avant qwils aient pris la forme d’embryon. A translation from the Bibliotheca Italiana, and already noticed in our analysis of the Archives of Muller. Note additionnelle au memoire de M. DuvERNoy sur quelques particularités du systeme sanguin ab- dominal et du canal alimentaire de plusieurs Poissons cartilagineux._——Analyse des travaux anatomiques, physiologiques et zoologiques, préséntes a l Académie des Sciences pendant le mois de Mai 1836: viz., MARION DE Proces sur I’ Orang : Bassi sur la Muscardine, a disease of the silk-worm, produced by the vegetation of a species of fungus (Botrytis Bassiana) which germinates in the living cater- pillar, and invariably proves fatal in its developement: BLAINVILLE sur les em- preintes trouvées dans le grés bigarré : JacgurMin sur anatomie des Oiseaux : BourceEry et Brcin sur la structure des poumons : Observations sur les Fausses- Galles par M. Vauxort. The June Number contains only one original paper, viz.—_Memoire sur la vie intra-branchiale des petites Anodontes, par M. A. DE QUATREFAGES, who traces, with minute and scrupulous care, the changes which the ova undergo, from the period of their entrance into the branchiz, until the young Anodontes are en- tirely separated from their parent. It has been long a disputed question, by what passage the ova, on their issuing from the ovary, got access to the branchie, for no anatomist was able to discover any ducts or pores indisputably appropriate to such a purpose ; and no wonder, since M. De Quatrefages appears to have as- certained that the ova are first expelled from the body through the anal tube, and again sucked in by the stream of water which flows in between the branchial lamelle for the purpose of respiration. This stream deposits them in the folds of the external lamelle, which are the first to receive the water. Here the ova insinuate themselves (it is not mentioned how) into the locule or cells of these organs, which are loaded with them disposed in regular series, while very few, or more commonly none at all, are to be found in the internal branchial lamelle, or in the cloak. A moderately sized Anodon will lay, it is calculated, rather more than 14000 ova, and a larger individual not less than 20000. They are ex- pelled at intervals of half and three-quarters of an hour in small clusters, and the process of oviposition may last for twenty-four hours at least.— Without trans- lating the author, who is unusually concise, it would be impossible to communi- cate to our readers a correct idea of the changes which the ova experience in their developement, and which are carefully described and delineated, as these were observed from day to day ; but the omission at present is less to be regretted, for we shall probably give a translation of the paper in a future number. We can now only remark, that the embryo young appear to remain about 125 days in the branchie when the mother delivers herself of her numerous progeny. The delivery occupies four or five days.—The rest of the number is filled with a translation of Mr Owen’s paper on the Entozoa, from the Transactions of the Zoological Society ; and of a paper, by Messrs Fatconrer and CaNnTLEY, on a new genus of fossil ruminant from the Himalaya mountains, named Sivatherium giganteum. The original will be found in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. In the analysis of the proceedings of the “ Academie des Sciences pendant le mois de Juin 1836,” there is a letter from M. D. Nervaux, in which he says he had seen a pair of Nightingales ( Rossignol) remove their eggs from the nest when this was threatened to be inundated, and that the eggs, placed in 488 Annales des Sciences Naturelles. a new nest, were afterwards hatched. The anecdote is exactly similar to one recorded of the Water-hen, by Mr Selby, in the proceedings of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club. There is also a long extract from a Memoir of GrorFroy Sarnt-HiiarreE on the Orang-Outang, written in a spirit which we greatly dis- like, and with views strongly coloured by his favourite hypothesis (if he will allow us to call it so) of the unity of organization throughout the animal king- dom. This theory so fully possesses him, that it is almost impossible not to look on his observations and facts with a certain degree of suspicion ; and in the conclusion to which he has been led, in the present instance, we can by no meatis concur. The Orang-Outang is with G. Saint-Hilaire neither man nor monkey,— a mixture of both,—and man must be classified in future with the Quadrumana. GueERIN has observed under the abdominal segments of the Machilis poly- poda some little membranous sacs, which he is of opinion are organs of respira- tion analogous to those which are found under the abdomen of many Crustacea, and which are placed at the base of the false abdominal feet. This view of the use of the saes in the Machilis appears to be strengthened by the fact, that La- treille could discover no stigmata in his dissections of that insect, which this pe- culiarity of structure may perhaps prove to be the type of an osculant group, connecting the classes Insecta and Crustacea.—The Number contains, lastly, a short notice of Cuvirr’s Lecons d’ Anatomie Comparée, of which new edition three volumes are published ; and of FrepeRic Cuvier’s Histoire Naturelle des Cétacés, already reviewed in this Magazine. I].— Botany. Memoire sus les Clostéries, par M. Cu. Morren.—An essay of much interest and sterling value, but we feel that any analysis, however minute, would give a very indistinct and scarcely intelligible view of it, unless we had the aid of the numerous figures with which it is illustrated. The learned professor embraces in his essay a history of all that has been done towards a kowledge of the tribe, which has been placed among infusorial animalcules by some, by others among the alge, while others have maintained its mixed nature—the species being ani- mals in their origin and vegetables in their mature and old age. Morren enter- tains no doubt that all the true Closteria are vegetables, allied to Zygnema, but he says that infusory animalcules have been mixed with them ; and of the real Closteria the species have been erroneously multiplied, by Ehrenberg in particu- lar, from inattention to the varied forms and aspects they assume in the course of their developement. ‘The phenomena presented during this course are mi- nutely traced and delineated in highly magnified figures; the bearing which these appearances, and the structure of the productions, have on various intri- cate questions in vegetable physiology is indicated with learning and ingenuity ; and the errors of his predecessors corrected. One of these relates to the red- dish points observable on the extremities of the frustula regarded by Ehrenberg as eyes, but which are, we'may say, proved by Morren to be vesicular granules, probably connected with the propagation of the species. MontaGne sur les plantes cryptogames récemment découvertes en France. Animadversiones bota- nice nonnulle, novorumque generum et speciorum diagnoses, auct. F. E. L. FiscuEr et C. A. Mnyer. Extraits du Botanical Magazine pour l'année 1835. Dovont sur les caracteres génériques du Gypsophila saxifraga. Juin. Morren continues his admirable “ Memoire sur les Clostéries.” In one 4 Magazine of Natural Eistory. _ 489 chapter he explains how these interesting alge are propagated by gemmules analogous to the buds of more perfect plants; and another is occupied with a detail of observations, which prove that they also produce seeds or at least semi- nal bodies, the result of a union between two or more individuals which con- nect themselves in the same way that the Zygneme have been long known to do. It seems that these lowest plants have their seasons too of semination,— the reproductive unions occurring only at two seasons of the year, viz. in April and June, but it is probable that the time will depend on the annual temperature of the place which is made the scene of observation. The gemmules are nume- rous and small, while the seeds are very few in number and large, so that were the Closteria to be left dependent on the latter solely for their diffusion or existence, they would speedily become extinct, two individuals being required to produce one fertile seed. No single Closterium can form aseed of itself; a pair is necessary, and yet each element of this pair, enclosing all the organic con- ditions necessary to reproduction, is in fact an hermaphroditical being. In each there are two utricles with reddish spherules—the male organ,—and two masses of chromules—the female organ. If it remain single, the spherules fe- cundate the divisions of these parenchymatous masses, which become then the gemmules ; if it unites itself to another individual, the spherules fecundate the whole and undivided masses of the same chromule, which, by a force acting from the circumference to the centre, is raised to the condition of a seed. Morren con- cludes his paper with the following corollaries—“ J°. Il y a des étres chez les- quels les organes de la nutrition forment seuls et a-la-fois les organes reproduc- teurs et les étres reproduits.”—“ 2°. La formation des embryons végétaux, dans les algues, depénd d’une concentration de la matiére organisée.”—‘“ 3°. Les embryons végétaux chez les algues, se formant sous l’influence d’une force or- ganisatrice qui procede de la circonférence an centre.’ ———-MonTaGneE sur les plantes cryptogomes récemment découvertes en France. Spacu, Conspectus Monographie Hypericacearum. The following table exhibits a distribution of the British species according to Spach’s views : Tribus DesMosTEMONEZ—Sectio ELODEINEZ. Genus Elodes: sp. E. palustris. Tribus Hypericea—Sectio HyPERINEZ. Genus Hypericum: sp. * Holosopalum—H. humifusum. H. quad- rangulum. * * Milleporum—H. perforatum. H. dubium? * * * Adenosepalum—H. pulchrum. H.montanum. * * * * Droso- carpium—H. Carbatum. Tribus Hyperice.£—Sectio ANDROSZMINEZ. Genus Androsemum sp. A. officinale. Genus Eremonthe: sp. E. calycinum. The remaining articles of the number consist of short reviews and extracts from the “* Flora,” and do not require in consequence to be indicated in this place. The Magazine of Natural History. Conducted by J. C. Loupon, Vol. ix. Nos. for Nov. Dec. (Continued from p. 403.) I. Zoology. Westwoop on the Nomenclature of Natural History, p. 561. We are at the very antipodes with Mr W. on this subject, which it appears to us has been 490 En'omological Magazine. anything but elucidated by the recent discussions to which it has given rise in England. N. Woop’s Reply to C. J.’s Remarks on the “ British Song Birds,” p. 566. On the Habits of the American Flying Squirrel, (Pteromys yolucella, Cuv.) by D. W. C. p. 568. A very pleasing paper. BERKELEY on the Occurrence of Dreissena polymorpha, Vanbeneden, in Northamptonshire, p- 572. Biyru on the Birds observed, during the last four years, in the Vicinity of Tooting, Surrey ; with Remarks on their comparative Numbers and Distribution, p. 622. CxiarkeE’s Remarks on Lepas anatifera, p. 638. In neither Numberis there any original Botanical communication, excepting what is to be found among the “ Short Notices,” which are as various and numerous as hitherto. Ofthese, there is none we have read with so much pleasure as the Anecdotes of the late Mr Purton, author of the Midland Flora ; and we do hope that, in the New Series of this Magazine begun with the present year, an effort will be made, by the industrious Editor, to supply us with similar, or rather more copious, notices of such lovers of Natural History as may be annually sum- moned to that bourne whence no traveller returns. Entomological Magazine. London, October 1836. The contents of this number are less interesting than usual, and the first eight pages are filled with a continuation of the “‘ Wanderings and ponderings of an Insect Hunter,” which, however, have nothing to do with Entomology. Art. 11. Essay on Parasitic Hymenoptera. By A. H. Hatipay, M. A., conti- nued from page 59. 12. Some Scraps by the author of the Delta letters. 13. Notes on Diptera by Francis WALKER. These record the habitats of several rare British species. 14. Researches on the insects injurious to the vine, known to the ancients and moderns, and on the means of preventing their ravages. By M. Le Baron WALKENAER, extracted from the Annales de la Société Entomo- logique de France. The first section only of this essay, containing the critical examination of the names given by the ancients to insects injurious to the vine» is given ; the remainder to appear in a subsequent number. 15. Additional notes on the order Thasynoptera. By A. H. Hatipay, M. A.— 16. Notes upon Diptera, and characters of some undescribed species of the family Muscide. By A. H. Hatipay, M. A. 17. Verses on Spring. 18. Thoughts on the Study of Entomology. 19. A list of rare insects taken at Darenth Wood. By Members of the Society of Practical Entomologists, from June 20th to July 11th, 1836. 20. Description of the Genera and Species of the British Chrysidide. By H. E. Suucxarp, M. E. S. 21. Notes on the Butterflies questionably British. 22. Observations on the circulation of blood, and the distribution of the Trachez in the wings of Chrysopa perla. By J. S. BowErpank. An interest- ing paper, accompanied by a plate of the wing of the insect and its blood-vessels. 23. Proceedings of the Entomological Club. 24. List of captures at Lyndhurst and Ryde. By Sir Joun Licuron, and the Rey. G. T. Rupp. Among the Coleoptera are three distinct new genera of Staphylini, and Cicindela Germanica, &c. 25. Pith of Periodicals. ZOOLOGICAL. Hersilia, Savigny.—This genus of spiders is remarkable, Ist, for having three joints in the tarsus, which is an anomalous fact in its class, and 2dly, for the smoothness of the claws, for the claw of every other known spider is toothed or pectinated. These curious deviations from the ordinary structure are un- doubtedly accompanied with corresponding peculiarities in the habits of the spe- cies, but with these habits we are unacquainted. Three species are known, one a native of Egypt (Cairo,) the others of India, having been sent from Bombay, and the coast of Malabar.— Guérin, Mag. de Zoologie. Pleurotuchus, nov. gen.—Characterized at p. 142.—Mr J. E. Gray informs us that this is synonymous with his genus Cicigna in Griffith’s edition of the “ Ani- mal Kingdom,” and with the Pteropleura of Weigmann.—Epirts. Upupa Epops.—A beautiful specimen of the Hoopoe was shot near Coylton in Ayrshire on the 16th of October 1836.—P. W. Maclagan. Falco rufipes.—A fine mature male was shot on the Durham coast between South Shields and Marsden rocks, in the middle of last October. It was in com- pany with another, which unfortunately escaped. The stomach was filled with coleopterous insects. — Albany Hancock. Motacilla neglecta. —A male specimen of this interesting species was shot a little west of Newcastle on the Ist of last May. It was with another, probably a female; and from the lateness of the season it is likely they might have bred in the neighbourhood. When my brother was in Norway he met with several individuals of this species, but procured only one. It appears to be the common bird of that part of Europe, and is so perhaps over the whole continent, the neglecta being the species described by the continental writers as the flava of Ray.—Albany Hancock. Regulus ignicapillus.—An individual of this beautiful little bird was taken on the rigging of a ship five miles off the Norfolk coast in the early part of last Oc- tober.—Albany Hancock. Larus minutus.—A specimen of this bird, in the first plumage, was killed at the mouth of the river Tyne last September.—Albany Hancock, Noy. 21, 1836. Hipparchia blandina.—Five specimens were captured about the 21st of Au- gust 1836, at the foot of Whernside in Craven, Yorkshire, by Abraham Clap- ham, Esq., a pair of which were presented by him to the museum of the Leeds Phil. and Lit. Society, and one to myself.—Henry Denny. Luminosity of the Sea and Cholera.—From 1810 M. Surivay had observed 492 Zoology. the phosphorescence in our seas to be exhibited with the same characters every year during the summer season, but it was interrupted in the waters of the channel (De la Manche) when the cholera morbus prevailed at Havre and its vicinity in the month of May, June, and July 1884." Several naturalists of the French capital, who are in the habit of visiting our harbour from season to season, and who had been observant of the phenomena, confirm this remarkable fact ; and the whole city is witness to the sudden and very general mortality of the fishes kept in our preserves of brackish water which then occurred. All the eels and flat fishes came to the margins and died. M. Surivay examined with the micrescope some drops of the water become a little putrid, and he ascertained that its slight blood-tinted colour depended on the increase of different kinds of infusory ani- malcules. The diffused phosphorescence observable in our seas during the summer, M. Surivay attributes to the prevaleuce of a minute species of medusa (Noctiluca miliaris, ) which he has described and figured in Guerin’s Mag. de Zoologie. Parmacella, Cuvier—MM. Webb and Vanbeneden have attentively examined - the American mollusca reputed to belong to this genus in the rich collection of the late Baron de Férussac, and the result is the establishment of a new genus (Peltella) for their reception, the organic differences between them‘and those of the old continent being so considerable as to justify their separation. This divi- sion besides has the advantage of fixing in a precise manner the geographical dis - tribution of the two genera. The Parmacelle appear to belong more particularly to Northern Africa, one species only having been met with at the western extre- mity of Europe, and in one of the warmest regions of the Iberian Peninsula. We may then presume, that when the Limacide of the north of Africa are better known, the group to which they (the Parmacell«) belong will present a series of species similarly conformed, and replacing in those climates the slugs of our tem- peraté regions. The European species is minutely described and figured in a late No. of Guerin’s Mag. de Zoologie. It was found on the hills of Alcantara be- hind Lisbon, feeding on the young shoots of Cochlearia acaulis, and is charac- terized as follows : Parmacella Valenciennii, corpore toto fulvo, reticulatim rugoso ; concha scu- tello obvoluta, tenui, diaphana, fragilissima ; spire rudimento instructa, basi mo- taria amditu sinuata.— Webb and Vanbeneden in Mag. de Zoologie. On the sexes of some Crustaceans.—It is to be observed that, in regard of sex, the Cancroidea differ not only in being male and female, but there are also bar- ren or spurious females, of which the broadly-trigonate abdomen is narrower than in genuine females, although broader than in the males. These are not to be con- founded with young females whose abdomen, as in the Majacez, is flatter than in the adults, for of several species there are both barren and fruitful individuals of the same age. The Cancroidea and Matutoidea are hitherto the only families in which these sterile females have been noticed. Portunus (Neptunus) pelagicus, sanguinolentus ; (Amphitrite) gladiator, hastatoides ; (Charybdis) miles, 6-den- tatus ; (Thalamita) truncatus ; Ocypode (Macrophthalmus) japonica ; (Helice) imieae Grapsus (Erischeir) japonicus ; (Grapsus) marmoratus have afforded * The exact year, as well as the name of the author’s place of residence, is omit- ted in the essay from which this notice is extracted. Sooloyy. 493 specimens of them. ‘The form of the abdomen of the spurious females is trigo- nate in all the Portuni, but in P. sexdentatus the joints are arched on the side, and constricted at the apex and base ; in Oxypode and Grapsus, differing from the former, it is wider than the half of the breadth of the sternum, while of a ge- nuine female it occupies the whole breadth, and the apical joint is trigonal not dilated. The ovigerous appendages, or, as their use would warrant us in calling them, the spurious feet, are fringed with long hairs in the females, but on the con- trary in the neuters they are either smooth or very shortly hairy. The organs of the body agree mostly with those of the females, but Portunus miles offers a dif- ference in the claws, and P. truncatus both in the claws and front.— W. De Haan in Siebold’s Fauna Japonica. Crustacea, Part ii. p. 36. Arvicole.—M. Edm. de Selys-Longchamps has published a short monograph of the species of Arvicole found in the vicinity of Liege, and has given the cha- racters of two species which he considers new and distinct. We add the de- scriptions in his own words, to serve for comparison with the species of Britain. “ Campagnol souterrein, A. subterraneus, Longch.—Oreilles médiocres, entourées a leur base de poils qui se font paroitre cachées quand l’animal est en vue. Yeux tres-petits (une fois plus petits que ceux du Mus arvalis, Lin.) ‘Queue d’une longeur égale au tiers du corps; bicolore, cest-a-dire noir en dessus et blan- chatre en dessous (du moins dans les individus adultes,) pieds couverts de poils courts d’un gres noiratre, pelage d’un gris noiratre plus ou moins foncé en des- sus, d’un gris blanchatre en dessous. Dens incessores d'un jaune foncé chez les vieux. Longeur du corps 2 po. 9 1.; de la queue | po. 21. ; totale 3 po. 111. 15 Vertebres ala queue; 13 paires de cotes—Ce campagnol se trouve sur la bords du Geer, de lOurthe, &c. Il frequente lesjardins a legumes, situes dans les terrains un peu humides peut-etre aussi les prairies. Il vit toujours souter- ralli. “ Campagnol roussatre, A. rufescens, Longch.—Queue d’un longeur egale a la moitie du corps ; bicolore, cest-a-dire* noiratre en dessus, blanche en dessous. Yeux prominens. Oreilles assez longues, pieds blanchatre, pelage d’un roux ferrugineux assez vif sur le dos. gris cendré sur les cdtes, blanchatre en dessous. Longeur du corps2 po. 9 1.; de la queue 1 po. 43 1.; totale 4 po. 31.—16 ver- tebres a lz queue, 13 paires des cotes—cette description n’a été fait que d’apres 2 individus pris dans un petit bois a Longchamps sur Geer.” —L’ Instit. 16 Novr. 1836. Bones of the Camel found in a fossil state.—M. de Blainville has announced to the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, that he has learned from an indivi- dual who has lately returned from India, that the fossil remains of the camel have been found in the deposits of the lower ranges of the Himalayan mountains. The remains alluded to consist of a cranium, which was found in a very hard sandstone about two miles from Ramghur, and six from Pingon. This head, almost entire, appears to have belonged to the Dromedary, or single-humped camel. There has been also discovered in the same locality, the anterior part of the head of an animal intermediate between the Anoplotherium and Paleo- therium of the Paris Basin. And the tooth of a species of Mastodon, allied to * Mr Bell quotes this as synonymous with 4. pratensis, Bail; A. riparia, Yarr. 494 xoology. the M. angustidens, Cuy., and which, if this opinion should prove correct, would show that the remains of the latter animal had been found in three quar- ters of the world, Europe, Asia, America.—Jnstit. 9th and 16th Novr. 1836. Migratory Birds in 1836.—In the northern parts of England the effects and influence of season upon the movements of migratory birds, has been strongly exemplified during the present year. The cold and ungenial weather during the months of March, April, and May, delayed the arrival of most of our summer visitants from ten to fourteen days beyond the average period of their first ap- pearance, as deduced from a journal annually kept for more than fifteen years. It was also generally remarked that they were much fewer in numbers, and that some species were altogether absent in localities where in previous years they had been abundant. The departure of the Sylviade, as well as the Hirundinide, on their equato- rial movement, has also been unusually early, no doubt strongly influenced by the low temperature of the season. Before the Ist of September the most of the Warblers had disappeared, a few individuals of Sylvia trochilus alone remaining till the Sth or 10th of that mouth, and after the 20th of September, more than a month before their accustomed time, the Chimney Swallows and Martlets had entirely disappeared. It is worthy of remark, that the Crossbill, whose summer migrations extends to higher lati- tudes, were observed in Northumberland as late as the 2d of May, at which time the eggs in the ovary of the female were some of them as large as peas. The Fieldfare (Merula pilaris) one of our winter visitants, arrived in large flocks on the 24th and 25th of the present month, being a fortnight or more before the average time of its appearance. An extraordinary deficiency of the insect tribe, particularly Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, has been generally noticed throughout the north of England and Scotland, during the spring and summer just passed.—P. J. S. Additions to the Entomology of the Edinburgh district.