Auckland Institute. 617 



Mr. Cheeseman said Diadema appeared to be very scarce in New 

 Zealand, although not uncommon in Australia and some parts of 

 Polynesia. It was first collected by Dr. Sinclair, who sent a specimen 

 to the British Museum about 1855. Since then not more than ten or 

 twelve specimens appear to have been taken in all. 



2. "Notes ou the Cicadas of New Zealand," by A. T. 

 Potter. {Transactions, p. 280.) 



3. "On Fires in Coal-ships : Their Causes and Prevention," 

 by J. C. Firth. {Transactions, p. 100.) 



FouETH Meeting : 20th Juhj, 1896. 



Professor A. P. Thomas, Vice-president, in the chair. 



Mr. F. G. Ewington gave a popular lecture on South 

 Africa. 



Fifth Meeting : 3rd Aicgust, 1896. 

 Mr. D. Petrie, President, in the chair. 

 New Member. — Eev. Mr. Major. 



Papers. — 1. " Descriptions of New Native Plants," by 

 D. Petrie, F.L.S. {Transactions, p. 425.) 



2. " Supplement to the List of Flowering-plants indi- 

 genous to Otago," by D. Petrie, F.L.S. {Transactions, 

 p. 421.) 



3. "Notice of the Establishment of Vallisneria spiralis 

 in Lake Takapuna, together with some Eemarks on its Life- 

 history," by T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S. {Transactions, p. 386.) 



4. " On the Disappearance of the New Zealand Bush," 

 by the Eev. P. Walsh. {Transactions, p. 490.) 



Sixth Meeting: 17th Augiist, 1896. 



Mr. D. Petrie, President, in the chair. 



Professor C. W. Egerton gave a popular lecture on 

 Carlyle. 



Seventh Meeting : 7th September, 1896. 

 Professor A. P. Thomas, Vice-president, in the chair. 

 New Member.— Mr. W. E. Walker. 



