upon it in p. 193-197. 307-320, are discussed in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, the Number for October, 1835, by a writer, whose name is not given, who has conceived "Mr. Thompson's conclusions.... to be erroneous; and" has "set down some of what appear to" him "the most decisive proofs that they are so." His own conclusions are, that the leviathan was the crocodile of the Nile, and that the behemoth was "one of the larger herbivorous mammalia," and "some large . . . . species of the bovine genus of Linnæus." The treatise occupies from p. 263. to 281., and is learnedly written.

It would not have been more than was due to the Magazine of Natural History, had the title of this work been allowed to appear as the repository of a printed exposition of Mr. Thompson's views: this is not the case throughout the thesis cited. A second instance of this injustice occurs in a communication in the same Number of the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, entitled, "On the Falls of Niagara, and the Reasonings of some Authors respecting them. By Henry D. Rogers, F.G.S., of London, &c." Refer to Mag.

Nat. Hist. III. 117-130.

Metamorphosis in, and Habits of Crustaceous Animals. (II. 244, 245.; IV. 256-259.; VIII. 261–277. 467-469. 482-486.550, 551.) — There is contained in the Entomological Magazine, No. 13. October, 1835, in p. 275-280., a "Memoir on the Metamorphosis in Porcellana and Portunus. By J. V. Thompson, F.L.S., Deputy InspectorGeneral of Hospitals," illustrated by three figures; and, besides, other information on the deemed metamorphoses of crustaceous animals and on the habits of certain species of them, this notification is made: "We have, perhaps, ourselves been somewhat to blame in not allowing it [ Crustaceology'] a more prominent place in our pages than we have hitherto done. We now announce our intention of repairing this error; and, aided by the valuable contributions of Mr. Thompson, we hope that no future number will appear without, at least, one article on Crustacea."

I have stated, in VIII. 468., that ecdysis and transformation are subjects not identical: they are identified, on reasons, in the Ent. Mag., p. 293. of the Number cited above. — J. D. Phyllosòma; Mr. Lukis has proposed the epithet, sarniénse, to designate the species that is described and illustrated from him in p. 459 462: a correction of two errors in the description. My absence from this island prevented my seeing the article introduced in p. 459., relating to a species of Phyllosoma, taken on this coast; consequently I could not answer

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the suggestion affixed to it in p. 462. In reply, I beg to state that the species of Crustacea there described, although different, in some particulars, from the genus of Leach and Latreille, as published in the Malacostraca of De Blainville, may still, with propriety, be left among the Phyllosómata, to prevent the multiplying of terms and families. My individual appears to have been undescribed; and, in proposing a name, I conceive Phyllosòma sarniénse, from its locality, Guernsey, to be less objectionable than applying to it one derived from its form or other peculiarity, which, in a genus as yet little known, may be liable to variation in relative significance. May I draw your attention to an incorrect reference made under fig. 38. in p. 459.? where it is said, "a, a representation of the animal," &c., "the aspect ventral;" it should be aspect dorsal; and b," the aspect dorsal," should be aspect ventral. F. C. Lukis. Guernsey, Oct. 22. 1835.

[Mr. Lukis's correction, in the cases mentioned, renders necessary the additional one of reading a for b, in p. 461. line 9.]

ART. XIX. Man's Progress in the Diffusion of the Knowledge of Natural History.

THE Islington Literary and Scientific Society.-This Society gives direct attention to natural history: among the subjects which it facilitates the acquisition of the knowledge of, zoology and astronomy are subjects enumerated in a short list of lectures sent; the zoology to be treated on by Dr. Grant, the astronomy by J. Wallis, Esq. The rayed animals (Radiàta or Cycloneùra) are the subject of four lectures by Dr. Grant, and a syllabus of these is given in the printed circular sent: all of these will have been delivered before the publication of this notice. The whole must, from Dr. Grant's character, be rich in interesting information and views. This Society has a library and museum. "The museum is enriched with collections in various departments of natural history and science."

The Royal Geological Society of Cornwall held its twentysecond annual meeting on October 9. 1835, and reported on the events that had transpired relative to it through the past year. Considerable additions have been made to the museum, partly by purchase and exchange, but principally by donations. The curator, assisted by the secretary, has been engaged in reducing to order the various series of geological specimens that had accumulated. Several treatises have been commuVOL. IX.

No. 57.

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nicated and read. The funds, though somewhat less than last year, are still prosperous. The council expect to commence printing the fifth volume of Transactions before the next meeting; but "they do not expect that it will be ready for publication until the year following, on account of the numerous tables and illustrations that will be required." There has been an increase in the number of members. (From an authorised report in the West Briton of Oct. 26. 1835.)

REVIEWS.

ART. I. Notices on Works in Natural History.

COOK, Captain S. E., R.N., K.T.S. F.G.S.: Sketches in Spain during the Years 1829, 1830, 1831, and 1832; containing Notices of some Districts very little known; of the Manners of the People, Government, Recent Changes, Commerce, Fine Arts, and Natural History. In 2 vols., 8vo, above 600 pages. London, Boone, 1834.

