*--"l5t * ^ £«^" ^p ■1' »a '^ ^^3*«£ % W >.aT ftw * ,v V #,<> ^" 'tit ■- ■' 1 ^ if& ' r . •"•a fc* ^ '-* rw >-^ J \ / ) •f.'r. K ft x ' TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE 1887 VOL. XX. (Third of New Series) EDITED AND PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE INSTITUTE BY SIR JAMES HECTOR, K.C.M.G., M.D., F.R.S. Director Issued May, 1888 WELLINGTON LYON & BLAIE, PRINTERS, LAMBTON QUAY TRUBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL, LONDON E.C. ERRATA. Page 17, line 12, for " Trichophyra" read " Tricophrya." Page 210, footnote, for " debilio" read " debilior." ADDENDUM. The following has been received from Professor T. Jeffery Parker, as an addendum to bis paper " On a Specimen of Rega- lecus recently stranded in Otago Harbour " (see pp. 20-29) : — I regret having missed hitherto an important figure and description of Regalecus by Mr. E. L. Layard, in the " Proceedings of the Zoological Society" for May 28th, 1868. The specimen is called Gymnetrus capensis (?) and was 10 feet 2 inches long. The ventral fins were perfect, and show both the terminal cutaneous expansion and the small dorsal lobe figured by Cuvier, at the junction of the middle and posterior thirds. The general features of tbe crest are correctly shown, and the pink spots on it are men- tioned. Everything seems to lead to the conclusion that most of the supposed species of Regalecus are identical, and that the more recent specific names (including argenteus) will have to give way, probably in favour of Ascanius's original name, glesne. CONTENTS. TBANSACTIONS. I. — Zoology. pages. Art. I. On the Freshwater Infusoria of the Wellington District. By W. M. Maskell, F.R.M.S. . . . . . . 3—19 II. On a Specimen of Regalecus recently stranded in Otago Harbour. By T. Jeffery Parker, B.Sc, C.M.Z.S., Professor of Biology in the University of Otago . . 20 — 29 III. Ornithological Notes. By T. W. Kirk (of the Geological Survey Department) . . . . . . . . 29 — 31 IV. On a curious Parasite (Anthosoma smithii, Leach) from the Porbeagle Shark (Lamna cornubica). By T. W. Kirk .. .. .. .. .. 31—33 V. On the Occurrence of the Masked Plover (Lobivanellus personatus, Gould) in New Zealand. By T. W. Kirk .. .. .. .. .. 33—34 VI. Brief Description of a new Species of large Decapod (Architeuthis longimanus). By T. W. Kirk .. 34 — 39 VII. Note on the Female of Anas boschas assuming the Plumage of the Male. By Taylor White . . 39 VIII. A Description of a new Species of Coccinella found in New Zealand. By W. Colenso, F.R.S., F.L.S., etc. 40—42 IX. Note on the Bat that invaded Picton in March, 1884. By Professor F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. . . . . 43 X. Description of a new Land Shell from the Province of Nelson. By Professor F. W. Hutton .. .. 43—44 XL Supplement to a Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina. By E. Meyrick, B.A., F.E.S. .. .. .. 44—47 XII. Notes on New Zealand Geometrina. By E. Meyrick . . 47—62 XIII. Notes on New Zealand Pyralidina. By E. Meyrick . . 62—73 XIV. Notes on New Zealand Tortricina. By E. Meyrick .. 73—76 XV. Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. By E. Meyrick 77 — 106 XVI. On Henops brunneus, Hutton. By W. M. Maskell, F.E.M.S. .. .. .. .. .. 106—108 XVII. On new Species of Araneidea. By A. T. TJrquhart . . 109—125 XVIII. Notes on Bats. By A. Beischek, F.L.S. . . . . 125—126 XIX. List of Fishes found round the Mokohinou Islands ; their Spawning Time ; and Observations regarding some of the Species. By F. S. Sandager . . 127 — 133 XX. Descriptions of new Species of New Zealand Aranece. By P. Goyen . . . . . . . . 133—139 XXI. Notes on Amaurobwides maritima, Cambridge. By P. Goyen .. .. .. .. .. 140 32382 VI. Contents. II.- Botany. PAGES# Art.XXII. Notes on the Three Kings Islands. By T. F. Cheese- man, F.L.S. .. .. .. .. 141—150 XXIII. On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands ; with Notes on the Fauna. By T. F. Cheeseman . . . . 151—181 XXIV. On the Naturalized Dodders and Broom-rapes of New Zealand. By T. Kirk . . . . . . 182—185 XXV. Description of a new Species of Vncinia, Persoon. By D. Petrie, M.A., F.L.S. . . . . . . 185—186 XXVI. Kate of Growth of Transplanted Trees. By J. Baber, C.E. .. .. .. .. .. 186—187 XXVn. On new Phasnogarnic Plants of New Zealand. By William Colenso, F.E.S., F.L.S., etc. .. ..188—211 XXVIII. On newly-discovered and imperfectly-known Ferns of New Zealand, with Critical Observations. By W. Colenso .. .. .. .. .. 212—234 XXIX. On new Indigenous Cryptogams, of the Orders Lyco- podiacece, Musci, and Hepaticce. By W. Colenso.. 234 — 254 XXX. Botanical Notes. By J. Buchanan, F.L.S. . . . . 255 III. — Geology. XXXI. On some Kailway Cuttings in the Weka Pass. By Pro- fessor F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. . . . . . . 257—263 XXXII. On the Greensands of the Waihao Forks. By Pro- fessor F. W. Hutton . . . . . . . . 264—267 XXXIII. On some Fossils lately obtained from the Cobden Limestone at Greymouth. By Professor F. W. Huttop .. .. .. .. .. 267—269 XXXIV. On some ancient Ehyolites from the Mataura District. By Professor F. W. Hutton . . . . . . 269—271 XXXV. On a Leucophyre from the Selwyn Gorge. By Pro- fessor F. W. Hutton, F.G.S., and G. Gray, F.C.S., Lecturer on Chemistry at the School of Agricul- ture, Lincoln . . . . . . . . 271—274 XXXVI. On the Oxford Chalk Deposit, Canterbury, New Zea- land. By Henry Wilson, B.A. . . . . 274—276 XXXVII. The Tarawera Eruption, 10th June, 1886 : a Criticism of Professor Hutton's (and others') Explanations of the Causes of the Eruption. By J. Hardcastle 277—282 XXXVIII. On the Artesian Well System of Hawke's Bay. By H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S. .. .. .. .. 282—293 XXXIX. Pumice : its Geological Distribution on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, extending from Tologa Bay (38° 20' S. lat.) to Cape Turn- again (40° 30' S.). By H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S. . . 293—306 XL. Notes on the Volcanic Rocks of the Taupo District and King Country. By Professor A. P. W. Thomas, M.A., F.L.S. .. .. .. .. 306—311 XLI. Notes on the Hocks of the Kermadec Islands. By A. P. W. Thomas, M.A., F.L.S., Professor of Natu- ral Science in the Auckland University College . . 311 — 315 XLII. Notes on the Physiography and Geology of the King Country. By Laurence Cussen . . . . 316 — 332 XLIII. Geological Notes on the Kermadec Group. By S. Percy Smith, F.R.G.S. .. .. .. ..333—344 XLIV. Minerals at Nelson. By H. P. Washboume. . . . 344—352 Contents. vii. IV. — Miscellaneous. pages. Akt.XLV. Ancient Alphabets in Polynesia. By E. Tregear, F.R.G.S. . . . . . . . . . . 353 — 368 XL VI. Polynesian Folk-lore.— Part H. : The Origin of Fire. By E. Tregear . . . . . . . . 369—399 XL VII. The Aryo-Semitic Maori : a Eeply. By E. Tregear . . 400—413 XL VIII. On Maori Ancestry. By James Coutts Crawford, F.G.S. 414—418 XLIX. Ancient Tide-lore, and Tales of the Sea, from the two Ends of the World. By W. Colenso, F.R.S., F.L.S., etc. . . .. .. .. ..418—422 L. Notes on the Derelict Ship in Facile Harbour, Dusky Bay. By T. M. Hocken, M.R.C.S., F.L.S. . . 422—428 LI. On a Stereoscopic Aspect of the Moon. By J. Hard- castle . . . . . . . . . . 428 LII. On the Etymology of the word " dierectus," in Plautus. By Professor F. W. Haslam, M.A. . . . . 429—430 NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE. Nineteenth Annual Report . . . . . . . . . . 433 — 434 Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435 PROCEEDINGS. WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. Anniversary Address. By Dr. F. B. Hutchinson, M.R.C.S. . . 439 Geological Specimens exhibited . . . . . . . . 439 — 440 Notes on Forestry. By J. S. Prendeville . . . . . . 440 Recent Explorations North of Chalky Sound, West Coast of Otago. By A. Reischek . . . . . . . . . . 441 Exploration of Dusky Sound by Mr. Docherty . . . . . . 442 On the Occurrence of Black Sulphur in the Native State. By Sir J. Hector .. .. .. .. .. .. 442 Remarks on Specimens collected by Professor Hutton from the Auriferous Deposit at Te Aroha . . . . . . . . 442 Exhibit of live Helices . . . . . . ... . . 443 On the Importance of Tide-gauges, and Description of a simple Tide-gauge invented by the Author. By Sir J. Hector . . 443—444 Extraordinary Discovery regarding Generation in Insects. By W. M. Maskell, F.R.M.S. .. .. .. ..444—445 Exhibit, illustrative of Propagation of Alga . . . . . . 445— 446 Exhibit of a rare Diatom (Stauroneis fulmen) .. .. .. 446 Exhibit of Photograph of Prismatic Solar Spectrum on a Chloro- phyl plate .. .. .. .. .. .. 446 Remarks on a Collection of Rocks from the Kermadec Islands, made by Captain Fairchild. By Sir J. Hector . . . . 446 On a small-sized Specimen of the Hapuka, Hectoria (Oligorus) gigas, Castelneau, caught in Wellington Harbour. By Sir J. Hector .. .. .. .. .. ' .. 446—447 Notice of a Giant Sun-fish (Orthagoriscus mola) cast ashore at Cape Campbell. By A. Hanson . . . . . . . . 447 viii. C i intents. PAGES. Barbados, our earliest tropical Colony. By the Hon. J. W. Fortescue . . . . . . . . . . . . 447—448 On some deep-seated Fallacies. By W. W. Carlile, M.A. . . 448—449 Notice of a Discovery of Illuminating Gas. By J. C. Crawford, F.G.S. .. .. .. .. .. .. 449 On the Korotangi, or Stone Bird. By Major Wilson ; communi- cated by Mr. Tregear . . . . . . . . . . 450 On Bed Deer and their Ways. By the Hon. J. W. Fortescue . • 450 On Earthquakes in New Zealand. By Sir J. Hector . . . . 450 — 452 Probable Discovery of the Physical Causation of Gravitation. By T. Wakelin, B.A. .. .. .. .. .. 452 On the Occurrence of Bismuthic Gold at the Owen Goldfields. By William Skey . . . . . . . . . . . . 453—454 On the General Association of Grains of Gold with Native Copper. By William Skey . . . . . . . . . . 454 On the Formation of Bismuthic Iodides of the Alkaloids. By William Skey . . . . . . . . . . . . 454 Complimentary Resolution to the President, Dr. Hutchinson . . 455 Annual Report and Accounts . . . . . . . . 455 — 456 Election of Officers . . . . . . . . . . 456 Some Moot Points in Mental Science. By W. W. Carlile, M.A. . . 456—457 On the Occurrence of Morchella esculenta. By T. Kirk, F.L.S. . . 457 On the Hessian Fly. By W. M. Maskell, F.R.M.S. .. .. 457 On Bladder Fluke in Rabbits. By Sir J. Hector . . . . 457 AUCKLAND INSTITUTE. Description of a Collection of Maori Articles bequeathed to the Museum by Mr. C. 0. Davis. By T. F. Cheeseman . . 458 On two new Species of Metaglymma. By Captain T. Broun . . 458 New Experiments on the Nature of Colour. By B. W.'Betts . . 45s Pauperizing the People. By E. A. Mackechnie .. .. 458 The Extraction of Metals from their Ores. Ry Professor F. D. Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 458 Notes on Hot Springs at Great Barrier Island. By C. P. Winkel- mann .. .. .. .. .. .. 459 On the Nature of Government, with Special Reference to Property in Land. By J. Buchanan . . . . . . . . 459 Foods and Beverages. By J. A. Pond . . . . . . 459 New Genera and Species of Plant-eating Colcoptcva. By Captain T. Broun . . . . . . . . . . . . 459 Personal Representation : a Modification of Hare's System. By Professor Aldis . . . . . . . . . . 459 Brains and Character. By Dr. Bond . . . . . . 459 New Species of S Up hidde. By Captain T. Broun .. .. 460 On the Age of the Deposits in Kent's Cavern, as an Index of the Age of Ethnological and Zoological Remains. By the Rev. Mr. Tebbs The Whence of the Maori. By W. H. Blyth. . New Species of Pselaphidce. By Captain T. Broun Abstract of Annual Report Election of Officers for 1888. . 160 460 460 460—461 461 PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY. Election of a Councillor .. .. .. .. .. 462 Note on two Volcanic Rocks from near Westport. By Professor F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. .. .. .. .. .. 462 On Reason and Instinct. By the President . . . . . . 462 Contents. w. On Lord Shaftesbury's " Inquiry into Virtue " and the Utilitarian Theory of Morals. By W. Dinwiddie On a Theory of Bird-Might. By J. Warburton ; communicated by Professor Hutton Abstract of Annual Report Election of Officers for 1888 Address In Memoriam Sir Julius von Haast. By the President . . OTAGO INSTITUTE. By Max Muret By the Rev. H. Belcher, Description of a new Bowing Apparatus. On the Middle Voice in the Latin Verb. LL.D. Notes of an Expedition to the Big Bay District. By B. Paulin On Haworth's Patent Safety Cage. By G. J. Binns, F.G.S. An Account of Recent Researches on the Pineal Gland and the Median Eye of Vertebrates. By T. Jeffery Parker . . The History of the Otago Settlement. By Dr. Hocken . . The Theatre of the Greeks. By the Rev. Dr. Belcher . . Notes on New Zealand Crustacea. By G. M. Thomson, F.L.S Notes on Additions to the Museum. By Professor T. Jeffery Parker Abstract of Annual Report . . Election of Officers for 1888 Address by the President WESTLAND INSTITUTE. Abstract of Annual Report Election of Officers for 1887-88 r-AGES. 463 464 464 464 464 465 465 465 465 466 466 466 467 467 468 468 468 469 469 HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE. Notes on a Collection of Mineral Ores. By A. Hamilton . . 470 Notes on Exhibits. By W. Colenso, F.R.S. . . . . . . 471 On Olfactory Physics. By W. I. Spencer . . . . . . 471 A Jubilee Paper; or, Fifty Years in New Zealand. By W. Colenso, F.R.S. .. .. .. .. .. 471 On some Marine Invertebrates of Hawke's Bay. By A. Hamilton 471 Notes on Additions to the Museum. By A. Hamilton . . . . 472 Election of Officers for 1888.. .. .. .. .. 472 SOUTHLAND INSTITUTE. On the Structure of Matter. On the Tarawera Eruption. By A. Highton, B.A. By W. S. Hamilton NELSON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. Notes on Exhibits. By A. S. Atkinson On a new Species of Dodder. By J. Meeson, B.A. A few Suggestions on Matter and Energy. By W. Wells Resolution to form a School of Mines Notes on Natural History. By J. Martin, jun. On a recent Ascent of Mount Arthur and Mount Peel. By Dr. Hudson Measurable Vibrations in Fluids, as suggestive of those only con- ceivable in Ether. By G. Ashcroft On Yeast, By Dr. Key worth Presentation to Museum 473 473 474 474 474 474 474 474 475 475 475 X. Contents. Notes of a Visit to the District affected by the Volcanic Eruption of 1886. By J. Holloway The Genesis of Genius. By H. L. Twisleton On a living Specimen of Lamprey. By R. T. Kingsley . . On some curious Carvings on a Kock at Chatham Island. By T. H. Pott Abstract of Annual Report Election of Officers for 1887-88 Address by the President A Few Experiences of Fijian Life. By W. E. Atkinson On GraptolitidcE. By R. T. Kingsley PAGES. 475 476 476 476 476 476 476—478 478 479 APPENDIX. Meteorological Statistics for 1887 Notes on the Weather for 1887 Earthquakes reported in New Zealand during 1887 Honorary Members of the New Zealand Institute Ordinary Members of the New Zealand Institute Institutions and Individuals to whom this Volume is presented Alphabetical Index Errata et Addendum Contents List of Plates Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute Abstract of Rules and Statutes of the New Zealand Institute Officers of Incorporated Societies, and Extracts from the Rules 483 484 485 486 487—499 500—503 505—509 ill. v. — x. xi. xiii. xiii. — xv. xvi.— xix. LIST OF PLATES. I. II. HI. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIH. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. Author. Maskell et al. — Freshwater Infusoria Parker. — Regalecus T. W. Kirk. — Anthosoma smithii ,, ' Architeuthis longimanus Maskell. — Henops brunneus Urquhart. — Araneidea Buchanan. —Ranunculus tenuis ,, Notothlaspi hookeri Hutton. — Geology of Weka Pass Wilson. — Diagram Hill. — Artesian Well System of Hawke's Bay >> .... „ Map showing Distribution of Pumice Cussen. — Map of Lake Taupo Tregear. — Specimens of Tattoo Hocken. — Derelict Ship Beischek. — Map of Becent Explorations TO FACE PAGE 4 8 12 16 24 32 I 38 108 112 [ 255 257 276 [ 284 296 320 353 424 441 NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE. ESTABLISHED TINDER AN ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND INTITULED "THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE ACT, 1867." Board of Governors, (ex officio.) His Excellency the Governor. [ The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. (nominated.) The Hon. W. B. D. Mantell, F.G.S. ; W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. ; Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G., M.D., F.B.S. ; Ven. Arch- deacon Stock, B.A. ; Thomas Mason ; the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, M.L.C. (elected.) 1888.— F. B. Hutchinson, M.B.C.S. ; James McKerrow, F.B.A.S. ; T. Kirk, F.L.S. Manager : Sir James Hector. Honorary Treasurer: W. T. L. Travers. Secretary : B. B. Gore. ABSTRACTS OF BULES AND STATUTES Gazetted in the " New Zealand Gazette, ' 9th March, 1868. Section I. Incorporation of Societies. 1. No Society shall be incorporated with the Institute under the pro- visions of " The New Zealand Institute Act, 1867," unless such Society shall consist of not less than twenty-five members, subscribing in the aggregate a sum of not less than fifty pounds sterling annually, for the promotion of Art, Science, or such other branch of knowledge for which it is associated, to be from time to time certified to the satisfaction of the Board of Governors of the Institute by the Chairman for the time being of the Society. xiv. New Zealand Institute. 2. Any Society incorporated as aforesaid shall cease to be incorporated with the Institute in case the number of the members of the said Society shall at any time become less than twenty-five, or the amount of money annually subscribed by such members shall at any time be less than £50. 3. The by-laws of every Society to be incorporated as aforesaid shall provide for the expenditure of not less than one-third of the annual revenue in or towards the formation or support of some local public Museum or Library ; or otherwise shall provide for the contribution of not less than one-sixth of its said revenue towards the extension and maintenance of the Museum and Library of the New Zealand Institute. 4. Any Society incorporated as aforesaid, which shall in any one year fail to expend the proportion of revenue affixed in manner provided by Bule 3 aforesaid, shall from thenceforth cease to be incorporated with the Institute. 5. All papers read before any Society for the time being incorporated with the Institute shall be deemed to be communications to the Institute, and may then be published as Proceedings or Transactions of the Institute, subject to the following regulations of the Board of the Institute regarding publications : — Regulations regarding Publications. (a.) The publications of the Institute shall consist of a current abstract of the proceedings of the Societies for the time being incorporated with the Institute, to be intituled, " Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute," and of transactions, comprising papers read before the Incorporated Societies (subject, however, to selection as hereinafter mentioned), to be intituled, "Transactions of the New Zealand Institute." (b.) The Institute shall have power to reject any papers read before any of the Incorporated Societies. (c.) Papers so rejected will be returned to the Society in which they were read. (d.) A proportional contribution may be required from each Society towards the cost of publishing the Proceedings and Transactions of the Institute. (e.) Each Incorporated Society will be entitled to receive a proportional number of copies of the Proceedings and Transactions of the Institute, to be from time to time fixed by the Board of Governors. (/.) Extra copies will be issued to any of the members of Incorporated Societies at the cost price of publication. 6. All property accumulated by or with funds derived from Incorporated Societies and placed in the charge of the Institute, shall be vested in the Institute, and be used and applied at the discretion of the Board of Governors for public advantage, in like manner with any other of the property of the Institute. 7. Subject to " The New Zealand Institute Act, 1867," and to the fore- going rules, all Societies incorporated with the Institute shall be entitled to retain or alter their own form of constitution and the by-laws for their own management, and shall conduct their own affairs. 8. Upon application signed by the Chairman and countersigned by the Secretary of any Society, accompanied by the certificate required under Bule No. 1, a certificate of incorporation will be granted under the Seal of the Institute, and will remain in force as long as the foregoing rules of the Institute are complied with by the Society. Section II. For the Management of tlie Property of the Institute. 9. All donations by Societies, Public Departments, or Private Indivi- duals to the Museum of the Institute, shall be acknowledged by a printed form of receipt, and shall be duly entered in the books of the Institute Abstracts of Bules and Statutes. xv. provided for that purpose, arid shall then be dealt with as the Board of Governors may direct. 10. Deposits of articles for the Museum may be accepted by the Insti- tute, subject to a fortnight's notice of removal to be given either by the owner of the articles or by the Manager of the Institute, and such deposits shall be duly entered in a separate catalogue. 11. Books relating to Natural Science may be deposited in the Library of the Institute, subject to the following conditions : — (a.) Such books are not to be withdrawn by the owner under six months' notice, if such notice shall be required by the Board of Governors. (b.) Any funds specially expended on binding and preserving such deposited books, at the request of the depositor, shall be charged against the books, and must be refunded to the Institute before their withdrawal, always subject to special arrangements made with the Board of Governors at the time of deposit. (c.) No books deposited in the Library of the Institute shall be removed for temporary use, except on the written authority or receipt of the owner, and then only for a period not exceeding seven days at any one time. 12. All books in the Library of the Institute shall be duly entered in a catalogue, which shall be accessible to the public. 13. The public shall be admitted to the use of the Museum and Library, subject to by-laws to be framed by the Board. Section III. The Laboratory shall, for the time being, be and remain under the exclusive management of the Manager of the Institute. Section IV. Of Date 23ed Septembee, 1870. Honorary Members. Whereas the rules of the Societies incorporated under the New Zealand Institute Act provide for the election of Honorary Members of such Societies ; but inasmuch as such Honorary Members would not thereby become mem- bers of the New Zealand Institute, and whereas it is expedient to make provision for the election of Honorary Members of the New Zealand In- stitute, it is hereby declared — 1st. Each Incorporated Society may, in the month of November next, nominate for election as Honorary Members of the New Zealand Institute three persons, and in the month of November in each succeeding year, one person, not residing in the colony. 2nd. The names, descriptions, and addresses of persons so nominated, together with the grounds on which their election as Honorary Members is recommended, shall be forthwith forwarded to the Manager of the New Zealand Institute, and shall by him be sub- mitted to the Governors at the next succeeding meeting. 3rd. From the persons so nominated, the Governors may select in the first year not more than nine, and in each succeeding year not more than three, who shall from thenceforth be Honorary Members of the New Zealand Institute, provided that the total number of Honorary Members shall not exceed thirty. [lu I L I B R A R Y )% xvi. New Zealand Institute. LIST OF INCOKPORATED SOCIETIES. NAME OF SOCIETY. DATE OF INCORPORATION. Wellington Philosophical Society - 10th June, 1868. Auckland Institute - - - 10th June, 18G8. Philosophical Institute of Canterbuky 22nd October, 18G8. Otago Institute - - 18th October, 1869. Westland Institute - - - 21st December, 1874. Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute - 31st March, 1875. Southland Institute - 21st July, 1880. Nelson Philosophical Society - - 20th December, 1888. OFFICERS OF INCORPORATED SOCIETIES, AND EXTRACTS FROM THE RULES. WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. Office-bearers for 1888 : — President — W. M. Maskell, F.R.M.S. ; Vice- presidents- lion. G. R. Johnson, M.L.C., A. de B.Brandon; Council — Charles Hulke, F.C.S., A. Iv. Newman, M.B., M.R.C.P., R. H. Govett, Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G., M.D., F.R.S., W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S., A. McKay, F.G.S., E. Tregear, F.R.G.S. ; Secretary mid Treasurer — R. B. Gore ; Auditor — W. E. Vaux. Extracts from the Rules of the Wellington Philosophical Society. 5. Every member shall contribute annually to the funds of the Society the sum of one guinea. 6. The annual contribution shall be due on the first day of January in each year. 7. The sum of ten pounds may be paid at any time as a composition for life of the ordinary annual payment. • 14. The time and place of the General Meetings of members of the Society shall be fixed by the Council and duly announced by the Secretary. AUCKLAND INSTITUTE. Office-bearers for 1888 : — I'nsident — S. Percy Smith, F.R.G.S. ; Vice-presidents — Professor F. D. Brown, B.Sc, Pro- fessor A. P. Thomas, F.L.S. ; ( 'ouncil — C. Cooper, Rev. E. H. Gulliver, M.A., Hon. Colonel Haultain, E. A. Mackechnie, J. Martin, F.G.S., T. Peacock, M.H.R., Rev. A. G. Purchas, M.R.C.S.E., Rev. W. Tebbs, -I. I'.. Russell, J. A. Pond, Mr. Justice (lillies; Secretary and Treasurer — T. F. Cheeseinan. F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Auditor—}. Stewart. Incorporated Societies. xvii. Extract from the Rule* of the Auckland Institute. 1. Any person desiring to become a member of the Institute shall be proposed in writing by two members, and shall be ballotted for at the next meeting of the Council. 4. New members on election to pay one guinea entrance-fee, in addition to the annual subscription of one guinea, the annual subscriptions being payable in advance on the first day of April for the then current year. 5. Members may at any time become life-members by one payment of ten pounds ten shillings, in lieu of future annual subscriptions. 10. Annual General Meeting of the Society on the third Monday of February in each year. Ordinary Business Meetings are called by the Council from time to time. PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY. Office-bearers for 1888 : — President — Professor F. W Haslarn, M.A. ; Vice-presidents — G. Hogben, M.A. ; S. Hurst Seager, A.E.I.B.A. ; Hon. Treasurer— H. E. Webb, F.E.M.S. Hon. Secretary — W. Dinwiddle ; Hon. Auditor — C. E. Blakiston Councils- Professor Hutton, F.G.S., E. W. Feredav, F.G.S., T Crook, Professor C. H. H. Cook, M.A., W. H. Symes, M.D., E. M. Laing,M.A. Extracts from the Rules of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. 21. The Ordinary Meetings of the Institute shall be held on the first Thursday of each month during the months from March to November inclusive. 35. Members of the Institute shall pay one guinea annually as a sub- scription to the funds of the Institute. The subscription shall be due on the first of November in every year. Any member whose subscription shall be twelve months in arrear shall cease to be a member of tbe Institute, but he may be restored by the Council if it sees fit. 37. Members may compound for all annual subscriptions of the current and future years by paying ten guineas. OTAGO INSTITUTE. Office-bearers for 1888: ■President — Alex. Wilson, M.A. ; Vice-presidents — F. E. Cbapman, Dr. de Zouche; Hon. Secretary — G. M. Thomson, F.L.S. ; Ron. Treasurer— J. C. Thomson; Council — D. Petrie, M.A., Professor Scott, C. Chilton, M.A., Dr. Hocken, Eev. H. Belcher, L.L.D., Professors Parker and Gibbons ; Auditor — D. Brent, M.A. Extracts from the Constitution and Rules of the Otago Institute. 2. Any person desiring to join the Society may be elected by ballot, on being proposed in writing at any meeting of the Council or Society by two members, and on payment of the annual subscription of one guinea for the year then current. 5. Members may at any time become life-members by one payment of ten pounds and ten shillings in lieu of future annual subscriptions. xviii. New Zealand Institute. 8. An Annual General Meeting of the members of the Society shall be held in January in each year, at which meeting not less than ten members must be present, otherwise the meeting shall be adjourned by the members present from time to time, until the requisite number of members is present. (5.) The session of the Otago Institute shall be during the winter months, from May to October, both inclusive. WESTLAND INSTITUTE. Office-beakers for 1888 : — President — Rev. H. G. Gould ; Vice-president — Jno. Nicholson ; Treasurer — A. H. King ; Com- mittee— J. N. Smythe, R. Cross, C. F. A. Broad, M. L. Moss, G. J. Eoberts, E. B. Sammons, J. W. Souter, Captain Bignell ; G. Clarkson, J. P. Will ; Secretary — Henry Weston. Extracts from the Rules of the Westland Institute. 3. The Institute shall consist : — (1) Of life-members, i.e., persons who have at any one time made a donation to the Institute of ten pounds ten shillings or upwards ; or persons who, in reward of special services rendered to the Institute, have been unanimously elected as such by the Committee or at the general half-yearly meeting. (2) Of members who pay two pounds two shillings each year. (3) Of members paying smaller sums, not less than ten shillings. 5. The Institute shall hold a half-yearly meeting on the third Monday in the months of December and June. HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE. Office-bearers for 1888 : — President — W. Colenso, F.E.S., F.L.S. ; Vice-president — J. Goodall, C.E. ; Council — R. C. Harding, H. Hill, W. I. Spencer, E. Lamb, T. C. Moore, W. Wood ; Hon. Secretary, Treasurer, and Curator of Museum — A. Hamilton; Auditor — T. K. Newton. Extracts from the Rules of the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute. 3. The annual subscription for each member shall be one guinea, payable in advance on the first day of January in every year. 4. Members may at any time become life-members by one payment of ten pounds ten shillings in lieu of future annual subscriptions. (4.) The session of the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute shall be during the winter months from May to October, both inclusive ; and general meetings shall be held on the second Monday in each of those six months, at 8 p.m. SOUTHLAND INSTITUTE. Office-bearers for 1887: — President — Ven. Archdeacon Stocker ; Vice-president — A. High ton, 15. A. ; Council — Messrs. Bailey, McLean, C. Tanner, Dr. Galbraith, and Or. Closs ; Treasurer — E. Robertson ; Secretary — E. Webber. Incorporated Societies. xix. NELSON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. Office-bearers for 1888 : — President — Dr. L. Boor, ; Vice- presidents — The Bishop of Nelson and A. S. Atkinson ; Secretary — Dr. Coleman ; Treasurer — Dr. Hudson ; Council — Dr. Mackie, J. Holloway, Dr. Cressey, G. Ashcroft, and R. T. Kingsley ; Curator— R. T. Kingsley. Extracts from the Rules of the Nelson Philosophical Society. 4. That members shall be elected by ballot. 6. That the annual subscription shall be one guinea. 7. Tbat the sum of ten guineas may be paid in composition of the annual subscription. 16. That the meetings be held monthly. 23. The papers read before the Society shall be immediately delivered to the Secretary. TRANSACTIONS. TRANSACTIONS OF THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE, 18 8 7. I.— Z OOLOGY. Art. I. — On the Freshwater Infusoria of the Wellington District. By W. M. Maskell, F.R.M.S. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 30th November, 1887.] Plates I., II., III., IV. The following paper is in continuation of that published in vol. xix. of the " Transactions," and contains some of the observa- tions made since last year by the Microscopical Section of the Wellington Philosophical Society, Messrs. W. F. Barraud, A. Brandon, C. P. Powles, T. W. Kirk, and the writer. As before, the work has been strictly confined to " fresh- water"' types. Most of the animals herein considered as new belong to recognised genera : the exception being Thurophora hicens, which seemed undoubtedly to present sufficiently clear generic differences. In the " Journal of the Boyal Microscopical Society " for February, 1887, Professor A. C. Stokes, of New Jersey, in an account of some new American Infusoria, remarks that it is rare to find in America forms which are also found in European fresh water. The experience of the compilers of the present paper leads to quite the contrary view, as regards the New Zea- land animalcules. Probably the ambition of every " systematic " observer in any branch of Zoology or Botany is to discover some new species : and this, laudable as it doubtless is to a proper extent, has unfortunately led to a multiplication of specific dis- tinctions and names, often on the slenderest grounds, which subsequent investigation will have to largely diminish, at some trouble to students. The members of the Wellington Microsco- pical Section have steadily endeavoured to resist this tendency, believing that much less error and confusion will result by neglecting the frequently most minute differences from Euro- pean types observable in almost every Infusorian examined. Examples of this may be found in such forms as Rhipidodendron 4 Transactions. — Zoology. huxleyi, Amphileptus anser, Metopus sigmoides, in our former paper, or Monas irregularis, Codosiga botrytis, etc., in the present one. There are certainly minute points of difference in such as these which might tempt some observers to raise them, if not to specific, at least to " variety," rank. But, in truth, there is very often no absolute stability even in the same individuals amongst the Infusoria ; and we have thought it best to avoid to the utmost any more cumbering of scientific classification and nomenclature than was absolutely necessary. The couple of dozen animalcules herein set down as new species are considered to be sufficiently deserving of the distinction. But Professor Stokes's statement as to the New Jersey Infusoria, compared with what has just been said, raises a question as to the reason for the identities observed between the New Zealand and the European forms. It may be remarked that similar identities appear to be noticeable also amongst the freshwater Algas, as several of our Desinidieae and Diatomaceae are found at both sides of the globe, and many others present differences so trifling as to be unimportant. That specific similarity should be so rare as Professor Stokes declares it between two countries in the same hemisphere, as New Jersey and France or England, and so frequent in two so nearly anti- podal as England and New Zealand, is not a little curious ; and it becomes still more so if, as seems to be the case, the differences in the " higher" zoological and botanical orders and families are in a reverse ratio. The " higher" American fauna and flora approximate to the European much more than the New Zealand fauna and flora do. It is, therefore, not quite clear why the microscopical forms of animal and vegetable life should not follow the same lines. The answer might, possibly, be found in an extension of research, leading to comparisons between countries of about the same latitude and climate. Yet New Jersey, France, and New Zealand, are not, in these respects, very differently situated. Catalogue op Infusoria. ( 'lass I. FLAGELLATA. Order. Flagellata-Pantostomata. Genus Monas. Monas irregularis, Perty. Wellington, Hutt Valley, Wainui, Karori. Monas claviculns, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 1, a, b. Body elongate, rounded and broad anteriorly, tapering to a point posteriorly, plastic and variable in form, nearly five times longer than broad when extended ; surface punctate except at fetttsmfftrms Item %tn\nnh fttsttfnhi, Vol. xx pi. i. n Vf.M.MJjdt NEW ifl ZEALAND JNFUSOft/A CH.P.Ufk Maskell. — On Freshwater Infusoria. 5 the anterior end, where there is a smooth area. Contractile vesicle single, sub-central. Flagellum single, as long as the extended body. Colour white ; motion rather slow. Length ^jo inch = 29 it, extended. Hutt Valley, W. M. Maskell. The posterior tapering, smooth anterior area, and general nail-shaped form distinguish this animalcule. Genus Oikomonas. Oikomonas termo, James-Clark. Wellington. Genus Dendromonas. Dendromonas producta, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 2, a, b. Animalcules rounded posteriorly ; anterior border oblique, slightly concave, produced at the angles to a point, which is more or less visible according to the position of the animalcule (fig. 2, b). Zoodendrium slender, translucent, erect, irregularly branched but usually only dichotomous at the tip of the main rachis. Flagella two, uneven in length. Contractile vesicle single, sub-central. Endoplast posterior. Average total length of zoodendrium ^i^ inch = 90 it ; main rachis usually longer than the branches. Length of zooids J^ inch = 5-7 ix. Otaki, W. M. Maskell. The known species of this genus are all more or less pyri- form, and show nothing of the oblique concave anterior edge with produced angles of this species. Genus Cephalothamnium. Cephalothamnium coronatum, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 3. Animalcules elongate-ovate, situated in a cluster at the extremity of a long, slender, stiff, translucent pedicle : as many as twenty sometimes in a cluster. Flagella two, unequal in length. Near the bases of the flagella is a ring or coronet of very minute granules, sometimes almost like spines. Contractile vesicle single, sub-central. Endoplast not observed. Average length of pedicle, 3^ inch = 70 il ; length of zooids, 2T00 inch = 10 i«- Hutt Valley, W. M. Maskell. The " coronet ' of gemmules clearly distinguishes this species. Genus Stylobryon. Stylobryon petiolatum, De Fromentel. Karori ; Otaki. Genus Goniomonas. Goniomonas elongata, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 4, a, b, c. Animalcules free-swimming, elongate, sub-triangular or sub- rectangular according to position, persistent in shape ; colour 6 Transactions. — Zoology. white or grey, translucent, with numerous greenish granules. Anterior border obliquely truncate, slightly concave. Flagella two, springing from the projecting angle, sub-equal in length. Contractile vesicle single, somewhat posterior. Motion rather rapid. Length xoVo mc^ — ^'8 /x. Wellington, Hutt Valley, Karori, Otaki, W. M. Mas/cell. Wants the dark, band-like spot of (J. truncata, Fres.,and the position of the contractile vesicle and generally more elongated form distinguish it. Genus Rhipidodendron. Rhipidodendron splmdidum, Stein. Hutt Valley. The points noted as differentiating this from R. huxleyi, re- ported in our paper of 1886, are the number of tubes m the branching zoodendrium (seven to ten), their not being in the same plane, and the protrusion of the animalcules in some cases almost entirely beyond the tube-orifices, just as those delineated in Saville Kent's Plate XVI., fig. 1. Curiously, Kent himself says that in R. splmdidum the animalcules have " their flagella only projecting ;" and he proceeds to figure, as just stated, the animalcules themselves protruded ; so that one is apt to be puzzled by the contradiction. The number of tubes, and their situation in different planes, are taken as sufficient distinctions herein. A further character may be the irregularity of the bifurcations as compared with R. huxleyi. Order. Choano-Flagellata. Genus Monosiga. Monosiga brevipes, Kent. Hutt Valley ; on stems of Vorticella. Genus Codosiga. Codosiga botryUs, Ehrenb. Wellington. The only differences that close examination revealed between this and tbe European species were that the colonies were much less frequent, and the individuals of each less numerous, in the New Zealand form. Genus Salpingaeca. Saipingceca inquillata, Kent. Plate I., fig. 5. A species only reported from salt-water in Europe. A figure is given to show how closely the Wellington form approximates to the European. The specimens were, however, collected not far from the sea-shore, though in apparently quite fresh water. Length of lorica, -j-^tt inch = 10 p. Wellington, A. Brandon. Maskell. — On Freshwater Infusoria. 