The Zoologist — October, 1871. 2787 



In conclusion, I would add that out of five nests of the last- 

 mentioned species obtained by me this season, the duck in tliiee 

 instances had laid her eggs in the old nests of the common crow 

 (C splendens), and in trees at a considerable distance from any 

 water. 



A. Anderson. 



Futtehgurh, N. W. P., August 12, ls71. 



Entomology Two Hundred Years Ago. 

 By George Roberts. 



A WORK on insects, which is very old, and I believe very rare, 

 as only one hundred and fifty copies were printed, having lately 

 fallen into my hands, I have made two or three transcripts, 

 presuming that they may interest, if not inform, some readers of 

 the 'Zoologist.' It is by Johannes Godartins, a Dutchman. From 

 the preface it appears that it was translated from the Dutch into 

 Latin, at various times and by various hands, and finally translated 

 into English from a Latin copy, and many notes added by " M. L," 

 who would probably be Dr. Martin Lister, of York. The insects, 

 spiders, &c., are figured and exquisitely coloured by hand, but no 

 names whatever accompany them. In almost every plate the larva, 

 chrysalis and imago are given, and in some cases the ichneumon. 

 About one-third of the book, at the end, is devoted to dragonflies, 

 grasshoppers, beetles, bees, flies and spiders, all of which, in their 

 several stages, are beautifully portrayed in lasting colours. There 

 are one hundred and forty-four sections, each section exhibiting 

 larva, chrysalis and imago, with occasionally ichneumons and 

 plants. The descriptions seem to have been written by Godartius 

 between the years 1635 and 1665. The title-page bears date 1G8-2. 

 Besides the notes by Dr. Lister there are marginal manuscript 

 notes, inserted by the various possessors of the book: one of these 

 possessors must have been a Sir Thomas Reeve, as there are two 

 original drawings of larva;, on inserted sheets, with that name 

 appended. 



Peacock Butlerjly. — " The Calterpillar No. 1 is prickle-haired j 

 it hath its birth from an egg, which the Butterfly No. 1, haveing 

 eyes in its wings, like those in Peacocks' feathers, doth lye upon 

 Netles. This catterpillar I took up the 14th day of May lfi35,- 



