We believe the sale of works on Natural History to have been, till recently, very limited; this has probably arisen from their technical character, and consequent unfitness for the general reader.  Mr. Loudon was, perhaps, the first to familiarize the study of Zoology, in originally making it a portion of his excellent Gardeners’ Magazine.  The formation of the Zoological Society next rendered the study more popular, and the gardens in the Regent’s Park at length made it fashionable, and ensured it patronage.  About this time Mr. Loudon commenced his Magazine of Natural History, which has been very successful:  it is one of the most unique works ever published, both as regards the spirit and research of the intelligent editor, and the good taste with which the work is illustrated—­the latter being a very important feature of a work on Natural History.

The proceedings of the Zoological Society are, we believe, regularly reported in the Zoological Journal, published quarterly, and edited by N.A.  Vigors, Esq., the ingenious secretary of the Society; but, valuable and clever as may be this work, it is not calculated for extensive reading.  We are pleased, therefore, with the appearance of “The Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society,” which is popular and scientific, and so elegant as to be fit for any drawing-room in the empire.  It is published with the sanction of the council, and is superintended by the learned secretary; the descriptions, anecdotes, &c. being furnished by E.T.  Bennett, Esq. the vice-secretary.

The present number contains Engravings and Descriptions of the Chinchilla, (about which all our lady-friends will be very curious); the Ratel; the Wanderoo Monkey; the Hare-Indian Dogs, the Barbary Mouse; the Condor; the Crested Curassow; the Red and Blue Macaw; the Red and Yellow Macaw:  all these and the tailpieces or vignettes appended to the descriptions, are beautifully engraved.  The Quadrupeds are, perhaps, the most successful—­the group of Hare-Indian Dogs, for instance, is exquisitely characteristic.  Of the literary portion of the work we intend to present our readers with a specimen in our next number.

* * * * *

CURIOUS ACCOUNT OF AN OYSTER CATCHING THREE MICE; AND A LOBSTER CATCHING AN OYSTER.

(For the Mirror.)

Borlase, in his Natural History of Cornwall, page 274, says, “The oyster has the power of closing the two parts of its shell with prodigious force, by means of a strong muscle at the hinge; and Mr. Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, 1602, with his wonted pleasantry, tells us of one whose shell being opened as usual at the time of flood, (when these fishes participate and enjoy the returning tide) three mice eagerly attempted to seize it, and the oyster clasping fast its shell, killed them all.  It not only shuts its two valves with great strength,