Bibliographical Notices. 247 



which appear to be without " collars " and to taper gradually into 

 the flagellum. 



The skeleton of Astrosclera in many ways recalls that of the 

 extinct Pharetrones, and Mr. Lister devotes a considerable space to 

 the consideration of the possible relationship of the two groups, 

 but comes to tbe conclusion that there is no clear affinity between 

 them. 



The paper on Astrosclera is followed in the volume by a memoir 

 by Mr. W. P. Pycraft, " On the Pterylography of the Megapodii," 

 dealing with the pterylosis of tbe adult, the nestling, and the 

 embryo. In the course of some remarks on the nature of the nest- 

 ling plumage, Mr. Pycraft advances the view that this does not, 

 in Megapodius, consist of true neossoptiles, but of a growth of 

 feathers intermediate between the latter and the definitive contour 

 feathers of the adult. Similar feathers are found in the nestling 

 owl. There are no preplumuke and the true prepennae are shed 

 during embryonic life. 



The remaining papers in the volume are respectively by Dr. D. 

 Sharp on the Insects from New Britain, by Mr. L. A. Borradaile 

 on the Stomatopoda and Macrura, by Mr. Walter Collinge on the 

 Slugs, Miss Pliilipps on the Polyzoa, Miss Thornely on the Hydroids 

 Professor Hickson and Miss Hiles on the Stolonitera and Alcy- 

 onacea, and Dr. Ashworth on the Xeniidae, the whole series forming 

 a valuable addition to our knowledge of the zoology of the regions 

 visited by Dr. Willey. 



A Monograph of tlit, Coleopterous Families Corylophidae and 

 Sphaeriidae. By the Rev. A. Matthkws, M.A. Edited by Philii' 

 B. Mason, M.B.C.S., F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. London : 0. E* Janson 

 1899. 



This work is published in the same form as the author's previous 

 monograph on the Trichopterygidae. It consists of 220 pages of 

 letterpress, and is illustrated with nine plates in outline with 

 details of structure. One hundred and sixty-nine species are 

 described. The author concludes that the affinity of the Conlophidae 



is with the Silphidae and Leptinidae, and places the families thus : 



Leptinidae, Corylophidae, Phaenocephalidae, Silphidae. 



The Phaenocephalidae consists of a single genus, Phcenocephalus, 

 separated from the Corylophidae on account of the maxilbe having 

 two lobes, &o. Aphanocephalus, originally described as a member 

 of the Corylophidae, is separated as a distinct family, Pseudo- 

 corylophidae, chiefly on account of the maxillae having " three lobes " 

 somewhat as in the Trichopterygidae. The family is placed between 

 the Corylophidae and Phaenocephalidae in the work, but the author 

 would " retain it in the position now occupied by the whole family 

 in the vicinity of the Coccinellidae." This is a most interesting 

 point, for the Coccinellidae, formerly placed at the end of the 

 Coleoptera entirely away from the Clavicornia, are now by some 

 eminent Coleopterists located with them. 



The various genera included in the Corylophidae are so diverse 



