The circulation through a limb is affected by position; the removal or increase of atmospheric pressure is known to affect the circulation of the skin; the action of the air and chest, during respiration, also modify the circulation. It is a well-established fact that a whale can suspend respiration for twenty minutes, and sink to the depth of an English mile in the ocean.

The effect of the interrupted respiration and increased external pressure, must necessarily be an alteration in the circulation, which, unless met by a suitable provision, must prove inconvenient, if not fatal, to the animal. That such a provision existed, Mr. Houston was prepared to prove; it existed in the enormous size and complexity of the venous system, particularly in the right cavities of the heart,—the vena cava, the hepatic veins, and those of the abdominal and spinal canal. These facts were illustrated by some elegant preparations of the injected venous system of the seal and porpoise. The subject was farther pursued, and the circulation of some animals possessing the power of suspending respiration for a less considerable time, was examined; the result was highly satisfactory -and it was proved, by demonstration, from several specimens, that the enlargement of the heart and venous system was proportionate to the power of suspending respiration. Several new facts were adduced, both in comparative anatomy and pathology, which would appear highly confirmatory of Mr. H.'s physiological views as stated in the communication.

SONNET.

GUIDE me, O God, as with a father's hand,
Through this world's darksome wilderness: O stay
My footsteps, trembling on Temptation's sand,
Uphold them o'er the rough and narrow way
Which leadeth unto life; that so I may,
Strong in thy might, all sinful wiles withstand,
My inmost thoughts conform to thy command,
Nor from thy will in act or purpose stray.
All-present One! who dwellest in the light
None may approach unto, yet deign'st to hear

The sigh scarce-breathed, the heart's unlettered prayer,-
Shield me from every dark desponding fear-

My best affections to thyself unite—

And let thy favour be my chiefest care.

E. S.

78

A RETROSPECT OF THE LITERATURE OF BRITISH ORNITHOLOGY,

FROM THE CLOSE OF THE 17TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT TIME.

THROUGHOUT the whole extensive domain of Nature, there is nothing which can more deeply interest and delight the inquisitive and reflecting mind than the study of Birds. That, from the earliest ages, these beautiful animals should have, in an especial way, attracted the notice of Man, no one, even slightly acquainted with their structure and economy, and the wonderful instincts which they exhibit in their architecture and migrations, can, for a moment, feel surprized. Their size and symmetry, the elegance of figure, the splendour of plumage, the power and rapidity of flight, and the melody of song which many of them possess,-the astonishing industry and skill, the exemplary patience and solicitude, affection and courage which they almost invariably display in the construction of their nests, and the rearing and protection of their helpless young, are such as must have arrested the eye of the more careless observer, and occasionally stirred up even the most torpid brain from its habitual slumbers. Hence, it has happened that, in all times and countries, Birds have, more frequently than any other part of the animal creation, employed the descriptive powers of the Natural Historian, and the pencil of the Artist.

Yet an examination of the ornithological writings of the British Naturalists of the eighteenth century is, unfortunately, far better calculated to propagate error than afford correct information,—to promote the interests of the Author and "the Trade," rather than those of truth and science. Let any one read over the fabulous accounts of the hyëmal submersion of the Swallow,-the miraculous stories which are told of the properties possessed by the carcase of the splendid King-fisher, and the elegant little wren,-of the extrication of the Bernacle Goose from the Lepas or Bernacle shell,— all gravely narrated,―aye, and manfully sworn to upon the four Gospels, by eye-witnesses, of reputable character and reputed ve

racity; and he will rise from the perusal with increased scepticism for human testimony, with aggravated feelings of suspicion or contempt for all the boasted powers of human reasoning and observation. Let him, for a moment, compare the figures of the Golden Eagle of old Eleazar Albin, the Eagle-owl of Pennant and of Lewin, and the Bittern of the modest Mr. Hayes, with their splendid prototypes in the Museum or the Menagerie; and he will feel astonished that any human being, gifted with the ordinary vision of two ordinary eyes, could have put forth such miserable daubs,-unfit to grace even the sign-post of a village-hostelry,—for correct representations of these magnificent denizens of the mountain, the wilderness, and the waters.

Ere yet we proceed to an examination of the splendid work of Mr. Gould, by the appearance of which these observations have been elicited, it may assist the investigations of the student, and serve to refresh the memory of the more accomplished Naturalist, if we briefly retrace the progress of British Ornithology, from the close of the seventeenth century to the present time. In this retrospect, our notices will be principally, although not exclusively, restricted to the productions of British writers, and, of these, such as have fallen under our own scrutiny. They will admit of convenient distribution into three Classes: 1. the works which treat exclusively of Birds; 2. those wherein Ornithology forms part only of a systematic description of the Animal Kingdom; and 3. those miscellaneous publications in which the subject is partially and incidentally discussed. Under this three-fold division, we shall enumerate, and notice, the various books, as nearly as recollection, unaided by the light of an extensive ornithological library, will enable us to arrange them, in the order of their publication.

