3

/^ ^- /'^^

/^

T HE

ZOOLOGICAL
JOURNAL.

VOL. IIL

FROM JANUARY, 1827, TO APRIL, 1828.

^ Edited by
N. A. VIGORS, Esq., A.M., F.R., L., & G.S.
Secretary of the Zoological Society :

WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF

THOMAS BELL, Esq., F.R.&L.S.
E. T. BENNETT, Esq., F.L.S.
J. E. BICHENO, Esq.,F.R.S.,Sec. L.S
W. J. BRODERIP, Esq., F.R.S.,
Sec. G.S.

J. G. CHILDREN, Esq., F.R.S.L.^&^^H^j;^RRELL, Esq., F.L.S

Major-Gen. THOS. HARDWICKE,

F.R. & L.S.
T. HORSFIELD, M.D., F.R.&L.S.
Rev. W. KIRBY, A.M., F.R. & L.S.
J. de CARLE SOWERBY, Esq.,

F.L.S.

flonDo

k.

TRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY W. PHILLIPS, GEORGE YARD, LOMBARD STREET J
SOLD ALSO BY G. B. SOWERBY, 156, REGENT STREET ;

W. & C. TAIT, EDINBURGH;
AND A. A. ROYER, AU JARDIV DES PLANTES A PARIS.

1828.

i5

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE THIRD VOLUME
OF THE ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL.

THOMAS BELL, ESQ., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.

E. T. BENNETT, ESQ., F.L.S., &c.

REV. M. J. BERKELEY.

CHARLES LUCIAN BONAPARTE, PRINCE OF MUSIGNANO,

FOR. MEMB. L.S., &c.
G. W. BRACKENRIDGE, ESQ.
E. W. BRAYLEY, JUN. A.L.S.

W. J. BRODERIP, ESQ., SEC. G*S., F.R,S., F.L.S., &c.
J. G. CHILDREN, ESQ., F.R.S., L.&E., F.L.S., &c,
W. CLARK, ESQ.
J. CURTIS, ESQ., F.L.S., Sec.

H. T. BE LA BECHE, ESQ., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.
L. W. DILLWYN, ESQ., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.

W. H. FITTON, M.D., PRES. G.S., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.

G. T. FOX, F.L.S., &c.

J. FREMBLY, ESQ., R.N.

JOHN EDWARD GRAY, ESQ., F.G.S., &c.

REV. L. GUILDING, B.A., F.L.S., F.GS., &c.

A. H. HALIDAY, ESQ.

MAJOR GEN'ERAL HARDWICKE, F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.

THOMAS HORSFIELD, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.

G. JOHNSTON, M.D.

CAPT. P. P. KING, R.N., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.

REV. W. KIRBY, A.M., F.R.S., FL.S., &c.

M. A, LEFEBVRE, MEMBRE DE LA SOC. LINNEENE DE

PARIS, &c.
REV. R. T. LOWE.

J. RICHARDSON, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.
G. B. SOWERBY, F.L.S., &c.
J. F. STEPHENS, ESQ., F.L.S. &c.
W. SWAINSON, ESQ., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.
DR. TURTON.
N. A. VIGORS, ESQ., A.M., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. ; SEC. ZOOL.

SOC.
J. O. WESTWOOD, ESQ., F.L.S.
W. YARRELL, ESQ., F.L.S.

CONTENTS.

No. IX.— January, 1827.

Pag«
Art. I. Some account of the Life and Writings^ and Con^

iributions to Science^ of the late Sir T. Stamford
Raffles^ Knt, F.R,S. S A. Sfc; successively Lieu-
tenant-Governor of Java and its dependencies, and of
Fort Marlborough, Singapore, and the British Posses-
sion in Sumatra: Founder and President of the Zoolo-
gical Society . By JE. fV. Brayley, Jun, A.L.S. Sf
M, Zool. Soc ,, . . . 1

Art. II. Supplement to the Genera of North American
Birds, and to the Synopsis of the Species found within
the territory of the United States. By Charles
IjVCian Buonaparte, Prince of Musignano, M. A. ;
Vice-President of the Maclurean Lyceum of Philadel-
phia; Mem. of the Phil. Soc. of Phil.; of the Phil. Soc,
of the State of New Jersey ; of the Ac. of Nat. Hist.
of Phil. ; of the Lyceum of Nat. Hist, of New York ;
of the Ac. of Arts <Sf Sc. of Baltimore ; of the Ac. of the
Ardenti, Sfc. Sfc 49

Art. III. On the Esquimaux Dog. By J. G. Children,

Esq. Sec. R.S. L. F.R.S. E., F.L.S. Sfc 54

Art. IV. Observations upon Siagonium quadricorne of
Kirby, and on other portions of the Brachelytra {Sta-
phylinus, Lin,) By Mr. J. 0. Westwood 56

Art. V. Observations on the Shells of an Acephalous Mol-
luscum of the Family ofPectinidoe,for which the Generic
name of Hinnites has been proposed by M. Defrance ;
together with the character of several Species. By G, B.
Sowerby, F.L.S., Sfc 67

Art. VI. Sketch of the Life and Character of the late Count
de LacSpede. By William Swainson, Esq. F.R.S.,
&c 73

CONTENTS.

Page
Art. VII. On Balanus punctatusy Puncturella Flemingiiy

Sfc. ; together with some corrections relative to Turbo

carneus, and some of the Chitones before described. By

the Rev. R. T. Lowe 76

Art. VIII. Description of some new and rare Shells. By

W. J. Broderip, Esq. Sec. G.S., F.L., 8^ H.S 81

Art. IX. On the occurrence of some rare British Birds,

By William Yarrell, Esq. F.L.S 85

Art. X. Supplement to '' an Account of four Species of
Stormy Petrely'' (Thalassidroma, Vigors). By C. L.
Buonaparte, Prince of Musignano, Sfc. Sfc 89

Art. XI. A Reply to some Observations in the " Diction-
naire des Sciences Naturelles,^^ upon the newly charac-
terized gi^oups of the Psittacidce. By N. A. Vigors,
Esq. M.A., F.R.S., aud L.S., Sfc. ., 91

Art. XII. Analytical Notices of Books :

An Introduction to Entomology : or Elements of the
Natural History of Insects, By William Kirby,
M.A.F.R.SfLS. and William Spence, Esq.F.L.S.

Vols, Hi, and iv 124

The Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells, By G. B,
Sowerby, F.L.S. With original Plates, S(c. by J. de

C. Sowerby, F,L,S. No. xxviii , 133

Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and
Western Coasts of Australia, performed between the
years 1818 awrf 1822, By Capt. Philip P. King, R,N,
F,R,S. F.L.S. Sfc. With an Appendix, containing
various Subjects relating to Hydrography and Natural

History, 2 vols, Svo. plates 1 35

British Entomology ; or Illustrations and Descrip'
tions of the Genera of Insects found in Great Britain
and Ireland, By John Curtis, F,L.S, Nos, xxii —

xxiv 139

Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes, avec des Fi-
gures originates dessinees d^apres des Animaux vivans ;
Sfc. Par MM, Geoff roy Saint-Hilaire et F.
CvviER. Livraisons bide et 5Sieme 140

Art. XIII. Proceedings of Learned Societies on Subjects

connected with Zoology — Zoological Society 143

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

PAGE

Plate I. Esquimaux Dog 54

Plate IL Fig. 1. Siagonium quadricorue, A. Larva aucta .. 58

B. Tubus caudalis

&c ib*

C. Pes anterior. . , ib.
Fig. 2. Philonthus politus. . . A. Larva aucta. . . ib,

B. Tubus caudalis

&c 59

C. Pes ib,

T>. Antennae ib.

E. Portio capitis ib,

F. Maxilla & pal-
pus maxillaris ib.

G. Mentura, Labrum,
& palpus labialis ib.

Fig. 3. Aleochara fuscipes A. Larva aucta . .

B. Tubus caudalis ib.

C. Antenna aucta ib,
F/^. 4. A.B. Bledius Stephensii 61

A. A. Thorax 62

B.B. Caput absque

antennis 61
C. Bledii arniati

Thorax 62

Fig. 5. Generis Elonii (Leach.) Maxilla 64

6. Generis Omalii Maxilla , ib»

7. Oxy teli carinati Maxilla ib,

8. Siagonii quadricornis Maxilla ib,

9. Zirophori fronticornis Maxilla ib,

Plate IIL F/^-. 1. Volutiadubia .' 81

Fig. 2. Voluta multi-costata 82

Fig. S. Voluta lyriformis 83

Plate IV. Fig. 1. Cyprsea nivosa 84

Fig. 2. Cypra^a rugosa 85

CONTENTS.

No. X.— April— September, 1827.

Page
Art. XIV. A Description of some new Genera and Species

ofPetalocerous Coleoptera, By the Rev, Wm, Kirby,

A.M., F.R.S., F.L.S., 8fc 145

Art. XV. On several Groups and Forms in Ornithology^
not hitherto defined. By William Swainson^ Esq.
F.R.S.,F.L.S.,Sfc 158

Art. XVI. Contributions to the British Fauna, By
George Johnston, M.D., Fellow of the Royal College
of Surgeons of Edinburgh 175

Art. XVll. Some Observations on the Anatomy of the
British Birds of Prey. By William Yarrell, Esq,
F.L.S. 181

Art. XVIII. On the Genus Lacuna. By Dr. Turton. 190

Art. XIX. A Description of several new Species ofChitones,
found on the Coast of Chili in 1825 ; with a few remarks
on the method of taking and preserving them. By John
Frembly, R,N., Corresp. Memb. Zool. Soc 193

Art. XX. Description de cinq especes de Lepidopteres
Nocturnes, des Indes Orientates. Par M. Alex.
LEF.EBrRE, Membre de la Societe Linneenne de Paris^
Correspondant de VAcademie de Catane, Sfc 205

Art. XXI. Notice of a nondescript Species of Grouse, from
North America. By Charles Lucian Bonaparte,
Prince of Musignano, M. A. ; Fell. Lync. Acad. Rome,
For. Memb. Linn. Soc. Lond., Corresp. Memb. Senk.
Nat. Hist. Soc. Franc, ^c , 212

Art. XXII. A Synopsis of the Species of Saurian Reptiles,
collected in India by Major-General Hardwicke ; By
Major-General Hardwicke, F.R. Sf L.S., and J. E.
Gray,F.G,S 213

CONTENTS.

Page
Art. XXIIT. A short account of a new species of Modiola^

and of the animal inhabitants of two British Serpulce,
By the Rev, M, J. Berkeley 229

Art. XXIV. On the Bos G our of India. By Major-Gen.

T. Hardwjcke, F.R. 4' L.S., 8fc 231

Art XXV. Description of a Fossil Volute from St. Peter^s
Mountain, near Maestricht. By. W. J. Broderip,
Esq., Sec. G.S., F.L.S., Sfc 234

Art. XXVI. Descriptions of a new Species of Anolius, and
a new Species of Amphisboena ; collected by W. S,
MacLeay, Esq. in the Island of Cuba, By Thomas
Bell, Esq. F.L.S., F.G.S., Sfc 235

Art. XXVII. Notice of two Species of Vesperiilionidce,
forwarded by W. S. MacLeay, Esq. F.L.S., His Ma-
Jesty^s Commissioner of Arbitration at the Havana,
Sfc. Sfc. ; in a Letter to the Editor of the Zoological
Journal. By Thos. Horsfield, M.D., F.L.S., Sfc,
Sfc 236

Art. XXVIII. Sketches in Ornithology, 6fc. Sfc. By N, A,
Vigors, Esq. M.A., F.R.S. and L.S., Secretary of
the Zoological Society, 8fc. 240

Art. XXIX. Notice of a new genus of Mammalia, found in
Sumatfa by Sir T. Stamford Raffles. By Thomas
Horsfield, M.D., F.L.S. , Sfc, and N, A. Vigors,
Esq., M.A., F.R.S. and L.S., Sfc. 246

Art. XXX. Analytical Notices of Books :

Nova Acta Physico-Medica Academiw Ccesarece
LeopoldinO'Carolinece Natura Curiosorum, Tom. xii.

pars 2. 4to. Bonnce, 1825 249

Journal of the Academy of Sciences of Philadelphia,

Svo, Vol. iv. Part ii, Nos. ii. Sf Hi 260

Voyage autour du Monde, fait par ordre du Roi,
sur les Corvettes V Uranie et la Physicienne, pendant les
Annees 1817, 1818, 1819, eM820, par M. Louis de
Freycinet, Capit, de Vaisseau, Sfc. Partie Zoologique ;
par MM. Quoy et Gaimard, Medecins de V Eoqi edition.
Livraisons i, — xii. 4to. Planches color ieeslocxviii. Folio, 266

CONTENTS.

Page
The Transactions of the Linnean Society of Lon"

don. Vol. XV. Fart i. — Ato. p. 334. — Plates it. .... 275

Memoir on the Pentacrinus Europceus: a recent
species discovered in the Cove of Cork ^ July 1, 1823.
With two illustrative Plates. By John V. Thompson^

Esq.yF.L.S. 4to.p, 12 281

Mineral Conchology of Great Britain ; or coloured
Descriptions of those Remains of Testaceous Animals or
Shells, Sfc. By J. Sow ebb y, Xjontinued by J. D.

Sowerby^ F.L.S., Sfc. — Nos. Ixxxiv — xcvi. 282

The Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells : by G. B.
SowERBY, F.L.S.y with original Plates by J. D, C.

SowERBY, F.L.S. No. xxix 284

British Entomology ; or Illustrations and Des-
criptions of the Genera of Insects found inGreat Britain
and Ireland. — By John Curtis, F.L.S. Nos, xxv —

xxvi. ( Vol. Hi.) 285

Art. XXXI. Proceedings of Learned Societies on Subjects
connected with Zoology,

Royal Society 287

Linnean Society 293

Zoological Club of the Linnean Society. 298

Geological Society 303

Zoological Society 308

French Academy of Sciences of Arts 310

Art. XXXII. Scientific Notices:

Royal Cabinet of Insects at Berlin 312

Remarks on Cyprwce, described by Mr. Gray. By

L. W. DiLLWYN, Esq. F.R. Sf L.S 315

Nature of Vision in the invertebrate animals 317

Yearly appearance of the Swallow and Cuckow ... 319

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

PACK

Plate V. Fig. 1. Cnemida Francilloni 147

Fig.'i, Sparshalli 148

Ftg, 3. Cremastocheilus Harrisii 152

d. Cremastocheili Harrisii protharax .... ib.

Fig, 4. Cremastocheilus variolosus ib,

b. Cremastocheili variolosi prothorax .... ib.
Fig. 5. Cremastocheilus canaliculatus 151

c. Cremastocheili canaliculati prothorax. . 152

d. Cremastocheili canaliculati tuberculum

spiraculiferum abdominis id.

Fig. 6. Cymophorus undatus 154

Fig. 7. Trichius Bigsbii 155

Plate VI. Fig. 1. Breast bone of the Peregrine Falcon. .

a, the sternum,

b, the keel,

c, the furcula,
d,d, the clavicles,

e, scapula broken off.
Fig. 2. Breast bone of a Wood Owl.

3. Bony ring of a Golden Eagle.

4. Crystalline lens of the same bird ;

a, the anterior surface, somewhat less
con?ex than the posterior one.

5. Bony ring of a Snowy Owl.

6. Crystalline lens of the same bird ;

a, the anterior surface, also less convex.

Plate VII. Fig. 1. Bos Gayajns 233

2. Gour 232

Plate VIII. Gymnura Rafflesii 248

CONTENTS.

No. XI. — Septemher — December 31, 1827.

Page

Art. XXXIII. Contributions to the British Fauna, Bif
George Johnston^ M.D.^ Fellow of the Royal College
of Surgeons of Edinburgh o , 321

Art. XXX IV. Observations on tbe Animals of some species
of Bullcea^ Lam. ; and on some species of the Annelida.
By William Clark^ Esq 337

AiiT. XXXV. On several Groups and Forms in Ornitho-
hgy^ not hitherto defined. By William Swainson^
Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S., Sfc 343

Art, XXXVI. Monograph on the Cyprceidce^ a Family of
Testaceous Mollusca. By John Edward Gra f, Esq.,
F.G.S 363

Art. XXXVII. Observations on the Fishes contained in
the Collection of the Zoological Society. By E. T.
Bennett, Esq., F.L.S., Sfc 371

Art. XXXVllI. An Account of Elater Noctilucus, the
Fire-fly of the West Indies. By John Curtis, Esq,,
F.L.S., Sfc 379

Art. XXXIX. Some Account of the Life and Writings
and Contributions to Science, of the late Sir Thomas
Stamford Raffles, Knt., F.R.S., S. A. Sf L.S. Sfc;
successively Lieut. -Governor of Java and its Dependent
cies, and of Fort Marlborough, Singapore, and the
Btitish Possessions in Sumatra : Founder and President
of the Zoological Society. By E. W. Bra yle y, Junr.y
A.L.S. Sf M. Zool. Soc 382

Art. XL. Observations on the Osteology of the Fennec.

By WiLLiAia Yarrell, Esq., F. L.S., Sfc 401

CONTENTS.

Page
Art. XLI. Ohservatmis on the Zoology of the Caribcean
Islands, By the Rev. Lansdown Guilding, B.A,^

F.L. Sf G.S,, M,W.S,, 8fc 403

Art. XLII. Observations on the Jaw of a Fossil Mammife-
rous animal^ found in the Stonesfield Slate, By W. J.

Broderip, Esq., Sec. G.S., F.L.S., Sfc 408

Art. XLIII. On the Strata from whence the Fossil des-
cribed in the preceding Notice was obtained. By W. If.

FiTTON, M,D., F.R.S., Pres. G.S 412

Art. XLIV. Descriptions of three new Species of Land

Tortoises; by Thomas Bell, F.L.S., F.G.S 419

Art. XLV. Extracts from a Letter addressed by Capt.
PntLip Parker King, R.N., F.R.S., 8f L.S., to
N. A, Vigors, Esq., on the Animals of Ihe Straits of

Magellan. , . 422

Art. XLVI. Sketches in Ornithology, S^c. 8fc. By N. A.
Vigors, Esq. M.A., F.R.S. and L.S., Secretary of

the Zoological Society, 8fc 432

Art. XLVII. Descriptions of two Species of the genus Felis,
in the collection of the Zoological Society. By N. A.
Vigors, Esq., A.M., F.R.S., S^c. and Tiios. Hors-

FiELD,M.D.,F.L.S.,Sfc,.... 449

Art. XLVI 1 1. Analytical Notices of Books:

Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in North-
ern and Central Africa, in ihe Years 1S22, IS'^.S,
and 1824. By Major Denham, Capt. Clapper-
ton, and the late Dr. Oudney. 4to 452

Monographies de Mammalogie : par C. J.

Temminck. Livraisons 5 — 7, 4to. 455

Manuel de Mammalogie, ou Histoire Naturelle
des Mammiferes ; parR. P. Lesson, l^mo.pp. 442.

Paris, 1827 464

Atlas de Mammalogie ; Planches Ixxx. Paris,

1827 465

Systema Avium. Auctor Dr. Joannes Wag-
ler. Pars Prima. Sm, Svo.pp, 41^. Stuttgardiw
etTubingice. 1827 465

CONTENTS.

Page
American Ornithologj/ ; or the Natural His-

tort/ of Birds inhabiting the United States, not
given by Wilson, With Figures drawn, engraved,
xtnd coloured from Nature. By Charles Lvcian
Bonaparte. Vol. i. Folio, pp. 106. pi. ix. Phila-
delphia. 1825 467

Observations on the Nomenclature of Wilson^s
Ornithology. By Charles Lucian Bonaparte.
Svo. pp. 252. Philadelphia. 1826 467

Jltlas des Oiseaux d'Europe, pour servir de
complement au Manuel d^Ornithologie de M. Tem-
minck : par J. C. Werner^ Peintre d^Histoire
Naturelle. Svo. Livraisons i — v. Paris, 1SW. 468

Birds of America, fro fn Drawings made during
<i residence of twenty -five years in the United States
and its Territories : by J. J. Audubon, No. 1... 469

Illustrations of Ornithology : by Sir William
Jar DINE, Bart., F,R.S., 8fc.; and P. J. Selby,
Esq., F,L.S., Sfc. Parts i. and ii. Royal 4io.
Plates. 469

Illustrations of British Ornithology : by P. J.
Selby, Esq,, F.L.S., Sfc. — Water Birds. Nos.
ii. 8f Hi. Folio 469

Ornithologia ; or the Birds. A Poem, By
J. Jennings. l2mo, London, 1827 470

Illustrations of British Entomology ; or a
Synopsis of Indigenous Insects: by J. F, Ste-
phens, Esq., F.L.S., <^c. Nos. i—viil. With
Plates, Svo. London, 1827 470

Die Schjhetterlinge von Europa. (Forisessung
des Ochsenheimer'schen Werks,) von Friedricu
Treitschke, Funfter Band. Erste und Zweyte
Abtheilunge. Svo. pp. 414, and 447. 1825 472

Histoire Naturelle des Lejndopieres ou Papil-
Ions de France ; par M. J. B. God art. Continuee
par M. P. A. J, Dufonchel. Tome vii. I ere.
partie, Svo, Planches 472

CONTENTS.

r?

Systematische Beschreibung der bekannten
Europaischen Zweijlugeligen Insekien : von J. fV.
M EI GEN. Funfter Theil. %vo, pp. 412. Plates
xiii. Hamm^ 1826 473

Insecta Suecica descripta a Leonardo GyL'
LENHAL. Classis 1. Coleopteru sive EleiUerata.
Tomi i. Pars iv. Lipsice 1827. 8co. pp.7dl 473

Catalog meiner Insecten-Sammlung^ von Jacob
Sturm. Erster Theil. K'dfer. Nurnberg, 1826.
Svo. pp. 207. pl.iv 474

The Honey-Bee ; its Natural History ^ Physi-
ology^ and Management: by Edward Befan,
M.D. \%mo. pp. ocxviii. and 404. London^ 1827.. . 474

Histoire Naturelle des principales Productions
de V Europe Meridionale, et particulierement de
celles des Environs de Nice et des Alp es Maritime s ;
par A. RissOy Ancien Professeur^ Sj'c. Svo. Tomes
i. — iv. Avec des Planches. Paris^ 1826. ..... 475

Catalogue Descripiifet Methodique des Anne-
tides et des Mollusques de Pile de Corse ; avec huit
Planches representant quatre-vingt-huit especes^
dont soixante huit nouvelles : par B. C, Payrau-
UEAU. Sve. pp. 218. Paris, 1826 477

Synopsis of the Newcastle Museum , late the
Allan., formerly the Tunstall or JVycliffe Museum.
By G. Townshend Fox, Esq., F.L.S., Sfc. Svo.
pp. xxii. <Sr 312. Plates. Newcastle, 1827 478

A Manual of Comparative Anatomy, translated

from the German by J. F. Blumenbach, with addi'

tional Notes by W. Lawrence, F.R.S., Sfc. Second

Edition, revised and corrected by Willi Am

CouLSON, Demonstrator of Anatomy, Sfc. Svo. pp.

liv. 4- 380.;?/. viii. London^ 1827 478

An Introductory Lecture on the Study of
Zoology^ delivered at the Literary and Scientific
Institution, Bath: by Henry Woods, Esq., Hon.
Sec. Svo. pp. 92 , 479

CONTENTS.

No. XII. — January — April, 1828.

Page

Art. XLIX. Notes on the habits of a Caryophyllia from
Tor Bay^ Devon. By //. T. De la Beche, Esq.^
F.R.S., F.L,S., Sfc 481

Art. L. Contributions to the British Fauna, By George
JoHNSTONy M.D.y Fellow of the Royal College of Sur-
geons of Edinburgh . . r ^ 486

Art. LI. Notice on the appearance of some rare Birds in
England. By George Townshend Fox, Esq., F.L.S.,
Mem. Zool. Soc, S^c 491

Art. Lir. On the occurrence of some rare Bfitish Birds.

By William Yarrell, Esq., F. L,S , 497

Art. LIII. Notices of Insects, taken in the North of Ireland.

By A. H. Halida y, Esq 500

Art. LIV. Note on the foregoing Paper, with a Descrip-
tion of a new species of Anopheles. By J, F. Stephens,
Esq., F.L.S., Sfc 502

Art. LV. Additional Observations to, and Corrections of,
a Paper upon the Genus Staphylinus of Linnceus. By
J. 0. Westwood, F.L.S., &ic 504

Art. LVI. On Hydraspis, a new Genus of Freshwater Tor-
toises, of the Family Emydidce. By ThomAs Bell,
Esq.,F.R.S., L.S., G.S., Sfc 511

Art. LVII. Characters of the order, families, and genera
of the Tesiudinata, By Thomas Bell, Esq., F.R.S.,
L.S., G.S., 8fc 513r

CONTENTS.

Page
Art. LVIII. Short characters of a few Quadrupeds pro-
cured on Captain Franklin's late Expedition. By John

RiCHARDsoNy J\LD,, F.R.S., F.L.S., Sfc 516

Art. LIX. A Description of some Coleopterous Insects in
the Collection of the Rev. F. W. Hope, F.L.S. By the

Rev. William Kirby, F.R. 8^ L.S., 8fc 520

Art. LX. Note on the Cardiia concamerata. By G, B.

SowERB F, F. L.S., 8^c 526

Art. LXI. Observations on the Zoology of the Caribcean
Islands. By the Rev. Lansdown Guilding, B.A,^

F.L. 4 G.S., M.W.S., 8fc 527

Art. LXII. On the Osteology of the Chlamyphorus trun-
catus of Dr. Harlan. By William Yarrell, Esq.,
F.L.S. In a letter to N. A. Vigors, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S.

8fc. Secretary to the Zoological Society 544

Art. LXIII. A summary review of the authorities on which
naturalists are justified in believing that the Dodo, Didus
ineptus, Linn., was a Bird existing in the Isle of France,
or the neighbouring Islands, until a recent period. By

J. S. Duncan, Esq., New College, Oxford. 554

Art. LXIV. Monograph on the Cyprceidce, a Family of
Testaceous Mollusca. By John Edward Gray, Esq.,

F.G.S bQ7

Art. LXV. Description of a new species of Julis, Cuv. By

E. T. Bennett, Esq., F.L.S., 8fc 577

Art. LXVI. Analytical Notices of Books :

The Transactions of the Linnean Society of
London. Vol. xv. Part II. 4to. pp. 200. Plates xviii. 578

Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia. Vol. v. Part i. Philadelphia, 1825.

Svo. pp. 204. Plates viii 586

^ Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Academic der

Wissenschaften zu Berlin, Aus dem Jahre 1824.

Ato. Berlin. 1826 590

Histoire Naturelle des principales Productions
de V Europe Meridionale, — et particulierement de
celles des Environs de Nice et des Alpes Maritimes;
par A. Risso, Tomes iii. et \ 592

CONTENTS. /

Page
Art. LXVIl. Proceedings of Learned Societies on subjects
connected with Zoology.

Royal Society , 595

Linnean Society 598

Zoological Club of the Linnean Society 601

Geological Society 607

Zoological Society 610

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

Page
Plate XIII. Fig, 1—6. Caryophyllia Smithii 486

1. The animal withdrawn within

the coral.

2, 3. The animal in progressive

stages of expansion.

4. The animal fully expanded.

5. The Coral partially exposed; the

animal occupying the cup.

6. The Coral, after the soft parts

have been taken away.
7. Julis Argus 577

Plate XIV. Fig, 1. Scaraba^us femoralis 520

] ,* its anterior thigh.

2. Drepanocerus Kirbii ^ and ? 521

3. Chrysina Peruviana 523

4. Emcephalus gibbosus 524

5. Adelium Hopii 525

Page

Plate XV. Fig. 1 — 5. Stenopus cruentatus 527

1. Animal repens auctum.

2. ad latus visum.

3. Discus gressorius angustatus.

4. Testa prona.
5. supina.

6 — 10. Helicina Occidentals 529

6. Pullus.

7. Animal retractum.

8. repens.

9. Testa.

10. Operculum.

Plate XVI and

XVII. Osteology of the Chlamyphorus truncatus. 544
Fig. 1. The entire Skeleton.

2. The head, front view.

3. Upper jaw, and under surface of the

head, seen from below.

4. Lower jaw, side view.

5. Cervical vertebrae, first bone of the

sternum, with parts of the 1st and
2d ribs, seen from below.

6. The Pelvis, seen from behind.
'7, seen from below.

8. Caudal vertebrae.

9. Truncated extremity and tail.

THE

ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL.

January, 1827.

Art. I. Some account of the Life and Writings^ and Con^
tributions to Science^ of the late Sir Thomas Stamford
Raffles, Knt, F.R.S. S.A. 8^ L,S. S^c; successively
Lieutenant'Go'oernor of Java and its dependencies ^ and
of Fort Marlborough^ Singapore^ and the British Pos^
sessions in Sumatra : Founder and President of the
Zoological Society.

By E. W. Brayley, Jun. A.L.S. Sf M. Zool. Soc.

Auspidum melioris cevi.

It is intended, in the present article, to furnish the readers of
the Zoological Journal, with an outline of the history, the
character, and the exertions in the cause of Science and of Litera-
ture, of Sir Stamford Raffles : — that illustrious statesman and
philosopher, to whose memory, for the foundation and endowment
with his splendid collections, of an Institution devoted exclusively
to the advancement of Zoology, a lasting debt of gratitude is
due, from every cultivator and admirer of that science.

The production of this memoir has necessarily required the
examination of the principal documents in which the actions
of Sir Stamford Raffles have been recorded ; together with the
perusal of the works, and discourses, and official minutes, which,
few in number as they are, are yet, alas ! in consequence of the

Vol. III. ^A

2 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles — Introduction,

disastrous loss of his Sumatran collections, and his premature
demise, all that we now possess of the gifted spirit that animated
their author. For this purpose, also, the subjects of philosophical
inquiry to which his attention was more particularly directed,
have been in some degree investigated. And the various objects
of research thus passed in review, have excited a train of reflec-
tions on the relative history of those two quarters of the globe,
the inhabitants of which have hitherto exercised the most impor-
tant influence on the fortunes of the rest of mankind, — the history
of Asia and of Europe, — which may serve appropriately to intro-
duce the biographical details, during the collection of which they
have been presented to the mind.

AVhen we contemplate the history of Asia and of Europe, with
respect to the origin of the Human Species, the first reception of
Divine Revelation, and the rise of knowledge and of arts, in the
former division of the world, and their gradual communication to
and diiFusion throughout the latter, the subsequent intercourse
between Europe and Asia being at the same time considered, we
are presented with a magnificent example of that unremitting cir-
culation and reciprocal interchange of benefits, among the various
communities of mankind, on which the welfare of the human race,
regarded as a whole, appears to depend. And as the circulation
of the vital fluid by which the existence of the body-natural is
sustained, receives its impetus from the heart, as from a centre,
whilst that organ is itself supplied with the means of impulse and
governed in its motions by the brain, as the sentient ruler of the
whole animal economy, so is the corresponding circulation of
knowledge in the great body-politic always impelled and directed
from some particular region of the world, which may thus be said
to perform the functions of a heart to the whole ; and it has the
power of so doing, because its inhabitants are the direct recipients
of Divine Revelation, which, with the consequent blessings of
general knowledge, of arts, and of civilization, they become the
means of distributing to all the other inhabitants of the earth.

The human race was first called into being in Asia, and from
the era at which the glorious work of Creation was thus per-
fected, down to some ages after the establishment of Christianity,

Relative History of Asia and Europe, S

the office just described, was enjoyed, with some occasional and
perhaps merely apparent exceptions, by various Asiatic nations; as
it has since been fulfilled by the inhabitants of Europe, and at
some future time, probably, will be possessed by those of Ame-
rica. In the earliest ages, every great division of the globe ap-
pears to have been peopled from Asia : the authority of the
Sacred Records, and the testimony of the traditions and the his-
tory of all the nations of the Eastern Hemisphere, concur in
establishing the fact, that Europe received her chief population
from the East, by the way of the ancient Scythia ; or the tract of
country situated to the north-east of the Caspian sea, bounded
eastward by the mountains of Imaus, which formed part of the
present Belour and lesser Altaian chains, and on the west by the
river Tanais, the Don of modern geography. So likewise have
we strong grounds for believing, that the western shores of the
two Americas were first peopled from the eastern coasts and
islands of Asia, by way of the Eastern and Pacific oceans; whilst
the tide of population appears to have rolled southward into
Africa, from the Caucasus, through Asia Minor, Syria, and
Egypt.

In the next age of the world, during which flourished the
mighty empire of Egypt, and the first great nations which arose
in the countries between the river Indus and the eastern termi-
nation of the Mediterranean Sea, Asia continued to be the
fountain-head of knowledge and of the arts, of commerce, and
of civilization; for the renowned state first mentioned, though
forming a part of the African continent, as to geographical posi-
tion, must yet be regarded, in its ancient relations to the rest of
the world, as a region of Asia,

Hitherto the enjoyment of religious light had been directly
attended, as would appear always to be the case in a right order
of things, by the possession of the highest degree of genuine civi-
lization, and of temporal power. But the history of the Jewish
nation presents an anomaly in this respect, which, though we can
merely glance at it in this place, would form a novel subject of
inquiry for the Divine and the Philosophical Historian. The dis-
pensation of pure Theism granted to Noah and his descendants,

A 2

4 Life q/'Sir Stamford Raffles — Introduction,

having in the lapse of ages heen perverted into polytheistic idol-
atry of the grossest character, the Mosaic dispensation took place.
But though the Israelites thus became the depositaries of reve-
lation, yet were they greatly inferior in civilization and mental
acquirements, to their neighbours the Phoenicians, as well as to
the Assyrians, vrhose empire was at this period at the zenith of its
glory. Still however from Western Asia proceeded all the streams
of knowledge which fertilized the rest of the world ; and though
the ascendancy which the Greeks and Romans, in subsequent
times, successively obtained over the affairs of mankind, partially
carried forward into Europe the chief seats of power and intel-
lectual cultivation ; yet the sources of their greatness had been
received directly from Egypt and the East, and their empires
were established in districts of the European continent, lying im-
mediately adjacent to that of Asia.

This anomaly in the history of the world, appears to have arisen
from some peculiarity in the character of the Jews, which, whilst
it fitted them to be the instruments of preserving a written reve^
lation, rendered them incapable of pursuing the refinements, whe-
ther moral or intellectual, which are invariably consequent on the
. full reception of revelation, and its development throughout the
human faculties. But the establishment of Christianity restored
all things to order; and henceforward the possessors of Divine
Truth became the rulers of mankind, and enjoyed the highest
degree of intellectual attainment; the new condition of things
being first consolidated, by the erection, in the fourth century,
of a powerful Christian state, the " Eastern Empire" of histo-
rians, in the very centre of the then civilized world. In propor-
tion, however, as Christianity advanced in Europe, it declined in
Asia, and when its former seat on the shores of the Euxine was
no longer useful as a medium of its communication to the sur-
rounding world, in consequence of the corruptions it had there
sustained, the fall of Constantinople before the Mohammedan
arms, in the year 1453, terminated the independence of the
Christians in Asia. Western Europe now became, as it has conti-
nued to be, the grand centre of vital impulse to the globe ; the
chief seat of religion, of power, of science, and of the arts. The

Relative History of Asia and Europe, 5

liberal pursuits and other refinements of the oriental nations, had
hitherto but tardily succeeded the diffusion of Christianity ; but
the professors of literature and of philosophy, who were driven
from their homes and native clime by the success of the Mussel-
man power, distributed throughout the nations of Europe, in
return for the hospitable reception they experienced, the intel-
lectual wealth of which they were possessed. The wars for the
recovery of the Holy Land from the Mohammedans, were com-
menced and carried on during the decline of the Eastern Empire :
they were continued, with varying effect, until the end of the
thirteenth century, when Palestine was finally abandoned to the
dominion of Islamism. The Crusaders, though they failed in per-
manently effecting the professed object of their warfare, were yet
the means of introducing into their own countries, many of the
arts and usages of the East : among the former was that peculiar
species of Architecture, so generally adopted in. Europe, from
about the period of the second crusade, in the twelfth century,
down to the era of the Reformation, which, from the figure of its
arches and ornaments, is most accurately designated the " Pointed
Style." The practice of Heraldry, also, or the appropriation of
symbolic distinctions to ranks and families, so important in the
Feudal and Chivalric ages, although the claims to a direct oriental
origin, which have been asserted for it by some writers, do not
appear to have been substantiated, was certainly much improved
and extended during the latter Crusades. Great improvements
in the decorative arts were at the same time transferred from the
East ; and some useful additions appear also to have been made to
the scanty assemblage of facts and precepts, which then consti-
tuted the sciences of Medicine and Pharmacy.

The chief points of relation between Europe and Asia, until
the direct transfer of benefits from the latter had ceased, being of
a religious and civil nature, the comprehensive notices of them
which have been given, may perhaps appear misplaced in a sci-
entific journal. But the extent to which Sir Stamford Raffles
carried the views of investigation he entertained regarding the
history of the East, rendered it desirable to commence this
memoir of his labours with a sketch of the relative history of tl)e

6 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles — Introduction,

Eastern and Western divisions of the Old World ; and from this
design the subjects we have touched upon were inseparable.
We now enter, however, upon a period in the history of the world,
in which .the votaries of science are directly interested ; — upon the
memorable era in which it was destined that the continents of the
Western Hemisphere on the one hand, and the navigation around
Africa to the Indian Ocean, on the other, should become known
to the inhabitants of Europe.

As intimated in the foregoing paragraph, Europe, at the fall
of Constantinople, appears to have received from her Eastern
sister all the remaining advantages of a moral and intellectual
nature it was in her power to bestow. The direct communication
between them now ceased altogether, and was only renewed, after
the success of the voyages of discovery undertaken in the fifteenth
and following centuries. The pilgrimages to Jerusalem as well
as the Holy Wars, had imparted to the Religious, who were the
chief, if not the only followers of literary pursuits at this era,
some actual knowledge of Western Asia, with a few notices of
Arabia and Persia, gleaned from the traders to those countries.
But all that was known of India and the '^ further East," was
derived from the geographers and naturalists of classic antiquity.
Hence it is that in the first works on geography, published after
the invention of printing, and which of course had been the most
esteemed whilst in manuscript, (a sufficient interval not having
elapsed for their improvement from the discoveries in geography
that had just been made,) we find Strabo, Ctesias, Pliny, and
Solinus, with other writers of the same description, constantly
referred to as the only authorities on subjects relating to Eastern
Asia ; their statements being received and relied upon with im-
plicit confidence. The means of comparing these statements
with the actual condition and history of the countries described,
were now, however, to a certain extent, speedily obtained.

The descendants of the Phoenician colonists on some of the
eastern coasts of the Atlantic, and the northern shores of the
Mediterranean, who had always retained a portion of the adven-
turous and enterprizing spirit of their ancient progenitors, began,
towards the latter part of the fifteenth century, to manifest that

Relative History of Asia and Europe. 7

spirit in a very marked degree. Voyages of discovery were
undertaken by them in every direction, and also by the other
maritime nations of Europe ; and whilst Columbus and his suc-
cessors traversed the Atlantic in a westerly direction, and dis-
covered the two Americas, Vasco de Gama pursuing his voyage
southward along the western shores of Africa, doubled the Cape
of Good Hope, and crossing the Indian ocean, guided by the
friendly pilots of Melinda, first opened for Europe a direct
intercourse with Hindustan, in the year 1498. Other PortUr
guese navigators, early in the sixteenth century, successively
formed settlements in Sumatra, Malacca, and Java ; they were
followed by the Dutch, whose influence in the Indian Islands
soon overpowered that of all the other nations of Europe. The
establishment of the British East India Company in the reign of
Elizabeth, led to the foundation in several provinces of the Indian
continent, of some important settlements ; by the gradual exten-
sion of which, and various concurring events, nearly the whole
of Hindustan has at length become a province of the British
Empire.

An important intercourse has thus been re-established betweea
Asia and Europe ; though differing in several material respects,
from that which subsisted in former ages. For Europe, by the
use and improvement of the advantages she then received from
her oriental sister, having obtained the supremacy in the affairs
of the world, now exercises in Asia the authority anciently exerted
in Europe, by the different Eastern states, whether geographically
Asiatic or European. In return for the spices, the rich commof
dities, and the costly manufactures, which she now imports from
'^ the climates near the sun," she investigates their natural and
civil history, the characters of their population, their mythology,
their languages, and their literature, for the purpose, first, of in-?
creasing her own intellectual wealth, and then of applying it in
the most effectual manner, to repay, by the blessings of true reli-
gion and civilization, the debt of gratitude she owes to that region,
where the " Day-spring from on high," as well really as figuraw
lively, first dawned on the happiness of man.

In ancient times, also, the communication of Europeans with

6 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles — Introduction,

Asia, was confined to its Western divisions, but at the present
day it is with the Eastern Asiatics that they are principally
connected ; and British India, — which may be said to compre-
hend the whole of the Peninsula between the mouths of the
Indus and the Ganges, — the territories of Malacca, Siam, and
Cochin-China, with the Empires of China proper and Japan, and
the islands of the Indian Archipelago, are now indubitably the
most important districts of the whole continent ; whether regarded
with philosophic or with commercial views.

Terminating here our historical review of the relations to each
other of those two divisions of the world, the ruling powers of
which have successively enjoyed the chief sway over the destinies
of mankind, we proceed to notice the principal benefits that have
accrued to the nations of Europe, from their possessions and au-
thority in Eastern Asia ; especially those derived by Britain from
her Indian conquests ; dwelling more particularly on the advan-
tages which modern science has" either received already, or may
yet receive, from the vast field of research thus opened for her
cultivation. Having done this, we shall find in the powerful and
continued exertions rtiade by Sir Stamford Raflles towards effect-
ing some of the investigations thus called for from the patrons and
the votaries of knowledge, an appropriate and sufficient apology
for entering into details, on an extensive range of subjects in phi-
losophy and literature, in a work professedly devoted to Zoolo»
gical Science.

To expatiate on the political and commercial importance of
Eastern Asia to the nations of Europe who have possessed
settlements on its shores, or to dilate upon the history of those
'' Merchant-Princes," as they have appropriately been deno-
minated, who now hold in the metropolis of Britain the reins
of government over an immense population in India, consti-
tuting, in an age not long since expired, several mighty empires,
with innumerable tributary states ; and who appear destined,
eventually, to extend the British dominion over all the countries
of Southern Asia, from the Bay of Bengal on the west, to the seas
of Japan and Ochotsk on the east, would be foreign to the objects
of this memoir. Nor would tlie picture be in all respects an

Commencement of Oriental Investigations, 9

agreeable one; for the ascendancy thus gained in the Eastern
world, owing to the lust of power and of wealth which mark the
darker shades of the European character, and the faithlessness
that stains the Asiatic, has been purchased at an expenditure of
human blood too enormous to contemplate without horror. Turn-
ing then from these scenes of conquest and political greatness, let
us direct our views to the fair regions of intellectual power, where
the best feelings and perceptions of our nature can dwell with
unalloyed delight in the contemplation of objects worthy of the
human character ; — objects entirely consonant with the great ends
of our being.

The establishment and extensive prosecution of a commercial
intercourse with India, by the principal maritime nations of Eu-
rope, was not productive, until nearly two centuries had elapsed,
of any considerable accession to the stores of oriental knowledge.

During this period, one great portion of mankind in Europe
was intent on the schemes of conquest and the prospects of
wealth excited by the success of the first adventurers in the newly-
explored seas. Another part of the community, and that by
far the more intelligent, was occupied either in issuing to the
world, by means of the new art of printing, the works of the
ancient poets, historians, and philosophers, with the commentaries
on them prodliced in the monastic ages, or in the disputes on
Theological subjects which at length terminated in the Reforma-
tion. And when that momentous change had been effected, the
writings of Bacon gave an impetus to experimental philosophy,
that caused it to exercise an absorbing influence over the minds
of the new race of inquirers it had called forth. From the con-
joint agency of these circumstances, the oriental fields of re-
search long remained almost without cultivation. With America,
indeed, the case was different ; a multitude of writers, chiefly
natives of the countries whieh first obtained settlements in the
Western Hemisphere, were engaged in researches on the origin
and nature of the people and the productions, so recently made
known to them. The cause of this preference is evident: the
discovery of America was that of a " New World :" with in-
habitants^ natural phajnomena, and productions of every class,

10 lAfe of Sir Stamford l^si^e^-^ Introduction,

dissimilar in all respects to those of the " Old World ;'' whilst
the expeditions to the East only brought under actual observation
what had from time immemorial been known, in some degree,
from the relations of the ancients, and the occasional gleams of
information received from other sources. The investigations re-
lating to America formed themselves a further cause, why the
subjects of inquiry arising from the newly-established connexions
with Asia, were so much neglected, by occupying the minds of
those writers, who were probably the best qualified for such
researches.

Accordingly, until the termination of the sixteenth century
approached, very little was done towards exploring the East; and
the principal information respecting its history and productions,
published in Europe, was collected from the voyagers and com-
mercial adventurers; a class of people at the era to which we
allude of much inferior qualifications for any kind of scientific re-
search, or even the correct description of what they had witnessed,
than the most deficient of their present representatives.

The zeal and perseverance of the Jesuits, commenced, in China,
the first direct researches into the history and resources of any
Eastern nation, and the materials w hich were thus collected by its
members, continued, until a late period, to be the only sources of
information respecting that interesting country. But it is to the
more enlightened agents of the Dutch, to their physicians and
clergy, that we owe the commencement of those investigations,
which, guided from the beginning by a philosophic spirit, and con-
tinued, chiefly, by our own countrymen, have at length penetrated
into the deepest recesses of the mythology and history of Eastern
Asia; and have also been extended to every object of scientific
inquiry afforded by its various climes, from the snow-clad peaks
of the Himalaya, " whence, bursting from its icy bed, the mighty
Ganges flows," to the sultry and pestilential marshes of Batavia.
The most distinguished of these enterprising founders of oriental
science and literature in Europe, was the celebrated Kasmpfer, a
German physician, who, possessed of a genius for research adequate
to the most difiicult subjects, and an acuteness of perception
which no disguise of circumstances could elude, extended his

Improvements in modern Science derived from the East. 11

personal obseryations to India, Persia, and Japan. His Jmceni-
tales Exoticce contain the first distinct notices of many produc-
tiiDns of the East ; and his great work on Japan, published about
1720, to which, in the course of this memoir, we shall again have
occasion to advert, in comprehensiveness of plan and accuracy of
detail, has never been surpassed by any similar publication.
About the same time, many of the most interesting subjects of the
Animal and Vegetable kingdoms which the tropical regions of
Asia produce, were illustrated by Rumphius, likewise of German
birth, but agent for the Dutch at Amboyna; whilst the plants of
southern Hindustan were described by the laborious Rheede ;
and the works in which the results of their inquiries were com-
municated io the world, the'Thesaurus Imaginum and Herbarium
Amboinense of the former naturalist, and the Ilortus Malabaricus
of the latter, after furnishing Linnaeus with the means of charac-
terising and arranging a multitude of species, still retain great
authority, not merely as works of reference, but as recording the
history of many subjects, that have hitherto escaped the observa-
tion of modern naturalists. Of similar value, with respect to the
geography and local history, as well as the natural productions of
Eastern India, are the labours of Valentyn, chaplain to the Dutch
at Amboyna ; to the accuracy of whose statements every succeed-
ing traveller has borne testimony; and the voluminous " Inde
orientale ancienne et nouvelle^'' of this writer, which was published
at Dordrecht and Amsterdam, from 1724 to 1726, conducts our
narrative to within a century of the present time.

The geographers and naturalists we have enumerated, had many
contemporary labourers in the same field, some of whom, as well
as of their immediate successors in the exploration of the East, it
would be equally desirable to particularize ; but this Introduction
has already extended to a length much greater than that it was
originally designed to occupy. We proceed, therefore, at once,
to the concluding section : — an outline of some of the principal
accessions to the knowledge of mankind and of nature, that have
been received, during the last thirty years, from the exertions of
modern science on the inuummerable objects of inquiry, which

12 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles — Introduction,

the people, the physical structure, and the yaried natural produc-
tions of the East Indies have suggested.

So extensive have been the additions to knowledge obtained by
the labours, chiefly of our own countrymen, in Hindustan and the
adjacent countries, that it is difficult to confine our selections
within the necessary limits ; we are struck, also, on every side, with
the beauty and the interest of the scene, and scarcely know to
what particular objects we should direct our chief attention. In the
first rank, however, if not absolutely of the greatest importance,
we must place the full development, by that revered cultivator of
oriental literature. Sir William Jones, of the essential identity of
the mythologies of India, Greece, and Rome ; with his examina-
tion of the allegorical fables in which the mighty works, ascribed,
by the Hindus, to the incarnate Krishna, and by the western Gen-
tiles, to Hercules and Apollo, indicate the prophetic hopes of the
Redeemer so universally entertained in the ancient world. Another
fact of the greatest consequence to the mythologist, which has re-
sulted from the researches of our oriental scholars, is the extent to
which the Hindu or Buddhaic faith, or some of its affiliations, is
now known to have prevailed. This appears to have comprehended
not only the two peninsulas of India, and the country of Thibet,
-but also the islands of the Indian Archipelago, and the Empires of
China and Japan ; so that the Hindu deities were once worshipped,
throughout the south-eastern countries of Asia. Intimately con-
nected with this subject are the discoveries in ancient history which
have lueen made by the comparison and critical examination, of
the historical manuscripts and inscriptions of the various nations
inhabiting oriental Asia ; and in which an eminent foreigner, M.
Julius Klaproth, has taken so distinguished a part. Another
great branch of the history of man, is that of his means of em-
bodying his thoughts, first in articulate sounds, and then in forms
apparent to the sight expressive of those sounds; — the history and
philosophy of language. This also has been greatly improved and
augmented by the investigation of the Indian languages ; and the
labours of Wilkins and Colebrooke in Sanscrit, and of Morrison
in Chinese, in conjunction with those of their contemporaries in

Improvements in modern Science derived from iheEast. 13

the same pursuits, have established the foundation of a department
in philology, on which future students will look hack with grati-
tude, and future grammarians and philosophers erect a magnificent
superstructure.

We pass, however, from the history of man to that of the globe
he inhabits. Here we have our attention first arrested by an im-
portant contribution to Physical Astronomy, effected in India by
the zeal, ability, and indefatigable perseverance of the late Lieut.
Colonel LambtOD, under the munificent patronage of the East
India Company. This is the determination of the longest con-
tinuous arc of the meridian yet measured on the surface of the
earth ; extending from Cape Comorin, the southern extremity of
Hindustan, through twelve degrees'of north latitude, to near the
city of Ellichpore in the province of Berar. It has been further
prosecuted beyond N. Lat. 20°, is still in progress under the
direction of Captain Everest, and vrill probably be completed ta
an uninterrupted portion of more than twenty degrees. The re-
cent investigations and experiments to determine the figure of the
earth have shewn this measurement to possess a greater value with
regard to that subject, than was ever contemplated, perhaps, when
the undertaking was commenced 4 although the application of the
Pendulum in determining the ellipticity of the meridian, had not
then been made to any important extent, and the measurement of
terrestrial degrees was considered the principal means of solving
the problem. For " experience has fully shewn, that no result
of decisive character is to be expected from the repetition or
comparison of measurements in the middle latitudes ; and that it
is only from operations carried on in portions of the meridian
widely separated from each other, that such an event can be re-
garded as of probable accomplishment."* And from the com-
parison of the tropical extremity of a meridional arc in the
northern hemisphere, which has thus been determined in India,
with the measurement proposed to be effected within the Arctic
Circle, a conclusion may be expected, equally satisfactory with
that which has resulted from carrying into effect, under the con-

* Sabine's Experiments to determine the Figure of the Earth by means of the
Pftncluhnn, p, 360.

14 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles — Introduction.

ditions most favourable for the experiment, the method of in-
vestigating the figure of the earth by means of the Pendulum.
During the government of Sir Stamford Raifles in Sumatra,
a series of observations was made on the length of the pendulum
at the Equator, by a scientific expedition from the Observatory
at Madras, for the purpose of assisting in the determination of the
figure of the earth; and as the successful attainment of the
objects of this expedition, was owing, in great measure, to Sir
Stamford's counsel and protection, we must recur to the subject
in the course of this article.

But the importance of Colonel Lambton's operations is not con-
fined to the improvement of physical astronomy ; for they were
extended eastward and westward of the arc itself, and the Coro-
mandel and Malabar coasts also connected by triangulation, in
numerous important points ; thus forming the basis of a complete
trigonometrical survey of the Peninsula. The present extremely
defective state of our knowledge, indeed, of the topography of
India, imperiously demands the speedy completion and publica-
tion of a correct general survey, without which much of the local
history already obtained, both natural and civil, must remain
nearly useless to inquirers in Europe,

Next in order to the constitution of the earth as a planet, have
we to consider the history of the mass of elastic fluid, with which
it is invested, and which is indispensable to tlie existence of every
subject of organic nature, as well as to the preservation of the
surface of the globe in a fit condition for its support. The con-
tributions to Meteorological Science derived from researches in
the East, have, for obvious reasons, been very few. The investi-
gation of the seemingly most capricious and irregular, but in
reality all-harmonious and beautiful cycles of changes, to which
the atmosphere is perpetually subject, requires a train of laborious
exertions, uninteresting in themselves on account of their minute-
ness and apparent insignificance, continued, for a long period of
time, on the same spot. And to such exertions as these, neither
the leisure nor the health of many residents in India, or the
countries adjacent, can be adequate. Still, however, some points

Improvements in modern Science derived from the East, 15

of great interest have been elucidated, by the observations of ouf
countrymen in the Peninsula.

The horary oscillations to which the barometer is subject in all
latitudes, but which, from the absence of the disturbing causes
affecting the atmosphere in the temperate zones, are more pro-
minent between the tropics, were first observed by Lamanon, in
the expedition under the unfortunate Peyrouse : and the earliest
confirmation of the fact, appears in Dr. Balfour's observations,
made at Calcutta, in 1794, and published in the fourth volume
of the Asiatic Researches.* To Mr. Goldingham, of the Ob-
servatory at Madras, a zealous observer, both in Astronomy
and Meteorology, we owe the first satisfactory train of re-
searches on an important subject in Acoustics, intimately con-
nected with the study of atmospheric phaenomena : viz. the
influence of the ordinary changes in the air, whether of pres-
sure, temperature, or humidity, or in the force and direction
of the winds, upon the velocity of sound.t The most interest-
ing accession, however, which the East has contributed to
meteorological science, is unquestionably Mr, Williams's account
of the explosion of a meteor near Benares, in 1798, and of
the falling of some stones at the same time, which he com-
municated in the following year, to Sir Joseph Banks. This
narrative afforded the most indubitable evidence of the descent
of meteoric stones, at the period when the late Mr. Howard
and the Count de Bournon undertook the investigation of the
subject. And it still remains one of the most valuable records
of that remarkable phaenomenon ; though the reality of the fall

* See Daniell's Meteorological Essays, p. 252. Further observations on
this very interesting subject have beeii made in various latitudes, by M. de
Humboldt, Captain Sabine, M. Ramond, and Mr. Daniell ; which prove, " that
while the irregular movements of the atmosphere and the general range of the
barometer increase, in going from the equator towards the poles, there is a
regular concomitant fluctuation, which augments, as we proceed from high
latitudes towards the equator." This phaenomenon remained, until lately,
one of the unresolved problems of Meteorology, but it appears to have received
a satisfactory solution from Mr. Daniell; though much still remains to be
done for its complete elucidation. Ibid. p. 255.

f See Phil. Trans, for 1823.

16 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles — Introduction.

of meteorites having been, at length, as well established as that
of volcanic eruptions, or any other great phaenomenon of nature,
the value possessed by accounts of particular cases, must now be
estimated by a standard, diiFerent from that to which they were
applied, at the period when the attention of philosophers was first
arrested by the subject. For their utility depends, at the pre-
sent time, not so much on the evidence they afford of the actual
occurrence of the phaenomenon, as on their precise and compre-
hensive description of the attendant circumstances. Mr. Howard
and his coadjutor, in their paper detailing the investigation just
alluded to, which was published, including Mr. Williams's narra-
tive, in the Philosophical Transactions for 1802, and which is an
admirable example of inductive research, inferred, from the affini-
ties borne by various specimens of Native Iron to the stones known
to have fallen from meteors, that the same origin was to be ascribed
to them ; and the correctness of this inference was immediately
admitted by philosophers. The learned archaeologist Edward
King, had already communicated to the public, the Abbe Stutz's
account of the fall of two masses of iron near Agram in Croatia,
in 1751 ; but as Mr. King, though he quotes the Abbe's words
proving these meteorites to consist of iron^ invariably alludes to
them himself as being stones^* this instance, it would appear,
was altogether overlooked by contemporary inquirers in England ;
and thus an important link in the chain of evidence seemed to be
wanting. The deficiency was soon supplied from the oriental
collections of Colonel Kirkpatrick, who communicated to Mr.
Greville, an extract from the autobiographic memoirs of Jehan-
guire, narrating the fall of a mass of iron in the.Punjaub in the
year 1620; and this interesting document being presented, by
that distinguished patron of science, to the Royal Society, was
printed in the Philosophical Transactions for 1803. The progress
of knowledge respecting meteorites, therefore, has been essentially
benefited by information from India.

