much confusion." As a proof of this confusion, he introduces a tringa, which he calis erythropus, or red-legged sandpiper, which, as it is supposed by him to be new, we shall transcribe. "RED-LEGGED SANDPIPER. (Tringa Erythropus.) "This bird measures, from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail, ten inches; the bill is an inch and three-cighths long, black at the tip, and reddish towards the base; the crown of the head is spotted with dark brown, disposed in streaks, and edged with pale brown and grey; a darkish patch covers the space between the corners of the mouth and the eyes; the chin is white; the brow and cheeks pale brown, prettily freckled with small dark spots; the hinder part of the neck is composed of a mixture of pale brown, grey, and ash, with a few indistinct dusky spots; the fore part, and the breast are white, clouded with a dull cinnamon colour, and sparingly and irregularlymarked with black spots, reflecting a purple gloss; the shoulder and scapular feathers are black, edged with pale rust colour, and have the same glossy reflections as those on the breast; the tertiais are nearly of the same length as the quills, and are marked like the first annexed figure; the ridges of the wings are a brownish ash colour; the coverts, back, and rump, are nearly the same, but inclining to olive, and the middle of each feather is of a deeper dusky brown; the primary quills are deep olive brown; the exterior webs of the secondaries are also of that colour, bút lighter, edged and tipped with white, and the inner webs are mostly white towards the base; the tail coverts are glossy black, edged with pale rust colour, and tipped with white; but in some of them a streak of white passes from the middle upwards, nearly the whole length, as in the second figure. The tail feathers are lightish brown, except the two middle ones, which are barred with spots of a darker hue; the belly and vent are white; legs bare above the knees, and red as scaling wax; claws black. The female is less than the male, and her plumage more dingy and indistinct an egg taken out of her, previous to stuffing, was surprisingly large, considering her bulk, being about the size of that of a magpie, of a greenish white colour, spotted and blotched with brown, of a long shape, and pointed at the smaller end. "The foregoing figure and description were taken from a pair, male and female, which were shot on Rippengale fen, in Lincolnshire, on the 14th of May, 1799, by major Charles Dylke, of the Warwickshire cavalry, who also obligingly pointed out several leading features of these birds, in which they differ materially from the scolopax calidris of Linnæus, called here the redshank, or poolsniper. He says, this bird is a constant inhabitant of the fens, and is known to sportsmen by its singular notes, which are very loud and melodious, and are heard even when the bird is beyond the reach of sight." "The description of this bird, which, it been more particularly attended to, because seems, is common in the fen countries, has it has not been described by any of the popu lar works on ornithology; at least, not so ac curately as to enable a naturalist to distinguish it by the proper name.” Latham has a bird under the same name, taken up from Scopoli, the native place of which he says is uncertain, and which, as far as can be gathered from his brief description, does not appear to be the same with that described above. In the whole of the Linnæan order anseres, Mr. Beilby follows the steps of Pennant and Latham, agreeing with them in the division of it into fin-footed and web-footed birds, and adopting all their alterations of the Linnæan genera But he does not servilely copy their words, or confine himself to their mat ter. tions in particular are entirely new, and The greater part of the descrip in most cases formed by himself from recent specimens. These, though little entertaining in a straight-forward reading, will always be esteemed of the highest value by the consulting student; and they fully prove the truth of an observă tion which he frequently makes, that ornithologists have hitherto relied tr much on characters drawn from the plumage for the discrimination of spe cies. The grand desiderata in this part of natural history are, a construction of genera, founded on permanent differences which regularly influence the animal economy and general habits of all ther respective species; and a description of species confined to such particulars as are constant in their appearance, and com mon to all the individuals of both sexes in every period of their lives. For the entertainment of our genera! readers we shall select part of the ac count of the tame duck. "This valuable domestic owes its origin to the mallard, the last described species; bus has long been reclaimed from a state of n ture. Many of them appear in nearly the same plumage as the wild ones; others vy greatly from them, as well as from each other, and may be said to be marked with almosk all colours; but all the males (drakes) vill retain the unvarying mark of their wild c ginal in the curled feathers of the tail. Long domestication has, however, deprived the tame duck of that keen, quick, and sprightly look and shape which distinguish the mal lard, and substituted a more dull, and kis elegant form and appearance in their stead. In the wild state they pair, and are monogamous, bus become polygamous when tame." "That these, and such like watery places, which their health requires for them to wash, dive, feed, rest, and sport in, are not better tenanted by these useful and pretty birds, is much to be regretted, and marks strongly a falling off-a want of industry in those females to whose lot it falls, and whose duty it is to contribute their quota of attention to these lesser, but not uninteresting, branches of rural economy. Were this done, and ponds made in aid of the purpose in every suitable contiguous situation, there can be no doubt but