Curtis' s Guide, — BanWs Plymouth Flora, 429 



Nature. To be continued periodically, in 8vo Numbers, 3^. Qd, each. 

 Newcastle upon Tyne and London, 1831. 



This is an original work, both in its scope and objects, as also in the 

 descriptive remarks of its author, who is rich in out-of-door observations 

 on his subject. Besides the neat and pretty pictures which the plates con- 

 stitute, the text supplies, incidentally, valuable notices of the habits of the 

 birds to which the eggs depicted belong. Of these notices, we hope sub- 

 sequently to avail ourselves. 



It is the opinion of M. Gloger, a German naturalist, that the eggs of 

 birds are coloured by nature, so as to render them in the least degree dis- 

 tinguishable from surrounding objects, and this to deceive the eyes of 

 carnivorous birds or other plundering aninials. Mr. Rennie, in his Orni- 

 thological Bictionary^ under the " Eggs of Birds," notices M. Gldger's 

 theory (or rather our Darwin's, as Mr. Rennie represents) at some length, 

 thinks it " much more beautiful and ingenious than true," and cites not a 

 few refractory reasons and instances. We particularly refer our readers to 

 Mr. Rennie's interesting article. 



The present work on British oology will tend to accumulate a rich store 

 of facts appertaining to the eggs of our native birds ; and which facts will 

 be of the greatest possible utility as data by which to confirm or confute 

 the theory alluded to ; as well as conducive to numerous other, some of 

 them at present unconceived, inferences. The very great value of depart- 

 mental works is cordially acknowledged by every systematic student of 

 nature. The work in question already exhibits an extensive " list of sub- 

 scribers." — J. B. 



Curtis, Jokn^F.li.S.: A Guide to an Arrangement of British Insects; 

 being a Systematic Catalogue of all the named Species hitherto dis- 

 covered in Great Britain and Ireland. London, 1831. 8vo. 8^. 6d. 

 The name of the excellent author of British Entomologi/ is a sufficient 

 guarantee for the accuracy of this Catalogue ; and it is well for the inte- 

 rests of Science, that men of high talent are to be found in her train, willing 

 to incur the drudgery and expense of a work like the present. " Upwards 

 of one thousand names are included in this list, which are not to be found 

 in any other ; " and it forms a Systematic Index to the British Entomology, 

 and also to Gravenhorst's IchneumonidcB. We regret that the words are 

 not accented, for the benefit of the unclassical. This is in all cases an im- 

 provement, in many indispensable, and in no department of natural history 

 more requisite than in entomology. Numbers of the softer sex engage in it, 

 allured by the surpassing beauty of its objects ; and collections for sale 

 are made by many persons whose knowledge of the learned languages is 

 bounded by the names of their insects. If the wants of such should be con- 

 sidered in any book, it is assuredly in a scientific catalogue. The work is, 

 nevertheless, a valuable one, and maybe confidently recommended to every 

 person who has made, or is making, a collection of British insects. — W. 

 Banks, George, F.L.S. : The Plymouth and Devonport Flora; or, a De- 

 scription of Plants indigenous to the Neighbourhood of Plymouth and 

 Devonport. Devonport, 1830. In 8vo Numbers, 1^. each. 

 Of these we have seen seven, and can say of the work, that it excels 

 any local Flora we have previously seen. It gives, as usual, generic and 

 specific diagnostics, references to authors, and the topographical stations ; 

 but it gives, moreover, and these we deem the superior features of the work, 

 detailed descriptions in the manner of those in English Flora, but always 

 with a careful avoidance of unnecessary technicality ; the etymologies and^ 

 meanings of the generic terms, and glossarial explanations of all others; 

 and, lastly, the uses to which the plants are applicable in the arts, in medi- 

 cine, in domestic economy, and in their subservience to the embellishment 

 of poetry and of literature. — J. B. 



