66

first time I ever observed the occurrence noticed in VII. 531. was several years ago, when sitting one day, about the middle of summer, with a dessert of fruit and cowslip wine. A little of the wine, having been spilt upon a plate, was immediately surrounded by many flies (Músca doméstica), which attacked it with great avidity. One in particular I noticed, more thirsty than the rest, who, after distending his paunch to nearly twice its original size, stood for some time wiping his proboscis, brushing his wings, and rubbing his fore legs together, with evident satisfaction; and then disgorged a portion of the fluid, which appeared at the end of his proboscis, exactly as described in VII. 531.; and, after a second or two, disappeared, again appeared, and again disappeared, for many times in succession: the abdomen diminishing and increasing in size, according as the fluid was alternately expressed and imbibed. My first impression was, that my uninvited, though not unwelcome, guest was not, as he should be — ipse, but, as he should not be tipsy;" but the manner in which, after a little more pluming, he flew away, discountenanced this supposition. However this may be, I have observed this process so frequently since that time, at all periods of the summer, and in almost all cases in individuals in perfect health, that I cannot look upon it, as J. D. seems to do (VII. 531.), as an evidence of incipient disease. These facts, together with the pleasure the insect appears to experience in the act, dispose me to consider it as a voluntary one, and have suggested to me the idea of its being an analogous process to that of rumination in the ox, &c. I am no entomologist, but merely an occasional observer of the insect race. I therefore content myself with mentioning the fact, and throwing out the foregoing suggestion for the consideration of those better capacitated, in every respect, than I am for making future observations and correct deductions. J. Aaron, M. R. C. S. Birmingham, Oct. 29. 1834.

REVIEWS.

ART. I. Notices of Works in Natural History.

SOWERBY, G. B., jun.: A Plate of Figures of Natural Objects, as Specimens of the Author's Ability in Delineating and Engraving Objects of the Kinds. The plate, 4to, with the figures coloured, 2s. 6d.

The subjects are E`mys concéntrica, a dorsal and an abdominal view of; the gold finny (Crenilàbrus cornùbicus),

fossil Lucíscus oeningénsis? with the vertebral coluinn of another fish in the abdomen, Hépatus maculàtus, Squílla, Mántis, Phòrus agglutinans. A copy with the figures coloured, and one with them uncoloured, have been seen. sight of them has been a treat.

The

Eyton, T. C., Esq.: A History of the Rarer Species of British Birds; illustrated with Woodcuts. Intended as a Supplement to the History of British Birds, by the late Thomas Bewick. To be completed in three monthly parts. Part I. 3s. 6d.

The Egyptian vulture, red-legged falcon, blue-throated redstart, Alpine accentor, fire-crested wren, shore lark, whitebellied swift, mealy redpole, white-winged crossbill, Virginian cuckoo, wood pigeon, migratory pigeon, black stork, redbreasted snipe, buff-breasted sandpiper, pectoral sandpiper, Temminck's sandpiper, are the names of the species described and figured in Part I.

Hewitson, W. C.: British Oology; being Illustrations of the Eggs of British Birds, accompanied by letter-press. Nos. XXIII. and XXIV.

A double number has been issued for November, which completes volume 2d. The eggs of the red ptarmigan (Lagòpus británnicus) are especially beautiful: nor are those of the nightingale, the redbreast, the grebes, the linnet, the curlew, the crow, &c., less worthy of commendation. The author has followed the advice given in this Magazine (V. p. 699.) of requesting correspondents to furnish him with information, which will be published at the conclusion in the form of a supplement. We particularly wish to direct attention to the list of desiderata, some of which, as those of the shingle plover (Pluviàlis cantànius), we should suppose it not very difficult to obtain. We reckon full three hundred birds as British; Mr. Hewitson has figured the eggs of nearly half this number. S. D. W. Nov. 3. 1835.

The 25th Number of this work has been published.

Baxter's Illustrations of the Genera of British Flowering Plants.

No. 40., published Nov. 1., completes vol. 2d., even to the indexes, title page, and dedication. The author has announced that the price of the future numbers will be raised, as "the work has not nearly paid the actual expenses." It is to be hoped that the subscribers will respond to the author's hope,

that they will not object to this. A work so elaborately executed, and enriched with so much matter of worthy quality, will be cheap at the advanced price. Since the writing of the preceding, No. 41. has been seen: better paper is employed in it than in the cheaper numbers.

Geological Society, Pennsylvania: The Transactions. Vol. I. Part I. 8vo, 180 pages. Published by the Society. Philadelphia, 1834.

We hail the appearance of this number, as affording satisfactory evidence of the labours of our transatlantic brethren in this department of science. At the end of the volume it is announced that numerous geological surveys of several parts of the United States are in progress, and it is probable that in a few years we shall possess a correct geological outline of the whole of North America. Our limits will not allow us to do much more than announce the principal contents of the present number.

