42 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY 



New Zealand. It is a very variable species, with oblong 

 greyish-brown fore-wings, sometimes unicolorous, sometimes 

 streaked and dotted with black, with the orbicular and reni- 

 form stigmata well marked, greyish, with a long and broad 

 black dash between them, and a black streak beyond. The 

 usual lines are double, and more or less distinctly marked ; 

 there is a pale line at the base of the fringes, preceded by a 

 row of black spots. The hind-wings are slightly transparent, 

 with the nervures and outer part of the wing blackish ; 

 on the under side is a large black spot near the apex. 

 The female is larger and darker, especially on the hind- 

 wings. 



The following interesting narrative, which we quote from 

 Kirby and Spence (ed. vi. vol. i. p. 259) relates to Agrotis 

 spina and not to the butterfly named below (Cf. antea, vol. i. 

 p. 20) : 



" A species of butterfly also (Euplaa hamata, MacLeay), as 

 we learn from Mr. Bennett, congregates on the insulated 

 granitic rocks in a particular district, which he visited in the 

 months of November, December, and January, in such count- 

 less myriads (with what object is unknown), that the native 

 blacks, who call them Bugong, assemble from far and near to 

 collect them, and, after removing the wings and down by stir- 

 ring them on the ground previously heated by a large fire, and 

 winnowing them, eat the bodies, or store them up for use by 

 pounding and smoking them. The bodies of these butterflies 

 abound in an oil with the taste of nuts, and, when first eaten, 

 produce violent vomitings, and other debilitating effects ; but 

 these go off after a few days, and the natives then thrive and 

 fatten exceedingly on this diet, for which they have to contend 

 with a black crow, which is also attracted by the Bugongs in 

 great numbers, and which they despatch with their clubs, and 

 use as food." 



