TRANSACTIONS PBOCEEDINGS NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE FOR THE YEAR 1912 VOL. XLV. (New Issue) EDITED AND PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE INSTITUTE ISSUED 9th JUNE, 1913. HeUington. f.I, JOHN MACKAY, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WilijIam West.kt and Son, 28 Essex Street, Strand, Lonpon W. C. CONTENTS. I. ZOOLOGY. Transactions. Descriptions of New Zealand Lepidoptera. By E. Meyrick, pages B.A., F.R.S. 22-29 A Revision of the New Zealand Pyralidina. By E. Meyrick. B.A., F.R.S. . . . . . . . . . • 30-51 Description of a New Species of Perla (Stone-fly) in New Zealand. By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. . . . . . . . • 51 Notes on Flightless Females in certain Species of Moths, with an Attempted Explanation. By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. . . 52-57 Notes on the Entomology of the Ohakune and Waiouru Districts. By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. . . . . . . . . 57-67 On Tipula heterogama, a New Species of Crane-fly in New Zealand. By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. . . .". . . 68 Notes on a Moth-killing Spider. By W. W. Smith, F.E.S. . . 69-70 On Two Blepharocerids from New Zealand. Bv C. G. Lamb, M.A., B.Sc. . . . . . . . . ■ . . . . 70-75 Descriptions of New Species of Lepidoptera. By Alfred Phil- pott .. .... .. .. .. 76-78 Concerning the Kermadec Islands Avifauna. By Tom Iredale . . 78-92 Further Notes on the Birds of the Kermadec Islands. By W. R. B. Oliver . . . . . . . . . . 92-93 Descriptions of New Genera and Species of Coleoptera. By Major T. Broun, F.E.S. .. .. .. .'. 97-163 Some Notes on Rotifera not previously recorded as occurring in New Zealand. By C. Barham Morris, F.R.M.S. . . 163-167 On the Tunicate Styela coerulea (Quoy and Gaimard). By A. J. Cottrell, M.A., M.Sc. .. .. .. " .. 168-172 The Minute Structure of the Nephridium of the Earthworm Maoridrilus rosae Beddard. By Gladys M. Cameron, M.Sc. 172-190 The Nephridia of Perieodrilus ricardi and of P. montanus. Bv W. B. Benham, F.R.S., and Gladys Cameron, M.Sc. .". 191-198 New Species of New Zealand Empididae (Order Diptera). Bv David MiUer . . . . . . . . .". 198-206 A New Species of Macquartia (Order Diptera). By David Miller 206-210 On Deinacrida rugosa Buller. By A. Hamilton . . . . 210 Footprints of the Moa. By K. Wilson, M.A. With Note by Professor Benham .. .. .. .. .". 211-212 On Two New Echinoderms. By H. Farquhar . . . . 212-215 Notes on New Zealand Fishes : No. 3. By Edgar R. Waite, F.L.S. .. .. .. .. .. .. 215-224 XXVII. The Natural History of Otago Harbour and the Adjacent Sea, together with a Record of the Researches carried on at the Porto beUo Marine Fish - hatchery : Part I. By G. M. Thomson, F.L.S. . . . . " . . . . . . 225-251 Proceedings. On an Instance of Protective Mimicry in New Zealand Moths. By Alfred Philpott . . . . . . . . . . 431 On an Instance of the Efl'ccts of Natural Selection and Isola- tion in reducing the Wing-expanse of a Moth. By Alfred Philpott .. .... .. .. .. 431 Art. IV. V. VI. VII. VEIL IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV. XXVI. 3:1 VO 7 Contents Art. XV. XXVIII. XXIX. XXX. XXXI. XXXII. XXXIII. XXXIV. II. BOTANY. Transactions. Some New Species of Plants. By T. F. Cheeseraan, F.L.S. Some Hitherto - unrecorded Plant - habitats (YllW Rv T Cockayne, Ph.D., F.L.S., F.R.S. . . ' On the Occurrence of Poa litorosa Cheeseraan on Herekopere Island. By D. Petrie, M.A., Ph.D. . . Note on the Pollination of Rhabdotliamnus Solandri A Cunn By D. Petrie, M.A., Ph.D. . . Descriptions of New Species and Varieties of Native Phane- rogams. By D. Petrie, M.A., Ph.D. On some Additions to the Flora of the Mangonui County Bv H. Carse . . . . ~ ' ^ Notes on the Botany of the Ruggedy Mountains and the Upper Fresh-water Valley, Stewart Island. By D. L. Poppelwell Notes on a Botanical Excursion to Northern Portion of the Eyre Mountains. By D. L. Poppelwell PAGES 93-96 251-263 264 264 26.5-275 276-277 278-287 288-293 Art. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXVIII. XXXIX. XL. XLI. XLII. XLIII. Lll. III. GEOLOGY. Transactions. New Species of Tertiary Mollusm. By Henry Suter Some Localities for Fossils at Oamaru. By P. Marshall M A D.Sc, and G. H. Uttley, M.A., M.Sc. '. . . . ' . " On the Igneous Intrusions of Mount Tapuaenuka, Marlborough By James Allan Thomson, M.A., D.Sc, F.G.S. The Tuamarina Valley : A Note on the Quarternary History of the Marlborough Sounds District. By C. A. Cotton. M.So. Notes on the Chief Physiographic Features of Norfolk Island By R. M. Laing, B.Sc. On a Collection of Rocks from Norfolk Island. By R Speieht M.Sc, F.G.S. . . . . . . ■ . . On a Shingle-spit in Lake Coleridge. By R. Speight M Sc Redcliff Gully, Rakaia River. By R. Speight, M.Sc, F.G.S.. Note on the Rate of Erosion of the Hooker and Mueller Glaciers By P. Marshall, M.A., D.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S. The Physical and Chemical State and Probable Role of Water in Rock-magmas. By P. G. Morgan, M.A. 294-297 297-307 308-315 316-322 323-326 326-331 331-335 33.5-341 342-343 398-405 Abt. IV. CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS. . The Chemistry of Flesh Foods.— (1) The Putrefaction of Flesh Foods; (2) the Ripening of Flesh Foods ; (3) the Influence of Cold Storage on the Composition of Flesh Foods. By A. M. Wright, F.C.S.. M.A.C.S. . . . . . . 1-17 II. The Direction of Motion of Cirrus Clouds. By H. B. Devereux, F.R.Met.Soc. .. .. . ." .. . i8_20 III. Harmonic Tidal Constants of New Zealand Ports— Wellington and Auckland. By C. E. Adams, M.Sc, F.R.A.S. . . 20-21 XLVI. The Action of Phosphorus on Solutions of Copper Sulphate and certain other Metallic Salts. By H. Rands, M.A. . . 350-353 Contenta. V. MISCELLANEOUS. Transactions. pages Art. XLIV. On Steiner's Envelope. By E. G. Hogg, M.A., F.R.A.S. . . 344-345 XLV. On certain Tripolar Relations : Part I. By E. G. Hogg, M.A., F.R.A.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . 346-350 XLVII. A Plea for the Scientific Study of Maori Names. By H. W. Williams, M.A. . . ' . . . . . . . . 354-364 XLVIII. Life of the Ngati Kahu-ngunu Chief Nuku-Pewapewa. By T. W. Downes .. .. .. .. /. 364-375 XLIX. The Manuaute, or Maori Kite. By Archdeacon Walsh . . 375-384 L. Concerning certain Ancient Maori Stone Implements found at Tauranga. By C. A. Semadeni . . . . . . 385-386 LI. New Zealand Bird-song : Further Notes. By Johannes C. Andersen . . . . . . . . " . . . . 387-397 Proceedings. Ruapehu. B}- T. Allison 448 PROCEEDINGS. Tenth Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, &c. 409-448 APPENDIX. New Zealand Institute Act, &c. 450^88 Ind ex 489-490 LIST OF PLATES. (Tfxt fii/urefi tiol hidudi'd. ) FOLLOWS MiLLKB, D.— PAGE Plate I: — New SpecieK of New Zealand Kvtpididup . . . . . . 206 Wilson, K. — Plate II. — Footprints of Moa . . . . . . . . . . • • 210 Farquhar, H. — Plate III. — Eurygonias hyhicitnthus .. .. .. .. ..212 Plate IV. — Amphiura (irenaria . . . . • . • • ■ • 214 Watte, Edgar R. — Plate V. — Polyprion am,erimnus B,\oi:h. And ^c\vn*i\d^eT .. .. . . 21fi Plate VI. — Polyprion americanns Hloch a)Kl Schneider and Fnli/prioii oxygeneios Forster .. .. .. .- ..216 Plate VII. — Plagiogeneion rubiginosns RntUm .. .. .. ..218 Plate VIII. — Gasterochisnm melampvs Richa.rdson . . . . . . 220 Plate IX. — Mola mola Linnaeus . . . . . . . . . • 224 Thompson, (i. M. — Plate X.— Submarine U)ntoiir Map of Kast Coast of Otao.. adjacent to ()tai;o Harbour . . . . • • • • . . 226 POPPELWELL, D. L. Plate XI— Fig. 1 . Wind-funnel, Ruggedy Head . . . . . . . • 286 Fig. 2. Tjpical Coastal Rook Association 286 294 294 294 294 296 SUTER. H. Plate XII— Fig. 1. Venerkardia ponderosa Snter Fig. 2. Terebra or y eta Suter Fig. 3. Clavatula (Perronu) iieozelaniai Suter Plate XIII. — Pecten ( Patinopecten ) marshalli Suter Plate XIV. — Ghione (Lirophom) ■•ipeighti Snter .. Cotton, C. A. — Plate XV— Fig. 1 . The Aggraded Flood-plain at Mount Pleasant . . . . 322 Fig. 2. At Koromiko : the Valley-floor becomes Swampy in Pla(Hvs .. .322 Plate XVI— Fig. 1. The Swamj) at its Lower End, One Mile above Tuainarina . . 322 Fig. 2. The Slope np to the Wairau Plain at Tiianiarina .. .. 322 Speight, R. — Plate XVII— Fig. 1. Showing Inner Si)it (M)vertil with Scruh .. .. .. -334 Fiff. 2. Showing Outer Spit of Bare Shingle jnsi ahove Stiiiace of Lake 334 ii— Trans. TRANSACTIONS. T B A N S A 0 T I () N S NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE, 19 12. Art. I.— The Chemistry of Flesh Foods. — (1) The Putrefaction of Flesh Foods ; (2) the Ripening of Flesh Foods ; (3) the Influence of Cold Storage on the Composition of Flesh Foods. By A. M. Wright, F.C.S., M.A.C.S., Associate Editor, Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. [Redd before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 4th December, 1912.] IlSTRODUCTION. This paper gives the results of a series of experiments that were carried out to determine the character of the changes in the composition of flesh foods during putrefaction, and during the ripening or maturing of meats, in addition to the results secured from a study of the influences of cold storage upon meats held in cold storage at 2° to 19° Fahr. for varying periods up to 160 days. Historical. In order to make the problem more intelligible, it is desirable that we should know something of the previous work published on the subject under consideration, and its value in relation to the problems we are now investigating. The following is a brief summary of the hithei-to-published scientific work on the influence of cold storage upon flesh. It is only fair to add that much additional work has been recorded, and, without in any way reflecting upon such work, it is obviously the work of men unskilled in close and accurate observation ; that they have reached the degree of skill shown is greatly to their credit. In .1872 M. Teilier found that meat stored at from -2° to +3° C. retained its fresh qualities. In 1874 Bouley, in using Tellier's process of refrigeration, noted that meat would keep indefinitely at —2° to +3° C. as far as putresibility was concerned, but developed a peculiar fatty odour and taste at the end of two months. In 1889 Pogisaile confirmed Bouley's conclusions. 1— Tranp. 2 Transactions. In 1889 a Commission appointed by the French Minister of War also confirmed Bouley's work. In 1892 Grassman observed no harmful change or any loss in nutritive value in pork and beef due to cold storage at temperatures —2° to —4° C. In 1897 Gautier reported his investigations on mutton and beef stored for five to six months at below zero. He found a slight loss of moisture and increase of peptones and albuminoid material, and by means of arti- ficial-digestion experiments with pepsin found that there was no difference in digestibility between fresh and frozen meats. In 1900 Glaze stated that the maturation of meat preserved in chilled rooms was due to certain bacteria. In 1901 C. Mai claimed that, by proper cold storage, putrefactive changes could be prevented, but that the action of enzymes would still continue to _^8ome extent, causing the changes which take place in the so-called ripening of meats. In 1903 Miiller reported that if the temperature in cold storage is 2° to 3° C. the maturation of meat due to ferments went on, but putrefaction was prevented. In 1903 Konig reported the analyses of chicken meats. In 1905 Brittels stated that Australasian chilled meats -^re slightly frozen, and do not compare with American chilled meats. In 1906 S. Rideal made a report of a chemical investigation carried out for Weddel and Co., England, and concluded from his results, which confirmed an earlier one in 1896, that no incipient decomposition or hydrolysis takes place under cold storage, and that the differences in nutritive value and digestibility of fresh and frozen beef, mutton, and lamb are too slight to be of any economic importance. In 1906, following the agitation regarding the packing-houses of America, the question relating to the pro]5cr preservation of food products was brought before the U.S.A. Congress, and a bacteriological and chemical study of the effect of cold storage upon the wholesomeness o' food products was authorized. In 1906 Grindley reported to the Chicago City Council regarding the refrigerated poultry, and found that it was similar to fresh fowl except in one respect — namely, a characteristic flavour, which was not due to putrefaction, but, as Miiller stated, to the ripening of the meat. In 1906, 1907, and 1908 followed papers by Bird, Eckhard, C. Harring- on, Wiley and his associates in the U.S.A. Bureau of Chemistry, and Higley on the effects of cold storage on poultry, eggs, and game. In 1908 Richardson and Scherubel made histological, bacteriological, and chemical investigations upon fresh beef and beef stored at —9° to —12° C. As the results found by these workers are of great importance in relation to the conditions affecting beef, they v/ill be referred to at greater length than the earlier-recorded results. The histological data showed that the physical changes in frozen meats were due to either the evaporation of the water or to the pressure produced by the expansion in the freezing of the water ; that the formed ice which was outside of the cell might produce abrasion of the cell-wall, depending upon the rapidity of the freezing and the subsequent thawing ; and that the solidifying point does not occur at any specific temperature, but that it depends upon the soluble solids. From the bacteriological examination it was found that n the freezing the bacteria became surrounded by solid ice barriers through which they could not penetrate, and hence would cease to grow. In the chemical WniGin. -Chemistr// of Flesh Foods. S' study a comparison of the composition of tlie frozen ; ample was made with that of the ''resh meat ; there appeared to be no general tendency for the free ammonia, coaguable proteids, or the albumoses to increase or decrease, and hence chemically the products of bacterial growth, if there were any, were inappreciable. The authors concluded from their results that frozen meats can be held in cold storage under proper conditions for a period of 554 days or longer. It must be noted that in the above investigation the fresh samples were not examined chemically until an average of 3-7 days had elapsed after slaughter, and that in comparing the fresh and frozen results they are from material from diiferent animals. In a second paper Richardson and Scherubel have made a study of beef stored at 2° to 4° C. — that is, above freezing-point. Tests were also made to ascertain whether chemical methods could dt^tect any change", due to known bacterial decomposition of meat. It was found that the total nitrogen, the total solids in the cold- water extract, the coaguable proteids, albumoses, meat-bases, and free ammonia all increased. The experiments with samples kept at 2° to 4° C. were not, on the whole, satisfactory, but showed that decomposition took phice. In 1909 Emmett and Grindley investigated the effect of cold storage on beef and poultry stored twenty-two to forty-three days, and concluded that the slight changes that occurred did not alter the nutritive value of the meat. In 1911 Houghton found that chicken meat stored for five months at — 21° to —14° C. showed certain physical and chemical changes which demoiTstrated that it is not identical with the fresh material ; they also detected the enzymes peroxydase, catalase, protase similar to trypsin, invertase, and a nitrate-reducing enzyme. From a review of the above work it would appear that, with the exception of the investigations of Wiley and his associates, Richardson and Scherubel, Emmett and Grindley, and of Houghton, either the con- ditions as to temperature and methods of preparing meats for cold storage do not correspond with those in common usage of refrigeration, or else in most comparable cases the chemical constituents determined and reported are few; and outside of Emmett and Grindley's and Houghton's work no one, as far as can be discerned, has published any results where fresh and frozen meats were all procured from the same animal, and hence, as far as our present knovs^ledge shows, the differences reported could have been still more, les ., or of a different nature, and therefore, outside the work of Emmett and Grindley on beef and of Houghton on poultry, the influen'^e of cold storage upon the chemical composition of flesh has not been defiiiitely determined. Experimental. A carcase each of lamb and of mutton, weighing respectively 34 lb, and 48 lb., and graded C.M.C. 2 and 7, was chosen by the author immediately after slaughter ; each carcase was split, and, from one half of each, portions of the flesh were removed ; the excessive fat was trimmed off, and all bone removed ; the portions of the resulting lean meat were finely minced to obtain a uniform sample, and then analysed. The remainder of the carcases were placed in cold storage, and similar samples drawn from time to time up to 160 days, when the experiment ceased. 