THE DODO AND ITS KINDRED. : ^av«f.V p-t Dip IMHMi. i *■ K ■ .J THE DODO AND ITS KINDRED; OR THE HISTORY, AFFINITIES, AND OSTEOLOGY OF THE DODO, SOLITAIRE, AND OTHER EXTINCT BIRDS OF THE ISLANDS MAURITIUS, RODRIGUEZ, AND BOURBON. H. E. STRICKLAND, M.A., F.G.S., F.R.G.S., PRESIDENT OF THE ASHMOLEAN SOCIETY, &c., AND A. G. MELVILLE, M.D. EDIN., M.R.C.S. “ Pes et Caput uni Reddentur formse.” — Hor. LONDON : REEYE, BENHAM, AND REEYE, 8, KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND. 1848. REEVE, BENHAM, AND REEVE, PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS OF SCIENTIFIC WORKS. KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND. TO P. B. DUNCAN, ESQ., M.A., KEEPER OF THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM, Cf)tg Morfe & Ensmbeti, AS A SLIGHT TOKEN OF REGARD AND ESTEEM, BY HIS SINCERE FRIENDS, THE AUTHORS. iltst of Subscribers. H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT, K.G. HEE GEACE THE DUCHESS OF BUCCLEUCH (two copies ). THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF NOETHAMPTON, Pres. Brit. Assoc., Pres. E.S. THE EIGHT HON. THE EAEL OF DEEBY. Pres.Z.S., F.E.S. The Eadcliffe Library, Oxford. The Belfast Library. The Edinburgh College Library. The Signet Library, Edinburgh. Zoological Society of London. York Philosophical Society. Worcestershire Nat. Hist. Society. King’s College Library, Aberdeen. Eoyal Society of Arts and Sciences, Mauritius. The Chevalier Dubus, Brussels. The Baron de Selys Longchamps, Liege. Admiral Mitford, Hunmanby, Yorkshire. Sir Eobert Harry Inglis, Bart., M.P. Sir John G. Dalyell, Bart. Sir W. E. Boughton, Bart., ( two copies). Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart., F.E.S. Sir William Jardine, Bart., F.E.S. E. Sir T. Tancred, Bart. Sir James S. Menteath, Bart. The Very Eeverend the Dean of Westminster. Eeverend The Master of University College, Oxford. Eev. Dr. Dunbar, Applegarth, Dumfriesshire. Eev. Professor Walker, F.E.S., Oxford. Eev. Professor Hussey, Oxford. Professor Daubeny, F.E.S. Professor Bell, F.E.S. Professor Lizars, Aberdeen. Professor Ansted, F.E.S. Professor J. Phillips, F.E.S. Professor J. F. Johnston, Durham. Professor H. Lichtenstein, Berlin. Professor Schinz, Zurich. Professor Goodsir, Edinburgh. Professor Carl J. Sundevall, Stockholm. Eev. J. Hannah, Eector of the Edinburgh Academy. Eev. A. D. Stacpoole, New College, Oxford. Eev. F. 0. Morris, NafFerton, Yorkshire. Eev. A. Matthews, Weston, Oxfordshire. Eev. W. C. Fowle, Ewias Harold, Herefordshire. Eev. W. W. Cooper, Claines, Worcester. Eev. J. M. Prower, Pyrton, Gloucestershire. Eev. J. Griffiths, Wadham College, Oxford. Eev. T. Ewing, Hobart Town. Eev. T. A. Strickland, Bredon, Gloucestershire. Eev. W. H. Stokes, Caius College, Cambridge. Eev. W. Little, Kirkpatrick Juxta, Dumfriesshire. W. J. Hamilton, Esq., M.P. E. Parnell, M.D., Edinburgh. G. Lloyd, M.D., Warwick. H. W. Acland, M.D., Eeader in Anatomy, Oxford. Dr. Charlton, Newcastle. J. Scouler, M.D., Dublin. Dr. Cogswell. W. A. Greenhill, M.D., Oxford. C. Hastings, M.D., YVorcester. Dr. G. Hartlaub, Bremen. Dr. Davis, Bath. Dr. Bennet, Sydney. T. Horsfield, M.D., F.E.S. Hugh Falconer, M.D., F.E.S. Mrs. Dixon, Govan Hill, Glasgow. Mrs. A. Smith, Edinburgh. Mrs. C. Clarke, Matlock. YIrs. Hodder, Leith Links, Edinburgh. Miss Christie, Balmuto, Edinburgh. Miss Wedderburn, Berkhill, Edinburgh. Miss Porter, Birlingham, Worcestershire. Miss L. Strickland, Dawlish, Devonshire. P. B. Duncan, Esq., M.A., New Coll. Oxford, (two copies). James l'ates, Esq., M.A., F.E.S. C. Stokes, Esq., F.E.S. John Edward Gray, Esq., F.E.S. John Gould, Esq., F.E.S. William Spence, Esq., F.E.S. J. S. Bowerbank, Esq., F.E.S. John Arrowsmith, Esq., F.E.G.S. ’ William Yarrell, Esq., F.L.S. ! P. J. Selby, Esq. F.L.S. Adam White, Esq., F.L.S. G. E. Gray, Esq , F.L.S. T. C. Eyton, Esq., F.L.S. Major P. T. Cautley. Lieut. John Croker. T. B. L. Baker, Esq., Hardwick Court, Gloucester. J. Wolley, Esq., Edinburgh. A. Carruthers, Esq., Warmanbie, Dumfriesshire. Andrew Murray, Esq., W.S., Edinburgh. John M. Fenwick, Esq., Gallow Hill, Morpeth. G. E. Waterhouse, Esq., British Museum. W. Thompson, Esq., Belfast. A. Johnstone, Esq., Halleaths, Dumfriesshire. G. Shuttleworth, Esq. YV. Bell Macdonald, Esq., Eammerscales, Dumfriesshire. Archibald Hepburn, Esq. D. YV. Mitchell, Esq., Sec. Z.S. Eobert Heddel, Esq. H. N. Turner, Esq. T. Stevenson, Esq., C.E., Edinburgh. Samuel Maunder, Esq. YV. H. Lizars, Esq., Edinburgh. J. YY. Salter, Esq. C. Winn, Esq., Nostall Priory, Yorkshire. J. D. Murray, Esq., Murraythwaite, Dumfriesshire. H. B. YY. Milner, Esq., All Souls’ College, Oxford. YV. V. Guise, Esq., Elmore Court, Gloucester. And. Jardine, Esq., Lanrig Castle, Stirlingshire. Edward Wilson, Esq., Lydstip House, Tenby. John Henry Gurney, Esq. P. L. Sclater, Esq., C.C.C., Oxford. J. H. Wilson, Esq., YY r adham College, Oxford. Henry Deane, Esq. George Peevor, Esq. T. A. Knipe, Esq., Clapham. M. Fairmaire, Paris. C. W. Orde, Esq., Nunnykirk, Morpeth. Samuel E. Cottam, Esq., Brazennose Street, Manchester. H. Hussey, Esq., 6, Upper Grosvenor Street, London. Lovell Reeve, Esq., F.L.S. E. Benham, Esq. F. Reeve, Esq. CONTENTS. Page. Part I.— History and external characters of the Dodo, Solitaire, and other Brevi- pennate birds of Mauritius, Rodriguez, and Bourbon 1 Introduction 8 Chap. I. The Brevipennate Bird of Mauritius, the Dodo .... . 7 Section I. Historical Evidences 7 Section II. Pictorial Evidences 2S Section III. Anatomical Evidences 31 Section IV. Affinities of the Dodo .... 35 Chap. II. The Brevipennate Bird of Rodriguez, the Solitaire 46 Chap. III. Brevipennate Birds of the Isle of Bourbon 57 Postscript to Part 1 63 Part II. Osteology of the Dodo and Solitaire 67 Introduction 69 Chap. I. Osteology of the Dodo 71 Chap. II. Osteology of the Solitaire 113 Postscript to Part II 120 Appendix A. Translations of foreign extracts in Part 1 123 B. Bibliography of the Didince 127 Explanation of the plates 135 Index 139 PART I. HISTORY AND EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF THE DODO, SOLITAIRE, AND OTHER EXTINCT BREVIPENNATE BIRDS MAURITIUS, RODRIGUEZ, AND BOURBON. BY H. E. STRICKLAND, M. A., F. G. S INTRODUCTION. Among the many remarkable results connected with Organic Life which modern Science has elicited, the chronological succession of distinct races of beings is one of the most interesting. Geology exhibits to us the vast diversity of organized forms which have supplanted one another throughout the world’s history, and in dealing with this remarkable fact, w r e are led to search out the causes for these exits and entrances of successive actors on the stage of Nature. It appears, indeed, highly probable that Death is a law of Nature in the Species as well as in the Individual; but this internal tendency to extinction is in both cases liable to be anticipated by violent or accidental causes. Numerous external agents have affected the distribution of organic life at various periods, and one of these has operated exclusively during the existing epoch, viz. the agency of Man, an influence peculiar in its effects, and which is made known to us by testimony as well as by inference. The object of the present treatise is to exhibit some remarkable examples of the extinction of several ornithic species, constituting an entire sub-family, through Human agency, and under circumstances of peculiar interest. The geographical distribution of organic groups in space is a no less interesting result of science than their geological succession in time. We find a special relation to exist between the structures of organized bodies and the districts of the earth’s surface which they inhabit. Certain groups of animals or vegetables, often very extensive, and containing a multitude of genera or of species, are found to be confined to certain continents and their circumjacent islands . 