242 THE entomologist's record. 



descriptive letterpress for reference, would be sure to aid the collector 

 in coming to a correct and accurate conclusion as to his captures. 

 That these figures should be well and accurately done, goes without 

 saying, if the allied species of Affrotis among the Noctuids, or those of 

 Acidalia and Fhipithecia among the Geometrids, are to be correctly 

 identified. 



Probably no collection in the -world is more complete, or more 

 accurately named, than that of Mr. Oberthiir, and we have already 

 drawai attention to the marvellous ability of Mr. Culot to represent in 

 colour-work the details of our lepidoptera. It is, therefore, with great 

 pleasure that we learn that Mr. Oberthiir has placed at the disposal of 

 Mr. Culot his collections, and that the latter has determined to produce 

 in monthly or bimonthly parts a work entitled " Iconographie des 

 Noctuelles et Geometres d'Europe," each part to contain two plates 

 and a corresponding amount of letterpress, and to be published at 

 3-50 francs per part. The first part published is excellent in the 

 execution of the hand-coloured plates, and the design of the work. Of 

 course, the success of such a work must depend on the number of 

 general subscribers, however much aid is forthcoming from a few 

 more wealthy lepidopterists. At any rate we would plead that British 

 lepidopterists should give their support to so desirable a work as the 

 projected one promises to be. We cordially recommend, therefore, 

 the work to their notice, and would suggest that those interested should 

 send for pt. 1 to Mr. Culot, Yilla-les-Iris, Grand Pre, Geneva, when 

 they will be able for themselves to judge of its excellence. 



Mr. F. Enock records the detection of a wheat-pest, Clinodi ptosis 

 equestris, Wagner, near Tenby, in August, 1908. 



Dr. Chapman notes {Knt.) that Soldanella alpina, as well as 

 Andromce vitaliana, both belonging to the I'rmulaceae, is a foodplant 

 of the larva of Latiorina orbitulns. 



Mr. F. E. Blaisdell has published through the Smithsonian 

 Institution " A monographic revision of the Coleoptera belonging to 

 the Tenebriode tribe Eleodiini inhabiting the United States, Lower 

 California and the adjacent islands." The work seems to be especially 

 well-done, but, like many other entomologists who find their know- 

 ledge expanding beyond the accepted terminology, and who yet 

 maintain the necessity of a binomial nomenclature consisting of a 

 generic and specific name, Mr. Blaisdell divides his genus Elendes into 

 named subgenera, with full diagnostic details, subdivides these again 

 into diagnosed groups, and thus comes to a sort of quaternary 

 nomenclature by the time he reaches the species. His subgeneric names 

 then seem to be dropped, and he describes the species under the old 

 group name F^leodes, the binomial used not offering the slightest 

 suggestion as to the position of the species in any one of the eleven 

 subdivisions into which the group falls, and of which Eleudcs is 

 common to both series. 



It appears to us that one of the main values of the binomial is to 

 indicate this relationship, otherwise the specific name would be enough. 

 At any rate, it is to be regretted that so much labour is spent on the 

 classification of the group, and then, by this strange application, we 

 had almost said misuse, of terms, the value and efficiency of the classi- 

 fication is lost. If a species is to be known by two names, the generic 

 and the specific, it is clear that Mr. Blaisdell's work loses force by his 

 methods. He divides the group Eleodes as follows : 



