( xlviii ) 



writing in 1833, and arranged the whole Order of Coleoptera in 

 his Catalogue in 1858 ; while Stainton was born in 1822, and 

 began to publish in 1848, and first dealt with the whole Order of 

 Lepidoptera in 1856 to 1859 in his " Manual of British Butter- 

 flies and Moths." Since those two works the study of British 

 Lepidoptera and Coleoptera has been comparatively easy. 

 The other Orders of Insects have since then been very largely 

 consolidated into shape, though a vast amount remains yet to 

 be done, and in the Diptera I can with very great earnestness 

 wish that some young student with sharp eyes and infinite 

 patience would study the Cecidoviyidse, for which most ex- 

 tensive outdoor work is necessary for collecting the galls and 

 other habitations, and also most minute indoor microscopical 

 work in describing the imagines and life history. 



I find it diflScult to give an opinion between the merits of the 

 short succinct descriptions which used to be given to new 

 species, as compai-ed with the exceedingly verbose descriptions 

 which are often given now-a-days. It is notable that more than 

 90 per cent, of Linne's Diptera, described in few words in 

 1753, are recognised, while it is more than probable that not 

 20 per cent, of Walker's or Bigot's lengthier and more recent 

 descriptions are identifiable, though on the other hand the 

 exceedingly lengthy descriptions of new species in recent 

 periodicals are impossible to be mistaken if one will only take the 

 trouble to wade through the descriptions. There is beyond any 

 doubt a genius in the power of describing. The most perfect 

 describer of a new species or genus in myexperience was the late 

 Mr. A. H. Haliday, of Belfast. It was simply wonderful how he 

 would in a few words describe a species beyond all possible 

 doubt. There is another point in regai-d to descriptions upon 

 which I think a much greater insistence ought to be enforced, 

 and that is " comparative distinctions." I should like to see 

 it a rule of nomenclature that no new name should stand 

 unless the author pointed out, not so much the characteristics 

 of the species or genus itself, as its distinctions from its 

 allies ; it is the duty of the describer to make himself 

 acquainted with at least the descriptions of allied species, and 

 if he will not take the trouble to do this, and compare his 

 new genu.s or species, his description should be ignored. As 



