194 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



critical review of all the characters offered, and as a result a classifi- 

 catory scheme where previously uo classification existed. The pages 

 devoted to the Eumorphinas will be read with great interest, as showing 

 how the British species are dispersed through four distinct tribes. Each 

 tribe is in turn fully diagnosed, and in many cases most minute details 

 of the larval differences are given. 



The work of Weissman on ' Studies in the Theory of Descent ' is 

 constantly under review, particularly that portion that deals with the 

 development of larval markings. In the main there is a general 

 agreement with the views there set forth, but occasionally criticisms 

 are made that are worth considerable reflection. At page 263 the sub- 

 family Sphinguise is entered upon, which includes the four remaining 

 British hawk-moths — Hyloicus pinastri, Spliinx lu/astri, Agritis con- 

 volindi, and Maiulaca atropos. Over these four species we have 238 pages 

 of printed matter. Tlie elaborateness of the life-histories accounts for 

 mucli of this space. The description and habits of the larva of Agrius 

 convolvuli runs into twenty-five pages, and represents the scale on which 

 this side of the work has been done. We are glad also to have previous 

 published errors rectified. A word must be said, too, of the altogether 

 unprecedented description of the pupte and the detailed measurements, 

 which together sometimes occupy more than four pages for a single 

 species. The last species is Manduca atropos, which occupies seventy- 

 three pages. Of these the twenty pages devoted to the habits will come 

 in for a large share of attention. A summary is given of the various 

 opinions that have been given as to how the cry of the imago is pro- 

 duced. We should have thought that this was a little unnecessary, 

 seeing that quite a number of first-rate workers have confirmed one 

 another as to the real cause. Passerini, Moseley, Poulton, and Chap- 

 man all give the same reason, and there can hardly be any doubt now 

 about the matter. There is an appendix, which runs to close on thirty 

 pages, and contains a valuable life-history of Da/ihnis nerii, with an 

 exceedingly good black and white plate. Altogether, the Sphingid 

 specialist has cause to rejoice over such a valuable work, while for 

 every entomologist there are pages of the deepest interest. 



We feel compelled to add a word as to the printing and get-up of 

 the book. This is not what it should be. The various headings are 

 not in bold enough type, and there is not a sufiicient diversity in these. 

 Subfamily, tribe, and genus all have the same type, and do not help 

 the eye much in finding anything in connection with these. Again, 

 under Manduca atropos it is not at all easy to find where the habit of 

 robbing beehives or the cry of the imago is described, as these come under 

 the paragraph " Habits," which is twenty pages long. Such details as 

 these would greatly serve to increase the facility with which the book 

 could be used. We mention this matter fearlessly, as we feel that its 

 modification is an easy matter, and one that would be bound to be 

 appreciated by everybody. While vol. iv. was going through the press 

 we heard ominous rumours as to Mr. Tutt's health. We sincerely wish 

 him a new lease of life to continue his fine work. 



W. J. K. 



