CANTERBURY MUSEUM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17571, 23 June 1925, Page 10

CANTERBURY MUSEUM.

VALUABLE ADDITIONS. T he humerus of a. famous species of extinct reptile, which lived in New Zealand and other parts of tlio world in Cretaceous times lias been presented by Mr J. li. Sylvester to Canterbury Museum. The fossil came from Waipara, where other remains of the reptile have been recorded. In the fossil-room of the museum, there is a fairly largo part of one of thc skeletons, showing thc limbs and backbone. The reptile, from remains found in oilier countries, was named Cimolio sanrus. One of the most valuable additions to the museum recently is a collection. of 1900 nativo plants, which will ho placed in tlio herbarium. This handsome gift has come from Mr 11. Caisc, a. retired schoolmaster, of Auckland. The plants represent almost, a life-time by him in the North Auckland district, where bo was an enthusiastic collector and botanist. Hi-j collection is representative of the native flora of this Dominion, especially of the northern district. Ho has made it a condition that the collection must be kept separate from tlio rest of the herbarium. A potterv bottle, used by Canterbury Pilcrinis, Kngl and, has been presented by Dr W. Irving. It was found fifteen feet below the surface at Dover. A similar bottle was found buried iu London. In the specimen given by Dr Irving there arc places for a strap by which the bottle was bung from a pilgrim's shoulder. Mr H. Banfield, Lyttelton, has sent a. large specimen of ill© Pinna shell, dredged by fishermen from deep water in Lyttelton, harbour. It is covered by a thick growth oT Certularians. Mr ET. Mueller, Whangnmomona, Taranaki, who lias given many insects* to the museum, has sent a stick-insect v Mr H. Hill has given a barrier hawk, and Mr Peterson.* Kaikoura, a butter- ; flv-fisli. u-. 1 - : 1 ■ | . l^-