“as the small Harrier now flies leisurely during the day-time over the plains and downs in search of its food, consisting of carrion, birds, lizards, and insects, so the Harpagornis doubtless followed the flocks of Moas, feeding either upon the carcases of the dead birds, or killing the young and disabled ones.”* Transactions, Vol. IV., p. 194. Another gigantic bird, but belonging to a period of much higher antiquity than that in which any Moa remains have hitherto been discovered, is a huge Penguin (Palœeudyptes antarcticus), the bones of which were found imbedded in limestone rocks on the West Coast of the Nelson Province. Dr. Hector further contributes a description of the Seals which I was fortunate enough to shoot last year in Milford Sound, while I was there in H.M.S. “Clio.” They prove to belong to the species named by Dr. Gray Arctocephalus cinereus, and to differ from the Fur Seal of the Falkland Islands (Otaria nigrescens), with which they had previously been identified. Mention should also be made of two attractive papers on Natural History by Mr. Travers and Mr. P. Thomson, respectively; and of the excellent observations by Mr. Fereday on the New Zealand Insects. Botany. The botanical papers in last year's volume are very interesting. The important subject of the distribution of plants in these Islands receives valuable elucidations from Mr. Kirk and Mr. Cheeseman. Mr. Kirk's “Comparison of the Indigenous Floras of the British Islands and New Zealand,” showing the different effect of each on the landscape, is peculiarly attractive for the general as well as for the scientific reader. There is also a report, of a most practical kind, on the native and introduced grasses of the Canterbury Province, and their fitness for different purposes of pasturage. If time permitted, I would gladly advert to several of the contributions on Chemistry, Geology, and a variety of miscellaneous subjects. Indeed, the slight sketch attempted above gives a very inadequate idea of the extent and value of the work performed by the Institute and its affiliated Societies. We must ever rejoice in the intimate connection and general prosperity of these united associations, for (to quote the words of Mr. Travers in a recent address) “each society is but one of a series of grafts upon the tree of scientific knowledge which has been planted in this Colony; and the fruit which each of them bears must be good or indifferent, in proportion to the vigour of the common stock.”† Transactions, Vol. IV., p. 356. Official Journey of the Governor Across the Centre of the North Island. In my anniversary address of last year, after a brief review of the recent Transactions and present position of the Institute, I proceeded, in accordance