Gosser.—Notes on the Life History of Charagia virescens. 847 
52; diameter of branches from 33 to 6; diameter of extremity of branch 
at bifurcation, 7 millimetres. 
It is nearest in shape, dimensions, etc., to M. tortuosa, of Fiji, the only 
known Pacific form. 
Norz.—Millepora undulosa is obtained not uncommonly by the Stewart 
Island oyster dredgers, in from 14 to 20 fathoms of water, along with 
Cinctipora elegans, Pustulipora purpurascens, Idmonea radians, and other 
polyzoa, Iam not aware that it forms anything like reefs,—F, W. H. 
ArT. XLI.— Notes on the Life History of Charagia virescens. By the Rev. 
C. H. Gosser. Communicated by Prof. Hurron. 
[Read before the Otago Institute, 8th October, 1878.] 
Tur larva lives chiefly on the extremely hard wood of the Black Maire 
(Olea apetala ), but I have also found it in a tree known to the settlers about 
Masterton as the wine-berry or New Zealand currant tree (Aristotelia 
racemosa). The wood of this last differs widely from the Maire, being very 
soft and white. I believe I have once or twice found the larva in other 
trees. C. virescens passes certainly three years in the larval state, probably 
four. In this stage of its existence it is extremely plentiful wherever the 
Black Maire abounds. It is not easy to find a single tree of this species 
that is not more or less honeycombed by its ravages; the imago, however, 
is far more rare. Of the larva I have obtained twenty specimens in about 
an hour, notwithstanding the loss of time in getting them out, whereas I 
have only come across seven specimens of the perfect insect in four seasons. 
I believe I have once seen it on the wing, but I am not positive about it. I 
have generally come across it half dead, partially stiff and much faded 
and frayed. I have also found the wings, the insect having evidently fallen 
a prey to some bird. 
When newly emerged the perfect insect is very beautifully markedswith 
blackish markings, but these soon fade, or get rubbed off, and the insect 
then presents a pretty uniform green with a few whitish markings. 
Although the larva is so plentiful, it requires a little practice to detect 
its burrow readily. If the limbs or trunk of a Black Maire be carefully 
examined, a more or less diamond-shaped mark, two or three inches in the 
side, may often be noticed, which varies slightly in tint from the surrounding 
bark; and if this patch is pressed with the finger it gives way; if the patch 
is torn off it is seen to be composed of yellowish or greyish silk, covered on | 
the outside with scraps of bark, lichens, excreta of the larva, etc., the whole 
