220 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 



Lepidopterists looking over this latest list and then glancing back- 

 ward at its excellent predecessor, Dr. J. B. Smith's List of 1903, 

 may well be satisfied with the progress made. 



In the matter of species, over 8,500 are now included against 

 about 6,800 in Smith's List, an increase of 1,700 species or 25%, 

 which in itself indicates much activity. But more important still 

 has been the work of specialists in working out revisions of the 

 various groups from a world-wide standpoint, which, while necessi- 

 tating many changes, is bound to result in a more stable classifica- 

 tion. Among the works referred to are those of Rothschild & 

 Jordan on the Sphingida?; Sir Geo. Hampson on the Arctiida 

 and Noctuidse; and of Mr. L. B. Prout on the Geometrida\ in ad- 

 dition to the revisions in the partially completed "Genera In- 

 sectorum" and " Macro-Lepidoptera of the World." 



Embodied in the new list are not only the conclusions of these 

 eminent authorities, but also the results of several years' study 

 of the Barnes' collection and existing types in other North American 

 collections, and finally changes had to be made to accord with the 

 rules of nomenclature adopted by the International Congress. 



The changes in many instances have been very drastic, but 

 with the excellent index, which occupies almost as many pages 

 as the list proper, little trouble will be experienced in finding the 

 species looked for. As a compensation for having to forget a lot 

 of names and learn new ones, it will give the older collectors a 

 feeling of pleasure to find the "swallow-tails" are all Papilios 

 again, the "whites" are Pieris, instead of Pontia, and our friend 

 the milk-weed butterfly is archippus again and its genus is Danaus, 

 which sounds familiar even if the spelling be not. 



The check-list is valuable to everyone interested in North 

 American Lepidoptera, and the few lines headed "Exchange" on the 

 fly-leaf at the back convey the good news that the same authors 

 purpose publishing a full catalogue of North American Lepidop- 

 tera. It is hoped that the request for information will meet with 

 a general and cheerful response. 



The price of the Check-List is $2.00, and copies are obtain- 

 able from Dr. Wm. Barnes, Decatur, 111. A. F. W. 



Mailed June 2nd, 1917. 



