54 Transactions. — Zoology. 



peculiar structure in the Larentida occur ; thus in Parysatis and Tatosoma 

 vein 8 of the hindwings is wholly distinct from 7, but connected with it by 

 a bar in middle ; this bar must undoubtedly be produced by the lateral 

 extension of a former anastomosis, and as the genera are not otherwise 

 closely allied, it must have arisen independently in each case. A bar at 

 first sight similar is found in Elvia and Pasiphila connecting vein 12 of the 

 forewings with the areole. but in this case it is simply vein 11 which runs 

 into 12 instead of to the costa. Both these structures must be more recent 

 than the type. Finally there are the two genera representing in New Zea- 

 land the families Boletobidce and Lyrceida ; in both of these the hindwings 

 have 8 veins, but 8 is free from 7, the neuration of the forewings being 

 similar to that of the Ennomidm ; these are therefore only separated from 

 the Ennomida by the full complement of veins in the hindwings, and are 

 consequently a more ancient form, certainly the oldest in New Zealand ; 

 probably the hindwings of Lyrcea are almost exactly those of the ancestral 

 form of the group. 



At the end of the Geometrina I have added the solitary species which 

 represents in New Zealand the Siculina, since it is sometimes mistaken for 

 a Geometrid. The neuration is of a much simpler type ; all the veins of 

 the forewings are separate, except 8 and 9, which are short-stalked ; all the 

 veins of the hindwings are also separate, and 8 is free. On referring to my 

 description of the theoretical type-ancestor of the GeomMrina, it will be seen 

 that this genus only differs from it by the separation of vein 7 from the stalk 

 of 8 and 9. I think, then, that this group — both small and restricted in dis- 

 tribution — is undoubtedly to be regarded as one allied to but distinct from 

 the Geometrina, and as representing a still earlier stage in development than 

 even the progenitor of that group. Further back than this it is not neces- 

 sary at present to go. 



In view of the fragmentary state of our knowledge of the Geometrina of 

 other countries, and the erroneous plan of classification so commonly 

 adopted, it is only possible to make a few general observations on the rela- 

 tionship of the New Zealand genera to those found elsewhere. Two 

 genera are much larger than any of the rest — Larentia and Pasithea, very 

 closely allied moreover to each other — and contain a third of the whole 

 number of species ; the species in these genera are as a rule very constant, 

 and almost all frequent the mountain-ranges of the interior, and from their 

 habits are probably in great part grass-feeders. These must form a part of 

 the earliest fauna, which has had time for full specific development, and is 

 attached to the most ancient part of the islands, and one of the earliest 

 orders of flowering plants ; if regarded as forms of a single type, they' are 

 represented by congeners probably throughout the world. They are thus 



