280 Literary Notices. 



Johnston, who, it appears, is uncertain whether it be the larva 

 of a fly, or not. Having myself observed it undergo the 

 change, I can answer that it is ; and, I believe, of the order of 

 Diptera ; though I cannot be positive, having lost the fly be- 

 fore I had time to examine it. I was taking a drawing of it 

 under the microscope at the time the fly came forth ; and 

 have the exuviae by me now ; though, from its mutilated con- 

 dition, but little more can be gathered from it, except that 

 I now observe it to be studded all over with very short thick 

 spines, which were not visible when the larva was alive. 

 However, I did not see them. I may observe, that I took 

 mine in fresh water, though it exactly agrees with the de- 

 scription given by Mr. Johnston (p. 1 79.), as far as it goes, 

 at least. If I should be fortunate enough to have another 

 change, I will take better care of the fly, and send you further 

 particulars, if you wish it. — H. Green. 272. Bradford Street, 

 Birmingham, April, 17. 1837. 



Art. III. Literary Notices. 



We observe, by the prospectus, that the first number of 

 Mr. Yarrell's work on British Birds is to appear on the 1st 

 of July, 1837. " All the species will be illustrated by engrav- 

 ings on wood ; two representations of many of them ; and, in 

 some cases, even three figures will be given, to represent the 

 various changes dependent on age, sex, or season. The 

 whole of the birds will be engraved by, or under the direction 

 of, Mr. Thompson, whose name is at once a guarantee that 

 the execution will be excellent and uniform throughout.*' 

 John Van Voorst, 1. Paternoster Row. 



The British Reptiles, by Professor Bell, will appear in 

 August. " The woodcuts will be numerous, corresponding, 

 in their general style, with those of the preceding work ; and, 

 in addition to a figure of each species, and of some of the 

 most important varieties, will comprise many illustrations of 

 structure and developement, particularly the transformation 

 of the Batrachian genera. The reptiles of this country, 

 although few in number, are not devoid of considerable 

 interest ; their habits are popularly much misunderstood, and 

 several innocent and useful species are shunned and de- 

 stroyed, from a mistaken notion that they are directly or indi- 

 rectly noxious to man. The elucidation of their habits, the 

 distinctive description of the species, their geographical dis- 

 tribution, and the history of the transformation of all the 

 amphibious forms, are amongst the subjects which will be 

 fully discussed." John Van Voorst, 1. Paternoster Row. 



