THE EDINBURGH 



JOUENAL OF NATUEAL HISTOEY, 



AND OF 



THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES. 



SEPTEMBER, 1836. 



ZOOLOGY. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATE — THE CONES. 



The elegance of form, splendid colours, and fine polish exhibited by Shells, have 

 excited admiration in all a^es, and procured for them a conspicuous place in Cabinets 

 of Natural History. The Molluscous animals, which once dwelt within these elegant 

 envelopes, perform an important part in the economy of Nature. Their usefiil as 

 well as noxious qualities render them of high interest. Conchology, however, 

 acquires a higher importance in various points of view. By a knowledge of this 

 branch of Natural History, we are enabled to trace, to a certain extent, the past 

 history of the Earth, in ascertaining the relative antiquity of various strata which He 

 beneath its surface ; for shells are found in general to be the most perfect of all organic 

 fossil remains, and may in truth be termed the " medals of the ancient world." 

 Many kinds of Testaceous animals furnish an excellent and nutritious food, and some 

 tribes supply the table with a delicate luxury. The mother-of-pearl affords materials 

 for ingenuity and art ; and the pearl itself, often the rival of the most precious gems, 

 in the estimation of mankind, is the production of testaceous animals. Even the per- 

 nicious effects of some tribes demand our attention in studying their history, that we 

 may be the better prepared to avert their depredations. The Snail, in ravaging the 

 garden and the field, marks its progress by the destruction of some of the fairest of 

 the vegetable tribes; and the Ship- worm, the dread of the mariner, appears an in- 

 significant instrument to humble the glory and pride of Man, in demohshing, by its 

 unseen labomrs, the noblest efforts of his ingenuity and skill. 



The Cones are generally more esteemed by collectors than perhaps any other 

 Shells. It is a very extensive Genus, as Lamarck describes 181 recent, and 9 fossil 

 species, besides many varieties ; yet the British Seas do not produce a single indi- 

 vidual. This genus is confined to the warmer regions of the earth, increasing in 

 numbers as we pass the equator. Many of the species are remarkable for the regu- 

 larity and beauty of their markings, as well as for the fine colours which they 

 exhibit. They are also prized on account of their elegant form, which is that of a 

 reversed Cone, and turbinated. 



Fig. 1. The Matchless Cone. (^Conus CcdonuUi.) This Cone has always 

 been highly esteemed by the curious collector. It was once exceedingly rare, and 

 brought a very high price ; as much as one hundred guineas have been paid for a single 

 specimen of the Cedomdli. A single variety of this shell, which formerly belonged 

 to the celebrated Naturalist Lyonnet, was valued at three hundred guineas. This 

 shell is subject to considerable variety in the style and character of its markings; — 

 nine are described by Lamarck. The Matchless Cone is a native of the seas of 

 South America. 



Fig. 2. The Matchless Cone, a variety. 



Fig. 3, Tait's Cone (C. Taitensis). — South American Seas. 



Fig. 4. The Diviner's Cone (C Augur). — Indian Ocean. 



Fig. 5 and 6. The Fumigated Cone (C Fumigatus). — American Seas. 



Fig. 7 and 8. The Ornamented Cone (C. Monile). — Indian Ocean. 



Fig. 9 and 10. The Hebrew Cone (C ITebrcEJts). — African and Indian Seas. 



Fig. 11. The Tesselated Cone (C Tesselatu^y — Indian Ocean. 



Fig. 12. The IMarbled Cone (C- Marmoreus). — Indian Seas. 



Fig. 13. The Jasper Cone (C. Betulmus). — This cone grows frequently to a large 

 size, sometimes six inches in length. It is a native of the coast of Madagascar, 



Fig. 14. The General Cone (C Generalis). — Indian Ocean. 



Fig. 15. The Flea-spot Cone (C Pulicarius). — Pacific Ocean. 



Fig. 16. The Franciscan Cone (C. Franciscanus) Chinese Seas. 



Fig. 17 and 18. The Stone-cutter Cone (C. Litkoglyphus). — Indian Ocean, 



Fig. 19. The Music Cone (C, Musicus). — Chinese Seas. 



Fig, 20. The Ceylon Cone (C. Ceylonensis) Coasts of Ceylon and Java. 



Fig. 21. The Plated Cone (C, Lamellosus) Coast of Ceylon. 



Fig. 22. The Bridal Cone (C Sponsalis) — Pacific Ocean. 



Fig. 23. The Punctured Cone (C Functuratus) Coasts of New Holland. 



Fig. 24. The Geographic Cone (C Geographicvs). — Indian Ocean. 



Fig. 25. The Striated Cone (C. Striatus) — Indian Ocean. 



and fifth feathers of equal length, but longer than the others ; the tail short, rounded 

 and erect, and the tarsus the same length as the middle toe. 



