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. Guenee described a 

 number of species in the " Entomologists' Monthly Magazine," from specimens 

 sent by Mr. B. 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 larvae ; most recorded observations are of little service, owing to the 



