REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
379 
of no small interest, treating, as it does, of a group the habits and structure of 
whose members are less accurately known than those of many equally extensive 
divisions. 
The work includes all the birds comprised under the great genus Anas of 
Linnaeus, afterwards divided, by “moderate reformers, 5 ’ into Anas , Cygnus , and 
Anser , popularly known as Ducks, Swans, and Geese, and which were only 
recognized as sections by Linncean systematists. But then there arose a race 
of “ ultras '—or what were then so termed—headed by the Baron Cuvier, who, 
despising all “ half measures,” split up the venerable establishment into a large 
number of small genera. This was of course considered a gross outrage upon the 
feelings of the Linnseans ; although those who have carried their studies further 
back than the date of the Systema Nature e, will be aware that the recent 
institution of limited genera is rather an innovation relatively to Linnsean 
practice, than absolutely. The above estimate, be it observed, is exclusive of a 
small portion of the Anatidee , viz., the Mergansers, Mergus , which have remained 
in statu quo “ through all the changing scenes of” arrangements and systems, 
unaltered by the ceaseless fluctuations which they have calmly witnessed on all 
sides, ever since Man has been smitten with the desire of deriving systematic 
amusement from the feathered creation. 
Thus much for Mr. Eyton’s predecessors. Now for the author himself. His 
arrangement runs thus :—• 
Family Anatidee. 
Sub-fam. Plectropterinal— Choristopus , Plectropterus. 
Sub-fam. Anserinal— Cereopsis , Chloephaga , Bernicla , Cheniscus , Anser , 
Cygnus , Sarkidiornis , Chenalopex. 
Sub-fam. Anatinal— Tadorna , Casarka , Bendrocygna , Leptotarsis , Pafila, 
Pcecillonitta , Mareca , Aia, Querquedula , Cyanopterus , Rhynchapsis , Malacorhyn- 
chus y ChauliodeSy Anas , Carina. 
Sub-fam. Fuligulinae.— Micropterus, Melanitta, Somateriay Polysticta, Kamp- 
torhynchuSy Callicheny Fuligula, Nyroca, Harelday Clangula. 
Sub-fam. Erism at urinal— Thalassornis , Biziura , Erismatura. 
Sub-fam. Merging.— Mergus. 
Mr. Eyton’s “ chief aim has been, not the invention of new species, but the 
establishment of old ones, in which he flatters himself,” not without reason, that 
“ he has succeeded.” The descriptions—in many cases those of entirely new 
species—relate exclusively to the external and internal characters of the birds, 
illustrated by a considerable number of beautiful lithographs. Both figures and 
descriptions are generally original, and appear to be carefully executed. Besides 
these, there are some remarkably fine coloured lithographs of new or little-known 
species, from drawings by E. Lear. 
3 D 
VOL. IV.—NO. XXXI. 
