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in tolerable plenty throughout the whole world, the Australian species being numerous and in the main very similar to those found elsewhere. The Galleridæ, a small family of world-wide distribution, are also not found, and the cosmopolitan genera Schœnobius, Scirpophaga, Chilo, and Prionopteryx, are similarly remarkable by their absence.
The above remarks are not intended to express final conclusions, but only to call attention to inferences which seem fairly deducible from the facts known, as a means to the rational classification of the group.
I desire to acknowledge my great indebtedness in the preparation of these papers to Mr. Fereday, whose very valuable and extensive collection has been freely placed at my disposal in the interests of science; without his assistance it would have been impossible for me to have treated the subject with any degree of completeness.
CRAMBIDÆ.
Labial palpi porrected, generally long. Maxillary palpi triangular, porrected, conspicuous. Forewings with 12 veins (rarely fewer, but not in New Zealand genera), vein 1 simple, 8 and 9 stalked, 7 sometimes from same stalk. Hindwings with 8 veins (rarely 7, but not in New Zealand genera), 4 and 5 often stalked, 7 and 8 stalked, lower median vein pectinated at base.
In the absence of the Phycidæ, this family is not likely to be confused with any other in New Zealand, except with the group of Scoparia and its allies; some of these latter approach nearly to Crambus in superficial appearance, but may be invariably recognised by the absence of the basal pecten, or fringe of hairs, on the upper surface of the lower median vein of the hindwings. Care must be taken to note the right vein, as the other veins often bear basal pectinations which are not of the same importance.
Five genera are represented in New Zealand, which may be thus distinguished:
| A. vein 7 of forewings separate. | |
| I. vein 11 of forewings coalescing with 12 before costa | 4. Diptychophora. |
| II.vein„ 11 of„ forewings„ separate. | |
| a. forewings with raised tufts of scales on surface | 2. Cryptomima. |
| b. forewings„ smooth. | |
| 1. female with abbreviated wings | 3. Scenoploca. |
| 2. female„ fully developed | 1. Thinasotia. |
| B. vein„ 7 of„ forewings„ rising out of stalk of 8 and 9 | 5. Crambus. |
1. Thinasotia, Hb.
Antennæ of male finely ciliated. Labial palpi long, attenuated. Forewings with 12 veins, 8 and 9 stalked. Hindwings with 8 veins, 4 and 5 stalked or from a point, 6 widely remote at origin from 7, 7 and 8 stalked, cell closed.