86 Transactions. 



Sculpture. — The entire surface of the egg is pitted with large shallow 

 hexagonal cells, saucer-like, deepest in the centre, and about 0-01 mm. 

 diameter. Each corner of the cells is surmounted by a white elevation. 

 These elevations are cylindrical in shape, with a flat top ; diameter, 0-01 mm. ; 

 height above reticulations, 0-01 mm. Seen under a high power these ele- 

 vations seem to have a hollow passage through their centre communicating 

 with the interior of the egg. The top of each elevation is depressed towards 

 the centre. 



Micropyle. — I have examined numbers of these eggs, but have failed to 

 find any form of micropyle. Where the micropyle ought to have been was 

 one of the large shallow cells with the white elevations on its angular points, 

 as on the rest of the shell. The question is, Is there, for a fact, a communi- 

 cation with the interior of the egg through the white nodules referred to, 

 and, if so, do these nodules constitute the micropyles ? 



Shell. — Very strong ; shiny ; transparent ; within the cells numbers of 

 small wrinkles extend across the whole surface of the cell. 



Colour. — When fresh laid, dull heavy green. Viewed under a medium 

 power the floor of the cells seems to have slight cellular markings of darker 

 green, which, as the embryo develops, turn red, giving the egg a reddish 

 mottled appearance. A few days before hatching the green and red mottling 

 is interrupted by large blackish-brown areas, and the larva can be distinctly 

 seen* 



Note.— Strongly attached to food plant. Laid singly. Larvae eat their 

 way out at the micropylar end, but otherwise leave the shell untouched. 

 Just before hatching the reticulations on the shell become white and very 

 <;lear. Eggs were obtained in May, October, November, and April. Laid, 

 4th October ; hatched, 8th November = thirty-six days : laid, 1st No- 

 vember ; hatched, 25th November = twenty-five days. Between forty 

 and fifty eggs seems the usual number for a moth to lay. On the 12th 

 April I found two freshly laid eggs on the main stem of a pear-tree, about 

 12 ft. from the ground. They were 2 in. apart, and well cemented to the 

 stem, and were laid on that portion of it where two or three other branches 

 unite with the main stem. The bark of the stem was covered with a green 

 fungoid growth, and the colour of the eggs gave them splendid protection. 



(Described, 29th May, 1912.) 



Declana floccosa Walk. 



Declana floccosa Walk., I.e., 15, p. 1649 ; Meyr., Trans. N.Z. Inst.> 

 16, p. 102 ; Fereday, List N.Z. Lep., Trans. N.Z. Inst., 30, 

 p. 346 ; Hudson, Tram. N.Z. Inst., 32, p. 12 ; Hudson, N.Z. 

 Moths and Butterflies, p. 96, pi. 10, figs. 39-47. 



This pretty moth is very plentiful at Wanganui during the summer. 

 I have come across six varieties. 



Ovum. Plate I, fig. 3. 



Class. — Upright . 



Shape. — Transverse section circular. Longitudinal section ninepin- 

 shaped. Micropylar end has a much greater diameter than its nadir. Micro- 

 pyle slightly flattened, base well rounded. These eggs look like miniature 

 fowl's eggs standing on their small ends. 



Dimensions. — Height, 0-72 mm. ; greatest diameter, 0-61 mm. ; peri- 

 pheral distance from micropyle to greatest diameter, 0-33 mm. 



