248 Miscellaneouft. that the author divides them, and wo tliiiik rightl}', into five tribes. This diversity gives the study of this family great interest, as light may be thrown on some of the difficult problems connected with the classification of the Clavicornia, and may determine the profier position of the Coccinellidic, which is still somewhat doubtful. Those who are acquainted with the author's work on the Trichopterygida? will not, we feel sure, be disappointed with the present volume, which shows everywhere the great care that has been taken in its preparation. The small size of these insects (apparently nearly all considorabl}' less than two millimetres in length) has deterred many from examining them ; but this work has rendered the study of the group possible even to an outsider, as the figures of details are very good. The plates are admirably executed, but we cannot help regretting that only half-figures are given : these do not satisfactorily convey to the eye the form of the insect, and there is room on the plates for complete figures. The editor and publisher are both to be congratulated on the publication of this work ; they seem to have spared no pains to make it worthy of the author. We presume the wing of Trlcho-pttnjx on the cover, as it does not in any way indicate the contents of the book, is to be regarded as the author's entomological coat of arms. MISCELLANEOUS. Priority or Usage. To the Editors of the ' Annals and Magazine of Xataral History.' Gentlemen, — Many who, like myself, had " the advantage of a classical education " must remember the joy, alike of master and scholar, when the "note" said that a given word was an atrai Xcyo/xej'or. It was as water in a dry land, as the word Mesopotamia to the historical old woman. And now to think of the joy of it ! unos (see Sharpe, Preface to ' Hand-list of Birds,' ii. p. vi) is found to be a Greek word meaning " weariness." Whether Euripides ever used this word is very doubtful ; but it seems certain that he never used it twice, and that no other known Greek author ever used it at all. It is a true aval Xeyofxciov, a gem of the purest water ! But see to what shifts the priority-purist who wants to apply Apus to the swift (see the preceding volume of these ' Annals,' p, 480) is reduced ! At first sight it is astounding ; on reflection it is seen to be a])propriate ; for, after all, what is the priority-purist but a searcher after airul Keyofieru — names used once and decently buried in some dusty magazine, which he drags to the light and uses to eject world-known terms. Let these purists beware lest, ■when the history of zoology be written, they find themselves oTrai Xeyofierot, and not too politely at that ! Your faithful Servant, 14th July, 19(X). F. jEFffiEr Bell.
BioStor