7 Salpingaca steinii, Kent. (var. ?). Plate I., fig. 6. Agrees with Kent's species in everything but size, but was found attached to Myriophyllum and not to aquatic animals. It forms rosette-shaped clusters. Note that Kent's measurements (Vol. I., p. 346) — "length of lorica, -^ inch" — must be a misprint, or else the figures in his Plate V. are inexact. Length of lorica, vqW mcu = 12-5 yu. Hutt Valley, W. F. Barraud. Order. Flaoellata-Eustomata. Genus Traehelomonas. Trachelomonas hispida, Perty. Wellington. The New Zealand form seldom shows any neck. Trachelomonas teres, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 7. Lorica evenly elliptical, quite smooth ; colour yellow, or reddish-yellow, with a dark-red border ; neck represented by a thin ring, the aperture much wider than is usual in the genus. Animalcule greenish. Length of lorica, y^ incli = 35 fi. Hutt Valley, W. M. Maskell. Distinct, but nearest perhaps to T. lagenella. Trachelomonas cylindrica, Ehrenb. Otaki. Genus Anisonema. Jnisonema grande, Ehrenb. Wellington. Anisonema ovatum, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 8, a, b. Animalcules usually free - swimming ; evenly ovate when viewed in any direction ; colour, white. Flagella springing from points within the anterior edge, ventrally, close to each other and to the pharynx, which is long, narrow, and distinct ; anterior flagellum thinner than the posterior one, and about half as long. Contractile vesicle situated near the bases of the flagella. Motion oscillatory, gliding forward. Length of body, j-^ inch = 20 p ; length of posterior flagellum, about gA^ inch. Otaki, Wellington, W. M. Maskell. Distinguished by the evenly ovate form in all positions. Order. Cilio-Flagellata. Genus Gymnodinium. Gymnodinium varians, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 9, a, b. Animalcules free-swimming, without a cuirass ; slightly variable in form, as shown in the figures ; body usually as m (a), with conoidal segments equally tapering, sometimes as in 8 Transactions. — Zoohf/i/. (b), with globular segments. Colour green. Transverse and longitudinal furrows, and belt of cilia, normal of the genus. Flagellum long, slender. Length, -j-^ inch — 17 ft. Hutt Valley, W. M. Maskell. Allied to G. pnlvisculus, Ehrenb. Gymnod'mium fuscum, Ehrenb. Masterton. Class II. CILIATA. Order. Holotricha. Genus Nassula. Nassula ambigua, Stein., var. tumida, var. nov. Plate I., fig 10. Animalcules free-swimming, flexible, evenly elliptical, cuticle covered with fine cilia. Colour yellow ; the ingested food-parti- cles green or brown. Pharynx very large, tumid, dilated at the middle, slightly inclined, situated near the anterior edge ; pharyngeal rods conspicuous. Contractile vesicle single, sub- central, situated somewhat posteriorly. Length, 75^0 mcn = 105 /x. Hutt Valley, W. M. Maskell. This form is rounder and more regular than the European species, and the pharynx is larger aud more tumid in the middle. Genus Choenia. Choenia crassa, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 11, a, b. Animalcules free-swimming. Colour brownish-white ; not highly extensile but plastic and flexible ; vermiform, tapering slightly anteriorly, more so posteriorly ; cuticle finely ciliate. Anterior margin a little dilated and rounded, the oral aperture situated at the apex, followed by a narrow alimentary canal, capable of great distension, as shown in fig. 11, b. Contractile vesicles twelve or more, situated along one side. Adoral cilia somewhat longer than the rest. Length variable, from fa inch = 833 f.i to fa inch = 625 fx. Wellington, Hutt Valley, Wainui, Karori, II'. M. Maskell. The European C. teres has a salt-water habitat, and is more slender and much more elastic than this species. Trachelitis striates, Dujardin, is apparently somewhat similar, but seems to be nearly identical with C. teres. The distension of the oral aperture and canal, shown in fig. 11, b, was observed on one occasion while the animalcule was engaged in devouring another infusorian, Urocentrum turbo, which is here represented as passing bead foremost into the ^nmsarttmts ftm fMmjit JttsftMe, Vol. xx. pi. n. WMMddt NEW ZEALAND /NFU30R//I. CH.P.JUth Maskell. — On Freshwater Infusoria. '.' mouth. The process, which is apparently similar in the Euro- pean species, resembles that of a snake, the canal being distended gradually as the food passes down it. The deglutition of Uro- centrum on the occasion observed occupied about ten seconds. Genus Amphileptus. AmphUeptus irregularis, sp. nov. Plate I., fig. 12. Animalcules free-swimming, elastic ; colour whitish ; body elongate, tapering posteriorly to a point and produced anteriorly in a very slender recurved neck about two-thirds as long as the body ; margins irregular and rough. Oral aperture situated in a conspicuous depression at the base of the neck-region. Cuticle finely ciliated throughout. Contractile vesicles numerous along one edge ; nucleus globular, close to the posterior extremity. Surface granular, with many ingested food-particles. Average length, Ti^ inch = 166 p ; length of neck-region about ^Jo inch = 62 p.. Wellington, Hutt Valley, Otaki, W. M. Maskell. This might be put into a group with A. gigas, Clap, and Lachm. ; but it is much smaller and rougher, and the neck- region is different. Amphileptus rotundus, sp. nov. Plate II., fig. 13. Animalcules free- swimming ; colour whitish, tinged with brown ; many dark ingested food-particles. Cuticle finely cili- ated throughout. Body elliptical, slightly pointed posteriorly, produced anteriorly in a very short, thick, curved neck ; surface exhibiting many granules except on the neck-region. Oral aperture situated near to but not exactly at the base of the neck, followed by a simple, tubular pharynx. Contractile vesicles numerous. Endoplast elongate, sub-central. Length, exclusive of the neck, ^T) inch = 100 p ; length of neck, gi-Q inch = 27 p. Lyall Bay, W. F. Barraud. Near to A. vorax, Ehrenb., but differs in the position of the oral aperture and the form of the nucleus. It is also only half as large. The number of contractile vesicles could not be accurately determined, owing to the quantity of dark food- particles in all the specimens examined. Amphileptus tracheloides, sp. nov. Plate II., fig. 14, a, b. Animalcules free-swimming, plastic but persistent in form ; colour white, with a great number of large black particles all over the body (food ?) ; cuticle finely ciliate throughout. Body regularly elliptical under one aspect ; pyriform under another, and tapering anteriorly, but not produced into a distinct neck- region. Oral aperture situated near the anterior edge, apparently followed by a conical simple pharynx. Contractile vesicle large, 10 Transactions. — Zoology. single, sub-central. Endoplast not observed. All details are extremely difficult of observation, on account of tbe immense number of black globular particles apparently filling the body. Motion rapid, rolling on the longer axis. A kind of temporary encystment is frequently to be observed in this species : the animalcules encyst themselves without apparently any particular object, protective or reproductive. An animalcule will slacken the speed of its progress through the water, the motion becoming slower and slower, but very gradually ; as it approaches a state of rest it will become quite spherical and surround itself with an apparently mucous, translucent, globular sheath. After perhaps half or three- quarters of an hour all motion will have ceased, except that of the cilia, which slowly vibrate. After awhile (from a few minutes to an hour) the rolling motion will gradually recom- mence, become by degrees more and more rapid, and at length reach again the normal speed ; the animalcule regains its elliptical form and travels as before until it chooses to repeat the process just described. The object of these proceedings isnotclear. Length, ri^ inch = 200 ft. Otaki, Hutt Valley, Wellington, W. M. MaskeU. A peculiar species, of large size ; approaching in its pyriform aspect somewhat Trachelitis ovum ; but the black particles prevent any observation of vacuolar reticulations. Trachelitis also seems never to present an evenly elliptical form. Order. Heterotricha. Genus Stentor. Stentor attenuates, sp. nov. Plate II., fig. 15, a, b, c. Body very highly extensile ; colour blueish-green ; conspi- cuously striated ; excessively slender when fully extended, the stem often becoming as thin as the pedicle of a VorticeUa. Peristome narrow, wine-glass shaped, small, the edge scarcely or not at all recurved ; edge irregular or wavy, with a small spiral involution. Parenchyma containing several dark granular masses. Contractile vesicle single, situated below the peristome edge, often exhibiting a short attached canal. Endoplast monili- form. Peristomal cilia long ; the body and stem clothed with short fine cilia. Body when free- swimming usually elongate (fig. '15, b), pointed posteriorly, conspicuously striated, exhibit- ing the spiral involution of the peristome ; sometimes globular (fig. 15, c). A commencement of reproduction by fissure was observed on one occasion in the fringe, shown in fig. 15 at d. Length of peristome (average), -^ inch = 417 /i ; width, J,, inch — 312 /u. Length of stem when fully extended reaching sometimes £ inch = 3125 /u. Wellington, C. I'. Pontes. Maskell. — On Freshwater tnfusoria. 1 1 The remarkable slenderness and great length of the stem clearly distinguish this species. In some specimens examined the stem became, near its base, almost hair-like, "with scarcely any dilation until at the commencement of the peristome. The bhieish-green colour, conspicuous striae, and scarcely-expanded peristome-edge are also distinctive. The fringe above men- tioned, denoting approaching division, is a character delineated also in Stentor polymorphus, Mviller (Kent, PI. XXX., fig. 14). Genus Tintinnidium. Tintinnidium fiuviatile, Stein, var. emarginatum, var. nov. Plate III., fig. 16, a, b, c, d. Animalcules excreting a cylindrical, gelatinous tube or lorica, attached by its base to aquatic plants, or rarely to stems of Zoothamnium or Epistylis ; at times free-swimming. Lorica transparent, but usually covered by a quantity of vegetable or other particles adhering to it. Animalcule white, campanulate, attached to the base of the tube by a slender, highly-retractile pedicle ; when fully extended reaching only to the mouth of the tube, or projecting very slightly beyond it. Peristome occupying almost all the width of the tube, the edge not at all, or very slightly, recurved. Peristome-edge on one side entire, bearing a number of long, thick, cirrose cilia ; the other side bearing very few, shorter, cirrose cilia, and apparently cleft into three divisions, the middle one bearing no cilia ; this median division pulsates regularly up and down as on a hinge. On the anterior portion of the body, below the peristome-edge, are a few short, straight, fine setae placed at right angles to the margin ; possibly, if the tube permitted full examination, these might be seen to extend to the pedicle. Contractile vesicle single, spherical, situated a little below the peristome-edge. Nucleus not observed. Animalcules may frequently be seen unattached within their tubes, as in fig. 16, a (the right-hand figure) ; they then escape at pleasure from the tube and become free-swimming, in the form shown in fig. 16, c, when they may easily be mistaken for free Vorticella. In the end-view of such a form the adoral cilia are seen to be disposed spirally (fig .16, d) as in Strombidium, and the motion is rapidly rolling. Food-particles appear to be taken in at the two small clefts on one side of the peristome-edge, shown in fig. 16, b, and the pulsating middle division seems to act after the manner of a valve. The structural details above given are not easily observed on account of the covering of foreign particles on the lorica, and the fact that the animalcule scarcely protrudes beyond the orifice of the tube. Sometimes, however, a lorica less thickly coated permits fairly close observation. 12 Transactions. — Zoology. Length of animalcule, including pedicle, ^o inch = 100 fi. Saville Kent makes no mention of any divisions on the peristome-edge of T. fluviatile, and his description of that species is by no means full. In T. semiciliatum , Sterki, he mentions both a " cleft " oral region and a " lip- or tongue-like organ." But he seems doubtful whether Sterki's form is not really the same as Stein's. The main character of T. semiciliatum, if quite certain, is the pectinate form of the adoral cilia. This is not noticeable in our New Zealand animalcule. On the whole, it seems possible that all the freshwater species of this genus may be identical, and the present is only offered as a " variety," subject to future revision. No species of Tintinnidium seems to have been reported anywhere else since the publication of Kent's monograph. Order. Peeitkicha. Genus Strombidium. Strombidium intermedin) a, sp. nov. Plate III., fig. 17, ((, b, c. Animalcules free-swimming, ovoid, with a short posterior prolongation ; colour whitish, with enclosed granules ; about one and a half times longer than broad ; anterior border rounded, posterior projection tapering nearly to a point. On the anterior portion is a ring of long, fine cilia, which in end-view (fig. 17, b) are seen to be disposed spirally. Contractile vesicle single, close to the posterior projection. Nucleus elongate-oval, placed diagonally below the ring of cilia. No cilia on any part except in the ring. Motion excessively rapid, jerking, and difficult to follow. An example observed of reproduction by fission is shown in fig. 17, c; the two bodies are at right angles to each other. Length, -^j inch = 38'5 /x. Otaki, W. M. Maskell. Intermediate between S. claparedii, Kent, and S. gyrans, Stokes. * Genus Mesodinium. Mesodinium phialinum, sp. nov. Plate III., fig. 18, n,b. Animalcules free-swimming, shaped like a small jar or bottle, divided unequally by a ring, at tbo base of which are a number of longish, straight, fine cilia, which in end-view (fig. 18, 6) are seen to be disposed as rays, not spirally ; above the ring the body is prolonged in a sub-conical projection, deeply concave at the top. Contractile vesicle single, spherical, placed posteriorly. Nucleus small, spherical, sub-central. Motion excessively rapid, rotatory, varied by violent leaps and jerkings. Length, including projection, j^v iuch = 17'8 ft. * " Quart. Journ. Hoy. Micros. Soc," Feb., 1887, p. 37. f nmsaijtiijtts fsui ^^^tfatjtt %milM$f Vol. xx. Pi. in. W.MM.delt NEW ZEALAND JNFUSOR//I. C.H.P.M. Maskell. — On Freshwater Infusoria. 13 Otaki, in company with Strombidium, TV. M. Maskell. This form is more angular and jar-shaped than M. acarus, Stein. M. recurmm, Kellicott," has two rings of cilia. M. fun- briatum, Stokes, I has cilia with divided ends. Genus Carchesium. Carchesium polypinum, Linn. Hutt Valley. Genus Zoothamnium. Zoothamnium limpid/urn, sp. nov. Plate III., fig. 19, a, h. Animalcules regularly campanulate, similar in shape and size when expanded ; surface smooth ; colour white ; placed on branches of a long, thick, quite smooth retractile pedicle, the whole contracting together (the muscular fibre being continuous, Fig. 19, b) ; peristome-edge of medium thickness, slightly recurved. Contractile vesicle single, sub-central. Nucleus doubtful. The pedicle is, proportionately, a good deal longer than usual in the genus. Length of bodies, about 3^ inch =83 p. Pedicle sometimes nearly ■£$ hich long before branching. Wellington, C. P. Powles. The general smoothness and clearness of the whole zooden- drium, and the comparatively great length of the pedicle, distinguish this form. Genus Epistylis. Epistylis anastatica, Linn. Hutt Valley ; parasitic on Daphm'a pulex. Genus Opercularia. Opercularia nutans, Ehrenb. Wellington. Genus Thuricola. Thuricola valvata, Wright. Hutt Valley. Genus Cothurnia. Cothurnia parallela, sp. nov. Plate III., fig. 20. Lorica transparent, sub-cylindrical, never ovate, the margin sometimes everted, sides straight and parallel ; pedicle always very short, smooth, and slender. Animalcules not occupying all the width, and projecting when extended nearly half their length ; colour white ; peristome-edge net recurved. Contrac- tile vesicle single, situated below the peristome ; nucleus elongated, sub-central. Length of lorica, 246 mcn = 100 p (including pedicle) ; length of pedicle, 7^55 mcu = 4 p- * " Proc. Amer. Soc. Micros.," 1885. t " Journ. Eoy. Micros. Soc," Feb., 1887. 14 Transactions. — Zoology. On Confervai, Hutt Valley, W. M. Mashell. Nearest, perhaps, to C. imberbis, Ehrenb., but the form of the lorica is quite different. Cothumia amphorella, sp. nov. Plate III., fig. 21. Lorica transparent, vase-shaped, ovate posteriorly, tapering regularly to the margin, which is narrow and not everted ; pedicle very short and slender. Animalcule whitish, occupying about half the width of the ovate portion of the lorica and all the margin, but not projecting when extended except by the peristome-edge, wbich is rather thick and slightly recurved. Contractile vesicle single, below the peristome ; nucleus elongate, sub-central. Length of lorica (including pedicle), 3^ inch = 66 /x; length of pedicle, 6S*0Q inch = 3-8 ll. On Conferva}, Lyall Bay, W. F. Barraud. The form of the lorica, aud the fact that the animalcules do not project beyond the margin, distinguish this species. Genus Platycola. Platycola decumbens, Ehrenb., var. intermedia, var. nov. Plate III., fig. 22. Lorica dark-brown, smooth, oval, decumbent on aquatic plants, produced anteriorly in a very short bent neck, of which the margin is simple aud not at all recurved. Animalcule white, protruding when extended nearly half its length beyond the orifice of the lorica. Peristome-edge aud ciliary disc not much wider than the body. Contractile vesicle single ; nucleus not sufficiently observed. Very often two animalcules (as in fig. 22) occupy the same lorica. Length of lorica about -.2}m inch = 125 /x. Wellington, C. P. Powles. Tbis variety is rather larger than Ehrenberg's original form, and has a distinct neck, which is much shorter and less recurved than in P. longicollis, already reported (1886). Order. Hypoteicha. Genus Phascolodon. Phascolodon elongatus, sp. nov. Plate III., fig. 28. Animalcules free-swimming, persistent in sbape but fre- quently bending upwards at the anterior end ; more or less shovel-shaped, broad in front, tapering posteriorly to a point ; colour white ; ventral surface concave and ciliated ; dorsal sur- face much inflated over half its area from the posterior end, not ciliated ; cuticle distinctly striated. Pharynx sub-central, tubu- lar, with conspicuous rods. Contractile vesicles two, one on Maskell. — On Freshwater Infusoria. 15 eacli side of the pharynx. Nucleus round, placed close to the posterior extremity. Length r±T) inch = 131 jx. Wellington, W. M. Maskell. Longer and narrower than P. vorticella, Stein, and differing also in the positions of the nucleus and the contractile vesicles. Genus ^Igyria. Myyria astyla, sp. nov. Plate IV., fig. 24. Animalcules free- swimming, persistent in shape ; seeming as if bivalved ; colour brownish ; ventral surface concave, edge furnished with long cilia ; dorsal surface convex, not ciliated. Valves narrow, slightly widened posteriorly. Contractile vesicles two ; nucleus not observed. No anal style. No pigment-spot. Length, F^j inch = 70 ix ; average width of valve, j^q mcu = 17-5 fi. Pahautanui, W. M. Maskell. Most of the species of this genus inhabit salt water. 2Egyria fiuviatilis, Stein, the only freshwater form reported from Europe, appears to be conspicuously ribbed. The presence of an anterior pigment-spot is noticed in one European species, Mgyria oliva, C. and L. Mgyria distyla, sp. nov. Plate IV., fig. 25. Animalcules free-swimming, as if bi-valved, the valves a good deal broader than in the last species ; colour brownish- yellow ; ventral surface concave, edge furnished with long cilia. A pigment- spot noticeable at the anterior end. At the posterior extremity two short, sharply triangular styles. Contractile vesicle single, sub-central. Length, ^^ inch = 70 /x ; average width of valve, yi^ inch = 35 jx. Hutt Valley, W. F. Barraud. In general contour this resembles JE. oliva, an European saltwater species, but differs in the double anal styles and the single contractile vesicle. Genus Thurophora, gen. nov. (Gr. 6vpa, a door). Animalcules free-swimming, encuirassed ; oral region partly closed by a vibratile, apparently hinged, membrane. This genus is placed here in the order Hypotricha, because, although in the only species observed there are some short cilia on the dorsal surface, these differ greatly from the long ventral cilia which alone appear to have any locomotive character. The animalcules are, however, sufficiently anomalous to render it somewhat difficult to know where they should strictly be placed. The hinged membrane differs from the extensile pouch of 16 Transactions. — Zoology. Cyclidium or Pleuronema (Holotrichous) in being never retracted and always vibrating. The absence of a pharyngeal tube, or of a distinct peristome-field, is another character separating the genus from other Hypotricha. Thurophora lucens, sp. nov. Plate IV., fig. 26, a, b, c, d. Animalcules free-swimming, encuirassed, sub-elliptical when viewed dorsally or ventrally. Colour white, very translucent ; cuirass indurated ; cuticular surface distinctly striated ; in side view elongate, narrow, truncate anteriorly, more or less pointed posteriorly ; in end view from the anterior extremity convex above, deeply concave below, the edges incurved. Oral region occuying about three-fourths of the length, ventrally ; elliptical, partly closed by a membranous, vibratile process, free on one side and apparently hinged all along the other. At the anterior extremity the oral region forms a very narrow groove, the sides of which are produced in two very short pointed processes bear- ing a bunch of short seta? ; one of these processes is longer than the other. The membranous valve, or door, is very transparent and difficult to observe ; but in the side and end views it may be seen projecting ; it appears to bear on its edge some short cilia. The body bears cilia throughout ; but the dorsal cilia are very short, and seem to have no locomotive action ; those of the ventral surface are longer and vibratile. The motion of the animalcules is very rapid, gliding, with occasional leaps. Contractile vesicle single, central, appearing behind the oral membrane when the animalcule is viewed ventrally. Nucleus elongate, irregular, sub-central, rather nearer to the posterior end. In several specimens observed a bundle of rather long, very fine cilia or setae appeared at the posterior extremity, as shown in fig. 26, a. These were only to be made out in certain lights, and were not rendered conspicuous even by treatment with osmic acid, iodine, or other re-agents. As the animalcules exhibiting them presented no features distinctive from the others it was not thought advisable to make two species of them. Length, T^ inch = 62-5 p ; width, ^T) inch = 43*7 /u. Masterton, Otaki, Kaitoki, IT. M. Maskell. This animalcule, which seems fairly common in the localities named, does not agree with any hitherto described. Its rapid motion and very translucent appearance render it extremely difficult to examine it properly. The membranous appendage, as mentioned above, differs essentially from that of the Holo- trichous Cyclidium or Pleuronema. Genus Kerona. Kerona polygonum, Elnenb. On Hydra, Waiwetu, fetrea^iutts fstu JS pdntfi; %mtiini$t Vol. xx. pi, iv. W.MM.dtit NEW Z£ALA/VD /NFUSOfilA. Maskell. — On Freshwater Infusoria. 17 Genus Opisthotricha. Opisthotricka parallela, Engelm, var. minor, var. nov. Plate IV., fig. 27. Agrees with the European species in everything but its size, which is only 3 L inch =70 ^u. This dimension was constant in a great number of specimens examined. Genus Euplotes. Euplotes charon, M idler. Karori, Hutt Valley. Class III. TENTACULIFERA. Order. Tentaculifeba- Suctoria. Genus Trichophrya. Trichoplujra epistylidis, C. and L. (?) Hutt Valley. The specimens examined appeared nearly identical with this species, but the tentacles could not be resolved into clearly separate fascicles, seeming rather to be irregularly scattered over the whole body. The animalcules were all on stems of various Alga : none were observed parasitic on Epistylis. Genus Acineta. Acineta flos, sp. nov. Plate IV., fig. 28. Lorica cup-shaped, width nearly equal to the length, anterior margin deeply cut and produced in several fine points, which bend over slightly inwards ; pedicle very little more than half as long as the lorica, very slender. Animalcule sub-globular, a little dilated at the anterior edge, occupying only the upper portion of the lorica ; bearing numerous fine tentacles which protrude between the points of the lorica. Length of lorica, exclusive of pedicle and points, ^o mcn — 33*3 p.. Wellington, C. P. Powles. Allied to A. mystacina, Ehrenb., but very much smaller; also the lorica is wider and rounder in proportion. Acineta cmgularis, sp. nov. Plate IV., fig. 29. Lorica trapezoidal, the sides below tapering sharply and straight down to the pedicle ; anterior edges angular, produced into two sharp points, which bend over leaving openings at the sides. Pedicle nearly as long as the lorica, tapering to a fine point at the base, wider above. Animalcule irregular, widest anteriorly, occupying only the upper part of the lorica and bearing two fascicles of capitate tentacles, which protrude through the side openings. Contractile vesicle posteriorly situated. 18 Transactions. — Zoology. Length of lorica, exclusive of pedicle arid points, somewhat variable, from ^h mcn = 71 /*» to ah) incl1 = 83 f4 ! wicltn at tlie lower angles ^Lj inch = 58 it. Wellington', W. M. Maskell. Allied to A. mystacina, Ehrenb., but the straight sides and sharp angles are constant and distinctive. Acineta speciosa. (A. elegans, nobis. " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. xix., p. 60.) A change in the name of this species is necessary, as our former one had been already appropriated by Imhoff (" Zool. Anzeig.," 1883) to an animalcule found in some of the Swiss lakes. Acineta tulipa, sp. nov. Plate IV., fig. 30. Lorica deep and narrow, uot unlike a tulip-flower, the margin five-lobed, distinctly thickened but not recurved ; breadth at the top nearly three-fourths the length ; sides tapering rapidly and nearly straight to the posterior end, which is rounded. Pedicle very thick, rather short, nearly half the length of the lorica. Animalcule almost filling the lorica ; anterior margin very convex. Tentacles arranged in two antero-lateral bundles, each containing nine. Parenchyma irregularly granular. Contractile vesicle spherical, situated near the anterior margin of the lorica, under one of its clefts. Length of lorica, ¥±_ inch == 71 /u ; length of pedicle, ^ inch — 35 11. Wanganui, T. W. Kirk. A distinct and rather elegant species. Acineta lasanicola, sp. nov. Plate IV., fig. 31. Lorica shallow, broad, sub-rectangular, having very much the shape of a stewpan ; breadth nearly twice the depth ; margin neither thickened nor recurved; sides almost parallel, lower angles very obtusely rounded ; base slightly concave. Pedicle rather thick, more than twice as long as the depth of the lorica. Animalcule filling the margin of the lorica, but somewhat con- tracted below, so that it occupies only about three-fourths of the interior space ; upper margin convex. Tentacles con- spicuously capitate, ai'ranged in two antero-lateral bundles, each containing eleven. Contractile vesicle spherical, sub-central. Endoplast band-like, posterior. Parenchyma granular. Depth of lorica, T£? inch == 54 li ; breadth, 9fo iucu = 89 P > length of pedicle, ^j inch = 113 /.t. Wellington, T.W. Kirk. A peculiar species, easily distinguished by the saucepan form of the lorica. Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Maskell. — On Freshwater Infusoria. 19 EXPLANATION OF PLATES I.-IV. Plate I. Fig. 1. Monas claviculus x 700; a, extended; b, contracted form. Fig. 2. Dendromonas producta ; a, complete zoodendrium X 700 ; b, three animalcules and pedicles X 1000. Cephalothanmium coronatum X 700. Goniomonas elongata X 700, in various positions. Salpingsca inquillata, X 1000. Salpingffica steinii, var. (?) X 1000. Trachelomonas teres, X 600. Anisonema ovatum, X 800. / Gymnodinium varians, X 700. Nassula ambigua, var. tumida, X 300. Fig. 11. Chcenia crassa ; a, extended animalcule X 100 ; b, oral aperture and canal, during inglutition of Urocentrum turbo, X 400. Fig. 12. Amphileptus irregularis, X 350. Plate II. Fig. 13. Amphileptus rotundus, X 350. Fig. 14. Amphileptus tracheloides, X 200, in different positions. Fig. 15. Stentor attenuatus X 60 ; a, extended animalcules ; b, c, free- swimming forms ; at d, vibratile fringe denoting commence- ment of propagation by fission. Plate III. Fig. 16. Tintinnidium fluviatile, var. emarginatum ; a, animalcules in tubes X 350 ; /;, animalcule X 700 ; c, free-swimming form X 350 ; d, end-view, free-swimming, X 700. Fig. 17. Strombidium intermedium, X 700 ; a, normal animalcule ; b, end-view of the same ; c, propagation by fission, the new zooid at right angles to the old. Fig. 18. Mesodinium phialinum, X 700; a, side-view; b, end-view. Fig. 19. Zoothamnium limpidum ; a, zoodendrium X 200 ; b, portion of stem and branches, showing the continuous muscular fibre, X 700. Fig. 20. Cothurnia parallela, X 200. Fig. 21. Cothurnia amphorella, X 350. Fig. 22. Platycola decumbens, var. intermedia, X 200. Fig. 23. Phascolodon elongatus, X 350. Plate IV. Fig. 24. iEgyria astyla, X 350. Fig. 25. ^Egyria distyla, X 350. Fig. 26. Thurophora lucens ; a, animalcule, ventral aspect, X 350 ; b, oral region and membranous valve, X 700 ; c, side-view of animal- cule, X 350 ; d, section, in end-view, X 350. Fig. 27. Opisthotricha parallela, var. minor, X 350, dorsal aspect. Fig. 28. Acineta flos, X 700. Fig. 29. Acineta angularis, X 350. Fig. 30. Acineta tulipa, x 350. Fig. 31. Acineta lasanicola, X 350. 20 Transactions. — Zoology. Art. II. — On a Specimen of Kegalecus recently Stranded in Otayo Harbour. By T. Jeffery Parker, B.Sc, C.M.Z.S., Professor of Biology iu the University of Otago. [Read before the Otago Institute, 12th July, 1887.] Plate V. About four years ago I communicated to the Institute (7)::; a description of a fine specimen of the Great Eibbon-Fish which had been cast ashore at Moeraki, and purchased for the Otago University Museum. The skeleton was prepared, and a detailed account of it published in a subsequent paper (8). After being for some time in the Museum, it was sent to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886 as part of a collection illustrating New Zealand zoology. This specimen, which is interesting as being apparently the first complete skeleton of Regalecus on record, is now in the British Museum (Natural History), South Kensington. The fish which forms the subject of the present communica- tion was cast ashore in Otago Harbour, about li miles north of the village of Portobello, and 10 miles north of Dunedin, on the 3rd of June last. It was found by a settler, Mr. Harwood, who very generously presented it to the Museum, and even took the trouble to drive into Dunedin on purpose to inform me of the capture. But for his prompt action the fish would certainly have been considerably damaged before it could have been brought to the Museum, and might have been hopelessly ruined. The specimen, which was 11 feet long, was specially interest- ing from the fact that the characteristic crest or nuchal fin was practically perfect, instead of being, as in the vast majority of examples which have come under the notice of naturalists, so damaged as to make its precise characters very doubtful. As I was anxious to secure both a stuffed specimen and a skeleton, I had the skin removed, with the exception of that of the head, which was too thin to allow of its being separated from the underlying bone. A cast of the head was taken in plaster of Paris, and was attached to a wooden model of the body over which the skin was stretched, the whole being after- wards silvered and painted from tracings taken of the fresh lish. The fins were " made up," as the rays were required for the skeleton. In this way a specimen has been obtained which * The figures in thick type refer to the bibliographical list at the eud of the paper. Parker. — On a Specimen of Regalecus. 21 gives an excellent notion of the form, colour, markings, etc., of the fish, and in addition an almost perfect skeleton. Since the account of the Moeraki specimen was published, I have been favoured by the authors, Dr. Chr. Lutken, of Copenhagen, and Dr. Eobert Collett, of Christiania, with copies of three important papers on northern species of Begalecus. Liitken's second paper (6), which is a resume of his first (5), is accompanied by a French translation, and is also translated into English, in the " Annals and Magazine of Natural His- tory " for 1883. Collett's paper (1) is in Norwegian; and I should have been able to make out little beyond the description of the plates but for the kindness of Mr. C. Theilmann, who was good enough to translate both it and the necessary portions of Liitken's first paper for me. It is perhaps not unworthy of mention that the majority of specimens found in the Northern Hemisphere have been obtained in winter or early spring. Out of 25 examples recorded by Collett (1) as having been obtained either in Scandinavia or in Great Britain during the past century, 8 were found in March, 4 in February, 3 in January, and 3 in April. Of 6 New Zealand specimens, of which the date of capture is recorded, 3 were found in winter (2 in June and 1 in July), 1 in late autumn (May), and 1 in early spring (October). :;: These facts are not without interest as bearing upon the case of another deep-sea Teleost, the Frost-fish {Lepidojyus caudatus), which is hardly ever obtained except by being found stranded on sea- beaches during the winter. It is also remarkable that all the Begaleci the sex of which has been ascertained have been females. It will be convenient to discuss the present specimen under the following heads : — (a.) Size, proportions, and number of fin-rays. (Ij.) Evidence of mutilation of tail. (c.) Colour and markings. (d.) Characters of the crest or nuchal fin. (e.) The skeleton. (a.) She, pen portions, and number of fin-rays. — The chief facts under this head are best given in the form of a table, which will serve to show at a glance the main differences between the three New Zealand specimens of Begalecus which have been * In mentioning the recorded occurrences of Begalecus in New Zealand in my former paper (7), I omitted two : A specimen 14 feet long is mentioned by Mr. F. E. Clarke ("Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. xiii., p. 196) as having been found near Jackson's Bay by Mr. James Teer, in February, 1874 ; and Sir James Hector records the capture of a " species of Banks' Oar-fish, Regalecus gladius " [sic] at Cape Farewell Sandspit (" Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. x., p. 533). The date of capture of this last example is not given: it seems to have been shortly before December, 1877. 22 Transactions. — Zoology . carefully examined — viz., von Haast's New Brighton specimen, and the two which have come under my notice : — New Brighton, Moeraki, Otago Harbour, 1876. 1883. 1887. Ft. in. Centim Ft. in. Centim Ft. in. Centim Total length 12 5 378-75 12 6 381-2511 0 335-5 Greatest height of body . . 1 1-75 35-0 1 3-25 38-7 1 0 30-5 Length of head (jaws re- tracted) 0 7-75 19-5 0 9 22-8 0 9-5 24-0 Distance between snout and anus 4 11 150-0 5 6 167-75 4 9-5 146-0 Proportion of height to length i : 11 1 : 10 mi Proportion of length of head to total length . . i :i9 1 117 i : 14 Proportion of pre-anal re- gion (= head -f- trunk) to total length i : 2 o 1 : 2-27 1 : 2.29 Total number of dorsal fin-rays 232 205 189 (9 + 223) (14 + 191) (14 + 175) It will be seen that the only differences of importance between the three specimens are those connected with (a) the size of the head, which is shortest in the New Brighton, longest in the Otago Harbour specimen ; and (b) the number of fin-rays, which are most numerous in the New Brighton, fewest in the Otago Harbour specimen. Similar differences exist between the examples found in the Northern Hemisphere. In eight of these, tabulated by Liitken (5, p. 26), the proportion between the greatest height of the body and the total length varies from 1 : 9 to 1 : 15 ; the propor- tion between the length of the head and the total length, from 1 : 14 to 1 : 21 ; the proportion between the pre-anal region and the totallength, from 1 : 1-7 to 1 : 3-2 ; and the number of dorsal fin-rays from 174 to 4()(i. (b.) Evidence of mutilation of tail. — The tail (PI. V., fig. 4) had evidently been broken off obliquely, probably at no very distant period, since the broken surface of the last vertebra was visible externally. The fracture had taken place across the middle of the 89th vertebra, the remaining or anterior half of which agreed in every respect with the corresponding portion of the preceding vertebra', and was quite different from the peculiar demi-vertebra which terminated the vertebral column of the Moeraki specimen (8, PI. VI., figs. 25 and 26). It is, of course, possible that in the process of healing the broken bone might assume the form Parker. — On a Specimen o/Eegalecus. 23 of the demi-vertebra, but the differences between the two make me disposed to doubt it. As to the form of the tail itself, it is truncated obliquely, not bluntly-pointed with a ventral ernargi- nation, as in my first specimen and in von Haast's. All the specimens examined by Collett had the tail broken in a very similar way, the last vertebra showing a fresh-fractured surface. Collett considers that the missing piece of the tail is usually of small size, his conclusion being founded upon the fairly constant position of the anus, which is, as a rule, a little cephalad of the middle of the body. He states that the usual proportion is for the pre-anal region, or head and trunk, to be jAjths, the post-anal portion, or tail, x^ths of the total length ; or, in other words, that the proportion between the length of the pre-anal region and the total length is 1 : 2-5. It will be seen that, in this respect, the resemblance between the Northern and Southern Regaled is very close. Liitken considers that the end of the tail, with the tail-fin, is lost at an early age, and that regeneration then takes place, producing an additional piece of varying length. In this way he accounts for the great length (18 feet, or 564 centim.) and unusual number (406) of fin-rays of Lindroth's Hitteren speci- men (11. grillii). He also remarks upon the fact that the examples recorded from the Mediterranean have all had uninjured tails, with small tail-fins, as shown in Cuvier's figure of R. gladius (2). (c.) Colour and markings. — The general colour was, as in former specimens, that of pure frosted silver. The irregular sub-vertical black stripes and spots in the anterior half of the body were also of the usual character, but more distinct than in the Moeraki specimen when quite fresh (see 7, p. 293). But in addition to these the whole body was covered with oval or cir- cular dull grey spots, formed of aggregations of chromatophores, covered and thus toned down by a thin silvery coating. These spots were from 1*5 to 05 inch (4 — 1*5 cm.) in diameter : those along a line equidistant from dorsal and ventral edges were longitudinally oval, the rest circular ; each was slightly lighter in tint in the centre than at the circumference. Von Haast mentions them as " dark rings " (3, p. 248), but there is no in- dication of them in his figure. Their appearance was precisely that shown in Cuvier's figure of R. gladius (2, PI. 69), in which, however, the anterior black bars are absent. A thoroughly good notion of the appearance of the present specimen would be obtained by painting on the anterior half of Cuvier's figure the black bands shown in Hancock and Embleton's drawing of R. banksii (4), or in von Haast's of R. pacijicus (3). The distinc- tion in the fresh fish between the very obscure spots, hardly visible in certain lights, and the intensely black bands on the front half of the body was very striking. 