REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 279 



and simple test, for distinguishing the substance, which is as follows : — Take a 

 specimen and rub it on a piece of cloth, so as to excite its latent electricity, upon 

 which it emits a powerful odour, somewhat resembling Camphor. This will be 

 found a more complete test than that mentioned by Mr. Levison. — If you will 

 insert this I shall feel much obliged. — A Mineralogist, 41, Strand, London, 

 July 14, 1837. 



Insects in Copal. — When in London, a few days since, I called at most of 

 the institutions, and found them in a flourishing state. I also visited many pri- 

 vate collections of Natural History. It would be occupying too much of your 

 time to make particular mention of them, but I cannot resist describing a few of 

 the things I saw. In a shop in the Strand, nearly opposite Chandos Street, 

 there are a number of specimens of Copal containing insects. Moths, Spiders, 

 and Ants are enclosed within this transparent yellow substance, — forming a beau- 

 tiful contrast to the tombs which usually receive the inanimate bodies of all 

 things which have lived and moved. Instead of the gloom which surrounds the 

 last habitations of animated beings, here was brightness, and, instead of being 

 loathsome to look upon, there was something to admire and covet. There was 

 one thing which particularly struck me, namely, that the Moths, Spiders, and 

 Ants, although " quietly inurned " in their present magnificent sepulchres for 

 centuries, retain their forms and palpableness, and seem as if they were but the 

 other day doomed to be incarcerated in their present resinous receptacles. How 

 insignificant and bungling seem the vain efforts of man to embalm and preserve 

 the frail corpse of some departed friend, by saturating it in bitumen, and by 

 folding it in numerous filaments saturated with essential oils, as compared to 

 this manner of preserving animal bodies in a transparent, imperishable, and, when 

 polished, elegant substance ! Nature, thou art profound and perfect, even in 

 what may appear fanciful in thy works ! — J. L. Levison, Doncaster, Jidy 20,1837. 



REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



A History of British Birds, indigenous and migratory : including their or- 

 ganization, habits, and relations ; remarks on classification and nomenclature ; 

 an account of the principal organs of birds, and observations relative to Practical 

 Ornithology. Illustrated by numerous engravings. By William MacGillivray, 

 A.M., F.R.S.E., M.W.S., &c, &c, &c. Vol. I. Rasores, Scrapers, or Gallina- 

 ceous Birds ; Gemitores, Cooers or Pigeons ; Deglubitores, Huskers, or Coniros- 

 tral Birds ; Vagatores, Wanderers, or Crows and allied genera. London : Scott, 

 Webster, and Geary. 1837- 8vo. pp. 631. 



