Vertebrata; Zoological Collections. 47 



Glands above the eyes large. ^Esophagus and stomach wide and large, con- 

 taining the remains of small crustaceae, and six or seven feathers, as if 

 plucked from the rump. 

 Coecal appendages very short and narrow. 

 Jardine Hall, Nov. 18. 1830. W. J. 



Specific Characters of Birds. — M. Bruch remarks that the number of rectrices 

 increases with age in certain birds, and consequently that it cannot be safely 

 used in the determination of species. The relative length of the quills may also 

 vary with age : thus, as the bird grows older, the length of the first may increase 

 with respect to the length of the sixth, — an observation made by M. Bruch in 

 the males of the Falco rufus. — {Isis.) Bull, des Set. Nat. xxii. 121. 



Absence of a Stomach in the Genus Euphones. — The want of a stomach 

 is a peculiarity of the genus Euphones. After the dilatation which forms the 

 crop, an opaque circle is seen in the place of the ventriculus succentarius, which 

 is followed by a little enlargement representing the gizzard, and continuous with 

 the intestinal ca.nsil.^Friorep^s Notizen, Feb. 1830.) Bull, des Sci. Nat. 

 xxii. 121. 



Bursa Fabricii of Birds-^M. Berthold considers the Bursa Fabricii of birds 

 to be analogous to the urinary bladder of mammalia — Nov. Act. Acad. Natur. 

 Cures, xiv. 905. 



Peculiarity in the Form of the Turbot, (Pleuronectes maximus.) — M. Schleep 

 has described and figured two turbots, which were taken in the Baltic amongst 

 other individuals of the same species, and which presented such an anomalous 

 appearance, that he was in doubt whether they were of a new species, or whether 

 they were what he is pleased to call mere lusus natures. They are described as 

 being covered on both sides with long bony elevations irregularly disposed ; the 

 dorsal fin commences by a semilunar margin, which rises over the head in the 

 form of a helmet ; there is an eye on each side, and the colour is the same on 

 both surfaces. P. 12. V. 6. A. 45. C. 17. D. 60 Isis, 1829, No. x. p. 1049., 



New Method of Preserving Fishes ; by M. Ricord. 

 It is not one of the least necessary parts of the education of a traveller, to be- 

 come acquainted with the best methods of preserving animals for sending home. 

 The want of this knowledge is, however, but too lamentably apparent in the man- 

 gled state in which specimens are constantly presented to our museums. It may 

 be said that this is, in a great measure, owing to the nature of the printed direc- 

 tions which are prepared by those who have the audacity to give instructions, 

 without having the slightest practical knowledge of the subject. We are inclin- 

 ed, from our own experience, to consider that this may be one cause of the evil, 

 and shall consequently, from time to time, notice the most efficacious methods 

 of preserving the internal organs, skins, &c. of different animals. If the follow- 

 ing process be found to have the promised effect, the slight increase of expense 

 can be of but little moment Ed. 



For the successful preservation of fishes, and especially of their colours, the 

 animals should be put when alive into strong alcohol, and left in it for six days. As 

 soon as they are dead, the body must be opened, and the intestines emptied by pres- 

 sure, without separating them from the body. The best way of opening the fish, 

 is by placing it on its back, with the head turned to the side of the operator, and di- 

 recting the incision from between the pectoral fins obliquely towards the left side 

 of the tail. This method permits of the skin being easily sewed up again, when 

 we wish to prepare it. After this operation, and when the fish has been six days 

 in strong alcohol, the spirits must be changed for alcohol of 18°, in which the 

 fish must be placed for six days longer. Large fishes are then to be laid upon a 



