Remarks on a section of lizards Remarks on Additions to the Colonial Museum.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 31, 1898, Page 719

Paper.—“On Seasonal Time,” by G. V. Hudson, F.C.S. (Transactions, p. 577.) Sir James Hector thought there were many practical difficulties in the way of putting Mr. Hudson's proposal into practice. He fancied, for instance, that it would be hard to get the boys up in the morning at 6 o'clock simply by calling the time 8 o'clock. There Would also, he fancied, be some trouble in getting their domestic helpers to appreciate the change. School and other examinations were everywhere held before the holiday time of the year. The balances of New Zealand financial institutions had at the present time necessarily to correspond with the balances made by similar institutions in Great Britain. Mr. E. Tregear welcomed the proposal, because he was in sympathy with any movement that would take them back to a more natural way of living. He pointed out that the best part of the day in Wellington in the summer months was the interval in the morning between sunrise and about 8 o'clock. Mr. Hudson briefly replied. The following additions to the Museum were exhibited by Sir James Hector:— 1.A collection of lizards, from Mr. Andrews, of, Picton. This included a living specimen of Naultinus sulphureus, or sulphur lizard. Sir James Hector said the specimen was almost unique. The first specimen secured was one which he obtained when he was travelling in the Rotorua district with Sir George Grey in 1866, and it had been described by Sir Walter Buller in the third volume of the “Transactions of the New Zealand Institute.” Sir James also mentioned a collection of lizards made by Master Fitzgerald (son of Mr. W. C. Fitzgerald), which was also on exhibition. The collection had been arranged in jars in an interesting manner by Mr. Yuill. It probably included some species that were perfectly new. All the lizards had been obtained by Master Fitzgerald within a few miles of Wellington. 2. The golden pheasant (Thaumalia picta), from China. Sir James Hector said, when alive this particular bird was an attractive feature in the grounds of the Acclimatisation Society at Masterton. Unfortunately, it came to an untimely end, and it was shrewdly suspected that its murderer was a weasel or some pest of that kind. Although the pheasant was somewhat mangled in its struggle for life, Mr. A. Yuill had set it up in splendid style. 3. Fish (Scorpœna cruenta,' Sol.) caught at Wellington Heads by Master F. Alp; presented by Mr. W. Lambert. 4. Anosia bolina butterfly; presented by Mr. Andrews, of Picton.

5. Pearl oyster, seven months growth, found on the bottom of an iron ship at Samoa. 6. Shells (Crenella impacta), Queen Charlotte Sound; presented by Miss Mestayer. 7. AMegale spider, with eggs.