ANTHREPTES. 145 



ently formed, for instead of being pointed they are 

 rounded. The well known Nectarinea flaveola is 

 so very like a Diceum that it may be considered 

 the link between the two groups. Nevertheless, 

 the analogies of Diceum are certainly more remote 

 than any of those we are illustrating ; thus veri- 

 fying what we have always insisted upon in regard 

 to the Tenuirostral type, namely, that as it is the 

 most removed in affinity, so is it the most remote in 

 its analogy. As we return to the pre-eminent type 

 from whence we commenced, so do these two resem- 

 blances proportionally increase. Thus we observe 

 in Melithreptes the most unequivocal indications 

 of the Scansorial, or rather the Rasorial structure, 

 in the very strong bill and elongated feet. The 

 Hook-billed Melithreptes and two other species are 

 complete representations of the Sickled-winged 

 Creepers (Dendrocolaptes)^ the Promerops^ and the 

 Bee-eaters. Our circle has therefore been traversed, 

 and we find that it not only is verified by the affi- 

 nities of the groups themselves, but that these groups, 

 when analogically compared with other groups, pro- 

 duce that precise order or series of analogies whic^* 

 we have long ago declared to be universal through- 

 out nature. 



Having thus brought our exposition of this inte- 

 resting genus to a close, we shall proceed to describe 

 the only species yet found in Western Africa by 

 the name of the 



VOL. VIII. 



