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The Bdtterflies op I^orth America : by W. H. Edwards. Third series; Part XT. 



It is hardly necessary to do more than chronicle the issue of a new part of this mag- 

 nificent work. The beauty and accuracy of the plates, and the excellence and value of the 

 descriptive letter-press are too well known to need any further commendation. The part 

 now before us illustrates and describes the complete life history, in all its stages, of 

 Apatura flora, Edw. Satyrus Meadii, Kdw., Chionobas chryxus, Doubleday,with its variety, 

 Calais, Scudder. The last mentioned species is of peculiar interest to us, as it is found 

 throughout the Eocky Mountains from Colorado to Canada. A most graphic account of 

 its habits is given by Mr. Bruce, who has observed the insect for several years past. Why 

 is it that every North American lepidopterist does not possess himself of a copy of this 

 noble work 1 It can hardly be the cost, for the numbers appear at such long intervals 

 that a very little self-denial even on the part of the impecunious would suffice for their 

 purchase. While the subscriber would get a joy and treasure for life, let him think what 

 a gratification and help it would be to Mr. Edwards to have bis subscription list trebled, 

 as it should be. 



C. J. S. B. 



Bibliographical Oatalogue of the Described Transformations of North 

 American Lepidoptera ; being Bulletin No. 35 of the United States National 

 Museum, by Henry Edwards, 1889. 



This work, issued by the Smithsonian Institution, is one of very great value to 

 the working lepidopterists of North America, and truly supplies a long-felt want. Mr. 

 Edwards, who has devoted so much time to the compilation of this work, is entitled to 

 the warmest gratitude of his brother entomologists for his public-spirited labours in this 

 connection. The work extends to 147 pages octavo, and comprises a table of the number 

 ol species in each family, of which descriptions of earlier stages are recorded in this cat- 

 alogue, a list of the principal authors and publications quoted, the body of the catalogue 

 extending from page 9 to page 137 inclusive; an appendix giving references to a few 

 species which are not distinguishable by modern authors, and a list of some of the most 

 valuable papers which have been published on this continent on the subject of preparatory 

 stages, food plants, rearing and describing larva^, etc., etc. Then follows an index to genera, 

 and the work ends with a most useful food habit index. The general plan of the work is 

 to give the names of all species of which any of the preparatory stages have been described, 

 followed by the references to these descriptions in the order in which they are published, 

 the dates of publication being given. Upon turning to any species one can thus see at a 

 glance just what of its earlier stages have been described, and by looking up the references 

 can tell whether or not they could be supplemented with advantage, while the absence of 

 any species from the list is a very sure indication that its preparatory stages are wholly 

 undescribed. One can thus see just what has already been done and what remains for 

 investigation, and this is most important, for it is uudoubtedly the case that many obser- 

 vations of interest and value are made every year without being published, chiefly, per- 

 haps, because those who make them are unaware that they have not previously been 

 given to the world. The amount of literature examined in the preparation of this work 

 was very great, and the care necessary to avoid errors and omissions proportionate. 

 The table on page seven shows that some part of the earlier stages of 1069 butterflies 

 and moths have been described, but many of these descriptions are very incomplete, and 

 we can thus see how much still remains to be done in working out these life histories. Of 

 course in a work of this kind, where the field was so large, it was inevitable that some 

 mistakes and omissions should occur, but it is most creditable to Mr. Edwards that they 

 should be so few and so unimportant. It was unfortunate that the printing had to be 

 done during the absence of Mr. Edwards in Australia, as otherwise most of the typograph- 

 ical errors would unquestionably have been detected and corrected. It is, however, a 

 mistake to refer to author's separates, instead of to the work in which the description ' 

 originally appeared, as for example in regard to the larva of Chionohas Macounii--the 

 reference given is "J. Fletcher, a trip to Nepigon, p. 12," whereas it ought to be, "J 



