both fell to the ground. The earwig also destroys the larvæ, three of which I successively presented to a earwig, which devoured them immediately, and fell from the wheat ear before I could offer a farther supply. The abode of the pupa during winter is a subject of doubt; and with a view of determining this point, a quantity of wheat ears was selected which had been ravaged by the larvæ last summer, and kept in a round stack through the winter. A portion of the ears was kept in the vinery of Mr. John Ferme, Haddington, and the remainder in Mungoswells diningroom; but in neither case was a fly obtained. On the 24th of June, when the flies were extremely numerous, and perhaps when the pupa was assuming the aurelia state, I examined, in the evening, a grass field which had carried a wheat crop, injured by the larvæ in the preceding year, and found the fly abounding; on a grass field adjoining, which had been pasture the preceding year, flies were not found; on a potato field, which had been wheat the previous year, many flies were seen; on one which had been oats, flies were not visible; and on naked fallow, which had been wheat the previous year, there were many flies; on that which had been oats, there were not flies: in short, wherever wheat had grown the preceding year, flies were found, and seldom met with in other situations. From such evidence it may be concluded, the pupæ remain generally in the soil during winter; but probably they occasionally pass the winter in wheat ears. Being unable to devise means for checking the devastations of the wheat fly, and conceiving those that have hitherto been recommended unavailing for the purpose, I am still not without hope that some of your correspondents may be able to supply the desideratum. Mungoswells, East Lothian, Aug. 1. 1829. PATRICK SHIRREFF. 452 PART II. REVIEWS. ART. I. Catalogue of Works on Natural History, lately published, with some Notice of those considered the most interesting to British Naturalists. BRITAIN. WILSON's Illustrations of Zoology, &c. No. VII. (See Vol. I. p. 52.)-This number is inferior in execution and in interest to any of its predecessors. It contains, as usual, four plates, the first of which represents the Ternate kingfisher (Tanysíptera dèa Vigors), an inhabitant of the Island of Ternate, one of the Moluccas. The bird is drawn standing on a rock, ready and prepared for flight; but the feet are awkwardly and unnaturally placed, and the shorter feathers of the tail have a stiff undulating margin, very like an edging of blue ribbon fitted on by the cunning hand of a little sempstress. The second and third plates are dedicated to the male and female of the pheasant-tailed grouse (Tétrao Urophasiànus), a fine species, "plentiful throughout the barren arid plains of the River Colombia, as well as in the interior of North California. These plates are beautifully engraved and coloured, but the artist has displayed little skill in the position of the birds, and in the management of light and shade. They are not living but dead birds, well stuffed, and set up. In the fourth plate we have delineated the Jasius butterfly (Nymphalis Jàsius). The beauty of the insect is great, but, considered as a whole, the plate is unworthy of the work. There is much waste ground in it which might have been profitably occupied. Neither the caterpillar nor chrysalis are delineated; and it would surely have added much to the value, and even to the beauty, of the picture, to have given these, though they had been copies. Further, the grass on which one of the figures is placed, is altogether imaginary! This will never do we ought to have had the plant on which the insect feeds in its first stage of existence, or the flower which, when a winged being, it loves to hover on, and sip the honied nectar. Such a picture might have been worthy of Mr. Wilson's pencil, and worthy of the elegant and pleasing description which accompanies it. We cannot but remark, likewise, that two of these plates are lithographic; and when the comparative expense of engraving on stone and copper is considered, perhaps the public have a right to complain when this difference is not compensated for, either by an additional plate, or by additional letter-press. Far from us is any wish to depreciate the work; for we, in fact, feel anxious for, and interested in, its success; but that success, we feel confident, will be best secured by making every successive number at least equal to the first specimens. N. Donovan, E., Esq. F.L.S. W.S. &c., Author of the Natural History of British Birds, and of various other approved Works on Natural History: The Natural History of the Nests and Eggs of British Birds. The Descriptions, which are calculated for the Naturalist as well as general Observer, are intended to comprehend every useful Trait of Information respecting the Nidification, Eggs, and Incubation of the numerous Species of the Feathered Tribes that inhabit the British Isles; and are, throughout, accompanied by a Series of elegantly coloured Plates, comprehending Figures of the Eggs of every Species, with their most singular Varieties, so far as they can be correctly ascertained. The whole