14G Bihlio graphical Notices. 



4. Witherinyia Schottiana. Athencea Schottiana, Sendtn. loc. 

 cit.', TFalp. Rep»\i, 581. — Brasilia, Prov. Rio de Janeiro. 



5. Witheringia Pohliana. Athensea Pohliana, Sendtn. loc. cit. ; 

 Walp. Rep. vi. 581. — Brasilia, Prov. Minas Geraes. 



6. Witheringia Martiana. Athensea Martiana, Sendtn. loc. 

 cit.; Walp. Rep. vi. 581. Solanum paradoxum, Schott MSS. — 

 Brasilia, Prov. Rio de Janeiro et Minas Geraes. 



7. Witheringia hirsuta {non Gardn.) . Athensea hirsuta, /Sfew(/^w. 

 loc. cit. ; Walp. loc. cit. — Brasilia, Prov. Minas Geraes. 



8. Witheringia anonacea. Athensea anonacea, Sendtn. loc. cit. 

 tab. 18 ; Walp. loc. cit. — Brasilia australis. 



BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 



The Treasury of Natural History , or a Popular Dictionary of Animated 

 Nature. By Samuel Maunder. London : Longman, Brown, 

 Green, and Longmans. 



Many of our readers no doubt still retain some affection for the 

 Natural History Book of their more youthful days. But, with what- 

 ever regard we may view this old friend and companion, — with its 

 queer woodcuts — its lion, tiger, elephant, and anonymous animal 

 thrown out in bold relief, while the beetle, the bug and the butter- 

 fly are summarily dismissed with a most magnanimous disregard of 

 specific distinctions, — when we consider the great increase which has 

 taken place in our stock of zoological knowledge since the days of 

 Buifon and Goldsmith, and the number of otherwise well-informed 

 persons with whom we are daily brought into contact, whose know- 

 ledge of Natural History is entirely derived from the study, in years 

 long gone by, of the " History of Three Hundred Animals," it can 

 hardly be denied, that there has long been an absolute necessity for 

 some cheap and decidedly popular work on the subject, which should 

 give some knowledge of zoological classification to those who, from 

 the want either of time or inclination, have never troubled them- 

 selves with the study of nature, and at the same time furnish them 

 with a hand-book for reference, on any ordinary matters connected 

 with the science. To supply this want is the object of the ' Treasury 

 of Natural History.* 



It is questionable whether it be advisable to plunge the beginner, 

 at the very outset of his career, into all the mysteries and technica- 

 lities of an exact system, and Mr. Maunder has perhaps judged rightly 

 in preferring the alphabetical arrangement for the body of his work, 

 to throwing his subject into a systematic form ; for many will be 

 induced to read portions of a book, when arranged in a manner with 

 which they are familiar, who would be frightened at once on finding 

 themselves encountered, at starting, by a classification of which they 

 are totally ignorant. Moreover, the systematic table at the com- 

 mencement of the work will be found quite sufficient to give the 

 reader that general idea of classification which a beginner requires. 



