98 
REVIEWS. 
Manual of British Butterflies and Moths. By H. T. Stainton. 
8vo. London : John Van Voorst. Published in Monthly Parts, 
price 3d. each. Nos. 1 to 7, with woodcuts. 
The object of the above work, according to the author, is, “ in the first 
place, to supply a want that has long been felt, viz., a work of small price, 
with serviceable descriptions of our moths and butterflies, and indications 
of them localities, times of appearance, food plants, &c.: to this are added 
tabular views of the families and genera, with the object of assisting the 
incipient in naming his specimens.” 
The utility and advantage, not to say the necessity, of a work having 
these objects in view, will readily be conceded on all hands; it only re¬ 
mains, therefore, to enquire, how far the author has succeeded, or failed, in 
carrying out these objects. 
While there are many entomologists possessing a far more intimate and 
accurate acquaintance with the “ Macrolepidoptera” than Mr. Stainton, 
few, if any, will be found to equal him in his unwearied zeal and ardent 
desire to disseminate among all ranks and classes a love and knowledge of 
his favourite pursuit; in proof of which, we need only refer to his “ History 
of the Tineina,” the “Entomologist’s Annual,” and the “Weekly Intelli¬ 
gencer,” which latter we regard as one of the most useful and entertaining 
of his undertakings. In some respects, the work under review fully an¬ 
swers our expectations; while, in other points, it falls wofully short of 
them. The descriptions are, in general, accurately and simply given, and 
by means of them, the youngest collector, after once mastering the terms 
and abbreviations (which are rather difficult), can scarcely fail, at least 
among the “ Rhopalocera,” to discover the name of his insect. The list of 
localities is both interesting and useful, and may be confidently relied upon, 
the author, we believe, having corresponded with many of the best and 
most trustworthy entomologists, in reference to this portion of the work. 
The most valuable information, however, in our opinion, will be found in 
the description of the larvae, and the various trees or plants on which they 
feed, and in this respect Mr. Stainton deserves great praise. It is most 
desirable to direct the attention of the beginner to “ rearing,” as, irrespec¬ 
tive of the beauty and perfection of an insect thus obtained, the collector 
may remain for years without the insect at all (especially among the Bom- 
byces) if he wait to capture it on the wing ; and, even if thus taken, it 
will in most cases be so much injured as “ not to be worth a" pin.” So 
far, we can with pleasure recommend the “ Manual,”—not merely to the 
youthful, but to the more practiced entomologist. 
