Zoological Writings of Rajinesque. 289 



are all the cartilaginous fishes : viz. Sturio ; Petromyzon Ameri- 

 canusj Les. ; P. (Bdellostoma) nigricans, Les. ; and Aramocsstes 

 bicolor, Les. Lepisosteus osseus, Lin. is omitted also. 



Annals of Nature. This tract contains eighty one new species 

 and a proportionate number of new genera of animals. The first 

 twelve are " Mastosia or Sucklers," including three bats, a Me- 

 phitis, (probably the common species, which varies much,) a spe- 

 cies of Spalax, two of Gerbillus, three of Lemmus, and a Sciurus. 

 Of four birds, Milvus leucomelas appears to be Nauclerus furcatus, 

 Lin. Hirundo phenicephala, (head scarlet,) is given on the au- 

 thority of Mr. Audubon, who, however, does not describe it. The 

 first reptile described is a species of Necturus, a genus proposed 

 for the Salamandra Alleganiensis, afterward described under a 

 new generic name by Dr. Harlan. Several species of Triturus 

 follow, this name being applied to the reptile Triton, (there being 

 a mollusc Triton,) because the two are inadmissible. The reptile 

 has precedence in point of time, (at least, this is our impression,) 

 and Laurenti* could not have been, under ordinary circumstances, 

 deprived of his genus, merely because Lamarck thought proper 

 to adopt the name for a different one. Many of the serpents nam- 

 ed in this pamphlet, are evidently described from hearsay. 



183L Enumeration and account of some remarkable natural 

 objects, ^c. This tract is chiefly devoted to fossils, and is partly a 

 catalogue of objects which he had for sale. His Mazama salinaria 

 is minutely characterized from a horn. This 'unique specimen of 

 great beauty and value,' is in our cabinet ,■ but those who wish 

 to possess so desirable an object, can be gratified, if they will take 

 the trouble to break the prongs from the horns of a Cervus Cana- 

 densis, and deposit them where the inside porous portion may 

 become filled with mineral matter. 



1832-3. Atlantic Journal. This periodical is principally filled 

 with the productions of the editor, although sometimes over fic- 

 titious signatures, which can never mislead any one acquainted 

 Avith his style. Art. 13, on the Mexican Jaguars. He cites sev- 

 eral instances in which these animals have penetrated into the 

 Western States. Art. 14, Cougars of Oregon. He acknowledg- 



* According to Cuvier, Laurenti's name was applied to a larva; consequently it 

 cannot be retained, and that of Rafinesque must stand. See Harlan's Researches,, 

 p. 165, note *. 



Vol. xLii, No. 2.— Jan .-March, 1842. 37 