The discovery, or rather the exploration, of the vast central
chain of mountains forming the barrier between India and Thibet,
and called the Himalaya, or '' the abode of snows," which have

* Remarks concerning Stones said to have fallen from the Clouds, p. 23.

Improvements in modern science derived from the East. 17

been found to exceed in altitude as well as lateral extent the
Andes of South-America, hitherto deemed the greatest mountains
in the world ; together with the discovery or examination of the
<)levated sources of the Indus, the Ganges, and the Brahmapiitraj
the three grand rivers of India, constitutes a memorable epoch in
the history of Physical Geography. When these discoveries, in-
deed, are viewed in conjunction with the innumerable facts of
minor, yet considerable importance, that depend on the newly-
acquired knowledge of the climate and other peculiarities of the
extended table-land of Nepal and Thibet, wo must acknowledge
this epoch to be hitherto unequalled in the progress of that science.

til the kindred science of Geology, however, but one depart*
ment has yet received any considerable additions from researches
in the East ; viz. that relating to those igneous phaenomena, to the
causes of which, operating at a remote period in our planet's
physical historyj an extensive and consonant series of facts impels
us to refer the formation, to a great extent, of our present
continents : — we allude to the phsenomena of volcanos. Prior
to Dr. Horsfield's geological investigation of Java, and Sir Stam-
ford Raffles's exertions in obtaining accounts of the eruption of
Tomboro, in the island of Sumbawa, in 1815, the provinces of
Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, in North-America, and the
western side of South-America, appeared to be the only countries
in the world, in which the chemical agency productive of intense
combustion, exerted to so great an extent in the early stages of
the earth's formation, still retained a vigour approaching to what
it must have possessed in former ages. But the volcanos of the
Indian islands east of Sumatraj are now known to indicate an
activity in the causes of volcanic energy, fully equal to that which
the Cordilleras of America exhibit ; the most stupendous phajno-
mena recorded of the latter, receiving a parallel in the operations
of subterraneous fire witnessed in Java and Sumbawa. To these
we shall have occasion to return, as we proceed in this memoir.

Very little information, on the contrary, has yet been obtained,
respecting the actual structure, either of the Indian peninsulas or
of the islands ; and hence the contributions from the East to that
branch of geological science, which is coneerned in investigating

Vol. III. B

J8 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles — Introduction.

the arrangement and mutual relations of the rocks and strata form-
ing the earth's surface, are scanty and indecisive. We know,
indeed, generally, that like other parts of the world, they consist
of primary, transition, and secondary tracts, mingled with im-
mense overlying masses of trap-rocks ; but whether laws of super-
position are io be observed in these tracts, similar to those which
obtain in the corresponding districts of Europe, and whether their
formation is referable to the same eras, we are altogether un-
informed. Thus .a vast field of geological inquiry remains uncul-
tivated ; and we have been induced to mention in so particular a
manner this deficiency of natural knowledge, whilst enumerating
the accessions to it derived from our Indian possessions, with the
hope of exciting some attention to the subject in the world of
scieDCe.

Having thus delineated a few of the improvements which have
been made in some of the greater divisions of human knowledge,
arising from our Indian resources, we might, in the next place,
proceed to examine how far the various departments of Natural
History are indebted to the same sphere of research. Taking up, ia
succession, each of the three kingdoms of nature, we might parti-
cularize the advantages which the philosophical pursuit of Mine-
ralogy, of Botany, and of Zoology, respectively, has derived from
our acquaintance with the productions of the East. These, it
would be found, are fully commensurate with the ''augmina sci-
entiarum," to which we have already adverted. But enough has
now been stated or alluded-to on the subjects we proposed to re-
view in this Introduction, to prepare the reader for duly esti-
mating the importance and [fertility of the field, that was opened
to the cultivation of the distinguished character, whose history we
are about to narrate. The outline we have commenced will
not remain altogether incomplete, by terminating it at this point ;
for, in detailing the contributions to natural knowledge effected
by Sir Stamford Ratfles, or in consequence of his patronage, we
shall have occasion to notice several discoveries of considerable
moment in Mineralogy and Botany ; as well as to review at some
length, the oriental accessions to Zoological science.

Such, then, was the importance, and such the promise, with

Application of the foregoing subjects, 19

respect to the pursuit of every branch of liberal knowledge or of
scientific research, of those extended realms, which comprised the
peculiarly interesting,though, comparatively, little known countries,
that were placed, eventually, under Sir Stamford's government.

They were thus presented to the contemplation, of one
whose comprehensive genius could at once perceive the kind
of investigation they required, and whose indefatigable activity
in the exercise of his power, could procure, with the same readi-
ness, the means necessary for inquiry. The versatility of talent
he possessed, was fully adequate to the demands made upon it, by
the variety of circumstances around him. Sir Stamford Raffles
was competent to the most difficult and trying situations, in which
the ruler of countries, inhabited, partly, by Europeans of different
nations, and often of conflicting interests, and partly by Natives
still more various in character, could be placed. He could esti-
mate and determine, with facility, the claims of these regions to
the attention of the statesman, the scholar, and the naturalist.
He was well qualified to bestow upon them the beneficent care of
the enlightened philanthropist, anxious to ameliorate the moral
condition and consequent happiness of the population committed to
his charge, by the most intelligent and efficient means.

Nor was he less distinguished by the energy and promptitude
with which he executed every plan of improvement suggested by
these diversified relations. Having risen to his exalted station
solely by the force of his talents and his application, this energy was
often required to surmount the opposition excited by the jealousy
of those persons, whom he might be supposed to have superseded,
whether in weight of influence and authority, or in official situ-
ation. The more confined views of others, also, who had been
accustomed to a line of colonial policy dictated by notions, which
an age that is rapidly approaching will consign irretrievably to
the darkness from whence they originated, demanded, not un-
frequently, the exercise of the same qualities. And, above all,
these varied talents, in Sir Stamford Raffles, were animated and
ennobled by the free-born and independent spirit, the generous
love of knowledge, and the desire of imparting it to others, the
love of freedom, and the love of making others free, — of giving

b2

go Life of Sir Stamford Raffles.

liberty to the mind as well as to the body — which are the pride
and glory of the British character.

But it will not be consistent with the design of the present
memoir, to enter into any details regarding the political conduct
of Sir Stamford Raffles ; we are alone concerned, in this place,
with the actions of his life as a patron and a votary of knowledge ;
and the political transactions in which he was engaged will be
noticed in the following pages, no further than may be requisite,
in order to convey a satisfactory view of the various stations he
occupied, and impart to the whole the unity of a connected nar-
rative. His exertions in the cause of general knowledge, of sci-
ence, and of literature, with outlines of the philosophical investi-
gations which he either pursued himself, or encouraged and ena-
bled others to prosecute, will form the chief subjects of the article ;
whilst his contributions to that department of Natural History to
which the pages of the Zoological Journal are especially devoted,
will receive the particular attention they of right demand.

We now proceed to the biography of this eminent individual :
His father, Benjamin Raffles, was one of the oldest captains in the
West India merchant-service, belonging to the port of London ;
and his uncle, a solicitor of eminence in the city, but recently
deceased, was the father of the Rev. Thomas Raffles, LL.D.,
celebrated from an early age as an eloquent preacher in the Inde-
pendant dissenting connexion, and who is at present the minister
of a congregation at Liverpool, belonging to that denomination.
The subject of this memoir, Thomas Stamford Raffles, by what
might be regarded as a remarkable coincidence with the events of
his future life, as passed in distant lands, and as connected with
maritime adventures, was born at sea, on board the ship Anne, off
the harbour of Port Morant in Jamaica, on the sixth of July, in
the year 1781. He received his education, principally, at a
respectable academy at Hammersmith, conducted by Dr. Ander-
son ; and entered public life at a very early age, in the Home
Establishment of the Honourable East India Company, as a junior
clerk in the Secretary's Office. In this situation he became dis-
tinguished, in a short time, as the most efficient clerk in the
office, where he continued for several years. But he was soon to
commeace those labours in an Eastern clime on which his sub-

His arrival in the East. 21

sequent reputation and prosperity were founded. The island of
Pulo Penang, situated on the western coast of the peninsula on
which the Malayan empire flourished in former ages, and which is
still one of the principal seats of that nation, had been ceded to
the East India Company about the year 1786, and denominated
Prince of Wales's Island. Being found a valuable post for the
protection of the trade with China, and the encouragement of com-
merce among the Eastern Islands, it was formed into a government,
with a regular civil and military establishment, in the year 1805.
The talents and industry of Mr. Raffles, as we must for the present
designate him, having obtained the favourable opinion of the Court
of Directors of the Company, the appointment of Assistant-Secretary
to the new settlement, notwithstanding the exertion of powerful in-
fluence in favour of other candidates for the oflice, was conferred
upon him, although he was yet a mere youth; together with the
;rank of junior merchant, and an eventual succession to the council.

About this period Mr. Raffles was united in marriage with the
widow of a surgeon in the East India service; and in a short time
afterwards, pursuant to his appointment, he proceeded to Prince
of Wales's Island, in company with Governor Dundas, and the
other gentlemen of the civil department. During the voyage
thither, he applied, with great diligence and success, to the study
of the Malay language, which prevails not only over the peninsula
already mentioned, but also throughout the maritime regions of
the Asiatic Isles, and is the vernacular dialect of a population
equal to or perhaps exceeding that of the Indian continent. This
judicious and appropriate preparation for the business in which he
was about to engage, rendered him, immediately on his arrival at
the Island, a valuable acquisition to the government; and his con-
duct received, accordingly, the approbation of the Court of Di-
jectors at home.

On reviewing the gradual means by which the most distinguished
individuals of the human race, in modern times and in civilized
society, have attained their highest stations, their greatest influ-
ence over their contemporaries, and their strongest claims to the
regard of mankind in general, we may usually observe the follow-
ing order to have obtained in their advancement. They have

gg Life of Sir Stamford Raffles.

commonly pursued, at the outset of their career, directed partly by
their own genius and inclination, partly by the force of surround-
ing circumstances, a certain line of study or path of occupation,
and have quickly risen, accordingly, \o some degree of eminence^
in their respective departments of human affairs.

At this epoch in their fortunes, some event has befallen them,
apparently trivial in itself, some production in art or nature, some
work of science or of literature, has deeply engaged their attention,
or an intimate acquaintance has been formed with some man of
talent or of consequence and weight in society — which has given
all their energies a decided and permanent, and, comparatively,
exclusive direction, towards one grand object of pursuit ; and this
object they have in consequence secured, to a considerable extent,
as it were at one grasp.

This appears especially to have been the case, when their distinc-
tion has been created, directly, by their superiority in mental
endowments, and when also they have been elevated from an infe-
rior rank in society, solely by the force of their own talents.

The great Watt, for example, the author of those improve-
ments in the Steam-engine, which have produced such stupendous
effects in the arts and manufactures of this country, having a genius
for mechanism, commenced life as a maker and repairer of philoso-
phical instruments and apparatus. In this business he speedily be-
came eminent; but having the model of a steam-engine placed in
his hands to repair, his mind was awakened to the importance of
that machine, and the perfection of which it appeared susceptible.
Devoting himself henceforth to the construction of the steam-
engine, he soon atchieved the capital improvement of the separate
vessel, for condensing the steam, after it had given motion to the
piston, on which the perfection of the engine, as now used, prima-
rily depends. In a few short years after this, in conjunction with
Mr. Boulton, he supplied all Britain with steam-engines, and ac-
quired the exalted reputation which he ever afterwards retained,
and which a grateful posterity will ever award to his memory.

Thus also the illustrious Herschel, after pursuing for some
years, with enthusiasm and success, his profession as a musician
and teacher of music, became acquainted with the wonders of the

Earli/ causes of his subsequent elevation, 23

planetary system, as described in Ferguson's Astronomy. Actuated
by a vehement desire of witnessing, with his own eyes, phaenomena
so remarkable, whilst the price of a telescope capable of exhibiting
them far exceeded his means, he resolved to construct such an in-
strument with his own hands. Accordingly, after overcoming many
difficulties, he completed a reflecting telescope, with which he
could observe the satellites of Jupiter and the ring of Saturn.
Henceforward his mind was directed to the exploration of the hea-
vens ; and in the space of seven years from this period, he had
enrolled himself among the greatest of astronomers, by the dis-
covery of a new primary planet, the Georgium Sidus.*

And, to conclude these illustrations with an instance selected
from those votaries of science, who stiil live to benefit mankind,
to an incident equally devoid of importance in itself, we owe the
discoveries of Sir Humphry Davy. Whilst preparing for the
medical profession, in Cornwall, his naiive county, he had acquired
a strong interest in the pursuits of Geology and Chemistry,
which his peculiar genius for analytical research had gratified in
some successful inquiries. He then became acquainted with Mr.
Giddy, now Mr. Davies Gilbert, himself a distinguished natural
philosopher ; and this gentleman, duly appreciating his talents for
Chemistry, warmly seconded his intention of superintending the
Pneumatic Institution, founded by Dr. Beddoes, at Bristol. Here
were made his " Researches on Nitrous Oxide," published in
the year 1800; soon afterwards he was appointed Professor of
Chemistry at the Royal Institution, and in 1807 he effected
his great discovery of the metallic bases of the alkalies, a dis-
covery that quickly changed the aspect of chemical science, and
which was succeeded by the train of brilliant investigations for
which their author has been rewarded, by his elevation to the
Chair of the Royal Society ; — a station successively distinguished,
in a former age of science, by a Wren and a Newton.

Now it was in the order just described and illustrated, — to

return from the digression into which we have been led, by the

desire of taking an enl»rged view of this subject — it was by means

of a train of circumstances analogous to those just related, as con.-

* See Edin. Phil, Journ. vol, viii. p. 211.

24 Life o/*Sir Stamford Raffles.

cerned in the advancement of a Watt, a Herschel, and a Davy,
that the genius of Sir Stamford Raffles also received that con--
firmed and lasting impulse, vyhich eventually procured for him
his elevated rank in society, and his high reputation as an en-
lightened and a philosophic statesman.

We have seen that his appointment to the office of Assistant
Secretary in the Government of Prince of Wales's Island, first led
him to those acquisitions of knowledge regarding the Mabyan
countries, which subsequently become so useful in extending and
securing the British dominion over " the Further East." But
about the period of his arrival at the Island, he formed an acquaint-
ance, which ripened into an endearing friendship, with " the
Bard of Teviotdale," — the late lamented philologist and historian,
Dr. Leyden : the example afforded him by the ardent and power-
ful mind of this accomplished scholar, and the assistance he de-
rived from the varied lore with which that mind was replete, ap-
pear to have determined his pursuit of the mo£t extensive views
and acquirements respecting the countries around him. And
through the advantages conferred upon him by these attainments,
under circumstances rendering their possession singularly appro-
priate and useful, he was appointed, in the short period of six
years from his arrival in the East, and at the early age of thirty
years, to the high and honourable station of representative of the
JBritish nation in the Indian Archipelago, as "Lieutenant-Governor
of Java and its Dependencies."

Dr. Leyden had been appointed Surgeon and Naturalist to the
Commissioners directed to survey the Mysore territories on the
Indian peninsula, which had been recently conquered from Tippoo
Sultan. In this service, however, his health had become so
greatly impaired, that he was obliged to leave the Commissioners,
and at length, to facilitate his recovery, to make a voyage to
Prince of Wales's Island, where he arrived on the 22d of October,
1805. Mr. Raffles thus acquired a congenial friend, and they
"were quickly united by a close intimacy, the eff*ects of which on
the pursuits of the former we have just described. The peculi^
arities of the Malay race attracted the eager attention of Dr.
Leyden j in order to extend his knowledge of their language,

His acquaintance with Dr, Leyden, g5

their manners, and their religion, he visited various places on the
neighbouring coasts ; and the information thus collected he after-
wards presented to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, under the form
of a '^ Dissertation on the Languages and Literature of the Indo-
Chinese Nations," which was published in the tenth volume of
the Asiatic Researches. Having pursued these researches in con-
junction with Mr. Raffles, to whose mind he thus gave an impulse
it ever afterwards retained, his health was speedily renovated by
the comparatively salubrious climate of the Island, and the kind
attentions of the friends he gained there. In the beginning of
1806, he proceeded to Bengal, addressing to Mrs. Raffles, under
the name of Olivia, some beautiful verses, entitled, the " Dirge of
the Departed Year," in which he attributes his recovery, in party
to her friendship and kindness.*

Having now conducted Mr. Raffles to his station in the Malayan
regions, it will obviate the necessity of giving and repeating, as we
proceed, many explanations relative to the geography and history
of the different countries they comprise, if we take a general view
of the situation and character of these countries, at this early stage
of the memoir.

* Poetical Remains of Dr. Leyden ; with Memoirs of his jLife, by the Rev.
J. Morton, p. xxxv, et seq. and p. 170.

Some incidents of Dr. Leyden's early history assume a character of great
interest, when we survey the mighty advance of science and of knowledge in
general at the present time, and the individuals who have taken a distinguished
part in pj-omoting it. Whilst at the University of Edinburgh, for example,
he became one of the founders of the " Academy of Physics," in conjunction
with Mr. Brougham; Dr. Birkbeck, the Founder and President of the London
Mechanics' Institution; the late Mr. Horner; Dr. T. Brown, Professor of
Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh ; Mr. Jeffrey ; and several
other gentlemen, at that time his fellow-students in the University, but who
have since attained the highest rank in their respective pursuits, and been most
active in the diffusion of knowledge. The first Edinburgh Review was esta-
blished about the same time, and the members of the Academy of Physics,
who were accustomed to draw up abstracts of new publications on science,
were among the earliest contributors to that work. It is always pleasing thus
to cast a retrospective glance on the associations of those characters, who have
become eminent in society, that were formed at an age when they were sus- .
ceptible of the strongest impressions, fiom the genius and example of each
o<her.

f& Life of Sir Stamford Raffles.

The peninsula of Malaya, or Malacca, as it is sometimes deno-
minated, from the metropolis pf the country, is the westerly and
most extended branch of the greater peninsula, which consists of
the Birman, Siamese, and Cochinchinese states. It forms the
southernmost extremity of the Asiatic continent, extending to
within about 43' of the Equator ; being washed, on the west, by
the straits of Malacca, separating it from Sumatra, with the general
range of which island it forms a small angle, and towards the east
by the Gulf of Siam and the Chinese Sea. The commercicil em-
porium of Zaba, celebrated by the ancients, which was a place of
great importance in the time of Ptolemy, and for many ages
Subsequently, was situated in Malaya, at a place upon the river
Jehor, near the southern termination of the country, now called
Batu Sabor. The peninsula, with some of the adjacent islands,
formed one of the states to which the appellation of Maharaja was
anciently given in the East. In after times it became the principal
seat of the Mohammedan Malayan Empire, which was in its
greatest splendour during the ninth century; being dismembered
many ages before the country was visited by Europeans. As
already intimated in the Introduction, the Malayan states and the
islands of the Indian Archipelago in general, were first discovered
and frequented by the navigators of Europe, about the same time
that America became known to them ; and the city of Malacca
was conquered by the Portuguese general, Albuquerque, in the
year 1511, from which period it became an European settlement,
passing from the hands of the Portuguese, into those of the Dutch
and the English, successively.

The most extensive group of islands in the world, termed the
Indian Archipelago, and also, by some geographers, the Asiatic
Isles, occupy the intervening space between the south-eastern
countries of the Asiatic continent, and the north-eastern coast of
New Holland. They thus form, as it were, a continuation of the
land, in a south-easterly direction ; connecting the shores of China
and of the further Indian peninsula, with those of Carpentaria,
the land of Arnheim, and De Witt's land in New Holland.
Comprehended within the 90th and 150th degrees of east longi-
tude, they are included, with the exception of the northerly

Sketch of the Malai/an Countries, Wt

Phillipiiie Islands, within about ten degrees of latitude on each
side of the equator. The three largest islands of the group,
Borneo, New Guinea, and Sumatra, are also, next to New Hol-
land, the largest islands on the globe.

In geological constitution, and in the resulting characters of the
soil and organic productions, the Asiatic Isles may be said to con-
sist of two minor groups, the one of primary, the other of volcanic
formation. From the vast chain of primary mountains, called the
Himalaya, the position of which has been stated in the Introduction,
proceed many subordinate ranges, two or perhaps three of which
form the geological bases of both the Indian peninsulas. One of
these traverses Hindustan, and terminates in the Island of Ceylon,
whilst the other, extending through Aracan, Pegu, the Birman
empire, and Malaya, disappears at the southern extremity of Su-
matra, but first sending off an inferior ridge through the smaller
islands of Banca and Biliton. Borneo and Celebes appear to be
the continuations of another great branch of the Himalaya, nearly
parallel to the former, from which, indeed, it may possibly arise.
Java, however, though separated from Sumatra only by the narrow
straits of Sunda, is entirely of volcanic constitution. It deviates also
from the south-easterly direction of Sumatra and the Malay penin-
sula, by striking off nearly due east and west, being succeeded by
the isles of Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Endi, Timor, and many
smaller, which agree with it in geological character, and are con-
nected by the volcanos of Banda and the Molluccas, with those of
the Phillipine group. An immense volcanic chain is thus. formed,
which first bounds the Indian Archipelago towards the south, ex-
tending eastward for about twenty-five degrees, and then intersects
it in the direction of its greatest width from south to north.

A corresponding distinction is observable between the characters
of the nations respectively occupying these two groups of islands.
The primary tracts of which the Malayan peninsula consists, toge-
ther with the isles of Sumatra, Banca, Borneo, and Celebes, being
rich in the metals and the precious stones, are inhabited by com-
mercial and warlike people. The volcanic range, on the contrary,
destitute of the metals, &c. but from the nature of its soil, arising
from the decomposition of lava, sustaining the most luxuriant

J8 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles.

vegetation, is peopled, especially Java, by an agricultural race 5
^nd has been celebrated, from time immemorial, for the high degree
of cultivation which its plains have received. From the situation,
however, of nearly all the islands, within ten degrees of the line,
one constant summer prevails throughout the Archipelago : the
evergreen islands rise in endless clusters from the smooth seas that
flow around them : innumerable flowers bloom in perpetual suc-
cession throughout the year, impregnating the air ^ith their
fragrance ; whilst the variety and abundance of indigenous fruits
and spices is so great, as to have obtained, for the entire insular
assemblage, the emphatic apellation of " The Garden of the
World." Nor are the productions of animated nature less abun-
dant, or less various and beautiful ; possessing the more useful and
more curious animals of continental India, the Asiatic Isles are
distinguished by many animals, of every class, peculiar to them-
selves, as we shall hereafter be called upon to particularize.

The political or rather national history of the Indian Archipelago,
Jias claims to interest commensurate with those enjoyed by its na-
tural peculiarities and advantages. Presenting all that is majestic
and lovely in nature, it appears to have been peopled, at a remote
period, with inhabitants professing the Hindu faith in its more
simple and more elevated form. The maritime districts in some of
the islands, were, in after times, colonized by the enterprising
Arabs, who founded the Malayan empire properly so called. Before
the prowess of these Mohammedans, the former inhabitants, great-
ly diminished in numbers, withdrew into the interior fastnesses of
the country ; or in many instances gradually lost all traces of their
ancient greatness, and all remembrance of their pristine religion 5
leaving their magnificent temples, many of them equalling in
architectural splendour those of Hindustan itself, to the destruc-
tive influence of the elements, and of the luxuriant vegetation,
ivhich, in these climates, so quickly overspreads and dilapidates
every neglected edifice.

The Malays, properly so called, inhabit the Peninsula of
Malacca, with the coasts and maritime districts of the islands
lying between the Phillipines and the Southern Ocean, which
are bounded in longitude by the western coasts of Sumatra

i

Sketch of the Malayan Countries. 29

and New Guinea ; the only instance of a Malay government
in the interior of the islands, being presented by the state
of Menangkabau in Sumatra. The dialects of the JVIalay
tongue, have, in the course of ages, undergone changes which
render them, with respect to the purposes of intercourse, distinct
languages : yet, when strictly examined, the Maldyu nation may
be regarded as one people, speaking one language, and preserving
the same character and customs, though spread over so wide a
space. The descendants of the ancient Hindu inhabitants of the
islands, on the contrary, have languages peculiar to themselves ;
and are governed by their own respective laws and institutions.

" There is something in the Malayan character," observes th«
subject of this memoir, in his introduction to Dr. Leyden's trans-
lation of the Malay Annals, " which is congenial to British minds,
and which leaves an impression, very opposite to that which a
much longer intercourse has given of the more subdued and cul-
tivated natives of Hindustan. Retaining much of that boldness
which marks the Tartar stock, from whence they are supposed io
have sprung, they have acquired a softness, not less remarkable in
their manners, than in their language. Few people attend more
to the courtesies of society. Among many of them, traces of a
higher state of civilization are obvious, and where opportunity has
been afforded, even in our own times, they have been found capa-
ble of receiving a high state of intellectual improvement."

Java and Sumatra having been successively the seats of Sir
Stamford Raffles's authority in the Indian Archipelago, will each
claim a more detailed notice, as we proceed. But it will be useful
to complete this sketch of the Malayan countries, by some par-
ticulars of the other two larger islands of the group, with which
Europeans have been principally connected; — the islands of Borneo
and Celebes.

Borneo, it has been remarked, embanks the navigable pathway
between the eastern and western hemispheres, and lying conti-
guous to China and Japan, the most populous regions of the globe,
its inhabitants were once engaged in extensive commercial rela-
tions with those countries. It stretches from the 4th degree of
south to the 8th of north latitude, and from east longitude 150"

So Life o/Sir Stamford Raffles.

to 158*; being about seven hundred miles in length and five hun-
dred in breadth, having a greater superficial extent than any
country of Europe. All its rivers take their origin from a large
inland lake, which waters an extensive district of mountainous or
rather of table land. It is rich in gold and diamonds, and is also
extremely fertile, though, from the degraded condition of the
people, at present very unproductive in cultivated vegetation.
The Dayaks or aboriginal inhabitants, are a very singular race ;
distinguished by the rude virtues of which even the most savage
of mankind are rarely destitute, but also by the perpetration of
human sacrifices, to obtain the victims for which predatory ex-
peditions are perpetually undertaken. And, divided into nu-
merous tribes, no person among them is permitted to marry, until
he can present the head of some individual of another tribe, to his
proposed bride, who then is not allowed to decline the alliance.

Celebes is as remarkable in geography for its peculiar lobate
figure, as it is in history for the martial enterprise of the natives,
and the rude mixture of honour and integrity with extreme ferocity
and delight in carnage, that their character presents. Many of the
tribes, called Bugis, served the surrounding states as military re-
tainers ; with the same courage and fidelity as the Normans, at a
former period, and the Swiss, in later times, fought the battles of
the European sovereigns. On the other side of the picture we be-
hold them scarcely refraining from cannibalism ; and celebrating
^' the feast of the bloody heart," at which the raw heart and blood
of a newly-killed deer are the favourite viands; and seem to be
devoured in remembrance of some still more revolting festival.

We now return to the history of Mr. Rafliles, having, by the
preceding sketch, enabled the reader to appreciate the extent and
character of the sphere of action, in which he was soon to be
engaged. On the decease of Mr. Pearson, in March, 1807, he
succeeded to the office of Secretary to the Government of Prince
of Wales's Island ; the Governor and Council, whose distinguished
regard he had obtained, also uniting the duties of that station, as
conferred upon him, with those of Registrar to their Recorder's
Court.

Connecting with his official engagements, the studies, the his-

His researches in Malayan history, 31

torical and national inquiries, to which we have adverted in a
former page, the intense application of his mind to the whole, in
a debilitating atmosphere, induced severe indisposition. This
compelled him to seek change of scene, and he accordingly pro-
ceeded id Malacca, early in the year 1808. When his health had
become in some degree re-established, he commenced an investi-
gation of the history, the localities, and the resources of that
settlement, which terminated in the first great service he per-
formed to the authority of Britain in the Malayan states. For the
result of his researches was the conviction, that Malacca was a
place of much greater importance than had been conceived ; and
he found it incumbent upon him to prepare a Report upon the sub-
ject, for the information of the government of which he was an
officer. In this report he pointed out the expediency of counter-
manding the instructions which had been issued, for the demo-
lition of the fortifications at Malacca. This suggestion was taken
into consideration, and finally adopted ; and by the timely repre-
sentation of other circumstances alluded to in the report, some of
which, it would appear, had been unknown before, and others not
duly appreciated, he was eventually the instrument of preventing
the alienation of Malacca from the British Crown.

Pursuing with ardour his enquiries into the history, and past
as well as present condition, of the nations by which he was
surrounded, Mr. Raffles communicated to the Asiatic Society of
Calcutta, in the course of the year 1810, a paper " On the
Malayu Nation ; with a translation of its Maritime Institutions."
It was afterwards published, in the year 1816, in the twelfth
volume of the Asiatic Researches, to which it forms one of the
most important contributions.

This paper, Mr. Raffles's first production in literature,
we believe, commences with some remarks on the prevalent
error of supposing that the Malays have preserved no written
records of their usages and laws ; and thence, after proceed-
ing to define the extent of the Malayu nation, and to shew
that the various dialects of the language are not radically dis-
tinct, the author gives a general account of the proper laws and
customs of the Malays, as they at present exist as a nation, which
are independent of the laws of the Koran^ and which are pre-

39 Life o/Sir Stamford Raffles'.

served in codes called Undang Undang, or Institutrons. The
paragraph with which this account begins, is so characteristic of
the extensive views, by which the researches of the author were
ever prompted, that it would be unjust to omit it in this analysis
of the memoir.

'' Considering that a translation of these codes, digested and
arranged according to one general plan, might be as useful in
facilitating and ensuring a more secure intercourse among this
extraordinary and peculiar nation, as it might be interesting in
illustrating the unjustly degraded character of so extensive a
portion of the human race, hitherto so little known either with
respect to what they are oi* what they were ; I have long been
engaged, as far as the severe duties of my public situation would
admit, in collecting Malay manuscripts of every description^
and in particular, copies of the Undang Undang Malciyu^ which,
with the various collections of Addaty or immemorial customs,
and what may be usefully extracted from the Sejdreh Maldyu^"^
and Akal Maldyu^ or annals and traditions of the Malays^ com-
prise what may be termed the whole body of the Malay laws,
customs, and usages, as far as they can be considered as original,
under the heads of government, property, slavery, inheritance^
and commerce."

Proceeding next to notice, seriatim^ the respective Undang
Undang of the different Malay States, both of the islands and
the peninsula, the author presents an account of some of the
distinct tribes inhabiting the latter; and also gives a Translation
of a Malay historical narrative of the ancient relation between
the state of Menangkabau in Sumatra, and that so called on
the Malayan peninsula. This is succeeded by a translation of a
Malay " History of former times, containing an account of the
first arrival of the Portuguese at Malacca."

Returning to the subject of the Undang Undang^ having be-
fore dismissed it, as far as relates to the Malciyu nation itself,
Mr. Raffles notices the original institutions of the various na-
tions among the Eastern islands, especially those of Java, and of
the Bugis and Macassar states on Celebes. The consideration

* A translation of the Sejdreh Maldyu, or Malay Annals, by Dj.Leyden, was
published, in an octavo volume, in 1821, w^itli an introduction by Sir S. Raffles*

His introduction to Lord Minto, 33

of these subjects leads to some remarks on the comparatively
modern origin of the Malays, who appear not to have existed as
a separate and distinct nation, until the arrival of the Arabians
in the Eastern seas : the memoir here terminates, and is suc-
ceeded by the Maritime Institutions, selected by the author, for
the purpose of laying before the Asiatic Society, on account of
their singularity and characteristic peculiarities.

About this time Mr. Raffles was appointed Malay translator to
the Government of India, having been introduced to the Earl of
Minto, the Governor-General, by his friend Dr. Leyden, who had
become Professor of Hindustani in the College of Fort-William at
Calcutta. He soon obtained, and ever afterwards enjoyed, the
highest regard and confidence of this nobleman. And His Excel-
lency, in one of the Anniversary Discourses he delivered to the
College, an establishment in which the education, in every branch
of oriental learning, of those who are intended to occupy public sta-
tions in India, is completed, honoured Mr, Raffles's Malay pur-
suits with an especial notice, also announcing his being engaged in
compiling a code of Malay laws.

But the era was now rapidly approaching, at which Mr. Raffles
was destined to take a more prominent station in public affairs.
He was present at Calcutta in 1811, during the time when the
reduction of the Dutch settlements in the Eastern seas was con-
templated by the Bengal Administration. The annexation of
Holland to France, which had been effected by Napoleon, having
■virtually placed at the disposal of the latter power, all these
valuable and extensive possessions, it was deemed expedient that
the island of Java, which was the central seat of the Dutch
colonial government, should, without delay, be brought under the
dominion of Great Britain. Those gentlemen whose situations
in the East had qualified them for the execution of such a task,
among whom, of course, was Mr. Raffles, were accordingly re-
quested by the Governor-General to furnish the best information
they could impart, respecting the state of the Indian islands, on
which the Dutch settlements were planted. In a short space of
time, Mr. Raffles presented to Lord Minto, a memoir on this
subject, which was found to be so superior in information to those
Vol. III. c

M tife o/Sir Stamford Raffles.

furnished by his competitors, so complete as far as accessible
sources could supply materials, so well adapted in its plans to
existing circumstances, and so masterly in political views, that the
arrangements recommended by its author were adopted by the
Government, with little or no variation. Pursuant to the scheme
of action now determined upon, Mr. R, was appointed Agent of
the Governor-General to the Malay States; and he proceeded to
Malacca, where the proposed expedition for the conquest of the
Dutch settlements was to rendezvous^ on its route to Java,

The Armament was fitted out in the various ports of India, by
the command of the Governor-General ; it consisted, in vessels of
all descriptions, both European and Native, of ninety sail ; and it
arrived in the straits of Malacca in the month of June, 1811. A
difference of opinion existed as to the best course to be pursued :
it was ultimately determined to follow that pointed out by Mr.
Raffles, and the result was that the entire expedition reached the
shores of Java without a casualty. Mr. R. proceeded thither
with Lord Minto, in the official capacity above named, and also
as his private secretary ; together with Dr. Ley den, who having
accompanied the Earl from Calcutta, was busied in the translation
of the letters that had been received from the different Malay
rajahs, and in dictating proclamations to send forward in the Native
languages of the countries they were approaching. Early in Au-
gust, the expedition appeared before the city of Batavia, the chief
settlement of the Dutch in Java. On the 4th, the army landed at
a village six miles to the eastward of Batavia, and in four days
afterwards they entered the city, without meeting any resistance.

This epoch, however, though so propitious to Mr. Raffles in the
complete success of the plan he had suggested for the reduction of
the Dutch settlements, was yet marked as one of melancholy im-
port to him. His friend Dr. Leyden, the promoter and associate
of his early studies, the kindred genius whose congenial mind
had united with his own to pursue the objects in which they were
both so deeply interested, was seized with a violent fever, shortly
after the landing of the troops. An illness of three days fol-
lowed, and he expired in the arms of Mr. Raffles, on the 28th of
August, at the early age of thirty-six ', a victim to excessive exer-

The Conquest of Java, 35

tion and the pestilential climate of Batavia. '' He came from the
other India," as Mr. R. subsequently remarked, " panting after
knowledge and busy in the pursuit of science ;" he entertained a
'' confident hope of illustrating national migrations from the
scenes which he was approaching,. . . . but just as he reached those
shores on which he hoped to slake his ardent thirst for knowledge,
he fell;" deeply deplored by all, and by none more truly than by
the subject of this memoir, who in company with the Governor-
General, beheld the last sad offices performed over his mortal
remains.

" His bright and brief career is o'er.
And mute his tuneful strains ;
Quenched is his lamp of varied lore,
That lov'd the light of song to pour ;
A distant and a deadly shore
Has Leyden's cold remains !"

Walter Scott.

But to resume our narrative : General Jansens, the Dutch
Governor of Batavia, had withdrawn his forces from the city on
the approach of the British troops, and retired to a strong position
at Fort Corpelis, about five miles towards the interior of the
country. Thither he was soon followed by the invading army,
and after a hard fought battle, totally defeated. This conflict
determined the fate of the Dutch settlements in the Indian Archi-
pelago ; and thus was atchieved the conquest of Java ; an island
containing a population of five millions ; and divided into thirty
residencies, under povrerful chiefs, all more or less subordinate
to the European authorities. The unparalleled ease and celerity
with which this object was effected, appears io have been mainly
owing to the excellent arrangements made by the Governor-
General and his coadjutors in the enterprise ; which were carried
into effect with consummate skill and gallantry, by Sir Samuel
Auchmuty and the army under his command. The facility with
which the new government was established, was also aided in a
high degree by another circumstance, noticed by Mr. Rafl^ies, in
the preface to his History of Java, in nearly the following terms.
The British, with respect to the colonists and the inhabitants,

c2

3d Life of Sir Stamford Raffles.

came as friends to the Island, Holland had ceased to be ara
independent nation ; and for the time there could be only two
parties, the one English, the other French. The emissaries of
the late ruler of France had perverted the minds of the majority :
many were doubtful on which side they should rally. At this
critical juncture, Mr. H, W. Muntinghe, President of the Supreme
Court of Justice at Batavia, and Mr. J. C. Cranssen, another
principal civil officer of the Dutch, declared for England and the
ancient order of things. To the influence of the decision and
conduct of these gentlemen, is to be ascribed much of the
cordiality and good understanding, which soon prevailed between
the official representatives and settlers of the two nations ; and
the Earl of Minto, with the wisdom and benevolence that cha-
racterized all his actions, constituted them members of the British
Council in Java.

The value of the services which had been rendered by Mr.
Raffles, as well in the preliminary arrangements of this fortunate
expedition, as in the ultimate execution of the enterprise, was
fully appreciated by the Governor-General. They were re-
warded by his immediate nomination to the high and important
station of " Lieutenant-Governor of Java and its Depen-
dencies ;"..." as an acknowledgment of those services^ and in
consideration of his peculiar fitness for that office ;" Lord Minto
deeming him the most proper person to be entrusted with the
execution of that political system, which he had himself devised
and recommended.

Accordingly, on the 11th of September, in the year 1811, the
eminent character whose life we are recording, took charge of the
governtnent of Java.

Having thus attended Mr. Raffles to the commencement of his
authority in Java, an authority productive of so many important
consequences to the welfare of its inhabitants, as well as to the
interests of all liberal pursuits connected with eastern Asia, we
will pause awhile in our narrative ; for the purpose of contem-
plating the extensive and populous island consigned to his govern-
ment.

General view of Java. 37

Java is situated between 105° 11' and 114° 33' east longitude,
extending eastward from the straits of Sunda, with a slight devi-
ation to the south ; and is included within 5" 52' and 8° 46' south
latitude. Its length in a right line, measured from the south-
eastern extremity, to the beautiful promontory towards the west,
called Java Head, so well known to navigators as the first point made
by vessels approaching the island from the southward, is 666 statute
miles, its breadth varying from 66 to 135f miles ; whilst itsarea is
equal to about 50,000 statute square miles. Its general figure is that
of a parallelogram, or rather of several parallelograms of different
proportions united ; and its outline is so regular, that the island
might be entirely divided into five or six parts of the same figure.
On the southern and western sides it is washed by the Indian
Ocean : on the north-west by the straits of Sunda, on the north
by the sea of Java, which separates it from Borneo, and at the
south-eastern extremity by the straits of Bali, only two miles wide^
by which it is divided from the island of that name. Towards
.the eastern termination is the priucipal harbour, that of Soura-
baya, formed by the approaching coasts of Java and the island of
Madura. This harbour i^ very spacious, secure against the vio-
lence of the wayes and the wind, and might be rendered im.-
pregnable to any armed force. No region in the Avorld, probably,
is better watered than Java, for though the size of the island does
not admit the existence of large rivers, the streams in every direc-
tion are singularly numerous and useful. The scenery, especially
in the interior and southern provinces, is bold in outline and
prominent in its features ; an uninterrupted range of large moun-
tains, evincing their volcanic nature by their conical form, exteod
throughout the island, their summits being elevated above the sea
from five, to eleven, and even twelve thousand feet. These ro-
mantic provinces, indeed, unite all the highly diversified and rich
scenery, which waving forests, never-failing streams, and constant
verdure can present ; heightened by a pure atmosphere and the
glowing tints of a tropical sun. And with respect to climate, it
is now known, that, excepting a few places, extremely unhealthy
from local causes only, which were most unwisely colonized by the
Dutch, Java is equal in salubrity to the healthiest parts of British
India, or indeed to any tropical region of the globe.

Si Life ofB'vr Stamford RafHes.

The geological character of the island, and the nature of the
resulting soil, have been mentioned already when contemplating
the peculiarities of the Malayan countries in general. The
riches of Java belong entirely to the organic kingdoms of nature.
Its vegetable productions are distinguished not merely by their
abundance, but also by their extraordinary variety. J'or between
the summits of the mountainous chain which traverses the island,
and the sea-shore, six distinct zones, differing in climate, are pro-
duced, by the difference of elevation in a country so near the
equator ; each of which furnishes a copious indigenous botany ;
whilst, for the same cause, the productions of every region of the
world may be cultivated in some district or other. All the tro-
pical plants that contribute to the sustenance of man abound in
perfection ; nor is Java deficient in those more curious vegetable
productions, which, though not so essentially useful as the former,
are yet of considerable importance to civilized society. Among
these are a shrub yielding caout-chouc or elastic gum, the wax
tree, and a tree producing a substance which strongly resembles
tallow.

The woods abound with timber-trees ; and in the eastern pro-
vinces are extensive forests of Teak, which appears to exist, in the
Malayan countries, only in Java and the islands further to the
cast, as it is not to be found on the peninsula of Malacca, in
Sumatra, or in Borneo, and but very scantily on Celebes, where
it does not seem to be indigenous. The Bambu, applied to so
many useful purposes in all the eastern countries, appears to find
in Java a soil and a climate more congenial to it than elsewhere,
for it grows here in far greater luxuriance and variety. And
turning to those remarkable plants which secrete a substance de-
structive of animal life, we find in Java and the easterly isles the
celebrated Upas or Poison-tree, the history of which has given
rise to a multitude of apalling, but fabulous narrations; together
with a shrub, apparently peculiar to Java, which furnishes a poison
still more virulent and rapid in its action.

Nor are the animal productions of this island less important, or
in a scientific point of view less interesting : but as a future
number of this work will contain a review of the contents of Dr.

Hisadminist'ationinJava, 39

Horsfield's Zoological Researches in Java, a very brief notice of
them only is requisite at present. Java affords about fifty or
sixty species of mammiferous animals, among which are a fine
breed of small Horses, an equally valuable race of Buffaloes, and
a Wild Ox, apparently a variety peculiar to Java; ])ut not the
Elephant, which is a remarkable fact, since that animal abounds
in Sumatra. There are also several species of Felis^ including .
the Tiger; the Jackal, and some species of Wild-Dog; the
Rhinoceros ; and many small quadrupeds, comprising some inte-
resting genera which appear to be peculiar to the island. The
number of Birds in Java, amounts to between three and four hun-
dred species; mxd. i\\Q Amphibia mcXxidie the Caynxan, a number
of large Lacertce and Iguancs^ several species of Turtle, some
curious Batrachian reptiles, and numerous serpents ; whilst the
adjacent seas, the rivers, and the lakes, afford many species of
esculent fish ; and the extensive bays on the southern coast abound
in the most beautiful tropical forms of Mollusca and Corals.
Honey and wax are produced by three species of Bees, inhabiting
the largest forests, though at present collected in very inconsider-
able quantities ; and the Insects of Java, in general, are proper^
tionate in number and variety to its vegetable productions.

As neither the limits nor the chief object of the present memoir,
will admit of a minute examination or detail of all the measures
of Mr. Rafiles's administration on this island, we shall notice only
some of its more prominent features. It will be apparent from
these alone, that no representative of the British nation in its
distant possessions, ever displayed greater energy of character,
or a larger share of benevolence, in performing the duties of so
elevated a station. It will also be evident that none have better
deserved the popularity, the discriminative and considerate praise
of the most intelligent portion of the community, which was the
reward of his public life.

The commencement of Mr. Raffles's official career as Lieutenant-
Governor of Java, was disturbed by unavoidable hostilities with
the treacherous chief of Palembang, the most powerful native
state in Sumatra, and with the Sultan of Djocjocarta, one of the
principal native authorities in Java itself. These powers were

\

40 ij^ o/ Sir Stamford Raffles.

quickly suppressed, and having thus successfully terminated the
war, he was at liberty to investigate the internal resources of the
island. This investigation he accordingly entered upon ; and he
also carefully examined the disposition and character of the in-
habitants, with a view equally to (he advancement of his country's
interests, and the moral improvement of the natives and colonists.
One of the principal means he devised for the preliminary arrange-
ment of these and similar measures, was the reinstation of a literary
institution at Batavia, which had for some years been in a dormant
state. This subject requires particular notice.

The first institution that was established by European colonists
in any of their Oriental settlements, for the purpose of obtaining
and communicating useful information on the surrounding objects
of inquiry, or of pursuing those branches of science or of literature
•which might appear best calculated to promote the welfare of
their colonies, was the Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences.
This association was founded on the 24th of April, in the year
1778, through the exertions of M, Radermacher, a zealous pro-
moter of useful knowledge at Batavia, and son-in-law to the Dutch
Governor-General M. De Klerk.* The objects of research first

* The history of the learned societies formed in the European settlements
in India, presents one of the many instances of an example set by fo-
reigners, being followed and improved to an indefinite extent by our own
countrymen. The first association for the improvement of natural knowledge
founded in Europe itself, was the Florentine Academia del Cimento; the
second was the Royal Society of London. So also in the East, the Batavian
Society as above stated, was the first institution established for the promotion
of inquiries into the history and learning of Asia; but the second was the
Asiatic Society of Calcutta, founded six years afterwards by Sir William
Jones. The seryices which the Asiatic Society has rendered to oriental
literature, are too well known and appreciated to need remark in this place.
Within the present century, similar institutions have been formed at the prin-
cipal British residencies in Hindustan ; as at Bombay, the Literary Society
of which settlement has published three interesting volumes of transactions;
at Madras; and in Ceylon. Even the distant southerly regions of New Holland
have the " Philosophical Society of Australasia," founded in 1822 by Sir
Thomas Brisbane, and the *' Agricultural Society of Van Dieman's Land."
These associations, in conjunction with the more recently established Asiatic
Societies of Paris and Great Britain, furnish such vast means of investigation
in Asia, as will probably change the face of Eastern learning altogether.

His reinstation of the Batavian Liter art/ Societi/, 41

proposed by this Society, embraced whatever could tend to im-
prove the agriculture, the commerce, or the general welfare of the
settlement. It also entertained and encouraged the solution of
every question relating to the natural history, the antiquities, and
the inhabitants of Java. In the year succeeding that of its foun-
dation, the first volume of its "Transactions" was published at
Batavia; and five volumes more, the whole containing much
curious and interesting information respecting Java and the neigh-
bouring islands,* appeared in the course of the next thirteen
years, the sixth being published in 1792. From this period, how-
ever, the Society languished, and became comparatively inactive.
An attempt was made, in the year 1800, to renew its vigour, by
some judicious alterations in its constitution and statutes, but with
little success ; the seventh volume of the Transactions, for which
some materials were prepared, could not be completed, and the
only additional communications the Society received, were those
of Dr. Ilorsfield, an American naturalist, who had commenced his
inquiries respecting the natural history of the island.

Such was the condition of the Batavian Literary Society, when
Mr. Raffles assumed the government of Java. The utility of re-
instating an association of this description, under all the circum-
stances of the settlement, at this eventful period, was immediately-
perceived by him. With his accustomed promptitude he accord-
ingly revived the dormant energies of the members, became him-
self the President of the Society, encouraged and procured the
contribution of papers to its Transactions, and, at the Anniversary-
meetings, animated the members to renewed exertions, by lumi-
nous Discourses, in which he reviewed the past labours of the
Society, and pointed out the objects still demanding their atten-
tion. In 1813, Lord Minto was requested to become the Patron

* The Zoological reader will recollect that it was in the second volume of
the Batavian Transactions, that Von Wurmb described the animal from
Borneo, he believed to be the true Orang Outang, but which Geoffroy after-
wards pronounced to be a distinct species of Ape, to which the name of Pongo,
given by Buffon to a supposititious animal, was subsequently restricted by
Cuvier. The late Dr. C. Abel, however, as we shall have occasion to notice
hereafter, has stated the animal described by Von Wurmb to be identical with
the Orang Outang recently captured in Sumatra,

42 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles.

of the institution, and the following extract from the address voted
to his Lordship on that occasion, will evince the grateful sense
entertained by the mennbers, as well as the intrinsic value, of Mr.
R.'s exertions in the re-establishment of the Society.

*' Reformed by his (the President's) genius and perseverance —
guided by his talents and example, re-established on its original
and extensive foundations, and enriched by the addition of a
number of new and valuable members — the Society flatters itself
that a new life and vigour will soon pervade its whole system, and
that although the old trunk still remains, the grafting thereon of
some new branches, transplanted from a rich and fertile soil, will
shortly tend to produce a greater abundance of fruit and of finer
quality than formerly."

At the Anniversary-meeting in 1813, held on the 24th of April,
Mr. Raffles delivered an address of which we shall now present a
brief outline.

This discourse commences with a review of the progress of
the Society, from its first institution down to the Anniver-
sary ; in which the principal contents of the first six volumes
of its Transactions are noticed. Dr. Horsfield's labours in
investigating the natural history of Java are then mentioned,
and also the contents of the seventh volume of the Transactions
just sent to press ; and next, after an affectionate eulogy on his
departed friend. Dr. Ley den, by whom the last article in the
volume, a sketch of Borneo, had been prepared, during his pas-
sage with the expedition from Malacca to Batavia, the President
proceeds, — regarding the demise of Dr. L. and that of Dr. Hunter,
the late secretary to the Society, not as justifiable grounds for
supineness, but as incentives to more strenuous exertion, — to
point out the objects to which the attention of the Society should
be directed. These it was evidently his design should be, the
collection and arrangement of every species of information re-
specting Java and the adjacent countries, for the purposes,
mainly, of obtaining the best data on which to found the im-
provement of the civil and moral condition of the inhabitants
and settlers, and the advancement of the island's import-
ance as a British possession. He accordingly directs the atten-

His Anniver sari/' Discourses to the Batavian Society. 4i3

tion of the members, to the necessity of first attaining an accu-
rate and extensive knowledge of the Javanese language, and of
acquiring, for that and other purposes, a collection of native
manuscripts, and fac-similes of ancient inscriptions. In advert-
ing next to the future prospects of the Society, Mr. Raffles an-
nounces that the exploration of the island of Banca, which had
lately fallen into our hands, and which had never been explored
by Europeans, had been undertaken by Dr. Horsfield ; and he
also notices, with much commendation, Mr. Muntinghe's contri-
butions on the native laws and institutions of Java, in force an-
tecedently to the introduction of the Mohammedan faith.

The objects within the geographical limits to which the Presi-
dent wished to confine the especial labours of the Society —
those of the "Further East," — are next pointed out, and
their peculiar claims to investigation discussed, in a very ani^
mating and a very philosophical manner. After noticing Suma-
tra and Banca, he dwells particularly on Bali, where the pristine
Hindu or Buddhaic faith of the Indian Archipelago is still pre-
valent ; and he advances thence to Borneo, of which an inter-
esting sketch is given, with many sagacious reflections on the
moral condition and mental state, both of the aboriginal tribes
and the Mohammedan inhabitants; together with suggestions as
to the proper means for their amelioration, and the manner in
which it should be attempted. Celebes next claims his attention,
afterwards Grilolo ; and he then alludes to the superiority of our
information respecting the natural history of the Moluccas, over
that which we possess of any other region of the East.

Adverting, in conclusion, to the rapid progress of the Euro-
pean settlements on the more southern parts of New Holland,
and, successively, to the paucity ofour knowledge respecting the
Sulu isles, and that of Mindanawi, and the prospect of assistance
in the Society's researches on the Japanese isles, afforded by a
projected mission to Japan under Dr. Ainslie, the English
Secretary to the Society — Mr. Raffles congratulates the mem-
bers on the renewed activity of the institution, noticing their
having undertaken to publish a Malayan edition of the Sacred
Scriptures ; and he finally avows his determination to forward
their pursuits by every means in his power.

44 Life o/Sir Stamford Raffles.

The address of which we have thus endeavoured to give an
outline, occupies thirty-three pages in the Seventh volume of the
Society's Transactions, which was printed at the government-press
of Batavia, and published in 1814. The style in which it is
composed is in some respects loose and inaccurate. It has also a
character of verbose diffuseness, that tends to weary the reader,
and— to hazard a conjecture on what may be termed the progress
of the author's mind — it would seem that at this time he felt
himself restrained, in the expression of his ideas, by a defi-
ciency of suitable forms in general science and literature, adapted
to receive and to transmit to the minds of others, the grand views
and mighty projects which occupied his own mind, and thence
panted to break forth in all their splendour. But these formal
defects detract little from the subsftantial excellence of the dis-
course. It displays the germs of that comprehensive perception
which marks the subsequent productions of its author : it evinces
his skill in selecting for inquiry that part of any subject which
was most essential to its correct examination : and it exhibits the
wise method he always pursued of confining the attention of any
agent he employed, — whether an individual or an association of
individuals — to one grand object ; without however actually ex-
cluding the consideration of minor objects, but concentrating the
main energies of the agent on one desirable point, until that point
had been secured.

The contents of the Seventh volume of the Batavian Trans?
actions, thus produced under the auspices of the Governor, are
uniformly of a highly respectable character. Some of them ap-
pear to be extremely important in a local point of view, others
afford interesting contributions to general science, and when com-
pared with the Memoirs published by the Learned Societies of
Europe,, they present only the imperfections which resulted, in-
evitably, from the distance at which the authors were situated
from the central seats of knowledge. The perusal of the
Eighth volume, published in 1816, leaves similar impressions on
the mind ; and it is perhaps the most valuable of the two. The
papers it contains are preceded by the Preaident's discourse On
the Sunda Isles and on Japan, delivered before the Society at ^

His Anniversary-Discourses to the Batavian Society. 45

meeting held on September the 11th, 1815, in celebration of the
fourth Anniversary of the British establishment in the Eastern
seas. This address is nearly thrice the length of the former,
which it also excels in style and arrangement ; and it indicates the
acquisition by the author of more appropriate and copious means
of expression than he had before possessed. Great warmth and
tenderness of affection for his deceased friends is shewn at the
commencement ; and the body of the discourse displays his cha-
racteristic extent and precision of thought. We proceed to an
analytical view of this composition :

An affecting religious tribute of grateful feeling and deeply-
founded regard, to the memory of Lord Minto, the patron of the
Society, and the tenderly-attached friend of the speaker, who
had deceased in the interval since his former address, with
some allusions to an affliction he had himself sustained, marks
the beginning of this discourse. Having discharged this debt of
gratitude, he proceeds immediately to notice the enquiries set on
foot by the Society, and the objects that had received their at-
tention, since he last addressed the members. Dr. Horsfield
had by this time brought to a close his laborious exertions on
Banca, and Mr. Raffles announces the collection by that natu-
ralist, of the most complete information regarding the position,
constitution, and productions of that important island ; of which
he next gives, from the materials so obtained, a concise, but at
the same time comprehensive and satisfactory sketch. On dis-
missing this subject, he notices the additional knowledge which
had recently been acquired, respecting the dialects, native cha-
racter, and statistics of Borneo, as well as of its ancient extensive
intercourse with China and Japan, with the former of which coun-
tries alone it is now connected. Resuming, from his former ad-
dress, his observations on Celebes, he enters particularly into
its civil and military history, describing that singular feature of
the constitution of society among its inhabitants, perhaps with-
out parallel in Asia, of an elective monarchy ; limited by an
hereditary aristocracy, exercising feudal authority over the
lower classes and population, with whom they are at all times
prepared to open a campaign.

46 Life o/'Sir Stamford Raffles.

Returning hence to Java, as the field of home attraction, the
President " notices," as he modestly terms it, but in fact gives
a masterly general view of, occupying one-third of the memoir,
'' The extensive traces of antiquity, foreign intercourse, and
national greatness, which are exhibited in that island, in the
numerous monuments of a former worship, in the ruins of dilapi-
dated cities, in the character, the institutions, the language, and
the literature of the people ', " prefacing this investigation with
some remarks on the natural history of Java. These subjects
terminate with an account of the yet Hindu inhabitants of the
Teng'gar mountains ; and proceeding to mention the lead-
ing observations he had made on the island of Bali, now the
only one in the Eastern seas in which Hinduism still prevails as
the established religion of the country, Mr. Raffles alludes parti-
cularly to the peculiar and extraordinary character of the inha-
bitants, so widely different, as well morally as physically, from
that of every other nation in the Archipelago.

