1900.] 213 



" Die deutschen Pterophorinen. Systematisch und biologisch bearbeitet " (JBe- 

 gensburg, 1896) is a most valuable addition to the knowledge of the subject, 

 containing as it does the first attempt ever made to differentiate by comparison of 

 structure the numerous closely allied and obscure species comprised in this family, 

 his system and example haviiig been followed in America by Dr. Fernald. 



The conclusion of his work is to be found in " Die Lepidopterenfauna des 

 Bismarck-Archipels," by Dr. Pagenstecher {Stuttgart, 1900), where the descriptions 

 of the Pterophoridce are fronj the pen of Ottmar Hofmann, although the names and 

 dates of capture must be attributed to Dr. Pagenstecher. In this connection it is to 

 be regretted that the editor did not inform the author that he proposed to create 

 the generic n&me " Hofmannia, A. V-dgcnst.," which name is generally known to 

 have been pro-occupied since 187fi, in tiie concluding volume of von Heinemann's 

 work "Die Schmetterlinge Deutschlands und der Schweiz " (p. 644), edited pos- 

 thumously by Dr. Wocke. 



Dr. Hofmann's last paper, entitled," Zur Naturgeschichte der Micropterygiden," 

 with a structural drawing, was published in tlie lUustrierten Zeitschrift fiir Ento- 

 mologie, V {Neudamm, 1900). 



Dr. Ottmar Hofmann died on February 22nd, 1900, leaving a widow and two 

 daughters to lament his loss ; all who knew him testify to the exceptional charm 

 and amiability of his personal character. 



We need not refer at length to his distinguished career in the Medical Pro- 

 fession, but entomologists tliroughout the world will lament the loss to science of an 

 indefatigable worker, a careful and conscientious observer, and a faithful recorder of 

 a mass of useful information, which has added greatly to our knowledge. It will be 

 some consolation to our readers that the cabinets containing the PterophoridcB, 

 FsychidcB, Sesiadce, Tortricidce , and Tineina, his very numerous microscopic slides 

 and preserved larvse, together with his MS. notes and catalogues, have been safely 

 conveyed to Merton by Mr. Durrant and are now in my Museum. 



I regard it as a high privilege to have been permitted to acquire these objects 

 that they may ultimately be associated in the National Collection, with the speci- 

 mens which illustrate the work of Fabricius, Haworth, Stephens, Zeller, Stainton, 

 Frey, and Christoph. It was the expressed wish of their late possessor that they 

 should not be presented to any local museum where they would be in danger of 

 falling into disuse, but that they should be offered for purchase to some working 

 specialist, who might be likely to turn them to the best advantage in the interest of 

 science. A special value attaches to Hofmann's series through the possession of 

 numerous examples from Herrich-Schaffer's collection which were used to illustrate 

 his great work on the Lepidoptera of Europe. — Walsingham : August 1th, 1900. 



Christopher Ward, F.L.S. — The death is announced at Barbon, Kirkby Lons- 

 dale, of Mr. Ward (formerly of Halifax, Yorks.), on July 20th, in his 64th year. 

 More than 25 years ago he commenced forming a collection of African Rhopalocera 

 with great ardour, and sent out special collectors. The new species were described 

 by him in vols, vi to ix of the first series of this Magazine, and he also commenced 

 a 4to illustrated publication under the title " African Lepidoptera," but it did not 

 extend beyond two parts, which appeared in 1873 and 1874 respectively. Circum- 

 stances induced him to abandon Entomology, and we had heard nothing of him for 

 many years. 



