Vol. XXv] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 139 



The following figures are intended to give an idea of the thorough- 

 ness of the volume in question : 



In the catalogue of Staudinger-Rebel, which appeared thirteen years 

 ago, 238 forms of Zygaenidae were enumerated, while "Seitz" list? 

 418 Zygaenidae of the palaearctic region; of Saturnidae "Seitz" has 

 122, against "Staudinger-Rebel's" 31. Furthermore "Seitz" describes 

 329 Sphingidae against 100 mentioned in the "Stgr.-Reb." catalogue; 

 of Cymatophoridae 86 are given in the "Seitz," while in "Stauding- 

 er's" work only 23 are shown ; of Limacodidae 46 are found in the 

 "Seitz," whereas 15 are accounted for in the catalogue mentioned 

 above, etc. 



All in all, this volume describes about 300 species (or varieties) of 

 Spinners, besides about 300 Sphingidae. The number of colored fig- 

 ures on 55 plates amounts to nearly 2400. If it be taken into consid- 

 eration that the Moths and Spinners in the Staudinger do not quite 

 number a thousand (to which, of course, some varieties are to be 

 added) ; one must readily admit that our knowledge of the palaearctic 

 region, with reference to Entomology, approaches completion, by 

 means of this gigantic work. 



The reliability of the text, it must be said, can only be judged by 

 scientists versed in this line, or by specialists of the palaearctic Fauna. 

 The names of the authors, who contribute to this work, are so well 

 known in the scientific world that one may readily place confidence 

 in their ability, their statements and their scientific work. 



By reading a chapter of the "Seitz," it will doubtless be perceived 

 that the numerous serviceable hints on catching butterflies and cater- 

 pillars, on their raising and mode of living, etc., are based upon per- 

 sonal experience; and that furthermore the author himself has per- 

 sonally bred the principal representatives of almost all the species, 

 whether they live in the Amur region, or in Syria, or in Mauretania, 

 etc.; he has, at any rate, viewed them alive. The vast information 

 on feeding-plants, on methods of catching the animals, etc., are of 

 the utmost importance to any collector. For is there any other book, 

 which, for example, mentions at what hour the caterpillars of Emydia 

 striata must be collected, in order to obtain the greatest quantity of 

 them ; or one, which cautions against delay in taking in the Ognoyyna 

 caterpillars, and admonishes collecting them, before the grass has 

 grown so high that they are completely hidden from sight? 



As in the first volume the plates are the most essential and pre- 

 dominant features of the work, so they are in the second also. If 

 anyone should deem this assertion to be too bold, that it was left to 

 the "Seitz" to teach the world and show what real good pictures are, 

 he certainly ought to make a critical comparison with other works of 

 this kind. The average collectors are, of course, satisfied with the 



