past the Routeburn Station the first crossing is reached. The valley here is wide and flat, the river making a double bend. The ford is fairly good, but can only be undertaken on horseback, unless the river is very low. After passing the ford the “zigzag” is soon reached, the track ascending some 800 ft. in following the river through an extremely narrow gorge, bounded on the opposite side by overhanging cliffs between 1,000 ft. and 2,000 ft. above the river. After this the valley widens out somewhat, and the track descends gradually until it reaches the vicinity of the Routeburn Hut. The valley is now much wider, and the stream again has to be crossed. Here it is, however, considerably shallower than at the first ford, and can generally be traversed on foot.

Just before the second ford the hut may be seen about three-quarters of a mile away. Some two or three hundred yards before the hut is reached a track may be seen branching off on the western side. This is the track to Lake Harris. It is well to take special notice of this track, as visitors without a guide have often attempted to reach the lake by following the stream above the hut. In going to Lake Harris it is necessary to return from the hut to the junction of the two tracks, and no other route should be attempted.

The accommodation at the Routeburn Hut, although plain, is quite satisfactory. The hut consists of three rooms furnished with wooden bunks, tables, shelves, and forms, visitors supplying, of course, their own blankets and provisions. As this is a Government hut, and free to every one, it is at times liable to be rather crowded. The view from the hut is very beautiful, comprising—Conical Hill, a fine bush-covered cone rising about 1,500 ft. from the river-valley; the left-hand branch of the Routeburn, a level grass-covered valley between great bush-clad mountains, the lower edges of the bush being fringed as usual with groves of lacebark-trees; and lastly, Mount Cosmos, with its glaciers and snowfields. This great mountain is so close that I was able to see, by means of a small telescope, numerous crevasses and many other details near the top. The final spur of this mountain has a very remarkable curved outline, which, when once seen, is not likely to be forgotten. A large waterfall is visible from the hut on the western side of the left-hand branch of the Routeburn, and in wet weather a second waterfull appears, quite close to the first one. Behind and above the hut are great quantities of a very beautiful fern (Aspidium aculeatum), which grows in great tufts, often over 5 ft. in height. The forest is also very thickly interspersed with lacebark-trees, especially near the banks of the river. The asparagus fern is very common along the track just before reaching the hut.

On ascending the Lake Harris track, more and more extensive views are unfolded of this wild and interesting region, and the collecting between elevations of about 2,500 ft. and the end of the bush at about 3,600 ft. is extremely good. One very large mountain-torrent is crossed about half-way up the bush-line. On 23rd January, 1906, just before crossing this stream, we were caught in a passing snowstorm. The snow was seen descending from a perfectly clear sky for fully five minutes after the clouds which had shed the snow had passed over. This interesting phenomenon was probably caused by a very strong south-west wind blowing in the upper regions of the atmosphere and driving the clouds across at a great rate, thus not allowing time for the relatively light snowflakes to fall through the calmer air near the surface of the earth until after the clouds had disappeared. At the bush-line itself the river passes over a number of fine waterfalls, and in places is divided into several branches which reunite after flowing through very precipitous ravines. A gorge is then traversed, and the open country above 3,600 ft. fairly reached. This country, although rough, is tolerably accessible, and should yield excellent collecting in calm sunny weather, as even during periods of fitful sunshine and strong wind many interesting species were found. Two or three miles of this class of country are traversed before Lake Harris is reached.

This lake is situated solemnly between vast, almost perpendicular snow-clad mountains, and resembles in general appearance an artificial reservoir, the outlet flowing over a solid rocky dam, the bed of the lake having apparently been hollowed out of the rock by glacial action. Lake Harris was, unfortunately, the limit of our expeditions, the weather being so unsettled during each of our visits (two days in 1905, and seven in 1906) that more extended trips could not be undertaken. I had intended to have scaled the Lake Harris saddle and descended into the Hollyford Valley by way of the Martin's Bay track, but had to abandon this proposed expedition on account of the weather.

The bush round the Routeburn Hut is rich in birds, and by means of my small telescope I obtained many interesting views of the following species, amongst others: Kea, grey duck, paradise duck, sparrow-hawk, red-fronted and yellow-fronted parakeets, and several species of wrens. Rabbits also were fairly abundant, but as yet they do not appear to have committed very serious depredations on the native flora. On the Humboldt Range, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, the rabbits have unquestionably very much injured the alpine flora since I first visited that locality in 1894.

For several days prior to our departure from the Routeburn the hills around were considerably obscured by smoke. The weather having been frequently wet for fully a week before, and the winds westerly, I was at a loss to account for the origin of the smoke, seeing that under the circumstances bush-fires could hardly have been raging on the south-west coast. On my return to civilisation I learned that extensive fires had occurred in Queensland at that time, and there is little doubt that the prevailing north-west winds had carried the smoke from these fires on to the south-west coast of New Zealand.

The following is a list of the insects taken at the Routeburn, with general remarks on the class of locality where each species occurred:—

Vanessa gonerilla.

A few specimens of this well-known butterfly were seen on the wing. A number of young larvÆ were also observed feeding on the small nettle (Urtica incisa) in the forest.

Chrysophanus boldenarum.

Fairly common on the shingle near the river during the few sunny intervals experienced. The males were entirely suffused with glistening purple, with the black spots very small; the females pale yellowish-brown.

