574 Proceedings. 



and gave an account of their habits and the value of the spines and hair 

 upon their body, which, although they might seem so unimportant to the 

 lay mind, were of so much value to the naturalist. 



Mr. G. M. Thomson then gave an account of the trawling 

 operations recently undertaken by the Government to examine 

 our shores for marketable fish. 



He and Mr. Hamilton and Dr. Benham accompanied at different 

 times the various expeditions of the small boat of 19 tons as scientific 

 supervisors. The coast of the South Island was examined from Golden 

 Bay down the east coast as far south as Stewart Island and Tewaewae 

 Bay. The fish were abundant up to about 25 fathoms, but from that to 

 50 scarcely any were found. This might have been due to seasonal 

 causes, and was certainly very different from trawling as carried on in 

 other parts of the world. The best results were perhaps obtained at 

 Tewaewae Bay, where in two hours 48 dozen of flatfish, brill, and other 

 good fish were trawled. In other parts king-fish in abundance, red-cod, 

 soles, and flounders were found, and large numbers of elephant-fish, gur- 

 nard, and schnapper; and, last of all, oysters were found in Golden Bay. 

 The existence of the latter was not previously known to the Nelson folks. 

 The hake fish was found for the first time near Wanganui, and a very 

 good market fish hitherto unknown in New Zealand (Macrums). Zoo- 

 logical material was collected which will form an additional report to that 

 of the Government. The abundance and variety of food for fish was 

 something enormous. Operatic ns were to be resumed in January next 

 on the west coast of the North Island. Mr. Thomson considered that 

 these should always be accompanied by a scientific person. 



Mr. Thomson also gave an account of the negotiations 

 which had been entered into with the Government regarding 

 the proposed fish-hatchery, which he hoped would be an 

 accomplished fact by the end of the year. 



Third Meeting: 10th July, 1900. 

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



The President called the attention of members to the fact 

 that Part V. of " Maori Art " was in the course of publication. 



Mr. A. Hamilton exhibited a living specimen of the cater- 

 pillar of the rare tiger-moth Metacrias strategica, and a speci- 

 men of the moth itself, reared in captivity. 



Mr. G. M. Thomson read a paper on the " Acclimatisation 

 of Plants in New Zealand." (Transactions, p. 313.) 



The modes by which plants now naturalised have been introduced 

 may be : (1) The deliberate scattering of seeds in the open ground or in 

 selected localities ; (2) escapes from cultivation in gardens, &c. ; (3) acci- 

 dental importation along with other seeds, or with hay, straw, packing, 

 <fec, with introduced plants or animals, and so forth ; (■!) by birds, winds, 

 and other " natural " agencies. 



Very few seem to have become established under the first of these 



means ; many more, such as are not fertilised by specialised insects, come 



nder the second head, especially where the seeds are dispersed by birds, 



