1879.) 263 



to which they belong, the species varying from two-brooded to many-brooded accord- 

 ing to locality. The fourth and fifth plates are crowded with figures of Phyciodes 

 (an extensive American genus allied to Melitced). Of various forms of Ph. Tharos 

 there are no less than twenty-seven figures of the butterfly and many of the egg, 

 larva, and pupa. Two other species, Ph. Phaon and Vesta, are also represented. 

 The author regards all these as originally one, but Phaon and Vesta having become 

 established as distinct species, remain so, whereas Tharos appears in all sorts of seasonal 

 and other forms. By a series of patient experiments in breeding from particular 

 batches of eggs, and by subjecting some of them to artificially cold temperatures, the 

 author succeeded in manufacturing (if we may use such a term) seasonal forms almost 

 at will, and even in producing forms that in nature were only looked upon as remark- 

 able aberrations. It should be remarked that seasonal dimorphism (or polymorphism) 

 is almost as strongly marked in the larvge of these insects as in the imago. 

 The whole history is so interesting that short extracts could not do justice to it ; it 

 is a striking exemplification of how very little we know of the habits of the many 

 thousands of so-called species of butterflies that exist on paper, and it is one more 

 proof of the necessity for concentration in the studies of entomologists. 



Notes of Obsektations on iNJUEiors Insects. Report for 1878, drawn 

 up by E. A. Oemeeod. 8vo, pp. 27. London — West, Newman & Co. 1879. 



Miss Ormerod (assisted by other entomologists) is doing good work in her dis- 

 interested endeavours to spread a knowledge of the habits of injurious insects amongst 

 horticulturists and agriculturists. This third Report is nicely got up and the illustra- 

 tions will attract the attention of those for whose benefit it is intended. Twenty-one 

 species, of various Orders, are treated upon. It was a mistake to include Colias 

 Edusa among the pests ; we do not suppose that any one was a penny the worse off 

 for the extraordinary abundance of this beautiful butterfly in 1877, and by associating 

 it with bad company, Miss Ormerod may unwittingly add to its persecution, as if it 

 had not enough already in " picture " makers, bird-stuffers, and small boys ; but it 

 is expressly stated that it is included in the hope that observations on its habits may 

 throw some light upon other intermittent appearances, such as that of Athalia 

 spinarum, &c. We believe we are correct in stating that these Reports are intended 

 for gratuitious distribution. 



FredericJc Smith. — In our last number {ante p. 240) we briefly announced the 

 death of this well-known entomologist, under peculiarly painful (and almost sudden) 

 circumstances, after a surgical operation, at the age of 73. 



He was born, we think, in London, in 1805, of Yorkshire parents, but we are 

 unacquainted with his early history. His occupation, when he became known as an 

 entomologist, was that of an engraver on steel, and to this, by no means at any time 

 lucrative employment, was added that of a small business in the south of London. 

 As an engraver he was instrumental in the re-production of the works of several 

 celebrated artists. At the same time he was deeply engaged in entomological pur- 

 suits, and especially on observations on the habits of Hymenoptera. These pursuits, 

 combined with his skill as an engraver, probably brought him under the notice of 

 John Curtis; at any rate, we know the latter was assisted by him in some of the 

 later plates of the " British Entomology." 



