22 
Affinities. Having, under the head Lamellirostres, stated some of 
the affinities which exist between the family generally and others, 
we have merely, under the head sub-families, stated those which hold 
between each contained in the above family. In both external and . 
internal character the strongest relation exists between the above 
and that of Fuliguline, the genera Clangula and Harelda in particular, 
both of which possess the ensiform process on the posterior margin 
of the sternum, and the latter a bulb on the tube of the trachea, 
formed by enlarged rings. The genus Callichen possesses two bulbs, 
but the skeleton does not approach so nearly as that of the two 
genera before mentioned. To the Zrismaturine we suspect the 
affinity is not so great, certainly not so far as relates to external 
character, although we have placed them contiguous, there @ bem 
evidently a double point of affinity to the Divers. 
Hasir. The habit of this sub-family is truly aquatic, its iene 
of body, and legs being placed far backwards, give the birds con- 
tained in it great power of diving. Its food consists principally of 
small fish. 
GENUS I. MERGUS. 
Ext. Cuar. Pedes digitis posterioribus lobatis, mediis vix longis- 
simis. TJibie plumate. Rostrum a baso ad apicem angustatum, 
lateribus serratis, apice unguiculato. Nares subovales, mediocres, 
versus medium rostri posite. Lingua acuminata, lateribus ordine 
uno, parte centrali duplici ordine setarum reflexarum instructa. 
Ext. Cuar. Feet with the posterior toes lobated, the middle 
ones scarcely the longest. Thighs feathered. Bill narrowed from 
the base to the point, the apex with a nail. Nostrils oval, moderate, 
placed towards the middle of the bill. Tongue pointed, the sides 
armed with one and the middle with two rows of bristles. 
Mercus. Ray, Linn., Gmel., Briss. 
MercansEer. Briss. 
Tyre. Mergus serrator. 
Mr. Stephens, in vol. XII. p. 156, of Shaw’s Zoology, divides this 
genus, separating from it the Smew (Mergus albellus), and placing 
the other Mergansers under the genus Merganser, Briss. 
We have spoken before of the affinities of this genus under the 
head of the sub-family Mergine. 
