ORDER GALLING. 158 



native country, with a multitude of others of the finest spe- 

 cies of both continents ; but he adds, with too much truth, 

 that the revolution, which spread its ravages so widely over 

 Europe, while it caused injuries of far greater consequence to 

 science, put a stop to the domestication and propagation of 

 many of these species, which might have rewarded the assi- 

 duous cares bestowed upon them with results of the most 

 important utility. The long duration of peace, has, however, 

 afforded opportunities of repairing the loss, and renewing 

 those researches and operations which entitle those who pursue 

 them successfully, to the appellation of benefactors of 

 mankind. 



These birds inhabit China, and the mountains which sepa- 

 rate Hindostan from Thibet. Our countrymen in Bengal 

 have designated the species by the name of the argus phea- 

 sant. 



We have now to speak of another genus of M. Teraminck, 

 admitted by our author, the Lophophorus. 



The characteristic attribute, which appears in the first 

 instance to insulate this gallina from all other birds of this 

 numerous family, consists in the excessive length of the upper 

 mandible of the bill, considerably exceeding the lower. This 

 mandible is strongly arched, very robust, and advances be- 

 tween the feathers of the forehead. It is, moreover, sur- 

 mounted by a rounded crest, forming on each side a groove, 

 over the entire length of the mandible, and which is cut 

 squarely towards the point, whose inner part is deeply exca- 

 vated. In consequence of this, the lower mandible does not 

 appear when the bird keeps its bill closed ; it is then con- 

 cealed by the elongated parietes of the upper mandible. 



The feet of the lophophorus are short and muscular. The 

 feathers of the thighs cover not only the articulation of the 

 knee, but are also prolonged on the internal part of the tarsus, 

 and arrive on this side as far as the powerful spur with 



