THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 115 



and particularly to create genera, from mere drawings. 

 Megatbymus, as founded on Roisduval's figures, is very much 

 of a myth. It is so with all genera erected by the mere 

 coining of a name without recognizable definition; and while 

 a Hiibner, in making a number of divisions on superficial 

 grounds, may accidentally hit upon relationshijDS which sub- 

 sequent research proves correct, he certainly does not greatly 

 benefit science by his work. Again, we may learn the 

 necessity for the adoption by entomologists of some rules for 

 guidance in matters that do not come within the scope of 

 present accepted rules. Can names connected solely with 

 published figures be accepted ? Shall we write Yuccte 

 Boisdnval or Yuccse Walker ? Such questions become the 

 more important when two difl'erent names are employed. A 

 figure, however good, cannot be considered a definition ; and, 

 whilst most entomologists would consider that the species in 

 question had not virtually been named until described by 

 Walker, others take a different view, and perhaps with reason, 

 since a good figure, so far as recognition of the thing intended 

 is concerned, is infinitely more definite than the majority of 

 the earlier descriptions of species in entomology. 



In conclusion, I take pleasure in expressing my obligations 

 to Mr. W. F. Kirby of Dublin, Mr. John A. Ryder of Phila- 

 delphia, and Mr. Herman Strecker of Reading, Pa., for kind 

 assistance in my studies of this insect ; and more particularly 

 to my esteemed correspondent Dr. J. H. Mellichamp of 

 Bluflton, S. C, for his eflforls in furnishing material, and to 

 my friend Mr. S. H. Scudder of Cambridge, Mass., for valuable 

 aid, always freely given. 



CiiAS. V. Riley. 



Descriptions of Oak- rj alls. Translated from Dr. G. L. Mayu's 

 ' Die Mitteleuropaischen Eichengalleu ' by E. A. Fitch, Esq. 



(Contiuued from p. 7S.) 



46. Biorhiza remtm, Hart. — This gall is, in the fresh 

 state, very beautiful, though small. It appears towards the 

 end of September on the under sides of the leaves of Quercus 

 sessilillora, Q. pedunculata, and Q. pubescens, generally in 

 large numbers, and often densely crowded : il is attached to 



