1888.] 143 



as they invariably lead to the nectaries. If the theory be true which I am 

 endeavouring to maintain throughout this book, all these effects are simply the 

 direct results of the insects themselves. The guides, like obstructing tangles of 

 hair and nectaries, are always exactly where the irritation would be set up ; and I 

 take them to be one result of a more localized flow of nutriment to the positions in 

 question. 



"Instead, therefore, of a flower having first painted a petal with a golden 

 6treak to invite the insect, and to show it the right way of entering, the first insect 

 visitors themselves induced the flower to do it, and so benefited all future comers." 



We are all familiar with the subject of fertilization of flowers by insect agency, 

 but this work opens out a virtually new view of the functions and the importance 

 of insects in the scheme of life, as the actual originators of flowers and the producers 

 not only of the infinite variety of their form, but even of colour. This adds a new 

 charm to the observation of insect-life, and the study of it with special reference to 

 the theory now propounded, cannot fail to elicit and accumulate many additional 

 facts in support of it. 



A Libt of British Diptera. By Q-. H. Yerrall, F.E.S. 31-pp. small 4to. 

 London : Pratt & Co. 1888. 



This List comes upon us by surprise ; but it is a welcome surprise. The com- 

 piler says, " I am aiming mainly to find out what I and others possess as true British 

 species, so as to enable me, or some one else, soon to publish a fairly authentic list of 

 British Diptera." This extract from the short preface sufficiently indicates the 

 tentative nature of the List, and the species not fully understood by the compiler, 

 or requiring confirmation as British, are printed in italics. A rough estimate made 

 by us gives the number of species listed at about 2500 ; there should not be much 

 difficulty in raising the number to 3000. We echo the wish expressed in the preface, 

 to the effect that the publication of this List may soon render a second edition ne- 

 cessary. At present Mr. Yerrall claims the indulgence of criticism by British 

 entomologists only. It is a good beginning by a competent and conscientious hand. 



Entomological Society op London : Oct. 3rd, 1888. — Dr. D. Sharp, F.L.S., 

 President, in the Chair. 



r Mr. F. P. Pascoe exhibited a number of new species of Longicomia from 

 Sumatra, Madagascar, and South Africa. 



Dr. P. B. Mason exhibited, for Mr. Harris, a specimen of Chosrocampa nerii, 

 recently captured at Burton-on-Trent. 



Mr. S. Stevens exhibited a specimen of Vanessa Antiopa, which he caught in 

 the Isle of Wight in August last. Mr. Stevens asked whether Mr. Poulton or any 

 one else present could inform him why, in British specimens of this species, the 

 border of the wings was almost invai'iably a pale straw-colour. A discussion ensued, 

 in which Mr. F. D. Godman, Mr. McLachlan, Mr. Kirby, and Dr. Mason took part. 



