My friend Babington having sent me two specimens of his new Malàchius, in order to make a sketch of it to illustrate his note, I have given representations of both of them, as they appear to be the sexes; b being evidently a male, and c a female, individual. This is a material point, from the peculiar structure of the extremity of the elytra, which thus appear to be appendiculated in both sexes of this species. The same occurs in Malàchius bituberculatus Steph. In M. ruficollis, on the contrary, the female, at least, has simple elytra. I only possess this sex, and do not know the structure of the elytra of the male; but in some species, as Malàchius rubricóllis and pulicàrius, the males have the extremity of the elytra irregular, and the females have it simple. In other species, M. bipustulàtus and æ'neus, the elytra are simple in both sexes. The construction of these terminal appendages of the elytra is very curious, and apparently dissimilar in the different species, requiring a more minute investigation than has hitherto been given to it.-J. O. Westwood. The Grove, Hammersmith, April 4. 1834.

Information on the Limnèus elongatus Turton; on the British Limnei generally; and a Notice of the Difficulties with which British Conchology is at present beset. In answer to W.W. (p. 161.), I beg to observe that the genus Limnèus is at present ill understood; many of the species being ill defined, and no two authors, except mere copyists, agreeing which are veritable species and which varieties: in fine, it may be truly designated "rudis indigestaque moles." To disentangle the species, and rectify the errors of authors, would, I fear, in the present state of our knowledge, require greater talents and perseverance than fall to the lot of the generality of mankind. Neither the influence of external circumstances, nor the great differences observable in the various periods of growth, appear to have been hitherto sufficiently investigated; and a correct monograph on this genus would not only require the lyncean eye of a Jenyns [V. 374.], but the searching skill of a host of less accomplished auxiliaries. Linnæus describes only three or four species, which have been recognised as belonging to our country; while my manuscript list of the British land and freshwater shells (and which I intend shortly to have printed) enumerates no fewer than twelve or thirteen kinds which appear to me worthy of specific distinction.

With respect to the Limneus elongatus Turton, Hèlix octanfrácta Montagu, H. octòna Pennant (p. 161.), and Lymnæ a leucóstoma Lamarck, they are all synonymes of one species. W. W. is, however, mistaken in supposing that the figure 32. in p. 161. is a correct delineation of the above

shell. It appears to be a truncated variety of the Búccinum palústre Müller, Hèlix palustris of most British authors, Limnæ us fúscus of Pfeiffer, and is perfectly distinct from the former; differing from it not only in the fewer number of its volutions, but in its whole contour, and in the last whorl being considerably larger or more inflated than the penultimate one. I have not the first edition of Pennant's British Zoology at hand; so I cannot say how far the figure of his H. octòna may agree with W. W.'s shell [fig. 32. p. 161.]. The H. octona of the second edition is a totally different species, common in the West Indies; but has, probably, no claim to be considered British, although described as such by nearly all our authors. It is arranged in the genus Bùlimus by Lamarck, but is in reality an Achátina.

Linnæus refers to a figure in Gualtieri's Index, as representative of his Hèlix octona; but this figure is, unfortunately, the Achátina acícula of Lamarck, and is wholly at variance with the description given by the illustrious Swede. Baron de Férussac is aware of this discrepancy; and, in his inimitable work on land and freshwater shells [V. 192.], candidly says, in reference to this species, "Nous ne connoissons pas la véritable espèce de Linné, dont la description ne convient ni à l'acicula, ni à notre octona." On the other hand, Professor Nilsson, a Swedish author, thinks he has discovered the long-disputed shell of Linnæus; and, in his excellent Historia Molluscorum Sueciæ, describes it under the name of Paludìna octòna, adding, "Hanc esse veram Helicem octonam Lin., et descriptio Linneana et patria utriusque docet."

The unravelling of the discordant synonymes with which the lovely science of conchology is so thickly beset, is neither calculated to please the generality of readers, nor likely to inspire the uninitiated with a desire to taste the unalloyed sweets resulting from the pursuit of natural history. I will, therefore, conclude by observing, that, if W. W. of Southampton will favour me with his address, and a list of the shells found in his neighbourhood, we may, perhaps, be of farther use to each other by an exchange of specimens, as many species occur in the south which are seldom or never met with in more northern latitudes. -Joseph Kenyon. 7. Butler Street, Preston, April, 1834.

[In Silliman's American Journal for January, there is a "Description of some new species of freshwater shells from Alabama, Tennessee, &c., by T. A. Conrad." Eighteen species are described, and fifteen figured. They are of the genera Unio, Alasmodónta, Anodónta, Cyclas, Melània, Anculòsa, Planórbis, and Physa. The description is "to be continued."]

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REVIEWS.

ART. I. Catalogue of Works on Natural History, lately published, with some Notice of those considered the most interesting to British Naturalists.

EDWARDS, Dr.: On the Influence of Physical Agents on Life. Translated from the French, with Notes by Dr. Hodgkin and Dr. Fisher. 8vo, 489 pages. Highley, London.