The uniformity in habits and in language prevailing through-
out the various nations inhabiting the southern peninsula of
India, and the innumerable islands comprehended in the modern
divisions of Polynesia and Australia, next claim the Governor's
attention ; and as a subject new to the historian, and not unin-
teresting to the philosopher, he endeavours to trace the sources
on the continent of India, whence flowed the colonization and
subsequent civilization of the Eastern Islands ; and the periods
when Hindu colonies were first introduced into the different states.
Admitting the probability that the country lying between Siam
and China was the immediate source of this emigration, he pro-
ceeds, with the view just mentioned, to divide the history of the
Eastern Islands, with reference to the island of Java in parti-
cular, on which a powerful Hindu government was early estab-
lished, into five distinct periods; the first of which includes
the period beginning with the earliest account of the population,
and descends to the first establishment of a foreign colony in
Java, mentioned in the written annals of the country, or A. D.
600 ; when only the period of authentic history can be regarded

His Anniversar^'Discourses to the Batavian Societi/. 47

as commencing. The progress of this historical sketch leads
to the following observations on the Taprobdne of the ancients.

" Sumatra was long considered the Taprobdne of the ancients,
and when we advert to the single circumstance that this was
said to be a country in which the North Polar Star was hot
visible, or only partially, we must still doubt the correctness of
the modern conclusion in favour of Ceylon. The Eastern Islands
furnish that peculiar kind of produce, which has from the earliest
times been in demand by continental nations, and the same
avidity with which in modern days Europeans contended for
the rich products of the Moluccas, in all probability actuated,
at a much earlier period, adventurers from Western India.
Traces of intercourse with Ethiopia may be found at this day in
the woolly-headed race peculiar to Africa, which are to be found
on the Audamans, on the southern part of the further peninsula,
and throughout the archipelago;* and that the Hindus were at
one period an enterprising and commercial nation, may I think
be established with little difficulty, from the incontestible proofs
which at this day exist in Java ; and the traffic which still ex-
ists in native vessels and on native capital between the Coro-
mandel Coast and the Malayan peninsula. If any country there-
fore lays claim to this distinction more than another, it is Java :
— but probably it was rather to the Eastern Islands generally
than to one island in particular, that the appellation was given :
— both Ptolemy and the Arabians would seem to have designated
the islands by one general name — by the one they were termed
Jabadios Insula^ by the others Jau or Jawa^ hence probably
the confusion in the travels of Marco Polo^ and the still disr
puted question between Java Major and Java Minor.^^i

He then pursues this sketch or programme of the history of
Java through the intervening divisions, to the last, which is
comprised between the years 1600 and 1811, .the former being

♦ Some remarks on tliis curious point in the natural history of the human
species, viz. the existence of a woolly-headed race in the south-eastern countries
of Asia, will be found in a subsequent page of this memoir.

+ We shall have occasion, when giving an analysis of Mr. Raffles's History
of Java, to notice particularly the different opinions that have been entertained
as to the country designated Taprobane by the ancients.

48 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles.

the date of the establishment of the Dutch in the Eastern Seas,
and the latter that of the British conquest. The subject of Java
is concluded with some remarks on the striking resemblance
between the early state of Greece and that of the Malay Islands,
arising in part from the similarity in geographical disposition of
the two countries ; and also on the comparative elevation in
national character of Java and the other islands, from which it
appears that the people of Java had attained a far higher degree
of civilization than any other nation in the Southern hemisphere.
The return of the mission from Japan enables Mr. Raffles to
give some novel information respecting the character and habits
of the extraordinary people of that country, confirming in every
respect the accounts of the celebrated, but in Europe greatly
maligned Kaempfer, whose work however is held in high estima-
tion by the Japanese themselves ; and refuting the misrepresen-
tations of other authors which have obtained such general cre-
dence. The most remarkable feature the statement aifords, is
the condition of high civilization of the people of Japan, and
their still progressive improvement ; whilst their neighbours the
Chinese, with whom, as to intellectual and moral character,
they are so frequently but so inaccurately ranked, have continued
stationary, certainly for the few centuries during which we have
known them, and as their history and works indicate, in all pro-
bability for many ages before. — Observing that the Japanese
^' are wonderfully inquisitive in all points of science, and possess
a mind curious and anxious to receive information, without in-
quiring from what quarter it comes," Mr. Raffles now terminates
his address with this noble and animating expression of liberal
feeling :— " In the same spirit let us hope that now, when

That spell upon the minds of men
Breaks, never to unite again ;

no withering policy may blast the fair fruits of that spirit of re-
search which has gone forth from this Hall ; nor continue, under
any circumstances, to shut out one-half of the world from the
intelligence which the other half may possess."

\_To he continued.']

Prince of Musignano's Supplement, SfC. 49

Art. II. Supplement to the Genera o/*North
American Birds, and to the Synopsis of the Species
found within the territory of the United States. Bt/
Charles Lucian Buonaparte, Prince of Musignano,
M. A. ; Vice-President of the Maclurean Lyceum of
Philadelphia ; Mem. of the Phil. Soc. of Phil. ; of the
Phil. Soc. of the State of New Jersey/; of the Ac. of
Nat. Hist, of Phil.; of the JLyceum of Nat. Hist, of
New York ; of the Ac. of Arts 8? Sc. of Baltimore; of
the Ac. of the Ardenti, S^c, S^c.

I WAS far from supposing, that after having so carefully investi-
gated the Ornithology of the United States, I should find in Lon-
don, during a momentary stay, not only some of the most rare
and interesting North American species, of which I never was
able to procure specimens, but even some valuable additions to
the Fauna of that country. To the kindness of Mr. Leadbeater,
so well known among Ornithologists, I am indebted for the
opportunity of examining and describing the following species,
which I noticed on account of their being North American,
among the great number of new and rare birds collected by him
from all quarters of the globe.

1. Catiiartes Californianus. a specimen from the Oregan,
the second known in any collection.

61. CoRvus CoLUMBiANus. A bcautiful specimen from the
same river, probably the only one in the possession of civilized
man, the wretched specimen brought by Lewis and Clark ex-
cepted.

188. Fringilla vespertina. Two perfect specimens of this
highly beautiful bird, of which a single imperfect one had hitherto
been known, upon which Mr. Cooper, of New York, established
the species. These two specimens were shot early in the springy
on the Athapescow Lake near the Rocky Mountains.
Vol. III. J)

flO Prince of Musignano's Supplement

301. Rallus noveboracensis. (Rallus Jlavicollis, Vieill, Gal,
des Ois,* pi. 266.) A male and female from the same locality,
whilst the species had hitherto been found in the immediate
vicinity of New York only.

The above four species are enumerated in my Synopsis, or in
my Catalogue of the Birds of the United States; but the four
following being completely new additions, we shall characterize
them, pointing out the place they ought to occupy in our
Synopsis, &c.

GENUS XI. CORVUS.

SUBGENUS III. GARRULUS.

63. bis. CoRTus Stelleri, Gm. Crested, blue; head and
neck blackish; secondaries and tail-feathers, slightly banded
with black, tail rounded.

Synonymes.

Corvus Stelleri^ Gm, Syst, i. p. 370. Lath, Ind.'i. ^. 158.
sp. 20.

Steller's Crow. Perm, Art. Zool. ii. sp. 139. Lath. Syn.'i.
p. 387. sp. 21. Lath. Gen. Hist. 'in. p. bQ. sp. 58.+

Inhabits the western coasts of North America, especially the

* I shall take this opportunity to state, that in the above quoted most ex-
cellent work, only lately fallen under my notice, I find the Phalaropus Wilsonii
of Captain Sabine (See my remarks on that genus, in my " Observations
on the Nomenclature of Wilson's Ornithology," and in the second volume of the
*' Annals of the New York Lyceum of Natural History,") accurately figured
plate 271, under the name of Ph. frenatus, M. Vieillot received his specimen
from New York; and having probably referred as well as ourselves to the
Albany Museum, he perceived that it was the supposed Ph. lobatus o(Mr. Ord ;
but at the same time overlooked Captain Sabine's description of this truly un-
fortunate species, among the numerous synonymes of which his name will
be condemned to figure.

f Latham in this late work, erroneously quotes under this species, the
Corvus Floridanus ofBartram, (Garrulus cyaneus Bind ccerulescens, Vieill.) which
is a distinct species, Sp. 64, of my Synopsis.

to the Genera of North American Birds, 51

shores of the Oregan, and Nootka Sound. * Found also ia
Mexico.

GENUS Xir. BOMBYCILLA.

65. bis. BoMBYCiLLA GARKULAj Vicill, Drab ; throat; front-
let and line over the eye, black ; belly cinereous, vent rufous ;
■wings and tail blackish, the latter tipped Tyith yellow.

Synonymes.

Ampelis garrulus^ Lath, Syn. 2. p. 91. sp. 1. Gen, Hist, u
p. 838. sp. 1.

Turdus bombycilla Bohemica^ Briss. ii. p. 333. sp. 63.

Bombydvora garrula^ Temm. Man, d^Orn, i. p. 124.

Le Jaseur de Boheme^ Buff, pi. enl. 261.

Bohemian Chatterer^ Penn, Brit, Zool, i. sp. 112. t. 48. Lath,
5^w. iii. p. 91. sp, 1.

Inhabits near the Rocky Mountains ; for a long time well known
in the north of Europe and Asia. The discovery of this bird in
America may lead to a more perfect knowledge of its chief place
of abode, whence at remote periods it migrates so irregularly.

GENUS XX. bis. CINCLUS.f

SturnuSy L, Gm, Tringa ! Briss, Motacilla, Scopoli, Turdus^
Lath.

CinduSy Bechst, Cuv, Temm, Ranz,

Hydrobata^ Vieill.

Bill moderate, slender, straight, compressed-subulate, feathered
at the base ; edges sharp, slightly incurved; upper mandible curved

* It is a curious fact in Ornithological Geography, that the four Jays now
known to inhabit North America, should be confined to a peculiar section of
country; thus C. Canadensis is the northern Jay; C. Floridams the southern;
C. cristatus the eastern ; and the present the western representative of the
sub-genus.

t N.B. In our Analytical Table of North American Genera, this genus
must take its place in the family of the Canori^ between the two genera
Myiothera and Turdus^ and be thus characterized :

20. bis. CmcLUs. Bill subulate-compressed : tarsi smooth J heel naked,

I> 2

52 Prince of Musignano's Supplement

at tip, slightly notched, somewhat obtuse ; lower slightly recurved
at the point : nostrils basal, lateral, concave, longitudinal, covered
by a menabrane : tongue cartilaginous, bifid at tip. Tarsi longer
than the middle toe, smooth ; feet naked ; inner toe free, hardly
longer than the hind one; lateral toes equal. Wings short,
rounded; spurious feather very short; second and third primaries
longest. Tail short.

Female hardly differing in plumage from the male : young
more tinged with reddish. Moults annually. Plumage imperme-
able (water-proof.)

Solitary. Lives near brooks and clear rivulets, diving and walk-
ing on the gravel bottom, often entirely under the water, which
appears to be its favourite element. Feeds on aquatic insects,
especially small Crustacea. Builds in the vicinity of rivulets, hiding
its nest carefully. Flight rapid, straight, skimming the surface
of the water. Voice feeble, shrill.

Inhabits the north of both continents. Composed of but two
intimately allied species, both probably Asiatic, though one is
found in Europe and the other in North America. Remotely
allied to the order Grallce by its habits, (which are still more
aquatic than those of true water-birds,) and by the nakedness
that prevails around the head ; but belonging decidedly to this
family (Canori) where it is related especially to TurduSy Myio-
thera^ Saxicola^ &c.

Species 94. bis. Cinclus Pallasii, Temm, Wholly dark
cinereous.

Synonymes.

Cinclus Pallasii^ Temm. Man, d^Orn. i. p. 177.
Inhabits near the Rocky mountains, on the Athapescow Lake,
probably north-eastern Asia.

Obs. This species (which we do not hesitate in referring to
Temminck's Cinclus Pallasii^ notwithstanding its conjectured
locality, which at first led us^to consider it as new, under the
name of Cinclus ufiicolor), is the more interesting, in as much as
the European species was the only one well known of the genus,
which I noted, in roy '' Observations on the Nomenclature of

to the Genera of North American Birds, 63

Wilson's Ornithology," as one of the twenty-five European genera
not found in America.*

GENUS LXXVIII. bis. PHALERIS.+

N. B. In my analytical table of North American genera, this
genus must take place under the three-toed section of the family
of Pi/gopodes, between the genera Una and Mormon^ and be
thus characterized :

78. bis. Phaleuis. Bill curved, compressed, longer than high ;
nostrils half closed by a naked membrane, pervious.

Alca, L. Gm, Lath. 111. Cuv. VieiU. Phaleris, Temm.

Sp. 359. bis. J Phaleris cerouhynca. Nob. Blackish; belly
whitish ; a few slender, elongated white feathers from the corners
of the eye and mouth ; bill smooth, surmounted at the base by a
long obtuse horny process.

Inhabits the Western coasts of North America.

Obs. This new species, the third well known of the genus,
from the remarkable anomaly of its bill may hereafter be con-
sidered by some Ornithologists as the type of a new genus, or at
least a subgenus. Hence we have been induced to apply to it a
specific name, which being compounded from the Greek might,
with propriety, become generic.

I shall take this opportunity of noticing that in a collection of
birds from Havanna, sent to Mr. Vigors by Mr. MacLeay, I have
had the pleasure of finding a beautiful specimen, apparently a
male, of the new species of Dove, which I lately established under
the name of Columba Zenaida^ from a single female specimen
from the Florida Keys. The range of the species thus appears to
be not so limited as might have been supposed.

* The two species of the genus may thus be eharacterized in the General
System of Ornithology.

1. Cinclus aquaticus , Bechst. (bicolor Vieill.) Cinereo-brunneus, pectore albo.
Habitat in Europa et AsiS, Boreali.

2. Cinclus Pallasii, Temm. [unicolor? nob.) Fusco-cinereus, pectore concolore.
Habitat in America, {an quoqucy Asia ?) Boreali.

+ By the additions of three genera (Cinclus^ Aramus, Phaleris,) our North
American genera are carried to eighty-three, which, instead of eighty, ought to
be the number of Alca.

J Making the whole number of North American species, 366. {Jlca tarda,)

54: Mr. Children on the Esquimaux Dog,

Art. III. On the Esquimaux Dog. By J. G. Children,
Esq. F.R.S. L.8fE. KL.S. Sfc.

M. M. Geoffuoy Saint-Hilaire and Frederic Cuvi^r, have
given in their superb work, L'Histoire Naturelle des Mammifires^
Li-craison XII. a description and plate of a Dog, under the deno-
mination of Chien des Esquimaux de la Bate de Baj[p.n^ the mother
of which they inform us, was obtained through the kindness of
Dr, Leach. " Nous devous ces precieux animaux a M. le Docteur
Leach, qui, en ayant obtenu une femelle pleine, au retour de
I'expedition du Capitaine Ross, a bien voulu nous I'envoyer. Cette
femelle a mis bas trois petits, un male et deux femelles, qui suffi-
ront sans doute pour nous conserver une race dont I'intelligence
et la force, appliquees a nos besoins domestiques, pourront nous
reudre d'utiles services. Aucune de nos races de Chiens, qui se
rapporte a celle-ci, ne sont aussi belles et aussi fortes."

The figure is that of the young male whelped at Paris.

The learned authors of the Mammiferesj evidently consider this
animal as representing the genuine Esquimaux Dog ; but it ap-
pears from Captain Sabine's remarks in his Supplement to the
Appendix of Captain Parry's Voyage in 1819 — 20, that the pup-
pies which were born at Paris, were the spurious issue of a male
Newfoundland Dog and the female of the true Esquimaux race,
presented to the French naturalists by Dr. Leach. " By an
omission, doubtless of inadvertency, the keepers of the menagerie
■were not apprised that the female in question was with young by a
Newfoundland Dog belonging to an officer of the Isabella ; and it
has unfortunately happened, that the plate of the ' Chien des
Esquimaux de la Bale de Baffin,' as well as the minute measure-
ments and description in the letter-press, are taken, not from the
mother, but from one of the young, after it had attained its full
growth; and it is not therefore a representation of a genuine
Esquimaux Dog, as the authors designed." App. Mammalia^
Art 4. Ca7iis Lupus, p. 186.

Under these circumstances we have gladly embraced the op-

4

irt MUsi

Mr. Children on the Esquimaux Dog. 55

portunity afforded us by the kindness of Lieut. Elliot Morris, R.N.
of giving an accurate figure (Plate I.) of an unquestionably genu-
ine male Esquimaux Dog, brought from the Polar sea by Mr,
Richards, in Captain Parry's first Voyage, and by him presented
to his friend Mr. Morris, in whose possession the dog still remains.
The dimensions of Akshelli (so the Esquimaux had named this
animal) are as follows —

Length from the occiput to the insertion of the tail . 28 Inches,

from the occiput to the extremity of the nose 1 1

tail (about) 18

ears 3

from the eyes to the point of the nose ...... 4

Breadth between the ears 4|

Height from the ground to the top of the shoulder .... 24

The ears are erect and pointed, the tail very full, and thickly
covered with very long hair, and curled, towards the right hand
over the back. The legs are very stout. The hair on the body
and legs is rather long, very thick, soft, and somewhat woolly —
its colour above is nearly black — the forehead is black, with a
white streak down the centre, from the top of the head nearly to
the extremity of the nose — over each eye is a white spot — the
lower part of the face, the chin, belly, legs, and feet are white.
The tail is blackish above, from its insertion to about five inches
from the tip, which with the whole of the under side is white.

Such are the colours and markings of the Dog before us, but
like those of most other domesticated animals, they are of course
very liable to considerable differences in different individuals.

Akshelli is good humoured, but rather impatient of restraint,
and seems particularly to dislike being examined about the head,
snapping at my hands somewhat angrily, on my applying the rule
to measure its length. He seldom barksj but if displeased utters
a low wolfish growl. He takes very little notice of strangers,
and is of no use whatever as a guard. He feeds on carrion, and
prefers raw flesh to such as has been cooked. The strength of
this dog is very great ; when taken from his kennel, he appears
extremely anxious to get at liberty, and when held back by his
chain and collar, exerts himself with great powerj increasing his

56 Mr. Westwood on Siagonium quadricorne^ 8fc,

efforts in proportion to the resistance that restrains him. A stout
Boy of fourteen, servant to Mr. Morris, was unable, when the dog
exerted his utmost strength, to hold him back ; the animal dragged
him forward several paces, in spite of all his efforts to prevent it.

J. G. C.

Art. IV. Observations upon Siagonium quadricorne of
Kirhi/^ and on other portions of the Brachelytra (Staphy-
linus, Lin.) By Mr. J. O. Westwood.

[To the Conductors of the Zoological Journal].

Gentlemen,
If the following observations on the above singular and (till
lately) extremely rare Insect, and on other Insects belonging to
the Linnean genus Staphylinus^ should be thought worthy of in-
sertion in the Zoological Journal, by permitting them to occupy
a place in its pages, you will oblige. Gentlemen,

Your most obedient Servant,

John O. Westwood.
Chelsea.

Order. Coleoptera. Xin. (See Note I.)

Tribe. Chilopodomorpha, MacLeay.

Stirps. Brachelytra. Latr.

Family. Omalid^ MacLeay, Ann. Jav. Jpplatis Latr.

Genus. Oxytelus. Grav.

Sub Genus. Siagonium. Kirby. Prognathe * Lat. Fam. Nat.

Species. Quadricorne. D".

In the course of the last autumn, I had the good fortune to cap-
ture this insect in large quantities, under the bark of felled and de-

* There is a sufficient difference between the names Siagonium and Siagona
(a genus of Carabidse), without incumbering our Nomenclature with another
generic name for these insects.

Larva of Siagonium quadricorne. 57

caying trees in Kensington Gardens ; but by far the greater portion
of them were females, their number exceeding that of the males, in
the proportion of, at least, five to one. These last, although differing
much in size, were, (contrary to the rule commonly observable in
injects) all larger than the females ; this however is well ascer-
tained to be usually the case with the generality of insects whose
males have the head or other parts of the body, furnished with
horns — but amongst the specimens of that sex there were very
few in which the horns of the head were fully developed ; but
where this was the case, these perfect specimens (if I may be
allowed to apply thjs term to insects already in their perfect
state), were much larger than the others — (See Note 2.)

The colour of the thorax and elytra of the females varied from
bright chesnut almost to blaek.

On loosening a portion of the decayed bark, it is surprising to
pbserve the facility and quickness with which these minute crea-
tures again shroud themselves under that which remains, but
which still firmly adheres to the trunk, and this is rendered still
more curious when the slowness of the insect's motions is atten-
tively observed ; it is however easily accounted for, when we no-
tice the extreme flatness of the body and the strength of the legs.

I have been informed by several gentlemen who took them in
Kensington Gardens in the course of last year, that (like many of
the Staphylinidce) they may be found throughout the season.
H. Griesbach, Esq. also informs us, that he found them in profu-
sion in similar situations in Windsor Park, during the summer,
and I believe Mr. Denny took them in JNorfolk about the same
time. I have also since met with them in Lord Spencer's Park,
near Wimbledon, Surrey.

It may not be unworthy to remark, that wherever I have dis-
covered the perfect insects I have also found a quantity of small
larvae, and which I have little doubt are the young of the SiagO'
niumy in which opinion I am confirmed by a remark of Latreille
(Regne An. iii. 218), who says, " Ces larves se nourissent des
memes matieres que I'insecte dans son dernier etat." They do
not, however, exactly agree with the characters of the Staphylini-
dous larva, as described by this author in the work quoted, and

58 Mr. Westwood on Siagonium quadricorne, SfC.

therefore I do not hesitate from the attention at length bestowed
on the larvae of Coleoptera, to subjoin a description of one of
them.

Siagonium quadricorne, (Plate II.) Fig. 1. A. Larva aucta.

Larva elongata, depressa * albo fuscescens, Corpore segmentis
duodecim, transversis, sub-pilosis ; mediis latioribus ; ultimoque
in medio in tubum depressum producto, et processubus + duobus
lateralibus, tubo caudali longioribus, biarticulatis, instructo ; arti-
culo primo longissimo, tenuique ; articuloque secundo minuto,
brevissimo ; (Fig. 1. B). —

Caput horizontale. Antennce triarticulatae ? Articulo 1™° crasso,
cylindrico ', S""*" maximo, securiformi, setis duabus latere interior!
instructo ; 3° que minuto, clavato — (Nota. Si articulus alius, bre-
vissimus est et basalis.) Pedes breves, Tarsis exarticulatis un-
guifprmibus. — (Fig. 1. C. pes anterior.)^-

Habitat sub cortice arborum emortuarum.

This description of the Larva of Siagonium may serve as the type
of MacLeay's family Omalidce ; and in order to show the differ-
ences existing between the Larvae of this and another of his
families, I here subjoin a description of one which I had con-
ceived to be the young of Goerius olens^ but which Mr. Kirby
recognized as belonging rather to Philonthus politus^ or one of its
affinities, and which will serve as the type of the larvae of the
family Staphylinidce^ as restricted by Mr. MacLeay in the Annu-
losa Javanica.

Philonthus politus f Larva aucta. (Fig. 2. A.)
Larva elongata postice attenuata, capite truncoque nigris, abdo-
mine griseo nigroque vario, antennis pedibusque pallidis.

* Latreille observes on the Brachelytra (Regne An. iii. 217) " Leurs larves
ressemblent beaucoup h. I'insecte parfait;" and Messrs Kirby and Spence
(Introd. iii. 109) have made a similar remark.

+ Latreille calls these "deux appendices coniques etvelus." In all the
Staphyliuidous larvae I have yet seen, they certainly cannot be said to be
" velus," a few hairs only being visible on their surface. For the use of these
anal processes consult the chapter on Larvae, ia the 3d Vol. of Kirby and
Spence's Introduction.

Zoutlwgif al JmKTMsil YvdJMMM.

Jfri/.2.

S C J)

Fi^.3.

^^•^

U

Fi^.5.

Jvff.a

T^.r.

\\

Kl

My.8.

■Fi^.a

jj ^

Larva of Philonthus polilus, 59

Caput magnum, porrectum, quadratum, depressum et in collum
brevisslmum postice contractum. — (E, portio capitis.)

MandibulcB elongatae, corneaB, forcipatae, et acutae.

Marillce submembranaceaj ; in scapum mobilem ? sedentes ; elon-
gatae tubiformesj apice in processum tenuiorem productasj (F. a.)
Palpi maxillares triarticulati, duobus primis clavatis, ultimo
ovato acuto minori. (F. b). Mentum minutum, quadratum, sub-
membranaceum (G. a). Labrum minutum membranaceum (G.b).
Palpi labiales raento longiores articulo 1""° longiori, et vix clavato
S"**" vel ultimo vix truncato (G. c.) Oculi quatuor ? minutis&imi,
in tuberculis duobus lateralibus ovatis, locati. (E. a.) Antennae
capitis longitudine, ad basin mandibularum insertae, 4 articulatae,
articulo l""" minuto T^° et 3' elongatis, clavatis ; 4'° tenuiori, bre-
viroique (D).

Corpus elongatum, sub-depressum, segmentis 12 transversis,
subpilosis, lateribus, deflexis ; Segmento 1"° majori, capite non
latius, margine anteriori rotundato. Segmenta 1% 2* & 3* coria-
cea sunt et micantia et imaginis truncnm exhibent. Segmenta
alia carnosa sunt. Ultimum vel caudale (B) tubum centralem,
deflexum (corpus sustentantem) exhibet ; longitudinis fere pro-
cessuum lateralium. Processus laterales ut in Siagonio, articulo
a**" minuto ; — Pedes ut in Siagonio, (C) — Tarsi articulo unico in
setis vel unguibus duabus, minutissimis desinente.

Habitat in Stercore, tempore vernali.

Gravenhorst (Coleopt. Micropt. Pref. Ixi) after stating the
difficulty of attending to the manners, &c. of these Larvae at
different periods of their life, observes that he has occasionally-
found the solitary black Larvae " Speciei cujusdam majoris Sta-
phylinorum (S. Olentis? S. similis?) in sylvis locis enebrosis
suffocatis, sub muscis arborum caesarum," and which from his des-
cription differs but slightly from that described above. The first
segment of the body he observes, '' thdraci insecti perfecti res-
pondebatj" and the 2d and 3rd " pectori insecti perfecti respon-
debant." He describes the last joint of the abdomen as being
" subpenultimum retractum anum emittebat cylindricum, longitu-
dine segmenti, co autem quadruplo angustiorem et supra spinis

60 Mr. Westwood on Siagonium quadricorne^ 8fc.

duabus segmento loiigioribus, tripartitis quoad formam cornua
cervina aequautibus armatum."

It is somewhat remarkable that DeGeer has figured no Staphj-
linidous larvae, nor am I aware of any author who has done so.

I also add a description and figure of a third Larva, which for
the reasons after mentioned, I had conceived to be that of Aleo-
chara fuscipes ; but the receipt of the following communication
from Mr. Kirby has considerably shaken such opinion — " I sus-
pect," he says, " that the Larva fig. 3, is not the Larva of any of
the Brachelytra — From its habitat it may belong to one of the
Niiidulidce^ which are very common in bones, (Comp. Introd. to
Eot. iii. 168) — My Larvae of that form are too large to belong to
an Aleochara^ and I find them in carcases, with Silphidce of the
larger kinds."

Larva Fig. 3. A. aucta.

E. Larva Philonthi politi, praecipue magnitudine differt et sta-
tura latiori subconvexa ; capite nutanti latiorique, corporis seg-
mentis latioribus. 1"' 2**' 3', marginibus lateralibus rotundatis.
Segmenta alia in spinam lateralem, brevem ad marginem posterio-
rem producta. Tubus caudalis brevior, processus laterales lon-
giores, tenuioresque sunt (B) — C. Antenna aucta.

Habitat in ossibus siccis tempore oestivo.

I shall now state my reasons for having considered these last
as the Larvaj of Aleochar a fuscipes. They were Ist, from finding
them together with the Aleocharce^ and also the cast-ofF exuviae of
the pupae in the same dry rotten bone, the Larvas running about
as quickly as the perfect insects, and apparently of the full size,
and the exuviae partly sticking out of the different small crevices
in the bone, and not larger than the Larvae ; no other insect pre-
senting itself except a small Hister : and 2"*'^ from their perfectly
agreeing (except in their ovate form, and a few other minor
differences) with the general characters of the other Larvae above
described, and more particularly in the essential structure of the
the description of Latreille of the Larvae of the NitidulidcB^ in the
antennae and anal appendages, which latter entirely disagree with
Hist. Nat. &c. quoted below, and it is also confirmatory of my

Situation of Siagonium in the Brachelt/tra, 61

opinion that the species of Jleochara generally present a far more
dilated appearance than many other species of Brachelyira.

De Geer (v. iv. pi. 6. f. 11) has figured the Larva of Silpha
obscura, and which exactly agrees with Latreille's description of
the Larvae of that genus in the Hist. Nat. &c. and which he says
has twelve segnnients,and is "alonge, tres aplati," and also " termine
sur les cotes en angle aigu " — the anal appendages are described as
" deux petites appendices coniques " — and not as being jointed as
in my Larvae. DeGeer's figure exhibits the antenna? much lon-
ger than in the Larvae last above described by me, and it would
seem from the figure of the upper and under side of the anterior
segments of the body, that the head is entirely immerged in the
underside of the first segment of the trunk, and which will account
for Latreille calling it 12-jointed.

Latreille, in the work last referred to, describes the Larvae of
the genus Nitidula, as nearly resembling those of Silpha. Body
flat and long with twelve joints ; " termines lateralement en uti
angle assez aigu." The last joint, as in Silpha being " garni de
deux petites appendices coniques" — If however Mr. Kirby's
opinion should hereafter be confirmed, there can I think be no
greater proof of the connexion of the Necrophaga and the Brache-
li/ira than the strong affinity of these Larvae.

I ought not to omit to mention (since the resemblance existing
between the forms of Larvae and other groups of Annulosa has
become an interesting subject of investigation ; (consult K. & S.
Int. 3. 162) that the dilated appearance of the Larvae last above
described by me, bears a most striking analogical resemblance
to the shape of the body of Philoscia muscorum^ one of the Onis^
cidce.

The situation of the sub-genus Siagonium in an arrangement of
the BrachelytrUy will be between Bledius * and Zirophorus^ a

• I am indebted to my friend Mr. Stephens for a sight of a new species of
this interesting genus, lately taken on the Coast of Norfolk, by Mr. Skrim-
shire, and which may be thus characterized —

Bl. Siephensii. Fig. 4. A. B.

Magnitudo, statura et summa affinitas Bl. armati—Dl ffert praecipue, capite
masculo cornubus duobus, elongatis, lateralibus, acuminatis, erectis armato,
(B.B. Caput absque antennis), Thorace spinis tribus margine anteriori in-

62 Mr. Westwood on Siagonium quadricorne, Sfc,

genus established by Dallman, and described and figured in his
'' Analecta Entomological " and which differs chiefly in the posi-
tion of the horns of the head, which in that insect are both central,
and not, as in Siagonium^ lateral. (Leptocherius of Germar is
synonymous with this genus).

To the MacLeayian entomologist I should conceive that no
group can supply a fitter subject for study than the Brachelytra^
and for the following reasons : 1st, it is rarely that an exotic
insect of this group is seen in any of the cabinets.* Jurine has
observed on a somewhat similar occasion, '' Je ferai remarquer
ici qu'il est bien etonnant de ne pas trouver davantage de tenthre-
des exotiques, decrites dans I'ouvrage de M. Fabricius, lui qui a
visite un si grand nombre de collections ; Ou serait presque en
droit de demander a quoi tient cette rarete, si I'on ne connaissant
pas le peu d'empressement qu'on a eu jusqu' a present pour col-
lecter les Hymenopteres et les Dipteres."f — This however cannot
be said with regard to the Brachelytra^ for Mr. MacLeay, (Ann.
Jav.) tells us " That it is a singular circumstance that no insect of
the Stirps was collected by Dr. Horsfield. This at all events
proves the extreme rarity of such insects in Java. Of their ex-
istence in the Island I have however no doubt : when it is con-
sidered that the British species are so numerous, it appears very

structo; duabus lateralibus brevibus medioque elongate, acuminate, apice
piloso, et supra caput inter ejus cornua, erecta, procumbens (AA). Fagmina
multo minor et absque cornubus est. Fig. 4. C. Thorax Bl. armati.

Domino J. F. Stephens viro amicissimoj et in Insectis Brittaniae certe peri-
tissimo, hoc insectum singulare inscripsi.

De Jean, in his catalogue, has named a species from Dalmatia, Oxytelus
Taurus, but as there is no description annexed to the name, it is impossible
to be- certain of the identity of the species ; nor do I consider that vye are in
the slightest manner bound to notice any name given in print where no suffi-
cient description is added.

Note — Oxytelus fracticornis and its congeners, ought to form a distinct
Sub-genus. They are much nearer allied to Bledius than to Oxytelus.

* Out of the 434 Brachelytra mentioned in De Jean's catalogue, only 12 are
extra Europaean ; and Messrs. Kirby and Spence (vol. iv. p. 489) state, that
from the present catalogues, the metropolis of the Brachelytra appears to be in
Britain; Mr. Stephens possessing upwards of 600 British species.

+ Nouv. Meth. de classer les Hymen, p. 63.

Constitution of the family Omalidaz. 63

extraordinary that not one should have occurred in Java." And
even when an exotic species is found, it does not present so great
a difference of form from the European species as is observable in
most of the other groups. The second, and by far the more im-
portant reason, is the amazing variety of forms presented to us in
the known species, and which when properly investigated, would
doubtless be highly useful in pointing out the proper places of
other corresponding analogous groups ; as in the case referred to
by Mr. MacLeay, in the Annulosa Javanica, of the genus Oxypo-
rus possessing similar labial palpi with the genus Engis,

I have little doubt as to the family Omalidce being a perfectly
natural one, consisting of the different genera which Latreille has
placed in it, with the exception of Aleochara ; on which I shall
now offer a few remarks. I have before stated that I conceive
this genus not in its proper position, where Latreille (Cuv. Regne
An. 3. 223, and Latreille, Fam. Naturelles, 245) has placed it ;
namely, in his division Appldtis ; (Omalidce, MacLeay) and the
grounds of this opinion rest, not only on the very different exter-
nal appearance which these insects present, but more particu-
larly on the 4th joint of the maxillary palpi, (on which Latreille
has principally founded his four divisions) and wJiich does not
well agree as to size with the description of the same part in the
characters of his division Applatis. He says in his description of
the last, " les palpes maxillaires avec le quatrieme article dis-
tinct;" but describing the same part in the genu^ Aleochara, he
says, " le dernier article tres petit " — and in fact, by placing
this article at the end of the division, he appears to have been
aware of their connexion with the next. In his '' Gen. Crust. &
Ins." he has arranged the genera differently, and has placed those
of Tachinus, Tachyporus, and Aleochara together, at the end of
the Brachelytra, and which appears to me far more natural. I
shall only add, that long before I had seen either of the above
arrangements by Latreille, I had grouped these three genera to-
gether, and had styled them " Aleocharides,^^ and I observe that
Messrs. Kirby & Spence, have also made use of the term " Aleo'
charidw^^ to designate the same insects.

Placing then, the Akocharce with the Tachini & Tachypori^ I

64 Mr. Westwood on Siagonium quadricorne, Sec.

would divide the family Omatkice into two sections — the first com-
posed of the genera Omalium^ Froteinus^ Jfithopagus, Eloniurn^'^
&c. and the second comprising Oxytelus^ BlediuSj Evcesihetus^ &c,
and then the connexion between the genera appears strikingly
natural : Eloniiim^ combining in itself the external appearance of
an Oxytelus^ and the maxillary palpi oiOmalium (to which genus it
bears great affini(y,and of which, the type El. striatulum was a spe-
cies, both with Gravenhorst and Gyllenhall), joining the two sec-
tions at one point, where the insects of both sections are of an elon-
gate form, and the interesting genus Evcesthetus (in external ap-
pearance resembling the depressed Ojjiatia^ and more particularly
Om, refusum (which will form a new subg'enus) and which until
separated by Gravenhorst, was placed in the genus Oocyielus
and which De Jean has also placed between Oxyttlus and Oma~
Hum ;) serving to connect the two sections at the other point,

* Staphylinus striatiilus, Fab. (Om. rugosum, Gr. Gyll.) has been formed
into the genus Elonium by Dr. Leach— but I believe no characters have yet
been published of it.

Plate II Fig. 6 represents the Maxilla of this Insect.

Fig. 5 ditto of the genus Omalium.

(the type of which I consider to be Omal. rivulare)

Fig. 7 ditto of Oxytelus carinatus,

(Staph, rugosus Marsh.) which I consider as the
type of that genus.

Fig. 8 ditto of Siagonium quadricorne.

Fig. 9 ditto of Zirophorus fronticornis.

And it is not a little singular that tliese two last Insects, which, from their ap-
parent aflBnity with Oxytelus, we miglit infer would possess maxillary palpi
similar to those of that genus, present these organs nearly agreeing in form
with those which Omalium possesses. Indeed from my own observations on
the subject, I have little hesitation in saying, that the maxillary palpi alone do
not present characters sufficiently precise to enable us to found our divisions
upon them, and I am confirmed in my opinion by Mr. MacLeay's remarks,
both in his Horoe Ent. Part. 1. and also in his Annulosa Javanica, and more
particularly in his observations in the last mentioned work on Latreille's
Section of Carabidae " Subulipalpes" (Bembidium) which was established on
the same organ : and Mr. Kirby likewise in his Century of New Insects, (Lin.
Trans. Vol. 12), speaking of the comparative length of the maxillary and labial
palpi upon which the genus Megacephala is built, gives it as his opinion that
it merely indicated the section of a genus, rather than a Genus.

Groups of the Bracheli/tra. 65

and at which the insects of both groups are of a dilated form :
and thus to complete tlie circle.*

Whether the four remaining F&mWies^ xiz.Staphi/lmidceySienidce,
TachyporidcB^ and Pselaphidce^he perfectly natural ones, I am not
prepared to say ; they however certainly appear to me to be so,
and I shall here only endeavour to shew the points of connexion
between some of the groups.

Gyllenhall, (Ins. Suec. 2. 372) speaking of the genus PcederuSy
which belongs to the Stenidce^ (Longipalpesy Lat.) says " In
ipso apice articuli tertii palporum anticorum, interdum acumen
minutum observatur, quod forte praesentiam articuli quarti licet
retracti den/>tat ; quare hac in re, generi praecedenti (Lathrobium.)
nimis affines sunt Pwderi" — And Lathrobium is placed by La-
treiile in his Section Fissilabres (Staphylinidce^ MacL.) — As to
the PselaphidcE, Latreille, (Regne Anim. 3. 364) says, they have
" une grande affinite avec les Aleochares." —

The connexion between the Brachelijtra (the last and certainly
the most aberrant Stirps of the Chilopodomorphd) and the terres-
trial Adephaga (the first and normal Stirps of the same tribe)
evidently takes place, as Mr. MacLeay has observed, in the Ann.
Jav. at the genus Lesteva (Anthophagus, Gyll.) and I shall add
Gyllenhall's remark on this affinity : '' Generi Lebce quoad-
modo similes et affines sunt hujus Generis (Anthophagi) Species;
ideoque familiara praecedentem (Carabidce) cum praesenti (Brache-
li/tra) conjungunt" (Ins. Suec. 2. 191.)

I cannot quit the present subject without directing the atten-
tion of British Entomologists, to a circumstance connected with
the Bracheli/tra, which is mentioned in Dallman's work above re-
ferred to, and which has I believe never yet been noticed in any
English work (See Note 3). And as Dallman's work has not yet
found its way into every one's hands, I am sure I need not apolo-
logize for quoting the passage.

* In the genus Elonium no sternmata are visible, and the consequent affinity
to Oxytelus, which I regard as the type of the other section, is certainly very
obvious — while on the other hand Eveesthetus does possess sternmata, thus
clearly demonstrating its affinity to Omaliutn.

Vol. III. E

66 Mr. Westwood on Siagonium quadricorne, SfC.

De Ocellis Coleopteorum.

CI. Dom. Germar docet ocellos adesse in genere Omalii,
(Germar Mag. der Ent. 4. p. 410). Quod insolitum sane et inex-
spectatum in Coleopterorum Ordine — Staphylinos inde ego quoque
examinavi. In Speciebus Anthophagi generis, Ocelli duo facile
detengendi, versus medium capitis posterioris ad finem sulcorum,
qui inter Oculos siti sunt. Etsunt et in A. Caraboide et in A.
plagiato ; etsi de hoc generi negare videtur CI. Germar. In
Omaliisque siti sunt in eodem loco, quo in Anthophagis ; in Om.
tecto, aliisque vero pauUo posterius, in sulco capitis transverso.
Observavi in Om. assiraili, tecto, Ranunculi, rivulari, opthalmico,
caeso, pusillo, deplanato, Viburni, crenato ; in Speciebus obscuris
facilius, in pallidis difiicilius, detegendos. In Om. brachyptero
quoque adesse videntur etsi obsoletiores — Novem ideo oflferunt
Ciiaracterem, quo distinguuntur Catheretes et Omalium. Ob
affinitatem Oxyteli cum Omalio ocellos etiam in illo adesse suspi-
catus sum, sed frustra quaesivi.

De prima observatione ocellorum in Coleopteris, cum Cl. Ger-
maro mihi nullum est certamen ; dicere tamen licet jam olim
ocellos quosdam me observasse in Pauso bucephalo, eosque sate
accurate depinxisse in Appendice ad Schoenheri Syn. lus. 3.
Tab. 6. 2. c, etsi Cl. Gyllenhall speciem describens, non ocellos,
sed tubercula verticalia mamillata, dixerit.

NOTE 1.

Since the greater portion of the above paper was written, the 3d &
4th Vol. of Kirby's & Spence's Introduction to Entomology, have at
length been published. In the 4th Vol. p. 393, a plan of division of
an order is given on a much enlarged scale. Whether too many divi-
sions are not there introduced I do not pretend to say. I have not
adopted them here from my ignorance of the corresponding groups in
the Brachelytra.

NOTE 2.
It is not a little interesting to observe that these remarks concerning
the developeraent of the horns in some specimens (written long before
the publication of the two last volumes of Kirby & Spence) perfectly coin-
cide with the observations in Vol. iv. p. 166 of that work respecting ano-

Mr. G. B. Sowerby on Hinniles. €7

ther group {the Onthophagi) whose males are similarly cornuted. It will
however require much attention and investigation to prove that the^
"perfect" specimens are (as suggested in the work referred to) of an
intermediate sex, or a second sort of males, analogous to the Neuters
amongst the gregarious Hymenoptera. After a re-examination of up-
wards of 50 males, I have not been able to find intermediate specimens
between those with the short boms and the few with these organs much
enlarged. But may not this extraordinary developement be more ana-
logous to the occasional (but much rarer) acquisition of wings and
hemelytra in certain species of Heteropterous Hemiptera {Pyrrhocoris
apterus for instance) generally found without such indication of per-
fection ?

NOTE 3.
At page 506, Vol. iii of the same work, it is stated, *' that although
Omaliura planum and its affinities, O. striatulum (Elonium Leach)
and some others appear not to have Stemmata (Ocelli) yet with the aid
of a good magnifier they may be discovered in most species of that
genus, as likewise in Evaesthetus Grav." Also " that some species
of Anthophagi appear to want them." As it does not appear that the
authors have noticed Dallman's remarks on the subject, I have not
thought it necessary to cancel the extract.

Art. V. Observations on the Shells of an Acephalous
Molluscum of the Family of Pectinidae, for which the
Generic name of Hinnites has been proposed by M.
Defrance; together with the characters of several
Species, By G. B. Sowerby, F.L,S.^ S^'C.

The history of this genus, if genus it may be called, may be
summed up in a few words. Some years ago M. Defrance, ob-
serving among some fossils sent to him by M. Cortesi, some speci-
mens of an irregular bivalve, intermediate, as he considered it
between Spondylus and Ostrea^ Lam., but not strictly referable
to either, proposed for the two species in his possession the
generic name of Hinnites^ under which article he soon afterwards
published an account of them in the Diet, des Sciences Naturelles,
la a short time, so many specimens of this singular genus were to

E 2

68 Mr. G. B. Sowerby on HinnUes,

be seen in the possession of collectors, particularly in Paris, that
the naturalists of that metropolis had a fair opportunity of be-
coming acquainted with its characters. Not so, however, the
English collector, for the few specimens which found their way to
this country were confined to one or two collections and were
consequently scarcely known. The first notice that we find in
connection with the genus in this country, has been given very
lately in the Annals of Philosophy by Mr. Gray, who has de-
scribed a recent species from a specimen in the British Museum.
It cannot be considered as surprising that both M. Dcfrance, who
proposed the genus, and Mr. Gray, who thus added to the informa-
tion concerning it, should have mistaken its real relations, the
first, who as we have before stated, ranked it between the Spoil'
dylus and Ostrea^ having only some fossil valves ; and the latter
who places it in the Spondylidce^ having described only a worn
individual. It will be seen in the sequel of this communication
that it rightly belongs to the Pectinidce^ and that it is hardly
possible to separate it as a genus from Pecten^* but were it to be
established as a genus, it must be placed in the Pecti?iidceA

The examination of a number of specimens of three or four
decidedly congeneric species have conducted me to the results
which will be explained in the following observations. First, I
must inform naturalists that one of our commonest British shells,
a shell to which neither M, Defrance nor Mr. Gray has referred,
belongs to this genus, namely Pecten Pusio of some, P. distortus^
of others. The singular manner in which this shell, almost con-

* I am informed that Mr. Gray, immediately upon his return from Paris,
has stated that he is convinced that Pecten distortus is of the same genus with
Hinnites; as well as that the alteration from HinnUes to Hinnita is an error.

f I cannot doubt the fact of the Pectinidos being all naturally affixed by a
byssus, in the same manner as the Mytilidce; indeed I have seen so many
proofs that I consider it as perfectly settled. It is no more difficult to account
for the large number that we see, without their byssus, than it is to account
for the immense quantities of muscles we see on some shores, also without
their byssus. If indeed, it be asserted that we sometimes see the muscles
thrown on the shore with their byssus, and that we never see the Pectines with
theirs, we have only to suppose that the byssus of the Pectinidos is not so
strongly affixed to the animal as that of the muscle ; we know, moreover, that
it is much more slender.

Mr. G. B. Sowerby on Hinnites. 69

stantly, becomes pressed close to, and takes the shape of the subf
stances to which it adheres, and the extremely rare occurrence of
an opportunity of observing its byssus, may have given rise to the
idea of its being adherent by its outer surface to those substances;
whereas the contrary is really the case, as is proved by the very
young specimens which never have any appearance of adherent
outer surface. The same circumstance also occurs in the shells
called Hinnites by M. Defrance ; Mr. Gray's ignorance of it has
undoubtedly been the cause of leading him to describe them as
adherent by their outer surfaces and not by a byssus,* and con-
sequently to the incorrect situation in the system, which both
zoologists have assigned to them.

I shall therefore next propose the following as an amended
generic character, observing that it is only in the circumstance of
its being apparently adherent by its outer surface, and not by a
byssHS, that it diflfers from Pecten.

Fam. Pectinid^.
Gen. Hinnites. Defr.

Testa bivalvis, inaequivalvis, bysso adhaereus, valvis auritis, ra-
diatim striatis, umbonibus externe in areas subquadrangulares
productis, sinu byssi parvo : cardine edentulo ; cartilagine elas^
tica, oblonga, sulco utriusque valvae profundo imposita; ligamento
marginali, lineari ; rectiusculo.

Shell, bivalve, inequivalve, adhering by a byssus ; valves eared,
radiately striated ; umbones within produced into the form of a
rather quadrangular area, in the centre of which is the groove for
the elastic cartilage ; opening between the two valves, for the
byssus, small: hinge without teeth, elastic cartilage + oblong,
placed in a deep groove in each vaJve, and considerably pro*
minent within the cavity of the shell : ligament marginal, linear,

* Of the change in the name which Mr. Gray proposes, I only observe that
it appears to be quite unnecessary : Hinnites will serve quite as well to re-
present a genus of which only some of the species, as it will one of which all
the species are fossil.

+ I have here adopted the terms given to the two parts of what is commonly
<!alled " ligament" proposed by Mr. Gray. — Dr. Leach was I believe the first
who pointed out these two parts and explained their functions.

7*0 Mr. G. B. Sowerby on Ilinnites.

nearly straight. When young the shell is perfectly regular, but
it generally becomes irregular by moulding itself close to the sub-
stance to which it is fixed, as it increases in size.

I shall now proceed to give the characters of the five congeneric
species which are at present known.

1. HinnUes Coriesi/i^ Defr. Diet, des Sciences Nat. torn. 21
p. 169.

Testa crassiuscula, oblonga, valva inferiore conceutrice fim-
briata, valva superiore longitudinaliter radiato-muricata, spinis
breviusculis linguliformibus ; long. max. 5 poll.*

Shell not very thick, oblong ; lower valve covered with fringes
disposed in concentric circles ; upper valve covered with short
linguliform spines disposed in longitudinal rays, length (height,
according to Mr. Gray) 5 inches.

This shell in its young state is very smooth, and in a slight de-
gree radiately striated. It is only found in a fossil state, in the
vicinity of Piacenza.

2. Hinnites Dabuissoni. Defr. loc. cit. p. 170.

Testa oblonga, valva inferiore concentrice striata, valva supe-
riore longitudinaliter confertim radiata, radiis prope marginem
imbricatis ; long. max. 4 poll.

Shell oblong, lower valve covered with concentric circles,
which mark the numerous, period;* of its increase ; upper valve
with numerous longitudinal rays, which are imbricated near the
margins : length (height, according to Gray) 4 inches.

Found in a fossil state at St. Paul-trois-Chateaux and La
Chevroliere. The muscular impression in this and the last is
generally very distinct and large.

3. Hinnites glganteusA Hinnita gigantea. Gray, in Ann. of
Philos. Aug. 1826. Lima gigantea. Id. in loc. cit.

* I have given the characters of the three first as nearly as I could accord-
ing to Defrance and Gray; of the other two I have myself drawn up the
characters.

+ The term giganteus is not correctly applicable to this species, as it is the
smallest but one, of five here indicated. Since, however, it hsls been pub-
lished under this name, 1 do not consider myself at liberty to alter it.

Mr. G. B. Sowerby on Hinnites, 71

Testa oblonga, extus pallide brunnea, confertim radiato-sul-
cata; extus albaj margine cardinali purpurea ; long. 4. poll, Alt.
5 poll.

'' Shell oblong, rather thick, solid, outside pale brown, orna-
mented with numerous small rays; the left valve the most con-
vex ; the inside white, with the hinge margin fine dark purple,
the area left by the moving forward of the ligament is also purple,
and rather narrow, the groove for the elastic cartilage is very large
and distinct in each of the valves and quite open, it is extended
the whole length of the facet and considerably produced into the
cavity of the shell. The muscular impressions are large and the
submarginal is orbicular ovate with a considerable inflexion just
even with the anterior ear. The length is four inches and the
height from hinge to basal edge five inches." Gray in loc. cit.

4. Hinnites corallinus.

Testa valde irregulari, extus corallino-rubra, valva superiore
radiatim costellata, costellis muricato-subasperis ; intus pallide
subfusca, marginibus basalibus sordide purpureas ; long, et Alt.
subasqualibus.

Shell very irregular, outside of a fine coral red, upper valve
with small radiating ribs, here and there muricated ; inside pale
subfuscous, basal margins dull purple: muscular impression having
the appearance of a horny substance veined with the same as the
other parts of the inside, its lower edges variegated with pale dull
purple : inside composed of a distinctly facetted crystalline sub-
stance, with occasional black coriaceous spots near the edges.
Lower valve paler in colour than the upper ; very rough with the
irregularities of the sandstone rock on which it has been placed.

The only specimen I have seen is in the collection of the Rev.
Dr. Goodall ; it was brought to England lately, from the eastern
coast of Africa. Some Serpulw and a Balanus are attached to it.

5. Hinnites Pusio, Pecten Puaio, > |,

' distortus. J

Testa oblong^, tenui, confertim radiato-striata, striis scabris ;
auriculis inaequalibus, radiatim scabris ; valva inferiore subtus,

72 Mr. G. B. Sowerby on Hinnites,

praBsertim margine basali, plerumque irregulariter depress^,
polita.

Shell oblong, thin, closely striated, striae radiating, scabrous ;
ears unequal, with scabrous radiated strije ', outside of the lower
valve, particularly the basal margin, generally flattened and
smooth.

The regularity of this shell in its young state is remarkable,
particularly when contrasted with the irregular form it assumes as
it increases in age ; and it is such as to render it, when young, a
characteristic type of one of the divisions of the genus Pecten.

This is a common shell on the coast of Britain ; it differs in the
thinness of the shell and the distinctness of the ears from the other
species; it is the smallest of all, seldom exceeding two inches ia
height. The byssal groove is much more distinct than is usual in
the other species ; in one specimen, however, of the H. Cortesyi
which my brother possesses, this byssal groove is quite distinct.
For about half an inch in height this shell is generally quite
regular, afterwards it appears to be almost constantly pressed close
to the substance to which it is affixed by its byssus, and some-
times becomes fixed by the shell itself, by spreading the testa-
ceous matter close to the surface and in undercut hollows.

From the whole of the above I think it will appear that Mr.
Gray had at first, though in error, come nearer to the truth in
placing this genus among the Pectinidcey with Lima^ than after-
wards in associating it with Spondylus and Plicatula ; it certainly
is much more nearly related to Pecten than to either Spondylus
or Ostrea. It will also be observed that Defrance has partly
avoided an error into which Gray has stumbled, where he says of
the genus that is '' adherente^'^ whereas Gray says " adherent by
the apex of the right valve." Gray adds that it has " no byssal
groove," which is also incorrect.

Mr. Swainson's Memoir o/Lacepede. 73

Art. VI. Sketch of the Life and Character of the late
Count de Lacepede, By William Swain son, Esq^,
F.R.S., Sfc.

[To the Conductors of the Zoological Journal.]

Gentlemen,
It has been too justly observed, that the records of our Science
are remarkably deficient in the biography of those eminent natu-
ralists who are now no more, but whose works we are continually
in the habit of consulting. The lives of men who have trodden
the " sequestered vale" of Science, do not indeed furnish the
historian with those striking events, and splendid actions, which
belong to the Hero or to the Statesman ; but they frequently teach
us, that the wide circle of social duties maybe performed, and the
mental powers exercised for the public good, without interfering
with the philosophic speculations of the closet. The character of
the late Count de Lacepede seems to have exemplified this, most
fully. His name has been long and justly celebrated in every
country where Science has spread ; and his funeral was honoured
by three distinct orations, pronounced by M. le Comte Chaptal,
M. Dumeril, and M. Geoffroy de St. Hilaire. From these public
testimonials, the following short biographic sketch of this dis-
tinguished and amiable man, has been compiled. As no similar
notice, I believe, has yet appeared in our language, it may be in-
teresting to many of your readers.

I have the honour to be, &c. &c.

William Swainson.

M. le Corate de Lacepede (Bernard Germain Etienne) Mem-
ber of the Royal Academy of Sciences, and Keeper of the Cabinets
in the Garden of Plants, was born of a noble family, at Agen, la
1756. Naturally endowed with a passionate love of knowledge, he
devoted the early period of his life to the study of natural philoso-
phy, and the cultivation of music. On these subjects he published
two volumes; and he has likewise been supposed to be the author

74 Mr. Swainson's Memoir o/"Lacepede.

of two romances, and a volume of poetry.* At the age of twenty-
one years, he went to Paris, and soon formed an acquaintance with
BufFon. A congeniality of pursuits, strengthened by mutual re-
gard, laid the foundation for a friendship between these two great
men, which lasted during life. From this period, he became
enthusiastic in the love of Natural History. M. de BuiFon soon
appreciated the talents of his young friend, and free from those
envious feelings, which, unfortunately, are found too frequently
among the votaries of science, chose his most distinguished dis-
ciple as his friend, his coadjutor, and appointed him the continu-
ator of his works. In a few years he justified this choice by
publishing '• I'Histoire Generale des Cetacees, des Quadrupedes
ovipares et des Poissons." The elegance of the style of this work is
worthy of its model. On the death of his distinguished friend,
M. de Lacepede was chosen to succeed him, and the Garden of
Plants henceforward became his adopted heritage. The fame he
had now acquired, induced the Editors of the Histoire Naturelle,
at a subsequent period, to request that he would undertake a new
edition of the whole work, as a guarantee to the public for its
excellence and correctness. At an early period he had principally
directed his attention to Electricity, and to the Phaenomena of
Natural Philosophy in general; but it was the great and laborious
undertaking of continuing the Natural History of Buffon, that so
greatly influenced the advancement of Zoology in his own country.

It is in the department of Ichthyology that the labours of Lace-
pede have been most conspicuous ; he reformed and amended the
classification, and has given the characters and history of nume-
rous genera and species unknown to his predecessors, including
all those described in the manuscripts of the celebrated Philibert
Commerson.+

The researches of the Philosopher, however, did not interfere
with the more important duties of the Statesman. At the cora-

* Memoirs of Madame de Genlis. Tom. 11. page 228.

+ Whom M. Cuvier calls " Voyageur infatigdble et tres-savant naiuraliste."
After such an eulogium, it would reflect honour on the French Government, if
his Manuscripts and Drawings were published under their auspices, and not
suffered merely to remain deposited in the National Library.

