EXPLANATOEY INDEX. 441 



N 



Nandapoa. — Sometimes called Negrocope, i.e. Black-head 

 {Tantalus loaulator), a species of Ibis. The Jabiru, q. v., is 

 also called Negrocope. 



Mr. 0. B. Brown's observations on this bird agree exactly 

 with Waterton's passing description. He mentions that 

 " they are white, with black wings, and are frequently seen 

 soaring high in the heavens in circles, mounting higher and 

 higher till they appear like mere specks." The head and 

 neck have no feathers, and are covered with a black, wrinkled 

 skin. 



Nondescript. — This wonderful specimen of Waterton's 

 skill in taxidermy is formed from the head and shoulders of 

 the Red Howler monkey, q. v. In manipulating it, Waterton 

 has so modelled the skin that he has discharged from the face 

 every vestige of the original features, and has substituted 

 those of a man, grotesque enough, but still human. As bare 

 skin always becomes black when dry, the contrast of the 

 black face with the fiery red hair has a very striking effect 

 and adds to the resemblance. 



In his witty review of the Wanderings, to which reference 

 has already been made, Sydney Smith says of the frontispiece, 

 which represents the Nondescript, " Upon stuffing animals we 

 have a word to say. Mr. Waterton has placed at the head of 

 his book the picture of what he is pleased to consider a non- 

 descript species of monkey. In this exhibition our author is 

 surely abusing his stuffing talents, and laughing at the public. 

 It is clearly the head of a Master in Chancery — whom we 

 have often seen backing in the House of Commons after he 

 has delivered his message. It is foolish thus to trifle with 

 science and natural history.'' 



The principal difficulty in preparing this grotesque head 

 lay in the change of the facial angle from that of the monkey 

 to that of the man. This could not have been done if the 



