1899. i 193 



Se-appearance of Acidalia emu/aria at Sheei-ness. — It is with much pleasure 

 that I record the occurrence during the past few days of my favourite little moth, 

 Acidalia emutaria, in one of its old stations near Sheerness, and in moderate 

 numbers. "Before the flood" (of November, 1897, which disaster has become 

 quite an epoch here) the moth might have been looked for with some certainty in 

 several places at the end of June, but these localities, mostly near the sea walls, 

 were totally destroyed, and are scarcely likely to produce A. emutaria again for a 

 long time to come. The present one has the advantage of being within ten minutes' 

 walk of my house, but in other respects is by no means a desirable spot to collect 

 in, it being simply a dusty main road, with a ditch (not too sweet swelling) on either 

 side, and the resort of all the cyclists in the town; so that "dusking" for A. 

 emutaria along this road, and searching for it at rest with a lantern after its evening 

 flight is over, is a business more exciting than pleasant. — Id. 



Insects, their Structure and Life ; a Primer of Entomology : by George 

 H. Carpenter, B.Sc. Lond., F.E.S., &c. Pp. 401, 8vo. London : J. M. Dent & Co. 

 1899. 



That the multitude of recent elementary works on Entomology now in existence 

 find a sale is to us a convincing proof that the number of students, as opposed to 

 collectors only, is much greater than formerly, yet from some cause or other the 

 number of those who devote themselves to systematic work can scarcely be said to 

 increase, the majority being fascinated by the physiological, and especially the phi- 

 losophical, aspect of the subject. Mr. Carpenter's book caters for all. It is 

 essentially a compilation — most of such books necessarily are so — in which many 

 authors have been laid under contribution, and for the anatomical and physiological 

 part none more so than Prof. Miall and Denny (" The Cockroach ") ; and most of 

 the numerous text illustrations are also familiar. But Mr. Carpenter can claim 

 originality in his method of treating the subject, and also in some ideas as to classi- 

 fication, &c., and there is a capital index. As a rule works that have been consulted 

 are not mentioned at the place, but a number refers to a list of authors and works 

 at the end of the book, and on referring to this we find that over 200 separate works 

 are enumerated as having furnished information in the course of compilation. There 

 are six chapters, devoted to the main subjects, which are treated in a concise manner. 

 In the classificational chapters (iii and iv) 15 Orders are admitted. On the question 

 of Evolution the author has the courage to openly dissent from those who maintain 

 the " all-suifieiency of Natural Selection," such boldness is unusual with young 

 writers at the present day. In points of detail there are several matters we might 

 call in question if so inclined, and a few statements that may be looked upon as 

 slips. On the whole we cannot but heartily commend the work to the notice of 

 entomologists, whether they be students or collectors only, the former cannot (unless 

 they be far advanced) fail to increase their knowledge from its perusal, the latter 

 will be able to enrich their minds by learning much about structure and habits. 

 The work is well printed, and a judicious use of black type enables the eye to catch 

 the divisions of the subjects more readily. 