exclusively executed from Nature, and disposed according to their respective Genera. London. In oblong 4to Nos. 3s. 6d. Nos. I. to V. have appeared. An attentive perusal of the above titlepage will enable every one, connected in any way with country life, to form an idea of the utility of the work to all "whose minds delight to participate in the most rational of its amusements, the study of creation." Such a work has long been much wanted, and we hope this veteran author and most worthy and ingenious man will receive such encouragement as may enable him to proceed with it at a more rapid rate than he has hitherto done. In the prospectus it is stated that the work may be completed in 24 numbers, but that it certainly shall not exceed 36. We We recommend expedition both to the author and to intended purchasers, and we hope the latter will be numerous. Bennett's Fishes of Ceylon. In 4to Nos., monthly (Vol. I. p. 162. and 273.) No. III. of this splendid work has just appeared, containing five coloured engravings of the natural size of the specimens. The number of colours, the variety of their shades, and the singularity of the forms in which these colours are laid on by nature, are altogether extraordinary, and far exceed in singularity and beauty any thing to be met with in the European seas. The plates are admirably coloured. No book can be better adapted for the drawing-room of a wealthy amateur. Curtis, John, F.L.S., Author of British Entomology: A Guide to an Arrangement of British Insects; being a Catalogue of all the named Species hitherto discovered in Great Britain and Ireland. London. Pamph. 8vo. 1s. The objects of this useful little work are thus enumerated in the preface:- દ First, It will enable entomologists to arrange their cabinets systematically. Secondly, They may mark off their own insects so as to know instantly whether they have a species or not, by which means their desiderata will be shown. Thirdly, It will form labels for cabinets. Fourthly, It will be a systematic index to The British Entomology. Fifthly, It will be a catalogue of the author's cabinet, those without * a being desiderata. The catalogue when completed, it is expected, will not contain more than seven or eight sheets; and, to facilitate their appearance, every sheet will be published as soon as it is printed." Stephens, James Francis, F.L.S., Author of Illustrations of British Entomology, A Systematic Catalogue of British Insects, &c.: Nomenclature of British Insects; being a compendious List of such Insects as are contained in the Systematic Catalogue. 4s. 6d. boards; or printed on one side, for the purpose of labelling cabinets, 5s. Hooker, Professor, and Dr. Greville : I'cones Fílicum, &c. - The seventh fasciculus of this work is just published. In these seven fasciculi are figured and described 141 species, of which 52 are new species. The following are the genera already illustrated, with the number of species: Acróstichum, 14 species; Adiántum, 5 sp.; Aneímia, 1 sp.; Angiópteris, 1 sp.; Antròphyum, 2 sp.; Aspídium, 6 sp.; Asplènium, 10 sp.; Botrýchium, 2 sp.; Céterach, 1 sp.; Cheilanthes, 10 sp.; Cryptográmma, 1 sp.; Cyathèa, 1 sp.; Danæa, 5 sp.; Davállia, 3 sp.; Gleichènia, 3 sp.; Grammìtis, 4 sp.; Gymnográmma, 6 sp.; Hemionìtis, i sp.; Hymenophyllum, 14 sp.; Lindsæ'a, 5 sp.; Lycopòdium, 10 sp.; Lygòdium, 1 sp.; Meníscium, 1 sp.; Nephròdium, 2 sp.; Niphóbolus, 3 sp.; Ophioglóssum, 5 sp.; Parkèria, 1 sp.; Pleopéltis, 1 sp.; Polybotrya, 1 sp.; Polypòdium, 7 sp.; Ptèris, 6 sp.; Schizæ`a, 4 sp. ; Tænitis, 2 sp.; Toda`a, 1 sp.; Trichómanes, 13 sp.; Woódsia, 1 sp. Conversations on Vegetable Physiology, comprehending the Elements of Botany, with their application to Agriculture. By the Author of Conversations on Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, &c. &c. London. 2 vols. small 8vo. This is a delightful book, written by a lady of high talent, on one of the most fascinating subjects which can engage the female pen. We can hardly conceive any young person reading it without imbibing a taste for the study of plants. In the preface we are informed, that "the facts and opinions are almost exclusively taken from the lectures of a distinguished professor, of Geneva [Decandolle], on whose mode of treating the subject the following just eulogium is passed in the introductory conversation: He "Mrs. B. M. Decandolle, so far from confining himself to the classification of plants, examines the vegetable kingdom in its most comprehensive and philosophic point of view. In describing the structure, he investigates the habits and properties of plants; and shows, not only how wonderfully they have been formed to answer the purposes of their own multiplication and preservation, but how admirably they answer the higher purpose which nature has assigned them, of ministering to the welfare of a superior order of beings - the animal creation; and more especially to that of man. turns his attention particularly to point out the means by which the science of botany can promote that with which it is most intimately and importantly connected — agriculture. He prepares the soil and sows the seed for the husbandman; he extracts the healing juices