FRENCH PERIODICAL WORKS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 49 



arises from the artists never having seen the insect while 

 living. 



The Papillons de France, of MM. Godart and Duponchel, 

 has already grown to a somewhat formidable size, and, we 

 regret to say, affords no reasonable prospect of ever ai-riving 

 at a termination. M. Duponchel having proceeded as far as 

 Pyralis, in a regular and systematic manner, now informs us 

 that the work is to be extended, in supplementary numbers, to 

 the Lepidoptera of Europe. This departure from the original 

 plan of the work we most decidedly condemn : we think 

 we are hardly going too far, in calling it a breach of faith. 

 The subscribers of M. Duponchel must now either continue 

 their numbers to an extent of which they can see no limit, and 

 in which they feel but little interest, or discontinue the work 

 altogether, and thus leave their copies imperfect. The latter 

 course will be, and has been, adopted by so many, that we 

 trust M. Duponchel will see the folly of departing from the 

 original plan, and proceed, as before, with the insects to which 

 his title alone refers — the Lepidoptera of France. With this 

 exception, we think the work deserving support. 



M. Guerin's Magasin de Zoologie is on the plan of Mr. 

 Curtis's British Entomology; the genera being selected entirely 

 at the option of the author, without any attempt at systematic 

 arrangement. The plates and descriptions are beautiful and 

 accurate; and we are pleased to see, in the number on our 

 table, two contributions by our countryman, Mr. Westwood. 

 This work we strongly recommend to the notice of entomolo- 

 gists. The plates and letter-press are got up with an attention 

 that deserves encouragement; and there is a sterling worth 

 about the publication combined with a modest appearance and 

 unpretending style, which, we are persuaded, will render it an 

 increasing favourite with the public. 



However we may compete with our continental neighbours 

 in this individual branch of the science, there are other and 

 higher walks which they have made almost exclusively their 

 own, — ■ we mean the natural history, as regards habit and 

 metamorphosis, and the anatomy of insects. On these subjects 

 the works of Reaumur, Malpighi, Swammerdam, Lyonnet, 

 Lewenhoeck, and many others, have no parallel at all on this 

 side the channel : and, more recently, the splendid work of 

 Straus-Durckheim, on anatomy, may be hailed as a monument 



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