214? Address delivered at the sixth and last 



digenous birds of this country progresses, and has, indeed, 

 nearly been brought to a close. Two numbers of the Water 

 Birds have been published since our last anniversary. The 

 Illustrations of Ornithology^ which he has commenced in con- 

 junction with Sir William Jardine, and in cooperation with 

 the leading zoologists of London and Edinburgh, have been 

 increased during the past year by two valuable numbers, con- 

 taining thirty plates. Mr. Wilson's very important work, the 

 Illustrations of Zoology, has also received the addition of two 

 numbers during the same period. In the latter of these is a 

 representation of the Tetrao Urophasianus, to which I have 

 before alluded as having been exhibited and described in this 

 club by the Prince of Musignano, and afterwards commented 

 on by Mr. Douglas. The magnificent undertaking of Mr. 

 Audubon advances in extent and reputation. Twelve num- 

 bers of his work have already appeared, 9ontaining sixty plates 

 of the birds of the United States, a large proportion of 

 which are new to science. I cannot here omit to mention the 

 appearance of the 2d and 3d numbers of the Prince of Musi- 

 gnano's American Ornithology^ although the merit of the pub- 

 lication of that work is due to another country. The prince 

 is so identified with this country, by union with its scientific 

 institutions, and friendship with its men of science, that we can 

 scarcely avoid considering the fruits of his labours as belong- 

 ing to ourselves. The lovers of nature have been gratified, 

 during the last year, by the appearance of a second series of 

 Mr. Swainson's Zoological Illustrations. If accuracy of de- 

 lineation and critical acumen can recommend a work to public 

 favour, the Illustrations of that gentleman must secure for him 

 a lasting reputation. During the same period, also, some 

 numbers of Mr. Griffith's translation of the Baron Cuvier's 

 Regne Animal have been published, in which several new 

 species have been figured. 



On turning to the next succeeding branches of the Verte- 

 brated Animals, I have to regret that the works which have 

 appeared on the Reptilia and Amphibia during the year of 

 my presidency, although valuable, have been few in number. 

 To Mr. Bell we chiefly look for information on these sub- 

 jects ; but, of late, our friend and colleague has not affiDrded 

 his wonted answer to our call. His silence, however, is not 

 that of neglect or disinclination. In the deep study of the 

 Chelonian reptiles, to which he has latterly devoted an unre- 

 mitting attention, he has considered it better (and I cannot 

 but admit that he has judged wisely) to delay the appearance 

 of the results of his labours, until he can invest them with a 

 more perfect form than could be given them in our ephemeral 



