90 [September, 



have CTcr existed in Britain, and the usnally desultory mctliods of collecting used, I 

 cannot but think there is a good deal of work that should be done by the present 

 generation. British Hijmenoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera, at least, want looking 

 for, and our knowledge of species put more on the level of the continent. I wish I 

 could see some young collectors coming into the field who would turn their attention 

 to one or other of the neglected orders, which are interesting, not only on account 

 of tlio number of species, but also the wonders of their oeconomy. Abroad, a renewed 

 attention is being devoted to Hemiptera, which is evinced by the publication of lists 

 and descriptive works in Italy, France, Sweden, Denmai'k, and Finland. In Britain, 

 at present, it is not so much the amount of material that is wanting, as the number 

 of workers, both operative and scientific. Doubtless it is best when the out-door 

 and in-door qualifications are combined in one individual, but often, by force of 

 circumstances, it is not possible to get them thus united ; and, besides, some men 

 are naturally hunters pure and simple (or otherwise), and others take only to books 

 and the lamp. I confess that it seems to me, without some such extension of 

 Entomology is developed in Britain, the science, in the next generation, as far as our 

 native insects are concerned, is likely to be in a very low condition ; that even now 

 the number of native workers does not fulfil the promise of former years ; and tliat 

 the cycle will be deficient in quantity, as well as quality, of added knowledge of our 

 Insect Fauna. — J. W. Doxjglas, Lee : 31*^ May, 1875. 



s 



The Nattteamst : Journal of the West Riding Consolidated Naturalists' 

 Society. New Series. Edited by Chas. P. Hobkiek and Gr. T. Porkitt, F.L.S. 

 No. 1, August, 1875. Bvo., pp. 1—16. Huddersfield : E. Brown. 



The numerous local Yorkshire Natural History Societies and Field Clubs have 

 made several efforts to sustain a Journal, but hitherto with no persistent success. 

 Let us hope this praiseworthy endeavour at resuscitation may meet with better sujiport. 

 It is a pity some other title had not been invented, if only for the very obvious reason 

 of avoiding confusion in references. As a proof of the wide-spread interest in 

 different branches of Natural History in this thickly populated district, it may be 

 noted that the number before us contains reports of recent meetings of eight local 

 societies ; and there are several interesting papers on special subjects. The success, 

 or otherwise, of the journal, depends mainly upon the manner in which the ' team ' 

 can be induced to pull well together, and thex'cfore upon the leadership of the editors. 



Field and Forest : devoted to general Natural History ; Bulletin of the 

 Potomac-side Naturalists' Club. C. R. Dodge, Editdr. Parts 1 and 2 (June and 

 July, 1875). Washington: The Columbia Press. 



We regard it as a hopeful sign that our Ameincan neighbours are not only 

 establishing Field Clubs, but beginning so far to feel their feet that they venture 

 upon journalism. The salutatory introduction tells us that this particulur Club is 

 nearly twenty years old ; and it makes a modest debut as apubhsliing body by a well- 

 prinlcd monthly number of only eight pages. We trust it has taken for itself, and 

 will act upon, the proverb : — " Ce n'est que le premier pas qui coute." 



