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LIX. Notices respecting New Books. 



British Entomology, or Illustrations and Descriptions of the Genera 

 of Insects found in Great Britain and Ireland; containing coloured 

 Fitruresfrom Nature of the most rare and beautiful Species, and of 

 the Plants upon which they are found. By John Curtis, F.L.S. 



SINCE this valuable work was last noticed in the Philosophical 

 Magazine the third volume has been completed, in the same 

 style of accurate and beautiful execution in its figures and dissec- 

 tions, and of authentic and full information in its scientific details, 

 which had so justly recommended it to the students of Entomology. 



In this volume 4 new genera have been established, and cha- 

 racters given of 19 others which had not appeared in any British 

 work. Of the Plates, 22 are of species never before figured, and 

 of the remaining 26,7 only have been figured in this country. The 

 author states " that the generic characters have all been described 

 from actual observation, except where acknowledgements are at- 

 tached; instead of being taken, as was at first proposed, from La- 

 treille and other authors ; and that the figures, both of the insects 

 and plants, are all from the author's original drawings, with the ex- 

 ception of a few of the caterpillars, which have either been supplied 

 by friends or copied from German works ; and in addition to many 

 local and rare plants, he has been so fortunate as to record a new 

 British species, Mespilus Cotoneaster.—The original plan has also 

 been somewhat enlarged by the synoptic view that is given of each 

 genus, which when the work is completed will render it the most 

 perfect that has ever appeared in this country ; and the references 

 that are given to all the species, will enable any one to study and 

 obtain a perfect knowledge of the individuals comprised in each 

 genus, thereby imperceptibly leading him to a knowledge of the 

 whole system." 



Three numbers of the fourth volume have also appeared, contain- 

 ing many interesting subjects. 



LX. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



Feb. 9.— "DEPORT of the Council of the Society to the 

 A*- seventh Annual General Meeting this Day :— 

 Seven years have now elapsed since the formation of this 

 Society : during which period, it must be evident to every in- 

 telligent observer, that a considerable progress (assisted, it 

 is hoped, by the exertions of this Society) has been made m 

 the science of Astronomy, not only in our own, but in every 

 other country. The increased number of observatories, and 

 the consequent encouragement which is given to the improve- 

 ment of astronomical instruments :— the zeal and assiduity, 

 not onlv of the public observers, but also of many private in- 

 2 P 2 dividuals, 



