21 



The natural result of so much energy was the publication 

 of many handbooks relating to Lcpidoptcra. The wood 

 engravings in the first edition of Edward Newman's work 

 assisted the less scientific workers, whilst the Rev. J. a. 

 Wood catered for the populace in many readable books, such as 

 '• Inserts at Home. " and " Iii.sec/.s Ahmad :' In 1893 my friend 

 Charles Golding Barrett commenced his large and expensive 

 work on the " Lepidoph-ra of the British Ix/es/' This work, 

 which is contained in eleven volumes, consists of full 

 descriptions of the British Insects (excluding the Tinect), with 

 beautifully drawn and hand coloured plates of the species, 

 including many varieties. As a natural history for reference 

 it is of the greatest use, but its price naturally precludes its 

 coming into general use. Unfortunately, h« did not live long 

 enough to see it finished, but left sufficient material to enable 

 Mr. Richard South to complete it as far as the end of the 

 Tor trices. 



In 1895 Edward Meyrick published "A Handbook of 

 British Lepidoptera." This work is a masterly attempt to 

 classify Lepidoptera by the structure of the wings, and there 

 is no doubt that in time Entomologists will appreciate its 

 value. A criticism in the " EntomoJogists' Berord " shows 

 to what an extent this book was meant to revolutionise 

 old ideas. It reads:— "We have nothing but praise 

 for the man who can step straight out of the old ruts, 

 and produce a book which entirely uproots the treasured 

 shibboleths of a school of Entomologists who were suckled on 

 Newman and.Stainton in their entomological babyhood, fed 

 on Newman and Stainton in their youth, starved on Newman 

 and Stainton in their manhood, and are still striving 

 manfully to obtain nutriment from them in their old age." 



The last complete work published is Richard South's 

 " Buff erf lies and Moths," for which he has used the very 

 latest methods of photo-printing in colours. The insects are 

 photographed direct, and are then coloured with the three- 

 colour process, with wonderfully natural results. The work 

 IS good, and has the advantage of being of moderate price. 



