222 THE entomologist's record. 



The present volvtme gives us an example of these in Lampides boeticns, 

 which has been taken in Britain, and extends throughout the South of 

 Europe and North Africa, into India, and almost continuously to 

 Australia. (2). The antique forms which are remnants of a very 

 ancient type, preserved by isolation through vast periods of time, and 

 from which we may learn many pregnant lessons. The Chrysophanidi 

 have traces of small tails to the hind-wings, suggesting this character 

 as a very ancient and withal a very persistent one. Sexual dimorphism 

 is frequent throughout the group, a highly interesting fact in face of 

 Doherty's statement (which is probably correct) that it is very rare in 

 the tro})ics. The ocellation of the undersides, too, teaches many an 

 important lesson, and shows that it also is a very ancient and persisting 

 character. As is, perhaps, to be expected, the life-histories of very few 

 species have been worked out, but there is no doubt that the production 

 of this book will teach local workers what is still desiderated, and lead 

 to a more complete knowledge of the early stages. The life-histories 

 of one or two species, notably Hypochri/sops ddicia and Ogyris olane, 

 have been worked out in considerable detail, although it is to be hoped 

 that a future edition will give us a much more detailed account of the 

 structure of the larvae and also of the pupa?. Of H. delicia the authors 

 wi-ite : — " The larvse are invarialjly attended by a number of small black 

 ants ; indeed, watching the ants is one of the best ways of detecting 

 the larvae." In the description of the eggs, too, it is to be hoped we 

 shall be told the peculiar shapes, &c. of the micropylar cells, the number 

 of ribs, the peculiarity of any reticulations there may be, ifec. The 

 wandering habits of the larvae of 0. olane and the consequent pro- 

 duction of a starved race are most interesting. In the Hesperids it is 

 rather interesting to note that the androconia are placed in a sac which 

 runs, as in our species, from the lower exterior tip of the discoidal cell, 

 but instead of running obliquely towards the base of the wing, as in 

 R. sylvanus, H. thaumds, &c., it runs transversely to the inner margin, 

 ending not far from the centre. We quite agree with the authors that 

 H. perornata is a female form of H. ornata, unless, indeed, a male form 

 of perornata obtains ; the androconia of li. ornata are highly suggestive 

 that a similar adornment should be found in males of perornata if it be 

 a distiiict species. We have but little doubt that the issue of this 

 welcome volume will soon reduce the noticeable blanks in the life- 

 histories so strikingly manifest, and that they will be worked out in a 

 complete and satisfactory manner by such competent observers as 

 Messrs. Anderson and Spry in the course of time is, we venture to 

 think, quite certain. We are pleased to see that the authors have sub- 

 mitted, through Mr. J. A. Clark, to Mr. W. F. Kirby the doubtful 

 material described for comparison with the British Museum collection, 

 an example which might be followed with advantage in many other 

 cases. The complete work is to be obtained from Mr. J. A. Clark, The 

 Broadway, London Fields, N.E. for five shillings. 



The Effect of External Influences upon Decelopment, by August 

 Weismann, M.D., Ph.D., D.C.L. (Henry JVowde, Amen Corner, E.C, 

 Price 2s.). — Quite a pathetic interest attaches to the publication of this 

 volume — The Romanes Lecture for 1894 — owing to the recent death of 

 Professor George Romanes, the founder of tlie Lectureship, who Avas 

 present at the delivery of this lecture by the talented author. The 

 name of the author is a sufficient guarantee that the scientific public are 