that a multiplied stock of ducklings, to an inconceivable amount, might be annually reared with a comparatively trifling additional expence; for the various undistinguishable animal and vegetable substances upon which they chiefly live, and for which they unceas ingly search with their curiously constructed bills, sifting and separating every alimentary particle from the mud, unless fed upon by them, are totally lost. When older, they also devour worms, spawn, water insects, and sometimes frogs and small fishes, together with the various seeds of bog and water plants, of which they find an abundant supply, when left to provide for themselves in those wet places. "When they, with other kinds of fowl, are busily employed in picking up the waste about the barn-door, they greatly enliven and beautify the rural scene, seen. On this side stands a barn, on that a byre; "To this may be added, the no less pleas ing peep at the mill and mill-dam, when well furnished with these their feathered inhabitants. The village schoolboy witnesses with delight the antic movements of the busy shapeless little brood, sometimes under the charge of a foster-mother, who, with anxious fears, paddles by the brink, and utters her unavailing cries; while the ducklings, regardless of her warnings, and rejoicing in the element so well adapted to their nature, are splashing over each other beneath the pendant foliage; or, in eager pursuit, snap at their insect prey on the surface, or plunge after them to the bottom: some, meanwhile, are seen perpendicularly suspended, with the tail only above water, engaged in the general search after food. "Scenes like these, harmonized by the clack of the mill, and its murmuring waterfall, afford pleasures little known to those who have always been engaged in mere worldly pursuits; but such picturesque beauties pass not unnoticed by the young naturalist; their charms invite his first attentions, and probably bias his inclinations to pursue studies which enlarge and exalt his mind, and can only end with his life." ART. III. Lepidoptera Britannica; sistens digestionem novam insectorum Lepidopterum que in magna Britannia reperiuntur, larvarum pabulo, temporeque pascendi; expansione alarum; mensibusque volandi ; synonimis atque locis, Observationibusque variis. Autore A. H. HAWORTH, Linn. Soc. Londini socio, atque Prodromi Lepidopterorum Britannicorum, genusque ad mesembryanthemum Observationum autore. IN our first volume we noticed the prodromus to this work, in which the author concealed his name, and announced himself only as a member of the Linnæan society. It now appears that this valuable addition to our British fauna is the production of Mr. Haworth, a gentleman well known to the lovers of natural history, who devotes a considerable portion of his time to this extensive and interesting science. When a person of independent fortune, instead of leading a life of indolence, dissipation, or vice, employs himself in studying the marks of infinite wisdom and goodness which are manifested in every part of the visible creation, we know not which we ought most to congratulate, the public or the individual. Self-taught naturalists are often found to make no little progress in knowledge, and to strike out many new lights, by the mere aid of original genius and patient application. But the man who has possessed the advantage of a liberal education, engages in these pursuits with peculiar advantage. He takes more comprehensive views, is able to consult a greater variety of authors, and, from the early habits of his mind, is more accurate and more methodical in all his investigations. The world at large, there. fore, cannot fail to be benefited by his labours; and the value of the enjoyments, which at the same time he secures to himself, is beyond all calculation. No tedious vacant hour ever makes him wish "The thirsty housewife is aye weel kend by her sonsy swarms o' bonny chucky birdies.” SCOTCH PROVERB. † Allan Ramsav. for he knows not what-complain, he knows not why. Never does a restless impatience at having nothing to do, compel him to seek a momentary stimulus to his dormant powers in the tumultuous pleasures of the intoxicating cup, or the agitating suspense of the game of chance. Whether he be at home or abroad, in every different clime, and in every season of the year, universal nature is before him, and invites him to a banquet richly replenished with whatever can invigorate his understanding, or gratify his mental taste. The earth on which he treads, the air in which he moves, the sea along whose margin he walks, all teem with objects which keep his attention perpetually awake, excite him to healthful activity, and charm him with an ever varying succession of the beautiful, the wonderful, the useful, and the new. And if, in conformity with the direct tendency of such occupations, he rise from the creature to the creator, and consider the duties which naturally result from his own situation and rank in this vast system of being, he will derive as much satisfaction from the anticipation of the future, as from the experience of the present and the recollection of the past. The mind of the pious naturalist is always cheerful, always animated with the noblest and most benign feelings. Every repeated observation, every unexpected discovery, directs his thoughts to the great source of all order, and all good; and harmonizes all his faculties with the general voice of nature: Such a man is the author of the present work. Many years," he tells us, "have now elapsed since, with enthusiastic pleasure, he began to collect, arrange, and describe the natural productions of this our fertile and happy island; but more especially its birds, insects, and vegetables. For these purposes he has diligently examined many parts of EngJand personally, and usually on foot and alone; but sometimes accompanied with pedestrian friends of congenial sentiments and taste. Industriously has he sought, and never