576 Proceedings. 



Fifth Meeting : 11th September, 1900. 



Mr. E. Melland, President, in the chair. 



Professor Benham exhibited a large specimen of a spider- 

 crab (Prionorhynchus edivardsii), one out of a haul that had 

 recently been obtained by the fish-trawler " Express," off the 

 Otago Heads, in 23 fathoms of water. 



Hitherto the species had only been recorded from the Auckland and 

 Campbell Islands. 



Dr. Hocken read a paper entitled " The Beginnings of 

 Literature in New Zealand." (Transactions, p. 472.) 



In this paper an account was given of the early efforts of the mis- 

 sionaries to reduce tbe Maori tongue to writing, and to translate and to 

 print tbe Scriptures, hymns, and simple lesson-books. A number of rare 

 specimens of these earliest publications in the Maori language was 

 exhibited. 



Sixth Meeting : 9th October, 1900. 

 Mr. E. Melland, President, in the chair. 



Mr. A. Hamilton laid on the table a " Hand-list of certain 

 Papers relating more or less directly to the Maori Pace, and 

 published in various Publications." (Transactions, p. 515.) 



Mr. C. 0. Lillie presented an article " On the New Zea- 

 land E'phemeridce," and exhibited drawings of the nymph of 

 an undescribed species. (Transactions, p. 149.) 



•Mr. H. T. Matthews then read a report on the present 

 condition of forestry in New Zealand, giving details as to 

 the work carried on at the various stations. 



The paper was published in extenso in the Otago Daily Times. 



Dr. Truby King gave an interesting address " On the Un- 

 due Weight attached to the Training of certain Intellectual 

 Faculties." 



Annual Meeting: 13th November, 1900. 



Mr. E. Melland, President, in the chair. 



Papers. — 1. " List of the Scientific Papers and Addresses 

 by the late Sir Julius von Haast," by Mr. A. Hamilton. 



2. "On the New Zealand Lancelet," by Professor Ben- 

 ham. (Transactions, p. 120.) 



3. "An Account of Acanthodrilus uiiginosus, of Hutton," 

 by Professor Benham. (Transactions, p. 122.) 



4. " An Account of some Earthworms from the Neighbour- 

 ing Islands," by Professor Benham. (Transactions, p. 129.) 



