xvi MEMOIR OF THE LATE 



His description of the foot of the reindeer as 

 admirably adapted to traverse the snow- covered 

 Norwegian mountains is well described at page 16, 

 and his explanation of the use of the reindeer's 

 horn at page 1 8 will be new to many. Formerly 

 it was supposed that the palmated brow antlers 

 of this animal were used to shovel away the 

 snow that concealed the moss which formed the 

 animal's food. Mr. Austen's explanation of the 

 real purpose to , which the antlers are applied is 

 excessively interesting. 



The portrait of the Aye- aye and its curiously- 

 formed paw or hand at page 151 will be examined, 

 after reading Mr. Austen's account, with interest, 

 inasmuch as he describes the use of the peculiar 

 long finger, which before a living specimen was 

 observed in captivity was a considerable puzzle to 

 naturalists. Notice also the explanation of the 

 use of the cheek-pouches of the Hamster described 

 at page 163. 



As regards colours our author has several good 

 passages to show how the colours of animals 

 are not the work of chance, but of design. He 

 instances at p. 50 the vivid green of the tree-snakes, 

 the sand tint of the poisonous cerastes, the colour 

 of the lion, and the stripes on the tiger's coat. 



The subject of birds 7 nests also affords him an 

 additional argument ; and he instances the nest of 