24 Transactions. — Zoology. According to Collett, the body in the Northern forms is also marked with 4-6 brownish black longitudinal bands. I am disposed to think he must refer to the elevated longitudinal ridges present in most of the accurately described specimens. There was no special development of pigment on them in either of my examples, but they would assume the appearance of dark bands in a dried specimen. As in the Moeraki specimen, the raised tubercles with which the body is beset are composed of thick fibrous tissue. This was made very obvious when the skin was allowed to dry ; in- stead of standing out even more prominently than in life, as they would have done if made of bone, they almost disappeared, and are barely visible in a thoroughly dried piece of skin. (d.) Characters of the crest. — The precise characters of the crest, nuchal fin, or first dorsal fin of Regalecus, seem always to have been doubtful. In my former paper (7) I gave a resume of all previous descriptions which had come under my notice, as well as outline sketches of the more important published figures, of which it will be seen no two are alike. Liitken gives a figure of a specimen found at the Faroe Islands (5, p. 20), in which the crest is shown to consist of two distinct nuchal fins, the anterior rather less, the posterior a little more than thrice the height of the head, and the rays of both terminating in simple points. Collett (1, PI. II.) figures the crests of two specimens, one from Nordfjord, the other from Stavanger ; in both, the rays are broken off short, and the membrane between them is lost. These are the only additional figures I have met with since the publication of my former paper. In the present specimen, as already stated, the crest was nearly perfect, the only broken rays being the seventh and ninth. The membrane of the fin was very little damaged, and by floating the whole crest out in a dish of water, its characters could be perfectly well ascer- tained. I find that in all essential respects the crest of the Otago Harbour specimen (fig. 1) agrees with that of Cuvicr's figure of E. gladius* in the illustrated edition of the " Kegne Animal." It is distinctly divisible into two portions or " nuchal fins," an anterior consisting of five, and a posterior of nine rays ; so that the total number of rays in the crest is fourteen. In my former paper I gave the number conjecturally as fifteen, stating that what I took to be the last six rays were broken ; judging from the present specimen, it must have been the last five rays of the crest and the first of the second dorsal which were damaged. Cuvier's figure shows live rays in the anterior, seven in the posterior division. * lieprcnluced in 7, plate xxiv. nmsMjtmns Ifsm Jlttfbtijfr Jttstitate, Vol. xx. pi. v. T.J.P.&d i>atde.l* REG ALEC US ARQENTEUS. Parker. — On a Specimen of Regalecus. 25 The length of the rays is as follows : — Crest, or "First Dorsal" In. Cm. Condition. ' Kay I. . 22 56 . . Perfect. II. 20-5 52 First " III. 18 46 Nuchal IV. 14-5 . 37 .. » ^ M V. . 13 33 n f » VI. . 29-5 . 75 .. >i VII. . 21 . . 53 . . Distal end wanting VIII. . . 20 . 51 .. Perfect. IX. 1 2-5 . . Broken off short. Second X. 12-5 32 Perfect. Nuchal ) J XI. 9 . . 23 11 »» XII. 7-1 18 15 1 1 XIII. . 3-2 8 n ^ „ XIV. . 1-4 • O*0 * • n " Second Do rsaZ." Kay XV. 1-4 3-5 .. ii As in most other carefully-described specimens, including the two figured by Collett, the first ray is stout at its proximal end (4 mm. in diameter), the next four — i.e., the remaining rays of the first nuchal — extremely slender (about 1-75 mm.), and those of the second nuchal stout, their thickness diminishing, however, pari passu with their length, so that the last is of the same thickness as the rays of the second dorsal. The reason of this variation in thickness is apparent, when it is seen, as described in the following paragraphs, that the rays of the first nuchal are united to one another for about their proximal half by membrane, while those of the second nuchal are free, except at the base. The first ray is united by membrane to the second for at least its proximal 34 cm., probably a little more — its distal portion being fringed by a delicate wavy membrane, which terminates in a simple point, and is continued into a very narrow hand, edging the anterior face of the distal end of the ray (fig. 2). The four following rays are similarly joined, the vertical height of the uniting membrane diminishing progres- sively in successive interspaces, from 34 cm., between the 1st and 2nd rays, to 21 cm. between the 4th and 5th. The remaining rays — those of the second nuchal — are united only at the base : how far is uncertain, the membrane being torn, but probably between 2 and 4 cm. These rays are all fringed posteriorly by a wavy membrane, which terminates distally in a thickened lanceolate lobe (fig. 3), as described in my former papers. These lobes were present on all the rays of the second nuchal, except the 7th and 9th, the former of which was damaged at the tip only, the latter broken off short. Curiously enough, the 7th and 9th were the only two perfect rays in the Moeraki specimen. The presence of a small but 26 Transactions. — Zoology. distinct lobe (about 8 mm. long) on tbe 14th ray, and the absence of anything of the kind on the loth, allows of a clear distinction being drawn between the crest or " first dorsal " fin and the "second dorsal," although the adjacent rays being united by membrane, there is, strictly, only one continuous fin. A comparison of PL V., fig. 1, with Cuvier's figure (7, plate xxiv., fig. 6) shows that the only difference of importance between the two is that the second nuchal in the latter has seven rays instead of nine, and that the terminal lobes are represented as much larger than in my specimen. In the first nuchal the pink membrane uniting the rays was marked with small circular spots of a deep crimson colour, (about 2-3 mm. in diameter,) and arranged in a single row in each membranous interspace. Examined microscopically, these were found to be produced by aggregations of well-marked sub- circular chromatophores, having interspersed among them branched black pigment-cells. In the second nuchal each ray with its membrane was marked with nearly equidistant crimson blotches, about 8 mm. in diameter, generally occurring in the wider parts of the wavy membrane. These also contained both red and black chroma- tophores ; the former faded considerably after two or three days, the spots then appearing of a dull grey colour. These large patches of red are shown in Cuvier's figure ; but the small spots of the first nuchal are not indicated either in that or in any other figure with which I am acquainted. All the descriptions and figures of the crest of Regalecus with which I am acquainted can be accounted for on the theory that it had, when uninjured, the characters described above, with the single exception of von Haast's. He states (3, p. 248) that, in R.pacificus, the 2nd and 7th rays were perfect, and were respectively 7 and 7*75 inches long ; he also says that the 3rd, 4th, and 5th rays were nearly as thick as the first, and that all were beset with minute upwardly-directed hooks on the anterior and posterior edges. (e.) The skeleton. — This agrees in all essential respects with that of the Moeraki specimen, the only important difference being in the number and position of the ribs. In the Moeraki specimen there were ribs on the 8th-25th vertebrae inclusive, and in Liitken's Faroe Islands specimen (5 and 6) on the 8th- 24th. In the present skeleton the Gth vertebra has a rib on the right side only; from the 7th to the 20th there are well- developed ribs, and rudiments on the 21st-23rd. Both pelvic (= ventral) rays were broken off short, but attached to one of them by a shred of membrane there was, as I am informed by my assistant, Mr. Jennings, a bony rod about 6 inches long, of the same thickness as a pelvic ray, curved at its proximal end, and fringed with membrane. The fact of the Parker. — On a Specimen of Eegalecus. 27 bone not being straight is peculiar, and its thicker or proximal end did not correspond with the broken attached end of the pelvic ray. Jennings assures me, however, that he removed it from its attachment himself; moreover, it is obviously a Eegalecus bone, and agrees in appearance, size, etc., with nothing but the pelvic rays, so that its curvature is probably teratological. The Otago Harbour specimen of Regalecus is obviously of the same species as that from Moeraki, the only difference of im- portance being the faint spots of the former. Whether these are a matter of age it is impossible to say, but apparently not, as both individuals were adult or sub-adult females. I therefore assign tbe present specimen to the species R. argenteus, Parker, the diagnosis of which (see 7, p. 295) must be amended in the following particulars : — (1.) The number of dorsal rays and the proportion of height of body and length of head to total length are variable, the caudal extremity being subject to mutilation. (2.) The first fourteen rays of the dorsal fin form a crest about three times as high as the head, and divided into an ante- rior portion of five, and a posterior of nine rays : the former have their lower halves connected, their upper halves fringed posteriorly by membrane, and terminate in simple points ; the latter are connected only at the base, fringed posteriorly, and terminate in small lanceolate cutaneous lobes.* (3.) The body is silvery, marked on its anterior half with irregular sub-vertical stripes and spots, and having sometimes, in addition, faint grey spots over the whole surface. It appears very probable that further researches on this' inte- resting genus will necessitate the union of more or fewer of the species, but the information is at present insufficient to decide the question. As Liitken remarks, " il est clair que le genre est assez cosmopolite, mais on ne peut rien dire encore quant au nombre de ses especes." BIBLIOGRAPHY. 1. E. Collett.— " Om de i vort Aarhundrede ved de norske Kyster strandede exemplarer af Slasgten Regalecus.'1'' " Christiania Videnskabssels- kabs Forhandlinger," 1883', No. 16. 2. Cuviee. — " Regne Animal, Poissons," p. 148, and pi. 69. 3. v. Haast. — "Notes on Regalecus pacificus, a new Species of Ribbon- fish from tbe New Zealand Seas." " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. x. (1876), p. 246. * In tbe specific description referred to (7, p. 295) the words occur : " three or four of them [the rays of the crest] terminate in lanceolate cutaneous lobes :" the words in italics were substituted by a printer's error for " more ox fewer." 2 8 Tra nsactiom . — Zoo logy . 4. Hancock and Ejibleton. — " Account of a Eibbon-fish (Gymnetrus) taken off the Coast of Northumberland." " Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist.," '2nd series, vol. iv., 18-49, p. 1. 5. LiiTKEN. — " Trachypterus arcticus og Gymnetrus banksii (grillii)." "Vidensk. Meddel. fra den naturh. Foren. i Kjobenhavn," 1881, p. 190. 6. Lutken. — " Nogle Benuerkninger om Vaagmffiren (Trachypterus . deep 3£ Fins, longitudinal . . . . . . . . . . 24 ,, transverse . . . . . . . . . . 28 "Tail" 4 Tentacular arm, length . . . . . . . . 691 „ ,, circumference . . . . . . 3| Sessile arms, first . . . . . . . . . . 59 ,, second .. .. .. .. .. 62 „ third . . . . . . . . . . 68 ,, „ circumference .. .. .. 12 ,, fourth . . . . . . . . . . 95 Length of upper mandible, tip to end of palatine lamina . . . . . . . . . . . . 4^ Length, tip to end of frontal lamina . . . . 2J^ Cutting edge of rostrum . . . . . . . . $$ ,, ,, aia . . . • . . • • • • 5^- Tip to lateral border of frontal lamina . . . . lfo Lower mandible, tip to border of mentum . . . . 1J§ „ tip to lateral border of ala . . 1J$ ,, height of tooth . . . . . . ^j EXPLANATION OF PLATES VII.— IX. Plate VII. Architeutltis longimanus. Sketch showing side-view, 2\th natural size. Plate VIII. Posterior portion of body, showing shape of fins. Sucker from third (sub-ventral) sessile arm. Natural size. Section of same. Natural size. Bony ring extracted from same; front view. Natural size. The same ; Bide view, showing obliquity. Natural size. The same ; lower margin, showing scarp to allow the passage of the stalk of sucker. Natural size. Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. Fig. 4. Fig. 5. Fig. 6. fratmnjihitts futu m»htt|& ftt$ttta{st Vol. xx. pi, vn. TftTK del. y^4^ lfedui-al size. 7b Mush-ale Fafier ~hj T.WKifk. CS..T.1HII. H>r*!tta#i«it$ Tfym $$n\ntfi %mtx\ni$f Vol. xx. pi.viii. TW.Jf. del. To illustrate, T^Jiej- Toy T.WKifk. cjr.T>nih.. lnm$a#jtt$ feut ft^ala^h f ttstitota, Vol. xx. pi. ix. T.W-K.del. To illzt£{ra£s. Tdfi&r Jbv T.W.Kirk. CJU*.JHh. White. — On the Plumage of Anas boschas. 39 Fig. 7. Bony ring from sucker of clavate portion of tentacular arm. Fig. 8. Section of 1st (dorsal) sessile arm. Fig. 9. Section of 2nd (sub-dorsal) sessile arm. Fig. 10. Section of 3rd (sub-ventral) sessile arm. Fig. 11. Section of 4th (ventral) sessile arm. Plate IX. Fig. 1. Upper mandible, natural size : a, rostrum ; b, notch ; c, inner end of ala ; d, frontal lamina ; e, palatine lamina ; ab, cutting edge of rostrum ; be, cutting edge of ala. Fig. 2. Lower mandible, natural size : a, rostrum ; b, notch ; ab, cutting edge of rostrum ; c, inner end of ala; d, mentum, or chin ; e, gular lamina. Fig. 3. Both jaws in position (closed) and surrounded by the inner buccal membrane. Natural size. Fig. 4. One line of teeth from the odontophore, enlarged : a, median ; b, sub-median ; c, sub-lateral ; d, lateral. Art. VII. — Note on the Female of Anas boschas assuming the Plumage of the Male. By Taylor White. [Read bejore the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute, 14th November, 1887.] Some eight years ago I made a present of a drake and two ducks, bred by myself from tame English Wild Duck, or Coloured Call Duck, which I obtained from the Dunedin Acclimatisation Society, to a Mr. Baker. A pair ot the original birds are now in the possession of Mr. Kichard Harding, Waipukurau. Dur- ing January last I noticed the peculiar plumage of the duck. The beak was, as usual, yellow mottled with black, head and neck grey brown, as customary. The rest of the bird was coloured as a mallard in winter plumage, although the colouring might be a trifle more pronounced ; curled tail-feathers absent ; voice normal. Her mate, the mallard, was in the usual dull plumage which they assume in the summer, without the green head or curled tail-feathers, and to a casual observer would have been picked for the female of the pair. Mr. Harding writes me, August 23rd : " The English duck has still the plumage and all the appearance of the drake, but I fancy I have noticed a slight change this last day or two, a few grey feathers showing about the head. She has not nested for the two previous years." This would make it appear she had the head green during the winter months. 40 Transactions. — Zoology. Art. VIII. — A Description of a new Species of Coccinella found in New Zealand. By W. Colenso, F.R.S., F.L.S., etc. [Read before the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute, \lth July, 1887.] Class Insecta. Order IV. COLEOPTERA. Tribe Clavipalpi. Section Trimera. Group Coccinellidse, Latreille. Genus Coccinella, Linn. C. nova-zealandue, sp. nov. Sub-hemispherical, moderately gibbous, 2$ lines long. Body, head, and legs black ; elytra light vermillion, spotted with black. Head (and prothorax) intensely black, glossy, sub-iridescent, with two deltoid- shaped white spots between the eyes, and two- minute ones below eyes at their inner angles ; maxillary palpi terminal joint very large, broad, and flat ; labrum with a few fine short ciliae-like hairs ; antenna: tips broadly cuneate, flattish. Prothorax with a large pentangular (escutcheon-shape) white spot on each anterior angle of pronotum. Elytra, margins considerably dilated and of a brighter red, with 11 sub-orbicular spots, disposed regularly in two rows longitudinally aud three rows laterally, the upper spot on sutures near base over scutel- lum being the largest, with a white patch at base above ; the four central large and the six outer small ; their edges very irregular and ragged ; a circular light-red spot in the middle of each elytron, margin entire ; and two obscure longitudinal veins ;' the whole finely powdered with excessively minute black specks, which are more thick near the sutures. Hind-wings rather large, dusky, mostly so about costal and sub-costal veins, with an opaque' dull -reddish line on costal edge from base to near second costal cell, where it forms a squarish-oblong blotch, or kind of ptero-stigma ; the sub-median vein strong and clearly marked. Meta-sternum white. Abdomen very finely and minutely hairy, with a white spot beneath at each anterior angle ; tip of anal portion hairy ; hairs patent. Legs, tarsi finely and closely hairy. Hah. Napier; forests interior of Forty-mile l.ush, Waipawa County, 1870-85; (also earlier at the north. Bay of Islands, etc. ;) but always singly and very rarely met with. Mr. Hamilton has lately (1880) captured a single specimen. Colenso. — On a new Species of Coccinella. 41 Obs. Although I have long known this pretty little insect, I have never before thought of describing it : partly from the great number of species of this genus already known, which (without their equally numerous varieties), it is said, amount to upwards of a thousand :: ; partly from it so closely resembling (in its general appearance) some of our British species ; and partly from its extreme rarity. I do not think I have seen, altogether, a dozen specimens in 50 years ! — in this respect so widely different to what obtains of some of their commoner (yet similar) species in England. Indeed, I may truly say that the capture or sight of one of these interesting little and rare creatures — so very like the tiny " Ladybirds " of England in size, shape, colour, and spots — always served to conjure up pleasant old reminiscences of childhood, and of the old childish couplet, potently repeated in days of infancy over the pretty "Ladybirds" when caught, and watching them taking flight from one's hand : — "Ladybird, Ladybird, fiy away home; Your house is on fire, your children are gone!" The under-wings of this species seem to me to be much larger than those of the British species of a similar size of body ; and I think this species is therefore a better flyer, more active and vigilant, and consequently more rarely at rest and difficult of capture : if, as I have supposed, its wings be larger, it may keep at a higher range on trees and shrubs in search for its natural food. I have kept one a fortnight under glass, during which time it was in ceaseless activity, and as I did not procure for it its natural or suitable food, it fasted the whole of that period, and was as lively at the close (when I put it into spirits) as at the beginning. While in captivity, I noticed a peculiarity it had : on being irritated, or alarmed, it would exude many minute drops or specks of a yellowish, sticky, semi-fluid substance on to tbe sides of the glass in which I kept it. I now find that this peculiarity had also been long ago observed in the Northern Hemisphere species. Westwood says: "When alarmed, they fold up their legs and emit a mucilaginous yellow fluid from the joints of the limbs, having a very powerful and disagreeable scent, and which, according to some writers, is an admirable specific against tooth-ache " (loc. cit.). I did not, however, notice the powerful odour mentioned by Westwood. Although this genus is an old established and very large one, many of its species being almost cosmopolite, and the * " The species are difficult to discriminate, and number upwards of a thousand." ("Guide to the Study of Insects," Packard, p. 511.) "These insects are among the most variable and difficult, as to their specific dis- crimination, of all the Coleoptera." (" Introduction to the Classification of Insects," Westwood, vol. i., p. 396.) 42 Transactions. — Zoologxj. numbers of some of them innumerable, the genus is but poorly represented in New Zealand. Down to the present time only one species, C. tasmanii, White, has been published as belonging to this Colony, and that species was detected at least forty-five years ago ;* and, judging from its specific name, I should infer that it is not endemic but is also Tasmanian, where (at Hobart Town) those ships also stayed a long time during the preceding winter. I have also detected C. tasmanii here in Napier, upon the leaves of the " Ngaio " tree (Myoporum latum) ; but, like the others, only very rarely ; it is a smaller insect, a little more gibbous, and black with yellow spots. In so saying I should also observe that this species, which I believe to be C. tasmanii from its pretty closely agreeing with the description of it given by White (and recently copied by Captain Broun in his " Manual of N.Z. Coleoptera"), differs in at least one character, i.e., the two spots between its eyes are white and not " yellow." Moreover, I am aware of another species ( C. concinna) said to have been found in New Zealand, the name only being given by Captain Broun ("Manual of Coleoptera," p. 645,) on the authority of Mr. Pascoe ("Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.," Sept., 1875) ; of which species Captain Broun also says : "I know nothing of the insect by literature or otherwise." This may, however, prove to be identical with this newly described one of mine. In conclusion, Captain Broun having mentioned Mr. Pascoe's name, I may also add a few words respecting him — one of our early scientific naturalist visitors. I knew Mr. Pascoe well, both as schoolboys together and denizens of the same native town, and, also, in later years, when he was here in New Zealand as surgeon of one of H.M. ships, before the formation of the colony. At that early time Mr. Pascoe made valuable collections in New Zealand natural history, especially of birds and insects. From him I received my first complete (MSS.) list of the avifauna of New Zealand, kindly compiled by himself for me. He particularly excelled in the skinning and preparing the smaller birds, an art he had early acquired at Home. The bare mention of this — our indigenous birds — leads me on further to observe, How very different our native woods and forests are now with respect to their former inhabitants, once so very numerous ! now so very scarce, and of some kinds all but extinct ! ♦"Zoology: Voyage 'Erebus' and 'Terror,' Antarctic Expedition." As those ships only wintered here in our waters in 1841, and as this genus is mainly to be met with in the summer ; and as I had given to the Expe- dition a large collection of insects (in spirits), it is not unlikely that that species was among them. Hutton. — Description of a new Land Shell. 48 Aet. IX. — Note on the Rat that invaded Picton in March, 1884. By Professor F. "W. Hutton. [Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 5th May, 1887.] Mr. James Eutland has kindly sent me four heads of this rat, and I have extracted the skull from one of them and compared it with one of Mus maorium from the sandhills at Shag Eiver. The two agree in all essential points, but in the Picton rat the foramen magnum is rounded at the top, and the brain-case is relatively rather larger. Length of skull, 1*35 inch ; width at zygomatic arch, 0-6 ; depth from palate, 0415. Foramen magnum, height 017, width 0*22. Mr. Meeson has given a good description of the rat, and has identified it, correctly I think, with Mus maorium* The follow- ing additional particulars have been furnished me by Mr. Rut- land. The rat appears to have invaded Picton at the end of March, and to have suddenly disappeared by the 20th April. Old Maoris recognised it as the rat they used to eat in former times, and said that swarming on to the low lands periodically was always characteristic of it. Mr. Rutland says that a similar visitation, but on a smaller scale, occurred at Picton in 1878 or 1879. These rats were often noticed climbing trees. In the Pelorus, where they stopped longer, they built nests, like birds, in trees. One in Mr. Rutland's possession had been constructed in the crown of a tree-fern, from dried leaves and the hairs of the fern- fronds. They fed on green vegetables as well as on berries. This rat is certainly different from Mus huegeli, Thomas, from Fiji ("Proc. Zool. Soc," 1880, p. 11), and I should think from M. exulans, Peale, also ; but I have seen no full description of that species. Art. X. — Description of a new Land Shell, from the Province of Nelson. By Professor F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. [Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 1st September, 1887.] Paryphanta lignaria, sp. nov. Shell depressed, rather solid, of five slowly increasing whorls, and, apparently, narrowly umbilicated ; spire slightly elevated, forming an angle of about 135°. "Whorls slightly convex and * " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. xvii., p. 199. 44 Transactions — . Zoo logg . rounded at the periphery ; irregularly banded in the direction of the growth lines with dark reddish-brown and pale brownish- yellow, the first two-and-a-half whorls dark, the epidermis being rubbed off. Upper surface finely irregularly granulated by deeply undulating impressed lines, lower surface smooth and polished. Interior calcareous, bluish white. Greatest diameter about 2 inches, and least diameter, 1\ inch. The lower surface is broken off, so as to leave the shape of the umbilicus and the aperture uncertain. The single specimen was found on the saddle between the Mokihinui and Lyell Kivers, and was lent me by Dr. Gaze, of Westport, for description. The slowly increasing whorls and apparently narrow um- bilicus ally this species to P. hochstetteri , from which, however, it is sufficiently distinguished by its colours, and by the finer granu- lation of the upper surface. Art. XI. — Supplement to a Monograph of Sew Zealand Noctuina. By E. Meybick, B.A., F.E.S. [Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, tith October, 1887.] Since writing my paper on the Noctuina*, I have been enabled to again visit the British Museum, and compare the material acquired with the collection there. After a careful examination I have made several corrections in nomenclature, which are here set forth, together with the description of a small new species hitherto overlooked. NocTimm Leucania, Tr. Leuc. griseipennis, Feld. (Mcmestra griseipennis, Feld., pi. cix., 22 ; Client virescens, Bail., Cist. Ent. ii., 48i); Spaelotis inconstant, ib. 545; Leucania moderate/,, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1886 (nee Walk.).) This is the species described by me as />. moderate, Walk., which name I find to be correctly applicable to the following species ; Felder's name is therefore to be adopted for this. The other synonymy is correct as published, but in tbis and other cases I have repeated it in full, to avoid possible confusion. * Sec " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. xix., p. i. Meyeick. — Monograph of New Zealand Noctuina. 45 Leuc. moderata, Walk. (Agrotis moderata. Walk., Suppl. 705 ; Eumichtis sistens, Gn., Ent. Mo. Mag., v., 39 ; Mamestra sistens, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1886.) I think this species may advantageously be tranferred to this genus, the indications of crests being very slight ; but it must be admitted that the species occupying the borderland between Mamestra and Leucania may be placed almost equally well in either. L. moderata is closely allied and very similar to L. griseipennis. They may be distinguished by the cilia of the hind- wings, which are partially grey in L. moderata, wholly white in L. griseipennis. Leuc. temperata, Walk. (Bryophila temperata, Walk., 1648 (nee Meyr.) ; Xylina inceptura, ib., 1736 ; X. deceptura, ib., 1737.) This is not the species described by me under the name of Mamestra temperata, for which a new name is proposed below ; but appears to be distinct from any hitherto known to me. I have only seen the British Museum specimens, of which I could not make a proper examination, but the species appears to be a Leucania. The following is a short description : Terminal joint of palpi moderate ; form of wing as in L. griseipennis ; forewings grey, first and second lines whitish, inconspicuous, margined with black dots, second line evenly curved, subterminal not perceptible, cilia grey, distinctly barred with white ; hindwings grey. Mamestra, Tr. Mam. insignis, Walk. (Euplexia insignis, Walk., Suppl., 724; Xylina turbida, ib., 754 (teste Butl.) ; Mamestra poly chroa, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst," 1886.) I failed to find any specimens under the name of turbida, Walk. Mam. vitiosa, Butl. (Apamea vitiosa, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc, Lond., 1877, 384, pi. xlii., 3 (nee Meyr.) ; Mamestra ochthistis, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1886.) The species described by me as M. vitiosa is really the fol- lowing. Mam. proteastis, n. sp. (Mamestra vitiosa, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1886 (nee Butl.) This species is consequently re-named as above. Mam. infensa, Walk. (Orthosia infensa, Walk., 748 ; Mamestra arachnias, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1886.) Although variable, this species is easily recognised. 46 Transactions. — Zoology, Mam. phricias, n. sp. (Mamestra temperata, Meyr., "Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1886 (nee Walk.) As noted above, Walker's M. temperata proves to be a quite different species ; I have, therefore, re-named this one. Xanthia, Tr. Xanth. purpurea, Butl. (Graphiphora purpurea, Butl., Cist. Ent., ii. ; Xanthia ceramodes, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1886.) Butler's species was formerly unrecognised. Ageotis, Tr. Agr. sericea, Butl. (Chersotis sericea, Butl,, Cist. Ent., ii., 490; C. inconspicua, ib., 545; Agrotis sericea, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1886 ; A. inconspicua, ib.) After comparison of the original specimens, I have come to the conclusion that we have, under these two names, only one somewhat variable species, for which the synonymy is as above. PLUSIADvE. The following additional genus and species in my collection was accidentally overlooked ; it may be placed after Bhapsa. Hypenodes, Gn. Ocelli absent. Palpi very long, straight, porrected, second joint with dense roughly projecting scales above and beneath ; terminal joint rather short, somewhat rough-scaled, tolerably pointed. Antennae in male rather strongly biciliated. Thorax smooth. Abdomen with a small dorsal crest near base. Legs smooth, spurs long. Forewings with veins 6 and 7 approxi- mated at base, 9 and 10 out of 8. Hindwings with veins 3 and 4 stalked, 6 and 7 stalked. In the absence of ocelli and peculiar neuration of forewings this genus differs from all others of the group in New Zealand. It appears to range throughout the Northern Hemisphere, but only a few species are known. Hyp. exsularis, n. sp. Male. — 16 mm. Head, antenna), thorax, and abdomen whitish-ochreous, brownish-tinged ; abdominal crest black. Palpi dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, posterior pair whitish- ochreous. Forewings elongate, posteriorly gradually dilated, costa slightly arched, hmdmargin obliquely rounded; ochreous- brown, closely irrorated with rather dark fuscous ; a black mark beneath costa at base ; a cloudy blackish longitudinal mark in disc beyond middle ; second line obscurely indicated, paler, ante- riorly partly blackish-edged, from posterior extremity of discal Meyrick. — Notes on Neiv Zealand Geometrina. 47 mark to inner margin beyond middle ; an oblique wedge- sbaped wbite spot from apex, touching second line ; a subterminal series of wbite dots ; a hindmarginal row of black dots : cilia fuscous, with a basal series of whitish-ochreous dots. Hind- wings pale whitish-grey ; a grey transverse discal spot ; a dark grey interrupted hindmarginal line ; cilia grey-whitish. Taranaki, in March ; one specimen. In the British Museum is an unnamed specimen from China, which appears to be certainly the same species ; it, therefore, probably ranges through many of the South Pacific islands. From its small size and inconspicuous appearance it is doubtless often overlooked. Art. XII. — Notes on New Zealand Geometrina. By E. Meyrick, B.A., F.E.S. [Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 6th October, 1887.] I have collected here such notes of additional localities and descriptions of new species as have accumulated since the publication of my former papers on the group. These bring up the number of recognized species to 113. To those who are desirous of discovering new species of this group, I would recommend (1) examination of the forest country north of Auckland; (2) searching unexplored mountains, at about 4,000 feet, especially in the extreme south ; (3) the study of the genus Pasiphila; in the closely-allied genus Eupithecia the numerous similar species are frequently only obtainable by breeding, tbe small larvae feeding principally in flower-heads or shoots and requiring special search ; the presumption of similar habits here is very strong. I hope before long to have made sufficient progress with the study of exotic material to modify and improve the classifi- cation of the group, but in the present paper I have only touched on it slightly. LAKE NTT ADiE. Probol;ea, Meyr. Prob. megasjrilata, Walk. Also from Auckland. Arcteuthes, Meyr. Tbe following new species differs in some respects (small points of neuration, noted in the specific description) from A. 48 Transactions. — Zonhau. euelidiata, but I consider that the two species may at present he advantageously included in the same genus. The relationship of this to Notoreas is thereby rendered so strong that I think the two genera must be placed in juxtaposition. Arct. chrysopeda, n. sp. Male, female. — 16-20 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs black, irrorated with ochreous-yellowish or ochreous-whitish. Antennal pectinations of male : a, 2, ; b, 3. Forewings with hindmargin rather obliquely rounded ; 6 out of 9, 7 from above or below angle of areole, 11 from or below angle of areole ; dark fuscous, or dark ochreous-brown ; base some- what irrorated with orange ; four orange fasciae, tolerably equi- distant ; first linear, slightly curved ; second narrow, almost straight ; third rather narrow, forming a short obtuse angle inwards below middle ; fourth subterminal, linear, sometimes interrupted or nearly obsolete, irregularly subdentate ; some- times a discal spot partially indicated by fine orange margins : cilia brown, with obscure darker fuscous quadrate spots on basal half, alternating with obscure whitish spots on terminal half. Hindwings with colour, markings, and cilia as in forewings, but first fascia absent ; second unevenly angulated in middle ; third broader, sometimes preceded by a fine additional orange line ; fourth broader in middle. Under-surface similar to upper, but orange markings broader and lighter ; cilia barred throughout with white. Mount Arthur (4,000 feet), in January ; six specimens. Epiphryne, Meyr. Epiphr. undosata, Feld. Also from Napier, Mount Arthur (2,700 feet), and Lake Wakatipu. Epicyme, Meyr. Epic, rub ropunct aria, Dbld. Also from Auckland and Napier. Pasiphila, Meyr. I am now aware that I confounded three species together under the head of /'. bilincolata, and that there are also several other species of the genus ; also, that (so far as is known at present) the New Zealand species are all endemic. My previous description may therefore be regarded as cancelled, and I now give amended descriptions of those forms known to me. I am much indebted to Mr. A. Purdie for sending me specimens of some of these ; there are doubtless others to be discovered. Besides the New Zealand species, I have three (or perhaps four) from Australia, and one from Tonga and the Marshall Meyrick. — Xotes on New Zealand Geometrina. 49 Islands ; the genus is not yet known elsewhere. The character of the ciliation of the antennae in the male separates the genus into three well-marked natural sections : one Australian and the Tongan species belong to section B ; the other Australian species belong to section C. In all the New Zealand species, vein 6 of the forewings rises from a point with or near below 9 (varying to this extent within the same species) ; veins 3 and 4 of the hindwings are remote and tolerably parallel ; G and 7, stalked. 1. Antenna3 of male, naked . . . . . . indicataria. ,, ,, ciliated . . . . . . 2. 2. Antennal ciliations short, even ($-$)-• •• 3. ,, ,, long, fasciculated (3-4) .. 5. 3. Forewings with conspicuous defined brown sub- terminal band, interrupted in middle . . lichenodes. ,, without such band .. .. .. 4. 4. Forewings with conspicuous round blackish blotch on hindmargin above middle . . sphragitis. ,, without such blotch . . .. .. nereis. 5. Palpi whitish-ochreous . . . . . . plinthina. ,, green . . . . . . . . . . 6. 6. Forewings with ground-colour green . . . . muscosata. ,, ,, pale fuscous . . bilineolata. In the above tabulation P. inductata is not included, as I have not been able to make a proper examination of it. § A. Antenna? of male with long fasciculated ciliations (3-4). Pas. plinthina, n. sp. Male. — 19 mm. Head, thorax, and abdomen whitish- ochreous, irrorated with reddish. Palpi 3, whitish-ochreous, towards base blackish beneath. Antennae whitish-ochreous, spotted with fuscous above, ciliations 4. Legs blackish, apex of joints ochreous-whitish, posterior pair wholly pale whitish- ochreous. Forewings with hindmai-gin very oblique, somewhat bowed, slightly sinuate above anal angle ; whitish-ochreous, suffusedly irrorated with reddish, tending to form very obscure lines ; a blackish irroration towards costa on basal fourth ; edge of median band marked by series of black dots on veins, anterior from | of costa to f of inner margin, curved, posterior from before f of costa to § of inner margin, upper f tolerably regularly curved ; a pale waved subterminal line preceded by a reddish fascia, forming a darker red spot above middle, another above anal angle, and a blackish costal spot ; a black hindmarginal line : cilia ochreous-whitish, with an obscure reddish line, basal half with reddish-fuscous spots on veins. Hindwings with hind- margin unevenly rounded, upper half rather deeply sinuate ; pale whitish-ochreous, with obscure waved reddish lines except towards costa ; a conspicuous black discal dot before middle ; posterior edge of median band and a subterminal line more strongly marked ; a blackish hindmarginal line ; cilia as in forewings. 