Handbuch der paläarktischen Gross-Schmetterlinge für Forscher und Sammler

Abstract

IT has long been recognised that the class of insects is particularly rich in good material for the elucidation of many important biological problems; and in the hands of Bates, Wallace, Meldola, Poulton, Merrifield, Fritz Müller, Weismann and others both in this country and abroad, to say nothing of Darwin himself, the lepidoptera, and especially the butterflies, have been largely turned to account in elaborating the details of the picture of organic evolution. Notwithstanding all that has been done both by way of observation and experiment in this direction, it can hardly be questioned that the author of the book before us is right in asserting that the work of systematic entomologists has not been made so profitable to science as it might have been; and that entomological literature has hitherto been overlooked, with some justice, by scientific zoologists. In re-editing with large additions, his former useful “Handbuch fur Sammler der europäischen Gross-Schmetterlinge,” Dr. Standfuss has proposed to himself the laudable aim of raising the “Cinderella of the Sciences” to a position more worthy of her intrinsic merit; and his method of so doing is to combine a full account of his own experiments and speculations on various points of biological interest with the practical directions of a manual for collectors. The result is the substantial volume before us, which the author hopes will serve as a stimulus to the “mere collector” to direct some of his energies into channels which may lead to really important scientific results There can be no doubt that Dr. Standfuss has thrown himself into his task with great vigour and enthusiasm. The experiments recorded in this book were conducted on a very large scale, and must have laid a severe tax on the industry and perseverance of their originator. Any one with experience in this direction will have some idea of what is involved in the rearing of more than 7000 lepidopterous larvæ through their various stages, under varying conditions, and in keeping full records of the results. Whether the ordinary collector will be stirred into emulation of these achievements is perhaps doubtful, but Dr. Standfuss has certainly done his best to show him how much interest may attach to the study of butterflies and moths when conducted with a definite scientific object.

Handbuch der paläarktischen Gross-Schjnetterlinge für Forscher und Sammler.

Von Dr. M. Standfuss. Pp. xii + 392; eight plates. (Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1896.)