the River, the Sea, the Moor, and the Brook. This plan, it is intimated, has been adopted in order that the subjects might be "viewed in those masses into which we find them grouped in nature; the plant or the animal having been taken in conjunction with the scenery, and the general and particular use; and, when that arose naturally, the lesson of morality or natural religion." The boundaries thus prescribed could not, it is evident, be very rigidly adhered to; and, accordingly, our author, in his descriptive narrative, rambles about "ad libitum" from one object to another, just as we should have been disposed to do ourselves, had we actually performed, amid the wilds of nature, these very excursions, which are here only presented to the imagination. The consequence is, that subjects are occasionally introduced into each department, which might with equal, or perhaps greater, propriety, have been treated of under some other. This, however, if it be an evil at all, is but a trifling one; and as the plan of the work is at any rate simple, natural, and inartificial, we shall not quarrel with it on that score. But not to tarry longer at the threshold, we shall enter at once "in medias res," and proceed to point out what we conceive to be some of the beauties and some of the errors of the volumes before us.

In the second chapter, "The Mountain," i. e. the first after the introduction, some interesting particulars are given relative to the history of the wood-cat, which, our author strenuously contends, is a distinct species from the common or domestic kind. We are not prepared to deny this position, in the face of authority which appears to be grounded on knowledge and experience of the subject; though hitherto we have always been accustomed to follow the vulgar opinion, that the one is only a variety of the other. And still we would askIs there more difference between our domestic favourite and its prototype of the woods, than is reasonably to be looked for in the case of two animals in such widely different conditions?" Among domesticated animals," it must be admitted, " colour proves nothing:" but as to size, habits, and dispositions, is there not found as great a discrepance between individuals of the domestic variety, as exists between the generality of these and the wild cat? Some, for instance, are docile, gentle, and fondling in the extreme *; while others,

Cats are generally said to be attached to places, not to persons; and the remark, in the main, may be true enough. We have known many instances, however, of their showing a marked and decided preference for particular individuals. In one instance a cat attached herself inseparably to a labourer in our employ, attending him at his work, and lying on his coat like a dog; and retiring at intervals to the barn or the shrubbery, &c.,

treat them how you will, are ill-tempered and untamably ferocious. One, again, is an expert and assiduous mouser, destroying not only the murine and feathered race, but insects, reptiles (e. g. snakes), bats, hedgehogs, and even the more formidable and hard-bitten weasel. Another is sluggish and inactive, almost destitute of the usual predatious propensity, and altogether useless in its own profession. Strange as it may at first appear, it is a most difficult task in some cases to trace with accuracy our domesticated animals to their true and undoubted origin. In the present instance we confess we hesitate to give a decided opinion, and should be glad of a little further information. The wood-cat is here represented as "rather a dangerous animal to catch in a trap, as it is very tenacious of life; and the moment it is loosened it springs and fastens with great fury. For the same reason, it is dangerous to wound or even to irritate it; and if it cannot be killed outright, the safest way is to let it alone." (p. 47.)

Is not the peril of encountering this tiger of the British forests a little overcharged?

As we offer our remarks in the same order in which the passages which suggest them occur, we must be excused if we appear to jump rather abruptly from the consideration of animals to that of plants, and back again from plants to animals. In ascending the "mountain," our naturalist, as might be expected, meets with several species of Vaccinium, of which there are four indigenous to Britain; viz. Vaccínium uliginosum, the great bilberry (by far the least common of the whole); V. Myrtillus, the common whortleberry or bilberry; V. Vitis Ida`a, the red whortleberry or box-leaved bilberry; and V. Oxycoccos (or, according to more modern nomenclature, Oxycoccos palustris), the true cranberry. These plants are each of them distinguished by such well-marked characters, that there can, to a botanist at least, be no such thing as mistaking one for another. At page 57. not a little confusion appears to be unnecessarily made, owing to the names, either Latin or English, which are there applied to one or more of the above species. "The beautiful myrtle

for mice or birds, which, when caught, she brought and laid at his feet, sometimes to the number of six or eight, or more, in a day. She would accompany him when he went a-field, through wet grass, to fetch up the cows to the yard; and has been known to follow him from her proper residence (in spite of repeated efforts to drive her back) to his own house, a distance of near two miles, and, remaining there the night, return with him in the morning as he came back again to his work.

