514 Proceedings. 



The address was followed by a short discussion, in which Drs. L. 

 Cockayne and P. Marshall, and Mr. W. R. B. 01i\er took part. 



" Some Notes on the Habits and Uses of the Toheroa," by Miss M. K. 

 Mestaver. (This paper appears in the N.Z. Journal of Science and 

 Technology, vol. 4, pp. 84-85, 1921.) 



"Notes on the Natural Camouflage of some" Marine Mollusca," by Miss 



M. K. Mestayer. 



Abstract. 

 These notes on natural camouflage deal with some of the ways in which our marine 

 molluscs protect themselves from their enemies. This end is achieved in two ways : 

 either by the animal's own effort, or by the shell becoming encrusted with the surround- 

 ing animal and vegetable life. Some measure of protection is also obtained by those 

 molluscs living above half-tide, through the action of sun, wind, and rain weathering 

 their shells till they closely resemble the rocks they live on. The best example of 

 deliberate camouflage among New Zealand molluscs is to be found in the Hauraki Gulf, 

 at about 30 fathoms. It is known as the " carrier " shell, from its habit of cementing 

 other shells or bits of stone to its own, till it looks like a heap of old shells. The 

 commonest forms of this natural camouflage are those which depend on the surround- 

 ings of the shells concerned ; some being covered with coralline and other seaweeds, 

 others often having their shells more or less hidden by small barnacles or other animal 

 ife. 



i: Plant-propagation," by P. Black. 



" On Growth-periods in New Zealand Plants, especially Notkofagus fusca 

 and the Totara," by Professor H. B. Kirk. (This paper appears in 

 the present volume, pp. 429-32.) 



" Littoral Plant and Animal Communities," by W. R. B. Oliver. 



" A Remarkable New Mosquito," by D. Miller. 



" The Popular Names of New Zealand Plants," by J. C. Andersen. 



Abstract. 

 The author has compiled lists of names used by various writers from the time of 

 Captain Cook onwards, showing the common names given to various plants, and showing 

 when the names were first applied, and how long and how consistently they have been 

 used. The cabbage-tree (Cordyline australis), for example, has nearly twenty different 

 names, and many trees have a dozen or more. The tree known as Kothofagus Solanderi 

 has been called " black," " white," " red," and " black-heart " birch in various districts, 

 whilst at the same time the names " black-birch," " white-birch," &c, have been given 

 to many other trees as well, " black-birch " being applied to no fewer than five. The 

 obj n ct of the paper was to make a list available so that scientists and others might 

 adopt the same common name and avoid the confusion that had taken place in the 

 past. 



" Ecological Problems relative to Salmonidae," by W. J. Phillipps. 



a 



The Order Hemiptera in New Zealand, with Special Reference to its 

 Biological and Economic Aspects," by J. G. Myers. 



' Notes on the Vegetation of the Mid-Clarence Valley," by B. C. Aston. 



Abstract. 

 The author stated that he had made five visits to this district since the first in 

 April, 1915, when a journey through the remarkable Ure Canon, or Ure Gorge, as it 

 is called, was made, and the ascent to the summit of Tapuaenuku (9,450 ft.) from the 

 Dee River was accomplished. The main features of the work accomplished were the 

 botanical examination of the Medway, Ure, Kekerangu, Nidd, Mead, and Dee River 

 basins, including the hills surrounding them (the last three being tributaries of the 

 Mid-Clarence), and the limestone foothills and eastern slopes of Mount Tapuaenuku. 



