The Moths of the British Isles

K., W. F.

doi:10.1038/079427b0

Books Received
Published: 11 February 1909

The Moths of the British Isles

W. F. K.

Nature volume 79, page 427 (1909)Cite this article

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Abstract

THE present volume concludes Mr. South's excellent synopsis of the British Macro-lepidoptera, which occupies three volumes, one of butterflies and one of moths having appeared previously. We have already spoken favourably of the earlier volumes, and it is now our pleasing duty to say that there is no falling-off in the execution of the text and plates of the volume before us. Little attempt is made to describe the perfect insects; and indeed a good figure is in many cases sufficient for the identification of many insects; but the range of variation is usually indicated, and caterpillars, habits and localities are usually recorded in detail. As before, we have usually coloured figures of moths on one side of a plate, and plain ones of caterpillars and chrysalids on the other; but sometimes, as in plate 146, which represents Zygænidæ, we have coloured figures of moths on both sides. The figures are usually excellent, but in the case of the emeralds they are unsatisfactory, the figures coming out rather under-coloured, which we suppose is due to some deficiency in the colourprinting. The letterpress is very good and up-to-date, but we do not notice on pp. 55 and 56 any reference to the two specimens of Thalpochares parva taken by Dr. Battersby at Torquay in 1859.

The Moths of the British Isles.

By Richard South. Second Series, comprising the Families Noctuidæ to Hepialidæ; with accurately coloured figures of every Species, and many Varieties; also drawings of Eggs, Caterpillars, Chrysalids, and Food-plants. Pp. vi+376; 159 plates, 20 text-figures. (London and New York: Frederick Warne and Co., 1908.) Price 7s. 6d. net.