1883.] Entomology. 975 
issued a bulletin on Diseases of Plants, this number being devoted 
to (1) the normal condition of vegetable structure with reference 
to cell contents, and (2) peach yellows. The work appears to be 
well and carefully done. Four good colored plates accompany 
the second paper. 
ENTOMOLOGY. 
HE OLD, OLD QUESTION OF SPECIES. —Dr. H. A. Hagen and 
Mr. William H. Edwards have drawn swords on the question as 
to how many species of Papilio of the machaon group we really 
have. As the question is one of opinion we do not expect either 
to convince the other. Dr. Hagen’s method, which’ is too much 
based on the idea of fixity in species, would, if fully carried out, 
do away with all divisions; while Mr. Edwards’s, though based on 
a more philosophic and correct view of nature, too often rates as 
Species what the majority of naturalists would rate as varieties or 
races. In both directions the objects of classification may be per- 
verted. There is, therefore, room for modification of the extreme 
views of both disputants. Meanwhile the debate gives scope to 
thetoric and argument, and enlivens the monotony of the mass 
of descriptive matter that has hitherto prevailed in “ Pa- 
pilio,” and rendered it rather dry to all but the describers. Dr. 
Hagen is certainly not less capable of sound judgment, because 
he has achieved distinction in other fields, and has made a spe- 
Cialty of another order. Rather should his judgment be the 
Sounder on such a point. Nor have Mr. Edwards's views addi- 
tional weight because of his well-known tendency to make spe- 
cies to be subsequently annihilated by himself or others, upon 
fuller knowledge. In default of actual proof by breeding Dr. 
Hagen has adopted the next best test, viz: the inseparability of 
the various forms, Just as extensive rearing from the larve in a 
Siven region almost invariably reduces the number of“ species,” 
and broadens our conception of the limits of specific variation in 
Such region; so the comparison of extensive material from all 
regions emphasizes the principles of evolution by showing insep- 
arable series and consequent genetic relationship. In this way 
Not only species but genera often lose the definiteness they pre- 
Viously possessed, and we have only series left. Yet the value of 
Separating this series into more or less constant sets known as va- 
reties, species, genera, etc., with their sub-divisions, is too appa- 
rent to need argument, and only he who believes in the fixity of 
Species ” in all time will be puzzled and baffled by the facts. 
Mr. Edwards will, therefore, have the support of entomologists 
Sênerally, and shows, in fact, full knowledge of his subject and 
admirable humor in discussing it. : 
Myrmecopuita.—Prior to 1876 this interesting genus of little 
crickets was not known to occur in this country. Harris had 
* This department is edited by Pror. C. V. Riev, Washington, D. C., to whom 
ent. . 
ications, books for notice, ete., may be s 
