Volume I Part 18 (1/2)
Voluta pinguis. _Dill._ 516. 36.
No family of sh.e.l.ls possess characters more strikingly obvious to common observers than the Olives; and yet, although in our English terminology no one would ever think of calling them _Volutes_, we still shrink from giving them that distinguis.h.i.+ng appellation in Latin which we every day use and acknowledge in our own language. The strict followers of Linnaeus, by thus rejecting generic distinctions, which at once convey a definite idea of form and structure, contribute to render systematic arrangement less expressive of ideas than the common nomenclature of our sale catalogues: a striking proof of the pertinacity with which we cherish those particular doctrines we first imbibed, although an unbia.s.sed reasoning and an attentive observance of nature would convince us of their fallacy.
The great Linnaeus, at the time he formed that system which laid the foundation of systematic nomenclature, had not the materials for gathering and combining those natural genera which the immense discoveries made since his death have given us a knowledge of. He accordingly arranged those few sh.e.l.ls known to him, in large, and for the most part natural, groups. That of _Voluta_ I consider as one of these last (excepting the first division); but the great accession of species now known, and which is still increasing, has long ago induced the princ.i.p.al Continental writers to divide this very extensive family into the following genera: _Marginella_ (Date sh.e.l.ls), _Oliva_ (Olives), _Mitra_ (Mitres), _Turbinellus_ (Turnip sh.e.l.ls), _Voluta_ (Volutes), ...; all possessing not only clear but natural characters; inasmuch as, by such an arrangement, those interesting links and ramifications that connect this family with the _Bullae_, _Cones_, _Cowries_, _Murices_, and other genera, can be traced; and which perhaps affords the most fascinating and intellectual source of contemplation and study the science can bestow.
The peculiarity of this species will distinguish it among this numerous and intricate family. The basal suture is deeply channeled; those on the spire covered by the polished callosity which spreads from the inner lip.
Mr. Dillwyn has adopted the unpublished name of Solander, although the sh.e.l.l had long ago been described and named by Martini and Lamarck. I consider this as contrary to that principle of nomenclature which awards a preference to priority of publication; and I have therefore restored the name of those authors who have this undoubted claim. Mr. Dillwyn's description is very clear and good.
I cannot learn from what particular part of Brazil this species has been received.
Pl. 43
[Ill.u.s.tration]
MELLIPHAGA auricomis,
_Yellow-tufted Honeysucker._
GENERIC CHARACTER.
(_Melliphaga_, Lewin.)
_Rostrum mediocre, capite plerumque longius, gracile, curvatum, ac.u.minatum, attenuatum, ad basin altius quam latius, lateribus compressis; culmine carinato. Mandibula superior ad apicem emarginata; inferior lateribus compressis. Nares concavae ad medium rostri porrectae, membrana tectae, inter rictum et apicem longo fissu aperientes. Lingua longa, extensibilis, fibris cartilaginosis terminata. Pedes simplices, digito exteriore connexo, halluce pervalido._
Obs. _Cauda rectricibus_ 12, _remigibus_ 1 _et_ 2 _spuriis; rostri margine aliquando subtilissime dentato._
Typus Genericus _Certhia Novae Hollandiae_ Lath.
Bill moderate, generally somewhat longer than the head, slender, curved, pointed and ac.u.minated, the base higher than broad, the sides compressed, the top carinated; upper mandible notched at the tip, the under mandible laterally compressed. Nostrils concave, near half the length of the bill, covered by a membrane, opening by a long slit midway between the gape and tip. Tongue long, extensible, terminated by cartilaginous fibres. Feet simple; outer fore-toe connected; hind-toe very strong.
Obs. Tail-feathers twelve, first and second quills spurious; margin of the bill sometimes minutely toothed.
Generic Type _New Holland Creeper_ Lath., &c.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_M. olivaceo fusca; vertice corporeque subtus flavescentibus; temporibus auribusque nigris; gula et pennis elongatis pone aures flavis._
Olive-brown: crown of the head and body beneath yellowish; temples and ear-feathers black; throat and lengthened feathers behind the ears yellow.