well as very deficient in swimming, since it seizes its prey without immersing any part of its body or sitting on the waves, and the toes are webbed only to the second joint: besides that the lubricating gland is quite inadequate to prevent the plumage from being wetted. The tail, also, is so constructed as to assist the bird in darting on flying fish, &c. with velocity and precision, and in pouncing on them with its strong beak without either diving or swimming. A male was caught sitting on the egg, when the female was searching for food. The bones of the head are generally thick and heavy; and the cavity of the cranium, when compared with the size of the head, is uncommonly small. The sternum, clavicles, and particularly the bones of the upper extremities, are of a size and strength out of all proportion with the upper parts of the skeleton.' The oesophagus is extremely capacious; and its parietes are nearly half an inch in thickness.

The Characters of Otiocerus and Anotia, two new Genera of Hemipterous Insects belonging to the Family of Cicadiade; with a Description of several Species. By the Rev. William Kirby, M. A.- The characters of these two genera are laid down with Mr. Kirby's usual minuteness and perspicuity. Under Otiocerus, which is related to Fulgora and Delphax, are: ranged Degeerii, Stollii, Abbotii, Francilloni, Coquebertii, and Wolfii, all from Georgia. The only species described under Anotia is denominated Bonnetii. The habits of these insects. remain to be unfolded.

Observations on the Germination of Mosses. By Mr. James Drummond. In the month of May, Mr. Drummond sowed the powder contained in the ripe capsules of Funaria hygrometrica, on pots of earth, plunged in a basket, among moist Sphagnum palustre; and at the same time he sowed some of the seeds in rain-water, in which they readily germinated. By the help of a compound microscope, he observed the progress of the nascent plants, which in many respects agreed with Hedwig's account: but the appendages seemed to him essentially different from any of the parts with which we are acquainted in the seeds of phænogamous plants. The several stages of growth are distinctly stated; and we are apprized that the duration of the conferva-like state of the young plants varies, according to the species, soil, and situation. Polytrichum aloides remains four months in this state, and forms what has been denominated Byssus velutina. - Mr. Drummond's germs will probably receive developement in the progress of future investigation.

Observations on some Animals of America allied to the Genus Antilope. By Charles Hamilton Smith, Esq. -This paper.

is introduced by a description of Antilope Furcifer, the Cabrit, or Prong-horned Antelope, which bears some general resemblance to the Chamois, and which was observed by Messrs. Lewis and Clarke in the course of their progress up the Missouri. This quadruped is diffused over a large portion of the centre of North America, ranging along the Stony Mountains in small herds or families, and is remarkable for its flatness.

In the memoranda of a journal written by Mr. Charles Le Rey, a Canadian trader, who passed several years of captivity among the Siour Indians, it is stated that, being with the hunters on the river Jaune in pursuit of these animals, the party selected for the sport a hill the ascent of which was gradual, but the opposite side precipitous at the bottom of the slope they formed a chain of hunters, and crawled gradually and simultaneously towards the summit, inducing the game to approach the precipice. When arrived at a convenient height, they all suddenly rose and gave a loud yell, which terrified the timid creatures so completely, that most of them sprang over the brink and were dashed to death in their fall. Upwards of sixty Cabrits and big horned sheep were thus slain in a single beat.'

Another interesting animal, which Mr. Smith also describes and delineates, is styled by Blainville Rupicapra Americana: but it has little affinity to the Chamois, and the epithet American is too vague, as several of its congeners are known to exist in America. The author, therefore, proposes Antilope lanigera as a more appropriate appellation. The description and plate are taken from a specimen belonging to the Society, and presented by the late General Davies. The other species noticed in this communication are somewhat doubtful: but the obvious inference from the whole is that many kinds of animals still remain to be known in the interior of the new continent.

Characters of a new Genus of Coleopterous Insects of the Family Byrrhida. By William Elford Leach,' M.D.—The subject of these few lines of definition is designated Murmidius ferrugineus, and was found in a box of seeds and fruits imported from China.

Description of some Shells found in Canada. By the Rev. Thomas Rackett. These are Helix angulata, monodon, and palustris, Turbo fontinalis, a very thick Mya, and two Bullas, On the Indian Species of Menispermum. By Henry Thomas Colebrooke, Esq. Had we more room at our disposal, we should gladly devote a separate article to these learned and critical remarks: but we must be contented to observe that, although they do not completely settle the nomenclature of the genus in question, they are calculated to remove much of the confusion in which the subject has been hitherto involved.

The Characters of three new Genera of Bats without foliaceous Appendages to the Nose. By W. E. Leach, M. D.These genera are designed Celano, Aëllo, and Scotophilus. To the first belongs Brooksiana, so called in honour of Mr. Brookes, who has a specimen in his collection: the second includes Cuvieri; and the third Kuhlii; both to be found in the same collection. The generic and specific characters are noted under each article: but the habitations and economy of the respective animals seem to be unknown. Perhaps we should add that Dr. Leach, with all his eminent qualities as a naturalist, has rather too much fondness for multiplying the zoological vocabulary.

The Characters of seven Genera of Bats with foliaceous Appendages to the Nose. By the same. Five of these genera are non-descript; and Dr. Leach has added the distinguishing marks of the Vampyrus of Geoffroi St. Hilaire, who had omitted the posterior grinder of the upper jaw. He has likewise recapitulated the details of Megaderma, to shew not only the characters of its grinding teeth and its affinity to Nyctophilus, but also the absence of the superior incisors. The new articles are, Artibéus Jamaicensis, Monophyllus Redmani, Mormoops Blainvillii, Nyctophilus Geoffroyi, and Madatæus Lewesii.

