248 Transactions. — Zoology. 



In strong contrast to this stand the Homioptera, which include nineteen 

 species, all endemic, and belonging to three genera only ; Cicada having 

 twelve, and Cixius seven species. 



The number of species of Ortlwptera I do not know, but in comparison with 

 other orders it is well represented by both winged and wingless members, and 

 the geuera, as a rule, contain several species. 



Whilst, therefore, the insect fauna as a whole shows its greatest affinity 

 towards Australia it also exhibits a connection with other countries, more 

 especially China and Europe. But the most remarkable fact is the great 

 difference shown in this respect by the different orders. Whilst the Diptera, 

 Neuroptera, Homoptera and Orthoptera present the appearance, in part at 

 least, of an old fauna, the Heteroptera are nearly all stragglers, and this 

 strongly suggests the inference that at the time of the spreading of the former 

 orders the Heteroptera were not in existence. The same thing is seen in the 

 difference between the moths and the butterflies, suggesting also that the 

 latter were developed at a later period than the former, and there can be no 

 doubt but that when our insects are better known a careful comparison of 

 them with similar faunas of other countries will afford a most instructive 

 lesson. 



With the exception of the Indian [Blatta orientalis) and American 

 {B. americana) cockroaches, neither of which are common, the flea {Pulex 

 irritans), the bed-bug (Cimex lectularius), several Aphides, the slug-worm 

 {Tenthredo cerasi), and the house-fly [Musca domestical), I am not aware of any 

 insect that has been introduced unintentionally by man during the progress of 

 colonization, for the ring-legged mosquito, which is supposed in Auckland to 

 have been introduced by the troops from India, belongs to a species {Culex 

 argyropus) not found elsewhere, and was sent home by Dr. Sinclair before the 

 troops arrived. The only exceptions may perhaps be the black field-cricket, 

 which, although inhabiting fields with us, and but rarely entering houses, 

 appears to be identical with the house-cricket of Europe (Acheta doniestica) 

 and to have spread quite lately ; and also a small dark-brown beetle belonging 

 to the genus Elater, which is abundant in Auckland, but, to the best of my 

 knowledge, is not found more than twenty miles out of that town. 



Myriapoda. 



Of Centipedes nine or ten species are now known, all of which are 

 endemic. The genus Lithobius extends from North America, Europe, and 

 North Africa to Singapore, but is not found in Australia. Henicops is 

 found only in Chile and Tasmania, Cryptops only in North America and 

 England, while Cermatia and Cormocephalus have wider ranges, and are both 

 found in Australia. 



