PREFACE. 



The present volume commences a new series of the " Trans- 

 actions of the New Zealand Institute," in which, for convenience 

 and economy, the size of the page has been reduced from royal 

 to demy octavo. An alphabetical index has also been added to 

 the volume for the first time. A General Alphabetical Index 

 of Authors and Subjects, for the seventeen volumes which con- 

 stitute the first series, has been prepared, and will be presented 

 to all members of the Institute along with this volume. 



J. H. 



