238 [October, 



retaining his interest in his former occupation, consented to devote himself entirely 

 to watching the insect enemies of the planter, and to devising and testing remedies. 

 In addition to his acquirements as an entomologist, Mr. Green possesses the art of 

 delineating (mostly from microscopical specimens) insects and dissections of insects 

 in an exquisitely delicate manner, and one need only glance over the numerous 

 plates in the book before us to see that the work is that of a master hand, incapable, 

 we might venture to say, of being surpassed, and the figures have been faithfully 

 reproduced by chromo-lithography (most unfortunately the paper for the plates is 

 of a smaller size than the text). The letter-press is of the fullest possible nature, 

 with (in Part i) a concise summary of the general habits and structure of the 

 group. Tlie generic and specific details are complete, and the tables of genera are 

 made to include those not yet found in the island. Mr. Green estimates that about 

 200 species inhabit Ceylon, many are apparently endemic, others again are cosmo- 

 politan or introduced. Much interesting detail is given on the natural insect 

 enemies of Coccida, and it was news to us that the larvae of one of the LyccenidcB 

 {Spalgis Epius, Westw.) feed entirely on " mealy bug." 



To Part ii is appended a long chapter on remedial measures and insecticides. 

 It is acknowledged that this is largely drawn from American sources, and the author 

 hopes that amongst the remedies some may be found suitable for application in 

 Ceylon should occasion require. Much stress is laid upon the necessity for 

 quarantine, and in this connection it is stated that all the species that have proved 

 noxious in the island have either been certainly imported or are of general distri- 

 bution. No undoubtedly endemic species has caused any anxiety. Did space permit 

 we would touch upon some curiosities of Coccid life in the work before us. 

 Without doubt it is the most important work that has yet appeared on the subject ; 

 it is not often one finds scientific attainments and iconographic skill of the highest 

 order so happily combined. Putting on one side the matters of labour and time, 

 the cost of producing such a work is great. It is not too much to ask that 

 naturalists who can afford to subscribe to it will do so, and public libraries should 

 possess it. — R. McL. 



(©bituarij. 



Samuel Stevens, F.L.S., F.E.S., died on August 29th, after a few days' illness, in 

 his 83rd year, he having been born in London on August 11th, 1817. In early life it 

 was his ambition to become an artist, and he studied with that intention, but a severe 

 illness compelled him to abandon the idea, and he entered into partnership with his 

 elder brother, John Crace Stevens, who was already established in the well-known 

 auctioneers' business in King Street, Covent Garden ; but in 18 18 he retired therefrom, 

 and commenced the Natural History Agency with which he was for so many yeai-s 

 connected, and which was the medium whereby the enormous collections formed by 

 Bates and Wallace, and many others of scarcely less importance, were distributed. 

 He retired from this many years ago. On the death of his brother, J. C Stevens, 

 he, for a year or two, again wielded the hammer in King Street, in a honorary 

 capacity, to assist his nephews, who were then rather young to take the whole 

 responsibility of an important business. For many years he has lived in retii-e- 

 inent at his house at Upper Norwood, where he died. It is certainly in connection 



