14 
crossed one of the permanent snowfields which are hanging 
everywhere on the south-east side of the highest ranges. Crossing 
a saddle that again divides the Snowy and Murray waters, by 
turning slightly to the left we reached the highest peak of the 
Ramshead Range, which from our position extends almost in a true 
easterly direction, and divides the Snowy and Crackenbac Rivers. 
My aim was to obtain some “ Boogongs,” the native name for 
the moths which so abundantly occur on this range, and no doubt 
have given it its name. From descriptions I expected to find a 
large Sphinx, and was puzzled how such an insect could exist in 
such masses at this altitude and in a comparatively barren 
country. What I found was a Noctuid moth, an Agrotis ,* 
probably the same as is found in New Zealand, and likely to be 
a cosmopolitan species. The first 1 discovered was sitting in a 
crevice, and as soon as I saw it I knew where to look for more. 
On lifting some of the stone slabs, split from the rock by frost, 
dozens scrambled away in all directions. I secured some fifty 
specimens, and but for the high wind might perhaps have caught 
many more. Why, at such an elevation (from 6,000 to 7,000 
feet), millions of these insects should be found, is perhaps 
one of the most remarkable problems in the insect world. 
The conditions are by no means favorable, because sometimes 
during nearly seven months of the year the country is covered 
with snow, and when the summer comes immense numbers of 
birds pursue them, particularly the crows which may always be 
found by thousands about the rocks where the “ Boogongs ” con- 
gregate. In former years before rum and disease had diminished 
the aborigines, hundreds of them went regularly to the ranges 
“ Boogonging,” and lived for months on almost nothing but these 
insects, returning fat and with a polished skin. An informant, 
who has lived in Monaro for over forty-five years, told me as 
follows : — In October, as soon as the snow had melted on the 
lower ranges, small parties of blackfellows would in fine weather 
start for the rocks on the summit to get “ Boogongs ” 
(most likely hybernated examples), and perhaps return if the 
weather changed ; but a great gathering usually took place 
about Christmas on the highest ranges, and for about two months 
a great feast of roasted moths would be held. He assured 
me he lias seen corroborees of 500 to 700 aboriginals on the 
mountains, in which the various tribes that took part were 
friendly, some of them coming from a great distance. Their 
method of catching these insects was both simple and effective. 
With a burning or smoldering bush they entered as far as 
possible the rents in the rocks, and by the heat and smoke stifle 
the thickly congregated insects sitting in the upper parts of the 
*This species has been identified by Mr. Olliif as Agrotis spina, Gu., 
immense swanns of which appeared on the sea-board of Victoria and 
Now South Wales in the early part of the present summer. — E d. 
