238 Reviews — Blalce's Annals of British Geology. 



as the hard wing-cases or elytra, which are by no means rare among 

 the insect remains of the later Mesozoic period. These curious 

 and interesting borings have not only been found in the silicified 

 fossil wood of the French Coal-field of the Loire but they also 

 occur in the calcareous nodules, containing plant-remains, of the 

 Lower Coal-measures at Oldham, near Manchester. Although these 

 perforations simulate similar destructive operations of actual wood- 

 boring beetles, it would be an unsafe conclusion, without further 

 evidence, to pronounce them to be their work, as they may be due 

 to a burrowing larva of some other and as yet unknown insect. 



As might be expected, we have no traces in the Palaeozoic rocks of 

 the higher orders of insects, such as the Lepidoptera and Hymeno- 

 ptera (Butterflies and Bees). 



The atlas of 37 plates accompanying the text will be regarded 

 with especial pleasure, not only for the intrinsic interest of the 

 fossils delineated but for the beauty and clearness of execution of 

 the figures. The first 12 plates are devoted to the figures of the 

 neuration of living insects to serve as terms of comparison with 

 fossil types. These drawings have been made by the aid of the 

 camera lucida from nature by M. Brongniart and reproduced directly 

 by the heliogravure process. The remaining 25 plates are occupied 

 with the figures of the fossil insects of Commentry, the drawings 

 of which are mostly of natural size and of scrupulous fidelity, due 

 to the extreme care and labour expended on them by the author. 

 Some of the figures are photographed directly from the specimens 

 themselves and repi'oduced in heliogravure. 



It is a fact worthy of record and an example to be encouraged, to 

 note that this work, which appeals perhaps but to the few, and 

 whose author could not hope for material gain by its publication, 

 has been printed at the cost of " La Societe de ITndustrie Minerals 

 de Saint Etienne," to whose wise and generous use of the funds at 

 its disposal the scientific public is indebted for a valuable accession 

 to paleeontological literature. 



The examination of this abundant insect fauna of Commentry, 

 so well depicted in the specimens figured in the atlas, will doubtless 

 claim the notice of entomologists and palaeontologists as to the 

 immense antiquity of the class Insecta. Not only do the great 

 variety, perfection, and size of the specimens cause astonishment, 

 but their close resemblance in many instances to living forms arrests 

 attention. Mark Stireup. 



III.— Annals of British Geology, 1893. A Digest of the Books 

 and Papers published during the year; with an Introductory 

 Eeview. By J. F. Blake, M.A., F.G.S. 8vo, pp. xxiv, 365; 

 with 90 Illustrations. (London : Dulau & Co., 1895.) 



ONCE again Professor Blake's welcome volume makes its 

 appearance. This time we are glad to note its originator 

 speaks more hopefully of the future, and we earnestly trust it may 

 become a "hardy annual." The conditions are that it shall receive 

 continued and steady support ; and by British geologists, at least, 