1* 4 Transactions. The methods of analysis used were chosen after careful consideration of the latest literature on the subject; in each determination two or more results were obtained and the average figure recorded. It was "ound necessary to determine what changes occurred in fresh meat held at ordinary temperatures to ascertain the efiect of ripening on the chemical composition of the meats, no such data for mutton or lamb having hitherto been recorded. With this in view, portions of the meat from the freshly killed material were held at laboratory temperatures for seven days, and examined periodically. It was also necessary to ascertain what changes took place in the known absence of bacterial interference ; for this purpose samples of the freshly killed material were mixed with thymol and chloroform to inhibit the growth of bacteria without inter- fering with enzyme action. Samples of the material thus prepared were examined periodically up to seven days. Lastly, it was necessary to know what changes take place as the result of known bacterial decomposition, and, as suggested by Richardson and Scherubel, portions of the freshly killed materials were mixed with a putrefying meat-infasion. These materials were kept for fourteen days at laboratory temperatures, and examined periodically. The chemical results, in addition to being expressed on the basis of the original meat (Table A of each chemical experiment), are also recalculated to the moisture-, ash-, and fat- free basis (Table B of each chemical experi- ment), because owing to the impossibility of removing exactly the same amount of adhering fat from the meat, and also because of the variations of the moisture-content (which will be discussed later), the results expressed on the basis of the original meat cannot be directly compared as to the chemical changes which have taken place during cold storage. Therefore, in order to put the data on a fair basis for comparison, all the results of the chemical experiments are recalculated to the moisture-, ash-, and fat- free basis. It is needless to say that the variation in the amount of fat found has no bearing on the present investigation, and the figures are used merely as a basis in calculating the results. The amounts of nitrogen found in the cold-water extract are also recalculated in their relation to the total nitrogen (Table C of each chemical experiment) for the purpose of showing more clearly the changes taking p'ace in the nitrogenous constituents of the meats. Owing to the influence of enzjonic activity in animal tissues, the chemical experiments also included the separation and detection of the common enzymes. The results of this examination are shown in Chemical Experi- ment No. 5. Determinations of the acidity of the fat, both fresh and cold storage, were made, and are recorded in Chemical Experiment No. 6. Bacteriological experiments were carried out to determine the presence or absence of bacteria on the surface and the interior of both t'le fresh and frozen materials, and also to determine the influence of cold storage upon bacterial life. The results are shown in Bacteriological Experiments 1, 2, and 3. An examination of the physical appearance and structure of the frozen meats was also made. Discussion. The Changes due to Putrefaction. In order to determine the nature of the changes caused by bacterial decomposition, a series of experiments were carried out to demonstrate these. Wright. — Chemistry of Fles/i Foods. 5 ' The decomposition of flesh by bacterial activity involves putrefaction, which is indicated by the production of ill -smelling compounds and the formation of the simpler organic compounds, and if the changes reach the limit the final products are water, ammonia, and carbon-dioxide. The sulphur and phosphorus will be converted into sulphides and phosphates. Besides the chemical changes, there will be alteration in the structure of the tissues. The deterioration of flesh foods is mainly a bacterial process, character- ized in its initial stage by the conversion of the proteids insoluble in water into water-soluble ones. The coaguable proteids are converted into pro- teoses, peptones, meat-bases, and ammonia. This tendency is noticeable almost at the beginning of the bacterial decomposition, the final end of the process being the formation of the simpler compounds, such as ammonia. To determine the conditions of bacterial decomposition portions of the finely minced lamb and mutton were placed in flasks, mixed with water, and an infusion of putrefying meat was added. The contents of the flasks were examined at the end of two, four, seven, and fourteen days, and the results are shown in Chemical Experiment No. 1 (Iamb and mutton), Tables A, B, and C. A consideration of the figures shows a progressive increase in the amounts of soluble matter in the flesh, in the case of the lamb the total solids increasing from 5-18 per cent, to 9-12 per cent., the total soluble nitrogen increasing from 0-708 per cent, to 2-461 per cent. ; or if we turn to Table B, which shows the figures calculated to the moisture-, ash-, and fat-free basis, we see that the organic extractives, which include the soluble proteids, increase from 21-4 per cent, to 40-01 per cent. ; the total soluble nitrogen, from 3-54 per cent, to 12-31 per cent. Still referring to Table B, which shows the results in a more comparable form, we see that the coaguable proteids increase from 11-14 per cent, to 17-55 per cent., and then decrease to 14-22 per cent. Similar changes are noted in the contents of proteoses and peptones. The amount of meat-bases com- mences at 4-25 per cent., rises to 5 per cent., and then drops to 1-88 per cent. It is, however, when we examine the ammonia figures that the most striking alteration in the composition of the material is seen : commencing with 0-158 per cent, ammonia, it increases to 0-51 per cent, on the second day, and to 10-58 per cent. (Table B). At the very outset, whenever bacterial decomposition occurs, there is a formation of volatile ammonia, and it is to the presence of this constituent in relatively large amounts more than to any other that we must look for evidence of decomposition, incipient or advanced. Thus we find in the case of the lamb that 75-37 per cent. (Table C) of the total nitrogen has been rendered soluble, as against 21-68 per cent, in the fresh sample ; and 53-35 per cent, of the total nitrogen is present in the ammonia, as against 0-80 per cent, in the fresh sample. Similar results are noted in the case of the mutton, the ammonia, commencing at 0-173 per cent. (Table B) in the fresh sample, increases to 10 per cent, after fourteen days, while 78-98 per cent. (Table C) of the total nitrogen is soluble at the end of fourteen days, whereas 23-20 per cent, was soluble in the fresh material, the percentage of nitrogen as ammonia rising from 0-91 per cent, to 52-69 per cent, of the total nitrogen in fourteen days. We thus have before us a definite study of the changes we may expect when bacterial decomposition ensues. Transactions Chemical Experiment No. 1 (Lamb). So e is Cold -water Extract. O as .2 ^ 1 i o i a 1 ■6 es o •s cS "o 5 o ■s c8 i«! o R S * a u t/"^ lA 1^ "»! ^ H H -^ H c PM P4 ^ < «< Table A. — Figures on Basis of Original Meat. 4 7 14 73-68 1-08 5-29 3-265 s-isi 5-92. 7-20, 8-62! 9-12! 0-91 0-98 1-14! 1-10' 1-12 4-27 0-708 4-94! 0-926 6-06 1-120 7-52I 2-164 8-00' 2-461 2-22 0-26 0-07 0-85 0-03110- 2-67 0-34 0-22 1-00 0-106 . 3-51 0-64 0-30 0-50 0-299 . 3-01 0-70 0-15 0-39' 1-73 . 2-83 0-68 0-24 0-34| 2-12 . 54 Table B. — Figures calculated to Moisture-, Ash-, and Fat-free Basis. 21-40 24-69 30-45 37-71 40-01 3-54j 11-14; 4-631 13-38 5-60 17-55 10-82 15-05 12-31 14-22 1-31 1-69 3-19 3-50 3-39 0-38 1-12 l-5l' 0-75' M9 4-25 0-158 5-00 0-51 2-50 1-49 1-97 8-64 1-8810-58 Table C . — Ni rogen Figures as Percentages c / Total Nitrogen. 0 21-68, 10-90 1-28 0-37 8-33i 0-80 .. 2 ^ 28-63 13-11! 1-65; 1-10 9-87 2-63 .. 4 34-30 17-20 3-13 1-47 4-96 7-54 .. 7 66-27 14-76 3-43, 0-73 3-86 43-49, .. 14 . 75-37 13-87 3-31' 1-16 3-68 53-35' .. The above results show the changes in composition of lamb due to putrefaction. Chemical Experiment No. 1 (Mutton). Cold-water Extract. d . 0 S > 2 ■S-d m i a '0 1 0 J3 cS 0 GO s 0 •s 0 cS '5-S 15 0 0 t 0 P. i a 0 e B I3 « s g 2 ^4 § S3 3 ■15 -^ i o 4 ■^ o s 4 3 as o o C8 a 13 p ^ < N H H ^ O H o ^ pt( S o g 3 X O s BO O "o H 11 1.2 1 o CM i a 9 p. 1 1 c3 1 £ g "2 '5 it u < Table A. — Figures on Basis of Original Meat. 73 681 1 081 5 29 3-265 5-18 5-24 5-36 5-68 5-62 5-72' 0-91 4-27 0-708 2-22, 0-91 4-33 0-714! 2-12 0-90 4-46 0-730 2-01 1-01 4-67 0-764 1-82 1-00 4-62 0-770, 1-80 1-02 4-70 0-764 1-81 0-26 0-31 0-38 0-34 0-36 0-07 0-14 0-24 0-24 0-25 0-85 0-03110-5 0-84 0-037! . . 0-89 0-031 . . 1-09 0-038' .. Ml 0-036 .. 0-38 0-21 1-09 0-038' Table B. — Figures calculated to Moisture-, Ash-, and Fat-free Basis. ' .. 21-40 3-54j 11-14 . . 1 .. 21-65 3-571 10-62 .. ' 22-30 3-66 1009, .. 23-35 3-82j 9-12; . . 23-10 3-86 8-98, . . 23-50 3-82 9-04 1-31, 0-38 4-25 0-158 1-59, 0-73 4-21 0-183 1-88 M8 4-47 0-1.58 1-68 M8 5-48 0-188 l-Sll 1-25 5-57 0-176 1-94 1-06 5-44 0-188 10 TransacAtons. Chemical Experiment No. 3 (Lamb) — continued. d Cold-water Extract. S . 2 ■S > 2 i^Ti SR S cS O ^. ce 1 3 o 4 3 o as O s d o c3 § e B 1^ O S < l5 H H •< H o PL, ^ a < o ^^ v i cj ^ |2i ?n2 i d o J2 g o H .d < O o H p ^ S < Table A. — Figures on Basis of Original Meat. 0 71 1 49 1-04 7-00 3-198 5-16 5-30 5-42 5-80 5-90 0-80 0-86 0-90! 0-91 1-02! 4-36 4-44 4-52 4-89 4-88 0-742i 0-752 0-780 0-810 0-806 2-40 2-44| 2-03 l-7l' 1-76' 0-35j 0-32; 0-36, o-4o; 0-35 0-09 0-19 0-26 0-20; 0-24! 0-81| 0-036 0-61 0-79 1-01 1-28 1-25 0-032 0-038 0-037 0-037 Table B. — Figures calculated to Moisture-, Ash-, and Fat-free Basis. 21-29 3-62 21-66 3-66 . . ■! 22-05 3-80 23-85 3-95 .. ! .. 23-80 3-93 Table C. 1-71 0-42 4-0010-173 .. 1-58 0-91 3-83 0-159 .. 1-77 1-28 4-92 0-183 .. 1-95 0-97 6-23 0-177 . . 1-71 1-16 6-10 0-177 .. 11-67 12-72 9-88 8-38 8-60 Nitrogen Figures as Percentages of Total Nitrogen. 23-20 11-97, 1-75 0-44 8-13j 23-50 12-22 1-62 0-94J 7-88 24-3710-12' 1-81 l-3l! 10-16] 25-31 8-56; 2-00 l-OO' 12-81 25-18 8-84' 1-75 M 8 12-50, 0-91 0-84 0-971 0-94 0-94! The above results show the changes in the composition of mutton due to the ripening of meat in the absence of bacterial interference. The Changes occurring during Cold Storage. With the previously recorded data regarding the putrefaction of and ripening of meats, it is now possible to consider the nature of the changes Wkight. — Chemistry of Flesh Foods. 11 which take place during cold storage, and to determine the causes thereof. These are shown as Chemical Experiment No. 4, Tables A, B, and C. Moisture. — In the case of both the mutton and the lamb there is a progressive decrease in the moisture-contents, the lamb from 73-68 per cent, to 70-08 per cent., the mutton from 71-49 per cent, to 69-06 per cent. This calls for little comment, although it is not in agreement with the results on beef found by Richardson and Scherubel, who report neither gain nor loss of moisture in the cold-stored samples. Emmett and Grindley, on the other hand, report differences from 0 per cent, to 1-30 per cent, lost during a thirty-seven days' experiment on beef. It should be noted in this connection that the desiccation or otherwise will depend very largely upon the humidity of the air of the chamber in which the meats are stored. Ash. — This varies from 1-08 per cent, to 1-19 per cent, in the lamb, and from 1-04 per cent, to 1-23 per cent, in the mutton. Potassium-phosphate and probably the secondary potassium-phosphate are the chief constituents of the ash. The ash-contents are in general agreement, and call for no special comment. It is not expected that cold storage would materially afiect the ash-content of meats.- Fat. — As is to be expected, this varies more than any other constituent, it being impossible to quantitatively separate all the adhering fat by trimming away the fatty tissue in preparing the meats for analys'S. As has already been pointed out, the amount of fat found has no bearing upon the present investigation. Total Nitrogen. — This varies with the proportion of moisture-, ash-, and iat-free material, and when calculated to this basis shows reasonably constant results. Total Solids in the Cold-water Extract. — The figure for these results is the total of the organic extractives, and the ash constitituents soluble ui cold water ; and, as the figures for the ash soluble in water are in close agreement, we need consider only the organic extractives present. Organic Extractives. — In order to fairly compare these figures it is necessary to refer to Table B, where the results are calculated to the moisture-, ash-, and fat-free basis. Thus, in the case of the lamb the organic extractives increase from 21-4 per cent, to 23-35 per cent, in sixty days, followed by a slight fall, which recovers to 23-57 per cent, on the 160th day. Similar results are noted in the case of the mutton, but it is noted that the organic extractives progressively increase throughout the 160 days from 21-29 per cent, to 23-50 per cent., but reach 23-37 per cent, on the 90th day. Total Soluble Nitrogen.— For lamb a progressive increase from 3-54 per cent, to 3-85 per cent, on the 60th day, followed by a fall and subsequent rise. In the case of the mutton the increase from 3-62 per cent, reaches its maximum on the 120th day with 4 per cent., although 3-97 per cent., a very close result to the former, is foimd on the 90th day. In the main the figures for the total soluble nitrogen follow those of the organic extractives. Coaguable Proteids. — These decrease for the lamb from 11-14 per cent. to 8-51 per cent, on the 90th day, followed by a negligible rise thereafter ; in the mutton we find a decrease from 11-67 per cent, to 8-55 per cent, on the 120th day, followed by a rise at the 160th day. Proteoses. — The lamb shows an increase from 1-31 per cent, to 1-77 per cent, on the 60th day, followed by a slight fall and subsequent rise ; 12 Transactions. similarly, the mutton figures racrease, and reach their maximum on tlie 120th day, with 2-24 per cent. Peptones. — For the lamb we note a rise from 0-38 per cent, to 1-39 per cent, on the 90th day, followed by a decrease and a subsequent rise on the 160th day to 1-53 per cent. The mutton figures show the maximum at the 120th day, although the figure for the 90th day is approximately the same. Meat-bases. — A progressive rise for the lamb from 4-25 per cent, to 5-70 per cent, on the 60th day is found followed by a slight subsequent fall and rise. For the mutton the maximum increase is reached on the 120th day, with a subsequent fall. Ammonia. — -As previously pointed out, it is to this figure we look for indication of bacterial decomposition, and, while there are slight variations, no change in composition is indicated thereby, and consequently no bacterial decomposition is found in either the lamb or mutton from 0 to 160 days' cold storage. Acidity. — While some slight degree of variation is noted in these figures, they are slight, and the figures do not rise or fall progressively. Little importance is attached to this figure. It is concluded from a consideration of the data secured in this experiment that changes similar to those found in the ripening of meat, in the absence of bacterial interference, take place ; in the case of the lamb they reach the maximum in about sixty days, while with the mutton the maximum is not reached until between the 90th and the 120th days. The changes found are probably due to enzyme action, for, as will be shown in the bacteriological experiments, there is little possibility of bacterial infection or decomposition. Chemical Experiment No. 4 (Lamb). Cold-water Extract. £ g 1 ' , •e oc ■ p ■S > 2 .2^ i ce 3 < 1 o H s o H 4 ■ O c8 o o H c3h2 as o 1 g s p. a O S a < Table A . — Figures < yn Basis of Original Meat. 0 73-68 1-08 5-29 3-265 5-18 0-91 4-27 0-708 2-22 0-26, 0-07 0-83 0-031| 14 72-70 1-12 4-52 3-545 5-70 0-96 4-74 0-772 2-10 0-35 0-17 1-01 0-032 28 73-30 1-12 4-74 3-525 5-86 0-94 4-92 0-812 1-99 0-38 0-30 1-12 0-034 60 72-54 1-17 5-82 3-366 5-68 0-90 4-78 0-789 1-80 0-36 0-26 1-17 0-032 90 70-24 1-14 4-86 3-839 6-52 1-08 5-44 0-898 2-02 0-40 0-33 1-33 0-034 120 70-36 1-19 4-92 3-618 6-24 1-06 5-18 0-856 1-93 0-38 0-29 1-29 0-034 160 70-08 1-16 5-04 3-866 6-58 1-09 5-49 0-907 2-05 0-41 0-35 1-33 0-038 0-54 0-62 0-62 0-60 0-69 0-66 0-66 Table B. — Figures calculated to Moisture-, Ash-, and Fat-free Basis. 0 14 28 60 90 120 160 - 16-36 . 16-37i, , 16-14 .' 16-44' . 16-16 . 16-06 . 16-30 . : 21-40 21-88 22-52 23-35 22-89 22-99 23-57 3-54 11-14 3-56 9-70 3-71 3-85 3-77; 3-80 3-82 9-13 8-86, 8-51 8-55 8-60 ! 1-31 1-61 1-66 1-77 1-71 1-66 1-74 0-38; 0-811 1-37 1-28' l-39i 1-27| 1-53' 4-25 0-1.58 2-71 4-70,0-150 2-86 5-13 0-1.55 2-84 5-70 0-160 2-93 5-6l' 0-143, 2-90 5-75 0-150 2-93 5-57 0-159 2-78 0 14 28 60 90 120 160 WiiiGHT. — Chemistry of Flesh Foods. Chemical Experiment No. 4 (Lamb) — continued. 13 Cold-water Extract. i = •o" ac 2 s 3 ^■a o i «< 1 5 o i i "5 03 3 O si ■- 2 -A o g,2 o o £3 c IS q P-, < 'fH H H ■< H u ^ fM s o .s It .2 o J3 ce 1 a J3 "5 o te- cs ?.! 1 g a 2 q s < f^ H _<_ o 0, eu S •«! < Table A.^Fijwres on Bisia of Original Meat. 0 71 -491 1-04 7-00 3-198 14 71-68 1-04 5-27 3-552 28 70-64; 1-16 5-42 3-662 60 69-26, 1-21 6-38 3-710 90 69-86, 1-20 4-98 3-895 120 68-98 1-23 5-24 3-986 160 69-06 1-18 6-02 3-779 5-16 0-89 5-63 0-8) 5-80 0-82 6-13 0-91 6-62 1-02 6-79 1-01 6-52 0-94 4-36 0-742 2-40 4-78 0-812 2-24 4-98 0-848 2-18 5-22 0-887 214 5-60 0-952 2-11 5-78 0-983 2-09 5-58 0-948 2-16 0-35 0-09 0-81 0-03ti 0-61 0-42 0-17 1-03 0-034 0-65 0-44 0-24 1-12 0-038 0-66 0-48 0-26 1-23 0-038 0-65 0-53 0-34 1-40 0-036 0-69 0-55 0-44 1-47 0-039 0-74 0-50 0-31 1-38 0-037 0-68 Table B. — Figures calculated to Moisture-, Ash-, and Fat-free Basis. 0 15-62 21-29 3-62 11-67 1-71 0-42 j 14 16-14 21-71 3-69 10-18 1-93 0-79 I 28 16-08 21-86 3-72 9-48 1-95 1-03 60 16-03 22-54 3-83 9-26 2-07 1-13 i 90 16-26 23-37 3-97 8-78 2-18 1-40 ! 120 16-21 23-51 4-00 8-55 2-24 1-43 i 160 . 15-96 23-50 3-99 9-04 2-11 1-31 1 4-00 0-173i 2-98 4-70 0-154 2-95 4-93 0-1631 2-90 5-31 0-165 2-81 5-83 0-147 2-88 6-01 !0-158 3-02 5-80 0-154 2-87 Table C. — Nitrogen Figures as Percentages of Total Nitrogen. 0| .. j i .. ; 123-20 11-97 14 I . . 1 . . ! . . . . I 22-86 10-08 28 i j 23-16 9-50 60 I i 23-90 9-25 90 1 24-44 8-65 120 . . I . . . . 24-66; 8-40 160 .. I I . . ! . . ; 25-08 9-16 1-75 0-44 8-13 0-91 1-91 0-79 9-29 0-79 1-94 1-04 9-83 0-8.-) 2-07 1-13 10-62 0-83 2-16 1-39 11-50 0-74 2-21 1-41 11-84 0-80 2-12 1-32 11-69 0-79 The above results show the changes in the composition of mutton occurring during cold storage. 14 Transactions Chemical Experiinent No. 5. — For Detection of Enzymes. Dr. Rideal, in a paper before the first Refrigeration Congress, suggests that the tenderness and maturing of cold-storage meats are due to the gradual and limited work of natural enzymes, such as pepsin and trypsin, present in the flesh, which cause a certain amount of predigestion similar to that occurring when fresh meats are kept or " hung." In the chemical experiments under review the enzymes detected were peroxydase, catalase, and an enzyme similar to trypsin, a protase. These were found in both the mutton and lamb from 0 to 160 days in cold storage, and were also found in the thymol- and chloroform-treated material. Negative results were found in testing for invertase, lipase, and diastase. Importance is attached to these results, for while enzyme activity goes on slowly at low temperatures, yet the action is not prevented by cold, and undoubtedly the changes found in cold-storage meats are due to the action of the enzymes, especially the trypsin-like protase. The experi- ments are recorded as Chemical Experiment No. 5. Chemical Experiment No. 5 .— -For Detection of Enzymes. 1-2 Days in Cold Storage. IS >> 1 C3 a 1 in o-is > pH o p- h- 1 3 o 0 Lamb- X X X 0 Mutton . . X X X — — 60 Lamb X X X — — 60 Mutton . . X X X — — — 160 Lamb X X X — — 160 Mutton . . X X X • — • — 0 thymol and chloro- Lamb X X X — — form Treated seven days Mutton . . X X X — X = present. absent. Chemical Experiment No. 6. — To determine the Acidity of the Fat. The development of acidity in fat is a delicate indication of the de- ■Tcomposition of flesh, and one that can be observed long before the senses can detect any alteration. Applying this test to the fat of the mutton and lamb, we find from the results shown in Chemical Experiment No. 6 that no material rise in the free fatty acidity is observed ; consequently we can infer that no decomposition has taken place. Chemical Experiment No. 6. — Showing Acidity of Fats. Days in Cold Storage. Acidity as Oleic Acid. 0 0 14 14 Lamb Mutton Lamb Mutton Per Cent. Per Cent. 0-22 0-26 0-24 0-26 Wright. — Chemistri/ of Flesh Foods. 