"Z'M THK KNTOMDLOCilST's HKCORI). 



the steps of classification in the same way, not expecting a perfect 

 fixity of nomenclature in one step which we admit can only be 

 gradually obtained in others : I claim that it is scientific, because it is 

 based on knowledge, and, therefore, changes with the growth of know- 

 ledge, dismissing as unjustifiable all arbitrary definitions and fictitious 

 values, putting facts before convenience, and relegating complete fixity 

 of nomenclature to the region of unattainable ideals, rather than 

 regarding it as a fetish to which everything must be sacrificed; I claim 

 that it is in accordance with common sense, because it does not compel 

 us to violate elementary rules of grammar and orthography, and still 

 more because it does not, like the opposite theory, di'ag literature into 

 conflict with science, but renders it possible for nomenclature to be an 

 illustration of the knowledge gradually acquired, rather than a fixed 

 stumbling block to the easy expression of some branches of that know- 

 ledge. I dare not expect that these claims will be granted, but I hope 

 they may be fairly considered, and at the worst — "■lihcrari aniniain 



[Any other communications on this matter should not exceed 

 more than one page of print. We have so much entomological 

 material in hand that space is not available for long articles on a 

 subject which must alwavs belong purely to the literary specialist. — 

 Ed.] ' 



A Natural History of the British Lepidoptera, Vol. iv, by 

 J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. 



By W. BATESON, M.A., F.K.S. 

 A slight delay in the publication of vol. iv of Mr. Tutt's important 

 work was necessary, in order to enable Mr. G. Wheeler to prepare the 

 synopses of this volume, and to complete the general index to the four 

 volumes now published. All who use the book will be grateful to Mr. 

 Wheeler for these valuable additions to the work, but, perhaps, the 

 obligation will be most felt by those who, like the present writer, 

 without being professed entomologists, have frequent occasion to refer 

 to entomological evidence. On previous occasions attention was called 

 to the importance of i\Ir. Tutt's collections of facts relating to hybridity, 

 variation, and other phenomena of great general interest, records 

 hitherto for the most part hidden by masses of information which only 

 the specialist will read. l>y Mr. Wheeler's labours these difficulties 

 are now removed, and, as a work of reference, the utility of the book is 

 vastly increased. The high qualities which characterised the earlier 

 volumes are present equally in the new one. Ivich species is treated 

 with the thoroughness that Mr. Tutt and his collaborators always bring 

 to bear on the subjects they undertake. Whenever possible the several 

 instars of development from egg to imago have been examined afresh 

 for this work, and every departure from normality is minutely described. 

 The lepidoptera oft'er imique opportunities for such studies in develop- 

 mental variation, but never before have they been used on so compre- 

 hensive a scale. jMorphologists have long devoted themselves to the 

 precise study of developmental histories. The phylogenetic significance 

 of every feature has been repeatedly discussed, the freest assumptions 

 being made as to the manner of omission or intercalation of stages. 

 But though in lepidoptera such omissions and intercalations may very 

 readily be witnessed as actual variations, embiyologists have hut 

 seldom given attention to these facts. We cannot doubt that the 



