216 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 



the type, all so-called 'restrictions' previous to such a time being invalid (vide 

 Opinion 46). This latter clause has been the subject of much adverse criticism 

 and is even now not observed by numerous Lepidopterists ; for a very able dis- 

 cussion of this point we would refer the reader to a recent paper by Dr. J. C. 

 Bradley in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London for 1919, 

 page 51. 



As a result of a strict application of the above rules for the first time to 

 the Pterophoridae we find Oxyptilus Zell. superceded by Ptcrophorus Geofif. 

 (type, didactyla Linn.) and in place of Ptcrophorus, as generally used, following 

 Walsingham, Fernald and Meyrick, we have the term Oidaemato phorus Wllgn. 

 Platyptilia Hbn. is used in its old established sense but Alucita Linn, is cor- 

 rectly referred to hexadactyla Linn., supplanting Orneodes Latr. The four 

 species included under it in the Barnes and McDunnough Check List are 

 distributed in the genera Aciptilia Hbn., Psdnophorus Wlshm. and Adaina Tutt., 

 to which latter genus are also referred several species formerly included in 

 Pterophorus. 



The only adverse criticism of the above changes that could possibly be 

 made is that Lamarck's Systeme des Animaux sans Vertebres (1801) has not 

 been accepted by the authors as fixing genotypes. The point is' still a mooted 

 one and has been touched upon by Dr. Bradley in the above mentioned paper. 

 It is a great pity that the Secretary of the International Committee, Dr. C. W. 

 Stiles of Washington, connot be prevailed upon to secure an early vote on this 

 subject, as until this matter and the one concerning the validity of Hubner's 

 'Tentamen' are definitely settled, no stability in the generic conceptions of the 

 Lepidoptera is possible. In the present instance, if Lamarck had been recognized 

 as fixing genotypes, it would have been permissible to employ both Oxyptilus 

 Zell. and Ptcrophorus Linn, in the generally accepted way. 



The monograph deals with 117 species of which 31 are new to science, the 

 greater proportion of these new species being from the southwestern states and 

 referable to the genus Oidaemato phorus. Keys to the genera and to the species 

 are included and a full bibliography is given. The authors are to be highly com- 

 plimented on the thoroughness of the work and it is. to be hoped that through 

 its means a fresh impetus will be given to the study of these interesting forms, the 

 biology of which in so many cases is still completely unknown. — J.McD. 



CORRECTIONS. 



Page 152. — Table of Species, couplet L second section, change to read "Disc of 

 Thoracal squamae not pilose." 



Page 153. — Couplet 9, second section, change to read, "Face without median 

 black stripes.". 



Page 152. — Syrphus rihcsii, sixth Hne. change "of" to "or" and read "tip, or 

 apical sixth." 



* C. H. CURRAN. 



Mailed Dec. 8th, 1921. 



