100 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Sphingidfe 7 species. 



Papilionina 7 ,, 



Pyralidina 178 



The general resemblance of the Hawaiian fauna to that of New 

 Zealand is very marked, and its origin seems to have been mainly 

 South Pacific, with admixture of Asiatic and American forms. The 

 author considers that the genera may be grouped under four successive 

 periods of time, viz. : — 



(1.) South Pacific in origin, Sisyrophyta and Scoparia being re- 

 presentative. 



(2.) Possibly coincident "in time with the considerable extension 

 of the Hawaiian Islands to the north-west, which seems to have once 

 existed," with Agrotis, Pyrausta, &c. 



(3.) Under "circumstances much as at present," with 18 genera. 



(4.) Due probably " to the influence of the north-east trade winds," 

 mainly consisting of wholly apodemic genera. 



Of the 257 endemic species (261, less 4 whose distribution is un- 

 known), 173 (— 67 per cent.) are confined each to a single island *; 

 " of the remaining 84 species, 36 have been taken both in Hawaii and 

 Kauai, at opposite ends of the group," and may therefore be counted 

 as ranging throughout. 



The author echoes the opinion of everyone who has dealt with any 

 part of this fauna in noting the extraordinary variability, structurally 

 and in colouration, of the species. " An unusual proportion of species 

 show strong variability, which in perhaps 15 or more species becomes 

 excessive. . . . The variation of such insects as Hypenodes altivolans 

 and thicymatoge monticolans is quite phenomenal, and the proportion 

 of highly variable forms is certainly much larger than in an ordinary 

 fauna." A tendency to dull colouring is noted, as also the fact that 

 " in many of the Pyraustidfe there is an unusual tendency to increased 

 development of the dorsal scale-projection towards the base of the foi-e 

 wings, which is normally inconspicuous." Mr. Meyrick is of opinion, 

 however, that the latter is of no importance as a test of relationship. 



The endemic genera, that is to say, those whose species appear to 

 be entirely confined to the Hawaiian Isles, contain two very remark- 

 able forms, viz. Scotorytlira,'B\xi\er, and "its derivate " Sisyrophyta, 

 Meyrick. They are distinguished from the other genera of the 

 Selidosematidte by their peculiar antennse, which, in the males, are 

 bipectinate, simple towards the base and on the apical third ; in the 

 same sex the posterior tibife are more or less " dilated, containing hair- 

 pencil in groove." Of Sisyrophyta 2 species are known, of Scotorythra 

 30 species. Lastly, we call attention to the genus Scoparia, Haw., 

 of which no less than 57 species — ^26 figured — all (according to the 

 author) remarkably constant, are found in the Hawaiian group. 



G. W. K. 



Total No. Peculiar Species. Percentage. 



* Hawaii 128 65 51 



Maui 66 26 39 



Lanai 32 5 16 



Molokai 49 12 24 



Oahu 51 17 33 



Kauai 97 48 49 



