294 EEYIEWS. 



Nor do we see any reason to consider M. Du Chailln's Manatee 

 as new to science. It may be either 31. senegalensis or M. Vogelii — 

 if these are really different. But in this, as in other cases, careful 

 comparison and much study are requisite for the accurate determi- 

 nation of the species, and we recommend M. Du Chaillu to place 

 his specimens of Mammals in the hands of some competent Zoologist, 

 who may be able to bring the question, as to whether he has really 

 discovered anything new, to a satisfactory determination. A care- 

 fully drawn up list of the Mammals obtained by M. Du Chaillu in 

 this country, with notes of their habits, based upon his personal 

 observation, would form a very acceptable addition to our knowledge 

 of the African Fauna. 



We must now say a few words with regard to the Birds of the 

 Gaboon country. The greater part of this branch of M. Du Chaillu's 

 collections has" become part of the magnificent series, belonging to 

 the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia — a collection which 

 in respect of its number of stuffed specimens, and its possession of 

 rare types, probably rivals, if it does not surpass, that of our own 

 National Museum. It is, therefore, quite true, as some of M. Du 

 Chaillu's critics have observed, that among the skins exhibited by 

 him at the Geographical Society's rooms, there will be found but 

 few species new to science. But those who will take the trouble to 

 consult Mr. Cassin's papers in the Philadelphian Academy's " Pro- 

 ceedings," and Dr. Hartlaub's standard work on the Ornithology of 

 Western Africa, may easily convince themselves that, in this branch 

 of Natural History, the success of M. Du Chaillu's researches has 

 been undeniable. Upwards of fifty new species, first brought to 

 light during his travels, have been described by the eminent Orni- 

 thologist whose name we have first quoted above, and their authen- 

 ticity has been further guaranteed, by the examination of the 

 greater part of them, by the second. The names of these species 

 will be found altogether, in the list of " Birds discovered by P. B. 

 Du Chaillu," printed at p. 472 of his work, and we much regret 

 that some differences, which, we believe, arose between the Philadel- 

 phian Academy and M. Du Chaillu, after his return to the United 

 States, should have induced the latter to withhold the acknowledg- 

 ment, certainly abundantly due to Mr. Cassin, for the labour he has 

 devoted to this subject. We cannot conclude this notice better than 

 by giving one or two extracts from M. Du Chaillu's book, which 

 afford us some information concerning several of the rarer species. 



Gyphohierax angolensis is usually classed with the Vultures. Dr. 

 Hartlaub, upon the authority of Pel, states its habits to be those of 

 the " Pishing-Eagles," and this is confirmed by what M. Du Chaillu 

 says, (p. 131.) 



" We continued to skirt the sea-shore, our aim being to gain a Shekiani village, 

 where we proposed to stop the night. I shot a beautiful black and white fishing 

 eagle (the Gyphohierax angolensis), which sat on the very top of a huge cotton- wood 

 tree, looking gravely down into the blue sea below, meditating its finny prey. 



