56 Bibliographical Notices. 



abundant return for labour." — Page 352. All naturalists would re- 

 joice could we promise them that Dr. Gould will himself cultivate 

 this field, for then the harvest would be assuredly rich. 



Figures of Molluscous Animals, selected from various Authors ; etched 

 for the use of Students. By Maria- Emma Gray. Vol.1. London, 

 1842. 8vo. 



The distinguishing characteristic of this volume is its utility. In 

 this country we have no work which, in this point of view, can be 

 compared with it. Bowdich attempted something similar in his 

 1 Elements,' but on a much more limited scale and in a less perfect 

 manner ; while Sowerby's ' Genera/ being purely conchological, does 

 not supply the naturalist with a very important desideratum, for which 

 we are infinitely indebted to the skill and perseverance of Mrs. Gray. 



The volume contains eighty-eight plates, most of them occupied 

 with several figures, copied in general from rare and expensive pub- 

 lications beyond our reach, and, we presume, beyond the reach of all 

 that reside in the country. The plates are etched with neatness 

 and precision, and bring out very clearly the peculiarities of the 

 animals that distinguish the several genera : and, says Mrs. Gray, 

 " as the present work has been a labour of love, in order to bring it 

 within the reach of conchologists of limited means, it is published at 

 the cost of paper and printing, with only the addition requisite to 

 cover the retail profit of the bookseller." 



To the student who is anxious to cultivate conchology as a science, 

 we would recommend this convenient volume as a remembrancer 

 and guide, for genera which are established solely on the examina- 

 tion of the shell can have no sure foundation, as many recent ex- 

 amples have proved. To the amateur, the " Figures " must, in our 

 opinion, prove eminently interesting ; for, from a perusal of them, he 

 will learn a great deal of the structure of the creatures to whom he 

 owes the cabinet of shells that he has so often looked over with ad- 

 miration and delight. 



In the hope that we may soon see another volume, we take leave 

 at present of Mrs. Gray, tendering her our most hearty thanks for 

 this useful contribution to a favourite branch of science. 



The Naturalist's Library, vol. xxxv. : — Mammalia, vol. xiii. Intro- 

 duction. By Lieut.-Col. C. Hamilton Smith, K.H. & K.W., F.R. 

 &L.S., &c. 12mo. 1842. pp.313. 



The thirteenth and concluding number of that portion of the ' Na- 

 turalist's Library' which treats of the Mammalia having just reached 

 us, we lose no time in introducing it to the favourable regard of our 

 readers. Whether it were of design that the Introductory volume of 

 this interesting section of natural history, according to an acknow- 

 ledged canon of bookmaking, was delayed to the last, we have no 

 means of knowing ; but we may remark, that it at all events affords 

 a good illustration of the advantages of the plan. After a few pre- 

 fatory remarks, the distinguished author takes a rapid survey of all 

 the orders of the class, making a special reference " to the principal 

 families which have not been described at length in the foregoing 



