Bibliographical Notices. 469 
we may expect an ample portfolio from his exertions ; — Dr. Theodore 
Vogel, a learned German botanist, will be of the party ; Mr. Ansell 
goes out on the part of the Horticultural Society of London, and 
Mr. Fraser on that of the Zoological. 
Dr. Parnell has again returned to Britain after a residence in Ja- 
maica, Cuba, and others of the West Indian Islands. Ornithology 
and Ichthyology have been chiefly attended to, and large collections 
in both departments accompany him. In the latter above 300 spe- 
cies have been procured, with a series of drawings recording the 
natural colours of the specimens. Dr. Parnell has also been en- 
trusted with all the Ichthyological manuscripts and drawings col- 
lected by Dr. Bancroft, and altogether materials have been brought 
home for a History of the Fishes of Jamaica. 
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
Crania Americana, or a comparative view of the Skulls of various Ab- 
original Nations of North and South America, to which is prefixed 
an Essay on the varieties of the Human Species. By S. G. Morton, 
M.D. Folio, 78 Plates. London : Simpkin and Marshall. 
In the present state of Anthropological science, the value of a work 
of this kind must depend more upon the accuracy of the anatomical 
facts which it contains, than upon the opinions expressed by its au- 
thor on the many difficult questions which are still agitated by the 
cultivators of this interesting department of natural history. Dr. 
Morton is aware of this, and has produced a work, in which, while 
he has not neglected to present to his readers, in an ably written 
introduction, an abstract of the present state of opinions as to the 
origin of the races and the geographical distribution of man, he has at 
the same time evidently directed his whole energy to the formation 
of a series of chapters, containing anatomical delineations, measure- 
ments, and descriptions of the crania of more than forty American 
nations and tribes, ancient and modern. 
The manner in which Dr. Morton has recorded the observations which 
he has had such ample opportunities of making, shows that he is 
well acquainted with the exact nature of the facts necessary for the 
further prosecution of this subject. The lithographic drawings of 
crania are admirable ; the measurements, both of capacity and size 
(his mode of taking which he describes), precise ; and the information 
in reference to each variety judiciously selected. 
The author divides the pure Americans into three great classes, — 
those which live by hunting, fishing, and agriculture. The first em- 
braces the great proportion of the race ; the second includes a few 
tribes in different and far-distant parts of the two continents ; the 
third contains these nations which had made the greatest advance 
in civilization, and whose geographical position afforded facilities 
for agricultural pursuits. 
He considers indolence, combined with courage and fortitude, cau- 
470 Bibliographical Notices. 
tiousness and vigilance, in regard to every action, to be the mental 
characteristics of the American race. 
Dr. Morton commences his Cranioscopy with the Peruvian head, 
and after describing and representing the naturally and often artifi- 
cially flattened and retreating forehead, and the extraordinary elon- 
gation backwards of the occiput in this race, refers to the very na- 
tural question, — how a people, with crania so small and so badly 
formed, could have arrived at the degree of civilization which archi- 
tectural remains and historical evidence prove them to have done ? 
He holds that the country w r as civilized before the advent of the 
Incas, and that these anciently civilized people constituted the iden- 
tical nation whose extraordinary skulls he has represented. With- 
out fully assenting to this opinion, it must be admitted, that there 
is no further evidence of the existence of a race anterior to that 
which preceded the Incas, except the mere suspicion that it would 
require better- formed heads than those in question to erect the Cy- 
clopean monuments of Peru. 
We are next conducted by Dr. Morton to the crania of the Pata- 
gonian in the south ; to those of the nations on the Orinoco, and of 
the tribes of Brazil ; to the Mexican head, with its large and massive 
developments, its full, broad, but retreating forehead, and great in- 
terparietal breadth ; and to the singular artificially- elevated heads of 
the Natchez. 
He then proceeds to the tribes of eastern North America, and to 
the nations of the west and the Colombia district, representing and 
describing the artificially-depressed crania of the Flatheads. 
An inquiry into the geographical distribution of the mounds, and 
an examination of the skulls from these tumuli, leads the Doctor to 
consider the people who reared them to have belonged to the great 
Toltecan race. 
