262 [April, 



In the chapter on the social economy of wasps, their life-history is most 

 elaborately traced from the egg to the perfect insect. The only part of the wasps' 

 history which does not appear to have fallen under the author's own observation is 

 that relating to the diseases to which, in their different stages of development, they 

 are subject ; for instance, in the larva state, a disease, similar to that which is well 

 known to bee-keepers as " foul-brood," frequently destroys the entire brood, Vespa 

 rufa being apparently most subject to it. Neither does the author appear to have 

 been troubled with the loss of any portion of his broods through the attacks of 

 parasites ; as no reference is made to the Coleopterous Rhipiphonts, the various 

 species of the Dipterous genus Volucella, Chyronomon vesparum, or any of the 

 Chrysididw ; some of which, particularly Volucellx, frequently commit extensive 

 ravages among wasp brood. 



The chapter on Anatomy and Physiology, which occupies more than one-third 

 of the volume, is, in a scientific point of view, the most important ; this we com- 

 mend to the careful study of all entomologists. 



The book is embellished with 14 plates, 10 of which are devoted to repre- 

 sentations of the nests of the different species, in their various stages of con- 

 struction ; and, although these are somewhat feeble in execution, yet they have 

 the great value of being faithful and characteristic representations. 



We could have wished that the same value attached to the 4 plates of figures 

 of the different species of wasps : the first plate of these is by far the best, but 

 the other figures, although executed with a certain degree of nicety, are sadly 

 wanting in truthfulness of character ; we should, indeed, scarcely have recognized 

 Vespa vulgaris, as the female of that species is here represented of much too large 

 a size, and the male is portrayed with such a pair of wings as no male of this 

 species ever possessed ; the worker of Vespa rufa, moreover, appears to have 

 changed heads with some Dipterous insect. 



The Amencan Naturalist; a popular illustrated Magazine of Natural History. 

 (Salem, Massachusetts ; published by the Essex Institute. London ; Triibner & Co.) 

 No more convincing proof of the rapidly spreading taste for Natural History 

 among general readers could be adduced than that of the numerous serials devoted 

 to this subject now published in all the more highly civihzed countries ; and to the 

 greater part of these must be accorded the praise that scientific accuracy is in 

 them combined with a popular rendering of the subjects treated upon. And the 

 American Naturalist exhibits this attribute in its highest degree. The Essex 

 Institute is well known as one of the foremost American scientific societies, and its 

 popular publication has the benefit of being edited by some of its best naturalists. 

 Each monthly part contains over 50 pages of sound reading printed in the best 

 possible manner, with a multitade of wood-cuts, and several well executed plates ; 

 and this at a price (3 dollars per annum) that appears marvellously low. Entomology 

 naturally receives a large share of attention, and many of the papers on this sub- 

 ject are of the highest value. We cannot doubt that, when this Magazine shall have 

 become more generally known, it will enjoy an extended circulation in this country, 

 especially as the North American fauna and flora are strikingly akin to our own. 

 The least we can say to its credit is that the American NaturaUst is a model 

 worthy of being copied by British publishers. 



