602 Proceedings. 



3. "Notes on Ferns," bv H. C. Field. {Transactions, 

 p. 377.) 



4. " A Kevision of the Species of the Formicidce (Ants) of 

 New Zealand," by Professor D. A. Forel, of Chigny pres 

 Morges, Switzerland ; communicated by Mr. A. Hamilton. 

 (Transactions, p. 353.) 



Mr. Cuthbert Freyberg gave an account of the variations 

 of the barometer in Wellington during the few days imme- 

 diately preceding the meeting. He exhibited the barograph 

 tracings taken at the Colonial Museum during that period, and 

 called attention to the peculiarities of the curves registered, 

 the weather having been much disturbed throughout the time 

 represented by the tracings. 



Third Meeting : 6th July, 1004. 

 Professor Easterfield, President, in the chair. 

 New Member. — Mr. Thomas Hunter. 



The President informed the meeting, with much regret, 

 that news had been received of the death of Mr. Bobert 

 McLachlan, F.L.S., one of the most distinguished honorary 

 members of the New Zealand Institute. 



Mr. G. V. Hudson said that the late Mr. McLachlan (who was 

 elected an honorary member of the New Zealand Institute in 1874) was 

 one of the greatest authorities in the world on the Neuroptera. and had 

 done invaluable work in classifying the New Zealand species. His death 

 was a very great loss to science, and would be widely deplored by ento- 

 mologists and others. 



Papers. — 1. " On Macro - lepidoptera observed during the 

 Summer of 1903-4, including a Note on the Occurrence of a 

 Hawk-moth new to New Zealand," by G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. 

 (Transactions, p. 358.) 



2. " Notes on the Occurrence of some Pare Species of 

 Lepidoptera," by A. P. Buller, F.E.S. (Transactions, p. 331.) 



These two papers were discussed together. The President said that it 

 was interesting to find that two collectors, working independently of one 

 another, had each, within the same short period of time, observed so very 

 rare a description of moth as the one referred to in the title of Mr. 

 Hudson's paper. 



Mr. A. P. Buller then exhibited a collection of butterflies made by 

 Mr. Ward, naturalist to Sir Henry Stanley's expedition in search of 

 Emin Pasha. 



The thanks of the meeting were conveyed to Mr. Buller for his in- 

 teresting exhibit. 



3. " The Distillation of the Fatty Acids for the Manufacture 

 of Candles," ny P. W. Bobertson, B.A. (senior scholar), F.C.S. 

 (Transactions, p. 568.) 



The Chairman congratulated Mr. Robertson on his researches, 

 which had resulted in his bringing to light several matters, apparently 

 not known before, in connection with the distillation of stearine. 



