Bunting's egg in which the markings were bold and distinct; and that figured by Mr. Hewitson accords with our observation. It is quite sufficient to glance at that of the Common Snowfleck to confirm the propriety of the bird's separation from Emberiza. We have for some years kept a specimen in captivity, and certainly can see but little similitude in it to the Buntings.

It is with pleasure we gaze next on a tolerably well filled out plate, containing six illustrations of the eggs of Emberiza; two of the Corn Bunting, two of the Yellow Bunting, and two of the Reed Bunting. The first and last are admirable, and indeed those of the Yellow Bunting are very good, but we should like to have seen one of those beautiful and boldly dashed specimens of the latter: fig. 3 is not a common variety. We have a yolkless specimen less than an ordinary egg of the Goldencrowned Kinglet. Reed Bunting's eggs vary a good deal in size; we have examples both considerably larger and much smaller than Mr. Hewitson's figures: one of the former is curiously marked longitudinally. We very much admire this plate.

Two figures of Passer domesticus and two of P. arboreus occupy the next, both of which are endlessly variable. We could have supposed the latter had been drawn from specimens now before us, so minutely exact is the resemblance. As to the Common Sparrow's egg, a dozen figures would hardly suffice to shew its variation, many examples of it being indeed very beautiful. This is an excellent plate. Does not the immature plumage of the Tree Sparrow resemble that of the female of P. domesticus?

Two eggs of the Green Finch, and two of the Common Chaf finch; all accurate in the extreme, but the latter hardly sufficiently diverse. We have several, from different nests, pure blue and spotless, others with only a mark or two; some as dark as ordinary specimens of the Reed Bunting's eggs, others very like a Green Finch's; some almost spherical, and others, again, extremely elongated: besides which are endless modifications of the colours and markings. One, if not both, of the Green Finch's eggs should have been tinged with green. We have a beautiful specimen of the Chaffinch's nest lined with large white goose's feathers; a circumstance of very unusual occurrence.

In the next plate we have two eggs of the Song Linnet, one of the Mountain Linnet, and one of the little Rose Linnet, or Redpole ; all, so far as we have seen, very characteristic, though at least one of those of the Song Linnet should have been rather of a more blueish tinge.

Of the Haw Finch's egg we have next two exquisite representations, and one of the Bullfinch, which we do not so much approve of. It is certainly too large for an average specimen, and not blue enough: however, there are many like it. We have repeatedly met with the Haw Finch's nest in Kent and Surrey, but generally with young ones, which have yellow heads and throats, and are very prettily spotted on the under parts. For some time after they quit the nest they are very clamorous, and utter continually a shrill short note, resembling kisp kisp, or kusp. They are easily reared in confinement, and grow up extremely tame.

One egg of the Starling fills out (or rather does not fill out) a whole plate. It is a good exemplification of the average. We have one specimen of a much richer and deeper blue.

Two excellent representations of the Raven's egg now delight us-as characteristic as they could well be. We have seen some, however, widely different.

Three eggs of the Common Crow; all very good, but two of them not quite so diverse as we could wish. They are very commonly of a finer tint than any here represented, and are more boldly spotted with black; but their variations are literally endless. Another capital plate, shewing three Rook's eggs. We do not think that better examples could have been chosen.

Two eggs of the Jackdaw, also very excellent, but a third might with advantage have been introduced; at least we have several that are very unlike either.

With the two representations of the Magpie's eggs we are not quite so well satisfied, or rather a third, an average example, is also wanted. There should have been one with the spots larger and bolder.

Two figures of Nuthatch's eggs, and one of the Treecreeper. Our specimens of the former are more elliptical. Some Treecreepers' eggs are very like the one figured, but generally the dots are smaller, and more exclusively at the large end.

Here we have two Cuckoo's eggs, selected, we are told from several specimens. No. 1 is very dark, No 2 a remarkably pale example. Generally speaking, we think, they are much more rufous. The author observes, "I should have been exceedingly gratified could I have settled two very interesting points, which yet remain undetermined, viz.-what number of eggs the Cuckoo lays in one season, and whether or not it ever carries its egg (after having laid it) to the nest of another bird." From all we have observed, we are inclined to dissent from the latter opinion; and have

clearly ascertained, respecting the former, that this singular bird lays from four to six eggs in the course of the spring and summer, but not on consecutive days, as in those birds which incubate their own, but a week, or even considerably more, intervening between their successive depositions. This fact is perfectly explicable by a reference to a peculiarity in the bird's anatomy, which the present is not a fitting occasion to treat of: for whatever purpose this was designed we as yet know not; but on it evidently depends its deviation from the ordinary mode of propagation. It is well known that the female Cuckoo is much in the habit of watching birds that are carrying building materials, during which time she has always an egg gradually maturing, which will not separate from the ovarium until, perhaps, such time as the nest is ready for its reception. Still she cannot retain her egg when once in the oviduct, as has been suggested, as is proved by her occasionally laying into a halffinished nest.

