Auckland Institute.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 4, 1871, Unnumbered Page

Auckland Institute. First Meeting. 29th May, 1871. His Honour T. B. Gillies in the chair. A letter explaining the cause of absence of the President was read by the Secretary. New members.—C. Mellsop, F. Dawson, M.R.C.S., William Atkin. The Chairman then read the President's opening

Second Meeting. 26th June, 1871. T. Heale, President, in the chair. New members.—Dr. J. L. Campbell, J. S. Buckland. The monthly list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary. 1. “On the Nativity in New Zealand of Polygonum aviculare, L.,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S., (see Transactions, p. 238); being a reply to a note by Mr. Travers on Polygonum aviculare, at page 336 of Vol. III. of the Transactions. Dr. Purchas remarked that he had observed the plant on his first arrival in the colony, and did not believe that it had materially increased since that time. The President stated that thirty years ago, a time when the common Dock, as a naturalized plant, in the North Island was only known on the sea-beach at Hokianga and one or two similar localities, the Knot-grass occurred to about the same extent as at the present day. He had always considered it indigenous. 2. Some microscopic preparations of Phormium, the colour of which was remarkably well preserved, were exhibited by Mr. T. F. S. Tinne.

(Abstract.) The author explained that total or annular eclipses could only take place when the line of syzigies coincided with the line of nodes, and partial eclipses of the sun and moon when their angular distances did not exceed 12° and 15° respectively; that since nineteen synodical revolutions of the nodes occupy 6585.78 days, and 223 revolutions of the moon, 6585.32, the relative positions of the bodies are brought back at the end of that period of 18 years and 11 days to the same position they occupied at the commencement of it, except the small amount of motion due to the 11 hours of difference, and apart from the effects of perturbations, and that all the eclipses recur under nearly the same circumstances as before. The knowledge of this period, and of the order of previous eclipses, as seen from one place, enabled the priests in the dawn of

history roughly to predict the future ones. Owing to the complexity of the moon's motions, approximate truth only was obtainable, even down to the eighteenth century, and the computation was made by the circuitous method of the nonagesimal. In our day, owing to the perfection of the tables published in the “Nautical Almanac,” the computation of eclipses or of occultations of stars by the moon is rendered very easy. These phenomena are predicted in the “Nautical Almanac” generally from the centre of the earth, and their visibility is stated within certain parallels of latitude. But, from the effects of parallax, these times may vary by two hours either way for a place on the earth's surface, or the occultation may not occur at all in some positions within the limiting parallels. An independent prediction is therefore required for every place; this may be made approximately by a graphical projection of the figures of the bodies in their true proportions and relative positions, which requires only a pair of compasses and a scale of chords, such as is to be found on a foot rule, so as to show the times within a very few minutes. If accuracy is required, the true relative positions of the two bodies can then be taken out for the assumed times, and the error to be applied to these assumptions ascertained by simple computations in spherical and plane trigonometry. In our day the mere occurrence of the phenomena at the exact times predicted for them has lost the interest it had for our forefathers, to whom it appeared wonderful and mysterious; but a new source of interest in total eclipses of the sun has arisen, from the means which the spectroscope and polariscope afford for investigating the curious phenomena of the corona, red flames and sierra, and the means which photography supplies, with the aid of a suitable telescope, equatorially mounted with clock motion to keep the object steadily in the camera, of taking accurate pictures of the momentary appearances. The various hypotheses to account for these appearances have now subsided into a clear knowledge that the sun is surrounded to a depth of two or three seconds of arc, corresponding to a depth of 900 to 1,200 miles, by an atmosphere chiefly of hydrogen, but mixed with the incandescent vapours of many other metals in a most tumultuous condition; that prominences, consisting essentially of hydrogen heated far beyond any temperature obtainable on this earth, shoot out from it to a height of 90,000 or 100,000 miles in very short intervals of time, and that outside that to an indefinite distance extends a radiated luminous envelope, which cannot be considered material, but which gives spectra strikingly similar to those of the Aurora and of the zodiacal light; that these effects seem to be associated with electrical discharges, and may hereafter prove a visible link between radiated heat, light, and electricity, the intimate connection of which is shown in many ways.

