13 



be protected from threatened extermination. It would 

 appear, however, that unless something is done in the very 

 near future, certain of our rarer species of Lepidoptera will 

 become extinct in this country. A movement in this direc- 

 tion has been originated by the Entomological Society of 

 London, and there is every evidence of the matter being 

 vigorously proceeded with. It is only reasonable to assume 

 that every entomologist will assist as far as he can in pre- 

 venting the capture of unreasonable numbers of any local 

 species. As a matter of fact, it seems desirable that all such 

 species should be allowed to remain unmolested for a year 

 or two ; but this is, perhaps, too much to ask. 



During the last year or two extraordinary activity has 

 been displayed in the production of works on Natural His- 

 tory. The inference, therefore, is that there is a demand 

 for this class of literature, and if this be so we must suppose 

 that Natural History subjects find favour among a much 

 larger number of the public than used to be the case. Our 

 societies ought to have evidence of the fact very soon in the 

 shape of numerous candidates for admission. 



A large proportion of the books brought out are sound, 

 useful works, and are sure to obtain recognition. Some, 

 however, are practically useless, and one feels inclined to 

 lament that so much labour should have been expended on 

 them ; others have evidently been prepared rather as books 

 for the day than as permanent additions to the literature of 

 the subject on which they treat. 



Among those issued during i8g6, the following are 

 especially commended to your attention : 



General subject. 



"Textbook of Zoology," by J. E. V. Boas. Translated 

 by J. W. Kirkaldy. 



"The Royal Natural History." Edited by Richard 

 Lydekker. 



" The Cambridge Natural History." Edited by S. F. 

 Harmer and A. E. Shipley. Vol. II. Treats of Worms, 

 Rotifers, and Polyzoa. 



Ornithology. 



"A Handbook of the Birds of Great Britain," by R. 

 Bowdler Sharpe. 



"A Concise Handbook of British Birds," by H. Kirke 

 Swann. 



" British Birds, their Nests and Eggs," by Arthur G, 



