140 
read the animated and glowing descriptions of the Garden Thrush and the Brake 
Nightingale, contained in the latter, without experiencing those emotions of pure 
and inelfable delight which the contemplation of the works and the wonders of 
Creation can alone or best awaken,-—without catching a portion of the enthusiasm 
which inspires the ardent and highly-gifted author, and gives an indescribable 
charm to the productions of his pen,—has not a heart “ instinct with Nature’s 
loveand most assuredly possesses no real claim to the character of an Orni¬ 
thologist. 
The Naturalist's Library . Conducted by Sir William Jardine, Bart., F.R.S.E., 
F.L.S., &c. Entomology. Vol. IV. British Moths, Sphinxes, &c. By 
James Duncan, M. W. S.. pp. 268. Edinburgh, 1836. 
“ This volume presents to the Public the continuation and completion of the 
British Lepidoptera, and is confined almost exclusively to the nocturnal 
portion of these beautiful and interesting objects of Creation; the former volume 
having embraced the natural history and illustration of the diurnal tribes. It is 
enriched with seventy-six figures of various species, most of them characteristic of 
distinct genera, accompanied in many instances with the Chrysalis and Caterpillar, 
the latter generally placed upon the plant on which it feeds ; and they make in all 
ninety-nine figures. The two volumes are calculated to form a Manual of 
British Lepidoptera, complete in relation o the Diurnal and Crepuscular 
tribes, and presenting a considerable selection from the Nocturnal; they are illus¬ 
trated by no fewer than two hundred and forty-six figures, drawn, engraved, and 
coloured from the natural objects with an accuracy which will bear comparison 
with the best works on the subject. The copiousness of pictoral illustration may 
be safely asserted to have no parallel, particularly when the small price of Six 
Shillings per volume is considered, and it could only be accomplished by the 
great number which are sold of this popular series, and the economy and care 
practised in every department of its details.” 
The preceding is an extract from the Advertisement prefixed to the fourth 
volume of Entomology , of the Naturalist’s Library : and we can conscien¬ 
tiously bear evidence to the accuracy of the statement, and the justice of the eulo¬ 
gy which it conveys. Rarely has it been our lot to peruse a more pleasing and 
instructive work. It is, moreover, got up in a stile of extraordinary neatness and 
elegance; and, even in this prolific age of cheap publications, we have seen nothing 
at all comparable, in moderation of price, with this. The figures of the various in¬ 
sects in their perfect and caterpillar states, are commonly drawn with great accu¬ 
racy and spirit; and often coloured with equal truth and delicacy. To the justice 
of our eulogium in the last respect, there are, however, some exceptions. In the 
large Emerald Moth, Hipparchus papilionarius, Fig. 3, Plate xxvii., the “ two 
