264 px ransactions.—Z, oology. * 
families—Cicindelide and Carabide ; the former generally accorded the first 
place, appears to be represented in this Province by only two conspicuous 
species, one of which, Cicindela tuberculata, is abundant on almost every 
road and pathway. I have taken three others, and although these insects 
frequent places exposed to bright sunshine, I found one, the smallest of all, 
jn heaps of vegetable rubbish in the Domain, in such numbers as would 
warrant the belief that such is its usual haunt ; it differs in colour from all 
the other Cicindela I have seen in this country. 
I have five species from the Middle Island, all bearing a strong family 
likeness to. our own in their general outline and colour. 
Carabide exhibits seven moderately large species in my collection, the 
finest, Feronia antartica, is about an inch long, of bright dark bronze 
colour; but another fine Carabid is the grandest of the group in these 
islands. The second in size frequents the roots of potatoe crops, where it 
is serviceable to the agriculturalist, and may also be found under stones at 
ount Eden. 
In addition to these, I possess a number of small species, most of them 
brighter in colour than their more bulky friends ; but all, I regret to add, 
unnamed. One active little Carabid of a shining whitish-colour, ornamented 
by dark marks on the elytra and thorax, is common during summer amongst 
weeds and rubbish on the sea shore. The sub-family Scaritides, distinguished 
by their elongate form, the junction of the elytra and thorax by a neck, and 
the palmation of the anterior tibie, affords two species at least for observa- 
tion. Idiscovered them under sacks of grain and chaff. Itis desirable that 
a collection of our predaceous beetles should be exhibited in the Museum by 
themselves, coupled with a notice that farmers and gardeners should abstain 
from injuring or destroying them, when they see them in the land they may 
be tilling, as they render such people important services. It may safely be 
assumed that the Middle Island has the advantage of us, both as regards 
the size and the number of the species of Carabide, 
HyYpDRADEPHAGA, 
Dytiscide offers but few species for observation ; indeed, I only know of 
five, whilst Gyrinide seems to have no representatives whatever. I saw one 
species of Boat-beetle in a pool near Remuera, but never elsewhere. 
The large Onychohydrus hookeri, asserted by Dr. Buller as belonging to 
the North Island, I have searched for in vain. 
Perhaps it may not be out of place to assure such Acclimatization 
Societies as may be engaged with the introduction of European fish into 
our rivers that no danger need be apprehended from our Water-beetles. I 
placed several of them in a glass globe containing young fish, and the 
result of the experiment satisfied me that they will not attack carp. It is, 
