128 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



accurately coloured examples, natural size, of every species and 

 many varieties, together with carefully executed drawings of the 

 eggs, caterpillars, chrysalids, and food-plants of the most important. 

 The text, as we should expect from the authorship, is carefully 

 and accurately written, and altogether there is a wonderful amount 

 of information given in such a small compass. Of the figures, 

 which are most excellent examples of the three-coloured process, 

 we can only speak in terms of the highest praise. The present 

 volume deals with the Families Sphingidre to Noctuidas, and is 

 to be followed by a second series, devoted to the remainder of the 

 " Macrolepidoptera." It would be difficult to imagine a more 

 charming gift-book for the schoolboy naturalist, and we can 

 cordially recommend it as a most beautiful, convenient, and 

 reliable account of our native Moths. 



WILD BEES, WASPS, AND ANTS, AND OTHER STINGING INSECTS. 

 By Edward Saunders, F.R.S. London : George Routledge & Sons, 

 Ltd. Price 33. 6d. 



This little book, by our recognised authority on the Insects of 

 which it treats, consists of a series of short essays, "only for the 

 non-scientific." Since, however, reliable information on the habits of 

 the Aculeate Hymenoptera is not easy to find, we venture to think 

 that the book appeals also to the scientific reader who, though not 

 a specialist, desires to know something of this exceptionally interest- 

 ing group of Insects. The essays are good and full of accurate 

 information, though perhaps a little unequal. The best, perhaps, 

 are those towards the end of the book, on "The Distribution, 

 Rarity, or Abundance of various Species," on " The Development 

 of Insects from the Egg," and on " Colour." The book is embellished 

 by four plates, executed in the best " three-colour " style, from 

 drawings which are unusually beautiful and accurate. 



