192 



for planting have been greatly inconvenienced by the enactment of 

 strict regulations regarding the introduction of rooted vines ; it is 

 suggested that a certificate attesting their disinfection, irrespective 

 of where grown, should be considered sufficient guarantee. 



The grape mealybug, Pseitdococcus maritimus, is less destructive 

 to vines, but its presence in the bunches of grapes renders the fruit 

 unmarketable. Every effort should be made to find a means of 

 eradicating it. 



The Sphingid, Pholus achemon, occurred in alarming numbers in 

 1919, but prompt measures checked the infestation ; in 1920 nothing 

 was done to control a fresh outbreak, with the result that three 

 generations occurred, young larvae appearing about 25th May, 

 6th July and 20th September, and heavy losses were sustained. 



MacGillivray (A. D.). The Coccidae. — Urhana, III., The Scarab 

 Co., 1921, 502 pp. [Price S6.] 



This volume gives a very short introduction to the systematic 

 position, life-history, external anatomy, and methods of preparation 

 for study, of the Coccidae. The main part of the volume is devoted 

 to the identification of the sub-families, genera and species by means 

 of dichotomous tables, each sub-family being prefaced by a general 

 account. The sub-family tables dealing with the identification of the 

 first nymphal and adult stages will be found useful by students. In 

 his treatment of the genera the author has erected over 120 new ones, 

 and those that previous authors considered to be sub-genera have been 

 raised to generic rank. Time will show whether the classification 

 proposed here will stand, but it seems as if the author, in his endeavour 

 to assist his students, for whom these tables were originally compiled, 

 had carried what we believe to be an artificial arrangement to its 

 logical conclusion, and in the process has lost sight of the natural 

 affinities of the insects. It is not quite so easy to assign species to 

 their genera as the author's tables would lead one to suppose. 

 The extent of the proposed alterations may be judged from the fact 

 that in the Lepidosaphini there are 17 new genera erected, in the 

 Diaspidini 44, and in the Aspidiotini 53. The value of the work is 

 lessened by the fact that the author has had to rely very largely upon 

 descriptions ; all genera previously founded have apparently been 

 accepted, even although subsequent authors have shown them to be 

 erroneous. A glance at the bibliography suggests that the author has 

 not had access to all the literature. The tables dealing with the species 

 will probably be found useful, inasmuch as they gather into one volume 

 descriptions that have hitherto been widely scattered. In a work of 

 such size it is perhaps expecting too much to have no printer's errors, 

 but many of the genera might have been revised with advantage. 



van dex Broek (M.) & ScHENK (P. J.). Vijandeii van Tuinbouwge- 



wassen. [Pests of Horticultural Plants.] — Groiiingen, J. B. Wolters, 

 108 pp., 27 figs. Price fi. 1.25. 



This practical little book is intended for use in the winter horticul- 

 tural instruction courses in Holland. Both animal and fungous pests 

 are dealt with, and these are arranged according to the plants they 

 infest. In each case the scientific name is given, and there are short 

 notes on the injury. A brief section deals with the various insecticides 

 in general use. 