—The following coleop- terous insects have been captured during the two last seasons ; and as they are not contained in the Entomologia Edinensis of Messrs Wilson and Duncan, some record of them will not perhaps be considered devoid of interest. Haliplus melanocephalus. Braid marshes. The species is described by Stephens as having the interstices of the striz on the elytra impunctate ; my specimens have a few scattered punctures, but differ in no other respect. Hydroporus frater. Reservoir above south Queensferry, and in the fish-ponds at Newliston. — 12-pustulatus. Reservoir at south Queensferry ; a single individual. Hydrobius melanocephalus. Braid marshes. Spheridium scarabeoides—bipustulatum. Trichopteryx minima. Wall-top, Dalmeny park. Ips ferruginea. Wall-top, Dalmeny Park, two specimens only. Hister neglectus—bimaculatus—nitidulus ; all near south Queensferry. Onthophagus ovatus. «King’s Park, in dung. This is a very interesting ad- dition to our Fauna ; a few specimens were taken early in 1836 by Mr R. N. Greville. It is the only species hitherto found in Scotland. Aphodius contaminans. Telephorus ochropus. Roslin. Botany. 495 Acalles ptinoides. Roslin. The Rev. W. Little and myself captured one specimen each. Hypera fulvipes. South Queensferry. It seems really distinct from H. ni- grirostris. Apion pomone ; rare. A. cxruleopenne ; Queensferry; a single specimen. A. carduorum—sulcifrons—vorax—foveolatum. Rhagium inquisitor. Roslin. Haltica flava. Dalmeny Park. Thyamis pallens—Pulex. Macrocnema hyoscyami. Mantura semiznea. Chzetocnema concinna. Chrysomela pallida. A considerable number of specimens were taken at Roslin by the Rev. W. Little and myself, by beating the hazel bushes. C. hyperici. Juniper Green, on Hypericum hirsutum. Phzdon aucta. Coccinella humeralis. On palings in the Meadows, along with C. dispar and variabilis. Quedius pyrrhopus—picipennis. Philonthus maculicornis,— Watsoni. Othius pilicornis. Gyrohypnus affinis—punctulatus. Lathrobium rufipenne. Oxytelus rugosus—nitens. Stenus oculatus—cicindeloides ?—unicolor—picipes ?—gonymelas ?—Aceris —canaliculatus ?—lineatulus ?—levior ?—levis—pusillus; besides several individuals that I cannot refer to any species described by Stephens. Lesteva testacea. Roslin. Tachinus apicalis. Tachyporus lateralis. Conurus cellaris. Bolitobius apicalis. Among the rarer insects described in the Entomologia Edinensis, a single spe- cimen has occurred of Microsaurus lateralis. Edinburgh, Dec. 16. R. K. GREVILLE. BOTANICAL. Agaricus cochleatus, Eng. Fl. y. ii. p. 69.—“ Inverary” is the only recorded station for this rare Agaric in Scotland. It may therefore be worth while to mention, that I gathered it in great perfection, on November 17, 1836, in the plantation around Foulden House, Berwickshire.—G. J. ADDITIONS To CoorER’s FLtora Metropo.itana.—Silene otites.—This un- common plant, in the vicinity of London, was discovered in Charlton Chalk-pit, Kent, last summer, by Miss S. Berkeley, Busk, and Finch, from whom I possess specimens. Crocus aureus.—I also found this not very common species in the neighbour- hood of London, in Charlton Wood, Kent, in company with Messrs Chatterley and Lee, who also met with it in a meadow in Battersea Fields. The locality 496 Botany. in Charlton Wood is rather complicated, but I will give as good a description as possible. When you arrive in the lane on left hand just out of Charlton from Blackheath, get over the style by the first house on the right hand, and then about fifty yards on your right, get over the hedge into a valley, where there isa pond ; lower down than the pond Crocus aureus is found on both sides plenti- fully in the proper season. This species is not mentioned in Lindley’s Synopsis. DanrEL Cooper. Allan Cuningham.—This gentleman has been appointed Curator of the Syd- ney Botanic Garden in the stead of his brother, Richard Cuningham, who met an untimely end when exploring the interior of Australia. Mr Cuningham sailed from London in October last. Marsiliacee.__M. Auguste de Saint-Hilaire has communicated to the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris, a notice on the structure and developement of the reproductive organs of a species of Marsilea found in the vicinity of Agde. These observations have been made by Esprit Fabre, a gardener in the neigh- bourhood, and are sent to St Hilaire by M. Dunal, who has applied to the plant the name ofits discoverer. In Marsilea Fabri, there is seen at the base of each leaf a very short horizon- tal peduncle, to which a capsular involucrum is attached for the whole length, which the adherence of the peduncle makes appear as if sessile. If the involu- crum be cut in two, the processes are seen in each half, which in another species have been taken for the divisions, and which separate the involucrum into the cells where the small globular or elliptical bodies are contained. The involucrum opens in two valves, and if one of them be detached, the peduncle is perceived articu- lated ; and in the interior of the involucrum that part of the pedicelle above the arti- culation gives rise to ramifications which cover the reproductive apparatus. It is these which have been taken for the divisions, the ramifications subdivide them- selves, and their extreme branches being delicate, are termined in a kind of small ears or heads. From the opened involucrum springs a mucilaginous ring, which bears six or seven.sessile ears, (those mentioned above.) The ring enlarging carries with it the ears, and breaks the communication between them and the receptacle ; soon after one extremity of the ring detaches itself from the involucrum, is straight- ened and now becomes a peduncle with a naked extremity, furnished latterly with sessile ears. These are composed of two kinds of bodies, wedged against ano- ther, and arranged spirally, these M. Fabre regards, the one as the anthers, the other as the ovules. The ovules, of the number of ten or fifteen in each ear, are small bodies ter- minated at one of their extremities by a narrow yellow nipple surrounded by a sort of prominent hood, which the nipple passes. The interior of these bodies is filled with a liquid in which numerous granules swim. The terminal nip- ple is always turned towards the anthers ; these are small bodies found in a membranous bag, in which there are numerous grains of pollen, which when crushed under the microscope, are seen to throw out spermatic granules of great delicacy. But.it may be asked, on what proofs do MM. Fabre and Dunal assert, that the bodies which they name ovules, are fecundated by those which they call an- Botany. 497 theres? M. Fabre has enclosed the antheres and ovules in separate vessels, and both have remained without change till decomposition commenced. On the contrary, when these bodies were placed in the same vessel, he perceived the divisions of the anthers to burst, and the grains of pollen to be carried around the nipple of the ovaries ; he saw the ovules detached and fall to the bottom of the water ; in short, he saw a little stem implanted in the earth by its extremity spring from the nipple, soon after a fine thread has risen from its extremity, (a thread which was in reality a cotyledon), and other leaf stalks have successively spread, terminated by two, three, and even four leaflets. The conclusion which M. Dunal has thus arrived at, after comparing these curious facts, with what had been previously written regarding the Marsiliacez is, that they should be removed from the Class Cryptogamia and placed among the Phanerogamous plauts.—Z’ Inst. 16th Nov. 1886. Pilularia globulifera.—The general description of the involucre of Pilularia, and the very different seed-like bodies therein contained, is familiar to most botanists, and is for the most part correctly given by modern writers; but the nature and functions of those bodies have been frequently the subject of con- tradictory statement, some authors attributing to the smaller, the office of sta-_ mens, and to the larger, that of pistils, whilst others have denied both, and, to avoid a difficulty, have imagined that the smaller are abortive seeds. The well-marked distinction in structure, size, shape, and situation, within the involucre, in all stages of growth of these bodies, and the smaller or granules not being observed in many experiments to make the least effort at germination, are grounds sufficient to justify the conclusion that they are not abortive seeds, but that they perform some peculiar office, and the probability of that office being analogous to that of anthers in Phenogamous plants. The result, too, of Mr Dickie’s experiments" shewing the presence of starch and a fluid resembling a fixed oil its properties in the true seeds, or “ thece,” as they have been called, (which is evidently an improper term since each “ theca” is one entire seed, having one germen, and producing but one plant) is a valuable ad- dition to the distinguishing characters of these bodies. To ascertain the man- ner of germination, some seeds of Pilularia were placed in water in watch- glasses—seeds by themselves, and seeds with granules in separate glasses—and in a few days the seeds in both vessels were swollen about the apex,+ which became of a blackish-brown colour, and a green point soon presented itself through the apex in a line vertical to the axis of the seed, and became a leaf, which having attained about half an inch in length, a white radicle appeared in a directly opposite line. When the root had attained rather more than half an inch in length, the young plants withered and died, probably from exposure to too much light, and being deprived of other advantages which soil would afford. Ac- cordingly, a glass dish was nearly filled with mud and water, and covered with a _ bell glass to prevent evaporation. A considerable number of seeds were placed on the mud, and some buried a little below the surface ; germination commenced in a few days; but inthis experiment the first leaf proceeded at right angles to the * See No. IV. of this Magazine, + The upper part of the figure in Mr Dickie’s paper represents the apex. 498 Botany. axis of the seed. The leaf in this experiment also preceded the radicle. In a week or more, a second leaf appeared, and in about the same length of time a third with a rudiment of a horizontal stem proceeding from the point of union between the radicle and first leaf. The seed or rather the external coriaceous covering adhered for many weeks. The number of leaves and roots previous to the developement of the stem, is various, in different individuals. The first leaf is straight from its earliest appearance, but all the future leaves are slightly coiled, as in the young fronds of ferns. It is observed that in all cases the embryo proceeds from the same determinate point of the seed. The circulation of the sap seems to be carried on by Exosmose and Endosmose, as the substance of the leaves and stem consists chiefly of elongated cells of various dimensions, their extremities being closed by partitions; but in the centre of the leaf there is a branch of vessels which appear to be ducts of very minute size. No spiral vessels could be de- tected. Professor Lindley has observed ducts in Marsilea. The developement of the seminal or first leaf before the radicle is analogous to the germination of some of the Cyperacee, as according to Mirbel:in Scirpus Romanus, sylva- ticus, &c. The habit of Pilularia also resembles that of some of the same order. When _it is considered that so many of the essential characters of the Cellulares do not apply to the Marsiliacez, as in the subject of the above observations, the embryo proceeding from a determinate point of the seed, the vascularity of the stems and leaves, there being no other order of the Cellulares having true stems, and the approximation to a sexual apparatus, it seems to point to the conclusion that this order is intermediate between the Monocoteledones and the Cellulares, or at least should stand first among the latter as Mirbel and some other Continen- tal botanists have placed it.—Lloyd. Contributions to the Flora of Ayrshire. Teesdalia nudicaulis. Sandy fields, near Prestwich. Lepidium campestre. Near Dunure Castle. “Raphanus maritimus. Ailsa Craig—Mr Jas. Smith.” Silene Anglica. Sandy fields, near Prestwich—rare. Spergula saginoides et subulata, Carrick-hill—very rare. Radiola melligrana. Prestwich Moor, in many places. “ Lavatera arborea. Ailsa Craig—Mr J. Smith.” “‘ Hypericum montanum. Banks of the Doon, near Cassilis—Mr Jas. Smith.” Hypericum elodes. Lochfergus—Irvine—not uncommon. «“ Geranium columbinum. Near Maybole—Mr J. Smith.” Trifolium ornithopodioides. Shore uear the mouth of the Doon, where sea- weed has been—Dr G. M‘Nab. Ornithopus perpusillus. Sandy fields, frequent, as at Prestwich. Lythrum salicaria. Carrick-hill, &c.—wet places, very frequent. Sedum telephium. Rocks near Dunure, and elsewhere on the shore—fre- quent. Sedum anglicum. Rocks, especially on the shore—common. Rhodiola rosea. Rocks on the shore, south of the Heads of Ayr. Saxifraga aizoides. Rarely with the preceding. “ Saxifraga hypnoides. In a glen, near Dalmellington—Dr G. M‘Nab.” “ Carum verticillatum. Near ee and elsewhere—Mr J. Smith.” Botany. 499 Eryngium maritimum. On the shore—abundantly. Inula helenium. Dunure Castle. Hypochaeris glabra. Sandy fields, near Prestwich. Lobelia dortmanna. Not unfrequent in lochs, as at lochs Martnaham and Fergus. Jasione montana. Pastures and heaths—abundant. “ Andromeda polifolia. Shewalton Moss—Mr J. Smith.” Convolvulus soldanella. Shore north of Ayr in plenty. Lithospermum maritimum. Near Dunure Castle. “‘ Lycopus Europeus. Chapelton loch, and many other places.” Lamium intermedium. Field near the mouth of the Doon—Dr G. M‘Nab. Waste ground in and about Ayr—frequent. Scutellaria galericulata. Marshy places—frequent. “ Lysimachia vulgaris. Martnaham Loch—Mr J. Smith.” Centunculus minimus. On Prestwich Moor with Radiola millegrana, where the turf has been removed. Polygonum aviculare, var. B. maritimum. On the shore—common. Scilla verna. Near Dunure Castle—abundantly. Potamogeton heterophyllus, without floating leaves. In Martnaham Loch. “ Ruppia maritima. Near Troon Harbour—Mr Smith.” Juncus maritimus. Troon Harbour. Scirpus Savii. Near Dunure Castle—Dr G. M‘Nab. Carex limosae Knockdon Loch. “ Calamagrostis Epigejos. Banks of the Doon, 14 mile below Patna Bridge —Dr G. M‘Nab.” “ Elymus arenarius. Coast, four miles north of Ayr, sparingly—Mr J. Smith.” “ Lycopodium inundatnm. Shewalton Moss—Mr Smith.” « Cryptogramma crispa. « Hymenophyllum Wilsoni. Glen near Dalmellington—Dr G. M‘Nab.” ‘«¢ Asplenium viride. Asplenium marinum. Maritime rocks—frequent. Puintie W. Macitacan. ' Spiranthes autumnalis—I found plentifully in 1835, in the middle of the large sand pit leading out of the lower road between Greenwich and Woolwich. This plant is sometimes not to be observed for four or five years together, and then to flower regularly for a short time.—DaniEL Cooper. Leucojum estivum.—A meadow of this beautiful plant is to be seen at the bend of the river Thames, directly opposite to the Plough Tavern, Blackwall.— DanieL Cooper. Elaphomyces granulatus, Eng. Flor. v. ii. p. 306.—In a beech plantation near Foulden, Berwickshire, attached to the radicles of the trees. This, I believe, is a novelty to the Scottish Flora. It were desirable that the characters which separate this from the Klaph. muricatus were more tangible than they seem to be in Mr Berkeley’s descriptions.—G. J. Spartina glabra.—Specimens of Spartina glabra, a genus new to the British Flora, were presented to the Linnean Society (Nov. 1, 1836,) by Dr Brom- 500 . Miscellaneous. ; field, by whom the plant was discovered during the past summer on the muddy banks of the river of Southampton, growing in great abundance, intermixed with Sp. stricta. The species had been previously found only in North America. It is now in such plenty in the Southampton station, that, if really introduced by ballast or other means, it must have been long since naturalized.—Phil. Mag. Jan. 1837. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Mepico-BoranicaL Society oF Lonpon,—Earl Stanhope, president, in the chair.—A communication by Sir Robert Kerr Porter, forwarded through Sir Henry Halford, onthe Cinchunchuili, or Ionidium parviflorum, wasread. The paper embraced a botanical description of the plant, and the reports furnished by the medical men to the Venezuelan government on its use as a therapeutic agent, in the treatment of that scourge of the tropics, the Elephantiasis tuberculata. The celebrated Mutis gave the name Viola parviflora to the cinchunchulli, in which he was followed by Persoon, but Ventenat considered it an Ionidium, and Dr Bancroft of Jamaica, who has recently published a paper on the subject, gave it the name of Ionidium Marcucci, in honour of M. Marcucci, a gentleman who underwent much toil and danger, when searching for the plant. It is found at the foot of the Chimborazo, at Cuenga, Canar, and Puragé, in the canton of Popayau: the root is the part employed, and its sensible effects are, nausea, vomiting, perspiration, and diuresis. Several cases were narrated at some length, in which much advantage was derived from the use of the cinchunchul- ii, but it unfortunately happened, that in all those treated by medical men, the quantity of the drug in their possession was too small to enable them to effect a cure, supposing the remedy capable of producing it. Botanica Society or Lonpon.—In our last Intelligence (page 415,) we no- ticed the institution of a Botanical Society in London. The following pros- pectus has since been sent to us by the attention of Mr Heathcot.—Societies for the cultivation of Natural History generally, for the cultivation of Horticul- tural Botany particularly, for the cultivation also of Medical Botany, are already in existence in this metropolis, but no Society especially devoted to general Botanical Science has hitherto been instituted. The advantages of a Society of the last-mentioned description, will probably be admitted by every one who has the slightest acquaintance with Botany, and will without doubt be acceptable to all who are desirous of obtaining information on the various subjects which will necessarily come under the consideraticn of such a Society. A number of gentlemen, having seriously considered the many desirable re- sults which such a Society cannot fail to produce, and having fully decided upon the necessity, have instituted, “The Botanical Society of London,” for the pro- motion of the following objects, viz.— I. To concentrate the labours of individual Botanists, by holding stated Meet- ings in some central situation, with as little expense as possible to the Members, where each may communicate his information, and receive that of others in re- turn. Il. To read original papers, and translations of Foreign Memoirs of import- ance, on Botanical subjects, at the Ordinary Meetings of the Society. Ill. To examine and describe all plants that have not hitherto been accurately described, and to communicate the results at the Ordinary Meetings of the So- ciety ; and by a separate examination of the same plants, by different persons, Miscellaneous. 501 produce a series of accurate descriptions of genera and species, which could not possibly have been done without such a co-operation of scientific botanists. IV. To publish these descriptions and other transactions, as often as may be deemed expedient. V. To form Herbaria of British and Foreign plants, for the reference of the Members, and exchange with other Societies or individual collectors, and thus be the means of producing many valuable Herbaria, which otherwise would not have been completed or even commenced. VI. To form a Library and Museum. This Society consists of Resident, Corresponding, Foreign, Life, and Hono- rary Members. The Annual Subscription of Resident Members is fixed at One Guinea, of Corresponding Members at Half-a-Guinea, and after the Society has been esta- blished Six Months, each new Member of these two Classes shall pay an admis- sion fee of Half-a-Guinea. Another prominent feature of this Society is, that Ladies are eligible as Mem- bers, it being well known that there are many who have devoted their attention with success to this delightful study, and whose occupations often leave them much ‘leisure for observation and research. The following officers have been appointed; the names of the others when elected will be published in a subsequent Prospectus. Council. George E. Dennes, Esq. 5, Great Vine Street, Golden Square. Joseph Freeman, Esq. Stratford, Essex. Charles Johnson, Esq. Professor of Botany, Guy’s Hospital. Dr Macreight, Professor of Botany, Middlesex Hospital. Henry Ashton Meresom, Esq. Guy’s Hospital. W. H. White, Esq. 4, Worship Square, Finsbury. Treasurer.—John Reynolds, Esq. 23, Chadwell Street, Islington. Curator.—Daniel Cooper, Esq. 82, Blackfriars Road. Honorary Secretary.—W. M. Chatterley, Esq. 82, Blackfriars Road. The Society will hold its Meetings every alternate Thursday.—The Meetings will take place on Thursday, . . . November 3. ) At their rooms Adelphi Cham- ” eas. avi op Weir bers, 11, John Street, Adel- a . » »« December 1. phi, next door to the So- ” allie »” 15. ciety of Arts. N.B.—Communications may be addressed (post paid) to the Secretary as above, or at Adelphi Chambers. The second meeting of this Society took place on Thursday evening, No- vember 3, at the Crown and Anchor, Strand, J. E. Gray, Esq. F. R. S. in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Several presents to the Library and Herbarium were also announced. The Society then fully considered the necessity of taking apartments, plans of which were laid before the Members by the Council, when they decided upon holding their future meetings at Adelphi Chambers, 11, John Street, Adelphi, next door to the Society of Arts. It was proposed and carried unanimously, that the anniversary meeting be fixed for the 29th of November, the birth-day of our illustrious countrymen and botanist, John Ray. This was received with most NO. V. Kk 502 Miscellaneous. enthusiastic applause by a crowded assembly of both ladies and gentlemen- Mr Daniel Cooper, author of Flora Metropolitana, &c. the founder and curator of the Society, read an interesting paper on the effects of light upon some of our domestic plants, which excited great interest, more particularly with the la- dies. Mr D. Cooper also related the results of some interesting experiments on the imbibition of coloured fluids by the roots of plants, and produced many interesting specimens of general interest to the vegetable physiologist. There were several eminent metropolitan botanists present, among whom were Sir W. Kelburn, Dr MacIntyre, Dr Lewis, Mr Charles Johnson, Mr D. Cooper, &e. &c. The thanks of the Society having been expressed to Mr D. Cooper for his interesting papers, the chairman then stated that the next meeting would take place on Thursday, November 17th, at Adelphi Chambers.—A. HraTucor. BeRwicksHIRE NATURALISTS’ CLuB.—It may safely be said, that at no period in the history of our country has a love for physical science in general been more widely diffused than it is at present; and certainly at no previous period was it ever more zealously or successfully cultivated. In the department of Natural History in particular, the truth of this statement must be obvious to every one at all acquainted with the subject. The very circumstance, indeed, of the esta- blishment, within a very limited number of years, of so many associations in all parts of the island for the prosecution of this delightful and most rational study, is of itself a sufficient proof of the interest and attention with which it is now almost invariably regarded. And to these associations it doubtless is that we are, in a very great measure at least, fo ascribe the present flourishing state of this science. The Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club is one of these late associa- tions, having been formed between five and six years ago; and as it is now be- ginning to be pretty extensively known, and is in its plan or constitution some- what different from almost every society which has been instituted for a similar purpose, a brief notice of its rise and progress may not be uninteresting. While other societies contented themselves almost entirely with reading and hearing communications, and confined their meetings to one particular town or city, it suggested itself to one or two Berwickshire naturalists who were in the habit of: occasionally meeting each other in their rambles after nature’s beauties, that if a county or district association could be formed, and the attention of that association could be.given exclusively to the natural history of its own district, meeting for that purpose periodically in different parts of the district, and de- voting its attention as much to actual excursions or out-of-door work, as to the reading and discussing of papers and communications, not only would the natu- ral phenomena and productions of the district be more minutely and successful- ly investigated, but, by the same means, a greater number of facts, and a greater amount of information, would be added to the general stock of natural know- ledge daily accumulating throughout the land. No sooner was the suggestion or proposal communicated to other companions in the same pursuits, than it was at once and cordially approved of ; and the result accordingly was the formation of a district society under the title of the Berwickshire Naturalist’s Club, which held its first meeting in the neighbourhood of Cockburnspath, September 22d 1831. Though at the first meeting only nine gentlemen were present, yet it is gratifying to be able to add, that the number of members now amounts to forty ; and it is equally pleasant to be able to state, that the same harmony of feeling, the same Miscellaneous. 