G. V. Hudson. — The Entomology of Mount Arthitr. 179 



Ai4T. XX. — An Entomological Tour on the Tahle-land of 



Mount Arthur. 



By G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. 



[Read before the Wellingtmt Philosophical Society, 10th July, 1889.] 



During the past summer I spent a week on the Table-land of 

 Mount Arthur for the purpose of investigating the insect 

 fauna of the locality ; and, as it presents some marked and 

 interesting peculiarities, jjerhaps it may be desirable to jjlace 

 my observations on record, and also, for the benefit of future 

 naturalists, a few practical hints as to the best way of reach- 

 ing the locality, and what to do when there. 



Mount Arthur, as most are aware, is the highest peak on 

 the western side of Blind Bay, and is always a conspicuous 

 object from the Town of Nelson. T?ie Table-land is situated 

 behind the mountain-range — that is, on the north-western 

 side of it — and extends for about ten miles in the same direc- 

 tion till we reach Mount Peel. Its width is not so great, 

 being, I should say, from five to eight miles ; but, owing to 

 the broken nature of the country, it is extremely hard to say, 

 especially as there is so much high land all round. This 

 plateau varies from 3,600ft. to 4,000ft. above the sea-level, 

 and is covered with rnountain-birch, traversed by many singu- 

 lar openings, which support a dense growth of tussock-grass 

 and numerous alpine plants. The inountains easily accessible 

 are Gordon's Pyramid (4,600ft.), Mount Arthur (5,800ft.), and 

 Mount Peel (5,500ft.). The varying elevations which are 

 traversed in ascending these give the naturalist a rare oppor- 

 tunity of observing and collecting an extremely interesting 

 series of alpine plants and insects. Eespecting the former I 

 can give no information, but feel sure that a visit to the Table- 

 land would amply repay any botanist who was not afraid of a 

 little hard work. As to the best means of reaching the Table- 

 land, it, of course, depends entiiely upon whether we make 

 Nelson or Motueka the base of operations. In either case a 

 horse and trap ai'e required ; but, while a whole day's driving 

 is necessaiy from Nelson, less than half the time is needed to 

 reach the Graham Eiver from Motueka. This is a small 

 branch of the Motueka Paver, which rises in the Mount Arthur 

 Eange, and flows into the main stream about fifteen miles 

 above the town. After crossing the Motueka a short distance 

 above the mouth of the Graham, a fairly good road takes us 

 to Heath's, where it is usually convenient to stop the night 

 before continuing the journey. Arrangements can also be 

 made with Mr. Heath to carry the bulk of one's impedimenta 



