February, '16] REVIEWS 243 



graphs of some twenty-five years ago, based primarily on a study of the Orthoptera, 

 and the translation of Korschelt and Heider, long since out of date in important fea- 

 tures, the American student has had available practically nothing deaUng broadly 

 with insect embryology. This lack is met in a most admirable manner by the work 

 before us. 



Dr. Nelson has given us far more than a restricted study of the embryology of the 

 honey-bee. In clear and lucid language, illustrated by numerous and carefully 

 selected figures, he has presented a comparative discussion which may well serve as 

 an introduction to the study of the general subject of insect embryology. Its value 

 in this respect is very greatly increased by a detailed discussion of the methods 

 emploj'ed, technique which is adaptable to the study of other forms. An excellent 

 bibhography is also included . 



This is not the place to discuss the more technical aspects of the book. Many 

 new details are brought out, and many debatable questions are handled in an impar- 

 tial and scholarly manner. It is a little disappointing not to find others^notably 

 the question of the origin of the sex glands — more definitely settled, but one should 

 not expect too much. 



On the whole the author deserves hearty congi'atulations and the gratitude of 

 all who may have to deal with the subject of insect embryology. It is a shame that 

 a nafrow pubhcation policy has compelled Dr. Nelson to place his work in the hands 

 of private pubhshers and has deprived the Bureau of Entomology of putting out di- 

 rectly a monograph which would have been a standing credit to it {Advertisement). 



W. A. R. 



Beekeeping, A Discussion of the Life of the Honeybee and of the 

 Production of Honey. By E. F. Phillips, Ph. D,, Bureau of 

 Entomology, Washington, D. C, pp. i-xxii, 1-457, 190 figures, 

 1915. Rural Science Series, The Macmillan Company, New 

 York, $2.00 net. 



In preparing a book of limited size on a subject of which the author has a broad 

 understanding, he is under the necessity of selecting not only his material, but his 

 method of presenting it. In either case the class of readers addressed must be con- 

 sidered. 



Although Phillips has addressed his book on "Beekeeping" to "American bee- 

 keepers," a perusal of its pages shows that the term is here applied, not only to all 

 persons interested in bees, but more particularly to those who have had special 

 training in entomology. 



With the present rapid development of interest in beekeeping instruction and 

 investigation in American colleges, the appearance of this book is most timely. 



Since bees are not domesticated and can scarcely be said to be kept in captivity, 

 their successful management is based entirely on a knowledge of their behavior under 

 the varying conditions of season and locahty. The appUcation of this knowledge 

 to practical management requires a correct interpretation and continuous control 

 of Golonj- conditions in relation to the season and locality in question. 



In his preface the author states that "it has seemed desirable in the early chapters 

 to discuss bees as they exist without man's interference, thus giving the foundation 

 on which the practice of beekeeping rests. The beekeeper is not especially interested 

 in the anatomy of the bee, and, while it is necessary to use illustrations of various 

 organs and describe them briefly, an effort has been made to treat the bee as a living 

 animal and to have the discussion deal with physiology and especially with activities, 

 in so far as investigations have thrown light on these processes. In the preparation 