503 zeal and ardour in the pursuit of nature which led to the institution of the club, and characterized its first meetings, still continue to animate and to characterize every succeeding one. The object of the club being to gain as accurate and complete a knowledge as possible of the natural productions of the county (and its immediate neighbourhood), and its constitution being partly scientific and partly social, its meetings, exclusive of the winter meeting (which is always at Berwick, ) are held four times a-year in different parts of the district ; the mem- bers meeting at breakfast, devoting the next five or six hours to an excursion through the most interesting parts of the neighbourhood, and then assembling to a comfortable dinner, after which, communications and notices, both verbal and written, are received and listened to; discoveries are recorded, and that ra- tional, happy, and mutually improving conversation is carried on, the tendency of which is, not only to expand the mind and improve the heart, but to render us also happier with each other, and happier with ourselves. Nor have the hopes of the founders of the club been at all disappointed as to the success which was likely to ensue from its institution. It has been the means of adding very many valuable facts, not only to the natural history of Berwickshire, but to that of the country generally. It has proved the district, the field of its investiga- tions, to be one most rich and interesting in almost all the departments of natu- ral history. It has published also, annually, for four years past, a small volume of its transactions; and from the zealous as well as the harmonious spirit by which it still continues to be animated, there is every reason to believe that it will go on increasing in knowledge, reputation, aud prosperity. ‘ The last meeting of the Club was held December 22d, at Berwick-upon- Tweed,—P. J. Selby, Esq. of Twizel House in the chair. After the reading of the minutes of former meeting, and other routine business, the following communications were read:—l. A paper by Mr Henderson “ on the popular Rythmes of Berwickshire.”_2. A paper by G. Darling, Esq., “‘ on the Black Turnip Caterpillar.”—5. A communication received from Sir Thomas Bris- bane, entitled, “ Practical observations on the Par, by James Kerse, fisher, Bowhill.”—4. A paper from the Rev. T. Cook, illustrative of some facts connected with the early history of the Borders; and 5. Contributions to the Flora.of the district, by Miss Bell and Dr Johnston. A number of rare and interesting birds from New Holland were also exhibited, and Dr Johnston’s Collection of Land-Shells, which the Club were invited to examine, was viewed with much attention and pleasure. ‘The rarest and most valuable contribution, however, at this meeting, was a. specimen of the Mullus barbatus, or Plain red Mullet, exhibited by the Rev. A. Baird, of .Cockburnspath, who procured it from one of the fishermen in that parish, in the month of August last. It was taken in a herring-net, and was a beautiful and full-grown specimen. Though this fish has for some time occupied a place in the British Fauna, itmay be stated that its claim rests merely on a vague remark.of Mr Pennant, who ac- knowledges that he never sawit. A single specimen, itis believed, isin the British Museum, but it is uncertain whence.it was procured. The individual exhibited on this occasion therefore may .be considered as the only authen- tic British specimen which has been preserved of.this famed and ‘beautiful fish. The next meeting of the Club was fixed to be held at Houndwood, on.the first Wednesday of May, 1837. 504 Miscellaneous. j q TWEEDSIDE PHysIcAL AND ANTIQUARIAN SocieTy.— A Quarterly Meeting of this Society took place here on Monday last, Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Bart., the Society’s President, in the chair. The list of donations to the Museum received since last meeting was read over, and the thanks of the Society were unanimously voted to the donors. We may specify the following as among the most important of the new acquisitions :— From Walter Elliot, Esq. Wolflee.—Forty-six skins of birds from India, some of them of rich and beautiful plumage. From a friend to the institution.—A collection of ancient and modern Bri- tish coins. Among these are a Penny of William the Lion; Penny of Henry II. ; the regal and episcopal Durham Pennies of Edward I. ; the Half Groats of Elizabeth and Henry VIII.; &c. &c. ’ From his Grace the Duke of Roxburghe.—Ist, Stuffed specimen of Crested Cormorant ; 2d, The male and female Mergansers ; 3d, Male and female Cor- nish Chough; 4th, Male Royston Crow. From Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Bart. of Makerston.—Ist, Two stuf- fed specimens (male and female) of the Passenger pigeon; 2. Specimen of the Harlequin Duck ; 3d, Specimen of the Snowy Owl. The two last are espe- cially interesting as rare and beautiful specimens of the British Fauna, though the individuals sent to the Museum were not shot in this country. From Adam B. Boyd, Esq. of Gherrytrees.—A curiously marked pyebald Mouse, killed at Cherrytrees. From Mrs Tait, Whitehill.—Collection of Eggs of the common domestic Fowl, presenting some singular varieties. Other interesting and appropriate donations were received from Mrs Redpath ; Major Watson; Mr Charles Douglas ; Miss Jane Wilson ; Mr Fulton, Hatched- nize; Mr W. Wheelans; &c. &c. Birds and Quadrupeds for preservation were received from Lady Polwarth ; the Duke of Roxburghe ; Mrs Roberton, Ladyrigg ; Mr Boog; Mr Beckwith; Mr Peter Darling; Sir Thomas M. Brisbane ; Mr Stuart; Mr Forrest, gun- smith ; &c. &c. This is a kind of contribution which the Society is always glad to acknowledge ; and we hope that its friends will continue their attentions. If they would take the trouble of visiting the Museum—and to those who will make allowances for the Society’s limited means, and the short period of its ex- istence, it is now worthy of a visit—they would best ascertain what are the de- ficiencies, numerous as they are, which still remain to be filled up. It gives us pleasure to learn that a gentleman is now engaged in making a collection of the Fishes of the district, which we hope to see soon occupying aplacein the Museum. The following: office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year :— PRESIDENT. Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Bart., K. C. B., &c. John Hodgson Hinde, Esq., M. P. 7 Major General Elliot of Rosebank, | _, as P. J. Selby, Esq. of Twizell House, f Vice- Presidents. Robert Wilkie, Esq. of Ladythorn, J Dr Wilson, Kelso, Secretary. Mr Currie, Kelso, Treasurer. Miscellaneous. 505 Major Watson, Mr Stuart, Mr Smith, J Mr Robert Frain, Trows, Hon. Artist. The thanks of the Society were voted to those gentlemen who had acted as office-bearers during the past year, and the meeting expressed its satisfaction with the progress which had been made with the Museum while under their charge. The Treasurer being absent from the meeting, no account could be given of the state of the Society’s funds, but we believe we may report them to be ina prosperous condition. Upon the whole, the success of the Institution continues to be such as is highly creditable to the state of society in the district in which it originated and has been hitherto supported. We trust that the advan - tages to be derived from it will yet make themselves more and more decidedly felt and acknowleged.— Kelso Mail. 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QEST 1OF Ao}oWOULIAY, T, 9U JO 193STSazy <= rme am GID “HD skeq | * Foolscap Octavo, each Vang ilustrated with upwards of Thir- ty Coloured Plates and Wood-Cuts, mostly from original Drawings made expressly for the purpose ; together with Portraits and Me- moirs of distinguished Naturalists. Price 6s. each, Extra Morocco Cloth Boards. This Popular Work has now reached the Sixteenth Volume, and has received the most flattering reception, not only from the Pub- lic, in the substantial encouragement which the extensive sale of upwards of 11,000 copies of some of the Volumes proves, but in the universally favourable notices which the Periodical Press has be- stowed upon its merits. It shall continue to be the anxious endea- vour of the Editor and Publisher to merit the continuance of such success, by giving their particular attention to the conducting of the Work in all its details ; and with this view, they are sparing no ex- pense in obtaining from the most talented Artists, not only original Drawings from Nature of the objects which form the Illustrations, but in procuring the best assistance, and latest intelligence respect- ing the most recent discoveries which have been made in the wide range of the Zoological kingdom. The subjects of the Volumes already published are— ORNITHOLOGY. I. HOMMING-BIRDS, Thirty-six Coloured Plates; with Memoir and Portrait of Linna&us. II. HUMMING-BIRDs, Thirty-two Coloured Plates; with Portrait and Memoir of Pennant. III. PEACOCKS, PHEASANTS, TURKEYS, &c., Thirty Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of ArisToTLe. IV. BIRDS OF THE GAME KIND, Thirty-two Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of Sir Tuomas StamForD RaFF_ts. V. COLUMBID (Pigeons), Thirty-two Coloured Plates; with Por- trait and Memoir of Piriny. VI. PARRO'LS, Thirty-two Coloured Plates ; with Memoir and Portrait of Tuomas Bewick. MAMMALIA. I. MONKEYS, Thirty-two Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Me- moir of BuFFON. II. LIONS, TIGERS, &c., Thirty-eight Coloured Plates ; with Portrait ann Memoir of Cuvier. III. RUMINATING ANIMALS, containing Derr, ANTELOPES, Ca- MELS, &c., Thirty-five Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of CaMPER. IV. RUMINATING ANIMALS, containing Goats, Sueer, Witp and Domestic Catriez, &e. &c., Thirty-three Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of Jonn Hunrer. The Naturalist’s Library. V. PACHIDERMATA, or Thick Skinned Quadrupeds, consisting of Evernants, Ruinoceroses, Taprrs, &c. &c., Thirty-two Colour- ed Plates; with Memoir and Portrait of Sir Hans Stoane. VI. WHALES, Thirty-two Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of LacePEeDE. ENTOMOLOGY. {. INTRODUCTION.—Wot yet Published. If. COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS (Beetles), Thirty-two Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of Ray. III. BRITISH DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA (Butterflies), Thirty-six Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of WERNER. IV. BRITISH NOCTURNAL LEPIDOPTERA (Moths, Sphinxes, &c.,) Thirty-two Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of Mapam Me_rian. ICHTHYOLOGY. I. FISHES OF THE PERCH GENUS, &c., Thirty-two Coloured Plates ; with Portrait and Memoir of Sir JosrrH Banks. Volumes in Preparation. BRITISH ANIMALS—BIRDS OF PREY—MAN—BEES—HORSES AND DOGS—BRITISH BIRDS, 1n tHrEEe voLtumMrs—FISHES— FOREIGN BUTTERFLIES, &c. &c. NOTICES OF THE WORK. “‘ With a ‘ Library’ of this description at hand, the Philosopher can study the wonderful works of animate nature scattered over the whole earth, aud become acquainted with the size, colour, instinct, and general habits of the thousands of living species which people our globe, from the moth to the monarch of the forest ; the economy of each shewing the wis- dom, and power, and goodness of the Creator of all, and raising the mind, by a pleasing contemplation, from nature up to nature’s God.’ ”—Scotsman, Dec. 1836. “ Rarely has it been our lot to peruse a more pleasing and instructive work. It is, moreover, got up in a style of extraordinary neatness and elegance ; and, even in this prolific age of cheap publications, we have seen nothing at all comparable, in moderation of price, with this.”’—The Na- turalist, No. III., conducted by B. Maund and W. Holl. Lond. 1836. “ We could hardly have thought that any new periodical would have obtained our approbation so entirely as the Naturalist’s Library ; but the price is so low, the coloured plates—three dozen in number—so very ele- gant, and the descriptions so very scientific and correct, that we cannot withhold from it our warmest praise. The whole is a perfect bijou, and as valuable as pretty.”—London Literary Gazette. “ The book is perhaps the most interesting, the most beautiful, and the cheapest series yet offered to the public.”—Atheneum. “We thought our popular embellished works had reached the ultimatum point; but no! Here is another, the elegance and scientific accuracy of which, in conjunction with its cheapness, is to us astonishing ; the book needs only to be seen, to be admired and coveted.” —T'ait’s Magazine. TF EDINBURGH ; PRINTED BY JOHN STARK, OLD ASSEMBLY CLOSE. MAGAZINE Or ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 1.—Notices of British Fungi. By Rev. M.J. Berxexey, M. A., F.L.S. (Continued from page 42.) No. II. 38. Agaricus hematophyllus, n.s. Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3, ined.—On peat earth abundantly, in a north border, and amongst rock-work (in company with Ag. cristatus ;) more sparingly and smaller in a hot-house, where it sometimes sprang from the wall itself, at Milton, Northamptonshire, where it was pointed out tome by Mr J. Henderson, at the beginning of October last. ‘The same gentleman has since found it growing amongst loam in melon pits, and a single specimen has occurred to myself at Lambley Notts on a steep declivity, on loamy clay. The nearest aflinity of this curious species, which belongs to the subgenus Lepiota, is with Ag. cristatus and Ag. meleagris, from which it differs essentially in colour, and in its approximate gills. Solitary, or gregarious ; often fasciculate. Pileus 1-1} inch broad, thin, brittle, chocolate or olive-brown, clothed with minute raised scales, and copious meal of the same colour ; flesh pale, not changing when cut. Gills varying greatly in breadth, rounded be- hind, quite free, but approximate, at first of a fine red like that of the gills of the best mushrooms, at length deep chocolate. Ring broad, fugacious, attached at first in ragged triangular lacinie to the edge of the pileus, mealy externally like the pileus, of a beautiful pink within. Stem 1} inch high, 1-2 lines or more thick, chocolate NO. VI. ul 508 Notices of British Fungi. red when rubbed, but clothed with meal, red within, stuffed with white silky filaments, penetrating into the soil by means of a few white branched fibres ; smell strong, like that of Ag. cristatus. The meal, under a strong magnifier, consists of globular vesicles, which are sometimes shortly pedicellate. Tab. XV. Fig. 1. a. a. A. heematophyllus* nat. size; b. b. vertical section ; c. meal highly magnified. 39. Ag. erubescens, Fr. Syst. Myc. vol. i. p. 32.—Amongst beech leaves in a wood near King’s Cliffe, Oct. 7, 1836. Ag. curnosus, Curt. Sow., formerly referred by Fries to this species, is now con- sidered by him Ag. maculatus, Alb. and Schw. At the time the English Flora was published I had not met with it, but a single specimen which occurred lately in one of the larch plantations in Sherwood Forest was sufficient to show that it was at least not a true Limacium, though I am not satisfied that it is so nearly re- lated to Ag. fusipes as Fries (El. i. p. 17,) supposes. The present autumn has also furnished me with a sample of the real Ag. erubes- cens ; and though, in some respects, similar to Ag. carnosus, it is at once distinguishable by its more robust habit, but especially by its possessing the characters of the subgenus Limacium. Pileus 24 inches broad, plano-convex, fleshy, compact, white ting- ed with rufous, slightly viscid ; margin downy involute. Gills round- ed behind, adnexed, rather distant. Stem 2-3 inches high, 2 inch thick, curved at the base, thickest above, stout, firm, fleshy, mottled, within squamuloso-fibrillose ; subglanduloso-squamulose within the pileus, which it resembles in colour. Smell scarcely any. * 40. Ag. cossus, Sow. t. 121.—The difficulties respecting this species are stated in the English Flora. Having lately found Ag. nitens, Sow., which is also a true Limacium, I am enabled to state positively that it is quite distinct from the present species.. Though ‘exactly resembling Ag. cossus in outward form, it is quite destitute of its disagreeable smell ; and when dried, the white turns to a dark foxy brown, as indeed is represented in Sowerby’s plate. It still rémains to be proved whether Ag. eburneus of continental authors be the same with Sowerby’s Ag. nitens. I can find no account of such a marked change of colour taking place. * 41, Ag. fusco-purpureus, Pers. Ic. et Descr. t. 4. f. 1-3.—The * The specimens ‘from which the figures were taken were scarcely so dark as the tsual state of the species, in consequence of having been slightly touched by frost. 3 Notices of British Fungi. 509 description of this species in the English Flora is by some mischance mixed up with that of Ag. pelianthinus. Both will soon be given in the Fasciculi of British Fungi. 42. Ag. balaninus, n. s—On beechmast, Sept. 1836, King’s Cliffe, Northamptonshire. An exquisite species, belonging to the section Calodontes of the subgenus Clitocybe, agreeing in many re- spects with Ag. marginellus, which appears to have been met with by Persoon only, and that perhaps not subsequently to the publica- tion of his Synopsis. That plant is, however, very much smaller, and grows on fir-trees. Pileus 1} inch broad, convex subcampanulate, obtusely umbonate, at length more or less expanded, ochraceous with a slight tinge of amber, very minutely mealy, slightly rugulose carnoso-membrana- ceous ; margin scarcely striate. Gills broad, rounded, quite free, with the exception of a connecting tooth, rather distant, pale, sprink- led and fringed with dull purple spicule ; interstices veiny. Spo- ridia white, elliptic. Stem 2} inches high, 1-2 lines thick, atte- nuated downward, flexuous, rigid, white, and mealy within the pileus, deep Sienna brown below, dark brown at the base, which is imbed- ded more or less in a spongy mass, by which it adheres to the mast, shining, quite smooth, fistulose. Tab. XV. Fig. 2. a. Ag. balaninus, nat. size; b. 6. 6. vertical section; ¢. a section of the extremity of a gill highly magnified to show the spicule ; d. sporidia highly magnified. * 43. Ag. undatus, Berk. Eng. Fl. Vol. v. pt. 2, p. 51. Brit. Fung. n. 9.—The habitat of this species, as given in the English Flora, is small stumps and sticks. I now find the species very fre- quently in one locality, and there always upon the subterraneous base of decayed stems of Pteris aquilina. * 44. Ag. tuberosus, Bull. t. 256—Frequent opportunities of examining this species, under various circumstances, have convinced me that Acrospermum cornutum is not an autonomous fungus, con- trary to the opinion entertained by me in the English Flora, but a mere disguised form of the plant. When growing on the gills of Agaricus adustus, it commences by a little white downy elongated granule, which gradually increases in length and breadth, becoming brown and quite smooth, resembling much the bulb of some species of Oxalis, and either gives origin at the apex to a stem and pileus, or suddenly stops in its growth without producing either, and re- mains dormant through the winter. In the first case, the stem of the Agaric is perfectly continuous with the tuber, as represented correctly, though rudely, by Bolton ; occasionally, indeed, the tuber 510 Notices of British Fungi. is so little developed as to be nothing more than a slight incrassa- tion of the base of the stem. In the second case, the perfect fungus is not developed till the ensuing year, when a crop springs up from the tubers, which are in general buried by fallen leaves or moss. The Agaric then springs indifferently from the apex, or any other part of the tuber, and occasionally more than one pileus is produced. It is to be observed that this Agaric often grows upon real Scle- rotia, as it does upon other fungi ; and the tuberiform state is merely to be regarded as a form arising probably from excess of nourish- ment. While on this subject it may not be amiss to state that the tubers of Typhula phacorhiza and gyrans are true Sclerotia. The former I find on Sclerotium complanatum and scutellatum, the latter upon Sclerotium semen. * 45. Ag. racemosus, Pers. Disp. Meth. Fung. t. 3. f. 8. Sow. t. 287.— King’s Cliffe, Northamptonshire. Respecting this most sin- gular production I have stated in the English Flora, in conformity indeed with a notion expressed by Fries, that I suspect it to be a monstrous state of the foregoing, which has frequently a branched stem. Having lately had the good fortune to meet with a few spe- cimens, I am satisfied that it is distinct, as it turns almost black in drying. My specimens have not the pileus developed, and if it had not been for its being figured in that state, I should without hesi- tation have considered it a branched stzlbum, so completely has it the characters of that genus, the little heads being hyaline gelati- nous, and consisting of minute elliptic granules. * 46. Ag. vulgaris, Pers. Tent. Disp. Meth. p. 25. Ic. Pict. t. 19, f. 3. Fr. Syst. Myc. V. i. p. 156.—On fir leaves, Sherwood Forest, October 1836. This species, it should be observed, is included in Loudon’s list given in the Hortus Britannicus. * 47. Ag. pterigenus, Fr. Syst. Myc. V.i. p. 160—The fungus described under this name in the English Flora is, as stated there, only a variety. The true plant, than which nothing can be more elegant, occurred in tolerable abundance in October last at Lambley, Notts, on dead stems of Aspidium filix mas. The colour varies in different individuals from bright orange-red to rose-colour, occa- sionally the upper part of the stem is brown. The gills are orna- mented with a bright orange margin. The pileus in the young plant is oblong, oval, obtuse, minutely furfuraceous at the apex, marked with darker slightly anastomosing veins, which at length, in consequence of the quicker growth of the subjacent stratum, and the collection of the veins themselves into bundles radiating from 4 Notices of British Fungi. 511 the centre, form stria on the pileus. The stem under a high mag- nifier is often streaked with veins like the pileus. _ * 48. Ag. mitis, Pers. Syn. p. 481.—Abundantly on branches of larch, lying on the ground in Sherwood Forest, October 1836. Up- per stratum gelatinous. 49. Ag. cyphelliformis, n. s.—On the lower part of a dead plant of Pentstemon ovatum. Milton, Northamptonshire, October 1836. Apparently closely allied to no described species. Gregarious. Pi- leus 2 lines or more broad and high, altogether stemless, cup-shap- ed, hanging down, cinereous, very minutely strigose, especially at the base ; margin paler, sprinkled with a few meal-like scales. Up- per stratum gelatinous cinereous, beneath which the flesh is white and very thin. Gulls pure white, rather distant, the alternate ones shorter, narrow, linear. Tab. XV. Fig. 3. a. Ag. cyphelliformis, nat. size ; 6. b. do. magnified; c. a section, also magnified. * 49. Ag. cinnamomeus. d. croceus, Fr. Syst. Myc. V. i. p. 229. —In a beech wood, King’s Cliffe. The figure of Batsch A. squa- mulosus, f. 117, exactly represents my plant, which belongs to a_va- riety apparently not before observed in this country. 50. Thelephora spadicea, Fr. El. V.i. p. 176.—On oak stumps, not uncommon in Northamptonshire. Easily known from every state of Thel. purpurea by its becoming blood-stained when scratched. I suspect that Sowerby had this species in his eye when illustrating his Auricularia tabacina, if indeed his plant be not altogether iden- tical with it. Sporidia copious, pure white, obiong-elliptic. *51. Phlebia vaga, Fr. Syst. Myce, V. i. p. 428. El. i. p. 155.— On a decaying fallen branch, King’s Cliffe. It is also noted as Bri- tish by Loudon. Nothing can be more exact than the description given by Fries in his Elenchus, 52. Clavaria juncea, Fr. var. 8 vivipara, Fr. Syst. Myc. V. i. p 479. A. fistulosa, Bull. t. 463, H.—Amongst oak leaves, King’s Cliffe. My plant is precisely what is figured by Bulliard, but I cannot help suspecting that it is an unusually luxuriant form of Ty- phula phacorhiza. 53. Sclerotium truncorum, Fr. Syst. Myc. V. ii. p. 252.—In vari- ous places in Northamptonshire, amongst moss on old stumps, ge- nerally forming the matrix of Ag. tuberosus. 54. Spheeria cornicola, Fr. Syst. Myc. p. 530.—On leaves of Cornus sanguinea, King’s Cliffe. 