266 Sowerby' s Conchological Illustrations. 



considerable practical acquaintance with the family which he 

 describes. 



Description of the Muscular Apparatus of the Wings of 

 Birds. By William Macgillivray, M.A., &c. This is prin- 

 cipally a paper of anatomical detail ; giving the origin, in- 

 sertion, and action of each of the various muscles brought 

 into operation during the flight of birds. Mr. Macgillivray 

 remarks that " The flight of birds has not been hitherto 

 described, further than in the vague and general manner in 

 which it is treated in anatomical works, and in the descrip- 

 tions of ornithologists. It exhibits, however, a vast variety 

 of modifications, some of which I shall endeavour to describe 

 in a further communication, to which the present will answer 

 as a basis." This, and the preceding paper, are illustrated 

 with woodcuts. 



Notes on the Amarae, by Peter Rylands, Esq., contains 

 some very useful suggestions. 



An explanation of the Latin names of British Birds, by the 

 Rev. F. O. Morris, B.A., and a Catalogue of the poisonous 

 Plants found in the Neighbourhood of York. (Anon.) 



Sense of Smell in Carrion Birds, by the Rev. F. O. Morris, 

 B.A. Mr. Morris relates a fact of some crows discovering a 

 carcass buried under a deep fall of snow. He remarks, " I have 

 read the discussion carried on on this subject by Mr. Waterton 

 in Loudon* s Magazine of Natural History. I was always of 

 opinion that Mr. Waterton was right; and I am now con- 

 firmed in that opinion. Certainly, in the case in question, 

 the crows must have been directed to their food by the sense 

 of smell alone, no part of the carcass being visible to the 

 sight." 



Habits of the Fitchet Weasel (Mustela putorius Linn.) 

 This is an interesting notice. The writer states that he has 

 examined many holes of this animal, but has never yet met 

 with anything to confirm the fact related by Bewick, of its 

 preying upon fish. 



The contributors of short communications are, Edward 

 Blyth, Thomas Allis, J. D. Salmon, the Editor, James Stuart 

 Menteath, P. J. Selby. 



Art. II. Conchological Illustrations ; or coloured Figures of all 

 the hitherto unfigured Recent Shells. By G. B. Sowerby, jun. 

 Published by G. B. Sowerby, Sen. 50. Great Russell Street, 

 Bloomsbury. 



We have been much pleased with the examination of this 

 well-executed and highly useful publication; and, upon 





