Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute. First Meeting: 13th May, 1889. Papers.—1. Inaugural address by the President, Dr. W. I. Spencer.

The subject of the address was “Movement and Sensation in Plants.” In the course of it the President stated that it was intended to form sections for the study of local geology and botany, and also a microscopical section. 2. “A Description of some Newly-discovered Phænogamic Plants, being a Further Contribution towards the making-known the Botany of New Zealand,” by W. Colenso, F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. (Transactions, p. 459.)

Mr. Hamilton exhibited living specimens of the small and curious orchid described in Mr. Colenso's paper as Bolbophyllum tuberculatum, Col. Mr. Hamilton also showed a block of very good diatomaceous earth from the Makaretu district, a specimen of Squilla indefensa, and a pair of wetas from the caves at Ormondville.

Second Meeting: 1st June, 1889.

Papers.—1. “A Legend of the Large Australian Screechowl, called by the Australian Natives Ti-na-tinity,” by T. Pine.

2. “Plants and Astrology,” by A. Hamilton. 3. “Notes on some New Zealand Ferns,” by A. Hamilton. (Transactions, p. 493.) A number of specimens recently added to the Museum were laid on the table for the inspection of the visitors. Amongst them was a fine carapace of a turtle, presented by Mr. Prebble.

Third Meeting: 8th July, 1889. Papers.—1. “Shadow-pictures,” by Taylor White. (Transactions, p. 108.) Mr. Harding remarked, in the discussion which followed, that moonlight, passing through any irregularly-shaped small aperture, always produced a circular patch of light.