55. dsteroma veronice, Desm. n. 778. cum icone.—On leaves of 512 Notices of British Fungi. Veronica officinalis, King’s Cliffe. The analysis given by Desma- ziére exactly accords with my own observations. 57. Spheronema blepharistoma, n. s. Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 8. ined.—On the blackened gills of Ag. adustus in very wet weather, King’s Cliffe, September 1836. This species is not only in itself extremely well marked, though at first easily regarded as a depau- perated state of Spheronema subulatum, but it is especially inte- resting on account of its peculiar characters, which throw light upon the real structure of that species. Dr Greville remarks, that in Sph. subulatum, the perithecium, previous to maturity, contains the sporidia mixed with a gelatinous pulp and a few filaments, which be- ing evacuated along with the sporidia, were very obvious in several specimens he dissected. That the filaments, however, are not dis- charged with the other contents of the perithecia, I have complete- ly satisfied myself, by induction first, and then by ocular demonstra- tion, but that they originate on the outer surface of their tips, and are in fact the free apices of the fiocci, of which the perithecia are composed. This appears very clearly to be the case on comparison with-the species represented in the accompanying plate, in which the perithecium is made up of a single circle of filaments, whose bases are soldered together, and whose free apices form a beautiful- ly ciliated orifice ; whereas in Spheronema subulatum, there being many circles of filaments, the orifice is furnished with a pencil-like tuft of filaments. In this case, however, if I mistake not, the ori- fice itself is not ciliated as represented in the figure ; at least I have not seen it so. The filamentous structure of the perithecium in S. blepharistoma is easily traced almost to the base ; in S. subulatum the filaments in each circle being more numerous and finer, and the perithecium not made up of a single circle, the substance is much thicker and denser, and its filamentous structure more obscure. In- deed, had it nct been for the discovery of the present species, I should have still regarded the filaments as rejected from the perithecium, though with a degree of uncertainty about the matter, such as is in- timated in my observation on the species in the English Flora. It is to be observed, that the structure of either is scarcely to be ascer- tained with accuracy, except from fresh specimens. S. blepharisto- ma at present has occurred only on Agaricus adustus ; S. subulatum is found on various Agarics and Boleti. A question may be raised whether fungi so constructed beleng properly to the division Pyre- nomycetes ; as the texture of the species before us, at least, is not strictly speaking vesiculoso-floccose. When, however, the uterine character is taken into account, and the visible advance toward the Notices of British Fungi. 513 more normal structure so immediate in S. subulatum, I think there ean be no reasonable doubt about it. Were, however, the filaments but free to the base in S. blepharistoma, and by consequence the mass of sporidia collected in a globule at their centre, we should have a fungus belonging to the Coniomycetes, and indeed only speci- fically distinct from Psilonia rosea and hyacinthorum, Berk. Whe- ther the structure in other species of Spheronema is at all the same, I have no means of ascertaining, as I have never met with any ina recent state. Perithecia scarcely exceeding half a line in height, often much more minute, transparent, of a very pale yellow, varying greatly in form, but in general more or less inflated at the base, occasionally conico-subulate, often confluent, mostly furnished with a long dis- tinct slender neck, the orifice of which is fringed with a single row of distinct filaments, which are indeed the apices of those of which the perithecium is composed. Sporidia oblong, obtuse or subtrun- cate, much larger than in Sp. subulatum, flowing out and forming about an elongated subpersistent pale-yellow globule. Tab. XV. Fig. 4. a. portion of gill of Ag. adustus, with S. blepharistoma, nat. size; 6. do magnified ; c. single perithecium ; d. orifice and sporidia; e. orifice and sporidia of S. subulatum, all highly magnified. * 58. Phacidium coronatum, Fr. Obs. i. p. 167.—This species has been often figured, but I cannot find anywhere an accurate ana- lysis. The figures of Ditmar and Dr Greville are both defective from two low a magnifier having been used. Dr Greville, indeed, only indicates the presence of paraphyses, and figures a very few minute elliptic sporidia in the asci. In Ditmar’s figure the para- physes are distinctly drawn, and the sporidia are more numerous. The latter even under a low power is the more correct ; with a mag- nifying power a little superior, the sporidia appear to be distributed in short lines, and the paraphyses flexuous ; but when highly mag- nified the granules are found to be sporidiola, arranged six or seven together in linear sporidia, and the paraphyses curled round at the tips, like the apices of the filaments in Helicosporium, but not as in that genus septate. It is probable that a still higher power might show septa between the sporidiola. I find the structure precisely the same, whether the plant is produced on beech or oak leaves, and in specimens that have been dried for the herbarium. Tab. XV. Fig. 5. a. asci and paraphyses of Phacidium coronatum ; b. sporidium , both highly magnified. 514 History of British Entomostraca. II.—The Natural History of the British Entomostraca. By Wi- LIAM Bairp, Surgeon, H.C.S. Plate XVI. (Continued from p.333.) In my last paper (No. 4 of Magazine of Zoology and Botany) I gave a monograph of all the British species of Cyclops, that I have been able as yet to discover in the fresh water and sea shores of this country, without, however, pretending to have made the list com- plete.* I shall now proceed to take notice of two other genera, the history of whichis alsoreplete with interest,—the genera Cypris and Cythere. In Latreille’s arrangement they form the 2d group of his section Lophyropa, the Ostracoda. In M. Edwards’ work they will form the Ist order of his Legion Entomostraces, the Oslrapodes. M. Straus, previous to M. Edwards, had removed these two genera from the Branchiopodes, and formed them into a distinct order by them- selves, which he has also named Ostrapodes. As we may have some remarks to make upon the systematic arrangement of the insects be- longing to the Entomostraca at the close of these papers, we shall defer till then giving the reasons why the genera Cypris and Cythere should be removed from the Branchiopodes, and in the meantime, in accordance with what I have already stated upon this subject in my former paper, I shall follow Latreille’s arrangement with them as well as with the Cyclops. Order, BRANCHIOPODA,—Section, LoPpHYROPA, Group, Ostracopa,—Genus, 1. Cypris, II. CyrHEeRs. Ist Genus, CyPpris. Bibliographical History.—Baker is said to be the first author who has taken any notice of this genus. In his work “ Employ- ment for the Microscope,” published in 1753, an anonymous corre- spondent describes at some length an insect which has a bivalve shell, somewhat resembling a small fresh-water muscle, and gives a figure of it lying on its back, which is barely sufficient to enable us to dis- cover that it is a Cypris. Straus complains that he cannot discover any mention made of the genus by Baker, either in the edition of 1743, or 1744, which are the only editions he has been able to see ; neither is there, he says, any plate 15 in either of these editions. He quotes the wrong work, however, having referred to the “ Micros- cope made easy,” instead of Baker’s second work “ Employment for the Microscope,” in which he would have found the insect referred * Dr Macculloch, in his work outhe Highlands and Islands of Scotland, says —he has added 33 new species ! History of British Entomostraca. 51S to by Muller. Linnzus in his Fauna Suecica, 1746, describes a species in a few general terms ; and in the 7th edition of his Syste- ma Nature, 1748, he mentions a species under the name of Monocu- lus concha pedata, but gives no description. In the 10th edition of the same work, edited by Langius, 1760, he gives the description as taken from the Fauna Suecica, but names it Monoculus conchaceus. Joblot, in his “ Observations d’Histoire Naturelle faites avec le Mi- croscope” 1754, describes a species which he calls poisson nommé Detouche, or grain de millet, from its resemblance in size and colour to that species of seed, and gives a figure of it. Ledermuller, in his work on the microscope, “ Mikroskopischer Gemiiths und augen- ergotzung, &c.” 1760, gives several figures of a species of Cypris, and says he has frequently seen them in copulation. Poda, in his “ Insecta Musi Grecensis,” 1761, gives one species, the Monoc. con- chaceus of Linneus, quoting merely his description. Geoffroy, in his “‘ Histoire des Insectes,” 1762, after a few general remarks upon the Monoculi, describes shortly two species of this genus, but gives ho figures of them. Muller, in his “ Fauna Insectorum Fridrichs- dalina,” 1764, only mentions one species, under the name and de- scription given by Linnzus in his ‘« Fauna Suecica,” but in 1771 he published an admirable paper in the “ Philosophical Transactions,” attributed by M. Straus to Mr Bennet ; but only communicated to the Royal Society through him, in which he gives an excellent ac- count of two species in particular, with many details of their ana- tomy and habits, and concludes by giving a list of nine species which he had at that time discovered ; he includes them all, however, under the name of Monoculus. In his “ Zoologiz Danice prodromus,” 1776, he first established the genus Cypris, as well as the other genera of his Entomostraca, all of which till then had been constantly de- scribed under the general name of Monoculus. Fabricius in his «Systema Entomologie” 1775, gives the species which Linnzus had already described, the Monoc. conchaceus ; and De Geer, in his ‘«« Memoires pourservir a |’ Histoire des Insectes,” 1778, describes one or two species, though he calis them only varieties of the same, and gives a few details concerning them. In 1785 appeared the “ En- tomostraca” of Muller, with copious details and descriptions, and pretty accurate figures of all the species already shortly described by him in his “ Zoolog. Dan. prodrom.”,and ‘at the end of his paper in the Philosoph. Trans., which paper is also reprinted in French, at the commencement of this excellent work. Tull the time that Mul- ler undertook the working out of the species of this genus, our know- ledge of them was scanty indeed. The descriptions found in the 516 History of British Entomostraca. authors I have already quoted previous to him, were so superficial, that even when illustrated by figures, which are also generally very bad, there was no possibility of distinguishing what species they meant to describe. This difficulty may be readily seen upon in- specting the synonymes given by Muller, and then referring to the authors quoted by him, when we can easily observe that he himself has made several mistakes in such references, neither the descrip- tion nor figures of such agreeing with his. For instance, under the species pubera, he refers to the M. conchaceus of Linnxus, with the description which that author gives in his Fauna Suecica, “‘ antennis capillaceis, multiplicibus, testa bivalvi,’—a description so very ge- neral, that it answers equally well to any or all of his eleven species. He also refers to Joblot for the same species, but from the figure which that author gives, as well as from his description, it appears to me, that it much more nearly resembles Muller’s Candida, and the reference to De Geer is equally faulty, as it is evident that fi- gure 5 and figures 6, 7 of that author, both of which are quoted by Muller as the pudera, are in reality two distinct species ! In deter- mining the species, therefore, we must consider the researches of the various authors previous to Muller as of little or no use whatever, Indeed after Muller’s time the various authors who have taken no- tice of this genus of insects have done little else but copy him, till the appearance of Straus’s paper and the work of Jurine. For in- stance, Gmelin in the 13th edition of the “ Systema Nature,” 1788, not only quoted Muller’s species, but gives his faulty references also; and Manuel, in his article «‘ Monocli,” in the “ Encyclope- die Methedique, Histoire Naturelle, Vol. 7th,” 1792, after a few general details, copies the same species as Gmelin gives ; while Fa- bricius in his “ Entomologia Systematica,” 1793, gives the 11 spe- cies which Muller gives, retaining in addition to this, Gmelin’s er- roneous quotations. Bosc, in his “ Histoire Naturelle des Crustacés faisant suite 4 l’edition de Buffon, publié par Deterville,” 1802, gives a great many interesting details of this genus ; as does also Latreille in his “ Histoire Naturelle Genérale et Particuliére des Crustacées et Insectes, faisant suite a l’edition de Buffon, publié par Sennini,” 1802 ; but he only mentions Muller’s species. Ram- dohr in 1805 published his little work on the Monoculi,* in which he gives some very excellent details concerning the anatomy of the Cypris, accompanied by some very good figures, but his work does not seem to have been known to almost any of the succeeding na- * Beytrage zur Naturgeschicte einigen deutschen Monoculus arten. History of British Entomostraca. 517 turalists whe have written upon this genus; he only describes the Cypris strigata of Muller. M. Daudebart de Ferussac, fils, in a memoir published in the “ Annales du Museum d’ Histoire Naturelle, Tom. 7th,” 1806, describes a new species ; and M. Risso, in his “ His- toire Naturelle des Crustacés des Environs de Nice,” 1816, describes two additional ones ; but though these additions were made to the number of known species, and although Latreille, in Cuvier’s “‘ Régne Animal,” 1817, and Lamarck, in his “ Hist. Nat. des Animaux sans Vertebres,” 1818, give a variety of details concerning the genus generally, little real knowledge concerning the anatomy of the in- habitants of the tiny shells was conveyed to us, as Ramdohr’s work seems to have attracted no attention, till M. Straus published his admirable paper on the genus Cypris in the 7th Vol. of the “ Me- moires du Museum d’Histoire Naturelle,’ 1821, containing a most elaborate anatomical description of the genus, with a notice and fi- gures of three new species not described by Muller. About the same pericd as Straus read his paper before the Academy, appeared Jurine’s splendid work on the Monoculi, containing many very in- teresting details of this genus generally, with beautiful figures of 18 species ; but both of these authors appear to have been ignorant of the previous work of Ramdohr, as we find no reference made by either of them to his excellent little work, though published fifteen years prior to theirs. Desmarest in his “ Considerations Generales sur les Crustacés,” 1825, although he gives a very good account of the different genera, taken chiefly from Straus and Jurine, with a description of 2] species, takes no notice of Ramdohr ; though M. Latreille, in the last edition of the “ Réegne Animal,” 1829, notices his memoir with all due approbation, and has contributed much to make his labours more generally known. We know of no original memoir upon this genus having been published in this country, — though in “ Rees’ Cyclopedia,” under the Art. Monoculus, we have the species described as given by Fabricius ; and in Leach’s article Crustacea in the “Edinburgh Encyclopedia,” we have no details, and only two or three species taken notice of. Anatomy.—Muller, Ramdohr, Jurine and Straus, all differ in many respects in describing the anatomy of the genus Cypris, both as regards the nomenclature and the use of the parts described by them. In minuteness of detail and accuracy of description and figures, the memoir of Straus, however, stands pre-eminent amongst those of his fellow-labourers, and though in the following remarks we shall take all advantage of the memoirs of the other three au- thors, we shall follow M. Straus more particularly, in his nomen- 518 Mstory of British Entomostraca. clature and descriptions. The body of the animal is completely inclosed within a horny shell of two valves, which in general ap- pearance resembles very considerably that of the mussel,—so much so, that, as Muller says, a person at first sight of the insect, would suppose that it was a parasite inhabiting the shell of some small mollusque. The substance of these valves is compact and very brittle, and they seem to be endued externally with a species of varnish, to protect them from the action of the water, as, whenever they rise to the surface, the shell becomes perfectly dry and floats there in spite of the animal’s struggles to again immerse itself. The valves are open in their whole circumference, except in the middle third of the dorsal surface, where they are united by a liga- mentous hinge and muscles, by which the animal can open and shut the shell at pleasure. About the middle of each valve, in most species, are to be seen a number of small lucid spots, the use of which I do not know. Muller has taken notice of them in the pu- bera, and asks, “ an ovula?” but there is no connection between them and the ova. No other author has taken notice of them ; they are to be met with in perhaps all the species. The body of the insect (Plate XVI. Fig. 1,) is composed of two rounded lobes of unequal size, connected together by a narrow space, and having on their upper surface a transparent body, which is the matrix according to Jurine. From the anterior lobe of the body (Fig. 1, a,) spring the two antenne, immediately above which is si- tuate the eye ; the anterior or first pair of feet; the organs of the mouth, and the second pair of feet. From the posterior lobe, (Fig. 1.6) spring the third pair of feet and the tail. Eye (Fig. 1. c) single, fixed, in the form of a black sessile tubercle, in which we can discover no traces of crystallines. Antenne (Fig. 1, d. Fig. 2,) two, inserted immediately below the eye, and rising near each other. In general they consist of seven articulations, * fromthe three or four terminating ones of which arise several pretty long filaments, varying in number in the different species. In the larger species we see these filaments to be beautifully plumose, a circumstance which has never been pointed out by any of the various authors who have written upon this genus. Whenever the animal moves, it invariably puts these organs into rapid motion, dilating and bringing together again the long filaments which spring from near their extremity, and waving them to and fro with great rapidity. They are thus said by Mul- ler and Straus to act as true fins, and to be the principal organs of * Jurine says 8. History of British Entomostraca. 519 progressive motion which the insect possesses ; and no doubt the plumose nature of the filaments assists materially their power, though Jurine says that, from their position in the anterior part of the body, and from their motions being thus confined by the open- ing of the shell, they cannot be considered as acting the part of true fins ; and that their use in progressive motion is much inferior to that of the anterior pair of feet. Latreille thinks these filaments may also act as respiratory organs as well as the branchial plates of the jaw. There is very considerable discrepancy amongst the four authors I have above mentioned, as to the number of feet. Muller and Ramdohr say there are only four ; the former remarking upon the singularity of an insect quadruped. Straus enumerates six, while Jurine says there are eight. Muller was not aware of the organs which Straus calls the third pair of feet ; Ramdohr was, but consi- ders them as connected with the male organs of generation, while Jurine says that they are organs arising from the matrix, the use of which he does not understand. In addition tothe first and second pairs, of Muller, Ramdohr, and Straus, Jurine considers the organs which Muller calls “ barbillons” attached to the mouth, (the palpi of the mandibles of Straus) and the branchial plate of the upper jaw, as two additional pairs of feet. In describing these parts of the body, I shall follow Straus’s nomenclature, as appearing to me the sim- plest and best, and certainly the most accurate ; the figure which Jurine gives of them not being at all correct. Feet, then, are six in number, or three pairs. The first or anterior pair (Fig. 1. c. c. Fig. 2.) are inserted immediately beneath the antenne, are the strongest of all, and consist of five articulations.* The penultimate one, or * jambe” of Straus, gives origin near to its base to several pretty long filaments, varying in number and length in different species ; and like those of the antennz, in the larger species, are seen to be beautifully plumose, a fact not taken notice of by any author, and the last articulation, the tarsus of Straus, is terminated by three pretty strong hooks. This pair of feet therefore, by this organization, is fitted for both swimming and walking ; the long plumose filaments of the fore leg answering the same purpose, and being applied to the same use as those of the antennz, causing these feet when put in motion to act also as fins, while the hooks at the termination of the tarsus enable it to seize hold of the plants, &c. amongst which they live, and thus walk from place to place. ‘These feet are con- sidered by Jurine as more deserving the name of fins than the an- * Jurine says eight. 520 History of British Entomostraca. “tenn are, but yet he does not mention. the long filaments which they possess, and by which their action, as fins, is principally produ- ced. They are considered by Latreille as acting, along with the an- tenne, as respiratory organs. The second pair of feet (Fig. 1. f- Fig. 4,) are not so strong as the first pair, and are composed of five articu- lations also, the last of which is terminated by one strong curved hook. The first pair are directed backwards ; the second are direct- ed forwards ; they want the long filaments which the first pair pos- sess, and are thus only used for walking with. The third pair (Fig. 1. g. Fig. 5,) arise immediately behind the second pair, and consist of four articulations ;* the last of which is terminated by two short hooks, and has a filament thrown back from its extremity, like a spur. They are curved upwards and backwards, and are always contained within the shell, never being extruded. Their use, ac- cording to Straus, is tosupport the ovaries. Jurine considers them as somehow connected with the matrix, but says he is ignorant of their use; the figure which he gives of them is very incorrect. Mouth.—The mouth is situate in the inferior surface of the ante- rior lobe of the body, and consists of a lip, a kind of sternum,T per- forming the functions of an inferior lip ; a pair of palpiferous man- dibles, and two pairs of jaws. The lip, (Fig. 6, a.,) says Straus, is composed of a great scaly piece like a hood, forming a projection which advances between the two anterior feet, and is fixed to the body by four long apophyses. The sternum, or lower lip, (Fig. 6. b.) according to the same author, is elongated, triangular, and move- able, articulates with the lip, and has at its extremity two curved apophyses to articulate it with second pair of jaws. The mandible (Fig. 7. g. Fig. 1. h,) is very large, and is formed of two pieces. The larger, or mandible, properly.so called, (Fig. 7. a,) is terminated at superior extremity by a point, and at the lower or incisive extremity by five pretty strong teeth. The other piece is in the form of a re- gular palpus, (Fig. 7, 6.) which issues'‘from about the middle length of the proper mandible, and consists of three joints, provided with several setz, the first of which joints has, near its base, a very small branchial plate, (Fig. 7 c,) terminated by five digitations. This palpus is the second pair of feet of Jurine, the “ barbillon,” of Muller, the use of which, both agree, is to cause a current of water towards the mouth, carrying with it the particles destined for the insect’s food. The first pair of jaws (Fig. 1.2. Fig. 8,) have for their base a large square-shaped plate, (Fig. 8. a,) furnished at anterior * Straus says five. + Straus. EMistory of British Entomostraca. 521 extremity with four fingers, the superior of which is of two joiuts, the other three of only one, but all terminated by several long hairs . From the external edge of this plate, forming the base, arises a large elongated branchial plate, (Fig. 8. 6,) which gives off from the superior crescentic shaped edge, a row of nineteen long spines, ar- ranged like the teeth of a comb. The square plate with its fingers must be Jurine’s third pair of feet, though if so, the figure which this author gives of these organs, as well as of his second pair of feet, (the palpi of the mandible, of Straus,) is decidedly incorrect. He seems to have been ignorant of the existence of the branchial plate, as he asks, “ if it be true that the branchie be the first cha- racter in the crustacea, where shall we place them in these mono- culi? in the antenne, feet, or tail? we cannot give a preference to any one of these parts over another.”’