136 THK QUEUIST. 



Popular British Eritomohji/, containing a familiar and technical description 

 . of the insects most common to the various localities of the British Isles. By 



Maria E. Oatlow. With sixty-nine coloured figures. liOndon : Reeve and 



Benham. p p. 2G9. 



Miss M. CATr.ow commences her pleasant task by giving a short outline 

 explanatory of the different parts and organs of insects^ which must be known 

 and understood before any classification of specimens can be made. She next 

 gives a full account of all the families into which the various orders of insects 

 are divided, by means of which the learner may classify his captures into 

 groups or families. Next comas a description of a considerable number of 

 genera and species, by which most of the common insects may be correctly 

 named; and as all the Butterflies are included, those which usually first engage 

 the attention of the young student may all be named. The coloured figures 

 are very good, and will be a great assistance to those commencing the study 

 of Entomology. Directions for collecting, preserving, and arranging insects are 

 also given; and a concluding chapter on the benefits and injuries received 

 from the insect tribes, with Fome account of fossil species will be read with 

 much interest. We much regret that the small amount of space at our dis- 

 posal for reviews obliges us to refrain from any extracts; but we cannot conclude 

 these few remarks without expressing our gratification that, like her sister, 

 Miss M, Catlow has not hesitated to plade the connexion between Religion and 

 Natural History in its true light; on this account, as well as on the intrinsic 

 merits of her little book, we can with much confidence recommend it to those 

 commencing a study of Entomology, or who may wish to encourage any young 

 friend to take up the science. 



It will not supersede the necessity of other works, but it will pleasantly 

 and usefully prepare the way for them. 



€)^i (£imxi± 



Having kept tame Buzzards, (Buteo vulgaris,) for many years, I beg leave to [say a few 

 words in answer to the question, asked in the last number of "The Naturalist," Bo the Hawk 

 tribe drink? These birds are very fond of bathing, and I have remarked that when water is 

 placed for them, they invariably perch on the edge of the bowl or pan and drink for a con- 

 siderable time before attempting to wash themselves, throwing their heads far back after every 

 sip. They also often go to the water solely for the purpose of quenching their thirst. — John 

 Gatcombe, AVyndham Place, Plymouth, May 4th., 1852. 



Can any of j-our readers tell me the origin of the word "Wort," so frequently used in Eotany, 

 as "Woundwort, Louscwort, Spearwort, Spidcrwort, Etc. — S. Hannaford, Jun., Totncs, April 

 7th., 1852. 



' Nuphar lutca is plentiful in the River Froom, Stapleton, near Bristol. — Henry Watts, 2, 

 Lower Arcade, Bristol, April 26th., 1852. 



