Fourth Meeting. 31st October, 1882.
W. Arthur, President, in the chair.
1. Mr. J. McKerrow, Wellington, was nominated to vote in the election of Governors of the New Zealand Institute.
2. An Honorary Member of the New Zealand Institute was nominated for election in accordance with the Act.
3. "On the New Zealand Copepoda," by G. M. Thomson. (Transactions, p. 93.)
4. "Descriptions of some new Crustacea," by G. M. Thomson. (Transactions, p. 93.)
5. "On the Gravid Uterus of Mustelus antarcticus," by Prof. Parker. (Transactions, p. 219.)
6. The Secretary exhibited the disarticulated skeleton of a turtle having the cartilaginous parts preserved by the glycerine jelly process, and an injected preparation of the heart and gills of the skate, in alcohol, both recent additions to the Museum.
Annual Meeting. 30th January, 1883.
W. Arthur, President, in the chair.
1. "Notes on the Picton Herring," by W. Arthur. (Transactions, p. 208.)
2. "Description of a Variety of Celmisia sessiliflora," by D. Petrie. (Transactions, p. 359.)
3. "Description of two new Species of Carex," by D. Petrie. (Transactions, p. 358.)
4. The Secretary called the attention of the meeting to the circular of the "Balfour Memorial" which he had recently received from Cambridge.
ABSTRACT OF ANNUAL REPORT.
During the present session five general meetings have been held, including the present annual meeting. At these meetings twelve original papers have been read, of which nine were zoological and two botanical, while one dealt with the natural features, fauna and flora of Macquarie Island.
At the beginning of this session the Council adopted a scheme for the delivery of regular courses of popular lectures. Two such courses have been given:—one, of three lectures on "Fermentation and Putrefaction," by the Secretary; and one, of four lectures on "English Literature," consisting of two lectures by Professor Mainwaring Brown on "Chaucer," and two by Mr. Alex. Wilson, M.A., on "Tennyson." In each case the plan was adopted of distributing among the audience a printed syllabus of the lectures; and a small fee, which was charged to non-members, sufficed to cover expenses of printing and advertizing. The success attending these lectures has been such as to warrant the Council recommending their continuance next session.
Six new members have joined the Institute during the session, but on the other hand the names of several defaulters have been struck off the roll. The total number of members is now 177.
