THE GENERAL SUBJECT. 
Ins. 3 
Muller, Hermann. Fertilisation of Flowers by Insects. Nature, xiii. 
pp. 210-212, 289-222, xiv. pp. 173-175, figs. 71-92. 
Chapters xii.-xiv. of the author’s detailed treatment of this interesting 
subject, being “ Further Observations on Alpine Flowers ” (affected by 
Anthophora, Osm.ia, Halictus, and Bombus, Colias, Pieris^ Argynnis, 
Lycama., Larentia, Doty 8 and Psodos, and some Muscidce), “ Additional 
Alpine Flowers adapted to Cross-fertilisation by Lepidoptera ” {Polyom- 
matus, Lyccena, Argynnis, Hesperia, Sphinx, Macroglossa, and Zygcena'), 
Flowers Fertilised by the wings of Butterflies” {Callidryas, Agraulis, 
and Papilio ; Bombus also referred to). 
See also Nature, xv. pp. 178-180, for an abstract of an article by this 
author in the “ Bienen Zeitung,” on the relation between Flowers and 
Insects. 
Packard, Jr., A. S. [Half-hour Recreations in Natural History. 
Division first.] Half-hours with Insects. Twelve parts. Boston : 
no date, sm. 8vo, pp. 1-384, coloured frontispiece, and 2G0 wood- 
cuts. 
This is distinguished by the care and completeness attending all the 
author’s productions, and, without being in any way superficial, is at 
once a practical and scientific introduction to a knowledge of American 
insects, upon a sound basis. It is divided as follows : — Parts 1 & 2, 
Insects of the Garden, their habits, &c. ; 3, Relations of Insects to Man ; 
4. Insects of the Plant House ; 5, Insects of the Pond and Stream ; 6, 
Population of an Apple Tree ; 7, Insects of the Field ; 8, Insects of the 
Forest; 9, Insects as Mimics; 10, Insects as Architects; 11, The Social 
Life of Insects ; and 12, Mental Powers of Insects. Of these, parts 1-8 
appear from Psyche, i. p. 118, to have been issued in 1874 & 1875. 
Original observations are made on the mode of respiration in Noto- 
necta and Corixa (pp. 139-142). In part 9, a number of new facts which 
have fallen under the author’s notice referring to mimicry are published, 
and (p. 281) he objects to the prevalent views on this subject, from 
palaeontological reasons, inclining to the belief that the resemblance in 
pattern and colour between insects belonging to different groups is 
probably due to causes more fundamental than natural and sexual 
selection. The chapter on the mental powers of insects, though perhaps 
beyond the scope of this Record, deserves serious attention. The 
author’s ideas may be briefly summarized as follows : — Admitting that, 
as regards ordinary instinctive acts, insects are automata, it is probable 
that future facts and investigations will tend to prove that these instincts 
may be regarded in most cases as the sum of inherited experiences — 
implying the possession of a conscious intelligence by the original stock 
Perris, E. Nouvelles Promenades entomologiques. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 
(5) vi. pp. 171-244 ; Rectifications et additions, tom. cit. Bull. pp. 
ccxvi. & ccxvii. 
Contains a mass of biological observations on insects of all orders, 
noticed in the Mont-de-Marsan district for the most part, and extending 
over the whole year. Hints are also given for collecting in the different 
seasons, and particulars of the parasites observed in many instances. 
