REVIEWS. 
57 
Mr. Douglas having a wider range, presents us with greater variety, and 
many interesting questions are started as deserving investigation, which 
promise a rich reward to any one who shall fully and once for all clear 
them up. The most interesting of these is, beyond doubt, the generation 
of Aphides, which, while largely quoting from the recent publications of 
Dr. Burnett, he considers to be a subject not exhausted. 
The volume is enlivened by copious extracts from the Letters of Rusticus 
—a publication at once singularly useful, practical, and amusing, written in 
a sparkling, lively style, deserving of all praise. The remarks on different 
kinds of blight, “ on the gooseberry grub,” “ the burying beetle,” &c., 
drawn from this source, are admirable in their way; and from the pub¬ 
lished investigations of Mr. F. Smith we have long and highly interesting 
extracts relating to bees and ants. In fact, unreserved freedom of quota¬ 
tion from the graphic narratives of others, particularly of actual observers 
of what they describe, is a privilege freely claimed and candidly acknow¬ 
ledged by the author, and used judiciously and effectively in all cases; and 
we are much mistaken if his readers will not thank him as cordially for 
the transcribed as for the original parts of his book, and this is saying a 
good deal for both the one and the other. 
Both the volumes that we have noticed are likely to do good service in 
their different spheres, and we have derived pleasure from both. Their 
merits pertain to their essence ; their failings are but accidental; whilst a 
spirit of frankness and good-heartedness, not devoid of yet higher feelings, 
runs through both, which may well cover a multitude of comparatively 
trifling imperfections. 
Handbuch der Entomologie, von Hermann Burmeister, M.D., etc. 
8vo. 3er—5er Band. Enslin ; Berlin. 1842, 1844, 1847, 1855. 
An intimation, in the preface to the recently published volume of Burmeis- 
ter’s Manual of Entomology, that it is likely to be the last, although com¬ 
pleting only the first half of the Lamellicorn beetles, has determined us here 
to notice collectively the volumes of that series, which have appeared at 
intervals from 1842 up to 1855. We need hardly say that the eminent 
qualities of their distinguished author—learning, patient research, the dili¬ 
gent accumulation of materials, and a philosophic grasp of intellect, in the 
arrangement and use of them, have not been disparaged in his treatment 
of a subject which has already employed some other of the acutest minds 
among the naturalists of modern times. Not less creditable to his heart 