15 Chemical Experiment No. 6. — Showing Acidity of Fats — continued. Days in Cold Storage. Acidity as Oleic Acid. Per Cent. Per Cent. 28 Lamb 0-24 28 Mutton 0-28 60 Lamb 0-24 60 Mutton 0-26 90 Lamb 0-28 90 Mutton 0-28 120 Lamb 0-26 120 Mutton 0-28 160 Lamb 0-28 160 Mutton " 0-30 Bacteriological Experiments. It is now recognized that tlie flesh of healthy animals is free from bacteria, but as soon as death ensues, if no measures are taken to guard against bacterial infection, the flesh becomes a suitable field for bacterial invasion and growth. As bacteria are almost universally present in the air, it is expected that on the surface of meat there will be found bacteria, and that if the meat is allowed to remain unprotected the bacteria will spread to the interior of the meat. The method of the experiments was to remove portions of the meat from the surface and the interior, using every precaution to prevent contami- nation. The portions of meat so removed were dropped into flasks contain- ing sterilized bouillon, which were carefully sealed and incubated at 21° C. for fourteen days. These were examined from time to time, and a note made when growth was found to have occurred. In the event of no growth at the end of fourteen days, the contents of the flask were contaminated artificially to sliow that bacterial growth was possible. Bacteriological Experiment No. 1 was carried out with fresh lamb and mutton, to determine how soon the bacteria, which were invariably present on the exterior of the meat, could penetrate to the interior of the meat, which was previously found to be free from bacterial infection. It wa& found that in from five days in the case of lamb to seven days in the case of mutton bacteria could invade the interior of meat when exposed to ordinary temperatures. Bacteriological Experiment No. 2 was carried out to verify the absence of bacterial infection in the meat used for Chemical Experiment No. 5, where the ripening of meat was allowed to proceed in the kiiown absence of bacteria. In no case did bacteria develop, although it was shown that after contamination the bouillon was a suitable medium for bacterial development. Bacteriological Experiment No. 3 was carried out to ascertain whether bacterial growth and invasion of the interior of the meat proceeded during cold storage. In every case it was found that the surface of the meat, even after 160 days of cold storage, was infected with bacteria, but that the interior was- 16 Transactions. free from bacterial infection. Certainly in two cases the experiments show that bacteria developed in the cultnre-flasks, but in view of the other results it is probable that accidental contamination took place in spite of the care taken to prevent such. It is the general testimony of other investigators that perfect technique in bacteriological work is extremely difficult, and that the obtaining of cultures does not necessarily prove the presence of bacteria in the material examined. The cultures which showed no growth at the end of fourteen days were^ as already indicated, contaminated to show the possibility of growth, and in no case did they fail to show bacterial growth under these conditions. The conclusion arrived at is that the meats held in cold storage as described up to 160 days are in the same condition bacterially as the fresh meats. Bacteriological Experiment No. \. — On Fresh Lamb and Mutton. (Temperature of incubation, 21° C.) Age of Meat Growth Days. in Days. 1 2 3 5 7 10 u So 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 3 3 5 5 7 7 Lamb (surface) . . Mutton „ Lamb (interior). . Mutton ,, Lamb (surface) . . Mutton ,, Lamb (interior) . . Mutton ,, Lamb ,, Mutton „ Lamb „ Mutton ,, Lamb „ Mutton „ x X X X X X X X X z 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 = growth. no growth. Bacteriological Experiment No. 2. — On Mutton and Lamb treated with Thymol AND Chloroform. (Ten iperatu re of incubation, 21° C.) Age of Meat Growth Days. ii in Days. 1 2 3 5 7 10 14 "i o 1 Lamb . . X 1 Mutton . . — _ — — — — — X 2 Lamb . . . . ! — — — — — — , — X 2 Mutton . . ' — — — — — — — X 5 Lamb . . . . — — — — — — '] — X 7 Lamb . . . . ' — — — — — [ — ■ X 7 Mutton . . — 1 — — — — — — - X X = growth. — = no growth. Wkight. — Chemistry of Flesh Foods. 17 Bacteriological Experiment No. 3. — On Cold-storage Meats. (Temperature of incubation, 21° C.) Days in Growth Days. hi Cold Storage. ■ 1 - 3 5 7 10 14 cu o £ p. < 14 14 28 28 60 60 90 90 120 120 160 160 14 14 28 28 60 60 90 90 120 120 160 160 Lamb (surface) Mutton „ Lamb ,, Mutton ,, Lamb „ Mutton „ Lamb ,, Mutton Lamb ,, Mutton ,, Lamb ,, Mutton „ Lamb (interior) Mutton „ Lamb „ Mutton „ Lamb ,, Mutton , Lamb ,, Mutton ,, Lamb ,, Mutton ,, Lamb ,, Mutton ,. X X X X X X X X X X X X X xxxxxxxxxxxxl 1 1 |x| 1 1 |x|| xxxxxxxxxxxxl 1 1 |x| 1 1 |x| 1 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X xxxxxxxxxxxxl 1 1 |x| 1 1 |x| 1 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 = gi'owth. — = no growth. Histological Note. As might be expected from a consideration of the chemical and bacterio- logical data presented above, little or no change was to be observed in the structure of the lamb or mutton held in cold storage up to 160 days, as compared with the freshly killed meats. An important factor to be considered when studying the appearance of cold-storage meats is the rate at which the meats are frozen and thawed out. If rapidly frozen and thawed a certain amount of distortion and abrasion of the tissues is inevitable ; but where the freezing and subsequent thawing are slowly conducted little or no alteration of the structure of the tissues can be found. In the absence of change in the chemical composition of the lamb and mutton due to bacterial decomposition, the slight alteration of the structure of the tissues sometimes noted is of no importance from the standpoint of nutrition. For permission to publish these results the author desires to express his thanks to the Christchurch Meat Company (Limited), in whose laboratory the work has been carried out. 18 Transoctions. Art. II. — The Direction of Motion of Cirrus Clouds. By H. B. Devereux, F.R.Mot.Soc. [Read before the Auckland Institute, 11th December, 1912.] Over four years of systematic observation of cirrus clouds at Waihi, and their direction of motion, has shown not only their value as an adjunct to amateur forecast work, but an invaluable key to the study of those westerly waves of low pressure which are the predominant type of cyclonic systems which transit the Dominion in rear of the anticyclones. By a strange coincidence, the writer was engaged on this paper when the Australian Monthly Weather Report for December, 1910, came to hand, containing therein a paper by Mr. E. T. Quayle, B.A., on the " Annual and Seasonable Variation in the Direction of Motion of Cirrus Clouds over Melbourne." In this paper the term " cirrus " means cirrus and cirro- stratus. The daily observations of these high-level clouds have not been confined to any particular hour, as the appearance has been generally found to be coincident with time about or after the early morning or afternoon diurnal barometric minimum. In these investigations the first seven months of 1912 are included, as this year has been unusually favourable for cirrus observations, fifty-eight being recorded, or over 20 per cent, of the total under review. The following table shows not only the principal points of the compass from which cirri moved, but the seasonal variation. Table showing for each Month the Total Number of Days on which Cirrus Clouds were observed moving from the Principal Compass-points during the 4:^^ Years 1st Januiry, 1908, to 31st July, 1912. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 03 ^; 02 f4 03 f4 03 H ^ h" p4 1^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ OD od w OQ od w H H ^ i^ H January . . 0 0 7 1 2 1 1 2 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 20 February . . 1 2 1 4 6 4 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 26 March 2 0 9 4 4 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 25 April 0 0 8 5 5 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 24 May 0 0 7 6 7 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 27 June 1 1 3 4 6 7 1 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 29 July 0 1 5 2 6 4 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 24 August 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 6 September 0 0 10 2 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 October . . 3 1 3 5 6 3 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 November 1 0 11 3 11 4 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 December 1 0 4 3 6 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 21 Total 11 5 68 40 63 32 14 7 17 0 6 2 9 T 1 3 297 Percentage of Obs. . . 4 2 24 14 23 11 5 2 6 0 2 1 4 0 0 1 In the above table no observations have been entered of cirri whose direction of motion was not determinable. Devereux. — Direction of Motion of Cirrus Clouds. 19 ^y inspection of this table we find tlie following : — - (a.) Cirrus is most frequently observed in November, with, the least frequency in August. (6.) The seasonal variation shows maxima in the spring and autumn. In the former season the greater frequency is undoubtedly accounted for by the known greater energy and magnitude of the antarctic disturbances which transit the Dominion ; whilst in the autumn season the greater frequency can be attributed to those monsoonal systems which affect all that portion of the North Island lying between about longitudes 173° and 178° B. and north of the parallel of 38° S. (c.) Cirri are usually moving from some westerly point. From due west, 23 per cent, of the total number observed ; from W.N.W., 14 per cent. ; from N.W., 24 per cent. ; and from W.S.W., 11 per cent. : these four points accounting for 72 per cent, of total observations. The mean direction computed from all observations is W. 7° 16' S., or nearly west. In Mr. Quayle's investigations of the movement of cirri at Melbourne the mean direction of motion is shown to be a little north of west; but his investigations cover a period of sixteen years, or four times the scope of this paper, so that the longer period would naturally give a truer mean, and would in a measure eliminate any variation due to cyclical move- ments. Both results, however, demonstrate the west-to-east drift of the upper currents in these latitudes. Melbourne and Waihi lie almost on the same parallel of latitude. It is perhaps necessary to refer to the few observations of cirrus with -an easterly component. During the passage of low pressures to the east- ward of the Bay of Plenty, those which approach from the northward or north-east, cirrus is frequently observed ; but owing to the prevalence of lower clouds at these times the true direction of motion of the cirri is often very difficult of determination : their direction is usually from the east- ward. In the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute," vol. 37, p. .563, 190.5, Captain Edwin refers to cirri-movements during the passage of cyclones to the northward or eastward of East Cape, and the drift from the eastward. General Remarks as to Cirrus Formations. Frequently the first appearance of cirrus is pecuJiar. A patch is projected above the horizon a little south of west, in shape not unlike a fan-shell, the radiations answering to the radial lines on the latter. The formation is sometimes striated, and when this happens a westerly wave- depression not infrequently follows, with wintry weather and electrical disturbances. If a wave-depression is of greater extent than usual, detached cirrus plumes are frequently observed travelling eastward, with heavy showers of thunder type following, often accompanied by hail. They may be described as miniature cyclones, or swirls, traversing the country^, integrals of an extensive system. Their passage is marked by frequent rise and fall of the barograph-trace, the amplitude being about j^^ in. Cirrus and cirro-stratus may often be observed low down on the W.S.W. horizon, of a distinct " smoky " coloration, the ends being frequently brushed back, as it were, and recurving on themselves. If cirrus main 20 Tra7isactions. tains this direction for twenty-four or thirty-six hours, the advent of an antarctic depression is portended. Sometimes when the lowest pressure of an antarctic " low " has passed the meridian of the Bluff great cirrus plumes, moving fast, appear to the S. or S.S.W. : the barometer then rises slowly, and later very rapidly, a southerly storm following up the east coast of the South Island. If the rise of the barometer is due to the advent of the anticyclone following in rear of the antarctic system, the " southerly " usually extends to the lati tude of East Cape, and a rough sea makes into the Bay of Plenty. These westerly wave-pressures are usually most pronounced in the spring of the year, and they have been very fully described by Captain Edwin in the Transactions. Occasionally cirrus, frequently striated, is seen moving very rapidly from the N.W. : a change in the weather then occurs shortly, winds from between N.E. and B., and heavy rain on the northern coastal districts. Art. III. — Harmonic Tidal Constants of New Zealand Ports — Wellington and Auckland. By C. E. Adams, M.Sc, F.R.A.S., Government Astronomer of New Zealand. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 23rd October, 19 12. 'I The harmonic tidal constants given in culimns (1) and (4) of the attached schedule were obtained from an harmonic analysis of the hourly ordinates from the automatic tide-gauges at WelHngton and Auckland. For each port the tidal abacus of Sir G. H. Darwin was used, and the whole of the calculation has been carried out in duplicate. For the additions the Mercedes adding-machine has been found to be of the greatest assistance, while the Brunsviga calculating-machine, with printing attachment, and the Millionaire calculating-machine have been invaluable in the numerous calculations. For the fine plotting of curves the Coradi co-ordinatograph has been very useful. From the constants given in columns (1) and (4) the tides for Welling- ton and Auckland have been predicted, and are published in the " British Admiralty Tide-tables " and in the " New Zealand Nautical Almanac." Comparisons between the predictions and actuality prove the correctness of the constants. For these comparisons see New Zealand Tidal Survey : Report of Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 1910-11 and 1911-12. Other values of the tidal constants — (1) by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and (2) by Mr. T. Wright — are given in columns (2) and (5) and (3) and (6) respectively. AoAMis. — Uannoiuc Tidal Constants of New Zealand Ports. 21 In the United States tide-tables, predictions for Wellington and Auck- land are also given, but these do not agree so closely with actuality as those depending on the constants in columns (1) and (4). Tide. WeUington, N.Z. (Lat. 41" 17' S., Long. 174° 46 E.) Auckland, N.Z. (Lat. 36° 50' S., Long. 174° 49' E.) H. in English Feet. f in Degrees. H. in English Feet. k in Degrees. (1-) (2.) (3.) (1.) (2 .) (3.) (4.) (5.) (6.) (4.) (5.) (6.) Si . 0005 151 0-006 50 Sa . 0112 0-089 0-108 333 3S i 308 0-583 0-626 0-'633 264 265 266 s, . 0-005 181 . . i 0-018 341 Sfi . 0005 299 . . 0-002 27 Ml . 0007 0-007 31 IC >6 j . . 0-011 0-011 '.'. i 144, 144 ! .. M, . 1-594 1-598 1-702 134 i:; !7 123 3-814 3-782 3-826 204 205 20.> M3 . 0-022 184 . . 0-052 202 M4 . 0-030 0-045 276 i 3S (2 .. ; 0-113 0-200 127 74 Me . 0-013 0-015 77 1^ !5 . . 0-026 0100 283 67 0 0-110 0-099 0-121 34 ;: !6 194 0-059 0071 149 121 Ki . 0078 0-085 0-071 78 i U j 275 0-233 0-241 0-265 169 167 169 K2 . 0042 0-060 0-029 312 3- !9 308 0145 0-171 0-172 255 265 266 P 0-023 0-028 0-023 53 ( J7 275 ' 0-068 0-079 0-088 166 169 169 J 0-007 143 . 1 .. 0017 196 Q . 0036 0-019 26 ] 3 ^ . . 0-008 0018 57 85 L 0093 0-034 142 '1 : . . , 0-221 0-144 O-i'64 210 209 196 N 0-431 0-353 0-449 95 1( )4 83 0-797 0-760 0-778 174 174 175 V 0-125 0-068 1 . . 107 1( )8 . . 0-236 0-147 153 178 /^ 0-082 .. ; .. 81 . '■ .. 0-126 0-091 178 144 R . 0-024 170 . i .. 0024 '.'. 237 T 0056 317 . i . . : 0-058 0037 103 265 MS . 0039 138 .. 0-169 195 2SM . 0039 20 .. 0064 305 Mm . 0116 260 . .. 0-127 . , 292 Mf . 0048 172 . . 0072 205 MSf . 0-161 61 . . . 0075 • • 123 Sa . 0-049 0-241 0-073 202 i )4 i 295 ; 0-091 0-357 0-354 63 88 139 Ssa . 0073 0-035 0-204 166 2 J 10 ' 212 0-028 0-185 0-224 57 266 242 (1.) New Zealand Tidal Survey : Report of Department of Lands and Survev^ Wellington, for 1910-11. — Hourly ordinates for the calendar year 1909. (2.) United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington : Tide-tables for the Year 1911, p. 456. — Hourly ordinates for one calendar year, 1894. (3.) Thomas Wright, Proc. Royal Soc, London, A. Vol. 83, p. 127 : Harmonic: Tidal Constants for certain Chinese and New Zealand Ports. — High and low waters for the year 1901. (4.) New Zealand Tidal Survey : Report of Department of Lands and Survey. Wellington, for 1911-12. -- Hourly ordinates for year beginning 1908, December 1. (5.) United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington : Tide-tables for Year 1912, p. 460. — High and low waters for two calendar years, 1896 (Service Hydrographique de la Marine, Paris) and 1900 (The Admiralty, London). (6.) Thomas Wright, Proc. Royal Soc, London, A. Vol. 83, p. 127 : Harmonic Tidal Constants for certain Chinese and New Zealand Ports.— High and low waters for one year beginning 1900, May 1. 22 Transactions. Art. lY .—Descrij)tio)is of New Zealand Lepidoptera. By E. Meyrick, B.A., F.R.S. Communicated by G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 23rd October, 1912.] I HAVE again to thank Mr. G. V. Hudson for a further contribution of interesting material. It is evident that there must be a large number of species still awaiting discovery, and New Zealand entomologists should lose no time in searching them out. Many are obscure and easily overlooked from their resemblance to others ; some are probably very retired in habit ; and some also are doubtless now rare, and verging on extinction. There must also be large areas of promising ground where no entomologist has yet set foot, especially on the west coast of the South Island and towards the northern extremity of the North Island. Caradrinidae. Aletia fibriata n. sp. uveirns Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 133 ; N.Z. Journ. ^'k!t'leHill Mount Hutt, Arthur's Pass ; 3,000-5,000 ft. Hampson furnished by myself as an abstract of my paper. Meyeick. — A Revision of New Zealand Pyralidina. 