﻿218 Transactions. — Zoology. 



The motli mentioned as having black wings with white spots, and the 

 abdomen annulated with orange, is Leptosoma annulatum of Boisduval, 

 belonging to the Leptosomidce family. It is very abundant here, and its 

 larvae are common on a species of ragwort — I have never found them on any 

 other plant. 



The light fawn-coloured moth noticed by Mr. Bathgate only where spear- 

 grass abounded, I have no doubt is identical with that found on these plains, 

 and which T have myself bred from larvte taken out of the heart of " Wild 

 Spaniard " {Aciphylla sqarrosa) on which it was feeding. M. Guenee has 

 named and described it from some specimens I sent home, Alysia specificata, 

 considering it both a new genus and new species belonging to the Apamidm 

 family. 



There are several species of Hepialidce here, but whether they are identical 

 with those referred to by Mr. Bathgate I am unable from his description to 

 make out. M. Guenee has named two new species of the Pielus genus of 

 Hepialidce, sent home by me, the one umbraculatus and the other variolaris. 

 In describing these in the "Entomologists' Monthly Magazine, (Vol. Y., p. 1), 

 he appends the following note : — "The British Museum Catalogues indicate 

 many species proper to JSTew Zealand, a country which appears to be rich in 

 Nocturni. I am able to recognise some of them, btit the greater part of those 

 sent to me seem new ; it may be that the locality where Mr. Fereday collects 

 is different to those which Messrs. Bolton, Colenso, and Sinclair visited, or 

 that I have not been able to recognise many of them from the too often little 

 precise descriptions by Mr. Walker." 



I conclude these few remarks by expressing my regret that the study of 

 entomology, and the collection of insects is so little followed in this country, 

 for the change which is rapidly taking place in the herbage and vegetation 

 will assuredly render many species extinct a few years hence. Every one 

 may materially assist in promoting a knowledge of our insect faima, even by 

 merely forwarding to the museum, or to myself, any uncommon insect he may 

 happen to meet with. As for myself, I shall be only too grateful for such 

 contributions, and I have to thank many fi'iends for assistance already afforded 

 me in that way. 



Art. XXXVII. — Description of a New Shell found at Nelson. By E. Stowe. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, \st July, 1871]. 



Imferator Davisii, Stowe. n. sp. 



Shell conical, solid, imperforate, where abraded highly naei-eous. Axis, 4-5 

 inches; breadth, 3-25 inches ; whorls 5 to 6, convex ; aperture pearly, in part 



