THE VICTORIAN NATUBALIST. 79 



out beyond the calyx, rendering then an expansion of its lobes 

 possible. Only two other species with ciliolar or penicillar sur- 

 rounding of the ovulary are on record, namely : — S. cymhiformis 

 and S. hlepharolepis ; real relationship, however, draws our new 

 congener near ,S. rufa, which likewise is an inhabitant of desert- 

 regions. It bears also some resemblance to S. xerophylla. 



This floral rarity is dedicated to Henry John King, Esq., 

 who by his genius and zeal has greatly contributed for elevating 

 one of the most brilliant of arts to its high tone in our metropoHs. 



NOTICE OF A NEW BOOK. 



Handbook of the Destructive Insects of Victoria. Part II. 

 By C. French, F. L.S., Entomologist to the Department of Agri- 

 culture, Victoria. Melbourne, 1893. Price 2s. 6d. 



It is with great pleasure we record the publication of the second 

 part of the " Handbook of the Destructive Insects of Victoria," 

 and congratulate the author on the general excellence of the 

 work, and the clear and interesting way the subject matter is 

 placed before those for whom it has been specially written. 



The part under notice contains descriptions of twenty noxious 

 insects affecting peaches, plums, cherries, apples, vines, potatoes, 

 cabbages, &c., each accompanied by a coloured plate giving the 

 full life-history, and in many cases also illustrating the natural 

 enernies of the insect described, while the letter-press contains 

 hints as to the best means to be adopted by horticulturists and 

 others to lessen the damage likely to be caused by these pests. 



It seems strange that such a comparatively rare insect as the 

 Silver-striped Hawk Moth {Chcerocmnpa celerio) should be 

 included as a destructive insect, but no doubt, as Mr. French 

 remarks, its caterpillar is very voracious, and can do an immense 

 amount of damage to a vine in a very short space of time. We 

 must be content, therefore, in future to regard one of the prizes 

 of a local entomological collection as a noxious insect. 



A chapter is devoted to fruit- and grain-eating birds, the insect- 

 ivorous birds having been dealt with in part i., and a list given 

 of the more destructive of the indigenous birds. An appendix 

 contains drawings of a number of the new appliances for spraying 

 trees and plants. 



The plates were drawn from life by Mr. C. C. Brittlebank, and 

 lithographed in colours by Messrs. Sands and M'Dougall, 

 Troedel and Co., or P. A. Ashley, and reflect great credit on all 

 concerned, the delineations in most cases being excellent, both as 

 regards drawing and colouring. 



We understand that the edition of 9,000 copies of part i. is 