33 6. 0. mylites Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 67. Mount Arthur ; 4,000-4,800 ft. 7. 0. catacaustus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 134. Arthur's Pass, Mount Arthur ; 3,000-4,500 ft. 8. 0. pervius Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1912, 118. Lake Wakatipu ; 3,600 ft. 9. 0. suhitus Philp., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1912, 116. Hump Ridge ; 3,500 ft. 10. 0. ihymiastes Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1901, 567. Invercargill. 11. 0. tritonellus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 134. Porter's Pass. 12. 0. machaeristes Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 224. Mount Earnslaw ; 5,300 ft. 6. Crambus Fab. Grambus Fab., Ent. Syst. Suppl., 464 (1798). Forewings with 4 and 5 sometimes stalked, 7 and 8 out of 9. Hind- wings with 4 and 5 connate or stalked, 7 out of 6, anastomosing with 8. A very large genus, common throughout the world, except in Australia, where there are no indigenous species, and the Indo-Malayan region, where there are comparatively few. The larvae probably nearly all feed amongst stems or roots of grass, or seldom on moss, but are little known, notwith- standing their abundance. The New Zealand species are all endemic. 13. C. corrwptus Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 399, pi. 43, 9 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 20. Mount Hutt, Dunedin. 14. C. heliotes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 68. Mount Arthur (3,800 ft.), Lake Wakatipu. 15. C. antimoTus Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1901, 567. Mount Cook ; 2,500 ft. 16. C aethonellus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 19 ; Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 225. Mount Hutt. 17. C. aulistes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1909, 9. Invercargill. 18. C. saristes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1909, 8. Invercargill. 19. C. heteranthes Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1901, 568. Mount Cook ; 2,500 ft. 20. C. melitastes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1909, 9. Invercargill. 21. C. apselias Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 108. . Invercargill. 22. C. ramosellus Doubl., Dieff. N.Z., 2, 288 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 21 : rangona Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 137, 25 : leucanialis Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 401. North and South Islands, common everywhere at low levels ; Chatham Islands. 23. C. conopias Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 109. Dunedin. 2— Trans. 34 Trantactions. 24. C. angustipennis Zell., Hor. Soc. Ent. Eoss., 13, 15, pi. 1, 3 (1877) ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 22. Christchurcli, Kakaia, Castle Hill (2,500 ft.). 25. C. ephorus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 135. Arthur's Pass ; 4,800 ft. 26. C. dicrenellus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 22. Mount Hutt, Castle Hill, Arthur's Pass, Nelson, Springfield ; 2,500-5,000 ft. 27. C. isochytus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 68. Mount Arthur ; 4,000-4,500 ft. 28. C. heteraulus Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 225. Humboldt Eange, Lake Wakatipu ; 3,600 ft. 29. C. crenaeus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 135. Arthur's Pass, Mount Arthur, Springfield, Dunedin ; to 4,000 ft. 30. C. haplotomus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 23. Castle Hill, Bealey River, Arthur's Pass, Lake Wakatipu ; 2,000-2,500 ft. 31. C. enchophorus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 136. Castle Hill (2,500-4,000 ft.), Waikari. 32. C. diplorrhous Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 136. Mount Earnslaw, Castle Hill, Lake Wakatipu. 33. C. caUirrhous Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 24. Christchurch, Castle Hill (2,500 ft.). Lake Guyon, Invercargill. 34. C. schedias Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1911, 60. Wellington. 35. C. pedias Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 137. Wanganui, Masterton, Wellington. 36. G. simplex Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 400, pi. 43, 12 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 24. Napier, Waipukurau, Wellington, Christchurch, Lake Wakatipu, Invercargill. 37. C. siriellus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 25. Hamilton, "Wellington, Moimt Arthur (3,000-4,000 ft.). 38. C. apicellus Zell., Mon. Cramb., 31 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 26. Hamilton, Wellington, Mount Hutt. 39. C. paraxenus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 137. Lake Wakatipu ; 2,000-5,000 ft. 40. C. obstructus Meyr., Ent. Mo. Mag., 1911, 82. Lumsden. 41. C. vittellus Doubl., DiefE. N.Z., 2, 289 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 27 : nexalis Walk., Cat., 27, 178 : transcissalis, ibid., 178 : bisectellits Zell., Mon. Cramb., 32 : incrassatellus, ibid., 32 : vapidus Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 399. North and South Islands, common everywhere at low levels. 42. C. horistes Meyr.', Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1902, 276. Chatham Islands. 43. C. flexuosellus Doubl., Dieff. N.Z., 2, 289 ; Feld., Eeis. Novar., pi. 137, 32 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 28. North and South Islands, common everywhere at low levels, some- times ascending to 4,000 ft. 44. C. thrincodes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1910, 64 ; ibid., 1911, 61. Kaitoke. Metrick. — A Revision of New Zealand Pyralidina. 35 45. C. tuhualis Feld., Eeis. Novar., pi. 137, 18 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 28 : vulgaris Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 400, pi. 43, 7. Wellington, Christchurcli, Castle Hill (2,500 ft.). 46. C. sophronellus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 138. Wellington. 47. C. cyclopicus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883. 29. Napier, Waipukurau, Wellington, Cliristcliurch, Lake Guyon, Nelson. 48. C. sophistes Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 226. Dunedin. 49. C. harpophorus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 30. Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Lake Wakatipu ; 2,500-4,200 ft. 50. C. oncoholus Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 138. Castle Hill ; 2,300 ft. 51. C. xanthogrammns Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 32. Bealey River, Castle Hill, Lake Coleridge ; 2,000-2,500 ft. 7. Protyparcha Meyr. Protyparcha Meyr., Subantarct. Isl. N.Z., 1, 71 (1909) ; type, scaphodes Meyr. Antennae in <^ iinipectinated to apex. Thorax, coxae, and femora clothed with long loose hairs beneath. Forewings with 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 4 and 5 approximated, 7 connate with 6, anasto- mosing shortly with 8. At present includes only the following species : a development of Argyria. 52. P. scaphodes Meyr., Subantarct. Isl. N.Z., 71, pi. 2, 16. Auckland Island. 8. Argyria Hiib, Argyria Hiib., Verz., 372 (1826) ; type, nummulalis Hiib. Antennae in (^ ciliated. Forewings with 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 4 and 5 connate or stalked, 7 out of 6, anastomosing with 8. A genus of some extent and wide distribution, but more especially American. 53. A. strophaea Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 226. Wellington. 54. A. pentadactyla Zell., Mon. Cramb., 38 : claviferella Walk., Cat., 35, 1765 : strigosus Butl, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 398, pi. 43, 10 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 31. Palmerston, Masterton, Christchurcli ; also in south-east Australia and Tasmania. This is probably an indigenous New Zealand species ; it has no near ally in Australia. 9. Tauroscopa Meyr. Tauroscopa Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 69 ; type, gorgopis Meyr. Labial palpi, thorax, and coxae clothed with dense rough hairs beneath. Forewings with 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 4 and 5 stalked, 6 remote from 7 at origin, 7 anastomosing shortly with 8. An endemic derivative of Talis. 36 Transactions. 55. T. trapezius Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 227. Mount Earnsiaw ; 5,300 ft. 56. T. gorgopis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 69. Mount Arthur ; 4,000 ft. 57. T. glaucophanes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 109. Lake Wakatipu. 10. Scenoploca Meyr. Scenoploca Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 9 ; type, petratda Meyr. Labial palpi with hairs of second joint produced beneath into an obliquely projecting tuft. AVings in $ much abbreviated, incapable of flight. Forewings with 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 4 and 5 connate, 6 widely remote from 7 at origin, 7 anastomosing with 8. Also endemic and derived from Talis. 58. S. petraula Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 9. Christchurch. Larva on lichens on rocks. 11. Talis Guen. Talis Guen., Eur. Micr. Ind., 86 (1845) ; type, quercella Schiff. Hednota Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1886, 270 ; type, hifractella Walk. Forewings with 4 and 5 sometimes stalked, 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 4 and 5 connate, stalked, or seldom coincident, 6 remote from 7 at origin, 7 anastomosing with 8. An interesting genus, considerably developed in Australia, where it is the principal representative of the family, elsewhere apparently confined to a few widely scattered forms. Their habits are similar to those of Cramhus. 59. T. leucophthalma Meyr., Trans. N.Z, Inst., 1883, 7. Christchurch. 12. Diptychophora Zell. Diptychophora Zell., Stett. Ent. Zeit., 1866, 153 ; type, kuhkveinii Zell. Forewings with term en twice sinuate, 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked, 11 usually running into 12. Hindwings with 4 rarely absent (not in New Zealand species), 5 separate, rising from above angle, 6 remote from 7 at origin, 7 anastomosing shortly with 8. Probably Indo-Malayan in origin, being fairly represented in that region, and less numerously in South Africa, east Australia, and South America ; but the New Zealand species still form the largest local group, and include the largest and handsomest species. The larvae feed on moss, and the species mostly freqiient forest. 60. D. microdora Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 227. Wellington, Mount Arthur (3,000 ft.). 61. D. pyrsophanes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 11. Wellington, and common in the South Island. 62. D. chrysochyta Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 12. Whangarei, Auckland. Mbyrick. — A Revision of Netv Zealand Pyralidina. 37 63. D. interrupta Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 135, 15 : astrosema Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 13. Wellington, Nelson, Arthur's Pass, Christchurcli. 64. D. lepidella Walk., Cat., 35, 1761 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 14 : gracilis Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 137, 26. Wellington, and common in South Island. 65. D. lencoxantha Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 15. Wellington, Lake Wakatipu. 66. D. metalUfera But!., Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud., 1877, 401, pi. 43, 11 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 70. Auckland, Wellington, Nelson. 67. D. selenaea Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 131. Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington, Otira River, Dimedin. 68. D. auriscriptella Walk., Cat., 30, 976 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 16. Whangarei, Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurcli, Otira River. 69. D. holanthes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 131. Otira Gorge; 1,800ft. 70. D. harmonica Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 71. Auckland. 71. D. bipimctella Walk., Cat., 35, 1761. Probably North Island. 72. D. helioctypa Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 17. Lake Wakatipu. 73. D. epiphaea Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 132. Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Lake Wakatipu. 74. D. elaina Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 17. North and South Islands, generally common. 13. Gadira Walk. Gadira Walk., Cat., 35, 1742 (1866) ; type, acerella Walk. Crypto- rmma Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 8 ; type, acerella Walk. Forewings with tufts of scales ; 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 4 and 5 stalked, 6 widely remote from 7 at origin, 7 anastomosing with 8. Only includes the following species, apparently an early form. 75. G. acerella Walk., Cat., 35, 1742 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1883, 8 mahanga Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 137, 27. Auckland, Wellington, Bealey River, Christchurch, Dunedin. 4. Pyraustidae. Maxillary palpi present. Forewings with 7 separate, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings without defined pecten of hairs on lower margin of cell, 4 and 5 closely approximated or stalked, 7 usually out of 6 near origin, anastomosing with 8. A very large family, mainly characteristic of tropical countries, but in New Zealand very scantily represented, except for the species of the genus Scoparia, which by its excessive development almost compensates for all other deficiencies. The characters on which Hampson separates from this family his groups Hydrocawpinae and Scoparianae appear to me to be 38 Transactions. entirely illusory; the former group is merely obtained by confounding together a number of unrelated genera which happen to agree in having vein 10 out of 8 (though even this is not constant), and is therefore unnatural and artificial, whilst the latter is nominally based on the posses- sion of raised types of scales in the cell of forewings, whereas in my opinion these tufts are not merely sometimes, but usually, non-existent. 14. Nymphula Schranck, Nymphula Schranck, Faun. Boic, 2, 162 (1802) ; type, stagnata Don. Paraponyx Hiib., Verz., 362 (1826) ; type, stratiotata Linn. Antennae §. Labial palpi ascending, second joint with .projecting scales beneath, terminal joint slender, somewhat pointed. Maxillary palpi with apex loosely scaled. Forewings with 10 rising out of 8. Tibial outer spurs half inner. An Indo-Malayan genus, spreading more or less into surrounding regions. Larva aquatic, sometimes breathing by branchiae. The single New Zealand species is an immigrant from Australia. 76. N. nitens Butl., Cist. Ent., 2, 556 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 130. Hamilton, Napier, Masterton, Christchurch, Lake Wakatipu. Also common in south-east Australia. 15. Musotima Meyr. Musotima Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 288 ; type, aduncalis Feld. Antennae f. Labial palpi more or less ascending, second joint with evenly projecting scales beneath, terminal joint slender, rough-scaled beneath towards apex. Maxillary palpi dilated with rough scales, trun- cate. Tibial spurs long, almost equal. Forewings with 10 rising out of 8. Hindwings with 7 out of cell before angle, separate from 6. Besides the New Zealand species there are a few others from Australia and the Indo-Malayan region, and one from Brazil. 77. M. aduncalis Feld., Eeis. Novar., pi. 135, 11. Whangarei, Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson. 78. M. nitidalis Walk., Cat., 34, 1317 : timaralis Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 135, 23. North and South Islands, common in forest. Also widely dis- tributed in Australia. Larva on Adiantum, and perhaps other ferns. As it is sometimes very destructive to ferns in greenhouses, it might easily be spread artificially. 16. Diasemia Hiib. Diasemia Hiib., Verz., 348 (1826) ; type, litterata Scop. Antennae f, in ^ fasciculate-ciliated. Labial palpi porrected, second joint triangularly expanded with dense projecting scales, terminal short, concealed. Maxillary palpi with apex expanded with loose scales. Tibial outer spurs f of inner. A small widely ranging genus ; the New Zealand species is one of a group of representative geographical forms indicating a former single species. 79. D. grammalis Doubl., Dieff. N.Z., 2, 287. Whangarei, Hamilton, Napier, Masterton, Castle Hill. Mbyrick. — A Revision of New Zealand Pyralidina. 39 17. Sceliodes Guen. Sceliodes Guen., Pyr., 400 (1856) ; type, cordalis Doubl. Forehead with conical prominence. Antennae f. Labial palpi porrected, second joint with projecting scales beneath, terminal joint exposed, obtuse. Maxillary palpi filiform. Tibial spurs short, nearly equal. Besides the following there is a closely allied species from Arabia and Africa. 80. S. cordalis Doubl., Dieff. N.Z., 2, 288 : nmcidalis Guen., Pyr., 400 : extensalis Walk., Cat., 34, 1311 : ohsistalis Snell., Tijd. v. Ent. 1880, 206 ; ibid., 1883, pi. 6, 12. Taranaki, Wanganui, Napier, Wellington. Also common in eastern Australia and Celebes. Larva in berries of Solanum aviculare. 18. Proternia Meyr. Proternia Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 317 ; type, pMlocapna Meyr. Forehead with conical prominence. Antennae f , in (^ with a somewhat thickened sinuation at f, containing a row of projecting scales beneath. Labial palpi porrected, second joint with dense projecting scales beneath, terminal joint almost concealed. Maxillary palpi filiform. Tibial outer spurs half inner. Only includes the following species. 81. P. philocapna Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 317. Whangarei, Hamilton, Wellington, Mount Hutt. 19. Hymenia Hlib. Hymenia Hub., Verz., 360 (1826) ; type, fascialis Cram. Zinckenia Zell., Lep. Caff., 55 (1852) ; type, fascialis Cram. Antennae f, basal joint in cj with erect apical spine or scale-projection on inner side, stalk notched above basal joint. Labial palpi arched, ascending, second joint with dense projecting scales beneath, terminal joint moderate, pointed. Maxillary palpi filiform. Tibial spurs nearly equal. A genus of few species, of which the following is now spread by man throughout the warmer regions of the world. New Zealand is hardly warm enough for it. |82. H. fascialis Cram., Pap. Exot., 4, pi. 398, f. 0 : recurvalis Fab., Ent. Syst., 237. Auckland. Also in Australia (as far south as Sydney), and throughout the warmer parts of Asia, Africa, and America. Larva feeds on Cucurbitaceae (melons, &c.) in gardens. 