Hudson. — Entomology in New Zealand. 393 



'lower portions of the moraine, where vegetation was luxuri- 

 ant, and I secured several species not previously taken. 



On the Sealey Eange I found insects very abundant up to 

 about 3,800 ft., taking on the way up several fine examples of 

 the very rare Notoreas strategica. Above 3,800 ft. there were 

 many patches of newly fallen snow, and the surface of the 

 ground was very wet and cold. Here were absolutely no in- 

 sects, so that I did not proceed further up the mountain. 



During this visit I did not see any specimens of the moun- 

 tain butterflies Erebia pluto and Erebia butleri, but I think I 

 was fully a week too soon for them. No doubt a few really 

 hot days would have made a great difference, and it is almost 

 certain that Erebia pluto must be an abundant species in the 

 Mount Cook district, and probably also E. butleri occurs there. 



During my return journey I had an hour's collecting on 

 the banks of Lake Tekapo. Although nothing of a very 

 striking nature was to be found, I obtained several peculiar 

 little local species, amongst which I may mention Lythria 

 euclidiaia. From this I am inclined to think that it would 

 reward an entomologist who had plenty of time to spend a day 

 at Lake Tekapo. It would be necessary, however, to select 

 a perfectly calm, sunny day, as there is no shelter in the 

 locality, the country being quite open and covered with 

 tussock-grass ; and all those species I observed were resting 

 in hot sunshine on the stones near the edge of the water. 



Another extremely interesting entomological locality is the 

 western side of the head of Lake Wakatipu. Here I had the 

 good fortune to spend a week in 1894, with the most satis- 

 factory results. In fact, I think the Humboldt Range is the 

 richest mountain locality I have ever visited, and its interest 

 is further enhanced by the presence there of the extremely 

 local Erebia butleri. Until January, 1894, when I found the 

 insect abundant on the Humboldt, only three damaged, 

 specimens had ever been taken. These were discovered by 

 Mr. John D. Enys on Wliitcombe's Pass, Canterbury, in 

 March, 1879. On the Humboldt Range the forest terminates 

 at about 3,600 ft. above the sea-level — that is, an altitude of 

 2,600 ft. above the level of the lake. The ascent of the 

 lower portion of the range is very tedious, owing to the 

 quantity of burnt bush that has to be traversed, and a good 

 track might be made with great advantage. Once clear of 

 the bush the travelling is fairly good, but there are many 

 cliffs which require to be carefully watched when the col- 

 lector is busily engaged in the pursuit of insects. These 

 cliffs are often overhanging, and dripping with water. Their 

 surfaces are nearly always fringed with a luxuriant growth of 

 alpine plants, and it is amongst this vegetation that many 

 rare species of alpine moths abound. 