50 Transactions. — Zoology. Wellington, in July ; one specimen received from Mr. A. Purdie. Pas. muscosata, Walk. (Eupithecia muscosata, Walk., 1246; E. cidariaria, Gn., "Ent. Mo. Mag.," v., 62; Cidiaria aquosata, Feld., pi. cxxxi., 33.) Male, female. — 20-23 mm. Head green. Palpi 3, green. Antennas in male grey, ciliations 3, in female light ochreous ringed with black. Thorax green, with several small black spots. Abdomen green. Legs black, banded with green and whitish-ochreous, posterior pair whitish-ochreous, with base of tarsal joints fuscous. Forewings with hindmargin bowed, oblique, crenulate ; green ; numerous curved, waved, darker lines, irregularly marked with black ; anterior edge of median band from § of costa to f of inner margin, curved ; posterior edge from before f of costa to § of inner margin, sinuate in- wards beneath costa and above and below middle ; a pale subterminal line, preceded by darker suffused spots on costa, above middle, and above anal angle ; a black hindmarginal line : cilia green, tips whitish, with narrow black bars on basal half. Hindwings with hindmargin unevenly rounded, crenate ; whitish, in disc slightly reddish-tinged, towards inner margin sprinkled with greenish-grey, with grey waved lines ; a dark grey discal dot before middle ; edges of median band black towards inner margin ; hindmargin greenish, especially below middle ; a black hindmarginal line ; cilia greenish-whitish. Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch ; in September, and from December to February, tolerably common. Pas. bilineolata, Walk. (Eupithecia bilineolata, Walk., 1246 ; Scotosia humerata, ib., 1362; Eupi- thecia semialbata, ib., 1708 ; Helastia chary bdis, Butl., Cist. Ent., ii., 503 ; H. calida, ib., 504.) Male, female. — 20-23 mm. Head and thorax ochreous- whitish, mixed with green and light fuscous, sometimes spotted with black. Palpi 2£, green, somewhat irrorated with whitish and black. Antennas in male light ochreous, ciliations 3, in female white ringed with black. Abdomen ochreous -whitish, mixed with fuscous and irrorated with black, with a more or less defined black median ring. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish, posterior tibiae suffusedly irrorated with ochreous-whitish. Forewings with hindmargin bowed, oblique, sinuate above anal angle ; whitish-fuscous, towards costa and hindmargin suffused with green ; numerous curved waved darker fuscous lines, partly marked with black ; anterior edge of median baud from § of costa to § of inner margin, curved, sometimes followed by a blackish suffusion ; posterior edge from before £ of costa to f of inner margin, sinuate beneath costa, rather pro- jecting in middle, thence paraUel to hindmargin ; in female the Meyrick. — Notes on New Zealand Geornetrina. 51 median band and two following lines often more or less wholly suffused with white ; sometimes a small curved blackish sub- terminal spot above anal angle ; a blackish interrupted hind- marginal line : cilia light fuscous, with obscure dark fuscous quadrate spots on basal half. Hindwings with hindmargin unevenly rounded, crenulate, concave above anal angle ; grey- whitish, with grey waved curved lines becoming obselete towards costa ; a dark grey discal dot before middle ; edges of median band marked with blackish towards inner margin ; inner and hindmargins somewhat mixed with greenish ; cilia grey-whitish. Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin ; in March and June, tolerably common. § B. Antenna* of male with short even ciliations (^-f). Pas. nereis, n. sp, Male, female. — 15-21 mm. Head, palpi, thorax, and abdo- men grey sprinkled with blackish-grey and whitish, sides of thorax and base of abdomen (in fresh specimens) tinged with blue-greenish ; palpi 2. Antennae whitish annulated with black, ciliations in male ^. Legs blackish, middle and posterior pair irrorated with whitish, apex of all joints whitish. Forewings with hindmargin bowed, oblique, slightly sinuate above anal angle ; light grey, suffused with light blue-greenish (in fresh specimens) ; numerous curved waved darker grey or blackish- grey lines, alternating with a partial irregular white irroration ; anterior edge of median band from ^ of costa to ^ of inner margin, curved ; posterior edge from § of costa to § of inner margin, sinuate inwards beneath costa, and above and below middle ; median band towards margins, and a hindmarginal band interrupted beneath costa, obscurely suffused with darker grey, especially near costa ; a grey discal spot, sometimes obso- lete ; an interrupted blackish hindmarginal line : cilia whitish, barred with grey, and with an obscure grey line, bars darker on basal half. Hindwings with hindmargin unevenly rounded ; grey, with obscure darker waved lines, more distinct towards inner margin, and somewhat irrorated with white in intervals ; an obscure dark grey discal spot, often merged in one of the lines ; cilia as hi forewings, but more obscure. Mount Arthur (4,000 feet) and Mount Hutt (2,500 feet) ; in January, rather common, but apparently exclusively a mountain species. Pas. sphracfitis, n. sp. Male. — 15-18 mm. Head and thorax whitish-ochreous. Palpi 2£, whitish ochreous, sometimes greenish-tinged, and irrorated with black. Antennae light fuscous, ciliations f. Abdomen pale whitish-ochreous, with blackish ante-median and ante-apical bands. Legs blackish, apex of joints whitish- 52 Transactions. — Zoology. oclireous, posterior pair suffused with pale wbitish-ochreous. Forewings with hindmargin bowed, oblique ; whitish, towards costa and inner margin sometimes suffused with light greenish or ochreous-yellowish (latter perhaps faded) ; an ochreous irro- ration forming numerous faint waved curved lines, those within median band more or less darkened with grey ; costa suffusedly irrorated with blackish-grey from base t o § ; a fine angulated black line near base ; margins of median band marked by fine black lines ; anterior from | of costa to i of inner margin, curved ; posterior from § of costa to f of inner margin, rather prominently angulated in middle, upper half twice, lower half once, slightly sinuate ; a conspicuous round dark fuscous patch, mixed with black and greenish, on hindmargin above middle, and a lighter and less defined patch above anal angle ; an interrupted black hindmarginal line : cilia grey-whitish, barred with grey, bars darker on basal half. Hindwings with hind- margin unevenly rounded ; whitish, with grey waved lines marked with blackish towards inner margin ; a dark-grey discal spot before middle ; posterior edge of median band pro- minently angulated ; cilia as in forewings. Wellington and Christchurch, in February ; four specimens. Pas. lichenodes, Purd. Through the kindness of Mr. Purdie I have received a specimen of this very distinct species, which is much more neatly marked than any other of the genus ; I do not, however, describe it, as I make no doubt that Mr. Purdie's own descrip- tion (which has not yet reached my hands) from bred specimens is much more complete and satisfactory than anything I could furnish. Tbe palpi are 2 ; ciliations of antenna? in male %. Dunedin, in January; taken and bred by Mr. A. Purdie. j C. Antenna? of male wholly naked. Pas. i ml i cat aria, Walk. (Eupitheeia indicataria, Walk., 1708.) Male, female. — 17-20 mm. Head and thorax whitish- ochreous mixed with green, and somewbat irrorated with black. Palpi 2.V, pale ochreous, terminal joint sometimes fuscous. Antenna? light greyish-ochreous, in male rather thick, filiform. Abdomen wbitisli-oclireous, mixed with greenish or reddish, and irrorated with black, with a blackish median ring. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with wbitish-ochreous, middle and posterior pair more or less wholly suffused with wbitish-ochreous. Fore- wings with hindmargin bowed, oblique, slightly sinuate above anal angle ; pale ochreous, sometimes suffused with pale grey and slightly greenish-tinged ; numerous curved waved fuscous or dark grey lines, more or less distinct, sometimes partially Meykick. — Notes on New Zealand Geoinetrina. 53 marked with black ; anterior edge of median band from § of costa to | of inner margin, curved ; posterior edge from before f of costa to f of inner margin, partially blackish, indented beneath costa, sinuate inwards above and below middle ; in female sometimes a white patch below middle of disc ; an obscure fuscous-grey patch on hindmargin above middle, margined above and below by paler bars ; a blackish hind- margiual line : cilia light ochreous or greyish-ochreous, with obscure dark fuscous spots on basal half. Hindwings with hindmargin unevenly rounded, crenulate ; whitish-grey, towards inner margin ochreous-tinged, and with obscure grey waved lines ; a dark-grey discal dot before middle ; edges of median band marked with blackish towards inner margin ; cilia grey- whitish. Napier, Wellington, and Nelson, from December to March ; tolerably common. Pas. inductata, Walk. (Coremia inductata, Walk., 1322 ; Scoto.sia subitata, ib., 1362.) This is a distinct species ; but I have only seen the British Museum specimens, and am unable to say to which section it belongs, or to give a proper description. The hindmargin of the forewings is more bent, and the hindwings are narrower than in any other species; ground-colour light reddish, with the margins of the median band formed by distinct black lines.* Phkixogonus, Butl. Structure quite as in Pasiphila, except that in male the forewings have a tuft of scales or dilation on costa (variously formed in the different species). There are four Australian species, besides the one from New Zealand ; the latter approaches most nearly to Pasiphila, of which the genus is a development. The generic name was originally written by Butler as Phrissogonus, which is ortho- graphically so horrific in formation that I have been obliged to reform it correctly. Phrix. denotatus, Walk. (Scotosia denotata, Walk., 1361; Phibalapteryx parvulata, ib., 1721.) Male, female. — 16-18 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs dark fuscous, sometimes slightly mixed with pale ochreous ; palpi 2 ; antennae of male stout, quite naked ; apex of tarsal joints ochreous-whitish. Forewings with costa moderately arched, hindmargin obliquely rounded ; in male with a small glandular dilation on costa beyond middle, beneath * Larentia infusata, Walk., 1199, and Eupithecia inexpiata, ib., 1708, are specimens of this genus, but are, in my opinion, too much worn for identifi- cation. 54 Transactions. — Zon/or/i/. which is a naked transversely striated longitudinal mark occupy- ing space between veins 10 and 12, these veins being somewhat distorted ; rather dark fuscous, with numerous very obscure waved darker lines, more or less marked with black on veins ; sometimes one or two irregular wbitish-ochreous fascia? preceding median band ; anterior edge of median band undefined, posterior edge from before § of costa to | of inner margin, blackish, obtusely angulated in middle, with a marked sinuation above angle, rendered conspicuous by a white cresceiitic mark follow- ing it, sometimes followed by a wbitish-ochreous patch : cilia light fuscous, with a darker line, base spotted with dark fuscous, terminal half whitish-fuscous. Hindwings with hindmargin unevenly rounded, sinuate above middle ; fuscous, with waved darker lines ; posterior edge of median band angulated in middle ; cilia as in forewings. Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, and Christchurch ; in January and February, common. Elvia, Walk. FAv. glaucata, Walk. Also from Whangarei, Auckland, and Wellington. Tatosoma, Butl. Tat. agrionata, Walk. Also from Nelson. Tat. timora, Meyr. Also from Wellington. Asthena, Hb. Asth. pulchraria, Dbld. Also from Whangarei, Auckland, and Nelson. Asth. sdi ist a Ha , Walk. Also from Wbangarei and Lake Wakatipu. Cephalissa, Meyr. Ceph. deltoidatu, Walk. Also from Auckland, Napier, and Nelson. Epyaxa, Meyr. Ep. limonodes, n. sp. Male. — 25-26 mm. Head and thorax light ochreous-yellow- isb, somewbat sprinkled with dark fuscous. Palpi fuscous. Antenna' pale greyish-ochieous. Abdomen pale yellow-ocbre- ous, segmental margins dotted with blackish. Legs dark Meybick. — ^otes on New Zealand Geometrina. 55 fuscous, apex of joints pale yellowish, posterior pair suffused with whitish-yellowish. Forewings with costa strongly arched on posterior half, hindrnargin sinuate, somewhat oblique ; light ochreous-yellowish ; a basal patch of closely placed fuscous transverse lines ; four series of white dots on veins, preceded and followed by black dots ; first curved, within edge of basal patch ; second from \ of costa to § of inner margin, followed by two fuscous lines ; third front beyond f of costa to f of inner margin, rather angulated in middle, sinuate inwards above middle, preceded by three obscure fuscous lines coalescing to form a small cloudy dark patch above middle ; all fuscous lines terminating in black dots on costa ; a black discal dot in middle ; fourth series subterminal ; a subtriangular dark fuscous blotch on hindrnargin beneath apex ; cilia light ochreous-yellow- ish, tips white. Hindwings and cilia wholly pale whitish -ochreous. Wellington ; two specimens, received from Mr. G. V. Hudson, who finds it not uncommon. Ep. subductata, Walk. (Larentia subductata. Walk., 1198.) Female. — 26 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax pale greyish- ochreous, somewhat mixed with yellow-greenish, and densely irrorated with fuscous. Antenna? whitish-ochreous annulated with fuscous. Abdomen grey-whitish, densely irrorated with fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish, middle and posterior pair irrorated with grey-whitish. Forewings with costa gently arched, hindrnargin waved, slightly rounded, oblique ; pale greyish-ochreous, mixed with yellow-greenish, and thinly sprinkled with fuscous, tending to form faint waved lines ; three light fuscous fascia?, each marked with three dark fuscous lines ; first near base, outer edge sharply angulated above middle ; second from f of costa to before middle of inner margin, slightly curved ; third from f of costa to f of inner margin, outer edge somewhat prominent in middle, rather sinuate above it ; a crescentic black obscurely whitish-margined discal spot ; a short oblique cloudy fuscous streak from apex : cilia light fuscous, somewhat sprinkled with whitish. Hind- wings light grey ; a grey discal dot before middle ; a median band of three darker lines, outer rather prominent in middle ; faint indications of other darker lines, most distinct posteriorly ; cilia grey-wbitish, with two cloudy grey lines. Auckland ; one specimen hi December. Ep. rosearia, Dbld. Also from Wellington. Ep. semifissata, Walk. Also from Napier, Wellington, Mount Arthur (4,500 feet), and Lake Wakatipu. 56 Transactions. — Zoology. Anachloris, Meyr. An. subochraria, Dbld. Also from Napier, Wellington, and Lake Wakatipu. Cidaeia, Tr. Cid. rixata, Feld. Also from Auckland, Napier, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu. Cid. purpurifera, Frdy. Also from Dunedin and Lake Wakatipu. Cid. callichlora, Butl. Also from Wellington, in January. Larentia, Tr. Lar. mnesichola, n. sp. Male, female. — 28-30 mm. Head, palpi, antenna?, and thorax very pale brownish-ochreous. Abdomen ochreous-grey-whitish. Legs wbitish-ocbreous, anterior femora and tibia? dark fuscous above. Forewings with costa gently arched, posteriorly more strongly, hindmargin slightly bowed, rather oblique ; very pale glossy brownish-ochreous ; four series of minute black dots on veins ; first near base ; second at |, curved ; third horn f of costa to f of inner margin, rather prominent in middle, pre- ceded by a cloudy fascia slightly darker than ground-colour ; fourth subterminal ; a minute black discal dot ; hindmarginal space sometimes slightly darker : cilia whitish-ochreous, tips paler. Hindwings ochreous-grey-whitish ; a cloudy indistinct pale fuscous hindmarginal fascia, containing a dentate subter- minal line of ground-colour ; cilia pale whitish-ochreous. Mount Arthur (4,000 to 4,500 feet), in January ; rather common. Lar. preefectata, Walk. Also from Mount Arthur (4,500 feet) and Dunedin, in January. Lar. nephelias, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,500 feet). Lar. cataphracta, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 to 4,700 feet). Lar. clarata, Walk. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 to 4,700 feet) and Lake Wakatipu. Meykick. — Notes on New Zealand Geometrina. 57 Lar. cosmodora, n. sp. Female. — 27 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs whitisk-ochreous, slightly brownish-tinged; abdomen with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Forewings with costa hardly perceptibly arched, hindmargin slightly rounded, oblique; whitisk-ochreous, slightly yellowish-tinged; a curved irregular black line rather near base, followed by a white line ; median band rather darker, tinged with yellowish-fuscous towards edges, margined with dentate black lines and outside these with white, anterior from | of costa to § of inner margin, rather curved, posterior from f of costa to § of inner margin, somewhat prominent beneath costa, and with a more distinct double prominence in middle ; two white dentate-edged spots within median band, first beneath costa, containing small black discal dot, second on inner margin ; a waved white subterminal line ; a fine dark fuscous hindmarginal line interrupted into numerous dots : cilia whitish-ochreous, with dark fuscous bars hardly reaching base. Hindwings whitish-ochreous, with faint darker greyish-tinged lines ; a median band of four more distinct cloudy grey lines, first three straight, fourth well-marked, rather dark fuscous, waved, somewhat prominent in middle, beneath con- fluent with third ; a faint white subterminal line ; cilia pale whitish-ochreous, with a faint greyish line tending to form spots. Mount Arthur (4,500 feet), in January; one specimen. It is conceivable that this may be the other sex of the following species, but they are very dissimilar, and I do not at present think it probable. Lar. bryopis, n. sp. Male. — 29-32 mm. Head, palpi, tborax, abdomen, and legs pale greyish-ochreous, slightly greenish-tinged, irrorated with blackish. Antennas whitish, annulated with black. Forewings with costa gently arcbed, hindmargin somewhat rounded, rather oblique; pale greyish-ochreous, tinged with olive-greenisb, irro- rated with blackish grey, tending to form waved transverse lines on basal area ; median band margined with dentate black lines and outside them with white ; anterior from i of costa to ^ of inner margin, curved, posterior from beyond § of costa to f of inner margin, somewhat indented above middle, with a moderate double prominence in middle ; three blackish-grey subdentate lines within median band, first near and parallel to anterior edge, other two near and parallel to posterior edge, first and second tending to be confluent below middle, space between these more or less suffused with white, enclosing a small black discal spot ; an obscure dentate whitish subterminal line, an- teriorly margined with dark fuscous, preceded and followed by waved fuscous lines ; a hindmarginal series of pahs of dark 58 Transactions. — Zoolnc/;/. fuscous dots : cilia ochreish-grey-whitish, barred with fuscous, and with a fuscous basal line. Hiudwings ochreous grey, with waved darker grey transverse lines, except towards base ; a dark grey discal dot before middle ; posterior edge of median baud formed as in forewings, followed by an obscure whitish line and somewhat paler band ; hindmarginal dots and cilia as in fore- wings, but more obscure, Mount Arthur (4,500 feet), in January; not uncommon. Nearest allied to L. beata. Lar. chionogramma, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (3,800 feet), in January. Lar. camelias, n. sp. Male. — 23 mm. Head, antenna?, and thorax whitish- ochreous, greyish-tinged, with a few dark fuscous scales. Palpi fuscous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous, with a double dorsal series of dark fuscous dots. Legs whitish-ochreous, irrorated with purple-reddish and dark fuscous. Forewings with costa rather sinuate in middle, on anterior half gently, on posterior half very strongly arched, hindmargin moderately sinuate below apex, bowed in middle ; light greyish-ochreous, with numerous cloudy waved brown-grey transverse lines, somewhat bent near costa ; a black discal dot ; margin of basal patch and anterior edge of median band indicated by series of very minute white dots, preceded and followed by black points ; posterior edge of median band marked by a darker line, followed by a fine white line reduced on lower half to a series of points ; subterminal line represented by four cloudy blackish dots on upper half and another above anal angle : cilia greyish-ochreous (imperfect). Hindwin*s fuscous-whitish ; a median band of four cloudy greyish lines, bent near costa ; a cloudy grey spot above anal angle ; cilia fuscous-whitish (imperfect). Whangarei; one specimen in December. Immediately recog- nisable by the peculiar form of forewings. Lar. falcata, Butl. This appears to be a good species, allied to /,. camelias, but with costa of forewings less arched posteriorly, and posterior edge of median band practically straight, not bent near costa; also much darker in general colouring. I have not yet seen any specimen except the original type. Lar. chorica, n. sp. Female. — 25 mm. Head, palpi, antennas, and thorax light brownish-ochreous. Abdomen yellow-ochreous, margins of seg- ments mixed with white and black. Forewings with costa sinuate, hindmargin somewhat sinuate beneath apex, obliquely Meyrick. — Notes on tfew Zealand Geornetrina. 59 rounded; brownish-ochreous ; a very slender, curved, whitish line rather near base, preceded by a small blackish spot on costa; a moderate white median band, tinged with grey, towards inner margin, enclosed by two narrow, fuscous, blackish-edged, subdentate fascise externally margined with slender white lines, first from \ of costa to before middle of inner margin, somewhat curved, attenuated above inner margin, second from f of costa to f of inner margin, slightly curved, middle third formiug a strong triangular round-toothed projec- tion marginally suffused with black ; a faintly traceable clearer white discal spot in centre of band ; a slender subdentate subter- minal white line ; a blackish fuscous spot, finely sprinkled with white, extending along hindmargin from near apex to middle, bordered by subterminal line ; an interrupted black hindmarginal line : cilia pale ochreous spotted with white and blackish (imper- fect). Hindwings light yellow-ochreous, sprinkled with grey towards base ; a hindmarginal row of cloudy blackish marks ; cilia whitish spotted with pale ochreous. Akaroa, in January ; one specimen in the collection of Mr. E. W. Fereday. Nearest to L. obarata, but very distinct by absence of black discal dot, stronger projection of median band, dark fuscous hindmarginal patch, and yellow-ochreous hind- wings. Lar. cinerearia, Dbld. Also from Whangarei, Auckland, and Nelson (to 4,000 feet). Notoreas, Meyr. Not. mechanitis, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 feet). Not. paradelpha, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,400 feet). Not. peromata, Walk. Also from Mount Arthur (4,300 feet). Not. zopyra, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 feet). Not. brephos, Walk. Also from Wellington and Dunedin. *&' Stathmonyma, Meyr. tStath. anceps, Butl. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 to 4,500 feet). 60 Tran&a ctio ns. — Zoology. Dasyuris, Gn. Das. partheniata, Gn. Also from Wellington and Mount Arthur (4,000 feet), in January. (ENOCHKOMIDiE. Dichromodes, Gn. Dichr. nigra, Butl. From an examination of the original type, and also of other specimens taken by Mr. G. V. Hudson near Wellington, I am able to affirm that the insect which I formerly identified with this species is really a distinct species, to which a name is attached below. D. nigra is markedly larger, blackish, without any white suffusion, the markings obsoletely darker. Welling- ton is at present the only authenticated locality. Dichr. gypsotis, n. sp. (Cacopsodos niger, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1883, 94 (nee Butl.) The species is described under the above reference, and is recognisable by the white ground-colour. Theoxena, Meyr. I propose to regard the GEnochromidcB as defined by having vein 8 of the hindwings wholly free, whilst in the AcidaUada it is closely appressed to upper margin of cell near base ; this genus is therefore to be referred here. ACIDALIAD/E. Xyridacma, n. g. Face smooth. Palpi rather short, porrected, with appressed scales, second joint somewhat thickened. Antennae in male somewhat compressed laterally, minutely ciliated [\). Thorax rather hairy beneath. Fore wings with vein 10 touching 9 at a point, 11 anastomosing with 12 and then with 10 at a point. Hindwings with veins 6 and 7 approximated at base. Xyr. hemipteraria, Gn. (Hemerophila hemipteraria, Gn., ix., 220, pi. vi., 2.) Male. — 29 mm. Head whitish-ochreous, face brownish, a fuscous bar behind fillet. Falpi dark fuscous. Antennas and thorax whitish-ochreous, brownish-tinged. Abdomen whitish- ochreous, with some dark fuscous scales tending to form apical bands on segments. Legs dark fuscous (posterior pair broken i. Forewings with costa slightly arched, hindniargm slightly sinuate beneath apex, bowed, oblique, subdentate ; whitish- ochreous, brownish-tinged, with fine scattered blackish scales Meyrick. — Xotes on New Zealand G-eometrina. 61 towards costa and hindmargin ; lines slender, brownish, first from | of costa to before J of inner margin, angulated near costa, second from costa near apex to inner margin beyond middle, slightly sinuate, marked with minute blackish dots on veins ; second line preceded by a fainter similar line, and towards inner margin by another ; a black discal dot beyond middle ; subterminal line pale, waved, preceded and followed by darker shades, above middle preceded by two small subcrescentic blackish spots : cilia whitish-ochreous, faintly spotted with brownish. Hindwings with apex acute, projecting, hindmargin almost straight, waved ; whitish-ochreous, brownish-tinged, with scattered blackish scales ; a cloudy fuscous line from middle of costa to middle of inuer margin ; four fuscous lines parallel to hindmargin, first straight, second and third slightly waved, third marked with blackish above middle, fourth suffused into hindmargin ; cilia as in forewings. Auckland and Wellington, in December ; two specimens. I have no doubt that this curious insect is really Guenee's species ; he was not acquainted with the locality of his specimen, merely stating his belief that it was " Oceanian." The form of hindwings is unique, so far as I know. BOABMIADiE. Zermizinga, Walk. Zerm. indocilis, Walk. This species occurs also in South-east Australia. Boarmia, Tr. I find that the genera Zylobara, Butl., and Pseudocoremia, Butl., are untenable, being not sufficiently distinct from this; the characters of neuration on which they depended are found to vary within the limits of the same species. I include, there- fore, under this genus the five species panagrata, Walk., melinata, Feld., productata, Walk., hipinata, Feld., and fenerata, Feld. Boarm. panagrata, Walk. Also from Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin. Boarm. productata, Walk. Also from Whangarei, Auckland, Napier, and Lake Waka- tipu. Boarm. hipinata, Feld. Also from Nelson. Boarm. fenerata, Feld. Also from Auckland and Wellington. 62 Transactions. — Zoology. Declana, Walk. I am rather disposed to think that the genera Detunda, Walk., and Epicasis, Meyr., ought to be merged in Declana : the neuration varies in each species, and to a certain extent within the limits of the species, and is probably here to be regarded as of specific value only ; the genus would be sufficiently recognisable as a whole by the peculiar palpi. But I have not been able to examine many individuals, and shall be glad if others would look into the question. Gonophylla, Meyr. Gon. nelsonaria, Feld. Also from Wellington. Chalastea, Walk. Chal. pelurgata, Walk. Also from Whangarei, Wellington, and Nelson, in December. Azelina, Gn. The genus Stratocleis, Meyr., is not sufficiently distinct from this, and should be united with it. Azel. gallaria, Walk. Also from Wellington and Dunedin, in November and January. Azel. fortinata, Gn. Also from Wellington and Dunedin, in December. Dbepanodes, Gn. Drop, muriferata, Walk. Also from Whangarei, Wellington, and Nelson, in December and January. Art. XIII. — Notes on New Zealand Pyralidina. By E. Meyrick, B.A., F.E.S. [Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 6th October, 1887.] PYRALIDID^E. Diplopseustis, Meyr. Ocelli present, concealed. Antenmp in male moderately ciliated. Labial palpi long, second joint porrected, rough-scaled, Meykick. — Notes on New Zealand Pyralidina. 63 terminal joint obliquely ascending. Maxillary palpi moderate, much dilated with dense scales towards apex, obliquely truncate. Forewings with veins 4 and 5 stalked, 8 and 9 stalked out of 7. Hindwings with veins 4 and 5 stalked, 7 out of G near origin, anastomosing moderately with 8. Besides the following species there are three others peculiar to Australia. Dipl. minima, Butl. (Cymoriza minima, Butl., "Proc. Zool. Soc," 1880, 684; Diplopseustix minima, Meyr., "Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond.," 1884, 285.) M ale, female.— 13-16 mm. Forewings elongate-triangular, apex rounded, hindmargin oblique, with rather deep sinuous in- dentation above middle, and obtuse bidentate median projection ; whitish-ochreous, partially brownish tinged, irrorated with dark fuscous ; costa dotted with dark fuscous and white ; first line obscure, pale, angulated in middle, posteriorly margined par- tially with dark fuscous ; a black discal dot ; second line whitish, anteriorly margined with dark fuscous, from f of costa to A of inner margin, sinuate-curved outwards above middle; a small double blackish spot on hindmargin in indentation, and two or three dots towards anal angle : cilia ochreous-white, terminal half white, separated by a sharp dark fuscous line. Hindwmgs grey-whitish, greyer towards apex ; a very indistinct pale pos- terior line ; a blackish spot on hindmargin below middle ; cilia as in forewings. Auckland, Wanganui, and Christchurch, from December to March, tolerably common. Also occurs in South-east Australia, Fiji, and Formosa. siculodim:. For reasons developed elsewhere, I now include this group as a family of Pyralidina. Siculodes, Hs. Sic. subfasciata, Walk. Also from Wellington. I have recorded what I believe to be the same species from Fiji. HYDROCAMPIDiE. Paeaponyx, Hb. I have explained elsewhere that Hygraula, Meyr., is to be merged in this genus ; the ocelli, though hardly perceptible in some specimens, are in others quite apparent. Clepsicosma, n. g. Forehead flat, very oblique. Ocelli present. Tongue well- 64 1'roniactions, — Zoology. developed. Antennae f , in male — ? Labial palpi long, straight, porrected, with long loosely projecting scales, attenuated to apex, terminal joint concealed. Maxillary palpi rather long, triangu- larly dilated with scales, not resting on labial. Posterior tibiae with outer spurs half inner. Forewings with veins 8 and 9 stalked, 10 closely approximated to 9 towards base, 11 oblique. Hindwings somewhat broader than forewings ; veins 3, 4, 5 tolerably approximated at base, 7 from a point with G, anasto- mosing with 8 to ^ ; lower median naked, internal area loosely haired. A singular genus, presenting a combination of characters which encourages the opinion I have latterly entertained, that the HydrocampidcB and Scopariada ought to be united as one family. Cleps. iriilia, n. sp. Female. — 25 mm. Head, antennae, thorax, and abdomen whitish-ochreous ; shoulders rather dark fuscous. Palpi ochre- ous-fuscous, maxillary paler and ochreous-whitish towards apex. Legs whitish-ochreous, anterior and middle pair rather infus- cated. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa moderately arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin obliquely rounded, somewhat waved ; whitish-ochreous, sprinkled with brownish-ochreous, towards middle of inner margin suffused with whitish ; a streak along basal third of costa irrorated with blackish-fuscous ; first line slender, blackish-fuscous, rather irregular, partially interrupted, from | of costa to f of inner margin, acutely angulated above middle ; a small blackish discal spot ; second line slender, white, anteriorly finely margined with blackish, serrate except on sinua- tion, from before f of costa to § of inner margin, rather strongly curved, below middle with a very deep sinuation which is at first very narrow and parallel-sided but expands circularly to touch angle of first line and discal spot ; a hindmarginal series of small cloudy blackish spots : cilia whitish-ochreous, mixed with whitish, with an interrupted fuscous line. Hindwings white, towards costa slightly ochreous-tinged ; a pale ochreous- grey suffusion in disc towards base ; a small cloudy grey discal spot, from which proceeds a twice sharply dentate fine dark fuscous line to middle of inner margin ; a slender white serrate somewhat curved line fVom | of costa parallel to hindmargin to middle, becoming prismatic-metallic on two lowest serrations, anteriorly margined finely with blackish, posteriorly margined with a biack suffusion opposite metallic portion ; space between this line and hindmargin light greyish-ochreous ; a dark fuscous line along upper half of hindmargin ; cilia ochreous-whitish, with a fuscous line, on lower half of hindmargin wholly whitish. Auckland (Waitakere Ranges) ; one specimen, in December. Meyrick. — Notes on New Zealand Pyralidina. 65 SCOPARIAD^E. ScOPAKIA, Hw. Scop, minualis, Walk. Also from Napier, in December. Scop, dinodes, Meyr. Also from Wellington. Scop, cymatias, Meyr. Also from Nelson. Scop, encapna, n. sp. Male, female. — 18-20 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs dark fuscous ; palpi 2, basal joint white ; antennae in male pubescent, ciliations ^; legs banded with white, posterior tibiae irrorated with white. Forewings elongate- triangular, costa almost straight, apex rounded, hindmargin straight, somewhat oblique, rounded beneath ; rather dark glossy fuscous, with bronzy reflections, and a few scattered white scales ; veins partially irregularly marked with black ; first line slender, whitish, indistinct, posteriorly black-margined, indented in middle ; orbicular small, suboval, outlined with black, touching first line ; claviform small, round, black, detached, conspicuous ; reniform 8-shaped, obscurely outlined with darker, separated from second line by a stronger white irroration ; second line slender, whitish, anteriorly dark-mar- gined, rather irregularly sinuate ; subterminal line slender, whitish, somewhat interrupted, not touching second line : cilia fuscous, with a darker subbasal line, tips obscurely spotted with ochreous-whitish. Hindwings 1 .\ ; fuscous-grey, with a suffused dark fuscous hindmarginal band ; cilia light fuscous, with a darker line, tips whitish. Mount Arthur (3,800 to 4,000 feet), in January; local, but abundant where it occurred, flying wildly over the tops of bushes in the sunshine. In my tabulation of the genus it falls under the same head with the very different S. cymatias, from which, as well as from almost all other species of the genus, it may be immediately distinguished by the very dark hind- wings. It may be placed between S. a-gatis and S. critica. Scop, powjalis, Feld. Also from Auckland, in December. Scop, colpota, n. sp. Male, female. — 17-18 mm. Head and thorax whitish mixed with fuscous ; shoulders dark fuscous. Palpi 2£, fuscous, with 5 66 Transactions. — Zoology. an oblique black median band, basal joint white. Antennae fuscous, ciliatious in male £. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs dark fuscous, banded with white, posterior pair suffused with white. Forewings elongate-triangular, costa posteriorly gently arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin oblique, slightly rounded ; basal f ochreous-brown, terminated by a straight line from § of costa to | of inner margin, terminal §■ light-grey ; a thick very oblique black streak from base of costa to J of disc ; first line thick, black, almost straight, preceded by a white irroration ; orbicular and claviform obsolete ; space between ochreous-brown colour and second line suffused with white ; reniform 8-shaped, faintly outlined with grey ; second line slender, whitish, ante- riorly margined with grey, sinuations indented, central portion strongly curved ; subterminal cloudy, whitish, interrupted and touching second line in middle ; an interrupted white hind- marginal line : cilia ochreous-whitish, with a grey subbasal line. Hindwings 1^, very pale whitish-grey, postmedian line and hindmargin suffusedly darker grey; cilia whitish, with a grey line. Wellington ; three specimens in January. Closely allied to S. periphanes, and very similar ; best distinguished by the form of the second line, which has both sinuations rather strongly marked and indented, and the median portion rather strongly curved, whilst in S. periphanes the upper sinuation is very slight, the lower imperceptible, and the median portion very slightly curved ; in S. colpota the first line is less oblique, and not dis- tinctly white as in S. periphanes. Scop, periphanes, Meyr. Also from Whangarei, in December. Scop, psammitis, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 feet). Scop, epicomia, Meyr. Also from Auckland and Nelson (to 3,800 feet), in December. Scn/i. awena, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 to 4,500 feet). Scop, exilis, Knaggs. Also from Wellington, in January. Scop, deltophora, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,500 feet). Scop., trivirgata, Feld. Also from Mount Arthur (3,800 feet), in January. Meyrick. — Notes on New Zealand Pyralidina. 67 Xeroscopa, Meyr. Xer. astragalota, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 feet). Xer. niphospora, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 to 4,500 feet). Xer. nomeutis, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 feet). CRAMBIDJE. Orocrambus, Meyr. I have explained elsewhere that, as in some individuals of 0. melampetrus, vein 8 of the hindwings is free, whilst in others it anastomoses with vein 7 in the usual way, this character cannot he used to define the genus ; but that the genus is, not- withstanding, good and tenable if the distinction from Crambus is made to consist in the densely hairy uudersurface of the thorax and coxae. As thus defined, the genus will include O. melam- petrus, Meyr.; O. catacaustus, Meyr., O. tritonellus, Meyr. (the two latter having been formerly placed in Crambus), and the following new species. Or. mijlites, n. sp. Male, female. — 23-25 mm. Head whitish-ochreous, fuscous on sides. Palpi 3^, whitish-ochreous, apex mixed with blackish. Antennae dark fuscous, ciliations in male J. Thorax ochreous- fuscous, shoulders and a suffused longitudinal dorsal streak ochreous-wbitish. Abdomen grey, posteriorly irrorated with ochreous-whitish, anal tuft mixed with yellow-ochreous. Legs dark grey, suffusedly irrorated with whitish-ochreous. Fore- wings elongate, posteriorly gradually dilated, costa hardly arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin obliquely rounded ; bronzy- fuscous, more or less ochreous-tinged ; a moderate straight white central longitudinal streak, irregularly irrorated with fuscous- grey, from base to hindmargin, margined above with dark fus- cous from before middle to near hindmargin, and beneath by a dark fuscous attenuated streak from near base which diverges in middle and runs to hindmargin above anal angle, often accom- panied at divergence by a few white scales ; a white irroration towards costa about f ; a narrow white irroration along inner margin from base to anal angle, towards base margined above with dark fuscous : cilia glossy light grey. Hindwings grey ; hindmargin suffusedly darker ; cilia light grey, tips whitish. Mount Arthur (4,000 to 4,800 feet), in January ; common, frequenting swampy places. Nearest to O. catacaustus, but easily distinguishable by the whitish dorsal streak of thorax, and the grey irroration of the white median streak of forewings. 