Lastly, the examination of the skulls of the Esquimaux, the Mon- 
gul American of the North, conducts us to the only example of 
Asiatic configuration in the western hemisphere. 
From his extensive inquiries and opportunities for observation, 
Dr. Morton concludes, 1 . That the American race differs essentially 
from all others, not excepting the Mongolian ; and that the feeble 
analogies of language, and the obvious ones of civil and religious 
institutions, do not prove at the most anything beyond casual or co- 
lonial communication with the Asiatic nations, and that even these 
analogies may be accounted for in the mere coincidence arising from 
similar wants and impulses in nations inhabiting similar localities ; 
2. that the American nations, with the exception of the Polar 
tribes, are of one race and one species, but of two great families, 
which resembled each other in physical, but differed in intellectual 
characters ; and, 3 . that the cranial remains discovered in the 
mounds from Peru to Wisconsin belong to the same race, and pro- 
bably to the Toltecan family. 
These conclusions contain much that must still remain doubtful in 
the present state of the question ; but Dr. Morton has effected a most 
important service in the cause of natural science in contributing a 
Bibliographical Notices. 471 
series of facts so extensive and so accurate as those which his mag- 
nificent work contains, 
The solution of the great problem of the origin and distribution 
of the human race has occupied the attention of naturalists, anato- 
mists and linguists, but hitherto with little success. In reference 
to the future progress of the question, it may be well to remark here, 
that the same circumstance which has retarded so much the advance- 
ment of the physiology of the human body has in like manner re- 
tarded the discovery of the mode of origin and distribution of the 
different races of men. There must be brought to bear upon this 
subject, in a more exclusive manner than hitherto, a knowledge of 
the laws of distribution and variation of other species of organized 
beings — laws which, although counteracted to a certain extent by 
the intellectual peculiarities of man, have most undoubtedly regu- 
lated the various changes which have taken place in the progeny of 
our first parents. 
The Birds of Australia. By John Gould, F.L.S., &c. Part First. 
Oblong folio. Published by the Author, London, December 1840. 
It may be recollected by many of our readers, that an expedition 
for the purpose of investigating the zoology, but more particularly 
the ornithology, of Australia, was undertaken by Mr. Gould nearly 
three years since ; that gentleman was accompanied by Mrs. Gould, 
previously well known as an accomplished ornithological draughts- 
woman, and they have now returned, after a residence of nearly two 
years and a half in Australia, Van Diemen's Land, Bass Straits, &c, 
laden with spoils. Six or eight weeks were often spent together in 
the most interior " Bush," the time devoted entirely to the study 
and collection of the animals and birds frequenting the districts vi- 
sited. Mr. Gould's principal object being ornithology, a very large 
collection has been made of birds, with their nests, eggs and ske- 
letons. Other departments also have been attended to, and the spe- 
cies in each have been distributed to persons who, from their pur- 
suits and rank in science, are enabled to do justice to the different 
branches, and we trust that ere long the novelties in each will be 
made public. To Mr. Brown has been sent the collection of plants, 
the Rev. Mr. Hope has the insects, and to Professor Owen has been 
entrusted all the preparations fitted for dissection ; even Mr. Denny 
has not been neglected. The birds and quadrupeds will be Mr. 
Gould's peculiar charge, and, if illustrated in a manner similar to 
that which has been begun, they will prove of the utmost importance 
to our store of works devoted to the illustration of those depart- 
ments. This undertaking, of which the first number has just ap- 
peared, will be published in quarterly parts, uniform in size with the 
author's previous works, containing seventeen plates each, at a cost of 
£3 . 3s. The execution of the plates, and the colouring by Bayfield, are 
both beautiful, and exhibit all the advantages of having been made from 
drawings taken on the spot. The real form and colours are repre- 
sented as in the living bird, and the form of the nostrils and various 
wattles and bare skins, so prevalent among the Australian forms, 
472 Bibliographical Notices. 
are given as they never could have been under any other circum- 
stances. The native plants are also correctly delineated and grouped 
with the birds, which renders the work interesting to a botanist. 
