358 THE CANADIA.N ENTOMOLOGIST. 



BOOK NOTICES. 



The Butterfly Hunters in the Caribbees, by Dr. Eugene Murray- 

 Aaron. New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1894. Pp. 269. 

 It is a novel event in literature to have a boy's book of adventure 

 written by an Entomologist ; we were, therefore, prepared to peruse with 

 interest the volume which Dr. Murray- Aaron has just published. Belong- 

 ing, perhaps, to those whom he characterizes as the " younger old people," 

 we were charmed beyond measure with the book, and read it through 

 from beginning to end with as much avidity and enjoyment as any adven- 

 ture-loving school-boy. It relates in pleasant, easy style, the expedition 

 made by a couple of boys, under the guidance of their naturalist friend, 

 *' the Doctor." During the early winter months they visited several of 

 the islands of the Bahamas, and then made a more venturesome excursion 

 across Haiti and into Santo Domingo, winding up with a flying visit to 

 Jamaica. Their object was to collect butterflies especially, and at the 

 same time to gather all the animal and vegetable curiosities that they 

 conveniently could. For an account of their success and the various 

 " dodges " they had recourse to, especially when in pursuit oi Papilio 

 Ifomerus, we must refer the reader to the book itself. It is not, how- 

 ever, a mere record of the doings of collectors ; a great deal of interest- 

 ing information is given regarding the condition of the negro races in their 

 barbarism where left to themselves, and their happy condition when 

 under British rule. Much pleasant instruction may also be gained regard- 

 ing the geography, scenery and government of the various islands that 

 were visited. If any paterfamilias is looking for a book to put in his 

 boy's Christmas stocking, he cannot do better than purchase a copy of 

 this. If his boy has any taste for Natural History, it will delight him 

 beyond measure. The book is handsomely printed and bound, and 

 illustrated with several well-executed plates. The entomologist may be 

 disappointed at the absence of lists, or names of species, and pictures of 

 butterflies ; but the book is not meant for a scientific treatise, though its 

 statements may be relied upon as strictly accurate, the author being well- 

 known as the Editor for a time of Fapilio, and Curator of the American 

 Entomological Society, at Philadelphia, as well as a valued contributor to 

 this magazine. 



