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80
Book Reviews
Vol. 6, nos. 4-5
who collected last summer in the Dolomites in Italy, the Alps of Switzerland, as well as in France, the usefulness of this work is beyond estimation.
Dr. Forster and Prof. Dr. WOHLFAHRT are well qualified to write on the Lepi-doptera. In the first part of their treatise, they have given an outline of the equipment needed by a collector for the purpose of catching, killing, rearing and preparing these insects, including the larvae. The first volume will deal also with a number of subjects including the structure and evolution of Lepidoptera, their ecology, enemies, parasites, diseases, economic value, genetics, systematics and nomenclature, geographical distribution, phylogeny, etc.
The second part commences the treatment of the diurnal Lepidoptera, starting with Papilionidae^ continuing with Pieridae, and takes one part way through Satyridae (Erebia). The text figures are mostly of the venation, with a few of the genital armature. The 4 plates, from water colors by Prof. Dr. Wohlfahrt, that accompany this part, contain 73 beautiful, life-size figures, ending with Colias. These figures are well arranged for comparative purposes, and the explanation of the plates shows when and where each specimen was taken. In the text a section is devoted to each species (with the popular German name), within which the particular subspecies occurring in central Europe is described and brief reference made to the larva and pupa. No reference to original descriptions or other bibliographical information is given here. Apparently these will follow near the end of vol. 1. Some generic characters for the imago, larva and pupa are included. The work should prove especially valuable to all collectors and students for the easy and rapid determination of their specimens.
Vols. 3, 260 pp., 30 pis.; 4, 400 pp., 30 pis., and 5, 320 pp., 30 pi., will be published in 1954, 1956, and 1958 respectively, all devoted to the moths, but the subscription prices therefor cannot be estimated at this time.
C. F. DOS PASSOS, Washington Corners, Mendham, New Jersey, U. S. A.
DE PLAGEN VAN DE CULTUURGEWASSEN IN INDONESIE, L. G. E. Kalshoven, with cooperation of H. J. V. Sody (Mammals) and A. C. V. van Bemmel (Birds). Vol. 2: pp. 513-1065, figs. 229-599, pis. X-XVI. Published 1951 by W. van Hoeve, The Hague, Netherlands. Price: 39.50 Dutch guilders.
The first volume of this excellent handbook (in Dutch) on the pests of the cultivated plant crops in Indonesie has been reviewed on page 50, vol. 4, of the Neivs. The second volume is as beautifully executed and illustrated, and contains also an appendix: "English translation of the text for illustrations", pp. 1-14. On pages 523-658 the remaining families of Lepidoptera are treated, viz. Zygaenidae, Drepanidae, Geometridae, Lasiocampidae, Eupterotidae, Notodontidae, Bombycidae, Saturniidae, Arctiidae, Asotidae, Agaristidae, Noctuidae, Lymantriidae, Sphingidae, and Rhopalocera. Life history of many species, injury to crops, etc. are illustrated with figs. 229-389, and larvae and pupae of more important Lepidopterous pests are depicted on the nice coloured Plate IX. Furthermore the remaining insect orders, viz. Diptera and Hymenoptera are treated, and followed by Amphibia, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammalia. A general index to both volumes is enclosed.
Hardly having finished with this monumental work Dr. KALSHOVEN has started preparation of another handbook: on the Forest Insects of Indonesia.
A. DlAKONOFF, Rijkmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden, Netherlands