* All the above-named animals we have known to have been destroyed by a favourite cat of our own.

leaved bilberry" is designated by the specific name "montanum," instead of its good, old, appropriate one, Myrtillus, which, by the way, is adopted for the plant at page 165. of the second volume. Why this unnecessary and (as we believe) unauthorised change of name, calculated to mislead the young, and perhaps somewhat perplex the more experienced botanist? In the same page (57.) "Vitis Idea" (it should have been written "Vaccinium Vitis Idae a") is called the "cowberry;" which, though we never heard it before, may, for aught we know to the contrary, be one of its provincial appellations. "The bush," says our author, "is low and hard, and so is the berry, which, notwithstanding its fine red colour, is generally left to the birds." We can tell him from our own experience, that, in spite of its inferiority in size, and different appearance, it is not unfrequently gathered for sale, and passed off upon those who know no better, the experiment has been attempted upon ourselves, for the genuine cranberry; and though vastly inferior to that in size, and flavour, and juiciness, it is yet no contemptible fruit for tarts. Again, we read, "In the bogs, at about the same elevation, the cranberry, or crowberry (Oxycóccos palustris), is very frequently met with, but it is harsh and austere." Now, the English name "crowberry" is appropriated to a very different thing, Empetrum nigrum, a dioecious plant, whose foliage much resembles that of the heaths (Erica); and, though it may possibly be a local appellation for the cranberry, would have been better omitted, for the sake of avoiding confusion. It ought to have been added, too, that although the fruit of the cranberry may be (as stated, and as its name implies *) "harsh and severe" when eaten raw, it has an excellent flavour, and is highly and most deservedly esteemed, when preserved and used in confectionary. It is proverbially said, that "there is no disputing about tastes;" and therefore we have no right, perhaps, to call in question that of the author, for preferring the fruit of the cloudberry (Rubus Chamamòrus) to that of the Swedish bramble (Rubus árcticus); and yet this preference does not a little surprise us.

"The dwarf crimson bramble," we are told," and more frequently the luscious cloudberry (Rùbus Chamæmòrus), are found fast by the margin of the snow, as the limit of vegetation. The first of these is a very pleasant fruit; but even in the bleakest parts of Scotland it is rare, and it is not very plentiful even in Lapland f; but the cloudberry is more abundant, and

The specific (or, as it is now become, the generic) name, Oxycoccos, is derived from oxys, sharp or sour, and kokkos, a berry.

+ Is not this directly at variance with the testimony of Linnæus, who, though he calls it "rarissima planta," a very rare plant, immediately adds,

it is much better. The fruit is single, upon the top of a footstalk, and in form, size, and colour [!] it is not unlike the mulberry, after which it is partly named; but in flavour, taking the place where it is found into consideration, it is superior to all the mulberries that ever grew." (p. 62.)

This is surely rather a high-flown encomium on the cloudberry; nor is it correct to compare the fruit in size and colour, and still less, we think, in flavour, to its half namesake, the mulberry. We have ourselves slaked our thirst, ere now, with this ethereal berry, when exploring the snowcapped summits of the Scottish mountains, and well know how grateful to the palate, and how refreshing, on such occasions, even a far inferior fruit may prove. More frequently have we been regaled, from the garden, with the high-flavoured and fragrant berry of Rùbus árcticus; a berry so fragrant, indeed, that if a few only be gathered in a saucer, and brought into the house, they perfume almost the whole room. * And we must say that, to us at least, this latter fruit, when put in competition with its rival, is, in point of flavour, as "Hyperion to a satyr." Could it be readily produced in sufficient quantities, it would form a valuable addition to our desserts; and in

❝occurrit copiose per Lapponiam desertam, præsertim ad tuguria et casas Lapponum?" (Flora Lapponica.) "It grows abundantly in the wild parts of Lapland, especially near the huts and cottages of the Laplanders." Again, in his Lapland Tour, he says, "I wish those who deny that certain plants are peculiar to certain countries could see how abundantly the birch, the Lapland willow, the strawberry-leaved bramble (Rùbus árcticus), &c., flourish in this district [Pithoea]." (Lachesis Lapponica, vol. i. p. 203.)

