214 Address delivered at the sixth and last 
digenous birds of this country progresses, and has, indeed, 
nearly been brought to a close. ‘Two numbers of the Water 
Birds have been published since our last anniversary. ‘The 
Illustrations of Ornithology, which he has commenced in con- 
junction with Sir William Jardine, and in cooperation with 
the leading zoologists of London and Edinburgh, have been 
increased during the past year by two valuable numbers, con- 
taining thirty plates. Mr. Wilson’s very important work, the 
Illustrations of Zoology, has also received the addition of two 
numbers during the same period. In the latter of these is a 
representation of the 7étrao Urophasianus, to which I have 
before alluded as having been exhibited and described in this 
club by the Prince of Musignano, and afterwards commented 
on by Mr. Douglas. The magnificent undertaking of Mr. 
Audubon advances in extent and reputation. ‘Twelve num- 
bers of his work have already appeared, containing sixty plates 
of the birds of the United States, a large proportion of 
which are new to science. I cannot here omit to mention the 
appearance of the 2d and 8d numbers of the Prince of Musi- 
gnano’s American Ornithology, although the merit of the pub- 
lication of that work is due to another country. The prince 
is so identified with this country, by union with its scientific 
institutions, and friendship with its men of science, that we can 
scarcely avoid considering the fruits of his labours as belong- 
ing to ourselves. The lovers of nature have been gratified, 
during the last year, by the appearance of a second series of 
Mr. Swainson’s Zoological Illustrations. If accuracy of de- 
lineation and critical acumen can recommend a work to public 
favour, the Jilustrations of that gentleman must secure for him 
a lasting reputation. During the same period, also, some 
numbers of Mr. Griffith’s translation of the Baron Cuvier’s 
Réene Animal have been published, in which several new 
species have been figured. 
On turning to the next succeeding branches of the Verte- 
brated Animals, I have to regret that the works which have 
appeared on the Reptilia and Amphibia during the year of 
my presidency, although valuable, have been few in number. 
To Mr. Bell we chiefly look for information on these sub- 
jects; but, of late, our friend and colleague has not afforded 
his wonted answer to our call. His silence, however, is not 
that of neglect or disinclination. In the deep study of the 
Chelonian reptiles, to which he has latterly devoted an unre- 
mitting attention, he has considered it better (and I cannot 
but admit that he has judged wisely) to delay the appearance 
of the results of his labours, until he can invest them with a 
more perfect form than could be given them in our ephemeral 