20. Nesarcha Meyr. Nesarcha Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 330 ; type, hybrealis Walk. Adena Walk., Cat., 27, 197 (1863) ; type, hybrealis Walk. Deana Butl., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5), 4, 451 (1879) ; type, hybrealis Walk. Antennae f . Labial palpi very long, porrected, second joint triangularly expanded with projecting scales, terminal joint concealed. Maxillary palpi 40 Transactions. dilated with, scales towards apex. Tibial outer spurs in (^ very short, in ? half inner. Besides the following, Snellen attributes to this genus a species from Java which I do not know. The generic name Adena Walk, is strictly preoccupied, having been used as a correction of Hadena ; for this reason Butler proposed to substitute Deana, but as there was already a genus Deanea the suggestion was not a happy one ; in these circumstances it seems better to retain Nesarcha, which has been generally adopted. 83. N. hybrealis Walk., Cat., 18, 797 (hybreasalis) : paronalis, ibid., 797 : xantliialis, ibid., 27, 198. Auckland, Palmereton, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin. 21. Mecyna Steph. Mecyna Steph., List Brit. Mus., 5, 240 (1850) ; type, folygonalis Hiib. Mnesictena Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 328; type, marmarina Meyr. Antennae f. Labial palpi long or rather long, porrected, second joint triangularly expanded with projecting scales, terminal joint more or less concealed. Maxillary palpi dilated with scales towards apex. Tibial outer spurs half inner. Hindwings with some loose hairs on and beneath median vein, but without defined pecten. A small genus, of wide distribution ; the New Zealand species are of South American affinity, except the first. 84. M. maorialis Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 134, 34. Auckland, Napier, Wanganui, Nelson, Christchurch. This is nearly allied to a group of similar species extending through Europe, 'the Indo-Malayan region, and Australia, and has formerly been supposed identical with one or other of them, but is now regarded as distinct. Larva on Sophora tetraptera. 85. M. daiclealis Walk., Cat., 19, 1017 {daidesalis) ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1889, 155. Wellington, Dunedin. 86. M. notata Butl., Cist. Ent., 2, 493. Arthur's Pass, Dunedin. 87. M. flavidalis Doubl., Dieff. N.Z., 2, 287 : quadralis, ibid., 288 : dip- sasalis Walk., Cat., 18, 796 : otagaUs Feld., Eeis. Novar., pi. 134, 35. North and South Islands, up to 4,000 ft. Common and variable. 88. M. panfheropa Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1902, 277. Chatham Islands. 89. M. marmarina Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 329. Auckland, Palmerston, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin ; also in the Chatham Islands. 22. Proteroeca Meyr. Proteroeca Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 335 ; type, comastis Meyr. Forehead with slight conical prominence. Antennae f , in o fasciculate- ciliated. Labial palpi porrected, clothed with long rough projecting hairs, terminal joint penicillate, partially concealed. Maxillary palpi filiform, apex penicillate. Tibial outer spurs more than half inner. Contains only the following species. Meyrick. — A Revision of New Zealand Pyi'alidiiia. 41 90. P. comastis Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 335. Nelson, Christcliurcli, Castle Hill, Wedderburn. 23. Heliothela Gruen. Heliothela Guen., Pyr., 152 (1854) ; type, atralis Hiib. Nyctarcha Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 344 ; type, ophideres Walk. Antennae less than f. Labial palpi porrected, second joint with dense projecting scales beneath, longer towards apex, terminal joint exposed, stont. Maxillary palpi not much shorter than labial, expanded with scales towards apex, truncate. Tibial outer spurs half inner. Hindwings with lower margin of cell more or less clothed with loose hairs towards base, but without defined pecten. A small genus of early type, containing at present two European species, one Indian ranging into Australia and Madagascar, three Australian, and one New Zealand species. 91. H. erebopis n. sp. : atra ButL, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1877, 404 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 70. Castle Hill, Lake Wakatipu ; 2,000-5,000 ft. I think it necessary to rename this species, as Butler's name atra is certainly likely to . lead to confusion with the European atralis, the type of the genus. Butler did not recognize his species as a Heliothela. 24. Scoparia Haw. Scoparia Haw., Lep. Brit., 491 (1911) ; type, cembrae Haw. Xeroscopa Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 349 ; type, ejuncida Knaggs. Antennae |. Labial palpi porrected, second joint with long dense projecting scales beneath, longer towards apex, terminal joint exposed. Maxillary palpi rather long, triangularly dilated with scales. Tibial outer spurs half inner. Hindwings with 4 and 5 connate or stalked. A large genus, of world-wide distribution, but nowhere very prominent except in New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands, in each of w^hich regions it is very numerously developed ; in New Zealand it has eighty-eight species, being the largest genus of Lepidoptera, and forming nearly a tenth of the whole lepidopterous fauna, and in the Hawaiian Islands it has about sixty species. The larvae mostly feed on mosses and lichens, but some- times on the roots of other plants, and probably many of the New Zealand species feed on the roots of grass, their habits being similar to those of Crambus. The greater number of the New Zealand species are considerably larger and more diversified in appearance than those of other regions ; these types are most nearly approached by the few species known from the colder parts of South America, whence others will doubtless be dis- covered. 92. S. thyridias Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 228. Lake Wakatipu. 93. S. oreas Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 81. Lake Wakatipu ; 5,000 ft. 94. S. philerga Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 81. North and South Islands ; generally common. 95. .S'. melitimja Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lr'wid., 1905, 228. Auckland, Wellington. 42 Transactions. 96. S. chUmydota Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 82. Wellington, Arthur's Pass, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu. 97. S. triclera Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 230. "Wellington. 98. S. hemiplaca Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1889, 155. Wellington. Larva on moss. 99. S. dochmia Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 229. Lake Wakatipu ; 1,300 ft. 100. S. minusculalis Walk., Cat., 34, 1503 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 82. Akaroa, Bealey River, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu. Larva on moss. 101. S. minualis Walk., Cat., 34, 1504 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 83. Napier, Ohakune, Wellington, Christcliurcli, Otira River. 102. S. chwieria Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 84. Taranaki, Palmerston, Masterton, Wellington, Christcliurch, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu. 103. S. dinodes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 85. Wellington, Christcliurcli, Dunedin. 104. S. parmifera Meyr., Subantarct. Isl. N.Z., 72. Auckland Island. 105. S. acharis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 85. Wellington, Akaroa, Dunedin, Invercargill. 106. S. cymatias Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 86. Nelson, Arthur's Pass, Mount Hutt, Invercargill. 107. S. micwphthalma Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 87. Christchurch, Lake Wakatipu. 108. S. hemicycla Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 87. Mount Holdsworth, Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass ; 3,000-4,000 ft. 109. S. xysmatias Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 110. Dunedin. 110. S. ergatis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 88. Wellington, Castle Hill, Invercargill. 111. S. autochroa Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 110. Invercargill. 112. S. encapna Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 65. Mount Arthur ; 4,000 ft. 113. S. critica Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 88. Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Lake Wakatipu ; 2,500-4,000 ft. 114. S. characta Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 90. Makatoku, Palmerston, Christcliurcli, Dunedin. 115. S. ustimacida Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 135, 17; Meyr., Tran .. N.Z. • Inst., 1885, 91 : conifera Butl., Cist. Ent., 2, 493. Wellington, Porter's Pass, Dunedin. 116. S. pongalis Fold., Reis. Novar., pi. 137, 33 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 91. Auckland, Makatoku, Dunedin. 117. S. melanaegis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 92. Arthur's Pass, Lake Wakatipu ; 1,700-4,200 ft. 118. S. trapezophom Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 93. Mount Arthur," Castle Hill ; 3,000-4,000 ft. 119. S. philetaera Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 93. Bealey River. Metrick. — A Revisio7i of New Zealand Pyralidina. 48 120. *S'. locularis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1912, 118. Mount Arthur (3,400 ft.), Lake Wakatipu. 121. S. torodes Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1901, 568. Mount Cook. 122. *S'. triscelis Meyr., Subantarct. Lsl. N.Z., 71. Lake Wakatipu, Auckland Island. 123. S. coif Ota Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 65. Wellington. 124. S. choristis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 111. Wellington. 125. S. periphanes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 94. Whangarei, Wellington, Lake Wakatipu. 126. S. phalerias Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 230. Wellington. 127. S. diphthemlis Walk., Cat., 34, 1501 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 94. Hamilton, Palmerston, Napier, Wellington, Christchurcli, Otira River. 128. *S'. suhmarginalis Walk., Cat., 27, 48 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 95 : ? linealis Walk., Cat., 34, 1503 : maoriella, ibid., 35, 1720. North and South Islands ; common generally. 129. *S'. cataxesta Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 96. Otira River, Castle Hill, Lake Guyon, Lake Wakatipu. 130. S. asaleuta Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 111. Lake Wakatipu. 131. >S'. tetracycla Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 97. Nelson, Lake Coleridge. 132. *S. gyrotoma Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1909, 7. Lake Tekapo, Ida Valley. 133. S. indistinctalis Walk., Cat., 27, 48 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 97 : rakaiensis Knaggs, Ent. Mo. Mag., 4, 80. Wellington, Christchurch, Lake Wakatipu. 134. S. chalicodes Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 98. Napier, Wanganui, Christchurch, Mount Hutt. 135. S. fragosa Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1910, 71. Kermadec Islands. 136. S. leptophaea Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1902, 277. Chatham Islands. 137. S. psammitis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 99. Mount Ruapehu, Mount Holdsworth, Mount Arthur (4,000 ft.), Arthur's Pass (4,500 ft.), Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu, Invercargill. 138. 8. leptalea Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 98. Hamilton, Napier, Masterton, Wellington, Christchurch. 139. S. epicomia Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 99. Kermadec Islands, North and South Islands, Auckland Island ; up to 3,800 ft. 140. aS. feredayi Knaggs, Ent. Mo. Mag., 4, 80 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 100 : moanalis Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 137, 34. Wellington, Bealey River, Lake Guyon, Lake Wakatipu. 141. S. acompa Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 100. Lake Wakatipu ; 1,200 ft. 142. S. cyptastis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1909, 7. Invercargill. 44 Transactions. 143. S. manganeutis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. lust., 1885, 102. Otira Gorge ; 1,600-2,600 ft. 144. S. crypsinoa Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 102. Castle Hill (3,000 ft.), Lake Wakatipu (3,000-4,000 ft.), Ida Valley. 145. S. agana Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1912, 119. Mount Ruapehu (4,500 ft.), Artlinr's Pass (3,000 ft.), Lake Waka- tipu. 146. S. alopecias Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1901, 570. Mount Cook. 147. S. axena Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 103. Mount Arthur (4,000-4,500 ft.), Arthur's Pass (4,000 ft.), Castle Hill, Dunedin. 148. aS'. steropaea Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 103. Castle Hill ; 2,500-3,000 ft. 149. S. exilis Knaggs, Ent. Mo. Mag., 4, 81 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 104. Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Lumsden, Lake Wakatipu. 150. S. elaphra Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 105. Palmerston, Cliristchurcli, Invercargill. 151. S. paltomacha Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 105. Tararua Range, Castle Hill, Mount Hutt, Lake Wakatipu. 152. S. deltophora Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 106. Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass ; 3,000-4,500 ft. 153. S. sabulosella Walk., Cat., 27, 178 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 106. North and South Islands, common generally at low levels ; Enderby Island. 154. S. panopla Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 107. Mount Hutt. 155. S. clavata Philp., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1912, 116. Hump Ridge ; 3,000 ft. 156. S. trivirgata Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 137, 29 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 107. Mount Ruapehu (4,500 ft.), Christchurch, Mount Arthur, Lake Wakatipu. 157. S. augastis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 112. Invercargill. 158. S. petrina Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 111. Castle Hill, Bealey River, Lake Guyon, Aorangi. 159. S. halopis Meyr., Subantarct. Isl. N.Z., 72. Auckland Island. 160. 8. cyameuta Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 112. Wellington, Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Mount Hutt, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu. 161. S. dryphactis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1911, 61. Wellington, Lake Wakatipu. 162. S. astmgalota Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 113. Wellington, Mount Arthur (4,000 ft.). Mount Hutt, Lake Wakatipu. 163. ;S'. rotuella Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 137, 30 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 113. Wellington, Mount Hutt. 164. *S. harpalea Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 114. Wellington, Otira Gorge. Meyrick. — A Revision of "New Zealand Pyralidina. 45 165. S. ejuncida Kiiaggs, Ent. Mo. Mag., 4, 81 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 114. Bealey River, Lake Coleridge, Mount Hutt (3,000 ft.), Lake VVaka- tipu (3,000-4,000 ft.). 166. S. niphospora Meyr., Trans. N.Z. List., 1885, 115. Mount Arthur, Arthur's Pass, Castle Hill, Lake Wakatipu ; 2,500- 4,500 ft. 167. S. apheles Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 115. Arthur's Pass ; 4,500 ft. 168. S. aspidota Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 115. Wellington, Mount Hutt, Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu. 169. S. sideraspis Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 231. Mount Earnslaw (5,300 ft.), Humboldt Range (5,300 ft.). 170. S. nomeutis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 116. Mount Arthur, Hump Ridge, Lake Wakatipu ; 3,500-5,000 ft. 171. S. parachalca Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc, Loud., 1901, 569. Mount Cook. 172. S. organaea Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1901, 569. Mount Cook. 173. S. epicremna Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 117. Arthur's Pass, Castle Hill. 174. S. luminatrix Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1909, 8. Otira Gorge, Invercargill. 175. S. legnota Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 117. Otira Gorge, Mount Hutt, Lake Wakatipu. 176. S. chalara Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1901, 570. Mount Cook. 177. S. octophora Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 118. Christchurch, Mount Hutt (3,000 ft.), Bealey River, Lake Waka- tipu, Invercargill. 178. S. asterisca Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 118. Wellington, Mount Hutt, Arthur's Pass (4,500 ft.). Lake Wakatipu. 179. *S'. leucogramma Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 119. Mount Hutt, Lake Wakatipu. 25. Clepsicosma Meyr. Clepsicosma Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 63 ; type, iridia Meyr. Face slightly prominent, oblique. Antennae f , in c? fasciculate-ciliated. Labial palpi long, porrected, with long loosely jDrojecting scales, attenuated to apex, terminal joint concealed. Maxillary paljji rather long, triangularly dilated with loose scales. Tibial outer spurs § of inner. A curious endemic genus. 180. C. iridia Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 64. Auckland, Tararua Range, Kaitoke. 5. Pyralididae. Maxillary palpi present. Forewings with 7 and 8 out of 9. Hindwings without defined pecten of hairs on lower margin of cell, 4 and 5 closely approximated or stalked, 7 out of 6 near origin, free or anastomosing with 8. A family of moderate extent and general distribution, but the only two New Zealand species are not indigenous. 46 Transaetiont. 26. Diplopseustis Meyr. Diflofseustis Meyr., Trans, Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 284 ; type, perieralis 5Valk. Labial palpi rather long, porrected, second joint with dense rather short projecting scales, forming a short apical tuft beneath, terminal joint moderate, slender, obliquely ascending. Maxillary palpi moderate, tri- angularly dilated with scales. Forewings with 4 and 5 stalked. Hind- wings with 4 and 5 stalked, 7 anastomosing with 8. Perhaps contains only the following species. 181. D. perieralis Walk., Cat., 19, 958 (perieresalis) : minima Butl., Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1880, 684 ; Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1884, 285 ; Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1888, 63. Auckland, Wanganui, Christchurch. Also common in eastern Australia, and occurs in Fiji, Formosa, Borneo, and Assam. It occurs near towns, and is probably attached to some cultivated plant. 