the same species in its usual form, and appears clothed or covered with
the thick filmy epidermis, of a brown colour, with which the shell is
naturally covered when in a living state. From this figure it will be
perceived that the direction of the spiral wreath or whorls in the
larger shell is exactly reversed, and that the mouth or aperture of the
shell, which in the smaller figure appears on the right side, is seen in
the reversed shell on the left. Thus upon the least comparison of the
two figures, the true character of the reversed shell will be distinctly
perceived.
We should not omit to mention that the smaller figure which represents
the unreversed shell would appear of the same pallid hue as the reversed
shell, upon the removal of the epidermis with which it is enveloped.
Sometimes, however, when this common kind is particularly fine, the
exterior surface is delicately tinged with a less pallid hue, and the
pillar lip and opening yellowish, inclined to flesh colour. That
particular kind or variety which in England is denominated the low
spired or heavy Turnip Shell, is sometimes pleasingly diversified with
more vivid tints, and the younger shells occasionally spotted with
brown, upon a ground tinged with yellowish or buff colour. We have no
knowledge of any reversed shell of this latter kind, excepting one which
is in the Museum at Copenhagen.
-----
Footnote 14:
The Hindoos entertain the belief of a general deluge, not very
dissimilar to that of the Mosaic records. They admit, however, many
such catastrophes of the earth, and subsequent renovations through the
creative power of this attribute of Brahma, which they denominate
Vishnu. The Chank Shell refers to a deluge of the earth, anterior to
that which seems to accord with the sacred writ. The deliverance of
the earth from the Mosaic deluge they term the lotos creation, the
type of which is the expanded flower of the lotos, the indian _pedma_
emerging above the surface of the waters with Vishnu seated in its
centre.
Footnote 15:
Were it requisite to treat more amply upon this subject, it would be
in our power to produce abundant evidence of the prevalence of this
symbol of the sacred Volute, wherever Vishnu or his delegated power
appears. The rich repository of the India House, the British Museum,
and many private collections afford us some examples of the most
interesting kind. Some few of these are so immediately connected with
the object of our enquiry, that we feel persuaded no apology will be
necessary for their introduction.
In the collection of Lord Valentia is a four-sided cast in brass,
resembling a kind of pyramid, consisting of three low platforms, each
bearing idols, and surmounted at the summit by a tortoise. In several
Indian paintings mythologically adverting to the subject of the
creation, the tortoise is represented raising the new-born earth upon
its back above the waters, and it is usually seen in other
mythological paintings of the same subject bearing the throne upon
which Vishnu is seated, while the attendants, personified by various
beings, are lifting the earth from the deep. Such a painting was once
in the celebrated collection of Colonel Stuart: and we need no other
evidence to shew that the bronze of Lord Valentia’s collection is of
the same mythological nature, and referable to the deluge, than to
observe the Chank Shell placed at each of the four corners of the
ornament. We may comprehend the allusion of the tortoise raising the
earth from the waters of the deluge, from a trait of the ancient
Chinese astronomy; by the tortoise bearing the earth, they intended
the north pole of the ecliptic, which, at the time of the deluge, they
maintained had not materially changed its position, and that by this
means the world was sustained and saved from utter annihilation.
An Indian painting, mentioned by Mr. Edward Moor, the author of the
Hindoo Pantheon, presents us with another deity, Sivi, who holds the
Chank Shell in one of his four hands, and the antelope (moon) in
another.
There is also an Indian painting of Devi, who appears holding a Chank
Shell, furnished on each side with a lateral lappit or wing: this
symbol he holds in one hand, and the wheel, the emblem of the
universe, in the other; and in a bronze of Vishnu, in the India House,
we find the Chank Shell ornamented in a similar manner.
We have seen another indian painting, in which, not only the Chank
Shell is furnished on each side with alæ, or wings, but an expanded
flower of six petals is placed upon its pinnacle. This shell, if we
may judge from its outline, is of that kind which has the spire
depressed. Lord Valentia is in possession of a bronze cast, in which
Vishnu appears reclined upon his couch of serpents, attended by
_Lakshmi_ and _Satyavama_, (eternity) in which the shell is also
winged, and appears to be of that kind in which the beak is elongated
or produced; and if this conjecture be correct, it will appear that
the Hindoos venerate indiscriminately, and probably as the same shell,
each of those three varieties of Voluta Pyrum, which we have mentioned
in another part of this description. Our limits will only permit us to
observe that we believe we may add with some degree of certainty, that
the reversed shell, the more immediate object of our present
dissertation, may sometimes appear also: there is in the temple of
_Visweswara_, at Benares, a sculpture of Surya, the Indian
personification of the sun, seated in his chariot driven by Aruna, in
which the _Chank Shell_ held in his right hand appears to have the
aperture on the left side instead of the right, as in the usual growth
of the shell. If this be not an oversight of the copyist (_Mr. Moor_)
the circumstance deserves peculiar notice.