First, then, in the year, 1678, the celebrated Ornithology of Francis Willughby, appeared in a folio volume, under the auspices of his friend and associate, the profound and illustrious RAY: who translated it from the original Latin edition; corrected its errors; supplied several deficiencies; added three entire chapters; and prefixed to the whole, an account of the deceased naturalist. The descriptions of the various birds, which this work contains, are, in general, exceedingly accurate and minute; the plates,-seventy

eight in number,-surprizingly spirited and correct, for the period at which they were executed. The labours of many of their successors upon the same path, verily dwindle into insignificance in the splendour of these two morning-lights of British Ornithology.Willughby was of Middleton, in the county of Warwick; and died, at the age of thirty-six, in June, 1672. Never do we pass by the old grey gate, and the moss-grown paling, which skirt the ancient domain of the Lords of Middleton, without paying homage, in the innermost recesses of the spirit, to the elevated character and talents of Francis Willughby and his illustrious friend. Stratford, boasting of her Shakespeare, may awaken the enthusiasm of the child of imagination, and attract to the shrine, sanctified by the relics of her immortal bard, the vagrant foot of the pilgrim of the muses. But the philosopher, and the man of science, will contemplate with feelings of veneration, far more deep, and lofty, and imperishable, the old mansion-house at Middleton, as the residence of Willughby, and the asylum of the enlightened, the high-minded, and uncompromising JOHN RAY, in the season of his adversity. His admirable Synopsis of Birds and Fishes (Synopsis Methodica Avium et Piscium), an octavo volume, was published, in London, in 1713. Upon any production of this great and good man,-the Linnæus of his country —we should deem it little less than profanation to obtrude a com

ment.

The first two volumes of Eleazar Albin's History of Birds, came out in 1738; and a third, in the form of a Supplement, two years subsequently. They contain, altogether, three hundred and five engravings of birds, for the most part British, and one of the bat, far more "curiously engraven" than "exactly coloured," by the Author. The descriptions of the different subjects have been largely borrowed from Willughby. The first and second volumes are enriched with "Notes and Observations," by the celebrated Dr. Derham, author of two popular publications, respectively entitled Physico- and Astro-Theology; and superintendant of a posthumous edition of the works of Ray. In the absence of Willughby's, the student will find Albins', even now, an useful book of reference. A plain copy, when it can be procured, is greatly preferable to the coloured. Edwards' Natural History of Birds, and other rare and

undescribed Animals, four volumes quarto, bearing the date of 1743, with the three supplementary volumes, entitled Gleanings,-of 1751, is much superior to that of Albin, both in the literary and iconographical departments. It contains, however, but few British birds.

The celebrated Ornithologie of Brisson, comprized in six quarto volumes, made its appearance, in 1760. It is illustrated with numerous and tolerably correct engravings; furnished with luminous descriptions in French and Latin; and constitutes a valuable collection of ornithological facts, frequently referred to by modern writers. An Abstract of it, entitled Ornithologia sive Synopsis Methodica, written in Latin, and destitute of figures, was published, in two octavo volumes, at Leyden, in 1763. The descriptions, which it contains, of the various Orders genera, species, and varieties of Birds, are singularly expressive, luminous, and concise. They are, both, admirable works for the ornithological student.

The literary world was, in 1775, favoured, by Mr. Hayes, with a Natural History of British Birds, in folio, containing forty plates; which, although "accurately drawn and beautifully coloured,"-so sayeth the unassuming author,-are worth little more than the price of waste paper. Latham's General Synopsis of Birds,* bearing the date of 1781, and published in four quarto volumes, constitutes a very important contribution to ornithological science; and is now rarely to be met with. Two volumes of Supplement appeared, at different periods, several years subsequently. Of Walcot's Synopsis of British Birds, which came out in 1789, we have never yet been able to procure a copy. The valuable Index Ornithologicus, of Latham,-a quarto volume,-was produced in 1790.

The year 1797, was rendered memorable in the annals of woodengraving, if not of British Ornithology, by the appearance of Bewick's justly celebrated and popular work, entitled The History of

* Professor Rennie, among the works of Literary Naturalists (Ornith. Dictionary, p. lvii), records the title of another production by Latham,—A General History of Birds, 10 vols. 4to. Winchester, 1828. Never having heard of the existence of such a work, and well aware that even the most renowned and vigilant authors are occasionally not over-scrupulous in the correctness of their quotations, we suspect that an error has been committed in transcribing the title, and date, of this publication.

October, 1835.—VOL. III. NO. XIII.

G.