Vol. Xxiv] EXTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 95 



Libellulinae essentially in the sense understood by Kirby. If a num- 

 ber of his genera have been suppressed, this is due in the majority 

 of cases to the discovery of new material connecting apparently sep- 

 arate groups. 



In 1890. ]\Ir. Kirby published, at his own expense, his Syn- 

 onymic Catalogue of Neuroptera Odonata, or Dragonflies. 

 JJltJi an Appendix of Fossil Species. This is the least of his 

 catalogues in point of size, but has been greeted with hearty 

 recognition of its usefulness by de Selys, Ris and others, in 

 spite of certain far-reaching nomenclatural changes which have 

 not yet gained general acceptance. His other papers on the 

 Odonata are briefer and faunistic in character. 



Mr. Kirby was very willing to help visitors and corresi^ond- 

 ents who desired information on the insects in the British Mu- 

 seum, or on bibliographical and nomenclatural subjects, as not 

 a few of the readers of the News can testify. Lying before 

 the writer are twelve letters from him, from February 14, 1890, 

 to January 13. 1909, chiefly replies to inquiries on one or other 

 of these topics. One of these letters (April 25, 1899) refers 

 to criticism of his work in these words : 



In many ways my Entomological work has been that of a pioneer, 

 and I cannot complain of younger men taking it up and following it 

 out in greater detail than I have had time or inclination to do. I 



never complain of fair criticism ; but such attacks as and 



have made upon me I do not regard in that light. If I chose, 



I could often retaliate on in the same way, but I usually con- 

 fine myself to corrections when they fall into line with my own 

 work, and I seldom go out of my way to reply to attacks unless they 

 are too unfair. But you need never be afraid of offending me by 

 fair comment. 



Another letter (September 24, 1904) is of interest in giving 

 his own estimate of his work : 



My entomological work has always been rather bibliographical than 

 practical ; getting existing material into such order that others can 

 take them up and work them out in detail. Hence it is easy for 

 younger men to outstrip me in practical entomological work; and for 

 minute details I never had any particular taste. 



In January, 1909, he wrote: 



I am just retiring from the Museum under the age limit but shall 



