Wellington Philosophical Society. 423 



close collection, accurate analysis, and statement of facts. The recent 

 coral-boring experiments at Funi-futi gave conclusive evidence of sub- 

 sidence. The bore had been down 1,300 ft., and was not out of the dead 

 coral yet. As coral did not live below a small depth, this was a sign that 

 the bottom of the sea there had been gradually going down. 



The President said, although the paper was very interesting, he did 

 not think the author had biought forward sufficient evidence to prove 

 his views regarding the volcanoes of the Pacific and his upheaval theory. 



Mr. Phillips, in replying, said he had collected as many facts as he 

 could. He had not had time to read the whole of his paper, but when it 

 was published it would be found that it did contain facts and figures. 

 In geological matters he would not, however, for one moment pit himself 

 against Sir James Hector. 



The following additions to the Museum were exhibited and 

 remarks made on them by Sir James Hector : — 



1. Spider-crabs. 



Sir James Hector said there had been for some time past, in the 

 Museum, a few claws of a very large crab collected by him in Persever- 

 ance Harbour, Campbell Island, and there had been some speculation as 

 to what species they belonged to. Eecently, in going through the spirit- 

 room of the Museum, an old jar — one of those given to the late Captain 

 Fairchild on his cruises round the coast — was unearthed, and on exami- 

 nation it was found to contain a new species of crab. The old label on 

 the jar was almost worn away, but sufficient remained to show that the 

 specimens it contained came from Campbell Island. On examination 

 these were found to be large specimens of spider-crabs — far exceeding in 

 size any ever discovered in New Zealand or anywhere else. They were 

 of the genus Paramicipya, there being one male and a number of females. 

 He said he had searched in the voyage of the "Venus" — the only ex- 

 ploring ship that had ever gone to Campbell Island — and he could find no 

 account of any spider-crab belonging to the genus Paramicippa at all 

 approaching these in size. There was one species belonging to New 

 Zealand, but from head to tail it was only a little over Jin. in length, 

 and it differed very much from the Campbell Island specimen. A feature 

 of the specimens was the peculiar pointed turned-down nose, which 

 gave the crab a remarkable toad-like aspect. The claws in the Museum 

 belonged to still more gigantic specimens of the same genus, which, if 

 discovered, would prove a valuable marketable commodity, and, if found 

 on the adjacent islands, would be well worth transferring to our coastal 

 waters. He had named the new species Paraviicippa grandis, and, as he 

 had only one male and ten female specimens, he would be willing to ex- 

 change some of the latter with other museums. Perseverance Harbour, 

 where, no doubt, these crabs were found, was a most interesting locality, 

 containing the coal formation of New Zealand and other geological fea- 

 tures, as well as large quantities of fossil wood. 



2. New Zealand crow. 



Sir James Hector, in drawing attention to this very fine specimen of 

 the New Zealand crow, or jay, as it should more properly be called, 

 made interesting reference to the complete isolation of the orange-wattle 

 crow in the South Island and the blue-wattle crow in the North Island. 

 It was strange, he said, that a narrow strip of water like Cook Strait 

 should make the line of demarcation in the species so distinct. The 

 manner in which the two species were so absolutely circumscribed held 

 good in an extraordinary way. For instance, he showed that an albino 

 of the blue-wattle species kept the blue wattles, while an albino of th& 

 South Island species still kept the yellow wattles. Thus we were face 

 to face with one of the most curious problems in the colouration of birds. 