*—The second pair of jaws (Fig. 9) are much smaller, and are articulated on the posterior angle of sternum by means of the two curved apophyses at its extremity. Each jaw consists of two flattened joints, the latter of which has several stiff hairs at extremity, and on external edge gives off a rounded finger, which Straus says, he thinks, must be considered asa palpus. The posterior portion of the body is terminated by a long tail, (Fig. 1.4. Fig. 10,) consisting of twolengthened stalks, each terminated by two short curved stylets, with a third implanted on upper edge, a little above them. This tail is free, and possesses much freedom of motion, the insect extruding it from the shell at pleasure. One great use of it seems to be to clean the interior part of the shell, which its length and mobility fit it well for ; but Straus says also that its use is perhaps to serve for depositing the eges. The anatomy of the internal parts of the body is more diffi- ‘cult to make out distinctly. The alimentary canal, according to ‘Straus, consists of a short narrow cesophagus, a large oblong sto- mach, occupying the whole of the dorsal region of the body ; and a simple intestine nearly as large as the stomach, becoming narrower towards the posterior extremity, and opening by an anus between the two stylets which form the tail. The ovaries are two large simple, conical vessels, placed externally upon the posterior portion of the body, and open one at the side of the other into the anterior part of extremity of abdomen, where they communicate with the canal formed by the tail. There is another organ, the use of which is not so well ascertained. It isa large and conical mass, Situated above the articulation of the mandibles, of a granulated * Histoire des Monocles, &e. 522 History of British Entomostraca. structure apparently, and of a light colour. Straus says that as he could not see exactly its termination, he is ignorant of its use, but he supposes that it must be either the salivary glands, or the tes- ticles. .The heart and nervous system have as yet escaped obser- vation. Habits, Manners, §c.—The insects of this genus are inhabitants solely of the fresh water, and are to be found in almost every pond and ditch where the water remains stagnant, but not putrid. They are not so prolific as the Cyclopes, but in some of the larger species we can count, according to Jurine, as many as 24 eggs. The males have never yet been discovered ; and the act of copulation has never been witnessed by any author, with the exception of Ledermuller, who says he has seen them in the act, and gives a representation of them in that state. I have frequently witnessed two individuals in much the same situation as those figured by Ledermuller ; but it did not appear to me that at the time they were engaged in copu- lation ; and as neither Muller, De Geer, Jurine, nor Straus, have ever witnessed them in the act, Ledermuller must in all probability have mistaken the nature of their junction. Straus says, that every specimen he has examined has been laden with eggs, which makes him ask—“ Are they hermaphrodites ? or do the males only appear at some particular season of the year?” Jurine has collected eggs immediately after they had been deposited by the parent insect ; has isolated them, and seen them safely hatched. He has then isolated the young ones after they were hatched, and found that they became pregnant without intervention of males. They must either, therefore, be hermaphrodites, or, as in some other genera, as the Daphnie for instance, one copulation suffices not only to im- pregnate the female for life, but the succeeding generations also. As the males of the Daphnia appear only at particular seasons of the year, and in small numbers, it is probable that the males of the Cypris will be found also by succeeding observers. The eggs are perfectly spherical, (Plate XVI. Fig. 11,) and are deposited by the insect upon some solid body, such as part of some plant, &c., in a mass, sometimes, says Straus, uniting some hundreds from different individuals ; the mother fixing them to the surface of the body on which they are deposited, by means of some glutinous substance, and then leaving them. When the animal is about to lay, it fixesitself, says Jurine, so firmly in some secure place, that it cannot be displaced by any agitation of the water, and is occupied about twelve hours in the operation. Theeggs remain about four daysand a-half beforethey are hatched, and then the young at once assume the appearance of the History of British Entomostraca. 523 perfect insect, though varying alittle in the shape of the shell (Fig. 12). According to Jurine they undergo several moultings before they are fit to procreate their species—the frequency of these moultings depend- ing upon the season of the year, and beingin proportion to the gradual development of the insect. Moulting continues to take place in the adult after each laying—and as the shells of these little animals be- come very frequently perfectly covered with dirt and moss, which . adhere close to them, this change of covering becomes a useful act to disembarrass the insect of a shell become disagreeable to it ; while, in the young, their development can only take place by get- ting rid of the shell as soon as it becomes too small for the body contained within. This renewing of the shell forms a fine example of the process of exuviation, as naturalists call it—the change which takes place being most complete, for not only does the shell itself fall off, but the insect casts off even the external parts of the body, the fine pectiniform branchie and minutest hairs clothing the sete of the antennzx, &c. The food of these little insects consists of dead animal matter and conferve, &c. Straus says, he never saw them attack living animals when these were well and strong, but he has frequently seen them attack worms, &c. when wounded and weak. Though dead ani- mal-matter is their choice, they will not, he adds, eat it when pu- trid. They, no doubt, also prey on each other, as I have frequently seen individuals of one species devouring eagerly the dead carcasses of a species different from themselves. When the ponds and ditches in which they live dry up in sum- mer, they bury themselves in the mud, and thus preserve their lives as long as the mud retains any moisture—becoming active as ever when the rain falls and again overflows their habitations. After long continued droughts, however, when the mud becomes very dry and hard, they perish ; but, as Straus observes, the eggs will not perish along with the parents, but will be hatched four or five days after be- ing placed in water. I have given, in my paper on the Cyclops, the result of Jurine’s experiments upon the power these insects have of resisting drought ; but, though it appears from what is there stated that they will not stand drying quite, yet I have no doubt, from what I have observed in summer, that the Cyclops can prolong their existence also by plunging themselves in the mud—for, when ex- amining ponds which had been filled again by the rain, after re- maining two months dry, I have found numerous specimens of the C. quadricornis in all stages of growth. These little creatures seem to be very lively in their native ele- NO. VI. Mm 524 History of British Entomostraca. ment, being almost constantly in motion, either swimming about pretty rapidly by the united action of their antenne and anterior feet, or walking upon the plants and other solid bodies floating in the water. Instead of being, like the molluscous animals to which they bear such a resemblance in external covering, fixed to one place, and condemned to live amidst eternal darkness, they, says Muller, “ by opening their valves, enjoy light, and move at their will—sometimes burying themselves in the mud, sometimes darting | through the water, the humid air of their sphere. If they meet any unforseen object they conceal themselves all at once in their shells, and shut the valves, so that force and address seek in vain to open them.’”’* Species. Sp. I.—Cypris pubera—Plate XVI. Fig. 1-13. Testa ovata reniformis, strigis viridibus obliquis ; tomentosa. Habitat.—Found in Berwickshire: neighbourhood of London, &c.; common. Synonimes, &c.—Baker, Employment for Microscope, p. 387, plate 15, fig. 8 ? 1753. Sordid insect. Muller, Philosoph. Transact. Vol. lxi. p. 230, tab. 7, fig. 4-7. 1771. Cypris pubera, Do. Zoolog. Danic. prodromus, p. 198, No. 2382, 1776. Monoculus ovato-conchaceus, De Geer, Memoires pour servir, &c. V. vii. p. 476, pl. 29, fig. 6-7, 1778. Cypris pubera, Muller, Entomostraca, p. 56, tab. v. fig. 1—5, 1785. Monoc. Conchaceus, Linn. Syst. Natur. cura Gmelin, 3003, No. 7, 1788. Mon.:Conchaceus, Manuel, Encyclopedie Methodique, Hist. Nat. Tom. vii. p. 727, No. 39, pl. 266, fig. 27-30, 1792. Mon. Conchaceus, Fabricius, Entomolog. Systemat. Tom. ii. p. 496, 17938. Cypris Conchacea, Latreille, Hist. Nat. Gen. et Part. des Crust. et Ins. Tom. iv. p, 246, 1802. Cypris Conchacea, Lamarck, Hist Nat. des Anim. sans Verteb. Vol. v. p. 124, No. 1, 1818. Mon. Conchaceus, Rees’ Cyclopedia, Art. Monoculus, 1819. Cypris Conchacea, Leach, Edinburgh Encyclopedia, Art. Crustacea, Vol. vii. p- 388. Monoc. puber, Jurine, Hist. des Monocles, &c. p. 171, pl. 18, fig. 1—2, 1820. Cypris pubera, Desmarest, Consid. Gen. des Crust. p. 383, 1825. Cypris tristriata, Baird, Transact. Berwickshire Nat. Club. p. 99, pl. iii. fig. 13, 1835. There appears to me considerable obscurity amongst authors with regard to this species. Muller’s description agrees very well in most respects, but his figure is decidedly bad. The figure given by Jurine is so different from that given by Muller or his description of it, * Entomostraca. Mistory of British Entomostraca. 525 that they do not appear to be the same species. Misled by the figure which Muller gives, I made it a new species in the Transactions of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, under the name of C. tristriata, having quoted the young as the pubera. The quotations and syno- nimes of both Muller and Jurine are at variance with each other, and many in both authors are, I think, injudicious and incorrect. The shell is of an oval shape, and reniform, valves convex, of a green colour, more or less deep ; anterior portion of shell of a deep green, immediately behind which is a portion of a lighter colour ; posterior part of shell of a less deep green than anterior, and through it run obliquely, from near upper and middle part of shell, two and sometimes three narrow bands of a deeper colour than any other part of shell. In some specimens, generally the largest, the shell is of nearly a black colour, from the dirt which adheres to the valves ob- scuring the marks which distinguish the species, and making it ap- pear almost like a different one. Nearly inthe centre of each valve are to be seen a congeries of about seven small lucid spots. The whole shell is densely hairy ; antenne of about fourteen filaments, beautifully plumose ; filaments of anterior feet about six, also fine- ly pennated. Sp. I1.—Cypris detecta.—Testa reniformis, pellucida, plana. Habitat. Berwickshire and Roxburghshire : neighbourhood of London, &c. Synonimes, &c. Ledermuller ; Mikroskopischen Gemiiths und augenergotzung, p. 140, tab. 73, 1760. Smooth white insect, Muller, Philos. Trans. Vol. lxi. p. 230, tab. 7, fig. 1~ 3, 1771. Cypris detecta, Do. Zoolog. Dan. prodrom. p. 199, No. 2386, 1776. Cypris detecta, Do. Entomostraca, p. 49, tab. iii. fig. 1—3, 1785. Monoce. detectus, Gmelin, Syst. Natur. 3001, No. 36, 1788. Mon. detectus, Manuel, Encyc. Method. Hist. Nat. Tome vii. p. 725, No. 30, pl. 266, fig. 15-17, 1792. Monoc. Conchaceus, Fabricius, Entomol. Systemat. Tom. ii. p. 495, 1793. Cypris detecta, Zatreille, Hist. Nat. Gen. et Part. des Crustaces, &c. Tom. iv. p. 241, 1802. Monoc. detectus, Rees’ Cyclopedia, Art. Monoculus, 1819. Monoc. Conchaceus, Jurine, Hist. des Monocles, &c. p. 171, tab. 17, fig. 7-8; 1821. Cypris Conchacea, Desmarest, Consid. Gen. sur Jes Crust. p. 383, 1825. Jurine quotes as synonimes of this species, but unadvisedly in my opinion, the Mon. Conchaceus of Linneus’ Fauna Suecica, the de- scription of which, I have already said, would answer any other spe- cies as well—the Mon. a coquille longue of Geoffroy, and the Mon. ovato-conchaceus of De Geer. The first of these two last is also 526 Contributions to British Ichthyology. quoted by Muller, as synonimous with his C. pubera, and the lat- ter bears very little resemblance in figure to that which he gives himself. The shell is of an oblong shape, the valves flatter than in most of the other species, and on lower margin sinuated or kidney-shaped- Its colour is of a dull white, without any peculiar spots, or mark- ings ; it is pellucid, smooth, and free from hairs. ( To be continued. ) Art. III.— Contributions to British Ichthyology. By R. PARNELL, M. D. - On the coast of Devon are to be found all the Gurnards that are mentioned by Mr Yarrell, in his excellent work on the British Fish- es, Trigla cuculus, T. hirundo, T. lineata, T. lyra, T. gurnardus, and 7’. Blochii, and I have the pleasure of adding another to the list, T'rigla lucerna, of Brunner, which is so little known, as to have been omitted by British writers. It is interesting to mention, that Rondeletius was the first who figured this fish. He obtained it from the Mediterranean. Brunner afterwards received a specimen from Marseilles, and named it T’rigla lucerna. Risso also makes mention of one being taken at Nice, and Cuvier, who obtained spe- cimens from Naples, has given a good figure of it in his Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, pl. 72. 1. TRIGLA LUCERNA. It is astonishing how this fish could have escaped the notice of British naturalists, as it is by no means rare. It possesses such strong specific marks of distinction, that it has been known to some of the fishermen at Brixham, for the last thirty years, by the name of “ Long-finned Captain,” and is esteemed the sweetest and the most delicate of the British species ; but, owing to its small size, it is scarcely ever brought on shore, being returned again to its na- tive element as unfit for the markets. In September last, while en- gaged in the pursuit of natural history, I saw, taken at one haul of a trawl-net, seven of these fish, scarcely one of which could be con- sidered perfect, having the intervening membrane of the rays more or less destroyed. Description —The largest specimen that I have observed mea- sures 10% inches in length, and 14 in depth. The head, back, the two dorsal, and the caudal fins, are of a rose red, while the under part, Contributions to British Ichthyology. 527 together with the ventral and anal fins, are of a dirty white, more or lessshaded with red, The pectoral fins are of a deep blue colour, par- ticularly on the inner surface. The first dorsal fin commences in a vertical line over the base of the pectorals, and terminates at the origin of the second dorsal, which runs down the back to within 11 inch of the base of the tail. The anal fin commences under the second ray of the last dorsal, and ends at a little behind the termination of the same fin. The pectorals are rather large, a little longer than the ventrals, and reaching as far as the second ray of the anal. The first ray of the anterior dorsal fin is spinous, about 1} inch in length, not half the length of the second, which is setaceous as well as the third. The fourth ray isspinous, as well as the remainder of the rays of that fin. The anterior rays of the second dorsal fin are longer than the terminating ones ; the tail is lunated, with each extremity of equal length. The numbers of the fin rays are: Ist D. 9; 2d D. 17; P. 12; and 3 free; A. 18; C.9; V.6. The head is one-fifth the length of the whole fish. On each side, a little below the lateral line, is a broad light metallic band, ex- tending from the operculum to the base of the tail. The lateral line is smooth, broad, and slightly elevated, composed of a series of semi- circular plates, beautifully radiated at their free border. The dor- sal ridge is formed of twenty-four sharp serrated plates, extending from the first to the last dorsal ray. The scapular spines are very short. The eyes moderate ; two spines situated at the upper and anterior margin of each orbit. The snout slightly dentated and ra- ther blunt at its extremity. Body smooth; scales oval and entire ; the air-bladder is bilobed, with the coats remarkably thick and opaque. In none of the specimens could I find any appearance of roe. This fish can be readily distinguished from every other species of the same genus yet known, by the form and arrangement of the la- teral plates, and by the elongated second ray of the first dorsal fin, which, when folded down, reaches beyond the sixth ray of the se- cond dorsal fin. 2. Monocu1iRUs MINUTUS. This species of Soleis undoubtedly an addition to our British Fauna, and seems unknown to Cuvier, Brunner, Bloch, Risso, or to any other author whom I have consulted ; but how far it is newto science remains to be determined by future research. Perhaps I may have 528 Contributions to British Ichthyology. been misled by the laconic style of these writers on Ichthyology ; but I will endeavour, by more ample description, to remove it in future beyond the reach of doubt. From the numbers of these fishes which are taken in the trawl-nets off Brixham throughout the whole year, and from their never appearing to attain a large size, there can be little doubt but that they are arrived at their full growth, from which circumstance I have proposed the specific name of “ mi- nutus.” The fishermen, who appear perfectly familiar with their appearance, call them red soles, and scarcely a trawl boat leaves Brixham harbour that does not capture a dozen or more of these fish daily ; but, from their diminutive size, they are either thrown over- board, or left to decay at the bottom of the vessels. Generic character.—Pectoral fin on the eye side very small, that on the opposite side rudimentary. (Monochirus, Cuvier.) Specific character.—Every sixth or seventh ray of the dorsal and - anal fin, black. Description.—Length 5 inches ; the width at the upper third nearly 2 inches ; the colour of the back light reddish brown, the under surface pale white. In shape it is similar to the common sole (Solea vulgaris) but of a more wedge-shaped form, becoming narrower at the caudal extremity. The head is small, one-sixth of the whole length ; the mouth is twisted, the angle of which reaches as far as under the middle of the left eye. Each jaw is furnished with a number of minute teeth placed close together, and extending but half-way round the mouth; the eyes are small, the left one a little in advance. The dorsal fin commences immediately over the upper lip and runs down the back, to be connected with the caudal rays; the anal fin begins under the posterior margin of the opercu- lum, and continues within a short interval of the tail. The num- bers of the fin rays are: D. 73; P. 4; V. 4; A. 54; C. 14. The scales are small, with from twelve to fifteen denticles at their free extremity, rendering the whole surface of the fish rough to the touch, when the finger is passed from the tail to the head. The pectoral fin on the eye side is small with the lower half black, while the fin on the opposite side is very minute, and of a pale white ; the lateral line is straight throughout ; the tail is rounded at the end, and mottled with brown. The only fish the present one seems likely to be confounded with is the Monochirus lingula, or red-backed sole ; but they will -be found to differ widely from one another. In the red-backed sole Miscellanea Zoologica. 529 there is a distinct interval between the dorsal and caudal fins; the tail is margined with white ; the anal and dorsal fins are marked with six or seven blackish spots, which extend beyond the base of the rays, towards the body of the fish; and its shape is of an oblong form. None of these characters apply to the Monochirus minutus. ( To be continued.) IV.—Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorce Jounston, M.D., Fel- low of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Plates XVII. XVIII. (Continued from p. 382.) II..A DeEscRIPTION OF SOME PLANARIAN Worms. Class ENTOZOA, Rudolphi.—VERMES, Lamarck. Order STERELMINTHA, Owen.—V.MOLLES, Lamarck. Family Planularie, Lamarck. Genus Nemertes,* Johnston. Cuaracter.— Body linear-elongate, contractile, somerhat com- pressed, soft, even and continuous: anterior extremity mostly with several ocelliform points, and two occipital approximate spots mark- ing the position of a double cenire of circulation : mouth a simple ter- minal pore: anus terminal. Oxzs.—The worms which I include in this genus are of a linear form and very contractile, so that when extended in the act of mov- ing through the water or mud, they exceed their length when at rest by three, four, or more measures. They are soft and glutinous, but with more firmness of structure than their appearance indicates ; and to the naked eye they are perfectly smooth, exhibiting no trace of articulations or wrinkles, though when contracted and viewed through a magnifier, we find that the margins are minutely crenu- late. The anterior extremity is usually marked by several black specks arranged on each side of it, variable in number according to the species, and which are considered by Muller and others as or- gans of vision. We are not able, with our small microscope, to discover any peculiar organization in them, yet there is reason, (not- withstanding the objection of Lamarck, founded on the want of op- tic nerves and a nervous system, tT) to assent in this opinion, from * Nemertes—one of the Nereides.—The genus so named by Cuvier (Reg. Anim. iii. p. 259,) for the reception of the sea Long-worm of Borlase, had been previously named Lineus by Sowerby ; and Cuvier’s name being thus unneces- sary, I have thought myself warranted in taking it as the designation of some worms nearly allied to Lineus, but which are certainly generically distinct. + Hist. Nat. des Anim. s. Vert. iii. p. 177. 530 Miscellanea Zoologica. the exact resemblance of these points to the eyes of the annelidans,* and from the very obvious manner in which the worms evince their sensibility to the impressions of light. The species have no other visible exterior organs: they move in an even continuous manner by undulations, frequently imperceptible, propagated along the body, which they often throw into knots and strictures, or extenuate to that degree, that the ordinary breadth shall be more than four times its diameter when in this state of extension. The internal structure is most easily seen when the worm is slight- ly pressed between plates of glass, and placed under the microscope. It is more beautiful and complex than the plainness and simplicity of the exterior would lead us to believe, nor indeed can I unravel or describe it with the accuracy that is desirable. The mouth is diffi- cult to be detected, and its position and form are generally indis- tinct, but sometimes it becomes evident enough, and in other cases, its exact place is often shown by a slight sinus or emargination in the anterior extremity in which it is placed: it is a simple circular pore without any hard parts. (Plate XVIII. Fig. 5, m.) From it an intes- tine descends down the centre of the body, in a straight or undulating line, according to accidental circumstances of position, to the opposite extremity, where it opens outwardly by a pore similar to the mouth, and equally simple. The intestine (Pl. XVII. Fig. 5 i. i.) is a cylin- drical tube of a firmish texture, and of nearly equal calibre through- out, though subject to partial and temporary constrictions and dila- tations, and, as just remarked, its course can be made straight or tor- tuous at the will of the animal, evidently to accommodate it to the length of the body in its extreme variations, for being apparently of . a much less contractile tissue than the body itself, the intestine is doubled in sinuous folds when the worm contracts and shortens, but when this draws itself out in a long line, the intestine becomes a straight canal, with something of the character and office of a verte- bral column. In tracing the intestine from the mouth downwards, the structure appears to be homogeneous, and alike throughout in the species placed in the second section of the genus, but in the true Nemertes, we meet with some remarkable peculiarities towards the middle of its course. First, we perceive on each side a small cir- cular spot or cavity, in each of which are three spines (Fig. 1, 2, 4,) with their sharp points directed outwards ; beneath these there is a cup-shaped organ (Fig. 3,) encircled above with a faintly plaited * See Muller “ sur les yeux problématiques des Annelides,” in the Annales des Sciences Nat. xxii. p. 19; and Grant’s Outlines of Comparative Anatomy, p-. 