NATURAL HISTORY. 
641 
found on fences,, where the wood is of their own slate color, 
and the black on charred timber, one spotted with white is 
scarcely distinguishable from it. Some suppose that, chame- 
leon like, they change their color according to circumstances, 
but it is more probable that they act by instinct, the better 
to elude the observation of their prey, or their enemies, 
several other insects do the same, as the mantis, cicada, 
locust, and some kinds of beetles. But this remark does not 
apply in general to the web- spinning class. 
The spider was formerly an object of reverence, the Maori 
supposed their atuas used it as an organ of communication, 
and descended from heaven by the aid of its thread. 
New Zealand has no true scorpion, the nearest approach 
is a small insect not larger than the flea, of the genus 
Phalangum, which, although shaped like one, in having 
a pair of claws, is without a tail, and has no sting. It is 
found amongst the dry sand of the sea shore, and bites most 
freely, but not worse than the common flea. Amongst the 
Goleoptera may be noticed the Cicindella, moeone, a beautiful 
bronze-spotted active little beetle, which burrows in our 
garden walks and is always on the look out for its prey. 
In summer the Tanguru, a large green beetle, is found in 
the forest, and the kiriwai , a very beautiful metallic green 
one, with red streaks, visits the Manuka trees ; the Mumu- 
tawa , the largest beetle of New Zealand, takes up its abode 
in the sand hills near the sea, it is remarkable for its thick 
round form, and the weakness of its elytra, it is of a light 
brown color and is frequently taken possession of by a fungus, 
which entirely occupies its body, without sending up any shoot. 
The Goccinella , lady -bird, or cow-lady, so well known in 
the nursery rhymes of our father land, is black, with sixteen 
yellow spots upon it, there is also a beautiful little black one 
without any spot ; a fine water-beetle, dytiscus , fully an inch 
long, is found in lakes and rivers. 
The Cerambyx. Tapoi , kaka , kapapa, karewarewa, koroi- 
pepe, is a numerous family, some of which are large and 
destructive to fruit and other trees. The grub of the largest 
pierces the puriri, vitex litoralis, the hardest timber of New 
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