14fi [June, 



have been carefully prepared, and are supplemented by paragraphs in which con- 

 densed statements as to the characters of each species are given. These extend to 

 considerable length, but this at present is inevitable. Collections of StaphylinidcB 

 are usually very imperfect, those in the public Museums being almost without ex- 

 ception miserable, a disgrace to the Institutions. As long as this continues to be 

 the case it will be necessary that hand-books should attempt to atone for it by 

 descriptions. But when collections become more complete and accessible, and are 

 better prepared, it will be possible to reduce the extent of this part of entomological 

 literature very greatly. We mention this because one constantly meets with re- 

 proaches against systematic entomologists because their literature is so fearfully 

 long and dry. That is really the fault of the Museums, for when good collections 

 exist we may feel sure that the literature of species descriptions will become very 

 much less extensive, it being far more satisfactory to name species with certainty by 

 means of a good collection, aided by brief notes as to the nature of the more im- 

 portant specific characters. It will always be necessary to give descriptions of new 

 species, but we repeat that the constant repetition of descriptions of old species is 

 a necessary result of the deficiencies of accessible collections. 



We can recommend Herr Ganglbauer's book as being on the whole the best 

 available to the European collector of StaphylinidcB and Pselaphida for aid in the 

 determination of his species. — D. Shaep. 



Eighteenth Report of the State Entomologist on the Noxious and 

 Beneficial Insects of the State of Illinois. Seventh Report of S. A. Forbes, 

 for the years 1891 and 1892. Springfield, 111. 1894. 8vo, 117 pp., and 15 plates. 



This Report fully sustains Dr. Forbes' reputation as one of the most astute 

 Economic Entomologists. The author has been engaged on a Monograph of the 

 insects injurious to Indian Corn, and this forms Part i of the whole, and relates 

 solely to species attacking the seed in the earth and the root of the plant. The 

 known insect ills that Indian Corn is heir to, are stated as 214 species, and of these 18 

 attack the seed, and 27 the plant below ground, so that only a small portion of the 

 whole are treated on in this bulky first instalment. It must not, however, be inferred 

 that all, or even a considerable part, are peculiar to Indian Corn ; nor that all are 

 really destructive in an important degree : some are only considered " menacers." 

 We have no space to go into details, but mention as of special importance no less 

 than five species of subterranean Aphides. The plates are excellent. 



A Manual foe the Study op Insects : by John Henry Comstock and 

 Anna Batsfoed Comstoce. 8vo, pp. 701, with numerous illustrations. Ithaca, 

 N. Y., Comstock Publishing Company. 1895. 



In the United States a " Guide " to the study of Insects has long existed in 

 many editions : we now have a " Manual." Both of course cover the same ground, 

 but the plan of treatment is very different, therefore the two works do not clash. 

 The system followed is strictly phylogenetic, the Insecta beginning with the Thysa- 

 nura and ending with the Hymenoptera. Nineteen Orders are recognised, resulting 

 from the comparatively new practice of splitting up the old Neuroptera and Orthoptera. 

 Two distinctive features are claimed, viz., a tabulation of all the Families known to 



