The Zoologist — April, 1874. 3955 



Astroides calicnlaris of Milne-Edwards. — An extraordinary mass of this 

 beautiful zoophyte has been received at the Crystal Palace Aquarium : the 

 individual polypes are of a most brilliant orange colour, approaching ver- 

 milion : they were received from Naples. — Edward Newman. 



Conclusion of the ' Entomologist's Annaal.' — I feel sure that I am only 

 giving expression to the opinion and sentiments of the universal " British 

 entomologist," when I say that the announcement in the preface of the 

 'Entomologist's Annual for 1874' has Med me with grief and regret; its 

 most worthy and able proprietor and editor asks why, as the ' Annual ' must 

 sooner or later come to an end, that end should not come now ? Let me 

 give, as an answer, this our reason — that its editor is, as I am glad to 

 believe, still able to continue to the entomological world that which has 

 been its annual boon for so many years; why, in full life and health and 

 vigour, should the 'Annual' be put to death? I am no advocate for the 

 dragging on of a weary and painful existence, a misery to self and a burden 

 to one's friends. No ! in such a case T would welcome the friendly Jiat of 

 annihilation ; but surely the ' Annual's' existence is too full of life, and too 

 dear to its friends either to merit or to welcome such a, Jiat. Surely the 

 contemplsited felo-de-se must be prevented. But perhaps Mr. Stainton only 

 contemplates bringing forth the ' Annual ' in a new shape ? He possibly 

 designs to rise Phcenix-like from his own ashes in a new and more re- 

 splendent form. I am supported in this idea by the mention in the preface 

 of the word "series." "As this volume is the twentieth of its series, it 

 seems a fitting opportunity to bring that series to its close." Good ! we have 

 had a most excellent and most successful series of twenty volumes ; and to 

 them, all golden and gay as they shine before me on my bookshelf, may 

 there be added another, a "second series," of twenty more! But shall 

 I deny it? there was an element of weakness in the constitution of the late 

 ' Entomologist's Annual ' that might well have brought about its decease at 

 an even earlier date than the present. " De mortuis nil nisi bonum ! " 

 Still might not its decease have been averted if it had but admitted 

 spiders into its pages ? who can tell ? We are told that rookeries will 

 not flourish without an annual decimation by powder and shot; and so 

 possibly the flies might have lived longer had the spiders come in to the 

 rescue. Well, I can only say that in the event of a second series of the 

 ' Entomologist's Annual,' the spiders shall not be wanting, as far as I may 

 be able and permitted to furnish them. Joking apart, I trust that from all 

 sides it will be impressed upon our excellent and able friend H. T. Stainton 

 that the " British entomologist" expects him to do his duty, and to give us 

 still yearly one of those welcome little volumes, which, though very neatly 

 bound in shining golden cover, has by no means yet fallen into the " sere 

 and yellow leaf" — 0. P. Camhridrje ; Bloxwortli, Fehruaru 19, 1874. 



