214 [September, 



'bituar]). 



William Machin. — One of our most experienced and reliable veteran entomo- 

 logists has passed away. Thirty-eight years ago, the writer, then a very young man, 

 found the keenest possible pleasure in studying his (even then) rich and valuable 

 collection of Lepidoptera, and in learning from him something of the habits of their 

 various larvse, which he was always skilful in rearing. His circumstances — he was 

 a compositor in a printing ofEce — never allowed him to travel long distances in 

 search of local species ; but of the Lepidoptera of the environs of London and the 

 home counties few had a more intimate personal knowledge. It was his inevitable 

 misfortune to see locality after locality for interesting species destroyed by the steady 

 extension of this great metropolis, or by the reckless mischief of its inhabitants. 

 On the other hand, it was at times his good fortune to secure and even rescue from 

 oblivion rarities (such, for instance, as Butalis chenopodiella) which found a tempo- 

 rary home and suitable conditions in waste places induced by the extension of 

 buildings, otherwise so destructive. 



His interest centred itself in the insects of the British Isles ; these he could 

 rear and study in life. Foreign insects had little charm for him. He was absolutely 

 reliable, quiet and modest in demeanour, every word of information furnished by 

 him could be depended upon, and such information was freely and willingly fur- 

 nished. The wi'iter feels his loss deeply— and the feeling is shared by all who 

 knew him. 



He was born at Bristol. Early in life he came to London, and was for probably 

 fifty years employed by the same firm. Troubles, however, hung about him from 

 time to time. His own health was never very robust. His first wife died young, 

 leaving a little girl, his only child, who survives him. His second wife, after many 

 years of ill health, died last spring ; before that time his own health had seriously 

 broken down, and the loss of his employment doubtless hastened the end. He died 

 of apoplexy early on the morning of August 13th, aged 72. — C. G. B. 



The Butterflies or North America : by W. H. Edwards. Third Series, 

 Part XV. Boston and New York : Houghton, MifHin and Co. London : Triibner 

 and Co. 4to. 1894. 



This Part is devoted to two species of Argynnis and three of Chionohas, which 

 from their nature do not make the plates so attractive as those in some previous 

 Parts, but their interest, as detailed in the text, is of the highest order. Both species 

 of Argynnis belong to the Western Provinces of the Dominion of Canada. The first, 

 Asfarte, Dbdy. & Hew., is practically a re-discovery ; the other, Alberta, Edw., is a 

 new discovery. In connection with this latter an interesting observation is made by 

 Mr. Bean to the effect that its occurrence seems to be biennial. A similar statement 

 has been made concerning at least one Swiss Butterfly ; there would be nothing ex- 

 traordinary in the assertion that certain Alpine or Arctic Butterflies habitually 



