88 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



In addition to the great work that we have just referred to, Mr. Edwards has con- 

 tributed largely to the periodical literature of the science, especially to the proceedings 

 and transactions of the American Entomological Society and to the Canadian Entomolo- 

 gist. His fii'st contribution to its pages was published in the third number of the first 

 volume, in 1868, and he has continued to favour it with articles of great value ever since, 

 his last paper, in the September number of volume xxvii,, being the one hundred and 

 sixty-eighth which he has written for our journal. 



Mr. Edwards was born on the 15th of March, 1822, and will soon complete hi» 

 seventy-fourth year. That he may long be spared in health and prosperity to carry on 

 his excellent work is the cordial wish of the writer and all his friends. — C. J. S. B, 



BOOK NOTICES. 



The Butterflies of North America, with coloured drawings and descriptions, by 

 W. H. Edwards. Third series, part xvi. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., The Riverside Press^ 

 Cambridge, Mass. 



Though nearly a twelvemonth has gone by since the preceding part was issued, we 

 could well afford to wait with patience for another number, when our author rewards us 

 with so much that is remarkably interesting as well as valuable regarding the life-his- 

 tories of some hitherto little known buttei flies. 



The first plate, which as usual is exquisitely drawn and coloured, depicts the feraalt? 

 of Parnassius sniintheus, Doubl.Hew., and both sexes of the variety Hermodur, H, F. 

 Edw., together with the egg, larva in all its stages, chrysalis, last segments of tiae male 

 butterfly, and many highly magnified details. After giving a description of the various 

 stages of the insect, the author relates many most interesting facts regarding the life and 

 habits of the buttetfly, which have taken expert observers in the States of Colorado, 

 Montana and Washington no less than twenty years to accumulate ! The account is 

 concluded with a description of the formation of the extraordinary pouch or keel which 

 is to be seen beneath the abdomen of the females of various species of Parnassius. That 

 this should be formed by the male is one of those strange marvels that render the careful 

 study of the lives of our butterflies so interesting and attractive. 



The second plate depicts both sexes of Satyriis Charon and the male of its variety 

 Silvesfris ; also the egg, the various stages of the larva, the chrysalis, and many details. 

 The imago and the several preparatory stages are described, and a short but interesting 

 account is given of the habits of the butterfly and the rearing of the larvfe. 



On the remaining plate are figured the egg, three stages of the larva with details,. 

 and both sexes of the imago of the British Columbian species {Chionobas gigas), Butler. 

 After describing the preparatory stages so far as known, the author relates the differences 

 in appearance and habitat between this species and Californica and launa, which are fre- 

 quently confused in collections. Gigas is shown to be confined, so far as is yet known, 

 to Vancouver Island, where the male frequents the tops of the highest mountains, the 

 female being usually found much lower down ; Iduna inhabits the slopes of the evergreen 

 red-wood forest in north-eastern California on the Pacific coast ; and Californica, the hot 

 arid regions of east Oregon, Washington and the semi-desert portion of north-east Cali- 

 fornia. " Gigas is semi- Arctic, living amid the cold, dark fir forest ; Iduna is temperate, 

 living in the mild, dark red-wood forest ; Ccdifornica is semi-ti epical, living in open, dry, 

 warm glades in the "bushland" on the border between the forest and the open plains, 

 Gigas alights on bare rotks ; Iduna on green twigs ; Californica on dead or dry grass. "^ 

 But we must refer the reader to the book itself for all the interesting particulars regarding 

 these strange butterflies. 



The wonder to us is that so few entomologists subscribe to this magnificent work. 

 The parts are issued at such long intervals that the cost is very light ; those who h^yQ 

 secured them know what a treasure they possess and how highly they prize it. — 0. J. S B. 



