Otago Institute. IIS 



Eighth Meeting : ).Uh November, 1909. 

 Professor Watei'g in the chair. 



Paper. — 1. " The Geology of Mangaia," by Professor Marshall. 



^(ZcZress.— Professor Benham gave an address on " The Fiftieth Anni- 

 versary of Darwin's ' Origin of Species.' " 



After referring to the niauifold genius of the man, as evidenced in his vahiable 

 contributions to geology, zoology, and botany, in addition to his works on evolution, 

 the lecturer reviewed briefly the essential features of more recent theories, such as the 

 mutation theory of De Vries, Mendelisra, Weissmannism, and their relation to Dar- 

 winism ; atid pointed out that the last theory was still predominant, the others being 

 of subsidiary importance, though valuable in the light they shed on evolution. 



Exhibits. — 1. The Chairman drew the attention of the meeting to speci- 

 mens of the plates about to be issued by the Government to illustrate Mr. 

 Cheeseman's " Manual of the Flora of New Zealand." 



2. He also showed examples of photos and charts relating to the Messina 

 earthquake, which are being published by the Italian Photographical Society". 



Ninth Meeting : 1th December, 1909. 

 Professor Park, President, in the chair. 



Exhibit. — Professor Benham exhibited and made remarks on a series 

 of rock and other specimens from the Antarctic presented to the Museum 

 by Sir Ernest Shackleton. 



The collection included portions of erratic boulders from Cape Royds, the winter 

 quarters of the expedition ; jDiunice, kenyte, and feldspar-crystals from the summit 

 of Mount Erebus ; " fungus peat " from a fresh-water lake, &c. 



Professor Marshall pointed out the especial interest of the feldspar-crystals. 



Papers. — -1. " Some Evidences of Glaciation on the Shores of Cook 

 Strait and Golden Bay, Nelson," by Professor Park. 



2. " Further Notes on the Glaciation of the North Island," bv Professor 

 Park. 



3. " The Coalfields of New Zealand," by Professor Park. 



4. " The Discovery of Moa-remains on Stewart Island," by Professor 

 Benham. 



The bones found belong to Euryapteryx crassa. 



5. " Note on a Species of Hydra new to New Zealand," bv Professor 

 Benham. (See p. 128.) 



Governors. — The election of two Governors of the New Zealand Institute 

 resulted in the retiring members, Professor Benham and Mr. G. M. Thomson, 

 being^re-elected. 



Annual Meeting : 1th December, 1909. 

 Professor Park, President, in the chair. 



Annual Report. 



The Council hasfriret twelve times for the transactioii of business of the Institute, 

 of which the following is a summary : — 



The Unclassified Societies Act. under which the Institute was registered in I90I, 

 was repealed in 1908. and a new Act was placed upon the statute-book. Owing to the 

 multiplicity of returns required thereby, it was resolved not to register this Institute. 



During the year special efforts have been made, by means of committees at each 

 of the four centres, to itromote a memorial to the late Sir James Hector. Your Council 

 contributed ten guineas to this fund. It is a matter for regret that so small a response 

 was made by the peojile of Otago and Soutliland to this appeal for money to found a 



