52S Proceedings. 



far-reaching call ; but few Maoris of the present generation 

 are able to sound it. 



4. " Notes on a Land Planarian, collected by F. V. Knapp, 



Nelson," by Sir James Hector. {Transactions, p. 255.) 



The author gave an account of the specimens previously found, and 

 of this family generally, and described their distribution in Australia and 

 New Zealand. He urged collectors to be on the look-out for them. 



Mr. Maskell said that the black swamps were full of such worms. 



Mr. Hudson had observed them in Wellington after rain, brown and 

 red in colour. 



Sir James Hector laid on the table and remarked on the 

 following exhibits: 1. Two lizards. 2. Fish from Para- 

 paraumu. 3. Fossils collected by the Geological Survey. 



4. Lithographic stone found in Mongonui district by Geolo- 

 gical Survey, with a specimen prepared and drawing on it. 



5. Fossil barnacle. 6. Eocks from Hikurangi, which fix 

 the coal-measures as being identical with those in South 

 Island. 7. Black gum out of swamp ; giving a description of 

 the various gums and their value. 



Mr. G. V. Hudson exhibited some butterflies, mounted by 

 himself. 



Second Meeting : 3rd August, 1892. 



Sir Walter Buller, President, in the chair. 



Neio Member. — Mr. Cyril Tanner. 



Papers. — 1. "On a New Zealand Variety of Floscularia 

 coronctta, Cubitt," by Archdeacon Stock, B.A. ; communi- 

 cated by Mr. W. M. Maskell. {Transactions, p. 193.) 



Mr. Maskell gave a general description of these minute animals, and 

 said they were most beautiful objects under the microscope. He said 

 they were very easily collected. 



Mr. Powles said he had obtained good samples in the ponds in the 

 Botanic Gardens. 



2. " On a Diatom Deposit at Pakaraka, Bay of Islands," 

 by A. McKay, F.G.S. {Transactions, p. 375.) 



Sir James Hector described the locality where this deposit occurs as 

 a small lagoon that is fed by an underground passage from a lake south- 

 east of the volcanic hill Parerua. The hollow has been formed by the 

 intrusion of ancient lava-streams. It dries up frequently, and the 

 diatoms with which it swarms then die, and their siliceous remains form 

 a layer which bleaches. When the pool again fills with the naturally- 

 filtered water a fresh crop grows, and the species that predominate no 

 doubt depends on the season of the year at which this takes place, and 

 thus causes the great variety observed. 



Mr. Maskell said that, as Mr. McKay had referred to him in the 

 paper, it was necessary that he should say a few words upon the matter. 

 He would not give any opinion whatsoever as to the geological aspect of 



