EASTERFiKt.D. — (' licinist r [I of the Set'' Zedhmd Flnra. 55 



Matai-resinol is isomeric with pino-resinol, the crystalline constituent 

 of the exudation resins of Pinus laricin and Picea vulgaris isolated by Max 

 Bamberger (Monatslu^fte, 1894, vol. 15. p. 505). Pino-resinol also contains 

 two methoxy and two hydroxy groups, but experiments do not appear to 

 have been made in order to ascertain if the substance is lactonic in cha- 

 racter. Pino-resinol differs from matai-resinol in having a higher melting- 

 point and in yielding a very sparingly soluble potassium-salt. 



(4.) The Totara (Podocarpus totara). 



No heart-resin can be observed in totara logs, but a crystalline " bloom " 

 can often be detected on totara boards a few hours after leaving the planing- 

 machine. To investigate this substance, 1 cwt. of totara sawdust was ex- 

 tracted with alcohol and the spirit removed by distillation. The residue 

 was an amorphous mass easily soluble in organic solvents, but crystallizing 

 with great difficulty from most menstrua. By spontaneous evaporation 

 of the solution in light petroleum the substance is easily obtained in large 

 crystals. The compound is neutral in reaction, and is not hydrolized by 

 alcoholic potash ; it distils under diminished pressure without decomposi- 

 tion. Analysis supports the formula CigHagO. 



In the investigation of this substance I have received much help from 

 Mr. George Bagley. 



Art. IX. — Further Experiments on the Influence of Artesian Water on 



the Hatching of Trout. 



By C. Coleridge Farr, D.Sc, and D. B. Macleod, M.A. 



[Eead before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 19th October, 1910.] 



The experiments here described were carried out in conjunction with the 

 authorities of the Canterbury Acclimatization Society at their hatchery 

 in Christchurch, and our thanks are due to the Acclimatization Society for 

 the facilities they have offered us, and to Mr. Charles Rides especially for 

 the interest he has taken in arranging the eggs, &c., for us. 



The work conducted last year (Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 42, 1909) showed 

 conclusively that the artesian water of Christchurch was fatal to a large 

 number of fish confined in close proximity to the outflow of the well, and 

 of those fish which survived only a very small proportion escaped pop-eye. 

 Both these effects disappear on aeration of the water, which was shown to 

 contain an excess of nitrogen, a defect of oxygen, some carbon-dioxide, 

 and radium-emanation in solution. 



It seemed likely from the experiments carried on last year that the 

 mortality amongst the eggs and also the development of " blue swelling " 

 were troubles which were minimized by aeration, and to clear up these 

 points, and, if possible, to throw some light on the particular factor producing 

 these effects, the experiments here described were made. 



The Acclimatization Society very kindly placed at our disposal for the 

 experiments two sets of hatching-boxes, one containing five trays, with a 

 fall from tray to tray, and the other eight trays, with a similar fall. In each 

 of these thirteen boxes 2,000 " wild " brown-trout ova were placed under 

 the conditions known from experience in the hatchery to give the best 



