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THE MAMMALS OF BRITAIN SYSTEMATICALLY 

 ARRANGED. 



Having, in the last number, (vol. iii., p. 200), given all the spe- 

 cies of Class II. (Aves) found in Britain, scientifically arranged 

 and appropriately named, I now propose to give Class I. {Mammalia) 

 on the same plan. Mammals, it is true, are neither so numerous 

 nor so interesting as birds, but they, nevertheless, possess strong 

 claims on the attention of the scientific zoologist, as well as of the 

 agriculturist. While the latter appropriates to himself their ser- 

 vices, and guards himself against their attacks, it is the province of 

 the former to investigate their habits, structure, and affinities. A 

 due knowledge of these will lead the inquirer to their natural ar- 

 rangement, and correct views on this subject will enable him to 

 name them with propriety, and an accurate nomenclature will again 

 aid him in his future researches. This department, to answer the 

 purpose for which it was originally intended, should be as simple 

 and free from errors as possible ; otherwise it will only prove an 

 impediment in the path, not only of the professor, but of the stu- 

 dent. To say that erroneous names do not mislead, is a contradic- 

 tion, and refutes itself. I shall here give one out of the many strik- 

 ing instances with which I have become acquainted, both from per- 

 sonal experience and from books, in order to shew that erroneous 

 names are liable to mislead. The example I have selected is related 

 by Audubon, who, speaking of the Wood Ibis (Tantalus loculator), 

 says — " The French Creoles of that state (Louisiana) name them 

 ' Grands Flaraans,' while the Spaniards of East Florida know them 

 by the name of ' Gannets/ When in the latter country, at St. 

 Augustine, I was induced to make an excursion, to visit a large 

 pond or lake, where I was assured there were Gannets in abun- 

 dance, which I might shoot oiF the trees, provided I was careful 

 enough. On asking the appearance of the Gannets, I was told that 

 they were large white birds, with wings black at the end, a long 

 neck, and a sharp bill. The description so far agreeing with that 

 of the Solan Gannet (Sula bassana), I proposed no questions re- 

 specting the legs or tail, but went off. Twenty-three miles, reader^ 

 I trudged through the woods, and at last came in view of the pond; 

 when, lo ! its borders and the trees around it were covered with 

 Wood Ibises. Now, as the good people who gave the information 

 spoke according to their knowledge, and agreeable to their custom 



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