G. V. Hudson. — The Entomology of Mount Arthur. 183 



again reached, at 6 o'clock, I was startled to see a conspicuous 

 black insect flying about, which I felt sure was not Erehia 

 jjlnto. On capturing it, I at first took it be Erehia bictleri, but 

 subsequent examination proved that it was not a butterfly 

 at all, but Stathmonyma hectori. A rapid descent soon took 

 us through the forest, which appeared extremely beautiful in 

 the evening sunshine, and so terminated one of the pleasantest 

 days I have ever spent. 



Tuesday, 24;th January, was occupied in collecting about 

 Salisbury's Opening, round the base of Gordon's Pyramid. 

 The sun was very hot, and nearly every tussock was enlivened 

 by the presence of Argyrophenga antipodum, which is pre-emi- 

 nently the butterfly of the Table-land. It will be seen how 

 widely the specimens of this insect taken here differ from 

 those from Christchurch and the Dun Mountain, and indi- 

 viduals from other localities would probably exhibit further 

 aberrations. The number of ocelli on the wings varies ex- 

 ceedingly — one specimen in my collection has them almost 

 completely suppressed. 



Of the large Crantbi, Cramhus crencpus is the commonest 

 species, but it is with difficulty distinguished from C. isochytus 

 on the wing. Cramhus siriellus is a finely-marked species, and 

 a good series can be obtained with a little perseverance ; but I 

 understand from Mr. Meyrick that it is by no means confined to 

 the alpine or subalpine regions, being found extensively on the 

 lowlands. The brilliant little Cramhus hcliotes may be seen 

 flying about, like swarms of small flies, in wet places, and is 

 usually very common. Near the track, where it leaves the 

 forest, a fine species of Hejnahis occurred, of which I ma- 

 naged to secure four specimens in all. It is said to be only a 

 variety of Hepialus variolaris, a lowland insect, but I feel 

 almost sure that it is an abundantly distinct species. Other 

 species taken wQxe Arcteuthes chrysop)cda, Notoreas paradelpha, 

 and a curious light form of Chrysophanus holdenarum, which 

 was abundant on the shingle round the stream. 



The morning of Friday, the 25th, was devoted to the Lime- 

 stone Caves, which are often rather difficult to find ; but 

 directions can be easily obtained from Mr. Heath or the 

 miners. In one of these a very remarkable orthopterous 

 insect occurred. I regret to say that I was only able to 

 obtain three male specimens. They are extremely active, 

 and can leap 2ft. or 3ft. at a time ; their capture is con- 

 sequently attended with much difficulty in a dark cave, 

 where one can only look about with a single candle. I 

 much wanted to ascertain the food of the insects, but the 

 caves seem devoid of any kind of fungoid vegetation which I 

 should imagine that they would be likely to eat. No Coleop- 

 tera were observed ; and, in fact, the only other insect was 



