ing the beak. At the points of the mandibles, the outer walls are nearly a line in thickness; at other parts in the upper beak they are much thinner, varying from 1-30th to 1-50th part of an inch, and in the lower beak are from 1-20th to 1-30th part of an inch in thickness. On making a longitudinal section of the upper mandible, its base is seen to include a conical cavity, about two inches in length and one inch in diameter, with the apex directed forwards. The walls of this cone consist of a most beautiful osseous network, intercepting irregular angular spaces, varying in diameter from half a line to two lines. From the parietes of this cone a network of bony fibres is continued to the outward parietes of the mandible, the fibres which immediately support the latter being almost invariably implanted at right angles to the part in which they are inserted. The whole of the mandible anterior to the cone is occupied with a similar network, the meshes of which are largest in the centre of the beak, in consequence of the union which takes place between different small fibres as they pass from the circumference inwards. It is remarkable that the principle of the cylinder is introduced into this elaborate structure: the smallest of the supporting pillars of the mand.bles are seen to be hollow or tubular, when examined with the microscope. The structure is the same in the lower mandible, but the fibres composing the net-work are in general stronger than those of the upper mandible.'

Nervous System and Senses.-Mr. Owen states that the medullary membrane lining these cavities appears to have but a small degree of vascularity. Processes of the membrane, accompanying vessels and nerves, decussate the conical cavity at the base of the beak. The principal nerves are two branches of the fifth pair, which enter at the lower part of the conical cavity, and diverge and ascend as they pass forward to the end of the bill, giving off branches, which are distributed to the horny covering, and supply it with sensibility. 'The air,' says Mr. Owen, is admitted to the interior of the upper mandible from a cavity situated anterior to the orbit, which communicates at its posterior part with the air-cell continued into the orbit, and, at its anterior part, with the maxillary cavity. The nasal cavity is closed at every part, except at its external and internal apertures, by the pituitary membrane, and has no communication with the interior of the mandible.'

Smell. The organ of smell is confined to the base of the upper jaw. The canal, which is traversed by the air and odorous particles in inspiration, forms a sigmoid curve in the vertical direction. The external orifice is on precisely the same perpendicular line as the internal one. It is situated at the posterior surface of the upper mandible, where it is raised above the level of the cranium; the orifice Is consequently directed backwards, secure from all injury that might happen to it in the act of penetrating dense or interwoven foliage. The olfactory canal is at first of almost a cylindrical form, and about two lines in diameter. It passes forwards for about half an inch, receiving from the mesial aspect the projection of the first spongy bone; it then bends downwards and backwards, and is dilated to admit the projections of the two other spongy bones: from this point it descends vertically to the palate, at first contracted, and afterwards dilating to form the internal or posterior orifice. The first or outermost spongy bone is almost horizontal, and has its convexity outwards. The second is nearly vertically placed, with its convexity directed backwards: it terminates in a narrow point below. The third or superior spongy bone makes a small projection towards the mesial plane about the size of a pea. These spongy bones are formed by inward projections of the inner and posterior osseous parietes of the nasal passage; they are cellular, and air is continued into them from the cranial diplöe; but the parietes of the nasal passage are entire and smooth, and lined by a delicate pituitary membrane. The inner table of the skull is continuous with the parietes of the nasal cavity, by means of the bony canal which accompanies and protects the olfactory nerves, and which represents, as it were, a single foramen of the cribriform plate of the mammalia. The communication of the cavity of the eranium with that of the nose is thus similarly formed, and is only obstructed in the recent state by the pituitary membrane, on the posterior cul-de-sac of which the olfactory nerve distributes its branches in a radiated manner. These branches were confined, as Scarpa has observed in other birds, to the pituitary membrane covering the septum narium and the superior spongy bone.'

Hearing. The external orifice of the meatus auditorius is situated about half an inch behind the lower boundary of the orbit. The membrana tympani closes it so obliquely that its plane is directed almost backwards; its anterior edge is consequently about three lines from the external orifice, while its posterior margin is at least six lines from the same point. It is convex outwardly, as in birds generally. The apparatus of the internal ear is easily exposed, the semicircular canals being lodged in a delicate reticulation of the diplöe of the cranium. These parts, with the ossicu lum of communication and the cochlea, do not present any deviations from the ordinary structure worthy of notice.' Sight. The sense of sight in the Ramphastida appears to be sufficiently well developed, but requires no special observation.

Respiratory and Circulating System.-Mr. Owen found the trachea narrow and simple in its structure, the rings somewhat flattened, and decreasing in diameter towards the inferior extremity, from which a single pair of muscles passes off to the sternum. The length of the lower fourth of the tube, and the state of tension in the bronchia are regulated by a pair of small muscles, which, arising from the sides of the tracheal cartilages, are inserted into the bone of divarication at the extremity of the trachea this part of the tube is subjected to variations in length, as is indicated by the tortuous character of the recurrent nerves attached to the sides of the trachea in this part. The lungs, small in proportion, are of the usual form and structure, and the abdominal air-cells are also small. The heart is more oblong than it is in birds generally; its apex, as it were, truncate; and its length one inch.