1 In the present state of science we must be content to admit the existence of this law, without being able to enunciate its preamble. It does not imply 1 To cite one instance among a thousand : the group of Humming Birds, containing hundreds of species, is exclusively confined to the American continent and the West Indian Archipelago. IV. INTRODUCTION. that organic distribution depends on soil and climate ; for we often find a perfect identity of these conditions in opposite hemispheres and in remote continents, whose faunae and florae are almost wholly diverse. It does not imply that allied but distinct organisms have been educed by generation or spontaneous development from the same original stock ; for (to pass over other objections; we find detached volcanic islets which have been ejected from beneath the ocean, (such as the Galapagos for instance,) inhabited by terrestrial forms allied to those of the nearest continent, though hundreds of miles distant, and evidently never connected with them. But this fact may indicate that the Creator in forming new organisms to discharge the functions required from time to time by the ever vacillating balance of Nature, has thought fit to preserve the regularity of the System by modifying the types of structure already established in the adjacent localities, rather than to proceed per saltum by introducing forms of more foreign aspect. We need not, however, pursue this enquiry further into obscurity, but will merely refer to the law of geographical distri- bution, as bearing on the subject before us. In the Indian Ocean, to the east of Madagascar, are three small volcanic islands, which, though somewhat scattered, are nearer to each other than to any neighbouring land. This circumstance gives them a claim to be regarded as a geographical group, a meagre fragment of an archipelago, although in a general sense they are connected with Madagascar, and more remotely with the African continent. In conformity with the above-mentioned relation between geographical distribution and organic structure, we find that a small portion of the indigenous animals and plants of those islands are either allied or identical with the products of Africa, a larger portion with those of Madagascar, while certain species are peculiar to the islands themselves. And as these three islands form a detached cluster, as compared to other lands, so do we find in them a peculiar group of birds, specifically different in each island, yet allied together in their general characters, and remarkably isolated from any known forms in other parts of the world. These birds were of large size and grotesque proportions, the wings too short and feeble for flight, the plumage loose and decomposed, and the general aspect suggestive of gigantic immaturity. The history of these birds was as remarkable as their organization. About two centuries ago their native isles were first colonized by Man, by whom these strange creatures were speedily exterminated. So rapid and so complete was their extinction that the vague descriptions given of them by early navigators were long regarded as fabulous or exaggerated, and these birds, almost INTRODUCTION. o contemporaries of our great-grandfathers, became associated in the minds of many persons with the Griffin and the Phoenix of mythological antiquity. The aim of the present work is to vindicate the honesty of the rude voyagers of the 17th century, to collect together the scattered evidences which we possess, to describe and depict the few anatomical fragments of these lost species which are still extant, to incite the scientific traveller to search for further evidences, and to infer from the data before us the probable rank of these birds in the System of Nature. These singular birds, which for distinction we shall henceforth designate by the technical name Didince , furnish the first clearly attested instances of the extinction of organic species through human agency. It has been proved, however, that other examples of the kind have occurred both before and since; 1 and many species of animals and of plants are now undergoing this inevitable process of destruction before the ever-advancing tide of human population. 2 We cannot see without regret the extinction of the last individual of any race of organic beings, whose progenitors colonized the pre-adamite Earth ; but our consolation must be found in the reflection, that Man is destined by his Creator to “be fruitful and multiply and replenish the Earth and subdue it.” The progress of Man in civilization, no less than his numerical increase, continually extends the geographical domain of Art by trenching on the territories of Nature, and hence the Zoologist or Botanist of future ages will have a much narrower field for his researches than that which we enjoy at present. It is, therefore, the duty of the naturalist to preserve to the stores of Science the knowledge of these extinct or expiring organisms, when he is unable to preserve their lives ; so that our acquaintance with the marvels of Animal and Vegetable existence may suffer no detriment by the losses which the organic creation seems destined to sustain. In the case of the Didince , it is unfortunately no easy matter to collect satisfac- tory information as to their structure, habits, and affinities-. We possess only the rude 1 As instances, I may mention the Cervus megaceros, or Irish Elk, and the Bos prinngenius, or Urus, destroyed in ancient, and the Rytina Stelleri, or Northern Dugong, in modern times. 2 Amonc animals whose doom is probably not far distant are the Bison prisons, or Aurochs, (preserved only by imperial intervention in the Bialowicksa forest, whence the Czar has lately enriched the London Zoological Gardens with a living pair); the Nestor product us, (a Parrot originally from Phillip’s Island near Norfolk Island, where it is now destroyed, though a few individuals, which refuse to propagate, still survive in cages); the two (not improbably three) species of Apteryx ; and the almost equally anomalous burrowing Parrot, Strigops hahroptilus , of New Zealand; &c. C 6 INTRODUCTION. descriptions of unscientific voyagers, three or four oil paintings, and a few scattered osseous fragments, which have survived the neglect of two hundred years. The paleontology has, in many cases, far better data for determining the zoological characters of a species which perished myriads of years ago, than those presented by a group of birds, several species of which were living in the reign of Charles the First. We shall find it convenient to treat of each island, and of its ornithic productions, separately. And, first, of the best known and most celebrated of these creatures, the brevipennate bird of Mauritius, the Dodo. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DODO, SOLITAIRE, &c. PART I. CHAPTER I. The Brevipennate Bird of Mauritius, the Dodo, (. Didus ineptus of Linnaeus.) Section I. — Division of the subject — Historical evidences — Discovery of the Islands — Voyage of Van Neck ; of Heemskerk and Willem — Dodds leg at Leyden — Voyage of Matelief ; of Van der Hagen ; of Ver- hufjen ; of Van den Broecke ; of Herbert ; of Cauclie — Dodo exhibited in London — Account given by Tradescant ; by Piso ; by Hubert ; by Olearius — Harrf s Voyage — Extinction of the Dodo — Negative character of modern evidence. Most persons are acquainted with the general facts connected with that extraordinary production of Nature, known by the name of the Dodo , — that strange abnormal Bird, whose grotesque appearance, and the failure of every effort made for the last century and a half to discover living specimens, long caused its very existence to be doubted by scientific naturalists. We possess, however, unquestionable evidence that such a bird formerly existed in the small Island of Mauritius, and it is ascertained with no less certainty that the species has been utterly exterminated for a period of nearly two centuries. The evidences which we possess respecting the Dodo, may be conveniently arranged on the plan adopted by Mr. Broderip, in his valuable essay on the subject , 1 by dividing them into historical , pictorial , and real. 1 Penny Cyclopaedia vol. ix. p. 47. D HISTORICAL EVIDENCES S [Part I. In enumerating the historical evidences on this subject, I shall confine myself to such authorities as appear to be original and independent of each other. The facts recorded by these witnesses have been transcribed and often confounded by a multitude of compilers, and it is therefore indispensable to our purpose to attend mainly to the statements of original observers, and to refer only incidentally to the remarks of commentators. It has also appeared desirable not merely to translate, but to reprint the exact words of those brave old voyagers, who in the infancy of nautical and medical science, encountered a vast amount of peril and suffering, and yet found means to observe and record the natural wonders which came in their way. Compilers are unanimous in stating that the Islands of Mauritius and Bourbon were first discovered by Mascaregnas, a Portuguese, who gave his own name to the latter island, and called the former Cerne. 