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It is an excursion, if I may say so, into a new field of entomological 

 research, well treated, philosophical, and with many valuable facts 

 bearing on the science of Entomology, and especially that much- 

 neglected branch of the study of insects, namely, their geographical 

 distribution, and the changes effected in species by the various 

 differences of habitat, food, temperature, light, and other circum- 

 stances. Mr. WoUaston's work should be carefully read by all 

 entomologists, those who study specific differences especially. 



Mr. Dallas's ' Popular Introduction to Entomology ' is pro- 

 gressing, and when finished will be found a useful and readable 

 volume. Mr. Dallas's capabilities as an entomologist are well 

 known, and he will, doubtless, conduct his labour so as to pro- 

 duce a work which will be both popular, and, at the same time, 

 scientific. 



There are many works for young people, especially on the subject 

 of Entomology, containing so-called instruction, which is worse than 

 useless, leading the reader altogether astray and filling the mind with 

 false ideas and wrong impressions. It is only quite recently that a 

 little work was given to one of my children, beautified with green 

 and gold externally, published by Darton and Co., Holborn Hill, 

 and called ' Natural History ; or, a Short Introduction to Animated 

 Nature.' The arrangement of the subjects treated is very remark- 

 able among the insects ; the spider being placed next the flea ; the 

 bug next the woodlouse, and then comes the arborescent water-flea, 

 which is followed by the scorpion, centipede and leach : further on 

 we find earwig, ephemera and butterfly, in consecutive order, and the 

 common fly placed between the Ichneumon fly and the ant. The 

 article Insects is illustrated with two plates ; the second containing 

 five figures, three of which are wrong : two Diptera are given 

 as representations of the bee, and a third Dipterous insect is called 

 "wasp." A good and cheap popular introduction to insects is 

 surely much wanted. 



The Entomological Society of London has now been established 

 twenty-two years ; the first General Meeting having taken place on 

 the 22nd of May, 1834. It has, during this period, brought out 

 eight volumes of ' Transactions,' and done other good service to the 

 cause of Entomology, of which it may be proud ; but still in these 

 moving times when more is expected of men than heretofore, and 