Urinary and Genital System.-The kidneys, composed of three lobes, of which the middle one is smallest, are an inch and a half in length, with a surface convoluted, though in a less marked degree than it is in reptiles. Between the anterior extremities of these glands Mr. Owen found, in a female Ramphastos Ariel, the ovary of a triangular shape, and apparently healthy. The ova were like minute granules, and disposed in a convoluted manner. The supra-renal glands were imbedded in the posterior part of the ovary. The oviduct, of the size of a crow-quill, commenced by the usual fimbriated and wide aperture, was slightly tortuous at the commencement, and then continued straight to the cloaca.

Osseous und Muscular Systems.-Certain parts of this system bear upon peculiar functions performed by the Toucans, and are thus described by Professor Owen:-The pectoral muscles, as in the Psittacidae, are but feebly developed, and the keel of the sternum is of moderate size, not projecting more than half an inch from the plane of the bone. The sternum has four notches at its posterior margin. The clavicles, or lateral halves of the furcula, are here, as in the Psittacidæ and Struthionidæ, separate; they are an inch in length, slender, pointed at their lower ends, and joined to each other and to the sternum by a ligament only.'

The peculiar motions of the tail called for a particular examination of that part. It is difficult to state the precise number of the caudal vertebræ, in consequence of the terminal ones being anchylosed, requiring for this purpose the examination of a young specimen at a period before the anchylosis takes place. In the skeleton of a Black-billed Toucan which I have examined, it would appear that three vertebræ are thus anchylosed, making the entire number of coccygeal vertebræ nine. The Woodpecker has also nine caudal vertebræ, and this seems to be the greatest number found in birds. The first six of these vertebræ in the Toucan are articulated by ball-and-socket joints, the ball and the socket being most distinct in the last two joints. That between the sixth and the anchylosed vertebræ is provided with a capsule and synovial fluid; the others have a yielding ligamentous mode of connection. The spinous processes of these vertebræ, both superior and inferior, are of moderate size, but smallest in the sixth, where the greatest degree of motion takes place. The transverse processes, on the contrary, are large and broad, so as almost wholly to prevent lateral motion. The first of the anchylosed vertebræ is broad and flat, and of a rounded form, supporting the two coccygeal glands: the last of these processes is compressed laterally, and of the ordinary ploughshare form. The caudal vertebræ can be inflected dorsad till their superior spines are brought into contact with the sacrum; in the opposite direction they can scarcely be bent beyond a straight line; and it is to this structure of the

bones and joints that is to be attributed the capability in the Toucan of turning its tail upon its back (as represented in the Zoological Journal,' vol. ii., pl. xv.*), the muscles presenting comparatively few peculiarities, since the motion alluded to is remarkable rather for its extent than the vigour with which it is performed. The principal elevators of the tail are the sacro-coccygei superiores (sacro-suscaudiens of Vicq d'Azyr). They arise from two longitudinal ridges on the inferior and convex part of the sacrum, and are inserted into the superior spines of the first six vertebræ by detached tendons terminating broadly in the anchylosed vertebræ. The principal antagonists of these muscles, the sacro-coccygei inferiores (sacro-sous-caudiens of Vicq d'Azyr), pass over the first five vertebræ, and terminate in the sixth and anchylosed vertebræ; their origins are wider apart than in the preceding pair of muscles, coming off from the margin of the sacro-sciatic notches. In the interval are situated small muscles passing from the transverse processes to the inferior spines of the first six vertebræ. From the limited nature of the lateral motions of the tail, the muscles appropriate to these movements are feeble, especially in comparison with those which are observed in the birds that spread their tail-feathers in flight, in order to regulate their course during that vigorous species of locomotion. These muscles are in number two on each side, arising from the posterior extremites of the ischia, and inserted into the expanded anchylosed vertebræ. From the disposition of these muscles it is obvious that after the proper elevators have raised the tail to a certain height, they also become dorsad of the centre of motion, combine their forces with the elevators, and by this addition of power terminate the act of throwing up the tail by a jerk. Mr. Vigors, in his observations on the living animal, observes, that "in these movements the tail seemed to turn as if on a hinge that was operated on by a spring."' (Owen, in Gould's Ramphastida.)

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and chest white, with a tinge of greenish yellow, terminated by a band of scarlet; under surface black; under tailcoverts scarlet. Total length 24 inches; bill 7; wings 9; tail 64; tarsi 2. (Gould.)

Mr. Gould states that this bird is very rare; his own specimen, which he says will be added to the museum of the Zoological Society of London, being the only one which he has ever seen, with the exception of another, of which he has some recollection, in the museum at Berlin. He adds that there is no example in the Paris collection. Locality. The densely-wooded districts on both sides of the Amazon.

Generic Character.-Bill smooth. Nostrils entirely concealed, and placed at the edge of the thickened frontlet of the bill. Wings short, rounded; the four outer quills graduated and abruptly pointed. Tail short, rounded. (Sw.)