27. Pyralis Linn. Pyralis Linn., Syst. Nat. (12), 881 (1767) ; type, farinalis Linn. Labial palpi ascending, second joint rough-scaled, terminal joint moderate. Maxillary palpi filiform. Forewings with 4 and 5 stalked. Hindwings with 4 and 5 stalked, 8 free. A genus of about 20 species, chiefly Indo-Malayan, but some of the species have been very widely spread. 182. P. farinalis Linn., Syst. Nat. (10), 226 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 122. Christchurch. Generally distributed in Australia, and occurs also through most of the world, but probably Central Asiatic in origin. Larva on flour and corn-refuse, and therefore readily imported by man. 6. Thyrididae. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Forewings with 8 and 9 usually separate. Hindwings without defined pecten of hairs on lower margin of cell, 1 absent, 8 usually free. A family of moderate size, mainly tropical in distribution ; only one species reaches New Zealand. 28. Morova Walk. Morova Walk., Cat., 32, 523 (1865) ; type, subfasciata Walk. Face prominent. Labial palpi short, stout, subascending, with appressed scales, terminal joint very short, obtuse. Forewings with 8 and 9 short- stalked or approximated towards base. Hindwings with 5 tolerably remote from angle, 7 from before upper angle, 8 free. Includes only the following species. 183. M. subfasciata Walk., Cat., 32, 523 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1884, 108 : gallicolens Butl., Voy. Ereb. Terr., Ins., 46. Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin. Also occurs in Fiji. Larva in gall-like swellings of the stem of Parsonsia. Meyrick. — .4 Revisio?i of New Zealand Pyralidina. 47 7. Pterophoridae. Maxillary palpi obsolete. Forewings usually fissured, forming two (rarely three or four) segments, 8 and 9 usually stalked. Hindwings without defijied pecten of hairs on lower margin of cell, on lower surface with a double row of short dark spine-like scales on lower margin of cell, 5 remote from 4, 7 remote from 6, shortly approximated to 8 beyond origin, wing usually figured, forming three segments. A considerable family of very general distribution. 29. Platyptilia Hiib. Platyptilia Hiib., Verz., 429 (1826) ; type, gonodactyla Schiff. Forehead usually with tuft of scales. Forewings bifid, segments moderate, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings trifid, third segment with black scales in dorsal cilia, sometimes barely traceable. An extensive and cosmopolitan genus. The larvae are usually attached to species of Compositae. 184. P. isoterma Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1909, 10. Wellington. 185. P. heliastis Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 129. Mount Arthur, Castle Hill, Lake Wakatipu. 186. P. falcatalis Walk., Cat., 30, 931 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 128 : repletalis Walk., Cat., 30, 931. North and South Islands, common ; up to 3,600 ft. 187. P. aeolodes Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1902, 278 ; Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1909, 10. Wellington, Invercargill, Chatham Islands, Auckland Island. 188. P. deprivatalis Walk., Cat., 30, 946 : haasti Feld., Eeis. Novar., pi. 140, 58 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 128. Hamilton, Christchurch, Otira River, Lake Wakatipu, Invercargill. 189. P. campsiptera Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1907, 112. Lake Wakatipu. 190. P. epotis Meyr., Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, 231 ; Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1911, 73. Mount Arthur, Humboldt Eange (3,600 ft.). 30. Alucita Linn. Alucita Linn., Syst. Nat., 542 (1758) ; type, pentadactyla Linn. Forehead without tuft. Forewings bifid, segments narrow, 2 some- times absent, 3 absent, 8-10 absent, 11 sometimes absent. Hindwings trifid, third segment without black scales in dorsal cilia ; 3 absent. Fairly extensive, but mainly located round the shores of the Mediter- ranean ; some of the species range very widely. The New Zealand species seem to be of Indo-Malayan affinity, but are all endemic. 191. A. monospilalis Walk., Cat., 30, 950; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 124 : patruelis Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 140, 56. Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Otira River, Christ- church, Dunedin. 192. A. lycosema Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 124. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin. 48 Transactions. 193. A. furcatalis Walk,, Cat., 30, 950 ; Feld., Eeis. Novar., pi. 140, 52 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 123. Auckland, Cambridge, Palmerston, Makatoku, Wellington, Otira River. 194. A. innotatalis Walk., Cat., 30, 945 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 124 ; Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1885, 424. Napier, Palmerston, Masterton, Nelson, Otira River, Christcliurch, Invercargill. 31. Stenoptilia Hiib. Stenoptilia Hiib., Verz., 430 (1826) ; type, pterodactyla Linn. Forehead with horny prominence or tuft of scales. Forewings bifid, segments moderate or rather narrow, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings trifid, third segment without black scales in dorsal cilia. A genus of moderate extent, generally distributed. 195. S. celidota Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 125. Christchurch, Lake Wakatipu. Also widely distributed in Aus- tralia. 196. S. lithoxesta Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 127 ; Gen. Ins., 100, f. 18. Arthur's Pass. 197. S. chamdrias Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 126. Arthur's Pass. 198. S. vigens Feld., Reis. Novar., pi. 140, 49 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1912, 119. Lake Wakatipu. 199. S. orites Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 1885, 126. Clinton. 200. S. zophodactyla Dup., Hist. Nat. Lep. Fr., 11, 314 : canalis Walk., Cat., 30, 944. Wellington. Occurs also in eastern Australia, India, Europe, Africa, and South America. In the following indexes the numbers refer to those attached to the genera and species in consecutive order. Names italicized are synonyms. Index of Genera. Achroia Hiib. 4 Hymenia Hiib. . 19 Adena Walk. . 20 Mecyna Steph. . 21 Alucita Linn. . 30 Meliphora Guen. 4 Argyria Hiib. 8 Mnesictenu Meyr. . . . 21 Clepsicosma Meyr. . . . 25 Morova Walk. . 28 Crambus Fab. 6 Musotima Meyr. . 15 Crocydopora Meyr. 2 Nesarcha Meyr. . 20 Cryptom.ima Meyr. . . 13 Nyctarcha Meyr. . 23 Deana Butl. . 20 Nymphula Schranck . 14 Diasemia Hiib. . 16 Orocrambus Meyr. . . 5 Diplopseustis Meyr. . 26 Paraponyx Hiib. . 14 Diptychophora Zell. . 12 Platyptilia Hiib. . 29 Gadira Walk. . 13 Proternia Meyr. . 18 Hednota Meyr. . 11 Proteroeca Meyr. . 22 Heliothela Guen. . 23 Protyparcha Meyr. . . 7 Homoeosoma Curt. . . 3 Pyralis Linn. . 27 Metrick. — A Revision of New Zealand Pyralidina. 49 Index OF GrENERA — Continued. Sceliodes Guen. . 17 Talis Guen. .. .. 11 Scenoploca Meyr. . . 10 Tauroscopa Meyr. . . . . 9 Scoparia Haw. . 24 Xeroscopa Meyr. . . . . 24 Sporophyla Meyr. . . 1 Zinckenia Zell. . . . . 19 Stenoptilia Hiib. . 31 Index of Species. acerella Walk. 75 dariferella Walk. . 54 acliaris Meyr. . 105 colpota Meyr. . 123 acompa Meyr. . 141 comastis Meyr. . 90 aduncalis Feld. . 77 conifera Butl. . 115 aeolodes Meyr. . 187 conopias Meyr. . 23 aethonellus Meyr. . . . 16 cordalis Doubl. . 80 agana Meyr. . 145 corruptiis Butl. . 13 alopecias Meyr. . 146 crenaeus Meyr. . 29 anaspila Meyr. 3 critica Meyr. . 113 angustipeniiis Zell. . . . 24 crypsinoa Meyr. . 144 anticella Walk. 4 cyameuta Meyr. . 160 antimorus Meyr. . 15 cyclopicus Meyr. . 47 aplieles Meyr. . 167 cymatias Meyr. . 106 apicellus Zell. . 38 cyptastis Meyr. . 142 apselias Meyr. . 21 daiclealis Walk. . 85 asaleuta Meyr. . 130 deltopliora Meyr. . 152 aspidota Meyr. . 168 deprivatalis Walk. . . 188 asterisca Meyr. . 178 dicrenellus Meyr. . 26 astragalota Meyr. . . . 162 dinodes Meyr. . 103 astroseiua Meyr. . 63 diphtheralis Walk. . . 127 atra Butl. . . . 91 diplorrhous Meyr. . . 32 augastis Meyr. . 157 dipsasalis Walk. . 87 aulistes Meyr. . 17 dochmia Meyr. . 99 auriscriptella Walk. . . . 68 drypliactis Meyr. . 161 autochroa Meyr. . Ill ejuncida Knaggs . 165 axena Meyr. . 147 elaina Meyr. . 74 bipunctella Walk. . . . 71 elaphra Meyr. . 150 bisecfelhis Zell. . 41 encapna Meyr. . 112 callirrhous Meyr. . 33 enchophorus Meyr. . . 31 campsiptera Meyr. . . . 189 ephorus Meyr. . 25 canalis Walk. . 200 epicomia Meyr. . 139 catacaustus Meyr. . . 7 epicremna Meyr. . 173 cataxesta Meyr. . 129 epiphaea Meyr. . 73 celidota Meyr. . 195 epotis Meyr. . 190 clialara Meyr. . 176 erebopis Meyr. . 91 chalicodes Meyr. . 134 ergatis Meyr. . 110 characta Meyr. . 114 exilis Knaggs . 149 charadrias Meyr. . 197 extensalis Walk. . 80 chimeria Meyr. . 102 falcatalis Walk. . 186 chlamydota Meyr. . . . 96 farinalis Linn. . 182 choristis Meyr. . 124 fascialis Cram. . 82 chrysochyta Meyr. . . . 62 feredayi Knaggs . 140 cinigerella Walk. 2 flavidalis Doubl. . 87 clavata Philp. . 155 flexuosellus Doubl. . . 43 50 Transactions. Index of Species — continued. fragosa Meijr. furcatalis Walh. gallicolens Butl. glaucophanes Meyr. gorgopis Meyr. gracilis Feld. grammalis DotM. grisella Fab. gyrotoma Meyr. haasti Feld. lialopis Meyr. haplotomus Meyr. harmonica Meyr. hai-palea Meyr. harpophorus Meyr. heliastis Meyr. helioctypa Meyr. heliotes Meyr. hemicycla Meyr. hemiplaca Meyr. heteranthes Meyr. heteraulus Meyr. holantlies Meyr. horistes Meyr. hybrealis Walk, incrassatellus Zell. indistinctalis Walk. innotatalis Walk. interrupta Feld. iridia Meyr. isocliytus Meyr. isoterma Meyr. legnota Meyr. lepidella Walk. leptalea Meyr. leptophaea Meyr. leucanialis Butl. leucogramma Meyr. leucoplithalma Meyr leucoxantha Meyr. linealis Walk, litlioxesta Meyr. locularis Meyr. luminatrix Meyr. lycosema Meyr. machaeristes Meyr mahanga Feld. manganeutis Meyr. maorialis Feld. maoriella Walk, marmarina Meyr. melampetrus Meyr 135 193 183 57 56 64 79 4 132 188 159 30 70 164 49 185 72 14 108 98 19 28 69 42 83 41 133 194 63 180 27 184 175 64 138 136 22 179 59 65 128 196 120 174 192 12 75 143 84 128 89 5 melanaegis Meyr. melitastes Meyr. meliturga Meyr. metallifera Butl. microdora Meyr. microphthalma Meijr minima Butl. ; minualis Walk. miuusculalis Walli. moanalis Feld. monospilalis Walk, mucidalis Guen. mylites Meyr. nexalis Walk, niphosphora Meyr. nitens Butl. nitidalis Walk. nomeutis Meyr. notata Butl. ohsistalis Snell. obstructus Meyr. octophora Meyr. oenospora Meyr. oncobolus Meyr. oreas Meyr. organaea Meyr. orites Meyr. otagalis Feld. paltomacha Meyr. panopla Meyr. pantheropa Meyr. paraclialca Meyr. paraxeuus Meyr. parmifera Meyr. paronalis Walk. fatruelis Feld. pedias Meyr. pentadactyla Zell. perieralis Walk. periphanes Meyr. pervius Meyr. petraula Meyr. petrina Meyr. pbalerias Meyr. pliilerga Meyr. pliiletaera Meyr. philocapna Meyr. pongalis Feld. psammitis Meyr. pyrsophanes Meyr. quadralis Doubl. rakaiensis Knaggs 117 20 95 66 60 107 181 101 100 140 191 80 6 41 166 76 78 170 86 80 40 177 1 50 93 172 199 87 151 154 88 171 39 104 83 191 35 54 181 125 8 58 158 126 94 119 81 116 137 61 87 133 Meyrick.- —A Revision of Neiv Zealand P3'ralidina. 51 Index of Species — continued. ramosellus Douhl. . . 22 thrincodes Meyr. • C44 rangona Feld. . 22 thymiastes Meyr. 10 recurvalis Fab. . 82 tliyridias Meyr. . 92 repletalis Walk. . 186 timaralis Feld. 78 rotuella Feld. . 163 torodes Meyr. . 121 sabulosella Walk. . 153 transcissalis Walk. . . . 41 saristes Meyr. . 18 trapezitis Meyr. . 55 scaphodes Meyr. . 52 trapezopbora Meyr. . . . 118 schedias Meyr. . 34 triclera Meyr. . 97 selenaea Meyr. . 67 triscelis Meyr. . 122 sideraspis Meyr. . 169 tritouellus Meyr. . 11 simplex Butl. . 36 trivirgata Feld. . 156 siriellus Meyr. . 37 tubualis Feld. . 45 sophistes Meyr. ' . . 48 ustimacula Feld. . 115 sophronellus Meyr. . . 46 vagella Zell. 3 stenofterella Meyr. . 2 vapidns Butl. . 41 steropaea Meyr. . 148 vigens Feld. . 198 strigosus Butl. . 54 vittellus Douhl. . 41 strophaea Meyr. . 53 vidgaris Butl. . 45 subfasciata Walk. . . 183 xanthialis Walk. . 83 subitus Philp. 9 xanthogranimus Meyr. . 51 submarginalis Walk. . 128 xysmatias Meyr. . 109 tetracycla Meyr. . 131 zophodactyla Dup. . . . 200 Art. VI. — Description of a Neiv Species of Perla (Stone-fly) in New Zealand. By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 1st May, 1912.] Leptoperla grandis n. sp. The expansion of tbe wings is 2 in. The antennae are shorter than the forewings. The head and thorax are blackish-brown, the abdomen paler brown. The forewings are pale greyish-brown, darker towards the base, and very sparsely covered with clear dots ; the posterior veinleta are very distinct, and marked with clearer lines. The hindwings are transparent, with a chain of oblong grey marks on the costa between the veinlets. The eggs are brownish-grey, banded with paler. The caudal setae are about one-quarter the length of the abdomen, yellowish-brown. A single specimen of this very fine species, which is as large as the well-known Stenoperla prasina, was discovered by Mrs. Hudson last January amongst foliage on the banks of the Mangawhero River, near Ohakune, Main Trunk line. Every effort was made to secure further specimens, but without result. It is evidently a rare insect, and, as I am unwilling to allow it to remain undescribed for an indefinite period, the foregoing description has been prepared. It must, however, be regarded as provisional only, and as soon as other specimens are available they will be submitted to a specialist in the group, in order that the description may be amplified if necessary, and the reference of the species to the genus Leptoperla verified. 52 Transactions. Art. VII. — Notes on Flightless Females in certain Species of Moths, with an Attempted Explanation,. By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. [^Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 31st July, 1912.^ The existence of semi-apterous females in certain species of moths has long been known to entomologists, and has been fully described in many entomological works, but, as far as I have been able to ascertain, no attempt has yet been made to explain why the semi-apterous condition has been assumed by the female sex, or in what respects such a condition in that sex can benefit the species. Owing to the limited number of foreign works on entomology, and the restricted nature of the exotic collections at present available for study in the Dominion, I have been obliged to confine my attention to species inhabiting New Zealand and the British Islands. The circumstances in connection with the occurrence of flightless females in both these regions prove, however, to be strikingly similar, and this fact merits careful con- sideration when seeking to obtain an explanation of this interesting phenomenon. It is perhaps needless to point out that the loss of the power of flight in one sex, whilst fully retained in the other, is a very remarkable and interesting circumstance, and the present requirements of natural history demand not only that a detailed account of the surrounding facts be given, but that a provisional theory at least be set up to account for it. I should perhaps here point out that these semi-apterous females are quite on a different footing to those insects where the power of flight has been lost in both sexes. The general question of apterous insects has very often been dealt with, and many adequate explanations have been given to account for the loss of flight under the most varied conditions. The present paper, however, is solely concerned with those insects in which the wings of the female are so abbreviated as to render that sex incapable of flight, the male retaining his flying-powers quite unimpaired. Before proceeding further it will be desirable to consider the following list of Lepidoptera in which the females are semi-apterous. In addition to general remarks, this list gives, as far as is known, the food plant of the larva of each species, as well as its distribution, and the time of the year when the perfect insect appears. In ihe Psychidae, which are represented in New Zealand by two species — i.e., Oeceticus omnivorous and Orophora unicolor — the females are not only apterous, but have rudimentary legs, and are incapable of walking, being, in fact, mere egg-bags. I have not included these insects in the present paper, as the species here dealt with have the females normally developed except in respect of the wings. Hudson. — Flightless Females in certain S])ecies of Moths. 53 ^ o.a e ? S - «= a ei X % - g-ft jog o ^ SS '-I f .s '-3 t^ ^ -3 eg g cs 0) OJ >i » „ cS. ^ D -7^ J ^ >:>g 2 "5 ^ ~ *i t^ 2 a S O ri -C-"S « OJ c5 > ^ 3 cs o rf cs £ S'^ « ^ o tc ^ >> ^ c*. in >, d ,^ ' d (S -2 '> o CI a> ^ OJ ^ "Si* CO 1— 1 o ^ ?s s O -tJ -=r^ fliS i>^g OJ !^ ^ bO & g_ o M o ;5 "^ o d -^ ^ o*- ^ o > o Ph° ft ""^ „ © 2 g-d aij3^o5:i3do j'2^ d «« M GQ S g ^ o o ^ »~:i ^ a b o =« 2 d .5 e3 P^ ^ :^ 54 Transactions. cS o bD>>&-^^ .„ o 3 . K>^ ^S^H-iS, ^.5-* ^-e (p S.J?-- d-TS S, 5^-< 3 ^ S P,X^3, 9. 2^ o o ■:3 -Q £3 ^S to O c^ d) Z^ o = ■ P5 rt ® rt rj O += 03 «, S " T3 ;=!, 6: bD =i « be cri n! 03 03 ^, H 03 cS "■^1 cS .5 _g "S GO .3 43 a^ 2^ s'? .5 ^ ^ - w c „, ~ fl 5^bi)-g S^.S ^>« ^ s 2 ^ si Is ? 4^ o -a ,03 2 2 '^ - -^ -^ a. a sh 03 o -O 03 r/3 ^ =£0 0^ " cj a =t^ O 3 00 '^ 00 03 "S o -d 03 'S 03 13 , a's a 5-a ^ :2 bO ..J^JH SP - 2 3 g bcS ^3 +^ /1^ ^ .t2 .. . H '^ ^ 'P. 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S cs' 5r 03 a> 1^ a ^^ ^ 2 fJ'S =1^ _ P^ 03 Si,^ u-tl.^'tS.Ji^rZ £^=*-p:S^:^<< ., .41 -^ 03 03 ^ ^ 2 "^ fe- m jp -d P 03 P .2 13 P3 SC ^'% to -^ _2 03 IS-P 00 _5 « -^ -2 a To « P 5k^ •- 2 75 © ftSrOi^ 03rP Cjp bJOd ft03 03r^ g^ bcS S 0 03 X 03 03 OJ „ -3 5 c« O oo p 03 3 o -P 03 _>>"5. >■' P 3 s g-g-^-S ^'.S.2 2 c-S hH CO 03 ^.tj 3 S ' s-i -P 03 '13 p 03 a O " •5'5'5^ " ^ il -p OJ br rf ^ OJ S m * ^^ o ©"i * ®'S *'p > -p ■5 = ^ ^ a ^ o ^ -=5 _ ^ a >~, 03 2 .-i^ -a S - 2I ^^-^ ft 02 03 te 03 cS p a " _,.-B^2'o2T5'ao3g£'5 O^^g§.jj^3_03 =*«-« ScS S bO bD ip 3 CO p P P 03 «> 2 S bO bO tj p 03 cS O P a ft ><-Q 0_j3^ O K! Ot>-g^ cS -O is O * >il3 'j3o03pfl3^oP C *5 o 5 I -3 •1^ e <13 -S g ^ CO "S-o W 0125 Hudson. — Flightless Females in certain Species of Moths. 55 ; 3 a: ^^ 5 •1? ^ rt 1 -a ^ ^ a, oj ^ '42 S » T3 -i^ O -d ^ 3 •*-< fr, -- »< £f rt aj CI * — *-■ g =^ S S| =« a ® ■:« ts QJ 9? -d ^d ^ ^ CO cr >» c S.2 » ;;'^- •^ .^ ^ cd '^1 S . £ oj o rt •r' >■. o Oi ^ 0."' C 3.3 S: 0 ^ a; fl 2 -S aj <» r- > ^ 2 ; oo 33 ^ aj -13 o ' ■? '^ ^ ■*-* !-> '^ X ^ S^^ ^ C o ■« J3 C § =S ,. ^ a^ ri o STS_g ~ '-- ^ H i =* > ... 