\Q(j ■ December, 



dora of Belgium, and the historical notes can he better understood by those who com- 

 prehend that Belgium is the most densely inhabited country in Europe, and that 

 the necessities of population are usually (not always) in inverse ratio to the require- 

 ments of insect life. 



A local list, based upon political frontiers, is frequently of small general value. 

 Baron de Selys has, therefore, wisely worked in conjunction with Mr. H. Albarda, 

 the Dutch Neuropterist. The latter will, we hope, soon dovetail his long-prepared 

 list of the Neuroptera of Holland with this of Belgium. 



Orthoptera are not so numerous as we thought they might be : only 47 species 

 are catalogued, and of these nearly one-fourth belong to the genus Stenohothrus. 



Of Neuroptera (in the broad sense) 327 species are enumerated. Taking the 

 principal families, or large divisions, we find 22 Psocidce, 64 Odonata (but some have 

 become " historic," and others seem likely to follow), 28 Ephemeridcs, 21 Perlidce, 

 44 Flanipennia (in the broad sense), and 136 Trichoptera (in 1880, McLachlan 

 estimated the number of Belgian species, then known to him, at 102). 



The foregoing brief analysis will be useful in comparing the fauna with our 

 own. No doubt very much remains to be discovered in all save Orthoptera and 

 Dragon-flies. Critical pens will, as time goes on, correct a few obvious errors in 

 the List, and industrious observers will largely augment it. The compiler may rest 

 assured that, amongst all his numerous writings, he has done nothing that will be 

 more useful than this to his own countrymen. 



Insect Life is the title of a new American Entomological periodical issued 

 under the auspices of the TJ. S. Department of Agriculture, and edited by Prof. 

 Riley. It will be issued monthly, so far as circumstances permit, and each number 

 (the first was published in July, 1888) appears to extend to 30 pp. 8vo. "We think 

 it cannot fail to prove both successful and useful. Of course, it is largely devoted 

 to economic entomology ; but there are also systematic papers, and we are glad to 

 see, amongst these latter, the commencement of a Revision of Chambers' Index of 

 the Tineina of the United States, by Lord Walsingham, which was much needed. 



The South London Entomological and Natural History Society. 



The Annual Exhibition of this Society was held on the 17th and 18th October 

 last, and on the second evening, when it was open free, by complimentary tioket, 

 there was an attendance of over 1700 visitors. 



Among the principal Entomological exhibits where those of Mr. McLachlan, 

 British Caddis-flies, also European Neuroptera, chiefly Ascalapjiidm and Nemopteridce. 

 Messrs. Brunetti, Yerrall, and Billups, British Diptera ; the last named also 

 exhibiting fine series of British Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera. Mr. 

 Leech, Pala3arctic Coleoptera. Mr. West, British Coleoptera. Messrs. Weir, 

 Dannatt, Edwards, Meek, Cooke, and Janson, Exotic Lepidoptera. Mr. A. H. 

 Jones, European JErebice. Mr. C. A. Briggs, British Noctumi, including a specimen 

 of Choerocampa nerii, taken 1888, at Poplar. Mr. Vaughan, his collection of Colias 

 and DianthcecicB, from various localities. Mr. Gregson, varieties of Abraxas gros- 

 sulariata, and drawings of varieties of Lepidoptera. Mr. Mosley also showed some 