The portion on natural history includes some particulars on vegetation, on birds, and on subjects in geology.

Jenyns, Rev. L., M.A. F.L.S. Z.S. Ent. S., and of the Cambridge Philosophical Society: A Manual of British Vertebrate Animals: or Descriptions of all the Animals belonging to the Classes Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, and Pisces, which have been hitherto observed in the British Islands: including the Domesticated, Naturalised, and Extirpated Species: the whole systematically arranged. 8vo, 590 pages. London, 1835. 13s.

The forthcoming of this work has been announced in VI. 442, 443; VIII. 248. 359.

Extracts from the Preface. The descriptions are, as far as possible, original. In a large number of instances, they are derived from recent specimens. The name of the author from whom any thing is borrowed is, in almost all cases, subjoined. When the accounts of what have appeared the best authorities differ, the discrepancies are pointed out.

By some it may be thought that the descriptions are too long; but when it is considered how many species have been overlooked from their supposed identity with others; how many, some even of the most common occurrence, have been misunderstood, and referred to others, which, perhaps, are not inhabitants of this country; and that these and similar

errors have arisen, not merely from the imperfect, but, it must be added, careless descriptions which have been given of such animals, it is hoped that the pains which have been taken to render this portion of the work as complete and accurate as possible, will not be thought entirely thrown away.

In the class of birds, the different variations of plumage, arising from age and season, have been pointed out and characterised, so far as they are known. Appended to the description of each species [in all the classes], are a few general remarks illustrative of its habits; more especially those connected with locality, food, and propagation. In classification, the system of no one individual author has been rigidly adhered to. Regard has been paid to what has been written on this subject by the most recent writers in each department, of all the larger groups, as well as, in most instances, their mode of collocation has been derived from such sources.

The author has exercised his own judgment in the adoption of certain genera and subgenera, [and has referred, for his principles on these, to his expression of them in this Magazine: see VI. 385–390. VII. 97-99.] The subgenera are inserted in such a manner, that any one who chooses may place them on the same footing with the genera, or take no notice of them at all.

[The author expresses his acknowledgements to the following parties who have assisted him in the fulfilment of his undertaking.] To Mr. Yarrell, in particular, for the able help which he has experienced at his hands. This help has been especially felt upon the subject of the British fishes. Assistance has been not the less afforded him in the other classes. Mr. Yarrell's well-known practical acquaintance with our British birds has enabled the author to detail more at length the change of plumage to which some species are liable, and to correct a few errors into which previous writers had fallen on this subject. The same gentleman kindly volunteered an accurate description, accompanied by measurements, of the egg of every species of which his extensive collection afforded specimens. To Mr. Gray, for the readiness with which he has, at all times, allowed him to consult the specimens in the British Museum. To the officers of the Zoological Society for similar liberty to examine a few specimens contained in their collection.

[The author is of opinion that] even the vertebrate animals of our country are far, yet, from being thoroughly understood; [and solicits] such observations, notices of new or rare species, and, where it may not be inconvenient, specimens, as it may be in the power of any of his readers to supply.

In the Analyst, No. xiii., published in Oct. 1835, are three treatises, which merit the attention of naturalists. The titles of them, and the pages they occupy, are:- Remarks conducive to the improvement of ornithological nomenclature, p. 26. to 35.; a retrospect of the literature of British ornithology, p. 78. to 99.; on the study of Latin, more especially as regards the interests of the medical profession. In the second, the majority of the works published from 1678 to Sept. 1835 are characterised. The Analyst is now published quarterly. "Arrangements have been made by which the proceedings of the learned bodies" in the populous and intellectual towns of the midland counties "will be fully and accurately reported" in it. "The transactions of the several institutions will be thereby quickly disseminated, instead of being, as hitherto, buried in the recesses of their lecture-rooms."

Mrs. Perrott's Illustrations of Selected Species of British Birds. (VIII. p. 523, 524.)

It has been objected to this work, in the Analyst, No. xii., that it is without plan or order. The authoress regards as exonerative of this charge, the following statement in her published prospectus:-"As the work is published in numbers, opportunity will be afforded for the insertion of any new discovery; and the arrangement being deferred to the conclusion, allows a probability that a better form of classification may be adopted, which may reconcile the conflicting opinions of authors, establish more order in the system, and elucidate the obscurity and confusion in which many of the genera are involved."

Lindley, J., Ph. D. F.R.S. F.L.S. and G.S., Professor of Botany in the University of London, and in the Royal Institution of Great Britain: A Key to Structural, Physiological, and Systematic Botany. 8vo. 1835. 4s. 6d.

The most comprehensive work on these branches of botany of any that has been yet published in Britain. Not any person interested in botany should be without it. The matter on the structure and physiology of plants is an improved edition of that in the author's Outline of the First Principles of Botany; the matter on the systematisation of plants, is an improved edition in English, except the denominative terms, of that in the author's Nixus Plantarum, published in Latin in 1833. The Nixus is noticed in VI. 505, 506.

Partington, C. F., Author of various Scientific Works, and

Editor of The British Cyclopædia: Introduction to the