and the salutary poisons for the physician; he prepares materials for the weaver, colours for the dyer; in a word, as he proceeds, there is scarcely an art on which he does not confer some benefit, either by pointing out a new truth, or warning against an ancient error. Thus, throughout his course, his principal aim is to promote, by his vast stock of knowledge, the welfare of his fellow-creatures. Emily. Treated in this point of view, botany cannot, I think, fail to interest us. "Mrs. B. It is rather the physiology of botany which I propose teaching you; and I shall merely give you such an insight into classification as is necessary to enable you to understand the structure and character of plants." We wish we knew what to say, in order to introduce this book into every family, either living in the country or having any prospect of ever walking in fields or gardens. We particularly recommend it to mothers and governesses; and we think it might be usefully introduced as a girl's schoolbook in country schools, and as a prize-book. ART. II. Literary Notices. A Fossil Flora of Great Britain, or Figures and Descriptions of the Vegetable Remains found in a Fossil State in this Country, by John Lindley, F.R.S., Professor of Botany in the University of London, and Wm. Hutton, F.G.S. &c., is announced. "THE great end of the projected work will be to collect good materials for the use of science, rather than to indulge in speculations, which daily experience often shows to be delusive. At the same time, the important object of determining the analogies (when any exist) between the Flora of the ancient and the modern worlds, will be never lost sight of." The work will be published in quarterly numbers, 8vo, 10 pls. 68., by subscription. The Geological Society, and a number of our first geologists, have subscribed; and, we have no doubt, a work having such an important object in view will obtain the high patronage it merits. 455 PART III. COLLECTANEA. THE Circular System extended to Events and to the Creation of Organised Beings. -The Stoics (who were ignorant of the power which electricity possesses of giving life, as it were, to the four elements of matter) resolve air, earth, fire, and water into each other; and as magnetism is said to have the faculty of suspending gravitation, so they imagined (as nature delights in circles and ellipses) that there existed a quality which had the power of suspending the progress of events; and which, after a certain era, caused them to revert into their respective original channels: as water resolves into vapour by heat, and vapour resolves into water by cold. So that every accident and event was supposed to be bound perpetually to recur; the same number and description of plants, insects, birds, and animals again to ornament and adorn the earth; and the same beings, feeling their prior passions, again to exercise the same virtues and vices, and to be liable to the same calamities and disorders to which they were subject in their state of antecedence. (Bucke's Beauties of Nature.) Dissection by Insects. - Mr. Carpenter having had many specimens of insects destroyed by the Térmes pulsatòrium, it occurred to him that their destructive powers might be turned to account, in making some delicate dissections for the microscope, and accordingly he placed a few of them in a pillbox, with the heads of three dead flies. On looking into the box some time after, to see how they had proceeded in their anatomical operations, he found they had completely cleared the interior of some of the eyes from all the blood-vessels, leaving the lenses in the corner most beautifully transparent; thus evidencing how useful they might be made in exceedingly fine dissections. (Gill's Tech. Rep.) Bounties of Winter.- Sir, In my walks at this season of the year, when there has been little but snow and bare branches to look at, I have been frequently greeted by the fine glowing leaves of the oak, "tenacious of the stem," which show, amid the dark objects around them, like flames of fire; and this has put me upon thinking, why it is that the young trees retain their leaves so much longer than the older ones. I cannot answer this question to myself satisfactorily; perhaps some of your readers will answer it for me. That the old trees keep their lower leaves to the last, may very probably be owing to their being less exposed to the elements, but the younger are many of them golden to the very crown, though in situations not a whit more sheltered than their aged brethren. Talking of bare stems and branches, by the by, how very much people neglect the beauties of winter! What infinite grace there is in the leafless birch! what majesty in the oak! what rough, strong, mossy wealth in the walnut tree! It is very interesting to study their characters in this state, when you may discern the real disposition of a tree as clearly as if it had drunk wine; in which, they say, there is truth. I hope, however, it is not confined to wine; for, truly, I remain, Sir, &c.-E. K. Feb. 7. 1829. Grew's Theory of Colours in Plants. - Grew, whose work on vegetable anatomy is well known, was a close observer of nature; and in noticing the |