1 893-] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 335 



contribution to the classification of the Lepidoptera. By John Henry 

 Comstock, B. S. Reprinted from the Wilder Quarter-Century Book. 

 Ithaca, N. Y., 1893. Pp. 37-114, 3 pis., 33 text-figures. Part I of this 

 interesting essay is A proposed method stated; Part II. The evolution of 

 the wings of insects; Part III. A contribution to the classification of the 

 Lepidoptera. The author says: " I do not believe that the systematists 

 of to-day are making as much use of the theory of descent in taxonomic 

 work as they might. We are still busy describing species as if they were 

 immutable entities; and in our descriptions we give little thought to the 

 causes that have determined the forms of organisms. It is true that con- 

 siderable has been done in the direction of working out the phylogeny of 

 the larger groups, as branches and classes, and to a less extent of orders. 

 But rarely is any attempt made to determine the phylogeny of the smaller 

 groups. Here I believe lies the work of the systematist of the future. 

 The description of a species, genus, family or order, will be considered 

 incomplete until its phylogeny has been determined so far as is possible 

 with the data at hand. We are to care less for the mere discovery of new 

 forms, and more for an understanding of the processes by which new 

 forms have arisen. ... I suggest, therefore, that the logical way to go 

 to work to determine the affinities of the members of a group of organ- 

 isms is first to endeavor to ascertain the structure of the primitive mem- 

 bers of this group; and then endeavor to learn in what way these primitive 

 forms have been modified by natural selection, keeping in mind that in 

 each generation those forms have survived whose parts were best fitted 

 to perform their functions." Prof Comstock proceeds to practically ex- 

 emplify his method by endeavoring to determine the phylogeny of the 

 Lepidoptera, but his essay will be of interest to entomologists generally. 

 We emphatically endorse his views as above quoted, and recommend 

 them to the attention of students of our science. 



The Entomologist. London, November, 1893.— Variation of Ckry- 

 sophanus phlcpas in Britain, R. South, 2 figs. The " Melanism" contro- 

 versy, W. F. de Vismes Kane. On certain species of North American 

 Hypenidse, A. G. Butler. Observations on the Hessian-fly {Cecidomyia 

 destructor) during 1893, F. Knock. 



NEW SPECIES OF XORTH AMERICAN INSECTS DESCRIBED 

 IN THE PRECEDING LITERATURE. 



ACARINA. 

 Gonixodes rostralis Duges, Naturaleza (2) II, p. 164, pi. viii, fig. i, 

 Guanajuato, Mex. 



COLEOPTERA. 

 Halecia pyropus Kerremans, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xxxvii, p. 504, 

 Guadeloupe. Psiloptera {Lampetis) auropunctata, p. 507, Mex. 



