1880. | Recent Literature. 283 
every point of view, will prove a great aid in such teaching. The 
story is told in a straightforward, honest way, and so truthfully 
that there is little or no room for fault-finding. We may not be- 
lieve, with the author, that the eyes of the crayfish or any other 
how the crayfish sees, and how its mind, or what answers to a 
mind, operates. The illustrations are most excellent. 
TxHomas’ Noxious Insects oF ILtinots.'—Instead of trying to 
cover the whole or even the larger part of the field, the author 
has wisely confined himself to working up one and a very impor- 
tant group of injurious insects, the plant lice. The group is 
treated of systematically, the genera and species described at 
sufficient length for determination, and their habits described as 
fully as possible, with remarks on their insect enemies and the 
best remedies against their attacks. With this report in hand 
any one in Illinois or adjoining States, whose crops or fruit trees 
or flowers are afflicted by these troublesome pests, can ascertain 
their affinities and names, and the best means of getting rid of 
em. A great deal of useful information is scattered througt 
the report, which, barring some defects in its typographical appear- 
ance, the common fault of State reports, is well worthy of wide 
distribution and use by farmers and gardeners. A number of new 
Species are described, and as this volume is the first attempt to 
treat monographically of this extensive family of insects, it is 
worthy of the attention of the entomologist as well as the layman. 
RILEY on THE Corton Worm.2—This third Bulletin of the U. 
S. Entomological Commission gives the results of Prof. Riley’s 
researches on the cotton worm (Aletia argillacea), which is so in- 
jurious to the cotton plant that the average annual loss is esti- 
mated at over $12,000,000. The author, after treating of the 
losses sustained from the attacks of this caterpillar, describes the, 
egg and metamorphoses and habits of the insect in its different 
stages. Riley has discovered that, contrary to the usual impres- 
sion, the worm hatches in April, and that the third generation is — 
the most abundant, this having usually been regarded as the first, 
there being seven annual generations in the extreme Southern _ 
States. The relations of the soil, of the weather, to the develop- 
ment of the caterpillars are referred to; and the author states his _ 
belief that the moth hybernates in the southern portion of the- 
! Eighth Report of the State Entomologist on the Noxious and Beneficial Insects of 
the State of Tilinois. Third Annual Report by Cyrus THomas, State Entomologist. — 
Springfield, 1879. 8°, pp- 212. ines age S| 
* Department of the Interior. United States Entomological Commission, Bulletin 
3- The Cotton Worm. Sum of its Natural History, ses an account of 
. i ar £ ress Of the 
Work of the Commission. By CHARLES V. RILEY, M.A. Ph. D; Washington, 
* January 28, 1880. 89, pp. 144, with numerous illustrations. © 7 = — 
