ANALOGIES OF THE MEROPID^. 36 1 
typify the Certhiadce ; but the former appear, from our 
table, to represent the Fissirostves^ whereas the latter we 
have formerly compared to the Scansores. Two analo- 
gous groups are thus made to represent different tribes. 
How can this be explained ? We reply, that if the four 
first analogies in Ais table arc correctly stated, this, 
which is the fifth and last, must be correct. And 
this position will be evident on looking farther into the 
matter. Of all the three aberrant famihes of the Fis- 
sirosirtis, the Meropidm are those only which pursue 
and senrvh after their prey upon the wing. Now this 
fact we know from personal observation. We have 
seen the trogons, the puff birds and the 
jacamas, of South America, watching for passing insects, 
within the shady nooks of thickets, and then only darting 
upon them j and tve have seen flocks of bee-eaters, 
annually come from Africa to Italy and skim over the 
gardens, plantations, and oiien country, searching after 
insects precisely in the same manner as swallows. Now 
as the FUsirostral group is an aberrant tribe in the 
circle of Insessores, so all other groups intended to re- 
present it must also be aberrant in their own circle. 
This is the case with the Meropidm ; and, therefore, as 
the trogons represent the Rasores, and join the Scan- 
sores, sm do the Meropido! typify the Natatores, and, 
consequently, the Fissirostres. 
(299-) Wc conclude our introductory exposition 
of the dentirostral tribe. However tedious it possibly 
may appear to the general reader, we feel persuaded it 
will be acceptable to the true naturalist, whose delight 
it is to contemplate that unity op design, amidst the 
most diversified and inexhaustible variety^ which can 
alone emanate from Omnipotence. 
