*X CONGHOtOGICAL AUTHORS. 



of a French naturalist, a translation of whose paper on this 

 suhject is printed in one of the early volumes of the Annual 

 Register. And when Sir Joseph Banks gave his history of 

 the^ introduction of the Potatoe, in the Transactions of the 

 Horticultural Society, from the notes of Dryander, he was 

 not aware that the same matter had been detailed in Thral- 

 keld's Synopsis Stirpium Hibernicarum. 



Wood. General Conchology, by VV. Wood, F. H. S. and 

 F. L. S. Volume the first, octavo," 1815. 



This excellent and scientific volume contains sixty colored 

 plates, explanatory of the Genera Chiton, Lepas, I'holas, 

 Mya, Solen, Tellina, and Cardium, with descriptions at 

 large, besides much useful and explanatory matter. Mr. 

 Wood possesses a clear and comprehensive knowledge of the 

 subject, with a peculiar felicity of delineation and descrip- 

 tion. And we will not abandon the hope, that this respect- 

 able author will be eventually induced to a continuation and 

 completion of so great and desirable a design. 



If in the foregone short examination and appreciation of 

 individual merit, it shall be objected to us that we have in- 

 dulged ourselves in asperity of censure, let it not be for- 

 gotten, that it is our duty, as far as we are able, to purify 

 the polluted sources of intelligence and record, to point out 

 gross and indesinent error, and to give every bird his pro- 

 per feather. Our reverence for truth, and regard for accu- 

 racy, will at all times supersede our persona) respect, per- 

 haps our courtesy. To such discipline we cheerfully sub- 

 mit our own labours, and shall thankfully acknowledge the 

 correction of our errors ; solicitous only for that %<*$ pi- 

 xonri which the dignity of sound learning can alone bestow. 



One word more to the strict disciples of the Linnean 

 school. It does not as yet seem decided in what manner 

 to write the denomination of this mighty Coryphaeus of 

 natural history. In Sweden the termination us is an affix 

 to plebeian names only. After his enrolment therefore, 

 among the ranks of nobility, it was consequently exchanged 

 for Von Linne, or a Linne, exchanging the diphthong. In 

 strict propriety then, it should be Linn for his name ; Lin- 

 ne"an for what appertains to his name 3 and Linne'a borealis 

 for his plant, 



