VI—THE 
black. The female is pale yellowish-brown, the spots resemble 
those of the male, except that all the marginal series have bright 
purple or blue centres. On the under-side the fore-wings of both 
sexes are pale yellowish, bordered with pale slaty-blue; the spots 
are the same as on the upper-side. The hind-wings are brownish- 
grey in the male, slaty-grey in the female, the spots of the upper- 
side being always indicated. 
This insect is extremely variable, but none of the 
numerous forms are sufficiently constant to be regarded 
as distinct species. The male varies in the size and 
number of the black spots, many of which are often 
absent; in the extent of the purple sheen which is some- 
times absent from the hind-wings, sometimes partially 
absent from the fore-wings, and sometimes extends over 
the whole of both pairs of wings; also in the colour of 
such sheen, which often inelines towards blue. Some 
specimens are much paler than others, and so far as my 
experience goes, these are chiefly found at considerable 
elevations. In male specimens from the Mount Arthur 
Tableland, taken at altitudes between 3000 and 4000 feet 
above the sea-level, the ground colouring inclines towards 
yellow or orange, and the purple sheen is very brilliant, 
and extends over the whole of the wings. (Plate V., fig. 1.) 
The female of this form is proportionately paler, and has 
a decided resemblance to a diminutive specimen of Chryso- 
phanus salustius (fig. 2.). 
Butterflies from the high mountains around the head 
of Lake Wakatipu have the ground colour in the male 
dull grey, the purple sheen very brilliant and extending 
almost over both wings (fig. 5.). The female of this 
variety is pale dusky yellow, with all the dark markings 
pale and somewhat diffused (fig. 6.). | Other specimens 
from the lowlands have the hind-wings of the male almost 
black with no purple sheen, whilst in others the purple 
sheen remains. Another form has the usual markings, 
but the hind-wings are deep orange-brown, without purple 
sheen, which is also absent from the outer portions of the 
fore-wings. One female in my collection is greyish-brown, 
with yellow markings between the two rows of black spots. 
The under side is still more variable. One very striking 
form has only the basal portions of the fore-wings yellow, 
the rest of the ground colour is pale bluish-grey, and the 
spots black. On the hind-wings there are a number of 
black spots near the base; then an irregular band of black, 
followed by a double row of marginal spots. A very pro- 
nounced form of this variety oceurs on the elevated tussock 
plains, in the centre of the North Island (fig. 16). An almost 
unlimited number of varieties however connects this extreme 
form with those in which all the markings on the hind- 
wings are nearly obsolete. Specimens of this insect taken in 
separate districts often exhibit differences from those taken 
elsewhere, but specimens also differ from the same 
district, so that at present we are unable to detect’ any 
definite topographical variation. It is consequently highly 
desirable that collectors should continue to endeavour to 
obtain specimens from as many localities as possible, so 
BUTTERFLIES. By 
that the precise nature of the variation of this butterfly 
may be better understood. 
The larva, which feeds on a small-leaved Miihlenbeckia, 
is about three-eighths of an inch in length, stout, onis- 
ciform, with the head very small, dull green or brick-red, 
with a few oblique dark red or pinkish stripes; the whole 
larva is covered with numerous long hairs. The pupa is 
about a quarter of an inch in length, very stout, mueh 
rounded, with no angulations; the eyes are brown, the 
head and abdomen dull red, the wing-eases dull ochreous, 
the back of the thorax grey, and the spiracles ochreous; 
there are three rows of blackish dots on the back of the 
abdomen. The specimen J reared was enclosed in an 
extremely frail cocoon, formed of a few strands of silk, 
joining together two or three leaves of the food-plant. 
Mr. Howes states that the larvae and pupae found by him 
were discovered under stones, covering ants’ nests, in 
river beds. He suggests that there may possibly be some 
connection in habits between this insect and the ants, 
which were observed running over the pupae when they 
were found.* 
The perfect inseet is very common from November 
till March, frequenting dry, stony places, near river-beds. 
It flies only a short distanee when disturbed, but is very 
quick on the wing, and hence rather difficult to catch until 
one becomes accustomed to its movements. It seldom opens 
its wings whilst at rest, so that when perched on the 
eround it is always very imeonspicuous. There are 
probably at least two broods in a season, and specimens of 
a late brood may usually be taken, in very fine condition, 
during the first or second week m March. 
Mr. H. W. Simmonds, who has very closely studied 
our butterflies, has drawn my attention to the very 
interesting resemblance between the female of Chryso- 
phanus boldenarum and C. salustius. This resemblance 
is closest between the female of the Mount Arthur form of 
C. boldenarwm and a small coastal form of C. salustius, 
common on the northern shores of Cook Strait, and having 
marginal spots with blue centres. Mr. Simmonds regards 
C. boldenarum as most nearly approaching the ancestral 
form of Chrysophanus which originally established itself 
in New Zealand. He considers that this ancestor first 
separated into C. boldenarwm and C. salustius, these sub- 
sequently diverging into varieties of which C. enysw is the 
most permanent. 
Genus 2.—LYCAENA, F. 
“Byes hairy. Club of antennae elongate. 
vein 6 separate, 8 and 9 stalked. 
Fore-wings with 
‘‘A large genus of nearly universal distribution. 
Imago usually with a horny apical hook on anterior tibiae. 
Larva short, stout, attenuated at extremities, with short 

* Trans. N.Z. Inst., xliv., 206. 