68 Transactions. — Zoology. Or. catacaustus, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,500 feet). Crambus, F. Cr. heliotes, n. sp. Male, female. — 15-18 rnm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs rather dark fuscous ; palpi 31 ; antennal cilia- tions in male \ ; thorax sometimes with a slender ochreous- whitish dorsal streak indicated ; posterior tibiae suffused with whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, posteriorly moderately dilated, costa hardly arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin rather obliquely rounded ; ochreous-brown ; sometimes a few scattered black scales, sometimes a black suffusion forming strong longi- tudinal streaks in disc and along veins towards anal angle ; sometimes an ochreous-whitish streak along submedian fold from base almost to anal angle, and a similar longitudinal streak above middle from middle of disc to near hindmargin ; all these markings often quite absent : cilia glossy whitish-grey. Hind- wings bright orange ; base, costa, and inner margin, sometimes also hindmargin and parts of one or two veins, slenderly suffused with dark fuscous ; cilia whitish-fuscous, with a cloudy darker line. Mount Arthur (3,800 feet), in January ; common in a re- stricted locality in one of the limestone valleys. It varies con- siderably, but is the only known Crambus with orange hindwings. Cr. dicr melius, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 feet). Cr. isochytus, n. sp. Male. — 34-40 mm. Head white, sides behind eyes pale ochreous. Palpi 5, light brownish-ochreous, white above and towards base beneath. Antennas grey, flatly dentate, ciliations § . Thorax pale brownish-ochreous, with a broad white dorsal stripe. Abdomen ochreous-whitish. Legs ochreous-fuscous, posterior pair ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, poste- riorly gradually dilated, costa slightly arched, apex round- pointed, hindmargin somewhat sinuate, oblique ; pale glossy brownish-ochreous, with a slight brassy tinge ; a narrow white costal streak from base, rather dilated beyond middle, then attenuated to a point, terminating before apex ; a moderate straight white central longitudinal streak from base to hind- margin ; a moderate white streak, sometimes indistinct, at- tenuated at both extremities, along inner margin from base to anal angle, leaving a marginal line of ground-colour on posterior § : cilia snow-white. Hindwings grey- whitish or ochreous- whitish ; cilia white. Meyrick. — Notes on New Zealand Pyralidina. 69 Mount Arthur (4,500 feet), in January ; three specimens. One of the largest species of the genus ; most like C. dicrenellus, but considerably larger, and distinguished by the costal streak not reaching apex, and the dorsal streak not being marginal posteriorly. Or. crencBiis, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 feet). Or. Jiexuosellus, Dbld. Also from Whangarei, Napier, and Nelson (to 4,000 feet). Or. harpophorus, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 feet). Thinasotia, Hein. The genus formerly called by me Thinasotia I have since characterised as a distinct genus under the name of Hednota ; but the following species, differing both from Crambus and Hednota, I think may remain here for the present. Thin, claviferella , Walk. (Aquita claviferella Walk., Suppl., 1765; Aphomia strigosa, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc, Lond., 1877, 398, pi. xliii., 10 ; Crambus strigosus, Meyr., " Trans. N.Z. Inst.," 1882, 31.) I have recently made this synonymic correction ; Walker's type is unset, which probably led to my passing it over. The species occurs also in Tasmania and Victoria, and is therefore specially interesting. Taueoscopa, n. g. Forehead vertical ; ocelli present ; tongue well-developed. Antennas f , in male filiform, minutely ciliated, basal joint with a small tuft of hairs. Labial palpi moderately long, purrected, clothed beneath with very long dense projecting hairs, terminal joint concealed. Maxillary palpi rather long, dilated with long rough hairs. Thorax and coxae clothed with dense rough hairs beneath. Forewings with veins 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with veins 4 and 5 stalked, 6 remote from 7 at origin, 7 anasto- mosing shortly with 8. Closely allied to Hednota, from which it differs essentially only by the densely hairy undersurface of thorax and coxae ; it therefore stands in exactly the same relation to Hednota as Urocrambus to Crambus. Taur. yorgopis, n. sp. Male. — 22 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax grey, densely mixed with black. Antennae and abdomen blackish-grey. Legs blackish-grey, apex of joints ochreous-whitish. Forewings rather elongate-triangular, costa hardly arched, apex obtuse, 70 Transactions. — Zoology. hindmargin rather obliquely rounded ; grey, densely irrorated with black ; a black dentate line near base, preceded and followed by a white irroration ; lines whitish, dentate, margined with black ; first from ^ of costa to before middle of inner margin, preceded by a blackish band, and followed by a whitish irroration ; second from ^ of costa to f of inner margin, rather curved, indented beneath costa, preceded by a white suffused irroration on upper half : cilia grey, irrorated with black on basal half. Hindwings and cilia dark fuscous grey. Mount Arthur (4,000 feet) ; one specimen, in January. DlPTYCHOPHORA, Z. Dipt, chrysochyta, Meyr. Also from Whangarei, in December. Dipt, metallifera, Butl. Male, female. — 17-20 mm. Head white, collar ochreous- yellow. Palpi externally yellow-ochreous, suffused with grey towards margins, internally white. Antenna? white. Thorax ochreous-yellow, shoulders fuscous. Abdomen whitish. Legs white, anterior tibia?, first joint of tarsi, and apex of three terminal joints dark fuscous. Forewings triangular, costa slightly arched, apex rounded, hindmargin oblique, slightly rounded, twice sinuate-indented on upper half; ochreous-orange, somewhat deeper posteriorly ; a narrow rather dark fuscous streak along costa; lines fuscous, partially indistinct; first from I of costa to before middle of inner margin, sharply angulated above middle, rather sinuate and more strongly marked beneath ; second from f of costa to § of inner margin, preceded and followed by white spots on costa, strongly curved outwards above middle, sinuate beneath ; a narrow-transverse inwards-curved leaden-grey-metallic discal spot ; between this and hindmargin are four parallel longitudinal leaden-grey-metallic streaks, not reaching discal spot, first terminating in a white dot before apex, second and fourth touching hindmargin ; two very short slender longitudinal leaden-grey-metallic marks on second line below middle ; tbree black dots on hindmargin below middle, central subquadrate : cilia shining light-grey, with snow-white subapical, median, and supra-anal patches, and a strong blackish- grey basal line. Hindwings ochreous-white, apex more ochrcous- tinged, and with a small faint greyish ante-apical spot ; cilia white. Auckland, Wellington and Kelson, in December and January ; several specimens. Dipt, sehncea, Meyr. Also from Whangarei and Auckland, in December. Dipt, auriscriptella, Walk. Also from Whangarei, Auckland, and Napier, in December. Meyrick. — Notes on New Zealand Pyralidina. 71 Dipt, harmonica, n. sp. Male. — 12-13 mm. Head white. Palpi white, externally ochreous-tinged, towards apex slightly infuscated. Antennae whitish. Thorax white, with a few fuscous scales. Abdomen light grey. Legs white. Forewings triangular, costa slightly arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin oblique, twice sinuate-indented on upper half ; white, suffused with pale ochreous-greyish except towards inner margin ; lines very slender, dark fuscous, thickened at extremities ; first from beyond ^ of costa to middle of inner margin, strongly curved, nearly preceded on costa by a small dark fuscous oblique mark, and on lower half by a wedge-shaped dark fuscous streak from inner margin ; a transverse leaden-grey- metallic discal spot, lower extremity becoming obscurely whitish- ochreous ; a small dark fuscous spot on costa above this ; second line from f of costa to f of inner margin, very strongly curved outwards on upper |, below this slightly sinuate, margined on costa with white wedge-shaped streaks, on lower half followed by a fainter similar line enclosing a white line ; a yellow-ochreous space extending from discal spot to hindmargin, interrupting second line, cut by three parallel longitudinal leaden-grey- metallic purplish-tinged streaks, not reaching discal spot, upper alone reaching hindmargin ; a white almost apical oblique mark from costa, separated from white margin of second line by a fuscous suffusion ; space between lower half of second line and hindmargin, yellow-ochreous, suffusedly irrorated with dark fuscous ; three black dots on hindmargin below middle, central subquadrate : cilia shining metallic bronzy-grey, with a strong black basal line. Hindwings grey ; cilia whitish, with a grey basal line, and a faint cloudy grey median shade. Auckland ( Waitakere Ranges), in December ; two specimens. Dipt, epiphaa, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (3,800 feet). Dipt, elaina, Meyr. Also from Auckland, Napier, and Nelson. PHYCITIL\F. Maxillary palpi not triangularly dilated. Forewings with vein 7 absent, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with lower median pectinated. Although I am now able to quote species of this and the fol- lowing families as occurring in New Zealand, they are not to be regarded as forming any part of the truly indigenous fauna. Crocydopora, Meyr. Antennae of male shortly ciliated, with a sinuation above basal joint containing a large tuft of scales. Labial palpi rather 72 Transactions. — Zoology. long, porrected, second joint thickened with dense appressed scales, terminal joint short. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Fore- wings with veins 3 and 4 approximated at base, 5 absent, 7 absent, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with vein 2 almost from angle of cell, 3 and 4 stalked, 5 absent, 6 and 7 stalked, 8 closely approximated to 7 beyond 6 but not anastomosing. Nearly allied to the cosmopolitan Anerastia : only one species known. Croc, cinigerella, Walk. (Nephopteryx cinigerella, Walk., Suppl., 1719 ; N. stenopterella, Meyr., "Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W.," 1878, 200.) Male, female. — 16-20 mm. Forewings very elongate, nar- row, slightly dilated ; dark grey, finely irrorated with whitish ; lines indistinct, indicated by serrate dark margins ; first at -J, somewhat oblique, preceded on inner margin by a pale grey- reddish spot margined with dark fuscous ; second at £, indented above middle ; a pale grey-reddish suffusion towards middle of inner margin ; two black dots placed transversely in disc beyond middle. Hindwings grey. Whangarei and Nelson, in December and January ; several specimens. This species is very common in East and South Australia, frequenting dry, usually sandy, places, and coming freely to lamps. I have long been familiar with it there, but never took it in New Zealand until the summer of 1885-86, nor have I seen it in other collections ; it is therefore possible that it may be a recent accidental introduction ; if so, it will probably be found soon to become more common and generally dis- tributed. But in any case it is to be considered as a strictly Australian insect, which has incidentally found its way to this country. HoMffiosoiiA, Curt. I have two specimens of a species closely approaching and perhaps identical with the Australian H. vagella, but as they are both females, and differ slightly, I think it necessary to wait for further evidence before pronouncing on their identity. //. vagella has similar habits to the preceding species, and a still wider range ; it might therefore very well occur. GALLERIAD^. Maxillary palpi very small, filiform. Forewings with vein 7 stalked with 8 and 9. Hindwings with vein 8 anastomosing with 7, lower median pectinated. AcHRffiA, Hb. Antenmc of male filiform, simple, basal joint with a triangular projection of scales. Labial palpi very short, in male su base-ending, in female porrected. Maxillary palpi very Meyrick. — Xotes on Neiv Zealand Tortricina. 78 short, obtuse. Forewings with veins 4 and 5 in male separate, in female stalked, 8 and 9 out of 7, 10 absent. Hindwings with veins 3 and 4 stalked, 5 absent, 7 out of 6 near origin, anasto- mosing with 8 to beyond middle. Achr. grisella, F. Male, female. — 16-25 mm. Head light ochreous - yellow. Forewings elongate, not dilated, costa moderately arched, apex rounded ; light fuscous, unicolorous. Hindwings tolerably pointed, light grey. Nelson, in January ; one specimen. A common European species, introduced into Australia and New Zealand by civilisa- tion ; the larva feeds on the wax in beehives (often proving extremely destructive), and also on dried fruits. Art. XIV. — Notes on New Zealand Tortricina. By E. Meyrick, B.A., F.E.S. [Read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, Qth October, 1887.] GBAPHOLITHIDtE. Strepsicrates, Meyr. I propose this name for the genus which I formerly called Strepsiceros, the latter name being preoccupied in the Mammalia. Streps, charopa, n. sp. Male. — 11-12 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax pale ochreous. Antennae grey, notched at ^. Abdomen light grey, anal tuft whitish-ochreous. Legs grey, ringed with whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, narrow, costa gently arched, apex tolerably pointed, hindmargiu slightly sinuate, rather strongly oblique ; pale ochreous, somewhat suffused with deeper ochreous ; a few fine scattered dark fuscous scales ; a short leaden-metallic erect streak from anal angle, and a similar one before middle of hind- margin : cilia light ochreous, with an ill-defined blackish apical spot. Hindwings grey, apex tinged with whitish-ochreous ; cilia grey-whitish, with a cloudy darker line. Whangarei and Auckland, in December ; two specimens. Streps, parthenia, n. sp. Female. — 13 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, and thorax whitish. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with whitish, posterior pair whitish. Forewings elongate, costa moderately 74 Transactions. — Zooloyy. arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin sinuate, rather strongly oblique ; light brownish-ochreous, tinged with grey towards inner margin ; a broad white streak along costa from base to apex, extremities pointed, margined beneath by a blackish streak from before middle to apex ; about eight fine short dark fuscous strigulre on posterior half of costa ; an erect leaden- metallic streak from anal angle, and another from middle of hindmargin, both touching margin of costal streak : cilia pale brownish-ochreous, with a blackish apical spot. Hindwings grey-whitish ; cilia whitish. Auckland (Waitakere Kanges), in December ; two specimens, beaten from a small-leaved shrub in kauri forest. TORTRICIDvE. Peoselena, Meyr. Pros, loxias, n. sp. Male. — 13-14 mm. Head and palpi ferruginous, face light brownish-ochreous. Antenna? blackish, obscurely spotted with whitish-ochreous, moderately biciliated (1). Thorax dark fuscous, patagia ferruginous. Abdomen dark fuscous, anal tuft brownish- ochreous. Legs ochreous-brown, banded with dark fuscous, posterior pair whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, parallel- sided, costa moderately arched near base, thence straight, apex obtuse, hindmargin almost straight, oblique ; whitish-ochreous, marbled with pale ferruginous ; basal patch somewhat mixed with deeper ferruginous and black, outer edge running from \ of costa to ^ of inner margin, partly marked with black, sharply angulated in middle ; central fascia from | of costa to before anal angle, deep ferruginous mixed with black, rather narrow, tolerably even, posterior edge becoming indistinct on lower half and merging with an equally broad patch of leaden-grey scales ; a deep ferruginous semi-annular pale-centred costal spot at i, mixed with black ; a small deep ferruginous spot, mixed with black, before hindmargin in middle : cilia pale ochreous, with two faint greyish lines. Hindwings dark fuscous-grey, some- what lighter towards base ; cilia whitish-ochreous, obscurely suffused with grey on basal half, with a dark-grey basal line. Mount Arthur (4,000 feet), in January ; two specimens. Pros, zatrophana, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (2,600 feet). Harmologa, Meyr. Harm, latomana, Meyr. Also from Mouut Arthur (4,400 to 4, GOO feet) ; common. Meyrick. — Notes on New Zealand Tortricina. 75 Harm, sircea, Meyr. Also from Mount Arthur (4,000 to 4,500 feet) ; common. Epalxiphora, Meyr. Epalx. axenana, Meyr. Also from Auckland, in December. Tortrix, Tr. Tort, charactana, Meyr. Also from Nelson. Dipterina, Meyr. Dipt, jactatana, Walk. Also from "Whangarei and Auckland. CONCH YLIDIDiE. ISONOMEUTIS, n. g. Forehead with projecting scales. Antennae in male filiform, shortly ciliated (£). Palpi very long, straight, porrected, with rough projecting scales above and beneath, somewhat attenuated, terminal joint concealed. Thorax smooth. Posterior tibiae smooth-scaled. Fore wings with veins 3 and 4 approximated at base, 7 to hindmargin, surface with small tufts of scales. Hind- wings markedly narrower than forewings, rounded ; veins 3 and 4 short-stalked, 5, 6, 7 tolerably parallel, lower median naked. This genus approaches more nearly to the European L'onchijlis than to any other, but its facies is very singular, suggesting a small dark Scoparia. Is. amauropa, n. sp. Male. — 12 mm. Head, antennae, thorax, and abdomen dark fuscous. Palpi dark fuscous, beneath white towards base, with a median longitudinal bright ferruginous streak. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, posteriorly considerably dilated, costa gently arched, apex rounded, hindmargin slightly rounded, rather strongly oblique ; dark fuscous-grey; markings light ferruginous mixed with black, ill-defined ; a small spot beneath costa near base, and another before middle ; three transverse strigae, angulated in middle, not reaching costa, first about -J-, second and third before and beyond § ; a small mark beneath costa at -|, preceded by an obscure whitish suffusion ; a hindmarginal series of small obscure black spots, separated by whitish scales : cilia dark grey, with a darker line, and a small whitish apical spot. Hindwings dark fuscous grey ; an irregular sinuate black streak, mixed with 76 Transactions. — Zoology. light ferruginous, from centre of disc to anal angle ; hindniar- ginal spots and cilia as in fore wings. Whangarei ; one specimen, in December. Heterocrossa, Meyr. Het. adreptella, "Walk. Mr. R. W. Fereday has bred this species from larvae feeding in the shoots of the garden raspberry ; its natural food is there- fore doubtless the wild Rubus. Het. exochana, n. sp. Female. — 21 mm. Head and thorax ochreous-white. Palpi with upper longitudinal half ochreous-white, lower dark fuscous. Antennas, abdomen, and legs ochreous-whitish, anterior legs suffused with dark fuscous. Forewings elongate, scarcely dilated, costa moderately arched, apex round-pointed, hind- margin faintly sinuate, rather strongly oblique ; pale whitish- ochreous ; about ten small irregular scattered black dots in disc ; a subterminal series of irregular cloudy black dots, obsolete towards costa and inner margin : cilia pale whitish-ochreous. Hindwings and cilia ochreous-whitish. Nelson, in January ; one specimen. Het. eriphylla, n. sp. Male. — 26 mm. Head and thorax whitish-greenish, shoulders olive-greenish. Palpi whitish-greenish, apex of basal joint and a band before middle of second fuscous. Antennae greyish- ochreous, basal joint dilated, whitish-greenish. Abdomen pale whitish-ochreous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints whitish, posterior pair pale whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, posteriorly slightly dilated, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin straight, oblique ; pale greenish, irregularly irro- rated with white, especially towards hindmargin ; about eight small black spots on costa, from which proceed obscure olive- green inwardly oblique strigulae ; three inwardly oblique pairs of large tufts in disc, olive-green anteriorly, white posteriorly, margined above and below by small black spots, first near base, second at ^, third at 4f ; a short black streak on fold between second pair, crossed by a cloudy black mark margining them anteriorly ; a slender white sinuate longitudinal line in disc between second and third pairs, unevenly black-margined, crossed by three or four irregular fine white strigse ; a sub- terminal series of small fine irregular black marks, angulated in middle ; hindmargin irregularly dotted with black scales : cilia whitish, towards base sprinkled with greenish. Hindwings and cilia whitish. Wellington, in January ; one specimen. Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 77 Art. XV. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. By E. Meyrick, B.A., F.E.S. [Read before tlie Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 6th October, 1887.] GELECHLULE. Epiphthora, n. g. Head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue well-developed. An- tenna? i, in male serrate, simple, basal joint elongate, with strong pecten. Labial palpi moderate, arched, ascending, second joint with appressed scales, slightly rough beneath, dilated towards apex, terminal joint short, half as long as second, slightly thickened with scales, pointed, not acute. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Posterior tibiae clothed with long hairs above and beneath. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from f of cell, 4-7 approximated from narrow end of cell, 7 to costa, 8 absent (coincident with 7), 11 from about middle of cell. Hind wings f, elongate-oblong, narrow, hindmargin rectangu- larly emarginate beneath very strongly produced apex, cilia 4 ; veins 2-4 moderately remote, transverse vein absent, 5 and 6 absent, 7 to apex, 8 short, consisting almost wholly of a furca- tion towards base, of which the lower fork runs into 7. A peculiar genus, with aberrant neuration. Epiphth. melanombra, n. sp. Male, female. — 10-11 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen and legs whitish, densely irrorated witb black, appearing grey. Forewings elongate, pointed, apex subcaudate ; whitish densely irrorated with black, appearing grey ; a suffused blackish spot in disc before middle, another on anal angle, and a third less apparent towards apex : cilia grey, round apex whitish irrorated with black. Hindwings and cilia grey. Christchurch ; bred commonly by Mr. R. W. Fereday, in December, from larva? mining blotches in the leaves of Olearia iiricenniafulia (an evergreen shrub belonging to the Composite) in November. I am indebted to his kindness for specimens. DEPRESS ARIADNE. Leptosaces, n. g. Head loosely haired ; no ocelli ; tongue well-developed. An- tenna? f- , in male filiform, simple, basal joint moderately elon- gate, without pecten. Labial palpi long, recurved, second joint thickened with appressed scales, terminal joint as long as second, slender, acute. Maxillary palpi short, drooping. Ab- domen tolerably flattened, in male strongly margined. Posterior 78 Transactions. — Zoology. tibiae clothed with long hairs above. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from f of cell, 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to costa, 11 from middle of cell. Hindwings as broad as forewings, trapezoidal- ovate, apex and hindmargin rounded, cilia § ; veins 3 and 4 from a point, 6 and 7 tolerably parallel. Lept. callixijUt, n. sp. Male, female. — 16-18 mm. Head yellow-ochreous, crown mixed with dark fuscous. Palpi yellow-ochreous, terminal joint and a subapical band of second dark fuscous. An- tenna? dark fuscous, in female annulated with whitish-ochreous. Thorax in male dark fuscous, in female yellow-ochreous, with shoulders and a dorsal streak dark fuscous. Abdomen grey. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, rather narrow, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, hind- margin very obliquely rounded ; rather dark fuscous, strewn with yellow-ochreous scales, in female suffused with yellow- ochreous towards inner margin ; a longitudinal yellow-ochreous streak in disc from \ to £ , in female extended to base ; a cloudy dark fuscous dot on this streak at a, a second beyond middle, and a third on fold obliquely beyond first ; a yellow-ochreous transverse line, in male ill-defined, from | of costa to anal angle, sharply angulated in middle, indented beneath costa ; an irregular yellow-ochreous hindmarginal line : cilia pale yellow- ochreous, with a rather dark fuscous basal line, in male also with a fuscous median line. Hindwings and cilia grey. Whangarei and Nelson, in December and January ; two specimens, amongst forest. The differences indicated between these two specimens may be either sexual or merely individual. (ECOPHOKIXME. Peltophora, Meyr. Antennae in male with long fine ciliations (3), basal joint with pecten. Palpi long, second joint exceeding base of antenna?, smoothly scaled, terminal joint shorter than second, slender. Thorax smooth. Forewings with vein 2 from very near angle of cell, 7 to hindmargin. Hindwings almost as broad as forewings, elongate-ovate, cilia f ; neuration normal. At present represented by about twenty Australian and one European species ; the following species seems truly referable here, and is presumably a straggler. Pelt, amenena, n. sp. Male. — 22-25 mm. 1 lead, palpi, antenna?, thorax, and abdo- men pale whitish-ochivous, sometimes brownish-tiuged. Legs fuscous, posterior pair whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 79 costa moderately arched, slightly sinuate in middle, apex round- pointed, hindmargin very obliquely rounded ; whitish-ochreous, sometimes with scattered fuscous scales, especially on costal half anteriorly ; sometimes a dark fuscous suffusion towards base of costa ; two fuscous dots, somewhat obliquely placed, faintly indicated in disc before middle ; a conspicuous round dark fuscous dot in disk beyond middle ; sometimes a posterior transverse line indicated with dark fuscous scales, angulated in middle, indented above middle : cilia whitish-ochreous. Hind- wings whitish-ochreous, greyish-tinged, more or less suffused with light fuscous-grey, except towards base ; cilia pale whitish- ochreous. Arthur's Pass (4,700 feet), and Mount Arthur (4,000 feet), in January ; three specimens. Probably nearer the Tasmanian P. cata.vera than any other described species. Semiocosma, Meyr. Sem,. mystis, n. sp. Differs from S. peroneanella only as follows : usually larger ; thorax with the two dorsal black marks united in front to form an irregular bar ; forewings with the black postmedian discal mark connected with the mark beneath middle of disc by a bar, and not touching costal spot above it (in S. peroneanella it is con- nected with spot above it, and not with mark beneath middle of disc) ; hindwings more whitish, the grey colour forming a discal spot and subterminal band (in S. peroneanella the grey is gene- rally diffused posteriorly). In my description of S. peroneanella this is included as a geo- graphical (South Island) form of that species ; as I now prefer to separate it as a distinct species, the said description should be corrected accordingly. The synonymy is correct as quoted. S. peroneanella occurs at Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, and Wellington ; S. mystis at Nelson, Christchurch, and Dunedm ; both in December and January. I have seen a fair number of specimens, and the two forms appear constant. Sem. ajwdoxa, n. sp. Mule, female. — 21-26 mm. Head whitish, lower margin of face and maxillary palpi dark fuscous. Palpi white, second joint with lower half and a subapical ring fuscous, terminal joint with a blackish median band. Antennae dark fuscous. Thorax whitish, with a few fuscous scales. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs dark fuscous, posterior pair whitish. Forewings elongate, costa slightly arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin nearly straight, rather oblique ; white, irregularly irrorated with light greyish-fuscous ; a small fuscous spot at base of costa, and a dot near base in middle ; a slender dark fuscous streak from J of costa to disc 80 Transactions. — Zoology. before middle, its extremity furcate ; a small fuscous spot be- neath costa near beyond this ; a fuscous-grey suffused patch towards middle third of inner margin, and a similar roundish patch above anal angle ; an angulated dark fuscous mark in disc beyond middle ; a short oblique irregular cloudy fuscous streak from apex ; a hindmarginal row of cloudy fuscous dots : cilia whitish, irrorated with light greyish-fuscous. Hindwings grey- whitish, faintly ochreous-tinged ; a faint darker discal dot ; a slight greyish suffusion towards apex ; cilia grey- whitish. Wellington ; three specimens received from Messrs. A. Purdie and G. V. Hudson. Sem. platyptera, n. sp. Male, female. — 34 mm. Head and thorax fuscous, sprinkled with ochreous-whitish. Palpi fuscous, second joint mixed with white on terminal half, terminal joint with apex and a median band blackish. Antennae fuscous. Abdomen pale greyish- ochreous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish, posterior tibiaa ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin rather obliquely rounded ; rather light fuscous, irregularly irrorated with black ; a black streak from base to -J of disc, connected with costa by a dark fuscous spot at base ; numerous small scattered hardly defined dark fuscous strigulae, some of which tend to form an irregular transverse line from £ of costa to anal angle ; a faintly indicated pale curved transverse streak from ■§ of costa to anal angle, preceded by a slightly darker circular suffusion in disc, and followed by a slightly darker suffusion ; a hindmarginal row of cloudy dark fuscous dots : cilia ochreous-whitish, sprinkled with fuscous and dark fuscous on basal half. Hindwings pale fuscous, becoming more whitish towards base ; cilia whitish, with a well-marked fuscous subbasal line. Wellington; several specimens taken by Mr. G. V.' Hudson, to whose kindness I am indebted for a type. Gymnobathra, Meyr. Gipmi. habropis, n.sp. Male. — 19-23 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax light ochreous- yellow ; terminal joint of palpi white, anterior edge blackish. Antennae dark fuscous, annulated with white. Abdomen whitish-ochreous. Legs rather dark fuscous, posterior tibiae whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, posteriorly dilated, costa moderately arched, apex acute, produced, hindmargin concave, very oblique ; light ocln eons-yellow ; a light fuscous dot in disc at i, a second somewhat larger beyond middle, and a third obliquely beyond first on fold; a narrow suffused light fuscous hindmarginal fascia, darkest posteriorly, becoming obsolete towards apex : cilia pale ochreous-yellow, beneath anal angle Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 81 light fuscous. Hiudwings ochreous- whitish, towards apex tinged with pale fuscous ; cilia ochreous- whitish, round apex fuscous-tinged. Nelson, in January ; three specimens, amongst forest. Gymn. omphalota, n. sp. Male, female. — 12-14 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax dark fuscous mixed with pale whitish-ochreous, face whitish- ochreous. Antennae dark fuscous, obscurely spotted with ochreous-whitish. Abdomen dark fuscous, segmental margins sharply whitish. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with whitish. Forewings elongate, costa slightly arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin sinuate, oblique ; rather dark fuscous, with greenish reflections, irregularly irrorated with ochreous-whitish, and with some scattered yellowish scales ; a small round dark fuscous spot in disc before middle, and a second on fold obliquely beyond it, sometimes confluent, both sometimes margined posteriorly with whitish ; a whitish dot on costa before middle ; a subtriangular dark fuscous spot, mixed with yellowish and margined with blackish, in disc beyond middle, connected with costa by a dark fuscous suffusion ; an irregular whitish line from f of costa to anal angle, slightly bent above middle, preceded on inner margin by a small blackish spot : cilia grey-whitish, beneath anal angle grey, with a grey post- median line, basal third ochreous-yellowish margined by a black line and tending to be spotted with blackish. Hind- wings dark fuscous, lighter on basal half, with an indistinct darker discal spot ; cilia fuscous-grey, with a blackish basal line. Christchurch and Lake Wakatipu, in December ; five speci- mens. (Ecophora, Z. CEc. politis, n. sp. Female. — 17 mm. Head and thorax whitish-ochreous. Palpi wintish-ochreous, externally with a few dark fuscous scales. Antennae whitish - ochreous, spotted with fuscous. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs whitish-ochreous, anterior pair suffused with dark fuscous. Forewings elongate, not dilated, costa gently arched, apex pointed, hindmargin very obliquely rounded ; whitish-ochreous ; a brownish-ochreous streak, its lower margin irregularly mixed with blackish-fuscous, along fold from base to anal angle ; a dark fuscous dot in disc before middle, a second at f, and a third on submedian streak obliquely before first ; an irregular line of dark fuscous scales from f of costa to anal angle, sharply angulated in middle, indented above middle : cilia whitish-ochreous. Hindwings and cilia ochreous-grey-whitish. 6 82 Transactions. — Zoology. Wellington ; a specimen received from Mr. G. V. Hudson, who has taken others. Probably nearest to (E. griseata. Cremnogenes, Meyr. (.'renin, siderota, n. sp. Male, female. — 16-18 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomeu, and legs dark fuscous; collar ferruginous; antennas in male clothed throughout with scattered cilia (1), with longer fasciculated series (2) ; patagia with small ochreous-whitish apical spot. Forewings elongate, costa moderately arched, apex obtuse, hindinargin rounded, rather strongly oblique ; deep ferruginous, more or less irrorated and suffused with dark grey, especially in male ; a small ill-defined yellowish spot on base of inner margin, and another beyond middle, in female much more distinct than in male ; two pale leaden-grey-metallic irregular angulated transverse lines, first about A-, second about £, second in female forming a whitish-ochreous triangular spot on costa ; a pale leaden-grey-metallic ring in disc beyond middle ; a pale leaden-grey-metallic line from costa near before apex to anal angle, slightly bent in middle, extremities forming whitish-ochreous spots, more distinct in female : cilia dark grey, basal half light ferruginous, with a pale yellowish spot beneath anal angle. Hindwings dark fuscous-grey ; cilia grey, with a darker basal line. Mount Arthur (4,500 feet), in January ; abundant on tbe flowers of Aciphylla, within a limited locality. GLYPHIPTERYGIDiE . Heliostibes, Z. Head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue well-developed. An- tennae |, in male biciliated with fascicles (2-3), basal joint moderate, without pecten. Labial palpi moderately long, re- curved, second joint exceeding base of antennas, thickened with appressed scales, terminal joint somewhat shorter than second, acute. Maxillary palpi rudimentary. Posterior tibiae roughly haired above and beneath on basal half. Forewings with vein 1 long-furcate, 2 from about f , 3-5 approximated at base, 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to about apex. Hindwings broader than forewings, oblong-ovate, cilia 1 - *, ; veins 8 and 4 from a pohit, 6 and 7 tolerably parallel, 1// pectinated. The position of this genus (referred here by Zeller) must be regarded at present as doubtful ; it appears to be a synthetic or undeveloped type, certainly having affinities with this family, but perhaps rather to be considered as an early unspecialised form of the Gelechiada. Besides the two following, there is only one Peruvian species known. Meybick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 83 Hel. illita, Feld. (Atychia illita, Feld., pi. cxl., 32.) Male. — 21-24 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs dark fuscous. Forewings elongate, posteriorly some- what dilated, costa hardly arched, apex rounded-obtuse, hind- margin hardly oblique, rounded beneath ; dark fuscous, irregu- larly mixed with deep reddish, with some scattered whitish- ochreous hair- scales ; two very obscurely indicated somewhat darker spots in disc, first oblique-transverse, before middle, second sub-oblong, beyond middle ; between these are a few scattered white scales ; a white irroration forming an obscure transverse streak from £ of costa to anal angle ; four very small blackish-fuscous subquadrate costal spots between middle and apex, separated by ochreous-white spots : cilia fuscous, basal half darker and mixed with deep reddish, tips mixed with ochreous- whitish. Hindwings bright orange ; a broad irregular blackish hindmarginal border, dilated at apex, and extended as a narrow attenuated streak along costa to base ; inner margin suffused with blackish ; a more or less defined irregular black streak from base to hindmarginal band beneath middle, some- times reduced to a partial irroration : cilia orange, tips paler, base generally blackish on upper half of hindmargin. Var. a. Thorax and forewings almost wholly suffused with bright ferruginous, all markings absent. Nelson and Dunediu, in January ; flies actively in the sun- shine over the tops of high Leptospermum bushes ; seems local, but common where it occurs. Hel. atychioides, Butl. (Tachyptilia atychioides, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 405, pi. xliii., 14.) Male, female. — 13-16 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax dark fuscous, mixed with brownish-ochreous. Antennae and abdo- men dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with whitish. Forewings elongate, posteriorly somewhat dilated, costa hardly arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin nearly straight, somewhat oblique, rounded beneath ; dark fuscous, thickly strewn with brownish-ochreous hair-scales ; the partial obsolescence of these tends to form a streak along inner margin, an irregular trans- verse spot in disc before middle, a small round spot beyond middle, and an irregular narrow somewhat angulated fascia from § of costa to f of inner margin ; sometimes the disc is suffused with whitish except on these markings ; and the fascia is margined posteriorly by a narrow whitish fascia ; all these markings sometimes not traceable : cilia fuscous, base darker, tips whitish on a short space beneath apex. Hindwings dark fuscous, more or less distinctly lighter towards base (less in 84 Transactions. — Zoology. female), rarely with very obscure cloudy fuscous- whitish longi- tudinal streaks on basal half above and below median vein ; cilia light fuscous or whitish, rarely clear white, with dark fuscous basal line. Whangarei, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch ; com- mon in December and January, frequenting Leptospermum, prin- cipally on coast sandhills. SiMiETHis, Leach. The three additional mountain species here given are super- ficially very similar, but are easily separated by comparison of the markings of hindwings, and the metallic markings of fore- wings. I have an undescribed Tasmanian species, which also approaches them nearly. A. Forewings with metallic markings. 1. Hindwings with white discal line reaching anal angle .. .. .. .. .. .. marmarea. 