56 



three species as being distinctly new to our list. — "E. M. M.," 

 1899, pp. 246 — 52. 



Bankesia (Talceporia) staintoni, Wlsm. This species, hitherto 

 confused with Solenobia consptircatella, Z., has been separated 

 by Lord Walsingham. — " Entom. Record," 1899, p. 258. 



Nine species of Neuroptera conclude the additions to our 

 list : — Oxyethira simplex, Ris., " E. M. M.," 1899, p. 55 ; 0. 

 tristella, Klap., p. 281; Ameletus inopinatus, Etn.,; Lepto- 

 phlebia meyeri, Etn., p. 69; Hemerobius limbatellus, Zett., p. 

 151 ; H. mortoni, McLach., p. 79 ; H. orotypus, Wallengr., 

 p. 131 ; Orthotrichia tetensi, Kolbe, " E. M. M.," p. 281 ; 

 Ectopsocus briggsi, McLach., p. 277. Mr. C. A. Briggs has 

 contributed two, Mr. K. J. Morton three, and Mr. McLachlan 

 four of these. 



There seems to be no limit to the issue of books on natural 

 history subjects. The student who desires to work on any 

 particular group of animals or plants naturally turns to the 

 books that have been published on that group to supplement 

 his own observations in the field and to guide him generally 

 in his study, to tell him where and when to find the material 

 or specimens he requires, and how to deal with that material 

 when obtained. 



The chief difficulty nowadays that a student has to contend 

 with is to select from the multitude of books the best and 

 most suited to his purpose. There are so many to choose 

 from — good, bad, and indifferent — that the task is not an 

 easy one ; and one of the useful purposes that such a Society 

 as this serves for the beginner is that it brings him into con- 

 tact with men who have advanced far in the study of the 

 same subject, and who are well able and willing to advise 

 him as to the best literature for his purpose. 



Following the example of some of my predecessors, I pro- 

 pose to mention a few of the more important books published 

 during the year, without in any way attempting to make a 

 complete list. 



" The Larvae of British Butterflies and Moths," by (the 

 late) Wm. Buckler; edited by G. T. Porritt, F.L.S. Vol. 

 VIII, concluding the Geometrae. 



"The Lepidoptera of the British Islands," by Charles G. 

 Barrett, F.E.S. Vol. V has been completed during the year, 

 and the work has been carried on a good way through the 

 Noctuae. 



We have also had the first volume of " A Natural History 

 of the British Lepidoptera," by J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. The 

 number of species dealt with in this volume is so small, and 



