G. V. Hudson. — The Entomology of Moimt Artliur. 181 



been rewarded. I recollect sugaring one evening in the 

 Botanical Gardens, Wellington, in a small gully, less than a 

 quarter of a mile away from some most attractive flowers, and 

 obtaining a large number of insects at the bait ; while had I 

 tried it nearer the flowers the results would have been unques- 

 tionably nil. 



About three miles before we reach the first opening on the 

 Table-land the track leaves the bed of Flora Creek and starts 

 to ascend very rapidly, following the course of a small stream 

 which rises in Salisbury's Opening, near the first hut that is 

 reached. This hut, however, is now quite unfit to stop in ; but 

 there are several others in various parts of the Table-land that 

 can be used, and are far warmer than a tent, which is not a 

 sufficient protection against the cold at so great an elevation 

 above the sea-level. 



It is much to be regretted that the means cannot be found 

 to construct a really serviceable hut, containing one or two 

 rough bunks and a bench, for the use of naturalists and others, 

 as I feel satisfied that directly this locality is better known it 

 will be far more frequently visited, on account of the obvious 

 beauties of the scenery and the excessive interest of its 

 biological productions. When, moreover, we consider the 

 comparative proximity of the Table-land to Wellington, I think 

 it will be admitted that the accomplishment of this scheme 

 would not be entirely outside the scope of our society, one of 

 whose chief functions is, if I understand correctly, to assist 

 naturalists in original researches. 



Acting on Mr. Meyrick's suggestion ("Trans.," vol. xix., 

 p. 4), I took a kerosene-lamp with me to the Table-land, and 

 lit up at dusk on the first evening (22nd January). The night 

 was slightly overcast, with a few drops of rain, and much 

 warmer than usual, the result being that several good moths 

 were captured at the lamp, including three specimens of 

 Leucania propria, several Mamestra nibescens, and a rare 

 Bomhyx, besides several Scoparia trivirgata. 



The next day (23rd January) I decided to ascend Mount 

 Arthur, and left the hut at 7.30, the weather being everything 

 that could be desired. A few^ minutes' walk brought us to the 

 foot of Gordon's Pyramid, where the track was soon discovered, 

 and followed up until the bush-line was passed, at about 

 4,000ft. I had better, perhaps, mention that this portion of 

 the forest is very rough, and it is most necessary to exercise 

 great care in keeping to the track, which, however, is now 

 well marked by numerous blazes made during two successive 

 visits. After leaving the forest the vegetation is very rank, 

 consisting of a great variety of alpine plants, tussock, &c. 

 Here in the hot sunshine occurred Harmologa sircea in great 

 numbers, in the finest condition, flying with much agility, 