Among the more remarkable species represented now, is the 
Alectura Lathamii, a bird which has been an object of speculation 
among ornithologists until the present time. The venerable Latham , 
to whom it has been dedicated, originally described it as a Vulture, 
but afterwards saw reason to change his opinion, and to place it 
among the Rasorial birds. The same view was taken by the au- 
thors of the ' Illustrations of Ornithology/ who placed it as the 
Australian representative of the Cracida or Megapodince, but Mr. 
Swainson in his late Treatise has again restored it to its ancient 
place. The observations of Mr. Gould have now, however, decided 
the proper station to be that which Latham assigned to it, and have 
in addition brought to light some most remarkable points in its ceco- 
nomy, We have instances of several birds leaving their eggs to be 
hatched by warmth of the sun, but nowhere have we seen a bed ar- 
tificially prepared for that purpose so as to generate heat. The Alec- 
tura collects large heaps of dried leaves and grasses, several of the 
birds assisting at the same time ; and when the heat by fermentation 
has become sufficient for the purpose, the eggs are placed in an up- 
right position, separated from nine to twelve inches apart, in this 
dunghill or artificial hot-bed, and apparently left to their fate. It 
is stated that " it is not an unusual event to obtain nearly a bushel 
of eggs at one time from a single heap." Another fine bird is 
figured under the name of Leipoa ocellata, possessing the strong feet 
of the Megapodince, but in the other parts of its form evidently re- 
presenting Penelope. This bird also leaves its incubation to be per- 
formed artificially: the eggs "are deposited in a mound of sand, the 
formation of which is the work of both sexes ; the inside being con- 
structed of alternate layers of dried leaves, grasses, &c, among which 
the eggs are deposited, to the number of twelve and upwards. They 
are hatched by the heat of the sun's rays, the vegetable lining of the 
hillock retaining sufficient warmth during the night." This species is 
yet little known, and is from Western Australia, frequenting the bar- 
ren sandy plains of the interior, 100 miles north and east of York, 
and known to range as far northward as Gautheaume Bay. A new 
species of Cinclosoma is figured, besides other interesting birds, and 
a very extensive list of synonyms is given, to which it would be 
useful if Mr. Gould would add the date of each author referred to. 
We are not always certain that the prior name is selected, which ap- 
pears to be the object when it is quite unobjectionable. We trust 
the work will meet with the encouragement it deserves, and are 
happy to perceive that several public institutions, both in England 
and Scotland have already given their names as subscribers. 
Algce Scandinavice exsiccates, quas distribuit Johan. Ehr. Areschoug. 
Fasc. 1. Gotteburg, 1840. 
This and the following work have been kindly addressed to us by 
the author. It is a welcome addition to the various collections of 
Bibliographical Notices. 473 
dried Algae which have appeared under the auspices of eminent al- 
gologists. It contains twenty-five species, of which in general the 
specimens are excellent, and some of great interest. M. Areschoug 
is very desirous of entering into correspondence with British algolo- 
gists, and would most thankfully receive any communication. The 
following species are contained in the present fasciculus : — 
1. Fucus serratus, L. 14. Conferva cannabin a, Areschoug. 
2. canaliculars, L. 15. fucicola, Velley. 
3. vesiculosus, L. var. 16. pannosa, Areschoug. 
4. Gigartina plicata, Grev. 17. bombycina, Ag. 
5. Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus, Grev. 18. rupestris, L. 
6. Asperococcus Turneri, Hook. 19. vadorum, Areschoug. 
7. Cladostephus spongiosus, Ag. 20. Mougeotia genuflexa, Ag. 
8. Callithamnion Rothii, Lyng, 21. Mesogloia rubra, Ag. 
9. Polysiphonia bulbosa, Suhr. 22. Corynepbora marina, Ag. 
10. byssoides, Grev. 23. Calothrix fasciculata, Ag. 
11. Enteromorpha intestinalis, Lk. 24. Oscillatoria asstuarii, Lyng. 
12. clatbrata, Lk. 25. Licbina confinis, Ag. 
13. Conferva Linum, Roth. 
De Hydrodictyo utriculato dissert atio Botanica. Dr. John Ehr. 
Areschoug. Lundse, 1839. 
The present academical treatise throws new light on a very inter- 
esting subject. It has been long known that a new individual of 
Hydrodictyon utriculatum is developed from each cell in the form of 
a minute net produced within the cell. The mode of development, 
however, as far as we know, has not before been observed. No men- 
tion of it is made by Meyen, who regrets that when he had abundant 
specimens at his disposal he had not at hand a sufficiently good mi- 
croscope. 
