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trees, the soil composed more largely of ashes and getting coarser as we advanced, and with 

 thinner vegetation. Then the ascent became more abrupt and we entered a wide belt of 

 forest containing many varieties of trees, but none of large size. Further up there were 

 shrubs, grasses, etc., many of them in flower and attracting many insects. A few species 

 of plants went far up the ashy slopes, probably to a height of 10,000 feet. 



Although I do not intend to give lists of the insects or to enter into particulars regard- 

 ing the dates and localities of those captured (a few of which I have brought for your 

 inspection), it may still be convenient to refer separately to the members of the various 

 orders. 



Neuroptera ; Pseudoneuroptera. — Walking up the Bund on the morning of the 12th of 

 August, having just landed by sampan from the good ship Empress of India, 1 was at 

 once interested in the number of dragon-flies, of two or three species, which darted to and 

 fro along this fine promenade. The profusion of Odonata then indicated was noticeable 

 throughout the country, and was doubtless due to the abundant opportunity for breeding 

 offered by the wide-spreading rice-fields. These are always kept submerged, or at least 

 partially so, and in addition there are numerous ponds and myriads of irrigation channels 

 cutting the plains in all directions. Many of the species of Diplax, Calopteryx, Libel- 

 lula, etc., were very handsome, and I much regret that I was able to bring back only a 

 few examples, and these of the common species. The insects are called by the natives 

 tombo, possibly from their hawk-like flight, as the name for the large kite which is so 

 abundant near the cities is very nearly the same, viz., tombi. 



Many other neuropterous insects were observed, with species closely related to those 

 which occur in Canada, such as Caddis-flies, Laced-winged flies (Ohrysopa), Scorpion flies 

 (Panorpa), which were very common, Chauliodes, etc. Near Yokohama f twice obtained 

 with sweeping -net several young specimens, about one-eighth of an inch long, of the curious 

 larvtB (in shape like miniature stag beetles), of Ascalaphus, which is a relative of the 

 ant-lions, but could not determine on what plants they had been, although I made a care- 

 ful examination of the foliage. A species of white ant is quite abundant. 



Orthoptera. — Of both terrestial and arboreal grasshoppers (Jap. Batta or liata-hata) 

 large numbers were observed. The former are especially numerous in the cultivated 

 plains, and upon the grass-covered- mountains and wastelands such as occur in the 

 Hakone district. The name inaqo is given to a species which is known as the rice-locust, 

 and which is reported to do serious damage to the principal crojj of the empire. One 

 very common, yet striking, grasshopper was a slim, bright green species, nearly four 

 inches long when fully grown ; the head being elongated and the antennpe flattened. 

 The outline of the insect is that of a blade of grass and the insects are very diflUciilt to 

 see when they are at, rest among the grass, even on a closely cut lawn. Some specimens 

 (apparently a variety of the same species) had a row of white dashes along the wing- 

 covers and frequented grasses with such markings upon the blades. Along the paths 

 between the tields and on the grassy hills I saw great numbers of a very large robust 

 grasshopper, resembling very much the big American species called Acridium americarium, 

 but belonging probably to a diflferent genus. These large voracious insects must devour 

 an immense amount of vegetation. ' 



Very interesting both in appearance and habits, were the numerous members of the 

 katydid and tree-cricket tribes, the dwellers in the trees and shrubberies, whose notes 

 were very often piercing and prolonged. One large species was very frequently kept in 

 little bamboo cages by the natives, but I cannot say that its song was very pleasing, 

 although tbere was plenty of it. A pair kept near my brother's house used to shrill for 

 long periods each evening, producing a noise which I at first took for the running of some 

 machine, so loud and monotonous was the prolonged strain. 



Another conspicuous iasect was a large species of Mantis (Jap. Kamaklra or toro) 

 which was quite abundant, i frequently saw them devouring grasshoppers and other 

 insects. The curious insects known as walking-sticks were abundant, as in this country, 

 upon oaks, etc., and looked much like our species in the immature stages, in which alone I 

 observed them. 