Footnote 16:
Vide Catalogue _Lev. Mus._ “Last day, July 12th, 1806, lot 77. _The
reversed variety of the High Spired Turnip, from Madagascar_,
extremely rare. £7. 7s.” p. 15.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
_22_
_London. Published as the Act directs, by E.
Donovan & Mess.^{rs} Simpkin & Marshall, Nov.^r 1. 1822._
]
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CONCHOLOGY.
PLATE XXII.
VOLUTA PYRUM
PEAR VOLUTE.
_Back View._
UNIVALVE.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Spiral; aperture without a beak, and somewhat effuse: pillar twisted or
plaited, generally without lips or perforation.
**** FUSIFORM.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Shell obovate and slightly tailed with striated whorls on the spire: tip
produced and glabrous: pillar with three plaits.
VOLUTA PYRUM: testa obovata subcaudata spiræ anfractibus striatis; apice
producto glaberrimo, columella triplicata.—_Gmel. Syst. Nat. T.
1. p. 6. 3463. 102._
* * * * *
In the preceding plate (plate 21) we have introduced to the attention of
our readers a figure of that truly interesting rarity the reversed
Voluta Pyrum, or Pear Volute, or as it is better known in the familiar
language of the English collectors by the appellation of the High spired
Turnip Shell. The figure there delineated exhibits a frontal view of
this shell, in which the characteristic aperture of the mouth is
displayed to advantage. And in order that nothing on our part may be
wanting to complete our observations on this very valuable curiosity, we
have been induced to insert in the present instance, a back or posterior
view of the same shell.
We have already entered so fully into the history of this shell in the
description of the former plate, as to render it, we may presume,
superfluous to dwell upon this subject further in the present instance.
Our figure of the reversed shell, as in the former plate, is accompanied
by a posterior view of a shell of the usual growth, (covered with its
natural epidermis) and by the assistance of this figure, the contrary
direction of the spiral wreath in the reversed shell becomes at once too
obviously striking to escape attention.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
_23_
_London. Published as the Act directs, by E.
Donovan & Mess.^{rs} Simpkin & Marshall Nov.^r 1, 1822._
]
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ORNITHOLOGY.
PLATE XXIII.
TANAGRA TRICOLOR
TRICOLOURED TANAGER var β.
PASSERES.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill conic, pointed, notched, nearly triangular at the base, a little
inclining at the tip.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Shining green, beneath yellowish green; wing coverts violet: frontlet
and upper part of the back black.
_Var_ β. Crown and chin violet: neck, and sometimes rump, orange.
TANAGRA TRICOLOR: viridis splendens, subtus viridi-flavescens,
tectricibus alarum violaceis, capirostro dorsoque superiore
nigris uropygio fulvo. _Lath. Ind. Orn. 428. 29._
TANAGRA TRICOLOR β. Tangara cayanensis varia cyanocephalos. _Briss. Sup.
p. 62. t. 4. f. 2._
TANAGRA TRICOLOR: viridis, capite, mento, jugulo et pectore pallide
thalassinis capistro nigro, cervice collique lateribus
viridi-aureis, gulæ macula magna dorsoque nigris, pectoris
fascia cærulea, abdomine crissoque ex flavicante viridibus.
_Gmel. T. 1. p. 2. 891._
TANGARA varié à tête verte de Cayenne.—_Buff. Pl. Enl. n. 33. f. 1._
β TANGARA varié à tête bleue de Cayenne.—_Buff. Pl. Enl. n. 33. f. 2._
* * * * *
The history of this splendid species of Tanager is unknown to
Naturalists: we are aware only, that independently of the varieties
arising from its different states of plumage, there are two pretty
distinct and accurately defined varieties, one of which has the head of
a fine green, the other of a rich blue. Some authors consider these two
birds as specifically different, while others are as well assured they
are the same. Dr. Latham observes that these birds are, without doubt,
the same, differing only in sex, but which of them is the male is not
ascertained. Some of the French writers, among whom is Vieillot, express
a different opinion, for they assure us neither the female or the young
are known, and they further add, that in the Brazils this bird is
common, while in Guiana it is rare. Vieillot once regarded them as
distinct species, but has subsequently described them as the same. Both
birds, according to Dr. Latham, are from Cayenne; we have seen both
kinds from the Brazils.
