20 



For ourselves, we have for some time past been literally at sea in reference to names for 

 butterflies, wandering about without chart or compass to direct us ; we scarcely knew the 

 name of any species, and didn't expect ever to have the time oi disposition to master the 

 new names proposed, and hence we have been so discouraged that we have done really 

 nothing to our collection of butterflies for a long time past. We are not disposed to ob- 

 ject to changes in nomenclature where it can be made to appear that a necessity for such 

 modifications exists, but we have been unable to see any good reason for adopting the 

 wholesale changes which have been proposed, and we believe that the great bulk of work- 

 ing Entomologists hold the same view. With a catalogue now more to our mind, suffi- 

 ciently progressive, and, at the same time, a most convenient help, we shall be able to 

 classify our species under genera we can Cdmpiehend, and go to work with a will again. 



In the general arrangement the author, while adopting and incorporating some of 

 the work of later systematists, adheres mainly to the order of Doubleday and his asso- 

 ciates in the "Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera," and wheie the genera have numerous spe- 

 cies, as in Colias, Argynnis, Thecla, Lycactia, Famjjhila, &c., they are for the sake of con- 

 venience divided into sections. In crediting genera the author strictly follows the rules 

 adopted by American Entomologists at the recent meeting in Buifalo, and appends the 

 name of the party who first gave the genus a proper definition. For this reason Hiibner's 

 genera are excluded and two of the genera made by Mr. Seudder in the Hesperidse, 

 Ambli/scirtes and Pholiosora, have been credited to Dr. Speyer because his definition of 

 them is the first published. With regard to Mr. Scudder's genera, we think he should 

 have had credit for them. We all know what pains-taking and unsparing effort he has 

 bestowed in labouring to introduce what he conscientiously believes to be needed reforms 

 in Entomological nomenclature, and although the present generation of Entomologists is 

 not disposed to adopt such wholesale reform as he proposes, he is undoubtedly dcseriing 

 of full credit for any of his material which may be used. His work on New England 

 Butterflies, in which all these genera are minutely defined, has long been written, but its 

 expensive character has been an obstacle in the way of its publication. Under these cir- 

 cumstances, which are very exceptional, we regret that Dr. Speyer's references of these gen- 

 era to Seudder have not been followed. 



There are 506 species enumerated in this list, embraced in 64 genera. There are 

 also references by the use of a system of special signs to all writers who have treated of 

 the preparatoiy stages of our butterflies, no matter how bricfy ; we regard this as an ex- 

 cellent and valuable feature in the work. The catalogue is in every way well got up, and 

 we hojie all our readers will procure a copy of it, and if, after they have given it a caieful 

 perusal, they think as well of it as we do, they will set to work and arrange their collec- 

 tions in accordance with it, feeling profoundly thankful to the author for the timely relief 

 he has afforded. 



The Rhyncophora of America, north of Mexico, by John L. LeConte, assisted by George 

 H. Horn. From tin- Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 15. 



This vcik, which fills a volume of 455 pages, is probably the most important contribu- 

 tion which has been made to the Entomology of America for many years. Its production 

 must have been attended with immense labour and long and careful study. In addition to 

 the work of classifying this numerous and diflacult group of insects, a very large number of 

 new species are described. We tender our sincere thanks to the authors for their kindness 

 in sending us a copy of this useful and long-needed memoir. 



Manuscript Notes Irom my Journal, or Illustrations of Insects Native and Foreign ; 

 Order Hemiptera, .sub order Heteroptera. By Townend Glover, Washington, 1). C. 



In the 12th No. of Vol. vi., we called the attention of our readers to the issue of a 

 valuable work by the same author on Diptera. The volume now at hand on the Hemiptera 

 is published in similar form and style, quarto, on heavy paper, printed on one side only, and 

 the text a fac-similc of the author's handwriting. In this volume their are ten excellent 

 plates, nine of which are devoted to the illustration of the species to which the notes refer, 

 and one to the figuring oftho.se portions of the insects on which their classification is based. 

 There are figures of 238 species, many of the smaller ones in duplicate, one showing the 

 insect magnified, the other of the natural size. In addition to the plates and there explana- 

 tory matter, there are 134 pages of text, 2 explanatory, 17 devoted to the classification of the 

 Hemiptera, and the remainder to notes on the insects themselves, their habits, the animal and 