1 I have not been able to find the original authority for this statement, though it is probably founded on fact. Castagneda, Osorio, Barros, Roman, Lafitau, and the other authors who treat of the Portuguese conquests in India, record the exploits of Pedro Mascaregnas, and of two or three other persons of the name, but apparently make no allusion to the discovery of these islands, which, indeed, lay completely out of the ordinary track of the Portuguese navigators. There is also a great discrepancy in the date assigned to the discovery, which one writer 2 fixes at 1502; a second, 3 at 1505 ; a third, 4 at 1542; and a fourth, 5 at 1545. 6 Be this as it may, it seems clear that nothing definite is recorded of Mauritius or its productions until 1598, when the Dutch under Jacob Cornelius Neck, or Van Neck, finding it uninhabited, took possession, and changed its name from Cerne to Mauritius. 1 The Portuguese discoverers appear to have named this island Cerne, from an utterly untenable notion that it might be the Cerne of Pliny (Hist. Nat. vi. 36, and x. 9.), an island which, according to the usual punctuation of the text, lay off the Persian Gulf, but was more probably on the West Coast of Africa (see A. de Grandsagne’s edition of Pliny, Paris, 1829, vol. iv. p. 143, and vol. v. p. 344). Later authors, however, from Clusius downwards, insist that the Portuguese called it Cerne or Cisne, i. e. Swan Island, from the Dodos, which they compared to Swans (see Clusius, Exotica, p. 101). The statement that Vasco de Gama, in 1497, discovered, sixty leagues beyond the Cape of Good Hope, a bay called after San Blaz, near an island full of birds with wings like bats, which the sailors called Solitaries (De Blainville, Nouv. Ann. Mus. H.N., and Penny Cyclop. Dodo, p. 47.) is wholly irrelevant. The birds are evidently Penguins, and then’ wings were compared to those of bats, from being without developed feathers. De Gama never went near Mauritius, but hugged the African Coast as far as Melinda* and then crossed to India, returning by the same route. This small island inhabited by Penguins, near the Cape of Good Hope, has been gratuitously confounded with Mauritius. Dr. Hamel, in a Memoir in the Bulletin de la Classe Physico-matliematique de V Acad, de St. Petersbourg, vol. iv. p. 53, has devoted an unnecessary amount of erudition to the refutation of this obvious mistake. Pie shews that the name Solitaires, as applied to Penguins by De Gama’s companions, is corrupted from Sotilicairos, which appears to be a Hottentot word. 2 Ersch and Gruber’s Encyclopadie. 3 Grant’s Mauritius. 4 Penny Cyclopaedia. 5 Du Quesne in Leguat’s Voyage, on the authority of a stone pillar, placed in Bourbon by the Portuguese. 6 In one of De Dry’s maps, which illustrates the first Dutch expedition of 1595-1597, these islands are indicated as “ I. de Mascarenhas.” Comment nous avons (. sur VIsle Maurice, autrement nommee do Cerne) tenu mesnage No. 2. Fac- simile of Plate 2 of Tan Necks "Voyage. Ch. I.] OF THE DODO. 9 1. In the published narrative of this Voyage, 1 it is stated that they found in the island a variety of pigeons, parroquets, and other birds, among which were some which they deno- minated Walchvbgel, the size of swans, with a large head furnished with a kind of hood ; no wings, but in place of them three or four small black quills ; and the tail consisted of four or five curled plumes of a grey colour. The Dutch sailors called them Walckvogel, or disgusting birds, from the toughness of their flesh, as might be expected in the strongly developed crural muscles of a cursorial bird, though they found the pectoral muscles more palatable. The ample supply of turtle-doves also caused the Walchvbgel to be the less esteemed. The following is De Bry’s version of this account, and in cases where the French transla- tion (Amsterdam, 1601) differs in sense, the latter is quoted also: “ Insula dicta prseterquam quod terrse nascentibus feracissima sit, volucres etiam copiosissimas alit, ut sunt, turtures, qui tanta ibi copia obversantur, utterni nostrum dimidii diei spatio 150 aliquando ceperimus, plures facile preliensuri manibus, aut ccesuri fustibus, si illorum onere non nimium nos pressos sensissemus. Caerulei quoque psittaci (“ parroquets gris,” Fr.) ibi frequentes sunt ut et aves aliae : praeter quas genus aliud quoque grandius conspicitur, cygnis nostris majus (“ de la grandeur de nos Cignes,” Fr.) capitibus vastis, et pelle ex dimidia parte q. cucullis investitis. Hae aves alis carent : quarum loco tres quatuorve pennae nigriores prodeunt. Caudam constituunt pauculae incurvae pennae teneriusculae, (“ au lieu du Cap, ont ils quatre ou cincq plumettes crespues,” Fr.) colorem cineris referentes. Has nos Walchvbgel appeUitabamus, hanc ob causam, quod quo longius seu diutius elixarentur, plus lentescerent et esui ineptiores fierent. IUarum tamen ventres et pectora saporis jucundi et masticationis facilis erant ; {“ voire fort coriaces, mais estoient medicine pour l’ estomach et la poictrine,” Fr.). Appellationis causa altera erat, quod turtures ibi optabili copia nobis sufficerent, saporis longe gratioris et suavioris.” — l)e Bry, pars V. p. 7. The quaint old print, of which a fac-simile is annexed, exhibits the voyagers revelling in the abundance of this virgin isle. I will not spoil by translation the refreshing simplicity of the Batavo-Gallic description which accompanies it. f ‘ Declaration de ce qu’ avons veu et trouve sur V Isle Maurice, et de ce qui estpar nous execute. No. 2. “1. Sout Tortues qui se tiennent sur F liaut pays, frustez d’ aisles pour nager, de telle grandeur, qu’ ils chargent ung homme et rampent encore fort roidement ; prennent aussi des Escriuisses de la grandeur d’un pied, qu’ ils meugent. 1 The earliest account of this voyage which I have seen, was published in folio at Amsterdam, by Corneille Nicolas in 1601, and a second edition in 1609, both of which are bound up in a folio volume of rare tracts, preserved in the Radcliffe Library. It is entitled * Le second Livre, Journal ou Comptoir, contenant le vray Dis- cours et Narration historique du voyage faict par les huict Navires d’ Amsterdam au mois de Mars T An 1598 soubs la conduitte de V Admiral Jaques Corneille Necq, et du Yiee-Admiral Wibrant de Warwicq.’ Dutch and German editions were published at the same time, the latter by Hulsius, Numb erg, 1602, and Frankfort, 1605 ; a Latin translation of it occupies the fifth part of De Bry’s India Orientalis, 1601, and an English version appeared the same year in London. Editions were also published in quarto at Amsterdam in 1648 and 1650 ; M. deBlainville is therefore in error when he states (Nouv. Ann. Mus. H. N. vol. iv. p. 4) that the first account of this vovatro was published at Rouen in 1725. 10 HISTORICAL EVIDENCES [Part I. “ 2. Est ung oiseau, par nous nomme Oiseau de Nausee, a 1’ instar d’ une Cigne, ont le cul rond, couvert de deux ou trois plumettes crespues, earent des aisles, mais en lieu d’ icelles ont ilz trois ou quatre plumettes noires ; des susdicts oiseaux avons nous prins une certaine quantite, aceompagne d’ aucunes Tourturelles, et autres oiseaux, qui par noz compaignons furent prins, la premiere fois qu’ ids arrivoyent au pays, pour chercher la plus profonde et plus fraische Riviere, et si les navires y pourroyent estre sauvez, et retournerent d’ une grande joye, distribuant chasque navire, de leur Venoison prins, dont nous partismes le lendemain vers le port, fouinismes chasque navire d’un Pilote de ceux qui auparavant y avoyent este ; avons cuict cest oiseau, estoit si coriace que ne le povions asses bovillir, mais P avons menge a demy cru. Si tost qu’ arrivames au port, envoya le Vice-Admiral nous, avecq une certaine troupe au pays, pour trouver aucun peuple, mais n’ont trouve personne, que des Tour- turelles et autres en grande abondance, lesquels nous prismes et tuames, car veu qu’ il n’ y eust personne qui les effraia, n’ avoient ilz de nous nulle crainte, tindrent lieu, se laisserent assomer. En somme c’ est un pays abondant en poisson et oiseaux, voire tellement qu’ il excella tous les