496 EEPOETS OF MEETINGS. 



Dr. Burder was enrolled a Member. 



Mr. Leipner gave the subject for the evening, "Microscopic 

 Pungi," confining his remarks to Epiphytic Fungi, and referring 

 not only to the ''alternation of generation " of some of these plants 

 — as, for instance, TJredo and Puccinia — ^being various forms of the 

 plant at different times of the year, but also to certain phenomena 

 in the animal world to which the same name, ''alternation of 

 generation," had formerly been applied. Explaining the true 

 nature of the latter in the case of the Aphis and Poljps, he showed 

 the essential difference between them, and the changes observed in 

 some Epiphytical Fungi. Mr. Leipner presented several specimens 

 to the Herbarium. 



December 16. — The subject for the evening was, "New Zealand 

 Flax and Kauri Gum." The Honorary Secretary', Mr. C. B. Dunn, 

 gave a succinct account of the so-called New Zealand Flax, 

 showing by specimens received from the Orewa Flax Mills, 

 Auckland, and by native prepared Flax, that Phormium tenar^ 

 (var. Tihore) produces a fibre of great strength, and when well 

 prepared, is. of a beautiful glistening appearance, and very soft to 

 the touch. Phormium belongs to the natural order Liliaceoe. Dr. 

 Hooker says, "There are two species, viz., P. tenax, seed-pod erect, 

 1^ to 5 inches long, straight, leaves very strong ; P. Colensoi, seed- 

 pod pendulous, 3 to 7 inches long, twisted, leaves weak. The 

 former grows to 15 feet, the latter to 7 feet high. In the Province 

 of Auckland the former abounds, and there the manufacture is a 

 success ; but in the South Island the latter abounds, and there the 

 manufacture is a failure. The fibre is obtained from the leaf, the 

 vascular tissue running continuously the whole length. The leaves 

 average 5 feet, and in appearance are not unlike the common fiag. 

 Iris Pseudacorus, of our marshes." The various modes of manu- 

 facture were then described, from the scratching with the nails by 

 the Maori to the most approved machinery. The principal use the 

 fibre is adapted for is that of the manufacture of rope, it being equal 

 to Manilla, and considered by some to be stronger. 



Mr. Dunn then took up the second subject on the notice paper, 



