Insects of New York 9 



in any large order is perhaps that due to Hill's many years of collecting 

 of Lepidoptera at Fentons, on the west edge of the plateau. 



Tug Hill is a plateau of about 1500 feet elevation, with a nearly level 

 top and containing many lakes and swamps. Geologically it attaches not 

 to the Adirondacks close by, but to the Appalachians, while in latitude it 

 should be grouped with the Adirondacks. Entomologically it is unexplored. 



The Ontario-Erie Basin is a broad plain bordering Lakes Ontario and 

 Erie, and to the northward joining the St. Lawrence Plain. In spite of 

 much snow and cold in winter, conditions are distinctly Upper Austral in 

 the western part; while at North Fair Haven and eastward. Transition 

 forms dominate. It is continuous with the Mississippi Valley on the west, 

 but is reduced along Lake Erie to a strip two or three miles wide. On the 

 north side of Lake Erie, southern Ontario shows the same mild climate and 

 Austral forms. In most orders representatives of both faunal zones are 

 present, especially for the region near Buffalo. 



The Appalachian district, like the major part of the Adirondack district, 

 is a plateau of from 1500 to 2000' feet elevation, but is cut into numerous 

 blocks by deep through valleys. The characteristic insects represent the 

 Transition zone, but many of the north-facing slopes show Canadian forms, 

 and here and there in the valleys there are pockets with a few Austral 

 species. This is the district for which general remarks as to dates and 

 life cycles, particularly iin the Lepidoptera, especially apply. The most 

 thoroughly collected locality is Ithaca, lying in one of the deep through 

 valleys. This fauna of the western part of the district is well indicated by 

 collections made at Rock City, Cattaraugus County, at an elevation of 

 2500 feet. The interesting narrow strip lying between the Catskills and 

 the Mohawk Valley was studied many years ago by the Albany group of 

 workers. Sharon Springs represents this area, and shows typical Appa- 

 lachian forms. The Appalachian area south of the Catskills has not been 

 sufficiently studied. ■ - 



The Catskills are a mass of mountains with peaks rising to an elevation 

 of 4204 feet. Most of the collecting has been done at relatively low levels, 

 and shows much the same mixture of Canadian and Transition forms as 

 are found on the colder tops qi the, Appalachian plateau; but the peaks 

 rise well toward the top of the Canadian zone, and a careful study would 

 probably show Hudsonian forms. The most extensive list of insects in this 

 district consists of the Lepidoptera of Big Indian Valley and Slide 

 Mountain. 



The Mohawk Valley is a narrow valley separating the Adirondack and 

 Appalachian districts. Most of the country is much broken, and the 

 insects are not very different in character from those of the Appalachian 

 district, but a few southern forms do appear. Such places as Trenton 

 Falls and Wilmurt, in the southern foothills of the Adirondacks, are in- 

 cluded in this area because their fauna is more southern in character. 