autres audit voyage. “ 3. Un Dactier, dont les feiiilles sont si grandes qu’ un homme s’ en peult guarantir contre la pluie sans se mouillir, et quand on y forre un trou, et le mette en broche y sort il du vin, comme vin Secq, amiable et doux : mais quand on le gard trois ou quatre jours, eommenc’ il a aigrer, et pourtant est il nomme vin de Palmite. “ 4. Est un oiseau de nous nomme Rabos Forcados , l a cause de leur queue en forme d’ une Force, fort domptez, et quand on les extend, ont ils bien la longeur d’ une brassee, a long becq, tous quasi noirs, ayants une poictrine blanche, prennent du poisson volant, qu’ ils mengent, aussi les boyaux des poissons et oiseaux, comme avons experimente a ceux qu’ avions prins, car quand nous les appres- tames, et dejettames les entrailles, engloutirent et devoroyent ils lesdicts entrailles et precordes de leurs confreres. Estoyent fort coriaces en cuisant. “ 5. Est un oiseau de nous nomme le Corbeau Indien, 2 ayant la grandeur plus d’ une fois que les Parroquets, de double et triple couleur. “6. Un arbre sauvage, auquel nous avons mis (pour la souvenance si y pourroyent arnver aucuns navires) un aisselet, orne des armoires d’ IloUande, Zelande, et d’ Amsterdam, a fin qu’ autres arrivants audit lieu, pourroyent veoir que les Hollandois y avoyent este. “ 7. Cecy est un Palmite. Donne partie de ces arbres, furent par nos compagnons abatus, et en taillerent cest esclat, quotee de la lettre A, bonne remedee pour la maladie aux membres, de la longueur de deux ou trois pieds, par dedans tout blanc ; douce ; aucuns en mangerent bien sept ou huict. “ 8. Est une Chauvesouris, testue en forme de Marmelot, volent icy en grande multitude, se pendent en grand nombre aux arbres, ont a la fois un combat entr’ eux, en se mordants. “ 9. Icy dressa le Mareschal une Forge, et pancha la ferraile, repara aussi certain fer qui fust es navires. “10. Sont Cabannes par nous illecq construits d’ arbres et feiulles, pour ceux qui aidoyent le Mareschal et Tonnelier a besoigner ; pour partir avec la premiere commodite. “11. En ce lieu fit nostre Ministre Philippe Pierre Delphois homme syncere et candide, une Presche fort severe, sans exception de personne, deux fois sur la ditte Isle, devant le disner y alia 1’ une 1 This bird is the Fregata aquila, Lin. 2 A species of Buceros. Ch. I.] OF THE DODO. 11 partie, et apres le clisner V autre. Icy fut Laurent {Madagascar on) baptise, aecompagne encore L Puiksl . ltt}i NEW WORKS. Messrs. Reeve, Benham, and Reeve will shortly publish .- — 1 . A CENTURY OF ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS, Selected from those most worthy of cultivation figured in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, with beautifully coloured figures and dissections, chiefly executed by Mr. Fitch ; the descriptions By Sir WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER, F.R.S., Director of the Royal Gardens of Kew. \\ ith an Introduction on the culture and management of Orchidacese generally, and much original practical information on the treatment of each genus, By JOHN CHARLES LYONS, Esa. This magnificent work will be published in one large paper volume, size royal quarto, containing one hundred plates. Price, Five Guineas. [In September. 2 . POPULAR BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY, Comprising a familiar and technical description of the Insects most common to the British Isles. By MARIA E. CATLOW. The author of the present work is tempted by the success attending the Popular Field Botany of her sister, to publish a manual of her own pursuit, Entomology, comprising chiefly the natural history of the British Butterflies , Moths, and Beetles, in the same easy style, and illustrated in like manner by figures of the typical species. The limits of the work will necessarily include only a portion of the number of species indigenous to this country, but, in cases where they are too numerous to mention, the information is so applied to the group, as to enable the young Entomologist to repair with confidence, to more voluminous and expensive works. *** In one vol. royal 16mo., with sixteen plates of figures, drawn expressly from nature. Price 75. plain ; 105. 6 d. coloured. [In September. 3. THE POETRY OF SCIENCE; OR, STUDIES OE THE PHYSICAL PHENOMENA OE NATURE. By ROBERT HUNT, Esq., Author of ‘ Researches on Light,’ &c. In this treatise a comprehensive review is intended of the advances which have been made, by the aid of inductive investigation, in our knowledge of the Physical Forces as connected with Matter. The Philosophical deductions from experimental facts will be examined, and the study of Natural Phenomena, leading to pure and exalted conceptions of the mysteries of existence, shown to have the most elevating tendency on the human mind. *** One vol. demy 8vo. [In October. 0 TForks on Natural History, Travels, 8fc. 4 . FLIGHTS AMONG FLIERS; OR, EPISODES OF INSECT LIFE. By the Author of ‘Floral Fancies.’ A discourse on the Instincts and Habits of Insects, combining a seasonable admixture of the Real and Ideal of entomological life, in an allegory of amusing fiction, adapted to the months of the year. “ t crily. Master Cricket, thy angular figure and round physiognomy shall be exhibited in our first vignette. Thou shalt be honoured as our opening subject, and if thy name had not already served the purpose of one, whose sympathy with thy merry chirp has been shared by thousands, thou shouldst have given a title to our book, like ‘The Bee’ and other seekers and gatherers of Sweets. Thou art, in truth, an omuium-gathcrer, nothing comes amiss to thy convenient appetite, and variety must be the character of the feast we would provide, no less than of that which thou lovest to devour. True, as vie have said, thou art not particular ; “ scummings of pots, sweepings, bread, yeast, flesh aud fat of broth,” thy pickings most esteemed, seem not, some of them, the most inviting fare; yet do these dainties, each in its kind, serve to symbolize, not unaptly, the very sort of viands we would seek and set before our readers. “ For “ scummings of pots,” suppose we say the “ cream of our subject,” the most light, and, withal, the richest of the agreeable matter already laid up by others, to be extracted by ourselves in the field of observation. For “ sweepings ” let us put “ gleanings,” — Gleanings in Entomology — and we have the very term adopted by a well-known writer for his amusing anecdotes in various branches of Natural Flistory. Then “bread,” with Cricket as with man, the very “staff of life,” if poverty forbid him not to grasp it, what substance more properly symbolic of that which must form the ground-work of our book, — matters of solid fact, mixed with and lightened by the “yeast” of illustration, discursive and pictorial. And as for the “flesh ’’and “fat,” the strongest fare on which the Cricket delighteth to regale, may they not serve to typify that principle of mental nourishment, of all the most vital, afforded by the religious con- templation of all natural objects endowed with life ? ” [In November. *** One vol. 8vo. with numerous illustrations, real and ideal. 3usit pubttsbetR 1 . THE DODO AND ITS KINDRED; OR, The History, Affinities, and Osteology of the Dodo, Solitaire, and other extinct Birds of the Islands Mauritius, Rodriguez, and Bourbon. By H. E. STRICKLAND, M.A., F.R.G.S., F.G.S., President of the Ashmolean Society, AND A. G. MELYILLE, M.D. Edin., M.R.C.S. The interest which has always attached to that singular bird, the Dodo, having been recently much increased by the discovery of evidence which proves that each of the three islands, Mauritius, Rodriguez, and Bourbon, formerly possessed distinct species of birds of the same anomalous family, it has been thought desirable to collect the scattered facts and records, and publish a complete monograph of the present state of our knowledge of the Didince, in order to remove the many erroneous statements which are current, and to restore these lost organisms to their rink in the Natural System. *** One volume, royal quarto, with eighteen plates and numerous wood illustrations, price R Is. Published by Reeve , Benham, and Reeve. 