Mr. Swainson's Memoir q/'Lacepede. 75

inencement of those troubles which terminated in great horrors,
M. de Lacep^de was called to the legislative assembly. Here his
temper and moderation were eminently conspicuous; he long
struggled to repress the first devolopements of those dreadful
principles of anarchy, which soon spread through his devoted
country, like a pestilential disease, corroding and destroying the
root of all moral and religious feeling ; but the voice of reason or
persuasion could no longer be heard or regarded in the popular
frenzy: he withdrew until the storm was spent; and until he
was again solicited to resume his duties at the Museum of Natural
History. Some years afterwards, the reputation he had acquired
again called him to the Senate, and subsequently he had the
honour of being chosen Grand Chancellor of the Legion of
Honour, and was created a Peer of France.

In his political life M. de Lacepede was distinguished for his
mildness, his moderation, and his love of justice. He laboured to
establish order, to lessen the severity of certain arbitrary laws,
and to render others more mild and supportable to the people;
and such was the influence of his well-regulated mind, and of his
reputation as a moral man, that his voice could moderate the
angry discussions of that tumultuous assembly of legislators, over
which he presided. He may be considered, as one of those very
few, who after having fulfilled important and public functions,
have not left an enemy to reproach their conduct, with a single act
of tyranny or injustice.

In Science as in politics, M. de Lacepede was remarkable for
a love of truth, and a spirit of order and arrangement, which per-
vaded all his habits. His works are characterized by purity
of style, and by the enlarged views and conceptions of the
philosopher.

His leisure hours were devoted to the elegant amusements of
the accomplished man. His love of music led him to acquire a
knowledge of its principles, and his compositions, which have been
previously attended to, in this and in other arts, shew the taste and
cultivation of a mind naturally sensitive and alive to beauty. In
private life he was affable, mild in his prejudices; and united great
delicacy of feeling with a noble and exalted mind. It has been

76 Rev, R. T. Lowe vn Balanus punctatus, S^c.

said that one of the most striking points in the character of M.
de Lacepede, was a beihevolence which delighted to exercise itself
for the happiness of others, — to relieve misfortune, and to mitigate
suffering. In the midst of his honours, he preserved the early
simplicity of his manners, and to his total forgetfulness of selfy
may perhaps be attributed the fatal termination of that disease —
the small pox — under which, at an advanced age, he expired, on
like 8th of October 1825. His funeral took place at Epinay, and
was attended by men eminent and illustrious in every branch of
the Administration, who had sought and cultivated his friendship ;
while crowds of villagers followed their benefactor with sorrow
to the grave. No less than three orations were pronounced over
his tomb, and from the closing passage of that by M. Dumeril,
we shall conclude this imperfect sketch : —

'' Profond observateur, ecrivain gracieux et brillant, savant na-
turaliste, professeur eloquent, academicien celebre, genereux ami,
homme excellent ; il faut done repeter ici Jans notre affliction, cet
Adieu touchant avec lequel vous nous quittiez si amicaleraent,
lorsque vous nous tendiez une main defaillante, et que le sourire
gracieux, accoutume a obeir k votre ame aimante, cherchait en
vain a se placer encore sur nos levres inanimees ! Adieu ! Adieu !
vous vivez dans nos coeurs."

Aut. VII. On Balanus punctatus, Puncturella Flemingii,
<Sc.y together with some corrections relative to Turbo
carneus, and some of the Chitones before described.
By the Rev, R. T. Lowe.

Much difficulty has always prevailed in defining, within proper
limits, the species Balanus punctatus oi Montagu. Mr. Clark of
Bath, has with the greatness acuteness succeeded, after much
attention, in discovering the true character. This consists in the
anterior valve of the shell being always provided with two con-
necting shoulders ; whereas in every other English species ex-

Genus Puncturella, 77

amined, the anterior lateral valves are furnished with the shoulder,
one on each ; while the anterior valve itself is unprovided and
simple. In other words, in B. punctatus, both the anterior and
posterior valves are furnished each with two connecting shoulders;
in all the other British species, the posterior valve onii/ is fur-
nished with two; the lateral valves with one each; and the an-
terior valve is without any.

This character has been proved constant by the examination
and dissection of a great number of specimens, from very different
localities. The punctured appearance, and the locking together of
the valves of the operculum, have been found very inconstant ; but
the character here mentioned is invariable; and from its sim-
plicity and obviousness, entitles its discoverer to the highest
praise.

Patella apertura of Montagu has been ascertained beyond a
doubt, by my friends Mr. Clark and Mr. M. J. Berkeley, to be
nothing more than the young of Fissm^ella grceca. As the shell
advances in growth, the spiral vertex becomes gradually more
eroded, and finally quite disappears. Some specimens of this
shell in the young state, have been named by Dr. Leach in the
British Museum, Cemoria Montagui. They are there placed as
a second species, with another shell communicated by Dr. Flem-
ing, which is named Cemoria Flemingii. This last, though a very
imperfect specimen, I have little doubt is identical with a shell
found by myself in 1824, at Oban in Argyllshire; and which
appears not to differ in any respect from Patella noachina of
Linnaeus, and Chemn. 1. 197. f. 1927, 1928; and Patella Jissurella
of Mull. Zool. Dan. t. 24. f. 4—6.

Since the name Cemoria has not, as far as I am aware, been yet
published as attached to this shell, which appears to me the type
of a distinct group of the Calyptraciana^ I propose to substitute
for it the name of Puncturella, which is somewhat more expres-
sive of the peculiar character. In our present ignorance of the
animal, this is meant to be proposed as a distinct genus merely
provisionallij. All my specimens, unfortunately, were found v/ith-
out the animal.

78 Rev* R. T. Lowe on Balanus punctatus, S^c.

PUNCTURELLA.

Char. Gen. Testa patellar is ^ vertice iniorto, vel spirally canali
deorsum ampliore ah apice decurrente^ in perforatione de-
sinente. Perforatio ohliqua ; intus fornicata^ ant quasi
punctura lamina fornicata instruct a.^

A second true species of this group, which was formerly in the
collection of Mr. G. Humphrey, and is marked " from the Falk-
land Islands," has been most kindly presented to me by Mr. G;
B. Sowerby. A third, he informs me, is in his brother's possession.
Most probably Fissurella gibberula of Lamarck belongs also here.
It need scarcely be added that the shell marked Cemoria Mon-
tagui in the British Museum, wants all the characteristic marks
of the genus but the more general appearance, and has no trace
of the canal nor of the peculiar internal structure of the true
Puncturellce,

In corroboration of Mr. Gray's idea that many of the minute
Cephalopoda of Lamarck, are more nearly related to the Annelida^
I am able to state that Nautilus crispus + of authors is certainly
not an internal, but an attached shell. At Appin in Argyllshire,
it is to be found, in the greatest abundance, attached io growing
plants of Delesseria alata^ and other marine hydrophytes. When
the animal was placed alive und^r the microscope, a few fine
radiating filaments appeared to proceed from the shell ; but no-
thing further of the nature of the animal could be ascertained.
More favourable opportunities, combined with patient investiga-
tion, may, it is to be hoped, be attended with better success.

Mr. Clark informs me, he has frequently procured Serpula
lobata of Mont, alive, and that it is decidedly not an internal
shell. Specimens in his cabinet, ground down, still exhibit the
remains of the animal within the compartments of the shell.

* Perhaps it would be better to say with Fabricius, " intus in canalem brevem
fornicatam producta.^'

+ The shell when perfect is furnished with short points, set at regular inter-
vals round the circumference, like the pricks on the rowel of a spur. These I
suspect have something to do with the mode of the shell's attachment. They
are very easily obliterated.

Terebratula costata. — Turbo carneus, 79

Serpula concamerata, Mont, is also attached to Delesseria
alata from Appin. The fact of the two latter shells being attached,
has however been long noticed.

Terebratula costata^ Zool. Journ. ii. p. 105. t. 5. f. 8, 9, 96,
may possibly be T. aurita of Fleming's Phil, of Zool. ii. p. 493.
t. 4. f. 5. ; though it must be confessed that a comparison of its
characters with the description of that shell in the work referred
to, previous to the publication of T. costata^ did not appear to
warrant such an idea. It is much to be regretted that this circum-
stance was not stated at the time, and the reasons for considering
it distinct. At the present moment 1 have not the book to refer
to ; but Dr. Fleming's opinion is certainly of the greatest weight.

I place full reliance on Mr. Gray's accuracy with regard io
Turbo carneus^ Zool. Journ. ii. p. 107. t. 5. f. 12, 13, 136., whose
identity with Margarita striata. Leach, in App. to Ross's Voyage,
seems not to be questioned. In this case also, I have unfortunately
not been able to verify the fact by a reference to the book itself;
but no doubt remains of the truth of Mr. Gray's remark.

In answer to his query, why is this shell placed in the genus
Turbo of Lamarck, rather than in Tr.ochus^ it should be recol-
lected, that the round horny operculum is not made by Lamarck
the characteristic of either genus; and therefore the presence of
one in T. carneus does not forbid its being referred to the former,
which, moreover, contains many species having undoubtedly a horny
one. Besides, Lamarck's generic character of Trochus, " aperture
depressed transversely, and shell conical," by no means answers
to this shell. No "removal" has certainly been made by me
" of the other species ; " as it had been described by other authors
long before, under the name of Turbo Margarita. It is also evi-
dent, that, though in referring T. carneus to Turbo (merely how-
ever provisionally, and on account of its near affinity with T. Mar^
garita of Mont.), a synonym may have been added eventually to
the nomenclature in respect to this species, — had it been referred
to TrochuSy the same must have happened in respect to the other,
T. Margarita; since this surely belongs to the same genus as
T. carneus, whatever that may ultimately prove. The less evil
was therefore chosen, in referring to Turbo what was considered
a new species, rather than removing from tliat genus an old-

80 Rev, R. T. Lowe on Balanus punctatus^ S^c.

established one. I however quite agree with Mr. Gray in con-
sidering 7'. carneus a Trochus^ as that genus is now considered;
on account solely of its operculum: it was merely, I repeat, re-
ferred to Turbo of Lamarck /)roumow«%, in conformity with his
arrangement; and with a view not to add to the synonyms of
Turbo Margarita of Mont, by a change of its genus.*

I take the present occasion to notice some more important
errors in the synonyms of the Chitones* C. cinereus, Zool. Journ.
vol. ii. p. 99. is undoubtedly C. marginatus of Montagu, Turton,
and most British authors ; though there is no reason still to doubt
its being the true C. cinereus of Linnaeus, Born, and the older
writers; to whom I am well pleased to add the name and authority
of Poli. C. Asellus Zool. Journ. ii. p. 101, on the other hand,
proves to be the C. cinereus of Montagu, Turton, and some others;
but cannot be identified with C. cinereus of the three above
named authors.

By ihe kindness of Mr. Children, I have been able clearly to
identify C aselloides, Zool. Journ. ii. p. 103, with C albus of
Montagu : how far the synonyms of other authors may be brought
together for C. albus^ it is very difficult to say. I have frequently
seen small specimens of C. Jsellus of Zool. Journ. in collections,
under this name, which has probably been given, indiscriminately,
to small paler coloured and white specimens of both the species.
A card in the British Museum, marked " C. albus^ Mus. M."
amongst the remains of Montagu's Collection, sufficiently autho-
rises his synonym. For the rest, the synonyms of Linn., Gmel.,
and Turton appear safe.

In the present state of things, it will be most advisable to
retain the names of former British writers, for these three species.
It is very desirable, at any rate, to get rid of the barbarous one,
aselloides. At some future opportunity I shall endeavour fully
to clear up the whole of the synonyms, particularly those of
Chemnitz. R. T. L.

* The aperture is represented too angular in the figure in the Zool. Journ. ;
particularly in the magnified fig. 13 ft., at its lower part. The aperture is very
slightly, if at all angular at the top, though the lips are disunited ; and almost
imperceptibly at the lower part, though a little more so in one specimen only,
and that the distorted? one mentioned.

10

Zoological JoTDunmall Toll.III]r.t Unro

Mr. Broderip on some new and rare Shells. 81

Art. VIII. Description of some new and rare Shells, By
W. J. Broderip, Esq, Sec, G.S,, RL,, <^ U.S.

VoLUtA DUBiA. — Fig'like Volute,

V. test^ fusiformi, longitudinaliter sub-cosiata, transversim
striata, flavicante, maculis fulvis, sub-quadratis, interruptis raulti-
fasciata ; splra brevi, apice rudi, acuto-papillari ; columella levis-
sime biplicata, basi integra. Long. 2 \ unc.

Mus. Princip. Massenas.

Habitat ?

Icon. Tab. 3. fig. 1.

Shell fusiform, slightly ribbed, longitudinally and transversely
striated, yellowish, with many bands of interrupted, somewhat
square, fulvous spots ; spire short, apex rude, with the papilla
terminating almost acutely ; the pillar very slightly marked with
two plaits, and the base entire. Length 2 | inches.

This shell is one of those forms which convince us of the
vanity of our artificial distinctions. When viewed from above it
seems as if the spire of a Valuta were placed on the body-whorl
of one of those Pyrulce^ which are commonly known by the
name of Figs, Turn it, and the difficulty of classing the shell is
rather increased ; for the aperture is still Fig-like, and it requires
an accurate examination to detect the two almost imperceptible
plaits on the columella. The apex indeed, uncouth as it is, shews
more like that of a Valuta than of any other shell, and it is
utterly diiferent from that of a Pt/rula, Place it among the
Volutes, and it will be found to approach nearest to V, rupestris:
though one cannot but suspect that there are yet in the bosom of
the deep many gradations of form between them. It is evidently
a marine shell, and its locality does not appear to be known.
There is, I believe, one specimen in the cabinet of Prince
Massena. For the second known specimen, from which this
figure and description were taken, I am indebted to M. RousselL
The shell is evidently faded.

Vol. III. ,

82 Mr. Broderip on some new and rare Shells,

VoLUTA MULTi-cosTATA. — Many-Ttbbed Volute,''^

V. testa ovato-fusiformi, longitudinaliter multi-costat^, flaves-
cente, maculis nigricantibus, et lineolis nigro-spadiccis, frequenli-
bus, transversis ornata ; spira mediocri, apice acuto-papillari ;
columella multiplicata, plicis ultimis maximis ; basi corrugata,
emarginata. Long. 1 \ unc.

Mus. nost.

Habitat ?

Icon. Tab. 3. fig. 1.

Shell ovately fusiform, with many longitudinal ribs, yellowish,
with numerous blackish irregular spots and transverse brownish
chesnut lineations ; body-whorl corrugated at the base, which is
emarginate ; spire moderate, apex acutely papillary ; pillar many
plaited, the three last plaits being the largest. Length 1 J inch.

This pretty and interesting shell, of which I have seen no
other specimen, appears to form one of the beautiful gradations
from those Volutes, which are popularly called Musics^ to those
which it is my intention to designate by the term Mitriform^ from
their very near approach to the Mitres. In V. multi-costata^ the
upper plaits of the pillar are no longer strongly developed, the
spire is beginning to lengthen, and the apex is become almost
that of a mitre. Its locality is unknown.

♦ Some parts of Lamarck's description of V. mitreeformis will apply to this
shell: others will not. Neither in the Monograph in the " Annales du
Museum," nor in the " Animaux sans Vert^bres," is there a reference to any
figure. The words " ornees de lineoles rousses transverses et de taches rouge~hr\m
sur un fond blanchatre," and *' lineoles rougeatres," do not convey the idea of
the almost black colouring of our shell, while they are not inapplicable to a
small specimen of V. costata (Swainson, Journ. of Science, vol. xvii. p. 33.)
Lamarck de>cribes his shell from a specimen in his own museum. Should our
shell prove to be his mitraformis, (and I am not at all sure it is not,) the name
above given to it must be cancelled. The back of the shell is very dark.

W. J. B.

Mr. Broderip on some new and rare Shells. S3

VoLUTA LYRiFORMis. — Horp Voliite.
(MiTRA LYRIFORMIS. Swainson.)

V. test^ valde fusiformi, longitudinaliter multi-costat^, costi^'^
interstitiisque longitudinaliter striatis, carnea, ultimo anfracta
trifasciato, fasciis subcaeruleis, maculis spadiceis interruptis super-
positis, anfractibus caeteris eodem modo suturas versus bifasciatis;
costis lineatis, lineolis rubro-spadiceis, transversis ; spir^ vald^
producta, sub-attenuata, apice acuto-papillari ; columella multi-
plicata, plicis ultimis maximis ; basi corrugata, emarginalS,. Long.
3 i unc.

Mus. nost.

Habitat ?

Icon. Swainson, Zool. lUust. tab. 54. Tab. nost. 3. fig. 3.

Shell Tery fusiform, with many longitudinal ribs, which together
with the interstices are striated longitudinally, flesh-coloured,
the body whorl (which is corrugated at the emarginate base,)
with three bluish bands ornamented with interrupted dark chesnut
spots; the other whorls with two similar bands placed near the
sutures ; the ribs marked with regular transTcrse lines of a reddish
chesnut; spire very much produced and rather attenuated, the
apex acutely papillary ; pillar with many plaits, the two last
being much the largest.

The nearest approach to the Mitres is, perhaps, to be found in
this rare shell figured by my friend, Mr. Swainson, in his Zoo-
logical Illustrations, under the name of Mitra lyrceformis. In-
deed he says, and there is no one more competent to speak on the
subject, " It connects in the most beautiful manner the two genera
of Mitra and Voluta."*^ I should be diffident of describing this
shell, after one so eminently qualified to enlighten every subject
of Natural History which he approaches, were it not that the
specimen from which he took his description, must have been
originally poor and had certainly suffered subsequently from an
'' unmerciful cleaning ; " so that he had not a fair opportunity of
describing its characters. He has published this shell as a Mitra.
The last plaits of the pillar, which are the largest, point out the

r 2

i4 Mr. Broderip on some new and rare Shells,

shell to be a Voluta, He has observed this to me, and as I
believe that the observation has not been publicly made by him,
I wish it io be understood that the correction is not mine but his
own. I owe the possession of the very fine specimen, from which
the accompanying figure and present description are taken, to
Captain Marryat, R.N., who brought it to (his country : nor do I
know of any other, save that from which Mr, Swainson designed
his plate. The locality of the shell does not appear to be ac-
curately known.

CypRiEA NivosA. — Snow-Jlecked Cowry.

C. test^ ovata, sub-ventricosa, fusca, guttis punctisque albis
adspers^, subtus subalbida ; line^ dorsali ad latus dextrum ap-
proximante pallida, undulata.

Mus. nost.

Habitat ?

Icon. Tab. 4. fig. 1.

Shell oval, rather ventricose, above brownish, flecked and
dotted with white, pearl-coloured below; the dorsal line pale,
undulated and approaching to the right side.

A shell at first sight bearing some resemblance to C. Vitellus^
but which on a nearer inspection, will be found io differ materially
from it, both in form and colouring. C. nivosa is less ventricose
than C. Vitellus^ and its dorsal line, which approaches the right
side, reminds the observer of C. Mappa, though it is not so much
branched. I am indebted to the liberality of Captain Marryat,
R.N., for the addition of this shell to my cabinet. Its locality
does not appear to be known.

CypRiEA RuaosA.

C. test^ ovato-globosS, ; dorso gibbo ; ventre, labio, margini-
busque valde rugosis.

Habitat ? fossilis.

Icon. Tab. 4. fig. 2.

Shell ovately-globbse, gibbous ; the ventral disc, lip and mar-
gins very deeply wrinkled.

^©(ologibcffll JmxjcneH T©1. HH. t 3T.

Mr. Yarrell on the occurence of some rare British Birus. 85

This fossil, which Mr. G. B. Sowerby, (who was struck with
its general resemblance to my specimen of C. guttata,) was kind
enough to send to me, was found in the Superga, near Turin? *
It appears to have suffered from pressure and fracture, which may
have added to tiie gibbosity of the back ; but still, though the
likeness is great, it does not appear to me to be identical with
C. guttata. The ventral disc of the latter, though corrugated as
strongly as that of C. rugosa at the extremities, is comparatively
smooth in the middle, and there the rugosities scarcely appear,
excepting towards the mouth of the shell, where they again be-
come strongly marked. The rugosities of the ventral disc of
C, rugosa furrow the whole of that disc, and are rather strongest
in the middle of it. With this exception, the rugce on the disc,
lip and margins of both shells offer the strongest similarity. The
fossil appears much more gibbous than the recent shell above-
mentioned.

Art. IX. On the occurrence of some rare British Birds,
jBy William Yarrell, E»q, F,L,S,

[To the Conductors of the Zoological Journal.]
Gentlemen,
Your liberal insertion of my former notice of the occurrence of
some rare British Birds, has induced me to forward you the follow-
ing particulars on the same subject, which I have been enabled to
collect within the last four months.

Parus biarmicus, Linn. Two nests and the eggs of the
Bearded Tit were this year forwarded to London. They were

* I judge this to be the fact, from having observed it to be filled with the
grains which so eminently characterize the fossils of that locality. The only
specimen I have seen I found among some fossils in the Collection of Mr. G.
Humphrey. The best account of this mountain and its formations is to be
found in Brongniart's Mem. sur les Terrains de sediment superieurs calcareo-
trappcens du Vicrntin. p. 27. He has not, however, noticed this species.

G.B.S.

86 Mr. Yarrell on the occurrence of some rare British Birds,

found in the parish of Horsey, about twelve miles from Yarmouth,
in Norfolk. The nest is placed near the ground, being sustained
only an inch or two above the surface by the strength of the stems
of the coarse grass upon which it is fixed : it is composed entirely
of dried bents, the finer ones forming the lining, and others in-
creasing in substance make up the exterior. The eggs were four
in number in each nest, rather smaller than those of Parus
rnajor^ and less pointed ; white, and sparingly marked with pale
red irregular lines or scratches. Having obtained nests and eggs,
the collector was requested to procure some young birds if possi-
ble, and in a few weeks, three, apparently belonging to the same
brood, w ere sent up.

Emberiza cirlus^ Linn. The Cirl Bunting was this year seen
in several instances near Brading, in the Isle of Wight. Two
nests with eggs were found, and a third containing young birds.
The old ones were observed to feed constantly on the berries of
the Woody Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)^ and a paste made
of this berry, wheat flour, and fine gravel, proved excellent food
for the young birds, which were reared without difficulty, and
are now in high health. Several old and young birds of both
sexes were also obtained by shooting.

Fringilla Cocothraustes^ Temra. Loxia Cocothraustes^ Linn.
The Hawfinch. A pair of these birds bred this summer near
Windsor. The nest was not found, but the visits of the young
birds to a garden excited attention, and part of the brood was
obtained.

Charadrius Cantianus, Lath. The Kentish Plover. Two
specimens of this very rare species have been shot on the coast of
Norfolk, both young birds of the year. The original description
of this British bird will be found in the second supplementary
volume of Dr. Latham's Synopsis, page 316.

Montague considered this bird only a variety of the Ring
Plover (Ch. hiaticuld). Having now a young one of each
species before me, killed about the same time, and previous to
the first moult of either, I shall briefly point out those difieren-

Charudrius Cantianus^ and Charadrius hiaticula, 87

ces, which on comparison induce a belief that they are perfectly
distinct.

The whole length of the Kentish Plover, from the point of the
beak to the end of the tail, is five inches and three quarters, the
whole length of the Ring Plover not quite seven inches, neither
having as yet attained their relative full size. The beak of the
first named is wholly black, that of the second has the point
black, the base dark orange. The white of the forehead in the
Kentish Plover extends over the eye on both sides, forming a
conspicuous brow; the same colour in the Ring Plover barely
reaches to the eye. The white collar of the neck in the Kentish
Plover, extends from the front only a little beyond the ears on
each side, and hence the name given to this bird by M. Temminck
of Pluvier a collier interrompu. The collar of the Ring Plover
is continued all round the neck, having a breadth of a quarter of
an inch at its narrowest part. The length of the wing in the
Kentish Plover, measuring from the point of the shoulder to the
extreme end of the first quill-feather, which is the longest, is four
inches and one-eighth ; the same part in the Ring Plover is four
inches and seven-eighths. The Kentish Plover has two outer tail
feathers on each side wholly white, the Ring Plover but one.
The tarsus of the Kentish Plover is rather longer and stouter,
but all the toes are one-eighth of an inch shorter than in the Ring
Plover, The legs in the Kentish Plover are black, those of the
Ring Plover orange.

The young Kentish Plover before the moult, has no black about
the head, the forehead and brows white, front of the neck the
same, the patch on each side of the chest light brown, top of the
head, and all the upper parts light ash brown, under parts en-
tirely white. M. Temminck in the second edition of his Manual,
describes this bird as common in England ; he probably refers to
the Ring Plover, about which no such notice is taken, though
abundant all round our coast. The two specimens of the Kentish
Plover here mentioned are the only recent ones I ever had an
opportunity of examining.

€8 Mr. Yarrell on the occurrence of some rare British Birds

Ardea minuta^ Linn. A young specimen of the Little Bittern
was shot during the summer on the banks of the Thames near
Windsor: it was believed to have been bred there from the situ-
ation being favourable, and the circumstance of a second bird in
the same state of plumage being seen about the same spot for
several days at that time.

Plaialea Leucorodia, Linn. Two specimens of the Spoonbill
have been received in London, both of which were shot in
Lincolnshire.

Scolopax Major.) Linn. The Great Snipe has also occurred
three times during the autumn ; two were shot in Lincolnshire,
and the third in Huntingdonshire.

Tringa pusilla and minufa. These two diminutive Sandpipers,
the smallest of the genus, appear to have been constantly con-
founded together. Montague has described both, and was aware
of the difference, but without venturing to separate them as dis-
tinct. Of six specimens lately received in London, two, from the
vicinity of Chichester, belong to the species first named, and four
to the latter. The Pusilla is rather smaller than the Minuta^ and
may be distinguished by the olive-brown colour of the legs, and
the short tarsus eleven-sixteenths of an inch in length. The legs
of the Minuta are black, and measure seven -eighths of an
inch. There is also a marked difference in the habits. The Pusilla
resembles the Common Sandpiper (T. Hypoleucos)^ frequenting
freshwater streams and ponds a few miles inland. The Minuta
prefers the sandy shores of the coast, and when found is generally
in company with the Purre.

I am, Gentlemen, yours, &c.

William Yaruell.
Ryder Street, October, 1826.

Note. — The Tringa pusilla has also been named T. Temminckii by Leisler.
The description of the Tringa pusilla of Linnaeus, does not, according to M.
Temminck, refer to either of tli« two European species.

M. Buonaparte on Procellaria oceanica, 89

Art. X. Supplement fo " an Account of four Species
of Stormi/ Petrel;''' (Thalassidroma, Vigors\), By
C. L. Buonaparte, Prince of Musignano^ <^c. 8^c.

In the above named paper I only established three of the
species, and merely indicated the fourth on Temmitick's authority :
the existence of the latter, as distinct from my P. Witsonii^
became every day more doubtful ; and I had to regret, in my
" Obs. on the Nom. of Wilson's Ornithology," not being able to
settle that important point. It is with great pleasure that I shall
now put this species on the same footing with the others, under
the name of

4. PllOCKLLARlA OCEANIC^\, nob.

Tail slightly emarginato, the tmngs when closed extending
more than an itich beyond its tip ; length of the tarsus nearly one
inch and three quarters (18 French lines).

Synonymes,

Le Petrel ou Oiseau temp^te. Buff. pi. enl. 923. (a very correct
representation). Id. Ois. vol. ix. pi. 23. (but not the accompany-
ing description). Stormy Petrel, Lath. Syn. vi. p. 411. IS'o. 18.
Museum in Antwerp. Probably J the P. oceanica of the original
drawings of Forster, icon. 12, (which I have not seen) ; for which
reason I have given that name to my species, although I have £^s-
certained that the bird that bears it in Temminck's celebrated
collection is but a bad specimen of my P. Wilsonii. As for the
Petrel echasse of Temminck it must l^e erased from the list of
species ; and it is most probably established partly on the above-

* For a notice of this Account see Zool. Journal, vol. i. p. 425. — Ed.

+ This group has already been established in niy Systematic Catalogue of
th« Birds of the United States of North America ; but having given it no
name, it is w^ith pleasure that I am here able to adopt the scientific one applied
by the above-named English Ornithologist.

t At all events Forster's species P. oceanica, not having been published,
cannot interfere with mine. I have besides no doubt of their identity.

90 M. Buonaparte on Procellaria oceanica,

named specimen of P. Wilsoniiy and partly on BufFou's plate of
P. oceanica^ as in his specific phrase he describes the wings of the
latter and the tarsi of the former.

Description,

General colour brownish-black, somewhat tinged with cinere-
ous ; primaries and tail darker ; secondaries and wing-coverts not
tipped with whitish ; belly and vent each side, flank, some of the
under wing-coverts and upper tail-coverts, totally^ white ; bill
three-quarters of an inch long, and with the feet, black. Total
length, eight inches and a half.

Habitat. The Pacific Ocean and the South Seas ; common
near the Cape of Good Hope.

Comparative Obs. In comparing this species to the three
others, it will be seeii that it is the largest and the more varied
with white of the sub-genus, and that is can be confounded only
with P. Wilsonii^ to which it bears a strong resemblance in shape
and colour, both having the tarsi greatly elongated, the tube of
the nostrils equally recurved, the upper tail-coverts entirely w hite,
&c. But in addition to its much larger size, proportionally longer
bill and tarsi, and lighter colour,* this new species may at first
sight be distinguished from it by its wings extending so much
beyond the tail, and by the want of the yellow spot on the in-
terdigital membrane, which is found in P. Wilsonii only.

• In colour it agrees with P. Leachii, which is also next in stature ; but the
much shorter tarsi, stouter bill, forked tail, and brown shafts of the tail-
coverts of the latter will alweys prevent their being confounded together. I
also identified Temminck's P. Leachii with mine a few days ago. Tlie species*
is now common in collections.

Mr. Vigors's Reply to M, Desmarcst, 91

Art. XL A Reply to some Observations in the ^^ Dic^
tionnaire des Sciences NaturelleSy'^ upon the newly cha-
racterized groups of the Psittacidje, By N. A.
Vigors, Esq. M,A., F.R.S., and L.S,, S^c,

[In a letter addressed to the Conductors of the Zoological Journal.
August 1st. 1826.]

Gentlemen,

I shall make no apology for requesting your insertion of the fol-
lowing reply to some strictures which have lately appeared in a
French publication on a part of my ornithological labours. The
kindness with which your pages have hitherto been opened to me,
encourages me to trespass thus far upon you. In some measure
indeed I consider myself to have a slight claim to this favour.
Your journal has been the channel through which I have promul-
gated most of the views that have incurred the disapprobation of
the French writer, and ought equally perhaps to be the channel
through which I should attempt the vindication of their cor-
rectness.

There is no task in general more repuguant to my feelings than
that of defending myself against the animadversions of my fellow
labourers in science. The notice of such attacks upon our opinions
evinces too great a susceptibility to criticism ; and lays us open to
the imputation that it is ourselves, and not the science we cultivate,
that we wish to uphold. The views in Natural science which we
advance from time to time in our various speculations ought to be
left to answer for themselves : and our only reply to the observa-
tions of others should be the alteration of such points as maturer
judgment and more favourable opportunities of observation, either
on the part of our reviewers, or on our own, have proved to be
erroneous ; or the silent retention of our opinions where no ground
has been exhibited for censure. Such a mode of reply would
exempt *he public from much of the personal feelings of in-
dividuals,— a subject at all times of little interest,— and the
cause of science would pursue its due course, without the interrup-
tion of extraneous matter. In the present instance, however, I

92 Mr. Vigors's Replay to some Observations

consider the attack which it is my intention to notice, as rather
national than personal. We can not have failed to observe, and
to observe with no common regret, that a disposition to depreciate
the Zoological labours of this country prevails to a great extent
among the Continental writers. And at a period when a new
impulse has been given to our science in this country, and a new
school of Zoology, if I may so express myself, is forming itself
among us, it becomes us to be doubly guarded as to its interests,
and not to suffer its rising reputation to be at once overborne by
the mandates of assumed authority. It is the wish of vindicating
our views against the arbitrary influence which seems exerted to
check them in their infancy, and not any personal feelings, that
urges me to the present task. The objects aimed at, and the modes
of investigation pursued in Natural History, are of such a descrip-
tion as to call for the exertions of every man, and the co-operation
of every country; but these exertions and this co-operation must
be allowed their free course, without limits or restrictions. The
republick of science will admit of no dictator.

The animadversions io which I would draw your attention are
contained in the 39th Volume of the '^ Dictionnaire cies Sciences
Naturellesj''^ under the article " Perroquet." They form part of
the 20th and 21st pages of that volume, and purport to be a general
review of Dr. Horsfield's and my subdivision of the PsittacidcB,
The Article is subscribed by the highly respectable name of M.
Desmarest.

The chief points contained in this critique may be stated as
follows. — A general condemnation is inferred of any subdivision
in so natural a group, [le genre si naturelj as that which forms
the Linnean genus Psittacus. The subdivisions which have been
pointed out by Dr. Horsfield and myself are affirmed to be
founded on minute differences, without any value, or any apparent
regard to the mode of life of the animals that compose them ; —
fsur des differences minutieuses, sans aucune valeur, et sans aucun
rapport evident avec le genre de vie des animaux dont on les
compose]. Most of our groups, it is asserted, have not even the
merit of being original. They have nothing new but their names ;
" being the same," it is averred, ^' as tliose secondary groups which

in the ^' Dictionnaire des Sciences Natiirelles.'' 93

have been long since pointed out, and well distinguished, [tres-bien
distingues], by MM. Brisson, Buffon, Vieillot, Le Vaillant,
Kuhl, and other naturalists who have made a true progress in this
branch of ornithology, without overcharging it with new* and
useless denominations." A few minute observations, which shall
be briefly noted in their places, against particular names, are
added to this sweeping condemnation.

When you take into consideration. Gentlemen, the strong and
unqualified language in which these censures are conveyed, you
will be surprised to learn that the characters and descriptions of
the greater part of the genera thus censured are as yet unpublished.
Most of the new groups of the Psittacidce^ characterized by Dr.
Horsfield and myself, belong to the Ornithology of New Holland,
our observations on which are only now in the course of publica-
tion in the forthcoming Volume of the Linnean Transactions. I
hare intimated this fact in one of the preceding numbersf of this
journal; and in a succeeding number I have again merely referred J
to these genera, introducing their names only, without entering
into any details of the character or habits of the birds that com-
pose them ; being unwilling to anticipate observations about to
appear in another publication. I do not wish to dwell upon Voe,
inconsistency, if not the injustice, of any writer's pronouncing
the characters of groups to be minute and valueless before he has
seen them. I shall only observe that such a mode of criticism is
not founded on the usual principles of reasoning, arid certainly
does not accord with the courtesy which generally obtains among
naturalists.

The time has however gone by, when any individual will be
allowed to assume the right of prescribing how Nature is io be
investigated. Natural History is no longer an occult science on

* I do not exactly discern the force of the above epithets of the French
writer. If we give a name to a newly characterized group it must necessarily
be a new one. To give an old name would decidedly be an errour. A useless
name mu'jt indeed be allowed to be objectionable ; but it niust be proved to
be useless before the objection can be made with justice.

+ Vol. II. p. 61.

% lb. p. 400.

94 Mr. Vigors's Re'ply to some Observations

which a few of the soi-disant initiated will be exclusively
authorised to issue their edicts, as if from an oracle. Like every
other subject of research, it is open to the inquiries of every man
whose industry or whose opportunities afford a promise of pro-
secuting it to advantage ; and like every other science it is to be
pursued according to the usual modes and the admitted principles
of reasoning. The views and the labours of the naturalist are, in
fact, to be praised or condemned, not by the voice of authority,
but by their own intrinsick merits or defects. Among the sub-
jects which this freedom of investigation has brought before the
publick, is the right demanded by every inquirer into nature of
characterizing and naming such groups as may appear to him
worthy of such distinction : and as far as may be judged from the
general practice of the higher naturalists of the present day, this
question appears to be decided in the affirmative. The principle
of distinguishing new genera seems not only admitted, but, with
one or two exceptions, universally acted upon : and the only
question on the subject which admits of being canvassed regards
the extent or the abuse of the privilege.

It is not therefore by the mere force of his own word or opinion
that the critick in the " Dictionnaire'^ can now expect to reverse
this decree, and proscribe the institution of new divisions in any
group, much less in so extensive a genus as that of the Linnean
Psittacus, The expression of such an opinion must be considered
of no further influence than as it affects the writer's own practice.
There is not an argument advanced by him in the work in question
to support his opinion ; his remarks are restricted to mere assertion ;
and there is nothing new among them which calls for an observa-
tion in addition to what has been so often urged on this subject,
except perhaps the expression, in which so much meaning appears
to be implied, that " Psittacus is a natural genus."

Are we to infer from this expression that because a genus is
natural, it must not be subdivided ? If so, I know scarcely a group
in the modern arrangements of Zoology which admits of a sub-
division. Every group is inferred to be natural, that is, to have its
prototype in nature, as far as man can understand the original, or
it ought not to be adopted. How few for instance of the Linnean

in the " Diciionnaire des Sciences Nalurellesy 95

genera are otherwise than natural in this sense of the word. And
yet there are few of them, whose extent required subdivision, which
have not undergone this process. In the Linnean Mammalia^ for
example, Simia^ Vespertilio, Felis^ &c. ; in the Birds, Lanius^
Motacillay Jrdea, Scolopax, &c. ; among the Insects, Scarabosus^
Carabus^ Curculio, PapUioy &c., have all submitted more or less
to that necessary subdivision which has brought the numerous
species contained in them into comprehensible groups, and yet all
are equally natural genera as that of Psittacus.

The critick seems in this instance to have founded his inference
upon an errour, which I more particularly wish to notice, as I have
frequently heard a similar objection advanced in this country against
the separation of nearly allied species into generick groups. It
would appear as if he wished it to be inferred, that to subdivide
is to disunite ; and that such subdivision among naturally conter-
minous species makes a breach in their affinities. But the sub-
division of a natural group like Psittacus does not infer disunion
among its component pafts : the subdivided part still remains an
integral part of the more comprehensive group to which it originally
belonged. The species of Cercopithecus^ Cynocephalus^ Papio^
Ateles^ CebuSy &c. &c. are as much component parts of the genus
Simia^ Linn., as when included indiscriminately and without
classification under the latter comprehensive name. No breach
takes place in the more enlarged affinities which unites these
species into the one general group ; while the more immediate
affinities which unite them into minour groups are more clearly
pointed out by the subdivision. Nay more, the extreme and
osculant species of two separate but conterminous genera may be
preserved, by the same mental operation which defines the
genera, in still closer contact with each other, than two species
even of the same genus, between which other species intervene.
The same principle extends in fact through every group of every
rank and denomination. Two species of diflferent orders may
thus be more closely united in affinity than two species of the same
order. The affinity, for example, between a species of the Linnean
Strzxy and one of the Linnean CaprimulguSy may be considered
more close, although the birds belong to diflferent orders, than
the affinity between the two selected species and other species of

Mr. Vigors's Repli/ to some Observations 96

their respective orders; that is, between the Strix and a typical
species of Falco^ and between the Caprimulgus and a species of
Corvus or of Motacilla. In fact our arrangements of natural objects
are now founded upon the principle that there are no divisions in
nature; and all our nominal divisions are merely mental assump-
tions adopted for the sake of convenience. They imply that the
mind can keep certain assemblages apart in its conceptions, by
fixing upon certain typical modifications of form ; but the names
affixed to these assemblages, and the arbitrary limits assigned them
in no wise infer an actual separation between them.

The very objection which has been subsequently brought for-
ward in the " Dictwniiaire" against the subdivisions of the
Psittacidce, that they have been previously pointed out by antece-
dent w Titers, would, if true, prove that even in the writer's mind
the subdivision of a natural group does not infer an unnatural
separation. These subdivisions of the French naturalists to which
he alludes are noticed by him with every commendation ; and we
hear no complaints of their introducing any breach of affinity in
" the natural group" of Psittacus. It is true that these latter
subdivisions are called sections and have French names assigned
them, while mine are denominated genera, and have Latin or
scientilick names of distinction. But whatever may be the value
of the denomination given to the group, or whatever may be the
Iangua£;e from which the particular name of it is derived, the
principle which regulates the subdivision is still the same. If there
be no difference between the groups themselves, it would be the
height of absurdity to suppose that a greater infringement upon
the laws of arrangement, as far as they regard affinity, would take
place when these groups are called genera, than when they are
distinguished by the name of sections.

But we must come more closely to this point. In all the other
Linnean genera, such as those subdivided groups to which I have
alluded above, there seems to have been no hesitation in calling
the subdivisions genera. Many of these groups are by no means so
copious in species as Psittacus^ which it is to be remembered, con-
tains two hundred and twenty-four species, according to the
M riter in the " Dictionnaire,^^ Why the subdivisions in the group

in the " Dictionnaire des Sciences NaturellesJ''' 97

before us should be called sections, while equivalent subdivisions
in equivalent groups are called genera, I can see no reason ; and
against the arbitrary mandate that issues such a law I must
decidedly enter my protest. I proceed to support this protest by
insisting upon the two following points : first, that these subdivi-
sions of the Psitlacidce, whatever may be the name by which we
think fit to call them, are bona fide genera, according both to the
philosophical signification of the terra genus, and the particular
adaptation of it to Natural History ; and secondly, that the same
groups are marked by equally distinctive characters, and are kept
apart by equal differences in the modes of life of the birds which
compose them, as are found in any other of the admitted genera
in Ornithology.

What, in short, is a genus ? Are we to conclude from the ob-
servations of M. Desmarest, that there is something sacred in the
word, when once it has been attached to a group, that prevents
any future interference with it : — that it represents, in short, the
real essence of the subjects for which it stands, and will conse-
quently admit of neither change nor modification ? Or rather,
in accordance with the opinion of one of our first philosophers,
should we not consider a genus to " belong not to the real existence
of things," but to be " the creature and invention of the under-
standing ;" and to represent an assemblage which has been brought
together in our ideas by the usual process of generalization, and
invested with a name, for the more convenient communication of
knowledge ?

Such at least is the usual acceptation of the term. — " A general
idea^" says Dr. Watts, " is called a genus ^ and it is one common
nature agreeing to several other common natures."* — "All the
great business of genera and species," observes Mr. Locke,
" amounts to no more but this, That men making abstract ideas,
and settling them in their juinds with names annexed to them, do
thereby enable themselves to consider things, and discourse of
them as it were in bundles, for the easier and readier improvement
and communication of their knowledge ; which would advance
but slowly were their words and thoughts confined only to partfcu-
* Logic. Part I. chapt. III. sect. III. p. 34.

Vol. III. , a

98 Mr. Vigors' s Reply to some Oh sensations

lars."* — " The reason," he again resumes, " why I take so par-
ticular notice of this, is, that we may not be mistaken about
genera and species, and their essences, as if they were things
regularly and constantly made by nature, and had a real existence
in things ; when they appear, upon a more wary survey, to be
nothing else but an artifice of the understanding, for the easier
signifying such collections of ideas, as it should often have oc-
casion to communicate by one general term ; under which divers
particulars, as far forth as they agreed to that abstract idea, might
be comprehended."+

One of the chief causes which this eminent philosopher assigns
for our not being able '' to rank and sort things, and consequently
to denominate them by their real essences," is, " because we know
them not. Our faculties carry us no farther towards the know-
ledge and distinction of substances, than a collection of those sen-
sible ideas which we observe in them ; which however made
with the greatest diligence and exactness we are capable of, yet
is more remote from the true internal constitution, from which
those qualities flow, than, as I said, a countryman's is from the
contrivance of that famous clock at Strasburgh, whereof he only
sees the outward figure and motions. There is not so contemptible
la plant or animal that does not confound the most enlarged
understanding. — The workmanship of the all-wise and powerful
God, in the great fabrick of the universe, and every part thereof,
farther exceeds the capacity and comprehension of the most in-
quisitive and intelligent man, than the best contrivance of the
most ingenious man doth the conceptions of the most ignorant of
rational creatures. Therefore we in vain pretend to range things
into sorts, and dispose them into certain classes, under names, by
their real essences, that are so far from our discovery and com-
prehension."! Still, however, although it must be insisted upon
that genera owe their origin to a mental operation, it must be

* Essay on Human Understanding. Book 3. chapt. 3. §20. Works, Vol. II.
p. 172. Ed. 1812.

i'lb. Book 3. chap. 5. § 9. Works. Vol. 11. p. 187.

t lb. Book 3. chapt. 6. S ^- Works. Vol. II. p. 198—9.

in the '' Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles.''^ 99

equally admitted that in generalizing the groups of Natural His-
tory, the naturalist has a view to the apparent combinations formed
by nature, according to which he endeavours to regulate his general
ideas. " I would not here be thought," continues Mr. Locke,
"to forget, much less to deny, that nature in the production of
things makes several of them alike: there is nothing more ob-
vious, especially in the races of animals, and of things propagated
by seed. But yet, I think, we may say the sorting them under
names is the workmanship of the understanding, taking occasion
from the similitude it observes among them, to make abstract gene-
ral ideas, and set them up in the mind, with names annej^ed to
them as patterns or forms (for in that sense the word form has a
very proper signification) to which as particular things existing
are found to agree, so they come to be of that species, have that
denomination, or are put into that classis."*— " This then, in
short, is the case ; nature makes many particular things which do
agree one way with another in many sensible qualities, and pro-
bably too in their internal frame and constitution : but it is not
this real essence that distinguishes them into species; it is men,
who, taking occasion from the qualities they find united in them,
and wherein they observe often several individuals to agree, range
them into sorts, in order to their naming, for the convenience of
comprehensive signs. — Nature in the constant productions of par-
ticular beings make them not always new and various, but very
much alike and of kin one to another : but I think it is neverthe-
less true that the boundaries of the species whereby men sort them
are made by men. — So that we may truly say, such a manner of
sorting things is the workmanship of raan."+

* lb. Book 3. chapt. 3. § 13. Works. Vol. 11. p. 166.

+ lb. Book 3. chapt. 6. § 36. 37. Works. Vol. II. p. 219. See also Book 3.
fj 30. Works. Vol. II. pp. 213 — 214. Mr. Locke was no professed naturalist;
— and yet there are observations on nature scattered throughout his works
which would do honour to systematists of the highest reputation in our
science. The mode in which he alludes to the chain of beings extending
throughout the universe, {lb. c. 3. § 12. p. 202.] the imperceptible gradations
by which they are united together, and the impossibility of drawing decided
lines of demarcation between them might be studied with advantage by those
writers who insist upon their groups being founded on decided distinctions.

G 2

100 Mr. Vigors's Reply to some Observatiom

If then it be admitted that this formation of genera is an opera-
tion of the mind, it follows that the same mental operation which
created them can alter or modify them as seems proper. And if
the genera of Natural History are founded upon the similitude
which the subjects of nature appear in our limited ideas to bear to
each other, it is according to the increase of our knowledge
respecting them, and the more accurate acquaintance which we are
enabled to make with their qualities, that our changes and modifi-
cations taost be regulated.

It is also evident that in the process of generalization the term
genus may be philosophically applied to every group of every
degree in the series. Particular denominations may, it is true, be
applied to the several groups which represent different stages in
this process; and when a science or subject becomes complex,
such denominations must necessarily be assigned for the purpose of
|)ointing out the value of each group as it occupies a higher or a
iower rank in the general scale. In Geography, for instance, the
different combinations represented by the words County, Province,
Kingdom, Empire, &c. ; in Military Tacticks, by Company,
Battalion, Brigade, Division, &c. ; in Natural History, by Family,
Order, Class, Kingdom, &c., are more definitely pointed out by
such terms than if we were to call them genera with numerical
or other distinctions. Still such groups, although for the sake of
perspicuity, invested with such particular titles, are neither more
mor less than genera. We may even again make intermediate
stages amidst these already admitted combinations, and we may
call them by such names as sections, or subdivisions ; or subking-
doms, subclasses, or subgenera; or in short by any other term
which appears most appropriate to our purposes : but every such
intervening combination will still be found to represent one com-
mon nature agreeing to several other common natures, and, as
such, it is strictly and logically a genus.*

* For the reasons assigned above, I have always felt adverse to the use of the
term subgenus, although it has been sanctioned by the highest authority. There
is a sort of anomaly in the word as generally applied. A subgenus is, strictly
speaking, a species ; genus being the proxinaate group to species, according to
the usual acceptation of these terms. It is true that all these terms are merery

in the '^ Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles,^^ 101

Species also is equally with genus the creature of the under*
fitanding. It may be equally applied to all the groups in the scale
of generalization, unless to that which we consider the highest
genus. Both these terms are in fact relative, and are used perhaps
with logical correctness only when an immediate reference is
made to each other. The same group is a genus or a species, ac-
cording to the relative place which the mind assigns it in our
ascending scale. " These universals are genuses," says Dr. Watts,
" if compared with less common natures ; and they are species, if
compared with natures more common. So Bird is a genus, if
compared with Eagle, Sparrow, Raven, which are also common
natures ; but it is a species., if compared with the more genjeraj
nature, AnimaL'^*

conventional, and if naturalists agreed among themselves to use that of sub»
genus in the same sense as section or subdivision, there is no reason why it
should not be adopted. But something more is inferred in these subgenera
tiian their being merely sections of a genus. They are elevated into a higher
rank by being distinctly characterized and separately and scientifically named;
and herein lies the main objection. When we give a name to what we call 9,
subgenus, we intend that name either to be used or not. If the latter is our
intention, we fall into the errour of increasing the number of names without
any ostensible benefit. If we mean on the other hand that the name should
be used, we create confusion between the generick and subgenerick name.
We will take an example from the highest source. The sacred beetle of Egypt
belongs to the genus Scaraboeus, M'L., and to the subgenus Tleliocantharus^
M'L. Are we to call the insect Scarabceus sacer, or Heliocantharus sacer?
Were we to decide on calling all species belonging to a subgenus by the sub-
generick term, we fall moreover into the inconsistency of designating equivalent
species by titles of unequivalent value. Some species will have a generick and
some a subgenerick title. Cetonla aurata for instance, and Heliocantharus
sacer, although insects of equal importance, have names, the first as generick,
of higher, and the latter as subgenerick, of subordinate value. The uniformity
of nomenclature, one of its highest merits, is thus sacrificed to what can only be
called a temporary expedient. If in fact we consider our groups to be worthy of
separate characters and separate names, there is no reason why they should
not in the first instance be called genera, and the higher group receive a deno-
mination of still higher import. We thus at once meet and overcome the
difficulty that is imposed upon us by the influx of new forms, and number-f
less species, without exhausting our efforts in the vain endeavour to defer ^
jreform in nomenclature which must ultimately be adopted.
* Logic. Part I. chapt. III. Sect. III. Note 1st. p. 35.

102 ' Mr. Vigors's Reply to some Observations

There is this particularity however in Natural History that
these terms of genera and species have been particularly adopted
for groups of an ascertained rank in the scale of generalization.
For the greater convenience and precision of communication, as
well as to preserve uniformity in scientifick nomenclature, it seems
to have been agreed upon by common consent that every subject
in natural History should be designated by two names, one more
general, the other more specifick ; the first to point out the group
in nature to which it appears to belong, the second to point out
the especial station it holds in that general group. By equally
common consent, and for reasons which must be obvious to all,*
the two groups which are pointed out by the selected names are
those which represent the two first combinations formed in the
act of generalization as the mind advances upwards from indivi-
duals. To these combinations the terms genera and species are
respectively applied per excellentiam. And thus these terms,
which in their original acceptation might have designated every
assemblage of every rank in the series of generalization, assume a
definite signification when applied to Natural History ; species
denoting the proximate group into which individuals are united
by some quality or qualities common to all, and genus the proxi-
mate group into which species so formed are similarily united.

Were the subjects of Natural History like those of many other
branches of science, definite in their numbers, and well ascertained

* The chief advantage resulting from the use of the proximate genus is the
brevity attending it. The tediousness of summing up all the various more
remote terms is avoided by using one which comprehends all. When we name
a subject in Natural History by the usual terms of science, I consider that we
in some measure may be said to give a definition of it. Now the correct mode
of defining any thing, is " by joining the general and special nature together,
or (which is all one) the genus and the difference." [Watfs Logic. Pari I.
c/^. I V. j». 94- 3 Dr. Watts sufficiently explains the reason, why the genus
thus used should be " the nearest genus." [lb. p. 95.] Mr. Locke also notices
the quickness and brevity resulting from the use of the proximate genus.
" This may show us the reason why in the defining of words, which is nothing
but declaring their significations, we make use of the genus or next general
word that comprehends it. Which is not out of necessity, but only to save
the labour of enumerating the several simple ideas which the next general
word or genus stands for." [Book 3. ch. 3. § 10 ]

in the " Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles.^^ 103

as to their qualities, the groups into which they are assembled
might be considered equally definite. The value of these groups
would be invariably the same, and the names chosen to represent
them might be set down as fixed, and at all times proper for the
purposes of communication already stated. Simla might thus
always continue Simia, and an original PstUacus, according to
the views of M. Desmarest, be a Psittacus to the end of time.
But there is this peculiarity in Natural History, particularly in
its earlier stages beyond which it can scarcely even now be con-
sidered as having advanced, that the number of its subjects can be
reduced to no limits. Every day's experience proves that their
increase eludes all our efforts to circumscribe them. It conse-
quently happens that the original groups, which at first were
proximate in our ideas to species, cease to continue so ; and the
mind seizes upon intervening characters of distinction by which it
is enabled to reduce the increasing subjects within a comprehen-
sible compass. The limits of species may perhaps be considered
capable of being defined, although I must confess I think even
this point problematical ; but until our knowledge of nature
becomes perfect, — a period little to be expected, — the next proxi-
mate groups to species must ever be subject to variation.

A single instance will illustrate this remark, as well as point out
the process by which the mind endeavours to proportion its groups
to the increasing number of the subjects brought before it. Lin-
naeus, in his attempts to reduce the Coleopterous Insects into
order, observed several species among them which bore a similitude
to each other in their general structure, in having apparently six
paipiy and in their antennce being filiform. He characterized this
group accordingly ; and as it was the proximate group to species
he called it a genus, and distinguished it by the name of Carabus,
The number of species known to him amounted to forty-two.
Small as was this number, in comparison to that known in our
days, it appears that he considered it too extensive for a single
group, and he accordingly made an artificial but still a convenient
subdivision in it according to size; separating the species into
majores and minores. As the subject began to be more closely
investigated, the discovered species became excessively numer-

104 Mr. Vigors' s Repli/ to some Obstrvations

ous, the original tens increasing to hundreds ; and new leading
characteristicks were selected to distinguish them, such as
the emargination of the anteriour tibice, the abbreviation of the
elytra^ the pcdunculation of the abdomen^ &c., &c. By these means
such groups as Harpalus^ Lat., Brachinus^ and Scarites, Fab., the
true Carabus^ &C.5 intervened between the original genus Carabus^
Linn., and the species of that group; and as these groups now
became proximate to species, they virtually became genera in their
turn. These genera again, as science advanced, were found in-
conveniently prolifick in species, those of the original Linnean
group, amounting, as has been lately observed,* to sixteen hun-
dred j and more minute but still important characters of distinc-
tion, such as the different forms of the several parts of the trophi^
the shape of the thorax^ the relative proportions of the joints of
the aniennce, &c., fee, were still further resorted to for the purposes
of subdivision. Intervening assemblages thus crept in between
these latter genera and their species. And to select one of them
for an example, Harpalus was resolved into Chlwnius^ Bon.^
Ca/ascopus^ Kirby, Dicoelindus, M'L., the true Harpalus of
Authours, and several similar groups, which, being now proxi-
mate to species, respectively assumed the title of genus according
to the peculiar acceptation of that term in Natural Science. In
this process the original groups of Carabus and Harpalus^ which
had successively filled the place of genera, having become of a
still more comprehensive nature, received appellations of a pro-
portionally higher value ; and they are now distinguished as a
family or a stirps according to their respective station in the series.
It cannot be here concealed that the apparent closeness with
which such investigations are carried on has brought down some
reflexions on the modern naturalist. It has become the fashion of
late to inveigh against this minuteness of research, and to allege
that the higher views of the science are sacrificed to subordinate
and petty details. I cannot subscribe to this doctrine. In making
a comparison between the earlier and present views of the science,
"we must take into consideration the relative knowledge of both
times. And when we find that a single genus of Linnaeus, his

* Annulosa Javunica. Pari. \. p. 11.

in the '^ Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturellesy 105

Scarabceus or Carabus for example, is now as extensive in species,
as his entire Coleopterous order, we must admit that as ample a
field for the higher speculations of science is open to the naturalist
even in the former apparently subordinate groups, as Linnaeus had
before him in a group of what is deemed the most comprehensive
description. Nor is our process in the distribution of the species
of such groups confined, as is frequently objected, merely to
analysis. As much combination is employed in comparing and
bringing together the allied species, as analysis in subdividing the
higher group. And if the synthetick mode of reasoning is to be
pronounced the superiour means by which the naturalist arrives at
his conclusions, — a gratuitous assumption, however, for Natural
Science while it investigates every property of the subjects before
it, should equally employ every means in the investigation, — that
mode is now not only equally made use of, but is carried to a
greater extent than at any former period of the science. We
cannot in fact employ the analytick mode of research in the present
state of the science without the synthetick. We analyze the
genus by synthesizing the species. But this is merely a negative
view of the merits of the modern process. A positive advantage
conspicuously results from this closeness of investigation. Cha-
racters are brought into notice which were overlooked in the
earlier stages of science : and in proportion to the extent to which
characters of every description become known, is our knowledge
advanced of the relative stations in nature of the groups in which
they are found. We can form but a contracted view of the natural
world when we found our arrangements upon one or two properties
or characters only. Such a process may lead to a knowledge of
differences, but never can advance the discovery of affinities. It
is only by the comparison of all the qualities of groups, as far as
the naturalist can discern them, that their affinities and analogies
can be satisfactory detected ; and thus only can we attain the
probability of making our representations of nature bear any
similitude to the true and only system. The very minuteness of
our mode of research thus eventually conduces to its comprehen-
siveness; and upon these very details are founded the highest and
most generalizing views of the science.

