On the groups of the Vulturidce. 379 



where they find their quarry, not needing that sharpness and cur- 

 vature of the claw which is necessary to the Falconidoe in the 

 seizure and transportation of their prey. 



M. Savigny has conferred the name of Phene upon this group, 

 with the view of reviving its ancient classical denomination. It 

 would indeed be most desirable that every group in natural his- 

 tory should retain that name, as far as it can be ascertained, 

 which it possessed in the earlier days of science, and with which 

 most admirers of ancient literature are generally speaking fami- 

 liar. But were we in the present advanced state of the science to 

 adopt the alterations which the elegant and classical taste of M. 

 Savigny has suggested, a complete revolution would take place 

 in the nomenclature of Natural History. There is scarcely a 

 group in the whole series of zoology which preserves its original 

 classical name : and many indeed of the established names, which 

 are derived from ancient literature, have been applied indiscri- 

 nately not merely to animals different from the species which they 

 represented in former times, but to animals occupying a different 

 station in nature ; as for instance where the names of Birds have 

 been bestowed on the groups of Entomology. Where a favour- 

 able opportunity occurs, as when it is necessary to subdivide an 

 old group, the classical name may with propriety be introduced : in 

 the subdivision of Vultur, for example, the term Gyps ov /Egypius 

 would be singularly appropriate. But it would now be hazardous, 

 indeed impracticable, to attempt any general alteration in estab- 

 lished names, however improperly they may have been applied 

 in the first instance. In the present case the term Gypdetus has the 

 precedence over every other name bestowed by modern science 

 on this group, having been applied to it many years before the 

 work of M. Savigny appeared, and being in fact referred to in 

 that work among the synonyms of the species ; and as it is pecu- 

 liarly applicable to the genus, by pointing out its place among 

 the Vultiwes and at the same time its vicinity to the Eagles, it 

 cannot with any propriety be rejected. 



The next form that presents itself possesses somewhat of the 

 character of the preceding group in having the neck covered with 

 feathers. The fore part of the head however is entirely bare, and 