Some remarks were made upon the apparently small density of the vapours near the sun under so prodigious a vertical pressure. The author then referred to the projected expedition to Cape York to witness the total eclipse of 12th December, and expressed a trust that it would furnish a quota to the scientific information derived from the many expeditions sent by the Governments of Europe and America to many parts of the world to witness the eclipses of 1868, 1869, and 1870, which would be worthy of the young energies and rising greatness of Australia. This paper was copiously illustrated by large diagrams. 5. Mr. Dyson suggested the desirability of procuring drawings and specifications, or, if practicable, working models of the machinery used in various manufactures, for display in the Museum. He believed that an exhibition of this kind would be highly attractive to the public, and of direct practical value to those about to embark in manufacturing pursuits. Mr. Tinne supported the suggestion, and stated that the Superintendent was engaged in obtaining information relative to several manufactures which it was desirable to introduce into the colony. The President considered it doubtful if manufacturers of machinery would care to forward drawings and specifications of their respective machines simply for exhibition, although there could be no doubt of the actual value of information on the subject. He ventured to suggest to members the desirability of making themselves acquainted with the new adaptations of force to industrial pursuits which were continually being reported in the scientific periodicals of the day, and instanced the adoption of nitro-glycerine for blasting purposes in the Welsh slate quarries as being well worthy of careful study by all who were interested in the Thames goldfields. Third Meeting. 31st July, 1871. T. Heale, President, in the chair. New member.—H. A. Mair. The list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary. It embraced a large number of valuable books from Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S.; models of the egg of the Moa, presented by the Director of Colonial Museum; fine specimens of crystallized sulphur from White Island, presented by Major Mair; and Moa bones from Turanganui, presented by Archdeacon W. L. Williams, were laid on the table, and excited considerable interest. The President stated that arrangements had been made for lighting the Museum with gas, and keeping it open for the convenience of visitors on

Wednesdays until 9 p.m., so as to afford persons engaged in business during the day an opportunity of becoming acquainted with its contents; it was hoped the experiment would prove successful. A series of instructive lectures was also in contemplation. 1. The President invited remarks on any of the papers read at the previous meeting. With regard to the paper read by Mr Pearce, “On the Substitution of Vulgar Fractions for Decimals, in the Compilation of Mathematical Tables,” he remarked that he had carefully examined that gentleman's calculations and found that in several cases the results given could not be relied upon, as they had evidently been obtained from a series of approximations. Although highly appreciating the great amount of patient labour which Mr. Pearce had bestowed on the subject, he could not anticipate that the proposed substitntion would be attended with beneficial results. Mr. Pearce exhibited further calculations in support of his proposition, and expressed his belief that its adoption would result in a great saving of time, and entail advantages in other directions.

(Abstract.) The writer pointed out that the rain-guages in common use were constructed on some arbitrary scale, and supplied with a measuring glass graduated to hundredths of an inch in proportion to the collecting aperture of the instrument; consequently the breakage of the glass disabled the instrument until another could be procured, a matter often involving considerable difficulty and delay, especially in a newly settled country. He proposed to utilize the ordinary ounce glass, which could be readily procured, by adopting a rainguage with a circular aperture of 101/2 inches, so that each 1/100 of an inch of rain would be represented by half an ounce. A simple correction was supplied for the slight error involved in the adaptation. Mr. Peacock admitted the value of the form now proposed, but advocated the great superiority of a self-registering guage. Mr. Kirk remarked that while fully prepared to admit the advantages afforded by self-registering instruments, he considered they were even more exposed to the risk of accident than the ordinary kind, and were attended with the further disadvantage of extra cost in the first instance. The form now proposed could readily be manufactured in zinc or copper, so as to be adapted to any kind of receiving vessel, and the ounce glass could be procured from any druggist at a small cost. It supplied a recognised want—a cheap rainguage for the use of settlers, and was therefore calculated to increase the number of observers of rain-fall which varied in different localities even in this province to a much greater extent than was generally supposed.