The first article is by R. C. Taylor, F.G.S., "On the geological Position of certain Beds which contain numerous fossil plants of the Family Fucöìdes, near Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania." The description is elucidated by several well-executed drawings and sections. These fossil fucöides occur in a succession of sandstone beds, which Mr. Taylor refers to the grauwacke formation.*

The second article is, "An Essay on the Gold Region of the United States, by James Dickson, F.G.S." "The gold region of the United States of North America, so far as it has been at present developed by mining operations, is considered to extend from the Rappahannock river, in the State of Virginia, to the Coosa river, in the State of Alabama." But Mr. Dickson adds, that indications of gold ores have been met with as far south as the Gulf of Mexico, and, in a northern direction, to Vermont. Mr. Dickson is also of opinion that, from the vicinity to the wood, rivers, inland seas and bays, and the cheapness of labour (slave labour), and considering, also, the health and excellence of the climate, the gold region of the United States possesses greater advantages than any of the gold regions in South America, or the ancient continent. It has been calculated that not less than six millions of dollars in gold have been extracted from the branch gold mines of the United States since the commencement of mining operations.

*For an account of the fucöides, by Mr. Taylor, see M. N. H., Jan", 1834 [VII. 27-32. 163.]. Professor Harlan refers their geological position to compact sandstone subjacent to the coal-measures.

The most important article in the present number is entitled, "Critical Notices of various Organic Remains hitherto discovered in North America, by Richard Harlan, M. D." The subject will be continued and completed in a subsequent number; when we propose to take a review of the whole, pointing out the remains which appear to be peculiar to the American continent: we may also revert again to some other articles in the present number.—B.

Silliman, B., M.D. L.L.D., &c.: The American Journal of Science and Arts, No. LIX. Oct. 1835. O. Rich, London.

"Observations on the bituminous Coal Deposits of the Valley of Ohio, and the accompanying Rock Strata: with Notices of the Fossil Organic Remains and the Relics of Vegetable and Animal Bodies; illustrated by a geological map, by numerous drawings of plants and shells, and views of interesting scenery. By Dr. S. P. Hildredth, of Marietta, Ohio."

This is, perhaps, the most important geological memoir that has been recently published, if we take into the account the amount and extent of the mineral treasures which it developes, and their immense value to the rapidly increasing population of the United States on the western side of the ranges of the Alleghany Mountains. The memoir occupies the whole of the last number (for Oct. 1835) of that valuable work "The American Journal of Science and Arts, conducted by Professor Silliman, of Yale College, Connecticut." The extent of the region described comprises about five degrees of latitude, and as many in longitude, on each side of the river Ohio. The mineral treasures are precisely those which are most available to the comfort and prosperity of an industrious and enterprising people rock salt, or rather brine springs, containing 15 per cent. of salt; coal in numerous beds, some many yards in thickness, and of an excellent quality; ironstone of various qualities; lead ore, limestone, and millstone, &c. The coal of this vast region occurs in regular strata, scarcely troubled by the faults and dislocations which so much impede mining operations in other districts. In general the strata have very little inclination, and present great facilities for working. The salt springs are bored for, in many situations, to the depth of 600 ft., and even 900 ft. When the bed which contains the salt water is first pierced, there is generally a great rush of carburetted hydrogen gas emitted: it has, in some instances, been so violent as to blow up the boring rods. The memoir is accompanied by explanatory sections, which

present at one view the thickness and succession of the strata, and is, in every point, deserving of the attention of the geologist, and of all who feel an interest in studying the resources and future prospects of the western United States. The memoir occupies 154 pages, and is accompanied by 36 plates, besides a large map of the region.-B.

ART. II. Literary Notices.

HISTOIRE Naturelle des Iles Canaries, par. MM. P. Barker Webb, et Sabin Berthelot. The coming of this work has been spoken of for some time; at length a prospectus has been issued. It is to consist of 3 volumes, quarto: the first on the historical miscellanies; the second on the geography, geology, and the zoology; the third on the botany. The work is to be accompanied by an atlas of from 25 to 30 large plates, and the whole work is to include about 300 engravings or lithographs. It is to be published in 50 parts, one every 15 days. Barthes and Lowell are the London agents for the sale of it.

Curtis's cheap edition, edited by Dr. Hooker, of his Botanical Magazine. The publication of this work was commenced in numbers, the first of which is noticed in VI. 267., and one volume is completed. It is proposed in future to publish it in volumes, and the second volume is in preparation. In this edition the subjects are placed in the order of what is called the natural arrangement, by which kindred species are brought together: this renders this edition more readily illustrative of the species treated of, than the first edition; and the text is improved with

new matter.

Royle's Illustrations of the Botany and other Branches of the Natural History of the Himalayan Mountains, and of the Flora of Cashmere. Part VIII. has been published.

A Catalogue of Birds which have occurred in the Neighbourhood of Epping, Essex with Remarks on certain of the Species, by Mr. Edward Doubleday, are published in The Entomological Magazine, No. xiii. Oct. 1835, vol. iii. p. 290–292. The catalogue includes 113 species.