1879 ] 69 



occurs both in the south and north of Britain and in Ireland, I think it quite 

 possible that the new Hemipteron of the Bay of Biscay may also be found within 

 our geographical limits. The connection between the two insects, however, is not 

 shown, and there may be nothing more than identity of habitat. 



" Aepophilfs (g. n.). — Body twice as long as broad, covered throughout witli 

 fine silky pubescence. Head short, angularly rounded in front. Antenniferous 

 tubercles on the upper side of the head. Antennae of four joints. Rostrum of four 

 joints. Eyes small, very globose, not facetted. No ocelli. Prothorax transverse, 

 slightly margined in front and on the sides. Scutellum very short, rounded at the 

 a])ex. Elytra short, composed of two triangular scales (squames), the exterior side 

 longest, and ending on the sides of the abdomen, leaving a deep excision (echancrure) 

 between them. Legs moderate, thighs slightly thickened, tibiae a little thicker at 

 the apex, the posterior longest. Tarsi triarticulate, first joint very short, third 

 longest, second one-third part shorter ; at the end of the third joint two strong 

 claws. Abdomen oval, convex above and below, the genitalia in one sex being on 

 the upper-side, and in the other on the under-side (the question of sex is difficult to 

 determine, yet I am inclined to view the male organ as situate below and the 

 female above)." 



"^. ^owttairei (type).— Length, 3 mill., breadth, li mill. Brownish-yellow, 

 more or less reddish ; head, abdomen, and claws black-brown ; antennte, rostrum, 

 and legs reddish-yellow. Head conic, gently rounded and sparsely punctured, 

 scarcely broader than long. Prothorax a little shorter than the head, slightly con- 

 cave in front, posterior margin nearly straight, sides slightly convex. Elytra variable 

 in colour, reddish or brownish-yellow, sometimes clearer at the margin, at other 

 times on the disc." 



" This species was found in September last, by Baron Bonnaire, in the island de 

 E,^ (Bay of Biscay), under stones deeply embedded in mud at low water, and in 

 company with Aej)us Rohini." — J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort Grardens, Lewisham ; 

 1th July, 1879. 



Scientific Lectuees, by Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., V.P.R.S., &c. ; 

 8vo, pp. 187. London : Macmillan & Co., 1879. 



In this handsome little volume Sir J. Lubbock has put together a resume of 

 papers on lectures by him read before various scientific societies. It consists of six 

 lectures, with only the first four of which we have to deal (the others being archaeo- 

 logical). In the first, the author treats upon the mutual relations of flowers and 

 insects, explaining in a clear and concise manner that which is known to every 

 agriculturist and horticulturist (albeit the reasons are often not known to them), viz. : 

 the utter impossibility for certain plants to become fertilized without insect-agency, 

 and also on the benefits of cross-fertilization in plants which, though capable of 

 self-fertilization, perfect more seeds and become more vigorous under the influence 

 of crossing by insects, a subject so forcibly put before us by Mr. Darwin ; the value 

 of the remarks is much enhanced by excellent explanatory wood-cvits. The second 

 lecture — " On Plants and Insects "—is more general in its nature, treating upon a 

 variety of subjects. That which will attract most attention amongst British Ento- 

 mologists is the consideration of the colouring of caterpillars, and its object. The 

 general aim is to prove that in most caterpillars the colouring is protective, and that 

 in those cases where it is not, other attributes serve the same purpose. The author 

 justifies his remarks by a reference to the larvae of the British butterflies and larger 

 moths, and though some of our energetic students of larvae might be able to suggest 

 unexplained exceptions, the result arrived at appears correct on the whole. At any 



