6 Proceedings. 



If the conclusion of many naturalists that acquired characters are not inherited is 

 correct, it follows that the labour expended on education is for each generation only ; and, 

 though this may be a disappointing doctrine to those who have believed that the race 

 could be improved by the inherited effects of education, there is a brighter side to the 

 question, for if the absence of men of commanding personality at the present time is 

 due to the repression of individuality during early years, we may reasonably anticipate 

 that with improved and more enlightened methods of education and a more suitable 

 environment men of commanding personality will again arise. Some signs of the growing 

 dissatisfaction with many of the present educational methods, and of greater attention 

 being paid to natural history, were noted with approval, and in connection therewith 

 the lecturer made the following suggestions : — 



(1.) That young members might be induced to join the society as associates, and on 

 payment of a small fee be entitled to all the privileges of membership except the annual 

 volume. 



(2.) That further efforts should be made to secure closer and more united action 

 between the various branches of the Institute. 



(3.) That special efforts should be made to place the New Zealand Institute more 

 on the same status as the Linnean, Geological, and other learned societies, so that its 

 members might be termed " Fellows of the New Zealand Institute." 



(4.) That in addition to its present functions the New Zealand Institute might with 

 advantage promote the objects pursued by the Sel borne Society of the United Kingdom, 

 such as the preservation of such wild animals as are harmless, beautiful, and rare, the 

 protection of places and objects of natural beauty or antiquarian interest, &c. 



(5.) The formation of sections for special subjects, and the closer co-operation of the 

 similar sections of the different branches of the Institute. 



Papers.— 1. " Some Effects of Imported Animals on the Indigenous 

 Vegetation." By B. C. Aston, F.I.C.. F.C.S. (See p. 19.) 



2. ' Notes on Nests, Life-history, and Habits of Migas distinctus." 

 By J. B. Gatenby. 



Astronomical Section.- — The following report of the Astronomical Sec- 

 tion was presented : — 



Report. 



The Astronomical Section of the Wellington Philosophical Society was formally 

 constituted at a special meeting held in the Museum on the 22nd August, 1910. 



At present the section consists of thirty-two members, with the following officers : 

 President and Treasurer, Mr. C. P. Powles ; Director and Curator of Instruments, Rev. 

 Dr. Kennedy ; Council, Professor D. K. Picken, Dr. C. M. Hector, and Messrs. C. E. 

 Adams, G. Hog ben, W. S. La Trobe, and A. C. Gifford (Secretary). 



On the 29th September the Rev. Dr. Kennedy gave a popular lecture on astronomy, 

 in aid of the Observatory Fund, which resulted in a net profit of £18 6s. In this con- 

 nection we must thank the City Council for kiudly granting us the free use of the Concert 

 Chamber in the Town Hall. 



The following is a list of the papers read and lectures delivered at the ordinary 

 meetings of the section : — 



October 11. — Presidential Address on Astronomy. — Mr. C. P. Powles. 



November 15. — The Pressure of Light. — Professor T. H. Labj'. 



February 21. — The Mechanism of Astronomical Instruments. — -Mr. W. S. 



La Trobe. 

 April 11. — Spherical Geometry and Trigonometry. — Professor D. K. Picken. 



It is proposed to start an astronomical library in connection with the section. We 

 must thank Dr. C. M. Hector for astronomical catalogues presented for this purpose, 

 and Mr. J. Grigg, F.E.A.S., for a photo of Hailey's Comet, 1910, taken by himself at the 

 Observatory, Thames. 



A number of members have sent to the Secretary lists of the astronomical worki? 

 in their private libraries, which may be of great use to members when searching for 

 information on particular points. 



The solar eclipse : The Council endeavoured to organize a party to co-operate 

 with the Australian Eclipse Expedition. Unfortunately, owing to the short time avail- 

 able for making arrangements, the long time the expedition would take, and the con- 

 siderable expense involved, they were unsuccessful in this attempt. 