3 2. ( Under the Authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty .) NARRATIVE OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. SAMARANG, During the Years 1843-46. By CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD BELCHER, C.B., E.R.A.S., and G.S., Commander of the Expedition. With a Popular Summary of the Natural History of the islands visited, By Arthur Adams, F.L.S., Assistant- Surgeon, R.N. Commencing at Borneo, the Expedition extended as far north as Korea and Japan, including within its limits the Islands of Quelpart and Loo-Choo, the Meia-co-shimah and Batanese Groups, the Philippine and Sooloo Archipelagos, Celebes, Ternate, and Gilolo, with other Islands of the Blue and Yellow Seas. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. “ Sir Edward Belcher has collected much curious information respecting the fierce Illanuns who in Borneo and elsewhere have carved themselves out small independent principalities with the sword. * * To Sir Edward Belcher’s Narrative we are in common with the public much indebted : though in the present article we have only been able to avail ourselves of a very small part of the varied and valuable information it contains. In the wide range of his voyage Sir Edward Belcher had other work to perform : his volumes sufficiently show with what skill and ability he performed it.” — Edinburgh Review. “ The cession of the territory of Sarawak by the Sultan of Borneo to our countryman, Mr. Brooke, and its rapid consolidation and prosperity under his benignant rule have awakened the mind of Europe, and that of England especially, to the great political and com- mercial importance of the numerous and beautiful groups of islands in the Asiatic Archipelago. All these points were visited during the long voyage of the Samarang, some of them several times ; and the Narrative is intensely interesting.” — Athenaum. “ What channels are opening, and how delightful it is to believe that an irresistible impulse has been given to the deliverance of these masses from oppression ! Captain Belcher affords us some most interesting intelligence in regard to this devoutly-to-be-wished-for con- summation, and we hope the generality of our readers will follow the course of this voyage from Borneo to Loo-Choo, Korea, and Japan. The commercial intelligence and advice are particularly valuable. The Vocabularies of the various languages, so acceptably collected by Capt. Belcher, are of singular philological interest.” — Literary Gazette. “ These volumes give the official and authorized account of the surveying voyage of the Samarang in the Eastern Archipelago and Northern Seas of China and Japan. Besides much geographical and practical information, Capt. Belcher’s Narrative contains a close and mature view of the ministers and monarchs of those distant regions. A novelty about the portions of Sir E. Belcher’s book to which we are now adverting, is their conscientiousness and apparent veracity, in recapitulating the trading capabilities of Borneo and the natural advantages of Labuau. The author describes these as he found them without any over-anxiety of laudation ; and such of our merchants as contemplate enterprises to that new El Dorado will do well to consult his pages beforehand. Sir E. Belcher has added something to our knowledge of these regions ; he has viewed the people of the Meia-co-shimahs and Loo-Choo with a more wary and intelligent eye than any of his predecessors ; and we have little doubt that his conclusions respecting them will be found correct. Quelpart and the Korean Archipelago are new ground.” — Examiner. “'Those who wish to comprehend the scope and results of the Voyage, to get a clear view of the character and policy of the principal peoples of those parts, to judge of our prospects of quickly opening an extensive trade in the Archipelago, and to form a distinct geographical idea of the region, must possess themselves of Capt. Belcher’s work. Nor will it, amid its instruction, be found unattractive.” — Spectator. “We must express the gratification we feel at being enabled to announce the extended circulation of these important volumes; a dissemination they indeed preeminently merit, as well on the score of the interesting and novel nature of the information they comprise, as from the lucid and engaging style in which they are written. A singularly interesting and extensive portion of the world ; the manners and customs of its varied inhabitants, with its natural productions, are admirably described in these volumes, which are also copiously illustrated with beautifully executed charts, coloured engravings, and etchings.” — Asiatic and Colonial Quarterly Journal. *** In 2 vols., 8vo., 964 pp., 35 Charts, Coloured Plates, and Etchings, price 36s., cloth. 4 Works on Natural History, Travels, 8fc. 3. ( Under the Authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty .) ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. SAMARANG, Under the command of Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, C.B., F.R.A.S., and G.S. Edited by ARTHUR ADAMS, Assist. Surgeon, R.N., Attached to the Expedition. The numerous interesting Generic and Specific forms of Animal Life collected during the Surveying Expedition of H.M.S. Samarang, under the command of Sir Edward Belcher, being deemed of considerable zoological im- portance, the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury have been pleased to sanction a liberal grant of money towards defraying the expenses of their publication in a separate work. The following gentlemen having kindly undertaken to investigate the several sub-kingdoms to which they are respectively devoted, the work will be arranged in five departments, viz. : — Vertebrata, by John E. Gray, E.R.S. Fishes , by Sir John Richardson, M.D., F.R.S. Mollusca , (including the anatomy of Spirula, by Professor Owen, F.R.S.) by the Editor and Lovell Reeve, F.L.S. Articulata , by the Editor and Adam White, F.L.S. Radiata, bv John Edward Gray, F.R.S. “ The plates in this quarto (Part I.) exhibit some of the most remarkable wonders of the deep that ever came before us, and their characters are capitally brought out both by artists and engravers. — Spectator. *#* Part I. Fishes. By Sir John Richardson, M.D., F.R.S. 10 plates, price 10s. 6 d . — and Part II. Crus- tacea. No. 1. By the Editor and Adam White, F.LS. 6 plates, price 8s. — are already published. Part III. Mollusca. No. 1. By the Editor and Lovell Reeve, F.L.S., including the Anatomy of Spirula , by Professor Owen, F.R.S., will be published in September. 4. POPULAR FIELD BOTANY; Containing a familiar and technical description of the plants most common to the British Isles, adapted to the study of either the Artificial or Natural Systems, By AGNES CATLOW. “ This is a useful aid to young persons in the country who are at a loss how to take the first steps in Botany. In this, as in so many other pursuits, the earliest stage is that which is most difficult to get over — each succeeding advance becomes more easy than its pre- decessor. One of the impediments in the way of those who have no teachers, is the uncertainty that in the beginning attends all attempts at making out the names of the objects they have to examine, and this impediment can only be removed by drawings and very familiar descriptions. Miss Catlow, in the work before us, has furnished a clear and concise supply of both. We recommend her Popular Botany to favourable notice.” — Gardeners' Chronicle. “ How pleasant to wanders in the field with this instructive guide.” — Literary Gazette. “ The design of this work is to furnish young persons with a Self-instructor in Botany, enabling them with little difficulty to discover the scientific names of the common plants they may find in their country rambles, to which are appended a few facts respecting their uses habits, &c. The plants are classed in months, the illustrations are nicely coloured, and the book is altogether an elegant, as well as useful present.” — Illustrated London News. “ The arraugemeut of the work is entirely novel ; it is divided into twelve parts, each part containing the botanical lesson for the month.” — Liverpool Chronicle. “ This book may be used by the beginner ; its advantage consists in its cheapness.” — Athenceum. *** Iu one v °l- royal lfimo, with figures of eighty species of plants neatly executed in lithography, price 7s. plain, 10s. 6 d. coloured. Published by Reeve, Benham, and Reeve. 