106 Mr. Vigors's Repli/ to some Observations

But to return to the subject more immediately before us.—
From the foregoing observations and the authorities which have
been adduced to corroborate them, it may be summarily concluded
that the subdivision of an extensive genus like Psittacus is not
merely philosophically correct, but conformable to the usual
process employed in Natural Science. The only groups whose
value and denomination can be in any wise considered definite,
are species. All the superiour assemblages of every degree are
perfectly arbitrary, and are subject to variation as the species
included in them, and the modifications of form discernible
among these species, call for further subdivision. The only
question to be considered in respect to this subdivision is the im-
portance of the characters on which the intermediate groups are
founded. We are thus brought to the second point which I had
proposed to notice ; and I shall proceed to the examination of the
chief objection which has been levelled against the new genera of
the Psittacidw, that they have been instituted " upon minute and
valueless differences."

If I were asked to point out what appears to be the greatest
modern improvement in Natural Science, I should say that it is
that mode of arrangement which results from the conviction that
there are no divisions in nature ; and in which accordingly groups
are established, not upon the difference, but upon the variation of
their characters. The naturalist seeks out the typical characters of
his larger groups at the point where they appear most strongly
developed, and then tracing their various modifications until they
may be said to evanesce, and give place imperceptibly to the
succeeding characters of the neighbouring groups, he fixes upon
these various modifications as ideal marks of separation between his
subdivisional groups. He is in this manner guided, not by detecting
distinct or opposing characters, but by tracing out the modifica-
tions of the same. The first suggestion of this mode of viewing
nature, in contradistinction to that which is founded upon a
supposed separation of groups, was made by Linnaeus, whose maxim
" Natura ubique varia semper tamen eadem^^^ directly acknow-
ledges this principle. He had not himself materials sufficient to
act upon it invariably ; and yet many of the genera which he

in the " Diclionnaire de Sciences Naturelles,^^ 107

either originally instituted or adopted from others, such as Lanius,
Turdusy and Motacilltty for example, or Fringilla and Loxia^
originated in this mode of viewing nature. We may trace the
same principle through most of the genera which have been still
more lately instituted, although it does not appear that the
authours of them were aware of the principle which guided
them. Totanus^ Limosa, Scolopax, Rhi/nchcea^ Tringa^ with in-
termediate groups ; Pastor and Lamprotornis of M. Temminck ;
Dendrocolaptes^ Certhia^ and Ortlionyx^ as lately characterized ; —
all these, and in fact almost all the allied groups of modern terms,
if closely investigated, will be found to exhibit no difference in
characters, but merely variations of the same. The genus PlU'
tijrhynchus^ the only group Avhich at this moment I remember to
have been instituted in ornithology by the naturalist whose name
is subscribed to the critique in the '' Dictionnaire^^^ possesses no
characters, at least if we may judge of it from the types which
M. Temminck has given in his '' Manuel^'''' but what are modi-
h cations of those of Musdcapa and Miisdpeta.

This was one of the leading principles which actuated Dr.
Ilorsfield and myself in our subdivisions of the Psittacidce, One
of the chief typical characters of the group appeared to us to con-
sist in the strength of the bill. Formed for breaking the hardest
vegetable substances the typical bill seemed to be indicated, as
in the group of Maccaws (Macrocercus, Vieill.,) by iis shortness,
height, and solidity. In these birds the height from the mentum
to the forehead at least doubles the length from the rictus to the
apex j the under mandible, instead of being elongated, as is usual
among birds, is bent inwards with a strong emargination ; while
a line drawn from the centre of it to the apex^ the head of the
bird being in the regular erect position, is nearly vertical. On
the other hand the aberrant bill may be pointed out by its decreas-
ing strength and greater elongation, as in the group of the Indian
Lories. Here the length is not less than the height ; the under
mandible is entire ; and a line drawn from the centre of it to the
apex^ the position of the head being as before, is nearly horizontal.
These modifications of the characters of the bill evidently point
out a corresponding modification in the nature of the food of

108 Mr. Vigors's llfply to some Observations

the family, and indicate a variation in that food as it gradually
descends from the hardest to the softest vegetable substances.

In addition to these characters others have been taken into con-
sideration, which appeared to us of no mean value ; such as the
form of the wing and tail, and the relative proportions of the
feathers of each ; the greater or less elevation of the tarsi; and
the structure of the tongue. These appear to be characters
which are not only prominent and easily recognized, and at the
same time indicative of various modifications in the economy of
the birds in which they are found ; but characters which have
already been employed as of the highest imj)ortance by those
naturalists who have established leading groups in our science.

The characters, for instance, taken from the structure and
proportions of the wing and tail must be considered of primary
consequence, as more or less conducive to the powers of flight : —
powers, which it may be recollected form one of the typical dis-
tinctions between Birds and the other ^ertebrata. It conse-
quently becomes a leading object of the naturalist to point out
the perfection or deficiency of these organs of flight by the most
marked distinctions in his power. In the present family he finds
an occasion of peculiar interest for the exercise of this privilege.
We may remember that the group of the Perching Order, which
approaches most closely to the Rasorial, is the Tribe of Scansores,
One of the characteristicks by which this approach is indicated
is the decreasing powers of the wing in the Scansorial Birds,
And the naturalist, in marking the modifications by which these
latter birds gradually pass into the Ea^onVi/ families, whose typical
station is on the ground, and who consequently require no superiour
powers of flight, is enabled to point out more strongly one of those
beautiful affinities by which nature connects her leading forms.

The greater or less elevation of the tarsus of a bird is again a
character of much consequence, as indicating its habits to be
more or less terrestrial. And accordingly we find many important
groups, such as 3Ii/ioihera^ 111., and Pilia^ Vieill., among the
Thrushes; and Saxicola, Bechst., and Brachi/pteri/x, Horsf., among
the IVarblers ; With several others of acknowledged importance,
established chiefly upon the modifications of this character. Here

in the ^^ Dictionnaire des Sciences Naluiellesy 109

also ill the family before us we find thai the investigation of this
peculiarity leads to a speculation of more than ordinary interest
to the inquirer into affinities. Of the two orders now brought into
comparison the typical station of the Perching Birds is on
trees, of the Rasorial Birds on the ground. But the extreme
Tribe of the former Order, or the Scansorial Birds» are found to
seek their subsistence by running or walking up the stems of trees
in a mode corresponding with that of the Rasorial Order on the
ground. The trees, if I may so express myself, are to them
the ground. Now if we find these walking and running habits oi
the Scansores still further developed, and that some of the groups
actually feed, not on the trees but on the ground itself, we
shall have occasion to notice a still nearer approach, and a still
more immediate interchange of character, between these neigh-
bouring orders. This we find to be the case in an extensive group
of the Psittacidce^ which comprises the ground Parrakeeis of
Australia, or the genera Nanodes^ Plafycercus^ and Pezoporus ; as
well as in a group of the Picidce^ or Woodpeckers^ distinguished
by Mr. Swainson under the title of Colaptes^ and which includes
the Pic laboureur of M. Le Vaillant and several American species.
These birds with the general characters of the Scansores occupy
the same terrestrial station as the Gallinaceous Birds ; and while
the other typical species of their Tribe may be said to be
walkers or runners up the trees, they may be pronounced to be
climbers on the ground. This interchange of character is emi-
nently beautiful and well deserves the attention and the distinction
of the naturalist.

Nor is the structure of the tongue a character of less im-
portance. Many well established genera, and groups of even still
higher value have been separated in consequence of the modifica-
tions of this member. The Woodpeckers^ the Creepers^ and the
whole of the Mellivorous Birds may be selected as examples.
The typical tongue of the Parrot is so well known, and has been
an object of such familiar observation in ?\\ ages, that any devia-
tion from the ordinary form appears to lay claim to even peculiar
attention. But while this deviation among the Parrots is interest-
ing with reference to the birds of their own group, it becomes

1 10 Mr. Vigors's Replz/ to some Observations

doubly so in consequence of the station which the group itself
holds in the great series of ornithology. We may observe that
the whole of the birds which feed chiefly or exclusively by the
tongue, whether upon insects, or upon vegetable juices, such as the
birds already mentioned, including the families of Picidcoy and
CerthiadcEy and the five families of the Tribe of Tenuirostres. are
united together by one continued chain of affinities, and may be
arranged in one contiguous group among the Insessores. Now
the birds that come next in affinity to the Picidce^ which com-
mence this series of tongue-feeding Birds, are the Parrots. The
approach in these latter birds to the typical character of the con-
spicuous assemblage which succeeds, consequently exhibits another
striking instance of the mode in which nature gradually blends
the characters of her groups into each other. And the naturalist
who marks this gradation by a strong distinction gives additional
truth to his ideal representations, and strengthens their similitude
to the disposition of nature which they profess to copy.

Such are the considerations and such the characters upon which
the subdivisions of the Psittacidce have been founded. With all
due deference to the authority of the critick of the " Dictionnaire,'^
I cannot persuade myself, that, either viewed abstractedly, or with
reference to the characters on which other groups have been
established in ornithology, they are " minute and without value."
How far these characters have "any regard to the mode of life of
the animals which compose them," has already been partially
pointed out. And I think I shall sufficiently illustrate the dif-
ference in the manners and habits of. these birds by instancing
three species ; whose economy I will assert,— and let it be re-
membered that assertion is the only argument made use of by my
opponent, — exhibits as strong marks of distinction as that of any
other species of a natural group, which have hitherto been
considered worthy of generick separation. The birds I shall
instance, are, the Maccaw, breaking with its powerfully constructed
bill the hardest vegetable substances in the tropical forests of
America; — the P/a^^c^rcw*, with its comparatively feeble bill
seeking a softer substance upon the ground in ihe high latitude of
Macquari: ie's Island, where not a tree is to be seen ; — and the de-

in the '' Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles.^'' Ill

licately formed Trichoglossus^ with its filamentous tongue find-
ing its support in the temperate climate of New Holland among
the never-failing blossoms of the Eucalypti,

The fact is that if we do not characterize these and similarly
circumstanced groups, when the opportunities, which the singular
advantages of this country afford, occur for this purpose, the task
will be undertaken by others. The experience of every day proves
that this will be the case. In the last number of this journal I
had occasion to refer to some new genera which have been lately
characterized on the continent in this very family of P^zY^ttczV/cp;
and one in particular, the genus Aratinga of M. Spix, which
accorded with my group of Psittacara. I could point out more-
over several groups in Natural History, whose separate existence
as genera have been merely indicated by some of our naturalists,
who refrained from naming them in deference to the opposition
that was raised against the institution of new genera ; and which
groups nevertheless were subsequently named and characterized
by the very writers who were the most forward in declaiming
against the practice.

I shall now. Gentlemen, beg leave to draw your attention to the
second chief allegation of the writer in the '' Dictionnaire^^' that
the new groups of the Psittaddce have not even the merit of being
original. I shall not trifle with your time so far as to dwell upon
the decided contradiction between this observation and the pre-
ceding animadversions which I have just disposed of. If Dr.
Horsfield's and my groups of the Psittaddce are the same as those
of antecedent writers ; and if the latter groups are deserving of
the praise of being, as is stated, " well distinguished," surely ours
can with little propriety be asserted to be founded on '' minute
and valueless differences." Nor shall I allow myself for a moment
to suppose that the critick means to insinuate by this observation
that either Dr. Horsfield or myself would claim any credit
(if credit is due upon such points) by appropriating to our-
selves the fruit of the labours of others. Were such an allegation
to be preferred, I have only to refer back to the pages of this
journal, where some of the groups of the Psittaddce have been
characterized ; and where it may be seen how far I have been

ll!8 Mr. Vigors's Repli/ to some Observations

either ignorant of the labours of antecedent writers, or unjust to
their merits. I hasten at once to the more immediate point of the
justice of this censure. You will bear in mind, Gentlemen, that
the main assertion of the critick, when he opposes the high pre-
tensions of so many of the continental ornithologists to our humble
exertions, consists in these two points ; — that these writers have
already "well distinguished" our groups, and distinguished thera
•without '' overloading the science with new names."

M. Brisson stands the first upon the list ; a name of deserved
reputation in science. But let it be recollected that not a single
species of New Holland Parrots upon which the greater part of our
new groups are founded, has been described in the *' Ornitho-
logie.^^ The divisions of the Parrots indicated by M. Brisson, with
the doubtful exception of Lorius,* in no respect interfere with
ours. They can scarcely be said to be " tres-bien distingues;"
for the characters, which, it is to be observed, are not formally
detailed, as is usual in Natural History, but only incidentally
hinted at in the introduction to the species, are drawn merely
from the colour or size of the bird, or the length or shortness of
the tail. While, strange to say, our only guide to these divisions
are their names. And Jra, Cacatua^ Lorius, Psittacus^ Psittaca^

* M. Brisson has pointed out several subordinate groups among his genera,
which he indicated merely by giving them names. The groups which he
considers as real genera, are distinctly marked out by full distinguishing
characters ; but the minour groups are not even set apart as sections or sub-
genera, or as any of those subdivisions with unassuming titles which, with-
out aiming at the importance of genera, form the nucleus of future groups
of generick, or even of still higher, degree. These names of M. Brisson
I consider merely as so many suggestions ; and as he hesitated himself,
indeed declined, to make them generick, we cannot now in correctness quote
them as such. The rule should be invariable, that no group should be
considered the genus of any naturalist that is not decidedly characterized and
named by him. It is for this reason, that I decline calling the group, alluded
to above, the Lorius of M. Brisson, although he certainly pointed it out by
name. It is true that he has gone farther in pointing out the subdivisions of
the Parrots than of any other of his genera : as he mentions some of their less
important characters in the general introduction to the genus. But still he
withheld from separating them as genera; and we consequently cannot attri-
bute to him a group, which he virtually refused to establish when he had the
opportunity of doing so.

in the '•^ Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles,^^ 113

Psiitacula, names without any characters, or at least such charac-
ters as are adequate to scientifick purposes, stand in direct con-
tradiction to the assertion of M. Desmarest.

M. BufFon succeeds. No man will venture at this day to dis-
pute the claims of this pre-eminent naturalist to the highest rank
in science: but no man, I conceive, will be hazardous enough to
attribute those claims to his views of arrangement. In fact he
professedly set his face against all systematick forms ; and when
he was obliged to institute some necessary subdivisions for the
sake of perspicuity, he founded them upon the most inconse-
quential characters, such as colour, locality, &c. What for in-
stance are his subdivisions of the Parrots ? + I shall select an
example as quoted in the Article itself before us, the writer of
which pronounces with so much authoritativeness that these groups
are " well distinguished." The whole of the Parrots have been
separated by M. Buffon into two primary sections ; — those of the
Old World, and those of the New. Such a division evidently dis-
arranges the affinities of the subordinate groups ; both continents
possessing species, which, if not strictly belonging to the same
group, belong at least to groups immediately connected by affinity,
and which nevertheless, in the arbitrary geographical arrangement
are disjoined from each other by a considerable interval. I shall
add the following example, which will sufficiently point out the
scientifick value of the subordinate groups. The American Parrots
with even tails are divided into — Amazones^ with yellow on the
head and red on the carpal joint of the wing; — Cricks^ smaller in
size, without yellow on the head, or red except on the coverts of
the wing ; — Papegais, still inferiour in size, without any red on
the wing. Here then in the second instance of the high-sounding
authorities paraded against us in the '' Dictionnaire^''^ I may be
allowed to assert, that the groups of M. BufFon are not " well dis-
tinguished," according at least to the usual modes and principles
of science ; and that they are set apart " by names." -

+ If we turn to the 21st page of the 2nd volume of M. Le Vaillant's " His-
ioire des Perroquets" we shall find how much the opinion of that naturalist,
no inadequate judge on such a subject, is at variance with the assertion of the
writer, in the " Dictionnaire," that M. BufFon's groups of the Parrots are
*' tres-bien distingues."

Vol. III. H

'114 Mr. Vigors' s Reply to some Observations

The name of M. Vieillot follows in order. To him science is
indebted for the first institution of the genera Macrocercus and
Plyctolophus among the Psittacidce} for he also, — to quote the
words of the critick of the •' Dictionnaire" against himself, — has
^'overcharged this department of ornithology with new and useless
names." In what manner these groups or any other divisions
which that naturalist may have noticed in this family interfere
with Dr. Horsfield's and my groups, 1 have yet to learn.

Of all the naturalists who have paid attention to the PsittacidcBy
M. Le Vaillant went the furthest in indicating the natural groups of
the family. Three out of nine of the new genera named by Dr.
Horsfield and myself conjointly, or by myself solely, have been
pointed out by him. These groups indeed exhibit such strong
marks of distinction, that they could scarcely have escaped so dis-
cerning and sciehtifick an observer as M. Le Vaillant. I can only
wonder at his having passed over the other groups without notice,
such for instance as the Trichoglossiy the structure of whose tongue
appears to have been long familiar to ornithologists. Had he given
scientifick instead of provincial names to the groups which he
pointed out, my task in referring to his labours would have con-
sisted only in quoting these names, as I have quoted those of M.
Vieillot or M. Illiger. But it was not M. Le Vaillant's custom,
nor was it consistent with his views, to designate his subdivisions
by the usual terms of science. It does not however follow, that,
because he was inimical to scientifick names, others should be
debarred from conferring them. And it consequently may be
seen that some of the best known and most interesting groups in
ornithology are those which M. Le Vaillant first pointed out, but
which succeeding naturalists united more uniformly by the usual
technicalities to the ranks of science. I shall instance the genera
Indicator^ Phoenicophaus^ and Coccyzus of M. Vieillot, which cor-
respond with the groups IndicateurSy Malcohas, and Couas pre-
viously pointed out by M. Le Vaillant. When in the course of
my inquiries I had occasion to refer to the groups which had been
already noticed by M. Le Vaillant under the names of Perruches
d queue enjieche^ Perruches a large queue, and Perruches- Aras^
I followed the long-established and approved of practice of

in the '' Dictionnaire des Sciences Natureiies,^^ 115

assimilating them to other equivalent scientifick groups by terms
equally scientifick. And, in describing and dwelling upon the
species of Palceornis^ Platycercus, and Psittacara, I feel some con-
fidence that I may be considered by you, Gentlemen, and those
who are equally aware of the nature of my pursuits in science,
to have had some more ^audable object in view than the miserable
reputation of conferring k name.

M. Kuhl concludes this list of the writers on the PsittacidcB ; —
the list at least of these who are named ; for there are still others
alluded to by the critick, with whom we may yet hope to be made
acquainted by his means, who '' have truly advanced this depart-
ment of Ornithology without overloading it with new and useless
denominations." In a former number of this Journal* I have
expressed my sense of the obligations due to M. Kuhl for his
Monograph on this family. By referring to my observations it
may be seen that he has divided it into six primary groups, none
of which in any respect come in contact with Dr. Horsfield's and
mine. Ours in fact are subdivisions of two of his sections. By
referring to the same observations it may also be seen, that these
groups of M. Kuhl are not " tres-bien distingues" according to the
usual practice of naturalists ; and that, in contradiction again to
the assertion of the writer in the ^' Dictionnaire^^^ they are dis-
tinguished by names.

I fear. Gentlemen, you will consider that more attention has
been bestowed upon these trivial points than they merit. I have
not however entered upon this defence of Dr. Horsfield and my-
self from a conviction of the importance of the attack made on us,
but for the purpose of exposing the spirit in which this attack has
been made. Would that our views had been more ably canvassed,
and by an opponent, and in a mode, more worthy of our reply !
In such a case the higher principles of the science might have
been discussed with advantage to both parties, and the truth even-
tually have been elicited by the collision of opposite opinions.
At present it is our misfortune to have to deal with mere assertion
unaccompanied even by an attempt at proof, and unqualified con-
demnation without the decency of an argument to support it.

* Vol. II. p. 48.

n2

lid Mr. Vigors's B.e'ply to some Observations

Yet amidst the dearth of interest that pervades the present con*
troversy, — if controversy it can be called, — some points of im-
portance occasionally exhibit themselves ; and to one in particular
which involves a question of some moment in nomenclature I shall
beg leave more closely to draw your attention^

Id looking to the observations contain'^d in this letter, and to
those in a former volume,* vrhich referred to the groups of the
Falconidce^ you cannot have failed to observe that an attempt has
been made, by the opponents of the modern genera in Ornithology,
to introduce these very genera under the denomination of sections,
and with names derived from their own language, in preference
to names according with the usual language of science. Although
the title of genus is denied these groups, still are they virtually
Separated as genera, virtually characterized as genera, and vir-
tually named as genera. The whole credit of forming the group,
as well as the name thus falls to the share of him who by the
simple process of sinking the title genus ^ and the scientifick
name of the first characterizer, appropriates the group to himself.
In this manner the Astur of M. Bechstein, or the Milvus of M .
Cuvier, may be claimed as the property of M. Desmarest or M.
Temminck, or any other declaimer against new genera, under
such denominations, translated for the most part from the original,
as les Autours or les Milans. This attempt at superceding the
use of scientifick names by the introduction of French names is
beginning to be carried to an extent which leaves no doubt of the
ultimate object in view. In almost all the professed works of
science, it is the French word that is quoted,and not the scientifick.t
In the very '' Dictionnaire" before us the same language furnishes
the title of every article to which we are to refer, whether be-

♦ Vol, I. p. 189.

+ A single instance vrill point out the extent to which this practice may be
carried. M. Vieillot some time since characterized a most important and well-
defined group among the Laniadee which he named ThamnopMlus. M. Tem-
minck introducing this genus into his " Manuel,^^ gave it, as is customary a
familiar name, that of Batara. Having occasion to refer to this group, which
decidedly is M. Vieillot's, the naturalist of the " Planches Coloriees,'* looking
only to the familiar name which he himself had given it, considers it and calls
it his own genus. His words are " men genre Batara.^* [PI. Col. Art. Barita
destructor, pi. 273.]

in the ^' Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles^ 117

longing to a genus or a species. It is Perroquet we must consult,
not Psittacus. The French word is every where the protagonist
of the piece, and if the scientifick name is at all introduced, it is
in the character of an humble companion in the suite of synonyms.
If this practice is not met by us with decided opposition in the
outset, it will gain ahead against which we shall in vain endeavour
to contend. I do not oppose this mode of nomenclature on the
narrow ground of every language having an equal right with the
French to become the language of science : but upon the broad
principle, that there should be but one common language ia
science ; — that every nation should unite in one universal mode of
nomenclature which could be generally understood ; — and that
naturalists should endeavour to imitate the harmony observable
throughout the objects they cultivate, by the only means in their
power, however humble these may be, — a corresponding harmony
in their language. In choosing this common language it is un-
necessary to contend for the superiour claims of that which is
founded on classical authority. Time and science have equally
sanctioned the use of it. No modern terms, however important
to the nation which furnishes them, could be otherwise than
trivial, and sometimes even ludicrous, in the eyes of others, in
comparison with words derived from a Greek or Roman source.
The contentions that so frequently break out among the chief
introducers* of these familiar terms sufficiently proves the in^
stability of the foundation on which they wish to erect their
nomenclature. And it certainly is from no blind partiality that I
would bestow a preference on such words as Plyctolophus, Macro-
cercus, Pezoporus, or even Palceornis, over such names, although
sanctioned by the pen of a BufFon, as Cricks^ and Papegais^ Per-^
ruches and Perriches.

I have already mentioned that objections have been started
against the names of some of my groups. These objections I
shall now briefly notice, not because I consider them of import-
ance, but to point out how far the same spirit of cavilling without

» See particularly the observations of M. Vieillot in opposition to some of
M.Temminck's familiar names; [Nouvtnu Diet. cTHist. Nat. Art. Ornitho§
logie,] and M. Temminck's in answer ; [Manuelj Introd. p. xii.]

118 Mr. Vigors's Repli/ to some Observations

any just grounds pervades the whole of this criticism in the " Die-
tionnaire." The term Palceornis^ for instance, is asserted to be
inapplicable to all the species comprised in the group for which
it stands, — " there being," as the critick declares, " but one
species of Psittacus known to the ancients, — namely the Psitt,
Alexandria

I would here ask this writer whether he imagines that every
species in a group partakes equally of the characters of the type,
or is pointed out with equal significance by the name assigned
the type, when that name happens to be expressive of some
attribute or quality ? If such is his opinion, he will find few
natural groups in modern arrangements that will exactly square
■witli his views. If he goes back to the days of Linnaeus, he may
notice that truly accurate observer referring to the '' notce aber-
rantes" which distinguish some species of a group from those
which are typical in it, and which nevertheless do not virtually
detach these species from it. A significant name stands on the
same ground as a character ; and does not lose its general appli-
cability to the group on account of the deviation of some species
from the type, or " ob speciei notam aberrantem,^^ But even
were this not the fact, the writer's observations are totally in-
applicable to the case now before us. Palceortiis is the name of
a genus, not of a species or individual. And the critick must
prove his censure to be correct, by shewing that this genus or
group was not known to the ancients, — an assertion even by his
own admission contrary to the fact, — and not by objecting that
any of the species were unknown to them. In naming a Parrot^
we will say for example, Palceornis ert/throcephalusy we do not
advance the proposition that the bird so named is a red-headed
bird known to the ancients^ but that it is the red-headed species
of a group which was known to them. Even a New Holland
species may be, and indeed has been, found, which as a species
must be decidedly considered as unknown to classical times, but
which, by possessing the same character as this ancient group,
must be included in it. And this being the case the name of
Palceornis, as generick, is strictly applicable to it.

But where has this writer discovered that one species only of

in the '' Dictionnaire des Sciences NaturellesJ^ 119

Parrots was known to the ancients ? iElian, no slight authority
on such a subject, expressly states the contrary : and had the
writer in the " Dictionnaire" taken the pains to read the paper
which he has undertaken so unequivocally to condemn, he would
have found his censures as little founded upon fact, as upon the
accurate modes of reasoning. From the following passage of the
Greek authour quoted in that paper [p. 64.], it appears that at
least three species of Parrots were known in ancient times. — Ey
h^ots (/.xv^xvu airracKHs o^vis yivs^ixi. — FENH TPIA ccvruv xxau.^

I have not the good fortune of a personal acquaintance with M.
Desmarest : I know him only by his writings. But, with that
proneness which we all feel to exalt the votaries of the science we
ourselves pursue, I have been accustomed to class him in tny
imagination among those higher naturalists, whose qualifications
make up the deau ideal of a man of science. Familiarized with
the writings of our earlier ornithologists, of Ray and Willoughby,
of Pennant, White and Montague, and conversant with the modes
of thinking and discussing that belong to most of the living
naturalists of this country, I had been led into the opinion that
it is the characteristick of a man of science to unite to a knowledge
of his immediate pursuits, the accomplishments, and the courtesies
of a gentleman. I had equally persuaded myself that, amongst
these accomplishments, a knowledge of classical literature was at
least a valuable embellishment, and an adherence to the rules of
fair and legitimate discussion, a qualification that was essential^
How great then was my disappointment, when I perceived the
name of M. Desmarest subscribed to an article, where on a clas-
sical subject an unpardonable ignorance was betrayed of classical
literature, and where at the same time the common rules of
justice and courtesy were violated by the indiscriminate abuse of
a paper, which appears not merely not to have been studied, but
not even to have been read !

I shall not however allow my good opinion of M. Desmarest to
be so easily overturned. I shall quote his own words in his own
vindication ; and I shall appeal to M. Desmarest when speaking
the sober language of science, from M. Desmarest when scattering

* Hist. Animal. Lib. xvi. c. 2.

120 Mr. Vigors's Repli/ to some Observations

the random and inconsiderate hallucinations of criticism : —
In the former character he simply declares the fact, — " Les
anciens ont connu plusieurs perroquets^ parmi lesquels le plus
celebre est la perruche envoy ee de PInde par Alexandre "[p. 10.]

; in the latter capacity he either forgets this fact, or wilfully

misrepresents it ; — " Le nom qu'il [le genre Palceornis'] recoit
semble indiquer que tons les oiseaux qu'il renforme etoient
connus des anciens, et cependant il rJ'y en a quhm seiil^ la per-
ruche d'Alexandre" [p. 20.]. — What inference are we to draw
from the contradiction that thus sets these adjoining pages of this
writer at variance ? Are we to conclude that it is Homer himself
that nods? Or rather have we not two Homers *' in the field"?

My genus Platycercus is equally unfortunate as Falceornis.
The name, as it appears by the critick's account, is inapplicable
to several species enumerated in the group, namely Plat. Pacificus^
Ulietanns^ cornutus^ and auricepsy inasmuch as these species have
narrow and pointed tails, [queues aiguees et pointues,] not broad
tails [queues plates] as the term would import. I should here,
Gentlemen, apply the same observations respecting the aberration
of character in the extreme species of a group which I have
advanced in the preceding case of Palceornis^ did I not conceive
that I should be trifling with your time and that of your readers,
by not at once meeting the assertion of the writer in the '' DiC'
tionnaire^^ by a decided contradiction. The species enumerated
above certainly forma small minour group in the genus, as I have
myself elsewhere observed. They are geographically separated
from the others, being found in the Australian islands, not on the
continent of New Holland ; and deviating from the typical species
by some subordinate variations of character, they probably will
hereafter form a new genus when further subdivision becomes
necessary in this branch of the family. But although the tail of
these species is more graduated than in the typical species Plut.
Pennantii, and thus points out the passage to Pezoporus, it is yet
so conspicuously broad at the base and centre, as to be fully
entitled to the character I have assigned it of being "lata, de-
pressa," and thus to bear out the applicability of the title
Plattjcercus to the whole group. The three last mentioned

in the '' Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturellesy 121

species of this group are of rare occurrence. I have met with
specimens of them only in the British Museum ; and there only
I believe the greater part of them are still to be found.* These
specimens are not in the best preservation, but they evidently
accord with the characters I have assigned them, as may be judged
from the figures given of them in a preceding volume of this jour-
nal. But although these species are rare, the Plat. Pacificus has
become of late very abundant in our collections, and I have thus
been enabled to speak with certainty as to its characters. I have
had a living specimen for months in my collection, and have
besides seen numbers alive in this town ; where they have been
the subject of general admiration, not merely on account of the
length of their tarsi and the consequent activity and freedom in
running and jumping which so strongly distinguishes them from
the generality of ParrotSy but on account of the equally dis-
tinguishing breadth and depression of the tail.t

* Although it is rather a bold step to assert that any writer would describe
the characters of birds without having seen the birds themselves, particularly
when he opposes the opinions of another writer on the same subject, I would
almost venture to suggest that the writer in the " J)ictionnaire" had never seen
the birds in question. M. Kuhl described these species from the specimens
in the British Museum; and looking only to the one conspicuous character,
the length of the tarsi, he classed them with the Pez. formosus, III., which is
distinguished by its length of limb. He was not aware that all the Perruches
d /ar^e jMcrae have elevated tarsi: and that the species alluded to would thus
have more properly been arranged in that group on account of the form of
their tail. Now it appears probable that the writer in the "• Dictionnaire"
looked, not to the birds, but to M. Kuhl's Monograph; and finding them ar-
ranged with a bird that has a narrow cuneated tail, he took it for granted that
their tails must also be " aiguess et pointues." Whatever may have been the
cause, he certainly is in errour respecting the fact.

f It happens by a rather curious coincidence of circumstances that the only, or
at least the best known group in Ornithology which has been formed by M.
Desmarest, has a name derived from the same source as Platycerciis. I allude
to his genus Platyrhynchus. It also happens, that the same characters, mutatis
mutandis, would answer for both members that respectively supply the names.
The bill of his group is broad and depressed at the base and centre, and
tapering towards the apex : so is the tail of my genus. A horizontal section
of the bill of PlatyrTiynehus would accurately represent the tail of Platycercus.
M. Desmarest ought to be more cautious than to permit a censure to pass
under his authority upon a mode of nomenclature which is sanctioned by his
own practice.

12:^ Mr, Vigors's Replt/ to some Observations

One observation more and I have done. The late M. Kuhl, in
his Monograph of this family, introduced a practice which well
deserves to be imitated, that of placing in a separate station at the
end of his Paper all the published species which he had not him-
self been able to examine, or which had not been described from
authentick sources. Among these doubtful species was the Psiit»
pyrrhopterus of Dr. Latham, which, having been described from
a single specimen, and a specimen no longer it appears in ex-
istence, or capable of being referred to at the time M. Kuhl wrote
his Monograph, might with some appearance of justice be assigned
this doubtful station. Two living specimens however lately ar-
rived in this country from the Sandwich Islands, and came into
my possession ; they were immediately characterized and figured
in this journal. In the very face nevertheless of this evidence of
its existence, the bird, although referred to in the '' Dictionnaire^^
as published in this country, still retains its station in that work
among the doubtful species. Here then we have a bird, described
by one British naturalist, redescribed by a second, and figured by
a third ; and yet in the eyes of M. Dcsmarest, or rather I should
say, of his inefficient substitute, it is not of sufficient authority to
hold a place among authenticated species.

I trust. Gentlemen, that, in thus defending Dr. Horsfield and
myself against the uncalled for attack that has been levelled
against us, I may not be supposed to be actuated by hostile
feelings to the French naturalists in general. Those readers who
may have paid a casual attention to my exertions in science, must
be aware that I have been neither ignorant of the eminent ser-
vices in Zoology of our continental neighbours, nor backward in
acknowledging them. If there are any of those my exertions upon
which I can allow myself to indulge a moment's pride, it is the
endeavour, in union with some of the most enlightened Zoologists
of this country, to break through the restricted mode of studying
nature that has retarded the growth of the science among us, and
to open the eyes of our rising naturalists to the improvements of
the continental schools. It has been one of our chief objects to
point out the true merits of the founders of these schools ; — not,
however, with the view of following in their wake, in timid sub-

in the " Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles*^ 123

mission to their ordinances, but in the hope of emulating their
progress and maintaining an equal line in the advance ; — of assum-
ing, in short, that forward station in Zoology, which the genius,
the industry, and the mighty resources of this Empire confer upon
us as a right, and impose upon us as a duty, to assert. Happy am I in
feeling myself authorized to add, that the spirit which is diffusing
itself among our Zoologists promises the happiest results to this
our cause. We feel strong in our first advances. We have
chosen our path : — not having fallen into it by blind chance or
wayward prejudice ; but having selected it from all that lay before
us, with free and deliberate preference. And in full confidence,
as far at least as human reason and foresight can inspire us with con-
fidence, of having chosen the right way, we shall steadily pursue it,
uninfluenced either by the secret or undisguised opposition of false
friends or open enemies, abroad or at home. Truth is our object;
— trutli if possible in amity with all — in cordial co-operation
with all I but, — if that boon be denied us — still truth and truth
alone.

I must conclude. Gentlemen, this long discussion into which I
have been forced most unexpectedly, and entirely in opposition
to my wishes and feelings. I conclude it however, as I hope I
have pursued it, without any sentiments or expressions of resent-
ment. My feelings are more those '' of sorrow than of anger ;"
— of sorrow, that the fair fame of a naturalist like M. Desmarest
should be hazarded by being placed in contact with the ill-judged
Article before us, and that the pages of science should be sullied
by contentions such as these.

I have the honour to be,

Gentlemen, &c. &c.

N. A. Vigors.

l,^4r Anali/tical Notices of Books.

Art. XII. Analytical Notices of Books,

An Introduction to Entomology : or Elements of the Natural
History of Insects, By William Kiuby, M.A. F.R.Sf L.S.
cwf/ William Spence, Esq. F.L.S. Vols. iii. «wrf iv. 8vo.
pp. 732 and 634. Plates xxv.

To furnish a satisfactory analysis of any production on Natural
History in a few lines, barely exceeding in number that of its
sheets, must be at all times a task of extreme difficulty. It is
one which in fact could never be attempted with any prospect of
success unless where the work under examination was chiefly
theoretical. By reproducing the conclusions arrived at by the
author, and exhibiting some of the more convincing arguments
adduced in support of them, a tolerably correct idea might in
such a case be given. Where however the work, like the one
before us, is almost entirely free from theory, and is devoted
with very trifling exceptions to the exposition of facts, the
attempt to analyse it becomes completely hopeless. The '^ In-r
troduction to Entomology" is indeed itself an analysis of the
numerous volumes devoted to the history of Insects which have
preceded it ; all that is valuable in their contents being con-
densed in its pages within the smallest compass consistent with
perspicuity. The information derived from these sources may
consequently be regarded as beyond the reach of a still farther
abridgement. On the other hand the novel facts with which it
abounds, and the new views on many most important points
which are illustrated in its course, are almost equally beyond our
power to analyse : they are tpo numerous for the space we could
afford to them, and too interesting to be condemned to the cur-
sory notice to which we must be confined. Were we indeed to
set aside the whole of the materials derived from the works of
previous authors, and to advert solely to those novelties for which
we are indebted to Messrs. Kirby and Spence, a review conducted
on our usual principle of retaining all the important facts pre-
sented to us, would become by far too extensive. Each of the

Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomology, ISS

Letters into which it is divided would require an article more
extended than the present, and the whole of one of our numbers
would scarcely suffice to convey an adequate outline of the vast
mass of important information embodied in these volumes. Our
ndtice must therefore be limited almost to a mere enumeration of
some of those striking points by which the attention of the scien-
tific reader will be most forcibly arrested. The remainder we
must, though reluctantly, pass by, with the single observation
that there are few pages of the work from which Entomologists,
even of the highest order, will not derive at once information and
amusement.

Of the contents of the first two volumes of the Introduction
to Entomology it is unnecessary for us to speak, as they are
doubtless well known to every one of our readers. In the pre-
sent volumes, which complete the work, the subjects are thus
arranged: definition of the term insects; states of insects; their
external anatomy ; their internal anatomy and physiology ; their
diseases ; their senses ; Orismology, or explanation of the terms
employed in Entomology ; systems ; history of the science ; geo-
graphical distribution of insects; methods of collecting and pre-
serving them ; and the mode to be pursued in their investigation.

On the first of these subjects, the definition of the term Insect,
Messrs. Kirby and Spence differ from all previous systematists,
the characters employed by them being designed to embrace all
those annulose animals in which respiration is performed by means
of tracheae. Their Insecta consequently correspond with the
Insecta and the Trachean Arachnida of Latreille and Lamarck ;
with the Insecta^ Acari^ and Mi/riapoda of Dr. Leach ; and with
the Mandibulata^ Haustellatay many of the Arachnida^ and nearly
the whole of the Ametabola of Mr. W. MacLeay, The only an-
nulose animals excluded are the Arachnida^ distinguished by hav-
ing sacs for respiration, and the Crustacea^ in which that office
is performed by gills. The function thus relied on for their
chief distinction is one of undoubtedly primary importance, and
the division deduced from it is shown to be strongly supported by
•the differences observable also in the systems of circulation, di-
gestion, and generation. The relation borne by insects to other

1^6 Anali/tical Notices of Books.

animals is also pointed out, and their resemblances in many par-
ticulars to the more perfect of the Vertebrata are traced with
some detail. That, though usually minute, they occasionally
exceed in size animals of a higher organization, is shown by a
curious table of the comparative magnitudes of insects of the
different families.

The succeeding Letters are devoted to the different states of
Insects. The authors combat the hypothesis recently advanced
by Herold, that the successive skins of the caterpillar, the pupa-
case, the future butterfly, and its parts and organs, except those
of sex, do not pre-exist as germs, but are formed successively
from the rete mucosum by a vis formatrix. Against this they
argue at considerable length, and adduce several weighty reasons
for the preference they give to the older opinion of Swammerdam,
that every caterpillar, at its first exclusion, contains within itself
the germ of the future butterfly. Through their succeeding
stages of Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Imago, the history of insects is
traced in that attractive style and with that perspicuous arrange-
ment which characterize the work. The number of eggs laid by
insects, the moulting of the larvae, the cocoons of the pupae, their
transformation, and especially the development of the wing of
the perfect insect from the almost shapeless mass formed by it in
its rudimental state, are among the topics most ably discussed in
this section. The differences existing between the sexes are also
explained with considerable detail. But the most striking novelty
in this department, as connected with system, is the extension of
the views of Mr. W. MacLeay relative to the analogies borne by
the larvae of certain insects to the Ametabolous Annulosa^ into
other orders besides the Coleoptera, in which alone they had
before been extensively developed. In addition to the resem-
blances of form traceable between larvaj and the AmetabolUy
many are pointed out between them and the various orders of
Crustacea^ the Arachnida^ and even Mollusca : on the latter
analogy it is however probable that some doubts may be enter-
tained. Of the fifteen types of larvae thus obtained, characters
and examples are given ; and their occurrence or prevalence is
carefully traced, through each of the orders of insects respec-

Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomology. 127

tively, to the greatest extent that our limited acquaintance with
them will at present permit.

Of the high scientific value of the information presented by the
Letters on the external Anatomy of Insects it is almost impossible
to speak in terms of sufficient praise. To estimate rightly its im-
portance it would be necessary to have devoted, like Mr. Kirby,
years to the investigation, and to have carefully examined, with
an acumen equal to his own, almost every entomological collection
in this country and many in foreign lands. On this subject it
may safely be asserted, that no one need fear to lower his own
importance by exclaiming to our authors, in the words of Linne
on another entomological occasion, Estote magistri mei.

The immense mass of novelty introduced in this department,
a novelty of facts and not a mere pernicious alteration of names,
is preceded by a synoptical table of the parts into which the
insect skeleton is resolvable. The whole of these are subsequently
treated of with a detail which leaves nothing to desire. The
description of the head, and of those essentially important por-
tions of it, the trophi or organs by which the food is taken, is
particularly laboured ; but we cannot even enumerate the many
striking facts deduced from the accurate dissections to which
insects of every order must have been repeatedly subjected during
its composition. Even for the parts of the perfect mouths defi-
nitions are given more precise than any previously proposed ;
while to the imperfect ones are applied denominations so correctly
circumscribed as to obviate in future that misapplication of terms
by which considerable confusion has hitherto been produced. In
connexion with the head, another set of organs is now for the
first time pointed out as appertaining to a sense usually supposed
to reside in other parts of the body — that of smelling. The
Clypeus is regarded as a nose, Nasus, and the Rhinarium, situated
between this part and the lip, is considered as analogous to the
nostrils of quadrupeds. That the sense in question resides in this
situation seems almost to be established by the facts adverted to in
a subsequent Letter. The trunk is submitted to an equally minute
investigation with the head. It is divided primarily into Mani-
trunk and Alitrunk, the anterior pair of legs being denominated

128 Anali/tical Notices of Books.

Brachia, their functions frequently resembling rather those of
arms. The parts composing the three segments of the thorax are
minutely described, and their internal processes are especially
attended to. The structure, forms, and areas of the wings, their
appendages and modifications ; the legs, their articulations and
locations, and the parts of the tarsi, are also treated of in detail.
This portion of the work furnishes indeed in every respect by far
the most complete view, both general and partial, of the external
anatomy of insects that has ever appeared.

The Letters on the Internal Anatomy and Physiology are de-
Toted in succession to the systems of Sensation, Respiration, Cir-
culation, Digestion, Secretion, Reproduction, and Motion. Each
of these presents too vast a field to be touched on by us ; but we
cannot refrain from noticing the opinion advanced by Messrs.
Kirby and Spence, that the nervous system of insects is of a
mixed kind, combining in itself both the cerebro-spinal and the
ganglionic systems. On the external resemblance borne by their
first ganglion to the brain in vertebrated animals it must be con-
fessed that too much stress ought not to be laid; but their capa-
bility of domestication and of education, or in other words of
acquiring habits not instinctive, their memory, and their possession
of that degree of intellect and judgment which enables them to
profit by the notices of their senses, appear to us, as to our authors,
to furnish so many convincing proofs of the necessity of a common
nervous centre. The recent anatomical discoveries of Miiller,
which will be noticed in our next number, are also adapted to
illustrate and support, in a very striking and unexpected manner,
the opinion just alluded to.

At first sight the subject of the Letter on the Diseases of
Insects may appear to partake of the ludicrous. They are how-
ever at times annoying to man, those of bees and silk-worms being
occasionally extremely detrimental to their proprietor, and the
hopes of the aurelian in his choicest larvae being frequently
blighted by them. Unfortunately the healing art has yet efi'ected
little to remedy them. Their history is in many respects interest-
ing, and the descriptions of various malformations and deformities
are particularly curious.

Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomologi/. 129

On the organs of the Senses in insects there exists so consider-
able a difference of opinion, that the Letter on them will probably
prove one of the most generally attractive. That insects possess
senses equivalent to, if not identical with, those of the human
race, is rendered evident by numerous facts with which all are
conversant. Few however entertain precise ideas as to the organs
by which are received the impressions of external objects. Our
authors regard the Antennae, relative to whose functions so much
discussion has taken place, as the analogues of ears ; the sense of
hearing being however probably modified by some connexion with
that of touch in a manner of which we can form no clear con-
ception. Touch, in a passive sense, appears to be pretty generally
diffused over the body ', active touch is stated to be confined to
the antennae, palpi, and arms. Smelling is, as we have before
observed, referred to the nose and to the space included between
it and the lip : and taste to the tongue. With respect to the
organs to which sight is entrusted no dijBiculty appears to exist.

The Orismology of this department of Natural History is
another of those topics to which, as to the external anatomy, the
attention of the authors has been especially directed. The im-
portance of a well-defined system of terms is too obvious to re-
quire illustration. Without a thorough and clear acquaintance
with them it would be impossible either to receive or to convey
correct scientific information. The terms proposed by Messrs.
Kirby and Spence seem perfectly adapted for general use. They
are precisely defined, and as they are by far more numerous thaa
those previously in use, they of course comprehend a greater
number of those variations in substance, forms, surface, and
relative situation, on which reliance must always be placed in
the investigation of insects. Each of them is moreover illustrated
by a reference to that part of some particular insect in which it is
found to exist, and a correct idea of its precise meaning is thus
ensured. In the nomenclature of colours this plan is almost
essential, words alone being scarcely capable of conveying ac-
curate impressions of numerous shades which are readily distin-
guished by the eye.

Vol. III. I

ISO Analytical Notices of Books,

The Orders adhered to in the letter devoted to the System of
Insects, are those proposed in the first volume of the work.
On this occasion the essential characters of each are given, and
these are accompanied- by observations on their connexion with
each other, and on the tribes of which each is individually com-
posed. Of the existence of a primary division of winged insects
into Mandibulata and Haustellata^ doubts are entertained ; and
it is stated that, on the principle of their formation, a third
section should be adopted to include many of the Hymenoptera^
by which the food is taken by lapping. The analogies which
are considered to exist between the Orders, approach nearly to
those remarked by Savigny. They are drawn from the resem-
blances of the perfect insects, and thus differ essentially from
those deduced by Mr. W. MacLeay, from the metamorphosis.
The relative value of the groups, both primary and subordi-
nate, into which insects are divided, is explained, and they
are made to succeed each other in the following order : class;
subclass ; order ; suborder ; section ; subsection ; tribe ; sub-
tribe ; stirps ; family ; genus ; and subgenus. For nearly the
whole of these divisions uniform terminations are proposed ; a
plan which, could it have been originally carried into elBfect,
would have admirably expressed the comparative importance of
the group intended to be mentioned, but which would now ne-
cessitate too many changes in received nomenclatures to become
ever available. The position assigned to insects in the general
system is in immediate apposition with the Vertebrata.

The History of Entomology is divided into seven Epochs ; the
Era of the Ancients ; the Era of the Revival of the science after
the darkness of the middle ages ; the Era of Swammerdam and
Ray, or of the Metamorphotic System ; the Era of Linne, or of
the Alary System ', the Era of Fabricius, or of the Maxillary
System ; the Era of Latreille, or of the Eclectic System ; and
the Era of MacLeay, or of the Quinary System. The sketch is
clearly and candidly drawn up. Each of the eras passes succes-
sively in review ; the system proposed in it is examined, and
the principal alterations suggested by real science, or by a
mere affectation of novelty, are explained. Hence a general view

Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomology, 131

is obtained of the progress of Entomology from its first dawning
as a science to the present advanced state of knowledge respect-
ing it. A very curious illustration of the Linnean system is
given in a copy of Latin verses by the peet Gray, in which the
characters assigned to each of the genera are exhibited within
the compass of a single hexameter.

In the letter on the Geographical Distribution of Insects,
many valuable facts are thrown together in illustration of the
limits within which certain families appear to be either almost
entirely confined, or at least especially prevalent. The enquiry
is one which is now regarded with considerable interest, and for
the elucidation of which fresh materials are daily accumulating.
Under the same head much information is imparted relative to
the stations and haunts of insects, the seasons of their appear-
ance, and their times of action and repose, which will materially
assist the collector, for whose instruction the subsequent letter
is also designed. In this the instruments and methods usually
employed in their capture are fully described ; and the best
plans for preserving and arranging them are pointed out. The
want of such a manual as is here furnished has frequently ope-
rated to paralyze the exertions of the unpractised collector, and
we are therefore gratified to observe it embodied in a work
which will find its way into so extensive a circulation as the
present. The plan recommended to be pursued by the student
in the investigation of insects, will also be found highly service-
able to him, and will doubtless receive that attention to which
every observation on this subject, from such a quarter, must be
entitled.

.The Appendix presents a list of the authors quoted, which
is so arranged as to afford some idea of the works which are
most necessary to an entomological library ; together with very
copious indexes, an essential appendix to every work of science,
and tables of reference to the numerous objects represented in
the well-filled illustrative plates. The descriptions of the organs
of generation and of the coitus are here also given, but are
shrowded from many of the readers of the more popular portions
in a learned language, which has evidently been resorted to for

1 2

132 Analytical Notices of Books,

the sake of decency. A curious instance of the zeal with which
occasions for inculcating lessons of piety and morality has been
sought after here occurs, in the hints given for the guidance of
young ladies on subjects of which they should scarcely be sus-
pected to have even dreamed, and in a language too which few
of them can understand. So slight a slip of the pen needs how-
ever no apology in the kindly and good-hearted feelings which
evidently dictated it.

Confessedly imperfect as is the preceding sketch of this ar-
ranged Encyclopaedia of entomological knowledge, we feel less
hesitation in presenting it to our readers, since we are convinced
that the perusal of the volumes themselves will be universally
sought after. It would be almost superfluous to add, that they
will at once gratify and instruct every admirer of that extensive
and interesting department of Zoology of which they treat. The
task undertaken by the learned authors was most arduous, and
one from which men of less energetic minds must have shrunk in
despair. To maintain and even to increase by the publication of
a work almost essentially popular, the high scientific characters
which they had previously obtained, required a fortunate com-
bination of talents of no ordinary description. To have succeeded
in such an undertaking to the extent which has been effected
by them, an extent probably greater than their most sanguine
hopes could have anticipated, affords the most convincing proof
of the admirable nature of the plan pursued by them ; a plan,
be it added, formed upon no preceding model, but meriting ffs a
new invention, to be held forth to the iinitation of others. By
their excellent Introduction more general attention has been at-
tracted within a few years to the study of Entomology than
would have been produced in centuries by a repetition of those
dry technicalities which so frequently check the ardour of the
beginner, and occasionally disgust him at the very threshold of
the science. The happy union of amusement with instruction
obviates this difficulty : the learner is interested in the wonders
displayed before him, he pursues the study with vigour, and
while endeavouring to verify by experiment the statements of his
authors, becomes himself acquainted with new facts ; these he

Sowerby's Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells. 135

in turn imparts to the world, and thus, should ambition urge
him so far, he is at length eni'olled among the more distinguished
votaries of that science in which he has found the recreation and
delight of his leisure hours. That such results will again and
again be produced by the labours of Messrs. Kirby and Spence,
we confidently expect. In other departments of Zoology the
same end would doubtless be attained by the employment of
similar means, and we do hope that these means will not be
suffered to remain wanting while we have those among us whose
talents and acquirements have peculiarly fitted tljiem for sup*
plying the deficiency.

The Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells. By G. B. Sowerby,
F.L.S. WUh original Plates. % J. D.C. Sowerby, F.i..5.
No. xxviii.

The whole of the four genera illustrated in the present number
are new ; two of them being now, for the first time, separated
from Voluta, Lam., one from Venus ^ Lin., and the remaining one
|3eing founded on an undescribed species of Cirripeda.

The first of these genera, Cymba, is thus characterized :
^' Testa levis, admodom ventricosa, plerumque uni- color.
Epidermis laevis, fusca, tegmine quasi vitreo partim vel omnino
obducta. Apex rudis. Spira brevissima. Columella curva,
2-3-plicata, plicis magnis, acutis. Labium externum haud re-^
flexum. Basis profunde emarginata. Apertura hians. Oper-
-culum nullum. Caput grande, planum, tentaculis remotis, oculis
pone tentacula posjtis, mediocribus. Pallium magnum ? Peg
maximus. Animal carnivorum. Habitat marinum in calidioribus
mundi veteris regionibus. It includes six species, formerly part
of the section Gondolieres of Lamarck's Voluta^ and is illustrated
by figures of C. Neptuni in a young state, of C. Cymbium^ and
of C. proboscidalis.

The second genus Meld, also forms part of the same section
of Foluta, Lam. The character assigned to it is as follows :
^' Testa ventricosa, levis, ut plurimiim colore vario. Epidermis

134 Analj/tical Notices of Books,

laBvis, viridi-fusca. Apex mamillaris. Spira brevis. Columella
■vix recta, 3-4-plicata5 plicis magnis, acutis. Labium externum
haud reflexum. Basis profunde emarginata. Apertura hians.
Operculum nullum. Caput grande, planum, tentaculis laterali-
bus, remotis, oculis pone tentacula positis, magnis. Branchiae
satis magnae, dextra major. Pallium mediocre. Pes maximus,
ovalis." The animals of this genus resemble those of the pre-
ceding in being carnivorous, and in inhabiting the seas of the
warmer regions of the old world. The species are divided into
two sections, 1. "Spira inermi," including only the M, Indicus
(V. Melo, And.) which is figured, together with its young
state, V. Pneputiuniy Chemn. and 2. " Spira spinis fornicatis
armata," embracing six species, and illustrated by the figure of
a new one under the name of M. umbilicatus.

For the characters of, and observations on, the two preceding
genera, Mr. Sowerby acknowledges himself indebted to W. J.
Broderip, Esq. who has kindly in part anticipated the information
he is about to publish in his Monographs of the VolutiddSj for
which his extensive collection aiFords the most ample and satis-
factory materials.

PuLLASTRA, in which are included the Venerupes of Lamarck,
together with such of his Veneres as are allied to V, pullastra^
is thus defined by Mr. Sowerby : " Testa aequivalvi, transversa,
inaequilaterali, latere antico breviore, dentibus cardinalibus in
utraque valva tribus contiguis, interdum apicibus subemargina-
tis. Impressiones musculares duae laterales, subrotundatae. Im-
pressio muscularis pallii sinu magno. Ligamentum externum^
valvarum marginibus dorsalibus suboccultatum." It is illus-
trated by figures of the P, vulgaris^ Venus Pullastra^ Auct., of
P. litteratUj and of P. papilionacea.

The new genus of Cirripeda is described under the name of
Catophragmus : " Testa subconica, apice pervio, basi adhse-
rente, (valvS, testacea clausa?) valvis octo, inaequalibus, late-
raliter adjunctis, composita ; valvis porro plurimis per series
externas, circulares, gradatim minores, confertim co-ordinatis.
Operculum bipartitum, valvis quatuor, anticis majoribus, compo-
situm." As in the new genus Odomeris established by Mr.

King's Survei/ of Australia. 135

Sowerby, at page 244 of our last volume, and figured in the Sup-
plementary plates, the shelly cone immediately surrounding the
animal consists of eight pieces, and the operculum of four ; but
in CatophragmuSy the first shelly cone is surrounded by a second,
equally composed of eight pieces, and this again by several sets
of more and more numerous pieces gradually dcreasing in size,
bearing in this respect some analogy to Pollicipes, The genus
is founded on two specimens in different stages of growth, one
of which was received from Antigua, attached to a Conia. The
trivial name affixed to it is C imbricatus.

Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of
Australia^ perfot^med between the years 1818 and 1822,
By Captain Philip P. King, R.N, F.R.S. F.L.S. Sfc.
With an Appendix, containing various Subjects relating to
Hydrography and natural History. 2 vols. 8vo. plates.

To enter at any length into the general results of this inter-
esting survey of the coasts of New Holland, would be foreign
to the purposes of this Journal, in which we are bound to con-
fine ourselves to the zoological information obtained during the
progress of the expedition. It will be sufficient to observe that
the whole of the Eastern Coast within the tropic was carefully
surveyed, as well as the Northern and North-western Coasts,
on each of which, and also at the Isle of France, were collected
objects of Natural History, few certainly in number, (owing to
the rarity of the occasions presented by the nature of the service,
and to the want of sufficient space in the small vessel employed,)
but by no means without that interest which arises from the no-
velty of some of them. A brief review of the Catalogues of the
collections in the various departments of zoology, which form
part of the Appendix, will best illustrate their value to the
student.

