Hudson. — Entoinolot/,/ of Ohakune and Waiouru Districts. 65 



A black spider, with paler markings and a long pointed abdomen, 

 was very abundant on the shores of the large pond already mentioned. 

 It was gregarious, spinning geometrical webs in irregular series amongst 

 the rushes. The spiders, when resting in the webs, exactly resembled 

 dead flies enshrouded in spider's web, and it seems probable that such 

 a striking resemblance would be beneficial to the spider both for aggres- 

 sive and defensive purposes. As I am not acquainted with spiders, 

 I cannot give this note scientific precision, but deem it desirable to 

 place such an interesting habit on record. 



Before returning to Wellington we stayed three days at Waiouru 

 (altitude 2,600 ft. above sea-level), and thoroughly worked the tussock 

 plain on the south-east side of Ruapehu. This locality has a somewhat 

 forbidding aspect, but the following list of the species found indicates 

 that its insect fauna is by no means devoid of interest. The weather 

 experienced at Waiouru was most favourable, and the complete absence 

 of Argi/rophenga antipoduiii here clearly proves, I think, that this 

 butterfly does not occur on the tussock lands of the North Island. 



Vanessa gonerilla. 



Several seen. No nettles observed. 



Chrysophanus boldenarum. 



Very common, and rather darker than usual on the underside. 



Chrysophanus salustius. 



Common. 



Nyctemera annulata. 

 Rare. 



Euxoa admirationis. 

 One at sugar. 



Leucania unica. 



Fairly common at sugar. 



Leucania semivittata. 

 Three taken at sugar. 



Aletia moderata. 



Several at sugar. 

 Aletia griseipennis. 



One at sugar. 

 Persectania disjungens. 



Several very fine specimens taken at sugar. 

 Melanchra rubescens. 



One at sugar. 

 Melanchra agorastis. 



One at sugar 



Melanchra omicron. 



On? at sugar. 



3 — Trans. 



