Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 8.djvu/290

Rh have a penchant for these insects, I searched for them assiduously, and at last came to the conclusion, that very few others would be found. In December last, having removed to another locality, I selected one side of a wooded ravine as the scene of future operations, and with considerable labour having rendered it passable, I spent the greater portion of seventeen days in collecting there, with a result that indicates my having formed an erroneous estimate of the productiveness of this class. Unfortunately a severe cut on the ancle, with a tomahawk, on the 29th December, whilst out collecting, forced me to abandon my researches for the rest of the season. These few days' work, however, furnished me with examples of sixteen species quite new to me, which must seem to be an extraordinary number, when taken in connection with what has been previously stated; aud in addition, many individuals of another very handsome species of which I only obtained two specimens at Auckland (one at Cabbage Tree Swamp, and the second in the Domain, nearly two years afterwards, on a Ngaio tree.) I have two other species in the box referred to in connection with Dr. Sharp. Not only were the species more numerous in the locality alluded to, but the insects are far finer examples of the class than I have seen elsewhere. I can hardly form an estimate of the number likely to be produced by the South Island, or even of this Province alone, but it must be obvious, that more careful investigation will add considerably to those already obtained, and we shall find that we possess, at least, one group of insects excelling those of Britain, in beauty, and exceeding them in number.

Owing to a considerable portion of my collection being in England or en route from thence, I am unable to give as good an account of the species which occur here, as I might otherwise have done. One, or rather, two species of Tanychilus, are very handsome insects. Another species which I captured quite recently, is one of the most beautiful of the New Zealand beetles; it is about four lines in length, of a fine metallic-purple colour, with four bright yellow marks on the elytra. The largest species with which I am acquainted is Nacerdes lineata, a very different insect from those I have been describing.

This section comprises a numerous variety of species, some of which are represented by innumerable individuals. As an instance of this, I may mention that, on one occasion I saw on the floor of a cellar, when removing some rubbish, some thousands congregated within the space of a few feet.

The collector is often provoked at finding the most insignificant beetles