Wellington Philosophical Society. 415 



Report of the Microscopic Section of the Wellington Philosophical 



Society. 



The section has held numerous meetings during the year. Having 

 decided that the definite work of the section should be the investigation of 

 the fresh-water Infusoria of the Wellington District, the members have 

 devoted themselves exclusively to this work, the result of which is shown in 

 the paper submitted with this report, containing a catalogue of 44 genera, 

 containing 43 species believed to be identical with those of other countries, 

 and 7 species which the section, after full cosideration, believe to be new to 

 science. 



Having ascertained that the genus Vorticella had already been studied 

 by Mr. T. W. Kirk, and that he had in preparation a paper on that alone, 

 the members of the section decided to omit all study of the genus, and the 

 Vorticellce of Wellington are given in a separate paper by Mr. Kirk, read 

 before a meeting of the section, and also submitted with this report. 



The section ventures to hope that the Society will afford greater assist- 

 ance to microscopical investigation, by the purchase of works of reference 

 necessary for the study of particular subjects, such as Kent's " Infusoria," 

 Schmidt's "Atlas of the DiatomaceaV' Kalfs' " Desmidiee," Eabenhorst's 

 " Algaa," and many others that could be named. 



In view of the importance of microscopic study in a new country like 

 this, the section would beg to suggest that the Council should make such 

 additions to the library. 



W. M. Maskell, Chairman of Section. 



Papers. — 1. " On the Metamorphosis of a species of Caddis 

 Fly [Phryganeda)" by G. V. Hudson. (Transactions, p. 213.) 



2. " On an Edible Fungus (Cyttaria purdiei);' by John 

 Buchanan, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 317.) 



3. " On Vorticellce;' by T. W. Kirk. (Transactions, p. 215.) 



4. " Journey to Murimotu and Ascent of Euapehu," by J. 

 Park. 



5. " Additional Contributions to the Flora of Nelson," by 

 T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 318.) 



6. " On a new Variety of Desmid (genus Triploceras, Bailey)," 

 by W. M. Maskell, F.B.M.S. (Transactions, p. 325.) 



Election of Office-Bearers for 1886 : — President — Dr. 

 Hector, C.M.G., F.R.S. ; Vice-presidents — Dr. Hutchinson, W. 

 T. L. Travers, F.L.S. ; Council — Martin Chapman, Hon. G. R. 

 Johnson, W. M. Maskell, F.M.S. ; A. de B. Brandon, jun., 

 Charles Hulke, F.C.S., Dr. Newman, R. H. Govett; Secretary 

 and Treasurer — R. B. Gore ; Auditor — W. E. Vaux. 