According to M. Areschoug, the cells, when nearly at maturity, 
contain a number of active spherical granules, which in the process of 
reproduction become elliptical, and are attached by their extremities, 
where an articulation is soon produced, so as to form pentagons or 
hexagons. Each granule becomes a cell of the new Hydrodictyon. 
It is much to be wished that so interesting an observation should be 
confirmed by others who have an opportunity of examining the 
plant in every stage of its growth. 
Icones Plantarum Rariorum Horti Regii Botanici Berolinensis. Heraus- 
gegeben von H. F. Link, Fr. Klotzsch, Fr. Otto. First and Second 
Parts (each with two sheets of text and six coloured figures). 
Berlin, 1840. 
The beautiful manner in which this commencement of a new work, 
with figures of the rarer plants of the Royal Botanical Garden of Ber- 
lin, is got up, and the admirable drawing and execution of the figures, 
leaves us only to wish that the sale may be sufficient to enable the 
undertaking to be long carried on in the same style. The text of 
the present work is thus arranged : the generic, then the specific cha- 
racters in Latin being followed by the description, observations on 
4/4 Linncean Society. 
the affinities of the species and genus, general considerations on the 
family, the country, together with the method of cultivation, and the 
explanation of the plates in double columns in German. The fol- 
lowing plants are treated of: Puya Altensteinii, n. sp. ; Lobelia disco- 
lor, n. sp., from Mexico ; Olinia capensis, Kl., from the Cape, of which 
plant we cannot convince ourselves that it belongs to the Myrtacece ; 
Oxalis Ottonis, Kl., from Cuba ; Microstylis histionantha, n. sp., from 
La Guayra ; Oncidium Carthaginense, Swartz, from Maracaybo; Bego- 
nia punctata, n. sp., from Mexico ; Asterostrichion sidoides, n. gen. 
et spec, Fam. Malvaceae, from New Holland ; Acanthostachys strobi- 
lacea, n. gen. et spec, Fam. Bromeliacece, from South Brazil ; Si- 
syrinchium majale, n. sp., from Valparaiso ; Spiranthes Lindleyana, 
n. sp., from La Guayra and Caracas ; Marianlhus cceruteo-punctatus, 
n. sp., from Van Diemen's Land. Linncea, Part V. 1840. 
Verhandelingen over deNatuurlijke Geschiedenis der Nedelandsche Over- 
zeesche Bezittingen, door de Leden der Natuurkundige Commissie in 
Oost-Indie en andere Schrijvers. 
Under this title it is intended to publish, under the direction of 
the Government, a work which will give an account of the nume- 
rous discoveries which have been made in the various colonies of the 
Netherlands by their scientific expeditions. The Government will 
name a commission to superintend the printing and execution of the 
work. The various memoirs will be arranged in three divisions : 
1. Zoology, 2. Botany, 3. Geography and Ethnography. Each di- 
vision will form a volume in small folio, and will be illustrated with 
several lithographed plates. The price is moderate. Linncea, Part 
V. 1840. 
PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 
LINN2EAN SOCIETY. 
November 17, 1840.— Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair. 
Mr. Janson, F.L.S., exhibited specimens of the Neottia cestivalis, 
discovered in August last by himself and Mr. Branch, near Lynd- 
hurst, Hampshire, being the first time it had been observed in 
England. 
Mr. Ogilby, F.L.S., exhibited a specimen in flower of a new 
species of clover recently introduced from Cabul, remarkable for the 
quantity of herbage which it yields. The species is very nearly re- 
lated to Trifolium resupinatum. 
Read, " Description of Aucklandia, a new genus of Composite?, 
supposed to be the Costus of Dioscorides." By Hugh Falconer, 
M.D., Superintendent of the Honourable East India Company's 
Botanic Garden at Saharunpore. Communicated by Dr. Royle, 
F.R.S. & L.S. 
This interesting plant, the root of which, under the name of koot, 
forms an important article of Cashmeer commerce, is considered by 
Dr. Falconer as identical with the long-disputed Costus of the an-