50 ItEVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



being a mere book-making speculation, and that, in these mercenary days, is no 

 small recommendation. At the same time, from the exceeding usefulness of such 

 a series, and from the admirable manner in which it has hitherto been conducted, 

 we hope and trust, that it has proved a source of profit to the enterprising pub- 

 lisher. The present number contains the conclusion of the Hare family (Le- 

 pori a>), the Hog family ( Suidae) and the commencement of the Horse family 

 (Equidat), including altogether seven species. We had marked several passages 

 for insertion ; but notwithstanding the increase of letter-press in our current num- 

 ber, regret our inability to find room for them. 



The Ornithological Guide; discussing some interesting points in Ornithology. 

 By Charles Thorold Wood, jun., Esq. London : Whittaker & Co. 1837. 

 sm. 8vo. 



The principal contents of the Ornithological Guide are, a chapter on vernacular 

 and scientific nomenclature, notices of books, and a catalogue of British birds for 

 labelling cabinets. The first part we sincerely recommend to the perusal not only 

 of the ornithologist, but of naturalists in general. We consider the rules there 

 laid down with regard to nomenclature, for the most part, sound and practical, 

 and we doubt not but natural science would be greatly benefitted by their general 

 adoption. We think, however, that the opinions on this subject expressed by 

 Hugh E. Strickland, Esq., might have been couched in gentler terms. Mr. S. 

 appears to us to have the worst of the argument ; but, unless he has a heart of 

 steel — and, until credibly assured that this is actually the case, we do not feel 

 inclined to believe it- — the views promulgated by that gentleman, in the Analyst, 

 might surely have been discussed in a more philosophical manner. We shall 

 make no extracts from this portion of the book, as we wish our readers to peruse 

 the whole of it themselves. 



Of the second chapter we cannot speak in favourable terms ; independently of 

 the style in which the critical notices are written, they could be of little use, only 

 about fifty works being included, and no inconsiderable number of important pub- 

 lications being passed over without the slightest allusion.* 



In the third division — the list of native birds for labelling cabinets — we are 

 happy to be enabled to renew our commendation. The author has here had an 

 admirable opportunity of carrying his theory into practice; and, with a few un- 

 important exceptions, we think he has succeeded remarkably well. But why will 

 Mr. C. T. Wood draw upon himself the deserved ridicule of the naturalist by in- 

 troducing his absurd method of orthography ? In conclusion, we may observe that 



* In the Editor's Ornithologist's Text-Book, about three times as many works are noticed a* 

 in the Ornithological Guide ; in the former work the preface acknowledges the unavoidable im- 

 perfection of that portion of the book ; in the latter, no kind of apology or excuse is offered. 



