ANTIIREPTES. 
145 
ently formed, for instead of being pointed they are 
rounded. The well known Nectarinea flaveola is 
so very like a Diceum that it may be considered 
the link between the two groups. Nevertheless, 
the analogies of Diceum are certainly more remote 
than any of those we are illustrating ; thus veri- 
fying what we have always insisted upon in regard 
to the Tenuirostral type, namely, that as it is the 
most removed in affinity, so is it the most remote in 
its analogy. As we return to the pre-eminent type 
from whence we commenced, so do these two resem- 
blances proportionally increase. Thus we observe 
in Melithreptes the most unequivocal indications 
of the Scansorial, or rather the Rasorial structure, 
in the very strong bill and elongated feet. The 
Hook-billed Melithreptes and two other species are 
complete representations of the Sickled-winged 
Creepers ( Dmdrocolaptes J, the Premier ops, and the 
Bee-eaters. Our circle has therefore been traversed, 
and we find that it not only is verified by the affi- 
nities of the groups themselves, but that these groups, 
when analogically compared with other groups, pro- 
duce that precise order or series of analogies which 
we have long ago declared to be universal through- 
out nature. 
Having thus brought our exposition of this inte- 
resting genus to a close, we shall proceed to describe 
the only species yet found in Western Africa by 
the name of the 
K 
