as the glume. The habit is that of Microlana polynoda, but the plant is much larger. Stipa setacea, R. Brown.-(S. petriei, Buchanan, "Man. of Indig. Grasses of N.Z.," p. 171, pl. xvii., f. 2.)—Mr. Buchanan's S. petrici must be referred to this species, which has a wide distribution in Australia. None of the specimens kindly sent me by Mr. Petrie have the outer glumes so unequal as represented in Mr. Buchanan's plate. Davallia dubia, R. Br.-In Vol. XII. of "Trans. N.Z. Inst.," this fern is recorded by Mr. Armstrong, jun., as a native of New Zealand, but erroneously, as it has not been observed in the Colony. Specimens of Hypolepis millefolium, with the pinnules less divided than usual, appear to have been mistaken for it. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. LINNEAN SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, 27th Dec., 1882.-Dr. James C. Cox, F.L.S., presi dent, in the chair. 8. The Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods read a paper on a species of Brachyphyllum, which was found in the Tivoli coal mine. The specimen was a very beautiful and perfect one, showing a larger amount of the ramifications and foliage, as well as the peculiar Lepidodendroid markings on those portions of the stem from which the leaves had fallen away. In many respects this species re sembled the well known B. mamillare of the British and Continental Oolite, but lest any confusion should arise from a doubtful identification, and as the stems and leaves of this specimen were much thicker, and the leaves more fleshy than in B. mamillare, the author distinguished it as B. crassum. He considered that the discovery of this specimen served to place the Jurassic age of the Ipswich (Queensland) coal beds beyond much doubt. A note was read by Dr. H.B. Guppy, of H.M.S." Lark," on the cocoa-nut eating habit of the Birgus of the Solomon Islands. Dr. Guppy had no doubt from what he had observed that the Robber-crab is in the habit of breaking open the shells of the cocoa-nuts with its powerful chelæ. The Hon. P. C. King, M.L.C., exhibited specimens of Pieris teutonia, observed by him in great numbers near Tamworth a few days ago. They appeared to form part of a vast migration, moving without intermission towards the North. The same species has been unusually common in many parts of the Colony during the present summer. Mr. Haswell stated that he had much pleasure in announcing to the Society, that, thanks to the intelligent enquiries made by Mr. Morton of the Museum while recently in Queensland, he had hopes that they were on the way towards learning something of the embryology of the Ceratodus. Mr Morton had ascertained that the Ceratodus spawns in the Burnett River during the months of June, July, or August, the spawn being deposited in a slight excavation formed in the bed of the river at a depth of eight or ten feet, the male and female remaining in close attendance on it until hatched, Arrangements have been made by which it was hoped that a supply of the spawn might be obtained for observation next season. OTAGO INSTITUTE. ANNUAL MEETING. Dunedin, 30th January, 1883.-W. Arthur, Esq., President, in the chair. New Member.-Mr. E. A. Petherick (London). Papers. -(1.) "On the Picton Herring;" by W. Arthur, Esq. This fish is found chiefly in the sea at Picton and about Queen Charlotte Sound, but odd specimens have been occasionally taken in Otago Harbour. It is a very superior food fish, and nearly as good as a Scotch fresh herring. It contains a large quantity of oil. As to species, it is not only a true Pilchard, but is almost identical with that of the English Channel, the specimens examined running from 8 to 10 inches total length. The back is of a nefi steel-blue colour, the sides and belly being covered with large silvery scales which overlap, forming a beautiful diamond pattern. The fins are small, clear, and delicate, and the abdomen so tender that very soon after being handled it breaks, and cannot easily be preserved intact. Along the ridge of the abdomen, from the pectoral to the anal fin, and underneath the scales, there is embedded a row of bony spines or plates with lateral arms, the general form of these plates bearing a resemblance to the outline of the Pterichthys with its arms erect. The position of these plates viewed transversely to the axis of the fish shews that they are designed to strengthen the dermo-skeleton exactly at its weakest point. Another very interesting arrangement is evidently conse quent on the eyes being sunk with their orbital bones considerably within the plane of the cheeks. A depression of the bones of the head anterior and posterior to the orbits being covered with a beautifully transparent jelly-like disc, furnished with a slit or opening directly over the centre of the eyes, which disc is evidently meant by refraction to convey the impression of objects to the eye which otherwise could not be seen. Specimens of this fish were sent to the writer by Mr. Fell, of Picton, who also contributed such information as he possessed regarding its habits. Of these not much is as yet known, but they are thus referred to:-"The fish is found all round Queen Charlotte Sound and also in the adjoining Pelorus Sound, but is only caught here (Picton). Generally it is believed they do not extend outside, but my half-caste maintains that if sought for properly they would be found all round Nelson waters (Blind Bay) and in the straits. They are not easy fish to find, unless they are