Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 21, 1888, Unnumbered Page

Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute. First Meeting: 11th June, 1888. The President, W. Colenso, F.R.S., in the chair. The President delivered an address. Exhibits.—1. Specimen of the Clianthus, in which the ordinary foliage of the plant was compacted into large masses or balls on the stem; sent by Mr. Balfour, of Glenross. 2. A fine specimen of the butterfly-fish (Gasterochisma melampus), received for the Museum from Dr. Spencer. The fish was east on board one of the small coastal steamers by a wave off Cape Turnagain. 3. A pair of skins of the Platypus; presented by Mr. J. Vigor Brown. 4. An albino lark, presented by Mr. T. Moore, of Waimarama. 5. A number of living sea-anemones were exhibited by the Hon. Secretary—some from Wellington and some from Christ-church. 6. A bottle containing a quantity of quicksilver from the hot springs at Ohaeawai, Bay of Islands; from Mr. J. A. Smith. Second Meeting: 9th July, 1888. The President, W. Colenso, F.R.S., in the chair. Papers.—1. “On a Recent Find of Moa-bones in the Swamp at Te Aute,” by A. Hamilton. Part I. (Transactions, p. 311.) Specimens described in the paper were shown, and a vote of thanks was passed to the Archdeacon of Hawke's Bay, the Rev. S. Williams, for his kindness in assisting Mr. Hamilton in his search. 2. “Notes on some New Zealand Birds,” by A. Hamilton. (Transactions, p. 128.)

Third Meeting: 13th August, 1888. The President, W. Colenso, F.R.S., in the chair. Papers.—1. “On the Neighbourhood of Te Aoroa, Northern Wairoa,” by J. Harding, of Mount Vernon, Waipukurau. (Transactions, p. 336.) 2. “On the Mental Effect of certain Vowel-sounds,” by R. C. Harding, Napier. (Transactions, p. 418.) An interesting discussion arose on Mr. Harding's paper. 3. “A Legend of Raukawa,” by T. Pine; communicated by the Hon. Secretary. (Transactions, p. 416.) A very large number of exhibits was brought forward at this meeting; amongst others—A fine specimen of Pteroceras, brought by Mr. J. Harding from Maunganui; a number of slabs of polished greenstone, by the President, together with some old and historic Maori greenstones, a tiki, ear-drops, and a beautiful mere of historic fame. Mr. Stanton sent a very beautiful carved canoe-paddle and two taiahas. Three enormous tibiæ of the moa from the Te Aute Swamp, each 36in. long, together with a collection of carved boxes used by the Maoris for various purposes, were shown by the Hon. Secretary. Fourth Meeting: 10th September, 1888. The President, W. Colenso, F.R.S., in the chair.

Fifth Meeting: 15th October, 1888. The President, W. Colenso, F.R.S., in the chair. Papers.—1. “Snow Scenes in the Southern Alps,” by Taylor White, of Herbertville. (Transactions, p. 398.)

2. “Stray Notes on the New Zealand Owl (Athene novæ-zealandiæ),” by W. Colenso, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 200.) In the course of the discussion which followed, Mr. Colenso quoted the fable of the “Battle of the Birds,” recorded by him in the eleventh volume of the “Trans. N.Z. Inst.,” calling attention to the significant absence of the moa from the birds enumerated, and considered the omission a valuable piece of negative evidence in support of his contention that the Maoris did not know of the moa as a living and existing bird. 3. “On some New Zealand Curios,” by Taylor White. (Transactions, p. 397.) 4. “On Pyrameis gonerilla,” by W. Colenso, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 196.) 5. “On a Chrysalis of an Unknown Species of Butterfly,” by W. Colenso, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 194.) Exhibits.—A fine collection of minerals from the Collingwood district was sent by Mr. Washbourne, of Nelson, for the Museum. Sixth Meeting: 12th November, 1888. The President, W. Colenso, F.R.S., in the chair. Papers.—1. “On Fossil Moa-feathers from Gisborne,” by H. Hill. (Transactions, p. 318.) 2. “On a New Species of Hemideina,” by W. Colenso, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 193.) 3. “On some New Species of Phænogamic Plants,” by W. Colenso, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 80.) 4. “On some New Species of Cryptogamic Plants,” by W. Colenso, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 43.) 5. “On a New Species of Orobanche,” by W. Colenso, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 41.) A large number of mounted specimens of plants were shown to illustrate the papers read; also a number of fossils from the pumice-beds at Gisborne—leaves, small fish, and feathers.