Qtago Institute. 467 



Annual General Meeting : 8th November, 1887. 

 F. E. Chapman, President, in the chair. 



New Member. — Mr. G. G. Bridges. 



Papers. — 1. "On new New Zealand Plants," by D. Petrie, 

 M.A.. F.L.S. {Transactions, p. 185.) 



2. " Descriptions of new Species of New Zealand Aranea" 

 by P. Goyen. i Transactions, p. 133. | 



Mr. Petrie described the habits of some of these spiders, especially re- 

 ferring to two aqnatic species. One of these, which was to be found in the 

 water-races in the goldfields districts of Otago, ran up and down the stems of 

 water plants, and carried a bell of air under the abdomen. They were unable 

 to dive, and, when irritated, made for some portion of plant growing on the 

 surface. The other species builds its nest in the form of tubes, under water, 

 and could remain submerged for five or six hours at a time. It frequently 

 occurred in littoral pools between tide-marks. 



3. "Notes on some described Species of New Zealand 

 Aranea," by P. Goyen. [Transactions, p. 140.) 



■i. Notes on New Zealand Crustacea," by George M. Thom- 

 son, F.L.S. 



Exhibits. — Professor Parker exhibited and made remarks upon 

 several new and interesting additions to the Otago Museum, in- 

 cluding the following : — 



(a.) Specimens of three species of New Zealand Sharks. 



(b.) A very large specimen of New Zealand Sole. 



iM A series of specimens of the Nelly or Giant Petrel, showing remark- 

 able diversity of plumage : the first was sooty black, the second 

 brown, the third light -brown, marked with patches of white, and 

 the fourth pure white with only a few black feathers. 



(d.) A collection of birds' eggs, to show a new and very effective method 

 of mounting. 



(e.) Specimens of Tuataras, and Mutton Birds, to show the natural 

 habitat of these animals. 



Abstract of Annual Kepobt. 



During the session seven general meetings have been held. At three of 

 these lectures were delivered ; one took the form of a conversazione ; and at 

 the other three, nine papers were read. The Council notes the increased 

 attendance of members at the meetings, but regrets that so few original 

 papers have been read. It also regrets that research papers of great value 

 should be sent away to other countries, on account of the dmiculty of getting 

 suitable illustrations executed in the Colony, and also on account of the 

 want of publicity hitherto attained by papers printed in the " Transactions 

 of the New Zealand Institute." 



During the year 17 new members have been elected, but several names 

 have been removed from the roll, which now shows an actual membership 

 of only 137. 



The total actual receipts for the year, (including a balance of £67 2s. 

 from the previous year.; amount to £199 19s. 6d., and the cash expenditure 

 to £114 lys. 5d. ; leaving a balance to credit of account of £85 Us. 2d., sub- 

 ject to outstanding liabilities. The sum of £221 12s. 9d. is on fixed deposit. 

 The balance of assets over liabilities is £253 5s. 7d. 



