186 the entomologist's record. 



group, the parts, and especially the wing-veins and areas, have had so 

 many different names assigned to them by different writers. 



Mr. Morley has, for the first time, brought together the two sexes 

 of many species described in the volume. Some of his combinations 

 require further proof before they can finally be accepted, but as there 

 is a first rate index of synonyms no harm can, in any case, be done, 

 and we think it extremely desirable that writers with experience in 

 this group, like Mr. Morley, should attempt the work of combination, 

 as long lists of insects of opposite sexes, such as exist in many of the 

 groups of the other families, are very unsatisfactory. At the same 

 time it is undoubtedly a fact that, in the Parasitica, one sex is often 

 common and the other extremely rare, and it is not uncommon that 

 all the insects bred from one host on one occasion should be of the 

 same sex. 



Mr. Morley uses many difficult words, but as they make for brevity 

 and clearness they appear to us an advantage, such words as " sternauli," 

 " notauli," " apophyses," etc., can easily be looked up in the glossary 

 to volume i, and are so much more compendious than the meanings 

 there assigned to them that their use is quite justified. 



The volume does not suffer from the necessity of having to bow to 

 the will of a publisher desirous of selling to a non-entomological 

 public. The result is most satisfactory. The synonymy is fully 

 given with full references, and, when necessary, discussed; there are 

 tables which are as complete as possible without increasing the size 

 and cost of the volume, adequate generic descriptions and a full specific 

 description in all cases except when it is sufficient to point out the 

 differences from very closely allied insects, while plenty of space is, in 

 volume ii, given to the habits, so far as known (though, alas, the 

 knowledge is yet inadequate), and also to localities. Most of the 

 recent captures alluded to appear to have been identified by Mr. 

 Morley himself, so there is every reason to accept their accuracy. 



Mr. Morley has already, we understand, started on his third 

 volume, which is to deal with the Pimplinae, and it is to be hoped 

 that the support necessary to enable him to produce not only this, 

 but also the fourth and fifth, and, if necessary, a supplement, which 

 will complete the Ichneumonologia Britannica, will be forthcoming. 



Mr. Keys is to be congratulated on the printing and general get-up 

 of the work which is of a high standard, and volume ii will, we are 

 sure, have been heartily welcomed by all desirous of becoming better 

 acquainted with our British entomological fauna, and should, 

 together with the first volume, find a place in the library of every 

 British entomologist and every continental hymenopterist. 



QUOTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. 



A COLD BUT SUCCESSFUL HUNT FOR PUP.E OF /EgERIA SPHEGIFORMIS. 



On Monday, May 20th, I visited Pamber Forest and its outskirts. The 

 cold northerly blasts and the general gloominess effectually prevented 

 imagines from showing themselves. An occasional tap of a branch or 

 a kick of the undergrowth did now and then show an insect, but such 

 revelations during seven hours could be counted on the finger-tips. 

 About 3 p.m. other collectors were met, but enthusiasm was dying out, 

 and the one desire seemed to be to get away from the damp and 

 dismal surroundings. Fortunately, with me was a young and ardent 



