14 THE BRITISH HEMIPTERA. 



sections, the Scutntina, and tlien follow dissections of the 

 various pai-ts of the head, and representations of the elytra in 

 that and other sections. 



In the remaining plates illustrations are given of everyone 

 of the 160 genera in the volume, and magnified representa- 

 tions of upwards of 150 species. Some of the plates are 

 positively crowded with dissections. 



Before we close our notice of the volume we must not omit 

 to notice the great care and pains which appear to have been 

 bestovi^ed upon the synonymy ; had the volume contained no- 

 thins" else it would have been of extreme value. 



The authors observe " the synonymy has been rendered as 

 full as is consistent with accuiacy, the preference always 

 given to the oldest name, and doubtful citations and refer- 

 ences to mere lists omitted." Accordingly we find the refer- 

 ences given very fully to all descriptive works, whenever 

 the descriptions could be with certainty deciphered ; but 

 references to such lists as Stephens' Catalogue and Curtis' 

 Guide are wisely omitted, such references being utterly value- 

 less. 



Westwood,inhis "Introduction to the Modern Classification 

 of Insects," observes of the Heteroptera, vol. ii. p. 453, " by 

 far the greater proportion of these animals aie found upon 

 plants, from which they derive their nutriment ; some, how- 

 ever, feed upon other and weaker insects, found in similar 

 situations." It strikes us one main point calling for observa- 

 tion would be to discover which of the families are phytopha- 

 o^ous and which insectivorous. 



Again Westwood states, " fruit, such as raspberries, &c., 

 is occasionally rendered very offensive to the taste by some 

 of the garden species having previously passed over or 

 sucked its juices." Now we should be very curious to learn 