3. “On the Botany of the Titirangi District of the Province of Auckland,” by T. F. Cheeseman. (See Transactions, p. 270.) This paper describes the chief physical features of the district, and the principal characteristics of its flora. Mr. Kirk considered the paper a valuable contribution to our knowledge of the botany of the north. As compared with the remainder of the country north of the Auckland isthmus, the flora of the Titirangi district exhibited but few peculiarities, the most striking being the presence of Viola filicaulis, Myriophillum pedunculatum, Myostis australis, M. Forsteri, and the absence of the beech (Fagus fusca), and one or two other trees. The peculiar distribution of the beech in this province was worthy of a passing remark. From the East Cape south wards to Otago it occurred frequently in forests, but to the north it was entirely absent from large areas; it occurred at the Thames, Waihekei, and Wairoa, but was entirely absent from the isthmus and from the Titirangi district, and was not known to occur in the Kaipara; it occurred sparingly at Wainui, the Kawau, and more freely at Omaha, but was absent in the Great Barrier Island. It appeared again at Whangarei, which was the most northern locality known on the East Coast; although on the West Coast it was said to be abundant in the Hokianga ranges, and again at Kaitaia; It seemed highly probable that in former periods the beech occupied a more prominent position in the flora of the north than it held at the present time. The minute Hymenophyllum, now described for the first time, was an interesting plant. On examining some of the specimens collected by Mr. Cheeseman, he was at first inclined to consider it a form of H. minimum; but from further specimens received from Mr. Springall, who collected it on fallen trees at the Great Barrier, he found it was a new species. He believed it had been discovered in other localities, and would probably prove to be widely distributed, although easily overlooked from its small size, or entirely missed from its habitat being frequently on lofty trees; in general appearance it resembled its southern congener Trichomanes armstrongii. Mr. Cheeseman's remarks with regard to the number of plants enumerated by him as indigenious in the district being considerably larger than had hitherto been enumerated from any district of similar area, must be received with some qualification, as the number recorded from the Auckland Isthmus and North Shore, a district having an area less than one-fifth of that now under consideration, is nearly identical. 4. “Note on Megapodius pritchardi, Gray,” by Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. (See Transactions, p. 165). This paper treats of a megapode in the Auckland Museum, previously described by Mr. Buller at page 14 of Transactions of the N. Z. Institute, Vol. III., as a new species, which he proposed to call M. huttoni. Captain Hutton considers it identical with M. pritchardi, Gray. A specimen of the bird was exhibited, also one of its eggs.

5. “Notes on the New Zealand Asteliads with Descriptions of New Species,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (see Transactions, p. 241.) The writer described the general characteristics of the New Zealand members of the genus, more especially of the lowland forms, and drew attention to the prominent position which the genus occupies in the flora of the Colony, notwithstanding its comparatively small number of species. The paper was illustrated by a series of dried specimens of each species in various stages of flower and fruit, with the exceptions of the alpine A. nervosa. The President remarked that he had analysed the gum exuded by A. trinervia when cut down, and found it to contain over 90 per cent of water In addition to the economic purposes to which the genus had been applied, as enumerated in the paper just read, he would state that the thin pellicle of the leaves of A. banksii and A. solandri, and perhaps of other species, was twisted into wicks for lamps and candles by the Maoris. Fourth Meeting. 28th August, 1871. T. Heale, President, in the chair. New members.—The “Venerable Archdeacon Maunsell, T. Fish, J. W. Hall. The monthly list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary.

