191S.] 317 



into connection one with another, and to furnish each of them — even the normal 

 (J and ? (!) — with a new Greek name to emphasize their supposed affinities' 

 seems to iis not only superfluous, but actually misleading. But in saying this 

 we are reviewing- not Mr. Donisthorpe, but the authorities whom he probably 

 felt compellel to follow. 



For lack of space we must here close our sketcli of Mr. Donisthorpo's intro- 

 ductory matter. But we regret it, for the sections dealing with senses, faculties, 

 etc., are extremely interesting, and it goes without saying, that on all such 

 practical matters as collecting, preparing, and preserving specimens, keeping 

 ants captive in observation nests, etc., he writes with the authority of an 

 acknowledged expert. 



On page 65 commences the actual Monograph, in which every form known 

 to be indigenous, or at least thoroughly established in Britain, is described 

 classified, etc., with a complete account of, literally, everything yet discovered as 

 to its habitats, instincts, life-history, and associations (friendly or hostile) with 

 other ants or witli various small creati^res belonging to other families or orders. 

 Such work as this cannot here be reviewed in detail. It must suffice to say that 

 every section of it is a veritable monument of conscientious industry and un- 

 surpassed knowledge of tlie subject in all its aspects. Yet one detail we must 

 note for special approval. The original author's definition of every genus, 

 species, etc., is given in his own words. What an infinity of misidentification 

 might have been a.voided if every monographer had done likewise ! 



A few changes in our hitherto received lists of British genera and species — 

 but, hapjjily, only a few — are made necessary by the appearance of this monograph. 

 Aiiergates must be added to our genera, and Prenolepis rejected as an alien. Oiu- 

 lists of species in certain genera (especially Myrmica,Leptothorax, s,nd Formica) 

 will require considerable emendation. The author must be congratulated on 

 his complete and interesting solution of the old puzzle about Formica glabra 

 or gagates of British authors. The insect in question turns out to be one long 

 ago described bp Nylander under the name picea, which must be adopted for it. 

 It has the singular habit of forming its nests only in bogs, their chief material 

 being quite wet sphagnum ! 



After dealing witli the really British ants, Mr. Donisthorpe gives us not, 

 indeed, descriptions, but an annotated list of no less than 50 species or named 

 forms, which have occurred in shops, conservatories, forcing-pits, etc., in variovia 

 British localities, e.g. often in Kew Gardens, but are manifestly only accidental 

 importations. Many of them were first detected in this country by the 

 author himself. We were at first inclined to think this part of the work a 

 superfluous luxury. But the reason given by Mr. Donisthorpe for introducing 

 it {vide pp. S-io, 1. 20, et seq.) has quite converted us. 



ituarg. 



Colonel Neville Manders, A. M.S., F.Z.S., F.E.S. Born 1859. Died gloriously, 

 1915. — The death roll of British officers who have fallen in the Gallipoli 

 Peninsula is long, and it contains the names of many friends who have given up 

 their lives for King and coimtry in a cause which we believe, and they believed, 

 to be good and noble. Among them no name is better known to, or has been 



