229 



some other " John Jones," who is fortunate enough to find another bird, and anx- 

 iously emulates the flight of his namesake ? In fact, at the present moment, names 

 occur in scientific nomenclature, which it is a disputed point whom they were in- 

 tended to commemorate — like tombs from which the original occupiers have been 

 expelled, to accommodate another race that in its turn has passed into obscurity 

 and oblivion. The philosopher will be careless about transient distinctions, which 

 will vainly attempt to confer eminence where it does not already exist. Mr. Swain- 

 son is less happy in his objections to the reform in our ornithological vernacular 

 nomenclature, which has been so vehemently insisted upon by several able writers 

 in The Analyst. We shall not here touch upon a contest into which we have 

 hitherto refrained to enter ; but we think when Mr. Swainson says that " the 

 question has been discussed in some recent periodicals" surely with the word 

 Analyst in his mouth, he might have suffered it to drop from his pen. This 

 petty extinguishing system we shall always notice and reprobate, especially as Mr. 

 Swainson takes abundant care to quote himself, not without acJcnoivledgement. 



We think the observations of Mr. Swainson at p. 274, on the fitting up of 

 Museums, particularly well timed, and recommend them to the notice of the offi- 

 cers of all the newly established Natural History Societies. This is an epoch in 

 the scientific history of our country, and much depends upon the manner in which 

 the arrangements will be made in the new Museums. The collections now mak- 

 ing will be permanent or perishable, according to the plans now entered upon. At 

 Shrewsbury, Worcester, Warwick, Nottingham, and other places, Museums of 

 Natural History are forming, and their arrangement ought only to be entrusted 

 to zealous, experienced, and competent persons. If opinionated conceit be suffered 

 to prevail over zealous activity, hard-earned knowledge, and careful experience — if 

 effect be preferred to taste, and utility sacrificed to variety, splendour and show 

 may indeed triumph over science, but the tide-time having been irretrievably lost, 

 posterity will have to re-commence a labour that might have been saved, 

 amidst faded splendour, destroyed specimens, and broken relics. Looking at the 

 past, and casting a wakeful eye into the future, we give this friendly warning to all, 

 and refer them to Mr. Swainson's useful details for further information. 



The Naturalist's Library. — Ornithology. Conducted by Sir William Jardine, 

 Bart., F.R.S.E., F.L.S., &c. Six vols, foolscap 8vo., illustrated with numer- 

 ous coloured plates and wood-cuts. Edinburgh : W. H. Lizars. 1833 — 6. 



This is unquestionably the golden age of Natural History, and perhaps of 

 ornithology more than of any other branch of it. We do not lose sight of the 

 just and daily increasing claims of geology ; but, important and fascinating as that 

 study is, eminent as are its indefatigable professors, and surprizing as are the pro- 

 ductions of their unwearied exertions, we cannot feel positively assured of being 



