ELEMENTS OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



of sixpence each, it is obvious that the publisher must anticipate a large 

 sale ; for nothing else would enable him to meet the expense of publication, 

 and to realise a profit. This fact is worthy of note ; for, as publishers 

 must in their undertakings have reference to the public wants and wishes, 

 we may infer that Mr. Van Voorst considers that he can now appeal to a 

 circle of readers very different in extent from that to which such a pub- 

 lication could, even a few years ago, have been addressed. We have, 

 therefore, in this, an evidence of the increasing public desire for zoological 

 knowledge, especially in one of its most fascinating departments. 



We prefer waiting until the work is complete, before expressing any 

 critical opinion on its merits. At present, we would do little more than 

 announce its existence, and convey to our readers, so far as these numbers 

 enable us, an idea of the course pursued by the author. He has not given 

 any " preface" or " introduction ;" so that we have no explanation pre- 

 sented to us of the plan he intends to adopt, or the precise views which it 

 is his intention to bring forward and elucidate. The subjects, successively 

 taken up in the several chapters, are the only landmarks which indicate 

 the general direction of the road along which Mr. Dallas proposes to guide 

 the young Entomologist. 



" What is an Insect ?" is the question asked and answered in Chapter 

 I. The " Structure of Insects in general" occupies Chapter II. This is 

 followed by " Sexes and Transformations" — " Classification and Nomen- 

 clature." Chapter V. is devoted to the Coleoptera ; and we may presume 

 that the other orders will follow in regular sequence. The style is 

 simple and perspicuous, and the young student who reads these " Elements 

 of Entomology" will never feel a doubt as to the author's meaning. It is 

 clear and intelligible throughout. 



But it would be doing injustice to Mr. Dallas if we did not add, that 

 the didactic style is occasionally forsaken, for one more congenial to youth, 

 and not without attraction even to those of advanced or declining years. 

 As an instance, we would refer to his description, at page 65, of a Lon- 

 doner's spring ramble, and its concomitants, including the Brimstone but- 

 terfly (Gonypteryx Rhamni) and the Tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris). 

 To join in such a walk, we would throw down our pen, lay aside our spec- 

 tacles, and forsake our library and easy chair ; for we reside in a locality 

 where the Tiger beetle is unknown, and where we have lived for more 

 than twenty years without our eyes having been " gladdened," during all 

 that time, with the sight of a Brimstone butterfly on the wing. R. P. 



