266 Mr. W. Stephenson’s Remarks 
or approximation in species to some of the British ones, although 
separated by 174° of east longitude. 
Amongst the diurnal Lepidoptera the Painted Lady is the most 
numerous; and there is a resemblance in another species to our 
Red Admiral, the principal difference being in an ocellated spot on 
the underside of the superior wings, connecting this with Vanessa 
fo. In the Coleoptera there are approximating species, particularly 
amongst Carali; but there is a wide difference, in proportion to 
numbers, in different orders of insects in general. The Coleoptera 
preponderate greatly over all others, not so much in the number 
of species perhaps, as in the aggregate; but even this inequality 
might be expected, where the natural decay of large trees is to be 
completed. 
The figure in Pl. XIX. 6, is arough sketch of a supposed larva 
found in abundance in old potato grounds, about six or eight 
inches beneath the surface, at Motuaka, Nelson district, New Zea- 
land. They are supposed to feed on the roots of the sow thistle, 
which is very common in such situations, because on their being 
crushed they contain a bland milky semi-fluid.* I submit this to 
the notice of Entomologists, on the authority of a gentleman of 
strict veracity, who has left a friend and relation on the spot, from 
whom I have not the least doubt specimens may be obtained. 
When the observer contemplates the grand scheme of Omnipo- 
tence, as displayed in adjusting and proportioning the quantities of 
order, family or tribe, with the effects they are destined to perform, 
together with their beautifully varied organization, as best befitting 
their economy, he cannot but feel a sublimity of thought unknown 
or unappreciated by unentomological minds. Insects, in common 
with the rest of the animated tribes, keep each other in check; and 
in addition to this, they perform the most herculean effects in the 
conversion of huge masses of hard timber into its mother earth, 
in order to fit it for reproduction, which they effect in an incredi- 
ble short space of time ; and thus the grand system is continued 
in a series of circumvolutions, independent of the aid of mankind. 
The collector of insects has many insurmountable difficulties to 
cope with in New Zealand, which renders his efforts very unpro- 
ductive. 
In the first place, their food is so very abundant, that you must 
labour long and hard for few specimens. A powerful digger, such 
as I possessed, was of little comparative use. I have been strip- 
* This has more the appearance of an impregnated female, of an alliance to the 
Termites; they are seen of all sizes. 
