B2 Natural Historic in the English Counties, 



suffering captivity. On the contrary, to see them on a wintry day, " while 

 the storm rises in the blackened east," all comfortably joyous, and safe 

 from the chilling blast, gives a sensation of the purest satisfaction to the 

 benevolent heart, while their songs of gladness sound like those of grateful 

 thanks to their kind protectors. — J. M. April. 



The Ornithological Results of Captain FrankliiCs last Expedition are now 

 drawing up by Dr. Richardson, assisted by Mr. Swainson. The work will 

 be a very perfect one, and with numerous plates and wood-cuts. The 

 drawings of the quadrupeds will be done by T. Landseer, and those of the 

 birds and vignettes by Mr. Swainson. 



Among the Ornithological Novelties that have recently come'from Mexico, 

 are skins of the Ramphastus carinatus, or Yellow-breasted Toucan. This 

 bird was well known to Edwards, who figured and described it with tole- 

 rable accuracy. It seems, however, that from some cause or other, no 

 ornithologist since that period had ever seen the species ; and it conse- 

 quently remained excluded from all the systems. Not long ago Mr. Swain- 

 son accidentally discovered the bill mixed up with other items at an 

 auction. By comparing this with Edwards's account, and with a drawing 

 in his own possession, this indefatigable zoologist clearly established its cha- 

 racters ; and published a figure and description of the species in his third 

 volume o^ Zoological Illustrations by the name of Ramphastos carinatus. Yet 

 as no other testimony could be brought forward, and no specimen existed in 

 Europe, there was reason to believe, until its recent discovery in Mexico, 

 that the species, like the Dodo, had become extinct. 



Art. III. Natural History in the English Counties, 



Botanical Museum of Cambridge. — The foundation of a Botanical 

 Museum and Library was laid by Professor John Martyn, and these were 

 subsequently augmented by Professor Thomas Martyn. For several years 

 the Herbarium had been consigned to a damp cupboard, and when it came 

 under the care of Professor Henslow, in 1825, was found to have suffered 

 considerably. Not half of the specimens were in a sufficiently perfect state 

 to be worth retaining. Such as appeared worth preserving have now been 

 washed with a solution of corrosive sublimate, and stuck upon paper, to- 

 gether with whatever memoranda accompanied each specimen. The library 

 consisted of about 500 volumes, chiefly of the earlier writers on botany, 

 and may be considered as a useful and valuable depository of such works 

 and early editions as still serve to illustrate the progress of this science, 

 though now seldom consulted for the purposes of private study. 



The senate having passed a grace during the last year (.1827), for allowing 

 an annual stipend for supporting and increasing this museum, there need 

 be no apprehensions of any further neglect in this department ; and Pro- 

 fessor Henslow therefore ventures to solicit the assistance of his botanical 

 friends in procuring materials for supplying-the following collections, which 

 he has commenced : — 



1. Herbarium of the plants of Cambridgeshire. 



2. Herbarium of the plants of Great Britain. 



3. Herbarium for a general collection. 



N.B. — All local and rare specimens will be acceptable for the two 

 first collections, and any natives, exotics, or cultivated specimens for 

 the third. It is requested, where possible, that the exact habitat, 

 distinctly wi'itten, and the time at which each specimen was ga- 

 thered, may accompany it. 



4. Dried lichens, fungi, &c., which have not been submitted to pressure. 



5. Succulent fruits, fungi, &c., in spirits of wine or pickle. 



