Reviews. 109 



Edward Newman, more especially the Cerambycidse. The critical 

 examination of the different species and their synonyms is care- 

 fully worked out, priority being rigidly maintained, and names of 

 " long-continued use " being ruthlessly sacrificed. The species 

 dealt with were described in 1838 (' Entomological Magazine,' 

 vol. v.), 1840-2 ('Entomologist,' vol. i.), the 'Zoologist,' and 

 in ' Charlesworth's Magazine.' Newman's names seem to be 

 still accepted in the majority of instances. Dr. S. W. Williston 

 has a technical paper on the classification of the Diptera of 

 America; but the article of most interest to English readers is 

 one by Mr. John B. Smith, on " Noctuids common to England 

 and North America." This paper is a criticism of one which 

 appeared in the 'Verb. K. k. zool. bot. Gesellschaft in Wien ' 

 last year, by H. B. Moeschler, upon the same subject. Mr. Smith 

 deals with the genus Agrotis of Staudinger more particularly ; 

 and we find, among others, common to America and Europe, 

 several of our old British friends, such as augur, festiva var. 

 coiiflua, and segetmn. 'Sir. Smith doubts the identity of these 

 with the American representatives ; but he agrees with the eleven 

 other species of the genus common to both continents, among 

 which we find haia, c-nigrum, plecta, fennica, saucia, upsilon, and 

 occulta. 



This subject of distribution of species is of great interest, as 

 showing to what extent species may become changed or modified 

 when long separated in far distant localities, and to what extent 

 the so-called species of American insects are really good species, 

 or only sub-species of previously known insects in the " Old 

 World."— J. T. C. 



Elementary Text-hook of Entomology. By W. F. Kirby. Large 

 square 8vo, with 87 plates and 650 figures. London : Swan 

 Sonnenschein & Co. 1885. 



This work again takes us over paths already trodden, but 

 makes them more interesting by illustration. The letterpress 

 extends to 240 pages, including an introduction. Though most 

 of our readers will be familiar with the subjects treated in the 

 introduction, these will bear re-reading ; and many will find both 

 instruction and amusement in perusing the dozen or so pages 

 devoted to that section of the work. The more recent discoveries 