252-3. Miscellanea Soologica. 531 membrane, and armed in the centre with a strong spine, which can be compared to nothing more aptly than to a cobler’s awl in minia- ture, the part representing the handle being very dark, and the point transparent and crystalline, (Fig. 2,4.) This apparatus is placed within the intestine, is visible only when this is compressed, and is, as I believe, stomachical, having some distant analogy with the proper digestive organs of the Laplysia and Bulla; and in con- firmation of this view it may be remarked, that the cesophageal part of the intestine appears to be simple, while the inferior portion ex- hibits a plaited structure internally, (Fig. 1, 3.) In our Pl. XVII. Fig. 5, this part is represented as being suddenly narrowed, and after descending a little it bends and ascends for some way, when it is again deflected and ends abruptly in the body ; and such undoubt- edly were the appearances in the specimen from which the drawing was made, and in others which I have examined ; but such a dis- position of parts is rather uncommon, the usual course being for the intestine to descend tortuously to the anus. I believe that in the contrary instances, the natural adhesions of the alimentary tube have been ruptured by the compression to which the body had been sub- jected, and that by its contractions, the intestine was then forced into this unnatural position, for that the intestine terminates and opens at the posterior extremity is certain, the contents having re- peatedly been seen tobe evacuated there through a smallpore. While. examining specimens, a large portion of the intestine will occasionally be seen rolling itself from the mouth, like a very long proboscis, un- til perhaps fully one half of the tube is evolved,—a fact which I also attribute to the compression of the plates of glass, for i have 532 Miscellanea Zoologica. never observed the worm naturally to evolve a proboscis, though every pains may be taken to force it to do so, by irritations, by keep- ing it in sea water until it corrupts, by immersion in fresh water, or in spirits.* The intestine lies loose in a distinct abdominal cavity (Pl. XVII. Fig. 5, and Pl. XVIII. Fig. 1,) or canal excavated through the cen- tre of the body. This canal seems to contain besides a grumous fluid, which may frequently be observed moving rapidly up and down in irregular currents dependent on the contractions of the worm or in- testine, and not at all analogous to the currents within the tubes of zoophytes. It is fringed along each side with a close series of vesi- cles or cells formed, in the true Nemertes, apparently by the folds of a membrane, while in the sub-genus Borlasia, they are separate, and as it were excavated in the parenchymaof the body, (Pl. XVIII.) The resemblance between this structure and what have been called cecal appendages in some allied worms is obvious, + though not very exact, for they are not produced from, nor in organic con- nection with the alimentary canal, as is manifest from their remain- ing unaffected during the motions of the latter, which moreover may be removed entirely from the body without bringing with it, or tearing away, the presumed coeca. These are always full of some opaque matter in the Nemertes, and some observations lead me to believe, that it varies in intensity at least according to the nature of the animal’s food, whence I conclude they belong chiefly to the di- gestive system ; while the ova appear to be developed in their in- terstices, and in the space between themand the skin, (Pl. XVII. Fig. 2.) But in Borlasia the cceca are more distinctly vesicular and iso- lated, and although the depth of colour of their contents varies also, yet they are usually clearer and paler than the surrounding paren- chyma, or as it were empty, and | have plainly seen in them, not often, indeed, oviform bodies, which again have not been detected in the interstices, (Pl. XVIII. Fig. 3.) Weseem, then, te have com- bined in them a duplicity of function,—they are both nutrient and * In some cognate species, Otho Fabricius observed the intestine to be ex- truded when no compression was used, but still under circumstances easily re- concileable with our explanation. “ De orificio antico infero tubulum pallidum in agone mortis exserit :” i. e. Planaria rubra, Faun. Greenl. p. 324; also p. 325. + Compare our figures of this structure with that of the Diplozoon para- doxum of Nordmann ia Ann. des Sciences Nat. V. xxx. p. 382, pl. 20. This figure, on a reduced scale, is copied into the Cyclop. of. Anat. and Physiology, i. p. 654, fig. 328; and into Kirby’s Bridgewater Treatise, pl. 1. B. fig. 4. The comparison may be usefully extended to the Annelides, Cyclop. of Anat. and Phy. i. p. 169, fig. 70; Roget, Bridgew. Treat. ii. p. 103, fig. 260; and to the Tenia, Ibid. i. p. 83, fig. 247. 3 Miscellanea Zoologica. 533 uterine cells,—but how far this view can be admitted, I must leave to the determination of some better observer.* Many specimens, and several species, had been examined before a trace of a nervous system could be detected, and I was ready to conclude that these worms were truly acritous, when I was prevent- ed falling into this error by the discovery of it in the Nemertes oc- toculata. In this species the nervous system is distinct, and I have been able since to see it in several others more obscurely. It con- sists of a single oblong or ovate ganglion laid over and above the esophagus posterior to the heart ; and from this ganglion nervous threads radiate in every direction, which are unbranched, of nearly equal sizes, and soon lost in the body. (Pl. XVIII. Fig. 2.) The system has obviously a nearer relation to that of some of the lower Molluscans than to any of the typical annelidans, a fact which, how- ever, is not anomalous, for Mr Owen has made the same remark in reference to some intestinal worms.t The circulating system appears to be complete, though very sim- ple. Immediately behind the eyes there may be observed a roundish spot on each side of a reddish colour, indicating the position and figure of organs which are perhaps the centres of this system. These organs are connected by a cross vessel ; and from their infe- rior aspects a fine vessel departs which, running along each side be- tween the intestine and skin, encircle the body with a continuous canal of equal calibre in every portion of its long circuit. (Pl. XVII. Fig. 5.) It is uncertain whether these side-vessels are connected by smaller transverse inosculations: I believe they are, and that the pale lines which we observe to cross the body in some species, at short and regular intervals, are produced by these vessels of com- munication. (Pl. XVII. Fig. 1.) On examining Fig. 5. another ves- sel will be seen winding down the middle, along the surface of the alimentary canal, in an undulating line. That it has any connec- tion with the centre of circulation or lateral vessels I cannot affirm, for I could neither trace its origin, nor its place of termination, nor can I perceive that any vessel goes from it, but we may be allowed * Since this was written, farther observations have almost satisfied me that the apparent differences in the formation of the cceca in these subgenera are de- pendent, in a great measure, on the state of the worm in regard to repletion,— the distinct vesicle-like spaces being formed by the extension and coalescence of the cceca around a space filled with ova, which would seem therefore to be always exterior to the cceca. + Proceedings of the Zool. Soc. of London, pt. iii. p. 28; and Trans. of the Zoological Society, i. p. 328-9. 534 Miscellanea Xoologica. to infer, from its analogy with the Planariz,* that it belongs to the circulating, and not to a nervous system. I have never detected the slightest appearance of a fluid in motion in any of the vessels ; and were I to call the central vessel an aorta, and to decide that the lateral vessels were for the purpose of returning the refluent fluid to the heart, I might justly be censured for indulging in a fancy which has no observation in its support. We are too liable to as- sign to the organs of these lower creatures the names of what we deem their analogues in higher classes, and with the name to as- sociate an idea of sameness or identity in their functions,—a pro- pensity which has not seldom led to error. The Nemertes live under stones and in mud between tide marks : they avoid the light, and love obscurity. They are numerous in in- dividuals, but how they are propagated is yet conjectural. At cer- tain seasons I have seen within the body small roundish oviform grains lying unconnected with any particular viscus, but of the real nature of these, no observation has enabled me to form an opinion. Specimens have also occurred in which there seemed to be a begin- ning separation of the body into two or more parts, but these marks of division might be the effect of injury. The species are very te- nacious of life : if cut into several pieces, each lives and moves, and perhaps in time each will grow up to a complete and perfect worm. When placed in fresh water they shew, by instant contortions, how painful and poisonous is this huid to them. They soon break into pieces, disgorge portions of the viscera, and speedily die and dissolve into a soft jelly. * A gizzard near the centre of the alimentary canal, armed nith spines.—Subgenus NEMERTES. 1. N. gracilis, of a uniform olive-colour, very long and filiform ; eyes numerous. (Plate XVII. Fig. 1.) Hag. Under stones near low water-mark. Berwick Bay. This worm, when drawn out to its ordinary length, as in the act of creeping, measures about 20 inches, while it is not more than a line in breadth : body linear or somewhat attenuated at the posterior extremity, compressed, smooth, soft and glutinous, very contractile, of a uniform olive-green colour, lighter on the ventral surface ; when viewed through a common magnifier it is seen to be marked with numerous pale cross lines, and the sides appear lighter than the cen- tre: head obtuse, rounded in front, tinted with yellow, and dotted with numerous eyes along each side reaching to the two orange-co- * See figures illustrative of this in Roget's Bridgew. Treat. ii. p. 250, fig. 346 ; and in Cyclop. of Anat. and Physiology, i. p. 653, fig. 327. Miscellanea Zoologica. 535 loured spots, which are about one-eighth of an inch from the extre- mity. 2. N. lactiflorea, of a uniform cream-colour, often dusky down the middle, linear-compressed ; eyes many. (Plate XVII. Fig. 2.) Planaria lactiflorea, Johnston, in Zool. Journ. iii. 489. Has. Under stones between tide-marks—common in Berwick Bay. Body linear, vermiform, about three inches long when extended, but very contractile and polymorphous, smooth, of a uniform cream-co- lour in general, sometimes flesh-red, often dusky down the centre from the opaque contents of the intestine, marked with two red spots near the head, anterior to which are the ocelliform specks arranged on the sides in two more or less perfectly separate clusters : the eyes are unequal] in size, and about 12 in number on each side: mouth subterminal : anus terminal. When compressed, or other- wise irritated, this species has been repeatedly noticed to exude a milky fluid from its whole surface. There is what I consider to be a variety of this species of a red- dish orange-colour, with dusky undulations dewn the middle from the interranea. (Plate XVII. Fig 3,) It is comparatively rare, and the depth of its colour may proceed from some difference in food, or in its state of repletion. The resemblance between it and the Pla- naria rosea of Muller (Zool. Dan. tab. 64. fig. 1, 2,) is sufficiently great to suggest a suspicion of their identity, but Muller expressly states that the latter is destitute of eyes. (See the Prod. Zool. Dan. p. 221.) 3. N. quadrioculata, of a yellow colour tinted with green ; nar- row, elongate: eyes 4, remote. (Pl. XVII. Fig. 4.) Planaria quadrioculata, Johnston, in Zool. Journ. iv. 56. Has. Sea shore under stones, rare. Berwick Bay. Body 14 inch long, soft, flattened, contractile, narrowed towards the tail, of a yellowish maculated colour, with a dirty greenish in- testinal line down the middle ; mouth rounded ; eyes 4, placed in a square form and rather distant.—The maculated appearance pro- ceeds from white oviform bodies. 4, N. melanocephala, yellow or yellowish-green, linear-elongate ; head with a dark transverse spot, and 4 eyes. (Plate XVII. Fig. 5.) Has. Between tide marks. Berwick Bay, not common. Body from 1 to 13 inch long, narrow and vermiform, tapered at 536 Miscellanea Zoologica. the tail, of an olive or yellowish colour, the latter tint most predo- minant in front, which is marked with a black spot of a quadrangu- lar form, and 4 eyes placed nearly in a square. It was in this species that the structure peculiar to the genus was most easily to be traced. 5. N. pulchra, linear-elliptical ; of a flesh-red colour, with a se- ries of scarlet spots along each side, or of a uniform aurora- red ; eyes numerous, unequal. Plate XVII. Fig. 6. Has. Amongst corallines, and in old shells, &c., in deep water. Coast of Berwickshire, frequent. Body about an inch in length, and two lines in breadth, compres- sed, narrow, elliptical, the front marked with numerous black specks, irregularly arranged and visible with the naked eye. Many speci- mens are of a uniform aurora-red colour, considerably paler on the ventral aspect, while others are beautifully marked along each side with a series of large scarlet spots ; the former are perhaps males, or more probably individuals in a barren condition, while the others seem to be full of mature ova, for an examination of the spots through the microscope shows that they are produced by clusters of oviform bodies lying in the interstices of the ccecal appendages. This and the first species contrast remarkably in their form, and show the extremes to which this character is subject. The structure of the stomach is like that of its congeners, excepting in there being five or six spines on each side of it, instead of three, which is the usual number. Immediately under the hearts, we observe a large, somewhat muscular viscus, apparently hollow, and lying in the course of the intestine, but apparently unconnected with it, for in the indi- vidual which served for our figure, the intestine had been extruded from the body, and entirely expelled by the contortions of the worm produced by impure sea-water. Of its office and nature I can offer no opinion, but I may remark that in all the species a greater dus- kiness in its site shows that a similar organ exists in all. * * Alimentary canal apparently homogeneous throughout. Sub- genus, Boriasia * 6. N. olivacea, of a dark olive colour ; eyes four, placed in a square. Plate XVIII. Fig. 1. * A name given by Oken to the Lineus of Sowerby, co-equal therefore with the Nemertes of Cuvier, equally unnecessary, and as originally applied altogether inadmissible. Because it commemorates a worthy naturalist, Dr William Bor- lase, author of the History of Cornwall, I rejoice in being able to affix it to a group hitherto uncharacterized. ’ Miscellanea Xoologica. 537 ’ Planaria bioculata, Johnston, in Zool. Journ. iv. 56. Has. Between tide-marks. Berwick Bay. Of a dusky olive colour, often tinted with purple in front, and paler at the posterior extremity, which is more acuminated than is common in the genus: body linear and narrow, from three to six in- ches long, a line or so in breadth ; smooth and compressed : an- terior extremity rounded, obscurely marked with a red spot over the site of the heart. In the Zoological Journal, I have described this species as having only two eyes, but as this appears to be a mistake, or at least not constant in the species, it has become necessary to al- ter its designation. When pressing a portion of the body between the plates of glass, I have occasionally seen some bodies escape, of a curved fusiform shape, acute at both ends, and marked towards one of them with a pale circular spot. Plate XVIII. Fig. 1. They have shown no signs of life, nor can I say what they are, though it has occurred to me, that they may be embryo-young ; and that the worms may in fact be ovo-viviparous. 7. N. octoculata, of a uniform light reddish-brown colour ; eyes 6 or 8, placed in opposite pairs on the sides of the head. Plate XVIII. Fig. 2. Planaria octoculata, Johnston, in Zool. Journ. iv. 56. Haz. Under stones, between tide-marks. Berwick Bay. Body linear, narrowed posteriorly, 3 inches long, and about 3th of an inch broad, compresed, of a light reddish-brown colour, with a darker spot in front over the hearts: eyes 6 or 8, and in some spe- cimens I have seen 7, three on one side, and four on the other. It appears therefore, that the number of the eyes, on which Muller and others have reckoned confidently as a good and invariable character, is not to be implicitly relied on. 8. N. purpurea, of a uniform purplish-red colour, paler under- neath ; eyes 6-8: (Plate XVIII. Fig. 3.) Has. The sea shore under stones. Berwick Bay. Worm 2 or 3 inches long, smooth and glutinous. From the darkness of its colour, the spot indicating the position of the heart is scarcely visible until the body has been compressed. The num- ber of eyes is the same as the preceding, and liable to the same va- riety. In this species the ova were distinctly seen to be contained within the ccecal vesicles, which, when compressed, assumed a py- riform shape, having the slender end toward the intestines. 588 Miscellanea Zoologica. 9. N. rufifrons, of a yellowish colour verging on rose-red anteri- orly ; mouth dark red ; eyes none ; body very slender. (PI. XVIII. Fig. 5.) Haz. Under stones between tide-marks, in Berwick Bay, fre- quent. When fully stretched out in creeping, this worm is fully two inches long, but very narrow and filiform, or rather tapering to a point posteriorly ; it is of a yellowish colour for the greater part, but the anterior extremity is a rose-red, while the apex or mouth forms a dark red speck. When slightly compressed between plates of glass the intestine may frequently be seen unrolling itself from the cir- cular and terminal mouth in the manner that some annelidans un- roll their proboscis. The worm will thus sometimes nearly disem- bowel itself. The intestine is white, round and filiform, without any appendage. Explanation of Plates. Plate XVII. Fig. 1, Nemertes gracilis of the natural size. 1. * Anterior portion of the same magnified ; Fig. 2, 2, N. lactiflo- rea, both figures of the natural size. 2.* Anterior portion mag- nified. 2* * Caudal extremity magnified, shewing the ova exte- rior to the coca; Fig. 3, N. lactiflorea, var. brunnea. 3. * The head magnified; Fig. 4, N. quadrioculata, natural size ; Fig. 5, N. melanocephala, natural size.. 5. * The same magnified ; Fig. 6, N. pulchra, natural size. 6.* The head of the same mag- nified. Plate XVIII. Fig. 1, 1, 1, Nemertes (B.) olivacea, of the natu- ral size. 1.* The anterior and middle part magnified. 1* * Em- bryo young ? of the same contained in the body of some specimens. Fig. 2, Nemertes (B.) octoculata, natural size. 2.* The anterior portion magnified ; Fig. 3, Nemertes (B.) purpurea, natural size. 3. * The head, and a portion of the middle, and the tail magnified, shewing the ova within a kind of vesicle. Fig. 4, Nemertes (B.) rufifrons, natural size. Fig. 5, A portion of the anterior extremity magnified. Of the wood-cut Figs. 1, 2, represent the stomach and a portion of the intestine of Nemertes lactiflorea ; 3, and 4, of the N. pul- chra; 3, shewing it previous to being compressed, 4, after being compressed between plates of glass. On the Habits of the Phoce. 539 V.—Notes regarding the distinctive habits of the Scotch Phoce or Seals. By James Wixson, F. B.S. E., &c. Tue genus Poca of Linneus, comprising a large amount and a considerable diversity of species, has like other great natural groups been separated into several minor genera by modern naturalists. The teeth differ considerably both in their form and position, and when accurately ascertained and distinctly described, will no doubt aid the systematic observer in his arrangement of the species. All agree in having five toes to both extremities. Those of the fore paws usually diminish in size from the innermost or thumb, tothe out- ermost or little finger, while on the hind feet the lateral toes are the largest, and the others diminish towards the centre. The form of the head, especially in the smaller species, usually bears resem- blance to that of a dog,—while in their natural cunning and intelli- gence, and in their capability of being tamed and instructed, they ex- hibit a still farther likeness to that sagacious creature. They prey chiefly on fish, and are extremely destructive to salmon and other gregarious species, along our shores, in estuaries, and at the mouths of rivers. They seldom, however, ascend the fresh waters to any considerable distance from the sea,—for the alleged occurrence of seals in remote Siberian rivers and the inland waters of Lake Baikal, is a fact which requires confirmation.* Although extensively distributed over the waters of the ocean, it is in high latitudes (whether northern or southern) that seals occur in greatest abundance,—such as inhabit tropical regions being, as it were, insulated from their kind, and occurring in less numerous as- semblages. The species are so vaguely described by voyagers, and have been even as yet so indifferently characterized by naturalists, that their geographical boundaries are by no means well defined ; but we may rest assured that those authors are in error who de- scribe our northern kinds as occurring equally among Antarctic ice- bergs. All other animals have limits which they do not pass, and seals are doubtless subjected to a corresponding restriction. For example, the gigantic species called the sea elephant ( Phoca probo- scidea, Desm.) is never found in the northern hemisphere, while such of the smaller southern species as have been examined, are found to differ from those of corresponding size, which are native to the European shores. Peron is of opinion that the Phocide, in reference to their natural location, form three great geographical groups, of which two are northern (Atlantic and Pacific,) and one * See Krachenninikow’s Voyage en Sibirie et au Kamtschatka, T. ii. p. 421. NO. VI. Ni 540 On the Habits of the Phoce. southern, and that the species of each of these regions are peculiar to itself. He inclines to apply the same principle to the cetaceous tribes,——but in neither case has he sufficiently considered the nu- merous species which occur in temperate and equatorial regions. A proper exposition of the species of the Mediterranean and the Kux- ine, and their comparison, on the one hand, with those of the north, and, on the other, with such as are known to occur in the enclosed waters of the Caspian, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and the frozen waters of the extreme south, would prove to be subjects both of interest and utility. It is indeed singular that animals so important in the scale of creation, whether we regard their great economic value to mankind, their positien in the system of na- ture, or their peculiar organization and singular habits of life, should hitherto have attracted so superficial a notice on the part of naturalists.* Any critical observations regarding the inadequate manner in which the numerous foreign species have been distinguished, would come with a bad grace from one, who, having it in his power to study the habits and ascertain the distinctive attributes of the few which frequent our island shores, has yet failed to effect that dis- crimination. Something, however, is occasionally gained by calling attention to the fact of our being comparatively ignorant of what might be ascertained by many, without much exertion, and there- fore, while confessing that I have not yet studied the structure of our native kinds, and am still unqualified to assign their distinctive characteristics, I make no apology for offering the following brief notes regarding their natural habits. Our western islands are supposed to be frequented by three dif- ferent species of seal, although only two are usually recognized by systématic writers. t All of these have been repeatedly observed by my principal informant.} The largest of these is at least double the dimensions of either of the other two. It is known by the native name of Vapvaist, and although it associates occasionally with the other kinds, yet it differs in many respects in its habits. I presume it to be the species usually designated by our British writers as the Great Seal, or Phoca barbata. It occurs occasionally along our eastern shores,§ and, from the great size of a seal shot some years ago, near Stonehaven, by the late Lord Cassilis, I infer it to have been a Tapvaist. It spreads, however, far and wide along the icy arctic shores. * Encyclopedia Britannica, 7th edition, Vol. xiv. p. 125. + See note at the conclusion of this article. + Mr Archibald M‘Neill (of Colonsay. ) ’§ Is frequent on the Fern Islands.—Eb. On the Habits of the Phoce. 