RECENT LITERATUEE. 71 



at the close, a vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. E. Newsteacl, 

 which was carried with acclamation. — Mr. C. B. Williams exhibited 

 a box of Lancashire Micro-Lepidoptera, including Scoparia amhigualis 

 from various localities, and S. ancjustea from Silverdale. — Mr. A. W. 

 Boyd, a box of Cheshire Lepidoptera, the most interesting being : 

 Scoparia dubitalis, Durham Park ; Boarmia repandata var. nigra, 

 Delamere ; a curious dull form of Venusia cambricaria, and Bomo- 

 lochafontis, from Peckforton. — H. E. Sweeting and Wm. Mansbeidge, 

 Hon. Sees. 



KECENT LITERATURE. 



Indian Insect Life ; a Manual of the Insects of the Plains {Tropical 

 India). By H. Maxwell-Leproy, M.A., F.E.S., F.Z.S., &c. 

 Assisted by F. M. Howlett, B.A., F.E.S. 4to, pp. i-xii and 

 1-786, plates 84. Calcutta and Simla : Thacker, Spink & Co. 

 London : W. Thacker & Co. 1909. 



This beautifully illustrated volume emanates from the Agricul- 

 tural Research Institute, Pusa, and is published under the authority 

 of the Indian Government. 



As a general introduction to the insect fauna of a country it stands 

 pre-eminent, and all who are in any way interested in the insect life 

 of India are fortunate in having such a guide at their command. 



In his treatment of the subject, the author has so judiciously 

 blended entomological science with popular entomology that the work 

 must commend itself to student and nature lover alike. Some idea 

 of the comprehensive scope of the book will be gathered from the 

 following summary of pages and illustrations devoted to the orders: — 

 Aptera, pp. 43-46, text-figs. 1-4. Orthoptera, pp. 47-107, text-figs. 

 5-42; plates 6 col., 1 plain. Neuroptera, pp. 108-160, text-figs. 43- 

 83; plates 1 plain. Hymenoptera, pp. 161-233, text-figs. 84-135 

 plates 4 col., 1 plain. Coleoptera, pp. 234-396, text-figs. 135(6is)-272 

 plates 10 col., 4 plain. Lepidoptera, pp. 397-541, text-figs. 273-346 

 plates 27 col., 3 plain. Thysanoptera, pp. 542-544, text-fig. 347. 

 Diptera, pp. 545-664, text-figs. 348-434 ; plates 10 col., 4 plain 

 (1. Siphonaptera). Ehynchota (Hemiptera), pp. 665-764, text-figs. 

 435-536 ; plates 11 col., 2 plain. Index, pp. 764-786. 



Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum. Bulletin 

 67: "Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects." By 

 Nathan Banks. 1909. 



An excellent and instructive manual, that not only describes in 

 some detail the most approved methods of obtaining various kinds of 

 insects, but is also a concise introduction to systematic entomology. 

 It should be almost as useful to the British collector as to his 

 American confrere. 



The author recognizes fifteen orders of Insecta, and each of these 

 he discusses and illustrates by admirable figures of one or more 

 species belonging thereto. Tlie methods of collecting, rearing, and 

 the subsequent treatment of specimens are also fully illustrated. 



Altogether there are 188 text-figures ; and including bibliography 

 and index, 135 pages. 