3 ^ ^ g 'S S ^ o ^03 •a=-g Mg OJ ^ B > ._- -^ cS o H g a. g S :Z =9 ^ •« *= &• "5 i t> a .2 "■ C-- 3 I -f? ^ ^ 2 ;s ;zj crt rn ,d CK Vi jd 1) ^, rO a> o -i4 cfi to o g- ^ ? a ,.3 o ^^ - ® rQ ce §1 T^ ^ 1=5 5g 2^1 .^' .3 * «« ^ . .3 OJ ^- a3_0 ce ..a: C t- .. 3 '*^ g cS 3 t< .j3 o ^^^^ u til S c3 3 s « S ■73 „ 3 3 2 o "^ * ° '3 i -3 2 ^ a s « s e s =3 2 s 1? s-a -^ •St5 ■2 3^ S 03 *- 2 fe & .0 ^ .0 05 >.S Si—' tq ii: o s"^ 15 ^ O O CO £ cS S 03 03 an e M^ — :« a,-!: 0 tr .sm 0 cS a-3 •si =0 0 =0 C3 a.'/3 S^3 S.W ■^ fe; !< ajfi 56 Transactions. With the few exceptions shortly to be specified, it will be seen that a striking agreement exists between the New Zealand and the British species in the following respects : — (1.) General Distribution of the Food Plant of the Larva in the Region ivhere the Insect is found. — There is no exception to this rule, which holds good in every case where the female is semi-apterous and the food plant is known. It is, in fact, obvious that the semi-apterous state would be absolutely fatal to an insect feeding on a scarce or local plant, as the females would require to travel over extensive areas in order to deposit their eggs. Any advantage which a species might obtain by possessing a semi-apterous female would, therefore, be wholly neutralized unless its food plant were very common and generally distributed. (2.) Appearance of the Imago in Winter, or in Very Early Spring. — It is in this circumstance, which is common to all the species having semi- apterous females, with the exception of the three species of Metacrias in New Zealand and the two species of Orgyia in the British Isles, that, in my opinion, an explanation of the semi-apterous condition of the female is to be sought. As a matter of fact, M. erichrysa and M. huttonii can hardly be regarded as exceptions, seeing that they are both strictly alpine insects, and therefore practically exist under winter conditions. One of the species of Orgyia also occasionally appears in winter, and may therefore have recently changed its habits. The only important exceptions are, there- fore, M. strategica (New Zealand) and 0. antiqua (Britain), and of the latter insect there appear to be a succession of broods throughout the entire summer. As corroborative evidence from insects belonging to an order other than the Lepidoptera, two of our common crane-flies {Tipula obscuripennis and T. heterogama) occur to me. They have semi-apterous females, and appear often in considerable numbers late in April and during May, a period which must, of course, be regarded as winter in New Zealand. I think, therefore, there can be no doubt that the semi-apterous condition of the female is in some way connected with the appearance of the species during cold periods. The Effects of Cold on Insects. In considering the cause of semi-apterous females amongst moths appearing in winter, the effect of cold on insects generally must be briefly considered. A slight lowering of the temperature below the normal pro- duces torpidity, which is first manifested by inability to fly. Further cold results in inability to walk, then in suspended animation, and, if prolonged, in death. It is a matter of common observation that species appearing late in the autumn or in the winter are frequently so overpowered by the cold as to render them incapable of flight, and it is equally obvious that a female so incapacitated, when away from the food plant of the larva, would fail to leave offspring, owing to her eggs being deposited in a position where the young larvae would be unable to obtain food. In this way the loss of the power of flight would be a distinct advantage to the female, as she would be prevented from straying from the food plant, and, although semi- toi-pid through cold, would in most cases have sufficient vitality to deposit her eggs in a fitting spot before death. On the other hand, the power of flight would still be necessary for the male in order to enable him to seek out the female, and to prevent the evil effects of prolonged interbreeding. The fact that a certain number of males would no doubt perish from the cold without pairing would be of little importance so far as the per- Hudson. — Flirpithss Feynales in certain Species of Moth,<. 57 petuation of the species is concerned, especially if the males outnumbered the females, which is known to be the case in many insects. It may, of course, be urged that a far simpler explanation of the semi-apterous con- dition is to be found in a lowered vitality, induced by cold, preventing the full development of the organs of flight ; but the winged condition of the male, in my opinion, negatives this explanation, and the existence of many winter insects with fully developed wings in both sexes is also against it. Briefly stated, then, I believe that the semi-apterous females have been evolved in many insects appearing in the winter or very early spring because such a condition prevents them from leaving the food plant and being afterwards unable to return to it to deposit their eggs when overcome by the effects of cold. Such insects would naturally feed on widely dis- tributed plants, as otherwise the semi-apterous condition of the female would be a fatal disadvantage ; and this fact is in complete agreement with actual observation. In view of the restricted data on which this theory is based, it is put forward as a provisional hypothesis only, and may, of course, be subject to modification or rejection in the light of more extended investigations. As a subsidiary advantage, the ability jpossessed by semi-apterous females to secrete themselves in crevices in the bark or in the ground may be mentioned ; but I do not consider such an advantage would be com- mensurate with the loss of flight, and it cannot therefore, in my opinion, be regarded as the primary cause of the modification. In conclusion, I should point out that the extreme abundance of many of the species possessing semi-apterous females indicates that the innovation has proved a most successful one in the struggle for existence, and this is further demonstrated by the fact that almost all the species appear in winter, when the insectivorous birds are often sorely pressed by hunger, and in consequence keenly on the alert for insect food. Art. VIII. — Notes on the Entomology of the Ohakune and Waiouru Districts, By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. {^Read before the Wellington Philosophical Sociefi/, 1st May, 1912.] The following notes on insects observed and captured in the neigh- bourhood of Ohakune and Waiouru are the results of a visit made by myself, wife, and daughter in January last. During the twelve days spent in the locality the weather was, on the whole, favourable for collecting, but a deficiency of brilliant sunshine considerably restricted the appearance of certain species. At Ohakune almost all the collecting was done in the forest, which is very accessible, and traversed by good tracks in several directions. On one of the most favourable days of our visit I managed to make a hurried trip to the lower slopes of Mount Ruapehu, but, owing to the distance which had to be traversed, only about three hours were available for collecting on an area ranging from 4,500 ft. to 5,000 ft. above the sea-level. I have seldom visited a moun- tain so barren of insect-life, and, although my stay was necessarily very brief, the weather was perfect, and it therefore seems evident that u\ost of the species characteristic of mountains in the South Island are not found on Ruapehu. 58 Transactions. The following list of the species observed or captured near Ohakune cannot, of course, be regarded as in any way complete, and will, no doubt, be much extended when the district has been more completely worked by entomologists. Lepidoptera. Vanessa gonerilla. One seen on Mount Ruapehu, at an elevation of about 5,000 ft. Several seen in the lowlands, and a few young larvae observed feeding on a tree-nettle {Urtica ferox) in the forest. Chrysophanus salustius. Apparently much rarer than in most places. The few examined were of the typical form. Euxoa admirationis. A few at light. Melanchra mutans. One at|light, Hypenodes anticlina. This species, which is usually rare, occurred quite commonly in the depths of the forest. The general results in Noctuae were extremely poor, although sugaring was tried on several nights. Tatosoma timora. This insect was remarkably common in the forest, the males in the proportion of about ten to one female. Tatosoma n. sp. ? A single male of an apparently new species was captured by my daughter. If actually new, this will make the seventh species of Tatosoma known in New Zealand. Chloroclystis nereis. Three specimens of this mountain-insect were taken on Ruapehu, at about 5,000 ft. Hydriomena deltoidata. Only a few of this usually abundant insect were observed. They were larger and more vividly marked than average specimens taken further south. Hydriomena subochraria. A few in clearings. Hydriomena rixata. A few in forest. Hydriomena purpurifera. Several taken. I believe this is the first time the species has been taken in the North Island. Hudson. — Enlomology of Ohokune and Waiouru Districts. 59 Asaphodes megaspilata. Common as usual. Xanthorhoe limonodes. Two specimens. Xanthorhoe semifissata. Common in the forest. Only males seen. Xanthorhoe beata. Rare. Some like tlie South Island forms. Xanthorhoe chorica. A fine series of this rare and very beautiful species was secured. Specimens were principally beaten from a shrub closely resembling Leptospermum, on which its larva may possibly feed. This insect has hitherto been recorded from the South Island only. Xanthorhoe cymozeucta. Fairly common in forest. A new species not previously taken. Xanthorhoe cinerearia. Specimens of both the large lowland and smaller hill form (invexata) were observed. Epirranthis alectoraria. Rare. Selidosema fenerata. Commonly resting on the trunks of rimu-trees {Dacrydimn cupres- sinum) on which its larva probably feeds. In cultivated districts, where the insect is usually common, the food plant is Cupressus luacrocarpa. Selidosema aristarcha. Two very fine specimens of this rare insect were beaten out of tree- ferns. Selidosema leucelaea. Taken amongst totara {Podocarpus totara), on which its larva feeds. Selidosema productata. Rare. Selidosema panagrata. Some fine varieties found resting on tree-trunks. Selidosema monacha. One specimen of this extremely rare insect was found drowned in a mountain-tarn on Ruapehu, at about 4,800 ft. Chalastra pelurgata. Fairly common. Some good varieties taken. 60 Transactions. Sestra humeraria. Common as usual, Gonophylla gallaria. Rare. Gonophylla fortinata. Several observed amongst its food plant {Aspidium aculeatum). Gonophylla ophiopa. Some very fine varieties were secured, as well as typical forms. Drepanodes muriferata. Fairly common. Declana floccosa. Only young larvae observed. Declana atronivea. One crushed specimen found on a road in Ohakune. Diptychophora pyrsophanes. Very common. Diptychophora chrysochyta. Common ; larger than usual. Diptychophora leucoxantha. Rare. Diptychophora metallifera. A few ; probably nearly over. Diptychophora selenaea. Common, and very finely marked. Diptychophora auriscriptella. D. elaina. Rare. Crambus flexuosellus. Rare. Crambus rarmosellus. The commonest species of Crambus at Ohakune. Crambus apicellus. A few on the edges of a mossy lagoon in the forest. Scoparia minualis. The commonest Scoparia at Ohakune. Scoparia dinodes. Rare. Hudson. — Entomology of Ohakune and Waionru Districts. 61 Scoparia chimeria. S. acharis. S. diphtheralis. S. characta. S. sabulosella. A few specimens of eacli of these species were observed. Scoparia cyameuta. A few at light. Scoparia paltomacha. S. trivirgata. S. crypsinoa. These three species were common on Mount Euapehu, at about 5,000 ft. above sea-level. Scoparia choristes. S. harpalea. S. epicomia. S. asterisca. S. rotuella. Single specimens of each of these species were taken in the forest. Musotima nitidalis. Evidently rare. Mecyna flavidalis. Rarer than usual. Pterophorus monospilalis. Several seen. The only " plume " noticed in the locality. Tortrix excessana. A few large varieties taken. Epalxiphora axenana. Rare. Tortrix incessana. Cnephasia jactatana. C. imbriferana. These species were common as usual. Tortrix conditana. One only, Izatha copiosella ? Four specimens of this fine species, which is the largest of the genus yet known, was discovered in the forest at Ohakune. Izatha huttonii. I. metadelta. Two specimens of each of these species seen. Izatha picarella. One very small specimen taken. 62 Transactions. Phloeopola dinocosma. Fairly common. Trachypepla anastrella. T. lathriopa. Both these species were very common. Gymnobathra flavidella. This autumnal species was evidently justjappearing. Borkhausenia armigerella. A few only. Borkhausenia griseata. Common, and very large. Dolichernis chloroleuca. One only. Stathmopoda skelloni. Thylacosceles acridomima. Both these species were common in the depths of the forest. Lysiphragma epixyla. Two taken. Batrachedra agaura. A few specimens of this species were found. Eschatotypa derogatella. A few only ; evidently too late for it. Endophthora mesotypa. One very fine specimen found resting on a mossy tree-trunk, where its colouring was strikingly protective. Sagephora steropastis. Common. Erechthias chasmatias. One only. Tinea certella. Rare. Sabatincta incongruella (Palaeoinicra chalcophanes ) . The phenomenal abundance of this interesting species, the most ancient lepidopterous insect known, fully corroborates Mr. Meyrick's suggestive remark as to the connection between these insects and pine forests. Mnesarchaea loxoscia. The same remarks apply also to this species. Hudson. — Entomnlogy of Ohakune and Waiouru Districts. 63 Hepialus virescens. From burrows observed in tbe trunks of Melicope simplex and other trees, this must be an abundant insect in its season. Porina signata. Common at light. Neuroptera. This order was very well represented by several large and interesting species. Leptoperla grandis. One specimen of this large new species was discovered by Mrs. Hudson near the Manga whero Eiver, and is described in a separate paper {ante. p. 51). Heteroperla cyrene. Rare. Sympetrum bipunctatum. A very fine series of this brilliant red species, which I had not seen since 1887, was obtained round a large pond in the forest, where, in fact, all the species of dragon-flies known to me occurred in some numbers. Sympetrum ? This delicate yellow species was also common. Uropetala carovei. This large and conspicuous insect was fairly common. Somatochlora smithii. Fairly common. Aeschna brevistyla. .Of this very rapid-flying local species we secured a good series. Lestes colensonis. Xanthagrion zealandica. Both these small dragon-flies were abundant, as usual. Ichthybotus hudsoni. Coloburiscus humeralis. Several seen. Stenosmylus incisus. Several taken in forest. Oeconesus maori. | Several found. Olinga feredayi. One seen. Pseudonema obsoleta. One seen. 64 Transactions. Hydropsyche fimbriata. H. colonica. Hydrobiosis umbripennis. All these and several other closely allied species of Trichoptera were seen in numbers. DiPTERA. In addition to several rare species of flies not yet determined, the following species of crane-flies (" daddy-long-legs ") were observed. Macromastix montana. Very common on Mount Ruapehu at about 5,000 ft. Limnophila sinistra. L. argus. Both these species were very common in forest at Ohakune. Tipula viridis. Several in forest. Tipula novarae. One seen on Mount Ruapehu at 5,000 ft. Tanyderus annuliferus. Two seen. Dilophus nigrostigma. Common on Mount Ruapehu at 4,500 ft. COLEOPTERA. Metriorhynchus erraticus. This beautiful beetle was very common on dead logs in the hot sunshine. Stethaspis suturalis. Several observed. Beetles generally were not much in evidence, although the locality would probably prove a good one if adequately worked by a coleopterist. Orthoptera. A large yellow-green grasshopper with blackish markings and rudimentary wings was very common on Moun^^ Ruapehu at about 5,000 ft. It is apparently closely allied to several specie ^ found on mountains in the South Island. Miscellaneous Observations. A peculiar cracking sound was heard on severa' different days proceeding from the middle of a dead tree standing in the forest, and was, I think, due to a large number of weevils (probably belonging to a species of Psepholax) drilling their way our of the tree. When the trunk was violently kicked the sound stopped, but it always resumed two or three minutes afterwards. Hudson. — Entoinolot/,/ of Ohakune and Waiouru Districts. 65 A black spider, with paler markings and a long pointed abdomen, was very abundant on the shores of the large pond already mentioned. It was gregarious, spinning geometrical webs in irregular series amongst the rushes. The spiders, when resting in the webs, exactly resembled dead flies enshrouded in spider's web, and it seems probable that such a striking resemblance would be beneficial to the spider both for aggres- sive and defensive purposes. As I am not acquainted with spiders, I cannot give this note scientific precision, but deem it desirable to place such an interesting habit on record. Before returning to Wellington we stayed three days at Waiouru (altitude 2,600 ft. above sea-level), and thoroughly worked the tussock plain on the south-east side of Ruapehu. This locality has a somewhat forbidding aspect, but the following list of the species found indicates that its insect fauna is by no means devoid of interest. The weather experienced at Waiouru was most favourable, and the complete absence of Argi/rophenga antipoduiii here clearly proves, I think, that this butterfly does not occur on the tussock lands of the North Island. Vanessa gonerilla. Several seen. No nettles observed. Chrysophanus boldenarum. Very common, and rather darker than usual on the underside. Chrysophanus salustius. Common. Nyctemera annulata. Rare. Euxoa admirationis. One at sugar. Leucania unica. Fairly common at sugar. Leucania semivittata. Three taken at sugar. Aletia moderata. Several at sugar. Aletia griseipennis. One at sugar. Persectania disjungens. Several very fine specimens taken at sugar. Melanchra rubescens. One at sugar. Melanchra agorastis. One at sugar Melanchra omicron. On? at sugar. 3 — Trans. 