2. Hindwings with white discal line interrupted above anal angle .. .. .. .. microlitha. B. Forewings without metallic markings .. .. syviboltea. Sim. microlitha, n. sp. Male, female. — 8-10 mm. Head and thorax dark bronzy- fuscous, more or less densely irrorated with white. Palpi dark fuscous, with about eight fine white transverse bars, towards base suffused with white. Antenna? black, annulated with white. Abdomen black, segmental margins sharply white. Legs black, banded with white. Forewings rather elongate, posteriorly slightly dilated, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin slightly rounded, rather oblique ; dark bronzy-fuscous ; markings formed by a fine close white irroration ; a small basal patch, its outer edge angulated ; two angulated transverse hues near together about ^ ; a fine irregular transverse line beyond middle, more or less interrupted in disc ; a thicker line, sometimes separated into two fine lines, from | of costa to anal angle ; some scattered silvery-metallic scales in posterior half of wing, and a series of silvery-metallic marks from near costa at § half across wing, thence bent to near middle of hindmargin, and again bent up to apex : cilia whitish with thick blackish-fuscous basal and rather dark fuscous median lines. Hindwings ovate, evenly rounded ; dark fuscous, basal half lighter and more or less whitish-tinged; a white submarginal dot at anal angle, and a line white nearly straight short white line from very near hind- margin below middle, directed towards § of costa but not nearly reaching it ; cilia as in forewings. Mount Arthur (3,900 feet), Arthur's Pass (3,000 feet), and Castle Hill (3,000 feet), in January ; common amongst rank herbage. Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 85 Sim. marmarea, n. sp. Male. — 10 mm. Head, thorax, and legs dark fuscous, densely irrorated with white. Palpi dark fuscous, with about eight fine white transverse bars, towards base suffused with white. An- tenna3 black, annulated with white. Abdomen dark fuscous, segmental margins sharply silvery-white. Forewings rather elongate, posteriorly somewhat dilated, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin obliquely rounded ; dark bronzy-fuscous ; markings formed by a fine close white irroration ; a small ill- defined basal patch ; two cloudy dentate angulated almost con- fluent transverse lines about £ ; an irregularly angulated trans- verse line beyond middle, its discal portion silvery-metallic and forming a small spot above middle, separated from preceding line by a black fascia ; a straight line from f of costa to anal angle ; a silvery- metallic submarginal streak along upper half of hindmargin: cilia whitish, with thick black basal and grey median lines. Hindwings ovate, slightly elongate, rounded ; rather dark fuscous ; a small cloudy white discal spot at ^ ; a strong straight white line from anal angle to disc beyond middle ; above and beyond apex of this a few white scales ; cilia as in forewings. Lake Wakatipu (2,200 feet), in December; one specimen. Sym. symbolcea, n. sp. Male, female. — 10-13 mm. Head, thorax, and legs dark fuscous irrorated with white. Palpi dark fuscous, with about eight fine white transverse bars, towards base suffused with white. Antennae black, annulated with white. Abdomen dark fuscous, segmental margins sharply silvery- white. Forewings rather elongate, posteriorly moderately dilated, costa gently arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin somewhat oblique, nearly straight, rounded beneath ; dark bronzy-fuscous ; markings formed by a fine white irroration ; a small basal patch, its outer- edge angulated ; two angulated transverse lines near together about ^ ; a fine irregularly-indented transverse line beyond middle, space between this and preceding line often partially blackish-fuscous ; a cloudy line from f of costa to anal . angle, sometimes interrupted above middle ; a white irroration towards upper half of hindmargin : cilia white, with thick black basal and dark fuscous median lines, at apex and anal angle and on a small median spot more or less wholly suffused with dark fuscous. Hindwings dark fuscous, lighter on basal half; a slightly out- wards-curved fine white line from anal angle to disc at § , upper portion sometimes followed by a second less-defined similar line ; cilia white, with blackish fuscous basal and fuscous median lines. Arthur's Pass (3,000 to 3,500 feet), in January ; rather common. 86 Transactions. — Zoology. Glyphipteryx, Hb. Glyph, zelota, n. sp. Male, female. — 12-14 ram. Head and thorax deep bronze. Palpi white, second joint with four black bands, terminal joint black in front. Antennae and abdomen dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with white. Forewings elongate, posteriorly somewhat dilated, costa slightly arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin concave, oblique ; deep bronze ; a straight trans- verse slightly oblique ochreous-white spot on inner margin at £, reaching half across wing, apex rounded ; a similar smaller spot on inner margin beyond middle, reaching £ across wing ; a straight narrow oblique ochreous-white streak from costa at £, reaching half across wing ; two slender violet-golden-metallic fasciae, extremities whitish, first from middle of costa to second dorsal spot, slightly curved, second from § of costa to § of inner margin, nearly straight, sometimes interrupted beneath costa ; three cloudy light bronzy-ochreous fascia?, forming whitish dots on costa, first before first metallic fascia, not passing dorsal spot, second and third beyond first and second metallic fasciae respectively, third margined posteriorly by a straight slender violet-goldeu-metallic fascia which does not reach either margin ; four small cloudy pale bronzy-ochreous spots beneath costa posteriorly, fourth forming an ochreous-white dot on costa ; a violet-golden-metallic apical dot, above which is an ochreous- white dot ; a violet-golden-metallic wedge-shaped dot on hind- margin above middle ; space between third metallic fascia and hindmargin pale bronzy-ochreous, containing several undefined blackish longitudinal marks ; a black suboblong anal patch, extending from third ochreous fascia, containing six round violet-golden-metallic spots in two longitudinal rows : cilia bronzy-grey, with an ochreous-white triangular indentation above middle. Hindwings dark fuscous ; cilia fuscous-grey. Whangarei, in December ; seven specimens, amongst forest ; a very handsome species. Glyph, acronoma, n. sp. Male, female. — 10-11 mm. Head and thorax deep greyish- bronze, thorax with a small posterior white spot. Palpi white, second joint with four black bands, terminal joint black in front. Antennae and abdomen dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with whitish. Forewings elongate, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin .sinuate, oblique ; rather deep greyish- bronze, posterior half mixed with light bronzy-ochreous ; an ochreous-white oblique streak from costa at :\ , broadest in middle, apex acute, reaching half across wing ; a slender white slightly curved fascia from middle of costa to inner margin beyond middle, sometimes indistinct in disc, forming a small spot on inner margin ; a silvery-blue-metallic slightly curved Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 87 slender fascia from § of costa to f of inner margin, becoming white at extremities ; three short silvery-blue-metallic streaks from costa between this and apex, forming white dots on costa, last margining a round black apical spot ; a subtriangular black anal patch, containing four round violet-golden-metallic spots : cilia grey, with a blackish line near base, interrupted by a triangular white indentation above middle. Hindwings dark grey ; cilia grey. Mount Arthur (4,000 feet), in January ; two specimens. Glyph, leptosema, n. sp. Female. — 8 mm. Head and thorax dark bronzy-fuscous. Palpi white, with four black bands. Antennae and abdomen dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, posteriorly slightly dilated, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin very obliquely rounded; dark bronzy-fuscous ; seven oblique streaks from costa, reaching nearly half across wing, first from ^ of costa, most oblique, first four very slender, grey, obscure, forming minute white dots on costa, third terminating in a crescentic violet-silvery-metallic mark in disc, preceded by a violet-metallic dot, iast three shorter, wedge-shaped, white, extremities violet-metallic ; a slender very oblique straight streak from middle of inner margin, apex acute, not reaching half across wing, upper half ochreous-white, lower half grey ; a slender violet-blue-metallic angulated fascia from costa at f , between third and fourth streaks, to inner margin before anal angle, costal extremity white ; an irregular violet- metallic streak along hindmargin : cilia grey, with a blackish line, interrupted by a triangular whitish indentation above middle (round apex imperfect). Hindwings narrow, dark fuscous-grey ; cilia grey. Auckland, in January ; one specimen. Glyph, nephoptera, n. sp. Male, female. — 8-11 mm. Head and thorax dark bronzy- grey. Palpi white, with four black bands, apex black in front. Antennae and abdomen dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with whitish. Forewings elongate, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin sinuate, oblique ; rather dark bronzy- fuscous or bronzy-grey, more or less densely irrorated with ochreous-whitish ; in pale specimens a small dark spot in disc towards base, and a fine angulated dark transverse line about f , beyond which is a whitish dot on inner margin ; about eight short wedge-shaped ochreous-whitish strigulae from costa between ± and apex, first four often very obscure, fifth giving rise to a slender angulated pale golden-metallic fascia, which forms a very small whitish spot on inner mai'gin, last three more distinct, 88 Transactions. — Zoology. becoming pale golden-metallic at apex ; a pale golden-metallic dot on hindmargin above middle ; a small round dark fuscous apical spot : cilia with basal half bronzy-grey limited by a strong black line triangularly indented above middle, terminal half white, tips grey, with a black apical hook. Hindwings rather dark fuscous-grey ; cilia fuscous-grey. Christchurch, in February and March ; common on grassy volcanic hills. Allied to G. acrothecta, but broader-winged, and differing hi numerous details. Phryganostola, Meyr. Phryg. ataracta, n. sp. Male, female. — 15-20 mm. Head, palpi, antenna?, thorax, abdomen, and legs whitish-ochreous ; second joint of palpi with indications of fuscous bands ; anterior legs infuscated. Fore- wings elongate, narrow, costa gently arched, apex in male round-pointed, in female very acute, hindmargin extremely obliquely rounded ; whitish-ochreous ; a few dark fuscous scales tending to form lines on veins : cilia whitish-ochreous. Hind- wings pale whitish - grey, ochreous - tinged ; cilia whitish- ochreous. Mount Arthur (4,600 feet), in January ; six specimens. Circica, n. g. Head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue short. Antennae f , in male filiform, shortly ciliated (+), basal joint moderate, simple. Labial palpi moderate, curved, porrected or subascending, loosely rough-scaled beneath throughout, terminal joint shorter than second, pointed. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Abdomen elongate. Posterior tibia? with appressed scales. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from near angle, 7 and 8 separate, 7 to hindmargin, 11 from before middle, secondary cell well-defined, Hindwings f, lanceolate, cilia H ; veins 3 and 4 from a point, 6 and 7 rather approximated towards base. Circ. cionophora, n. sp. Male, female. — 11-15 mm. Head, thorax, and abdomen pale whitish-ochreous. Palpi whitish. Antenna? prey. Legs fus- cous, posterior pair suffused with ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate -lanceolate, apex in female acuminate ; ochreous- whitish ; a moderate straight bronzy subcostal stripe from base to apex ; a cloudy ochreous streak along submcdian fold, more or less obsolete posteriorly : cilia ochreous-whitish. Hindwings in male grey, in female grey-whitish ; cilia ocbreous-whitish. Christchurch, in February and March ; common on the upen volcanic bills. Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 89 ( 'ire. xestobela, n. sp. Male, female. — 10-12 mm. Head and thorax dark bronzy- fuscous. Palpi dark fuscous, towards base whitish. Antennae and abdomen dark fuscous. Legs dark grey, apex of joints obscurely whitish. Forewings lanceolate ; rather dark greyish- bronze : cilia light grey, costal cilia white. Hindwings grey ; cilia light grey, on costa grey-whitish. Arthur's Pass (3,000 to 4,000 feet), in January; five speci- mens. Pantosperma, n. g. Head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue short. Antennae almost 1, in male serrulate, shortly ciliated (f), basal joint moderate, simple. Labial palpi moderate, filiform, curved, rather drooping, terminal joint as long as second, acute. Maxillary palpi absolete. Abdomen elongate. Posterior tibiae with appressed scales. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 almost from angle, 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to hindmargin, 11 from before middle. Hindwings f , lanceolate, cilia H ; veins 3 and 4 in male separate at origin, in female from a point, 6 and 7 tolerably parallel. In one specimen examined vein 5 of the hindwings was absent, but this would appear to be an accidental deformity. Pant, holochalca, n. sp. Male, female. — 11-14 mm. Head and thorax dark bronzy- fuscous, collar paler. Palpi bronzy-fuscous, lighter towards base. Antennae, abdomen, and legs dark fuscous. Forewings elongate-lanceolate ; deep bronze, more or less irrorated with light bronzy-ochreous : cilia bronzy. Hindwings and cilia dark fuscous. Makatoku (Hawke's Bay), in March ; common, frequenting rushes (Junvus) on the skirts of the forest. PLUTELLIDjE. Compsistis, n. g. Head smooth ; ocelli present ; tongue well-developed. Antennae 1, in male pubescent-ciliated (f), joints closely set, basal joint elongate, without pecten. Labial palpi very long, smooth, recurved, second joint somewhat thickened, terminal joint longer than second, slender, acute. Maxillary palpi very short, appressed to tongue. Posterior tibiae somewhat rough- haired above on basal half. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from near angle, 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to costa, 11 from middle. Hindwings 1, elongate-oblong, apex and hindmargin rounded, cilia almost 1 ; veins 3 and 4 from a point, 6 and 7 parallel. 90 Transactions. — Zoology. Comps. bifaciella, Walk. (Geleckia bifaciella, Walk., 657.) Male, female. — 10-12 mm. Head and thorax shining bronze. Palpi white, terminal joint dark fuscous. Antennas black, with a white subapical band. Abdomen dark fuscous, beneath white. Legs blackish, banded with white. Fore wings elongate, narrow, posteriorly slightly dilated, costa almost straight, apex obtuse, hindmargin obliquely rounded ; basal third dark fuscous, with brassy reflections, towards costa purplish, posterior two-thirds ferruginous-orange, witb a few dark fuscous scales ; a shining violet-white black-margined oblique transverse spot from costa at f , reaching nearly half across wing ; a strongly inwards-curved pale violet-golden-metallic fascia from § of costa to anal angle, sometimes obsolete on costa ; an outwards-curved pale violet-golden-metallic fascia from a small snow-white spot on costa at J to anal angle, where it meets first fascia ; both these fasciae are broadest in disc, narrowed towards extremities : cilia white, with a fine black median line, above apex black, towards anal angle grey. Hindwings and cilia dark fuscous-grey. Whangarei, Auckland, and Wellington, in December and January ; common amongst forest. MICBOPTEKYGIDjE. The four additional species here recorded are exceedingly interesting, and the two species of Palceomicra extremely hand- some. All are most difficult to see on the wing, in fact almost invisible ; much more difficult than the European species of Micropteryx. Mnesarch^a, Meyr. In the two following species the tongue is well-developed, and vein 6 of the forewings is separate ; in all other respects the structure is identical wTith that of M. paracosma. The antenna? in all the species are clothed with loose hair-scales, arranged in whorls at the joints ; the spurs of the middle tibia? are well- developed. Mnes. loxoscia, n. sp. Male, female. — 11-1 2 mm. Head white. Palpi dark fuscous, apex broadly white. Antenna? whitish-ochreous, annulated with fuscous. Thorax white, patagia dark fuscous. Abdomen dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish. Forewings lanceolate; white, more or less partially suffused with pale whitish-yellowish ; a dark fuscous blotch occupying costal half of wing from base to f, its posterior edge inwardly oblique ; a dark fuscous streak along inner margin from base, gradually narrowed, terminating in an outwardly oblique triangular dark fuscous spot, the apex of which toucbes lower posterior angle of Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 91 costal blotch ; apical third of wing pale brownish -ochreous, mixed with dark fuscous and a few white scales : cilia brownish- ochreous, with small white apical and median spots, above apex and towards anal angle dark fuscous. Hindwings dark purple- fuscous ; cilia rather dark fuscous. Auckland (Waitakere Eanges), in December ; common. Mncs. hamadelpha, n. sp. Male. — 10-11 mm. Head, antennas, and thorax whitish - ochreous. Palpi white. Abdomen dark fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with yellow-whitish. Forewings lanceolate ; wbitish-ocbreous ; a tbick blackish-fuscous streak along basal half of costa, narrowed towards base, posterior extremity dilated into a vertical triangular spot reaching more than half across wing ; beyond a line from i- of inner margin to f of costa the ground-colour is shining golden-brownish-ocbreous ; a small ill- defined dark fuscous spot towards inner margin before middle ; a small wbite spot on costa near apex, and some scattered white scales in disc below it ; a black apical spot, preceded by some wbite scales ; three ill-defined blackish spots on hindmargin, alternating with white scales : cilia golden-ochreous, with a white spot above costal spot, a small white apical spot sur- rounded by some black scales, a white basal clot above middle, and a wbite spot towards tips below middle. Hindwings rather dark purple-fuscous ; cilia purplish-fuscous, with a whitish apical dot and small white median spot. Nelson (1,500 to 3,500 feet), in January, amongst forest ; four specimens. PaluEomicra, Meyr. In P. doruxena veins 7 and 8 of both wings are separate ; the point is probably not of much importance in this group, as it only implies a small shifting of one of the variable transverse bars, and the generic definition should be widened to include this case. The genus remains distinct from Micropteryx by the presence of the additional branch of vein 11 of forewings. Pal. zonodoxa, n. sp. Male, female. — 7-8 mm. Head ferruginous or pale ochreous. Palpi wbitish-ocbreous. Antennas pale ochreous, with three more or less perceptible blackish bands. Thorax whitish- yellowish. Abdomen dark grey. Anterior and middle legs wbitish-ocbreous, apex of joints black; posterior legs dark grey, apex of joints whitish-ochreous. Forewings oblong, costa abruptly bent near base, thence gently arched, apex acute, hind- margin straight, very oblique ; neuration quite as in P. chalco- phanes ; dark fuscous purple, with bronzy reflections; extreme base whitish-yellowish ; a moderately broad straight whitish- yellowish fascia before middle, generally narrowest above ; a 92 Transactions. — Zoology. whitish-yellowish dot or small spot on costa about f , variable in size, sometimes absent : cilia dark grey, with a rather large pale whitish-yellowish apical spot. Hindwings dark purple-grey ; cilia dark grey. Auckland (Waitakere Ranges), in December; common iu a very restricted locality amongst sedge in the kauri forest. Pal. doroxena, n. sp. Female. — 11 mm. Head and palpi light ochreous, sides of crown brown. Antennas dark fuscous, annulated with whitish- ochreous. Thorax ochreous-brown. Abdomen dark grey. Legs dark grey, ringed with pale ochreous. Forewings oblong, costa abruptly bent near base, thence gently arched, apex round- pointed, hindmargin straight, very oblique ; neuration quite as in P. chalcophanes, but 7 and 8 separate ; pale shining golden ; two rather narrow oblique coppery-bronze fascia? fiom costa near base and at J, confluent on inner margin before middle ; a straight rather narrow whitish-purplish fascia, margined with coppery-bronze, from middle of costa to inner margin beyond middle ; a whitish-purplish black- margined transverse spot from costa at f , reaching half across wing ; a black semi-annular mark, its extremities touching costa at f and apex, marked with three shining whitish-purplish spots, and including a spot of ground-colour which contains a black costal dot ; a semi-oval black anal blotch, not marginal except at extremities, con- taining three shining whitish -purplish spots near lower edge, and one in a small projection on upper edge : cilia pale golden, with blackish apical, median, and anal spots. Hindwings dark purple-grey ; cilia grey. Auckland (Waitakere Ranges), in December ; one specimen amongst the kauri forest. This species is very interesting from the strong tendency of the markings to approach those of Glyphipteryx. ERECHTHIAD^. Ereunetis, Meyr. This genus differs from the others of the family by the stalking of veins G and 7 of the forewings ; it is hitherto recorded only from Australia, where there are several species. Ereun. technica, n. sp. Female. — 12 mm. Head white, crown ochreous-tinged. Palpi white, beneath with some black scales. Antenna' while, with a black scale-streak at base. Thorax ochreous-white, with a lateral brownish-ochreous stripe. Abdomen grey. Anterior legs blackish ; middle and posterior legs ochreous-white. Fore- wings elongate - lanceolate ; greyish - ochreous. suffused with Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 93 rather dark fuscous towards inner margin ; markings white, faintly ochreous-tinged ; a very fine longitudinal median line from base to -§ ; seven wedge-shaped strigulaa from costa, first two very oblique, reaching half across wing, first connected with base by a slender costal streak, five latter shorter and less oblique ; a subtriangular spot on inner margin at |-, and a sub- oval one at § ; a small black apical spot : cilia light greyish- ochreous, with a blackish-grey median line on upper half, some white scales at base towards middle of hindmargiu, and two diverging blackish hooks at apex. Hiudwings and cilia light grey ; costal cilia whitish. Whangarei, in December; one specimen. Superficially this species has considerable resemblance with the Australian Corno- dica tetracercella, especially in the possession of the double apical hook in the cilia. Eeechthias, Meyr. Ererh. melanotricha, n. sp. Male, female. — Only differs from E. charadrota in having the face and forehead wholly blackish. Whangarei and Auckland, in December ; two specimens. I think this is truly distinct from E. charadrota : I have taken a considerable number of the latter species at Auckland, Tara- naki, Wellington, and Christchurch, from December to February, without finding any which vary in the direction of E. melanotricha . TINEHXE. Head densely rough-haired (rarely face smooth). Antennae with joints closely set, transverse. Maxillary palpi generally well-developed. Fore wings with vein 11 from or before middle of cell. Hiudwings with veins 3 and 4 separate. Eepresented in New Zealand by a few casual species, several of which are introduced. Endophthora, n. g. Head densely rough-haired ; ocelli present ; tongue obsolete. Antennae f, in male simple, joints closely set, basal joint moderate, with pecten. Labial palpi moderate, slender, some- what arched, porrected, second joint with appressed scales, slightly rough beneath, with a few long bristles, terminal joint rather shorter than second, tolerably pointed. Maxillary palpi long, curved, drooping, filiform. Posterior tibiae clothed with long fine hairs. Forewings with vein 1 simple, 2 from angle, 4 absent, 7 to costa, 11 from ^. Hiudwings f-f, narrow-lanceo- late, cilia 2-3 ; veins 5 and 6 sometimes stalked, 7 more or less approximated to 6 at base. Besides the following, I have an undescribed Australian species. 94 Transactions. — Zoology. End. omogramma, n. sp. Female. — 13-14 mm. Head and antennae whitish-ochreous. Palpi blackish. Thorax whitish-ochreous, anterior margin narrowly black. Abdomeu light grey. Legs black, ringed with whitish-ochreous, posterior pair whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate-lanceolate ; whitish-ochreous ; a small elongate black spot on costa towards base, continued as a costal line to base ; a smaller narrow black spot on costa before middle, beneath which are some irregular fuscous-reddish scales ; a black dot on costa at f , beneath which is a small fuscous-reddish spot ; apical fourth of wing suffused with reddish-fuscous ; some black scales at apex: cilia ochreous-grey-whitish, with a cloudy blackish median line, becoming obsolete on lower half of hindmargin. Hindwing.s with veins 5 and 6 stalked ; light grey ; cilia ochreous-grey-whitish. Auckland and Nelson, in December and January ; two specimens. End. pharotpma, n. sp. Male, female. — 8-10 mm. Head ochreous-whitish, sides fuscous. Palpi blackish, apex white. Antenna? whitish-fuscous. Thorax whitish-ochreous, with a black posterior dot, sides dark fuscous. Abdomen pale whitish-ochreous. Legs blackish, ringed with ochreous-whitish, posterior pair pale whitish- ochreous. Forewings elongate-lanceolate, narrow ; light brownish-ochreous, more or less suffused with whitish- ochreous, and with a few dark fuscous scales ; a rather dark fuscous elongate-triangular blotch extending along costa from base to before middle, reaching about half across wing, marked with a black spot at apex and three black spots on costa ; a blackish mark in disc before middle, connected with this beneath costa, followed by an obscure ochreous-whitish bar ; sometimes a blackish mark in disc beyond middle ; posterior half of costa obscurelv dotted with whitish and dark fuscous ; some dark fuscous and black scales forming obscure spots on hindmargin : cilia whitish-ochreous, with two cloudy blackish- fuscous lines becoming obsolete towards anal angle, tending to be confluent and form a spot in middle. Hindwings with veins 5 and G separate; whitish-grey; cilia ochreous-whitish. Whangarei, Palmeiston, and Christchurch, from December to March ; eight specimens. End. mesotypa, n. sp. Male, female. — 10-1 1 mm. Head ochreous-whitish. Palpi blackish, apex white. Antennae fuscous. Thorax, whitish- ochreous, anterior margin blackish. Abdomen whitish-ochreous. Legs dark fuscous ringed with ochreous-whitish, posterior tibia? whitish-ochreous. Fore v. ings elongate-lanceolete ; light brownish- Meyrick. — Descriptions of Xew Zealand Tineina. 95 ochreous, irregularly suffused with ochreous- whitish ; two small hlack spots on costa towards base ; a blackish longitudinal mark in disc near base ; a straight rather oblique thick blackish bar from costa at f , reaching more than half across wing, followed by an ochreous-whitish bar ; space between these blackish markings suffused with fuscous ; posterior half of costa blackish-fuscous spotted with ochreous-whitish ; a small black spot in disc at f, more or less distinctly bisected by a projection from an ochreous- whitish spot beneath it : cilia pale whitish-ochreous with a median row of blackish points. Hiudwings with veins 5 and 6 separate ; whitish-grey ; cilia pale whitish-ochreous. Auckland and Christchurch, in December ; two specimens. Nearly allied to E. pharotoma, but distinctly less narrow-winged ; the best distinctive markings appear to be the well-defined thick black bar from costa, and the obsolescence of marking in the cilia. End. agriopa, n. sp. Male. — 9 mm. Head ochreous-whitish. Palpi blackish, apex white. Antenna' grey. Thorax greyish-ochreous, anterior mar- gin dark fuscous. Abdomen grey. Legs blackish, ringed with white, posterior pair grey. Forewings elongate-lanceolate, narrow ; fuscous ; a slender ferruginous streak along submedian fold, suffusedly margined beneath with whitish-ochreous, and above by three cloudy blackish dots ; two small black spots on costa towards base ; a black wedge-shaped spot from costa before middle, reaching half across wing, followed by an ochreous-white similar spot ; posterior half of costa narrowly black, with five small clear ochreous-white spots ; a short longitudinal ferruginous streak in disc beyond middle; an irregular, small, white spot in disc at f, partially margined above with black; apex and hindmargin suffusedly irrorated with blackish : cilia ochreous- greyish, somewhat mixed with blackish, with a whitish basal dot above middle. Hiudwings with veins 5 and G separate; dark grey ; cilia grey. Wellington, in January; one specimen. Closely allied to the two preceding, but immediately separable by the dark- grey hindwings. Sagephora, n. g. Head shortly rough-haired; ocelli present; tongue short. Antennae f , in male rather thick, filiform, simple, joints closely set, basal joint moderate, without pecten. Labial palpi moderate, rather ascending, second joint with rather rough projecting scales, beneath with a few long bristles, terminal joint somewhat shorter than second, tolerably pointed. Maxil- lary palpi moderate, tolerably filiform, drooping. Posterior tibiae clothed with long dense hairs. Forewings with vein 1 96 Transactions. — Zoology . simple, 2 from near angle, 7 to costa, 11 from ^. Hindwings 1, oblong-ovate, cilia 1; vein 4 absent, 6 and 7 tolerably parallel. Sag. phorteaella, n. sp. Male, female. — 8-13 mm. Head white. Palpi blackish, terminal joint and apex of second white. Antennae white, terminal third black except two subapical rings. Thorax white, anterior margin blackish. Abdomen grey-whitish. Legs blackish, ringed with whitish, posterior tibiae whitish. Fore- wings elongate, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, hind- margin extremely obliquely rounded ; ochreous-white ; dorsal half suffusedly streaked with whitish - ochreous ; a tlhck, gradually-dilated, blackish streak along costa from base to J, apex pointed, lower margin with a slight projection before middle; sometimes an irregular blackish line below middle from near base parallel to inner and hind-margins to apex, and a similar almost marginal line along inner margin to anal angle, thence as a hindmarginal streak to apex, where it is confluent with the first ; sometimes a defined narrow blackish streak along inner margin, and a moderate blackish hindmarginal fascia attenuated at extremities : cilia whitisb-ochreous, base within a black line ochreous-white, sometimes wholly suffused with grey. Hindwings grey or whitish-grey, rarely rather dark grey ; cilia whitish-grey. Taranaki, Makatoku, Wellington, Nelson, Otira Gorge, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu ; in August, Sep- tember, December, January, and March ; common, frequenting forest. The species varies considerably in the presence or absence of black dorsal and hindmarginal streaks, but the varieties run into one another. Blabophanes, Z. Head densely rough-haired ; ocelli absent ; tongue short. Antennae £ , in male pubescent-ciliated, with joints closely set, basal joint moderate, with small pecten. Labial palpi mode- rate, porrected, with tolerably appressed scales, second joint with several long bristles above and beneath at apex, terminal joint shorter than second, tolerably pointed. Maxillary palpi long, tolerably filiform, folded. Posterior tibia* clothed with hairs. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from about angle, 3 and 4 stalked, sometimes 0 and 7 or 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to costa, 11 from near middle ; a naked (usually transparent) depression in di&c beneath. Hindwings 1, elongate-ovate, cilia f; sometimes 5 and b' stalked (not in New Zealand species). A small cosinopoluan genus, of which some species are domestic and widely introduced. Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 97 Blab, eihelella, Newm. (Tinea ethelelld, Newm., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., iii. (N.S.), 288; T. rectella, Walk., 482 ; Blabophanes namuella, FekL, pi. cxl., 44.) Male, female. — 16-20 mm. Head pale whitisb-ochreous. Palpi dark fuscous, apex ochreous-wlritish. Antennae fuscous. Thorax dark fuscous, with a broad pale whitish-ochreous dorsal stripe. Abdomen whitish-grey. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints whitish-yellowish, posterior pair pale ochreous-yellowish. Fore- wings elongate, costa moderately arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin very obliquely rounded ; veins 6 and 7 stalked ; dark fuscous ; some obscure whitish-ochreous dots towards costa ; a moderate clear whitish-ochreous streak along inner margin from base to anal angle, upper edge rather irregular ; a well-defined trans- parent ochreous-whitish discal spot : cilia pale whitish-ochreous, obscurely spotted with dark fuscous, on costa more ochreous- yellowish. Hindwings rather light grey ; cilia whitish-grey, becoming pale whitish-ochreous towards anal angle. Auckland, Palmerston, Nelson (to 4,000 feet), Christchurch, and Dunedin ; from October to May, generally common, often at light. Occurs also commonly in South-East Australia and Tasmania. Blab, ferruginella, Hb. Male. — 11 mm. Much smaller than B. ethelella ; head ferruginous-tinged ; forewmgs with veins 6 and 7 separate, towards costa obscurely strigulated with whitish-ochreous, discal spot larger relatively, cilia pale whitish-ochreous, on costa barred with dark grey : hindwings whitish-grey, more whitish towards anal angle, cilia whitish : otherwise similar. Taranaki, Napier, Wellington, Nelson (to 4,000 feet), and Christchurch ; rather common, more or less all the year round. Introduced from Europe by civilization ; now occurring al^o in North America and Australia. Hlab. ornithias, n. sp. Male. — 10-11 mm. Head light fuscous. Palpi dark fuscous, internally whitish. Antenna?, thorax, abdomen, and legs dark fuscous. Forewmgs elongate, costa gently arched, apex round- pointed, hindmargin extremely obliquely rounded ; veins 6 and 7 stalked ; rather dark fuscous, somewhat irrorated with paler ; an obscure, cloudy, very irregular-edged whitish - ochreous streak near inner margin from base nearly to anal angle ; discal spot only indicated on lower surface, not transparent : cilia rather dark fuscous. Hindwings rather dark fuscous; cilia fuscous. Christchurch; bred from bird-nests by Mr. Pi. W. Fereday, to whom I am indebted for types. US Transactions. — Zouluyy. Tinea, Z. Head densely rough-haired; ocelli absent; tongue short. Antennae •§, in male with joints closely set, pubescent-ciliated or simple, basal joint moderate, with or without small pecten. Labial palpi moderate, porrected, second joint shortly rough- scaled, with a few long bristles above and beneath, terminal joint shorter than second, tolerably pointed. Maxillary palpi moderate or long, tolerably filiform, more or less folded. Posterior tibia? clothed with loose hairs. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from near angle, 7 to costa, 11 from before middle. Hindwings 1, elongate-ovate, cilia f-1 ; sometimes 5 and 6 stalked. Also a cosmopolitan genus, of which several species are domestic, and now widely distributed. 1. Veins 5 and 6 of hindwings stalked . . . . terranea. ,, ,, ,, ,, separate ... . . 2. 2. Forewings white posteriorly .. .. .. tapetiella. ,, not white . . . . . . . . 3. 3. Head whitish-ochreous .. .. .. .. grammocosma. „ more or less fuscous . . . . . . 4. 4. Forewings pale greyish-ochreous, spotted with fuscous . . . . . . . . . . . . fuscipunctella. Forewings fuscous . . . . . . . . . . 5. 5. Forewings with a blackish dot in disc beyond middle . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. Forewings without a blackish dot in disc beyond middle .. .. .. .. .. .. belonota. 6. Cilia of forewings with terminal half whitish on hindmargin .. .. .. .. .. mochlota. Cilia of forewings with terminal half fuscous . . certella. Tin. tapetiella, L. (Tinea tapetiella (tapetzella), L. ; T. palcestrica, Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1887, 404.) Male, female. — -13-21 mm. Head white. Thorax dark fus- cous. Forewings elongate, round-pointed ; ochreous-white ; basal f blackish-fuscous ; a grey spot in disc at f , and some irregularly scattered small grey spots posteriorly, especially towards anal angle ; a black dot on inner margin at §■, and two before apex: cilia ochreous-white, round apex dark grey. Hind- wings with veins 5 and G separate ; grey ; cilia ochreous-grey- whitish. Wellington and Nelson, in January ; several specimens ; the larva feeds principally in furs and skins. Introduced from Europe ; occurs also in Australia and North America. Tin. grammocosma, n. s]>. Male. — 10-17 mm. Head whitish - ochreous, brownish- tinged. Palpi rather long, whitish-ochreous, with a fine blackish lateral line. AntennsB whitish-ochreou-;, with a black scale- streak at base, ciliations |. Thorax ochreous-brown mixed with Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 99 whitish-ochreous. Abdomen grey. Legs fuscous, anterior tarsi dark fuscous with a longitudinal whitish-ochreous line, posterior pair whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate-lanceolate ; fuscous sprinkled with whitish-ochreous, aud obscurely streaked with ferruginous ; a darker longitudinal streak, partially suffused with ferruginous, below middle from base to apex, becoming dark fuscous at | and apex, margined above by a suffused whitish- ochreous streak, aud beneath by a whitish-ochreous dorsal space streaked with ferruginous ; a dark fuscous dot above the whitish- ochreous streak at §■ ; a fine dark fuscous hindmarginal line : cilia ochreous-whitish, mixed with light ochreous, towards anal angle suffused with ochreous. Hindwiugs with veins 5 and 6 separate ; dark grey, purple-shining, towards base lighter and thinly scaled ; cilia grey, towards anal angle grey-whitish. Nelson, in January ; two specimens in a forest ravine. The appearance of this species is quite unlike any other of the genus, and recalls some of the New Zealand species of Gelechia. Tin. belonota, n. sp. Male. — 13 mm. Head whitish-fuscous. Palpi fuscous, base and apex ochreous-whitish. Antennae, thorax, and abdomen fuscous ; anteunal ciliations 3. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, moderate, costa gently arched, apex rouud-pointed, hindmargin straight, very oblique ; rather dark fuscous ; a tolerably well-defined ochreous- whitish streak along fold from base to anal angle, upper margin with a slight projection before and a stronger one beyond middle, between which is a small dark fuscous spot : cilia rather dark fuscous, purple- shining, tips beneath apex and a small spot beneath anal angle ochreous-whitish. Hindwings with veins 5 and 6 separate; rather dark fuscous, purple-shining, lighter and thinly scaled towards base ; cilia fuscous. Palmerston (North Island), in March ; one specimen amongst forest. Nearly allied to the two following, but distinctly broader-winged than either, and distinguished by the absence of discal spots, clearer pale streak, and different cilia. Tin. certella, Walk. {Tinea certella, Walk., 484.) Male, female. — 12-16 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, and abdomen dark fuscous mixed with ochreous-whitish ; antennal ciliations 2 ; thorax sometimes suffused with whitish. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin straight, very oblique ; rather dark fuscous, more or less irrorated with whitish-ochreous and black ; sometimes a cloudy blackish dot on fold at ^ ; a cloudy blackish dot in middle of disc, a second obliquely before it on fold, and a third in disc at 100 Transactions. — Zoology. f , all variable in size and ill-defined ; a very indistinct suffused short whitish-ochreous streak along fold, not reaching base; sometimes in female dorsal and hindmarginal areas broadly suffused with whitish : cilia fuscous, mixed with whitish- ochreous and dark fuscous. Hindwings with veins 5 and 6 separate ; dark fuscous, purple-shining, lighter towards base, in female lighter ; cilia fuscous. Wellington and Invercargill, in January and February ; not uncommon amongst forest. I should expect the larva to feed in rotten wood. Tin. mochlota, n. sp. Male. — 10-13 mm. Head, palpi, antenna?, thorax, and abdomen fuscous ; antennal ciliations Ik. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, costa gently arched, apex round-pointed, hindmargin straight, very oblique; fuscous, with a few scattered grey-whitish and black scales ; a cloudy black streak from submedian fold before middle to beneath middle of costa ; a cloudy black dot in disc at f , connected with costa at | by a cloudy whitish streak : cilia fuscous, terminal half ochreous-whitish except at apex and anal angle. Hindwings with veins 5 and 6 separate ; rather dark fuscous, purple-shining, lighter towards base ; cilia whitish- fuscous. Christchurch and Lake Wakatipu, in December and January; five specimens. Narrower-winged than either of the two pre- ceding, and recognisable by the oblique antemedian bar in disc, and whitish terminal half of cilia. Tin. fuscipunctella, Hw. Male, female. — 11-16 mm. Head light fuscous. Forewings elongate, round-pointed ; pale greyish-ochreous, irregularly suffusedly spotted with fuscous ; a dark fuscous dot in disc at ^, a second obliquely beyond it on fold, and a third, larger and more conspicuous, in disc at f : cilia whitish-ochreous, basal half obscurely barred with fuscous. Hindwings with veins 5 and 0 separate ; pale grey, yellowish-shining; cilia whitisb-grey. \Yhangarei, Palmerston, Wellington, Nelson, and Dunedin, from October to March ; common, probably everywhere. Intro- duced from Europe ; common in Australia and North America. The larva feeds on dry refuse. Tin. terranea, Butl. (Scardia terranea, Butl., Cist. Ent. ii., 510.) Male, female. — 17 - 27 mm. Head brownish - ochreous. Palpi ochreous, irrorated with dark fuscous, second joint with numerous bristles beneath throughout. Antenna" fuscous, in male quite simple. Thorax and abdomen greyish-ochreous, more or less suffused with fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, apex Meykick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 101 of joints pale greyish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, costa moderately arched, apex round-pointed, hindinargin extremely obliquely rounded ; light greyish-ochreous, irregularly reticulated with fuscous ; markings rather dark fuscous ; an irregular narrow fascia from i of costa to f of inner margin ; a similar somewhat broader fascia from f of costa to f of inner margin ; an irregular oblique streak from costa beyond middle, not reaching anal angle ; a short irregular streak from costa at f , sometimes connected beneath with previous streak ; two small spots on costa before this, and one before apex ; a hindmarginal row of cloudy fuscous spots : cilia whitish-ochreous, barred with fuscous. Hindwings with veins 5 and 6 stalked ; grey, yellowish- shining ; cilia light grey, tips grey-whitish. Wellington, Christchurch, Castle Hill (2,500 feet), Dunedin, and Lake Wakatipu, from December to February ; common. The larva feeds in moss on rocks ; pupa in a very dense rough cocoon amongst the moss. This species is in some respects an extreme form of the genus, but it does not seem necessary to separate it. Tineola, H.-S. Only differs from Tinea by the maxillary palpi, which are very short, simple ; these are stated by Heinemann and others to be absent, but I find them quite distinct. The tongue appears to be absent. Tin. biselliella, Hiim. Male, female. — 11-13 mm. Head light yellow-ochreous. Forewings elongate, round-pointed ; whitish-ochreous, uni- colorous. Hindwings whitish. Christchurch and Lake Wakatipu, from December to February ; probably common in houses. The larva feeds especially in the lining of chairs and sofas. LYPUSHLE. Head with loosely-appressed hairs ; no tongue. Maxillary palpi absent. Forewings with vein 11 from before middle of cell. Hindwings with veins 3 and 4 separate. Founded by Heinemann on the single European genus Lypusa, which differs from the two following by the absence of labial palpi, but is otherwise nearly related. I conjecture that in both the following genera the female is probably apterous. Scoriodyta, n. g. Head with loosely-appressed hairs, side-tufts rather rough ; ocelli present ; no tongue. Antenna f , in male with joints rather closely set, whorled with scales, simple, basal joint stout, simple. Labial palpi moderate, porrected, loosely-scaled, second joint somewhat rough, with long bristles at apex above and 102 Transactions. — Zoology. beneath, terminal joint shorter than second, tolerably pointed. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Posterior tibiae with tolerably- appressed scales. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from before angle, 7 to costa, 11 from before middle, secondary cell defined. Hindwings rather narrower than forewings, elongate-ovate, cilia 1 ; veins 6 and 7 parallel. Scor. conisalia, n. sp. Male. — 10 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, and abdomen fuscous. Legs dark fuscous, apex of joints ochreous-whitish, posterior tibiae ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, costa gently arched, apex rounded, hindmargin very obliquely rounded ; fuscous, irrorated with blackish ; some scattered white scales, tending to form irregular transverse strigulae ; the absence of these appears to form darker median and subterminal fasciaa ; a distinct white double spot on inner margin before middle, and a very small one before anal angle ; a hindmarginal row of cloudy white dots : cilia fuscous, mixed with grey- whitish, with a cloudy dark fuscous line near base. Hindwings fuscous-grey ; cilia whitish-grey, with a fuscous basal line. "Wellington, in January ; seven specimens on fences. The larva doubtless feeds on lichens, and is probably a case-bearer ; I saw some small empty subcylindric cases, which I conjectured to belong to this species. Mallobathra, n. g. Head with loosely-appressed hairs ; no ocelli ; no tongue. Antennae \. in male with joints elongate, strongly biciliated with fascicles (2^- 4), basal joint stout, loosely scaled, with small pecten. Labial palpi moderate or short, drooping, second joint loosely rough-scaled, with two or three apical bristles, terminal joint tolerably pointed. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Posterior tibiae with tolerably-appressed scales. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 2 from near angle, 6 sometimes absent (microphones), 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to hindmargin, 11 from before middle, secondary cell tolerably defined. Hindwings somewhat nar- rower than forewings, elongate-ovate : cilia f-H; veins 6 and 7 parallel, 6 sometimes absent [microphones). It is not impossible that the absence of vein 0 in both wings of the single specimen of M. microphones may prove to be an individual abnormality ; but even if constant, it certainly does not call here for generic separation. The species frequent shady forest. Mall, cratcea, n. sp. Male. — 13-14 mm. Head, palpi, antenna1, thorax, and abdomen dark fuscous ; palpi short; antennal ciliations 8. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, moderate, costa gently arched, apex rounded, hindmargin Meyrick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 103 rounded, rather strongly oblique ; dark fuscous, obscurely irrorated with small greyish-ochreous spots ; several on posterior half of costa more distinct ; a small whitish-ochreous subquad- rate spot on inner margin at £•, and another at f : cilia dark fuscous. Hindwings and cilia dark fuscous ; cilia f . Mount Arthur (4,000 feet), in January; locally common. Mall, metrosema, n. sp. Male. — 12-13 mm. Head, palpi, antennas, and thorax pale greyish-ochreous ; palpi short ; auttnnal cihations 4. Abdomen grey. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with whitish-ochreous, posterior tibia? suffused with whitish-ochreous. Forewings elongate, slightly dilated posteriorly, costa gently arched, apex round- pointed, hindmargin very oblique, slightly rounded ; pale greyish- ochreous, sometimes brownish-tinged; numerous small scattered irregular dark fuscous singula?; a very obscure ochreous-whitish streak along inner margin from ^ to near anal angle, interrupted by a small dark fuscous spot in middle ; a straight narrow dark fuscous fascia from middle of costa to inner margin before anal angle, more or less distinctly interrupted in disc ; three very small dark fuscous spots on posterior half of costa : cilia pale greyish-ochreous, fuscous - tinged. Hindwings fuscous - grey ; cilia |, light fuscous-grey. Christchurch, in September ; locally common. Mall, microphanes, n. sp. Male. — 9 mm. Head, palpi, and antenna? light fuscous ; palpi moderate ; antennal ciliations 2£. Thorax fuscous. Ab- domen grey. Legs grey-whitish. Forewings elongate, costa slightly arched, apex rounded, hindmargin extremely obliquely rounded ; rather dark fuscous, irrorated with very obscure grey- whitish spots ; costa with four more distinct small white spots on posterior half: cilia whitish-fuscous, basal half except towards anal angle fuscous obscurely spotted with whitish. Hindwings light grey ; cilia l£, grey-whitish. Christchurch, in August ; one specimen. ANAPHOKID.E. This family, closely allied to the Tineida:, appears to be usually recognisable by the peculiar palpi of the male, of which the terminal joint is very long, stout, recurved, and appressed to the crown and thorax- I will not attempt to give complete family characters, since Lord Walsingham, who has recently published a paper on the group from considerable material, has un- fortunately given no full generic characters nor definition of the group, but only short diagnoses of the genera. In consequence of this I am unable to say whether the following genus is really referable to the family, as I have only seen the one sex, or 104 Transactions. — Zoology. whether it may uot be identical with one of Lord Walsingham's genera ; 1 can only affirm that it has structures which are not mentioned as characteristic of any of his genera. Titanomis, n. g. Head shortly rough-haired on crown (face denuded) ; ocelli present ; tongue well-developed. Antenna? with joints closely set (partly broken). Labial palpi (in female) moderate, obliquely ascending, second joint shortly rough-scaled beneath, terminal joint short, stout, obtuse. Maxillary palpi moderately long, folded. Thorax with a slight double posterior crest, beneath densely short-haired. Forewings with vein 1 strongly furcate, 2 from near angle, 3 and 4 stalked, 7 to hindmargin, 11 from middle, secondary cell well-defined. Hindwings broader than forewings, oblong-ovate, cilia ^ ; towards inner margin wholly clothed with very dense long hairs ; veins tolerably parallel, forked parting-vein well-defined. Tit. sisyrota, n. sp. Female. — 65 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax whitish suffusedly irrorated with dark fuscous (partly defaced). Antennae fuscous. Abdomen rather dark fuscous. Anterior legs dark fuscous, apex of joints obscurely whitish (middle and posterior pair broken). Forewings elongate-oblong, costa gently arched, apex rounded, hindmargin rather oblique, slightly rounded ; rather dark fuscous, irrorated with white except on an irregular posteriorly dilated median longitudinal space ceasing before hindmargin, and somewhat sprinkled with black on veins ; a black streak along submedian fold from near base to beyond middle, inter- rupted before its apex by a subtriangular white spot : a black longitudinal streak in disc from before middle to about ^, inter- rupted by a small round white spot at f : cilia rather dark fus- cous, barred with white (imperfect). Hindwings and cilia fuscous. Wellington, in May ; described from a specimen in poor con- dition, taken by Mr. (1. V. Hudson, who lias since obtained a second. It is much the largest Tineid of New Zealand. The larva is probably a wood-feeder. The discovery of the male is very desirable. HYPONOMEUTIDJ-:. Head with appressed scales ; tongue developed. Forewings with vein 1 furcate, 11 from before middle of cell. Hindwings with veins 3 and 4 separate. The following genus is most allied to the South Pacific Cyaihauia. Lysiphraoma, n. g. Head with loosely oppressed scales, side- 1 lilts more or less rough ; ocelli present ; tongue short. Antenna1 f, in male with Meykick. — Descriptions of New Zealand Tineina. 105 joints angularly projecting, pubescent -ciliated ; basal joint moderate, simple. Labial palpi moderate, curved, ascending, second joint with dense rough projecting scales beneath, some- times almost tufted towards apex, terminal joint shorter than second, broadly flattened, obtuse, scaled. Maxillary palpi long, curved, drooping, filiform. Posterior tibiae clothed with rough hairs. Forewings with tufts of raised scales on surface ; vein 1 furcate, 2 from angle, 7 to costa, 11 from ^, secondary cell defined. Hindwings somewhat broader than forewings, elongate-ovate, cilia f ; veins 5 and 6 stalked or approximated at origin ; sometimes (§ A.) transverse vein absent, and forked parting- vein becoming a defined vein, giving rise to 4-6. The entire absence of the transverse vein is a curious form of specific variation, but the two species are closely allied in all other respects, and are certainly to be included together. The species are forest-frequenting. § A. Hindwings with transverse vein absent. Lys. mixochlora, n. sp. Male. — 18-20 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax whitish- ochreous. Antenna? whitish-ochreous, spotted with black above. Abdomen whitish-ochreous irrorated with grey. Legs dark fuscous, ringed with ochreous- whitish, posterior tibia? ochreous-whitish. Forewings elongate, costa moderately arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin obliquely rounded ; whitish-ochreous, irregularly suffused with light green ; costa shortly strigulated with black from base to f ; some scattered black scales about fold ; a large transverse tuft of scales towards inner margin at ^, followed by two black strigula? on inner margin ; a second tuft near inner margin at h, followed by a black dot on inner margin ; a third, smaller, above anal angle ; a clear ochreous- whitish subtriaugular blotch on apical fourth of costa, contain- ing some greenish scales towards apex, its lower angle obtuse, anterior and lower sides margined by an irregular wavy black line, preceded by a brownish suffusion : cilia ochreous-whitish, with a greenish line spotted with black (imperfect). Hind- wings whitish-grey, yellowish-shining ; cilia whitish. Auckland and Makatoku, in December and March ; two specimens. § B. Hindwings with transverse vein present. Lys. epixyla, n. sp. Male, female. — 24-29 mm. Head and palpi whitish-ochreous mixed with dark fuscous. Antenna? whitish-ochreous, spotted above with dark fuscous. Thorax dark fuscous irrorated with whitish-ochreous, posterior margin sometimes whitish-ochreous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous irrorated with grey. Legs dark 106 Transactions. — Zoology. fuscous, suffusedly ringed with whitish-ochreous, posterior tibiae whitish- ochreous. Forewings elongate, costa moderately arched, apex obtuse, hindmargin very obliquely rounded ; whitish- ocbreous, irregularly suffused with fuscous, and more or less strongly coarsely irrorated with blackish ; a large tuft of scales very near base, a small one near inner margin at \, a third on fold opposite middle of inner margin, and a fourth above anal angle ; the blackish irroration tends to form two triangular blotches, of which apex touches inner margin at ^ and § ; an ill-defined roundish ochreous-whitish ante-apical spot, preceded by a blackish-fuscous suffusion margining it : cilia fuscous, towards base irrorated with dark fuscous and very obscurely spotted with ochreous-whitish. Hindwings whitish-fuscous ; cilia fuscous-whitish, with a faint darker line. Wellington, Lake Wakatipu, and Invercaigill, in December and January; several specimens, usually at rest on tree-trunks. Art. XVI.-— On Henops brunneus, Hutton. By W. M. Haskell, F.E.M.S. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 11th January, 1888.] Plate X., fig. 1-12. About October last, a resident in the Wairarapa District sent down to the Colonial Museum a few twigs of apple, quite covered over with some black substance, amongst which were slowly crawling about half-a-dozen rather large flies ; and he desired some information on this, which he considered as a new " blight," stating that it occurred on both apple and peach trees in his garden. The specimens were referred to me ; and at first sight 1 thought the sooty black coating to be the usual fungus accompanying scale-insects, the flies being unconnected with it. Closer examination, however, showed that the black mass was really composed of many thousands of eggs ; and the flies were soon observed to be still laying more of these eggs on the twig, until in a short while it was so thickly covered with them as to be quite hidden. With the assistance of Mr. G. V. Hudson I found that the flies were undoubtedly Henops brunneus, a species of Dipteron hitherto only reported (in Hutton's "Catalogue of N.Z. Diptera") irom Lake Wanaka. I was able to assure the genthman who sent the specimens that probably they would not do great harm to his trees. But the investigation so far showed that the knowledge of Henops hitherto possessed was incomplete. The available works Maskell. — On Henops brunneus. 107 in which it is mentioned were Hutton's " Catalogue" and West- wood's " Classification of Insects." In the first, the description given is very short and indefinite : in the second it is stated that Henops and its allied genera are very little known, and " the larvae have not been observed." I placed one of the apple- twigs, covered with eggs, in a glass box, in the hope that the larva? might possibly be hatched, and. after about five or six weeks, I found a perfect cloud of minute larvae, wriggling in the liveliest maimer. Having thus achieved a further stage of knowledge of this species, and the fly itself being in some respects rather a curious one, I have ventured to bring forward the following description and illustrations of the larva and the imago. Unfortunately, not being able to procure a supply of apple or peach leaves, I have not succeeded in feeding the larva? and obtaining pupse. I tried various leaves as food for them, as well as giving them earth to burrow in, but they all died. 'Order. DIPTERA. Sub-Order. Ovipara. Family. Acrocerid^:, Leach. (Inflates, Latreille; Vesiculosa, Macquart.) Body short and thick ; head bent down, small, entirely occupied by the eyes ; thorax and abdomen large, inflated ; proboscis variable, sometimes long, sometimes absent. Genus Henops, Illiger. (opcodes, Latreille.) Proboscis very short, scarcely noticeable ; antennae of two short joints with a long style. Eyes naked, compound. Abdomen broader than the thorax. Henops brunneus, Hutton. (Catal. of Dipt., 1881, p. 25.) Flies (fig. 1) rather large, but squat-looking and heavy ; motions very slow. Thorax much elevated, the head being bent down beneath it so as not to be visible when the insect is viewed from above. Abdomen round and swollen, wider than the thorax but seeming as if cut oft short, the posterior extremity being turned under ; there are six segments on the abdomen. Colour dark brown, almost black, on the thorax, with short yellow hairs ; abdomen dark brown, with a yellow band marking each segment ; head black ; wings hyaline ; halteres yellow. The winglets are very large and scale-like. Eyes very large, compound, occupying all the upper part of the head, but not highly convex (fig. 2). Antenna (fig. 3) inserted in front, between the eyes : two-jointed, both joints very short ; the style is very long, inflated near the base, narrow in the shaft and 108 Transactions. — Zoology. slightly dilated at the tip, where there are two short bristles. Proboscis (fig. 2) very short, almost obsolete, conical ; placed so much beneath the down-turned head as to be extremely difficult to detect. Feet (fig. 5) long and slender ; tarsus five- jointed ; claw double (fig. 6) with three pulvilli. Wings (fig. 4) with brown costal and sub-costal veins ; discoidal cell open ; cubital cell large ; the postical vein appears to have a branch almost if not quite disconnected. Length of the body, in the usual position, nearly A- inch. The eggs of this insect are very small, sooty black, truncato- ovate (fig. 7) ; as stated above, they are laid in such numbers as to cover a twig with a black coating. The larvae are very minute, about g^ inch long ; dark-grey or brown in colour ; elongated, narrow, tapering at both ends, with twelve distinct segments, of which the fourth from the head is the widest ; on each segment is a row of short fine hairs (fig. 8). They are in constant motion, wriggling : the mode of progression forwards is shown in fig. 9. The head is pointed and terminates in two very small hooks, with a pad or pulvillus (figs. 10 and 11). The posterior extremity is also acute, ending in three very minute points with, on each side, a thin curved appendage (fig. 12). The spiracles are only two, very minute circular orifices, situated on the last segment but one (fig. 12). Both Mr. Hudson and I tried without success to procure the pupa?. The larva of a fly not far removed from Henops (Clitel- I a ria) is said to take more than two years before undergoing its transformation. In consideration of the fact that the larvae of the whole family of Acroceiida have not hitherto been known, and that the descriptions of the various genera are but fragmentary, the above account of Henops brunneus may be of interest. The larva would seem to be perhaps more similar to those of Cecidomyia than to any others of the order, though the perfect fly is quite different. EXPLANATION OF PLATE X. Fig. 1. Henops br unneus , flies on a twig, about natural size. Fig- 2. ii head of perfect fly, viewed from beneath X 15 Fig. 3. i» antennae of „ X 120 Fig. 4. n wing of ,, X 6 Fig. 5. n foot of „ . . X 15 Fig. 6. ii claws and pulvilli of perfect fly X 50 Fig. 7. ii eggs X 15 Fig. 8. ii larva X 90 Fig. 9. n larva, to show mode of progression. Fig. 10. ii head of larva, viewed sideways . . X 100 Fig. 11. ii ,, viewed from above . . X 100 Fig. 12. ii last two segments of larva, show ing spiracles . . •• X 100 Inmsmtforts ym Jtyfagfr $i»tftak, Vol. xx. pi, x. W.M.M deli. Hf/VOPS BfiUA//V£US. car £& Urquhart. — On new Species of Araneidea. 109 Art. XVII. — On new Species of Araneidea. By A. T. Urquhart. [Bead before the Auckland Institute, 31st October, 1887.] Plate XI. Fam. THERIDIIM. Genus Linyphia, Latr. Linyphia rufocephala, sp. nov. Plate XL, fig. 1. Female. — Cepli. th., long, 2-5; broad, 2. Abd., long, 4; broad, 2-3. Legs, 4, 1, 2, 3. Length of 1st pair, 8*8 rnm. Cepludothorax red-mahogany colour ; oval, clathrate, slightly compressed forwards ; lateral index equals breadth of ocular area ; thoracic indentation longitudinal, deep ; radial and caput strire defined by dark streaks ; profile contour rises with a low curve, at an angle of 30°, pars cephalica moderately arched ; clypeus vertical, convex, height rather exceeds depth of facial space. Posterior row of eyes sensibly procurved, central pair sepa- rated by about their diameter from hind-laterals, half that inter- val from each other ; anterior row sensibly recurved, median pair much the smallest of eight, their radius apart, rather more than their space from hind-centrals, and fore-laterals ; side eyes slightly exceed posterior median pair in size, have their pearl- grey lustre ; seated obliquely on moderate tubercular eminences ; contiguous. Legs yellow-brown : broad, faint annuli ; moderately long hairs ; few spines on tibiae of 1-2, and tibia? and metatarsi of 3 (three terminal joints of 4 were missing). Superior tarsal claws — 1st pair, about 16 short, close teeth ; inferior claw, 2 teeth. Palpi slender, length 3 mm. ; yellow-brown ; rather strong- spines on radial and digital joints ; palpal claw long, slender, rather straight, 7 teeth, 6 small, close. Fakes light red- mahogany ; tumid near base in front, directed somewhat forwards and outwards, stouter than femora of 1st pair of legs ; fang strong, double row of teeth, inner short ; outer row, 6 strong teeth, 4 central longest. Maxilla; linear, apex pointed, inclined towards labium, which is short, twice as broad as long, apex everted ; organs chocolate- brown, apices brownish-yellow. Sternum cordate, brownish-yellow. Abdomen oviform, rather sparsely clothed with moderately strong hairs ; pale stone-grey ; two, somewhat faint, blackish bands, with three or four long, tapering, dentate projections on either side, converge from base to spiimers, enclosing a linear- 1 10 Transactions. — Zuvlui.it/. oval space, spotted with a few dark tiecks ; from the blackish ventral surface several not clearly defined dark streaks curve upwards and backwards on lateral margins. Carpus vulva1 large, transversely wrinkled, convex above, broader than long, inferior side rather the widest, centrally produced into a pale-yellow ladle-like scape ; lateral margins of corpus project forwards, curve inwards towards the amber-coloured bole-like apex of scapus, with which they form a nearly even line. Corpus vulvae pale greenish-yellow ; pale-yellow streak, in line with scapus, intersects two broad, brown, longitudinal bands. Male. — Ceph. th., long, 2-3; broad, 1-7. Abd., long, 3; broad, 1-2. Legs, 1-4, 2, 3 = 7, 6, 5-2 mm. Cephaluthorax red-mahogany colour ; clathrate ; oval, slightly compressed forwards ; caput convex, roundly truncated ; thoracic indentation large, ovate ; caput and radial striae fairly well- defined, but shallow ; profile contour rises at an angle of about 40°, slightly depressed across indentation, pars cephalica arched ; clypeus slightly convex, height almost exceeds depth of facial space. Posterior row of eyes sensibly procurved, median pair their radius from each other, rather more than their breadth from laterals next to them ; anterior row sensibly recurved, centrals small, more than one-third their diameter apart, about their space from posterior-centrals, three-fourths their space from fore-laterals ; side eyes placed obliquely on strong tubercles, contiguous. Legs moderately long and strong, brownish-yellow ; amiuli, mostly, rather faint ; armature, fine, erect black hairs, bristles on genual joints, 1st pair femora, slender spine on inner side; tibiae have three long bristles — two above, one beneath ; 2nd pair, single spine on tibia1 ; tibial joints of 3-4 have, respectively, 4-8 ; metatarsi two long, and circle of four short spines ; supe- rior tarsal claws, — 1st pair, 10 close, comb teeth, increasing in length and strength ; inferior claw short, free, and directed out- wards, 2 stout teeth, basal shortest. Palpi, humeral joint one-third longer than cubital and radial joint together, colour of legs ; cubital joint concolorous, nearly equals radial in length, rather dilated in centre, projects from apex, a strongish bristle ; radial joint light mahogany colour, furnished with numerous long bristle-like black hairs ; nearly one-third longer tlian broad, cyathifonn, base rather slender; digital joint about equal to humeral in length ; lamina, bulbi long, tapering, breadth rather exceeds Length at radial joint, similar to latter articl i in colour and armature, disconnected almost its entire length from the genital bulb; on inner side of clava a long, slender, apophysis curves upwards and backwards; on outer side, projecting from margin of radial joint, is a lake- Ubquhart. — On new tfpeci-es of Araneidea. Ill brown, broad, membranous process, directed downwards and forwards, concave on outer side ; bulb yellow-brown, less tban half length of lamina ; view from superior side, somewhat cam- panulate, forepart concave, margin at concavity produced on lower side into a short spur, directed downwards ; extending over most of the outer face of bulb is a large, oval, yellowish membrane, with lake-coloured tumid margins ; an olive-green, semi-transparent, involute, pointed membrane projects forwards nearly to apex of the lamina bulbi ; between this membrane and the concave surface of the latter is a long dark membranous apophysis, directed forwards, apex pointed, curved downwards. Falces red-mahogany colour; transversely wrinkled; out- wardly armed with a few rows of short, dark papilla1 ; tumid at base, on outer side, tapering, apices directed outwards, fangs long, double row of teeth, two central long. Maxilla strong, apices dilated, rounded, and somewhat obtusely pointed, curve over lip; base dark-brown, graduating to a bright reel-mahogany. Labium rather broader than long, nearly semicircular, about half length of niaxillEe, margin strongly everted; red-mahogany colour, base dark-chocolate colour. Sternum ovate, lacunose, chocolate-brown. Abdomen oval; stone-grey; curved bands on dorsal field are of a darker hue, and the dentation less defined than those of females ; the genital aperture is covered by a rather prominent, semi-oval, transversely-wrinkled hood. This species was contained in a collection kindly sent me by P. doyen, Esq., from Dunedin. Linyphia lagenifera, sp. nov. Plate XL, fig. 4. Female. — Ceph. th., long, 3; broad, 2-2. Abd., long, 6; broad, 3-2. Legs, 1, 2, 4, 3 = 21, 14, 11, 7 mm. Cephalothorax yellow-brown; broad median band and mar- ginal zone brown; hairs sparse, light; oval, rugulose; caput roundly truncated, rather depressed; lateral index equal to space from a fore-lateral eye to the hind-central furthest from it; median fovea circular; normal grooves faint, brown; contour of profile rises from thoracic junction at an angle of about 45°, slopes moderately forward across pars cephalica; clypeus in height about three-fourths depth of ocular area. Posterior row of eyes sensibly recurved, nearly straight, equidistant ; median pair separated by a space about equal to their diameter and rather more than that interval from fore- centrals, which are slightly further apart than former pair; anterior row recurved, centrals rather further from each other than they are from fore-laterals; side eyes seated obliquely on strong, cup-shaped tubercles, separated by a space nearly equal to their diameter. 112 Transactions. — Zoology. Legs yellow - brown, broad chestnut - brown annulations ; armature moderately long hairs ; long, slender, black spines on femoral, genual, tibial, and metatarsal joints ; 1-2 pair stoutest, about equal in strength. Superior tarsal claws — 1st pair, 15 short, nearly even teeth ; inferior claw, 2 close teeth. Palpi resemble legs in colour and armature ; palpal claw moderately curved, slender, 9 teeth. Falces strong, tapering, project forwards at base in front, directed moderately outwards ; chocolate-brown. MaaeiUm somewhat spathulate, obtusely pointed, inclined towards lip, which is semicircular ; organs dark-brown, apices lighter shade. Sternum cordate, brownish, well-developed, somewhat conical, eminences opposite coxa? of 3rd pair of legs. Abdomen ohlong-oval, moderately convex above ; rather sparsely clothed with short yellowish hairs ; olive - brown, mottled with yellow-brown flecks ; dorsal mark similar tint, lageniform, extends three-fourths length of abdomen from base, margined and marked with dark-brown ; nearly in centre of basal part — which is large, and nearly circular — is a small yellowish cross ; beyond the neck-like posterior end are two dark angular marks, apices directed forwards ; ventral surface yellowish. Vulva broAvnish, moderately convex eminence, con- cave within, centrally produced into a broad, rounded scapns, directed backwards. Otago, P. Goyen. Genus Theridium, Walck. Theridium nigrqfolium , sp. n. Plate XI., fig. 8. Female. — Ceph. tb., long, 1*5; broad, 1; Abd., long, 2-3; broad, 2. Legs, 1, 4, 2, 3 = 7, 6-8, 5-2, 3-5 mm. Pars thoracica light -brown, somewhat streaked; pars cephalica and marginal zone dark-brown ; oval, rugulose, slightly compressed forwards, ocular eminence prominent, trans- verse groove behind first row of eyes; caput strongly convex, groove well-marked ; thoracic fovea oval, radial stria? rather faint ; profile line represents a rather abrupt curve posteriorly, slight arch across caput ; clypeus directed forward ; in height rather less than depth of facial space. Posterior row of eyes moderately procurved ; centrals ex- ceed laterals in size by about one-fourth, nearly their diameter apart, about twice that space from anterior pair, rather more than former interval from side-eyes; anterior row strongly re- curved, centrals prominent, perceptibly smaller than posterior pair, rather farther from each other than are the hind-median eyes; laterals have l lie pearl-grey lustre of posterior-centrals, seated obliquely on strong brownish tubercles, nearly contiguous. fransntjimns fftn ft qafatjn JnsKtote, Vol. xx. pi. XL d <2, .".' \„;>? .. ' ■•■' . 4* \ -s •5 1 r ijk,;-^_ s, ■ f ■' \ V >>■■ :«,.sW:^ Z 5 VT-. ft , 7£> 1 I ■ATzrjejt /V£PV Z E^L JND SPJDERS . C.JT.P. Iitti. 1'rqhhart. — ) July to middle of October Upeneoides vlamingii (e) Rather rare October January •• Pagrus imicolor (') Common •• •• November and December Chironemus georgianus (s) Not com- mon April and May Remarks. (/') Caught in from 8 to 15 fathoms duriug the spawning season. At other times it is not, so far as I am aware, found near the Mokohinou Islands, but abounds in from 30 to 60 fathoms some distance (about three- quarters of a mile) off. (''J It is very easy to distinguish two distinct varieties or species, one of which is much fatter and with a larger head than the other. The Barrier- Natives call the small-headed or common kind hapuka, and the other maione. (e) Very common all the year. (d) My first specimen was caught in July, 1884, and I observed no more till this year (1887) when others were caught in July and October. The specimens were spawning. (e) Caught two examples with a bit of crab in 5 feet of water, but it will rarely bite. I have occasionally seen this fish in shallow water stirring up the shelly bottom with its barbels, which are darted rapidly forward with a jerky motion. This fish also applies its barbels to the bait before biting, so that the point of the hook requires to be well covered. During fine warm weather it is sometimes seen busily feeding between the tide marks. (f) Very common all the year. (s) Will rarely take the hook, but may be easily speared as it rests on the bottom or moves slowly amongst the Algae upon which it feeds. It is a very fat fish, but unpalatable for food on account of its peculiar phosphorus-like odour. Its stomach is invariably crammed with large round balls of Algfe. 128 2 'ra i isnctions . — Zoolotjy . Name. Whether Eare or Common. Visitors. Spawning Time. Arrive. Depart. Chironemus fergussoni(*) Chilodactylus macrop- terus (b) Chilodactylus specta- bilis (c) Chilodactylus douglassii (d) Sebastes percoides (e) . . Scorpcena oznoensis (') . . Thyrsites atun (s) T. prometheoides (h) Trachurus trachurus, var. (i) Common Eare Not com- mon Not com- mon Eare Common Common Eare Eare (?) . . November May •> April and May August May, June, July, and part of August Eemarks. (a) Common on stony or boulder bottom in sballow water. Bather dry eating. (b) I have only seen one example, but the Maoris inform me that plenty used to be found a short distance south from our landing. (c) Occasionally caught in a few feet of water during the summer. (d) I have caught about a dozen examples in four years. The largest measured 26 inches in total length. Like the preceding, it is occasionally seen in shallow water during the summer. The Barrier Natives know it by the name of porai. (e) Bather scarce. Caught two examples in about 20 fathoms. (f) Native name rari. Found in all depths from a few feet up to 60 fathoms. Flesh rather dry, but not badly flavoured. (*) Found here all the year, but scarcest from December to March. The majority spawn during July and August. Most examples I have examined were more or less infested by parasites, one kind of which infest the gills to such an extent that half of them are frequently destroyed, leaving nothing but stumps where they formerly were ; and the parasites are at times so numerous that the gills, when examined inside the mouth, appear quite alive. Another parasite (?) burrows through the flesh of the fish in all directions, and is sufficiently large not to escape the eye if a slice is ex- amined. To judge from appearance, neither of these parasites seems to incommode the fish. ('') I have only seen one example, which ran ashore. The tins did not exactly agree with the description of T. prometheoides, hut were sufficiently near to cause me to refer it to this species, the lateral line being bifurcate. (') Took a considerable number three years ago, in May, when I saw large schools. The specimens were about the size of a herring. Sandagkr. — List of Fishes found at Mokohinou. 129 Name. Whether Rare or Common. Visitors. Spawning Time. Arrive. Depart. Caranx georgianus (a) . . Seriola lalandii (b) Ditrema violacea (c) Ditrema var. (or sp.) (d) Percis colias (e) Trypterygium varium, sp. (?) (0 Common Common Common Common Not com- mon Not com- mon •• December to February December to February (?) July and August July and August Eemarks. (a) Found all around here in countless numbers, but does not take the hook well. (b) Very few are caught during October, November, and December. It probably spawns about this time. The largest I have caught measured 4 feet 7A inches in total length. (c) This excellent fish is abundant here all the year. Its ova appear to me to be very irregularly developed and minute, and, so far, I am not quite certain regarding its spawning time. The largest specimens I have caught measure fully 15 inches, but the average fish run between 7 and 8. Countless numbers might be easily taken in nets during the summer months in shallow water, when it feeds upon small Crustacea, spawn, and jelly-fish which float or swim at or near the surface, or it might be netted in a kind of bag net as it passes through some of the narrow openings between the islands, and in this way whole shoals might be secured. It often visits caves which have only a few feet of water, and I have frequently seen a whole shoal appear from or disappear into such places, and, taking up a good position above with a rod, I have caught from fifty to sixty in a couple of hours, but to do so it is necessary to use a small hook, and shell-fish or crabs for bait. During the winter, when the sea is smooth, immense numbers may be seen resting on rocky ledges as deep as the eye will penetrate, appearing as one unbroken mass of blue. Weather permitting, it may be caught any day of the year from the rocks in favourable places. (d) Unlike the preceding it does not shoal, or feed at the surface, nor is it, as a rule, caught in shallow water. In deep water it is abundant, and may be easily caught with a hook of moderate size, baited with a bit of fish, for it bites more greedily than D. violacea. The largest specimen I have seen measured 14 inches in total length. I caught it during the month of July, in 18 fathoms, and it contained unripe ova. This species is bluish- grey on the back, and greyish-silvery, with a coppery tinge, on the sides. It is a more elevated form than D. violacea, and I know of no intermediate forms between the two fish, which differ in form, habit, and colour, although the fins of both agree, excepting a slight difference in the shape of the caudal fin. (e) Only caught occasionally. (f) A small species, which seems to prefer a boulder bottom. 