Otago Institute. 



569 



3. " An Earthworm from Norfolk Island," by Professor 

 Benham. {Transactions, p. 273.) 



4. "On an Earthworm from the Auckland Islands — 

 Notiodrilus aiccklandicus, n.s.," by Professor Benham. 

 {Transactions, p. 275.) 



In connection with these papers the Chairman gave an account of 

 the geographical distribution of this group of animals. 



Exhibits. — Professor Benham showed (1) a giant limpet 

 (Patella) from the Kermadec Islands, and (2) a specimen of a 

 crinoid mounted above a piece of mirror so as to enable all its 

 aspects to be seen. 



Annual Meeting: 11th November, 1902. 

 Professor Benham, President, in the chair. 



Abstract op Annual Eepobt. 



Since last annual meeting the Council has met seven times for the 

 transaction of business. At the first meeting Mr. George M. Thomson, 

 who had been elected Vice-president as well as Honorary Secretary, 

 resigned the former position, and the Council unanimously elected Mr. 

 F. R. Chapman a Vice-president. During the year Mr. T. D. Pearce 

 forwarded his resignation as a member of the Council. This was accepted 

 with regret, and Mr. J. C. Thomson was elected to the vacancy. 



The additions to the membership during the year were twelve, the 

 total number now on the roll being 112, of whom ten are life members. 



Seven general meetings of the members have been held, and at these 

 there has been, on the whole, a gratifying attendance. At two of these, 

 interesting addresses illustrated by lime-light views were delivered — viz., 

 by Miss M. E. A. Marchant on " Impressions of Florence," and by Dr. F. 

 Truby King on " Protection and Reclamation of Sea-coasts by means of 

 planting." The following papers were also contributed: "The Marine 

 Mollusca of Totaranui Bay, Nelson," by Professor Park ; " Occurrence of 

 Native Lead at Parapara, Nelson," by Piofessor Park; " On a Manifesta- 

 ■ion of Aurora in Southern Latitudes," by Mr. H. Skey ; " The Kingston 

 Moraine," by Dr. P. Marshall; "The Wanganui Gravels," by Dr. P. 

 Marshall; "On Tcenia echmococcus and Hydatid Disease," by Dr. L. E. 

 Barnett ; "An Account of the Fiji Fire-walking Ceremony, or Vilavilairevo, 

 with a Probable Explanation of the Mystery," by Dr. R. Fulton ; " Some 

 New Species of New Zealand Earthworms," by Professor Benham; "An 

 Earthworm from Norfolk Island," by Professor Benham; "The Evolu- 

 tion of Life," by Professor Benham. 



At the last annual meeting it was resolved that the Institute be 

 registered under "The Unclassified Societies Act, 1895." Steps were 

 taken in accordance with this resolution ; but, as the Registrar of 

 Friendly Societies required the rules to be amended, a special meeting of 

 the members, called by circular, was held on the 13th May, when a draft of 

 proposed rules and regulations was adopted. On the Sth July the certifi- 

 cate of incorporation and a sealed copy of the rules were laid on the 

 table, and it was resolved to deposit the same with the Institute's 

 solicitors. 



At the June meeting of the members the following resolution, moved 

 by Mr. A. Bathgate, was agreed to : " That this Institute, having learned 

 with regret that sheep are allowed to run upon the reserve at Mount 

 Cook, and that the interesting native flora of that locality is conse- 