66 Tra7isactioiis. Hydriomena deltoidata. Rare. Xanthorhoe chlamydota. Of this rare species one specimen was dislodged from flax-bushes near a stream, and another seen. Xanthorhoe clarata. Several observed. Rather smaller than usual. Xanthorhoe stinaria. Three observed. Apparently the first record from the North Island. Notoreas vulcanica. A good series of this fine insect was secured. It was rather scarce, and flew very rapidly in the hot sunshine. Notoreas peromata. A fine orange-yellow form occurred occasionally. Dasyuris partheniata. Very common, and in the finest condition. Crambus ramosellus. A few only. Crambus vitellus. Abundant. Crambus simplex. Common. Crambus flexuosellus. A few only. Crambus siriellus. One only. Crambus apicellus. Rare. Crambus heliotes. Common in the hot sunshine in damp places near the stream. Scoparia sabulosella. Common as usual. Scoparia dinodes. One at light. Scoparia diphtheralis. S. submarginalis. A few of each were observed. Diasemia grammalis. One taken, and several others seen. Hudson. — Entomology of Ohakune and Waiouru Districts. 67 Platyptilia aeolodes. Two specimens on the Tokaanu Road. Tortrix leucaniana. Several seen. Megacraspedus calamogonus. Two specimens flying in late afternoon sunshine. COLEOPTERA. Cicindela tuberculata. The very large handsome variety which was discovered in this locality in 1887 by my brother, Mr. W. B. Hudson, was common and in fine condition.* Zorion castum. This beautiful little beetle was common on the blossoms of the Dracophylliun. Stethaspis suturalis. Abundant at dusk. Neuroptera. Aeschna brevistyla. Three taken. Somatochlora smithii. Common. Xanthagrion zealandicum. Common as usual. Pseudonema obsoleta. Hydropsyche fimbriata. Both these species occurred over a small stream. Dipteea. Cloniophora cuprea. C. wakefieldi. C. sp. ? Several of these interesting crane-flies were obtained. Anabarhynchus maori. Itamus varius. Both these rapacious flies were abundant. Hemiptera. Melampsalta cincta. This little cicada was common, the males singing vigorously in the 'tussocks. * I am informed by Major Broun that this is a distinct species of Cicindela. 3* 68 Transactions. Art. IX.-On Tipula heterogama, a New Svecies of Crane-fly in New Zealand. By G. V. Hudson, F.E.vS. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 3lst July, 1912.] The male of this handsome crane-fly is often seen restmg on fences about wJlmgton and the suburbs, but, owing to her semi-apterous condition, tlie female is seldom noticed. , -, , .x, t ^^. The expansion of the wings of the male is 1| m., and the length of the body slightiy over 4 in. GeLral colour reddish-brown. Head ochreous- brown with the eyes black. Prothorax dull ochreous, with two dark-brown tnanXmarks and two oval spots ; rest of the thorax dark reddish-brown AhdoTenTark redd.sh-brown, vnth the central secpnents black a^d tre ternnnal 4,e:S.ft,. and consp^c.o^,s ; the entire aMo.en ^s highly poUshed. Legs dark-brown and rather stout. , , i ,i t The length of the body m the female is about f m., and the length of the^^^tary w.ngs I J than I. n (In ^jt^trfTd sli^ distinctly longer.) The general colour is blackish-biown, and snmmg. TTahtnTfs eLgateJ^^^^ wUh a cons^m'^us reddMrown ov^pos^tor. The legs are short and ratber stout. The late Captain Hutton, who did so much valuable ^vork anrongst the New Zealand Diptera, regarded this species as a variety of T. ohscurt- vlnis I am now quite Convinced, however, that it is a good species and Tave itaUcLd m the above description some of its --^^ essentia d^^^ tmctions. I hope, however, that m the near future a more detailed description will be drawn up by an expert m the order. During the early part of this winter I made many observations on living species. T^vula heterogama appears m the f f ^^/f ^^j.^^^'^d'f erent to April, and continues abundant until the end of May. It '^ '^"^^'^^^ r^ W tPmi^eratures and I have counted as many as six males lest^mg on the soutHdH my house at night and in the early morning with the thermo- .south sKieoi rny "^^^^ ^ nhscurwennis is also a late autumn and "rwt:tt;'ects bu^ ^pp--.^« ^« t-* t'foS eS ihan that of T. leterogama. The two specie^ are ho ever about together, and this circumstance, coupled with ^te /act th^ Zly both have semi-apterous females, no doubt caused the late Captam Hutton to regard them merely as varieties of one species. Smith.— Notes on a Molh-killing Spider. 69 Art. X.~Noles on a Moth-killing Spider. By W. W. Smith, F.E.S. [Bead before the Marmwatu Philosophical Society, 25th .July, 1912.] When residing at Featherston, in the Wairarapa, in November 1907 I devoted much time to collecting a good series of specimens IHll the speL o hepiahd moths occurrmg in the district. The wmter and sping month t^\IZrl7t tT^lt?' 7- --Pt--lly wet, and tCfoH r Ss Zi ,-v' ^^/p^^^^^*^ «^^'^« rhizophagous larvae of these large motHs. Ihe laivae of Porina umhraculata Guenee fed numerouslv on the roots of cocksfoot-grass {Dactylus glomerata), which fod^r plant Lws mSUt X;r'"'^ of the remnanti of native foTesfilalZg 111 tlie disti ict. The presence of such large numbers of these larvae during these months augured well for a successful collecting season when hf beautiful moths appeared on the wine The fir.f InVT ^'^^^'^\^'^^ light on the 5th N^v'ember; by the lUh'theytrfnlmTr ts^rrteet WeTs Xatedl^T'T'.'"^^ ^/ *'"^ '^'^" ^"^ -■?^^^- ThTLelTrng nouse IS situated m the bush, and our method of capturing these lar^^ and handsome moths without injurmg them was by pkci^ ^a br Siantlv lighted lamp on the table close to the window m tL^sit i Loom Thev mvariably came to the light much earlier and were more 1 me ronton dark and drizzling nights than on others that were drier and clearer The bsects were alike m being m perfect condition and coloration, and withou ca^e ^ ly removing the viscera and filling their bodies with wadding well Z!^^^^^^^^ TLinlsZata W. k ^ /" *^' '"^"^'*- ^^^^^^"^^ '^^^^ specimens iNo^embe until the 9th December, on which date I left the district the ruiwf Tr^'r'A'i ^""^-^^ ^^^ ^^^^*' ^^-^^^ - somewhat dtl^^^^^ numbers. Throughout the sprmg months of that year (1907) many spedes belonging to numerous other genera were also more or less abmidLt and were m very perfect condition. Owing probably to the excLrX hum^d m" mc'ton:T^"";''\r^"-^^ ^^' 'P^^«« exhibited a motorTest melanic tone of coloration than m normal seasons. ihe dwellmghouse (a wooden structure) referred to is of considerable tTcte'd t ITtT'T'^'ir .'^^' f"'^^^' ^^-^^^-- sLeTft con- tracted. In the interstices thus formed several individuals of a large and Lst\T'?r'7?rir',""' ,^^"'^^ rr""^'^ Urquhart (Trans' NZ mst. vol. 16, pp. ,2, /3), lived concealed, subsisting chiefly on nocturnal insects becoming entangled in their strong webs. The we^bs though ir TttVaner^itT' ''"' n"' ""! ^^"^^^"^ ^^^^^^^^^ across the ctnr ?rame ^Z^' ^y^fuTTf ""^ "'1^ '*T^ '^'''^^' ^^^^^^^^ to the wmdow- .^ri'l ^^^//^^ifch, to give strength and buoyancy to the webs On niriledt^: w1 ^nr^V^^ '^T "'^^^^■^' I ^b--«d — ^ b-ome enta,ngled in the webs. The alert and sensitive spider awaiting concealed TJ^J'^fV'f''' T ^''^"^^ '^'' '^*^"^.^'- «f '^^ entangled moth gl^^^^ wnicn It suzed and instantly applied its powerful falx, or poison-fang to the nfotb ' M '^^V''"'^^ '^^•""- ^^^^^'^"g^^ ^h« bodies of^hearge healthy tTe r bimf erdt^r^^' /;'"" '' Tr '' ''^''' ^P^^^^' '^^ notwifhstaiX^ tlieir bemg endowed with powerful wmgs, they were easily overpowered 70 Transactions. and immediately collapsed into a state of anaesthesia on being wounded by the spider's fang. For a few seconds a few faint vibrations or tremulous motions of the wings were the only signs of life in the anaesthetized moths. With a view to testing and ascertaining how long any visible signs of life remained in the insects after receiving the spider's venom, I collected several and placed them under an inverted glass in a cool and shady place. With the males faint signs of life could be detected in the antennae, m some in- stances, on the second day. The females lived longer. By the aid of a strong lens very slight twitchings of the antennae and the extremity of the ovipostor could be detected on the third day. In submitting these notes to the Society I am fully aware that the same results would follow m a greater or lesser degree with all the insects on which spiders subsist, especially those of the genus Efeira. The hepialid moth referred to in these notes is, so far as I have observed or have otherwise known, unquestionably the largest species of insect destroyed by a native spider. The peculiar potency of the spider's venom preserved the large bodies of the moths, and thus enabled the animals to subsist on them for several days before they became unfit for food. Many more moths were killed than were consumed. But spiders are equally liable to be attacked and destroyed by an almost precisely similar method to that by which they despatch their prey or render them comatose for several days before bemg devoured. The two large and beautiful species of native wasps [Salius fugax Fabricius and S. carhonarius Smith) hunt large spiders, sting them and render them torpid, to be dragged to their nests and then torn to pieces to be put into the clay cells to feed the young wasp-larvae when they emerge from the eggs. A more remarkable case of parasitism, or reciprocal para- sitism, is that of the small fly (species unknown at present) that destroys the spider after being devoured by it. The spider while consuming the viscera of the fly also swallows its eggs uninjured. The latter m due time develop into larvae, which grow rapidly by subsisting on the viscera of the spider, and duly destroy it. Art. XL— On Two Blepharocerids from New Zealand. By C. G. Lamb, M.A., B.Sc, Clare College, Cambridge. Communicated by G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 1st May, 1912.] Among the insects presented to the Zoological Museum at Cambridge by Mr. G. V. Hudson there are many interesting species, but one of the most striking points is the presence of two species of the family Blepharocendae. The members of this family form a very isolated group, which occur m special localities in various parts of the globe. They apparently form a decadent family which has specialized in habit so as to maintain its exist- ence, and the various members of it are usually found by mountain-streams which are highly aerated, in the waters of which the extraordinary larvae and pupae live. Accounts of the habits and morphology will be found in a paper " On the Net- veined Midges of North America," by V. L. Kellogg, Proceedings, California Academy of Sciences, 3rd series. Zoology, Lamb. — Two Blepharocerids from New Zealand. 71 vol. 3, and in a monograph of the family by the same author published in Wytsman's " Genera Inse^torum," 1907. The genera hitherto known are distributed as follows : — Apistoniyia. Corsica and Cyprus. Hammatorrhina. Ceylon. • Paltostoma. St. Vincent, West Indies, Columbia, South America. Kelloggina. Rio de Janeiro. Citrupira. Brazil. Hapalothrix. Italy. Blcpharocera. Europe, East America, California. Bibiocephala. America, Rocky Mountains and west. Philorus. Europe and West United States. In addition, I have seen a species from the Cape, which is to be described by Mr. F. W. Edwards ; it appears to belong to the genus Kelloggina ; and I have also seen an unnamed species from India. The two new species here treated are of especial interest, as they carry the range of the family into the Australian region. The insects belong to two distinct genera. They have very minute hairy palpi, which are inserted at the base of the proboscis, and require careful looking for to see at all clearly. The proboscis is enclosed in a sheath which ends in two remark- able long processes, which in the males are as long as the parts forming the sheath. This character seems to be one which is not possessed by any of the hitherto-published species. The hind legs are excessively long, both absolutely and relative to the other pairs. The presence of long hind legs is very usual in the family, but none of the published figures or descriptions show the great disparity which exists in the present species. The larger of the two species is represented by males only, and is shown three times the full size in fig. 1. The photograph is a little incomplete, as the specimen had lost the last joint of one hind tarsus and the last two joints of the other. It was selected for illustration as it was set out flat, so that the relative proportions can be easily measured. The figure shows very well the great length of the hind legs. In its general character it comes nearest to the genus Curupira (F. Miiller) 0. S. This genus was described and figured in great detail by F. Miiller, '" Archivos do Museo Nacional do Rio de Janeiro," vol. 4, 1879, pi. 7. The dift'erences between the present insect and the figures and description of Miiller are so considerable that it is felt to be impossible to place it in that genus. Baron Osten Sacken (Berl. Ent. Zeit., vol. 40, 1895, p. IGO) gave a warning against the multiplication of genera in such an evidently decadent family as the Blepharoceridae, pointing out that it may result in many genera becoming monotypical ; but it is felt that having regard to the isolated position of the present species, and Fig. 1. — Xeocurupira hudsoni ; x 3. 72 Tratisdctiois. the considerable differences existing, it is justifiable in this case to make a new genus. ^ Neocurupira gon. nov. In Kellogg's menograph, " Genera Inscctorum, Blepharoceridae," 1907, a table of the genera known up to that date is given. The present species belongs to the section with no incomplete vein near the hind margin, and with holoptic eyes. This leads to the genus Curwpira, as mentioned above. From that genus the present insect differs as follows : The long-ended tips to the tongue-sheath, the small palpi {Ciirupira has long palpi, vide Arch. Mus. Nac. R. Jan., pi. 7, fig. 20), and the very long hind legs. The genus can be defined as follows : — Eyes holoptic on the vertex, very hairy, divided into two regions, an '" upper eye " and a " lower eye." These two regions are absolutely contiguous, and have no intervening space ; the upper eyes have large brown facets, the lower eyes have small black ones. The upper eyes touch from the well-marked ocellar the antennae ; the lower eyes are widely and fairly evenly separated by the wide face. The turret bears 1 ocellus near the top and 2 on the sides towards the back. Palpi minute and hairy, almost hidden in a sort of depression each side of the base of the tongue. The tongue is longer than the vertical depth of the head, the sheaths arc prolonged into 2 long flagella, which are jointed just at the tip of the tongue, where they divaricate (fig. 2). Antennae normal (fig. 3). Thorax of normal form for the family. Wings as shown in fig. 4. The first vein is very close to the costa, and extends from about A to B in the Fig. 2. — j . Head, front view. Fig. 3. — Antenna. Fig. 5. — Hypopygium. ' turret " to somewhat above Fig. 4. figure. It is not shown in the drawing, which was made with a camera lucida, as it was almost in the same plane as the costa. There is a forked vein between the first and the fourth ; no incomplete vein on hind margin ; a cross-vein from the fourth to the one before, but none between the fourth and fifth. Lamb. — Tiro BJcpharocerids from New Zealand. 73 The liind legs very long, both absolutely and compared with the others ; femora elongate club-shaped ; tibial spurs on the hind pair ; claws simple, no visible empodia. Abdomen, in the dried specimens, compressed laterally, with the usual large and complex hypopygium (fig. 5). Type. — The following species. Country. — New Zealand. Neocurupira hudsoni sp. nov. Head as in figures. The vertex is small, so that only the black ocellar turret is visible. Upper eyes brown, lower black, both clothed with pro- fuse dense brown pubescence. The lower margins of the lower eyes with long hairs. Antennae brown-black. Face grey ; tongue, &c., black. Thorax deep dull black, tiny orange humeral protuberances with orange patch behind ; hind angles of thoracic dorsum and the pleurae above the wing-bases orange ; lower pleurae dusted with grey. Scutellum margined with greyer black ; metanotum more shining black. Wings as figured and described for the genus, glassy with black veins ; the extreme base orange ; a fine ciliation along the hind margin, which is longer at the extreme base and at the anal angle ; the little chitinous patch at the angle of the axillary lobe is well marked ; net veins evident, but showing no special characters. Halteres with long pale stalks and flattened triangular brown heads. Legs brownish-black, except for the front coxae, the base of the front femora, and the thin basal two-thirds of the hind femora, which are paler. Front femora bent and thickened towards the tip. Hind femora very long, about three times the length of the middle ones, spindle-shaped, with a slender basal part, which gradually thickens out into a slender club-shaped distal part. Two well-marked spines on the hind tibiae. All the claws simple, but thickened at the base. Abdomen slender, compressed laterally in the dried specimens. Black, paler at the base, and indistinctly and narrowly so on the margins of the segments. Male hypopygium with the usual complex structure, and as shown in fig. 5 in side view : («) is one of a pair of later temiinal lobes, (6) one of a pair of dorsal lobes, {(•) is a hood-like extension of the dorsal part of a segment, it is depressed in the centre but not bifid. The internal structures could not be studied, owing to the small amount of material, but as far as they can be seen are much like those figured in Kellogg' s monograph, pi. 2, fig. 15. Size. — About 8 mm. ; wing, about 8 mm. Locality. — Otira, New Zealand. The species is numbered 231 in Mr. G. V. Hudson's collection. Type in Cambridge Museum. Paratypes in the British Museum and at Cambridge. The other species is represented by both sexes, and the male is shown three times full size in fig. 6. It is distinguished by the non-holoptic eyes (see fig. 7), which are just bisected by a furrow into lower and upper, while the facets are of nearly equal size. There is an unforked vein between the first and fourth, the general venation being very like that of Paltostoma (see Kellogg, " Genera Insectorum," pi. , fig. 21). The palpi are minute as in that genus, and the proboscis is long. The insect dift'ers from Schiner's 74 Transactions. generic descripUon ^f-^;^^' ^^^^^^^^Jt. p. 931) in many nnportant respect.^ ^^'pZstoma, but the relative pro- portions of the tarsal joints are quite dit- ferent ; the metatarsus is the longest, and the second to last joints get progressively smaller and smaller. There are no spines on the last joint. Neither in Schiner's description nor in Willis- ton's figure of P. schmen (Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1896, pi. 8, fig. 276) is there any mention or sign of the extraordinary ocellar turret p^^, - Fig. a.—Peritheates turrifes ; X 3. ^.^^^^ y^[\\ fee seen from fig. 7 nor IS any such line shown in Williston s figure. Peritheates g