opened the volume now before us will have probably turned, is the instructive account given by Mr. Potts of Canterbury, of his observations on the habits of a considerable portion of the birds of New Zealand. In my inaugural address, delivered two years ago, I took occasion to advert to the urgent necessity of obtaining and placing on record in due time, our existing knowledge of this subject;—seeing that in the opinion alike of scientific enquirers and of practical observers, the indigenous fauna of these islands (of which the birds form the most prominent division), is fast disappearing before the species recently introduced from other countries. It is, therefore, equally important and gratifying to possess in so early a volume of our Transactions, the history of nearly one-half of the birds peculiar to these islands, narrated in so charming a manner. It is to be hoped that Mr. Potts will add to our obligations by completing the work which he has so well begun—and I am sure that we shall all concur with him in regretting and discouraging any wanton destruction, especially of the more curious species of native ornithology. The other zoological papers of last year are chiefly devoted to the cetacea inhabiting the seas around our coasts. This is a wide and comparatively untouched field for research. It is obvious that the acquisition of more full and correct information concerning the whale fisheries of the southern ocean, has an especial bearing on the commercial interests of New Zealand. We have received a valuable addition to the series of our botanical treatises, in the papers of Mr. Kirk. In that, respecting naturalized plants, botanists will find data for future observations of the changes which are gradually modifying the flora of this country. Two highly suggestive and clearly written papers by Captain Hutton and Mr. Nottidge, on the structure of the leaf of the flax plant (Phormium tenax), are of particular moment at the present time, when so much attention is given to the collection and export of this valuable indigenous product. It cannot be too often repeated, that the main object of the New Zealand Parliament in founding and endowing this Institute, was to supply practical suggestions and assistance in the development of the natural resources of these islands. I regret that time will not permit me to remark, in detail, on many interesting papers contributed respecting chemistry, geology, and a variety of miscellaneous subjects. It is obvious that we are gradually collecting here a long series of local observations, which cannot fail to prove of practical use hereafter. Let it never be forgotten that all great practical discoveries in all ages and countries have been the result of much study,