288 ENTOMOLOGICAL NE\VS fxxxii, '21 



though it is not evident in what way his scheme of classification is bet- 

 tered thereby. 



Such statements as that made on page 57, where he states that "The 

 Simulidae are more than suspected of conveying pellagra," and his 

 recommending the older book on medical entomology by Doane, rather 

 than the more modern ones by Pierce, Herms, or Riley, in his 

 bibliography, lead one to suspect that Mr. Ealand is not as familiar 

 with recent progress in medical entomology as he might be ; and unless 

 one lives in England, the extremely local character of most of the 

 works on entomology recommended in the bibliography will be some- 

 what disappointing to the student who wishes to become more familiar 

 with the groups of insects discussed in the book. 



There is much of interest and value in "Insect Life," and the fore- 

 going criticism is possibly unduly severe ; but when such a high price 

 as twelve dollars (for which one may obtain a number of standard 

 works dealing with the different phases of entomology infinitely more 

 thoroughly) is charged for a single book, one naturally expects an 

 adequate "quid pro quo" for his investment : and unless the agents arc 

 willing to send the book "on approval," it is greatly to be feared that 

 those who purchase it without first seeing it (as was the case with the 

 reviewer) will be much disappointed in the "value received." G. C. 

 CKAMTTON, Amherst, Massachusetts. 



Doings of Societies. 



Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural Sciences of 



Philadelphia 



Meeting of May 26, 1921. Twelve persons present. Dr. Henry 

 Skinner presided. Mr. R. H. Hutchinson of Philadelphia was elected 

 a Contributor. 



COLEOPTERA. Dr. Skinner spoke about the abundance of insect life 

 in the countries of cold climates. He also exhibited a specimen of 

 Phciif/odcs. larva or adult female, captured at Hawks Park, Florida, 

 and spoke of the peculiarities of these insects. 



ORTHOPTEKA. Air. Rehn made some remarks upon the cockroaches 

 or Blattidae, exhibiting a box of specimens selected to illustrate habitat 

 types, sexual dimorphism, color pattern, size range, etc. The speaker 

 briefly reviewed the classifications which have been proposed and also 

 the orthodox characters which have been used for the differentiation 

 of the genera and species. Features brought out in recent studies were 

 discussed and illustrated with charts. 



HEMIPTERA. Mr. Kisliuk exhibited specimens of the citrus black 

 fly, showing the insects massed on a leaf. He also spoke of some 

 interesting experiences encountered in the performances nt 1m inspec 

 tion duties. K. T. CKKSSON. JK.. A'.YoniVr. 



