Bibliographical Notice. 383 
cimens, in the dorsal fin 110-112 rays, in the anal fin 78-80, © 
in the caudal fin 16-18. The entire body of the fish is rather 
closely strewn with small protuberances, which, on the head, 
stand without perceptible order, but on the greater part of the 
body, on the interspinous part of the dorsal and anal fins and 
on the base of the caudal fin are arranged in longitudinal 
rows. ‘These protuberances are almost round, about 0°1 millim. 
in diameter, almost flat at the top, and armed with a few very 
small and short spines; only along the extreme edge of the 
interspinous part of the dorsal and anal fins and on the base 
~ of the adel fin these protuberances are more projecting, 
almost semiglobular, equipped with more numerous and longer 
spines. The mouth is small, delicately formed, both jaws 
well armed with pointed, needle-shaped teeth. The eyes are 
round, very projecting, with a broad white ring of sclerotica 
visible around the iris. Between the right eye and the dorsal » 
fin there is a semiluniform depression, where the body is so 
thin that it easily breaks to pieces or separates itself from the 
dorsal fin when incautiously manipulated. In that case, of 
course, a part of the opposite eye is seen through the hole, 
and, to a superficial examination, the extraordinary appearance 
is presented of a flounder having two eyes and a half. 
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE, 
The Birds of South Africa. A Descriptive Catalogue of all the known 
Species occurring south of the 28th~Parallel of South Latitude. 
By Enean Luororp Layarp, F.Z.S. &. Cape Town: 1867. 
(London: Lengmans.) 8vo, pp. 382. 
“ ConTRIBUTORS cannot be criticised:” this is the principle on which 
a good many publications are conducted ; and in politics or in general 
literature it may answer well enough. Naturalists, however, are 
exempt from any such consideration. They may, nay they are 
bound to say what they think of the labours of their fellows. 
Hence, in speaking of Mr. Layard’s recent wo:k, we dismiss from 
our thoughts the fact that he has been, and we hope will again be, 
one of the contributors to this Journal. The Ceylon ornithologist 
whose graphic pen enlivened our pages fifteen years ago, and more, 
must stand at our bar and listen to our summing-up without being 
able to call the court as a witness to his character. Indeed he has 
entirely changed his mode of life since then—of necessity, it need 
scarcely be said (for no man in his senses would do so willingly) : 
be has abandoned the jungle and the forest for tie museum and the 
library. In this new sphere he is certainly not yet so successful ; 
but non cuwis contingit, A drouthy ‘Descriptive Catalogue’ 
affords but little scope for that kind of talent which distinguished 
his former writings. It must be judged by other rules. 
