50 Transactions.—Zoology. 
been available to me, a very serious loss. It is possible, then, that some of 
the genera which I have been obliged to regard as new have been previously 
characterized by them from other species; and that my limitations of some 
genera already known may not coincide exactly with theirs. The family 
classification which I have adopted might also require modifications, if I 
had larger material at my command. On the other hand, the genera which 
I have here established can be relied on as both natural and accurately 
definable, and the families are limited and arranged on correct principles, 
and are also strictly definable as regards New Zealand species at least. 
Moreover, in view of the specialization of the fauna, it is highly probable 
that most of the genera are endemic, and are therefore justly considered as 
new. 
As regards the specific nomenclature, it must be observed that I have 
never even seen Walker’s descriptions (though indeed it is improbable that 
they would have helped me much in the identification of his species), nor 
have I been able to examine his types in the British Museum. On this 
question it has been necessary to accept the identifications of Mr. A. G. 
Butler, who has to some extent cleared up the difficulties ; I believe his 
statements are tolerably correct on this subject, where he has the types 
before him, though his identifications of other authors’ species from descrip- 
tions are frequently wrong. There are, however, still several of Walker’s 
species unidentified, as to which I know nothing. Guenée described a 
number of species in the“ Entomologists Monthly Magazine,” from specimens 
sent by Mr. R. W. Fereday; of each of these Mr. Fereday preserved an 
exactly similar duplicate, and these I have seen, so that the identification 
of them is absolutely assured. Felder's and Butler's species I have iden- 
tified from their works; in some cases I have also seen specimens of 
Butler’s species named by himself. 
The limits of each species are almost certainly correct ; this was a very 
important point, and I believe has been satisfactorily attained by the 
examination of very large material. The localities and seasons recorded 
must not be understood as exclusive ; it was only possible to record observed 
places and times, dependent largely on the habits of observers ; thus com- 
paratively few observations have been made in the North Island. Some 
new species will doubtless be found in the higher latitudes, and probably 
a good many more in the interior of the mountain ranges. 
In the descriptions of genera and species I have endeavoured to be as 
brief and concise as possible, consistently with accuracy. To assist in the 
ready determination of these I have given analytical tables throughout, both 
of the genera and species. The synonymy is given in full. Little is known 
of the larve ; most recorded observations are of little service, owing to the . 
