REVIEWS. 
165 
Aristotle’s time up to the earlier years of this century, and then turns to 
consider the various schemes which have been proposed from time to time 
for the classification of the Diptera. The one adopted is that of Brauer 
and Verrall, but our author points out that until we are acquainted with the 
Dipterous fauna of all parts of the world—and at present little is known 
about African and Australian flies—all schemes of classification must 
necessarily be unnatural, and therefore unsatisfactory. This first volume 
contains an account of the Aphaniptera or Fleas ; Cecidomyidse or Gall 
Gnats; Mycetophilidse or Fungus Gnats; Bibionidse ; Simulidse ; and 
CliironomidsB or Midges. 
Another chapter which calls for mention, is that on the fossil Diptera; 
the group is found first in the Liassic rocks, and apparently has increased in 
importance from that time to the present. 
There are four plates and forty-four wood-cuts which well illustrate the 
letterpress, and a copious index, which as far as we have examined it is 
correct. Another most valuable feature of this treatise is the large biblio¬ 
graphy of works relating to the Diptera, most, as we have indicated, being in 
French or German. The printing and binding are all that could be desired. 
In all respects, indeed, Mr. Theobald’s work is most satisfactory and must 
greatly enhance his reputation ; all dipterologists will look eagerly for the 
succeeding volumes. A. B. B. 
Report of the Rugby School Natural History Society, 1892. —Pp. xx. and 67. 
This report is the most interesting that has yet been issued by the Rugby 
School Society, giving as it does an account of the work done by that very 
energetic society during the twenty-five years of its existence. And as every 
branch of natural science has been more or less exhaustively worked, this 
report forms a full and valuable account of the natural history of Bugby and 
its environs, the radius adopted being, I believe, five miles, with Rugby as 
the centre. The first twenty pages are occupied with preface, balance 
sheet, rules, list of societies, and report for 1892. After this follow the 
papers, all of which are contributed by men of scientific standing. The Rev. 
W. O. Wait contributes the “Epitome of Twenty-five Years of Work of the 
Rugby School Natural History Society,” which is very good with the excep¬ 
tion of his quotation from “ The Flora of Warwickshire,” which is very 
incorrect. Mr L. Cumming contributes a paper on the “ Geology of Rugby 
Mr. E. E. Austen gives four papers, “ Local Animals,” “ Reptiles and 
Amphibia,” “Fish,” “Mollusca;” the Rev. J. E. Kelsall and Mr. E. E. 
Austen, “ List of Rugby Birds;” Mr. A. Sidgwick, “RugbyLepidoptera;” Rev. 
F. D. Morice, “ Aculeate Hymenoptera and Chrysids ;” Mr. R. J. Pocock, 
“ Myriopoda (Centipedes and Millipedes) ;” and the Rev. W. O. Wait, 
“ Rugby Plants.” 
This last paper is one on which I am better able to speak than on any 
of the preceding, and of this I may say that Mr. Wait has done valuable 
work in bringing together in so complete a form the botanical work of the 
Rugby School Natural History Society, hitherto scattered through their pro¬ 
ceedings of the past twenty-five years; and as he adopts as the basis of his 
classification and nomenclature that of the eighth edition of the “ London 
Catalogue of British Plants,” he has brought the work level with the times. 
Considering the limited area the Rugby district represents (a radius of about 
five miles), the list given is a fairly good one, containing records of some 723 
flowering plants, ferns, and fern allies. The list reveals the fact that the 
plants most noticeable by their absence are those peculiar to heathlands, 
marshes, and bogs, the high cultivation of more modern times having 
materially altered the character of the flora. In times long past, extensive 
heathlands prevailed over the wide district then known as Dunsmore Heath. 
Marshes would also exist in the low-lying lands forming the Avon and Learn 
Valleys, and there are distinct evidences of former bogs near Hill Morton. 
July, 1893. 
