Otago Institute.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 24, 1891, Unnumbered Page

Otago Institute. First Meeting: 12th May, 1891. A conversazione was held in the Museum buildings, when a number of interesting biological preparations, made in the Biological Laboratory, were exhibited under microscopes. Several cases of Indian butterflies, from the collection presented by Major-General Fulton, were also exhibited. Second Meeting: 9th June, 1891. Professor F. B. de M. Gibbons, President, in the chair. Papers.—1. “Note on the Occurrence of Cancer in Fish,” by Professor Scott. (Transactions, p. 201.) It was stated in the discussion which followed the reading of Dr. Scott's paper that the Acclimatisation Society proposed to obtain the opinion of the officials of the United States Fisheries Commission on the subject of the cancerous growth. Specimens in illustration of the paper were exhibited.

Third Meeting: 14th July, 1891. Mr. Adams, Vice-president, in the chair.

Fourth Meeting: 11th August, 1891. Professor F. B. de M. Gibbons, President, in the chair. Papers.—1. “On the Structure of Boltenia pachydermatina,” by James Watt, M.A.; communicated by Professor T. J. Parker, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 334.)

Fifth Meeting: 9th September, 1891. Professor F. B. de M. Gibbons, President, in the chair. New Members.—James Richardson, Spencer Cook.

Sixth Meeting: 14th October, 1891. Professor F. B. de M. Gibbons, President, in the chair. Paper.—“On the Working of Greenstone, or Nephrite, by the Maoris,” by F. R. Chapman. (Transactions, p. 479.) The reading of this paper was followed by an exhibition of a fine collection of greenstones from the collections of Messrs. Chapman and J. White. Annual General Meeting: 10th November, 1891. Professor F. B. de M. Gibbons, President, in the chair. Papers.—1. “On the Genus Aptornis, with more especial Reference to Aptornis defossor, Owen,” by A. Hamilton. (Transactions, p. 175.) Mr. Hamilton exhibited a complete mounted skeleton of Aptornis defossor, and a number of bones of the extinct eagle (Harpagornis moorei) from caves in the District of Southland. 2. “On New Zealand Araneæ,” by P. Goyen, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 253.) 3. “Notes on Sea-fishes,” by G. M. Thomson, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 202.) 4. “Note on the Cleistogamic Flowers of Melicope simplex,” by G. M. Thomson, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 416.)

Abstract. The revenue from subscriptions collected was £107 2s., making, with the balance brought forward, £204 11s. The expenditure on the library was £65 6s. 9d., and sundries £26 10s. 8d.; leaving a credit balance of £112 13s. 7d. There is also on fixed deposit a sum of £286 13s. 5d. The liabilities amount to about £30.