REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 451 



an unfailing test of mental power. Even so it is with zoological systems. One 

 part depends upon another ; and therefore even a subordinate part might form a 

 character for an artificial system ; but many absurdities would be involved in 

 carrying it out ; while by attention to the most important characters, or to the 

 whole combined, comparatively little difficulty would be experienced, and the 

 result would be a far more perfect arrangement. In Molluscology, however, as 

 in other branches of Zoology, we are not always allowed our choice in this respect, 

 for many species of shells, both recent and fossil, are never found with the animals 

 which once resided in them. The naturalist must, therefore, be fully prepared to 

 classify much of his material with more scanty data than he would desire. 

 Systems have been formed from the consideration of the habits of mollusca, of their 

 external or internal plates, called shells, from the inhabiting animals, and from the 

 combination of these characters. 



The genus Bulla of Linnaeus, with a few of his Murices, constitute the generic 

 group Pt/rula of Lamark. Now this latter name is familiar to our readers as a 

 genus in Ornithology. In instituting new names, care should be taken that the 

 appellation is not already occupied in any branch of Zoology. In the present case 

 perhaps it may not be worth while to alter the name ; but the Coalhood's scientific 

 designation might be spelled as at present, Vyrhula (which we take to be the 

 proper method), and Lamark's genus might also remain Pt/rula. The distinction, 

 it is true, is slight; and naturalists are not always careful in correcting their proofs ; 

 but it appears to us the smaller of two evils. And here, as we have entered upon 

 the subject, let us notice another circumstance, which, though not of first-rate 

 importance, yet, as it is often overlooked, may as well be alluded to. It is the 

 plan of prefixing the article to Latin names, as "the Clio Borealis" "the Helix 

 pellucida," &c. In Latin the substantive includes the article ; and therefore " the 

 Argonauta Arctica" is just as absurd as "the I'Aigle tachete," "the I ' Aquila com- 

 mune," " the die Sperber" or " die the Sparrow Hawk," in French, Italian, and 

 German. Want of attention to this gives a slovenly air to a scientific work. Nor 

 ought we to pass in silence the typographical errors which disfigure this volume ; 

 the odium of which may probably be divided between the Rev. Dr. Fleming and 

 the " Printer's Devil." 



At the conclusion of his retrospect of molluscological systems, our author ob- 

 serves, that the reader, perhaps, is astonished at the changes which have taken 

 place since the arrangement of Linnaeus reigned paramount ; and adds, very 

 justly, that the Linnsean genera, though in general sufficiently numerous and 

 commodious to embrace all the then known species, are perfectly inadequate to 

 contain the greatly-increased number now familiar to the naturalist. The im- 

 plicit followers of Linnaeus, in still retaining his genera, without the necessary 

 additions, act in a manner which their great master, if now alive, would certainly 