54] Our second species in point of size is by much the most common, and is known among the inhabitants of our western isles by the name of Itaun or seal. I presume it to be the Phoca vitulina of naturalists, our common seal,—of which, in spite of its frequency, the distinctive characters and synonymy are still but vaguely ascertained: Our third species is of considerably smaller size, and is known to the natives by the appellation of Bodach or old man. Though not so rare as that first alluded to, it is by no means common. I am not aware that any specific appellation has been bestowed upon | it by naturalists, nor do I know that it has yet been described se- cundum artem, or even entered in any of the scientific catalogues. I have already stated that the Tapvaist or great seal is observed occasionally on shore with individuals of other kinds ; but notwith- standing this it may be characterized as being of solitary habits, and as frequenting the most remote and undisturbed situations. It is neither so lively nor so watchful as the common seal, nor is it so easily alarmed. It resembles that species in its general colouring, but may at once be distinguished from it by its enormous size. One of the most characteristic and distinctive traits in its history is derived from its period of production, viz. the end of September or commencement of October,—while that of the common seal is usually the beginning of June. In the young also, of these two species, there is a notable difference. That of the Tapvaist when whelped, if I may use the expression, is covered with white hair, greatly re- sembling the short coarse coating of a goat. This covering conti- nues for many weeks, but is at length cast, like the nestling plu- mage of a bird, and the creature then assumes much the same livery as the young of the common seal, the prevailing hue of which is somewhat darker than that of the adults of either kind. The young of the Tapvazst or great seal, (I avoid using the term Phoca barbata, because I think our native writers have sometimes applied the names of continental authors, without due considera- tion, or a requisite comparison of characters,) is invariably whelped above water-mark, and, it is said, during spring tides. They re- main in a helpless condition on the rocks, for several weeks, before they can swim, and during this time they cast most of their long hair. When one of these is discovered by our island sportsmen, they do not immediately approach it, for so strong is the sense of smell, on the part of the parents, that they would certainly take alarm on scenting human footsteps. The sportsman, therefore, conceals him- self behind some point of rock within gun shot, and there awaits the onward flowing of the tide, with which the kind but cautious mo- ther invariably returns to suckle her still helpless young. The rifle then achieves its deadly work. 542 On the Habits of the Phoce. The average weight of an individual of this species, judging rela- tively from its dimensions when compared with those of the common kind, is somewhere about thirty stone, or 420 pounds. They not unfrequently yield upwards of forty bottles of oil. They have be- come of late years very rare along the western shores. The common seal (Phoca vitulina, I suppose,) is still to be seen in considerable numbers, but unlike the Tapvazst it generally fre- quents Sounds, and flats where fish abound, and where the water is not excessively deep. It is particularly fond of flounders ; at least off the coast of Colonsay these fish appear to form its favourite food. This perhaps arises from their being ground fish, and therefore easily caught. Mr M‘Neill informs me that he has frequently observed a seal rise to the surface with a flounder in its mouth, and dive again on finding itself unable to swallow its prey, in consequence of its pe- culiar breadth. When engaged in this attempt, so intent do they become, as entirely to forget their habitual wariness, and they may then be approached and shot with unusual ease. The kind now al- luded to produces its young about the beginning of June, and in a very short time after the offspring is whelped it is taken to sea by the mother. . The fishing for the common seal commences in autumn, and is practised by means of nets stretched across narrow sounds between rocks where the seals are in use to swim. In these they entangle themselves, and are taken out either by boat, or in some cases where the net is left dry by the receding tide, by persons approaching them onfoot. It is, however, the young ones only that are takenin this way, and even these only during a month or two in autumn. Seals are fond of going frequently on shore,—for the most part during every tide. They are observed always to select the flattest and most shelving rocks, especially such as have been covered by water at full tide, and still more especially (I may say invariably )* those that are separated from the main land. They generally go ashore about the time of half ebb, and lie together so close as to ap- pear tobe almost in contact, to the number sometimes of one, two, or three dozen. With their heads constantly turned towards the sea, and seldom more than a yard or two from it, they seem to en- joy a pleasing repose on terra firma,—their appetites appeased by previous fishing, and a feeling of comfort or of satisfaction produced upon their moistened surface by the genial rays of an invigorating sun. But even in this their hour of rest their customary caution never leaves them, for one of their number is placed a little higher * We have often approached seals on the rocks of the “ main coast,” between Aberlady and North Berwick on the Firth of Forth. One or two ledges of rock there, (ten or twelve years since,) were favourite resorts at low water.—Ep, On the Habits of the Phoce. 543 up the rock than the others, and he seems constantly awake, and ever and anon upraises his “ grim feature,” scenting the windward air. In the position first alluded to the main body frequently fall asleep with their heads I may say hanging towards the water. They generally prefer rocks of small dimensions, and as already mentioned, such as are periodically covered by water. This for two reasons ; Ist, because, they are smoother, flatter, and softer, being covered with sea-weed ; 2dly, because from their comparatively small size, they cannot be approached by human (or inhuman) foes, without observation. They generally remain on their rocky resting-places, unless dis- turbed, for nearly six hours,—that is, until the returning tide floats them off upon its buoyant waves. When on shore they frequently utter a grunting noise, not unlike that of a pig in a stye ; but they never do so unless they feel perfectly secure. When severely -wounded they are heard to express their pain by a peculiar moan- ing somewhat resembling the lowing of a cow. ‘To what age the seal attains, or at what period it arrives at maturity, I cannot say, but the natives of the western isles suppose it to be long-lived. It not unfrequently attains to the weight of 16 stone, or 224 pounds. A specimen shot by Mr M Classification of Animals. ful, or at least carried to what may be considered, if not a ridiculous, at least an unwarrantable extent. Such an opinion, indeed, we have already heard broached more than once ; but a theory substantiated by a long and painful course of investigation is not to be repudiated and condemned, unless it can be proved, by an examination as strict as that to which it has been subjected, that it is founded in error and unsupported by facts. We allow that many of the analogies or symbo- lical resemblances instanced by Mr Swainson, particularly when they relate to groups or individuals far removed, are, unless tested by analysis, often difficult to be recognized or perceived ; but this is only what ought reasonably to be expected from the very nature of the subject, as such resemblances cannot be supposed so strong, or so easi- ly perceptible in objects far removed from each other, as in propin- quant groups. There are many who would at once allow and recog- nize an analogy between the eagle and the lion, who would yet dispute its existence in the case of the woodcock and the rat, (strikingly as it may be illustrated in the characteristic wood-cut at page 17, Vol. i. Birds), but it only requires an examination and analysis of inter- vening groups and forms to be as firmly persuaded of the correctness of the one as of the other. It is moreover a law, we think beauti- fully illustrative of the ‘‘ wisdom of God as displayed in the Crea-~ tion,” and strongly corroborative of that unity of design which we can scarcely doubt prevails throughout all the works of the Creator, and which, in a late admirable treatise, is shown to have existed at least in Zoology, from the earliest epochs of the globe we now in- habit. From what we have already said, our readers must be aware that we are followers of what is frequently termed the circular system, and believers in the principles or laws upon which it reposes. We have long been so, from a conviction that it is the natural system or true mode of investigating animal life,—a conviction, however, we must repeat, not merely drawn from or resting upon the writings and dicta of others, but the result of a long and patient examina- tion of the subject. We therefore agree with Mr Swainson in the great principles he advocates, though we may occasionally differ or require further proof in regard to minute details. In addition to the profound and intimate knowledge of his subject, practical as well as theoretical, the author brings to his task the aid of a power- ful and original mind, capable of the most extensive generalization, as well as of entering into minute and laborious detail. The ar- rangement of the volumes is, we think, upon the whole, good, and 4 Classification of Animals. 549 embraces every matter of importance connected with, or bearing upon, the subject ; the style is free and copious, at the same time perspicuous and clear ; and where the subject requires it, numerous and beautiful illustrations from the pencil of the author are intro- duced, by well executed wood-cuts, which will be of essential service to the student, in assisting him fully to comprehend what it is often difhcult or almost impossible to convey by mere ver- bal description. In giving, however, our meed of praise to the en- lightened author of a work, which must ultimately be of great importance in the pursuit and attainment of zoological science, we must not overlook or pass in silence what we consider to be fail- ings. deserving at least of notice, if not of reproof; we allude to a spirit of detraction, or at least an unwillingness to do full justice to the merits of others, which we think is visible in many cases. That of the great and immortal Cuvier may be particularized as one, and an overweening opinion of self is so constantly brought for- ward and forced upon the notice of his readers, that, in our case at least, it proved a bar to the otherwise unmixt satisfaction and plea- sure we should have felt in perusing these philosophic volumes. We shall now proceed to examine these volumes in detail, giv- ing, where we deem it requisite, our opinion of their contents, as they come under review. The first part of the work relates to the Geography of Animals ; a subject deeply interesting to the naturalist, and which we think the author has successfully treated,—his hypothesis being founded on philosophical principles, and, so far as we can ascertain, in accord- ance with facts. After a few apt introductory observations upon the varieties or races of Man, which he shows cannot be attributed to any of the secondary causes assigned or conjectured by those who have speculated upon the question, he next proceeds to show that the primary distribution of the animal world is involved in difficul- ties of a similar nature; the theories of the most eminent authors being all alike unsatisfactory and inconclusive ; he therefore comes to the conclusion, that “ the primary causes which have led to different regions of the earth being peopled by different races of animals, and the laws by which their dispersion is regulated, must be for ever hid from human research.” This, however, does not debar an in- quiry into what, he adds, ‘‘ experience teaches is a fact,” viz. that certain divisions of the earth are characterized by peculiar animals ; these divisions, therefore, their boundaries, extent, and peculiarities, are the legitimate object of inquiry and investigation. Before an. nouncing his own theory, he takes a review of those of Fabricius, 559 Classification of Animals. Latreille, and Dr Pritchard, to all of which he shows there are many and insuperable objections, though he assigns, and we think deserv- edly, the merit of the nearest approach to a correct theory of ani- mal distribution, to the last named writer, as it is founded upon the Natural Geography of the Earth. His own hypothesis he pre- faces with the following observations :—“ Since, then, there is as marked a distinction between animals of the great Continents as there is between the races of mankind, by whom they are inhabited, it remains to be considered whether the general distribution of both are not in unison, whether their divine Creator has not, by cer- tain laws incomprehensible to human understanding, regulated the distribution of man and animals upon the same plan? These questions lead us to the following propositions. 1. That the countries peopled by the five recorded varieties of the human species, are likewise in- habited by different races of animals, blending into each other at their confines. 2. That these regions are the true zoological divi- sions of the earth. 3. That this progression of animal forms is in unison with the first great law of natural arrangement, viz. the gra- dual amalgamation of the parts and the circularity of the whole.” Assuming, therefore, in accordance with the most distinguished physiologists, that the typical or representative varieties of man are five, viz. the European er Caucasian ; 2. the Asiatic or Mongolian ; 3. the American ; 4. the Ethiopian or African ; 5. the Australian or Malay, the respective divisions of the earth inhabited by them will form the five zoological provinces.” Their precise limits he does not pretend accurately to define, as an amalgamation or blending in of their contents must necessarily take place upon the confines of each, but the following he considers as a near approximation to the truth. “1. the European or Caucasian range he supposes to include the whole of Europe, properly so called, with part of Asia Minor and the shores of the Mediterranean. 2. The Asiatic range, com- prehending the whole of Asia east of the Ural Mountains. 3. The American range united to Europe and Asia at its northern limits ; this region comprehends the whole of the New World, but into which it blends at the other extremity is not yet ascertained. 4, In this range he includes the whole of Africa south of the great desert ; and the 5th or. Australian province embraces the whole of Australia proper, together with New Guinea and the neighbouring islands, as well as those of the Pacific Ocean. The Arctic regions, it will be observed, in this distribution, are not considered as form- ing a zoological province, and properly so, as the genera and species restricted to them, or which are not found in the temperate parts of 3 Classification of Animals. 551 the other continents, are very few ; he therefore contemplates them as the bond of union wherein the three great Faunas of Europe, Asia, and America meet, and are united together.” In the five suc- ceeding chapters he enters into a minute and detailed account of the zoological productions of each province, showing the peculiar forms by which they are characterized. This is carefully and ably executed, and indicates the comprehensive and intimate acquaintance the author possesses of his subject. At the end of each chapter, lists of the genera and subgenera of the animals and birds of each province are given, and numerous illustrations, beautifully drawn and execut- ed, taken from the various departments of the science, bring for- cibly before the reader the forms peculiar to and characteristic of each geographical division. In conclusion, he adds, “ we consider that the facts now stated are sufhciently strong to establish the pro- positions with which this investigation was commenced. We have seen Ist, that animals are distributed upon a plan sufficiently ob- vious in its leading outlines to be comprehended and defined; and 2d, that this plan is found to harmonize in many remarkable ways, with that circular disposition, which is the first law of natural clas- sification.” The rise and progress of Systematic Zoology occupies the second portion of the volume, the first chapter of which, after some preli- minary observations upon the terms, system, and method, which, al- though by some considered as conveying a different signification, he shows must be taken as synonymous, is chiefly occupied in tracing the distinction between an artificial and a natural system, and the essential requisites which must belong to the latter. The whole of this chapter possesses great interest, and requires an attentive pe- rusal. In the next an exposition of a few of the principal artificial systems is given, comprising those of Aristotle, Willughby, Lin- neus, and Cuvier ; of the two last as embracing the whole of the animal kingdom from the highest to the lowest groups, he enters into a detailed and minute examination, and, upon the whole, we consider his estimate of the merits of these systems correctly drawn, agreeing with him, that, as an artificial system, the Linnzan is best calculated, from the simplicity of its arrangement and the precision of its nomenclature, to effect the object it had in view, viz. the easy discrimination of a species without further reference tv its station in the scale of being, or the analogies by which it is represented. We do not, however, think that ample justice has been done to the - labours of Cuvier, for, though the Régne Animal has not proved to be a natural arrangement, and as an artificial one it may in some re- 552 - Classification of Animals. spects be inferior to that of Linnzus, still its comprehensive and philosophic views, we consider, gave that direction to the study of Zoology which paved the way to the discovery of those principles upon which the natural system is based. Of partial systems, or such as are confined to particular classes of animals, that of Tem- minck in ornithology is justly considered the best ; his primary di- visions, though forced and unnatural, and amounting to as many as sixteen in number, being clear, and therefore easily comprehended, and his genera, though few, well and carefully defined. The other ornithological systems noticed are those of Illiger, Vieillot, and Lesson, the peculiar features of which respectively come under the author’s review. Of systems restricted to entomology, those of De Geer, Fabricius, Latreille, Clairville, and Leach, are particularly mentioned, and are accompanied by tables containing their divisions of the class. ‘lhe chapter concludes with a few apposite observa- tions on Binary or Dichotomous systems, which he shows to be not only among the most artificial of all arrangements, but as even in- competent to answer the purpose of a mere index to genera and species. From artificial, the author in the next chapter passes to the consideration of natural systems, or those ‘‘ which endeavour to explain the multifarious relations which one object bears to another, not simply in their direct affinity, but in their more remote relations, whereby they typify or represent other objects totally distinct in structure and organization from themselves by certain general laws.” After noticing Hermann’s work, the Tabula Affinitatum Animali- um, and Lamarck’s System of the Soft or Molluscous Animals, in which that eminent naturalist caught a glimpse of the first great principle of natural arrangement, by discovering that the animal series was of a complex and. branching nature, and not simple or linear, as had been previously supposed, he passes to the circular theory of Mr M‘Leay, as developed in the Horw Entomologice of that enlightened author, in which the fundamental principles of the na- tural system were first made public. Of this important treatise, the origin and foundation of a new and better school of Zoology, which is fast attaining a degree of perfection that could never have been acquired under any former system, he gives a detailed expo- sition, rendered the more necessary from the extreme rarity of the work in question, whose philosophic pages, few students can now hope to have an opportunity of consulting. ‘This exposition he con- cludes with some important remarks, which, that they may not lose their effect, we give in the words of the author. ‘‘ We have been Classification of Animals. 553 induced to devote more space to the developement of the leading principles of this system, than we should otherwise have done, on many important accounts. ist, Because it is unquestionably the first which clearly defined any one philosophic principle of classifi- cation, so that, strictly speaking, we must date the first partial de- velopement of natural arrangement from the publication of the Hore Entomologice. Lamarck, it is true, traced the outlines of the circle without knowing that he had done so ; while Mr M‘Leay, by a totally different process of investigation, arrived at the same general result, but with this difference ;—that he discovered pro- perties which belonged to this series of universal prevalence in na- tural groups, and he determined several. of those laws which regu- lated the variation of animals ; a process of induction which hereto- fore had never been dreamed of. These discoveries let in a flood of light on the study of nature, and converted that which had been a science of observation into one of the deepest philosophy.”—The Systema Mycologicum of M. Fries is afterwards noticed, which is bas- ed upon the three great principles of natural classification announced a little previously by Mr M‘Leay, but of which fact this eminent botanist was altogether ignorant when he made the same discoveries during his investigation of a group of the vegetable kingdom. ‘The only point of difference between them is in the determinate number of their groups, those of M‘Leay being five, while those of M. Fries are apparently four, we say only apparently, for they are in reality five, as he confesses that his centrum or typical group is al- ways divisible into two series. Modifications which Mr M‘Leay made in his system are afterwards noticed, as well as the views of other writers in regard to natural arrangement ; and the chap- ter concludes with some general remarks which may, we hope, prevent in future any of those deviations from the true principles upon which the circular theory is established, and which can only tend to bring it into disrepute. Having taken a review of the va- rious systems, artificial as well as natural, which have appeared, he proceeds, in the third part of the volume, to lay before his readers the result of his own researches on the first principles of the natu- ral system, which are embodied in the following five propositions :— ]. That every natural series of beings, in its progress from a given point, either actually returns, or evinces a tendency to return again to that point, thereby forming a circle. 2. The primary circular divisions of every group are three ac- tually, or five apparently. 554 Classification of Animals. 3. The contents of such a circular group are symbolically (or analogically) represented by the contents of all other circles in the animal kingdom. 4. That these primary divisions of every group are characte- rized by definite peculiarities of form, structure, and economy, which, under diversified modifications, are uniform throughout the animal kingdom, and are therefore to be regarded as the primary types of nature. 5. That the different ranks or degrees of circular groups ex- hibited in the animal kingdom are nine in number, each being in- volved within the other. These he proceeds to establish by interesting details, and which, so far as we have had an opportunity of examining, tend to sub- stantiate their truth and universality as general laws. In regard to the first, it is almost unnecessary to say we have long considered it as fully established, not only by the arguments advanced by its discoverer, but by the subsequent severe analytical examination it has undergone. As to the second proposition, it is, we believe, likely to prove correct, being in accordance with the first division of na- tural bodies, animals, vegetables, and minerals, but we think a fur- ther investigation, particularly of the lower tribes of animals, is re- quired, before it.can be fully established as a general law. Should, however, the three divisions of the aberrant group be found inva- riably to form a circle of their own, then we must consider them only as one, though always divisible, or made up of three secondary circles, representing the Rasorial, Grallatorial, and Natatorial types ; this law, however, of an actual trinary, instead of a quinary disposition, does not affect the natural series by which they are united ; for, as Mr Swainson justly observes, “ the discovery of the union of Mr M‘Leay’s three aberrant groups into a circle of their own is the addition only of a new property superadded to that which they were known to possess, this property consisting of uniting into a circle of themselves, as well as passing into the typi- cal and subtypical groups.” The third proposition, on the law of representation, which there is every reason to believe is of universal and not of partial application, is ably treated, and only requires to be further tested and investigated in the lower departments of zoology, to be admitted as another general law. In the suc- ceeding chapter he enters into a detailed exposition of the fourth proposition, in which the primary types are pointed out. The fifth and last proposition is rested upon facts and observations, Classification of Animals. 