The size of this bird is that of the house sparrow: the rump is usually
green, but in the blue headed variety, is sometimes flavous, more or
less inclined to orange.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
_24_
_London. Published as the Act directs, by E.
Donovan & Mess.^{rs} Simpkin & Marshall, Nov.^r 1 1822._
]
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ENTOMOLOGY.
PLATE XXIV.
PAPILIO THERSITES
THERSITES BUTTERFLY.
LEPIDOPTERA.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Antennæ thicker towards the tip, and generally terminating in a knob:
wings erect when at rest. Fly by day.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Wings tailed and yellow: border black: lower ones with yellow lunules.
PAPILIO THERSITES: alis caudatis flavis: limbo nigro, posticis lunulis
flavis. _Fabr. Ent. Syst. T. 3. p. 1. 88._
We may venture to affirm, with every degree of certainty, that there is
no figure of this very beautiful species, extant, in the work of any
previous author. Fabricius described it as a new species, under the name
of Papilio Thersites; his description refers to a specimen in the
cabinet of Dr. Hunter, but he has omitted to insert his usual reference
to the drawings of Mr. Jones, among which that specimen was delineated,
and from which we are well aware the Fabrician description of the
species is derived. It is from those drawings, also, that we have been
enabled to determine the species with perfect accuracy.
The magnitude of this Papilio renders it an object of peculiar interest;
it is one of the most conspicuous insects of its tribe, and in point of
elegance cannot assuredly be considered inferior to any of its numerous
species. In the plate accompanying this description, the Papilio is
represented in its natural size: the whole disk is of a fine yellow
colour, with a deep black border: the posterior wings are marked with a
series of yellow lunules, and another of brilliant blue spots, composed
of little shining dots, of which the brightest are in the centre.
Beneath, the breast, abdomen, and wings, are yellow: margin of the
anterior pair black with a yellow streak, and a black streak of spots on
the lower pair.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
_25_
_London. Published as the Act directs, by E.
Donovan & Mess.^{rs} Simpkin & Marshall, Dec.^r 1 1822._
]
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ORNITHOLOGY.
PLATE XXV.
TROCHILUS ORNATUS
TUFTED-NECK HUMMING BIRD.
ORDER
PICÆ.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill subulate or awl-shaped; filiform, tubular at the tip, longer than
the head: upper mandible forming a sheath for the lower. Tongue
filiform, the two threads coalescing and tubular: feet formed for
walking: tail composed of ten feathers in general.
** Bill straight.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Golden green, beneath glossy brown, crest rufous; and on each side,
below the ears, a tuft of elongated rufous feathers with a green spot at
the tip of each.
TROCHILUS ORNATUS: viridi aureus, subtus-nitente fuscus crista rufo:
infra aures utrinque pennis elongatis rufis apice macula viridi.
TROCHILUS ORNATUS: viridi-aureus, subtus nitente-fuscus, fascia uropygio
alba, crista (in mare) verticis et fasciculo pennarum infra
aures utrinque rufo.—_Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat. T. 1. p. 497. n.