5 5. THE BRITISH DESMIDIEJL. By JOHN RALFS, M.R.C.S., Honorary Member of the Penzance Natural History Society, &c. The Drawings by Edward Jenxer, A.L.S. “ A more beautiful or creditable work than this has seldom issued from the press. It combines great powers of observation, much originality, exactness of detail, and skill of execution, and is distinguished pre-eminently by diligent study and the zeal with which the author has applied to every available source of information. The subject is one which was till within a very few years almost unknown in this country. A few species of Desmidieae had been figured and a small number recorded as natives ; but it was scarcely suspected that a tribe of the most exquisite beauty and symmetry abounded in every exposed pool in many parts of the kingdom. It would be unjust to conclude this notice without giving due credit to Mr. Jenner for the drawings from which the plates are engraved, which leave little or nothing to be desired, and his contributions to the work are by no means confined to the artistic department.” — Gardeners' Chronicle. *** Complete in one volume, royal octavo, thirty-five coloured plates. Price 36s. cloth. 6 . NOTES OF A TOUR IN THE PLAINS OF INDIA, THE HIMALA, AND BORNEO; Being Extracts from the private letters of Dr. Hooker, written during a Government Botanical Mission to those countries. “ A delightful sketch of Dr. Hooker’s Journey to Calcutta with the suite of Lord Dalhousie .” — Literary Gazette. *** Part I. England to Calcutta. Price 2s. 6 d. To be continued. $n course of publication, 7. CURTIS’S BOTANICAL MAGAZINE (commenced in 1786) ; Continued by Sir WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER, K.H., D.C.L., &c., Director of the Royal Gardens of Kew. Illustrated by Eitch. Published in monthly numbers, each containing seven plates, price 3s. 6^.coloured ; and annually in volumes, price 21. 2s. The attention of Botanical and Horticultural Amateurs is earnestly directed to this old-established and popular record of new and recently cultivated plants. The position of the Author, as Director of the largest and most valuable collection in the world, and his habits of friendly communication, not only with Botanists and Botanical Travellers, but with Nurserymen and the distinguished Horticulturists of the day, ensure the earliest publicity of the more interesting and remarkable species ; whilst the acknowledged excellence of Mr. Pitch’s drawings, executed at Kew under the superintendence of the Author, is a sure guarantee for the subjects being faithfully delineated. *** A New Series has been recently commenced. Works on Natural History, Travels, 8fc. 6 8. PHYCOLOGIA BRITANNICA; OK, HISTORY OF BRITISH SEA-WEEDS ; Containing coloured figures, generic and specific characters, synonymes, and descriptions, of all the species of Algae inhabiting the shores of the British Islands. By WILLIAM HENRY HARVEY, M.D., M.R.I.A., Keeper of the Herbarium of the University of Dublin, and Professor of Botany to the Dublin Society. “ Before the appearance of any portion of this work there could he hut one opinion of Dr. Harvey’s thorough fitness for the letter-press department ; happy are we to find that his pencil is not less felicitous than his pen. The drawings, admirably true to nature, are executed in a most masterly and tasteful style ; the publishers have done great justice to the letter-press part, and their coloured plates are truly exquisite. The figures of the natural size are exceedingly like, and the magnified portions of the frond, and of the stem, will be of the greatest possible service.” — Edinburgh Witness. “The drawings are beautifully executed by the author himself, upon stone, the dissections carefully prepared, and the whole account of the species drawn up in such a way as cannot fail to be instructive ; the price, too, half a crown for each fasciculus of six plates, is extremely reasonable. Such a work is absolutely necessary, the greater part of our common Algae having never been figured in a manner agreeable to the present state of the science.” — Gardeners' Chronicle. " We hail with extreme pleasure an illustrated ‘ History of British Sea-Weeds and above all, on account of the accuracy which it ensures, one in which every species will be drawn, lithographed, and described by the same hand ; the importance of which combination in one individual is well known to naturalists of any experience, the species being generally described by one party, drawn by a second, and lithographed by a third. So favourably is Dr. Harvey known to the botanical world as an Algologist, that to speak of his excellent treat- ment of the subject in all its bearings seems superfluous. The ‘History of British Sea-Weeds’ we can most faithfully recommend for its scientific, its pictorial, and its popular value ; the professed botanist will find it a work of the highest character, whilst those who desire merely to know the names and history of the lovely plants which they gather on the sea-shore, will find in it, when complete, the faithful portraiture of every one of them.” — Annals and Magazine of Natural History. *** Published monthly, in Parts, price 2s. 6 d., coloured ; large paper, 5 s. To be completed in sixty Parts, of three hundred and sixty plates. Part XXXII. just published. 9 . NEREIS AUSTRALIS; OR, Illustrations of the Algae of the Southern Ocean, being Figures, Descriptions, and Remarks upon new or imperfectly known Sea- Weeds, collected on the shores of the Cape of Good Hope, the extra-tropical Australian Colonies, Tasmania, New Zealand, and the Antarctic Regions, and deposited in the Herbarium of the Dublin University. By WILLIAM HENRY HARVEY, M.D., M.R.I.A., Keeper of the Herbarium, and Professor of Botany to the Dublin Society. “Of this most important contribution to our knowledge of exotic Algae, we know not if we can pay it a higher compliment than by saving it is worthy of the author. It should be observed that the work is not a selection of certain species, but an arranged system of all that is known of Australian Algae, accompanied by figures of the new and rare ones, especially of those most remarkable for beauty of form and colour.” — London Journal of Botany. *** To be completed in Four Parts, imp. 8vo, price D. Is. Part I. recently published. Published by Reeve, Benham, and Reeve. 7 10 . ILLUSTRATIONS OF BRITISH MYCOLOGY, Containing figures and popular descriptions of the Funguses of interest and novelty indigenous to Britain. By Mrs. T. J. HUSSEY. “ It is quite astonishing that so little use should he made of the profusion of wholesome food which is scattered through our woods and meadows in the autumn, under the form of various species of Fungi. This arises doubtless in great measure from a want of practical knowledge of the distinctions between good and wholesome species, and those which are more or less deleterious ; to supply which we have hitherto had no English work of any magnitude, except those of a more general character, like Bolton’s or Sowerby’s Fungi, though so many have been published on the continent. Two distinct publications have lately appeared on the same subject ; the one by Dr. Badham, who has received much friendly aid from Mrs. Hussey’s admirable pencil ; and the other by Mrs. Hussey herself, which we are at present noticing. “ This talented lady and her sister were in the first instance induced to draw some of the more striking Fungi, merely as picturesque objects. Their collection of drawings at length became important from their number and accuracy, and a long continued study of the nutritive properties of Fungi has induced the former to lay the results of her investigations before the public, under the form of monthly illustrations of the more useful and interesting species. The figures are so faithful that there can be no difficulty in at once determining with certainty the objects they are intended to represent ; and the observations, especially those of the culinary department, will be found of much interest to the general reader, and we doubt not that our tables will in consequence receive many a welcome addition ; while from the accuracy of the figures, there will he no danger, with ordinary attention, of making any serious blunder.” — Gardeners’ Chronicle. *** In monthly Parts, each containing three plates. Price 5s. coloured. Part XVII. just published. 