Howes. — Further Notes on Lepidoptcra. 



533 



gain. The gain is to come when the industries can and do 

 stand alone. It was by such arguments that a protective 

 policy was successfully advocated in Germany and the United 

 States. Now, if in the case of New Zealand this time of national 

 profit resulting from protection is never to come, or can come 

 only in a dim and distant future, this form of argument ceases 

 to be effective in support of the adoption of a general policy 

 of protection in this country. 



This is as far as we have time to indulge in these specula- 

 tions as to the future. Summarising, in conclusion, the drift 

 of some of the remarks that have been made as to this country, 

 we may say that it cannot anticipate a rapid and uninterrupted 

 development to the manufacturing state. Once the output of 

 food and raw materials has nearly reached a maximum, develop- 

 ment will receive a check. The population may still advance, 

 but any considerable advance in population will be accompanied 

 by a lowering of the standard of living, and the rate of increase 

 of the total wealth of the community will be on a greatly in- 

 ferior scale to that of the present time. So long as New Zea- 

 land can continue to increase her output of food and raw ma- 

 terials without pressing too hardly on the law of diminishing 

 returns, the prosperity of her people is assured ; but once that 

 point is passed, anything like what we now consider a normal 

 rate of increase of population must lead to a rapid approxima- 

 tion in the condition of her workers to that of those of the old 

 countries. 



Art. XL VII. — Further Notes on Lepidoptera. 



By George Howes, F.E.S. 

 [Read before Hie Otago Institute, Vith November, 190*5.] 

 Melanchra molis, n. sp. 



Five specimens, varying from 30 mm. to 36 mm. Antennae 

 ochreous, filiform. Legs and^palpi light-ochreous. Thorax 



strongly crested, crest outlined in 

 light-brown. Abdomen ochreous ; 

 in one specimen reddish-ochreous. 

 Forewings light - ochreous ; all 

 markings delicately shaded in 

 reddish -brown. Reniform hardly 

 shown, but shaded, especially to- 

 wards base, with reddish-brown. Seven short distinct marks 

 from base to f along costa. A jagged transverse line near ter- 



>JT - 



