﻿270 THE RNTOMOLOGISl 



EECENT LITEEATUEE. 



Some South Indian Insects and Other Animals of Importance Con- 

 sidered Especially from an Econornic Point of Vieiv. By T. 

 Bainbrigge Fletcher, R.N., F.L.S., &c., Imperial Entomo- 

 logist to the Government of India. Pp. i-xxii, 1-665. Madras : 

 Printed by the Superintendent, Government Press. 1914. 

 Price 6 rupees (9 shillings). 

 The first part of this excellent work is divided up into twenty- 

 three chapters, and of these the first nine are devoted to more or 

 less brief consideration of the following subjects : Definition and 

 Structure of Insects, Classification and Nomenclature, Metamor- 

 phosis, Means of Defence in Insects, Communication amongst 

 Insects, Tropisms, Insects and Plants, Symbiosis and Parasitism, 

 the Balance of Life. In the limited space allotted to each of these 

 chapters the author has skillfully marshalled most, or perhaps all, 

 the more telling facts connected with the matter dealt with. 

 Chapters x. and xi. treat of insect pests and the control of insect 

 pests of crops. The author then proceeds to deal with the various 

 kinds of insects and their depredation on growing crops or stored 

 products. Insect pests of the household are also considered, and a 

 chapter is devoted to insects and disease. Not all insects are 

 inimical to man, however ; some, indeed, are really helpful in various 

 ways. This side of the subject is duly noted and adequately treated 

 in a chapter headed " Beneficial and Useful Insects." In the main 

 portion of the book (pp. 264-546) the more important species are 

 duly classified, and details are furnished in the matters of synonymy, 

 life-history, distribution, &c. We consider that this part of the 

 work has been admirably arranged. 



Although the author states in his preface that the volume has 

 " no pretentions to the assumption of any status as a text book," 

 we feel assured that it will be accepted as such, especially as regards 

 South Indian insects. From the economic point of view, the work 

 will be of first class importance. 



It only remains for us to add that the illustrations are excellent 

 and very numerous. The coloured plates, forty-nine in number, are 

 beautifully reproduced from original drawings. Although many of 

 these plates have appeared in other publications, their inclusion in 

 the present volume will enhance its value. 



Insects and Man. By C. A. Ealand, M.A. Pp. 343. London 

 Grant Richards. 1915. Price 125. net. 



In deaUng with this important subject the author has brought to 

 gether in handy form all, or nearly all, that really matters in con 

 nection with each phase under the following headings : Insects and 

 Plants (pp. 33-87); Insects and Human Disease (pp. 88-159) 

 Insect Enemies of Live-Stock (pp. 160-196); Beneficial Insects 

 (pp. 197-233) ; Household Insects (pp. 234-273) ; Some Human 

 Parasites (pp. 274-294) ; Insect Control (pp. 295-322). 



In the introduction (pp. 17-32) the progress and present position 

 of applied biology is reviewed, and the various orders of the Insecta 

 brietiy discussed. 



