114 



M. MATSUMURA. 



reddish volcanic rocks and sands. Here there was no vegetation at all. But still 

 there were found geometrid moths as Elphos lati/ trarla, Iloarmia mœota, that flew 

 away from about my feet as I trod up the course. Then I came to the place, 

 commonly called Rokugome, where large blocks of rocks abounded and where I 

 got Calosoma mikado accidently as I overturned a small stone. Here again I 

 caught Thecla smaragdina, which I at first regarded as a new species, but on re- 

 flection was convinced, must be a variety of the above named species. Just at 

 this time I saw a lycœnid butterfly flying about the scattered stones, but the 

 slope being 45° quite prevented me pursuing it. During this time which was 

 spent for the travel from Rokugome to the top, where the shrine stands, I could 

 catch no insect, being quite overcome by the very tiresome travel. 



After starting from " Tarobo " at 4 o'clock in the morning we reached the 

 top at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The collection on the top was very poor and 

 only the following insects were netted : — Argynnis Paphia, A. nerippe, Pompilus 

 biocuhtus, Mallophora anicini, Endoiasimyia indiana, Gn f sp ?, Musca corvina, 

 M. domestica, Leucorrliinafujisana. Among these the most common insect was 

 Mallophora anicins (Shioya-abu). It was met everywhere we went, being easily 

 discerned by its peculiar buzzing sound. If alights upon a stone awaiting for 

 booty. It the prey comes within its reach, it darts off and clasps it with its feet. 



The top of the mount was very cold and after one night's stay we were 

 glad to descend, the more so on account of the scarcity of insects. 



On the whole the field which is commonly called Susouo, containing the 

 large area between Gotenba and " Tarobo," is very rich with the hexapod tribe, 

 especially the moths ; but mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians seem to be 

 very scarce ; no mammals came across my path, and only two kinds of birds fell 

 within my vision. One was a kind of swift called Cypselus pacificus, which was 

 to be seen two or three in number on the mountain top, cutting the air with a 

 loud cry ; the other was a kind of lark, probably the species called Alauda japo- 

 nica found at a sandy slope about 7,000 feet high. 



The following insects were caught on Mount Fuji. 



H YMENOPTERA . 



Apidœ. 



Bombì/-: lapidarius, L. Illig. Mag. V. 169. 