The birds of this genus are subject to a wide geographical distribution ; aJthouf^h 

 there is but one species in Europe, which is common to all its kingdoms. 



Fig. 1. The Winter "Wren (Troglodytes Hyemalis). —This Uvely Httle bird is a 

 native of North America, and visits the United States in the month of October 

 where it generally remains all winter, and migrates to the north in spring, to fulfil 

 the important law of incubation. In its general appearance it has a strong resemblance 

 to the European Wren ; and some Naturalists have considered it as of the same spe- 

 cies. It sings with great animation while mounted on the point of some branch of a 

 tree. It is by no means a shy bird, as it is to be found in out-houses, yards, and 

 gardens, in different cities of the Union. 



Fig, 2. The European Wren (T. Europams) — The Common Wren is a hardy bird, 

 and braves the winter in almost every quarter of Europe, where it enhvens the natives 

 A-ith its sweet and sprightly notes. During this season, it is to be found close to the 

 dweUings of men. It betakes itself to the woods in the summer. The nest is 

 remarkable for its neatness, being of an oval shape, with a hole at the side for an 

 entrance. 



Fig. 3. The House Wren {T. Oerfon).— This species is migratory ; it arrives in 

 Pennsylvania about the middle of April, and begins to construct its nest in the second 

 week of May. It is customary for the natives to place a small box on the top of a 

 pole in the garden for its reception ; and if this be neglected, it will take possession 

 of a hole in the roof or wall, and has even been known to breed in an old hat. The 

 conjugal pair generally hatch two broods in a season, — the one in June, and the other 

 in the end of July. 



Fig. 4. Bewick's Wren (T. Bewicku).— This bird was discovered by Audubon, 

 near St Francisville, Louisiana. It is also a migratory species ; but the breeding 

 station is unknown. It is not known whether it has any song. 



Fig. 5. The Marsh Wren ( T. Palustris.) — The habits of this bird are retired ; 

 it arrives in Pennsylvania about the middle of May, or as soon as the water Nyra- 

 phae and reeds on the sides of rivers are sufficiently high to shelter it. To such 

 locahties it generally limits its excursions. It feeds on insects and their larva. Its 

 notes consist of a curious crackling sound, like air bubbles forcing their way through 

 mud or boggy ground when trod upon. Its nest is constructed with admirable neat- 

 ness and apparent skill. 



Fig. 6. The Brown Wren {T. i^i/nja),— This species is a native of Brazil and 

 Cayenne, and has sometimes been confounded with the House Wren of the United 

 States. It constructs its nest in the low parts of woods. The total length of this 

 bird is four inches. 



Fig. 7. The Great Carolina Wren {T. Ludovicianus) The general appearance 



of this bird at once conveys the idea that it is a Wren, although, on a minute exami- 

 nation, several characters present themselves which render it equivocal ; its great 

 size, and larger proportional bill, and other discrepant characters, render it neces- 

 sary to form a sub-genus for its reception. It is found in Pennsylvania, Virt^inia, 

 and other parts of the United States, where it is said to build. It is five inches and 

 a quarter long. 



Fig, 8. The Long-billed Wren (T. Longirostris) is remarkable for the lengfh 

 of its bill, and large size, measuring five inches and three quarters. It inhabits Bra- 

 zil ; but nothing is known of its habits. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATE THE WRENS. 



Modem Naturalists have restricted this genus to such birds as have a slender, 

 slightly compressed, curved, and marginated bill, with the nostrils basal, and half 

 covered by a naked membrane ; the wings are short and rounded, with the fourth 



A Mongrel Doc. — M. Joannon Navier, Mayor of Cuire, is possessed of a dog, 

 the offspring of a Wolf-Dog and a Jackal, He is of a small size, not exceedintr the 

 ordinary dimensions of the Jackal, but so quarrelsome and fierce, that he is the terror 

 of all the neighbouring dogs. He is very voracious, and devours all the ducklings and 

 chickens which he meets with ; and is consequently kept always tied up. He is most 

 affectionate to his master, but is not considered a good watch-dog, as he seldom 

 barks. Like all predatory animals, he frequently digs holes in the earth, and is very 

 agile, bounding along the tops of walls with great dexterity when left at liberty. He 

 is subject to frequent changes of his fur, and the last time he cast his coat the under 

 hair was very short ; that which covered the thighs was long, and streaked obliquely 

 across, producing a wavy appearance; his tail was long, imd finely formed. His ears 

 are hke those of his sire — the Wolf-Dog; the conch of which is firm, erect, and 

 pointed backwards ; his muzzle is provided with mustachoes, formed of numerous 

 stiff hairs ; his eyebrows are prominent, which, with a peculiar expression of the eyes, 

 give him a look of suspicion and ferocity. 



