251 



The Cambridge Natural History, Vol. VI. (Insects, part 2). 

 By David Sharp, M.A., M.B., F.R.S., etc. Pages 601, 

 figs. 293. McMillan & Co. Price 17s. net. 



After a lapse of four years since the publication of vol. v. the 

 oft-promised vol. vi. has at length appeared, and continues and 

 concludes the History of Insects. It mil be remembered that 

 in vol. V. the Aptera, Orthoptera, Neuroptera, and the parasitic 

 Hymenoptera were dealt with, in the present volume the 

 remaining families in the last named order are described, the 

 Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Aphaniptera, Thysanoptera, 

 Hemiptera, and Anoplura being afterwards severally considered. 



Of the eight chapters into which this volume is divided, the first 

 three are devoted to Bees and Wasps, the characters of each sub- 

 family being clearly stated ; fifty-two illustrations are interspersed 

 amongst the text, the natural size being in all cases indicated 

 where the figures have been enlarged. The many pages relating 

 to the habits and instincts of bees will prove by no means the 

 least interesting portion of the volume to the general reader. 

 In chapter 4 the Ants are similarly treated, thirty excellent 

 figures being given in illustration. In chapter 5 the Coleoptera 

 are systematically described, and the distinctive characters given 

 of no less than eighty-five families, types of most of these being 

 specially figured — the microscopic structure of the mouth organs, 

 feet, etc., being also in addition frequently shown. Chapter 6 

 deals exclusively with the Lepidoptera, the first forty pages con- 

 taining a careful description of their structure, development, and 

 classification, these being followed by some account of each of the 

 forty-seven families into wdiich this order is divided. Chapter 7 

 treats somewhat more briefly of the Diptera, Aphaniptera, and 

 Thysanoptera, and amongst the illustrations given, we easily 

 recognise on p. 503 a figure of Diopsis taken from a specimen 

 which excited much interest when shown at one of the meetings 

 of the Q.M.C. In the eighth and last chapter an account is 

 given of the Hemiptera, Homoptera, and Anoplura, and here, as 

 elsewhere in the volume, excellent figures are given, as well as 

 useful foot-notes referring to bibliography. 



As in vol. v., a very complete index of the contents is given, 

 extending over twenty-five pages, in which, by the simultaneous 



Journ. Q. M. C, Series II.— No. -iS. 18 



