Otago Institute. 629 



been obtained by Mr. Leslie Reynolds from a mining-claim at 

 St. Bathans, Central Otago. The specimens consisted of por- 

 tions of stems, leaves, and capsules of a species of Hakea, 

 embedded in a bed of hard clay, probably of lacustrine origin. 

 They were found at a depth of nearly iOft. below the present 

 surface. At the present time the genus Hakea is confined 

 exclusively to Australia, from which about a hundred 

 species have been described, and of these sixty-five are 

 recorded from West Australia alone. Its occurrence, there- 

 fore, in New Zealand in Tertiary times opens up an interest- 

 ing question as to the origin and former distribution of the 

 genus, and of allied forms of Proteacece. 



Professor Parker exhibited and made remarks upon the 

 following recent additions to the Museum : (1.) A slab of 

 limestone, from Waihola, coiitaining numerous sharks' teeth, 

 the type of Oxyrhina von haasti, Davis. (2.) An unusually 

 large specimen of the Hoki {Macrurorus zealandicB) recently 

 obtained in the Otago Harbour. (3.) A specimen of Mendo- 

 soma lineatum recently obtained off the coast of Otago. (4.) 

 A mounted specimen of the Stewart Island kiwi {Aiiteryx 

 latoryi). (5.) Various representations of the abyssal fauna of 

 the Indian Ocean, obtained during the dredging operations of 

 the Indian Marine Survey. (6.) Disarticulated skeletons of 

 Callorhynchus, Heterodontus, Necturus, and Hyla, mounted in 

 alcohol. (7.) Disarticulated skeletons of ^o^ifZajms and iio/'a, 

 prepared by impregnation with glycerine jelly. (8.) Dis- 

 articulated skeleton of the brown trout {Sahno fario), with 

 the cartilaginous parts prepared by impregnation with 

 paraffin. 



Papers. — 1. " Notes on the Birds of the Waitati Valley," 

 by Alex. Wilson, M.A. 



2. " A list of Species of Polyzoa collected in Various Parts 

 of New Zealand," by A. Hamilton. 



3. " Notes on a Deposit of Moa-bones, &c., at Deep Dell 

 Oreek, Macrae's," by A. Hamilton. 



Annual Meeting: 10th November, 1896. 

 Mr. A. Hamilton, President, in the chair. 



Abstract op Annual Report. 



During the session six general meetings and eight meetings of the 

 Council have been held. Eight papers have been read, two lectures 

 delivered, and several exhibits and demonstrations given. Early in the 

 session Mr. J. G. McLeod resigned his seat on the Council, and the 

 vacancy was filled by the election of Professor Shand. 



