158 TRUE TALES OF THE INSECTS. 



A perfectly new species (D. brought] , from Nelson, 

 was reported in 1895. Apparently, it frequents dense 

 forests, and lives by eating the heart of red-birch trees ; 

 it forms great tunnels, with enlargements or chambers, 

 in the growing timber. Judging by the ways and 

 doings of one of these Wetas in captivity, it is nocturnal 

 in its habits ; it became quite lively at night, and at 

 times emitted a chattering kind of sound, which may 

 be heard at night in the woods. It could bite fiercely, 

 and, when excited, could hiss like an adder. Mr. 

 Brough * found his captive Weta would eat nuts, and 

 occasionally a little bark ; but he could never induce it 

 to feed by day. It could apparently, however, see 

 perfectly well in the daylight. 



As to the strange large insect Schizodactylus mon- 

 strosus (see Frontispiece), very little is known. The 

 wings, which have their extremities much prolonged 

 and curled, are a sufficiently remarkable feature ; and 

 it has no ocelli, and is believed to be wanting in ears. 

 It is found in India, where it is said to be common in 

 burrows by river banks, and has been recently reported 

 as injuring young tobacco and other crops growing on 

 high ground in Durbhunga, by cutting their roots. The 

 local name given for the insect was bherwa. 



* Tr. N. Zeal. Inst., 1895. 