This is a work of high interest to the philosophical naturalist. The object of the author's researches is to examine and ascertain the effects, both separately and conjointly, produced by air, water, temperature, light, and electricity on the various classes of vertebrated animals. These agents, no doubt, almost always act simultaneously and conjointly, and and hence it must be a very difficult matter to discriminate the influences of one alone from those of the others. Dr. Edwards, however, has laboured most meritoriously and successfully to elucidate these dark arcana of natural science; and his work is the record of the almost countless, and in many instances very curious experiments he has performed, and of the highly interesting conclusions to which these experiments have conducted him. His original views, which are numerous and valuable, having been rigidly scrutinised and confirmed by the researches of others, we may place the most implicit reliance on their authenticity and correctness. Dr. Edwards is, indeed, an honour to his country (he is an Englishman); his work evinces the most unwearied industry, and, at the same time, great penetration, ingenuity, and judgment. He is quite an original thinker, and his mind is evidently stamped with the signet of true philosophy. — J. J. May, 1834.

Jardine, Sir William, Bart. F.R.S., &c.: The Naturalist's Library. Vol. III. Gallinaceous Birds. 6s.

The pictures of this class of birds (the pheasants, turkey, pea fowl, Guinea fowl, &c., but especially of the pheasants) are, as might be expected, striking for their splendour: they are, besides, enriched with landscapes. A "Memoir of Aristotle," with an engraved head of this naturalist, is prefixed to this volume. The memoir occupies 98 pages.

Partington, C. F., Author of various Works on Natural and Experimental Philosophy, &c.: The British Cyclopædia, in monthly 4to Parts, 1s. each [subsequently raised to 1s. 6d. each]. Division III. (purchaseable separately), Natural History, combining a Scientific Classification of Animals, Plants, and Minerals; with a popular view of their Habits, Economy, and Structure.

Part i. contains 56 pages of letterpress, two plates, and some woodcuts. It is far, indeed, from faultless; but at a cheaper rate than any work on natural history which has yet been offered to the public.

Lees, Edwin, F.L.S., Hon. Curator of the Worcestershire Natural History Society, &c.: The Affinities of Plants with Man and Animals, their Analogies and Associations; a Lecture delivered before the Worcestershire Natural History Society, on Nov. 26. 1833; with additional Notes and Illustrations. 8vo, 120 pages. London, 1834. 3s. 6d. This is a choice addition to what we would term the polite literature of botany. Plants have not failed to produce some embellishing effect on the polite literature of mankind in general, while we think that the literature of botany has remained, strange as it may seem, until latterly as unpolite as well could be. The ideas expressed on plants, and the terms in which they have been expressed, have been, among the botanical (ourselves, if we may do ourselves this honour, included), too much those of the dissecting room. Plants are poetical pictures; and to view them but with anatomical eyes is, perhaps, to defraud ourselves of the prime of the pleasures they give. Well, however this may be, Mr. Lees has, in the work before us, collected, and originated, and connected with them, a volume of sweet and pleasing associations; and so done much to enrich the imagery of the science of botany, and multiply the influences of plants upon human sentimentality.

"There is a still, a soothing thought,
With purity and calmness fraught,

That steals upon the mind;

Soft as the tear that eve distils,

Sweet as the breath of murmuring rills,
Or music on the wind."

And plants are, "when all within is peace," effective incentives of this blissful state of feeling. The considerations which Mr. Lees has offered on them are in promotion of this state of feeling; and the enriching and exercising our faculties of fancy, memory, and understanding by means of them: the offices of plants to these ends constitute what Mr. Lees has denominated" the affinities of plants with man."

Lindley, Ph. D., F.R.S. &c.: Ladies' Botany: or a Familiar Introduction to the Study of the Natural System of Botany. 8vo, 302 pages, and 25 plates. London, 1834. 16s.

This is another addition to the polite literature of botany; and it is a very welcome one, because such a one has been for some time really wanted, and because it supplies the want in (we conceive, from a glance through the work) a clever and agreeable manner. The office of the present work is not so much like that of the work above, to introduce to ideas which appertain without particular relation to the investigation of their structure; but to lead us through the outlines or general course of this investigation, and to guide us in an agreeable narrative, and not needlessly technical manner, to that dominion in knowledge among plants which botany alone can give. The plan adopted comprises twenty-five letters, each devoted to the explanation, in some detail, of the features which mark the distinctions of the more obvious of the natural orders, and to each of the letters is prefixed a plate, in which the parts described in the given characteristics of the orders, and specimens of the plants from which they are taken, plants for the most part very easily obtainable, are exhibited.

Lea Isaac; a Member of the American Philosophical Society, &c.: Contributions to Geology. Philadelphia, 1833. 8vo., 227 pages; and six plates which bear tinted figures of 224 species of fossil shells, and four fossil remains of species of fishes? Carey, Lea, and Blanchard, Philadelphia. "I hope to add some new facts contributing to the developement of the geology of our country. Little, comparatively, has yet been accomplished in defining, with perfect accuracy, most of the beds of the great geological masses of our extended formations; and these contributions are presented with a view to assist, though in a small degree, in the accomplishment of an object desirable to every American geologist, a perfect and thorough knowledge of American geology. Preface.

The subjects of the work are, an "introduction," in which an abstract is presented of the conditions and characteristics of the different formations recognised in general geology: then, the "tertiary formation of Alabama:" this is the main of the subjects, and comprises descriptions and illustrations of more than 200 species of shells, and those of some Pólypi: then, descriptions and illustrations of "new tertiary fossil shells, from Maryland and New Jersey." In relation to the two last treatises, the author has, in his preface, this remark, Presuming the species to be new, I have endeavoured to make minute descriptions, accompanied by faithful figures of

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