124 
J'SVCHE 
\ December 
RECENT EN'l'OMOLOCxICAL LITERATURE 
American Insects, by vernon l. Kellogg, professor of entomology 
AND LECTURER ON BIONOMICS IN LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY, WITH MANY 
ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARY WELLMAN. HENRY HOLT & COMPANY I905. 674 
pages, 812 figures and 13 colored plates. 
This work easily ranks as the most comprehensive volume treating of Amer- 
ican insects yet produced. The great progress in entomology during the decade 
which has elapsed since the appearance of Comstock’s Manual, has enabled the 
author to give more adequate treatment to the dragon flies, to the previously 
almost unknown Culicidae and to the part taken by insects in the transmission of 
diseases. This latter, comprising an entire chapter, is a new and e.xceedingly 
important addition to a comprehensive work on American insects. There is a 
general systematic account of all the principal groups with special discussions of 
insect structure, physiology, development, metamorphosis and ecology, portions 
of which have been greatly enriched by the author’s personal investigations. 
'I'he systematic part agrees largely with Comstock except that the Coleopteras 
Diptera and Lepidoptera are treated in the order named. The synoptic key, 
have been summarized in certain groups and in others there are valuable 
additions, particularly in the Odonata and Orthoptera. The treatment of the 
Coleoptera, considering the importance and popularity of the group, appears 
rather brief in comparison with the space usually accorded this order in other 
works. Considerable attention is devoted to the economic aspects of the subject 
and a decided preference for the more injurious forms is exhibited in discussing 
typical species of the various groups considered. \ very large majority of our 
more destructive insects are noticed, with a summarized statement of the life his- 
tory and directions for controlling these pests. The interesting problems pre- 
sented by social communities such as white ants, true ants and bees receive con- 
siderable attention. The important relationship existing between insects and 
flowers, the value of color and pattern and their uses, are discussed somewhat 
fully in two philosophic and very suggestive chapters. The work closes with an 
appendix on collecting and rearing insects. 
The subject matter is presented in an easy narrative style, though accuracy 
is not sacrificed for the sake of popularity. The work itself is plainly printed on 
excellent paper and the illustrations are generally of a high standard. 'I’he 
volume exhibits a thorough appreciation of and familiarity with recent investiga- 
tions and, considering the immense field covered, it is not surprising that there 
