Philosophical Institute of Canterbury.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 3, 1870, Unnumbered Page

Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. First Meeting. March 2, 1870. The Rev. Canon Wilson in the chair. The following new members were elected: — H. W. Williams, R. H. Rhodes, H. R. Webbe, T. J. Curtis, and Rev. W. C. Harris. Mr. Fraser drew attention to a paragraph in the “Athenæum,” of date 28th September, 1869, describing as a probable novelty, an arrangement of variously coloured stereoscopic slides, by which the colours were blended in the common object. He exhibited a slide of the kind described which had been in his possession for some years, and pointed out that the contrivance might be employed as a sort of ophthalmometer, for testing the comparative strength of the eyes, which were not always of equal power. Dr. Powell exhibited a Microspectroscope, — an addition to the microscope of five prisms for the refraction of light, — and showed the dark bands characteristic of blood, aniline, and permanganate of potash. Second Meeting. April 6, 1870. Dr. Haast, F.R.S., President, in the chair. Mr. Alfred Cox was elected a member of the Institute.

Schedule of Queries Referred to Above. 1. In what locality found. 2. Probable altitude. 3. Soil and subsoil in which found. 4. Season of flowering and seeding. 5. Is it a useful spring, summer, autumn, or winter grass? 6. Are there any special circumstances which appear to affect its growth? How does it resist drought? 7. What appears to be the comparative value of this grass as food for stock? Is it much relished by stock? 8. How does it resist frost? 9. Does it appear to be increasing or diminishing? In either case, to what do you attribute this result? List of Native Grasses With Regard to Which Information is Specially Desired. 1. Gymnostichum gracilo. 2. Alopecurus geniculatus (native foxtail.) 3. Hierochloe redolens (tall sweet scented.) 4. Hierochloe alpina. 5. Panicum imbecille. 6. Echinopogon ovatus. 7. Dichelachne crinita. 8. Agrostis canina. 9. " parviflora. 10. " œmulu. 11. " pilosa. 12. " avenoides. 13. " guadriseta. 14. Danthonia Cunninghamii. 15. " Raoulii. 16. Donthonia Buchananii. 17. Kœleria cristata. 18. Trisetum antarticum. 19. " subspicatum. 20. Poa breviglumis. 21. " ramosissima. 22. " foliosa. 23. " exigua. 24. " anceps. 25. " australis. 26. " Colensoi. 27. " Lindsayi. 28. Festuca duriuscula. 29. Triticum multiflorum. 30. " scabrum. 31. " Youngii. The committee was re-appointed in terms of the request contained in the report. The following motion, standing in Mr. Fraser's name, was agreed to unanimously:— “That a committee be appointed to communicate with the Provincial Government, with the view to the establishment of an annual course of lectures on natural science, in connection with the museum.”

It was resolved that a special meeting should be devoted to the consideration of the new code of rules prepared by the sub-committee. The Secretary was directed to communicate with the Government, suggesting the advisability of planting the seeds of the native grasses now in the hands of the Government Gardener, for the purpose of arriving at some decision as to their value. 1. Dr. Haast read a paper upon the Geology of Mount Cook and its neighbourhood. (See Geological Survey Reports.) Dr. Haast also read a letter from Mr. E. P. Seeley, describing that gentleman's ascent over the Godley glacier, to a nevé saddle between Mount Petermann and the Keith-Johnston range. Dr. Haast read a printed paper by Professor Agassiz, containing observations on deep-sea dredging in the bed of the Gulf Stream. The Rev. C. Fraser gave an account of some of the principal points brought out in Dr. W. B. Carpenter's paper, read before the Royal Society of London, on the deep-sea dredging along the coasts of Scotland and Ireland, and in the Bay of Biscay. It appeared that 127 species of shells were found, new to the British seas, and several not known before. In some places the temperature at the bottom of the sea varied very considerably within the distance of a few miles; so that shells of a purely arctic character were found not far from others of a temperate or warm zone. Sir Charles Lyell had declared the facts of Dr. Carpenter's paper to be almost revolutionary in geology. Third Meeting. May 4, 1870. Dr. Haast, F.R.S., President, in the chair. The following new members were elected: — Alex. Lean, Joseph Exall, and E. G. Griffiths. The Ordnance Map of London and its environs, and a Map of the United States, were presented by Mr. Nottidge. The Rev. James Wilson moved:— “That a committee be appointed to take into consideration the subject of arboriculture, with a view to encourage the prosecution of the art according to the best methods and latest colonial experience; the committee to consist of His Honor the Superintendent, His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. W. Wilson, C. Davie, A. F. Armstrong, and the mover.” The motion was seconded by Mr. Justice Gresson, supported by Dr. Haast, Mr. Davie, and others, and carried.

1. Dr. Powell read a paper “On a Venomous Spider, known to the Natives as Katipo.” (See Transactions.) 2. Mr. W. B. Bray read a paper “On the Currents, Temperature, and Saltness of the Ocean.” Dr. Haast exhibited a cast of the egg of the Epiornis, and compared it with specimens of eggs of the kiwi, emu, ostrich, and black swan. Fourth Meeting. June 1, 1870. Dr. Haast, F.R.S., President, in the chair. The following new members were elected:—The Very Rev. Dean Jacobs and the Hon. Earnest Gray. The amended laws of the Institute were revised, corrected, and ordered to be printed and distributed among the members. Annual General Meeting. July 6, 1870. Dr. Haast, F.R.S., President, in the chair. The following new members were elected:—W. H. Lane, —Mouruer, B. W. Mountfort, and Captain Gorle. Mr. Cyrus Davie was appointed a Vice-President and Dr. Powell a member of the Council. On the motion of the Secretary, it was resolved to revise the rule when a section was added to those in Rule XLV.; also, that in the balloting for members, all those proposed shall be balloted for together, and unless one-fifth of the balls shall be black the whole shall be declared elected. Presentations to the Institute, by Captain F. W. Hutton, were laid on the table.