NATATORES. ANSER. 259 



lower mandibles, which are distinct and horny, orbiculate 

 and convex ; that of the upper mandible having the tip de- 

 flected, and covering the lower one. Lower mandible also 

 narrower than the upper. Tomia laminato-dentated ; the 

 lamellae of the upper mandible exposed, those of the lower 

 mandible covered by the projection of the upper one. 



Nostrils lateral, placed rather behind the middle of the 

 bill, and pierced in the lower and front part of the membrane 

 that covers the nasal furrow. Tongue broad, fleshy, and 

 fimbriated. 



Wings long, ample, tuberculated. 



Legs placed nearly under the centre of the body ; the ti- 

 bia clothed nearly to the tarsal joint. Feet four- toed ; three 

 before and one behind ; the front toes palmated, the hind 

 one free, and articulated upon the tarsus, and scarcely touch- 

 ing the ground with its tip. Middle toe the longest. Nails 

 falcate, and having their inner edges dilated. 



Although LINN^US combined the whole of the Anatidce, 

 with the exception of the genus Mergus, under one generic 

 head, the elder naturalists had always separated the Geese 

 (or genus Anser) from the true Ducks, as presenting dis- 

 tinct and peculiar characters, not only in form, but in ha- 

 bits. The same has also been the prevalent opinion amongst 

 subsequent authors ; and we find the genus Anser adopted 

 by ILLIGEU, BECHSTEIN, CUVIER, and other continental or- 

 nithologists, as well as by FLEMING, VIGORS, and most of 

 the distinguished writers on this subject in our own coun- 

 try. The Bermcles have, by Mr STEPHENS, in the twelfth 

 volume of Shaw's General Zoology, been separated from the 

 rest, and described under the generic title of Bernicla, an 

 arrangement that for the present I decline following, as I 

 cannot, after the most minute investigation into the charac- 

 ters of the species, fix upon any one of sufficient importance 

 to warrant a separation from the genus Anser ', as above cha- 

 racterized. The genus, therefore, as now established, will 



