386 Bibliography. 



Newfoundland specimen in the herbarium of the late Mr. Lambert. 

 We may be allowed to correct an inadvertent mistake in the above 

 mentioned paper of Dr. Torrey {Ann. Lye. New York, 4, p. 87) re- 

 specting M. Pylaie, who, although " he never lived," it is true, "to 

 complete his Flora of that large island," is, if we mistake not, still in 

 the land of the living. 



8. Hooker''s Icones Plantarum. — ^In announcing in the bibliograph- 

 ical notices of the preceding number of this Journal, that this useful 

 work would be regularly continued by the present publisher, (H. Bail- 

 liere, London,) we should have added that it will appear quarterly. 

 The 9th number of the entire work, or Vol. I, part 1, of the new se- 

 ries, has already reached us. 



9. A Report on the Insects of Massachusetts, injurious to Vegeta- 

 tion. By Thaddeus William Harris, M. D. Published agreeably 

 to an order of the Legislature, (of Massachusetts,) by the Commis- 

 sioners on the Zoological and Botanical Survey of the State. Cam- 

 bridge, 184L pp. 459. 



We have examined this work with care, and with uncommon inter- 

 est and pleasure. Its object, which is perhaps sufficiently evident from 

 the title, is principally to furnish the agriculturist with full information 

 concerning the insects which ravage his crops and destroy his trees ; 

 and as far as practicable to give him the means of successful defense. 

 To Dr. Harris we naturally look as the man best qualified to do justice 

 to a task, demanding no little previous preparation, and much personal 

 inquiry, as well as an extensive knowledge of the labors of others in 

 this field. The work, it must be remembered, is intended for the use 

 of the people, and it was therefore necessary to give it a readable 

 and popular shape ; and this object is secured by our author without 

 sacrificing scientific arrangement and precision. 



The Report opens with a brief yet comprehensive introduction, con- 

 taining a general view of the metamorphoses of insects, their anatomy, 

 and the characters of the orders into which they are divided. The re- 

 mainder of the book is devoted to the detailed descriptions of the various 

 noxious insects, arranged in a systematic manner ; accompanied with 

 directions as to the best mode of destroying these enemies, or of pre- 

 venting their attacks. The scientific name of the insect is given in 

 every instance, as was obviously necessary. The following remarks 

 of Dr. Harris in regard to the use of scientific terms in natural history, 

 are so appropriate and judicious, that we cannot forbear quoting them. 



" Objections have often been raised against the study of natural history, and 

 many persons have been discouraged from attempting it, on account of the formi- 



