180 Transactions. — Zoology. 



by packhorse on to the Table-land, which is a great assistance, 

 especially as it is necessary to take provisions for the whole 

 time one intends to remain there, and an abundance of cloth- 

 ing to put on during the cold nights. 



As soon as the usual hideous stratum of burnt logs, which 

 surrounds almost all cultivation in New Zealand, is passed, 

 the forest becomes extremely beautiful, and the views which 

 one obtains from the track, as it passes up the side of the 

 Graham Eiver, are really very fine. About four hours' liard 

 climbing from Heath's brings us to the saddle, at an altitude 

 of about 3,000ft. above the sea-level. Here the source of the 

 Eiver Pearse is crossed, where several interesting Neuroptera 

 can be captured, a delicate species allied to Hemerobms being 

 one of the most conspicuous. Just before we cross this 

 stream a fine view of Mount Arthur is to be seen through an 

 opening in the trees. From this point the track gradually 

 descends, following the bed of Flora Creek for a matter of 

 ten miles, and passing through dense birch forest all the way. 

 Here on favourable days in January and February may be 

 seen the rare and beautiful Dodonidia helmsii flying quietly 

 about in and out of the sunshine, and settling on the branches 

 just out of reach. I may state that four specimens of this 

 butterfly only have at present been taken, and that the British 

 Museum is much in want of a type ; so perhaps visitors to this 

 locality may be good enough to look out for the insect and 

 obtain them one. I think it will be found on most of the 

 wooded hills in Nelson Province between 2,500ft. and 3,000ft., 

 as I took a poor specimen on the Dun Mountain (1885), in 

 quite a diiferent neighbourhood. It is also said to have 

 occurred on the hills the other side of Wellington Harbour, 

 but I have not seen it. 



About two miles after we leave the source of the Pearse a 

 small clearing is reached, called "Flora Camp," which is a 

 convenient halting-ground for those who wish to ascend Mount 

 Arthur without visiting the Table-land, as a branch track can 

 be followed up shortly after we leave the saddle, leading directly 

 on to the mountain. 



The track along Flora Creek in many places presents a 

 most picturesque appearance, the numerous waterfalls and the 

 gradual increase in the size of the stream being features of 

 especial interest. To an entomologist with a tent and plenty 

 of time no doubt a day would be well spent here, collecting 

 Neuro2)tera over the stream, Micro-Lcpidoptera, and sugaring 

 the trees at night for moths. Mr. Meyrick mentions, in his 

 article on the New Zealand Noctuina (" Trans. N.Z. Inst." 

 for 1886), that he tried sugaring on the Table-land with no 

 result; but I feel sure that, had he sugared in the forest (where 

 there are not nearly so many flowers), his labours would have 



