iso.s.j - '217 



These two nicely printed and otherwise well got up boobs externally resemble 

 each other in everything save size, and are issued simultaneouely. The first named 

 is evidently intended as introductory, so far as generalities are concerned. Both 

 are additional proofs of the untiring energy of their well-known author. 



In the " Life of a Butterfly " we have, of course, an introduction and other 

 Chapters that would answer to almost any species ; but the type taken as expository 

 is Anosia Plexippus, and when treating more especially on this the author contrives 

 to give, in a short chapter, an account of its extraordinary migrations within the 

 last half century. The Chapter entitled, " A Lesson in Classification," may be read 

 with interest. 



In the " Brief Gruide " we learn that the author has long had in preparation a 

 Manual of the Butterflies of North America, to which this is a popular prelude so 

 far as regards the restricted geographical area embraced by it. The introductory 

 portion includes a good deal that appears in the " Life," in a modified form, and 

 extended so as to meet the requirements of the subject. There is also a brief 

 historical chapter on the literature of American Butterflies. Then comes a formida- 

 ble Key to the groups and genera, based on the perfect insects, pupse and caterpillars. 

 This is followed by a diagnostic and descriptive account of each genus and species, 

 with copious notes, and a glossary. Finally, there is the inevitable " Appendix," 

 with instructions for Collecting, &c., &c. 



This second volume is of course mainly of interest to American readers, but, 

 from its method of treatment, it will be useful to European students, and there is a 

 common specific element, slight though it be, in the Butterflies of the two continents. 

 To those who know the author's views on generic and other nomenclature, and his 

 splitting up of the larger genera into a multitude of smaller ones, the nomenclature 

 used in this work will not come as a shock, but we doubt if the " keenest insight into 

 valuations " (" Life," p. 137) will ever be taken as more than the result of individual 

 opinion in many instances. - This is not a matter of much impoi'tance outside the 

 question of needless (?) multiplication of generic terms. We cannot omit an expression 

 of regret that the author should have found (in most cases coined) an English name 

 for each species. Many of these are as absurd, or even more so, than those pro- 

 posed for our own Butterflies and Moths, and in our case the tendency now is to 

 ignore altogether this childish practice, save in cases where ancient custom has 

 made the names familiar. According to the author, our " Camberwell Beauty " 

 should be styled the " Mourning Cloak !" Is this a question of priority ? 



The South London Entomological and Natural History Society: 

 Jul;y 27th, 1893. -J. Jenner Weir, Esq., E.L.S., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. A. Robinson exhibited a magnificent series of Callimorpha Hera, L., bred 

 from ova obtained from a female captured in Devonshire in August, 1892. He 

 mentioned that among those he bred a large number were deformed in the hind- 

 wings, and principally in the left one. Mr. Robinson also had two specimens of 

 Dicranura bicuspis, Bork., from Tilgate Forest, one being a very light variety. Mr. 



