153 



" On the Gonus Erateina, Doubleday, with Descriptions of some 

 new Species," by W. Wilson Saunders, Esq. 



" Characters of Undescribed Diptera in the Collection of W. W. 

 Saunders, Esq., F.R.S., &c.," by Francis Walker, Esq. 



The Trustees of the British Museum have published the following 

 Catalogues : — 



* Lepidoptera Heterocera,' two Parts, by Francis Walker, Esq. 



* Catalogue of the Halticidre,' with ten plates of figures and details, 

 by the Rev. Hamlet Clark, M.A. 



' The Lepidopterist's Calendar,' by Joseph Merrin. This work 

 relates only to the British species of Lepidoptera, and may in cer- 

 tain cases be of service to collectors ; but it will also help to puzzle 

 them. 



* The Lepidopterist's Indicator : an Alphabetically-arranged Guide 

 to the Species of the British Lepidoptera,' by B. Bradney Bockett, 

 M.A., Oxon, Vicar of Epsom, Surrey. To those who adopt the 

 slovenly method of calling an insect by its specific name only, this 

 work may be of use by enabling them to know its genus, if they 

 value such information, which I doubt ; and it will also serve the 

 better purpose of referring them to a description or a figure. It 

 proceeds, however, upon the faulty principle of giving as the accepted 

 specific name of an insect, one under which it has not been described; 

 for instance, Gelechia afiinis is called afiinella, — a name not found 

 anywhere but in catalogues, and of no authority whatever. 



* British Butterflies : Figures and Descriptions of every Native 

 Species, with an Account of Butterfly-development, Structure, Ha- 

 bits, Localities, Mode of Capture and Preservation, &c.,' by W. S. 

 Coleman. Essentially different from the work next noticed, as the 

 author has relied upon the coloured figures, rather than the descrip- 

 tions of the insects, to make his book popular. No doubt he has 

 succeeded, but this is only the way to make collectors and not scien- 

 tific students. However, there is much to be said for " mere col- 

 lectors ;" and so I do not find fault with a book which has no higher 

 aim than to induce a love of beautiful creations merely for their 

 beauty. As a nation we are far in arrear of other nations in our 

 capacity of appreciating beauty, and anything that has a tendency to 

 cultivate the ^esthetical faculty should be welcomed. 



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