11 . THE LONDON JOURNAL OF BOTANY, Being a New Series of the Journal of Botany, Edited by SIR WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER, K.H., D.C.L., F.R.S., &c. The publication of this old-established Journal will be continued monthly. Each number contains original Papers by eminent Botanists, general information, News of Botanical Travellers, Notices of Books, &c. *** In monthly Parts. Price 2s. 6 d. Part LXXX. just published. 12 . CONCHOLOGIA ICONICA; OR, Figures and Descriptions of the Shells of Molluscous Animals, with critical remarks on their synonymes, affinities, and circumstances of habitation. By LOVELL REEVE, F.L.S. Illustrated chiefly from the Cumingian Collection. Owing to the zeal with which the interests of the Conchologia Iconica have been promoted by Mr. Cuming, the work has been mainly illustrated from his instructive collection, the result of “ more than thirty of the best years of his life in arduous and hazardous personal exertions, dredging, diving, wading, and wandering, s Works on Natural History, Travels, &fc. under the "Equator aud through the temperate zones, in the labour of collecting.” It has been also observed by Professor Owen, “ that no public collection in Europe possesses one half the number of species of shells that are now in the Cumingian collection,” and that probably “ one third of the number would be the correct statement as regards the national museums of Paris and Vienna.” The figures are drawn and lithographed by Mt.G.B.Sowerby, Jun., from specimens selected from Mr. Cuming’s and other eminent collections, all of the natural size, excepting those which require to be enlarged. “ This great work is intended to embrace a complete description and illustration of the shells of molluscous animals ; and so far as we have seen, it is not such as to disappoint the large expectations that have been formed respecting it. The figures of the shells are all of full size ; in the descriptions a careful analysis is given of the labours of others ; and the author has apparently spared no pains to make tho work a standard authority on the subject of which it treats.” — Athenceum. CONCHOLOGIA ICONICA. The following genera published in Parts 1 to 60 of the coloured edition, comprise 480 plates of 3750 figures of 2886 species, arranged in four volumes, as folio w t s : — VOL. I. Conus Phorus Delphinula Pleurotoma Pectunculus Cypricardia Crassatella Cardita Harpa [122 plates, price £7. 16^. 6 d. half-bound.'] VOL. II. Corbula Glauconome Mitra Area Myadora Cardium Triton Ranella Isocardia [114 plates, price £7. 6s. 6d. half -bound. VOL. III. Murex Mangelia Monoceros Cyprsea Purpura Bullia Haliotis Ricinula Buccinum [129 plates, price £8. 5s. 6 d. half -bound .] VOL. IV. Cliama Ficula Fusus Chiton Pyrula Paludomus Chitonellus Turbinella Turbo Fasciolaria [110 plates, price £7. Is. 6 d. half -bound .] Prices of the Genera separately in Monographs. Plates. Species. Figures. £. s. d. Plates. Species. Figures. £. s. d. Akca . . 17 . 122 . 129 . 1 1 6 Haliotis . . 17 73 81 1 1 6 Buccinum . 14 . 118 . 126 . 18 0 Harpa . 4 9 28 5 6 Bulimus in course of publication. Isocardia . 1 5 7 1 6 Bullia . . 4 26 34 . 5 6 Mangelia . 8 8 80 10 6 Cardita . . 9 50 74 . 11 6 Mitra . 39 . 344 . 369 2 10 0 Cardium . . 22 . 133 144 1 8 0 Monoceros . . 4 15 23 5 6 Cassis in course of publication. Murex . 36 . 188 . 212 2 5 6 Chama . 9 55 63 . 11 6 Myadora . 1 10 14 1 6 Chiton . 33 . 194 . 420 . 2 2 0 Paludomus . 3 15 30 4 0 Chitonellus . . 1 7 9 1 6 Pectunculus . . 9 52 63 11 6 Conus ■ 47 . 269 . 380 . 3 0 0 Phorus . . 3 9 14 4 0 Corbula . . 5 43 50 . 6 6 Pleurotoma . . 40 . 369 . 395 2 10 6 Crassatella . . 3 19 23 . 4 0 Purpura . . 13 80 88 17 0 Cypr.ua . . 27 . 154 . 21 8 . 1 14 0 Pyrula . . 9 29 39 11 6 Cypricardia . . 2 13 14 . 3 0 Ranella . . 8 50 57 10 6 Delphinula . 5 27 49 6 6 Ricinula . . 6 54 61 8 0 Fasciolaria . . 7 16 30 . 9 0 Turbinella . . 13 73 89 17 0 Ficula 1 4 4 1 6 Triton . 20 102 . 124 1 5 6 Fusus . 21 79 . 118 . 1 6 6 Turbo . 13 63 81 17 0 Glauconome . . 1 9 10 . 1 6 *** In monthly Parts, price 10s., and subsequently in Genera. Part 65 just published. Published by Reeve , Benham, and Reeve. 9 13 . CONCHOLOGIA ICONICA. Uncoloured Issue. For geological purposes. A reprint of the foregoing work. “ The amount of credit which is to be attached to any theory in Geology founded on fossil shells, must be just in proportion to the facility we possess of comparing them with recent ones.” *#* In monthly numbers, each containing six plates, price 2s. 6 d. Part 5 just published. 14 . ELEMENTS OF CONCHOLOGY; OK, Introduction to the physiology of Shells and their molluscous inhabitants, their structure, calcifying functions and habits, geographical distribution, affinities, arrangement, and enumeration of species. By LOVELL REEVE, F.L.S. “ The work before us is designed to promote a more philosophical spirit of inquiry into the nature and origin of Shells ; the grand truths that have been recently made known in the physiological history of these animals axe ably described and illustrated ; and under the modest title of ‘ Elements,’ will be found an interesting and popular summary of conchological research. We may add, that few owners of expensive cabinets of shells entertain correct ideas of the animals which formed them .” — Ecclesiastical Review. *** To be completed in twelve parts, royal octavo, with numerous illustrations, price 8s. 6 d. coloured. Part IX. in September. Rmntlp $ubltstf)£tu 15 . ( Under the Authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty .) FLORA ANTARCTICA; OR, Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror, during the years 1839-1843, under the command of Capt. Sir James Clark Boss, R.N., F.R.S. By JOSEPH DALTON HOOKER, M.D., R.N., F.R.S., &c., Botanist to the Expedition. “ The descriptions of the plants in this work are carefully drawn up, and much interesting matter, critical, explanatory, and historical, is added in the form of notes. The drawings of the plants are admirably executed by Mr. Fitch ; and we know of no productions from his pencil, or, in fact, any botanical illustrations at all, that are superior in faithful representation and botanical correctness.” — Athenaeum. *** In two vols., royal 4to., pp. 574, plates 200. Price 10£. 15s. coloured ; 11. 10s. plain. N.B. The Cbvptogamic portion may be had separately, in one volume, royal 4to., pp. 258, plates 74. Price 4/. 4s. coloured ; 21. 17s. plain. 10 J Forks on Natural History, Travels, 8fc. 16 . THE ESCULENT FUNGUSES OF ENGLAND; A treatise on their Classical History, Uses, Characters, Development, Structure, Nutritious Properties, Mode of Cooking, Preserving, &c., By the Rev. CHARLES D. BADHAM, M.D. “ We lately noticed the beautiful fasciculi of Mrs. Hussey, illustrative of what is useful and interesting in the neglected class of Fungals. The present work, which owes the greater part of its figures to the same exquisite pencil, and some portion of the information it contains to the experience of Mrs. Hussey, will be acceptable either as an appendage to the Illustrations, or as containing in itself a mass of entertaining and valuable matter. It is scarcely possible that two works so beautifully illustrated, written with such evident interest in the subject, and in such a lively manner, should fail to draw attention to the objects they describe ; and the matter is in general so judiciously handled, that, with any ordinary precaution, there will be no danger of mistakes being made. The common Mushrooom is in some years extremely scarce, but there are many species abounding in our woods and meadows which may be substituted with safety ; and some, which, though usually rejected, are in many respects superior. The work of M. Roques has had the effect at Paris of removing much prejudice on the subject ; and we hope that many a group of Fungi, which would hitherto have been trampled under foot, will now, in consequence of the labours of Mrs. Hussey and Dr. Badham, be duly honoured.” — Gardeners' Chronicle. “ There is no reason why we should eschew frogs and relish turtle ; still less is there for our eating one or two of the numerous edible Funguses which our island produces and condemning all the rest. To draw attention to this fact and to supply an accurate account with a correct delineation of the esculent species of this family in Great Britain are the objects of the book before us ; such a work was a deside- ratum in this country. The majority of those which grow in our meadows and on the decaying wood of our orchards and forests are unfit for food, — and the value of Dr. Badham’s book consists in the fact that it enables us to distinguish from these such as may be eaten with impunity.” — Atheneeum. *** In one handsomely illustrated volume, super-royal octavo. Price 1/. Is. coloured. 