of the more recently developed forms of life were in existence. 

 The great gaps in the fauna of New Zealand are thus explained, 

 and so great an amount of generic and specific evolution has 

 taken place within its restricted limits since its final isolation, 

 that the affinities already indicated alone remain to tell of the 

 former connections of the Islands with other regions. The 

 surrounding ocean, too, has in recent times proved to be an 

 effectual barrier to the interchange of species. Even in the 

 case of the nearest continental land, though such insects as 

 the strong-winged Pyrameis ilea and Precis villida and a few 

 Coleoptera, chiefly Longicorns and small dung-beetles, have 

 made their way from Australia to New Zealand across the 

 stormy Tasman Sea, probably less than a dozen species of 

 New Zealand beetles have been found in Australia. The 

 Chrysomelidae, Cetoniadae and Buprestidae, which are there so 

 fine and so well represented (one Buprestid genus, Stigmodera, 

 alone including no fewer than 420 Australian species), are in 

 the Islands entirely absent or represented only by a few small 

 or obscure forms ; and of the numerous and characteristic 

 group of Australian weevils, the Aniycterinae, only a single 

 species has been found as yet in New Zealand. 



Instances of the unique and precinctive character of this 

 wonderful insect fauna may be multiplied as regards all the 

 Orders; but sufficient has been said, I trust, to illustrate its 

 surpassing interest and importance in the scheme of the life- 

 history of our globe, and to emphasise the immediate and 

 urgent necessity of completing our knowledge of the insect 

 life of New Zealand, before many of its most interesting and 

 instructive forms disappear for ever before the march of 

 settlement and cultivation. 



It only remains, in concluding this Address, to express my 

 sincere thanks for the uniform kindness and consideration 

 which have been extended to me by each and every Fellow of 

 the Society during thB period of my occupation of the Presi- 

 dential Chair, as well as by the members of the successive 

 Councils during the sixteen consecutive years in which I have 

 had the honour to hold responsible office ; and to congratulate 

 the Society on the choice of the distinguished Zoologist whom 

 you have elected as my successor. 



