FEREDAY.— O7 Danais berenice. 185 
more than Pyrameis itea, Hamadryas zoilus, or Diadema bolina (auge, Cramer), 
the two former of which occur in Australia, and the latter in the East Indies, 
as well as in New Zealand? I think it far more reasonable to suppose that 
at some distant time New Zealand and Australia were connected with Asia 
by the present intermediate islands and other land now submerged, or so 
nearly connected that winged insects might have passed from the one locality 
to the other. The identity of many Australian and New Zealand species of 
insects with species inhabiting China and the East Indies tends to favour such 
supposition. 
The occurrence of Danais berenice in New Zealand, after not having been 
seen in the colony for some years previously, would seem to be analogous to 
the intermittent occurrence in Britain of Vanessa antiopa, Colias edusa, 
Sterrha sacra, and some other species of Lepidoptera which have not yet been 
satisfactorily accounted for, although many entomologists think it due to some 
peculiar condition of climate or other circumstance necessary to the develop- 
ment of these insects, and that they lie dormant in the ova or pupa state until 
the happening of such condition or circumstance. 
Whether the theory of the introduction of this butterfly into Australia and 
New Zealand has been supported by any argument or evidence I am not 
aware, but, in opposition to such theory, I would add the following remarks to 
the arguments I have already used :— 
Firstly. As to its introduction purposely. 
We have no record of such introduction, and it is not likely that anyone 
would take the trouble to introduce it. 
It possesses no value but as an ornament, and that it would be selected 
from among so many far more handsome and attractive butterflies is highly 
improbable. 
I know of no instance of successful attempts to introduce a living butterfly 
from one disconnected country to another, and the ova of butterflies are not 
readily procured, neither are the larve easily reared. 
The appearance of the butterfly at Hawke Bay and Hokitika—places so 
far apart—without any record of its occurrence in intermediate localities, is 
inconsistent with the theory of its introduction purposely, unless we are to 
suppose that the introduction was repeated, or that the person introducing it 
took the trouble of introducing it at both places. 
Secondly. As to its introduction accidentally. 
The “ blown-over” theory entertained by many entomologists with respect 
to the appearance in England of butterflies rarely seen there, but common on 
the continent of Europe, cannot be reasonably applied in this case. That a 
butterfly could be blown over such an expanse of ocean as it must travel over 
to reach New Zealand seems to me impossible. Even were it strong enough 
