Icones Fossilium Sectiles. 251 



Jcones Fossiltum Sectiles. Ceniuria Prima, fol. London. 1825. 



For this excellent commencement of an attempt to delineate, 

 in a cheap but not inelegant form, the whole of the species of 

 organic fossil remains, we are indebted to a gentleman whose 

 name does not appear in the title, but whose extensive acquire- 

 ments in this departmeiit of science are devoted with zeal and 

 perseverance to the investigation of the important national collec- 

 tion committed to his charge. His statements are consequently 

 entitled to be received with much greater deference than might 

 seem to be claimed by the unassuming nature of the publication, 

 and will doubtless be authenticated with his name as soon as the 

 work shall have enlarged into a volume ; a step which is neces- 

 sary not only to give authority to the various new genera and 

 species contained in it, but also to secure to himself the just 

 credit which will attach to hh labours. He proposes to copy with 

 accuracy, and in a style fully sufficient for scientific purposes, the 

 best figures which have already been given, and to furnish original 

 ones of such subjects as are hitherto unpublished. The number 

 of these latter will consequently be very considerable, and if this 

 first century can be taken as a specimen, will bear a vei-y large 

 proportion to the whole, as there are included in it no less than 

 forty-three new species, for several of which it has been necessary 

 to establish genera, to which characters are assigned. It is indeed 

 to be regretted that characters have not been given in every in- 

 stance, as well generic as specific, and especially to those species 

 which are now for the first trme made public ; a deficiency which 

 we hope to see supplied in the succeeding centuries, and that it 

 will not be necessary to wait for the requisite information on these 

 points until the appearance of the other work, which the author 

 hints at his intention of publishing. It would also be well to add 

 to those figures that are copied a reference to the works from 

 whence they are taken. In the location of the figures, which 

 comprehend examples both of animal and vegetable fossils, no 

 sjsteni is followed, as they are designed to be suhsequently cut 

 out and arranged in the mobt convenient method. 



The number of new genera is nine, including tv^o which arise 



