ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 115 



'his death. Mr. Ashmead, however, has been able to enlarge the list of Canadian species 

 to about ninety. With the exception of three forms' from Vancouver Island, the species 

 are all from a few localities in eastern Ontario and Oaebsc, so that the Dominion as a whole 

 has been practically unworked. The three western specie.s are Mesitiiis Vancouver ensis 

 and PoJijmecuK van-co^irerensis, collected by the Rev. G. W. Taylor, of Victoria (and com- 

 nmnicated through the writer to Mr. Ashmead), and Ant-ion puncticeps, taken by Mr. 

 Wickham. 



Although the Proctotrypids are all small, and frequently microscopic, they show 

 great variations in structure, and their study thus becomes very interesting. A large 

 proportion of them are egg-parasites, while others prey upon Aphididiv, Cecidomyid;e, 

 -etc. In many species (noticeably in the sub-family Bethylin:e) the females differ largely 

 from the males in the shape of the head, antenn;e and structure generally. Tho.se of the 

 sub family Dryinina' have remarkable chelate, or pincer-like claws, on the anterior feet, 

 which are probably for more firmly grasping, during ovijiosition, the small, active 

 homopterous insects on which the larva' are parasitic. Many forms are wingless or havf; 

 very rudimentary wings, but they are, nevertheless, very nimble little atoms, and can 

 leap many times their own length. 



As the appearance of Mr. Ashmead's splendid monograi)h may stimulate some of our 

 members to the collection and study of these insects, it may be stated that a considerable 

 number of the species, such as Ikfus, etc., may be obtained even in winter by sifting moss 

 as it is done for small coleopetra. This habit of hibernating in the moss of swampy 

 localities is another feature (not mentioned by the author) which separates them from the 

 other hymenoptera known to me, with the exception, perhaps, of ants, which are also 

 ■occasionally obtained in sifting. ^^ ■ H. H. 



The Butterfly Hunters in the Caribbees : By Dr. Eugene Murray-Aaron. New 

 York ; Charles Scribners' Sons, 1894 ; pp 269. 



It is a novel event in literature to have a boys' book of adventure written by an 

 entomologist ; we were, therefore, prepared to peruse with interest the volume which Dr. 

 i\Iurray-Aaron has just published. Belonging, perhaps, to those whom he characterizes 

 as the " younger old people," we were charmed beyond measure with the book and read 

 it through from beginning to end with as much avidity and enjoyment as any adventure- 

 loving school-boy. It relates, in pleasant easy style, the expedition made by a couple of 

 boys under the guidance of their naturalist friend " the doctor." During the early 

 winter months they visited several of the islands of the Bahamas, and then mide a more 

 venturesome excursion across Haiti and into Santo Domingo, winding up with a flying 

 visit to Jamaica. Their object was to collect buttertlies especially, and at the same time 

 -to gather all the animal and vegetable curiosities that they conveniently could. For an 

 . account of their success and the various " dodges " they had recourse to, especially when 

 in pursuit of Papilio Iloni-irus, we must refer the reader to the book itself. It is not, 

 however, a mere record of the doings of collectors ; a great deal of interesting informa- 

 tion is given regarding the condition of the negro races in their barbarism where left to 

 themselves, and their happy condition when under British rule. Much pleasant instruc- 

 tion may also be gained regarding the geography, scenery and government of the various 

 islands that were visited. If any paterfamilias is looking for a book to put in his boy's 

 Christmas stocking, he cannot do better than purchase a copy of this ; if his boy has any 

 taste for natural history it will delight him beyond measure. The book is handsomely 

 printed and bound, and illustrated with several well-executed plates. The entomologist 

 may be disappointed at the absence of lists or names of species and pictures of butterflies, 

 but the book is not meant for a scientific treatise, though its statements may be relied 

 upon as strictly accurate, the author being well-known as the editor for a time of Papilio, 

 and Curator of the American Entomological Society at Philadelphia, as well as a valued 

 contributor to the CanwJian Entomologist. C. J. S. B. 