Ramphastos Toco appears to be one of the largest species, being 27 inches in total length. The bill measures 7 inches; the wings, 10; the tail, 7; and the tarsi are 2 inches in length. A beautiful figure of the bird, by Lear, is given in Mr. Gould's magnificent work. The range of the species is very wide, perhaps wider than that of any other, being distributed throughout the whole of the wooded districts from the River Plata to Guiana.

We select as an illustrative example, Ramphastos Cuvieri.

Description.-Beak brownish black on the sides, with a large basal belt and culminal line of greenish yellow, the basal belt being bounded behind by a narrow line of black, and before by a broader one of deep black, which is only apparent in certain lights; the top of the head and whole of the upper surface black, with the exception of the upper tail-coverts, which are bright orange yellow; cheeks, throat, • See page 289.

The following may be taken as examples of the genus Pteroglossus Humboldti

Description.-Bill large in proportion to the body; a band of black occupies the culmen from the base to the tip: the remainder of the upper mandible of a dull yellowish

orange, with the exception of an indefinite mark of black which springs from each serrature, and a fine line of the same colour surrounding it near the base; lower mandible black, with the exception of the base, which is surrounded with pale yellowish orange; the head, back of the neck, throat, and chest black; all the upper surface, except a spot of scarlet on the rump, of a dull olive; primaries blackish brown; under surface pale straw-yellow with a slight tinge of green; thighs chesnut; naked space round the eyes and tarsi lead-colour. Total length about 16 to 17 inches; bill 4, wing 5, tail 6, tarsi 1. (Gould.)

Mr. Gould's elegant figure of a male is taken from a specimen, supposed to be unique, in the Cabinet of Natural History at Munich.

Locality.-Brazils; probably near the Amazon.

Pteroglossus Humboldtii. (Gould.) Pieroglossus pluricinctus. Description.-(Male.)-A broad band of black advances from the nostrils along the whole of the culmen, and forms a narrow belt down the sides of the upper mandible at its base; the elevated basal margin of the bill is yellow; the sides of the upper mandible beautiful orange-yellow, fading into yellowish-white towards the tip; under mandible wholly black with a yellow basal ridge; head, neck, and chest black; whole of the upper surface, except the rump, which is scarlet, dark olive-green; breast marked with two broad bands of black, the upper separated from the throat by an intervening space of yellow dashed with red; a similar but broader space separates the two bands of black, the lower of which is bounded by scarlet, advancing as far as the thighs, which are brownish-olive; under the tail-coverts light yellow; naked space round the eyes, tarsi, and feet dark leadcolour.

Female.-Differs from the male.in having the ear-coverts brown, and a narrow belt of scarlet bordering the black of the throat.

Total length 20 inches; bill 4, wings 6, tail 8. (Gould.)

Locality.-Brazil.

The most characteristic figures of the Ramphastida known to us are those by Mr. Swainson, in his Zoological Illustrations,' and the highly finished plates in Mr. Gould's Monograph; the latter, from their size, beauty, and accuracy, have all the air of portraits.

Upper figure, female; lower, male,> (Gould.) RAMPHO'STOMA, Wagler's name for the Gavials [CROCODILE, Vol. viii., p. 167.]

RAMPION (Campanula Rapúnculus) is a biennia. plant, indigenous to Britain as well as to various parts of the continent of Europe. It has a long white spindleshaped root, which may be eaten in its raw state, like a radish, and is by some esteemed for its pleasant nutty flavour. Both leaves and root may also be cut into winter salads. The seeds should be sown at the end of May, in rather light soil, and thinly covered. The roots will be fit for use throughout the following winter.

A different plant, the Enothera biennis, is sometimes called German Rampion (Rapunzel Sellery). Its roots are used like those of the above, and the plants are cultivated in the same manner as carrots or parsnips.

RAMPOOR. [HINDUSTAN, p. 219.]

RAMSAY, ALLAN, was born in 1685, of parents of the humblest class, at a small hamlet, or settlement of a few cottages, stated to be now in ruins, on the banks of the Glangonar, a tributary of the Clyde, among the hills that divide Clydesdale and Annandale. The parish was probably that of Crawford in Lanarkshire, through which the Glangonar flows, and where are situated Lord Hopeton's leadmines, in which Ramsay's father is said to have been a working man, and he himself to have been employed when a child as a washer of ore. When he made his first appearance in Edinburgh, about the beginning of the last century, Allan was apprenticed to a barber; and he appears to have followed that trade for some years. In course of time however ne exchanged it for that of a bookseller, led probably by a taste for reading which he had acquired. He seems to have early in life enjoyed considerable popularity as a boon companion, and we may presume that it was in this character that he first gave proof of his poetic talents. He gradually however obtained the acquaintance of many of the most distinguished persons both in the literary and fashionable circles of the Scottish capital; and in 1721 he published a volume of his poems, which was very favourably received by his countrymen. In 1724 he published, in two small volumes, 'The Evergreen, being a Collection of Scots Poems, wrote by the Ingenious before 1600. The materials