FOR SCIENCE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 18, 16 October 1907, Page 5

FOR SCIENCE.

t Sir, In your account, in ;this morning's jssuo of *n interview, with Professor Kirk' and the Poripatns!' (I nptico it is called' by him " Peripatoides "), a statement.is made that living specimens were sent to. England twonty years ago to the Cambridge Museum by Mr. Noel Birraud. ~ ■ .As ..far as I am aware, tho animal's occurrence in New Zealand was first brought to tho noticc .of scientific men by tio. late' Mr.: W. T. L. Travers, who gave living specimens to Mr. H. N. Moseley, M.A., F.R.S., 1 whenhe visitod New Zealand in the Challenger as. one of tho sciontific staff in June, 1874. It i was then called Peripatus. Mr- Moseley mentions that it was abundant near 'Wellington amongst dead wood, and that he had forty or fifty specimens brought to him. I do not agree with Professor Kirk's' statement that " our present Government" has done more than any previous Government for science," and, if he would notimind, I, should like him ,to inform tho general, public what thoy havo'specially dono. '»

Tho result hoped to bo obtained by tho proposed visit of the scientific' expedition' to' tho Auckland and Campbell-Islands-will ; de-' pend altogether, upon the weathor ;experienced. Tho Campbell islands can be travelled, over fairly well, evon if the woather should not bo very fine, but it is quite a different matter at tho Auckland Islands, and'if g'roat! caro is not osercised by the ; individuals of' the party in keeping within touch of each othor, thpro is - considerable dangor should, they be,overtaken by fog, which comes on. without any warning. The appearance of theisland is very deceptive, as to look at. it from a distance thero would appear to bo' no difficulty in waking all ovor it, but the vonturesomo traveller Boon finds that his progress is a very slow and arduous one, and ne is very, soon wet from tho foot to well past tho knee, as the vegetation is-rooking with moisturo, the soil being of a peaty nature. '~:,.'... Ono of tho greatest and most dangerous difficulties will bo the : getting from ' one locality to another. Tho best way is by wator, but that, unless tho party havo arrangod to tako a good whaloboat with a full and thoroughly competent crow, would bo madness to attempt. An oil launch might answor if a competent engineer was in chargeand a good ctoav takon, as it should bo providod with a mast and snils (though that is risky)) and oars and rowloolts. < If tho work of tho expedition is,to. bo at all successful at the Auckland Islands, and as Professor Kirk has stated, tho. present Government havo dquo so much forscioncb, let tho vessel that is to tako tho scientists .remain at tho Auckland Islands, so as to tako

them to the various parts of the islands. The time required to do this would be very than the way proposed —as", instead of going , to the Campbells, Antipodes, and ■ Bounties, and returning to the Ancklnnds,- the-scientists would nave. the opportunity of visiting all the ielands, and I think the •vegetation'' of the Antipodes would prove quite as interesting as thatoftho Campbells, and that island has been fairly'well botamised, while. the':Antip6des have not.' Another-; inost'important' thing, and on'o that deal to do with the success, ie that the' scientists can always make, sure of getting to tKc vessel and have comfortable moalsand test, 1 besides riot having the bother of cooking', tho.rr.food, and 1 can assiiro them : that is almost 'important, consideration in such a climatb and locality! Tho advantago also would be 'greater, an a]l branches of science cbnlfl examine each locality. •"I"fear'there;will be some disappointment to the botanists and ornithologiste, as.tlioso two'^ branches' have .been "fairly well done— and-'td' make, an exhaustive examination ot, at all events,, the Auckland Islands, winch are the most important, would require a'very tnucli longer;, time' than is" proposed., to ho (■■pent' there , .' : .."\ ',■.'. ' '.'

I do not think it' would'bo at all a wise thing f6r of the scientists, none of whom I believe has ever boon on the Aucklanda, to.go about, at .all events, any great distance from their, proposed, camp, unless accompanied by,'a sailor,from the vessel who knows thejisla'ndsi V'-;', ~..'• '\\ith; regard' , ;to the botanical, work for herbariums, iT- tliink it' will bo too early! Id the season to-'obtain many plants, in flower. .Each, scientist, nhould- take..with, him some matches in;, a'.w.ell r cork'ed, glass bottlo,. as if he.'s'tray'od'.'from'('Ms" .party and lost,his way ho could make a.smoke by setting firo to the tussock,grass.': .■..About; a mile an hour would be. good walking over, most of the Aucldr.rids, and, if looking for.'." critturs," a much'.les3 distance would be done. ' . Octobw 11:1907'. ■•■'. ACOLLECTOIi; .