Hudson. — Entomology in New Zealand. 385 



The black-birch (or beech) forests, which are so common 

 on high ranges, are comparatively poor in insects, though 

 they sometimes yield species not found elsewhere. This is 

 well exemplified on the Dun Mountain, near Nelson, which 

 is, in fact, the only locality where I have taken the curious 

 little black moth (Vicromodes nigra) exhibited this evening. 



One very interesting feature connected with our forest- 

 dwelling moths is their extreme variability and their very 

 wide geographical range, so far as New Zealand is concerned. 

 I have much pleasure in exhibiting a number of specimens 

 illustrating both these points. Each of the species of insects 

 selected will be seen to varv verv much within the limits of 

 the species, and all those represented have been taken at 

 various localities from Wellington southwards as far as Inver- 

 cargill, and Stewart Island. Unfortunately, but little collect- 

 ing of Lepidoptera has at present been done in the north, but 

 Captain Broun has investigated the beetles of that region 

 with indomitable energy, as his 'volumes of published descrip- 

 tions of additional species abundantly testify. Some experts 

 in the study of the Coleoptera consider, I believe, that a very 

 substantial reduction in the numher of species described by 

 the learned captain will ultimately prove necessary ; but, be 

 this as it may, the name of Broun will in the future un- 

 doubtedly be associated with a very great number of species of 

 New Zealand beetles. 



Many forest-dwelling Lepidoptera are green, and these 

 comprise some of our most beautiful species, their colouring 

 imitating most faithfully the delicate hues of the beautiful 

 moss-covered logs so common in our forests. These species 

 are, unfortunately, extremely difficult to adequately preserve, 

 owing to a tendency almost all these green moths have to 

 fade after death to yellow or dull brown. They should never 

 be exposed to the fumes of cyanide of potassium or laurel- 

 leaves, two common killing agents used by entomologists, but 

 should always be killed by means of the fumes of chloroform 

 very sparingly applied. The specimens should be set im- 

 mediately they are dead, and dried as rapidly as possible. If 

 these precautions are adopted the beautiful green colouring of 

 the living insect can, to a great extent, be preserved. 



The destruction of the forests in the vicinity of Wellington 

 is, of course, a trite subject to every one, and many members 

 can no doubt remember far greater changes in this respect 

 than I can. I may instance, however, as a probable result of 

 this destruction, the striking decadence in the number of two. 

 common insects which has taken place within my experience 1 

 of some eighteen years only. During the summer of 1882-83, 

 which was the first season that I collected insects at Karori, 

 I remember that at evening dusk the air was literally swarm- 

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