The Romance of the Insect World. By L. N. Badenoch.
(Macmillan and Co.)—Ants, wasps, and bees constitute the principal part of this interesting little natural history, and more fascinating in- sects it would be hard to find. Mr. Badenoch selects a single species, sometimes more, and describes their nests and habits with the aid of some capital woodcuts. The industry and mechanical intelligence of ants is a subject of which one could hear almost any amount. We have an interesting chapter on " Defences of Insects,"—a subject, now that people are beginning to find out to what an extent protective resemblances are carried out, even more attractive. Weapons of defence in themselves wore objects for wonder, but mimicry has caused the learned to wonder even more. Treated in a technical, but not too technical, manner, The Romance of the Insect World will interest the general observer as well as provide him with a reliable text-book.
Previous page
