CRITICAL NOTICES OP NEW PUBLICATIONS. 335 



able works treating of the birds of various countries, with critical 

 remarks on each. Nuttall's work on North American birds is 

 stated not to be procurable in Britain. We have, however, found 

 no difficulty in obtaining it through the usual channels, and can 

 safely recommend it to the notice of those who are unwilling to 

 purchase more costly books. The treatise on nomenclature contains 

 many sound remarks and rules, especially on naming natural objects 

 after individuals ; but the observations on English nomenclature 

 form, in our opinion, the weakest point of the volume. The argu- 

 ments brought forth in opposition to reforms in vernacular names 

 will, probably, prevent many from adopting such alterations ; and, 

 therefore, for the benefit of those who are disposed to rely implicitly 

 on the authority of a great name, we propose, in our next number, 

 to devote an article to the refutation of our author's views. — In the 

 chapter on the preservation of birds, the new method of arranging 

 the skins in drawers, instead of setting them up in glass cases, is 

 advocated. The whole of the author's extensive collection is thus 

 arranged; and, having ourselves examined his cabinets, we can 

 answer for the expediency of the plan. 



The third and last part contains an elucidation of the two first 

 orders of birds, Raptores and Insessores, the classification being the 

 quinary system, so successfully advocated by many of our first zoo- 

 logists. 



The whole volume is written in the lucid and masterly style ever 

 observable in the works of Mr. Swainson ; it is both scientific and 

 popular ; it forms by far the best introduction to general Ornitho- 

 logy with which we are acquainted ; and if the student of the fea- 

 thered tribes fails to possess himself of the present Treatise, the loss 

 will be greater to himself than to any one else. 



Civilization ; or a Brief Analysis of the Natural Laws that regulate 

 the Numbers and Condition of Mankind. Bv the Hon. A. H. 

 Moreton, M. P. pp. 216, 8vo. London. 1836. 



Mr. Moreton introduces his Brief Analysis with the observa- 

 tions, that there is a broad line of demarcation between mankind 

 and the rest of the animal kingdom, in the substitution of reason 

 for instinct. Man requires a long and careful education to enable 

 him even to exist ; while, in their natural state, it does nothing for 

 the inferior creatures, which are endowed by Nature with all the 

 faculties required for their subsistence. Brutes, as soon as they 

 have acquired sufficient strength, begin to seek their food in the 

 same manner as the rest of their species . the experience of a 

 hundred generations adds not to their knowledge. The original 

 helplessness of man, as an individual, with his subsequent acquired 

 superiority, and his original weakness as a race, with his subse- 

 quent knowledge and power, distinguish him from the "beasts 

 that perish :" from age to age, and from year to year, he continues 

 acquiring fresh knowledge, fresh enjoyments, and fresh power. 



