IV.— THE PAPILIONTNA. 105 



two he observed in thirty-four years. Dr. Baker saw one in his garden at Christ- 

 church on lilac flowers, also a male. Mr. R. W. Fereday + records the capture of the 

 first female specimen by a son of Mr. Thomas Tanner, near Napier, in January, LS76. 

 On the 18th of March, 1885, Mr. R. I. Kingsley ' took a hue female specimen in 

 Nelson, and on the 25th of March, L886, I saw another female specimen in the same 

 locality; 1 also understand that quite a number of specimens of both sexes have 

 been recently captured in the neighbourhood of Auckland.' 



From the foregoing records, I think that there are very good reasons for 

 regarding this as an indigenous species, as it is very improbable that such a large 

 number of specimens would have been accidentally introduced to the various localities 

 at so many different times. 



The expansion of the wings of the male is 3| indies, of the female 4 inches. On the 

 upper side all the wings of the male are rich brownish-black, with a large white blotch in the 

 middle of each, surrounded by a patch of brilliant flashing blue; there is also a small white 

 spot near the apex of the fore-wings and a series of while crescent-shaped markings <>n the 

 termen of all the wings. The fore-wings of the female are brownish-black, with a patch of deep 

 orange-brown near the tornus; there is a series of four very large oval white spots on the costa, 

 beyond the middle, a, smaller white spot near the apex, and three rows of small white marks 

 parallel to the termen; the hind-wanes are brownish-black, with a broad white hand across the 

 middle, several small white spots, and a double series of white markings parallel to the termen; 

 all the wings of the female have brilliant bluish reflections near the white spots. On the under side 

 the wings of both sexes are rich brown with white markings, and a double series of white 

 crescents on the termen. 



The female appears to he very variable in almost every respect. 



The perfect insect appears in January, February and March. From its large 

 size and brilliant colouring it is easily recognised. Although rare in New Zealand, 

 it is very common in Australia. It also occurs in Java, New Guinea and the 

 Loyalty Islands. A smaller representative is found in Samoa {Anosia otalieitce, 

 Feld.), which is probably only a variety of this species. 



The figures and descriptions of this insect are taken from Australian specimens, 

 which were kindly forwarded to me by the late Mr. Ollift. 



Genus 2.— VANESSA. 



Eyes hairy. Club of antennae abrupt. Fore-wanes with vein 10 separate. Hind-wines 

 with transverse vein present. 



" A moderate genus, principally characteristic of the Northern Hemisphere. Larva 

 with six or seven rows of bristly spines. Pupa with angular prominences, often with 

 golden metallic spots." — Meyrick. 



Of this very beautiful and interesting genus we have three species in New Zealand. 



VAN KSSA ( H INEEILLA, Fabr. 



(Papilio gonerilla, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 498, n. '237 (1775) ; Donovan, Ins. New Holland, pi. 25, tig. 2 



(1805). Vanessa gonerilla, White in Taylor's New Zealand, pi. 2, tig. 1 (1855).) 



(Plate XII.. tie. 5, 6 under side; Plate TIL. figs. 1 and -2 larva-. :-il and 32 pupae) 



This handsome insect is the most familiar of New Zealand butterflies, it is 



very common and generally distributed throughout the country. 



* 'Trans. N. Z. Institute,' ix. 163. I Ibid, xviii. 205. 



I Since writing the above, J have been informed bj Mr. Kingslc) that one male specimen of A. bolhia was taken 

 at Wakapuaka, in 1896, and two others reported as seen at CoUingwood and Nelson in March. 1897. Mr. A. P. Buller has 

 also kindly informed me of the capture of a male specimen in perfect condition, at Ohau, Manawatu district, in March, 1898. 



11 



