Wellington Philosophical Society. 593 



positive fluidity of the life -principle in nature," the discussion may lead to 

 the affirmation of some definite principle. It may be assumed that the life- 

 principle is a fluid far more subtle than ether, electricity, or any other of 

 the unknown or unsolved forces of nature : That this fluid is the same in 

 quality, whether used by man, animal, fish, bird, tree, plant, or insect, but 

 differs in quantity ; that it occupies a similar place in the economy of the 

 planet, as the subtle ether (without which it is evident light could not travel) 

 or magnetism, which affects the compass, no matter in what spot the mag- 

 netized needle may be placed ; that this fluid differs from the other great 

 forces of nature, although the life fluid, the subtle ether, and the force wa 

 call magnetism, may be variations of one great and as yet unsolved natural 

 force. That the life fluid has some affinity with magnetism is evident, 

 seeing that local magnets attract each other through the general law of 

 magnetism, just as life acts upon life through the general principle of vital 

 force. The author then supports his views by illustrating the identity of 

 the agency, "or life fluid," in all manifestations of instinct and reason, and 

 in all structural divergences both in animals and plants. 



2. " Ou a Branching Fern-Tree," by J. Buchanan, F.L.S. 

 {Transactions, p. 217.) 



3. "New Plants," by J. Buchanan, F.L.S. [Transactions, 

 p. 213.) 



4. " On Ixodes maskelli, a Parasite of the Albatross," by 

 T. W. Kirk. (Transactions, p. 65.) 



5. " On a Curious Double Worm," by T. W. Kirk. {Trans- 

 actions, p. 64.) 



6. " Additional Notes on New Zealand Coccidcs," by W. M. 

 Maskell. [Transactions, p. 45.) 



Exhibits.— kdditions to the Museum were exhibited : — (1.) Large shark's 

 tooth. (2.) Fossils from Tata Island. (3.) Insects from Eio. Presented by 

 Hon. Mr. Waterhouse. 



Annual Meeting : 18th February, 1887. 

 Dr. Hector, President, in the chair. 



Absteact op Eeport. 



There were seven meetings held, and twenty-eight papers read, during 

 the year. 



One hundred and twenty new volumes had been purchased for the 

 library, and 146 volumes bound. 



The receipts for the year 1886-87 amounted to £275 9s. 4d., the expen- 

 diture £208 Is. 4d., leaving a balance in hand of £67 8s. 



A report from the Microscopic Section of the Society was also read. 



Election of Office-beaeers for 1887. — President — Dr. 

 Hutchinson ; Vice-presidents — Mr. Travers and Hon. G. R. 

 Johnson; Council — Messrs. Maskell, Brandon, Hulke, Govett, 

 Pennefather, and Drs. Newman and Hector ; Secretary and 

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



New Member. — Mr. Clement Lee. 



88 



