448 Mr. Stephens on the 



this confusion is founded on our insect existing in the Linnaean cabinet under 

 the latter name, which, however, may be the case, and yet not in the 

 least invalidate, but rather confirm the accuracy of the synonymy I have 

 above given. In unravelling synonyms, the examination of a cabinet is 

 not of such value as a careful comparison of an Author with himself. 

 Fabricius, for instance, may have marked an insect in his cabinet with a 

 particular name, and yet it may not be that species as described in one of 

 his works, for this Entomologist, as it is easy to discover, was in the habit 

 of forgetting the species of his earlier works, and of describing them under 

 new names. 



Further than the above few remarks, accompanying its syno- 

 nymy, little of the economy of this destructive insect is known ; 

 and it is therefore impossible to point out a remedy for the evil, 

 until we have more detailed accounts of the method in which the 

 trees are attacked. The Naturalists in the North might, however, 

 easily acquire some insight into the history of Ilylobius Abietis, by 

 examining the Fir trees of Rivelston Wood, during the winter 

 season, and watching the larvae until they make their appearance 

 as perfect insects. 



I have the honour, &c. 



W. S. MacLeay. 



Art. LVII. Some Observations on the British Tipulidce, 

 together with Descriptions of the Species of Culex 

 and Anopheles found in Britain. By James Francis 

 Stephens, F.L.S., Sfc. 



[To the Editors of the Zoological Journal, 30th Nov. 1824.] 



Gentlemen, 

 Should the following crude remarks, upon certain families of 

 British Insects, whiih have hitherto been sadly neglected by the 

 Entomologists of this Country, be deemed worthy of being in- 

 serted in (he pages of the Zoological Journal, I trust that the 

 -purpose for which they were hastily put together will be answered ; 