The Mammalia, only six in number, present nothing worthy
of remark : but of the fourteen species of birds collected, no less
than four are regarded as new by Mr. Vigors, to whom Capt,

136 Anali/tical Notices of Books,

King acknowledges hjmself indebted for advice and assistance
in this department. One of the new species, which is closely
allied to the Gracula viridis, Lath., is considered as forming, to-
gether with that bird, a new genus provisionally described
tinder the name of MimetA, with the following characters :
" Rostrum forte, subuarcuatum, subcultratum, mandibulis utris-
que apice emarginatis ; naribus basalibus, lateralibus, subovali-
bus, membrana partim tectis. Lingua ad sugendum idonea?
Al(B mediocres, rotundatae ; remige Ima brevissim^ ; 2da et 6ta
aequalibus ; 3tia et 4ta fere aequalibus, longissimis ; 5ta his
paulo breviori : riemigum 3tia ad 6tam inclusam pogoniis exter-
nis in medio gradatim productis. Pedes subbreves ; acrotarsiis
scutellatis, scutis quinque ; paratarsiis integris. Cauda medio-
cris, fere aequalis." The stability of this genus, which has
many external relations with the Orioles, rests entirely on the
probability that the tongue is formed for suction. Should this
prove not to be the case, the group, it is allowed, must of course
fall. The new species described is the M. Jiavocincta, " flavo-
viridis, subtus pallidior, capite dorsoque fusco-lineatis, alis cau-
d^que nigris viridi flavoque variegatis." It differs from the
M. viridis in the bill being somewhat higher, and more carinated,
in the general distribution of the colours, and in being marked
with yellow where the latter bird is white.

The remaining ornithological novelties relate merely to species.
The Hcematopus picatus " ater ; corpore subtus, fascia alarum,
uropygio, caudaeque basi albis ; remigibus primoribus totis ni-
gris ; " forms the second addition to this genus recently obtained
from Australia. It approaches more nearly to the European
species, the H. ostraleguSy than to the H.palliatus of Temminck,
or to the H.niger of Quoy and Gaimard. The Sterna pelecanoidesy
'^ alba ; capitis vertice nigro albo-variegato ; dorso, alis, rachibus
albis," deviates from its own genus, and approaches the Pele^
canida by the smaller size of the membrane that unites the toes,
by the dilatation of the side of the nail of the middle toe, and by
the greater proportional length of the wings. The fourth new
species Larus GeorgUy is thus described, '' L. albus, dorso
ali&que nigris ; rectricibus albis, fascia media atra."

King's Survei/ of Australia. 137

For the illustration of the Reptilia^ nine in number, we are
indebted to Mr. J. E. Gray, who considers four of them as new.
One of these is peculiarly remarkable by the singular frill ap-
pended to the neck, which distinguishes it in a striking manner
from the Agama, to which it appears in other respects to be
closely allied. It is the type of the genus Chlamt/dosaurus^
Gray, Ann. of Phil., and is thus described ; " C. Kingii, C.
corpore luteo, nigro-variegato ; squamis carinatis ; pennula an.
tice serrata ; caudae corpore duplo longiore." Another is refer-
able to the genus Phelsuma^ Gray, ib. where a short character of
'/ it, under the name of P. ornata^ had been previously given.
The third forms the type of the genus Trachysaurus^ Gray, and
is characterized as follows ; " T. rugosus, T. squamis dorsi ru-
gosis, caudae subspinosis ; cauda brevissima : " and the fourth is
the Leptophis punctulatus^ " L. squamis laevibus apice uni-inden-
tatis, spinas dorsalis triangularibus ; cauda quadrantali, tenui,
squamis aequalibus ; " an interesting addition to the genus esta-
blished by Mr. Bell at p. 328 of our last volume, to which an-
other species collected by the expedition, the L. spilotuSj
(Coluber spilotus^ Lacepede,) is also referred by Mr. Gray,
The Lacerta scincoides, Shaw, is described as the type of the
genus Tiliqua, Gray, 1. c. under the trivial name tuberculata.

Among the Fish described, which are only seven in number,
one alone, the Teuthis australis^ is stated to be new. Mr. Gray,
however, has since ascertained that it is probably the Acanthurus
triostegus. He remarks, that seven or eight other species, and
several interesting drawings, were brought home by Captain
King, which may probably be novel, but which he fears to
describe as such lest he should increase the confusion already
existing in this neglected department of Zoology.

With the exception of a single species of Annelida^ the whole
of the Annulosa collected are illustrated by Mr. W. S. Mac-
Leay. The number of species of insects enumerated or des-
cribed in the Catalogue is 192, of which 130 belong to the class
Mandibulata^ 58 to Haustellata, and 4 to Arachnida. Of these
eighty-one were previously undescribed ; but the whole of them
except two, are referable to genera already established or indi-

138 Analj/tical Notices of Books,

cated. The genera now first admirably described in detail are
Carpophagus, the type of which is the C. Banksia^ and Mega-
MERUS, having for its type M. Kingii^ a singular insect, bearing
an affinity to Sagra^ but differing from that genus in having seti-
form antennae, correct mandibles, (almost resembling those of
some of the Prionij) and securiform palpi. In another respect
the latter insect is extremely interesting, as the discovery of
pentamerous tarsi in a genus so nearly allied to SagrUy has led
Mr. MacLeay to investigate minutely those parts in the tetra-^
merous and trimerous Coleoptera of the French Entomologists ;
the result of which examination, as developed in a paper read
before the Linnean Society at the commencement of the last
year, has been to establish that those divisions are utterly un-
founded in fact. Both the Carpophagus Banksia and the Mega-
merus Kingii are figured, together with the Phasma tiaratum^
a rare and singular species.

Of Cirripeda only one species is mentioned ; and of Radiata
no more than five : the species of Acrita are twenty-five in num-
ber ; but the whole of these have been described.

The Mollusca^ illustrated by Mr. J. E. Gray, are more nume-
rous, comprising one hundred and eleven species, twenty-three
of which are new. None of them however present any striking
novelty of form ; those which were previously undescribed being
referred to the following genera ; Venus ^ Cytherea^ Lima, Mono-
donta^ Rissoa^ Solarium, Phasianellay Scalaria, Littorina, Nassa,
Claratula, Conus, Marginella, Strombus, Bulla, Cyclostoma,
Chiton, and Haliotis, To transcribe the characters of these new
shells would too much extend this notice, and the reader who
wishes to consult them must therefore be referred to the work
itself. He will also be repaid for a perusal of the general narra-
tive, by numerous occasional notices on such zoological subjects
as presented themselves to Capt. King's observation.

It is gratifying to observe that the able navigator and zealous
naturalist, to whom we are indebted for these volumes, was in-
structed by the Secretary for the Colonies " to endeavour to
obtain information " relative to " the animals, whether birds,
beasts, or fishes ; insects, reptiles, &c." which might be observed

Curtis's British Entomology, 139

during the progress of the expedition. By the same authority
directions were also given to " receive on board Mr. A. Cunning-
ham, a botanist ; " and also to '^ engage any other person, if
there be such in the colony, who possesses a competent know-
ledge of Mineralogy or Natural History." If the services of any
such person could have been obtained, considerable additions
would doubtless have been made to the collections : without this
assistance however they are extremely respectable, and, when
his numerous other avocations are considered, they may even be "
regarded as highly creditable to the zeal and exertions of Capt.
King.

British Entomology ; or Illustrations and Descriptions of the
Genera oj Insects found in Great Britain and Ireland, By
John Curtis, F,L,S, Nos. xxii — xxiv.

The first of the numbers which we have now to notice exhibits
1. Lebia turcica^si species exceedingly rare in Britain. 2. Cleora
cinctaria^ a species new to this country, and associated under the
above generic name with the Geometra abietaria^ G. crepuscularia^
&c. 3. Abia nigricornis 3' and $ . 4. Chironomus cestivus, a new
species of this very extensive genus of Diptera nearly allied to
the C. elegans of Meigen.

In the twenty-third number are contained 1. Obrium ca«-
iharinum ^ and $ ; the former sex having been described by
Fabricius and Panzer under the name of Saperda brunnea, and
the female by that of S. ferruginea. The name of the genus has
been adopted from Megerle, but his characters, if indeed they have
been published, have not yet reached this country. It differs
chiefly in its long and dilated, or subspinose, thorax from Saperda
and Callidium, and is also peculiarly distinguished by the length
of the first joint of the antennae. 2. Spilosoma. Walkerii^ a non-
descript species of a new genus allied to Eyprepia^ and compre-
hending Bombyoc lubricipeda^ B, menthastri, &c. which are
readily distinguished by their spotted bodies. 3. Clavellaria
marginata^ Tenthredo marginata of Liime, which Mr. Curtis sus-
pects to be merely the female of the Amerinw of the same dis-

140 Anali/tical Notices of Books,

tiiiguished author. 4. Laphria nigra^ the only species of this
numerous genus of Diptera which has yet been detected in Eng-
land, where it is by no means common.

The twenty-fourth number comprises 1. Hydaticus cinereus^
recently captured for the first time in this country by Messrs.
Chant and Bentley. It is the Dytiscus cinereus of Linne, but not
of Fabricius nor of Marsham. 2. Vanessa Antiope^ with its larva,
3. Zarcea fasdata of Leach. 4. Merodon clavipes^ of which only
two specimens have been taken in England.

An additional leaf is given in the last number for the purpose
of being substituted for that containing the description of Acilius
cinereus^ the insect previously figured under this name being in
fact a new species, to uhich Mr. Curtis has found it necessary
to assign the name A, caliginosus.

In concluding our notices of the second volume of this import-
ant addition to our entomological libraries, we need only refer to
our previously expressed opinions of the value of the work, and of
the beauty and accuracy of the figures contained in it, and repeat
our cordial wishes for its continuance in the same excellent style
as that in which it has commenced. A third volume has since
been completed, to which we shall advert in our next number.

Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes^ avec des Figures originates^
dessinees d'apres des Animaux vivans; S^c. Par MM.
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, et F. Cuvier. Livraisons 52'*''

In the present numbers of this valuable addition to the Natural
History of the Mammalia^ there is less than the usual proportion
of novelty. The most striking feature exhibited by them is the
dismemberment of the genus Elephas, for the purpose of esta-
blishing a new one under the name of Loxodonta. It is some-
what singular that notwithstanding the very striking difference
in form between the African and the Asiatic Elephants they
should have been confounded together by Linne under the deno-
mination of Elephas maximus, M. G. Cuvier first pointed out.

Histoire Naturelle des Mammiferes. 141

to the satisfaction of modern zoologists, the specific distinction
existing between them, and employed to designate the former
the name of E. Capensis, while to the latter was assigned that
of E. Indicus. M. F. Cuvier has now advanced still farther, and
has regarded them as the types of two genera, differing from
each other as much as Canis from Hycena^ or Lagomys from
Lepus, For the Elephant of Asia he retains the original generic
name Elephas, The surfaces of its molar teeth present fasciae of
enamel irregularly festooned ; while in those of the African
Elephant, the type of the new genus Loxodonta, the enamel is
disposed in lozenges. In addition to this striking distinction de-
rived from the dentary system, M. F. Cuvier also enumerates the
other characters which have hitherto been regarded as specific.
The smaller, more elongated, and less irregular head of the
African animal when compared with the Asiatic : the rounded
forehead of the former, strongly contrasted with the deep de-
pression in the middle of that of the latter : the ear of the former
also twice the extent, while the tail is only half the length,
&c.

Since 1681 no African Elephant has been seen in Europe until
the young female figured by M. Cuvier, which is now alive in
Paris, having been sent as a present by the Pacha of Egypt. Its
habits, so far as those of a very young animal can be relied on,
exhibit none of the ferocity usually ascribed to it, and are.indeed
fully as mild, intelligent, and tractable, as those of the Elephant
of Asia.

The remaining novelties relate only to species. One of these
is a new species of Macacus, M. carbonarius, which is closely
allied to the M. cynomolgus, (Simia cynomolgos^ and S. cyno^
cephalusy L.) differing from it in fact only in the black, instead of
tanned, colour of its face. It is a native of Sumatra.

The Beaver of Europe, M. F. Cuvier is now disposed io con-
sider as specifically distinguished from that of Canada by the
form of its head. Viewed in profile, instead of presenting a
nearly uniform curve from the occipital bone to the end of the
ossa narium, its outline is almost straight, being inflected only
towards its middle; its sagittal and occipital project strongly, the

142 AnalT/tical Notices of Books,

zygomatic arch is broad and much depressed, the whole cerebral
portion is considerably elongated backwards, and the nasal bones
advance far beyond the orbitar process of the os frontis. These
parts are strikingly less developed in the American Beaver, which
also appears to be one-sixth smaller at the same age than the
living European one now in the Jardin du Roi. In their habits
there appears to be less to distinguish them than has hitherto
been supposed. The European species evinces the same aptitude
and ability in constructing a habitation as are exhibited by the
Beaver of Canada, anecdotes in proof of which are related by M.
F. Cuvier ; nor can our readers fail to recollect the very striking
exemplification of this propensity noticed at page 425 of our last
volume.

In the preceding analysis we have endeavoured to embody the
■whole amount of the new views exhibited by the latest numbers
which have reached us of the folio edition of the Histoire Natu-
relle des Mammiferes. At the same time we received al"so several
of the earlier numbers of the quarto edition of the same work,
which has long been promised to the public. Their appearance
was at once a source of gratification and of regret ; the former
resulting from the greater scientific value and more moderate
price of the new edition, and the latter from the indication which
it furnishes of the speedy termination of the original work. We
had formerly flattered ourselves that it was the intention of the
authors to render it, as far as the present state of the science
would admit, a complete gallery of Mammiferous Animals, and it
was with this impression that we passed over without surprize the
numerous figures which they have given of the commonest species,
but which ought scarcely to have obtained admittance into such
a work, if destined to include only a fraction of the class to
which they belong. A work containing three hundred and sixty
figures, taken from the living animals, accompanied by minute
descriptions, and illustrated by valuable zoological observations,
is certainly of the highest importance ; but we cannot avoid feel-
ing that its bulk, and, in the same proportion, its cost and the
difficulfy of its acquisition, has been greatly increased by the

Zoological Proceedings of Societies, 143

needless repetition of figures of animals known to all the world
and already represented in various publications with all the
accuracy of which art is capable, as well as by the reiterated
representations of others in several stages of their growth. It
may be however that circumstances beyond the control of the
authors have compelled them against their will to limit them-
selves to the comparatively small number of species to which their
illustrations must now be confined ; and if this be the case we
can only express our regret that so grand an undertaking has been
thus rendered imperfect, while we tender to them our best thanks
for having executed even this portion of it in so superior a
manner.

In addition to the advantages of a lower price and of a more
portable form it is necessary to add that the quarto edition pre-
sents also those of a systematic arrangement, and of valuable
general articles on the families and genera which are not to be
met with in the original work.

Art. Xni. Proceedings of Learned Societies on Subjects
connected with Zoology,

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

In our last number we had the opportunity of congratulating
our scientific readers on the approaching establishment of this
Society : and we published a short Prospectus explanatory of its
views. Since that period the Society has been completely organ-
ized ; and its plans and objects are now before the public.

The first meeting for the formation of the Society took place at
the House of the Horticultural Society on the 29th of April,
1826, when Sir T. Stamford Raffles was unanimously elected
President of the Society, and a Council was appointed to assist
him in the direction of its affairs. Committees were subsequently
appointed for the planning out and superintendence of the
several departments ; and considerable progress was made in the
preliminary arrangements of the Institution, when the sudden
and lamented death of the President deprived the Society of its

144 Zoological Society,

founder and chief support. The different Committees however
did not relax in their duties ; they continued to forward the plans
which had been commenced under the superintendance of the
President, and before the end of the year they had completed
some of these plans, and had brought the rest to a state of con-
siderable forwardness. A house was taken for the accommodation
of the Society, situated at No. 33, Bruton Street ; and was fitted
up for the exhibition of the different preserved collections of the
Society. A plot of ground was also obtained from the Com-
missioners of Woods and Forests, &c. in the Regent's Park, for
the exhibition of the living collection : it was fenced-in and
drained, and prepared, as far as the season would permit, for
plantations, walks, &c., with ponds, sheds", aviaries, and other
suitable accomodations for the living animals.

A second meeting took place on the 7th of March, 1827, for
the purpose of electing a President in the place of Sir T. Stamford
Raffles, when the Marquis of Lansdown was unanimously chosen
to that office. From the report of the Council, which was laid
before the meeting, it appears that the Museum of the Society
is now open to the Members. It consists of several thousand
subjects in every branch of Zoology ; and it forms a well-arranged
and instructive collection in almost every department of the
science. This collection has been formed, with the exception of
one or two trifling purchases, by voluntary contribution; and
every day it receives an increase from the zeal and liberality of
the Members. It was also reported that the works in the
Regent's Park are rapidly advancing : 'and it was expected that
the gardens will be opened early in the ensuing summer.

The Council and Officers of the Society consist of the following
noblemen and gentlemen : — Marquis of Lansdown, President :
Duke of Somerset, V.P. ; Earl of Darnley, V.P. ; Earl of Egre-
mont, V.P. : Viscount Gage : Lord Auckland, V.P. : Lord
Stanley, V.P. : Sir E. Home ; E. Barnard, Esq. : J. G. Children,
Esq. : H. T. Colebrooke, Esq. : Rev. Dr. Goodenough : G. B.
Greenough, Esq. : Major - General Ilardwicke : Dr. Thomas
Horsfield, Vice-Secretary: Rev. Dr. Raffles: Joseph Sabine, Esq.
Treasurer : Charles Stokes, Esq. : N. A. Vigors, Secretary :
C. B. Wall, Esq.

THE

ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL.

April— July, 1827.

Art. XIV. A Description of some new Genera and Species
of Petalocerous Coleoptera, By the Rev, Wm. Kirby,
A,M. F.R.S. FMS, S^c.

Having received from North America since the publication of
the Eighth Number of the Zoological Journal, a third and very
distinct species of Cremastocheilus^ I beg leave to offer, to the
Editors of that Journal, as a continuation of mj former paper, a
description of it, together with one of some other undescribed
Petalocerous beetles.

Subkingdom Annulosa. M'L.

Class Insecta. L.

Subclass Mandibulata. Clairv.

Order Coleoptera. L.

Suborder CHiLOGNATHiMoiiPHitA (*). M'L.

Section LAMELLicoRNana. Lat.

Subsection PETALOCERenA. Dumer.

Tribe THALEROPHAGinA. M'L.

iANTHOBIunA. M'L.

/XYLOPHiLuna. Latr.

Stirps

Family Rutelid^. M'L.

* r adopt this Suborder for reasons assigned elsewhere. (Introd. to Ent. iv.
92), where the above method of denominating groups is proposed.

Vol. III. K

146 Mr. Kirby on some new genera and species

Genus. Cnemida.

Nasus trapezoideus, apice subemarginatus subreflexus.
Antennce novem-articulatae : scapo (*) breviusculo incrassato;
articulis sequentibus quatuor subcyUndricis brevissimis, sexto sub-
pateraeformi ; capitulo triphyllo reliquam antennam longitudine
sequantem.

MandibulcB extus bidendatae : dentibus obtusis.
Palpi articulo extimo subcylindrico, truncate.
ScapulariaX inter elytra et prothoracem]+ intrusa, ut mXJetonid
F.

Prosternum || triangulare, pone basin bracbiorum § elevatum.
Mesosternum''^* obtusum, inter pedes intermedios subporrectum,
supra canaliculatum.

Prothorax subbexagonus, latitudine longior, utrinque subfove-
atus, postice emarginatus.

Scutellum elongatum, triaugulum isoscelem figurans.
Elytra humeris productis, rotundatis.

Pedes, l^ibice femorum fere crassitudine : posterioribus qua-
tuor maximis. Cubitus XX apice tridentatus. Calcaria 1,2,2*
Tarn subclavati : unguiculis inaeqnalibus, 2, 2, 2. In manibus-^^
unguiculus internus externo major est et apice bifidus : lobo interi-
ori magno truncate ; iuteriori minuto acuto ; in tarsis autem
quatuor posterioribus, unguiculus internus externo multoties
minor.

Abdomen segmentis duobus ultimis dorsalibus apertis : podice ||[|
magno, subtrapezoideo.
Corpus convexum.

Having only single specimens, I have not been able to examine
the trophi of any species of this genus, but probably they are not
very different from those of the other Rutelidce; yet the mandibles
are less prominent. With regard to external and secondary cha-
racters, Cnemida diflfers from the other insects of that family con-
siderably. For instance, its front is distinguished by a long fovea

♦ Introd. to Ent. iii. 366. B. t Ibid. 378. B. + Ibid. 368. 1. || 'ibid. 369.
B. § Ibid. 369. D. ** Ibid. 379. C. t f Ibid, 369. d. +f Ibid. 370. e.
Illl/Jirf. 390. 1.

;Zoolo<fic«l J©OToial Tol.IDELlPloT.

2

V.
d

of Petalocerous Insects* 147

or excavation between the eyes, to be found in none of them. Its
thorax is considerably longer than wide, approaching to a hex-
agonal shape, and emargiuate posteriorly; while in the other
Rutelidce it is wider than long, trapezoid, * and in the majority
not emarginate posteriorly. In Macraspis^ however, Chasmodia,
and a new genus, as yet undescribed, sent to me by the Rev. L.
Guilding, the prothorax has a posterior obtuse sinus. These
genera are all tending towards Cnemida, and even Popillia in
some respects seems related to it. Again, in the genus we are
considering, the scutellum represents an insosceles triangle, as it
does likewise in the genera just named, but in the majority it
is equilateral. All the tibias also are as large and sometimes
larger than the thighs, whereas in the other Rutelidce^ even in
Chrysochlora^ where they are largest, the tibiae are smaller than
the thighs. The claws also, and the podex, are different, and
the intervention of the scapulars between the prothorax and
elytra, a character Cnemida exhibits in common with Cetonia F.
is found in no olher genus of the family as yet known. This
genus appears to lead on one side of the circle from the Rutelidce
to the Melitophili Latr.

Francilloni, 1. Cn, nigra, nitida : prothorace utrinque subfoveato
acuducto J ; lateribus piceis ; elytris fascia pallida, maculas
duas nigras includente.

Plate V. Fig. 1.
Long. Corp. Lin. 4.
Habitat in Georgia Americae Septentrionalis ? Ex Mus. D/
Francillon.

Descr. Corpus lanceolat6-ovatum, glabrlusculum, nitidum.
Caput triangulare, acuductum ; vertice punctato, fronte foveato.
Antennce piceae : scapo palpisque rufescentibus. Prothorax antice
segmento circuli dempto : lateribus in angulum obtusum medio
prominentibus, dilute piceis ; confertim transverse acuductis prae-
cipue antice, disco subpunctato. Foveas duae baud profunda? pro-
^horacem signant. Scutellum basi et utrinque punctatum. Elytra
lacunosa +, substriata, striis rugulosis, nigra: fascia lat^, subobli-

* Introd. to Ent. iv. 264 n.27. J Ibid. 271 n. 21. + Ibid. 270. u. 16.

K 2

148 Mr. Kirby on some new genera and species

qu^, angulos^, pallid^, maculas duas irregulares nigras includente^
Pectus albido pilosum. Pedes picei, supra acuducti : tibiis pas-
ticis intus barbatis. Abdomen segmento dorsali penultimo punc-
tate acuducto.

SparshalU. 2. Cn. nigra nitida: prothorace utrinque bifoveato;
elytris fascia angulata, guttaque fulvis.
Plate V. Fig^ 2.
Long. Corp. Lin, 5\,

Habitat in Brasilia. Ex mus. D. Sparshall Norvicensis, En ta-
mologi indefessi, cordati, benevoli.

Descr. Praecedenti simillima, sed major nigrior. Prothorax
levtssitne punctulatus, utrinque foveis duabus, antico longiori
profundiori, acuductis. Elytra fascia angusta, obliqua, angulariy
introrsum maculari,* guttaque humerali luteofulvis. Fodex
acuductus : dorso longitudinaliter laevi.

N.B. In aqua calida immersa, ubi acuducta est haec species,
aureo splendore micat.

Curtisii. 3. Cn. nigro-picea : prothorace utrinque bifoveato : mar-
gine, elytrorum sutura, fermoribusque rufescentibus, illis an-
Dulo irregalari pallido.

Long. Corp. Lin. 6.

Habitat in Brasilia. In Mus. D. Curtis, Entomologice Britart"
niccB^ operis eximii & utilissimi, auctoris.

Desc, Praecedenti similis sed major. Prothorax ut in illo
bifoveatus sed laevis est: lateribus et foveis acuductis ; margine
laterali et postica piceorufis. Scutellum piceum. Elytra nigro-
picea, antice oblique laciinosa vel foveata : foveolis acuductis
basi substriata : striis subpunctatis, suturSi tot^ margineque late-
rali antico vel humerali piceo rufis. Annulus obliquus angularis
pallidus elytrorum basin signat. Pedes extra acuducti : femori-
bus quatuor posterioribus extrinsecus ]>iceo-rufis : disco nigri-
cante, tibiarum crassitudine, tibiis posticis vix barbatis. Abdomen
podice acuducto ut in Cn. FranciUoni. Segmento ventrali penul-
timo apice rufo.

* Introd, to Ent. iv. 289. n. 39. b.

of Petalocerous Insects » 149

It is remarkable that in Mr. Curtis's specimen, the only one I
have seen of the insect here described, the acuducted foveae and
parts of the head, prothorax, elytra, legs and podex, are partially
covered with a white substance resembling fine flour and not at
all granular; a circumstance opening the door to a probable con-
jecture as to the use of their peculiar sculpture, and proving that
Creative Wisdom had an important end in view, when it scored
these little beetles with seemingly insignificant scratches. When
masons prepare the wall of a house for the outward coat of plaister,
they draw lines upon it with their trowels, by means of which
this coat adheres to the other. So the acuducted parts of the
insects I am describing, in this respect differing from the other
RutelidcB, afford a surface properly prepared for the adhesion of
the above matter.

From their agreeing together in their sculpture it is extremely
probable that all the species of this genus of the New World
collect some farinaceous substance, most likely from the plants
that they frequent, for some purpose important to them in their
peculiar economy. Were it granular I should at once pronounce
It to be pollen, and as the hive-bee knows how to reduce the
farina of flowers to a« impalpable powder, before it forms it itito
the little masses of paste which it carries in its posterior tibiae, so
may the insects in question. Whether the farina thus collected
is intended for the food of the insect itself, or its larvaj, can be
determined only by actual observation ; but, reasoning from ana-
logy, the latter seems the most probable. I had occasion to ob-
serve however, * with regard to another of the same family, that
the molary part of its mandibles was filled with a similar sub-
stance, which makes for the former opinion. These circumstances
tend to confirm Mr. W. S. MacLeay^s hypothesis, that the Rute-
lidce^ though like the Melolonthidce, &c. furnished with corneous
^andibulae and maxillae,, are anthobiouSj or derive their food from
the blossom and not the foliage of the plants. J M. Latreille how-
ever arranges them with the Di/nasiidce, &c., amongst his Xi/lo-
phili^ to which they certainly exhibit some affinity. +

♦ Linn. Trans. XIV. 106. % Trichius retusns Fab. Sys. Eleuth. ii. 133. n.
J6. and Rutela lacerata Germar Insect. Spec. Nov. 119. n. 204, appear to belong
to this Genus, t Families Naturelles, &c. 370. Ilor. Entomolog. 72.

1^0 Mr. Kirby on some new genera and species

Stirps. MELiTOPHiLuna. Latreille.
Family. TRiCHiADiE. Kirby. *

Genus. Cremastocheilus. Knoch. "

Nasus magnus, dilatatus, apice rotundatus reflexus, arcuatus. ""

Labrum sub nasi arcu absconditum, subtriangulare, concavum.^

Mandibula intus cornea, tridentata?: dentibus acutis: extra
lobo merabranaceo paleaeformi rotundato, *

Maxilla cornea : lobis unguiformibus ; interior! setis rigidis in-
structo. ^

Palpi maxillares filiformes, quadriarticulati : articulo primo
brevissinio, extimo elongato cylindrico.s

Labium magnum pelviforme : postice sinu exciso.^

Mentum labii partis posterioris pagina inferior.

Palpi labiates triarticulati : articulis duobus primis brevissimis;
extimo longissimo cylindrico. *

JIntennce decemarticulataj : scapo magno compress© subtrigono :
secundo subgloboso ; tertio praecedente minori, sequentibus qua-
tuor magnitudine gradatim crescentibus ; tribus ultimis lamellatis
capitulum subovatum formantibus.'^

Oculi hemisphaerici ; cantho basi carinato apice depresso. ^

Prothorax subquadratus ; angulis in dentem prominentibus."

Prosternum conicum ante brachia erectum, apice oblique trun-
catum.

Scutellum triangulare acuminatum.

Elytra supra plana : lateribus deflexis ; humeris sublobatis.

Pedes, TibicB calcaribus 1, 2, 2. Cubitus apice bidentatus.
Tarsi filiformes : unguiculis aequalibus 2, 2, 2.

Abdomen ano utrinque tuberculo spiraculifero instruct©. "

" Mr. W. S. MacLeay's great Family of CetoniadcB constitutes, I think, a
Stirps rather than a Family y and appears to contain at least three larger groups,
each resolvable into various others — viz. Trichiadce, Cetoniadce^ and Gymneti-
da. The first including Trichius F, Cremastocheilus, &c. ; the second those
CetoniadtE without a lobed prothorax; and the third those in which that part
is lobed, and covers the scutellum. — '' As Knoch's Neue Beytrdge is not a
common book, I have given from him in part the characters of Cremastocheilus.
" Knoch Neue Beytr. t. iii. f. 2. aa.—<^ Jbid.f. 3.— « Ibid.f. 4. —^Ibid.f. 9.
^ Ibid. a.fb^Q. c. — ^ Ibid. f. 7. This author calls it Catiniforme (platter-
shaped) ; but it resembles a basin, particularly a barber's basin. See also
Introd. to Ent. iv. t. xxvi. f. 35.—* Knoch Ibid. f. 7. cc.—^ lb. /. 8. — ' Introd.
to Ent. iii, 365. n. 8. A.—'" Plate Fig. abc.—" Ibid. d.

of Pelalocerous Insects, 151

Corpus depressum.

M. Latreille appears to have hesitated much as to the natural
station of this genus. At first he placed it at the head of his
Scarabeides with membranaceous mandibles, immediately before
Trichms*, In his Considerations^ &c. J it follows that genus.
In the Regne Animal it closes the petalocerous genera +, and is
succeeded by Lucanus, Again in the XXXth Volume of the
Nouveau Dictionnaire D^Histoire Naturelle^ published two years
afterwards, it resumes its former station after Tnc/tm ;|| and
lastly, in his Families Naturelles Du Regne Animal^ it forms
the second genus in his Family of Melitophilt, being preceded by
Plati/genia, which also is remarkable for a large coacsLve labium ^^
and followed by GoUathus.** It appears to form an osculant genus,
as well as the preceding one. Its Mandibulce corneous, with the
exception of a dorsal lobe of membrane, and its corneous Maacilla
armed with spines, prove that it is of that description, and its
general habit and characters, that it is nearly related to the Tri-
chiadce, and that it connects M. Latreille's Melitophili with some
other family in another circle. Cnemida indeed in some respects
Beems without the circle of Rutelidce, and may be also regarded as
osculant. If we look at the remarkably depressed body oWretnas-
tocheilus and its quadrangular prothorax, we find an analogy
between it and some of the Scarabceidce M'L. particularly
amongst the Onitidce^ where a remarkable genus from South Ame-
rica, named by Mr. MacLeay Euiomusy exhibits considerable re-
semblance at first sight to it. It has one character in common
with the Dynastidm^ which is only to be met with in one other
petalocerous genus, as far as ray examination of them goes, the
prosternum is nearly vertical, forming a kind of pectoral horn,
before the base of the arms, or fore legs.

Canaliculatus, 3. C. niger, prothorace canaliculato : angulis pos-
ticis magis extantibus dentiformibus.

• Gen. Crust, et Ins. ii. 121. j: p. 198 f iii. 288. || Article Scarabeides^
302. This volume was published in 1819, and the third vol. o( Regne Animnl^
in 1817. § Hor. Entomolog. t. iii. f. 23. F. The part here called the Labium
is the Mentum of Messrs. Latreille and MacLeay. See Jnirod, iii. 355. B. &
420—25. ** Fam. Nat. 371.

152 Mr. Kirby on some new genera and species

Plate V. Fig. 5. & c.
Long. Corp. Lin. 6.

Habitat in America Septentrionali, ex statu Massachussets dicto
a D. Drake medico mihi benevole transmissus.

Desc. Reliquis major. Corpus nigrum, vel piceo-nigrum,
glabrum, subnitidum. Caput excavato-punctatum : punctis sub-
confluentibus. Antennoe articulis intermediis rufescentibus. La-
bium subrhomboidale, postice profunde emarginatum. Prothorax
( Plate Y,lBig, 6. c). subquadratus, variolosus, lacunosus, medio ob-*
soletius sed latius canaliculatus ; angulis posticis extantibus denti-
formibus, triangularibus, acutis ; anticis obtusioribus intus fovea
adjacente, postice item foveae duae majusculae, oblongae notandae.
Elytra subrugosa, lacunosa, variolosa. Abdomen segmento dorsali
penultimo utrinque tuberculo apice spiraculifero( Plate V. Fig. £?.),
quod etiam in reliquis speciebus obtinet sed minus conspicue.

This species is larger than either of those described in the eighth
number of the Journal, and is sufficiently distinguished from
them by its channelled prothorax with very prominent angles.
The species which I then described as the original C, Castanece*
of Knochj and which was sent me under that name from America,
upon a comparison with his description and figure, which I have
since had an opportunity of consulting, I find to be quite a dis-
tinct species. I propose therefore calling it C. Harrisii^ from
Dr. T. Harris, who sent it me. Knoch says of his insect, " Tho-
rax pr ope basin latissimus,^^ whereas in C. Harrisii the protho-
rax is square (Plate V. Fig. 3. tf.) ; in C. Castanece, also the la-
bium is wider than long, but in the former it is nearly round.
In his the prothorax is covered with puncta, but in mine it is
partly levigated. The sculpture of the elytra also differs. C.
Castanece approaches much nearer to that which I have called
C. variolosusy (Plate V. Fig, 4) but it is larger, the prothorax
is wider posteriorly, and the notch of the labium is not near so
deep. We have therefore already four species of this remark-
able genus, which appears to belong exclusively to North America :
at least nothing similar seems to have been found in the vast col-
lections of S* American insects that have been sent to this country.

* Plate V. Fig. 3.

of Petalocerous Insects, 153

Genus. Cymophoiius.

Nasus apice rotundatus, reflexus.

jintennce decemarticulatae : scapo incrassato trigono ; pedi-
cello articulo sequent! aequali ;* articulis intermediis brevissimis
cylindricis ; capitulo longo admodum, triphyllo.

Palpi articulo extimo oblongo obtuso.

Labrum sub rhinario penitus absconditum.

Labium subquadratum, verticale.

Mentum pone labium latitans horizontale.

Oculi hemisphaerici : cantho carinato.

Prothorax subquadratus, antice angustatus : lateribus obtu-
sangulis.

Scutellum triangulare, aequilaterale.

Mesosternum antice truncatum verticale, supra canaliculatum.

Elytra lacunosa, longitudinaliter elevata, utrinque sinuata:
humeris fere lobatis, ut in quibusdum Gymnetidis & Cetoniadis»X

Pedes. Tibice calcaribus 1, 2, 2. Cubitus edentulus,

Unguiculi simplices, aequales, breves, 2, 2, 2.

Abdomen ano tricorni : cornubus lateralibus basi intus spiracu-
liferis.

Corpus subdepressum squamulosum.

This remarkable genus appears nearly related to the preceding,
and makes an approach, in some respects, to those Gymnetidce
whose elytra are lobed at the shoulders, yet the prothorax is not
porrected behind, so as to cover the scutellum ; it however most
resembles those Cetoniadce that are remarkable for their lobed
shoulders, and have an uncovered scutellum, such as C. Hisirioy
versicolor^ variegata^ &c. but it wants the prominent character of
Cetoniadce, the scapular forming a fulcrum between the elytra
and prothorax : its place is probably between Cremastocheilus
and Genuchus +, which last exhibits the above character, and is
more nearly related to the Cetoniada^,
Undatus. C.

* Introd. to Ent. iii. 366. C. :}: I allude to a genus of that family which
contains Cetonia mannorea, 6^ Graculus, Lanius, S^c. F, which in my cabinet is
named Marmarina, and likewise to one containing Cetonia Ilisirio, ^quinocti-
alisj F. &c. which I call Polybaphes. t Linn. Trans, xiv. 569.

154 Mr. Kirby on some new genera and species

Plate V. Fig. 6.
Long. Corp. Lin. 3f .

Habitat in America Septentrionali ? Ex Mus, D. Francillon.

Desc, Corpus oblongum, piceum, nitidum, albido squamulo-
sum, subtus confertius. Caput suborbiculatum punctatum. Pro^
thorax confertissime granulatus* scaber.

Elytra lacunosa punctulatissima : disco longitudinaliter in
carinam obtusam undatam elevato, apud suturam depressa bistri-
ata : striis laevibus. Tibice extrinsecus striatulae. Abdomen po-
dice medio elevato in cornu breve longitudinale triangulare acu-
tum, segmento ventrali penultimo, utrinque cornu acuto, intror-
sum basi spiraculifero, armato.

Genus. Campulipus.

Nasus subtrapezoideus, utrinque et antice marginatus : mar-
gine reflexo, medio concavus.

AntenncB capite fere longiores decem-articulatae : scapo incras-
sato elevato, arcuato ; articulis intermediis in dentem extra pro-
minentibus ; capitulo trilamellato elongato : lamella iuferiori pu-
bescente.

Proihorax subhexagonus, vel lateribus in angulum obtusum
-prominentibus.

Prosternum elevatum^ compressum, hirsutum, apice subemargi-
natum.

Pedes* Cubitus apice tridentatus. Tibice intermediae in angu-
lum obtusum incurvatae et quasi fractas.

Coleoptra subpruinosa disco plana, lateribus declivia, longiora
qaam in reliquis Trichiadis, & partem podicis operientia.

Corpus subdepressum : trunco subtus hirsute.

Type of the genus Melolontha limbata Oliv. Trichius limbatus
De Jean.

This genus, though evidently one of the Trichiadce, recedes
from Trichius so much in habit, especially in its depressed body,
long elytra, remarkable intermediate tibiae, and nasus truncated
and narrowest at its apex, that I have no hesitation in separating
it. It is said by the Baron De Jean, in his catalogue, to be a
native of the East Indies.

♦ Jntrod. to Entomlog. iv. 273. n. 47—9.

of Petulocerous Insects, 153

Genns. Acanthurus.

Nasus immarginatus, utrinque obtusangulus, apice rotundatus,

Jntenn(B capite breviores, decemarticulatae : scapo brevi subtri-
gono hirto ; pedicello brevissimo ; articulo tertio turbinate, se-
quentibus tribus breTissimis pateriformibus ; sexto majori subturbi-
nato ; septirao brevissimo ; ultimis tribus capitulum majusculum
crassiusculum oblongum formantibus.

Palpi articuld extimo elongato, lineari-lanceolato, tereti, apice
truncato, baud foveato.

Prothorax longior quam in reliquis Trichiadis^ trapezoideus,
antice disco bicarinatus : lateribus denticulatis.

Coleoptra disco plano-concavaj lateribus declivia, admodum
abbreviata.

Abdomen segraento penultimo toto et podice apertis, anus in
altero sexu stylo elongato instructus, sive podice styliformi.

Corpus depressura, supra reticulato-acuductum, subtus squamu-
lis canaliculatis tectum.

Type of the genus Trichius hemipterus F.

This genus, of which I have seen a second species amongst Dr.
Horsfield's Javanese insects, is sufficiently distinguished from Tri'
chiusy not only by its depressed form, but also by its long trape-
zoidal prothorax, its short elytra, many-toothed cubitus, and the
mucro that arms the anus of the male.

Genus. Trichius.

Bigsbii, T. niger fulvescente-hirtus : elytris luteis ; maculis
noyem nigris.

Plate V. Fig. 7.
Long. Corp. Lin. 7.

Habitat in Canada prope Lacum St. Clair a D. Bigsby, M.D.
lectus, cujus nomine merito condecoratur.

Descr. Habitus fere T.fasciati^ sed major & minus hirtus.
Corpus ovatum, nigrum, fulvescente-hirtura. Caput quadratum :
naso reflexo, emarginato. Antennce cum pal pis luteae apice nigrae.
Prothorax trapezoideus, antice angustior, lateribus rotundatis :
|)ostice repandus. Scutellum breve, apice rotundatum. Elytra

156 . Mr. Kirby on some new genera and species

glabra, subpruinosa, lutea : maculis novem Digris, nempe 1 hume-
rali magno, 2, 3, 2 transverse ordinatis, intermediis duabus later-
alibus irregularibus confluentibus minoribus, et 1 apicali reliquis
majori. Maculae tres farinoso-fulvae ; intermedio oblongo, late-
ralibus obliquis sinuatis, podicem signant.

I may perhaps render some little service to the Entomologist,
if, as a conclusion to this paper, I endeavour to point out the
natural groups into which the true genus Trichius, according to
my idea of it, and as far as my own collection will enable me, may
be resolved.

Fabricius, in his Systema Entomologice and Species Insectorum^
took for the type of his new genus Trichius^ which he so named,
I suppose, on account of its hairy body, Scarabceus fasdatus of
Linne : but in his later works he seems to have considered T.
Eremita as his type, which beipg nearly a naked insect, does not
so well correspond with the name. I shall consider the former a^
the true type of the genus, which as far as my own collection
leads, I find to consist of seven subgenera as follows :

Genus. Trichius F.
Subgenera.

* Legitimi. Hirsuti : elytris nudis pruinosis ; cubito bidentato •
podice farinoso-maculato ; palpis articulo extimo subin-
crassato supra foveato. Ex. Trichius fasciatus^ succinctus,
Bigsbiiy &c.

** Trichini. Hirsuti; elytris nitidis; lineolis maculisve farinosis;
podice farinoso-maculato ; Palpis articulo extimo tenui-
ori supra foveato, Ex. Trichius viridulus^ pig^^y and
some others from North America.

*** Tetrophthalmi. Hirsuti : elytris nitidis, immaculatis ; cantho
oculuui fere dividente ; cubito tridentato ; calcaribus
tibiarum posticarum elongatis obtusis ; podice immacu-
lato ; palpis articulo extimo foveato. Ex. Trichius sutu-'
laris K.M.S. An undescribed species from Java.

**** Archimedii, Subtus dense squamulosi, supra pruinosi :
podice item squamuloso ; prothorace triangulo aequilate-

of Petalocerous Insects, 15T

rali signato : femoribus posticis incrassatis arcuatis ;
tarsis posticis longissimis : palpis maxillaribus elongatis
articulo extimo baud foveato. Ex. Trichius Delta,

***** Euclidii, Sparsim squamulosi : podice utrinque, capite,
femoribus extra, prothorace antice, acuductis ; hoc tri-
angulo aequilaterali impresso, cubito tridentato : palpis
articulo extimo baud foveato, Ex. Trichius Triari'
gulum. *

****** Jleurosticti, Subtus hirti : elytris nitidis, abdominis
lateribus, elytris et podice emarginato farinoso-guttatis ;
prothorace canaliculato. Palpis articulo extimo subfo-
veato. Ex. Trichius nobilis^ octopunctatus^ &c,

******* Gymnodi. Fere nudi, immacuiati : naso apice rotun-
dato vel truncato ; scutello triangulum isoscelem figur-
ante : antepectore transverse plicato : palpis articulo ex-
timo supra excavato, oblongo, compresso. Ex. Trichius
Eremita and others undescribed from North America.

Instead of giving the denominations of the subgenera a feminine
termination as proposed in the Introduction to Entomology, I
have followed the gender of the genus, which appears to me best.
Should any of these, upon further examination, appear more than
subgenera, it will be easy to alter the name to the singular.

Mr. W. S. MacLeay has observed with regard to Trichius faS"
ciatus, how much in its general appearance and mode of flight it
resembles a wasp or some hymenopterous insect. J This observa-
tion may be extended to several other beetles, especially to many
of Latreille's Anthobii ; some species of Amphicoma and Aniso-
nyx so closely resembling humble-bees as to be scarcely distin-
guishable from them, another proof of those remarkable analogies
where there is no affinity, that meet us wherever we turn to
observe natural objects. As the hairy Hymenoptera are useful
in fertilizing flowers, by transporting upon their hirsuties, far and
wide, the farina fecundans, so these beetles probably answer the
same useful purpose, as has been well remarked by the learned
author just named.t Some of these flower-frequenting Petalocera

* Linn, Trans, xii. 408. n. 46. Introd. to Ento, iii. 368. D. 2. X Hor<E,
Entomolog, 78. + Ibid, 77^

158 Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithologi/.

bear the aspect of insects of other orders, and I have a genus,
which I call Arachnimorpha, and to which Anisonyx cinerea and
some others belong, that even resemble spiders.

N.B. In plate V. figures 3. 4. 5. are given un coloured, because
their sculpture is thus best shewn, and as they are black, or
nearly so, the colouring is of no great consequence.

Art. XV. On several Groups and Forms in Ornithology^
not hitherto defined. By William Swainson, Esq,
F.R.S,, F,L,S,, Sfc.

Notwithstanding the progress which systematic Ornithology
has made within the last few years, and the signal benefit which
has resulted from the labours of those who have turned their atten-
tion to natural groups, there still remains much to be done, before
our knowledge of this department of science can be brought to an
equality with that which we possess of others. There are, indeed,
few striking groups which have escaped the attention of the great
reformers of the day; but there are numerous others, which, either
from the seemingly trivial nature of their characters, or from the
supposed impossibility of detaching them from approximating
forms, still remain nearly in the same state in which they were
left by the writers of the last century.

The necessity of a total revision of these geneia, and their sepe-
ration into minor groups, is daily becoming more apparent. In
pointing out affinities or analogies, we are perpetually obliged to
refer to groups " not yet characterized," to explain our meaning,
but which, from being undefined, become in fact, no reference at
all. Meanwhile new species are pouring in upon us from all parts
of the world, which from the same cause are arranged under the
old genera, and increase their original confusion.

To lessen this evil so far as lies in my power, I have long been
engaged in revising the characters of all the known groups, and in

Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology, 159

defining those which have been neglected. This, from necessity,
will be a work of time ; and unless my observations are brought
before the scientific world at an early period, there is great
probability of their being anticipated, and of a consequent confu-
sion of nomenclature.*

The principal number of the forms described in the following
pages, are not only distinguished by external characters, but by a
peculiarity in their geographic distribution ; two circumstances
which are generally supposed to be the most characteristic of
natural groups. The materials have been furnished from three
sources. 1. The Ornithological discoveries of Mr. Bullock, and
subsequent travellers, in the Cordelleras of Mexico. 2d. A valu-
able collection of birds, recently transmitted for my examination
by Dr. LangsdorfF, who is now traversing the vast inland province
of Matto Grosso, in the heart of Brazil : and thirdly, from my
own collections, made in that empire some years ago. The dis-
coveries of the two first travellers I am now preparing to describe
in detail. A few other forms belonging to Africa and India are
likewise included, and I should have added to these several others,
which I have long ago investigated, peculiar to New Holland, did
I not conclude that they will be found in the catalogue of the
birds of that country, in the museum of the Linnean Society,
about to be laid before the public by Dr. Horsfield and Mr.
Vigors. Experience, indeed, daily shews, that where so much
is to be done, a division of labour is not only most advantageous
to science, but also more agreeable to the views and feelings of
those who are engaged in its pursuit. It frequently happens that
the same object will appear in different lights, and suggest oppo-
site conclusions to diflferent persons. They may agree on facts,
but dilFer in their inferences. Nature is always the same, but
how various are the readings of her commentators ! So true
it is, that in our efibrts to interpret her laws, we must fre-

* The Ornithologist need not be told how desirable it is to prevent that
perplexity being increased, which has resulted from the different systems of
lUiger, Vieillot, Cuvier, and Temminck, following each other in rapid suc-
cession.

160 Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology,

^uently alter, modify, and abandon our first opinions, before
we can hope to reach even an approximation to truth.

I have noticed but few of the forms among the Musckapidce,
Fringillidce^ and Nectariniadce^''^ as I intend to investigate the affi-
nities of these groups in detail, upon a future occasion. My materials
for a history of the Trochilidce are more perfect, and I have there-
fore characterized the five principal groups, under which all the
known species will arrange themselves. And I take this oppor-
tunity of again soliciting from naturalists, really anxious to for-
ward science, any information regarding these birds, which they
may have it in their power to give me.

In these days, when the necessity of forming new divisions to
receive new forms, is so universally admitted, it appears hardly
necessary to offer any apology on this head ; but as some few of
them now proposed, rest upon characters generally considered as of
a secondary nature, I wish it to be remembered that they equally
depend on their geographic distribution. And I must here express
my belief, that it is only upon these principles of arrangement
that we can ever hope to reduce the vast genera, Sylvia^ Musci^
capa^ Myiothera^ Merula^ Fringilla, and ColumbUy of modern
authors, to any thing approaching a natural, or even an intelligible
arrangement.

It is, indeed, owing to the little comparative attention that has
been paid to the characters and physical distribution of Birds in
general, that I have found it essential to characterize so many forms.
And while I here express my intention of increasing this number
hereafter, whenever a geographic group exhibits external characters
by which it may be recognized, (however trivial they may appear),
I only act upon a principle which the most profound writers on
Botany have recognized, and the correctness of which, as applied
to Zoology, is daily becoming more apparent. That it is subject
to occasional exceptions, no one can deny, any more than that be-
tween two conterminous groups, there will be a point of connec-
tion where no one can say to which group a particular individual
belongs.

» The genus Nectarinia of Illiger, corresponding to the Families o( Nedari-
niad(B and Cinnyridoe of Mr. Vigors. See Linn. Trans, vol. i. p. 463, and
Zool. Journal, vol. ii. p. 401.

Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology, 161

Again; so far from a multiplicity of genera creating confusion
to the student, there requires but little argument to prove, that
when such genera are founded on geographic distribution, the very
reverse of this is the case. Let any one take, fo. instance, a
Sylvia, the name of which he wishes to ascertain ; as the genus
now stands, he will probably have to compare it with 300 separate
descriptions, or, in other words, he will have 300 points of reference.
We will suppose that the bird inhabits America; the length of the
first quill feather immediately betrays its native country, and by
the acuteness and slight emargination of the bill he immediately
refers it to the genus Syhicola, I have instanced a large group,
but even here, instead of reading the characters of three hundred
species, the labour would be diminished to that of reading twenty-
five or thirty.

It may excite the surprise of some, and the objections of others,
that the number of new divisions here characterized amount to
sixty-four ; and that eleven of these contam, at present, only a
single species. Yet this astonishment will soon cease on looking
further into the matter. The number of species which these
genera will comprise, may be estimated, upon a moderate calcu-
lation, at 517 : so that there would actually be an average of
more than eight to each genus. But this is not all ; for in this
estimate I allude only to described or known species. What the
proportion may be, when the discoveries of the next ten years are
added, it is impossible to guess. Yet this we do know, that when
the genus Fsaris was founded, there was but one example, — now
there are eight.* Thamnophilus^ in like manner, contained but
four or five, — now we know of near twenty-five. While that of
Urotomusy proposed but two years ago from a single bird, has now
been augmented by three other species. With these striking
examples before us, we question whether any naturalist will be
hardy enough to revive the old complaint about '' making every

♦ In this number I include three unpublished species, which will soon be
illustrated by Sir William Jardine, Bart, and Mr. Selby. I have now to add
another, j\ist received by me from Mexico, which has afforded me great plea-
sure, inasmuch as it may probably increase the interest of the forthcoming
monograph of this group, preparing by these zealous Ornithologist*.
Vol. III. L

162 Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithologt/.

species a genus." So far, indeed, is this from truth, that we
require many more, before even the descriptions of those species
already in our systems, can be rendered intelligible to modern
science.
Warwick, 15th Nov. 1826.

ORDER. INSESSORES. Hgors.

Family Laniadce,
Sub'jamily Laniana*

CYCLORHIS.

Mandibuld superiore leviter dentat&y subobtusd^ naribus rotun-

datis.
Alee breves^ convexce^ rotundatce^ remigibus 4'", 5'«, et 6ffl, cequU'

iibusy longissimis,
Cauda osqualis.
Pedes robusti.

Upper mandible ?X\^\i\j toothed, and rather obtuse. Wings short,
convex, rounded; the fourth, fifth, and sixth quills longest,
and of equal length. Tail even. Feet robust.

Type. Tanagra Guianensis, Auct. Tropical America.

NILAUS.

Rostrum mediocre^ subgracile, culmine arcuato, mandibula supe^

riore fortiter dent at a ^ naribus ovalibus.
Alee su'battenuatce ; reinigibus 3tid) 4'«, et 5^^ fere cequalibus^lon'

gissimis,
Cauda brevisy eequalis.
Pedes graciles ; unguibus acutis.

Bill moderate, somewhat slender ; culmen gradually hooked ;
upperinandible strongly toothed ; nostrils oval. Wings rather

Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology, 163

pointed, the third, fourth, and fifth longest, and of equal length.
Tail short, even. Feet slender ; claws acute.
Type. Lanius capensis, Shaw.

The unusual slenderness, and consequent weakness of the bill,
indicates this to be an aberrant form, leading to the next sub-
family. So far as I can judge from figures, there appear two or
three other African Laniadae which seem closely allied to this
type.

Sub-family Thamnophilina,
MALACONOTUS.

Mandibuld inferior e emarginaid^ rictu barbato.

Alee breves.

Cauda mediocris, eequalis, vel subrotundata.

Pedes subfortes ; tarsorum squamis later alibus integris.

Inferior mandible notched, rictus with stiff bristles. Wings short.

Tail moderate, even, or slightly rounded. Feet rather strong,

lateral scales of the tarsi undivided.
Type. La Pie-grieche blanchot, Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af. pi. 185.

Sub 'family Dicrurina.
BRACHYPUS.

Rostrum breve, compressum, emarginatum, culmine arcuaio^
elevato ; gonyde recto ; rictu setts rigidis barbato,- selis nucha"
libus obsoletis.

Alee mediocres, remigibus 4'^ et 5'«, cequalibus, longissimis.

Pedes subfortes, brevissimi ; tarsorum squamis integris.

Cauda mediocris, rotundata.

Bill short, compressed, notched ; culmen elevated, curved ; gonys
straight. Rictus defended with short bristles. Nuchal bristles
obsolete. Wings rounded ; the fourth and fifth quills equal
and longest. Tail moderate, rounded. Feet strong, very
short ; the scales entire.

L 2

164 Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithologi/.

T)^pes. Le Curouge. Levaill. Ois. d'Af. pi. 107. f. 1.
Turdus Jtriceps. PL Col. 147.

It is only from the unusual shortness of the feet, indicative of
these birds feeding upon the wing, that I here associate them
among the aberrant forms of the sub-family Dicrurina. There
are many species, all of which appear excluded both from the
new world and Australia.

In a natural series they will immediately follow the genus
Trichophorus.

Suh-family Campephagina f

PTILIOGONATUS.

Rostrum breve^ depressum, suhtriangulare^ culmine elevato, sub-

arcuato ; tomiis rectis. Naribus subnudis y aperturd setis

debilibus paucis instructa.
Alee mediocresj rotundatce^ remigibus A^^ et 5'^ fere cequalibusy

longissimis,
Cauda subelongata^ in medio subfurcata, rectricibus lateralibus

rotundatis.
Pedes brevissimiy genibus plumatisy unguibus parvis, acutis.

Bill short, depressed, somewhat triangular; culmen elevated,
slightly curved ; commissure straight. Nostrils naked, the
aperture furnished with a few week bristles. Wings moderate,
rounded ; the fourth and fifth quill longest. Tail rather
lengthened, the sides rounded, the middle slightly forked.
Feet very short, knees feathered, claws small acute.

Type. P. cinereus, Sw. Mex. Zool.

P. cinereus ; mento rectricumque lateralium medio albis ; caudce
tegminibus inferioribus Jlavis; alis cauddque nitide nigris,
Mas ?

This is one of the most remarkable birds among those which
have been recently discovered in the interior of Mexico. It ex-

Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithologt/. 165

hibits an osculant form between the present CampephdgcB^ and
the aberrant forms of the subfamily Tyrannina, Three species,
all undescribed, are in my possession.

PITANGUS,

Rostrum magnum.

Alee mediocres, remigum pogoniis internis immarginaihy apice

obtusis,
Cauda cEqualis.
Pedes subbrevesy fortes.

Bill large. Wings moderate, the quills entire, and their ex-
tremities obtuse. Tail even. Feet rather short, robust.
Type. Tyrannus sulphuraius. Vieill. Ois. de L*Am. pi. 47.

TYRANNUS.

Rostrum subbreve^ forte ^ depressum.

