﻿10 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



think it will be found on most of the wooded hills in the Nelson 

 Province between 2500 and 3000 ft., as I took a poor specimen 

 on the Dun Mountain (1885) in quite a different neighbourhood. 

 It is also said to have occurred on the hills on the other side of 

 Wellington Harbour, but I have not seen it. 



About two miles after we leave the source of the Pearse a 

 small clearing is reached, called Flora Camp, which is a con- 

 venient halting-ground for those who wish to ascend Mount 

 Arthur without visiting the table-land, as a branch track can be 

 followed up shortly after we leave the saddle leading directly on 

 to the mountain. 



The track along Flora Creek in many places presents a most 

 picturesque appearance, the numerous waterfalls and the gradual 

 increase in the size of the stream being features of especial 

 interest. To an entomologist with a tent and plenty of time no 

 doubt a day would be well spent here collecting Neuroptera over 

 the stream, Micro -Lepidoptera, and sugaring the trees at night 

 for moths. 



About three miles before we reach the first opening on the 

 table-land the track leaves the bed of Flora Creek, and starts to 

 ascend very rapidly, following the course of a small stream 

 which rises in Salisbury's Opening, near the first hut that is 

 reached. This hut, however, is now quite unfit to stop in, but 

 there are several others in various parts of the table-land that 

 can be used, and are far warmer than a tent, which is not a 

 sufficient protection against the cold at so great an elevation 

 above the sea-level. 



Acting on Mr. Meyrick's suggestion, I took a kerosene-lamp 

 with me to the table-land, and lit up at dusk on the first evening 

 (Jan. 22nd). The night was slightly overcast, with a few drops 

 of rain, and much warmer than usual, the result being that 

 several good moths were captured at the lamp, including three 

 specimens of Leucania propria, several Mamestra rubescens, and 

 a rare Bombyx, besides several Scoparia trivirgata. 



The next day (Jan. 23rd) I decided to ascend Mount Arthur, 

 and left the hut at 7.30, the weather being everything that could 

 be desired. A few minutes' walk brought us to the foot of 

 Gordon's Pyramid, where the track was soon discovered, and 

 followed up until the bush-line is passed at about 4000 ft. I had 

 better, perhaps, mention that this portion of the forest is very 

 rough, and it is most necessary to exercise great care in keeping 

 to the track, which, however, is now well-marked by numerous 

 blazes made during two successive visits. After leaving the 

 forest the vegetation is very rank, consisting of a great variety 

 of alpine plants, tussock, &c. Here, in the hot sunshine, 

 occurred Harmologa sircea in great numbers, in the finest con- 

 dition, flying with much agility, besides large numbers of 



