Book Review.
Psyche 30(3-4):133-134, 1923.

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19231 Book Review 133
BOOK REVIEW
"Les Termites. Partie Genhale." by E. Hegh. Bruxelles, September 1922. published by Imprimerie Industrielle & Financihre (Soci6t6 Anonyme), 4 rue de Berlaimont, Bruxelles. Price $6.00. 756 pp., 460 figs. Review by ALFRED EMERSON, Department of Zoology, University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Hegh has done a remarkable piece of work in the gathering of information and the arranging of facts which have been brought together in this large book (756 pages) profusely illustrated with the best drawings and photographs which have been published on termites.
It is a compilation, but a compilation of such thoroughness that one has no hesitation in pronouncing it as valuable to students of termites and to entomologists in general as new extended observations on the insects would be. Although ter- mites (Isoptera) constitute one of the smaller orders, there being a little over 1000 species described and a bibliography of a little more than 1200 titles, the gathering of all the important biological material is an enormous task. Everything known at the present time concerning the biology of this fascinating group of social insects is dealt with; their geographical distribution; their caste system and the function of the various castes in all the groups of termites; their nourishment and modes of obtaining. it; their nests, the classi- fication and construction of the nest; their predaceous enemies, parasites, termitophiles, and associates; their influence on vegetation and physiography; the utilization of termites as food by man; these and many other subjects are dealt with in a most thorough manner. An extended bibliography is added with a list of the African species.
The economic problems are not emphasized although many photographs of their damage are given and their feeding habits are discussed at great length. Methods of control are not discussed. It is a monograph on the biology of this group. Of course the errors made by the various students of termites



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have been prepetuated in various parts, each statement, how- ever, being ascribed to the authority.
As a whole the information
given represents the viewpoint of the modern investigators and observers of termites.
This book should be in every entomological library and undoubtedly will be the best reference and source book on this order of insects yet written and likely to be written for many years.




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