Aloe elongatce, remigum pogoniis internis abrupt e entarginatis,

Cauda mediocrisyfere cequalis.

Pedes breves.

Bill rather short, strong, depressed. Wings lengthened; the
quills internally abruptly emarginate. Tail moderate, even, or
slightly forked.

Type. Tyrannus intrepidus, Vieillot — Wilson, 2, pi. 13. f. 1.

Sub-family Tyrannina,

MILVULUS.

Rostrum breve ; culmine depresso^ recto.

AloB elongatcBy remigum pogoniis internis ad apice m emarginatisy

vel attenuatis,
Cauda longissima, furcata.
Pedes breves.

166 Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology,

Bill short ; culmen depressed, straight. Wings lengthened, the
primary quills either attenuated, or notched near their extrem-
ities. Tail long, forked. Feet short.

Type. Tyrannus Savana. Vieill. Ois. de L'Am. pi. 43.

I have elsewhere* endeavoured to point out the natural groups
into which the genus Tyrannus of M. Vieillot appears to be di-
vided. It remains therefore only to distinguish these groups by
names; between each of their respective types, there exists a
striking difference, but these peculiarities (as in all natural groups
where the chain of connection is nearly perfect) become so di-
minished in the series of species, that no line of demarcation can
be drawn between them*

NENGETUS.

Rostrum mediocre^ compressum.

Aloe subbreves, remigum pogoniis internis attenuatis*

Fedes elongati^ robusti.

Bill moderate, the sides compressed. Wings rather short, the

quills attenuated. Legs lengthened, strong.
Type. T. Nengeta. Sw. Monog.

Family Merulidce,

Sub-family Myiotkerina»

UROTOMUS.

Rostrum ut in genere Drymophila.
Alee brevissimce,

Cduda brevissima^fere inconspicua.

Fedes graciles^ longi; tarsorum squamis later alibus plerumque
integris,

BUI as in Drymophila. Wings very short. Tail very short,
scarcely seen. Feet long, slender, lateral scales of the tarsi
generally entire.

♦ Journal of Arts, &c., edited at the Royal Institution, No. 40, Jan. 1826.

Mr. Swainson on several ne^ groups in Ornithologi/. 167
Sub-family Merulina,

ORPHEUS.

Rostrum me diocrcj forte ^ compressum.

Alee breves^ rotundatce ; remige l^^a brevissima^ 2^« et 3'*« grada^

tisy 4'^5 5^« et Qiafere cequalibus^ longissimis,
Cauda elongata, rotundata^ vel gradata.
Pedes validi,

Bi/^moderate, strong, compressed. Wings short, rounded: the
first quill short, two and three graduated, four and five nearly
equal and longest. Tail lengthened; rounded, or graduated.
hegs strong.

Type. Turduspolyglottus. Wilson, 2. pi, 10. fig. 1.

The definitions of this group are only applicable to the species
found in the New World. Those inhabiting Africa and India,
are distinguished by characters peculiar to themselves.

Family Sylviadce,
TRICHAS.

Rostrum gracile^ subacutum^ integrum.

Alee breves^ rotundatce ; remigibus, l^^ ^ 7^« cequalibus^ 3'««, Ata

et bt^fere eequalibuSy longissimis,
Cauda lata, rotundata.
Pedes fortiusculi, elongati.

Bill slender, acute, entire. Wings short, rounded, the first and
seventh equal, the third, fourth, and fifth, nearly equal, and
longest. Tail broad, rounded. Legs lengthened, robust.

Type. Sylvia Trichas. Wilson 1. pi. 6. f. 1.
( Trichas personatus, S w . )

This form is intimately connected with Synallaxis, and two or
three other groups, peculiar to Africa and Australia, Feebleness

168 Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology,

of flight, and strength of foot, separate these birds from the ty-
pical genera ; while the strength and curvature of the hiud claw
forbids us to associate them with the true Motacillce,

SYNALLAXIS. (Vieill.)

Rostrum mediocre^ fortiusculum, compressum^ subintegrum ;

culmine leviter arcuaio : rictu imberbi.
Alee brevissimce, rofundatce ; remigibus l^«, 2*^^, et ^^^^ gradatis^

4td^ ^td el Qtaj-QY-^ wquaUbus^ longissimis.
Pedes suhfortes ; tarsorum squamis later alibus frequentibus.
Cauda elongata, gradaia vel cuneata.

Bill moderate, rather strong, compressed, nearly entire, culmen
slightly curved ; mouth without bristles. Wings very short,
rounded ; the first, second, and third quill graduated, the
fourth, fifth, and sixth nearly equal, and longest. Tail broad,
graduated, or cuneated. Feet rather strong; the lateral scales
of the tarsi numerous.

Type. Synallaxis rutilans. Teraminck, Pi. col. 227, f. 1.

The characters of this genus are here introduced, that they may
be brought more immediately into comparison with the next. To
this group the Malurus garrulus (Zool. 111. pi. 138.) will un-
doubtedly belong. All the species are from tropical America.

DRYMOICA.

Rostrum gracile, acututn^ immarginatum ; culmine arcuato.
Aloe breviusculcB^ rotundatce ; remige l"^^ brevissimd ; 2^^ et 3ti''

gradatis ; 4*^, 5'^ et 6^^ cequalibus^ longissimis.
Cauda elongata, gradata.
Pedes longiusculiy tarsorum squamis anterioribus 5 tnequalibuSy

later alibus integris.

Bill slender, acute, entire ; culmen arched. Wings rather short,
rounded ; the first quill shortest, the second and third gra-
duated, the fourth, fifth, and sixth equal, and longest. Tail

Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology/, 169

lengthened, and graduated. Feet rather long ; anterior scales
of the tarsi five, unequal ; lateral scales entire.
Types. Le Capolier, Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. pi. 130, f. 1. ^r-
La queue gazee. Id. f. 2.

The Rousse tSte (pi. 124) and the Pinc-pinc (pi. 131), of the
same author, appear to be aberrant species of this group, which is
numerous ill Africa, and may probably extend to India. It meets
the Australian group of Malurus ; from which, however, it is
easily known by the gradual curve of the culmen — by the upper
mandible not being notched — by the anterior scales being divided
instead of entire ; and by the nostrils being destitute of feathers.
From Dasyornis it is separated by the great difference in the
strength of the bill ; strong in one and feeble in the other ; as
well as by the construction of the wings.

Sub 'family Silmana.

SYLVICOLA.

Rostrum gracile^ acutum, leviter emarginatum.

Alee longiusculcB^ attenuaice ; remige prima secunda vix breviore^

secunda et tertia longlssimis,
Cauda jnediocris^ cequalis.
Pedes mediocres ; tarsorum squamis anterioribus 4 inequalibusy

lateralibus integris.

Bill slender, acute, slightly notched. Wings rather long, pointed,
the first quill scarcely shorter than the second and third, which
are the longest. Tail moderate, even. Legs slender, anterior
scales four, unequal ; lateral scale entire.

Type. Sylvia pusilla, Wilson, 4. pi. 28. f. 3.

This genus, which will comprise exclusively the greatest part
of the Sylvice of North America, is strictly typical. The forma-
tion of the wing affords an unerring mark of distinction. The
nearest approach I have yet seen towards this extensive group it

170 Mr. Swainson en several new groups in Ornithology:

made by aoother, which has just been characterized by Mr. Vigors
and Dr. Horsfield, under the name of Zosterops, It is found
both in Africa, India, and Australia.

VERMIVORA. Wilson.

Rostrum gracile^ conicum^ acutunty integrum.

AlcB longiusculcBy attenuatw^ remigibus l^a et ^^a sub-cequalibus.

Cauda wqualis.

Pedes pallidL

Bill slender, conic, acute, entire. Wings rather long, pointed,
the first and second quill nearly equal. Tail even. Feet pale.
Type. Syhia vermivora. Wilson, 3. pi. 24, f. 4.

The habits of this group have been minutely described hy
Wilson, I have therefore merely defined the external characters
from the type he has proposed.

HYLIOTA.

Rostrum longiusculum^ compressum ; culmine leviter arcuato ;

gonyde subascendente ; naribus membranaceis, nudisy apertura

oblonga.
Aloe mediocresy subattenuatce ; remige l^a brevissimdy vel spuriAy

2da et 7 ma cequalibusy Sti^y 4'« et btafere cequalibuSy longissimis,
Cauda latUy breviusculUy cequalis,

Bill rather lengthened, compressed ; culmen slightly arched,
gonys somewhat ascending ; nostrils membranaceous, naked, the
aperture oblong. Wings moderate, rather pointed; the first
quill very short, or spurious, second and seventh equal, third,
fourth and fifth nearly equal, and longest. Tail broad, rather
short, and equal.

I cannot, with any certainty, cite a published species as typical
of this genus. Yet, from the construction of the wing, I have no
jdoubt that it belongs either to Africa or India.

Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology/, 171

SEIURUS.

Rostrum breve ^ compressum^ rectum^ emarginatum ; gonyde sub-

ascendente.
Aim longiiisculcBy remigibus V^^ et 3'*« cequalibus^ ^da longissima.
Cauda iequalis.
Pedes mediocresy pallidly tarsorum squamisfere integris.

Bill shorty compressed, pointed, emarginate, gouyx sub ascending^
Wings rather long, the first and third quill equal, the second
longest. Tail even. Feet pale, the scales nearly entire.

Type. Turdus aurocapilla. Wilson, 2. pi. 14, f. 2.

The economy of this bird, notwithstanding its general similitude
in plumage to the MerulidcBy is much more in unison with the
Syhiadce. Its manners, circumstantially described by Wilsoft,
will place it between the Sylviana and Motacillina. There are
several other species, mixed among the Warblers and Thrushes of
Pennant and Latham.

Sub -family Saxicolina. '

* Rostrum longiusculum compressum ; culmine leviter arcuatoy
rictu imberbi.

CAMPICOLA.

Rostrum compressumy basi depresscL.

Alee mediocres; remige l^ brevissimdy ^daet 7^ wqualibusy S^ufj

4tay et bta cequalibuSy longissimis.
Cauda cequalis.
Pedes gracilesy tarsorum squamis integris.

Bill compressed, the base depressed. Wings moderate, the first
quill very short, the second and seventh equal ; third, fourth,
and fifth equal, and longest. Tail even. Legs slender, scales
of the tarsi not divided.

Type. Le Traquet Imitateur. Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. pi. 181.

172 Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology,

I believe this form is peculiar to Africa : several new species
have been discovered in that country by my valued friend Mr.
Burchell, now engaged in exploring the Forests of Matto Grosso,
and the Gordelleras of Peru.

** Rostrum breve, rectum, depressum, culmine subrecto, rictu

barbato,

FLUVICOLA.

Aloe elongatce, remigibus ^da et Z*i^ cequalibus, longissimis,
Cauda mediocris, subrofundata.

Pedes graciles, tarsorum squamis anterioribus divisis, lateralibus
obsoletis.

Wings elongated ; the second and third quill equal and longest.
Tail moderate, slightly rounded. Legs slender; anterior
scales of the tarsi divided, lateral scales obsolete.

I cannot with any certainty, quote a typical example of this
new form, of which I possess two distinct species from Brazil.

SAXICOLA. Bechst,

Alee breviuscul(e ; remige l*^^ brevi, 2^', 3iia, 4ta, 5ta^ et 6ta

cequalibus, longissimis,
Cauda rotundata.
Pedes longiy graciles, tarsorum squamis omnibus integris.

Wings rather short ; the first quill short, the third, fourth, fifth,
and sixth equal, and longest. Tail rounded. Legs long,
slender ; all the scales of the tarsi entire.

Type. Motacilla rubecola, Linn.

This type occurs both in Europe and Africa.

Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithologi/, 173

SIALIA.

Rostrum breve, bast depressum, laieribus compressis ; culmine
subelevato : naribus plumulis setaceis obtectis ; rictu lato, sub" .
barbato.

Alee elongatce ; remige l^^ spuria, brevissimd, ^dd et 4^^ fere
cequalibuSj 3'*^ longissima,

Cauda subjurcata.

Pedes breviusculij subfortes j tarsorum squamis later alibus integris.

Bill short, the base depressed, the sides compressed, culmen
slightly elevated : nostrils partly hid by setaceous feathers :
mouth wide, and slightly bearded. TVings elongated, the first
quill very small; the second nearly equal to the fourth, the
third longest. Tail slightly forked. Legs rather short, robust;
lateral scales of the tarsi entire.

Type. Sylvia Sialia, Wilson, 1. pi. 2. f. 3. (Sialia JVilsonii. Sw.)

The habits and economy of this bird are so peculiar, and unite
the characteristics of so many different families, that its natural
affinities are extremely doubtful. Its frugivorous habits, however;
have induced me, for the present, to place it at the confinies of the
Thrushes. Its true situation I consider as one of the most inte-
resting points in the study of natural affinities.^

Family Pipridoe.
PIPRAEIDEA.

Rostrum ut in genere Pipra,

Alee elongatce, remigibus l^^, l^a. et 2ti^ fere wqualibus, longis-

simis,
Cauda mediocris ,fere wqualis.
Pedes breves, subfortes; digito exteriore medio ad basin con^

juncto: tarsorum squamis anterioribus divisis,lateralibus integris.

Bill as in Pipra. Wings long, the first, second, and third quills
nearly equal and longest. Tail moderate, nearly even. Feet

* I have recently received another beautiful species from Mexico.

174 Mr. Swainson on several new groups in Ornithology/.,

short, rather strong ; the outer toe connected to the middle
toe at the base ; anterior scales of the tarsi divided, lateral
scales entire.
Type. P. cyanea.

JP, Cyanea^ subtus pallidh fulva ; fronte^ capitis lateribus^ auri-

busque nigris ; occipite uropygioque azureis.
Habitat in Brasilia,

One specimen of this beautiful bird occurs in a fine collection,
recently sent to me from the interior of Brazil by Dr. LangsdorlF.
This enthusiastic Naturalist is now traversing the inland provinces
of that vast empire, by command of the Emperor of Russia. He
has done me the honour to request I will publish his Ornithological
discoveries ; and the portion he has already sent for that purpose,
enables me to say they are very important*

PACHYCEPHALA.

Caput magnum.

Rostrum breve^ forte^ crassum^ compressum^ fortiter emargi-

natum / gonyde ascendente ; culmine arcuato ; naribus plu'

mulis setaceis obtectis ; rictu barbato,
Ala mediocresy sub-rotundatce, remige 1^^ brevissimd, 2^^ et 3'*«

gradatiSy 4^^', 5'^, et Q^^ fere aqualibus, longissimis, 7^^ et 3^'^^

aqualibus,
Cauda longiuscula^ aqualis.
Pedes subforteSy mediocres ; tarsorum squamis lateralibus integris.

Head large. Bill short, strong, thick, compressed, strongfy
notched; gonys ascending ; culmen arched ; nostrils concealed
by small setaceous feathers ; mouth bearded. IVings mode-
rate, slightly rounded ; first quill generally very short, second
and third graduated, fourth, fifth, and sixth, nearly equal and
longest; seventh and third equal. Tail rather lengthened,
equal. Feet strong, moderate, lateral scales of the tarsi entire.

Type. P.fusca. Vig. and Horsf.

Di\ Johnston's Contributions to the British Fauna. 175

The natural situation of this genus will entirely depend upon
the nature of its food and economy, both of which appear to be
unknown. The bill seems to indicate a habit purely insectivorous,
I possess seven or eight species, all from New Holland.

[To be concluded in the next Number,']

Art. XVI. Contributions to the British Fauna, By
George Johnston, M,D,^ Fellow of the Royal College
of Surgeons of Edinburgh,

I SUBMIT these contributions to the public with considerable
diffidence. Our general systematic catalogues, such as those of
Pennant, Turton, and Stewart, give a very imperfect view of even
the present state of knowledge concerning the Invertebrate Ani-
mals of Britain ; and the great price of most of the works limited
to the elucidation of particular families or classes, puts them
beyond my reach. It may seem, therefore, that I am scarcely
entitled to come forward as a contributor to a Fauna, of the ex-
tent of which I acknowledge myself ignorant. But, in this coun-
try, systematic Zoology has probably suffered more from the back-
wardness of its friends in publishing their discoveries, than even
from the multiplicity and perplexity of synonymes. Were it not
so, our Fauna would not, surely, at this time, be in such a defec-
tive and imperfect state, that no sooner does the student enter
upon the investigation of the inferior classes, than he is perplexed
with the crowd of animals which present themselves, either
wholly unknown, or, if known, scarcely to be recognised in the
descriptions which have been given. Anxious to add what little
assistance I can to the completion of a work so desirable and
needful as a British Fauna, I shall run the risk of being blamed
for describing as rare that which is common, and as new that
which is well known, rather than that those species which I con-
sider new should be left longer undescribed ; and my descriptions
I trust will be found sufficiently minute, though they affect not

176 Dr. Johnston's Contributions to the British Fauna,

the precision of a Monograph, to enable any one conversant with
the subject, to determine, whether the objects I present him are
already familiar to naturalists or not.

Class. Crustacea

Order. Heterobuanchi

Sect. Ampiiipoda

Gen. Gammarus

NCHIA. /

Lamarck.

1. Gam. maculatus.

Desc. Body six lines long, smooth, glossy ; back dusky with
a faint yellow band across each segment, and a row of yellow
spots along each side, most conspicuous on the posterior half of
the body; sides lighter-coloured, faintly marked with yellow.
Antennce transparent, unspotted, ciliated with long hairs ; superior
longest ; basilar joint shorter than the second or third. The seta
is one half the length of the last joint. Eyes large, oblong, run-
ning backwards, and having the appearance rather of a blotch of
a fine red colour than of eyes. Arms alike, with oval dilated mono-
dactyle hands, hairy, particularly on their inner margin. Legs
white, monodactyle, armed with bristles.

Ilab, Sea coast near Berwick, rare.

Obs. The specimen from which the above description was
taken, was found amongst some corallines dredged from deep
water. It belongs to Leach's restricted genus Gammarus^ of
■which he has described four species. Three of these are well
known to me. His G» aquaticus is common ht're, as every where
else, in our wells and ditches ; the C, locusta swarms in the
pools left on the recess of the tide ; and the G. marinus^ remark-
able by its strongly ridged back, is frequently taken here, in
great abundance, in the baskets used for catching crabs. Our
animal is quite distinct from any of these, nor can it be the
G. Camylops^ which I have not seen, for that is characterized
by having " flexuous eyes," a character not in the least applicable
to our 6r. maculatus.

Gammarus punciatus, 177

2. Gam. punctatus.

Besc. Body eight lines long, smooth, olive-green, when dead
changing to a sand-colour, speckled, particularly on the sides, with
minute black dots, and marked on the back with numerous deeply
impressed punctures. Antenna sidawed. or annulated with brown;
superior nearly as long as the body, the third joint much shorter
than the two preceding, the last very long, and armed at each
articulation with a whorl of bristles ; inferior thicker and shorter
than the superior, with the basilar joint shorter than the second
or third. Eyes round, brown, placed between the antennae ', after
death they become red. Arms with large, nearly equal, ovate-
oblong hands, monodactyle, ciliated on their inner margins. A
deep semilunar fissure between the wrist and hand, and between
the wrist and preceding joint of the first pair ; the hand of the
second pair with an obsolete tooth, and the fissures less obvious.
Claws conical, sharp, aduncous. Legs monodactyle, nearly of the
colour of the body, hairy ; the hairs of the two short pairs being
generally distributed, those of the three longer pairs collected into
little fascicules about the joints. Caudal processes three pairs, bifid,
with short branches, — the third pair terminal, conical, and very
short.

Hab. Amongst confervae in pools left by the tide, very com-
mon near Berwick.

Obs, In the arrangement of Dr. Leach this is an Ampithoe.
He describes one species, the Cancer Gammarus rubricatus of
Montagu, (Linn. Trans, ix. 99. tab. v. fig. 1.) which differs from
ours in the following particulars : — it is of a " reddish, or pale
pink" colour ; the eyes are crimson, in ours brown, and so dark
that if not attentively examined they might be pronounced black;
the hands have no notch or fissure between their articulations ;
and, if Montagu's figure be correct, the outline of the body is
different. Moreover, in the description, Montagu makes no men-
tion of the punctures on the dorsal portion of the segments, a
character not likely to have escaped the notice of that excellent
naturalist.

Vol. lU. M

178 Dr. Johnston's Contributions to the British Faund*

3. Gam. dubius.

Desc. Bodi) between two and three lines long, smooth, cor-
heous, when dead becoming yellowish-brown, marked across the
back with a few red lines. AntenncB rather more than onfe half
the length of the body, slender ; nearly equal, armed with very
short weak spines ; basilar joint of the superior longer than the
second or third, which indeed might with as great propriety be reck-
oned amongst the articulations of the last joint as distinct joints ;
basilar joint of the inferior shorter than the succeeding. Eyes
black, roundishj placed at the base of the antennae. Arms with
nearly equal hands, monodactyle, oblong, not much dilated, and
sparingly ciliated. They very much resemble those of the pre-
ceding species in their form, but are rather smaller in proportion
to the body. Legs spiny, spines not collected into fascicules, but
distributed along the whole member^ and both the short anterior
and long posterior legs are similar in this respect, monodactyle.
Natatory fms long, divided, and beautifully ciliated. Caudal
processes three pairs, long, with aciculate branches. Two rather
long conical spinous processes terminate the tail, and above these
are two much smaller papillae.

Hab. Amongst confervae in pools left by the tide, not rare
near Berwick.

Obs, I find from notes taken several years since, that I then
considered this species synonymous with the Pherusa fucicola of
Leach, but on a more attentive examination I am inclined to con-
sider them not only as distinct, but perhaps scarcely pertaining
to the same genus, if genera are to be established on such charac-
ters as that distinguished naturalist seems to think sufficient. In
the figure of the Fherusafucicola given in the Supplement to the
Encyclopaedia Britannica, the second joint of the superior antennae
is represented as elongated, the first pair of feet or arms filiform
-without any hand, and the hand of the second pair oval with a
very small claw. There is also a considerable difference about
the tail, the Pherusa having no terminal conical processes. Other
distinctions might be mentioned, but those already specified seem
of as high a value as many of those which divide the genera of

Gammarus duhiusSf G: nolens, 179

t)r. Leach. I must confess I can see no necessity or propriety
in generically separating animals similar in habits, and, so far as
we know, in structure : and at all events the attempt seems pre-
mature, as our acquaintance with the species is as yet too limited
to enable us to appreciate the rank and value of the respective
characters.

4. Gam.noleUS.

Desc. Body about three or four lines long, not much com*
pressed, smooth, corneous, red after death. Antennce not more
than one-third the length of the body, slender, tapered, with a
whorl of short spines at each articulation : superior shortest, three-
jointed, all the joints short : inferior four-jointed, basilar joint
shorter than the second or third. Eyes black, roundish, placed
at the base of the antennae, not marginal. Arms monodactyle ;
iirst pair with a small hand; the second with the hand more
dilated, hairy on their inner margins. Legs monodactyle, spi-
nous ; spines not collected into fascicules, with the exception of
the little bunch of hairs at the foot of the claws, which seems com-
mon to the genus. Caudal processes two pairs, with the branches
mucronate. Tail short, smooth and simple above, terminating in
a papilla, but without terminal processes.

Hab, Amongst confervae, not rare.

Obs, To the preceding species I gave the specific appellation
dubiusy since it seemed doubtful to which of the genera of Dr.
Leach it ought to be referred ; this I have named nolens^ as it
will arrange with none of them. It seems allied to the Gam'
marus monoculoides (Linn, Trans, xi. 5. tab. ii. fig. 3.) of Mr..
JMontagu.

I have carefully compared the species just described with those
of Montagu in the 7th, 9th, and 11th volumes of the Linnean
Transactions; and with those of Dr. Leach in the Edinburgh
Encyclopaedia, in the Supplement to the Encyclopaedia Britan-
nica, and in the Entomologist's Useful Compendium of Mr.
Samouelle, and I entertain no doubt of their being perfectly dis-
tinct from any known to those eminent naturalists. With the
exception of the G. maculahis, of which I have seen a single

M 2

180 Dr. Johnston's Contributions to the British Fauna.

specimen only, the others are neither of them rare, and there is no
reason to believe that they are confined to this neighbourhood,
but the similarity in their external form and habits has probably
occasioned them to be confounded together, and with others
better known.

An enumeration of such other species of this family as have
been detected in this neighbourhood, may, perhaps, prove not
uninteresting to the British Zoologist, as illustrative of the distri-
bution of our native animals. The Talitrus Locusta and Orchestia
littorea of Leach are both very common. The former affects our
sandy shores, the latter gravelly and clayey places at the sides of
our river, nor have I observed the species intermixed. The
Mcera grossimana and Jassa pulchella of the same author, are
neither of them rare ; and the Gam. monoculoides of Montagu
occurs abundantly. The arms of this species hav£ dilated ovate
hands, the second pair larger than those of the first, and we pre-
sume no doubt can exist of its being a true member of the family.
The Corophium longicorne is common, during the Autumnal
months, in pools of brackish water, left at the sides of the riverj
on the recess of the tide. Along with it we find, in great pro-
fusion, a species of Sphcoroma which seems little known. It is
probably the S. rugicauda of Dr. Leach, but as I have some
doubts on the subject, and as he has given no detailed description
of his species, I may be excused for adding the following :

Sph^roma hugicauda?

Leach, Linn. Trans, xi. p. 369. Edin. Encyclop. vii. p. 405.
433.

Desc. Bodi/ rather more than the third of an inch in length,
of a cinereous colour varying a good deal in its intensity, minutely
speckled with black dots, often marked with a light-coloured band
down the back. The whole body is granulated, the granulations
of the caudal segment rather larger than those of the segments of
the body. Four aniennce seated on a peduncle in front of the
head, tapered, four-jointed, the last joint composed of numerous
small articulations, with a whorl of short hairs at the origin of
each. The internal antennae are about one-half the length of the

Mr. Yarrell on the Anatomy of Birds of Prey, 181

external. The head is narrower than the following segment, and
on each side are the black reticulated prominent eyes^ which do
not touch the external margin, and are not perfectly round in
their circle. The segments of the body are short, transverse, con-
vex, and nearly equal, those towards the tail being rather the
narrowest. They are seven in number, and bear each a pair of
legs. These are six-jointed, and the tarsal joint is armed with a
stout claw and a smaller inner one. The two first joints are
nearly equal, the third and fourth are shorter, while the two
succeeding are again a little lengthened. The inner surface of
the whole, except the first, is clothed with short soft hairs ; a
tuft of hairs is placed on the middle of the external side of the
second joint, another at the base of the third, and a few hairs at
the base of the fourth. The tail consists of one large segment,
rounded behind, obliquely truncated at the sides. The lamellce
of the caudal bifd process are equal, of a linear oval shape, neither
ciliated nor serrated. The animal swims with considerable
velocity, and often on its back. It contracts itself into a ball
when alarmed ; and it can live a considerable time out of the
water. It agrees in almost every respect with the description of
the S. rugicauda given by Dr. Leach, with this exception; — in it
the body is said to be smooth, in ours it is granulated j and per-
haps the term rough, which is applied to the rugicauda, may not
be synonymous with granulated, which more properly character-
izes the species we have attempted to describe.

Berwick, Augusi 12, 1826.

Art. XVII. Some Observations on the Anatomy of the
British Birds of Prey. By William Yarrell, Esq.
F.L.S.

[To the Conductors of the Zoological Journal.]

Gentlemen,

If the following remarks on some peculiarities observable in
the species of the first two genera of British Birds, have sufficient
novelty to recommend them to a place in your Journal, they are

182 Mr. Yarrell on the Anatomy of Birds of Prey.

entirely at your service. They are the result of observations
founded, and notes taken, during an examination of the bodies of
most of the British Birds of prey, including some of very rare
occurrence.

In commencing these observations, however, I confess, without
reserve, my want of anatomical knowledge to do justice to so in-
teresting a subject, and therefore the more readily consign them to
your better judgment, to be altered or curtailed as their various
imperfections may require.

The skeletons of birds exhibit considerable resemblance to the
bony structure of the Mammalia. The principal differences are — -.
A cranium that has no real sutures.
An upper jaw that does move.
Two pairs of extra bones in the head.
A single occipital condyle.
More than seven cervical vertebrae.
Motionless dorsal vertebrae.

Clavicles constant, and an os furcatorius or furcula in all those
birds exercising the power of flight.

The power of flight is one of the decided marks of the distinct
organization of this class, and as one division of the first genus
Falco appears to possess this power in the highest degree of per-
fection of which it is susceptible, I shall briefly consider the con-
ditions necessary to produce this power in its fullest extent. These
are, large and powerful pectoral muscles ; great extent of sur-
face, as well as peculiarity of form in the wing; and feathers
of firm texture, strong in the shaft, with the filaments of the plume
arranged and connected to resist pressure from below.

A certain degree of specific gravity is necessarily imparted by
large pectoral muscles, and the power of these muscles may be
estimated by the breadth of the sternum and the depth of its keel,
as affording extent of surface for the attachment of the large
muscle by which the wing is depressed. As an illustration of
this form the breast bone of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrz-
nus) is represented Plate VI. No. 1 , of the natural size, which ex-
hibits the breadth of the sternum, the depth of the keel, as well as
the strength of the clavicles; and the power of flight peculiar io

Zo®l©gLf al Jmnm-Al TulLM JPl .W.

Genus Falco, 183

all the species of true falcons is still further illustrated by the
form and substance of the os furcatorlus, which is circular, broad,
and strong, affording a permanent support to the shoulders. That
the long and acuminated form of the wing in the true falcons,
with each feather narrow, firm in consistence, the second the longest,
and all gradually tapering to a point, is also best adapted for
rapidity of motion, may be inferred from the examples in the
various species of the genera Hirundo^ Scolopaxy Tringa^ Chara-
drius, Procellaria, Sterna^ Sfc. ; but that extent of surface, and
this peculiarity of form in the wing, are not in themselves suffi-
cient alone to afford rapid flight, is proved in the genus Larus^ the
species of which, though capable of exercising their immense pin-
ions with graceful ease for hours in succession, without any apparent
lassitude, are still incapable of rapid flight, for want of strong
pectoral muscles, and their consequent specific gravity. The nu-
merous examples also furnished by the Gallinaceous tribe suffici-
ently evince, that immense pectoral muscles are insufficient
when coupled with a small round wing, and afford but a short
flight, sustained with great labour, rapid in a small proportion
only to the strength and repetition of the impulse, and accom-
panied by a vibration too well known to need further remark. So
material also is the perfection of the feather in the genus Falco,
that when any of those of the wing or tail are broken, the flight
of the bird is so injured that falconers find it necessary to repair
them. For this purpose they are always provided with both
pinion and tail feathers accurately numbered, and the mode of
uniting the more perfect feather to the injured stump is described
in Sir John Sebright's excellent observations on hawking.

It is difficult to estimate the comparative rapidity of flight in
different birds, and our pigeons may appear to possess this advan-
tage in a degree little inferior to the true Falcons, but these
birds are deficient in natural courage, and are unable under cer-
tain circumstances^ to avail themselves of those powers with
which they are gifted : to these examples others might be added,
and the impression produced by the threatened attack of a power-
ful enemy is not confined to birds.

The bodies of all the species of true Falcons, when denuded of

IM Mr. Yarrell on the Anatomy of Birds of Prey,

their feathers, are triangular in form, broad at the shoulders and
tapering gradually to the tail, the muscles of the thighs and legs
of great size; but these characters are less prominent in the hawks,
the bodies of which are more lengthened, the legs long and
slender, the pectoral muscles smaller, the wing rounded in form,
the fourth feather the longest, the wing primaries broad in the
middle, the inner webs overlapping the feather next in succession,
and emarginated towards the end. These two divisions of the
genus Falco, although the latter are unequal to the former in
powers, are remarkable for their bold character and rapid flight,
their invariable mode of striking their prey on the wing, as well
as the instinctive knowledge by which they are directed to de-
stroy life, attacking the most vital part, and penetrating the brain
•with their sharp hooked beak, either by one of the orbits where the
bone is very thin, or at the junction of the cervical vertebrae with
the occiput.

On comparing the bones of our two British Eagles, the greater
power of flight appears to belong to the Albicilla^ that of prehen-
sion to the Golden Eagle, but both exhibit various indications of
great strength.

^Y an extended examination of the diflferent species of Buzzards
and Harriers, it will be found, that the characters described as
necessary to produce rapid motion, decline gradually. The ster-
num decreases in size, the keel loses part of its depth, the clavicles
and furcula become more slight, while the form of the cranium,
the loose ruffled feathers of the neck, as well as the general downy
texture of the plumage, indicate the approach to the genus next in
succession. Of the bones of the diff'erent species of the genus
Falcoj generally, it maybe added, that they are remarkable for
their strength, such as are cylindrical being furnished with nume-
rous transverse bony processes within the tubes, and the distribu-
tion of air throughout their internal cavities. The humerus is
supplied with air through several orifices upon its inner and upper
surface, and some difference will be found in the angle at which
this bone is articulated with the clavicle to accomplish the ascend-
ing flight of the skylark, in contradistinction to the precipitous
horizontal direction of the Falcons. The thigh bone is also sup-

Genus Falco, 185

plied with air by an orifice at the situation which answers to the
front of the great trochanter, the large bones forming the pelvis,
the vertebra?, sternum, furcula, clavicles, scapulae, and even the
ribs, are all furnished with apertures for the admission of air,
supplied from the various cells of the abdomen, sides, and thorax.
This distribution of air to the bones does not seem however to be
absolutely necessary for flight, since the young birds of our sum-
mer visitors appear to perform their first autumnal migration with
perfect ease and celerity, at an age when the cavities of their
bones are filled with marrow.

The various characters of the feet are too obvious to require
particular notice.

The extraordinary powers of vision which birds are known to
exercise beyond any other class of animals, are in no genus more
conspicuous than in that of Falco. Their destination, elevating
themselves as they occasionally do into the highest regions, and
the power required of perceiving objects at very different dis-
tances, and in various directions, as well as the rapidity of their
flight, seem to render such a provision necessary. The eyes of
birds are much larger in proportion than those of quadrupeds, and
exhibit also two other peculiarities. The one is the marsupium,
a delicate membrane arising at the bottom of the eye, and termi-
nating at or near the edge of the crystalline lens : the other is
a ring of thin bony plates, enveloped by the sclerotic coat.
Comparative anatomists do not seem to be agreed as to the
means by which birds obtain their power of vision, whether by
an alteration in the form or situation of the crystalline lens, or
by both, either or both of which, the greater quantity of aque-
ous humour which birds are known to possess, would seem to
facilitate. The existence of a muscle attached to the inner sur-
face of the bony hoop of the sclerotica, and inserted by a tendi-
nous ring into the internal surface of the cornea, as shewn by Mr.
Crampton,* by which the convexity of the cornea may be altered,
gives a still greater scope of action, since with two, or at the ut-
most three varieties of powers, the sphere of distinct vision may be
indefinitely extended. Whether the five species called the

* Annals of Philosopliy for March, 1813.

186 Mr. Yarrell on the Analomt/ of Birds of Prey.

true Falcons, possess, with (heir exclusive rapidity of flight, any
power of vision beyond their generic companions, would be diffi-
cult to ascertain \ but it may, while on this subject, be worthy of
remark, that the iridcs of the Gyrfalcon^ Peregrine, Hohhy^Mer'
lin and Kestrily are hazel brown, or still darker, while those of all
the hawks, buzzards, harriers and kites, are of various shades of
yellow. I refer only to adult birds, and do not remember a
single exception. A representation of the bony ring and crystal-
line lens of the Golden Eagle is here given, as shewing the gene-
ral form of these parts in the genus Falco, and as a contrast to the
shape of the same parts ia the genus SMx, to be hereafter des-
cribed. The number of bony plates forming this circle in the
Golden Eagle is fifteen^ in thei White-tailed Eugle there are but
fourteen.

The trachea in the different species of the genus Falco, exhibits
none of those peculiarities of form observable in the species of some
other genera. It is composed of two membranes enclosing between
them numerous bony rings, forming a tube more or less perfect
from end to end. These bony rings are strong and compressed.
The point of divarication, the cross-bone and bronchiae, consti-
tuting together the inferior larynx, are of the most common form,
having but one pair of muscles attached; and the voice, though
powerful, possesses, as might be expected, but little variation.
The oesophagus oifers nothing peculiar beyond that of other birds,
not possessing the power of minutely dividing their food. It is
plicated lengthways, allowing great extension, and its separation
from the stomach is marked by a zone of gastric glands.

The stomach in birds exhibits every gradation which the various
qualities of their food might seem to require, from the thin mem-
branous pouch of the bird of prey, to the true muscular gizzard of
the Gallinaceous tribe and others. Of the nature of the gastric
fluid, and its effects on various substances in different animals, the
experiments of Spallanzani have thrown considerable light, but
the subject is far from being exhausted.

An opportunity which occurred to me of observing the castings
or pellets of some eagles, which had been occasionally fed with
dead pigeons, shewed, that the vegetable food, peas, wheat, and

Genus Strix, 187

barley, which had been swallowed by these birds of prey, en-
closed within the crops of the pigeons, remained entire, but some-
what enlarged and softened by heat and moisture ; no part of the
bones remained. The intestines of birds of this genus are short
and large, but the Osprey (F. Haliaetus) forms an exception to
this rule. To the thin membranous stomach of this bird, there
is attached an intestinal canal measuring ten feet eight inches in
length, and in some parts scarcely exceeding a crow-quill in size.
This instance may therefore be cited as an example of an animal
possessing a carnivorous stomach with a herbivorous intestine.
The canal in most of the species of this genus, being, in length,
compared with that of the bird itself, as three to one, but in the
Osprey it is as eight to one.

In the Otter the intestinal canal is very long, equal in size, and
without caecal appendage. In the Seal the intestines are also
long, with a small caecum ; may it not therefore be concluded that
the small quantity of nutriment which fish, as an article of food,
is known to afford, renders this extent of canal necessary in
order that every portion may be extracted ? The caecal appen-
dages in birds vary in length from one inch to twenty-four, and
nature, as if to mark the uniformity of her plan, gives minute
rudiments of these vermiform appearances even to birds of the
most decided carnivorous habits.

Proceeding to the species pf the genus Strix^ their characters
will be found as opposite to those of the true Falcons as their
habits. The body stripped of its feathers has some resemblance
to the triangular form of the diurnal birds of prey, but the pec-
toral muscles are small, the sternum, keel and clavicles diminished
in size and strength, and the furcula, which in the Falcons is circu-
lar, broad, and strong, will be found in all the species of owls to be
angular, slender and weak. The sternum marked No. 2, is a
representation of that part in a Wood-Owl {S, Striduld) which
weighed nineteen ounces ; the sternum before referred to No. 1, as
that of the Peregrine Falcon (F,Peregrimcs)wiis from a male bird
weighing twenty-three ounces ; both are figured of the natural
size, and the disproportion in extent of surface and power, will be
immediately apparent. From the loose and soft nature of the

188 Mr. Yarrell on the Anatomy of Birds of Prey.

plumage in owls, as well as their deficiency in muscle and bone,
rapid flight is denied them as useless, if not dangerous, from the
state of the atmosphere at the tinnie they are destined to seek their
food ; but they are recompensed for this loss, partly by their
acute sense of hearing, from an extension of the posterior edge
of the cranium forming a conch, coupled with a very large
external orifice ; and partly by the beautifully serrated exterior
edge of the wing primaries, which, allowing them to range without
noise through the air, enables them to approach unheard ; and the
tinsuspecting victim falls an easy prey to the silent flight and
piercing eye of an inveterate enemy. Some increase and varia*
tion -will be found in the strength and form of such of the owls as
depart from the type of the true nocturnal bird. In the snowy
and short-eared owls, which are described as occasionally seeking
their food by day, the furcula is stronger and less angular in
proportion than in the wood and barn owls.

The external convex form of the bony ring in the Golden Eagle,
■will be found to extend through all the species of every genus of
British Birdsj except the owls, in all of which it is concave. The
bony ring of the Snowy Owl {S. Nyded) is represented of the na-
tural size, and the fifteen plates forming the circle, are considerably
lengthened. The transparent cornea being placed as it were at
the end of a tube, is thus carried forward beyond the intervention
of the loose and downy feathers of the head. It is this position
of the eyes, giving a particular fullness and breadth to the head,
•which has gained for the owl the intellectual character universally
awarded to it. In other birds the position of the eyes is much
more lateral.

The crystalline lens of the Snowy Owl is also contrasted with the
same part in the Golden Eagle. The extent of vision enjoyed by
the Falcons is probably denied to the owls, but their more sphe-
rical lens and corresponding cornea give them an intensity better
suited to the opacity of the medium in which they are required to
exercise this power. They may be compared to a person near-
sighted, who sees objects with superior magnitude and brilliancy
when within the prescribed limits of his natural pow ers of vision,
from the increased angle these objects subtend.

Genus Strix, Sfc. 189

The trachea of the different species of owls so nearly resembles
the same part in the falcons, as to make a separate description
unnecessary, and the same may be said generally of the cssophagus,
stomach, and intestines, as the similarity of food would appear to
require. The contents of the stomach have always been a subject
of examination, but their usual food being known, I have but to
add, that the short-eared owl {S. Brachyotos) is the only bird of
prey in which I ever found the remains of a bat. In the species
of the genus Strix^ the two ca;cal appendages will be found con-
siderably developed ; in the barn owl {S, Flammea) as well as in
the short-eared owl, they are small at their origin, afterwards di-
lated, and each one inch and three-quarters in length.

I am. Gentlemen,

Yours, &c.

William Yarrell.
Ryder Street^ Oct. 1826.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VI.

No. 1. Breast bone of the Peregrine Falcon.

a, the sternum ; b, the keel ;

c, the furcula, d, d, the clavicles ;

e, scapula broken off.
No. 2. Breast bone of a Wood Owl.

3. Bony ring of a Golden Eagle.

4. Crystalline lens of the same bird ;

a, the anterior surface, somewhat less convex than
the posterior one.

5. Bony ring of a Snowy Owl.

6. Crystalline lens of the same bird ;

a, the anterior surface, also less convex.

Nos. 3 and 5. These circles seem admirably adapted to afford
support to the soft parts of the globe of the eye ; the orbits in birds
being less perfectly defined, generally, than in most otlier animals.

t90 Dr. Turtoti on the Genus Lacuna*

Art. XVIII. On the Genus Lacuna, By Dr. TuRxoili

In the Conchological Dictionary the subjects of this family
•were first collected together, and formed a division of the genus
^urbo. From the Turbo however, as it is defined by Lamarck,
they so materially diff'er in many circumstances, as to form of
themselves a truly new and characteristic genus. None of them,
we believe, were known to Linne, or the above illustrious author.
Their essential diff*erences from the Turbo are, 1. They are of a
thin, and generally of a semi-transparent substance; 2. They
are clothed with an epidermis or thin outer skin ; 3. There is a
groove along the pillar, terminating in a cavity at the upper end.
This last mark is to be found only in this and the genus Eburna,
which are of entirely distinct divisions ; the Eburna is sarcopha-
gous, and marked by a notch or reflexure at the base of the
aperture. The Lacuna is phytophagous, with the base of the
aperture entire. All the species are found feeding on Fuci.

Testa tenuis^ conoidea vel subglobosa, epidermide induta, Aper-
tura Integra J rotundato-ovata ; labiis superne disjunctis*
Columella planulata^ sulco longitudlnali superne in umbi"
licum desinente. Operculum corneum.

Shell thin, conoid or somewhat globular, clothed with an epider-
mis. Aperture entire, roundish or oval, with the lips disunited
at top. Pillar flattened, with a longitudinal groove which
terminates at the upper end in an umbilicus. Operculum
horny.

* Spira laterally vix productd.
Spire lateral, very slightly produced.

1. L. pallidula, testa semiovatd, Jlavescenti-cornea : spirA trun^
cata : aperturd dilatatd, subangulatd.

Shell semioval, yellowish horn-colour : spire truncate : aperture

dilated, somewhat angular.
Nerita pallidula. Da Costa, t. 4. f. 4. Donovan, t. 16. f. I.
Montagu, p. 468.

Di'. Turtoii on the Genus Lacuna. 191

Turbo paUidulus. Turton, Diet. p. 192.

The spire of this species is quite flattened, consisting of three or

four well-defined volutions ; and the aperture has a rather

square outline.

2. L. Montacuti, testa subglohosct^ semipelluctd&y efasciata: spirA

suhproducta : aperturA rotundata.
Shell somewhat globular, semitransparent, without bands : spire

slightly produced : aperture rounded.
Helix Lacuna, Montagu, 428. t. 13. f. 6.

When deprived of its brown epidermis it is white in colour, or
shews various shades of purple or red, but always without
bands.

S. L, PuteoluSy testa semioblonga, obliqud, purpure&y fascits
tribus obscurioribus : apertura ovali-rotundata.

Shell roundish-oblong, oblique, purple with three deeper bands :
aperture roundish or oval.

Cochlea parva, Da Costa, 85. t. 8. f. 12,

Helix Lacuna, var. Montagu, 429.

Nerita rufa, Dors. Cat. t 14. f. 12.
Montagu, Supp. 151.

Turbo Puteolus, Turt. Diet. 193.

Shell much thicker than the last, always marked with three dark
bands, and when full grown has the larger volution conside-
rably produced obliquely.

** Spira producta, conoidea.

Spire produced, more or less conoid.

4. L. quadrifasciata, testa conica, fasciis quatuor ochraceis ; au'

fractu majori basi subcarinato ; sulco columnari parvo.
Shell conical, with four ochraceous bands, the larger volution

slightly carinate at the base : the groove on the pillar small.
Turbo quadrifasciatus, Montagu, 328. tab. 20. f. 7.
The bands are sometimes faint and nearly obliterated ; but the

shell may always be distinguished by the slightly carinated

appearance of the larger volution.

192 Dr. Turton on the Genus Lacuna,

5. jL. vincia, testa oblongo-conic(t,fasciis quatuorfusois: anfractu

majori ecarinato : sulco columnari dilatato.

Shell oblong-couical, with four brown bands ; the larger volution
not carinate at the base : the groove on the pillar dilated.

Turbo vinctus. Montagu, 307. t. 20. f. 3.

Shell much larger than the last, and distinguished by the
rounded base of the larger volution, and the more open
groove down the pillar. The bands are sometimes obliterated,
and rarely the four bands unite into two broader ones.

6. L. canalis^ testa conoidedy opaca^ efasdata: labio exteriori

crasso.

Shell conoid, opake, without bands ; the outer-lip thickened.
Turbo canaliSy Montagu, 309. t. 12. f. 11.

A shorter shell than the last, and much thicker 3 the outer lip
is also hard and thickened.

7. i>. crassior, testa conoide&j crass&y opaca : anfractubus tu-

midis ; majori subcarinato : labio externo incrassato : sulco
columnari et umbilico obsoletis.

Shell conoid, thick, opake ; volutions tumid, the larger one
slightly carinate a£ the base ; the outer lip thickened ; the
groove and umbilicus of the pillar obsolete.

Turbo crassior, Montagu, p. 309. t. 20. f. 1.

This seems to be the link connecting the two families of Turbo
and Lacuna ; but evidently belonging to the latter, as the groove
and umbilicus are sometimes faintly visible. When fresh it is
covered with a pale-brown, much wrinkled skin, under which it is
of a polished, opake, milk-white colour. The very tumid volu-
tions, and the subcarinate base of the larger onCj distinguish it
from the Lacuna canalis.

Mr. Frembly on some species of Chitones from Chili. 193

Art. XIX. A Description of several new Species of
Chitones, found on the Coast of Chili, in 1825 ; with a
few remarks on the method of taking and preserving them»
Bj/ John Frembly, R.N., Corresp. Memb, ZooL Soc,

The difficulty of capturing, and the concealed sittiations in-
habited by this interesting genus, is perhaps the principal cause of
so small a number of its species being known : with the hopes of
adding a few to the catalogue, my attention was principally
directed towards thera^ whenever opportunities for collecting
offered themselves.

Having been so fortunate as to discover some decidedly new
species, and others which were but imperfectly known, and
of which the descriptions and figures were very incomplete, I
have been induced to submit the following details to the public,
but with the conviction that my small stock of knowledge in the
science is scarcely sufficient to do justice to the subject.

The decided and strongly marked characters of the species
which I am fortunate enough to bring to notice, render it un-
necessary for me to depart from the mode of description generally
adopted by Conchologists, in recounting the peculiarities of the
individuals of this genus already known. Their habits and eco-
nomy, as far as I have been able to inform myself, will be de-
tailed at length.

The unnatural distortions, and imperfect state of preservation
in which the species are generally brought to us, is an evil that
Conchologists have long had reason to complain of; and which
prompts me to place in this article a description of my mode of
taking and preserving these animals, hoping it may aiford to future
collectors the advantages 1 have derived from it myself.

Some care and dexterity is requisite in taking the animals from
the substances to which they attach themselves. On turning a
stone (on the underside of which they are generally found), force
will not be necessary to detach them, if instead of attempting to
tear them directly from the stone, they are geiUly slid off from it :
Vol. III. N

Idi Mr. Ffembly on some species of Chitones

this proceeding is at all times advisable, when it is possible to put
it into execution, as by it a specimen may be removed without the
assistance of a knife or injury to the margin, which in this genus
foi'ms an importJint character, a-s well as adds beauty to the spe-
cies; whereas by endeavouring immediately to detach them, con-
siderable force is often requisite, and without great care in the use
of the knife the margin will suffer by the attempt.

The haunts of some of the species will not admit of this mode
of capture, especially of those found in the fissures of rocks; these
notwithstanding may be taken without mutilation of the margin,
by taking care not to touch the animal before the knife is inserted
tinder the shell; this being done, if the knife be quickly turned,
it will easily remove the specimen : not touching the animal until
the moment of capture, is a very necessary precaution in collecting
fell the large species, as their adhesion is so strong that they not
unfrequently part with a portion of their shells rather than let go
their hold : but in a quiescent state, or before they are conscious
of danger, their attachment is very slight.

The collecting box I have been in the habit of using, was a
rectangular one of wood, which I thoroughly wetted on the inside.
Immediately after a specimen was taken, its flat surface was ap-
plied to the bottom or sides of the box, to which in most cases it
adhered, especially if it had been taken from a smooth aiid flat
surface : in this position the animals were suffered to die. The space
immediately surrounding them soon becoming dry, they mostly
remained steady in the place they first attached themselves to.
It appears advisable not to let one specimen touch another, as they
are apt to crawl over each other when conscious of their proximity.
Although this manner of collecting I have found from experience
to be the best, yet in many cases it may not be convenient. They
should, however, as soon as possible after being conveyed home, be
put into a good sized flat vessel, with a little sea water in it ; and
if they have not been long taken, or, the animal much injured,
they generally expand themselves to their natural positions, and
remain adhering to the vessel until life becomes extinct. I have
also found in some cases, when circumstances have not allowed
me to attend to them presently after collecting, and they have

from Chilu Il!5

been suffered to die unheeded, that the contracting muscles have
become sufficiently relaxed to allow them to be put into a natural
position without injury to the shell, or separating the valves, but
this is too uncertain ah occurrence to be depended on. The ani-
mal, being dead, is to be extracted from the shell with a sharp
pointed knife, beginning at the posterior part, and cutting round
on both sides towards the head. J advise this mode of proceeding
from the internal structure of the valves being less liable to injury
than by cutting promiscuously from head to tail, in which case the
knife would cut against the sharp edges of the valves, and cause
much damage to them ; but in the former method of operating the
knife only passes over them in the direction in which they lie,
consequently not with so much danger of detriment to the shell as
the other. After cleansing the shell it should be laid on a flat
board, with the margin spread in the same manner in which it was
observed to be before the specimen was taken, and to prevent the
ends of the shells being brought towards one another by the con-
traction of the muscles in drying, another flat board should be
placed over them, with a weight proportionate to the size of the
shells ; they should be allowed to dry very gradually, and it will
be necessary to pay some little attention to them while drying, in
order that the edges of the margins may not become shrivelled up
by drying sooner than the other part.

Following the example of the writer of the interesting paper on
the British Chitones, which appeared in the 5th number of this
work, I have divided the genus into sections, corresponding with
the character of the margin, the propriety of which arrangement
appears to be too evident to meet with any opposition.

It is perhaps worthy of remark, that out of more than 500 spe-
cimens, not one occurred with only seven perfect valves ; but in a
few instances I have found them with one of the valves imperfectly
formed, which, on a slight inspection, might be overlooked, being
nearly, or wholly, covered by its neighbours. These malfor-
mations, I have no doubt in my own mind, proceed from accident
during the early period of the animal's existence. It may be
answered that these, as well as others of this class, have the power
of replacing any injury they may receive in their covering during

X 2

196 Mr. Frembly on some species of Chitones

their young state, but this reproduction is very partial in this
tribe ; nor do I suppose that when a valve has been so materially
injured as to lose its power of restraint on the contracting muscles,
that it can retain its situation, but must be quickly displaced or
concealed by the valves next in succession closing up the gap.
Accidents of this kind, I am inclined to think, have occurred to
those species, which are described as having only seven valves 5
and it would be an advantage to the science if the possessors of
the seven valved species would take the trouble to give them a
minute investigation, as much valuable information may be elicited,
and a subject on which much doubt at present exists might be
decided.

I must not, however, conclude these remarks without acknow-
ledging the assistance I have received from Mr. G. B. Sowerby,
without which I should hardly have ventured to intrude on the
public notice.

* LIGAMENTO MARGINIS SPINOSO.

1. Chiton spiniferus.

C. testa oblongo-ovata, ligament© marginali lato, spinifero, spinis
longiusculis ; valva antica radiatim granosa ; areis centralibus
valvarum posticarum longitudinaliter concinne sulcatis, late-
raiibus rotundatis, radiatim granosis.

Tab. Supp. XVI. f. 1.
Syn. Ch. aculeatus. Barnes.

tuberculiferus. Sowerby in T. C.

Shell opaque, oblong ovate, reddish brown, glossy ; inside red-
dish white: valves eight, the posterior angles of which do not
cover the anterior ones. Anterior valve with generally nine rows
of raised dots diverging from the apex, but the number perhaps
varies with the age of the shell. Second valve rather acutely
beaked and carinated, longer than the five following, which are
striated and shaped alike ; these all rise into rather an acute beak,
are carinated, each side of the carina divided into two distinct
portions, the anterior one the largest, and bearing broad irregular

from Chili. 197

longitudinal striae; a prominent row of raised dots extending from
the apex to the anterior angles of the valves separates the com-
partments; the posterior portion glossy, with fine concentric
striae : the posterior margins with tooth-like granulations. Last
valve striated like the anterior compartments of the others, and
rising into rather a prominent beak, leaning towards the posterior
margin : from under the beak are raised dots, disposed in a simi-
lar manner to those on the anterior valve.

Border coriaceous, thick, broad, rough, greenish or orange
coloured, and in the younger specimens thickly studded with
blunt spines, but in the old shells the spines are short and scanty,
and generally covered with corallines; the inner edge of the border
inserting itself under the posterior angles of the valves, has the
appearance of being deeply serrated. We -havo found this species
five inches in length, and nearly three in breadth.

These inhabit the rocks on the coast of Chili ; at Valparaiso we
found several specimens in very exposed situations, so much so
that collecting. them was attended with much difficulty, and not
unfrequently with danger, from the violence of the sea breaking
■on the rocks, to which they attach themselves very strongly.
They are generally covered with short sea weed.

We have been obliged to alter the name a second time, because
the name aculeatus given to it by Barnes, was long since pre-
viously occupied ; that of tubercuUferus was given from an ol,d
specimen, in which the spines were reduced in length by being
broken, so that it is not applicable i we have therefore now called
it spiniferus.

** LIGAMENTO MAllGINIS SQUAMOSO.

2. C, Coquimbensis,

C. testa oblongo-ovata, angusta, iutusfusca; ligamento marginali
lato, squamis oblongis, longitudinalibus ; valvarum lateribns
undato-sulcatis.

Tab. Supp. XVI. f. 2.
Shell ovate, narrow, opaque, greenish brown, shining; inside

blackish : valves eight, the anterior with numerous undulate ccmi-

1$8 Mr. Frembly on some species ofChitones

centric ridges ; the next rather acutely keeled ; the five following
alike : carina broad and smooth, on each side of which is a similar
ridge diverging from the beaks, and forming with the carina a
sagittate figure, and connected with it by several strongly marked
ridges : from under the beaks to the anterior angles of the valves,
extend sharp moniliform ridges, each side of which is coarsely
striated longitudinally. Border thick, moderately broad, and
covered with coarse seed-like scales, which are attached laterally.
Length three inches, breadth one and a half.

The only part of the coast on which we have found this new spe-
cies, tvas the south side of Coquimbo Bay : hence its specific
designation. The beaks of the large specimens are generally very
much eroded, and covered with Patellas, Balani and corallines,
but the young shells are often quite perfect ; from one of these I
have drawn the above description. I am aware there may be
objections to giving the characters of young shells for the identi-
fication of species, but in this case an old shell so rarely occurs
in even a moderately perfect state, that its characters could scarce
have been detailed from such a specimen.

The habits of this species are very similar to those of C. spini-
feruSj with the exception that they seem to be more grega-
rious.

*** LIGAMENTO MARGINIS GRANULOSO.

3. Chiton Cumingsii.

C. tesla ovata, valva antica bifariam radiatim granoso-striata ;
areis centralibus valvarum longitudinaliter sulcatis, lateralibus
radiatim granoso-striatis.

