A drawing was also shown of the rare and beautiful Argentine (Scopelus), that was captured in Milford Sound, by the author, which under former classifications, would have formed a fourth Salmonoid fish, but the genus has been separated from this family in recent works.

Third Meeting. July 10, 1870. Hon. Mr. Mantell, F.G.S., President, in the chair. The Chairman announced that this meeting had been specially convened, to discuss the very important question of the best method of preparing the Native Flax. He was glad to see that several of the Commissioners appointed last year to enquire into this subject were present; but before asking them to favour the meeting with the result of their investigations, he would call on Dr. Hector to describe his latest experiments. Dr. Hector opened the discussion by giving a minute account of the structure and physiology of Phormium tenax, Irish flax, Manilla, and other varieties of fibre, their difference of texture and relative strengths, and to assist in giving a better illustration, made use of diagram drawings from microscopic examinations. The Irish flax plant has a woody texture, chiefly in the centre, the useful fibre being released from an intermediate layer between the hard woody centre and the outer cuticle; and the only difficulty in the production of this fibre is in the process of separating it from the core and the epidermis. The fibre of the New Zealand flax, unlike that of the Irish variety, is not contained in the stem, but in leaves which spring direct from the root and grow for years before a flowering stock is sent up. These leaves are protected by a peculiar hard outward covering that enables them to resist the effects of water, and beneath which lies the soft and succulent tissue containing the fibre. The strength of the various fibres appears to depend in a great measure upon the amount of lateral adhesion of their ultimate fibrillæ, which prevents them drawing away from each other; and the chief object therefore to be sought for, is some process by which to separate the bundles of minute fibres, and at the same time free them from the cellular matter within which they are embedded, without breaking or injuring the fibre in any way. Drawings were referred to, made from samples of New Zealand flax dressed by several different processes, both by mill and by hand, showing the frayed ends of the ruptured fibres, and indicating very clearly the effect on the fibre of the peculiar