once in vain, a great variety of woods and lawns, hills and vales, marshes and fens; one summer only, travelling in various journeys, not fewer than a thousand miles, in spite of heat and cold, wet and drought, and various other concomitant impedi ments." While he was thus employed he was desirous to become, like the late excellent Stillingfleet," thoroughly imbued in divine philosophy, and to obtain an insight into the uses of every part of natural history, that he might give a sanction to those studies, which, by trivial observers, are held most contemptible." And with this view be adopts the beautiful apos trophe of that great and amiable natu, ralist; "Almighty Being! Cause and support of all things, can I view These objects of my wonder; can I feel These fine sensations, and not think of thee?" As a specimen of the manner in which he combines the sublime disquisitions of religion with his researches into natural science, we shall transcribe part of his observations on the bombyx lanestrus. "The parental cares of nature, which are so conspicuously manifested towards the most insignificant of her productions, (if any can be called such), are extended towards this poor insect in a very extraordinary and inte resting manner. Doomed to a regular ap pearance in the winged state at the termination of the cold, and ungenial munth of February, Nature (that it may not fail and be annually in the puppa state, until the Fecome extinct) reserves a small portion of it bruary following that of its puppation, and sometimes even until the third occurrence of that frigid month; denying their emancipation all the intermediate time, and thus effectually securing, by these unusual means, the safety and perpetuation of an animal, small it is true, but whose annual existence at that inclement season in the winged state is probably of more consequence in the intri cacy of its great creator's plans, than we are at present aware of, although he constantly exposes it to the dangerous vicissitudes of winter. "This insect is probably of great service ta many of our soft-billed birds, at a season when little and insufficient quantities of food are to be procured; especially in severe and rigorous winters, in which the ground remains a long time covered with snow, when the poor moth and some other species of lepidoptera, (as soon as escaped from the puppa), stick torpid upon find, and devour them; and thus escape from the trunks of trees, where these bird's readily bunger at a time when worms or other ter restrial food are either difficult or impossible for them to procure. These birds, thus saved, are of incalculable service the following spring, in restraining within due limits the insect despoilers of the vegetable kingdom; during which, they never fail to chear us with their charming songs, and lessen the destructive number of caterpillars in our orchards and gardens, until in their turn they become the prey-the necessary prey, of some insidious weasel, or birds more powerful and rapacious than themselves. I repeat necessary prey, because they themselves would become too numerous if Rever destroyed: to the total extirpation of various insects, whose existence in the scale of beings is as essential as their own, to keep within appropriate bounds certain vegetables, which otherwise would inuitiply to the total exclusion of other weaker and smaller, but equally necessary species; and so on ad infinitum until at length the head, and prince and king of all created beings, man himself, would feel the chasm and experience inevitable woe. "When an Aurelian posseses a brood of this moth, he readily learns, on the arrival of the month of February, which of his puppe will become winged that year. This always happens to by far the greater number, and its approach is denoted by the swelling of the belts of the puppe. Those which are intended to rest until another season, do not swell until that season approaches. How is this swelling accomplished, and whence is the additional matter (if any) acquired? Or, is the swelling only a dilatation of the substance already there, and from what cause? It cannot be heat, because all the puppe, those which do not, as well as those which do swell, are kept in an equal temperature, and experience the very same treatment. Perhaps they are endowed ab ovo by some differing principles, which require the differing periods of one, two, and three seasons, to ripen them, and bring them to complete maturity, and render them capable of accomplishing the full intentions of their beneficent creator." In our review of the Prodromus we gave a sketch of the general plan which Mr. Haworth has adopted to facilitate the investigation of the British lepidoptera. In the mature work he has advanced beyond his own original conceptions, and has made a few more deviations from the nomenclature and arrangement of Linneus. That our readers may form a just idea of the whole, we shall lay before them his divisions, with their several characters; and, as we cannot do it more clearly or concisely, for the most part in his own language. The genus paplio, as to its general disposition, remains as it came from the last hand of Linnæus; except that the subordinate divisions of his danai, nymphales, and plebeii, are elevated to the rank of primary ones; and that, in concurrence with the views of Fabricius, a new family is added at the expence of the heliconii, which, under the designation of Parnas. sii, has for its character-al's rounda is denudatis. The advantage of the first alteration, we confess we do not perceive. The arrangement appears to us neater and more logical as it stands in the last edition of the Systema nature. As there is no European species of the present he liconii, that family could not find a place in the Lepidoptera Britannica. The only British species of the parnassii is pa pi io crateg. We have observed no change in the disposal of the species, besides the removal of papilio pamphilus from the ple bei rurales to the nymphales gemmati. The sections in this genus are stated by Mr. Haworth to be not entirely to his liking, but very nearly so; and he askswould not the ocellated species (not belonging to the equites) form a good sec◄ tion with two divisions, thus ?