178 MMiscellanies. 
decomposition of water serve the purpose of nourishment as well as 
breathing? Certain it is, that during the many years I have been in 
the habit of almost constantly having them alive for examination, dis- 
section, &c. I have never in any instance given them food, unless it 
was conveyed invisibly to them in the pure water with which our city 
is supplied, through our works from the river, and which was given 
them every few days.”—Vol. IV, p. 75. 
We have not yet remarked upon the descriptions of the species, _ 
and the manner in which they are figured. Here, if we are not 
much deceived, Mr. Lea will be acknowledged to have succeeded 
in the happiest manner. His language enables the conchologist to 
form a definite idea of what he would include within his species 
and the remarks which are appended to the general descriptions are 
well adapted to enlighten the student in the determination of difficult 
individuals ;_ while his figures may be said to be executed @ mer- 
veilles. ‘They certainly surpass every thing of the kind yet done in 
the United States, and fairly rival similar works of foreign production. 
And we have only to say in conclusion, we know not which, the so- 
ciety whose transactions they adorn, have most reason to congratulate 
themselves upon,—the science, or the taste of Mr. Lea’s contributions. 
10. 4A Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and 
Canada. By Thomas Nuttall, A. M. F. 1.8. Cambridge. Hil- 
liard & Brown. pp. 682.—‘ After so many excellent works have 
appeared,” says the author, “on the birds of the United States, it 
_may almost appear presumptuous, at present, to attempt any addi- 
tion to the list. A compendious and scientific treatise on the sub- 
ject, ata price so reasonable as to permit it to find a place in the 
hands of general readers, seemed, however, still a desideratum; and 
to supply this defect, has been a ae object with the aiviliae of 
the present publication.” 
We rejoice once more to hear from the accomplished naturalist 
whose name appears in connexion with the above mentioned work. 
Mr. Nuttall is well known to have been an ardent admirer of the 
feathered tribes for these twenty years; the greater part of which pe- 
riod he may be said, literally, to have passed in their society. His 
habits of observation, as well as powers of description, were well 
suited to the task he has performed, as all will readily acknowledge 
who peruse the work. And appearing as it has, before the arrival 
of our native birds from their winter retreats, we venture to predict 
