ISO Journal New York Entomological Society, [^oi. xxix. 



February 29, 1832, while the next oldest association of the kind, the Entomo- 

 logical Society of London, assembled for the first time on May 3, 1833. Of 

 American entomologists only three are mentioned by name, viz., John Le Conte, 

 " whose ancestors were French, native of Normandy," Charles Riley, and L. O. 

 Howard. The omission of reference to the pioneer of American entomology, 

 Thomas Say, shows the need of a modern biography of this great naturalist. 



The manifold features of insect morphology are treated in about 60 pages, 

 while more than half of the book is devoted to physiological and biological 

 considerations. This arrangement of subject matter is unusual in manuals 

 dealing with insects, but, I believe, most satisfactory, since it will undoubtedly 

 arouse the beginner's interest in the biological side of entomological science. 

 Following a short chapter on embryology, the larval and nymphal stages are 

 fully discussed. The book concludes with a consideration of insects in their 

 relations to mankind (economic and applied entomology) ; this part also con- 

 tains chapters on the means of defense of insects, on their geographical dis- 

 tribution, and on the fossil forms. 



Apart from its didactic value to the beginner, this manual contains much 

 theoretical matter which renders it a welcome addition to the entomologist's 

 general library. I may call attention to the chapters dealing with the theory of 

 the Protentomon (pp. 35-37) ; the metameric origin of the head (pp. 58-59) ; 

 the theory of flight in insects (pp. 150—152) ; histolysis during metamorphosis 

 (pp, 263—273) ; etc. Such and other critical discussions of controversial sub- 

 jects are most acceptable in an elementary textbook and will help to emphasize 

 the philosophical aspect of entomology. American readers will be somewhat 

 surprised to find the chapter on wing venation (pp. 78-S4) wholly devoted to 

 an exposition of Woodworth"s views. It is difficult to understand why Com- 

 stock and Needham's valuable work has been overlooked, since it enjoys at 

 present much popularity, both here and abroad. 



The classification of insects into nine orders, as briefly outlined at the 

 end of the volume, can hardly be justified and is neither practical nor in 

 accordance with theoretical views. It must, however, be conceded that the 

 delimitation of orders in the class Insecta is most unsatisfactory at present. 

 Handlirsch's division into 34 orders now seems conservative in view of the 

 fact that their number has been increased to 69 by two recent German authors ! 



The style of this manual is a good example of attractive and lucid con- 

 cision, a quality seemingly peculiar to the best French scientific writers. It 

 comes as a welcome relief after the brain-racking phraseology of certain mod- 

 ern " Handbiicher." The price of this handsomely bound, clearly printed, and 

 profusely illustrated volume should furnish food for thought for many an 

 American editor. — J. Bequaert, American Museum of Natural History. 