17 . TRAVELS IN THE INTERIOR OF BRAZIL; Priucipally through the Northern Provinces and the Gold and Diamond Districts, 1836 - 1841 . By GEORGE GARDNER, F.L.S., Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Ceylon. during the years “ This volume is from the pen of an able naturalist, whose heart is in his occupation. Mr. Gardner was educated for the professions of medicine and surgery ; and to his knowledge in these respects he was indebted during his travels for many advantages, — perhaps even for their successful result. Unlike most other travellers, he was not satisfied with the mere exploration of the coasts of the vast Brazilian empire ; but plunged into the interior as far to the west as the tributaries of the Amazon, ‘ and from near the equator to the 23rd degree of south latitude.’ A range so wide required three years to be traversed, — independently of the time passed in researches on the coasts The author’s peculiar object was Natural History, — under its forms of geology, the animal kingdom, and botany ; but, fortunately, he has not confined himself to the physical department. What he terms 1 cursory remarks on the character, habits, and condition of the different races, whether indigenous or otherwise,’ will be read with interest. Some of the regions which he visited have seldom been trodden by Europeans — never by Englishmen ; so that his observations derive value from the novelty of the matters to which they relate. But the most interesting parts of the volume before us relate to man. How this vast empire subsists from day to day is a marvel.” — Atheneeum. “ Mr. Gardner, occupied with his duties as Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens of Ceylon, has been tardy in giving the world the history of his travels in Brazil ; but in their long course he enriched our Flora with many a valuable addition, and enlarged the boundaries of botanic science by enterprise, skill, and industry, rarely surpassed by any individual devotee. For these exertions the country has to thank him ; and his book is worthily dedicated to Sir Wm. Hooker, who can show, in the Royal Gardens of Kew, most of the numerous specimens sent by the author from Brazil and acclimated in England.” — Literary Gazette. “ Right welcome is a book of veritable travels in a country previously unexplored, and still more by one who combines with the power of a pleasant writer much knowledge of the science, and that passionate devotion to natural history whieh incites to adventure. In the course of his extensive journey ings, Mr. Gardner was much among the people, and enjoyed peculiar facilities for observing their habits, manners, and minds ; the notes, he tells us, were written, for the most part, at the places described during his intervals of rest, and these are to be detected in a moment by their more graphic descriptions and energetic manner.” — Critic. Published by Reeve, Benham, and Reeve. 11 “ From tlie time of the anomalous law of the Jesuits to the present, the district between the Rio de la Plata and the Amazons has been traversed by travellers of no secondary qualifications, yet the author of the above work has found it alm ost new ground. Mr. Gardner’s volume, bearing the inimitable impress of candour and good faith, as of the competency of the author for the task he undertook, is not more valuable to the man of science than interesting to the general reader.” — Ecclesiastical Review. “The narrative of his varied adventures forms not only to the enthusiastic botanist, but to the general reader, an exceedingly entertaining and also instructive book, from the new view which it gives of the society of Brazil — particularly in its less known provinces. . . Those who select entertaining reading for young persons, — which, at the same time, gives, or insinuates, useful information, — will find much admirable material in this volume. Nowhere are more diverting tame monkeys, or such enormous boa-eonstrictors to be heard of. . . One of the most attractive sections of the volume is an account of, and expedition to, the Diamond District, and the manner of working the mines and diamond washing.” — Tail’s Edinburgh Magazine. “When camping out on the mountain-top or in the wilderness; roughing it in his long journeys through the interior; observing the very singular mode of life there presented to his notice ; describing the curious characters that fell under his observation, or giving an account of more tangible things, as the nature of the diseases, the arts or substitutes for arts of the people, and the natural productions of the country — these Travels in the Interior of Brazil are full of attraction. The book, like the country it describes, is full of new matter.” — Spectator. *** In one thick volume octavo, with a Map of the Author’s Route, and View of the Organ Mountains. Price 18s. cloth. 18 . CONCHYLIA DITHYRA INSULARUM BRITANNIC ARUM. The Bivalve Shells of the British Isles, systematically arranged. By WILLIAM TURTON, M.D., Re-printed verbatim from the original edition. The illustrations, printed from the original copper-plates, are distinguished for their accuracy and minute detail. *** Large paper. 328 pp., 20 coloured plates, price 2 1. 10s. 19 . CONCHOLOGIA SYSTEMATICA; OK, Complete System of Conchology, in which the Lepades and Mollusca are described and classified according to their natural organization and habits, illustrated with 300 plates of upwardsof 1,500 figures of Shells. By LOVELL REEVE, F.L.S., “ The text is both interesting and instructive ; many of the plates have appeared before in Mr. Sowerby’s works, but from the great expense of collecting them, and the miscellaneous manner of their publication, many persons will no doubt gladly avail themselves of this select and classified portion, which also contains many original figures.” — Athenceum. *** In two quarto volumes, cloth, price 1(V. coloured; 61. plain. 20 . THE CONCHOLOGIST’S NOMENCLATOR; OK, Catalogue of recent species of Shells, with their authorities, synonymes, and references to works where figured or described. By AGNES CATLOW, assisted by LOVELL REEVE, E.L.S. A Catalogue of three hundred and twenty closely printed pages, serving as a Register of all the known species. * * In sheets for labels, 20s. Cloth, 21s. Half-bound in calf, cloth sides, interleaved with blank pages for remarks, 25s. u IVorks on Natural History , Travels, 8fc. 21 . THE PLANETARY AND STELLAR UNIVERSE. By R. J. MANN. “ Such is a brief abstract of the discoveries of Newton ; and we may add that they are clearly explained and elegantly illustrated in ‘ The Planetary and Stellar Universe,’ to which we refer such of our readers as may be desirous of becoming more full acquainted with them.” — Westminster and Foreign Quarterly Review. *** In one vol. 8vo. with 50 lithographed astronomical Diagrams, and Map of the Circumpolar Coustellatious ; price 5«. cloth. 22 . THOUGHTS ON A PEBBLE, OR A First Lesson in Geology. By GIDEON A. MANTELL, Esa., LL.D., F.R.S., &c., Author of ‘ Thoughts on Animalcules.’ “This elegant little hook, primer-like in size, and illustrated by exquisite plates and wood engravings, serves to convey some of the grandest truths in geology in the simplest guise. Its snowy paper, excellent type, and beautiful illustrations recommend it to the eye of taste , and it cannot be perused without pleasure and profit.” — American Journal of Science. *** Seventh edition, with eleven additional illustrations, price 3s., gilt edges. 23 . ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE WISDOM AND BENEVOLENCE OF THE DEITY, AS MANIFESTED IN NATURE. By H. EDWARDS, LL.D. “ A little excursion in the track of Paley and the broad road of the Bridgewater Treatise. Anim als, Atmosphere, Organic Matter, Light and Electricity are the natural elements out of which the author deduces his pious lessons, leading to a First Cause in wonder, admiration, and worship.” — Interary Gazette. Shortly will he published, Memoir on the LEPIDOSIREN ANNECTANS, with a view to determine whether it be a Fish or an Amphibian. By A. G. MELYILLE, M.D. Edin., M.R.C.S. LiimUiliii.'!: