Works on Natural History, 541 



markably flexible in recent specimens, reminding one of the 

 typical Fissirostres ; and in this they agree with the E'lani. 

 The most nearly allied species, however, to the true perns, 

 which are confined in their distribution to the ancient con- 

 tinent, is a South American bird, which has even been styled, 

 I believe, by d'Orbigny, Pernis americanus. This species, 

 indeed, only differs in wanting their most distinctive pecu- 

 liarity, the close feathering in front of the eyes ; having this 

 part thinly covered with the usual radiating bristly plumes ; 

 it is therefore scarcely separable from them, and only by 

 very rigid dividers. A specimen of it exists in the museum 

 of the Zoological Society. — Sept, 11. 1837. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. 1. Magazine of Zoology and Botany. Conducted by Sir 

 William Jardine, Bart.; P. J. Selby, Esq.; and Dr. Johnston. 

 Nos. 7, 8, and 9. 



2. Naturalist ; illustrative of the Animal^ Vegetable^ and 

 Mineral Kingdoms. Edited by Neville Wood, Esq. 



3. Mining Journal and Commercial Gazette. Conducted by 

 Henry English, Esq., F.G.S., &c. 



It was our intention to notice at some length one or 

 two of the more important articles which have appeared in 

 the late Numbers of the Magazine of Zoology and Botany ; but 

 a very liberal supply of contributions from various corre- 

 spondents compels us to be brief in the number of our re- 

 views, and also to limit our remarks to a few general 

 observations. 



We have heard but one opinion expressed as to the scien- 

 tific value of a large proportion of the Memoirs which have been 

 published in this Journal ; and that opinion, we need hardly 

 say, is in the highest degree favourable. But, in calling atten- 

 tion to its undoubted merits, as a part of our periodical 

 scientific literature, we cannot help feeling that we are 

 placed in rather an awkward predicament. Several of the lead- 

 ing contributors to the present work were formerly supporters 

 of the Magazine of Natural History, and at the period when 

 a secession took place, to establish a journal which should 

 take a higher stand in the scientific world, the parties thus 

 acting had, we think, ample and just reason for calculating 

 upon the combined support of all the naturalists of note in 

 this country. 



The change, however, which has taken place in the edi- 

 torial arrangements of Mr. Loudon's Journal has completely 



rr 3 



