On the positioning of an Elephant, through eating Tutu (Coriaria ruscifolia).

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 2, 1869, Page 399

By J. Haast, Ph.D., F.R.S. He also read the following extract from the February number of the “Student,” which gives an account of how this elephant met its death, on the authority of Dr. Haast:— “The most remarkable instance of the poisonous properties of the riaria is mentioned in a letter from Dr. Haast, of Canterbury, New Zealand. curred to an elephant which, after being landed in Otago, was marched inland by its owner for a considerable distance. Arriving at a suitable halting place, where the vegetation was abundant, the owner determined to give the animal a spell of a few days' feeding. The grass, which had been burnt off during the previous season, had shot up again with renewed vigour, and amongst it was a very fine crop of succulent young plants of Coriaria. The elephant fed amongst this herbage for four hours, and afterwards went to a neighbouring creek and had a long drink. In turning back, the animal began to reel, fell on the ground, and died after three hours; so that it took only seven hours from the time the beast began to feed amongst the plants, until he died. It would seem from this instance that the poison must be very virulent. It is, moreover, remarkable that the elephant should, like sheep and cattle, eat the plant, while the horse will not touch it.” A Report on, and Maps of the Gympie Gold Field in Queensland, by T. R. Hacket, a member of the Society, communicated for the information of members by Dr. Hector, who drew attention to the striking similarity of the geology of the Gympie gold fields to the Thames district. Mr. Skey informed the meeting that owing to the incompletion of the gas fittings he was unable to fulfil his promise of demonstrating the action of his hot blast blow-pipe. Papers read:— (1.) “On the Habits and Nidification of some of the Birds of New Zealand,” by T. H. Potts. (See ante, p. 40.) Only extracts from this communication could be read. In the introductory portion the author discusses the necessity for the practical study of natural history in a country where there is no game, as it afforded that great necessity for bodily and mental health—outdoor pastime. The observations made by himself and sons during a long residence in the Province of Canterbury, where he acquired favourable opportunities for pursuing this study, were embodied in the paper in the hope that others might be attracted to devote some of their time to the same pursuit. The author then described the different forms of nests which occur in New Zealand, and drew inferences as to the objects of the various modifications. Referring to the habits of the birds, he discussed the many causes that have led almost to the extinction of so many species; and gave a graphic description of a locality which not many years ago was a favourite breeding ground for upwards of thirty species, but where now hardly any are to be met with. The remainder of the paper gives a detailed description of the habits, nidification, and eggs of forty-two specimens of New Zealand birds, from original observations. Dr. Hector mentioned that most of the eggs and nests referred to in the paper had been presented to the Museum by Mr. Potts. (2.) “On the Alkalinity of Carbonate of Lime,” by W. Skey. (See ante, p. 150.) This paper showed by experiment that contrary to the usual opinion the above substance is always alkaline in its reaction, whether prepared chemically, pure, or existing in natural crystals. (3.) “On the Absorptive Properties of Silica and its direct Hydration by contact with Water,” by W. Skey. (See ante, p. 151.) This gave the results of experiments in continuation of those mentioned in No. 157 of the “London Chemical News.” The practical bearing of the paper was to prove that the so-called mechanical absorption of soils was a purely chemical reaction. (4.) “On the Results of the Examination of the Bark of Coprosma grandifolia for Alkaloids,” by W. Skey. (See ante, p. 152.) A careful examination has failed as yet to trace the powerful bitter of this substance to the presence of an Alkaloid.