74 



THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



In 1897 Mr. Kirkaldy published in the 'Entomologist' 

 "Notes on the Genus Sigara" (September), and "Synonymic 

 Notes on Aquatic Ehynchota " (October). He commenced " A 

 Guide to the Study of British Waterbugs (Aquatic Pthynchota) " 

 in 1898 (Entom. xxxi. p. 177). This was continued at intervals 

 extending over eight years, but was practically concluded in 

 190G (Entom. xxxix. p. 154), when it comprised sixty-six pages, 

 together with two plates of structural details. 



His contributions to the literature of Hemiptera are chiefly 

 concerned with the nomenclature and bibliography of the Order, 

 but he also wrote articles and notes on other phases of the sub- 

 ject, among which may be mentioned, in addition to the " Guide," 

 already referred to, " The Stridulatory Organs of Waterbugs " 

 (Journ. Quekett Microsc. Club, April, 1901), "Hemiptera" 

 (1902, ' Fauna Hawaiiansis,' vol. iii.), and "Upon Maternal 

 Solicitude in Ehynchota and Other Non-Social Insects " (1903, 

 Entom. xxxvi. pp. 113-120; and 1904, Ann. Eep. Smith Inst., 

 pp. 577-585). 



It is true perhaps that the " rule of priority " is recognized 

 by most systematists, but few, seemingly, regard the rule as 

 being unalterable. Kirkaldy in Hemiptera (as also Prout in 

 Lepidoptera) believing that anything approaching stability in 

 nomenclature was only to be secured by the acceptance of 

 names as these w^ere written by their respective authors, rigidly 

 objected to orthographic emendation being admitted on any plea 

 whatever. Strict priority without exception of any kind was 

 the predominant note in all his nomenclatorial work. His 

 researches into the intricate subject of generic synonymy occa- 

 sionally brought him into conflict with co-workers who held 

 opinions opposed to his own. He was, however, ever ready to 

 admit error, and was always thankful to those who put him 

 right when he went astray. His sole object was to obtain an 

 approximately definite adjustment of questions aflecting generic 

 nomenclature upon which his * Catalogue of the Hemiptera ' 

 might be based. The first volume of this monumental work, 

 estimated to run to six or perhaps seven volumes, was published 

 in 1909, and embraces the Cimicidas. Volume ii., dealing with 

 Thyreocoridse, Urolabididae, Aradidfe, and Coreidfe, we under- 

 stand, is in the press. Volume iii., treating of Pyrrhocoridfe, 

 Myodochidae, and Tingidae, was in preparation. 



Mr. Kirkaldy was elected a Fellow of the Entomological 

 Society of London in 1893. In 1901 he joined the Eeference 

 Committee of the ' Entomologist.' 



He leaves a widow and one daughter; his little son died 

 about twelve months ago. 



