ON THE SPECIFIC DISTINCTION OF THE BRIDLED GUILLEMOT. 217 



mouse-colour, cream-white, and pure white, which is said to be particularly 

 common in Poland, and black and white ones, all of which . we have 

 frequently met with in various parts of Great Britain. 



We have now brought our remarks on the Utility and Habits of the 

 Mole to a conclusion, and sincerely hope what we have advanced as to 

 its utility to the cultivator of the soil, may be the means of sparing many 

 a poor Mole's life. 



ON THE SPECIFIC DISTINCTION OF THE 

 BRIDLED GUILLEMOT, {UEIA LACHRYMAM, Temminck.) 



BY THE EEV. F. 0. MORRIS. 

 Read before the British Association at the Meeting in Dublin, August 27th., 1857. 



In the study of the science of Natural History, the very first lesson 

 the student has to learn is to attempt to establish no conclusion upon a 

 mere opinion, his own or that of any other person, but to let facts them- 

 selves alone guide him to the result. This is plainly the case with regard 

 to questions of specific identity, and naturalists must reverse the analogous 

 motto "Ubi Scriptura silet, ibi Ecclesia loquitur," and speak alone with 

 confidence where Nature herself speaks with the eternal and unerring truth 

 of the God of Nature. This remark applies to the subject on which I 

 propose to offer some observations to you to-day — a question in itself of some 

 interest to those who are studious in such matters, and especially so when 

 viewed in reference to one or two other kindred cases, with which it has 

 not, so far I am aware, been hitherto compared. (Since making the above 

 remark, I must here observe that M. Temminck has pointed out, in a 

 passage I shall have occasion to refer to by and by, one of the parallel 

 cases to which I refer, but in ambiguous words which may intend a contrary 

 conclusion.) 



There are four British species of the present restricted genus Uria. I say 

 four, not as defining the number myself, but as stating the generally-received 

 opinion, with which, however, as I shall presently have to state, I myself 

 coincide, though some, with what has appeared to them sufficient reason, have 

 thought differently. As to two of these species there is no manner of doubt 

 on any side; on these, therefore, I shall offer no remarks. Neither is 

 there any doubt that there is another, a third British species; the question 

 is whether there are two other ones — whether three, or four, in all, or not. 



Now, excepting in one main particular, the two species Uria troile and 

 Uria lachrymans have been described to be exactly alike, or as nearly so 

 as possible. There are, however, some minor differences, which, equally 

 occurring in many other species, may, in such cases, be real specific 