rushing on the surface, which is not often, and is a most peculiar sight. My own idea is that they will be found to extend much further to the south, but not into the warmer water north. fish are in the Sound all the year round, but only come into the shallow bays in winter, when they are in large shoals. In summer they keep more apart, and are sometimes caught, but are hard to find; no systematic fishing goes on in summer. They prefer the colder water, and thus leave shallow bays when spring sets in. The In summer they spawn, and are full of roe about Christmas time, going always in small shoals at that time. "As food they are exceedingly good when fried fresh. It is the same as the dried fish sold as Picton herring. The fishermen have very poor appliances, and are not skilled at all in curing; I am sure their method could be greatly improved. "As to the numbers visiting Picton Harbour or Queen Charlotte Sound, I cannot say at all; but four smoke-houses were kept going all last winter. The hauls average 1 to 2 tons, but at times 10 tons have been landed." Of specimens examined the formulæ are :-Weight, 3 ounces to 5 ounces; total length 9 inches to 10 inches. Fin rays, D 17 to 18; P 16 to 18; V8; A 17 to 19; C. 19. Branchiostegals 7; Vertebræ 48 to 50. Pyloric Caeca 100 (one specimen only). Scales, Lat. 160; Trans. 1 12 (one specimen only). (2.) "Description of a variety of Celmisia sessiliflora ;" and (3.) Description of a new species of Carex (C. littoralis);" both by D. Petrie, Esq., M.A. The President then delivered his farewell address, as follows:— In taking leave of the members of the Otago Institute as president for the year 1882, I intend to offer only a few general observations rather than select any special topic. The present century will, I take it, be recognised and distinguished by most men as that in which very wonderful and rapid advances have been made in scientific discovery. Not only have new fields of investigation presented themselves, and new standpoints been assumed for study, but old methods and theories have been abandoned, or to some extent overturned, and many wonderful discoveries of great utility have been achieved. The results to mankind are recognised as eminently beneficial, not merely in the actual accumulation of knowledge, but also in adding comforts and facilities to life, with the promotion of friendly relations between diverse nations. At the same time, the very success of modern science appears to have induced errors in thought and practice which are to be regretted, and which time alone can eliminate. I should like to refer to one of these only, and which I would designate impatience or haste. This the spirit of the age has stamped more or less on all sciences, but notably on what may be called the speculative sciences, as geology and natural history. One consequence of this is that certain paths have had to be retraced, while others will yet have to be retraced, I believe; meantime the unbelieving public is not edified. Geology, which may be regarded as contemporaneous with this century, has proved uncommonly fertile in theories-due no doubt to the restlessness of the times, but also to the temptations presented by our almost absolute ignorance (scientifically speaking) of the past. It is not then to be wondered at, for example, that recent researches into the action of the tides go far to prove that the immense periods hitherto assigned as necessary to account for geological changes or formations are altogether at fault, and require reconsideration as having been vastly over-estimated. So also error is not absent from the theory of the manner of coal formations, deduced from observations of imperfect operations presently to be seen on the surface of the earth. For there seems to be a radical difference between the nature of that force and its ultimate pressure, required to form peat in Ireland, or carbonised wood in the bends of the Mississippi River, and that which finished its work when the world's coalfields were laid to rest. Even the theory of submergence beneath great depths of water fails to account for the homogeneous quality of coal seams. Nor has biology escaped in the general hurry-scurry, but though richly endowed in itself, it too must needs make haste to keep pace with its fellows in the race. It is a seductive science, and one offering endless work with equal gratification to its followers; but it has suffered in the "house of its friends," and its living witnesses have been hurried out of court somewhat abruptly. Leaving on one side details and inferences, which are not free from mistakes, I would point out one or two principles at present held by many as sound and unassailable. First, it is assumed that we must take a plant or an animal just as we find it, and recognise nothing more. about it than that it is a living machine or organism. But it must, I take it, be self-evident that the study of the life history of a living organism is incomplete and unscientific unless we formulate first what we do know about as facts, and secondly what we do not know. In other words, it is our duty not only to inquire how an organism is constructed, and by what natural laws its functions are performed, but we must go further and find out, if possible, how it came into existence or came before the tribunal of science, and whence the laws which set it a-going and keep it a-going, To illustrate my meaning: A locomotive is a beautiful machine-an organism if you like but you