58._
TROCHILUS ORNATUS: viridi-aureus subtus fusco-aureus, crista rufa
abdomine infimo vittaque transversa uropygii albis, infra aures
utrinque pennis 6 s. 7 elongatis rufis apice macula
viridi.—_Lath. Ind. Orn. 318. 58._
Hupecol _Buff. Hist. Nat. des Ois. 6. p. 18._
Oiseau Mouche, dit Hupecol de Cayenne.—_Buff. Pl. enl. n. 640. f. 3._
TUFTED-NECKED HUMMING BIRD.—_Lath. Gen. Syn. 2 p. 784. 55._
* * * * *
The Tufted-Neck Humming Bird described by Buffon under the name of
_l’Oiseau-Mouche de Cayenne_, _Le Hupecol de Cayenne_, differs in no
respect that we perceive from the bird before us; and for this reason we
can have no hesitation in considering it as an individual of the same
species. Our specimen is not from Cayenne, it was brought from New
Zealand, and was one among the number of those rarieties collected in
that island by the celebrated Navigator Captain Cook, in his first
voyage round the world: that in which he was accompanied by Sir Joseph
Banks, and Dr. Solander. The New Zealand specimen, though it nearly
accords with the bird described by Buffon under the name of Hupecol de
Cayenne, does not entirely agree with the description given of that
species by Dr. Latham: it differs in wanting the white band on the rump,
and the patch or space of the same colour on the lower region of the
belly. Buffon speaks of such a characteristic mark of white on the rump,
but not the abdomen of the Cayenne kind.[17] And it is not unlikely that
these appearances may be indications only of a change in plumage, as the
same circumstance is not unfrequently observed in many other birds at
particular seasons, or in certain states of moulting. Dr. Latham himself
observes that in the female these marks, instead of being white, incline
to rufous, and this, no doubt, in the adult bird. There is certainly no
appearance of white either upon the rump or region of the belly in the
bird before us; and this example bears every appearance of having
arrived at its full maturity of plumage. Perhaps the bird from Cayenne
having a white band on the rump and abdomen, may be, however, if not a
distinct variety, the more mature bird of the same species as that met
with by our circumnavigators at New Zealand.
There are species of this tribe more brilliant in colour and more richly
varied in the disposition of those colours, but assuredly none more
singular or pleasing in general aspect than the bird before us. In point
of size the Tufted Humming Bird is one of the smallest species of its
family, scarcely exceeding in that respect the figure delineated in the
plate, for its total length is not above three inches, and its bulk
proportionate. The head and upper part of the body, and also the wings
above, are green with a golden lustre; the tail greenish, changeable to
testaceous golden brown, and having the inner webs rufous. The throat is
of a fine green colour, variable in different lights to a golden hue
with a yellow or a brown metallic lustre, and below that the whole of
the belly is a rich brown glossed with green and golden. On the head of
the male bird is a crest of pointed feathers of an orange or testaceous
brown colour, and on each side of the neck a tuft composed of elongated
feathers, differing in length, and having the tips of a dark but
brilliant green. These feathers the little creature has the power of
raising or depressing at pleasure: when these are displayed in full
array on each side of the green patch on the front of the neck, and the
crest stands erect, which is invariably the case when the bird is
offended or surprised, the appearance of this bird is altogether
remarkable. The female has neither the ruff on the neck nor the crest,
and its colours are in general more obscure than in the male. The bill
is of a moderate length and straight, the legs very short and the feet
diminutive.[18]
In the annexed plate this elegant little bird is seen perched upon a
tuft of the
JACQUINIA AURANTIA, THE AUSTRALASIAN
ORANGE JACQUINIA,
in blossom; a plant that inhabits the New Holland and New Zealand, and
which flowered in the month of July in the present year, at Kew.
-----
Footnote 17:
“Le dessus du corps est d’un vert-sombre, qui jette quelques reflets
dorés: les parties inférieures ne présentent que des couleurs
rembrunies.” _Buffon_
Footnote 18:
A New Zealand specimen of this rare bird, lot 6286, sold for the sum
of £2 10s. in the Leverian sale.
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[Illustration:
_26_
_London. Published as the Act directs by E.
Donovan & Mess.^{rs} Simpkin & Marshall Dec.^r 1, 1822._
]
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CONCHOLOGY.
PLATE XXVI.
TURBO SCALARIS
WENTLETRAP.
ORDER
UNIVALVE.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Shell spiral, solid: aperture contracted, obicular, entire.
* _Umbilicate, or Perforated._
SPECIFIC CHARACTER
AND
SYNONYMS.
Shell conic, pale fulvous with white ribs, whorls distant.
TURBO SCALARIS: testa conica, pallide fulva costis albis anfractibus
distantibus.
TURBO SCALARIS: testa cancellata conica: anfractibus distantibus.—Linn.
_Syst. Nat. 10 p. 764. n. 548._—_Mus. Lud. Ulr. 658. n.
351._—_Gmel. Linn. Syst. Nat. T. 1. p. 6. 3603. n. 62._
SCALARIA PRETIOSA: testâ conicâ, umbilicatâ inspiram laxam contortâ,
pallidè fulva; costis albis; anfractibus disjunctis, lævibus:
ultimo ventricoso.—_Lamarck Anim. sans. vertebr. 6. p. 2. 226.
