1884.) Recent Literature. 611 
scribe them for the practical needs of the entomologist. The ho- 
mologies of the larval mouth-parts with those of other insects 
he does not discuss, though he apparently does not consider 
them to show such homologies ; though Weismann regarded the 
mouth-parts of the muscid and other larve to be consolidated 
ibles. 
Brauer then lays down the characters of the dipterous larve in 
ral, and discusses the value of the larval characters in classi- 
tion. We have no space to condense the statements as to the 
characteristics of the metamorphosis of the different groups, or 
to present the convenient tabular view on p. 11. We note, in 
passing, that Dr. Brauer makes no reference to the Pulicide, 
which he evidently does not consider as Diptera; but with larva 
so closely resembling the encephalous larva (Mycetophilide), we 
do not see how some discussion of their affinities or even struc- 
ture could well have been avoided in an essay of the scope of the 
present one. 
Then follows a lengthy and interesting tabular view of the nerv- 
ous systems of the larval as compared with the adult Diptera. 
This is succeeded by a section on the characters of the sub-orders 
and families ; this occupies the greater part of the work, and is of 
prime importance. ‘It is followed by short descriptions of a few 
= of the families Tabanide, Leptidæ, Dolichopide and Em- 
The systematic list of descriptions of known dipterous larve 
à the bibliographical references (pp. 46-93), will be of the 
Sreatest use, especially to American entomologists; its compila- 
tion was a laborious undertaking; it appears to be very full and 
say though we notice the omission of any reference to the 
_Scription and figures of Chironomus oceanicus Pack., but such 
ST hed must be few. The full index to the genera is a valu- 
gae The plates, like all the author's artistic work, are 
insects vane Diptera are, without doubt, the most difficult order of 
| labor »and Dr. Brauer, in giving us these results of ten years’ 
their larval forms, has laid entomologists under lasting 
Mothe, he work will be of value to the systematist as well 
find it economic entomologist, while the general biologist will 
of a storehouse of facts bearing on the evolutionary problems 
M the day, 
-g DeCanpo 
i the author 
- habitat of 
of inquiry, antiquarian, historical and botanical this 
ed author, may be seen by glancing over the 
cultivées. Par ALPH, DECANDOLLE. Bibliotheque scien- 
» XLIII. Paris, 1883. 12mo, pp. 378. 
39 
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