101 



examine for themselves presents its details to tliose -willing to learn 

 in sucli an attractive manner as to induce attention. Furthei-, above 

 and beyond all this, wlien it has served its end as a successful educa- 

 tional means of training the mind, the recipient is possessed of a stock 

 of useful knowledge which, no matter what his occupation may be, he 

 will have frequent opportunities to make use ot for his own good and 

 ^he benefit of his neighbours. 



It is i)erhaps open to discussion whether the different sections of 

 "Entomology for Beginners" might not advantageously have been 

 arranged rather differently, or whether indeed it may not be better for 

 the beginner to study some of the last chapters first. Tnis, however, 

 is a trifling matter, and the student will soon learn where each of the 

 sections is situated. As arranged at present, we find first of all, in 

 what may be called Section I, chapters on the structure, metamor- 

 phoses and classification of insects. Thi-s last is not in strict 

 accordance with the accepted systems, some of the older orders 

 having been subdivided, until instead of 8 orders we now have 16. 

 Dr. Packard has spent many years in close study and careful 

 thought on systematic entomology. He says of the present system : 

 " The classification presented is in accordance with recent studies, and 

 " the conviction that certain of the lower so-called ' orders ' of insects, 

 " such as the ' Orthoptera, Pseudoneuroptera,' are heterogeneous, iin- 

 " natural groups, which for the sake of clearness and truth to nature 

 " should be broken up into distinct orders." The reasons are given for 

 the changes and the points are well sustained. We have no hesitation 

 in saying that the new classification is a good one, and anticipate its 

 ready acceptance by scientific entomologists. 



There are only two defects which strike us. One is that it is per- 

 haps too much condensed ; the other tliat the degree of 'amplification 

 is not given of all the figures. 



Chapter 4 gives a short account of some of the interesting types of 

 insect architectui-e. 



Chapter 5, consisting of 34 pages, gives an excellent account of 

 injurious and beneficial insects, and enumerates the leading remedies. 



Tho lemainder of the work is devoted to a careful and most intelli- 

 gible treatise on collecting and presei'ving specimens for the cabinet, also 