9 130 Transactions. — Zoology. Whether Visitors. Name. Bare or Common. Spawning Time. Arrive. Depart. Trachelochismus, two Common September and species (a) October Labriclithys celidota (b) Not com- mon •• August, Sep- tember, Octo- ber Labriclithys botliryoeos- Common . . , . August, Sep- mus (c) tember, Octo- ber Labrichthys paittaeula, Common . . • • August, Sep- var. C1) tember, Octo- ber Labrichthys laticlaveus (e) Not com- mon • • August, Sep- tember, Octo- ber Cossyphv* unimaculatus (f)' Not com- mon May and June Cymolutes sandageri (§) Not com- mon November April February and March Coridodax pullus (h) . . Not com- mon •• • • July and August Eemarks. (a) One species is common on the boulder beach, between high and low water-marks. The other is only found below the ordinary low water-mark. (b) This is the rarest of the four species. I have caught about half a dozen. (c) I have never caught this fish in deep water. Common in shallow. (d) A black-tailed variety, which is quite common. Unlike the preceding it is not common in very shallow water, but in from 7 fathoms and upwards it can be got almost anywhere. (e) Caught occasionally in certain places at the north-east end of island, in from 1 to 7 fathoms. . (f) Occasionally caught in depths varying from a few feet up to 60 fathoms. It prefers crab to any other bait, and is not easily caught, unless fished for with a rod and small line. Very good eating. (8) Occasionally seen during the summer months in a few feet of water when the tide is coming in. It bites well when the hook is baited with shellfish or crab; and should a fish drop off after being hooked ii does not matter, for it will bite again and again till caught. Few tish are so per- sistent in this respect. During the colder months it is occasionally caught in from 8 to 15 fathoms. (h) Far from common here, and it does not take the hook well, though it may at times be enticed to bite on a bit of crab. The mature ova of this fish are comparatively large, the grains measuring nearly ^ inch in diameter. Sandager. — List of Fishes found at Mokohinou. 131 Name. Whether Kare or Common. Visitors. Spawning Time. Arrive. Depart. Pseudoj?hycis, sp. ? (a). . Not com- mon •• •• October, No- vember Scombresox forsteri (b).. Not com- mon all the year December June May Hemirhamphus inter- medins (°) Rare March . . ? •• Exoccetus speculiger sp. ? (d) Not com- mon March .. ? •• Afonacanthus convexi- Common o • End of August rostris (e) to beginning of November Lyycena malleus (f) Rare Acanthias vulgaris (s) .. Common Mustelus antarcticus Not com- mon •• •• •• Rkj [ARKS. \ (a) Caught occasionally all the year round. It prefers a rough bottom where plenty of lurking-places are found. There appear to me to be two varieties, one of which averages from 10 to 12 inches and confines itself to shallow water (from four feet up to 6 or 7 fathoms). The other variety is sometimes 2 feet in length, and must be fished for in from 15 to 20 fathoms. I find that specimens of Pseudophycis are very variable in respect of the number of rays found in their dorsal and anal fins, and scarcely any two I have examined counted alike. (b) This fish is not always seen here in December, but during the last four years I have observed large shoals in May and June, and secured many live specimens, as they were driven ashore by large fish. The fish seen in December are smaller than those which visit us in May and June, the largest measuring about 15 inches. Ova of this fish are very large (nearly ^gin. in diameter) and transparent when shed. This is one of the best eating fishes that is got here. Bones sometimes green. Could at times be netted in great numbers. (c) Rarely seen here. A few occasionally visit the island in March. (d) Large numbers visit the Hauraki Gulf in March, but do not come very near this island, although abundant between it and the Little Barrier. (e) A most troublesome fish when crab is used for bait. (f) I have only observed one specimen. (e) Abundant on sandy bottom three-fourths of a mile south from Moko- hinou. 132 Transactions . — Zoo logy . Name. Whether Eare or Common. Visitors. Spawning Time. Arrive. Depart . Scyllium, sp. ? (a) Not very rare End of May End of August May to (?) Galeus canis Common • • • • Trygon thalassia Common • • • • Myliobatis aquila ('') . . Not com- mon •• •• •• Bdellostoma cirrhatum (e) Rare •• •• •• Remarks. (a) Follows the hapuka in its time of arrival and departure, and it is occasionally got when fishing for hapuka in deep water. Excepting during the spawning time of the hapuka I have never caught the Scyllium in shallow water. It has a most disagreeable odour. (b) Speared a large specimen two years ago. Could be got occasionally if wanted. (c) I have only observed five or six individuals in the course of four years. In addition to the species above enumerated as occurring here, twelve others, as yet unidentified, have been sent to Sir James Hector, Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., or remain in my own collection. Very little is known to me regarding the species which confine themselves to deep water, most of my captures having been made fishing from the rocks in depths varying from a couple of feet up to 15 fathoms; but I have sufficient grounds for believing that many of the deep-sea fishes visit shallow water to spawn, and in the case of some summer visitors, because the feed, such as shrimps, medusa?, different kinds of spawn, etc., is most abundant there and nearer the surface during the warmer months, the smaller fish being of course followed by predaceous species. Observations extending over a period of four years and a half convince me that visiting fishes are almost as punctual in their arrival and departure, after accomplishing their purpose, as some of the birds of passage ; but few, if any, of the species enumerated leave the neighbourhood, of the island, the change being merely from deep water to shallow water, or vice versa, according to the season. Possibly Scoiiibnso.r forsteri, Trachums trachurus (the small variety), Thyrsites pronu'theoides . pyxidata, and but for the fact that my specimens hardly match an Australian specimen of I>. pyxidata in my herbarium, I should have considered them to be the same. As it is, I leave the species unnamed until a more complete comparison can be made. Catalogue of Plants observed on the Three Kings Islands. 1. Clematis indivisa, Willd. 2. Clematis parviflor a, A. Cunn. 3. Cardamine hirsuta, L. 4. Melicytus ramiflorus, Forst. 5. Hymenanthera latifolia, Endl. 6. Pittosporum faircliildi, n. sp. 7. Spergularia rubra, Pers. 8. O.valis corniculata, L. 9. Melicope ternata, Forst. 10. Coriaria ruscifolia, L. 11. Halorayis alata, Jacq. 12. Haloragis depressa, Hook. f. 13. Leptospennwn scoparium, Forst. 14. Leptospermum ericoides, A. Eich. 15. Metrosideros tomentosa, A. Cunn. 16. Metrosideros sccmd ens, B. and 8. 17. Sicyos angulatus, L. 18. Mesembryanthemum australe, Sol. 19. Hydrocotyle heteromera, D.C. 20. Hydrocotyle novec-zecdandia-, D.C. 21. Apium australe, Th. 22. Angelica roscefolia, Hk. 23. C orolda cotoneaster, Eaoul. 24. Coprosma macrocarpa, n. sp. 25. Coprosma grandifolia, Hk. f. 26. Coprcjsma baueriana, Endl. 27. Coprostna robust a, Eaoul. 28. Lagenophora forsteri, D.C. 29. Gnaphalium involucratum, Forst. 30. Gnaphalium collinum, Lab. 31. Senecio lautus, Forst. 32. Sonchus oleraceus, L. 33. Wahlenbergia gracilis, A. Eich. 34. Colensoa physcdoides, Hk. f. 35. Lobelia anceps, Thunb. 36. Leucopogon frazeri, A. Cunn. 37. Myosotis spathulata, Forst. 150 Transactions. — 'Botany. 38. Convolvulus septum, L. 39. Convolvulus tuguriorum, Foist. 40. Dichondva rcpens, Forst. 41. Pisonia brunoniana, Endl. 42. Muhlenbeckia complexa, Meisn. 43. Tetranthera calicaris, Hk. f. 44. Hedycarya dentata, Forst. 45. Pimelea prostrata, Vahl. 46. Paratrophis smithii, n. sp. 47. Parietaria debilis, Forst. 48. Peperomia urvilleana, A. Rich. 49. Piper excelsum, Forst. 50. Acianthus sinclairii, Hk. f. 51. Microtis porrifolia, Spr. 52. Thelymitra longifolia, Forst. 53. Cordyline australis, Hk. f. 54. Dianella intermedia, Endl. 55. Arthropodium cirrhatum, Br. 56. Phormium tenax, Forst. 57. Scirptis nodosus, Eottb. 58. Cladium teretifulium, Br. 59. Uncinia austrctlis, Br. 60. Carex paniculata, L., var. vircjata. 61. Carex testacea, Sol. 62. Carex breviculmis, Br. 63. Panicum imbecille, Forst. 64. Kckinopogon ovatus, Pal. 65. Arundo conspicua, Forst. 66. Poa anceps, Forst. 67. Cyathea medullaris, Swz. 68. Da vail i a, sp. 69. Adiantum a (line, Willi! . 70. Adiantum hispidulum, Swz. 71. Ptevis tremnla, Br. 72. Pteris aquilina, L. 73. Pteris comans, Forst. 74. Lomaria acuminata, Baker. 75. Lomaria procera, Spr. 76. Doodia media, Br. 77. Asplenium obtusatum, Forst. 78. Asplenium flaccidum, Forst. 79. Aspidium richardi, Hook. 80. Polypodium serpens, Forst. 81. Polypodium billardieri, Br. 82. Lycopodium volubile, Forst. Cheeseman. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands. 151 Aet. XXIII. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands ; with Notes on the Fauna. By T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., Curator of the Auckland Museum. [Read before the Auckland Institute, 14r in Professor Hutton's papers " On the Origin of the New Zealand Fauna and Flora." Cheeseman. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands. 161 It is not quite clear whether Norfolk Island and Lord Howe's Island are to be considered as remnants of this former extension of New Zealand, or as evidences of volcanic activity since its subsidence in whole or in part. Their flora certainly lends some support to the first view, for, in addition to possessing con- siderable affinity with that of New Zealand, it is undoubtedly much more closely allied to that of North Australia and New Caledonia than it is to that part of temperate Australia nearest to them and situated in the same latitude. The large propor- tion of endemic species also goes to prove that the islands are of considerable antiquity. With respect to the fauna, the presence of a species of Ocydromus in Lord Howe's Island, and of Nestor in Norfolk Island, cannot but be regarded as highly suggestive. No doubt a considerable amount of probability attaches to the supposed former extension of New Zealand to the north- west. But an extension to the north-east has not nearly such cogent evidence in support of it. In the first place, the sub- marine ridge connecting New Zealand with the Kermadec Group, and through it with Tonga and Fiji, is much narrower, and, so far as can be judged from the few soundings taken, is covered with much deeper water. This would put back the subsidence of the land to a more remote period. But the flora of the Kermadec Islands is composed almost wholly of plants living in New Zealand or Polynesia, the proportion of endemic species being only ^, against \ in Norfolk Island and Lord Howe's Island. This undoubtedly demands that the connection should be of recent date. Again, had there been land uniting New Zealand with Tonga and Fiji, there should, as Mr. Wallace states, be more community between the natural history produc- tions of the two localities. Every botanist knows that the Polynesian element in the New Zealand flora is small and unimportant ; and, although some branches of the fauna are perhaps more closely connected, even there the affinity is by no means close. The scanty and fragmentary nature of the Kermadec flora, and the still more scanty fauna, are not what we should expect to find had the islands been connected with better peopled countries ; while they are quite in harmony with the view that they have received their inhabitants by trans- oceanic migration. I must admit feeling much scepticism as to the likelihood of any recent extension of New Zealand towards the north-east. In all probability, if a land connection with Polynesia in that direction ever existed, it had disappeared long before the origin of the Kermadec Islands. According to Mr. Percy Smith's observations, the two chief islands are mainly composed of distinctly stratified pumiceous tuffs, evidently deposited under water. In the absence of fossils, their age cannot be precisely fixed ; but they must be assigned to a comparatively recent period. 11 1 62 Transactions. — Bota ny. There are three principal ways hy which the seeds of plants can be carried across wide spaces of ocean : by wind, by ocean currents, and by birds. The first mode is chiefly applicable in the case of the spores of ferns and cryptogamic plants generally ; and it is no doubt through it that ferns constitute such a large proportion of the flora of almost all oceanic islands. But with respect to flowering plants, its importance is, I think, very much over-rated. Had it operated to any extent, plants possessing light seeds, or seeds furnished with winged appendages or down (pappus), would be common on most oceanic islands. But this does not always happen, and is certainly not the case with the Kermadec Group. Distribution by means of ocean currents is a more promising mode, and it can be shown to be a likely one in the case of the Kermadec Group. It is well-known that in the whole of the southern portion of the South Pacific the drift of the ocean is to the north, forming what is called the ant- arctic drift current. This current hugs both shores of New Zealand, and extends to the North Cape ; but is usually said to disappear about latitude 34°, and to be succeeded by a broad expanse of ocean in which the currents are variable or hardly perceptible. But in examining the shores of Sunday Island Mr. Smith and myself were surprised to find numerous kauri logs, evidently drifted from New Zealand. Mr. Bell informed us that over forty were lying stranded on the beaches, and from what I saw myself I do not think his estimate is much above the mark. The logs bore brands of different dates, and, apart from that, it was evident from their appearance that they had arrived at different periods, so that it cannot be assumed that a specially favourable gale, or temporary current, had drifted over a batch that had made its escape from some of our timber-mills. Pro- bably the antarctic current extends further to the north in this portion of the Pacific than has hitherto been supposed. But if logs are regularly drifted across, so may seeds, branches of trees bearing seed-vessels, and vegetable debris of all kinds. Many seeds are capable of germination after a prolonged submersion in salt water. Mr. Darwin proved by actual experiment that some retained their vitality after an immersion of over 100 days ; and M. Gustave Thuret has succeeded in getting the seeds of nine species to germinate after being floated for thirteen months in a vessel of salt water. Even in 100 days the branch of a tree bearing ripe seed-vessels might be iloated across a distance even greater than that separating New Zealand from Sunday Island. Dispersal through the agency of birds might also be the means of stocking the Kermadec Islands with some plants. Most of the birds found in the group are New Zealand species ; and in the case of sea-birds, such as the various species of albatrosses and petrels, which possess immense powers of flight and range over large distances of ocean, yearly Cheeseman. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands. 163 breeding on outlying islands, it would be an easy matter for seeds adhering to the feathers, or included in earth attached to the feet, to be conveyed across wide spaces of ocean. In concluding my remarks on the flora, I may be allowed to repeat my conviction that its nature and composition, its relation- ship to that of New Zealand and Polynesia, and its peculiarities generally, are best explained on the supposition that the islands have been slowly stocked with their plants by chance migrations across the ocean. My visit to the islands was so brief, and so much time was lost by exceptionally stormy weather, that little systematic work could be accomplished with the fauna. The following notes are based on observations made at odd moments, while engaged in examining the vegetation. Mammals. — The only mammal that possesses any claim to be indigenous is a rat, and of this I was unfortunately unable to obtain a specimen. Mr. Bell informed me that it is abundant in the summer months, but uniformly disappears in the winter, in his opinion to hibernate. At the time of my visit I supposed that it had been introduced by some of the early settlers, but since my return I find that Lieut. Watts, in his account of the first discovery of the group in 1788, says that " a great number of rats and mice were seen on Macaulay Island." This would seem to prove that the species, whatever it may be, is truly indigenous. It is somewhat singular that there is no bat. Norfolk Island has a peculiar species ; but Mr. Bell was positive that none exists on Sunday Island. Birds. — The following species were collected or observed in the group, with the exception of one or two, specified in the list, which are inserted on the authority of Mr. Bell : — 1. Common Hawk (Circus gouldi). Not uncommon on Sun- day Island and Macaulay Island. 2. Kingfisher (Halcyon vagans). Sunday Island ; plentiful. 3. Tui (Prosthemadera nova-zealandia). The commonest bird on Sunday Island. Its note differs slightly from that of its New Zealand relatives, but the plumage is precisely the same. 4. White-eye (Zosterops lateralis). Seen on both Sunday and Macaulay Islands, but not plentiful. 5. Lark (Anthus nova-zealandia). Two or three specimens noticed on Macaulay Island. 6. Bed-fronted Parrakeet (Platycercus nova-zealandia). Mr. Bell stated that this formerly existed on Sunday Island, but had been exterminated by the wild cats. On Meyer Island, an out- lying rock off the coast of Sunday Island, it is still plentiful. On Macaulay Island it is in great numbers, going about in flocks 164 Transactions. — Botany. of from 12 to 50, hopping among the short grass, and apparently feeding on the seeds of Erigeron and Gnaphalium. So tame was it, and so unused to man's presence, that I caught two by simply walking quietly up and suddenly putting my hat over them while they were walking on the grass. Several more were caught by the sailors of the Stella in a similar way. 7. Long-tailed Cuckoo (Eudynamis taitensis). Mr. Bell showed me the tail of a specimen of this species. According to him, it is a yearly visitant, but is never very plentiful. 8. Shining Cuckoo (Ghrysococcyx lucidus). Also stated by Mr. Bell to be an occasional visitor. I did not see it. 9. Pigeon (Carpophaga sp. ?). Mr. Bell informed us that a large fruit-pigeon, which he thought was the same as the New Zealand species, was formerly not uncommon, but had been killed off by the cats. ' 10. Pukeko {Porphyria melanotics). A single specimen was noticed in the lagoon in Denham Bay. 11. Grey Duck (Anas super ciliosa). Said by Mr. Bell to exist in the crater lakes, but to have been very scarce since the erup- tion of 1872. I did not see it ; but Mr. Bell is coincident as to its identity with the New Zealand species. 12. Grey Noddy (Anons cinerens). I believe that I am correct in referring a pretty little tern, very plentiful all through the group, to this species. I obtained several specimens, which agree very well with the description in Gould's " Handbook." 13. Albatross (Diomedea exulans). A few individuals were noticed during the voyage to and from the islands. According to Mr. Bell, it breeds on the Chanter Islands, some small rocks off the north-east coast of Sunday Island. 14. Mollymauk (Diomedea melanophrys). Plentiful. Breeds on Curtis Island. 15. Sooty Albatross (Diomedea fuliginosa). Noticed at sea between Sunday and Macaulay Islands. 16. Small Shearwater (PuJJmus assimilis). Abundant on Meyer Island, where it was breeding in great numbers at the time of our visit. 17. Mutton Bird (Puffinus sp.). A species of this genus, clearly different from any of the New Zealand forms, breeds on Sunday Island in September and October, laying its eggs on tbe bare ground among the trees on the bill-sides. The young birds, when cured, form no inconsiderable portion of the food of the residents, and are by no means bad eating. The old birds had only just commenced to arrive at the time of our visit, but during the middle of the season they are present in enormous numbers. Large portions of the island are then entirely covered Cheeseman. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands. 165 with them, and the noise and confusion is said to be almost indescribable. 18. Cape Pigeon (Procellaria capensis). Plentiful at sea all round the group. 19. Stormy Petrel {Thalassidroma melanogaster). Plentiful everywhere at sea. 20. Gannet (Dysporas sp.). A fine gannet, differing from the New Zealand species in wanting the buff-coloured feathers on the head, was not uncommon, but I was unable to obtain a specimen. 21. Tropic-bird (Phaeton rubricauda). Breeds on the islands in the month of October, according to Mr. Bell. I did not see it. 22. Frigate-bird ( Tacky petes aquilas). Mr. Bell informed us that the frigate-bird visits the island regularly every spring and summer ; but none were observed during the visit of the Stella. In addition to the above, several petrels were seen at sea, which could not be identified from the deck of the vessel. It is worthy of remark that the whole of the land-birds are common New Zealand species. Repjtiles. — No land reptilia of any kind were observed, and Mr. Bell informed us that none exist. He alluded, however, to the occasional presence of a water-snake, which, from his descrip- tion, I take to be Pelamys bicolor, a common species throughout Polynesia. Several specimens of the common turtle (Chelonia viridis) were seen, and it is said to be not uncommon during the summer months. Fishes. — The following were caught by the sailors of the Stella during our stay (I had not time to collect any myself) : — Hapuka (Oligorus gigas), plentiful, and attaining a large size; specimens weighing over 801bs. were caught. Kahawai (Arripis salar), abundant. Trevally (Caranx georgianus). King-fish (Seriola lalandii), very large and fine-flavoured. Scorpana sp. Tarakiki (Ckilodactylus macropterus), and a few others not yet identified. Mollusca. — A large limpet, more than 5 inches in diameter, is common on the rocks, and there are two or three species of smaller size. Xerita atrata, Triton spenyleri, Ranella leucostoma, Cassis pyrum, all well-known New Zealand species, were collected. Worn specimens of Comes marmoreus and another species of the same genus, together with Cypraa caput-serpentis, were picked up on the beach. Two or three Trochidm of Polynesian facies were also picked up ; but, as a rule, shells are very few in num- ber, as might be predicted from the heavy surf continually rolling on the shore. The only land mollusca observed were broken fragments of two species of Helicidw of small size. 166 Transactions. — Botany. Catalogue of Ph^enogamic Plants and Ferns inhabiting the Kermadec Islands. (Species new to the New Zealand Flora marked with an asterisk.) 1. Grucifer^e. 1. Cardamine sty losa, D.C. Open gullies on Macaulay Island ; not uncommon. Not seen on Sunday Island. New Zealand, Australia, Tas- mania. 2. VlOLARXEiE. 2. Melicytus ramijiorus, Forst. Plentiful on Sunday Island, especially on the rich volcanic terraces on the northern side of the island. New Zealand, Norfolk Island. 8. PrrTospoRE-E. 3. Pittosporum crassifolium, Banks and Sol. A few trees scattered along the northern shore of Sunday Island. New Zealand. 4. GERANIACEiE. 4. Geranium, dissectum , L., var. pilosum. Cliffs on the northern shore of Sunday Island ; not com- mon. Temperate regions of both hemispheres. 5. Geranium molle, L. In various places on Sunday Island, but perbaps natu- ralised only. New Zealand, Tasmania, Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia. 6. Oralis corniculata, L. Common on both Sunday Island and Macaulay Island. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Aus- tralia, and most parts of the world. 5. Rutace.e. 7. Melicope ternata, Forst. Sunday Island ; plentiful. Foliage and capsules much larger than in New Zealand examples, and the plant migbt be appropriately distinguished under the name of var. grandis. New Zealand. 6. Anacardiace/E. 8. Corynorar/iiis h/riyata, Forst. Plentiful in all the lower portions of Sunday Island. New Zealand. Cheeseman. — On the Flora of the Kerrnadec Islands. 167 7. Coriarieje. 9. Coriaria ruscifolia, L. Sunday Island ; abundant, especially in the large crater- basin. New Zealand. 10. Coriaria thymifolia, Humb. Kecorded from the Kerrnadec Islands by Sir J. D. Hooker in the " Handbook of the New Zealand Flora," p. 47 ; but not mentioned in his paper printed in the " Journal of the Linnean Society " (vol. i., Botany, p. 125). I did not observe it, and judging from its distribution in New Zealand it does not seem a likely plant to occur in the islands. New Zealand ; America, from Mexico to Peru. 8. Leguminos^;. 11. *Canavalia obtusifolia , D.C. Stems long, prostrate or climbing, glabrous, or the young shoots silky-pubescent. Leaves trifoliate ; leaflets obovate or orbicular, obtuse, 2-4 inches long, texture firm. Flowers in axillary racemes, rather large, pinkish. Upper lip of calyx very large, with two broad rounded lobes ; lower lip small, three-lobed. Standard orbicular, f inch diameter ; keel curved, obtuse. Pod about 4 inches long by nearly 1 inch broad ; seeds 3 to 6. Scrambling over rocks and shrubs on Meyer Island, an outlying rock on the north side of Sunday Island. Mr. Bell informed me that it occurs in some bays on the east side of Sunday Island. Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, tropical Australia, and a common sea-coast plant in many parts of Polynesia, South America, Africa, and tropical Asia. 9. KoSACE^E. 12. Acana sanguisorba, Vahl. Kerrnadec Islands, Sir J. I). Hooker (•« Handbook," p. 56). I did not see this, and the plant was unknown to Mr. Bell. New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, Tristan dAcunha. 10. Halorageje. 13. Haloragis alata, Jacq. On both Sunday and Macaulay Islands, but by no means abundant. New Zealand, Australia, Juan Fernandez. 14. Callitriche verna, L. Abundant in shady places on Sunday Island. World- wide, or nearly so. 168 Transactions. — Botany. 11. Myrtace^e. 15. Metrosideros polymorpha, Forst. Sunday Island ; the most abundant tree, occurring from sea-level to the summit of the highest hills. Lord Howe's Island, and in many parts of Polynesia, extending as far north as the Sandwich Islands. Apparently not found in Norfolk Island. 12. CuCURBITACEiE. 16. Sicyos angulatus, L. Plentiful in the lower portions of Sunday Island, and of very luxuriant growth, climbing to the tops of the trees. It also creeps over the ground, and is a great nuisance in the cultivations, on account of the rapidity of its growth. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, America. Ficoide^e. 17. Mesembryanthemum australe, Sol. Shores of Sunday, Macaulay, and Curtis Islands ; abun- dant. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia. 18. Tetragonia eccpansa, Murr. Shores of Sunday and Macaulay Islands ; plentiful. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, Japan, extra- tropical South America. 19. Tetragonia trigyna, Banks and Sol. Cliffs on the north side of Sunday Island ; not common. New Zealand, and also Australia and Tasmania, if it is identical with T. implexicoma, Hk. f., as seems probable. 14. Umbellifer.e. 20. Hydrocotyle mOschata, Forst. Moist places on Sunday Island ; plentiful. New Zealand. 21. Apium a asl ral<\ Thou. Shores of Sunday Island ; not rare. New Zealand, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, Tasmania, Antarctic America. 15. Araliace.e. 22. Panax arboreum, Forst. Sunday Island ; common towards the tops of the hills. New Zealand. 16. EuBIACEiE. 23. Coprosma baueriana, Endl. Eastern shore of Sunday Island; not common. New Zealand, Norfolk Island. Cheeseman. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands. 169 24. Coprosma petiolata, Hook. f. Shores of Sunday, Macaulay, and Curtis Islands ; plentiful. New Zealand, Lord Howe's Island, Norfolk Island. 25. Coprosma acutifolia, Hook. f. Plentiful all over Sunday Island. The female flowers, which were not known to Hooker, are on slender peduncles \ - f inch long, which are either simple or trichotomously divided, and bear from 4 to 12 flowers. Calyx with 4-5 linear teeth. Corolla tubular, 3- 5-lobed. Drupe oblong, \ inch long, reddish orange. Distinguished from my C. tenuifolia by its more slender habit, paler bark, smaller, thinner, and more acuminate leaves, with different venation, and by the much less compact inflorescence. Endemic. 17. Composite. 26. *Ageratum conyzoides, L. Sunday Island ; abundant, especially in abandoned cultivations, where it forms a dense mass 2-3 feet high. Known by the local name of " Cherry Pie," or " Wild Heliotrope." Perhaps introduced, but it is truly native in many parts of Polynesia. Abundant in the tropics of both hemispheres. 27. Lagenophora forsteri, D.C. Cliffs in Denham Bay, Sunday Island. New Zealand. 28. Lagenophora petiolata, Hook. f. Kermadec Islands, Sir J. D. Hooker ("Handbook," p. 137). Not observed by me. New Zealand. 29. ';: Siegesbeekia orientalis, L. Sunday Island ; common in open sunny places in the bush. Tropical Australia, Polynesia, India, China. 30. Bidens pilosa, L. Sunday Island ; plentiful everywhere in open and rocky places. New Zealand, Australia, Polynesia, and tropical countries generally. 31. Cotula australis, Hook. f. Sunday Island ; not uncommon in waste places. New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, and Tristan d'Acunha. 32. Gnaphalium luteo-album, L. Sunday and Macaulay Islands ; common. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, and most parts of the world. 3. Gnaphalium involucratum , Forst. Sunday and Macaulay Islands ; not rare. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, Japan. 170 Transactions. — Botany. 34. Gnaphalium collinum, Lab. Macaulay Island, plentiful ; Sunday Island, not so abun- dant. New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania. 35. Senecio lautiis, Forst. ? Macaulay Island ; only a few specimens seen, and tbese so young that the identification is doubtful. New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania. 36. Senecio (?) sp. A plant possibly belonging to this genus occurs on the cliffs on the eastern shore of Sunday Island, but the speci- mens are much too immature to determine. The foliage somewhat resembles that of S. banksii, Hook. f. 37. Sonchus oleraceus, L., var. asper. Common on the cliffs of both Sunday and Macaulay Islands. New Zealand, Australia, and most temperate regions. 18. GoodenoviejE. 38. Scacola gracilis, Hook. f. Sunday and Macaulay Islands ; abundant on the cliffs. A very ornamental half shrubby procumbent plant, 2 to 4 feet high. Flowers white with a yellow eye, sweet-scented. Endemic. 19. Campanulace.*;. 39. Wahlenbergia gracilis, A. Kich. Sides of dry gullies on Macaulay Island. New Zealand, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, Malayan Islands. 40. Lobelia anceps, Thunb. Sunday and Macaulay Islands ; common. A large and stout broad-leaved form. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, S. Africa, and temperate South America. 20. PRIMULACEiE. 41. Samolus rep ens, Pers. Maritime rocks on the east side of Sunday Island. New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia. 21. Myrsine;e. 42. *Myrsme kermadecensis, n. sp. Common all over Sunday Island. Evidently closely allied to the Norfolk Island M. crasrifolia, but I think suffi- ciently distinct. I defer describing it until I am able to compare specimens of the two plants. Endemic. Cheeseman. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands. 171 22. ConvolvulacejE. 43. Convolvulus septum, L. "Waste places on Sunday Island ; rare. New Zealand, Australia, and most temperate and sub-tropical regions. 44. Convolvulus soldanella, L. East coast of Sunday Island ; apparently not common. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, and most extra-tropical sea coasts. 45. Ipomoea palmata, Forst. Cliffs on the north side of Sunday Island ; not uncommon. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia; tropical Asia, Africa, and America. 46. *Ipomcea pes-capra, Koth. Perfectly glabrous. Stems prostrate, trailing, sometimes 40 feet in length. Leaves 2-4 inches long, broadly-oblong or orbicular, bluntly 2-lobed, thick and fleshy. Peduncles shorter than the leaves, 1-3 -flowered. Calyx with 5 obtuse sepals. Corolla campanulate, 1 inch long, pinkish. Cap- sule large, nearly globose, f inch in diameter, 2-celled. Seeds large, hairy. Abundant in the sandy bays and on some of the cliffs of Sunday Island. Lord Howe's Island, Australia, Polynesia, and the sea-coasts of most tropical coun tries. 23. Solanace^e. 47. Solanum nigrum, L. Sunday Island ; most abundant, especially in cultivated ground. Macaulay Island, not so plentiful. New Zealand, Australia, Polynesia, and almost all tropical and temperate countries. 48. Solanum aviculare, Forst. Sunday Island ; by no means common. Macaulay Island, a single specimen only. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia. 24. ScROPHULARINEiE. 49. Veronica salicifolia, Vahl. Cliffs on the east side of Sunday Island ; rare. New Zealand. 50. Veronica ligustrijolia, Vahl. Stated by Sir J. D. Hooker to have been collected by McGillivray on Sunday Island. I did not observe it ; but Mr. Bell informed me that a narrow-leaved " Koromiko" occurred in a few localities, which will doubtless be this species. New Zealand. 172 Transactions, — Botany. 25. Myopoke^;. 51. Myoporum latum, Forst. One of the commonest trees on Sunday Island, and the first to appear on abandoned cultivations. It is much more variable in its foliage than in New Zealand, and unusually broad- and narrow-leaved varieties are common. A few stunted plants were noticed on Macaulay Island. New Zealand. 26. Chenopodiace.e. 52. Rhagodia nutans, Br. Cliffs on the north side of Sunday Island. New Zealand and Australia. 27. PoLYGONACEjE. 53. Rumex flexuosus, Forst. Sandy beach in Denham Bay, Sunday Island. New Zealand. 28. Nyctagine^e. 54. Pisonia brunoniana, Endl. Scattered over the lower portions of Sunday Island, but by no means common. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, and Polynesia. 29. EUPHOKBIACE^E. 55. '''Aleurites moluccana, Willd. A stout, widely-branched tree ; Sunday Island specimens ranging from 20 feet to 60 feet in height, with a trunk 1-3 feet in diameter. Leaves crowded towards the ends of the branches, alternate, 4-9 inches long, ovate-lanceolate to rhomboid, 3-5-lobed, acute or acuminate, tomentose when young, almost glabrous when fully grown ; petioles 3-9 inches long. Panicles large, terminal, much branched. Flowers monoecious, not seen in a perfect condition, the calyx and corolla having just fallen before the time of our visit. Fruit almost 2 inches in diameter, usually with 2-3 cocci. Seeds globose, rugose, hard, and bony. North and east side of Sunday Island ; not very common. North Australia, Polynesia, and the tropics of both hemispheres. 56. Carumbium polyandrum, Hook. f. Sunday Island ; not uncommon in sheltered places. Macaulay Island ; half-a-dozen plants in the old crater basin. A graceful tree, with very handsome glaucous foliage, variable in shape and size. The leaves of young plants are often more than a foot in diameter ; but they are seldom half that size in fullv grown individuals. Endemic. Cheeseman. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands. 173 30. URTICEiE. 57. Parietaria debilis, Forst. Sunday and Macaulay Islands ; plentiful. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia, and the tropics of both hemispheres. 58. *Bcehmeria australis, Endl. A small tree, 8-20 feet high. Branches terete, hoary with minute appressed hairs. Leaves alternate, ovate- lanceolate to ovate, acuminate, obtusely serrate, rounded or slightly cordate at the base, 3-6 inches long ; 3-nerved, green and glabrous above, below white and hoary with appressed hairs. Petioles stout, grooved on the upper surface, \-\\ inches long. Stipules small, deciduous, ovate- lanceolate. Flowers minute, in small axillary sessile glome- rules, nearly all females in my specimens, but in one or two the lower glomerules have male flowers at the base of the glomerule. Male flowers : Perianth deeply 4-partite, segments oblong-ovate, acuminate, covered with erect hairs. Stamens 4, alternating with the perianth seg- ments ; filaments elastic, exserted and recurved between the perianth segments when the flower is mature. A minute oblong-clavate rudiment of an ovary present. Females : Perianth tubular, compressed, dilated below, contracted at the two-toothed mouth. Ovary included, 1-celled, 1-ovulate; stigma exserted, long, filiform, spirally recurved, hirsute. Pipe fruit not seen. This seems to differ from Endlicher's plant in the leaves not being so decidedly cordate at the base. Sunday Island ; not uncom- mon in the lower portions of the island. Norfolk Island. 31. Chloranthace.e. 59. Ascarina lucida, Hook, f. Sunday Island ; plentiful on the hills. I have followed Sir J. D. Hooker in referring the Kermadec plant, wdiich he originally distinguished under the name of A. lanceolata, to the New Zealand A. lucida. But the leaves are much longer and narrower, and more coarsely toothed, than in any New Zealand specimens I have seen. New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia. 32. PlPERACEiE. 60. Piper excelsum, Forst. Extremely plentiful all over the lower portions of Sunday Island. Differs from the New Zealand plant in the very much longer leaves and longer catkins. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island, Australia. 174 Transactions. — Botany. 61. Peperomia urvilleana, A. Rich. Sunday Island ; plentiful. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe's Island. 33. ORCHTDE« T3 a CO a 03 CD o "3 cfi hH O q eS s CD T3 CD rw CQ 'P t-H c3 DO a CD o O 3 H fc sz; h^ «i CD O P4 Cardamine stylosa Melicytus ramiflorus Pittosporum crassifolium Geranium dissectum Geranium molle . . Oxalis cornieulata Melicope ternata Gorynocarpus laevigata Coriaria ruscifolia Coriaria thy mi folia Canavalia obtusifolia Acazna sanguisorba Haloragis alata . . Callitriche verna Metrosideros polymorphs Sicyos angulatus Mesembryanthemum australe Tetragonia expansa Tetragonia trigyna Hydrocotyle moschata Apium australe . . Panax arboreum Coprosma baueriana Coprosma petiolata Coprosma acutifolia Ageratum conyzoides Lagenophora forsteri Lagenophora petiolata Siegesbeckia orientalis Bidens pilosa Cotula australis . . Gnaphalium luteo-album Gnaphalium involucratum Gnaphalium collinum . . Senecio lautus ? . . Senecio ? sp. x X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 180 Transactions. — Botany. Sonchus oleraceus Sccevola gracilis . . Wahlenbergia gracilis Lobelia anceps . . Samolus repens . . My rs i ne kerma decern is Convolvulus sepium Convolvulus soldanella Ipomcea palmaia. . Ipomoea pes-capra Solatium nigrum Solatium aviculare Veronica salicifolia J'eronica ligustrifolia Myoporum latum Rhagodia nutans Bumex Jlexuoxus Pisonia brunoniana Aleurites mnluccana Carumbium pohjandrum Parietaria debilis Buzlimeria australis Ascarina lucida . . Piper excelsum . . Peperomia urvilleana Acianthus sinclairii Microtis porrifolia Cordgline terminal is Kentia baueri Typhi angustifolia Cyperus ustulatus Scirpus nodosus . . Carex sp. Car ex sp. Paspalum scrobiculatum Panicum sanguinale Panicum sp. Oplismenus compositus Oplismenus setarius Cenchrus calyculatua Imperata aruttdinacea Polypogon monspeliensis Diclti ■larhtw siiurea Deyeuxia fursteri Agrostis (?) sp. . . Eleusine indica . . Poa sp. . . Agropyrum scabrum Cyathea milnei . . JJymenophylluni detnissum a "o PL, X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X x(?) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X }heeseman. — On the Flora of the Kermadec Islands. 181 nd -e a 05 a J5 "® 6 c3 "3 Ha n O g .2 a o o "3 S-i CO CO a a