388 Bibliograjihical Notices. 



founded the new order Strepsiprera on two genera only, Stylo ps 

 melittw, parasitic on bees, and Xenos rossii (Ichneumon vesparum, 

 Rossi") and peckii, parasitic on wasps. Stylops melittce had, how- 

 ever been previously described by Kirby in his ' Monographic 

 Apurn Angli®,' and his graphic description of its discovery will be 

 familiar to all entomologists. 



A few other species were subsequently described by Kirby and 

 others ; but for many years the number was very small, and these 

 curious insects were usually regarded as an aberrant family of 

 Coleoptera. Prof. Pierce brings forward cogent reasons for con- 

 sidering these insects to form a separate order, and now estimates 

 it as comprising no less than 8 families, 37 genera, and 120 species, 

 many of which are described as new in the present work. 



It now appears that Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Homoptera are 

 liable to the attacks of Strepsiptera, as well as the Hymenoptera, 

 which have long been known to be infested by them; and the 

 physiological changes induced in the hosts by these parasites are of 

 much importance. 



We commend this important monograph to entomologists inter- 

 ested in curious forms of insects, and in physiological inquiries. 



W. F. K. 



Indian Insect Life. A Manual of the Insects of the Plains (Tropical 

 India). By H. Maxwell-Lefkoy, M. A., F.E.S., F.Z.S., Entomolo- 

 gist, Imperial Department of Agriculture for India ; Author of 

 'Indian Insect Pests,' &c. Assisted by F.M.Howletx,B.A.,F.E.S., 

 Second Entomologist, Imperial Department of Agriculture for 

 India. (Published under the Authority of the Government of 

 India.) Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa. 4to. Calcutta 

 and Simla, 1909. Pp. xii, 786. Pis. lxxxiv. and figs. 536. 



Unquestionably this is the handsomest and one of the most im- 

 portant works which have yet appeared on the insects of India. 

 Hitherto the author has chiefly been known by his ' Indian Insect 

 Pests ' and ' Indian Museum Notes,' but his new book shows him to 

 have a very comprehensive knowledge of all branches of entomology, 

 especially as represented in the fauna of India. The Introduction 

 deals with general subjects, and will appeal to many readers who 

 have only a secondary interest in entomology. It contains discus- 

 sions on Diagnosis, Zoological Position, Instinct and Habit, Classifi- 

 cation, Number of Species, Nomenclature, Identification, Entomology 

 in India, Zoogeographical Divisions, Pood and Habitat, and Insects 

 and Man. 



In 1881 Blanford estimated the known species of insects found 

 in British India at 12,100. At present Prof. Maxwell-Lefroy 

 estimates the number of known species at 29,700. It is impossible 

 even to estimate the actual number, for the fauna even of Britain is 

 very far from exhausted ; and the last part of the ' Transactions of 