Tab. Supp. XVI. f. 3.
Shell semipellucid, ovate, dirty greenish brown, dorsal mark-
ings reddish brown, with spots of black, and laterally with narrow
greenish white undulated lines : inside glaucous. Valves eight,
the anterior with bifariously diverging granulate striae ; posterior
margin a little angular : dorsal valves alike, subcarinated, divided
on each side into two parts, the front with fine regular longitudinal
striae, the other compartment raised and striated like the anterior
valve, as also is the posterior valve behind the beak. Beaks

from Chili. 199

ojbtuse, and embracing the carina. Border rather narrow^ granu-
lated, shining, greenish, divided into two parts, the upper having
the smallest granulations, which in both are placed transversely.

Length two inches, breadth 1^% ; found plentifully at Valpa-
raiso under stones in still water,

A variety of this species occurred,^ differing ii^ these respects
from the above description. Shell thicker, back more raised, and
the posterior compartments of the dorsal va|ves less distinct. A
specimen also was found shewing oa the outside oply seven valves,
but inside the articulation of the other valve was plainly seen.

I have named this species after my friend Mr. Cumings, of
Valparaiso, whose zeal in the pursuit of this interesting science
will, I am persuaded, sopn make a large addition to our present
stock,

4. Chiton oUvaceus.

C. testa ovali, lata, olivacea, aeruginoso-punctuiata; valvA antica
posticaque radiatira-striatis ; areis valvarum centrajibus longii-
tudinaliter sulcatis, lateralibus radiatim striatis.

Tab. Supp. XVI. f. 4.
Syn. Chiton latus. Sowerby in T. C. No. 692.

Shell opaque, ovate, olivaceous, dull, dotted with lighter co-;.
loured spots : inside glaucous. Valves eight, the anterior one
with regular radiating striae, crossed by concentric ridges j pos-
terior margin nearly straight. Dorsal valves obtusely beaked,
divided laterally into two compartments ; the anterior having re-
gular longitudinal striae, crossed vvith others v^ry minute and con-
centric; from under the beaks diverge to the lateral margins of
the valves coarser and more irregular stria?, which raise the pos-
terior compartment above the other. The posterior valve has 9-
well defined apex, leaning towards the posterior margin. Border
thin, moderately broad, and covered with fine shining bead-like
granulations, of the same colour as the shells, divided into two
distinct portions, the upper of which is composed of much finer
beads than the lower, and which, as in the last species, are placed
trans^versely.

200 Mr. Frembly on some species of Chit ones

This species grows to a large size ; one in my possession mea-
sured when alive upwards of four inches in length ; but the ge-
neral size is about three inches. We have observed amongst
these a variety much narrower than the generality of thenij but not
differing in any other respect from the above description.

This is not given here as a new species, a specimen from the
Tankerville Collection, now in the possession of the Rev. Dr.
Goodall, agreeing so nearly with mine, that there can be no doubt
but they are of the same species. It has, I understand, been
called C. latus^ but that term would not be applicable to both
varieties. I have therefore taken the liberty of naming it from
its colour, to which I am aware there are many objections, nor
would it have been adopted but from the unvarying hue I have
observed to run through the whole of the specimens which haves
passed under my notice.

Amongst the very young shells, I observe that some of them
have their borders of a lighter colour than their shells, and spotted
with black ; this not being a constant character in all the young
specimens, they may be regarded as a variety.

5. Chiton granosus,

C. test^ oblongo-ovat^, crassiuscula, nigrescenti, fasciis duabus
longitudinalibus, subcentralibus albidis : valvis duabus termi-
nalibus (interdum radiatim) granosis; areis valvarum centrali-
bus longitudinaliter striatis, lateralibus granoso-radiatis.

Tab. Supp. XVII. f. 1.

Shell oblong ovate, thick, opaque, glossy, brownish black;
dorsal valves having a dirty white longitudinal band on each side
of the beaks : inside blackish green. Valves eight ; anterior
with numerous raised concentric granulations; second valve acute-
ly beaked, and finely carinated, the five following with a broad
polished dorsal line : dorsal valves divided into three compart-
ments, the front finely reticulated, the others with prominent
granulations extending from the beaks to the lateral margins;
posterior valve granulated like the anterior. Border thick, rather
broad, covered with dull black granula, divided into two parts.

from Chili. 201

Length 1| inches, breadth \^^. This new species is found
plentifully at Valparaiso in the fissures of the rocks, but generally
put of the reach of the breakers : the habits of this species are
yery different from those of the others which have come under my
observation : like many Patellce they are soinetimes at such a dis-
tance from the water as would lead one to suppose that they pass
Bome considerable part of their existence apart from it.

p. Chiton glaucocindus.

C, testg, oblongp-ovata, lajvissim^, subrufa, alternatim gUuco-
fuscoque strigat^; valvis, prima et ultima, radiatis; margine
carneo, fusco-maculato.

Tab. Supp. XVII. f. 2,

Shell oblong ovate, reddish, marked with alternate brown and
greenish blue stripes. Valves eight, the first and last radiated;
dorsal valves smooth, divided into two parts by a transverse ridge;
posterior compartment grooved. Border broad, granulate, pink,
yvMh brown spot§.

Length four-tenths of an inch, breadth one quarter. A solitary
specimen of this elegant little shell was found at Valparaiso. I
liave however some doubts of its being adult.

7. Chiton granulosus,

|C. tests, angusta, minutissime granulata, fusco-marnjorata ; dorso
acutiusculo, elevato ; valyis dorsalibus convexiusculis.

Tab. Supp. XVIL f. 3.

Shell narrow, granulated, granulations very fine, brown, mar-
jbled ; back acute, elevated. Valves eight; dorsal valves a little
convex, not divided into compartments. Border narrow, covered
with rather coarse granula of the same colour as the shell.

Length five-twelfths of an inch, breadth one-fifth. Found at-
tached to a Calyptrcca in Conception Bay ; very rare. The two
specimens in my collection are, I believe, the only ones which
have been noticed.

^€S Mr. Frembly on some species ofChitones

***» LIOAMENTO MARGINIS VILLOSO.

9. Chiton Peruvianus,

C. testi oblongo-ovat^5 minutissime granuloso-striata ; li^amento
marginali confertiin hirsute ; interstitiis valvarum pilosis.

Tab. Supp. XVII. f. 4.
Syn. Chiton Peruvianus, Lam. Hist* Nat. des. Anim. sans vert.
VI. l"'" part. p. 321. Eiicycl. Meth. pi. 163, f. 7. 8. Icon
pessima.

Shell oblong-ovate, opaque, dirty yellowish green, or yellowish
brown, inside white. Valves eight, thin, slightly elevated : pos-
terior compartments of the dorsal valves a little raised and striated,
with minute granulate striae, and in like manner the other parts of
the shell ; under each valve is inserted a series of short black hairs,
which lie on the back of the shell. Border narrow, coriaceous,
thickly set with coarse black hairs. Length two inches, breadth
one inch and a half. Found under stones at low water, on the
shores of Valparaiso Bay.

A variety of this species occurs having the anterior valves much
narrower than the posterior.

C. Peruvlanus, Lam. An. sans vert. VI. p*" 1'^ p. 321, figured
in the Ency. Method, pi. 163. fig. 7 and 8, is perhaps another
species belonging to this sub-division. It certainly cannot be in-
tended for a representation of mine, as neither the description or
figure agree with it. The character Lamarck assigns to C. Peru-
vianus " test^ substriata" is not at all applicable to mine, which
is finely granulate : under these considerations I venture to give
this as a new species.*

* Tl*e above observations naturally occur upon comparing this species with
lATn^rck's description, ai^d the figures in Encycl. Meth. Having, however^
taken an opportunity of examining the specimen of C. Peruvianus in Lamarck's
own collection, 1 am enabled to state that it is certainly the same species, and
in the author's absence I have ventured to cancel his new name. G. B. S.

from Chill 903

***** LIGAMENTO MARGIN^ L^VIGATO.

9. Chiton disjunctus,

C. tests, oblongo-ovata, semipellucida, polite ; valvarum margi-
nibus anticis arcuatis, lateribus rotundatis ; ligamento marginali
lato, laevi, hyalino, coloribus variis marmorato, valvis inter-
posito.

Tab. Supp. XVII. f. 5.

Shell oblong-ovate ; semipellucid, reddish brown, with green
and straw coloured markings; inside white. Valves eight,
smooth, glossy, anterior margins of the dorsal valves arcuate^ and
not covered by the superior valve, except at the beaks, which gives
the valves a disjointed appearance ; posterior slopes a little de-
pressed. Border smooth, broad, hyaline, and when alive beauti-
fully marbled with vivid red, green, and blue colours; extending
up the back, and nearly separating the valves.

Length two inches and ^ half, breadth one and a half. This
beautiful and rare shell was jfirst noticed by Mr. Cumings at Val-
paraiso, who found it in company with Chiton elegans,

10. Chiton elegans,

C. testa oblongo-ovatS, antice angustata, coloribus variis marmo-
rata; areis valvarum lateralibus minutissime granulosis; liga-
mento marginali lato, tenui, coloribus vividis marmorato.

Tab. Supp. XVII. f. 6.

Shell oblong ovate, anterior part narrower than the posterior,
semi-pellucid, msrbled, markings of various colours, generally dark
brown, reddish brown, yellow, and sometimes green. Valves
eight, beaked, the front valve with very fine excavated and raised
dots ; second valve longer than the others, and like them divided
into three compartments, the front with fine granulate longitudinal
striae; the two lateral depressed; with numerous fine irregular
granulations, and a few minute punctures ; a rather broad and

j204 Mr. Frembly on some species ofChitones.

smooth dorsal line continues itself along the middle valves, on each
side of which are very fine striae parallel to it. Border smooth,
thin, semi-pellucid, marbled, colours very bright when alive.

Length 1| inches, breadth 1^. Common under stones and on
the rocks at Valparaiso Bay, but is rarely found in exposed situ^
^tions.

11. Chiton lineolatus,

C. testa oblongo-ovata, antic^ subattenuata, laevi, pallide rufo-p
fulva, lineolis undulatis concentricis picta ; areis valvarum late?
ralibus indistinctis, minutissime punctulatis.

Tab. Supp. XVII. f. 7.

Shell oblong-ovate, rather tapering towards the anterior valve,
light reddish brown, marked with undulated concentric lines of a
dark brown colour ; inside white, except the beaks, which are
purple. Valves eight beaked, posterior divisions rather indis^
tinct, very finely punctured and granulated, the fifth valve gene-
rally with a broad brown dorsal line.*

Border cherry coloured, similar to the preceding. Length one
inch and three quarters, breadth one inch ; not quite so common
as the last, but found in the same situations.

Considerable variation is observed in the markings of this spe-
cies, some of them haying the lines partially or wholly obscured.

The great affinity between this and the last ^species, leaves
some doubt of the propriety of separating them. I shall, however,
leave it for more experienced Conchologists to decide, whether
the constant linear markings are sufficient to warrant a specific
designation.

12. Chiton Chilensis.

C. testa oblongo-ovata, antice subattenuata, crassa, laevi, opaca,
fusca; ligamento marginali coriaceo, Levi, crasso; valva antica
posticaque semilunatis, leviter punctatis : valvis intermedijs
linea granulata ab apice ad angulum anticum decurrente,

* Amongst upwards of 100 specimens, but two exceptions occurred.

M. Lefebvre sur quelques Lepidopteres nocturnes, Sfc. 205

Tab. Supp. XVII. f. 8.

Shell shaped much like the two preceding, opaque, thick, dark
brown, smooth, dull : inside white, with pink markings on the
first, second, and last valves. Valves eight, with longitudinal
striae, crossed by irregular concentric ridges. Anterior and pos-
terior valves semi-lunate, slightly punctated ; second valve sub-
carinated, the front margin obtusely angled, lateral margins ar-
cuate, and the posterior with a prominent beak, on each side of
which diverges a rather elevated granulate ridge ; the next five
valves alike, bow shaped with a granulate ridge on each side.
Border smooth, coriaceous, tough, thick, darker coloured than the
shell, semi-pellucid, broad at the sides, and narrow at the ex-
tremities.

Length two inches and three quarters, breadth one inch and
three quarters. Found in the crevices of the rocks and under
stones very sparingly, at Valparaiso.

Atr. XX. Description de cinq especes de Lepidopteres
Nocturnes, des Indes Orientates, Par M. Alex.
Lefebviie, Memhre de la Societe Linneenne de PariSj
Correspondant de V Academic de Catane, S^c,

Pendant mon sejour a Londres, Monsieur Vigors ayant eu
I'extr^me complaisance de me montrer toutes les nouvelles especes
de son cabinet Entomologique, et de me prier de decrire les cinq
especes suivantes, c'est avec le plus grand plaisir que je me suis
rendu a son desir. Mon seul regret est d'avoir etc oblige de
rediger aussi promptement ces descriptions, et d'avoir repondu
aussi faiblement aux nombreuses amities qu'il s'est plu a me pro-
diguer.

Tons ces insectes furent, avec un grand nombre de tons les
ordres, recueillis pres de la ville de Madras (cote de Coromandel)
par M. le Major Sale.

!206 M. Lefebvre sur quelques Lepidopteres nocturnes^

Plusieurs d*entre eux existent aussi dans la collection de la Com-
pagnie des Indes, recueillis a Java, par les soins de M. le Docteur
Horsfield ; ce qui prouverait qu'ils ne sont pas exclusives au con-
tinent Indien, comme on peut le croire primitivement : et ce
savant, ayant deja commence a decrire toutes les especes inedites
qu'il a rapportees de cette Isle, j'ai eu soin de conserver a celles ci
les noms sous lesquels il desire qu'elles fussent designees.

Le travail de M. Horsfield sera d'autant plus important qu^ayant
eleve presque tous les lepidopteres, la connaissance parfaite qu'il
a de leurs larves le mettera a meme de relever nombre d'erreurs
commises dans leur classification jusqu'a ce jour, par I'ignorance
entiere ou I'on etait a ce sujet, et de nous donner une histoire
complete de ces insectes, qui nous manque, et que I'on attend
avec impatience de la plume de cet habile observateur.

Les caracteres generiques des Lepidopteres, surtout dans les
nocturnes, presentent trop de dissemblance avec les notres pour
que M. Horsfield puisse les faire tous entrer dans les sections
qui existent. De nouvelles coupes, de nouveaux genres peut-etre^
sont a n'en pas douter necessaires a etablir. Comme ce n'est pas
a moi qu'il appartient d'en juger et de les faire connoitre,je me suis
contente pour ces cinq especes d'indiquer la place qu'elles doivent
le plus naturellement occuper en ce moment ; jusqu'a ce que les
Entomologistes dont s' honorent les Societes Linneenne et Zoo-
logique de Londres ayent fait connaitre les genres auxquels elles
doivent definitivement appartenir.

18 Ma/, 1827.

des Indes Orient ales, $0^

GASTROPACHA VISHNOU.

Ord. Lepid. (Latr.) Fam. Nocturn. Trib. Bomb.
Gen. Gastropacha. Ochs.

(Envergure. 2 pouces et \ au moins.)

AUs dentatis, feminae, utrinque luteo-flavis ; anticis, ad basin
griseo maculatis, puncto solitari albido, iiigro cincto, ab exte*
riori margine ad angulum externum, punctis fuscis ; posticis, linea,
serieque punctoruin fuscorum transversalibus : fimbria violacea.

Les ailes saperieures et inferieures sont de part et d'autre, dans
la femelle, d'un jaune d'ocre, ou d'orpin dans certains individus*

Sur les superieures, presque k leur origine, il y a une large tache
d'un gris sale, irreguliere, posee sur le bord inferieur, et at-
teignant le point central. Elle est coupee perpendiculairement
aux deux extremites par une ligne etroite, couleur de rouiile,
dont celle du cote de la base presente une tache lunaire presque
semblable a celie que forme le point central, et celle opposee est
pen sentie et remonte jusqu'a la cote superieure.

Au dessus de la tache basilaire, et immediatement contre elle
est le point central largement ecrit, blanchatre dans son milieu et
borde d'un cercle brun ; et un peu en avant de lui est une legere
ligne brune qui part de la cote superieure pour se joindre a la tache
basilaire.

Une serie de points bruns, sinuee a son milieu, et dont les
premieres et les dernieres sont plus senties, descend de Tangle
externe jusqu'au milieu du bord inferieur sur lequel elle se pro-
nonce fortement,

Les lignes, la serie de points, se repetent en dessous, et le
point central y est senti par une tache obscure.

Sur les inferieures une ligne transverse, brune, sinueuse, et tres
sentie, part du milieu de la cote superieure et s'arrete presque
a leur centre. Au dessous d'elle, de Tangle anal jusqu'au bord
superieur, il y a egalement une serie de points bruns, tres sinuee,
et dont ceux du centre sont peu visibles.

g08 M. Lefebvre sur quelques Ijepidopteres nocturheSj

Leur dessous est pareil, mais en plus la ligne transverse est
precedee d'une semblable qui lui est parallele;

La frange est jaune extremement dentee et vivement coloriee
de violet a son bord exterieur.

Tout le corps, les pattes, et les anteunes sont du meme ton que'
les ailes, et i'extremite de Pabdomen est garnie d'une forte touffe de
poils de meme couleur.

Cet insecte au repos porte les ailes absolument comme tous ceux
de son genre.

(Decrit d'apres quatre individus femelles.)

BOMBYX BllAlIMA.

Ord. Lepid. (Latr.) Fam. Noctuun. Trib. Bomb*
Gen. BoMBYX.

(Envergure 3 pouces au plus.)

Alis integris, feminae, iltrinque fulvo-rufis^ anticis, ad basin
puncto minuto albo, vittisque duabus cinereis, albido marginatis :
margine exteriori, punctis obscurioribusj puncto solitari cinereo 5
fimbria alba.

Les ailes superieures de la femelle sont en dessus d'un roux
ferrugineux, parfois un peu blanchatre.

A leur origine est un petit point blanc peu visible. Elles sont
coupees transversalement pres de leur base et vers leur milieu par
deux bandes transverses, larges, paralleles, cendrees, et bordees
interieurement d'une demi teinte foncee, et exterieurement d'un
trait blanchatre.

Dans I'intervalle qui les separe et qui est egale a leur largeur est
le point central, petit, pale et un peu arque en dehors.

Au-dela de la seconde bande, vers le bord des ailes, entre deux
series de points noirs, dont les premiers sont assez diflfus, est une
demi teinte blanchatre qui part de I'angle inferieur et s'eteint en
atteignant cclui superieur.

Les inferieures, plus pales a leur origine, sont de meme couleur
que les superieures.

des Indes Orientates. 209

Le dessous des ailes est d'un roux plus vif, surtout vers leur
Dord, et J presente faiblement deux legeres lignes transverse^,
bordees de brun.

La frange est etroite, d'un brun pale, et finement terminee de
blanc.

Les antennes qui sont fortement ciliees et assez longues, la tete
et le corselet, sotit d'un roux cendre pareil k celui des bandes
transverses des ailes superieures : un trait fin et brun borde seule-
ment les epaulettes k leur sommet.

Les palpes qui sont toufi*ues5 sont cendrees en dessus et d'uti
brun tres vif en dessous ; et le dessous du corps ailisi que leS
j)attes sont de ceiiQ derniere couleur.

(Decrit d'apres trois individus femelles.)

feoMBYX BuddhA.
(Envergure 18 lignes environ.)

Alis integris, maris, subflexuosis pallide rufo-fuscis ; anticis^
macule fusco-rubea, arcii ad medium albo-nitente margineque
obscuriori.

Les ailes superieuries du male sont en dessus d'un brun assei
clair, et portent presque sur leur centre une large tache irreguliere,
atteignant au bord superieur, bi-echartcree a son cote externe, et sur
ie milieu de laquelle est un petit chevron blanc ouvert eri dehors.

Elles sont largement bordees d'une bande plus foricee qui
occupe environ les deux tiers de I'aile, est un peu sinueuse, et
nettement decoupee a sa partie interne. Elle oJGfre deux series
marginales de petits points noirs dont la premiere se perd dans
la teinte.

Les inferieures et le dessous des ailes sont d'un brun uni^
seulement un peu plus fonce en dessous, ainsi que le corps.

La frange est de meme teinte, tres etroite, et un peu noire a sori
iextremite.

Vol. in. o

210 M. Lefebvre sur quelques Lepidopteres nocturnes^

Tout le reste de 1* insecte est da meme brun.

Les antennes sont un peu plus pales, et tres panacbees.

(Decrit d'apres un individu matle.)

BoMBYx Siva.

(Envergure 2 pouces 9 lignes.)

Alis integris, maris et fceminae, brunneo-fulvis : anticis, puncto?
solitari minuto obscuroque ; linea alba, sinuata, transversali, ma-
Gulis tribus albis, antica ad basin, postica ad marginera externum,
accentiformibus, tertia ad medium nitente : posticis pallidioribus,
ad angulum ani pauluium nigro signatis*

Les ailes superieures sont, dans le male et la femelle, d^un brun
marron, plus fonce a leur bord superieur et plus clair ^ leur ex*
tremite.

Leur point central est tres petit et d^un brun fonce. A leur
origine on observe un point blanc, et un accent de meme couleur
au milieu de la c6te superieure sur laquelle il est appuye, la
pointe tournee en bas.

Plus loin, au tiers de I'aile, une ligne flexueuse, blanche, courbe
en dedans, descend de la cote superieure, sur laquelle ellq se
prononce fortement, en diminuant de teinte et de largeur jusqu'^a
une petite tache argentee un peu triangulaire qui occupe presque
le centre de I'aile. Elle reparait ensuite, mais tres faiblement
jusqu' au milieu du bord inferieur, ou elle est immediatement suivie
d'une tache un peu plus vive que le fond de Paile, et qui s'etend
jusque sur la frange.

Les ailes inferieures sont presque blanches, leur extremite seule
est largement demi teinte d^un brun tres pale, leur angle anal
presente sur la frange deux petites taches brunes.

Le dessous des superieures et des inferieures est tres pale,
presque blanc a leur origine, et vers leur extremite. Sur une large
onde d'un brun fonce, reparait la meme ligne flexueuse blanche
du dessus, qui semble continuer sur les inferieures jusqu'4 leur
angle anal.

des Indes Orientales. 21 1

La frange est fort etroite et de meme couleur que le dessus.

La tete et le corselet sont gris, les epaulettes larges, Tivemeut
coloriees de brun marron, et bordees de blanc.

L'abdomen, bruu en dessous, est blanchatre en dessus, et
chacun de ses segments est borde du meme brun k leur sommet.

Les antennes sont blondes, courtes, et panachees dans le male,
longues et ciliees dans la femelle.

Les palpes sont toufifues et jaunes a leur extremite.

(Decrit d'apres quatre individus, dont un est m^le.)

BoMBYx Ganesa.

(Envergure 1 pouce f.)

Alis integris, maris, rufis : anticis, maculis duabus obscuriori-
bus, anticS, quadrangular! paululum margine superior!, posticS,
oblong^, ad medium arcu albonitenti inscripta ; fasciis albis valde
sinuatis transversaliter signatis ; posticis utrinque albidis, ad angu-
lum ani, nigro-signatis : ano barbatissimo.

Les ailes superieures du m^le sont en dessus d'un brun fauve,
plus fonce k la base et dans toute la partie superieure de Paile,
et portent une bande marginale de meme couleur, luisante, et
chatoyante un peu sur le verd.

Deux lignes tres flexueuses, d'un blanc brillant, surtout dans
celle posterieure, et largement prononcees a leur depart, par-
Courent I'aile presque parallelement du bord superieur a celui
oppose. EUes forment, au deux tiers de I'aile, vers son extremite,
une large tache foncee, presque quadrangulaire, echancree exte-
rieurement, qui tient par un de ses cotes au bord superieur et ne
depasse pas leur milieu. A cet endroit elle se lie par son angle
interne a une seconde tache irreguliere, petite, oblongue, d'un ton
beaucoup plus vif, et dirigee de I'angle inferieur a la cote supe-
rieure; de son extremite la plus pres de la base, cUe forme le
point central, et celle exterieure est coupee par un petit arc blanc
forme par la ligne blanche la plus pres du bout de I'aile.

o2

212 Prince of Musignano on a nondescript species ofGrousefj

En dessous, ces ailes sont du meme ton, la tache du dessus y est
repetee, et une seule ligne blanche ia borde exterieurement.

Les ailes inferieures tant en dessus qu'en dessous sont d'uQ
blanc sale, plus obscur a leur bord, et a leur angle anal : le bout
de I'aile ainsi que la frange sont de part et d'autre vivement tachees
de noiF. Une bande transverse, obscure, faiblement ecritey
S'observe seulement en dessous.

La frange est etroite et assez pale.

La ieie et le corselet sont du meme bmn que le fond des
ailes, et les epaulettes d'un brun marron, bordees de blanc.

Les antemies panachees, les palpes fort touffues, et les pattesy
Sont d'un ton plus fonee^^.

L'abdomen est entierement du ton des ailes inferieures, et Panus-
garni de polls tres bruns visibles seulement en dessous, est re-^
couvert en dessus par deux longs pmceaux, reunis, de poils
obscurs vivement coloriees de brun marron a leur extremite.

(Decrit sur deux individus males.)

Art. XXI. Notice of a nondescript Species of Grouse^
from North America. By Charles Lucian Bona-
parte, Prince of Musignano^ M.A., Fell. Li/nc. Acad.
Home, For. Memb^ Linn. Soc. Lond., Corr. Memb^
Senk. Nat. Hist. Soc. Franc, S^c.

ilEPEATEt) accounts of hunters and travellers have long since'
put beyond question the existence, in the western wilds of the
United States territory^ of a very large species of Grouse, analo-
gous to the European Tetrao urogallus; which, however, not
having fallen under the immediate inspection of any naturalists-
could not be properly registered in systematic catalogues. Hav-
ing had the good fortune to find a specimen of this most interest-'
iBg species among the endless ornithological treasures, of which

CJIen. Hai'dwicke and Mr. Gray on Saurian Reptiles^ SfC. 213

Mr. Leadbeater is so liberal towards the lovers of science, I beg
leave to introduce it in its proper place, as one of the chief orna-
ments of the North American Fauna.

Genus. Tetuao, L.
Sub-genus. Tetrao, Nob.

Tetrao urophasianus. — Head smooth : primaries unspotted :
toes strongly pectinated : tail subcuneiform, of twenty narrow
tapering feathers.

Male black? Female grey, mottled.

Inhabits the North Western countries beyond t^ie Mississippi^
especially on the Missouri.

Size of the T. urogallus^ whiclpi species it represents in th«
New Continent.

Art. XXII. A Si/nopsis of the Species of Saurian
Reptiles^ collected in India hy Major-General Hard-!-
w 1 c K E ; By Major- General H a r d w i c k e, jP.i2. <Sr i. 5.,
«wrfj. E. Gray, jP.G.S.

The Reptiles which are described in the following pages are
part of the collection of animals, formed by Major-General
Hardwicke while on duty in various parts of India, where he had
them figured while alive, generally by native artists, so as to in--
dicate their natural colours and habits.

Specimens of most of these Reptiles have been brought to Ihis
country, and on their being compared with the drawings, it was
found that every scale must have been counted, and the length
and breadth of qxgtj part taken by actual admeasurement. We
have thus reason to place great reliance on the accuracy of the
drawings of those species, of which specimens had not been
brought home ', so much so, as to induce us to indicate and de;-

i

214 Gen. Hardwicke and Mr. Gray

scribe them also, stating the fact, at the end of the description,
of their being characterized from the drawing alone.

Hitherto only twenty-seven species of this kind of Reptiles
have been described as inhabiting India. Of these, ten are found
in this collection ; many of the others rest only on the authority of
Seba, whose errors in regard to locality are discovered every day ;
and to these have been added thirteen new species, containing
amongst them six new types of form, which have hitherto not
been found in any other country; indeed all the species here
described are peculiar to India, except the Chameleon, the Moni^
tor, and one of the Crocodiles, which are common to Africa^
The latter species proves M. Cuvier's opinion on the subject of the
geographical distribution of the Crocodiles to be erroneous ; for
that naturalist, to whom we are indebted for the unravelling of the
species of this genus, appears to have thought that each species
was peculiar to a distinct country. The specimens and drawings
of this collection, however, clearly demonstrate that the common
Crocodile hitherto regarded as peculiar to Africa, is also spread
over the continent of India.

The genera are arranged according to the Synopsis of Genera
published in the Annals of Philosophy, and in the Philosophical
Magazine for June, 1827.

As it is the intention of the writers of the present article to
publish figures, with detailed descriptions, of each of the unpub-
lished and unfigured species, the observations of Zoologists on any
of the subjects noticed in it, will be most thankfully received.

ORDER. I. EMYDOSAURI.

Fam. 1. Crocodilid^.
Gen. 1. Gavialis, Oppel.

1. G, Gangeiicus,

Lacerta Crocodilus. Edw, Phil. Trans, xlix. 639.
Crocodilus. n, 40. Gronov. Gazoph. ii. p. 11.

longirostris. Schneid. Amph. 160.

————— Gangeticus. Cuv. Ann, Mus, x. QQ.

en the Saurian Reptiles of India. 2 15

Lacerta Gangetica. Gmel. Si/sL Nat. p. 1057.
Gaviala Gangetica. Fleming^ Phil. ZooL ii. 276.
Gavialis Gangeticus. Geojfroy St. Ililaire, Mem, Mus.

Hist, Nat. Par. xii.
Icon, Edw. Phil. Trans, xlix. t. 19. Faujas^ Hist, de
la Mont. St. Pierre, t. 46—47. Cuv. Ann. Mus,
x.t. l.f.2. 11. andOss. Foss. t. 1. f. 2. W.Geoff,
Mem. Mus. xii.
There are two drawings of this species In the collection, the
specimens represented in which have only two nuchal scales, as
is the case in the specimen in the British Museum. M. Cuvier
figures four.

Gen. 2. Ckocodilus.

1. C.porosus, Schneid. Hist. Amph. ii. 150.

C. biporcatus. Cuv. Ann. Mus. x. 48.
Icon. Seba^ 1. 1. 104. f. 12. good. Cuv, Ann. Mus, x.
t. 1. f. 4. 13. 18. 19. t. 2. f. 8. head and nuchaj
scales.
Inhabits the Ganges, Penang, and Sumatra, common,.

2. C, Niloticus. Baud. ii. 367.

Croc, vulgaris. Cuv. Ann. Mus.k. 40.
Lacerta Crocodilus, (pars). Linn. Si/st. Nat. i. 359. Ip
Icon. Geoff. Rept. d'Egypte, t. 2. f. 1. and 1*. very
young. Cuv. Ann. Mus. x. t. 1. f. 5, 12. t. 2. f. 7,
head and nuchal scales. Geoffroy^ Ann, Mus,
X. t. 4.
Inhabits the Ganges, and water tanks in the Carnatic.

In a drawing of a specimen eight feet long, from the Ganges,
the nuchal scales are placed as in Cuvier's and Geoffroy's figures ;
but in a young specimen, from the water tanks at Madras, the la-
teral scales of the nuchal group are placed in the centre, opposite
the division between the upper and lower series of scales. In a
specimen about the same size in the British Museum, said to come
fromlndia, they are placed similarly to the latter ; as is also the case
with a full grown specimen in Mr. Gray's possession from Africa.

21Q Gen. Hardwicke and Mr. Gray

ORDER II. SAUR.E.

Fam. 1. AcrAMiDiE.
Gen. 1. Agama.

*. Head almost uniforinly scali/; back crested; tail compressed^
with two or more series of long scales beneath,

1. A. superciliosa.

Viridisj squamis uniforraibus ; supra dorsum tuberculis conicis,
raris brunneo •> annulatis ; superciliis elevatis carinatis ; C£iuda
corpore duplo longiore, infra plana, squamarum seriebus duabus.
Lacerta superciliosa. Linn, Syst, Nat, i. 360. 4.
Scutated Lizard. Shaw^ Zool. iii. t. 68.
Lophyre a casque fourchu. Lacerta Scutata. Cuv, Regne

Anim, ii. 36. — not Linn. i. 360. 5.
Agama tigrina. Merrem^ Kept, i. 50. 4. but not Syn.

which belong to A, cristata, Merrem. lb, 50. 3.
Lophyrus Gigas. Boie^ Bull, Sci. Nat, ix. 235.
Agama gigantea. Kuhly Beitr, 106.
Icon. Seba^ Thesaurus^ i. t. 100. f. %, Copied Shawy ZqoI,
iii. t. 68. low. fig.
Inhabits Bencoolen.
Length 12 inches ; body 4f ; tail 7|.

Green ; eyebrows elevated, keeled ; tail nearly twice as long
as the body, beneath flat, with two series of long slender double
pointed keeled scales. Scales uniform, small, with a few scat-
tered conical tubercles on the back, each surrounded by a brown
ring; teeth recurved, cut in behind.

2. A, armata. n. s.

Pallida, brunneo-inarmorata; squamis lanceolatis carinatis; spinis
trihedris raris supra dorsum et membra; superciliis carinatis,
squamarum serie laevi in spinam longam postice desinente ; dorso
serie spinarum gracilium cristato ; Cauda seriebus pluribus squa^
marum longarum tetragonarum.

Inhabits Singapore.

on the Saurian Reptiles of India, 217

Length 12 inches ; body b\ ; tail 6|.

Pale, marbled with black brown ; scales lanceolate keeled, with
some scattered trihedral spines on the back and upper parts of the
legs. Eyebrows keeled, with a series of smooth scales ending
behind in a long subulate spine ; a tuft of three or four spines
over each ear. Back crested with a series of long awl-shaped
spines. Tail with several series of long quadrangular scales be-
neath ; teeth conical erect.

** Head uniformly scaly y back crested ; tail uniformly scaly.

3. A. vultuosa. Harlan.

Viridis, infra pallide brunnea ; capitis et corporis squamis parvis
lanceolatis uniformibus, caudae et membrorum majoribus, ab-
dominis latis carinatis; dorsi crista brevi simplici ; membris longis-
simis gracilibus ; cauda corpore sesquilongiore.

A. vultuosa. Harlauy Journ. Acad. N.S. Philad. iv. 296.
Icon. Harlan^ Ibid. 1. 19. Bad, the legs very short.

Inhabits Penang, called Girget.

Length ISJ inches ; body 4^; tail 9.

Green, below pale whitish brown ; scales of the head and body
small, lanceolate uniform j of the tail and limbs larger, and of
the belly broad, keeled ; crest of the back short, simple ^ legs
very long, slender. Tail half as long again as the body.

4. A. Indica. n. s.

Pallide virescens brunneo-marmorata, infra albida; capitis
squamis parvis, corporis, membrorum, caudseque latis lanceolatis
carinatis; parotidibus fasciculis duobus spinarum supra aures;
crista spinarum simplicium compressarum ab occipite ad medium
usque dorsum.

Inhabits Dumdum, common. Gen. Hardwicke. Java, Dr.
Horsjield.

Length 12| inches ; body 3| ; tail 9—10 inches.

Pale yellow green, marbled with brown ; beneath whitish ;
scales of head small, of body tail and limbs broad lanceolate
keeled ; parotids with two bundles of spines above the ears ; the

218 Gen. Hardwicke and Mr. Gray

crest of simple compressed spines only extends from the occiput to
the middle of the back ; tail nearly three times as long as the
body.

Called Ghirsit in Calcutta,

5. A, minor, n, s.

Brunnea obscure marmorata, infra pallida ; capite brevi ; capitis
caudae membrorum abdominisque squamis ovatis obtusis ; super*
ciliis carinatis ; supra aures fasciculis 2 spinarum ; dorsi squamis
latissimis, obtuse carinatis ; crista per totura dorsum, vix elevata ;
Cauda corpore breviore.

Var. capite dorsoque asperioribus.

Inhabits Chittagong. Var. Mhendy Ghat.' Sandy plains.

Length 6 inches; body 3 J ; tail 2|,

Brown, marbled with darker, and lower parts pale ; head
short ; scales of head, tail, limbs, and belly, ovate, blunt ;
eye-brows keeled, with two bunches of spines over the ears;
scales of the back very broad, blunt, keeled ; the dorsal crest
scarcely raised, extending the length of the back. Tail two-thirds
the length of the body. From a drawing.

The variety has the back and the head more spinous*

*** Head uniformly scaly ; back simple ; tail uniformly scaly ^

6. A. tuberculaia. n. s.

Viridis flavo marmorata et punctata ; squamis parvis ovatis,
caudae et membrorum externe majoribus, carinatis ; femoribus
seriebus 3 — 4 tuberculorum conicorum; c^uda corpore duplo
longiore, basi incrassata, apice attenuata.

Inhabits India.

Length 12 inches ; body and head four ; tail 8.

Green, marbled and speckled with yellow ; scales small ovate,
those of the tail and outer side of the limbs larger, keeled ; hinder
thighs, with three or four rows of conical tubercles behind ; tail
twice as long as the body, thick at the base, and tapering at the
end ; eyebrows keeled, smooth ; teeth simple conical.

on the Saurian Reptiles of India. 219

Gen. 2. Draco. Linn,

1. D. abbreviata. n. s.

Squamis parvis ; ad alarum marginem membrorumque pos-^
teriorum latera squamis ovalibus compressis ciliata; alis partiin
femoribus adnatis subtus maculatis; gula brevi, thoracem attin-p .
gente.

Inhabits Singapore.

Length 12 inches; body 5; tail 7 inches.

Scales small, body on the edge of the wings and the sides of
the hind legs fringed with compressed ovate scales ; wings partly
attached to the thighs, beneath spotted j the central pouch of the
throat reaching to the thorax.

2. D. Sfusciata, n. s.

Squamis parvis, caudai paulo majoribus ; membris posticis
squamis ovatis compressis marginatis ; alis fasciis quinque nigris
cseruleo-marginatis ; gula thoracem longe superante.

Draco viridis. Kuhl, Beitr. 102 ? * -

Body 4 inches ; tail 5| inches.

Scales small, those of the tail rather larger ; hind legs edged
with ovate compressed scales. Wings with five black bands,
edged with blue. The central pouch of the throat reaching
beyond the thorax.

3. D. viridis, Daud, Rept, iv. t. 41. good.
Pale, wings and body dotted, and marbled with black. Tail
just twice as long as the body.

A drawing from an animal brought from Java.

Gen. 3. Uromastix.

1. U» Hardwickii. Gray^Mss.

Supra virescens nigro punctulata brunneoque marmorata ;
subtus pallide brunnea; femoribus posticis macula nigra ad basin
internum ; squamis membrorum parvis, infra corpus majoribus ;
tibiarum spinis sparsis ; caud^ supra annulis spinarum distinctis.

Inhabits the sandy plains of Kanouge, in Hindustan.

Greenish, punctulated with black, and marbled with brown

£20 Gen. Hardwicke and Mr. Gray

Above ; beneath pale brown, the thighs with a black spot on the
base of the inner or front edge ; scales small, those of the limbs
and under side larger ; hind legs with scattered, and the tail
with distinct separate rings of spines on the upper surface ; the
outer spine on the edge of the tail the largest.

When old, the skin about the neck and shoulders becomes loose
and folded.

Called by the Hindoos Saara: it is eaten by the lower castes.

2. U» Belliana. n. s.

Glivacea; dorso fasciis tribus longitudinalibus, cum seriebus
quatuor maeularum albarum nigro-marginatarum alternantibus ;
membris maculis albis ocellatis; lateribus nigro maculatis ; squamis
parvis, subtus paulo majoribus, caudae paryis verticillatis.

Inhabits Penang.

Body 5, tail 9 inches,

Olive green ; back with three pale black^edged longitudinal
streaks, alternating with four rows of black-edged pale coloured
spots; legs varied with pale black-edged spots, and the sides
ornamented with square black spots; scales small, those of
the lower parts rather larger, and those of the tail small an^
placed in verticillate bands ; the bands of pores do not quite meet
over the sub-anal region. From a drawing.

FAM. III. CHAMiELEONIDiE.
Gen. 1. CHAMiELEO.

1. C. vulgaris.

Lacerta Chamaeleon. Linn, Svst. Nat, i. 364. 20.
Lacerta caudatereti brevi. Linn. Ama^n. Acad. i. 571.

&i.512.
Chamaeleo vulgaris. Latr. Rept. 11. Daud. iv. 181.
Chamaeleon trapu. Geoff. Rept. d'Egypte. ?
Cameleon ordinaire. Cuv, Regn. An. ii. 52.
Icon. Seba. i, t. 82. f. 2. dry. — f. 1. in spirits. (Copied

Encij. Meth. t.— f. 2.) Geoff. St. Ililaire, Rept,

d'Egypte. t. 4. f. 3.
Skeleton. Seba. t. 82. f. 8. Copied Daud. Rept. u t.

ll.f. 1.

on the Saurian Reptiles of India, SSl

Chamasleo Mexicanus. Laur. Rept, 45.
Lacerta chama?leon. /3. G?7iel. Si/st. Nat. i. 1069. 20*
Chamaeleon calcaratus. Merrem, Rept, i. 162.
All from Seba, i. t. 82. f. 1. which has the slight expan-
sion of the hinder part of the sole distorted into a
distinct toe.
terhaps also,

Chamceleo AfricanuSi Laur, Rept, 46.
Lacerta Africana. Gmel, Syst. Nat, i, 1069. 60.
Chamseleon calcaratus (pars). Merrew, Rept* i. 162. AH

estahlished from Seba^ i. t. 83. f. 4.
Chamaeleo Zealonicusi Laur, Rept, 46.
Chamaeleon subcroceus. Merreniy Rept. i. 162. Both from
Seba, 1. t. 82. f. 3.
Inhabits Africa and India. " Egypt, Barbary^ and South of
Spain," Cuvier, Central Africa, Colonel Denham, India^ Gen^
Hardwicke, Tripoli, Mr, Ritchie. Egypt, Geoffroij^

This species, which is evidently the one originally described by
Linnaeus, is known by the peculiar pyramidical form of the occiput,
by the single large irregular quadrangular flat space on the cheek,
(which is double in C, pumila)^ and by the slightly crested
denticulated white line from the chin to the vent. The teeth are
rarely (as they are described to be by Cuvier) slightly 3-lobed,
which is an anomaly in those Lizards which have them placed on
the edge of the jaw. When the animal is alive and in health,
the angles of the occipital pyramid and the lines on the side of
the face are completely obliterated. It is distinguished from a spe-
cies from Central Africa, by the occipital keel extending to the
centre of the eye, by the back of the head being only slightly lobed^
and by the frontal scales being tubercular.

Fam. IV. GECKOTiDiE.

Gen. 1. Pteropleuiia. n. g.

Digiiis palmatis ad basin usque dilatatis, squamis latis uni-
Seriatis indivisis, ultimo articulo adunco libero, poUice muticoj

222 Gen. Hardwicke and Mr. Gray

poris femoralihus nullis ; corporis et membrorum lateribus fim-
briatis.

This geniis can be confounded only with the Uroplates of
Daudin, from which it may immediately be distinguished by the
toes being completely webbed, by the scales of their under side
being broader towards the extremities, and entire, and by the
last joint, which bears the claw, being raised up and exposed, while
in the Uroplates it is inclosed in the groove of the scales, and com-
pletely hid from view ; indeed the formation of the toes is similar
to that of the Platydactyles and Geckos^ but it differs from them
in their being webbed, and in the membranes on the sides of the
body, which appear to indicate very different habits.

1. P. HorsJieldU, n. s.

Supra pallide fusca, nigro^fusco maculata ; infra albida.

Pteropleura Horsfieldii. Gray^ Phil, Mag. July^ 1827.

Inhabits India. Singapore, Gen, Hardwicke, Java, Dr, Hors-^
Jield.

Head and body depressed ; above pale brown, with irregular
shaped dark spots, with a darker margin on each side of the body
just above the lateral fringe, two round spots on the back of the
neck, two sub-quadrangular larger spots over the shoulders, and four
irregular wavy bands at nearly equal distance from one another;
the scales of the upper part of the body are small and even, those
of the upper side of the limbs and tail and lower part of the body
are rather larger ; the labial scales are very large, and the central
one of the upper jaw is broad, and furnished with one large
central and two smaller ones on its upper edge. The sides of the
head, betv/een the angle of the mouth and the ear, just behind the
ear, the front and hinder edge of the fore legs, the side of the
body, from the fore to the hind legs, the bend of the outer and
the whole of the inner edge of the hind legs, are furnished with a
membranaceous fringe, which is covered with rather large, broad,
quadrangular scales, placed in cross bands on the upper side, naked
and smooth beneath, except the fringe on the side of the head,
which is covered with reticulated scales above, and smaller ones
beneath. Tail depressed, edge slightly expanded.

on the Saurian Reptiles ef India* ^QS

Length of the animal 5 inches ; head 1 ; body 2 ; tail 2, The
breadth of the expansion on each side of the body half an inch*
It differs from the Plijchoioon of Kuhl, by not having any femoral
pores.

Gen. 2. Gecko.

1. G, verus*

Lacerta Gecko. Linn, Si/st, Nat, i. 365. 21.
Gecko verus. Merrem^ Rept, i. 42. 12.
Platydactylus. Cuv, Regne An, ii. 45*
Icon. Seba, i. 1. 108.

Gen. 3. Hemidactylus.

A drawing of a species of this genus, with its young, is in the
collection; but at present we do not venture to describe it.

Gen. 4. Eublepharis. n. g.

Digitis 5. 5* subaequalibus simplicibus conicis brevibus ungui-
culatis; ports subanalibus dhtmctis ; caudA cylindrica, verticiilat^*

This genus is separated from the other genera of the simple
toed Geckos, by being furnished with distinct subanal pores,
and also by the form of the toes, which are very short and
conical.

1. E, Hardwickii, n. s.

Supra fusca, fasciis quatuor albis ; dorsi squamis parvis sub*
conicis ; infra albida.

Eublepharis Hardwickii. Gray^ Phil, Mag, June ^ 1827.

Inhabits Chittagong, Gen, Hardwicke, Penan g.

Blackish brown, above pale, under parts and limbs whitish^
with a pale band from the lips, extending over the ears, and form-
ing a horse-shoe over the back of the head ; another lunate band
on the middle of the back, a transverse band over the hind legs,
and one or two on the tail. The front of the head and lower
part of the body and limbs are covered with small roundish flut

j224 Gen. Hardwicke and Mr. Gray

scales ; the back and upper part of the limbs are protected witK
large oval scales, each slightlj elevated in the centre, and sepa^
rated from one another at the base by a series of minute granulated
scales. The tail, which is round at the base and slightly com-
pressed at the extremity, is covered with small irregular flat scales,
and is narrowed at equal distances into 16 — 18 ring-like con-
tractions, which are more visible in the centre, and gradually dis-
appear at each end. Each of these bands is furnished with a
series of large orbicular subcohical scales on the edge. The labial
scales, especially of the upp6r lip, are very long and narrow. The
edge of the eye-lid is reflexed and expanded ; femoral pores
8 — 9 on each side, in a triangular series; toes very short.

Length of the animal 7f inches ; of head and body 4 inches 5
tail 3^ inches.

Gen. 5i CyrtodActylus. n. g.

Digitis 6. 5. apice compressis, retroflexis dein incurvatis, un-^
guiculatis j ports femoralibus nullis ; caiidd cylindrica.

This genus belongs to that group of the family which differs
from the type in the toes being destitute of those scales on the
underside which enable them to climb on perpendicular surfaces;
but it is known from the other genera of this section by the
peculiar form of the toes, which are arched at the end, that is to
say, the third joint is very short, and forms a right angle with
the second ; the fourth then goes off horizontally from it, and the
joint bearing the claw is bent down at the end, so as to give the
foot a very peculiar appearance.

1. C. pulchellus. n.s.

Supra pallide fuscus, subaculeatus, fasciis purpurels duodecim
latis ; infra laevis, pallidus ; superciliis denticulatis explanatis, in-
terne purpureo-brunneis.

C. pulchellus. Gray, Phil, Mag, June, 1827.

Inhabits Penang.

The head is very much depressed, and smooth; the labial scales
broad, short, quadrangular ; the frontal ones of both jaws trian-
gular, with two scales on their upper edge ; eyes very large, tlie

on the Saurian Reptiles of India, 225

lids expanded) plaited on the edge, and purple within ; the back
is minutely scaly> with numerous polished, round-based trihedral
tubercles, of the colour of the part on which they are placed.

The scales of the chin are small and smooth; those of the
abdomen larger, imbricate, circumscribed on the side of the
body by a slightly crenulated raised edge of tubercles, and
separated from the smaller scales of the hinder part of the thighs
by a series of larger scales, which just occupies the place usually
filled by the femoral pores; the lower surface of the tail is fur-
nished with a central series of broad short scales.

The upper surface is pale brown, with a broad horse-shoe-shaped
purple-brown band edged with white, passing from the back of
each eye over the ear to the back of the head ; a similar band
extends over the shoulders, and then follow three rings of the
same colour on the body, and seven on the tail.

Length of the body 3 inches : of head 1^ ; of tail — ?

Fam. V. Varanid^.
Gen. 1. MoxViTOU.
The animals of this genus are aquatic ; they have the tail above
compressed and keeled, and beneath rounded, and the nostrils
ovate, small, placed laterally, nearer the tip of the nose than the
eye.

1. M* elegans,

Tupinambis elegans. Daudin, Kept. ?

Tupinambis bivittatus. Kuhl^ Beitr, 123. Boie^ Isis^

1826. 1. 205.
Monitor elegant de I'Archipel des Indes. Cuv. Regne

Anim. ii. 24.
Monitor de Java. Cuv. Oss. Foss. v. 288.
Varanus elegans. Merrein, Kept. 58.
Inhabits Cawnpore and Dhellah, near Futtehghur.
The nostrils are placed at less than half the distance from the
tip of the nose to the eye ; the head is plain olive, w^ith two
darker streaks over the ears, and some yellow bands on the front
of the nose, by which it is to be distinguished from the African
Monitor, T. elegans^ Kuhl, well figured by Petiver( Gaz.t.l5.f. 6.).

Vol .III. P

226 Gen. Hardwicke and Mr. Gray

The number of bands of spots, and their size, appear to vary by
age.

Called Bis Kupra, or Bis Copra at Cawnpore, and Gosaump at
Dheliah.

2. M,Jlavescens> n. s.

Naribus rostri apici quam oculis propinquioribus ; carina
elevata utrinque supra dorsum ; digitis validis brevibus subaequali-
bus ; squamis magnis flavis brunneo-rufescente marmoratis; cauda
corpore dupio fere longiore.

Inhabits India.

Nostrils one-third the distance from the end of the nose to the
angle of the eye. Body with a raised keel on each side of the
back, just above the legs. Toes strong, short, nearly equal.
Scales large, yellow, mottled with reddish-brown. Tail nearly
twice as long as the body. Tail 14y. Body 8 inches. There is
another drawing, apparently of this species, with the body 13 and
the tail 18 inches long. From a drawing.

Gen. 2. Varanus.
Tail round and triangular. Nostrils an oblique slit, placed
near the angle of the eye. Teeth sharp^ compressed. Terrestrial*
1. V. Scincus.

Tupinambis griseus. Daud. Kept. viii. 362.
Monitor terrestre d'Egypte. Cuv. Regn. Anim. ii. 25.
Ouran de Forskal. Geoff. Rept. (PEgypte,
Varanus Scincus. Merrem^ Rept. 59.
The Scincus of the Ancients, according to Prosper
Alpinus.
> - Crocodile terrestre d'Herodote. — Cuvter.

Animal Lacertosum. Prosper Alp. H. N, JEgypt. 217.
Icon. Prosper Alp. lb. t. 11. Geoffroy^ Rept. d'Egypte,
t. 3. f. 2.
Inhabits Futtehghur.

A drawing of this animal differs slightly from the specimen in the
British Museum from Tripoly, collected by Mr. Ritchie, which
agrees exactly with Geoffroy's figure in colour; the upper part
of the body is pale, with three irregular-edged broad, and the
belly with four narrow black, bands. The tail also is annulated.

on the Saurian Reptiles of India, 227

ORDER in. SAUROPHIDII.

Fatn. I. SciNciDTE.
Gen. 1. TiLiQUA.

The toes of this genus are simple, cylindrical, not fringed. Body
fusiform, and the head covered with one rostral, one anterior
and two posterior frontal, one anterior vertehral, two occipital, a
posterior vertebral, and four posterior occipital shields.

1» T. carinata.

Scincus carinatus. Schneid. Hist. Amph. ii. 183. Daud,

Kept. iv. 304.
Icon. ?

Inhabits gardens, Dumdum.

A specimen preserved in spirits agrees well with Schneider's des-
cription of his second specimen. In a drawing of the species, the
animal is represented as golden green on the back, with a golden
yellow band commencing at the nose, and running over the eye-
brow along the side of the body, a little behind the hind legs ; the
sides are purplish, darker above near the yellow streak; the scales of
the upper parts are strongly ribbed, and those of the lower parts
sexangular and polished.

There is a drawing of a Scinc^ supposed by the natives to be
the young of this species, which is pale golden green above and
yellow beneath, with a pale whitish border and scattered black
spots on each side, just over the legs.

2. T. trivittata. n. s.

Supra pallide brunnea ; dorso fasciis tlavis tribus latis nigro-
marginatis; lateribus pallidis maculis nigris rat is; subtus albida.

Inhabits gardens, Dumdum.

Length, 8-^ ; liody, 4j ; Tail, 4 inches.

Above pale yellowish-brown, witli three broad yellow bands on
the back edged with black ; the bands are two series of scales
broad, and have two series of scales between each of them, the yel-
low situated on the two inner halves of the two series, and the
black occupying the other outer halves of the scales ; sides paler,
with a few black spots ; beneath v, hitish ; under the eye a black
streak. The tail banded like the back, very nearly as long as the
body; ears denticulated in front ; toes rather short. From a draw-
ing.

p 2

228 Gen. Hardwicke S^ Mr, Gray, on the Saurian Reptiles , SfC*

Is this the S. trilineatus^ Schneid. ii. 202. ? The scales of the
tail are uniform.

Gen. 2. Lyc^osoma, n. g.

Corpore cauddque longis cylindricis, cauda parum attenuata,
squamis paribus imbricatis tecta; pedibus quatuor breviusculis,
digitis 5. 5. inaequalibus unguiculatis ; capite scutato; auribus
depressis parum vero occultis.

Body long, cylindrical. Tail long, cylindrical, slightly attenu-
ated; equally covered with imbricate scales. Legs 4. rather short.
Toes 5. 5. unequal, clawed. Head shielded. Tympanum of the
ears sunk, but distinct.

Head with one rostral, one anterior and one posterior frontal,
a large anterior and a small triangular posterior vertebral, and two
oval occipital shields.

The animals of this genus are separated from the Seines by the
cylindrical form of their body and tail, and the shortness and
weakness of their legs. They agree with them in the scales, num-
ber of toes, and in having a visible tympanum, which separates
them from the Anguis quadrupes of Linnaeus. They are separated
from Seps by the form and number of their toes.

1. Li. serpens.

Corpore supra aureo-subfusco nitente, subtus albido, lineis nigris
longitudinalibus multis ; squamis hexagonis; caudae cajrulescentis
lineis interruptis.

Lacerta serpens. ^' Bloeh, Besck. Berl. Naturf. ii. 28."

GmeL Si/st. Nat, 1078. 75. excl. syn. Linn.
Scincus brachypus (pars.) Sehneid. Amph. ii. 192.
Seps pentadactylus (pars.) Daud. Rept. iv. 325.
Ghalcide Serpentin. Latreille^ Hist. Rept. ii. 87.
Icon. " Block. Ibid. ii. t. 2." Gmel.

Inhabits India. Java, Dr. Horsjield.

Bodyj above shining golden brown, beneath whitish, with
16 — 18 longitudinal black lines, scales sexangular, with a line
between each series. Tail bluish, with the lines interrupted.
Length, 8 inches. Head to fore-legs^ | inch ; to hind-legs, 2|*
Tail, 3| inches.

Rev. Mr. Berkeley on Modiola^ 8fc, 229

This may perhaps be the animal indicated by Boie, as Seps
muUilineata,

The Scincus, n. 43. Gronovius, Zooph. p. 11,, an animal
in the British Museum, figured by Seba, vol. ii. t. 12. f. 6., and
the Lacerta abdominalis of Thunberg, appear to belong to this
genus.

Art. XXIIT. A short account of a new species ofModiola^
and of the animal inhabitants of two British Serpulce,
By the Rev, M. J. Berkeley.

Modioli Rhombea.
(Tab. Supp. XVIII. fig. 1. magnitudine nat. et lente aucta)
Mod. testa tenui, rhombea, gibbosa, plicis transversis subcre-

nulatis, postice obscuris, costisque iongitudinalibus ; umbonibus

prominulis incurvis.

A single specimen was dredged up at Weymouth, Aug. 1826,

adhering by a Byssus to a large mass of slate. Length from the

umbo to front margin, 2 lin.

Serpula Auundo.

(Tab. Supp XVIII. fig. 2. lente bis aucta)

Serp. testa solitari^, Tel fasciculata, primum repenti, costellis
quatuor plus minusve obsoietis Iongitudinalibus, rugisque inter-
mediis transversis; demum adscendente, trans