555 many of which are already satisfactorily proved, and before the pub- lic ; and which show, that although all natural groups are circles, yet these circles are of different sizes, rank, and value, “ therefore re- quire particular names, that their comparative value may be under- stood, and that they may become efficient instruments of reasoning.” He then adverts to and refutes the assertion that species are the only divisions in nature, as they are found as much and as intimately connected among themselves as genera. The ranks and gradations of circular groups are found to be nine in number, and their names, indicative of their relative value, are as follows: 1. Kingdom ; 2. Sub- kingdom ; 3. Class ; 4. Order ; 5. Tribe ; 6. Family ; 7. Subfamily ; 8. Genus ; 9. Subgenus, which is the lowest description of group yet discovered. For ourselves, we should have preferred the name Genus for the lowest group, giving that to which it is now applied another designation, say that of Domus ; but as the term Subgenus has already received the sanction of the public, we cannot venture to urge any further alteration. In confirmation of the universality of these groups, examples of series from various departments of zoology are given, each of which it appears are the result of a strict analytical investigation by the author. Directions are afterwards given for the discrimination of species, in which he dwells upon the principal distinctions of form, sculpture, and colour ; the mode of verifying a natural group is stated, by “ ascertaining the circular series of its contents, the parallel relation of its parts to other groups, and the symbolical representation of the primary types of nature.” This part of the subject he illustrates by the familiar example of the hedge-sparrow (Accentor modularis,) whose analogies and station are further exemplified by appropriate diagrams. The concluding portion of the volume professes to be a “ familiar explanation of the first principles of practical and scientific zoology, with suggestions for a plan of studying the details of each department.” Of this dissertation, particularly addressed to those who have first commen- ced, or are about to commence, the study of zoology, we may brief- ly remark, that it contains much valuable matter, and many excel- lent hints and suggestions, as to the qualifications required, and the course of study to be pursued, in order to gain that insight and knowledge of the system of nature requisite to entitle the student to the name of a good naturalist, in the proper and extended accep- tation of the term. We now enter upon the Natural History and Classification of Ani- mals, which forms another volume of Dr Lardner’s valuable Cyclo- NO. VI. oo 556 Classification of Animals. pedia. As might be expected, the station of man in the creation, naturally engages the early attention of the author, and we are well pleased to find, as it is so completely in accordance with our own feel- ings, and the opinion we have long entertained, that he considers him as altogether out of the category. This he does, not only from arguments drawn from the nature of man considered as an intellec- tual and also a spiritual and immortal being, which shew that his na- tural affinities place him in a circle of higher intelligences, but from those deduced from analytical investigation and inductive reasoning, evidently proving the impossibility of placing him within the animal circle, even when viewed simply as a zoological form ; the typical circles of the only groups into which he could possibly enter, sup- posing him to form a part of the animal world, viz. the Quadrumana of Cuvier, the Primates of Linneus, being shewn in the analysis of that group to be complete and perfect without him. In conclusion he adds, ‘“‘ We have now shewn that, whether we regard man in his higher or his lower qualities—whether as an immortal or as a mate- rial being—the station that has been hitherto assigned to him in the scale of creation is inconsistent both with innate feeling, and with that legical induction upon which all true science reposes ; nor is this the only inference to be drawn from the arguments here employed. Had the essential distinction, or, in technical language, the specific character of man not consisted in the immortality of his noblest part, there would have been an immeasurable hiatus between the circles of intelligent and unintelligent beings, which nothing that we can conceive would lessen, even by supplying the slenderest filament which might intimate their connection ; nay more, the higher ranks of intelligence would appear to want that link which was to connect spirit with matter,—corruption with incorruption. If man holds a station in the series of unintelligent beings, he cannot enter into the circle of those that are intelligent, because no being can occupy a station in two distinct circles.” The two kinds of organized matter, animal and vegetable, are next brought under consideration, and, strange as it may seem to those who have never directed their inquiries into subjects of this nature, it evidently appears, from the researches of the most eminent natu- ralists and physiologists, that all attempts rigorously to define either is impossible, as the union or amalgamation of the lower organized forms of each, has been satisfactorily proved. This, however, is only in accordance with what by naturalists is now considered almost in the light of an axiom, viz. that no abrupt or absolute divisions exist Classification of Animals. 557 or can be detected in the great groups of nature. The definitions, therefore, that have been given of the distinctive characters of a ve- getable and an animal, can only relate to the differences between the typical forms of each. ‘ On this head,” Mr Swainson observes, “‘ we can add nothing to the definitions given by Linneus, Cuvier, &c. or to the acute reasonings of Mr M P ‘ LPG “22 ‘ 1G uta) ot dt (lank Ge. UTR (> ee A —_ CY a . x nd i «OTS Se . 2 Ke = 45 n ° + 4 a ‘ aes) “ ¥ y wy F ay i e ioe e. “ 4 sre t ha rT) . ¥* b bs \ ‘ 1) : iy h ' ri ° ‘ ’ = Oe “a a .' tie 4 \ rg - , r + : j " os re, vrs ¥ pa RE, ae 1S'y oi Ui bin Ret Axs tardelviy at at atta aac at E tae ah reeks 7041 a de nO pee et had wei vated ‘ghiss fit deat a) Th eohiesat 409 beak on ba! 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OraeT me o> Cee CUE ae Dee ei Sans Ae) a ote . 4 * \ | | | | { a) 4 . 3 - | " Aa ‘ Abhandlungen der KGniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin,’ analysis of, - 404-12 Acacia lineata, - 287 Adoxa, 296; Ad. riescbateliind: the structure GE its flowers, = Agaricus balininus, 509; cochleatus, 4953 cossus, 508; cyphellifor- mis, 51) ; cinnamomeus 51] ; erubescens, 508 ; fusco-purpureus, 508 ; glaucopus, 43; hzmatophyl- lus, 507 ; mastoideus, 425 mitis, 5113 pelianthinus, 42; pterige- nus, 510; racemosus, 5103; rubi- dus, 43 ; speciosus, 43; tuberosus, 509 ; vulgaris, 510; undatus, Alcyonella stagnorum, - Alge, new British, s = ‘ Algew Britannice,’ Hooker’s ma- nual of, announced, = Alopecurus fulvus, 141; genicula- ~ tus, - - - 141 America, North, zoology of, - 298 Ammoceetes branchialis, - 201 Anatomy, comparative, its use to the zoologist, - ~ 14, 15 Animals, estimate of their numbers, 3, 4 259 509 293 297 201 Animal, huge marine, = 414 ¢ Annales des Sciences Naturelles,’ analysis of, 101; 193; 290; 412; 486; 588 Anodontes, - - 487 Antelope beisa, - - 276 Applegarth, Register of Thermome- ter kept at, - - 506 Aquila chrysaétus, digestive organs of, - - - 129-134 Aquila leucocephala, - 579 * Archiv fur Anatomie, Physiologie, und Wissenschaftliche Medicin,’ analysis of, - 196 ; 292 ; 586 Arvicole, = “ 493 Ascidian Polypes, - - 232 Aspidium dumetorum, - 591 Asplenium Felix Femina, - 591 Astacus Europeus, - 175 Asteroid Polypes, - - 237 Asteroma veronicz, - 5y1 Athalia centifolia, - - 485 Ayrshire, contributions to its Flora, 498 Babington, C. C., Botanical Notes, 136 Baird, W., History of the British Entomostraca, 35-41 ; 309-333 ; 514-526 57 287 Bee, its length of life, - Begonia Fischeri, 287 ; sanguinea, Belanger ‘ Voyage aux Indes Orien- tales,’ reviewed, Bell’s ‘ History of British Quadra! 269 peds,” noticed, - - 280 Belfast Natural ‘History Society, 308 Bennet. EK. T., death of, - 308 Berkeley, M. J., Notices of British Fungi, 42-49 ; 507-513 Berkeley’s, M. J., ‘ British Fungi,’ noticed, - - Berwickshire Naturalist’s Club, Bevan, E., on the Honey-Bee com- 401 502 munity, - 57-62 Birds, Digestive Organs of, 125-136 Birds, Migratory in 1836, - 494 Birds of Northern India, - 209 Birds, British, Eyton’s History of the rare species, noticed, : 400 Bletia patula, - - 287 Blume’s ‘ Rumphia,’ noticed, 280 Bog timber of Ireland, - 265 Boisduval’s ¢‘ Species Genéral des Le- pidopteres’ noticed, - 568 Bonaparte, Luc., his ‘ Iconographia della Fauna Italica,’ reviewed, 82-93 Botany, requisites necessary for the advance of, - = 113-125 Botany British, works on - 107 ¢ Botanical Magazine,’ Companion to the, noticed, = 289; 403 Bowman on the longevity of the Yew, 201 Brewster, Sir D., on the Crystalline Lenses of animals, - British Association, Meeting of at Bristol, - 297-306 British Plants, Edinburgh gs of, noticed, - British Plants, Henslow’s Catalugue of, reviewed, - - 206 398 393 598 Briza, nov. sp. ? - - 140 Bufo calamita, - - 294 Buprestis decipiens, - 253 Buteo vulgaris, digestive organs of, 134-6 Buzzard, digestive organs of, 134-6 Callitriche pedunculata, - 136 Calothrix distorta, = - 296 Camel, fossil bones of, = 493 Cameleon cristatus, - 573 ‘ Canaries Iles, Histoire Naturelle des.’ noticed, 108; reviewed, 470 Caoutchouc, properties of, - 303 Carex. Buxbaumii, = - 107 Carey, Rev. Dr, - 419 Carlisle Literary and Philosophical Society, - - 111 Cercocebus, comparative anatomy of, 437 Cetonia aurata, - - 294 Chalcites, = 437 Chara vulgaris, on 1 the reproductive organs of, - 383 3 592 Charadrius morinelliig; - 104 Chelones, distribution of, - 198 Chili, Leeches and Reptiles of, 414 Chionis, = - - 589 Chizerhis zonurus, - 277 Chloromyia, 164; Ch. flavicornis, 165 formosa, 164; polita, - 165 Chrysopelea, 144 ; Ch. Beith 144 ; Capensis, 145 Chrysops, 453; Ch. racunene, 454; pictus, 456; relictus, - 455 Cladotoma, 254 ; Cl. aap - 256 Clavaria juncea, - 511 Clitellaria, 154.5 Cl. ephippiams 155 Closteries, Morren on the, - 488 Clupea alba, 50; 294; Cl. sprattus, 52; harengus, - - Coccothraustes vulgaris, - Colobus guereza, - Comparative Anatomy, its use in zoology, ~ ~ 14, 15 Conops mere, - 105 448 276 Cooper’s, D., * Flora Metropolitana,’ noticed, = - 28) Coregonus pollan, se 247 Corythaix leucotis, - - 277 Couch, J., on the exuviation of the /common crab, - 34]-4 Couch, J., on tne exuviation of Shrimps and Lobsters, - 170-3 Crab, common, the exuviation of, 341 Crocus aureus, : = 495 Crossbill, - ~ 103 Crustacea, on their metamorphosis, 11, 12 Crustaceans, sexes of, - 492 Cuckoos, natural history of, 213-225 ; 430- 7 Cuculide, natural history of, 213 ; 430 Cuculine, - = 430 Index. Cuculus, - - 436 -Cuningham, Allan, - 496 Cuningham, R., his death, 109; 210 Curruca atricapilla, - 104 Cuvier’s * Hist. Nat. des Poissons,’ noticed, - - 283 Cuvier, M. F., ‘ Hist. Nat. des Ce- taces, reviewed, = 174-187 Cyclops, 309 ; Cy. castor, 324 ; che- lifer, 328 ; depressus, 331 ; fur- catus, 330, 5 minutus, 326; qua- dricornis, 321 5 stromii, = 330 Cyclostomata, arrangement of, 405 Cygnus Bewickii, = 462; 464 Cypris, 514; C. detecta, 525 5 pu- bera, - - 524 Daubeny, Dr, on the action of Light upon Plants, and of Plants upon the atmosphere, - 205-6 Deccan, Fruits of the, ~ 303. Dickie, G., on the Reproductive or- gans of Pilularia globulifera, and the Globules of Chara vulgaris, 382 Distipsidera, 251; D. undulata, 252 D’Orbigny on the Rapvores of S. America, - 347—359 D’Orbigny, Voyage flan lV’ Amerique Meridionale, noticed, - - 108 Doubleday, H. on the Hawfinch, 448 Douglas, D. notice of, - 578 Drosera filiformis, - - 267 Duclos’ PeHOgTaES of the * Oliva,’ noticed, - 108 ; 284 Dumeril, M. C. al Bibron’s ¢ Er- petologie Generale,’ noticed, 285 Duncan, J., Characters and Descrip- tions of the Dipterous Insects of Britain, 145-167; 359-368 : 453-6 Edinburgh Zoological Garden, 107 Ehrenberg on the Luminosity of the Sea, - - 409 Elaphomyces granulatus, - 499 Enneapterygius, = 279 ‘ Entomological Maguzine,’ no- ticed, - 192; 288; 490; 576 Entomological Societys rc of, - - 109-10 Entomology of Bainburgh, additions to - Entomostraca, British! the Elistbay of, 35-41 ; 309-333 ; 514-526 494 Epacris microphylla, - 287 Erica Mackaiana, - 201 ‘ Erpetologie Generale’ by Dumeril and Bibron, noticed, = 285 Erythrophrys, - - 436 Eschares, Edwards on the, - 588 Esenbeck, C. G. Nees ab, ¢ Hymen- Index. opterorum Ichneumonibus afh- nium Monographie,’ noticed, 482 Eudynamys, - - 437 Kyton, T. C., his History of rare British Birds, noticed. 400 Eyton, T. C. on the Anatomy of the genus Cercocebus, - 437-9 Falco rufipes, - - 491 ‘ Fauna Japonica,’ notice of, 205 Fauna, Local, importance of, 42] Ferns, on the Germination of, 333-441 Ferns, Structure of, 5 412 Férussac, Baron de, his death, 112 Festuca duriuscula, = 141 Fishes British, Yarrell’s History of, reviewed, = - 384 Flora of Ayrshire, contributions to, 498 ¢ Flora, The British,’ reviewed, 93-8 ‘ Flora, The English,’ reviewed, 93-8 ‘ Flora, Hibernica,’ reviewed, 262 Flora, Local, on the construction of, - - 424, 430 © Flora Metropolitana,’ noticed, 281 ¢ Flora The Northern,’ reviewed, 396 Flustre, the ova of, - 246 Forbes, E. on the Testacea of the Alps, - 257-9 Fungi, British, notices of, 42-9 : 507-13 Galloway, Botany of, - 295 Gasterosteus semiarmatus, - 201 Gazza, : 279 Geotrupes lethroides - 256 Golden Eagle, digestive organs of, - 129-134 Gould’s < Synopsis of the Birds of Australia,’ noticed, - agit Gould’s Birds of Europe, = 572 Gould’s ‘ History of Birds,’ an- nounced, = - 108 Gould, J., on the anid Paradoxor- Nis, 62-4 Gould’s Monograph a the Rham, phastidez reviewed, - 187, 192 Graham’s, Prof., Botanical Excur- sion to Galloway, 295 Grant on the Ova of F eee 246 Greville, R. K. on the Entomology of Edinburgh, - - 494 Haliocherus griseus, - 302 Hawfinch, Notes on the, 448 Hematopota, 457. H. pluvialis, 457 Helianthoid Polypes, - 239 Helix algira, 486; scarburgensis, 201 Helvella elastica, - 418 Henderson, J. on the germination of Ferns, - - 300-041 Henslow, J. 38., on the disunion of contiguous Layers in the wood of 599 Exogenous Trees, 32 ; on the re- quisites for the advance of Botany, 113; on the Flower of Adoxa moschatellina, 259; on two new species of opuntia, with remarks on the fruit of Rhipsalis, = 466 Henslow’s Catalogue of British Plants, reviewed, - 393 Herbarium Willdenowian, - 417 ‘ Herpetologia Mexicana,’ noticed, 401 Herring, The, - - 54 Herring, Garvie, - - 52 Hersilia, - - 491 Hieracium, nov. sp. ? - 137 Hipparchia blandina, - 105 ; 491 Histiophorus immaculatus, - 485 Honey-Bee, - - 57 Hooker, Sir W. J. his ‘ British Flora,’ noticed, 93; his ‘ Icones Plantarum,’ 418; his *‘ Compa- nion to the Botanical Magazine,’ 289; 403 ; 578 Hyboma carinata, - 256 Hybrids between the Grouse and Pheasant, - - 450 Hydra viridis, - - 236 Hydraform Polypes, - 235 Hygrophila, - - 265 Hypericum, - - 489 Ichthyology, British, Contributions 0, = - 526.8 Ichthyology of the Firth of Forth, 50-57 ; 344-7 * Iconographia della Fauna Italica,’ reviewed, - - 82-93 Ilex Paraguayensis, - 207 ¢ Indes Orientales, voyage aux,’ re- viewed, < Insects, Dipterous, of Bneuin, 145- 167; 359-368 ; 453-9 Ireland, Contributions to the Nat. History of, 1 = Isaria brachiata, 49; citrina, - 269 459 49 Jameson on the Birds of Dioxthemn India, 209 Jardine, Sir W., ‘and P. ia Selby’s ‘ Mlustrations of Ornithology,’ noticed, - = 573 Jenyns, I.. on the study and present state of Zoology, - Johnston, G., History of British Zoophytes, 64-81; 225-247; 440-8; Miscellanea Zoologica, 368-382 ; 529, 538 ¢ Journal, American, of Sciences and Arts,’ noticed, - * Journal, the Edinburgh New Phi- losophical,’ analysis of, 99 ; 286; 402; 574 1-31 102 600 Index. Jungermannia Mackaii, 296 ; pusil- Nymphon, 376; N. femoratum, la, 592; Woodsii, = 107 380 ; gracile, = 380 Jussieu, his death, . 419 Odontomyia, 151; O. argentata, Labrus rupestris, 170 152; felina, 153 ; hydroleon,153; Larus minutus, 491 ; Sabinit, 460, 464 Larve, parasitic, - - 295 Lea, J. * on the eu Unio,’ no- ticed, - 284 Leach, i his “decadh : 419 keaihins. G. R., his death, - 112 Leeches of Chili, - 414 Leontodon taraxacum, = 138 Leucojum estivum, - 499 Lichens, new British, = 297 Link on the structure of Ferns, 412 Linnean Society, Transactions of, noticed, = = 573 ‘ Linnea,’ analysis of, - 987 Lobster, on the Exuviation of, 170-3 Loxia curvirostra, - 103 Iucanus camelus, = 302 Luminosity of the Sea, 409-12 ; 491 Lutjanus rupestris, - 167 Macgillivray, W., on the Digestive Organs of Birds, - 125 Machilis polypoda, - 488 Mackay, J. T. ‘ Flora Hibernica,’ reviewed, - = 262 Macquart’s * Dipteres,’ noticed, 567 Macrorampus griseus, . - 104 ‘ Magazine of Natural History,’ ana- lysis of, 100; 287; 402; 489; 575 Mangel Wurtzel, - - 301 Marsiliacez, - 496 Medico-Botanical Societys 110; 207; 306; 500; 592 Melancomium bicclor, - 49 Monochirus minutus, - 527 Moscow, Memoires de la Soc. Imp. des Naturalistes de, noticed, 583 —Bulletin dela Soe. - 584 Mosses, new British, 296 Motacilla neglecta, = 200, 491 Murray, A. his ‘ Northern Flora,’ reviewed, = - 396 Myxinoidex, the anatomy of, 404-9 Nemertes, 529; N. gracilis, 534 ; lactiflorea, 534; melanocephala, 595; octoculata, 537; olivacea, 526 ; pulchra, 535; purpurea, 537 5 quadrioculata, 535; rufi- frons, - - - Nemotelus, 158; N. brevirostris, 160; nigrinus, 159 ; pantherinus, 159; uliginosus, - Neritina fluviatilis, - Newcastle-upon-Tyne, state of Nat. Hist. in, = Z Noctuade, Northumbrian, 537 158 201 203 415 hydropota, 153; ornata, 152; ti- grina, 154; viridula, - 154 Opuntia Darwinii, 466 ; galapageia, 467 Orithya, 376 ; O. coccinea, 378 ‘ Ornithologist’s Text Book,’ no- ticed, = = 281 Oxycera, 155; O. analis, 158; for- mosa, 157; muscaria, 157 ; pul- chella, 156; terminata, 1573 tri- lineata, - - 156 Oxylophus, - - 436 Pachygaster, 166; DP. ater, 1663 Leachii, = = 167 Palzmon serratus, = 171 Pallene, 376 ; brevirostris, 380 Paludine, - = 201 Paradoxornis, 633 flavirostris, 64 Parmacella, - - 492 Parnell, R. on the Ichthyology of the Firth of Forth, 50-7 ; 344-7; Contributions to British Ichthyo- logy, - - 526-8 Parr, ‘The, notice of, - 287 Peat, formation of, 305 Perdix melanocephala, 278 ; Erck- ellii, - 278 ° Perroquets, Collection de,’ by St Hilare, announced, = 282 Persoon, M. death of - 5995 Peziza fusarioides, 46; rose, 46 ; sanguinea, : - 46 Phascidium coronatum, - 513 Pheenicura tithys, - 104 ¢ Philosophia Botanica,’ announced, 417 Phlebia vaga, - oll Phoca vitulina, - = 103 Phocz, the habits of, & 539 Phoxichilus, 376 ; spinosus, 377 Physarum metallicum, - 49 Physis furcatus, - 104 Pilularia globulifera, 306 ; 591 ; on the reproductive organs ‘of, 382; 497 Pleurotuchus, 142; 491. Pl. Des- jardinii, 143; typicus, - 143 Poinsettia, - 99 ‘ Poissons, Histoire Natitelle des,’ noticed, - - 283 Polan, The, . - 247 Polyangium vitellinum, 47 Polypes, structure of, - 246 Polypidoms, formation and struc- ture of, - - 440 Polypodium calcareum, 141 Polyporus cinctus, - 4¢ Pristurus, = - 279 Index. Pritchard, Dr, on Species, 305 Pseudochromis, - 279 Psiloma arundinis, - 49 Pteropus Whiteil, - 485 Ptilonorhynchus albirostris, 277 Pycnogonidz, British, 368-375 Pyenogonum, 376 ; littorale, 376 Pyronema marianum, = 45 Quadrupeds, British, Bell’s History of, noticed, - - 280 Questions de l’ Academie Royale des Sciences de Berlin pour 1837 et 1839, 292 Raniceps trifurcatus, 104; 201; 344 Raptores of S. America, 347-359 Raspail on the structure of Polypes, pee Regulus ignicapillus, a 9] Reptiles of Chili, - 44 Reptiles, South African, two new genera of, - - 141-8 Rhipsalis, on the structure of the fruit of, 469 Richardson, Dr, on ‘the 7. oology of N. America, 298 Rossmessler’s ‘ aye oe no- ticed 483 Royal Society, E dinbureh, Peocede ings of - 110 Royle on the properties of Caout- chouc, - 303 Rubus, - 296 © Rumphia,’ by Bhane, noticed, 280 Ruppel, Ed. - 109 Ruppel’s ‘ Neue Wirbelthiere,’ re- viewed, - - 275 Rusconi on the ova of Fish, - 586 Sabine, J. his death, - 595 Salmon, food of, - 300 Sargus, 160 ; cuprarius, 161; flavi- pes, 162. infuscatus, 162; niti- dus, 162; Reaumuri, - 163 Sceptranthes, = 99 Sclerotium cornicola, 511; medul- lare, 47 ; truncorum, 511 Scolopax major, - 415 Seal, habits of, a 103, 539 Selby, P. J. on the Lutjanus ru- pestris of Bloch, 167~—170 ; on the importance of a Local Fauna, 421-4 Shrimps, the Exuviation of, 170.3 Siebold’s ‘ Fauna Japonica,’ no- ticed, - 205 Silene otites, = 495 Sitta europza, 103 Smith, Dr. 109; his Gharatiees of two new genera of S. African Rep- tiles, - 141-5 601 Smith, Sir J. E. his ‘ English Flora’ auc - 93 Society, Belfast, Nat. History, 308 Society, Botanical, of Edinb, 106; 416 Society, Botanical, of London,415 ; 500-92 Society, Medico-Botanical, 207, 306, 500 Society, Royal 205 Society, Royal of Edinburgh, 208 Society, Shropshire and North Wales Natural History and Antiquarian, Society, Tweedside Physical and An- tiquarian, z 307 3 504 210 Spartina glabra, - 499 Sparus auratus, = 294 Spheria angelica, 46 ; arundinis, 48; decedens, 47 ; detrusa, 47 ; fava- cea, 47; herpotricha, 48; hypo- derma, 47 ; microstoma, 47 ; pan- therina, 47 ; rubiginosa, 47 ; san- guinea, 48 ; velata, 47; xanthos- troma, 47 Sphzronema blepharistoma, 512 Spiranthes autumnalis, 499 Spirula Peronii, - 414 Sprat, the - = 52 Sterna stolida, - 459 Stilbospora angustata, - 49 Stilbum anomalum, 49; piliforme, 49 ; rigidum, 49 Stratiomyde;, = 146 Stratiomys, 146; 8S. chameleon, 148 ; furcata, 150 ; potamida, 149; riparia, 150 ; strigata, 15} Swainson, W. ou the natural history and Relations of the Cuckoos, 213, 225, “ = 430-7 Swainson’s Natural Histories in ‘ Lardner’s Cyclopedia’ reviewed, -545-566 Sykes, Col., on the fruits of the Dec- can, 303; On the Quails and He- mipodii of India, - 484 Syncesia, - - 266 Tabanidz 359 Tabanus, 360; T. autumnalis, 263; bovinus, 362 : promius, 365 3 ae vus, 368; luridus, 366; monte nus, 365 ; micans, 363 ; rusticus, 367 ; solstitialis, 366 ; tarindinus, 364 ; tropicus, 367 ; vittatus, 364 Tadpole Fish, - - 344 Taraxacum dens-leonis 137 Tea, s 195 Tea, Paraguay, ° 5 207 Teale on Alcyonella stagnorum, 293 Temminck ‘ Monographies et Re- cueil de Planches coloriées,’ no- ticed, 108 Testacea of the Alps, 257 602 Index. Thelephora — 45 ; puteana, 44 ; White bait, spadicea, 511 Wiegmann’s ¢ Herpetologie Mexi- Thompson, W. on }Enybitas} 450 ; cana,” noticed, contributions to the Nat. History of Ireland, 459 :—on the Polan of Loch Neagh, - : 247 Scotch Phoce or Seals, ; Tozer, J. his death, ; 112 Wood’s, N., ‘ British Song Birds,’ Trees, exogenous, the structure of, 32-5 noticed, - : Tremella foliacea, : : 46 Wood’s, N., * Ornithologist’s Text- Trigla cuculus, 403; Lucerna, 526 Book,’ noticed, Tringa pectoralis, ‘ 200 Woodcock, Twizel, Fauna of, : 421-4 Xenodon, - ‘ Unio,’ Lea on the genus, noticed, 284 Upupa epops, 5 : 491 Yarrell, W., ‘ History of British Fishes,’ reviewed, 384; onan In- Valenciennes’ ‘ Histoire Naturelle sect destructive to Turnips, des Poissons,’ noticed, . 283 Yew-tree, Longevity of, Vitrina pellucida, : 258 Watson, H. C. on the construction of a Local Flora, 424 ——— of North America, Webb, P. Barker, et Sabin ‘Bertie: lot’s ‘ Histoire Naturelle des Iles Canaries,’ reviewed, 470 ¢ Transactions’ of, noticed, Wernerian Society, proceedings of, ey Remarks on the Study of, on its present state, Westwood, J. O. Descriptions of orders defined, - Exotic Coleoptera, 5 o1—7 ERRATA. Page 167, line 29, for southern, 7ead northern. —— 168, —— 4, for Barncleugh, read Bamburgh. —— 169, —— 10, for first, read for it. —— 200, —— 21, for Stoke-Maryland, read Stoke-Nayland. —— 200, —— 26, for Mr Anderson, ead Mr Audubon. —— 250, —— 13, for 61500, read 6150. 289, 10, for Thuckard, read Shuckard. Plate VIII ought to be Plate IX. IX VIII. For Plate XII, at page 376 et seq., read Plate XIII. 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