1._
Wentletrap (scalaris).—_Rumpf. mus. t. 49. fig. A._—_Argenville Conch.
pl. 11. fig. V._—_Gualt. tab. 10. fig. 2. 7._
* * * * *
The Wentletrap is one of those extraordinary productions of the shell
tribe that has been regarded with unabated admiration among
Conchologists from the days of Petiver and Rumpfius, the earliest of the
more recent race of Naturalists, down to the period in which we live.
And, although it does not at this time bear a price so very great as
that which it bore some years ago, it is yet considered as a shell of no
mean value when it is large and in fine perfection: even those of a
smaller size, when in good condition, are esteemed of value, at least in
some proportion to those more estimable for their perfection.
The rarity of this choice and very curious shell arises from various
causes. In the Chinese seas, which it chiefly inhabits, the species is
very rare; it sometimes occurs upon the coasts of Coromandel, but
sparingly, and in the other seas upon the coasts of India it is believed
to be still more uncommon. These shells are, moreover, so very brittle
that they seldom occur perfect, and more especially the larger ones,
which in almost every instance is abbreviated or imperfect at the point
or apex. And, it may be also added that like _Voluta Pyrum_, the _Sacred
Chank Shell_, of which an explanation was given in a former plate, the
Wentletrap is one of the sacred shells of the worshippers of Brahma, and
consequently when found in fine condition, is sure to obtain a
considerable price among the opulent devotees of that doctrine, the
prevailing worship of the many millions of inhabitants that people
India, China, and other vast regions of the continent of Asia. In China,
shells of this kind, of a moderate size, are valued at from four to
five, or even ten dollars a piece, those are shells of about an inch and
a quarter in length, and such as exceed that size are considered in
proportion valuable. In England a fine specimen about the same size last
mentioned would be estimated in worth at little less than five guineas.
The celebrated Wentletrap of the Leverian Museum was about two inches
long, but as it exhibited little freshness of colour, it produced only
eleven pounds. Since that period another specimen, a trifle larger, and
with the same bleached or depauperated appearance in its tints of
colour, was sold at the public hammer for twenty seven pounds. This is
the highest price we have seen paid for a specimen of this curious
shell: we have heard of fifty guineas being given by one collector for a
shell of this kind. Considerable as this price may be deemed, it appears
to have been exceeded in one, if not more instances, upon the continent.
Denys de Montfort, speaking, as it may be presumed, of the low countries
and France, informs us, that he has seen it sell, when the height or
length has exceeded two inches, at two thousand four hundred livres, or
one hundred Louis. It will be observed that he is alluding to shells
about the same size as that delineated in the annexed plate, the outline
of which is from the Leverian specimen; the colouring amended from a
smaller but more recent shell.
These shells are of such a tender nature, and their colours so
evanescent or so feebly fixed, that they almost constantly present a
mutilated and bleached appearance. This is not, however, uniformly the
case; we have very recently had an opportunity of inspecting several
specimens of a moderate size, that were brought from China, and from
these we perceive that the Wentletrap, when in fine order, is of a pale
testaceous or rather fulvous hue; and inclining sometimes to yellowish.
In some few specimens the ground colour of the shell, instead of being
uniform, appears sprinkled with pallid spots and dots of a rounded form.
Sometimes we are assured the colour inclines to rufous, or a reddish
tint. Lamarck has this shell of a pale fulvous colour, with the ribs as
usual, white, for he adopts this as part of the leading character of the
species; his expression is “_pallide fulva_; _costis albis_.”
The animal inhabitant of this shell has the head armed with two feelers,
each ending in a setaceous thread or hair: the eye is placed upon the
tentacula at the base of this thread or hair, and it has also a kind of
trunk at the mouth, by means of which it searches for its food amongst
the sand and weeds. It is supposed to be of a carnivorous nature,
subsisting on other marine worms. It is considered rather as a littoral
species, frequenting the little sandy bays and creeks among the breakers
upon the lower parts of the sea shore, and is to be sought for with the
most probability of success among the sea weeds or fuci that grow in the
pools of water lying in these sunken rocks, because in such situations
it is most likely to find protection against the intrusion of the
boisterous element. Occasionally it is seen, though rarely, crawling on
the sands at low water.