108 REVIEWS. 



Of the plates, ten iii number, one-half are devoted to exemplify the vary- 

 ing forms of the oral organs, which are of so much moment for generic 

 division in these families. The rest present examples of the principal 

 genera, with the veining of the wings, and other details of structure. The 

 eye of the entomologist has guided the hand of the artist here ; and these 

 illustrations are calculated to please more generally than Kirby's own rude, 

 but instructive, etchings. The generic characters, which the plates seem 

 to elucidate, are drawn up with care and neatness, without unnecessary 

 diffnseness. The veining of the wings has been made to afford the ground 

 for a natural subdivision of the extensive genus Andrena, to which Kir by 

 had confessed himself unable to discover any clue. In the delineation of 

 the species, we are glad to see that Mr. Smith has adhered to the good old 

 Linnean pattern, neither swelling out the diagnosis to the amplitude of a 

 description, nor wholly dispensing with it, as has been done by some late 

 Monographers, whose merits, in other respects, have been of the highest 

 order. It is easier to give a good diffuse description than a good concise 

 one, but the apt construction of the diagnosis is the hardest test of all such 

 skill. 



In conclusion, we would say that this Catalogue, whether as a manual 

 of reference for naming a collection, or a pocket-companion on entomologi- 

 cal rambles, may be considered as indispensable to every one intending to 

 collect and study the British bees. 



MOLLUSCA TESTACEA MARIUM BRITANNICORUM. A History of the British 

 Marine Testaceous Mollusca, Distributed in their Natural Order on the 

 Basis of the Organization of the Animals, with Reference and Notes on 

 every British Species. By William Clark. London : John Van Voorst. 

 1855. 8vo. Pp. 536. Price 15s. 



THERE is, says Adanson, in his "History of the Shells of Senegal," published 

 one hundred years since, something more to consider in shell-fish besides 

 their shells. The animal that inhabits them should guide our methodical 

 arrangements should be our only regulator since it is the principal part, 

 and that which gives to the shell its form, size, hardness, colours, and all 

 the other peculiarities in it which we admire so much. Though by no 

 means subscribing to the truth of the above extract, we have quoted it for 

 the purpose of introducing to our readers' notice the volume on British 

 Marine Testaceous Mollusca, by William Clark, who, in some particulars 

 at least, might be called the Michel Adanson of the present century. Our 



