2. The occurence of the Australian Dollar-Bird (Eurystomus pacificus, G. R. Gray) in New Zealand, by T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S. A single specimen, the first recorded as occurring in this Colony, was exhibited. It was shot near the Manukau Heads by Mr. Cowan, and from all appearance was wild, and had not escaped from captivity. The bird is of local occurrence in its native habitat, New South Wales, and is purely insectivorous, and is said by Dr. Gould to feed principally on coleoptera. The specimen, when shot, was found to have its crop distended with coleoptera. It had no doubt strayed from Australia, and managed to cross the 1300 miles of sea which separates New Zealand from New South Wales.

3. On various subjects, by Jas. Barber, C.E. A short paper, bearing the above title, and dealing briefly with two or three matters of interest.

4. Percentage of Citric Acid in Limes grown in Auckland, by J. A. Pond. The general results of an examination and comparison of limes brought from the Pacific Islands and of those grown in Auckland, showed that the latter had a very much larger percentage of acid than was yielded by limes from any other locality, amounting to 8.13 per cent. This result led the author to think that a large industry would yet be established in the district for the growth of limes, and the preparation from them of citric acid. 5. A translation of the myth of the Maui from the best Maori sources, by Judge Maning.

6. On the Shores of the Unknown, by A. E. Mackechnie.

CANTERBURY PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

October 13th.-Professor J. von Haast, in the chair. Mr. C. H. Bridges was elected a member.

The following papers were read :

:

1. On Vertical Triangulations, by Mr. C. W. Adams.

2. On Fresh Water Bivalve Shells of New Zealand, by Professor F. W. Hutton.

3. Additions to New Zealand Crustacean Fauna, by Mr. C. Chilton, B.A. (see Notes, page 43.)

4. On the preparation of spontaneously inflammable Phosphine, and on a new form of Burette, by Mr. T. A. Mollett.

5. Remarks on the carved-stone bird, named Korotangi by the Maories, now in the possession of Major Wilson, by Professor J. von Haast.

6. On a new species of Pleur sigma, by Mr. John Inglis.

Mr. W. Maskell exhibited living specimens of the large scaleinsect Icerya purchasi, which has recently found its way into New Zealand. This insect threatens to do extensive damage to wattles (Acacia sp.) unless some means can be devised to stop its ravages.

November 3rd.-Annual Meeting, Professor J. von Haast in the chair. Messrs. D. Blair, F. Barkas, B. K. S. Lawrence, and the Rev. J. Buller, were elected members.

Office-bearers for the ensuing session were then elected as follows:-President: Professor J. von Haast, Ph.D., F.G.S.; VicePresidents Professor F. W. Hutton and Mr. R. W. Fereday; Hon. Treasurer: Mr. W. M. Maskell; Hon. Secretary: Mr. Geo.

Gray; Council (in addition to the foregoing): Messrs. T. Crook, T. S. Lambert, and H. R. Webb; Auditors: Messrs. C. R. Blakiston and W. D. Carruthers.

The following resolution was agreed to-"That all sums received for lite subscriptions shall be invested in the names of two or three trustees, who shall be members of the Institute, to be appointed by the Council, and the interest only arising from such investment shall be applied to the uses of the Institute."

The following papers were then read-1. On some subterranean crustacea, by Mr. C. Chilton, B.A. (see Notes, page 43).

2. On the New Zealand Hydrobiinæ, by Professor F. W. Hutton, (see Notes, page 41).

3. On a new genus of Rissoinæ, by Professor F. W. Hutton (see Notes, page 41).

The Annual Report was then read, of which the following is an abstract :-Nine ordinary meetings and one special meeting have been held, at which twenty-eight papers were read. These were contributed by thirteen members, and comprise fourteen on zoology, nine on miscellaneous subjects, three on botany, and two on chemistry. Six lectures were also delivered. Sixteen members have been elected, making the number at present on the books 165.

The donations comprise 22 works to the library, and three valuable type collections of microscopic objects, viz., Polyzoa, by Professor Hutton; N.Z. Coccida and N.Z. Desmidiæ, both by Mr. W. M. Maskell.

The microscopical section has held an average of two meetings per month since the beginning of the session, and at these a large number of interesting exhibits have been made.

The balance-sheet shows that the annual receipts amounted to £193 14s. 3d. and the expenditure to £168 9s. id., leaving a balance in hand of £25 5s. 2d.

OTAGO INSTITUTE.

November 22nd-G. M. Thomson, Esq. (president) in the chair. Papers-1. On a new Carex, by D. Petrie, M.A. This species was gathered by Messrs. Petrie and Thomson in Paterson Inlet, Stewart's Island. The author has named it C. longiculmis; it is allied to, but quite distinct from C. trifida.

2. Additions to the crustacean fauna of New Zealand, by Geo. M. Thomson (see Notes, page 43).

3. Taieri floods and their prevention, by W. Arthur, C. E. The author advocates the erection of a dam on the Upper Taieri at the outlet of the river Styx, and considers that this will suffice to keep back sufficient storm water to enable the river to be easily retained within its banks in the lower Taieri Plain.

HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. October 10th.-The Bishop of Waiapu (president) ir: the

chair.

The chief business was the reading of an exhaustive paper by the Hon. Secretary, Mr. W. Colenso, "On the fine perception of colours possessed by the ancient Maories," being a reply to Mr.

Stack's paper

"On the colour-sense of the Maori," published in the 12th Volume of the Institute Transactions. An animated discussion ensued.

A number of ancient Maori articles, some said to be souvenirs of Capt. Cook, were exhibited by Mr Loche.

November 14th. - The Bishop of Waiapu (president) in the

chair.

Papers.-. A description of some New Zealand plants; 2. A description of some New Zealand shells, both by the Hon. Secretary, Mr. W. Colenso, F.L.S.

Among a large number of exhibits laid on the table were several N.Z. insects, large land shells from the northern parts of the Island, and two fossil teeth (Mammalian) obtained from a great depth in sinking an artesian well,

DUNEDIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB.

The spring meetings of this Club have not been so well attended as usual, but the individual members have qeen doing good work, particularly in the department of entomology. Six meetings have been held, and excursions made to the various localities in the neighbourhood of Dunedin. Three plants not hitherto found in the district must now be included in the Club's lists, viz., Cotula australis, Hook, J., and Polycarpon tetraphyllum, L. (introduced), both of which occur abundantly at Purakanui; and the rare Pterostylis aphylla, Lindley, found by Mr. S. Fulton near Outram. Two considerable collections of spiders have been made, and the members would be glad to hear of anyone working out this group.

CORRESPONDENCE.

A REQUEST.

(To the Editor N.Z. JOURNAL of Science.)

SIR, Mr. T. D. Gibson Carmichael, of Castlecraig, Dolphington, Scotland, is studying the Myriapoda, and wishes to work up those of New Zealand. I should be much obliged to anyone who will send them to me to be transmitted to him. They should be preserved in alcohol, not dried, and each bottle should have on it the locality where the collection was made, and the name of the collector. For transmission by post the spirit may be poured off, and a piece of rag, or blotting-paper, damped in spirit, put in the bottle.-I am, &c.,

Christchurch, January 16, 1882.

F. W. HUTTON.