Chrysophanus salustius.

A few in open spaces near the river, probably rare owing to the prevalence of cloudy weather; a small pale - coloured form.

Physetica cærulea.

One specimen taken flying over a grassy flat near the river, in hot sunshine.

Leucania purdii.

At. “sugar.” One specimen only.

Leucania propria.

At “sugar.” Rare.

Ichneutica ceraunias.

One small very dark male specimen taken flying wildly in hot sunshine in the open country near Lake Harris, at about 3,800 ft.

Melanchra vitiosa.

At “sugar.” One specimen.

M. agorastis.

At “sugar.” One very fine specimen.

Melanchra asterope.

At “sugar.” Two specimens.

M. rubescens.

At “sugar.” Two specimens.

Paradetis porphyrias.

Two taken and several seen amongst ferns, Lake Harris track, at about 2,800 ft.

Chloroclystis antarctica.

Several very beautiful varieties of this, or a closely allied species, were found amongst undergrowth at about 2,800 ft.

Chloroclystis nereis.

On rocks above bush - line, Lake Harris track, at about 3,800 ft.

Chloroclystis halianthes.

One specimen, near Lake Harris. This is one of the largest species of the genus.

Hydriomena hemizona.

This extremely rare species, of which I had previously only taken two specimens, one of which furnished the type for the original description, was fairly common in certain restricted spots in the forest, both on the Lake Harris track and on the main track. The insect was generally disturbed from amongst foliage on overhanging banks, usually in dense forest. In all I secured ten specimens, which formed a very welcome addition to my collection.

H. rixata.

Common in forest round the hut. Specimens of this insect from the South Island are much duller than those from the North Island, and the characteristic green markings are absent.

H. callichlora.

One specimen of this extremely rare species occurred on the Lake Harris track, at about 3,000 ft.

H. purpurifera.

Fairly common in forest round Routeburn Hut and on Lake Harris track to about 3,000 ft. A most beautiful insect, and a

very fine series secured. The hindwings are paler and less ochreous than in specimens captured at Castle Hill, West Coast Road.

Venusia xanthaspis.

One specimen of this rarity was taken on Lake Harris track, and another seen. Both were disturbed from foliage growing in front of dripping rock-facings.

V. undosata.

The commonest lepidopteron at the Routeburn. Disturbed in hundreds from lacebark foliage everywhere up to about 3,000 ft. The specimens are very pale-yellow, much paler than those from Nelson and other more northern localities.

Xanthorhoe semifissata.

Common in forest round the hut. A very large and finely marked form.

Xanthorhoe orophylla.

Found on the open country near Lake Harris, at about 3,900 ft.

X. cataphracta.

Found on the open country near Lake Harris, at about 3,900 ft. Some very large specimens.

X. clarata.

Very abundant in the open country both near the hut and on Lake Harris track, 2,300 ft. to 4,000 ft.

X. prasinias.

In forest near the hut. A few specimens only.

X. beata.

Common in the forest near the hut. Many very finely marked specimens.

X. adonis.

In forest, Lake Harris track. Four specimens at about 2,600 ft.

X. Ægrota.

A few specimens on the edge of the forest near the hut.

X. chionogramma.

One specimen only, Lake Harris track, at about 3,600 ft.

X. cinerearia.

A large slaty-grey variety was common on the river-bed near the hut. A very beautiful variety of the small form (invexata) also occurred.

Dasyuris callicrena.

This very fine species was abundant on the Lake Harris track in the open country above 3,500 ft.

Notoreas zopyra.

On stony places in the river-bed near the hut.

N. brephos.

On stony places in the river-bed near the hut.

Selidosema productata.

A few good varieties in the forest at about 2,500 ft.

Sestra humeraria.

Common in the forest round the hut; a very pale form.

Gonophylla fortinata.

One large specimen at “sugar,” and another seen. This insect is specially attached to Aspidium aculeatum, the most abundant fern at the Routeburn.

Diptycophora leucoxantha.

Two specimens only in forest. Both specimens have the central spot orange-yellow, and are larger than usual.

D. helioctypa.

Extremely abundant, flying in clouds over all the grassy openings near the river.

Crambus vitellus.

Common, as usual.

C. flexuosellus.

Common, as usual.

C. canopias.

One specimen only.

Mecyna(?).

Two specimens.

Scoparia philerga.

Several.

S. chlamydota.

Common amongst lacebark near the hut.

S. hemicycla.

One specimen, in forest, at about 2,500 ft.

S. minusculalis.

One specimen only.

S. encapna.

On stones, Lake Harris track, in hot sunshine, at about 2,800 ft.

S. paltomacha.

A few specimens only.

S. micropthalmia.

Fairly common, Lake Harris track.

S. melanægis.

One specimen, 2,300 ft.

S. thyridias.

This very interesting species was common in the forest round the hut. The bare patch in the disc of the forewings is natural, and not the result of abrasion, and Mr. Meyrick informs me that the same structure occurs in some of the Hawaiian species of Scoparia.

S. psammitis.

Extremely abundant in all the openings along the river-valley up to about 2,500 ft.

S. crypsinoa.

A few only.

S. axena.

A few only.

S. octophora.

Common in the river-bed near the hut.