41S Anal 2/ tical Notices of Books. 



are not visible. Whiskers long, patent, moveable, -white, and 

 shining. Neck short, strong, and muscular ; circumference of the 

 head retractile between the shoulders. Length to the insertion 

 of the tail twelve inches eleven lines ; of the tail, twelve inches 

 three lines. 



In the department of Ornithology the paper is also single ; but 

 it is one which by its extent and importance leaves no deficiency 

 to be regretted in this branch of our studies. The American Orni- 

 thology of Wilson is a work so generally known and esteemed as 

 to require from us no commendation. The production of an 

 accurate and able observer, who can scarcely be surpassed in the 

 skill and intelligence with which he describes the habits as well 

 as the plumage of the numerous birds to which he refers, it is 

 extremely desirable that it should be rendered as extensively 

 available as possible to the purposes of science, by collating it 

 with the productions of other and more modern writers, and thus 

 establishing for it a correct synonymy. This labour has been 

 undertaken by Mr. Charles Bonaparte, a young ornithologist of 

 considerable abilities, to whom we have already had occasion to 

 refer, and who is peculiarly qualified for the task, as well by his 

 acquirements as by his residence in the country in which the 

 species quoted are to be found. In his observations " on the 

 Nomenclature of Wilson's American Ornithology," he does not 

 however confine himself to the mere enucleation of the synonyms, 

 but offers, as the occasion presents itself, his own opinions on the 

 modern subdivisions with a freedom and a judgment which induce 

 us to augur well of his future exertions. Among these we are to 

 anticipate a continuation of the work on the nomenclature of 

 which he is at present engaged. 



Among the Repiilia, the papers are more numerous, including 

 two from the pen of Mr. Say, and one from that of Dr. Harlan. 

 In an account of " The Freshwater and Land Tortoises of the 

 United States," the former gentleman describes one species of 

 Testudo ; nine of Etnijs ; three of Terrapena, Merr. (CistudOf 

 Say); one of Chelonura; and one of Trionyx. The whole of 

 these have been previously described, with the exception of one 

 of the species of Emys^ E. b/'guitaia, " Shell oblong oval, slightly 



