Bibliographical Notices. 443 



The Dodo and its kindred ; or the History, Affinities, and Osteology of 

 the Dodo, Solitaire, and other extinct Birds of the Islands Mauri- 

 tius, Rodriguez, and Bourbon. By H. E. Strickland, M. A. ,F.G.S., 

 F.U.G.S. ; and A. G. Melville, M.D. Edin., M.R.C.S. London. 

 Reeve, Benliam and Reeve, 1848. 



It would be difficult to name a subject more profoundly interesting 

 to the naturalist than is that to whose investigation the work above 

 named forms a valuable contribution. The inquiry indeed into the 

 origin and extinction of species may be truly considered as the 

 question of questions to the naturalist, — the highest and most sub- 

 lime to which, in the most comprehensive study of his subject, his 

 attention can be directed. The chronology of such origin and ex- 

 tinction forms indeed the great work to the completion of which the 

 labours of the palaeontologist are tributary, and which gives to them 

 their greatest interest and charm. No earnest observer can doubt 

 that such origin and extinction are subject to some certain laws of 

 that Unity which, whenever we can penetrate below the surface, is 

 found stampt upon the face of every created thing, — although we 

 may be unable, at present, clearly to see and understand those laws. 

 And the uncertainty we have upon the subject makes every illus- 

 trative contribution the more interesting. This interest is certainly 

 enhanced when the inquiry concerns a creature or creatures which 

 have become extinct within the memory of man. The fact, if esta- 

 blished, adds an important illustration to the arguments by which 

 that view is supported, which has gradually gained ground as the 

 domain of science and observation has been enlarged, and which 

 considers all the wide and varied changes which the earth's surface 

 has undergone to have been due to causes now in operation ; a ge- 

 neralization which again reflects no little light upon the question of 

 the origin and extinction of species itself. 



That species have, in fact, become extinct within the time and by 

 the agency of man admits of no doubt. We cannot however agree 

 with one of the authors of the above work in his enumeration of the 

 instances of such " proved " extinction, inasmuch as we conceive 

 that no evidence is yet before the world of the extinction, within 

 human times or by human agency, of the Megaceros Hibernicus or 

 Irish Elk — perhaps the most interesting of the cases he has cited. 

 A careful consideration of this point has led us to the conclusion that, 

 at present, there is no " evidence that the Megaceros co-existed with 

 the human race, or that its extinction was the result of man's hos- 

 tility*." And this conclusion has not been formed without a full 

 consideration of all the facts recently brought forward as to certain 

 remains alleged to have been found at Lough Gurf near Limerick ; 

 the mode of arguing and of handling which facts seems to us in 

 itself to put the cautious inquirer upon his guard as to how far he 



* Owen's Brit. Foss. Mammals, p. 461. 



t These discoveries, and the discussion arising out of them, are detailed 

 in Charlesworth's Geo). Journal, p. 87 &c. (1847), 



