HAiiii.TOX. — Xofcs oii luttonioloijicaj CoHectiiui Tuiir-<. 123 



Erehia plulo occurs on the slopes of Bold Peak from 3,6()() ft. to where 

 the snow-grass and tussock thins out. at al)out 6, (MM) ft. At the latter 

 height you come on to the shingle-slips and rocky slopes where K. pluto 

 reigns. I was fortunate in the two fine days 1 had on the mountain to get 

 over thirty specimens of that butterfly, nearly all of which were in the best 

 possible condition. The plutos from this locality are much larger than 

 any other recorded specimens, having on the average an expansion of 55 mm. 

 There seems to be great variation in the number of white spots on the upper 

 wing, and in one case spots were found on the lower wing. 



On the night of the 2nd Februarv I had a wonderful time collecting 

 from clumps of Verotiica growing at about 3,700 ft. on steep rugged slopes. 

 Just at dusk the moths started to collect, and I had a busy time netting. 

 I found it was much easier and better to let the moths settle on the Veronica 

 flower and then bottle them. Melanchra peUstis was exceedingly common, 

 and the same can be said of Orthosia comma. A large number of Leucania 

 griseipennis were taken, all in splendid condition and of unusual size. No 

 less than eight Melanchra maya were taken on that same night, and also 

 three of a new species, not unlike Melanchra disjungens.* 



The following also occurred : Melanchra ruhescens, M. prionistis, M. 

 pelistis, M. levis, Selidosema dejectaria, S. monacha (a very rare and little- 

 known species, of which male and female were taken), Epirranthis alec- 

 toraria, Xanthorhoe clarata, X. cataphracta, X. adonis, Hydromena deltoidata, 

 No'.oreas sp., and a new species of Selidosema. Dasyuris hectori was also 

 taken on the higher slopes of Bold Peak. 



It will be seen that the locality is a very rich one, and taking three 

 new or little-known species in a single night is very encouraging. It may 

 be mentioned here that the season was much earlier this vear owing to the 

 exceptionally mild winter in that locahty during 1909. Plants that were 

 flowering at the same date in 1909 were entirely over, and no doubt this 

 had some effect on the insect-life. Two new species of Coleopfera were 

 found at high altitudes, and will be described by Major Broun. 



After this successful time on Bold Peak I went down to the lowlands 

 in the vicinity of Invercargill, collecting chiefly at Wallacetown and Sea- 

 ward Moss. On the 10th February, in company with Mr. A. Philpott, of 

 Invercargill, I made a trip to Seaward Moss, about twelve miles south-east 

 of Invercargill, in search of a small species of Notoreas called synclinalis. 

 Although the day was exceedingly windy, we managed to get about thirty 

 picked specimens of that beautiful moth. On a fine day we should have 

 taken any quantity. 



In the vicinitv of Wallacetown the following were taken of! the rag- 

 wort, then in full bloom : Orthosia immunis, Leucania semivittata, L. toro- 

 neura, Melanchra mutans, Tatosoma topea and sp., Elvia glaucata, Hydrio- 

 mena deltoidata, H. gohiata, H. rixata, Venusia undosata, Xanthorhoe clarata, 

 Selidosema dejectaria, and S. panagrata. 



On the 14th January I proceeded, by instructions, to Waipori, situated 

 twelve miles west of Lawrence, at an altitude of 2,000 ft. In the season 

 of 1909-10, in company with Mr. Oliver, a wonderful series of Physetica 

 caerulea was taken on the 26th November, 1909, at this locality, and I was 

 anxious to get some more specimens. On treacling round the same locality, 

 and under perfect conditions, not a single one was seen, however, and, in- 

 stead of having dozens of moths on each patch of treacle, the total catch 



* To be described a.s M. oliveri. 



