100 ENTOMOI.OfilCAI. BOOKS FOR BEaiNNERS. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS. 



BY W. G. BLATCH. 



Amongst the great number of popular books on Entomology very 

 few are of real service to the student of that iutorcstiug science, and 

 it too often happens that beginners expend a considerable amount of 

 money uselessly and involve themselves in almost hopeless confusion, for 

 want of a httle friendly counsel to aid them in making, at the outset, a 

 selection of the most suitable books. A few^'suggestions on this subject 

 may therefore be not unacceptable to at least the younger Entomological 

 readers of the " Midland Naturalist." As, however, it will be 

 impossible to give in this number a list of all the best books on 

 insects, I will limit this notice to two works on general Entomology, 

 and to a few of such as illustrate some of the more prominent " Orders.'' 



Undoubtedly there is no better book on general Entomology than 

 " Westwood's Introduction to the Modern Classification of Insects,' 

 2 Vols., 1839. It is, however, hard to obtain, (being out of print,) and 

 commands a high price, (£3 10s. is now charged for a fair copy,) but the 

 book is necessary to all who desire not to be Entomologists in name only. 



Not improbably the opportunity, and perhaps the money, to pur- 

 chase "Westwood" may not be at once available. It will therefore be 

 necessary to recommend some sort of a substitute. Here is one ready to 

 hand — cheap, but good ; easy to understand, but thoroughly trustworthy, 

 and withal containing excellent coloured figures of insects of all 

 " Orders," — " Staveley's British Insects," Lovell Reeve, price lOs. 6d. 



Then as to special books, beginning with the Coleoptera, the works 

 of Mr. H. E. Cox and Mr. E. C. Rye are the only two that need be men- 

 tioned. " Cox's Handbook of the Coleoptera or Beetles of Great Britain 

 and Ireland," (1874,) 2 vols., 17s. 6d., is indispensable. It is far from 

 perfect, but is a great improvement upon previous guides to the study of 

 British beetles. The book is published by Mr. E. W. Jansou, (himself 

 a most accomplished Coleopterist,) at 28, Museum Street, London. 



" Rye's British Beetles" may be used advantageously as a sort 

 of stepping-stone to " Cox." In a familiar, yet scientific style, the 

 author opens up a veritable royal road to Beetle-knowledge. He has, in 

 fact, succeeded in making his book both charming and useful. In 

 addition to the chapters treating on the several families and genera of 

 Beetles, it contains a glossary of technical terms, a systematic catalogue 

 of British Coleoptera, and a number of nicely coloured plates. It is 

 published by Lovell Reeve, price 10s. 6d. 



A copy of Dr. Sharpo's " Catalogue of British Coleoptera," (published 

 by Mr. E. W. Janson,) price Is., should also be obtained. 



The Lepidopterist has a far better choice of books than the 

 Coleopterist, there being a large number of excellent "Manuals" and 

 " Histories " of British Butterflies and Moths in the market. I 

 consider, however, that there is not a more accurate and useful work, in 