(Abstract.) A wire is laid between the rails on strong insulators fixed on the sleepers with cast iron brackets, all joints being made beneath the wire. The connection from the carriage (in which the instrument is placed) with the wire, is by means of a light copper wheel, as large as convenient, beneath the carriage. The parts bearing this wheel are perfectly insulated from the carriage. The connection is continued from a bearing connected with this wheel. The pressure of the wheel on the wire would be very slight, being regulated by means of counteracting weights on pulleys, thus enabling the person in charge to maintain a pressure merely sufficient to meet any deflections of the wire, which would also avoid wear to the same. In case of an earth being required, to complete the circuit, a connection is made with the iron axle of the carriage, which communicates with the iron rails, thus forming an earth. The paper was illustrated by a model. In the discussion which ensued the ingenuity evinced by the author in his adaptation of an old plan was generally admitted, but it was agreed that the

position of the telegraphic wire would render it liable to constant injury from accidental causes, and consequently deprived the invention of practical value. 2. “A Description of the Foundation of the Lighthouse in the Ponui Passage,” by J. Stewart, Assoc. Inst. C.E. (See Transactions, p. 135.) The paper was illustrated by numerous diagrams. In the discussion which ensued it was stated that the mode of lighting adopted at the Bean Rock Lighthouse and the one now under consideration allowed the use of kerosene in the place of colza or other expensive oils, and required only a single attendant at each lighthouse. 3. “A. Comparison of the Indigenous Floras of the British Islands and New Zealand,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 247.) In this paper were stated the chief points of resemblance and divergence exhibited by the two floras, first from a physiognomical point of view, and subsequently in a more detailed form, from a systematic comparison of the principal orders and genera. Considerable discussion followed. 4. “Notes on the Local Distribution of certain Plants common to the British Islands, and New Zealand,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 256.) The author gave a detailed statement of the distribution in New Zealand of the seventy species common to both countries, accompanied by a concise account of the British distribution of each form, interspersed with critical notes on structure and affinities. The President stated that the Museum had been lighted with gas, and was kept open on Wednesdays until 9 p.m., with highly gratifying results as to the number of visitors. The question of the erection of new buildings was now absolutely forced upon the Council, as it had become imperative to take down considerable portions of the old structure on account of its dilapidated condition. He read a circular on the subject, which had been drawn up by order of the Council for distribution amongst its members, requesting their aid in carrying out the improvements, which received the unanimous approval of the meeting. Fifth (Special General) Meeting. 2nd October, 1871. The Rev. A. G. Purchas, M.D., in the chair. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been made special in order to report the results of the preliminary inquiry undertaken by the President and Secretary, with regard to the support likely to be accorded for the erection of a

new building, to consider the propriety of increasing the number of members of the Council, and of calling for building plans and estimates. New members.—Edward Kinlock, William Lodder, William Gorrie. A list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary. Owing to the advanced period of the evening it was decided to postpone the reading of a paper on the Defence of Auckland Harbour, by Dr. Stratford.

Sixth Meeting. 7th November, 1871. The Rev. A. G. Purchas, M.D., in the chair. New members.—G. S. Kissling, S. Thorne, R. Hobbs, S. Rapsin, W. Earl. The monthly list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary. The Chairman alluded in feeling terms to the loss the Society had sustained since its last meeting in the decease of Mr. S. J. Stratford, M.R.C.S.E., and to the ardent interest he had uniformly manifested in its success. The Secretary detailed the measures that had been taken to carry out the resolutions passed at the last monthly meeting. A fair measure of success had been experienced in canvassing for subscriptions, although, owing to the absence from Auckland of several members of the Building Fund Committee, it had not been possible to get through this necessary work so fast as was desirable. The late Dr. Stratford had confirmed his verbal offer of a donation of £100, reported at the last meeting, by special bequest, on condition that four other sums of £100 each, or eight of £50 each, should be contributed to the fund by members of the Society within three months of the date of his decease. Five donations of £50 each had been already promised towards complying with these conditions. Application had also been made to the Provincial Executive to place the sum of £1,000 on the provincial estimates for the coming session in aid of the fund, on condition that at least an equivalent sum should be raised by private subscriptions, and he was happy to state that the application had met with a ready and genial assent.