10.] 143 



Naturally they include all branches of Natural History ; but the subjects are divided 

 into Sections, and each of these is paged separately. The aim appears to be twofold 

 in its nature : firstly, to furnish local lists, and, secondly, to chronicle notable ad- 

 ditions of novelties and rarities noticed in each year. Insects evidently occupy a 

 large share of the attention of the Members of these Societies, and amongst the 

 contributors we notice the names of Porritt and Prest for Lepidoptera, Mosley for 

 Semiptera and Diptera, and W. D. Roebuck and Bairstow for Hymenoptera. But 

 Ornithology, Conchology, and Botany are equally as well represented. The paper, 

 typography, and general " getting-up " are excellent. 



The existence of such a multitude of Natural History Societies in a small 

 district (for so Yorkshire is, notwithstanding it is our largest county), is probably 

 an almost unique fact, and we believe we are correct in stating that the majority of 

 the Members are of the artisan class. Judging from the List of Members on the 

 cover of Part iii, half-a-crown is the usual annual subscription, but it appears to be 

 optional with Members to supply pecuniary aid in excess of this modest sum, an 

 option largely exercised, even to the extent of two guineas. Those amongst 

 I Britishers " who know the tastes of some of the better class amongst our artisans 

 in the great industrial centres (of which Yorkshire is one), will be little surprised at 

 finding Naturalists so abundant amongst them : to foreigners the fact must be a 

 , matter for some little astonishment. It was a happy idea to unite these Societies 

 under a central governing body, and this latter, if wise, should use its position for 

 educational purposes on broad principles, by impressing upon the Members the 

 necessity of recognising the fact that Yorkshire is not Britain, and that Britain is 

 only an island in the northern seas. 



Insect Yariety : its Propagation and Distribution, treating of the 

 odours, dances, colours, and music in all grasshoppers, clcad^, and moths ; 

 Beetles, Leaf-Insects, Bees, and Butterflies ; Bugs, Flies, and Ephemera ; 

 and exhibiting the bearing of the science of entomology on geology. 

 By A. H. Swinton. London : Cassell, Petter, G-alpin & Co., 1880, pp. 326, 8vo. 



This work indicates extensive reading of the writings, in many languages, of 

 authors, ancient and modern, who have investigated the attributes of insect-life, and 

 copious extracts and references are given, together with statements of the researches 

 and observations of the author himself, some of which have appeared in this maga- 

 zine ; the illustrations consist of a frontispiece, seven mostly well-drawn plates, and 

 figures incorporated with the text. The odours, dances, colours, and music 

 (erroneously so-called) of insects have always been deemed to be manifestations of 

 love, fear, anger, or rivalry, and as ministering directly or indirectly to the mainte- 

 nance of their race ; but when it is said or inferred that they are also the primary or 

 remote causes of insect-variety, we demur, and say that the statement or inference 

 is not proved. It is admitted, even by the author, that sounds emitted by an insect 

 are attractive only to others of the same species, although there are, as stated, some 

 exceptions in the Cicada. Yariety, that is, differentiation of species, and even the 

 variation of the individuals of a species, are i*cally due to extrinsic changing, or for 

 a time persistent, conditions and agencies acting on elastic vital powers. Neverthe- 

 less, as bi'inging a great number of observations of numerous investigators into one 

 view, this work is very interesting and serviceable, but it sadly wants an index for 

 reference to special items. 



