REVIEWS. 



109 



There is yet one more deviation from the ordinary generic arrangement, 

 which Mr. Dawson thus announces : — 



M The modern subdivisions of genera having proved unsatisfactory, being some- 

 times founded on almost imaginary differences, at any rate far from constant, are 

 altogether rejected, and I have merely inserted the names of the subgenera in brac- 

 kets for the convenience of those English entomologists who have been most 

 accustomed to Stephens's arrangement, without meaning to attach to them any 

 importance otherwise." 



Accordingly, about 35 genera, and one or two subgenera, of various 

 authors, almost all of them contained in Stephens's Manual, are swept 

 away at a breath. 



On the whole, then, whether we regard the arrangement of the families, 

 genera or species, according to Mr. Dawson's Monograph, the pervading 

 spirit is that of determined compression. Thoroughly dissatisfied with the 

 received arrangement, and continually complaining of the confusion into 

 which it has been thrown, he has set himself in good earnest to simplify 

 as much as possible. He has applied himself to his task with most laud- 

 able patience and assiduity, and has evidently turned to good account 

 the great advantages of which he was possessed. The result of his labours 

 is now before the entomological world, and even should it eventually be 

 proved that he has occasionally judged rather too strictly, great thanks would 

 be owing to him for his searching scrutiny of received opinions, out of 

 which nothing but good can eventually come. Even were one-half only of 

 his strictures to be finally established, it would be more than enough to 

 justify the observation with which this notice opened, as to the great im- 

 portance of each section of the science being separately and thoroughly 

 investigated. 



Having said so much of what Mr. Dawson has rejected, it is necessary 

 that some notice should be taken of the new species which he has intro- 

 duced, beautiful figures of which have been taken by Mr. Westwood, and 

 with the dissections and several outlines, representing those external parts 

 of the insects of certain closely-allied species, in which the " most material 

 distinctions of character are to be found, as an additional aid in deter- 

 mining the differences between them," are made the subject of three ad- 

 mirably executed and valuable plates at the end of the volume. The 

 number of " newly introduced " species, of which entire figures are given, 

 is fifteen, distributed among the following genera : — 



Dyschirius 2. Now first introduced. 



Badister 1. 



Calathus 1. 



Anchomenus 1. 



Harpalus 1. Now first introduced. 



Stenolophus 1. Now first introduced. 



Trechus 2. 



T3 iLuu c (Four species now first 



Bembidium 6. j intro P duced< 



