64 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



and eighth superfamilies (Dimorphides and Attacides), and a portion 

 of the ninth (Sphingides). The exhaustive nature of the work is 

 shown by the fact that in 540 closely-printed pages only fourteen 

 species are disposed of, that is, in addition to the accounts of the 

 various genera and larger groups to which these species belong. 

 The account of Lasiocampa querats, the Oak Eggar, occupies no 

 less than 69 pages ! The information there given is printed under 

 the following heads : Synonymy, original description, description of 

 imago, sexual dimorphism, gynandromorphism, variation (39 pages), 

 egg-laying, egg-parasite, description of ovum, comparison of ova of 

 different varieties, habits of larva, (4^ pages) description of larva, 

 comparison of larvae of different varieties, pupation, description of 

 cocoon, description of pupa, comparison of pupa with that of 

 Cosmotriche potatoria, dehiscence of pupa, food-plants, parasites, 

 habits and habitat, time of appearance (3 pages), localities and 

 distribution (3 pages of small type). What more could the most 

 exacting seeker after information desire ? The matter, too, is so 

 well arranged that any particular fact under any of the heads just 

 quoted can be found without much difficulty. The present volume 

 is an improvement upon the two previous ones, inasmuch as the 

 table of contents is more extended, but we would suggest a slight 

 additional alteration which would, we think, be acceptable to all who 

 use the work. If in the index the figures indicating the page upon 

 which the main account of any particular genus or species commences 

 were printed in bolder type, it would save unnecessary page-turning. 

 Lastly, the addition of a comprehensive index to this and the preceding 

 volumes would be a boon, and we are glad to read in the preface 

 that the author is willing to print one, if carefully prepared by any one 

 who has the requisite time at his disposal. P. H. G. 



