Bibliograpliical Notices. 57 



which have not been before described, to gnaw a hole through the 

 cocoon, and pushes itself partly through the aperture, in which it 

 leaves the pupa skin." 



'I'he work is illustrated with a coloured plate, containing exami)les 

 of most of the orders, and by nearly 2500 figures representing the 

 types of the different families, with their preparatory states and struc- 

 tural peculiarities, there being not fewer than 340 figures of perfect 

 insects, and more than 420 of larva; and pupae. Another important 

 feature in the work, and one which we can Avell believe must have 

 cost the author very great labour, is the bibliographical references 

 to each of the families. These cannot fail to be of infinite service to 

 the student, as they contain notices of every paper or detached me- 

 moir of the least value published on the subject up to the date of the 

 work. At the same time, in order to render it still more useful, a com- 

 plete synopsis of the British genera, brought down to the present 

 time, is added, and in which are included the characters, synonyms, and 

 authorities of the genera, the number of British species, and name of 

 the type, with a reference to a figure of the genus. Having thus 

 given our readers an insight into the comprehensive nature of the 

 work before us, we must observe, that the discussion of the relations 

 of the different families, and of the views entertained thereof by pre- 

 ceding writers, appears too much detailed. The great extent of the 

 subject, however, and the com])aratively slight grounds existing to- 

 wards a perfect classification of the very numerous tribes of insects, 

 have necessarily involved many of their relations in doubt, and of 

 which the discussion cannot fail to be productive of advantage. We 

 also notice a few typographical errors, some of which, however, are 

 corrected in the Appendix. In conclusion, as this work has the rare 

 merit of interfering with no other hitherto published, we cordially 

 recommend it as one rendered necessary by the progress of the 

 science, and as the result of the most laborious research, and conse- 

 quently as deserving, both from its nature and execution, of be- 

 coming a standard work of reference in every zoological library. 



Otia Hispanica. Auctore P. B.Webb. Pentas 2, 1839. 



The present number of this valuable work, which has only recently 

 reached us, is occupied by figures and descriptions of five species of 

 Algse, by C. Montague, M.D., and as they are all either new or but 

 little known, we cannot do better than transcribe their specific cha- 

 racters ; we must, however, previously state that each of the species 

 is fully illustrated by magnified dissections, and by a detailed de- 

 scription and copious observations. 



1. Griffithsia flabellata (Montag.), fills setaceis virgatis, ramis al- 

 ternis pinnatis, pinnis tandem divaricato-recurvis, pinnulis sub- 

 secundis erectis, articulis diametro quintui^lo-duplo longioribus, 

 capsulis maximis involucratis. — Ceramium et Callithamnion 

 flexuosum, Agardh. 

 Agardh appears never to have seen the fruit of this plant, and 



