229 
some other “ John Jones,” who is fortunate enough to find another bird, and anx¬ 
iously emulates the flight of his namesake ? In fact, at the present moment, names 
occur in scientific nomenclature, which it is a disputed point whom they were in¬ 
tended to commemorate—like tombs from which the original occupiers have been 
expelled, to accommodate another race that in its turn has passed into obscurity 
and oblivion. The philosopher will be careless about transient distinctions, which 
will vainly attempt to confer eminence where it does not already exist. Mr. Swain- 
son is less happy in his objections to the reform in our ornithological vernacular 
nomenclature, which has been so vehemently insisted upon by several able writers 
in The Analyst. We shall not here touch upon a contest into which we have 
hitherto refrained to enter; but we think when Mr. Swainson says that “ the 
question has been discussed in some recent periodicals” surely with the word 
Analyst in his mouth, he might have suffered it to drop from his pen. This 
petty extinguishing system we shall always notice and reprobate, especially as Mr. 
Swainson takes abundant care to quote himself, not without acknowledgement . 
We think the observations of Mr. Swainson at p. 274, on the fitting up of 
Museums, particularly well timed, and recommend them to the notice of the offi¬ 
cers of all the newly established Natural History Societies. This is an epoch in 
the scientific history of our country, and much depends upon the manner in which 
the arrangements will be made in the new Museums. The collections now mak¬ 
ing will be permanent or perishable, according to the plans now entered upon. At 
Shrewsbury, Worcester, Warwick, Nottingham, and other places, Museums of 
Natural History are forming, and their arrangement ought only to be entrusted 
to zealous, experienced, and competent persons. If opinionated conceit be suffered 
to prevail over zealous activity, hard-earned knowledge, and careful experience—if 
effect be preferred to taste, and utility sacrificed to variety, splendour and show 
may indeed triumph over science, but the tide-time having been irretrievably lost, 
posterity will have to re-commence a labour that might have been saved, 
amidst faded splendour, destroyed specimens, and broken relies. Looking at the 
past, and casting a wakeful eye into the future, we give this friendly warning to all, 
and refer them to Mr. Swainson’s useful details for further information. 
The Naturalist's Library —Ornithology. Conducted by Sir William Jardine, 
Bart., F.R.S.E., F.L.S., &c. Six vols. foolscap 8vo., illustrated with numer¬ 
ous coloured plates and wood-cuts. Edinburgh : W. H. Lizars. 1833—6. 
This is unquestionably the golden age of Natural History, and perhaps of 
ornithology more than of any other branch of it. We do not lose sight of the 
just and daily increasing claims of geology; but, important and fascinating as that 
study is, eminent as are its indefatigable professors, and surprizing as are the pro¬ 
ductions of their unwearied exertions, we cannot feel positively assured of being 