On two new British Species of Mytilus. By the Rev. Revett Sheppard. This gentleman rightly observes, that the vagueness of the Linnéan character of Mytilus anatinus may equally apply not only to cygneus, but also to incrassatus and macula, which are particularly described. Mytilus anatinus is distinguished from M. cygneus by its anterior area running parallel with its base; and again from M. macula by the anterior area in the latter sloping upwards, and forming an angle with the fore part of the shell. In M. cygneus the base slopes upwards; and the M. incrassatus differs from them all by its large exserted ligament, superior roughness on the outside, and in having the posterior part in a slope from the umbones to the base incrassated.'

Observations on the natural Group of Plants called Pomaceæ. By Mr. John Lindley. - Strictly to draw the lines of demarcation between the natural families of Pomacea and Rosacea is a task not unattended with the difficulties which Mr. Lindley has stated. Assuming the first section of the Rosacea of Jussieu as a legitimate category, he ranks under it the genera Chamomeles, Cydonia, Pyrus, Orteomeles, Mespilus, Amelanchier, Cotoneaster, Eriobotria, Photinia, Chamameles, Raphiolepsis, and Crataegus.

Account

Account of some new Species of Birds of the genera Psittacus and Columba, in the Museum of the Linnéan Society. By M. C. J. Temminck. The articles here particularized were brought from the coasts of New Holland by Mr. Brown, and are either described for the first time or have been ascertained to rank as separate species. In M. Temminck they have found an able and perspicuous expositor; whose richly stored cabinet of birds, and numerous opportunities of examining them in various regions of the world, have enabled him to generalize and simplify the ornithological nomenclature, and to note, in a great multitude of cases, the diversities of plumage resulting from age and sex. The last edition of his Manuel d'Ornithologie, and his Histoire Naturelle des Pigeons et des Gallinacées, are already quoted as classical standards; and the present communication, which is characterized by his distinct and luminous style of writing, will not in any respect detract from his well-merited reputation. The Psittaci which he defines and delineates are designed Cookii, Solandri, (possibly the young of the preceding,) nasicus, flavigaster, Baueri, Brownii, multicolor, icterotis, venustus, and pulchellus. The six species of Columba are, dilopha, magnifica, leucomela, scripta, humeralis, and phasianella. If we add to the author's former catalogue four recently discovered in Brazil, and three in the Molucca islands, the whole will be found to amount to one hundred. It is true that these may be and have been subdivided into different families and genera: but M. Temminck contends that, in this and many other instances, an intimate acquaintance with all the tribe will convince us that they gradually shade into one another, and admit no discriminations beyond specific differences.

Descriptions of three Species of the Genus Glareola. By W. E. Leach, M. D.-In his usual succinct manner, Dr. L. here gives the definitions and leading synonyms, 1st, of his Glareola pratincola, Hirundo pratincola, Lin., and the young of which corresponds to G. nævia and Senegalensis, Gmel.; 2dly, of G. Orientalis, which occurs in Java; and, 3dly, of G. Australis, a native of New Holland. The characteristic definitions are accompanied by excellent plates.

Systematic Arrangement and Description of Birds from the Island of Java. By Thomas Horsfield, M. D. —The subjects of this contribution were, with a few exceptions, collected between 1814 and 1817, the period during which the island of Java was under the protection of the British government; and they are deposited in the Museum of the Honorable East India Company. In reducing them to method, Dr.

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Horsfield

Horsfield acknowleges that he has derived important aid from Dr. Leach, from Temminck's Manual, and from Cuvier's Règne Animal. In the few cases in which he has had recourse to the construction of new genera, he has successfully labored to attain perspicuity. - Three or four of the Falcons are rare, particularly the Limnactus, distinguished by its short, strongly compressed and strongly curved beak, by its tarsi covered with plumes throughout their whole length, and by its small claws, of nearly equal size on all the toes. Dr. H. found it but once on the extensive lakes which were formed, during the rainy season, on the southern part of the island, where it feeds on fishes. Many new or uncommon species are enumerated, and not a few that are remarkable for the beauty of their plumage.

An Account of a new Genus of Plants, named Rafflesia. By Robert Brown, Esq.-This singular vegetable phænomenon was first described by Dr. Arnold, shortly before his demise; and it has been lately ascertained that it is not so rare in Sumatra as the first conjecture had made it. Mr. Bauer's colored plate and drawings, which accompany this elaborate article, will convey a far more adequate idea of the flower than any description. Without entering at present into the ingenious conjectures and observations of the author of the paper, we shall only state that the gigantic flower in question measures three feet across; that it is parasitical to Cissus angustifolia of Roxburgh; and that it smells so strongly of carrion as to induce numbers of insects to alight on it. The plant has male and female flowers: but certain points of information are wanting to determine its precise and appropriate station in the systematical arrangement. In the mean time, it has been named Rafflesia Arnoldi.

Description of the Wild Dog of Sumatra, a new Species of Viverra, and a new Species of Pheasant. By Major-General Thomas Hardwicke. - The description and plate of the first of these subjects would incline us to believe that it is rather a variety of the fox than of the dog; for, although the ears are more rounded than in the common fox, its face, general aspect, and tail, are more approximated to those of the latter. Besides, it appears to have no natural bark, to be extremely restless in confinement, and to void a fetid urine when teased. -The Viverra is denominated Lingsang, which is its provincial appellation; and it was described from a dead specimen transmitted to the Asiatic Society by Major Farquhar: but the teeth were wanting. It is a native of Java, and said to be carnivorous. We cite at length the description of Phasianus cruentus.

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