Zoological Society. 2^ 



Mr. W. W. Saunders exhibited a dragon- fly which had been cap- 

 tured flying over the Atlantic 600 miles from landi by Mr. Stephen- 

 son. 



A memoir by Mr. Stevenson on the Entomological peculiarities 

 of New Zealand was read. After commenting upon the peculiarities 

 of the climate and the vegetation of New Zealand, the author re- 

 marks, that the opinion that there are but few insects in New Zea- 

 land is erroneous ; the great masses of vegetation requiring vast 

 numbers of insects to keep them in check, and hasten their decay 

 when dead by boring into the timber more or less superficially ; the 

 Tetramera in fact form three-fourths of the Coleoptera. Only two 

 Cicindelee were observed, and but few Carabidce and Brachelytra, 

 The Elateridte were more numerous, but no Buprestidce were met 

 with. The Clavicornia also are not numerous, and but very few 

 Lucanidce* and Cetonia, no traces of Geotrupidee, and only two or 

 three Heteromera. Some of the Curculionidce are of singular forms ; 

 some species allied to Brentus burrow in the larva state into the hard 

 wood of trees, and the Longicornes are very abundant ; the larvae of 

 some of the larger species being eaten by the natives either in a raw 

 or half-roasted state. Two Coccinellrd and two Forficulce only were 

 captured, and only seven or eight species of Hyme?ioptera, including 

 a species of Bee, with large burthens of farina on its hind legs. 

 Five or six species of Lihellulee and three of Cicada were observed, 

 and a large formidable-looking apterous Gryllus {Deinacrida, White), 

 which is very abundant in old trees, secreting itself in crevices of 

 the bark. The small grasshoppers are numerous. In Diptera, the 

 carrion flies perform a more important part in nature, as scavengers, 

 than elsewhere. Tipulidce and musquitoes abound, but there are 

 decidedly but few Lepidoptera, some of which are very analogous to 

 the English species, such as the Painted Lady and Red Admiral But- 

 terflies. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Oct. 14, 1845.— William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The following extract was read from a letter, dated Madeira 

 August 18, 1845, received from the Society's Corresponding Mem- 

 ber, the Rev. R. T. Lowe : — 



" The Rev. R. T. Lowe has the pleasure of adding to the Society's 

 collection a fine specimen of a new Zeus (Zeus conchifer, Lowe) of 

 the greatest rarity ; the present being the second example only which 

 has hitherto occurred." 



The specimen was exhibited to the Meeting. 



'* On the genus Anous, Leach (Megalopterus, Boie)." By John 

 Gould, Esq., F.R.S. &c. 



There is no family of birds more generally diffused over the globe 

 than the Terns, and certainly no group of the Natatorial Order less 

 understood, or which would more amply reward the studious investi- 



• Mitophyllus irroratus, Parry, was found under bark. 