The two following plates exhibit figures of eggs of our four species of Columba, all spotless white, and differing only in size. Two eggs of the Common Pheasant, a light one and a dark one, though by no means shewing the extremes of variation. We have them considerably darker. Those of white Pheasants are very much paler; and we believe that the Ring-necked variety (?) or blended species (?) produces in general lighter eggs than the common sort.

An example of the egg of the noble Capercailzie Grouse (Tetrao urogallus), now, alas! no longer a member of the indigenous British Fauna, if, indeed, we can as yet again lay claim to it as an introduced species. It is, in size, equal to that of a game hen, reddishcream colour, interspersed all over with numerous rufous-brown specks of different sizes. Also that of the Black Grouse, (T. tetrix), so ludicrously made a distinct genus of by Swainson, who styles it Lyrurus, solely from a mere difference in the form of the tail. It differs only from that of the other in being rather smaller, with the specks less uniformly diffused and larger. As is remarked, the dots are seldom, however, so large as is represented.

We have next three of those adornments to cabinets of British eggs, those of the Red Ptarmigan, (Lagopus Britannicus); and beautifully represented they are. These eggs generally sell for a shilling a-piece in the London Markets, and present a great number of beautiful varieties.

Eggs of the Grey Partridge (Perdix cinerea), two in numbera light and a dark specimen. We have examples both lighter and a shade darker, and varying remarkably in size and form. One of

these, probably not impregnated, and very pointed at the smaller end, was picked up on a naked down, on a spot evidently not chosen for a nest.

Two of the Redfoot, (Erythropus Gallicus), or Red Partridge of ordinary parlance, occupy the next plate, and are well figured. Of these we have a numerous assortment, obtained in Leadenhall market, where these eggs may be procured every season in abundance. We have a specimen with bolder markings than in figure 1. We then open upon three of the variable, beautiful eggs of the Common Quail, a species, by the way, not rare upon the Surrey hills. The young are at first covered with a black down, This is an admirable plate.

And lastly, we close our first volume with that of the great Bustard, somehow styled Tarda. This is a large, greenish, or rather dull-green egg, blotched and spotted with scattered markings of brown, varying in intensity, according as they are nearer the surface of the shell. The shape is rather long, and in size about equal to that of a Goose.

Our commentary on the succeeding volume shall be reserved for the next No. of The Analyst, as we are unwilling not to give it an equally full consideration, which space, on the present occasion, will not well permit. For the most part, we have throughout been noting, as though the book were before the reader, as it ought to be if he take the least interest in the subject. It is exactly what every ornithologist should possess; and we earnestly entreat those who have not the work, to procure a copy, were it only to offer every encouragement to its persevering author. Let them assist also, to the utmost extent of their ability, in affording him the means of figuring unusual varieties and the eggs of rare species; and we may hope, hereafter, to have a complete series of the eggs of British birds, such as no cabinet could ever rival, and which would reflect no inconsiderable light and assistance, in enabling us to judge of the mutual affinities of the members of this interesting department of our native Fauna.

B.

VOL. V.-NO. XVII.

M

REMARKS ON DR. CALDWELL'S "THOUGHTS ON PHYSICAL EDUCATION." ""*

DR. CALDWELL'S Thoughts on Physical Education, were originally delivered in a discourse addressed to a convention of teachers, in Lexington, Kentucky, on the 6th and 7th days of November, 1833; and, in the following year, they were published in the form of a Treatise, which has been reprinted at Edinburgh, by an editor whose judicious and instructive Notes have greatly enhanced the author's Essay, both in usefulness and importance.

Education, in the abstract, is considered by Dr. Caldwell as a scheme of action or training, by which any form of living malter may be improved and, by perseverance, reared to the highest perfection of which it is susceptible. He uses the expression" any form," because the lower orders of living beings-vegetables not exceptedmay be educated and improved as certainly as the higher, and on the same grounds. That this scheme may produce its desired effects, its principles and their applications must be conformable to the constitution of the race of beings for whose improvement it is intended. No one, therefore, is capable of devising and arranging a system of education for the amendment of the general condition of the human race, or even of comprehending and applying it skilfully, unless he be thoroughly acquainted with the human constitution. He that would rectify or improve a piece of machinery, must first understand its structure and principles: in like manner, he that would alter human nature for the better must know it as it is. Special education, designed for a given purpose, is a scheme of training in accordance with that purpose. General training does nothing more than improve general powers: special training fits for some definite and corresponding pursuit. By the human constitution, Dr. C. means the material portion of man, in its organized and vital capacity; this being the only part of him we are able to improve.

Dr. Caldwell's theory of education is universally admitted to be correct, as it respects several of the mental functions. Seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling, as well as voluntary muscular motion, are as true operations of the mind as judging, reasoning,

Thoughts on Physical Education, and the true mode of Improving the Condition of Man; and on the Study of the Greek and Latin Languages, by Charles Caldwell, M.D., Professor of the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Practice in Transylvania University; with Notes by Robert Cox, and a recommendatory Preface by George Combe. 12mo. Edinburgh and London. 1836.