170 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



BOOK NOTICES. 



The Taxonomic Value of the Antennae of Lepidoptera. By Don- 

 aldson BoDiNE, Trans. American Entomological Societv, 

 XXIII., pp. 1-56, PLATES I.-V., 1896. 



Mr. Bodine finds good characters in the finer external structure of 

 the antennae, especially the sculpturing and the distribution of the differ- 

 ent types of sensory hairs. Prof Comstock's suborders are abundantly 

 confirmed. Not only does Mr. Bodine find that the antennae of Hepialiis 

 and Micropteryx separate them sharply from all the frenatge, but he 

 considers the jugatas even more nearly allied to the Trichoptera than to 

 the other Lepidoptera. Mr. Bodine does not attempt a rigid classifica- 

 tion of the frenatpe on antennal characters which would have been 

 desirable ; but draws attention to a number of special aftinities. The 

 only one of these which is at all disturbing to the most recent views is 

 that which implies a close relationship between the Sphingidce and 

 Sesiidce (p. 36). In spite of the close similarity in structure of the 

 antennae, I do not think that this view which derives the Sphingidce from 

 the SesiidcB, and therefore from the Tineids, will obtain. There seem to 

 be too many objections on other grounds. Harrison G. Dyar. 



The Crambid^ of North America, by C. H. Fernald, A. M., Ph. D., 

 Massachusetts Agricultural College, 1896. 

 This little book of less than one hundred pages is really an admir- 

 able monograph of this family of Grass-moths. In the introduction, the 

 author briefly relates the injury that is often done by these insects to 

 grass crops, and mentions some of the natural enemies that keep them in 

 check. He then gives an historical account of the family in the writings 



of Entomologists, and after a chapter on the external anatomy, proceeds 

 to give descriptions of the genera and species, including the preparatory 

 stages as far as known. The synoptical tables of genera and species are 

 excellent, and afford a ready means of identifying a specimen when 

 made use of in connection with the clear and concise descriptions and 

 the beautiful illustrations. Besides a i&w wood-cuts in the text, there are 

 three plates depicting the anatomy and wing venation of the family, and 

 six exquisite coloured plates of the species. We trust that collectors will 

 now be induced to study this family, as the way has been made so easy 

 for them, and then be encouraged to investigate other families of Micro- 

 lepidoptera. 



Mailed June 4th. 1 



