All these varieties, as before observed, are very easily reconciled to the same species; nor is it ourselves alone that are inclined to this opinion. Seba, to whom the larger brown and white variety, were known, admits them as the same without any hesitation.[12] The expression “_Testa alba aut fusca_,” the Linnæan description of this shell in the cabinet of the Queen of Sweden, implies the like persuasion, and the authority of Chemnitz may be adduced still further in support of this opinion: Some modern writers have thought differently, but we must confess the distinctions they assign are by no means satisfactory to us. The larger shell is usually of a brown colour, but we have seen one of the white variety rather larger than any of the brown colour that have occurred to our notice. The shell we have selected for the figures in the annexed plate is chosen rather for its extreme perfection than the superiority of size; we have observed it larger by nearly one half, but have not in any instance met with one more entirely perfect: it is delineated from the example of this very curious species in the late Leverian Museum. This species which for a century past or more has maintained its reputation as a rare production is still held in much esteem, and bears a price proportionately considerable: it inhabits the shores of Southern Asia. Gmelin has the expression “_Habitat pretiosus et rarus in_ mari, Asiam australem _alluente_, _&c._” and describes the species as being either white, brown, or black. ----- Footnote 11: “Cornua cervina—_bois de cerf_.”—Seba. Footnote 12: “Horum processus admodum producti sunt; ut ideo Cornua cervina appellentur ob qualemcunque similitudinem. Corpus tamen Cochleæ semper pro ratione ramorum minus est, quam in Muricibus superioribus.”[12a]—_Seba T. 3. tab. 77. p. 172._ Footnote 12a: As _Murex ramosus_, of which several varieties are given in the plates Seba, _Murex Saxatilis_, &c. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: _17_ _London. Published as the Act directs, by E. Donovan & Mess.^{rs} Simpkin & Marshall, Sept.^r 1, 1822._ ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ORNITHOLOGY PLATE XVII. PSITTACUS GALGULUS SAPPHIRE CROWNED PARRAKEET. PICÆ. GENERIC CHARACTER. Bill falcated; upper mandible moveable, and in general covered with a cere: nostrils rounded, placed in the base of the bill: tongue fleshy, obtuse, entire: feet formed for climbing. SPECIFIC CHARACTER AND SYNONYMS. Green: rump and breast scarlet: crown of the male blue.