1881. 



189 



special class of collectors. The illustrations, although rough, will, no doubt, prove 

 attractive to juveniles, and the editorial " leaders " sometimes contain sound informa- 

 tion and advice. The weak point is the careless correcting for the press, especially 

 apparent in the entomological portion. In this, and in some other respects, the 

 conductors should more closely follow the example set by the French Journal, the 

 " Feuille des Jeunes Naturalistes," to which, amongst contemporaries, the " Young 

 Naturalist " offers the greatest amount of resemblance. 



The Butterflies of North America : by W. H. Edwards ; second series, 

 Part ix. Boston : Houghton, Mifflin, & Co. ; London : Triibner & Co. 1880. 



This Part entirely concerns three species of Papilio, viz. : P. Oregonia, 

 Edwards (much like our Machaon), formerly considered a variety of Hippocrates, 

 but now described and figured as distinct ; P. brevicauda, Saunders, the perfect 

 insect of which, having been previously figured, is not further alluded to, but there 

 is a most elaborate series of figures of the transformations, with a detailed account 

 of the habits, as observed by Mr. Mead, in Newfoundland ; and P. Bairdii, Edwards, 

 which recalls Asterias, but is much darker. As usual, the letter-press is very full, 

 and the plates are above praise. 



©bitttarg, 



Etienne Mulsant. — Another of the " heroes " of our Science has passed away. 

 IStienne Mulsant, the veteran Entomologist of Lyons, died on November 4th, 1880, at 

 the age of 83, having been born on the 2nd March, 1797, at Mornant, Departement du 

 Bhone. For the space of half-a-century this distinguished author has occupied a lead- 

 ing place in the Entomological world, his earliest production bearing the date of 1830, 

 and having for its title " Lettres a Julie sur l'Entomologie, suivies d'une description 

 methodique de la plus grande partie des insectes de France ; ornees de planches 

 (15 in number) dessinees et gravees par MM. Louvain et Dumenil." 2 vols. 8vo. 

 Lyons and Paris, 1830. In this work the author slightly sketched the characters and 

 habits of the different families of insects (interspersed with fragments of poetry of his 

 own composition) , in the shape of a series of letters originally written for the use of 

 the young lady who subsequently became his wife, to whom the work was dedicated, 

 when finished and published after their marriage. This dedication is a fair specimen 

 of his poetical talents, and is here reproduced. 



A MA FEMME. 



Produits Idgers de ma jeunesse, 



Tandis que loin de ta presence 

 J'attendais le moment heureux 

 Ou ta main, promise a, mes vceux, 

 Devait couronner ma Constance 

 Pour charmer ces trop longs instans, 

 J'aimais de l'Entomologie 

 A t'enseigner les elemens, 

 Cette occupation cherie 

 Enchantait mon cceur et mes gouts ; 

 Aujourd'hui qu'un titre plus doux 

 A mon ame te rend plus chere 

 Je devrais, trop heureux e'poux, 

 Grouter mon bonheur et me taire j 

 Mais, tu l'ordonnes, pour te plaire 

 Je livre au hasard ces recits, 



Qui sans effort de ma paresse 

 Pour toi seul furent ecrits 

 Plus d'un succes leur est promis, 

 Si dans leur publique existence 

 lis retrouvent ta bienviellance 

 Ton accueil pour moi si flatteur ; 

 Mais si la critique ennemie 

 Les accable d'un trait vengeur, 

 A l'oubli consacrant ma vie 

 Je saurai pres de toi, Julie, 

 Me consoler de sa rigueur. 

 Qui te connait, a mon bonheur 

 Pourrait encore porter envie. 



