120 [October, 1873. 



by Mr. Saunders as that insect, and is exceedingly like Plagiognathus viriduliis, but 

 not in the least like M. sordidus. No doubt very great revision is required in 

 the Capsidce ; but, although the differences in characters as regards Oncotyliis, 

 Maurocoleus, and Tlniciphalus may appear to be small, they are perfectly recog- 

 nizable by an experienced eye. 



In conclusion, I trust I may be excused for remarking, that, if Mr. Saunders had 

 so strong a behef in his insect being a distinct and undesci-ibed species, that he deemed 

 it expedient to make the belief public, his reason for declining to name it, viz., — 

 " in case further investigation should prove that I have been too hasty in my 

 " conclusion," seems scarcely reconcileable with the strength of his conviction. He 

 appears to start with a certainty, and end in the clouds. — John Scott, 37, Manor 

 Park, Lee, S.E. : \Olh September, 1873. 



Monograph of the Collembola and Thysanura ; by Sir John Lfbbock, 

 Eart., M.P. Eay Society, 1873. 8vo. 



We have at length the pleasure of announcing the appearance of this long- 

 looked-for volume, one of the many magnificent contributions to the literature of 

 Natural History issued by the Ray Society. Space will not permit a long notice ; 

 and, as the curious animals upon which the work treats have not received our special 

 attention, we could hardly do it justice. All entomologists are aware of the con- 

 troversy long urged as to the position of these groups ; how of late it has been 

 attempted, on what grotmds we never could see, to graft them on to the Neuroptera. 

 It may interest entomologists to know that Sir John Lubbock is of opinion that while 

 they " are more nearly allied to the Insecta than to the Crustacea or Arachnida, we 

 " cannot, I think, regard them as Orthoptera or Neuroptera, or even, in the strictest 

 " sense, as true insects." In fact, he makes two distinct orders out of the old group 

 Thysanura — ' Collembola ' and ' Thysayiura,' — which for all practical purposes may 

 be considered as equalling PoduridcB and Lepismidcs respectively, though these two 

 forms actually only represent families in each order. The author's views respecting 

 certain members of the second order in connection with the ' ancestry ' of insects 

 are well known. 



The work is magnificently illustrated, there being no less than 78 plates, 54 of 

 which (31 being coloured) represent nearly as many species in highly magnified 

 figures, 12 are devoted to anatomical details, and the remainder to enormously 

 enlarged scales showing their peculiar structure, and accompanied by an essay by 

 Mr. Joseph Beck. The whole of the illustrations were executed by a pains-taking 

 deaf and dumb artist, Mr. HoUick. 



This work wiU mark an era in the study of those neglected, but intensely 

 curious, animals, and we doubt not repay both author, artist, and the Society for the 

 labour bestowed iipon it. It is really the volume issued to the Subscribers for 1871 ; 

 but we think there are now signs that the vexatious delays (to which we will not 

 fui'ther allude) that caused the publications to fall into arrear, have been effectually 

 overcome. , 



