262 [April, 
lu the chapter on the social economy of wasps, their life-history is most 
elaborately traced from the egg to the perfect insect. The only part of the wasps' 
history which does not appear to have fallen under the author's own observation is 
that relating to the diseases to which, in their different stages of development, they 
ai-e subject ; for instance, in the larva state, a disease, similar to that which is well 
known to bee-keepers as " foul-brood," frequently destroys the entire brood, Vespa 
rufa being apparently most subject to it. Neither does the author appear to have 
been troubled with the loss of any portion of his broods through the attacks of 
parasites ; as no reference is made to the Coleopterous RMpipJwrus, the various 
species of the Dipterous genus Volucella, Chyronomon vespn.rnm, or any of the 
ChrysididcB ; some of which, particularly Volucellas, frequently commit extensive 
ravages among wasp brood. 
The chapter on Anatomy and Physiology, which occupies more than one-third 
of the volume, is, in a scientific point of view, the most important ; this we com- 
mend to the careful study of all entomologists. 
The book is embellished with 14 plates, 10 of which are devoted to repre- 
sentations of the nests of the different species, in their various stages of con- 
struction ; and, although these are somewhat feeble in execution, yet they have 
the great value of being faithful and characteristic representations. 
We could have wished that the same value attached to the 4 plates cf figures 
of the difi'erent species of wasps : the first plate of these is by far the best, but 
the other figures, although executed with a certain degree of nicety, are sadly 
wanting in truthfulness of character ; we should, indeed, scarcely have recognized 
Vespa vulgaris, as the female of that species is here represented of much too large 
a size, and the male is portrayed with such a pair of wings as no male of this 
species ever possessed ; the worker of Vespa rufa, moreover, appears to have 
changed heads with some Dipterous insect. 
The American Naturalist; a popular illustrated Magazine of Natural History. 
(iSalem, Massachusetts ; published by the Essex Institute. London ; Triibner & Co.) 
No more convincing proof of the rapidly spreading taste for Natural History 
among general readers could be adduced than that of the numerous serials devoted 
to this subject now published in all the more highly civilized countries ; and to the 
greater part of these must be accorded the praise that scientific accuracy is in 
them combined with a popular rendering of the subjects treated upon. And the 
American Naturalist exhibits this attribute in its highest degree. The Essex 
Institute is well known as one of the foremost American scientific societies, and its 
popular publication has the benefit of being edited by some of its best naturalists. 
Each monthly part contains over 50 pages of sound reading printed in the best 
possible manner, with a multitude of wood-cuts, and several well executed plates ; 
and this at a price (3 dollars per annum) that appears marvellously low. Entomology 
naturally receives a large share of attention, and many of the papers on this sub- 
ject are of the highest value. We cannot doubt that, when this Magazine shall have 
become more generally known, it will enjoy an extended circulation in this country, 
especially as the North American fauna and flora are strikingly akin to our own. 
The least we can say to its credit is that the American Naturalist is a model 
worthy of being copied by British publishers. 
