1874.] 215 



TnH Object and Method of Zoological Nomenclatttre ; by David Sharp. 

 8vo, pp. 1 — 39. London, E. W. Janson, and Williams and Norgate ; 1873. 



We live in times of reaction, but never dreamed of one so severe as to compel 

 us to call the well-known Ascalaphiis macaronius (one of the Neiiroptera) by the 

 name under which it was first described by Scopoli, viz., Papilio macaronius ; yet 

 this is what Dr. Sharp would have us do. The main principle he proposes is that 

 " the correct name of a species is the earliest two words that were first given in 

 "combination to it, as a specific name" (p. 38), and he considers this first name 

 (generic and trivial in combination) sacred, although the classifier is at liberty to 

 place against it the modern generic term that seems best suited to his ideas. There- 

 fore, the mere collector has the satisfaction of a thoroughly unchangeable name, 

 whereas the unhappy student must adopt a trinomial nomenclature. We believe 

 the foregoing sketch gives a correct view of what appears to be the aim of our 

 author. Dr. Sharp is deservedly obtaining a world-wide reputation as a sound and 

 conscientious entomologist, with a knowledge of differences and afiinities in special 

 groups of Coleoptera second to none ; but, it seems to us that, this pamphlet will 

 not increase his reputation as a naturalist. It was possibly written as an alterative 

 or relief from more severe studies ; but, remembering that, at p. 254 of vol. ix of 

 this Magazine, the author proposed to retain unchanged the termination of the 

 specific (or trivial) name of a species when it be thought advisable to transfer it to 

 another genus of different gender, it looks as if he were now seeking to establish that 

 proposition in another way. The reception accorded to the original idea was not 

 satisfactory, and the present plan will probably meet with equal condemnation. 

 The appearance of this pamplilet is additionally to be regretted, inasmuch as the 

 writing of it must, to the detriment of science, have prevented the author from doing 

 good work in the departments he so ably represents. However, the elimination of 

 a few pages leaves much to interest and instruct, as the general exposition of the 

 subject of nomenclature is both sound and clear. With regard to the doings of the 

 ' purists,' we will only say that Dr. Sharp seems unfortunate in his comparison of the 

 notorious A7nphiont/cha Jcnownothinc) (which he now proposes to adopt unchanged to 

 the letter) with such names as Carahus StscMegovi, &c. We submit there is nothing 

 whatever in common in the examples cited, and should rather like to hear a Russian 

 entomologist try to pronounce " Sciaphila Colquhounana." 



On the Origin and Metajiobphoses of Insects ; by Sie John Lubbock, 

 Bart., M.P., F.R.S. Small 8vo, pp. 1—108. London, Macmillan and Co. ; 1874. 



Headers of ' Nature ' will be already acquainted with the contents of this handy 

 little volume, now republished in a separate form. Although professing to treat 

 only upon insects, the exigencies of the subject have led the author into somewhat 

 lengthy considerations of the metamorphoses of animals much lower in the scale, 

 and, in fact, the volume treats on these changes as observed in the Invertebrata. It 

 gives a clear and concise view of the subject as elucidated up to the present date, 

 and the numerous outline wood-cuts will greatly assist the reader. Considering 

 that the subjects of entomology, and even of metamorphoses in its more popu- 

 larly accepted sense, are yet themselves quite in embryo, we refrain from any 

 comments upon the opinions of the author, and of those who have written on the 

 same questions, further than to remark that much of what has hitherto been given 

 forth by naturalists of the advanced (perhaps sometimes too advanced) school, is, 



