442 MESSRS, SCLATER AND SALVIN [Juiie 25, 



because it belongs to his supposed Bornean species. He says " It 

 was purchased from a dealer and has been marked 'R. sondaicus, 

 Cuv., Java,' by some previous possessor. The habitat may depend 

 on the person having decided it to be R. sondaicus.'' " He that is 

 giddy thinks the world turns round." In the same spirit the person 

 who has now decided it to be B. nasalis has given it the habitat of 

 Borneo, that being boldly and unqualifiedly given as the habitat of 

 the species in the diagnosis. This is no doubt ingenious, but it is 

 not logical. 



Were we to act on this principle, natural history must be removed 

 altogether from the category of sciences of fact, and removed into 

 those of conjecture and imagination. 



In estimating the import of the foregoing facts I would only add 

 that, seeing that the conclusions to which I demur rest so absolutely 

 and entirely on the opinion and inquiries of one individual, the bent 

 and tone of that individual's mind must form fair elements to be 

 taken into account in arriving at a decision. If, for example, the 

 individual belonged to that section of naturalists who are more dis- 

 posed to diminish than increase the number of species, then his 

 opinion in favour of an additional species would of course have more 

 weight. But if, as I imagine my excellent friend Dr. Gray will not 

 dispute, his mind rather belongs to that class whose discrimination 

 of differences is keener than their perception of resemblances, then 

 greater caution ought to be exercised in accepting his conclusions. 



So dealing with the present question, I think it rests exactly as it 

 did before Dr. Grray touched it. The Ehinoceros may be a native 

 of Borneo ; but as yet we have not the slightest evidence of it ; while 

 the fact of its presence never having been authenticated, although 

 Avell-known to be disputed, is in itself a strong presumption to the 

 contrary. 



4. Synopsis of the American Eails (Rallidce). By P. L. 

 ScLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and Osbert SalviNj 

 M.A., F.L.S., &c. 



(Plate XXXV.) 



The Rallidce, when restricted to the genera Rallus, Crex, Galli- 

 nula, Fulica, and their immediate allies, constitute a very natural 

 family of birds allied to the Cranes (Gruidce) and to their somewhat 

 abnormal relatives the genera Eurypyga, Psojihia, and Aramus, and 

 form part of Prof. Huxley's group Geranomorphce* . To these, 

 however, we must add the genus Heliornis, which, according to the 

 best authorities, both on anatomical and pterylographical grounds 

 belongs here. 



The American Rallidce, which are alone considered in this com- 



* See P. Z. S. 1867, \>. 457. 



