INTRODUCTION. 
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Ins. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The literature of Entomology in the present Record appears to be as 
extensive and important as in any previous year, though the number of 
Titles is less than it was last year. 
Two general works have been published viz. Carpenter (195) and 
Sharp (1068) the latter completing a general account, the first Yol. of 
which was recorded in 1895. 
Mr Ashmead has continued his attempts to carry out the reformation 
of classification of Hymenoptera (33-36). Distant’s Rhynchotal notes 
(289 etc.) are of great value in clearing up the obscurities that attended 
Walker’s work. The late Mr Matthews has published a systematic work 
on Corylophidce and one or two other very small families of Coleoptera (798). 
A description of a second species of Paussid from the New World has 
been given by Wasmann (1194). Rebel (956) has described some Miocene 
Lepidoptera found at Pisa; among them being a butterfly allied to 
Parnassius. 
The greater part of the systematic descriptive work of the year has, as 
usual, appeared in faunistic works. The Biologia Centrali-Americana has 
made good progress, Godman (475). The first two parts of the Fauna 
Hawaiiensis appeared during the year, Perkins (895), Forel (412), 
Meyrick (828). Aurivillius’ comprehensive work will no doubt be 
found of great use in facilitating the advance of a knowledge of African 
Rhopalocera (46). Fall’s work on Lathridiidce (363) brings the N. 
American forms into due relation with the European. Two popular 
works on Lepidoptera remarkable for the excellence of their illustrations 
are recorded, Holland (545), Heinemann (525). Holland’s butterfly book 
is probably the cheapest entomological work that has ever been published, 
the plates being exceptionally good. 
From Dr Heymons we have an important work on the morphology 
and development of Hemiptera (535). It is concise and clear and has also 
a considerable bearing on Insect morphology in general. Janet’s memoir 
(601) is strikingly original; his views as to the composition of the Insect 
head have we believe not before been advanced, and will perhaps scarcely 
bear the test of comparison with studies of development. The same 
subject has been considered by Folsom (407) who suggests also a novel, 
but very different view. The pygidial, or anal glands of Coleoptera have 
received considerable attention from Dierckx (280-284) and Bordas 
(130-133). Comstock and Needham (244) have concluded their com¬ 
parative review of the wing-nervures in the various Orders of Insects. 
Deeoener considers and repudiates Meinert’s views as to the morphology 
of mouth-parts in Coleoptera (272). 
The observations of Bachmetjew (53) on the temperature of Insects, 
carried out as they were with the aid of good apparatus, are of much 
value. 
The phenomena of histolysis have continued to attract considerable 
attention, the point at issue being the importance of phagocytes: De 
Bruyne has stated the case (154) fairly; see also Anglas (20-22), Terre 
(1137, 1138). 
In embryology we may point to the paper by Schwartze (1037), on the 
development of the alimentary canal of Lepidoptera , in which the deriva¬ 
tion of the mesenteron is discussed, with the result of confirming the 
views of Heymons. Seurat’s contribution to the study of parasitic 
Hymenoptera (1060) consists of an account of the anatomy of members of 
several groups, and of a very detailed study of the post-embryonic develop- 
