NEW ZOOLOGICAL ILLUSTRATIONS.*
WE need not draw the attention of professed naturalists to this new publication, by Mr. SIVAINSON : for to them the former series is well-known, and in the first number of its resumption they will have a rich foretaste of what they may expect from the pen and pencil of its accomplished author. It is to a more general class of readers that we wish to recommend a work which, for the beauty and elegance of its execution, has been termed unique. Without being deep in the science, • we are admirers of Natural History: we love to contemplate the beautiful forms of nature, and to see them depicted with truth and elegance by the hand of a master. We are fond of knowing the adaption of structure to habits, of
Zoological Illustrations of New, Rare, or interesting Animals ; selected princi- pally front the classes of Ornithology, Conchoiogy, and Entomology. Second Se- ries, No. I. By William Swainson, Sec. &c. London, 18211, Baldwinauct Cradocli,
means to the end, and of having some general notions on the geo- graphical distribution of these creatures over the world. Further- more, we desire to have all this told us by "one in authority," in an easy and compendious manner. To this extent, and no more, can natural history be understood by those who are aptly termed 'well-informed' persons,—a numerous and a very superior class of patrons to works of this nature. Now the Zoological Illustrations is the very book to inform us of all this ; so that if by chance we should become a Fellow of the new Zoological Society, we might, Thus informed, occasionally hazard an opinion among the junior members, and watch the animals in the Regent's Park with some- thinz more than vulgar curiosity. Of the plates we need only say, that they are all designed by Mr. SWAIN9ON. Some are in aquatint, but others are drawn on stone by the author himself. To the latter we give a decided preference; for, by the peculiar style adopted, they unite the sharp- ness and decision of copper with the softness and delicacy of litho- graphy: by this process they come, as it were, fresh from the touch of the author. The colouring of thee latter plates makes them, in fact, original drawings. Of botanical periodicals we have enough, and more than enough ; but Mr. SWAINSON'S, as illus- trating Zoology in a popular form, stands by itself. It may, by a similar combination of talents in the same individual, be equalled ; but, for the price of the book, we venture to say it cannot be excelled.
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