Hudson. — On the Entomology of Mount Holdsivorth. 335 



although at the time the weather in other places would have been 

 fairly satisfactory for entomological work. 



From the above-described camping-ground at the end of the 

 road, the top of the mountain may be reached after about six 

 hours' hard climbing. The time and labour now necessary could, 

 however, be reduced by at least one-half were a satisfactory track 

 made through the bush, and this could no doubt be done for a 

 very small sum. In the interests of botanists, entomologists, and 

 others, it is surely possible that something may be done in this 

 direction, when the exceptionally fine view which may be obtained 

 from this mountain, its extreme richness in alpine plants, and its 

 proximity to Wellington are all taken into account. Some steps 

 ought to be taken to render such an interesting locality more 

 readily accessible, and, in default of other means, a portion of 

 the Research Fund of this Society might perhaps be so employed 

 in thus aiding original biological research in the wilds of New 

 Zealand. 



The ascent of the mountain is not severe, the sole difficulty 

 in the undertaking being due to the dense bush and undergrowth. 

 There have been bush-fires from time to time at several points 

 on the track, which have greatly increased this difficulty, and 

 it is in these places that the track is so extremely difficult to 

 follow. These fires in forest reserves, such as this, are much to 

 be regretted, and any persons lighting such fires ought to be very 

 severely punished. The land here is quite unsuitable for settle- 

 ment, and hence the ranges have, I understand, been very wisely 

 set aside as a forest reserve. The reserve is reached about one 

 mile beyond the termination of the road, and at this point the 

 Mangatariri River has to be forded. This is easily accom- 

 plished in fine weather, and, whilst fording, a beautiful view of 

 a primeval forest stream of the purest water may be obtained. 

 The track continues alongside the stream through very fine forest 

 for about another mile, when an ascent of about 1 ,000 ft. brings 

 us to what is called the " lower camp," which is situated in the 

 midst of wrecked bush, the site of what has evidently been one 

 of the most disastrous fires on Mount Holdsworth. After this 

 is passed the track passes for another mile through subalpine 

 bush, 2,500 ft. There is a beautiful carpet of native grasses, and 

 the trees are profusely festooned with long pendant mosses. For 

 the next mile or so the track descends about 300 ft., traversing a 

 broad swampy spur covered with low brushwood, chiefly manuka 

 and birch. The vegetation is, however, largely subalpine, the 

 mountain kiki and many grasses and mosses being frequently met 

 with. At the end of this spur the " upper camp " is reached, 

 which is situated at an elevation of about 2,300 ft., and is at the 

 foot of the steep spur which leads to the summit of the mountain. 



