BOOK NOTICES 299 



right : both may be wrong. But Mr. de Niceville is an author, not merely an 

 editor, and his task is to exercise his judgment and give us the result. If, for the 

 sake of leaving out nothing, he felt himself obliged to notice the eleven species in 

 which he did not believe, he might have relegated them to the region of small type 

 foot-notes, or dismissed them with a reference to the journals in which the original 

 descriptions might be found. However, he has always stated his own opinion 

 clearly, and the fact that he has, in deference to the opinions of older entomologists, 

 given a place to descriptions of supposed species, in the distinctness of which he 

 could not himself believe, tends to disarm criticism. No serious attempt can be 

 made, in this brief notice of the book, to judge between Mr. de Niceville and those 

 from whom he differs ; but it is safe to say that a great many even of the species 

 which he retains must go sooner or later (probably sooner). Under the genus 

 Ambly podia, for example, he gives descriptions of seven species, himself believing 

 in only two ; and as we glance over these seven descriptions, we notice that in every 

 one the underside is described definitely, as if it was always the same in each spe- 

 cies. Now any one who has lived among butterflies of this genus knows that they 

 are as variable on the underside as Kallima : no two are alike. It is charitable 

 to suppose that Mr. Moore and Mr. Grose Smith did not know this when they 

 floated new species on the strength of single specimens not even sexed ; but those 

 who do will naturally regard the seven species of Amblypodia with suspicion. 



Next to its completeness its accuracy is the most remarkable feature of this 

 book. When the number of references and scientific names, and the opportunity 

 which these afford to the "printer's devil" are considered, the correctness of the 

 text seems simply marvellous. It is matter for pride that such printing can be 

 done in India, but of course every word of the proofs must have been corrected by- 

 Mr. de Nice'ville himself, or some competent entomologist. The illustrations, too, 

 are as good as any we have seen, the coloured plates by Messrs. West, Newman 

 and Co. being particularly lifelike. In many respects this volume testifies to the 

 advance which has been made in our knowledge of Indian butterflies since the 

 former volumes appeared. The notes on habits, distribution, &c, seem in every 

 respect more complete and trustworthy, and many will be surprised at the number 

 of species of which Mr. de Nice'ville is able to give a complete life history. Some 

 of these histories are very interesting and well fitted to stimulate further research. 

 The Lyccenidce, though small, are in many respects the most fascinating of all 

 butterflies, and we may confidently predict that this volume will give a great 

 impulse to the study of them. Much remains to be done. Since this volume was 

 in print, Thaduka multicaudata, an extremely rare species, found hitherto only in 

 Burma, has been caught in Canara. All the specimens caught before were 

 females, and the Canara specimen was of the same sex, so the male remains to be 

 discovered. In conclusion we note that Mr. de Niceville hopes to bring out the 

 next volume on the Pieridw, in much less time than was needed for the Lycanidw. 

 Then the Hesperidaz only will remain, and to that family those who wish to help 

 in the work should turn their attention betimes. 



