REVIEWS. 517 
logical papers occupy 211 pages, while botanical and geological respec- 
tively occupy 94 and 50 pages. Among the most prominent zoological 
papers are those by Mr. E. Meyrick on the Geometrina and Micro- 
Lepidoptera. Some 96 New Zealand species belonging to about 19 
genera are very fully described, and in addition a large number 
of Australian and Tasmanian forms are included. Mr. Maskell 
contributes ‘“ Notes on an aphidian insect infesting pine-trees,” 
“On a parasite of the Penguin,” and “Further notes on Coccide.” 
These papers are illustrated by two plates, the first rather rough 
in execution; the numbers of these plates have been reversed. 
The plate illustrating Professor Parker’s ‘“‘ Notes on DBalenoptera 
musculus?” has been very roughly reproduced; it is extremely 
discouraging to good artists to have their work treated in this manner. 
One of the most welcome papers in the whole volume is that by Mr. 
A. T. Urquhart “On the Spiders of New Zealand.” The author 
appears for the first time asa systematist of this group, and we are 
particularly glad that we have at last the probability of seeing the 
spiders well worked out. Hitherto any descriptions of our Arachnids 
which have been published have chiefly appeared in foreign and not 
easily accessible publications; in future we hope to see fresh annual 
contributions to our knowledge in each succeeding volume of “Trans- 
actions.” The plates, of which there are three, have evidently been 
drawn with great care, but have apparently suffered grievously in 
reproduction. Other papers in this departmynt which form real 
additions to our knowledge are by Professor Hutton on “ The fresh- 
water shells of the tamily Limnaeide” (1 plate); Mr. T. W. Kirk “ A 
new species of paper Nautilus” (1 plate), ‘‘Occurrence of the Hastern 
Golden Plover,” and “ Variations of Colour in Birds ;’ Mr. Colenso 
“¢On some newly-discovered Insects ;’ Mr. W. Arthur “‘ Notes on New 
Zealand fishes” (1 plate) ; Mr. F. Chapman ‘“‘On Moa Remains ;” Mr. 
A. Reischek “‘ Notes on New Zealand Ornithology ;’ Mr. Meeson “ On 
a plague of Rats ;” Dr. Hector ‘Notes on New Zealand Dolphins ;” 
and by Mr. J. Park “On a new Octopus.” We are sorry we cannot 
say the same in regard to papers by Mr. H. B. Martin and Dr. J. 
Hudson. The former of these, dealing with ‘“ Objections to the intro- 
duction of beasts of prey to destroy the rabbit” is no doubt a proper 
enough paper to read before a society in order to bring about a 
discussion on the subject. But there being nothing in the way of 
original research in it, there was no necessity to embalm it in the 
“Transactions.” In regard to Dr. Hudson’s paper entitled ‘A short 
description of a few experiments bearing on the question of spontaneous 
gencration,” we can only express astonishment that it should ever have 
been published. Not only is there nothing new in it, but it is 
extremely sketchy and rudimentary, and tends to an incorrect view of 
the subject. If the Institute volume is to be a vehicle for purely 
second-hand information, it should at least be seen that such information 
is quite correct,—otherwise what is the use of having any editorial 
supervision at all? ‘The publication of these two papers appears to be 
merely a sop to the recently resuscitated Philosophical Society of 
Nelson. 
The botanical papers in the present volume are fully up to 
the average, and continue to add new species to our Flora. Indeed so 
much scattered material is now being accurhulated in the volumes of the 
