L49 
The author, date and original place of publication are given for 
every genus and species. Great care has been taken by the writer to 
examine, where possible, the types, and indication is given where these 
may be found. Published references are cited separately under the 
name of the species and the synonyms. Under the head of Habitat, 
Dr. Smith gives the distribution as far as known to him. Most refer- 
ences, however, to the 3,456,542 square miles of territory which are 
officially recognized as the Dominion of Canada (exclusive of Labrador 
and Newfoundland) are covered by the one word " Canada." This 
shows that few of our Canadian collectors have availed themselves of 
the generous offer made by Dr. Smith as advertised in all the Entomo- 
logical Magazines, namely, that " he will name and return all material 
of this family sent to him, for the privilege of retaining such specimens 
as may be needed for description or for completing the collection of the 
United States National Museum." 
As the author of the Catalogue has in preparation a Monograph of 
the whole of this family of moths, it is to be hoped that Canadian 
Entomologists will do all they can to assist him by sending him liberal 
supplies of material. The tendency of some to lock up in private col- 
lections rare and interesting specimens is much to be regretted. It is 
far better to send them to a specialist for study and subsequent deposi- 
tion in a public museum where they will be not only of scientific value, 
but also available for study by others, and will have much greater 
chance of being preserved. The personal possession of rare or even 
unique specimens is after all a very small pleasure compared with that 
of knowing that they are in a place where they can be of use to many, 
and where the best care will be taken of them. 
The large number of species included in the Noctuida?, the close 
similarity between many of these, and on the other hand the wide 
variations which sometimes occur in the different specimens even of 
the same brood, make the study of this family very difficult. For this 
reason Dr. Smith's Catalogue will be gladly welcomed by Lepidopterists. 
It is a wonderful book and throws a flood of light on what was a hope- 
less chaos of impenetrable disorder. J. F. 
