3852 Notices of New Books. 



to him also for the manner in which his promise has been kept. His 

 ' Naturalist's Sojourn in Jamaica' is a capital book ; a book full of 

 amusing instruction ; a book which we cordially commend to every 

 lover of Nature. Here are a few extracts from its truly pleasant pages. 



Pelicans. — " Many little flat kays, as such islets are called, lay 

 around, among which our tortuous course led us ; scarcely more than 

 the flat tops of coral rocks, almost level with the sea, on which sand 

 and shells had been accumulated by the waves ; yet pleasant to look 

 on, because covered with low bushes of a refreshing greenness. On 

 their snowy beaches, where the gentle ripple was sparkling, or perched 

 on the irregular blocks of black rock, that lay half covered with the 

 tide, sat many pelicans, preening their plumage, and dashing the wa- 

 ter over their wings, or lazily resting after their morning's fishing ex- 

 cursion. Some sat sleepily on the sea, their forms reflected from its 

 bosom, inert and motionless, except for the alternate rise and fall 

 which were produced by the undulation of the ground swell." — p. 22. 



The Painted Swift-foot. — " About the rocks in the vicinity of 

 Black River, I noticed many specimens of this beautiful crab (Grapsus 

 tenuicrustatus). Its form is remarkably flat, as are also the legs, and 

 particularly the thighs, which pack one on the other in a very curious 

 manner : the hue is a chaste warm gray, marked with transverse zig- 

 zag black lines, somewhat like writing. It is difficult to capture, for 

 it is very wary, and its swiftness of foot is amazing: it darts from side 

 to side over the rough surfaces of the rocks, w T ith a rapidity that is 

 much more like flying than running ; not in a continuous course, but 

 fitfully and irregularly, now shooting hither, now thither, and remain- 

 ing still for momentary intervals between, watching for the intruder. 

 What is remarkable is, that it does not matter whether the rock upon 

 which it runs so swiftly be horizontal or perpendicular, nor whether 

 its back or its belly be uppermost; it shoots round the projecting 

 ledges, and darts about on their under sides, with as perfect security 

 and ease as on the broad flat top of the rock. Does not this indicate 

 a delicate sense of touch in the tips of its shelly feet ? " — p. 34. 



Pelicans and Man-of-war Birds. — " In the smooth water in-shore, 

 that accurately reflected the outline of the land, long strings of peli- 

 cans were alternately plunging after their prey, and sailing on heavy 

 flagging wing ; and far, far overhead, like black specks against the 

 bright sky, a flock of man-of-war birds were placidly floating ; resting, 

 if I may be allowed the term, in the lofty air, after their morning meal 

 upon the flying-fish in the offing." — p. 36. 



