742 Proceedings. 



ferences to bo seen in this particular characteristic of the species, or 

 were the poorlj'-finished nests to be considered the first efforts of inex- 

 perienced builders? If so, it would be at variance with what was 

 exhibited by birds in general, the first nest being usually as perfect as 

 those constructed at a later period of life. He intended to have made 

 some remarks on the botany of the antarctic islands, but the late period 

 of the evening would only allow of a cursory reference to the subject. 

 These islands were remarkable for the largo number of endemic plants 

 with beautiful flowers and striking foliage. The genus Plcurophylhim, 

 of which there were three species, all of great beauty, was aljsolutely 

 restricted to these islands, and constituted one of the most interesting 

 features of the flora. Stilbocarpa polar is, with its bold foliage, waxy flowers, 

 and glossy fruit was found on all the islands, but nowhere else. Two 

 handsome species of Ligusticuin, with beautiful foliage and large umbels 

 of red flowers, were equally attractive, althougli in a different way. 

 Celmisia vernicosa, one of the most beautiful species of a beautiful genus, 

 is not found elsewhere; so also the lustrous Anthericum ^^ossu, with its 

 dioecious golden flowers arranged in densely -crowded erect racemes. 

 One other plant must be mentioned, although it will by no means ex- 

 haust the list — the beautiful Veronica benthami, with its glossy foliage 

 and large flowers of azure blue. Now, it is most remarkable that this- 

 assemblage of conspicuous plants with beautiful flowers should be crowded 

 on these rocky islands, the climate of which is more severe than that 

 of any part of New Zealand proper. Tliere is no other instance in 

 temperate climates where so many striking and beautiful plants are 

 to be found in such a limited space ; and it is most noteworthy that, with 

 the exception of several ferns of wide distribution, none of the plants 

 to be found on the islands exhibit any great amount of variation ; they 

 are remarkably uniform in appearance, and this uniformity contrasts 

 strongly with the wide variation exliibited by large portions of the New 

 Zealand flora. He was glad to have the opportunity of expressing his 

 indebtedness to Sir J. Hector for the large amount of information con- 

 tained in the paper which had been laid before them. 



Sir James Hector, in reply, thanked the members for the kindness 

 with which they had received his lecture. Since last meeting the large 

 map now exhibited, showing the pliysical features of the Southern Hemi- 

 sphere, had been j^repared with the skilful assistance of Mr. Pierard. He 

 trusted that it would be of service to illustrate many future discussions. 

 With reference to the remarks of the President and Sir W. Buller regard- 

 ing the singular distribution of birds and plants among the islands, he said 

 that the differences wore such as to show that the islands were remnants 

 of an extensive land-area that had been dissevered long enough to permit 

 of specific characters springing up, and yet he had been able to show 

 that some at least belong to very recent geological formations. The dis- 

 covery of fossils last year on Seymour Island, near the antarctic circle — 

 which appear to indicate a similar assemblage to that which charac- 

 terizes the Upper Eocene of New Zealand, and is always held to indicate 

 conditions warmer than those of the New Zealand seas at the present time 

 — is a remarkably significant fact. It is very tantalising to have such a 

 large area of the globe unexplored. Without any special appliances, 

 Captain Cook, on four occasions, almost reached the shore of the antarc- 

 tic land 120 years ago. Fifty years ago, also with sailing-ships, Ross was 

 the first to land. Twenty-one years ago the " Challenger," without any 

 special outfit for resisting the inclement conditions, brought back a 

 wealth of interesting information. With modern appliances, and the 

 great experience that has now been gained in ice- bound navigation, there 

 should be no difficulty in fitting out a suitable expedition. In reply to 

 the President, he said that the albatros nests differ very much in size 

 and form, chiefly owing to their being used over and over again, and 



