A DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9987, 25 January 1915, Page 5

A DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST.

DR. MORTENSEN'S VISIT. RESEARCH WORK FN NEW ZEALAND. Syice his arrival in New Zealand in November last, in connection with scientific research work on behalf of hie Government, Dr. Mortensen. a distinguished Danish* scientist, has spent an interesting period in. the study of New Zea'and, geographically and marine. Dr. Mortensen is a brother ot Mr J. Mortensen, of Palmcrston, whom ho is at present visiting. VISIT TO SOUTHERN ISLANDS.

During the course of an interview with a "Standard'' reporter, Dr. Mortensen traversed his visit to New Zealand and his work. Shortly after his arrival here Dr. Mortensen started for the Auckland and Campbell Islands, an invitation having been extended him by the Government to go in the Amokura. "I had a most excellent time." said the visitor. "We had very bad weather with hailstorms, and we could not get out of Auckland Islands for ten days, instead of the usual two days' stay." This gave Dr. Mortensen a longer time for employing himself in scientific research, and he spent a most profitable and interesting sojourn in the bays, obtaining excellent specimens of the smajler marine life. Association with past Antarctic expeditions had made the visitor most anxious to see these islands, and from their fauna and flora, he stated, there are distinct indications of an old connection with the continent of South America, New Zealand and perhaps South Africa. An opinion that there was no connection in later times between New Zealand and the Antarctic, though certainly between South America and the Antarctic was confirmed by his observations. ' In his work Dr. Mortensen found many plants and new things that will be valuable to scientific research and which will be embodied in a work on his return to Denmark. Owing to the bad weather delaying the boat at Auckland and Campbell Islands, he was unable to visit the Antipodes, and Bounty Islands. NEW SCIENTIFIC SPECIES. On his return to Wellington the opportunity presented itself of joining the Hinemoa on a trip around the lighthouses. He did a lot of scientific work and on board was able to carry out many intTesting experiments bearing upon the development of marine animals. Without a laboratory he was able to carry out the rearing of the larvae of different marine animals with artificial fertilisation. "Great success attended ray experiments." said Dr. Mortensen, "and I secured species quite new to science. I must say my work has given results far beyond my expectations, and I am very satisfie 1 with my trip. I am much obliged; to the Government for giviirg me the opportunity of going on the Hinemoa ind i Amokura."

Dr. Mortensen in passing paid a tribute to the commanders of these boat?. Captain Hooper (Amokura) and Captain Ballance (Hinemoa), saying that they were most skilful and could not be bettered for tho positions..

Another small trip made by the visitor was to Queen Charlotte Sound. A little more work remains to be done in Wellington and about Cook Straight and then his trip is concluded. He leaves Wellington on February 19 for Sydney, thence to Honolulu, where he will stay for a time doing research work, thence to California for a few months' 6tay, and from-there probably to Parama. He will arrive back in Denmark about Christmas.

"I like New Zealand very much," added Dr. Mortensen in conclusion, "and am really very sorry to have. Pahwrston. too. is a very delightful little city."

An object .of considerable interest, in the form of\Ji German helmet from the battlefield of /pres, is on view in Auckland. The helmet was worn by a member of the first regiment of the Kaiser's Potsdam Guards, and was captured as a trophy by Sergeant of the Fourth Middlesex Regiment, familiarly known as the "Old Die-hards." A curiosity in plant life has been grown by Mr J. Nicholson, caretaker of the Auckland Domain Gardens. Five years ago Mr Nicholson secured the seed of a sensitive plant, known as Mimosa Pudica, and he has now a small collection of healthy young specimens of this variety. The leaves, which are somewhat similar to those of the kowhai, close up when touched. The sight of each leaflet responding to the touch of a finger, and the whole leaf bending down at the joint, is an unusual one. A hard blow causes the whole plant to collapse, when it has the appearance of having been destroyed by a severe storm. It takes from ten. minutes to a quarter of an hour tor the miniature tree to regain ite normal appearance.