42 
REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
Figures. By James Wilson, F.Xt.S.E., M.W.S., &c. Edinburgh : A. and C . 
Black; Simpkin and Co., London. 1839. 4to. pp. 100. 
This volume opens with a bibliographical history of Ornithology, from the time 
of Aristotle to the present day. Having elsewhere ( Orn. Text-Book , passim) 
freely descanted on this topic, it will not now be requisite to tarry here, further 
than to venture a few remarks on Mr. Wilson’s observations. In discussing the 
writings of Linnaeus, the author very properly gives his readers an outline of 
the system of that great naturalist. Being the basis and guide to all other 
systems, this is neither more nor less than every introduction to any branch of 
Natural History might be expected to do. Besides, this plan has the manifest 
advantage of allowing the student his choice between the Linmean system and 
the more modern classification almost invariably followed in the body of such 
treatises at the present time. The amount of species in the class of birds, says 
our author, with which Linnaeus had to form his system, did not greatly exceed 
nine hundred. This statement has been stigmatised as incorrect, though probably 
it is not far from the truth. Turton’s edition (1806) of the Sy sterna Natures, 
indeed, contains the names of about 2,800 species; but it must be remembered, 
that that very incorrect edition is translated from a late revise of the original 
work, by Gmelin. Now Dr. Gmelin, it is well known, derived his knowledge 
of hundreds of species, wholly unknown to Linnaeus, from our distinguished 
countryman, Dr. Latham ; and Dr. Turton, again, has added many species from 
other sources. Turton’s four thick volumes ought never to be considered as the 
work of Linnaeus ; and—barring synonyms—the last edition edited by Linnaeus 
probably contains less than 1,000 species. The number has since that period 
been multiplied not less than ten times, and may now safely be estimated at 
10 , 000 . 
The “ sumptuous” productions of Gould, Audubon, Lesson, &c., the scientific 
volumes of Swainson and Temminck, the writings of the accurate and intelligent 
Montagu, and Selby, with many other able authors of the present day, are 
alluded to with just commendation; but the not over courteous epithet u eccentric” 
is, apud Rennie, applied to Mr. Waterton’s “ well-known V/anderings .” It is 
stated that Dr. Wagler —author of Sy sterna Avium , only one part of which was 
published—“ died not long ago, in consequence of a gun-shot wound accidentally 
inflicted by himself while sporting; and the non-completion of his work may be 
regarded as a great loss to ornithologists.” 
Mr. Wilson appropriately remarks, in a subsequent paragraph, that “a con¬ 
siderable flock of ornithological authors has recently appeared above the horizon, 
to enlighten, however, rather than obscure our vision,” particular allusion being 
made to Mr. Slaney’s Outlines of the Smaller British Birds , Mr. Stanley’s 
Familiar History of Birds , Mr. Jenyns’s Manual, Mr. Mudie's Feathered 
