NOTICES AND RENEWS. 21 



margin of the wing ; this latter feature is probably a survival from the 

 time when the spots formed a band, and were not restricted as now. 

 First one specimen interests us, and then another ; but when perhaps a 

 couple of hundred have been examined, we are somewhat puzzled. In 

 some the creamy rings occupy almost the whole of the wing outside the 

 red spots ; in others, scarcely a trace of the cream colour is left, whilst 

 the outside narrow red band is the only clue to show you that it is any- 

 thing but an ordinary five or six- spotted Burnet moth. At last a 

 specimen is picked up in which the outer band is represented only by 

 a few red scales, and in this particular form the species is exceedingly 

 like the first species we noticed {Z. trausal/n'jia). This lovely cream- 

 ringed insect is called Z. carniolica, after the locality from whence it 

 was first recorded. Different, then, as Z. carniolica is at first sight from 

 all the other Burnet moths found here, an examination of a sufficient 

 number of specimens shows that the difference is only superficial, and 

 that a real relationship exists between this variable and beautiful 

 species and the others." But I am afraid we must now bid " adios " 

 to the Burnets, puzzling and bewildering as their specific relations are. 

 Amongst many interesting notes and speculations concerning insects 

 other than lepidopterous, one short study in particiilar, which is worthy 

 of the most careful attention, is that relating to the varying habits and 

 methods of respiration of aqixatic insects ; whilst an observation of the 

 methods by which the pouch is formed and attached to the abdomen 

 of the female of rarnassius apoJIo will be keenly appreciated by those 

 whose attention is centred in the principal order of insects, so far as 

 entomologists in this country, at any rate, are concerned, the 

 Lepidoptera. 



Bitt it is impossible within the limits of this notice to even mention 

 a tithe of the subjects which are touched upon. 



And after reading slowly, gently on, perusing each page, until at 

 last the end is reached, we allow our book to slip from our hands, and 

 conjure up in our imagination, nurtured and stimulated by these 

 vivid descriptions, some distant dim idea of the appearance of these 

 enormous mountain ridges, foaming swirling streams, flower-strewn 

 meadows and dark-mantling pine woods, but how unutterably far 

 these daj dreams of loveliness fall short of the matchless original can 

 only be truly known and understood by one who has dreamed the 

 dreams, and then beheld the glorious reality ; and perhaps it is well that 

 this is so, that those who are denied the privilege of gazing on such 

 wonders, should not comprehend the full truth of such dazzling wealth 

 of form and colour, but should possess their souls in peace, unconsumed 

 by the ardent yet lingering desire of climbing over the slopes and 

 dwelling on the scenes portrayed. 



" Eambles in Alpine Valleys " is indeed a dainty volume, tastefully 

 bound, well printed on excellent stout paper, with charming photographic 

 illustrations, and sketch map of the routes, and lastly with a carefully 

 arranged index which is itself quite a special feature. — A. F. Bayne. 



OC IE TIE S. 



At the meeting of the North London Natural History Society, on 

 June 18th, Mr. Battley gave some account of his captures at Chattenden, 