* "Baccæ omnibus Europæis fructibus fragranti odore saporeque palmam præripiunt." (Linnæi Flora Suecica.) "The berries [of Rùbus árcticus] surpass all European fruits in fragrance of scent and flavour."

The editor of the Lapland Tour (Sir J. E. Smith), speaking of Rùbus Chamæmòrus, observes, in a note: "The árcticus is a much more valuable plant for its fruit, which partakes of the flavour of the raspberry and strawberry, and makes a most delicious wine, used only by the nobility in Sweden." (Vol. i. p. 52.) "Confici curant magnates per Norlandiam e baccis syrupum, gelatinam, vinum rubeatum, &c., quæ partim ab illis ipsis consumuntur, partim Holmiam ad amicos mittuntur, tanquam bellaria suavissima, rarissimaque ; et sane inter omnes baccas Sueciæ sylvestres videntur hæ tenere primas." (Fl. Lap.) "The nobility in Norlandia cause to be made of the berries syrup, jelly, bramble wine, &c., which are partly consumed by themselves, and partly sent to their friends at Stockholm, as the most choice and delicious dainties; and, indeed, among all the wild berries of Sweden, these seem to hold the first place." The pretty compliment Linnæus pays to this little plant is worthy of being recorded: — " Ingratus essem erga beneficam hanc plantam, quæ me toties fame et cursu fere prostratum vinoso baccarum suarum nectare refocillavit, si ejus integram non exhiberem descriptionem." (Fl. Lap.) "I should be ungrateful towards this excellent plant, which has so often refreshed me with the nectareous juice of its berries, when almost overcome with hunger and fatigue, were I not to give a complete description of it." He then proceeds to give a minute description of the plant and its several parts.

these days of horticultural improvement it might be worth while to try the experiment, by bestowing on this beautiful little flower some extra care in the cultivation, with a view to increase the produce of its fruit, and thus combine the useful with the agreeable.

We must now turn to a different subject. Our author's forte lies evidently in ornithology. In this department of natural history he seems to have made deep and accurate research. Accordingly, we are presented throughout these volumes with many interesting remarks, and much useful information, the result, as it appears, of close personal observation, on the subject of British birds. In particular, his remarks on the eagles, and the larger birds of prey, are the more valuable, inasmuch as these species constitute some of the least accessible subjects in natural history. The birds themselves are, many of them, of rare occurrence; and, even when met with, are to be seen, perhaps, but for a few moments in passing. They suffer us not to approach them near: and consequently are difficult to be procured for minute examination. They differ, too, in many cases, so much in their plumage, according to sex or aget, that the greatest confusion has prevailed respecting their several species, which even yet, perhaps, have not been thoroughly ascertained. We cannot now enter into particulars, but incline to think that the reader of the British Naturalist will find considerable light thrown on this subject at p. 113, &c.

In treating of the golden eagle, our author has been tempted, in an evil hour, we think, to introduce the story of Hannah Lamond; whose infant (so the tale goes) was snatched up by an eagle, and carried off to the eyry, but rescued again, mirabile dictu! safe and sound, by the mother herself, whose maternal feelings roused her to such a pitch of physical strength and boldness as to enable her actually to scale a hitherto inaccessible cliff, which even Mark Steuart, the sailor, turned his back upon and attempted in vain! This, no doubt, is a very pretty story, and affectingly told (we have even seen tears shed at the narration), but, unfortunately, it is wholly incredible. Such a tale might have cut a figure in some fashionable novel; but is, we presume to think, quite out of place in a grave work on natural history. Surely there

Linnæus says it is difficult of cultivation, and commonly proves barren in the gardens: — " In hortis non facile colitur, et communiter sterilis evadit." (Fl. Lap.) We have ourselves found it thrive very well, and spread itself when planted in peat soil; nor has it proved shy of bearing fruit. +"Etate sexuque variant." (Linnæi Systema Naturæ.)