Hudson. —On the Entomology of Mount Holdsworth. 337 



I was, however, much more surprised in not finding any 

 species of Cr ambus or Orocrambus on Mount Holdsworth, and do 

 not think that the total absence of both these genera, which are 

 characteristic of all the mountains I have ever visited in the South 

 Island, can be explained by the lateness of the season, though 

 future visits must definitely determine this. In connection with 

 the distribution of these forms, it would be interesting to know 

 whether geologists have yet determined the northern limit of 

 general glaciation in New Zealand. The absence of these cha- 

 racteristic alpine insects from the Tararuas may perhaps have 

 some bearing on this question, as without the glaciation of the 

 intervening lowlands such species might not have been able to 

 travel from the mountains of the South Island to those of the 

 North Island. The Tararua Range is an important one in con- 

 nection with this inquiry, as it is the nearest high mountain- 

 range to the South Island. 



I will now give a list of the more interesting species observed 

 on Mount Holdsworth and in its neighbourhood, with some 

 special remarks on the rarer species met with. It must, however, 

 be clearly understood that this list does not claim to be an ex- 

 haustive one, but subject to revision when the locality has been 

 more adequately worked by entomologists. 



Lepidoptera. 

 Vanessa gonerilla. 



This butterfly was very abundant on Mount Holdsworth, from 

 the bush-line to the summit. The specimens were very large, 

 and in perfect condition. They, however, exhibited no diver- 

 gence from the usual type. 



Chrysopkanus salustius. 



A few specimens seen in the Mangatariri Valley. 



C. boldenarum. 



A distinct variety of this insect occurs in river-beds on the 

 Wairarapa Plain. 



Lyccena phoebe. 



Mangatariri River ; sparingly. 



Nyctemera annulata. 



Two specimens of this very common insect occurred on Mount 

 Holdsworth at 4,000 ft. Had they not been actually netted, they 

 might readily have been mistaken for one of the Erebias, and 

 reported as such. 



Leucania griseipennis. 



At " sugar," Mangatariri River. Rare. 



L. purdii. 



At " sugar," Mangatariri River. Three specimens only. 

 22— Trans. 



