284 Transactions. — Zoology. 



and, as for Dactylojmis vastator, I trust the danger is over, 

 as we have already sent several colonies of its enemies." 



When the late Agricultural Conference was sitting here 

 I endeavoured to bring this question of scale parasites before 

 it, and I understand that a resolution was again passed asking 

 the Government to appoint "an entomologist." In Auckland 

 lately a similar conference passed a similar resolution ; but 

 there they went further, and suggested that a certain gei^tleman 

 should be so appointed. I have not the least desire to make 

 any ungracious remarks, nor have I a word to say against 

 that gentleman as an entomologist, but it is my duty to 

 repeat what I said three or four years ago in my memorandum 

 to the Minister of Lands : there is not in New Zealand an 

 entomologist of the kind required for this purpose. Either 

 the thing is worth doing properly or it is not worth doing at 

 all. The Hawaiian people think it worth their while, and they 

 import a trained expert. Their example should be a lesson 

 for New Zealand. 



I regret very much to inform the Society that the leading 

 economic entomologist of the world, Dr. C. V. Eiley, of 

 Washington, has lately been obliged, from ill-health and other 

 causes, to resign the position of head of the United States 

 Agricultural Department in that branch. Dr. Eiley is one 

 of the honorary members of the New Zealand Institute. 

 Farmers and cultivators of every kind in every country of the 

 globe owe him a great debt of gratitude for what he has done 

 for them in the last thirty years, and I am sure that this 

 Society, although not personally acquainted with him, will 

 join with me in feeling deep regret that the official services of 

 so ardent a friend to all agriculturists should for the future be 

 lost to the world. 



Art. XXXIII.- — On the Anatomy of Flight of certain Birds. 

 By Sir James Hectob, F.E.S. 



Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 25th July, 1894.} 



The mechanism of the flight of birds is an attractive subject, 

 and its various modifications afford some of the strongest 

 arguments in favour of the views of those who hold that the 

 structure of animals is wonderfully plastic. It is beyond doubt 

 that the outward form and even the internal structure of birds 

 changes readily under the constraint of changing environment 

 and function, as, for instance, in domestic poultry. I have 

 recently made two observations which may be worthy of 

 record, as throwing further light on this subject. 



