188 [January, 



Suphis, Canthydrus, and Hydrocanthus) ; and two other groups, Vatellini (gen. 

 Macrovatellus, Vatellus, and Derovatellus) and Laccophilini (gen. Laccophilus and 

 Neptosternus). 



The Dytisci complicate are composed of two isolated and separate genera, 

 three tribes, and two groups. They commence with Amphizoa (so that the family 

 character of the possession of natatorial legs must he set aside), followed by the 

 tribe Hydroporides, made up of three groups, Hydrovatini (gen. Hydrovatus and 

 Queda), Bidessini (gen. Heterhydrus, Pachydrus, Hesmopachria, Bidessus, " Huxel- 

 hydrtis," and Tyndalhydrus), and Hyphydrini (gen. Andex, Hydropeplns, Primospes, 

 Coelhydrus, Darioinhydrus, and Hyphydriis) ; an isolated genus, Stemopriscus ; 

 another group, Hydroporini (gen. Hyphoporus, Paroster, Herophydrus, Coelambus, 

 Chostonectes, Antiporus, Necterosoma, Macroporus, Heronectes, and Hydroporus) ; 

 and another isolated genus, Celina. Between the tribe Hydroporides and the next 

 tribe, Colymbetides, intervenes another isolated genus, Methles. The Colymbetides 

 are composed of the groups Agabini (gen. Hydrotrupes, Metronectes, Agabus, Ily- 

 biosoma, Platynectes, Beuronectes, Agametrus, Agabinus, Platambus, and I/ybius) 

 and Colymbetini (gen. Scutopterus, Phantus, Colymbetes, and Meladema) , between 

 which are placed the following seven genera, distinguished from both of them by 

 negative characters, insufficient to form a natural separate division, viz., Copelatus, 

 Aglymbus, Lacconectus, Agabetes, Hiatus, Coptotomus, and Lancetes. 



Then comes a separate group, Dytiscini (gen. Hyderodes and Dytiscus), fol- 

 lowed by a tribe, Hydaticides, composed of two groups, Hydaticini (gen. Prodaticus 

 and ffydaticus,) and Thermonectini (gen. Acilius, Thermonectes, Atthionectes, 

 Sandracottus, PJiantaticus, and Graphoderes) , and an isolated genus, Eretes. The 

 series concludes with another separate group, Cybistrini (gen. Spencerhydrus, 

 Homceodytes, Megadytes, and Cybister). 



In this string of names, there is insufficient material to attempt useful criticism. 

 Dr. Sharp's entomological acumen has been proved too often for any one to doubt 

 that his earnest and long continued study has justified the, at first sight, unbalanced 

 arrangement of tribes, genera, groups, &c. ; and his book will, doubtless, make all 

 this clear, even to the swallowing of Amphizoa, after straining in vain at Haliplus. 

 As regards the names themselves, it can only be suggested that some of the new ones 

 are constructed on the principle of language being given us to conceal our thoughts. 

 We are aware, from former communications, that Dr. Sharp does not attribute to 

 the construction of mere words, and 6uch minor things, the importance hitherto 

 bestowed upon them by his predecessors and fellow- workers ; and it is more than 

 probable that the most egregious of the horrors that he now proposes are brought 

 forward merely to show his contempt for nomenclators. 



The Young Naturalist : an illustrated penny weekly Magazine of Natural 

 History ; conducted by J. E. Kobson and S. L. Mosley. Huddersfield : Preston 

 Brothers ; London : J. Kempster and Co. Vol. i, 1880. 



To a certain extent, this periodical is based upon the plan of the " Intelligencer," 

 but extended to all branches of Natural History. It is apparently published both 

 in weekly numbers and monthly parts. We have before us part xii, for November, 

 1880. 



It appears likely to prove very useful, if care be taken not to identify it with a 