may put its parts together with faultless accuracy, put coal into its tender and fire-box, also water into its boiler, but it remains dead material and cannot perform its functions until man or the mind that designed it sets it moving and keeps it moving. So likewise among living beings, we do not exhaust their life history when we have discovered the laws regulating their nutrition and reproduction, or the methods_by which their functions are performed. There remains the other part still demanding investigation. Did a mind design these structures, and does it maintain as well as originate the secret principle of life? Then there is another fundamental principle has something unsatisfactory about it, although its application has been of immense assistance to biology. I refer to the order of classification of animals from the protozoa to the vertebrata, which is based, besides other facts, on the presence or absence of organs specialised to perform certain functions. That is, the lowest animals (so called) in the scale, have no special organs for the prehension and assimilation of food, or for reproducing their species. One portion of the body or mass fulfills the necessary conditions just as well as any other part; while in the highest animals, as in man, we find organs set apart for respiration, nutrition, reproduction, and for thought. Now an animal which without any apparent special organs can effect the work of prehension of food and other duties, must surely be a highly complex organism. At all events if a machine were built by any human being capable of performing half-a-dozen diverse kinds of work simultaneously, it would not certainly be classed as a simple machine. It seems to me, then, that in our haste many things are being forgotten or overlooked, not only that relate to the phenomena of life, but to its origin as regarded in biology; while the side-lights contributed by sister sciences are often not contemplated at all. To quote a recent writer: "The real difficulty in dealing with the problems offered by living beings arises, as it appears to the writer, from our ignorance of the nature and mode of action of that form of force which we have called vital force. As we have seen, the singular chemical phenomena which form the grand distinction between living matter and dead matter in every shape, are due to the action of this force; and till we shall have discovered how it was originally called into action, or at least in what manner it still continues to operate, we shall not be able to rely on any experimental theory as being the complete and proved explanation of any phenomena presented by living beings. And now, in welcoming our President-elect to his office, I hope we may find under his auspices that the present year will prove the most prosperous that our Institute has yet seen. ANNUAL REPORT. The Hon. Secretary then read the following report:- "During the present session five general meetings have been held, including the present annual meeting. "At these meetings nine original papers have been read, all on zoological subjects, with the exception of one dealing with the natural features, fauna, and flora of Macquarie Island. "At the beginning of the session the Council adopted a scheme for the delivery of regular courses of popular lectures. Two such courses have been given-one of three lectures on • Fermentation and Putrefaction,' by the Secretary; and one of four lectures on English Literature,' consisting of two lectures by Professor Mainwaring Brown on Chaucer, and two by Mr. Alexander Wilson, M.A., on Tennyson. In each case the plan was adopted of distributing among the audience a printed syllabus of the lectures, and a small fee was charged to non-members, sufficient to cover expenses of printing and advertising. The success attending these lectures has been such as to warrant the Council recommending their continuation next session. "Six new members have joined the Institute during last session, but on the other hand the names of several defaulters have been struck off the roll. The total number of members is now 177. "The receipts for the year, including a balance of £15 18s. 3d. from last year, amount to 195 2s. 3d. The total expenditure was £167 8s. 3d., so that there remains a balance in hand of £27 6s. The Permanent Fund in the Dunedin Savings Bank now amounts to £166 13s. 9d." The Secretary called the attention of the meeting to a circular of the "Balfour Memorial," which he laid on the table, stating that he would be glad to receive contributions from any who were interested in the scheme. He remarked particularly upon the nature of the proposed memorial, namely its foundation of studentships for the prosecution of research in biology, and expressed a hope that, as the studentships were not to be limited to Cambridge men, one of them might some day be held by a student of our own University. The following were elected office-bearers for the ensuing session-President, A. Montgomery; Vice-presidents, W. Arthur, C.E., and Rev. Dr. Roseby; Hon. Secretary, Prof. Parker, B.Sc., etc.; Hon. Treasurer, D, Petrie, M.A; Other members of Council: T. M. Hocken, M.R.C.S., Professor Scott, G. M. Thomson, F.L.S., F. R. Chapman, R. Gillies, F.L.S., G. Joachim, and Prot. Mainwaring Brown; Auditor, D. Brent, M.A. The Secretary exhibited some recent additions to the Museum, including a stuffed edible turtle, skeleton of the Dugong and the Sting Ray, the latter prepared by the glycerine jelly process. |