Wellington Philosophical Society. 587 



2. " Notes on Insect Swarms on Mountain-tops in New Zea- 

 land," by G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. (Transactions, p. 334.) 



3. " Notes on a Meteoric Appearance," by Martin Chapman. 

 (Transactions, p. 143.) 



4. " Note on the Facultative Saprophytism of Alternaria 

 solanir by A. H. Cockayne. 



5. " On some Foraminifera and Ostracoda obtained off Great 

 Barrier Island, New Zealand," by Frederick Chapman, A.L.S., 

 F.R.M.S., Palaeontologist Natural History Museum, Melbourne ; 

 communicated by A. Hamilton. (Transactions, p. 77.) 



Mr. T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., Government Biologist, by invita- 

 tion addressed the meeting on " Potato and Tomato Diseases '' 

 and on " Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria," illustrating his remarks bv 

 a number of exhibits. 



A hope was expressed that Mr. Kirk would renew the subjects at a 

 subsequent meeting, and give members an opportunity of discussing 

 them more fully than was possible in the limited time available on this 

 occasion. 



Mr. Kirk promised to do so. 



Fifth Meeting : 6th September, 1905. 

 Mr. Martin Chapman, President, in the chair. 



New Members. — Mr. J. S. Tennant and Mr. Thomas William 

 Downes (Wanganui). 



Mr. T. W. Kirk continued his remarks (adjourned from the 

 previous meeting) on " Potato and Tomato Diseases " and on 

 " Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria." 



In illustration of the points touched upon, he threw upon the screen 

 a number of lantern photographs. He strongly insisted upon the econo- 

 mic importance of the subjects. 



A number of questions were asked by members, and duly answered 

 by Mi-. Kirk. 



A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Kirk for bringing these questions 

 before the Society. 



Paper. — " On Temporary Stars," by Martin Chapman. 

 (Transactions, p. 139.) 



Exhibits. — 1. Mr. G. Hogben exhibited and described seis- 

 mograms taken at Wellington and Tokyo of the great Indian 

 earthquake of the 4th April, 1905. 



2. Mr. Martin Chapman exhibited a specimen of Maori 

 chewing-gum. 



He said that this substance was found on most parts of the coast of 

 the North Island, and also at the Chatham Islands. The specimen in 

 question had been given to him by a Chatham Island Native. The Maoris 

 were rather fond of chewing this substance, much in the same way as 



