140 



read the animated and glowing 1 descriptions of the Garden Thrash and the Brake 

 Nightingale, contained in the latter, without experiencing those emotions of pure 

 and ineffable delight which the contemplation of the works and the wonders of 

 Creation can alone or best awaken, — without catching a portion of the enthusiasm 

 which inspires the ardent and highly-gifted author, and gives an indescribable 

 charm to the productions of his pen, — has not a heart " instinct with Nature's 

 love ;" and most assuredly possesses no real claim to the character of an Orni- 

 thologist. 



The Naturalist's Library. Conducted by Sir William Jardine, Bart., F.R.S.E., 

 F.L.S., &c. Entomology. Vol. IV. British Moths, Sphinxes, &c. By 

 James Duncan, M. W. S.. pp. 268. Edinburgh, 1836. 



" This volume presents to the Public the continuation and completion of the 

 British Lepidoptera, and is confined almost exclusively to the nocturnal 

 portion of these beautiful and interesting objects of Creation ; the former volume 

 having embraced the natural history and illustration of the diurnal tribes. It is 

 enriched with seventy-six figures of various species, most of them characteristic of 

 distinct genera, accompanied in many instances with the Chrysalis and Caterpillar, 

 the latter generally placed upon the plant on which it feeds ; and they make in all 

 ninety-nine figures. The two volumes are calculated to form a Manual of 

 British Lepidotera, complete in relation to the Diurnal and Crepuscular 

 tribes, and presenting a considerable selection from the Nocturnal ; they are illus- 

 trated by no fewer than two hundred and forty-six figures, drawn, engraved, and 

 coloured from the natural objects with an accuracy which will bear comparison 

 with the best works on the subject. The copiousness of pictoral illustration may 

 be safely asserted to have no parallel, particularly when the small price of Six 

 Shillings per volume is considered, and it could only be accomplished by the 

 great number which are sold of this popular series, and the economy and care 

 practised in every department of its details." 



The preceding is an extract from the Advertisement prefixed to the fourth 

 volume of Entomology, of the Naturalist's Library : and we can conscien- 

 tiously bear evidence to the accuracy of the statement, and the justice of the eulo- 

 gy which it conveys. Rarely has it been our lot to peruse a more pleasing and 

 instructive work. It is, moreover, got up in a stile of extraordinary neatness and 

 elegance ; and, even in this prolific age of cheap publications, we have seen nothing 

 at all comparable, in moderation of price, with this. The figures of the various in- 

 sects in their perfect and caterpillar states, are commonly drawn with great accu- 

 racy and spirit ; and often coloured with equal truth and delicacy. To the justice 

 of our eulogium in the last respect, there are, however, some exceptions. In the 

 large Emei-ald Moth, Hipparchus papilionarius, Fig. 3, Plate xxvii., the " two 



