108 
REVIEWS. 
Of the plates, ten in number, one-half are devoted to exemplify the vary¬ 
ing forms of the oral organs, which are of so much moment for generic 
division in these families. The rest present examples of the principal 
genera, with the veining of the wings, and other details of structure. The 
eye of the entomologist has guided the hand of the artist here ; and these 
illustrations are calculated to please more generally than Kirby’s own rude, 
but instructive, etchings. The generic characters, which the plates seem 
to elucidate, are drawn up with care and neatness, without unnecessary 
diffuseness. The veining of the wings has been made to atford the ground 
for a natural subdivision of the extensive genus Anclrena , to which Kirby 
had confessed himself unable to discover any clue. In the delineation of 
the species, we are glad to see that Mr. Smith has adhered to the good old 
Linnean pattern, neither swelling out the diagnosis to the amplitude of a 
description, nor wholly dispensing with it, as has been done by some late 
Monographers, whose merits, in other respects, have been of the highest 
order. It is easier to give a good diffuse description than a good concise 
one, but the apt construction of the diagnosis is the hardest test of all such 
skill. 
In conclusion, we would say that this Catalogue, whether as a manual 
of reference for naming a collection, or a pocket-companion on entomologi¬ 
cal rambles, may be considered as indispensable to every one intending to 
collect and study the British bees. 
Mollusca Testacea Marium Britannicorum. A History of the British 
Marine Testaceous Mollusca, Distributed in their Natural Order on the 
Basis of the Organization of the Animals, with Reference and Notes on 
every British Species. By William Clark. London: John Van Voorst. 
1855. 8vo. Pp. 536. Price 15s. 
There is, says Adanson, in his “History of the Shells of Senegal,” published 
one hundred years since, something more to consider in shell-fish besides 
their shells. The animal that inhabits them should guide our methodical 
arrangements—should be our only regulator—since it is the principal part, 
and that which gives to the shell its form, size, hardness, colours, and all 
the other peculiarities in it which we admire so much. Though by no 
means subscribing to the truth of the above extract, we have quoted it for 
the purpose of introducing to our readers’ notice the volume on British 
Marine Testaceous Mollusca, by William Clark, who, in some particulars 
at least, might be called the Michel Adanson of the present century. Our 