— * OCELLAÆ. Alis ocellatis, ++ Alis integris. The genus sphinx has, for its generic character, antenna utroque fine attenuate. It has two grand divisions: 1. LEGITIME (hawk moths). Abdomine percrasso acuto imberle, alis upacis dolabriformibus volatu nocturno. Puppa subterranea. They are subdivided into integrales (intire-winged), and dentata (dentated). The first coincide with the Linnæan LEGITIMA alii int gris, ano simplici; the second with the Legitima alis angulatis. The whole division corresponds with the legitima alis integris, ano barbato of Lin naus. 2. SESSE (humming birds, and clear wings). Abdomine (apiforme & crabroniforme exceptis) valde barbato. Alis (stellarum exceptis) fenestratis, volatu diurno. They are subdivided into tecta (humming. birds). Alis squamis minutis tectis, & inde opacis; & denudate (clear-wings). Alis plus minusve denudatis, & inde fenestratis, We have on other occasions taken the liberty to suggest, that all general characters are imperfectly formed into which any exceptions are introduced. In the present case the first parenthesis might have been avoided, by leaving out the adverb valde. The failure of the character alis fenestratis in the stellatarum is pe culiarly unfortunate in a British lepidoptera, as it is the only native species of the subdivision. The last division of Linnæus, which he called adscite habitu & larva diverse, and which appeared also as a family of sphinges, in the Prodromus, under the Fabrician name, Zygana,is promoted in the work itself to the rank of a genus, with the same name, and the following generic character. Antennæ medio vel potius versus apicem valde incrassatæ, apice subulatæ. Ale tectæ squamis, opaAbdomen uniforme cylindraceum, crassum, apice vix barbatum. Larva ca. obesa. The divisions of the original genus, phalena, as it was formed by Linnæus, were drawn chiefly from the position of the wings of the living insects as they rest. This is certainly an important character; and, if we had an opportunity of observing all the species in this state, would be entitled to primary notice. But of the prodigious number which have been brought into Europe from the remotest parts of the globe since the death of Linnæus, comparatively few are seen by our entomologists till they have been long dead; and, in most cases, no account of their habits and modes of life has been transmitted with them. Collectors too, both scientific and curious, "for the sake of adding artificial to natural elegance, are now universally in the practice of expanding the wings of the lepidoptera, preserved in their cabinets, in an horizontal and uniform manner; so that the principal characters on which our great master founded the divisions of his moths are effectually destroyed." It has become necessary, therefore, to construct new divisions derived from other characters. After mature consideration, and frequent contemplation of the most extensive collection of British lepidoptera yet made, Mr. Haworth has deemed it expedient to divide the genus phalana of Linnæus into nine distinct genera, by characters taken from the structure of the antenna, aided by others drawn from the larva; and has divided and subdivided each of these genera, either according to the exterior outline of their wing, or other peculiarity depicted upon their exterior surfaces. He has thought it necessary to apologize for introducing larvæ sume into the generic characters, and to shelter himself under the respectable authority of the learned author of the Monographia Apum Angliæ, who has said, "in these small animals," he might have said, in every department of natural history, "I call that a generic character which is constant through a genus, from whatever part it is taken." The name of Mr. Kirby is a host; but in the present instance its aid was not wanted; Mr. Haworth might have securely depended on his own good sense and extensive knowledge of the subject. We ourselves are, we readily acknowledge, by no means competent to give a decided judgment; but we have long thought that entomology, as a science, will always be very far from perfection, till the larva, the pupa, and the imagines, are all combined in one harmonious and luminous arrangement. This is the grand deside ratum to which the scrutinizing natural ist should steadily and invariably direct his attention; and we are happy to learn from Mr. Haworth, that generical and sectional characters of the most inva riable and unerring kind, are deducible from the lepidopterous larvæ. Our plea sure, indeed, is diminished by the conviction, that this " consummation, so devoutly to be wished," is still at an unmeasurable distance. As far as the larva alone are concerned, it cannot be com pleted till we have discovered that which belongs to every known species of insect. And who must not feel discouraged whea he considers that many, even in our British entomology, remain undiscovered? Sed nil desperandum: every single step is progress, and gives a flattering earnest of further advances. In this view we report with satisfaction the characters attributed to the nine new genera in the laboured and meritorious work before us. Antennis basi ad apicem sensim attenuat i, seu basi paullo crassioribus. BOMBYX. Antenne masculine ple rumque valdæ pectinate. Corpus pissime crassum. Larva grossa, sæpius hirta. NOCTUA. Antenne omnino setacex. vel in lente rarius minutissime serrata. Abdomen sæpissime crassum. Larca grossa, sæpe nuda. HEPIALUS. Antenna thorace breviores. Ala omnes sublanceolata, Larea grossa, subteranea. • This word, we know not why, is spelt by Mr. Haworth throughout the work, puppe, contrary to general usage, and, as ive suppose, to its real derivation. |