Zoological Societys 285 
. Mr. W. W. Saunders exhibited a dragon-fly which had been cap- 
tured flying over the Atlantic 600 miles trom land, by Mr. Stephen- 
son. : 
A memoir by Mr. Stevenson on the Entomological peculiarities 
of New Zealand was read. After commenting upon the peculiarities 
of the climate and the vegetation of New Zealand, the author re- 
marks, that the opinion that there are but few insects in New Zea- 
land is erroneous; the great masses of vegetation requiring vast 
numbers of insects to keep them in check, and hasten their decay 
when dead by boring into the timber more or less superficially ; the 
Tetramera in fact form three-fourths of the Coleoptera. Only two 
Cicindele were observed, and but few Carabide and Brachelytra. 
The Elateride were more numerous, but no Buprestide were met 
with. The Clavicornia also are not numerous, and but very few 
Lucanide* and Cetonie, no traces of Geotrupide, and only two or 
three Heteromera. Some of the Curculionide are of singular forms ; 
some species allied to Brentus burrow in the larva state into the hard 
wood of trees, and the Longicornes are very abundant ; the larve of 
some of the larger species being eaten by the natives either in araw 
or half-roasted state. Two Coccinelle and two Forficule only were 
captured, and only seven or eight species of Hymenoptera, including 
a species of Bee, with large burthens of farina on its hind legs. 
Five or six species of Lidbellule and three of Cicada were observed, 
and a large formidable-looking apterous Gryllus (Deinacrida, White), 
which is very abundant in old trees, secreting itself in crevices of 
the bark. The small grasshoppers are numerous. In Diptera, the 
carrion flies perform a more important part in nature, as scavengers, 
than elsewhere. Tipulide and musquitoes abound, but there are 
decidedly but few Lepidoptera, some of which are very analogous to 
the English species, such as the Painted Lady and Red Admiral But- 
terflies. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
Oct. 14, 1845.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. 
The following extract was read from a letter, dated Madeira 
August 18, 1845, received from the Society’s Corresponding Mem- 
ber, the Rev. R. T. Lowe :— 
‘«« The Rev. R. T. Lowe has the pleasure of adding to the Society’s 
collection a fine specimen of a new Zeus (Zeus conchifer, Lowe) of 
the greatest rarity ; the present being the second example only which 
has hitherto occurred.” : 
The specimen was exhibited to the Meeting. 
© Qn the genus Anous, Leach (Megalopterus, Boie).”’ By John 
Gould, Esq., F.R.S. &c. 
There is no family of birds more generally diffused over the globe 
than the Terns, and certainly no group of the Natatorial Order less 
understood, or which would more amply reward the studious investi- 
* Mitophyllus irroratus, Parry, was found under bark. 
