560 MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



they frequently make their nests close to the houses, and in spots which have been 

 prepared by ridges of stones artificially built up for them; and, in such places, 

 during the process of incubation, it is not unusual for the female to remain on the 

 nest, and suffer herself to be fondled. The lining of their nest, being the downy 

 substance plucked off their own breasts, is taken away, even a second and a third 

 time, until the poor bird has plucked herself nearly naked. Their eggs, too, are 

 removed once or twice, and are eaten in the same manner as plover's eggs. 

 Swans are very numerous on some of the lakes in the central part of the island, 

 where they remain immolated till the ice sets in, when they betake themselves to 

 the sea-shore. The eggs, the feathers, and the down of this fine bird, like those of 

 the eider cluck, supply the peasantry with an article of food, and also of commerce." 

 The interesting subject of Ichthyology forms a brief, but well-elucidated history, 

 in which new and important matter is introduced; arranged with sound and scien- 

 tific judgment, and written in a vigorous and expressive style: "The form and 

 structure of fishes are as admirably adapted for rapid movement through the 

 water, as are those of birds for that aerial motion called flight, suspended in a 

 liquid element of almost equal specific gravity with themselves. External organs 

 resembling those of birds in size would have been disproportioned and unnceces- 

 sary ; but the air bladder (the functions of which, by no means entirely under- 

 stood, have never been satisfactorily explained in all their bearings) is known to 

 possess the power of contraction and dilatation, the exercise of which is followed 

 by a corresponding descent or ascent of the animal's body. Thus, a small, central, 

 and inconspicuous organ effects, in the easiest and most simple manner, the same 

 object which even the soaring eagle or giant condor can only attain by great exer- 

 tion of the wings, and after laborious and frequently repeated gyrations. We 

 shall ere long, however, have occasion to observe, that the air bladder, although 

 essential to the economy of such species as possess it, is by no means indispensa- 

 ble to the class of fishes, as in many tribes it is entirely wanting." 



The graphic illustrations of Ichthyology are not only well executed, as far as the 

 burine is concerned, but present all the characteristic truth so essential to the 

 correct elucidation of the subject. 



Again, we have a very interesting summary of the History of Illyria, condensed 

 with judgment and industry. 



Finally, we have to observe, that we have perused this number of the Encyclo- 

 paedia Britannica with more than ordinary satisfaction ; nor have we the least 

 doubt the work will continue to experience that extensive patronage to which its 

 pre-eminent merit so j ustly entitles it. 



The Loseley Manuscripts. By ALFRED JOHN KEMPE, Esq., F.S.A. 



1 vol. 8vo. Murray. 



Mr. KEMPE is well known to the literary and antiquarian world, as a contributor 

 to the " Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries," and " the Gentleman's Maga- 

 zine," &c., and is, we believe, the author of the letter-pres>s of "Stothard's Monu- 

 mental Effigies," and a small volume on the sanctuary and Collegiate Church, 

 " St. Martin's Le Grand." 



As antiquaries, we are, in good truth, but sorry ones, for though we do know 

 the value of old wine and old friends, we freely confess our ignorance as to anti- 

 quities commonly so called. Show us a coin bearing the head of Boadici or 

 of Augustus, and we gaze on it with interest not, however, as antiquaries, but his- 

 torians. We think of that period when a British Queen died for her country, 

 we call to mind the patron of Roman literature. It is with this historical rather 

 than antiquarian feeling, that we commenced the perusel of the Loseley Manuscripts, 

 and we have seldom, if ever, derived more amusement combined with knowledge 

 from any collection than from the present. 



It consists of rare documents (some unique,) from the reign of Henry VITI. to 

 that of James I. These documents contain so many curious and minute accounts 

 of the life, dress, food, amusements, &c., of our ancestors of that period, that we 



