xxxvm 



The ' Entomologist's Monthly Magazme,' as usual, contains 

 numerous short jjapers and notices of permanent scientific interest. 

 The Bev. Mr. Hellins, Mr. Buckler, and Mr. Barrett continue their 

 most accurate observations of the early stages of our native 

 Lepidoptera, and Dr. T. Algernon Chapman has supplied further 

 notes of the economy of various species of Coleoptera, particularly 

 the Scolyti and other wood-borers, and of Diptera. Bemarkably 

 curious is the discovery which this original observer records of the 

 parasitic habits of a species of Aphodius (A. porcus), which feeds on 

 the dung-balls made by Geotrupes stercorarius, in its burrows. We 

 are all glad to notice in a recent number of the Magazine that the 

 Bev. Mr. Marshall has re-commenced his papers on the British 

 Cynipidise, undiscouraged by the crushing misfortune of the loss of 

 liis collections and library by shipwreck. Mr. Albert Miiller, too, 

 has chosen the same periodical as the vehicle of communicating 

 some of his notes on gall-insects, a stud}' to which he is devoting 

 himself with much energy and intelligence. Our friends Messrs. 

 Bye and Sharp continue their elucidations of minute points in the 

 discrimination and synonymy of our inexhaustible native Coleoptera, 

 and Mr. M'Lachlan publishes his valuable j^apers on the Heme- 

 robiidfe and other Neuroptera. But it is especially gratifying to 

 notice, in a recent number of the periodical, what appears to be the 

 commencement of a set of papers on the much-neglected Diptera 

 of our island, by Mr. Verrall. He has begun with a list of the 

 Syrphidse, giving the correct nomenclature according to the best 

 continental authorities and his own researches. There is now no 

 Order of British insects that is not studied b}' Entomologists of 

 abilit}', and some, such as the Hemij)tera, which were formerly the 

 most despised, number many votaries. The time is probably not 

 far distant when, by the co-operation of several of our best 

 authorities, we may hope to see that great desideratum, a complete 

 Catalogue of British Insects, accurately determined and in harmony 

 with continental nomenclature. It may be perhaps necessary to 

 remind you, for so little has been latel}^ said about it that it is 

 perhaps forgotten, that your Council long ago arranged for the 

 compilation and publication of such a Catalogue. The Avork goes 

 on slowly but surelv, and the first Part, the Neuroj^tera, compiled 

 b}^ our best authority on the Order, Mr. M'Lachlan, the Ephemeridre 

 by the Bev. Mr. Eaton, is now ready for the press. 



