We'linf/foN rhilosoph/ral Society. 431 



It has been arranged to open the observatory, for the convenience of members, 

 e\ery Tuesday evening, if the weather is astronomically favourable. Any member 

 approved by the Council may hire a private key. and have access to the observa- 

 tory at any time. 



Arrangements are being made to admit the public on certain evenings. 



During the year the following lectures have been delivered : Thursday, 19th 

 October, 1911 — Mr. J. T. Ward, Director, Wanganui Observatory, gave a popular 

 lecture, " Evenings with the Telescope," illustrated by a particularly fine collection 

 ot lantern-slides. Wednesday, 17th July, 1912 — Mr, C. E. Adams, Government 

 Astronomer, lectured on meridian work and meridian instruments. Thursday, 3rd 

 October, 1912 — The Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy gave a lecture in the observatory on 

 the equatorial telescope and its use. 



Officers for 1913. — llie President announced that the folhiwing officers 

 were suggested by the Council for the year 1913 : President — Professoi- 

 T. H. Easterfield; Vice-Presidents — Mr. Thomas King, F.R.A.S., and 

 Professor H. B. Kirk; Council — Mr. A. Hamilton, Mr. Martin Chap- 

 man, K.C., Mr. F. G. A. Stuckev, M.A., Professor D. K. Picken, 

 Mr. P. G. Morgan, M.A., Dr. C. Munro Hector, Mr. G. V. Hudson, 

 F.E.S. ; Secretary and Treasxirer — Mr. C. E. Adams, M.Sc, F.R.A.S. ; 

 Lihrarian — Miss J. A. Wilson; Auditor — Mr. E. R. Dymock, A.I.A.N.Z. 



On motion of Dr. A. Thomson, seconded by ^Ir. A. C. Gifford, these 

 officers Avere declared elected. 



New Members. — Captain Hayward and Mr. J. Mackay. 



Papers. — 1. " On an Instance of Protective Mimicry in New Zea- 

 land ]\Ioths," by Alfred Philpott ; communicated by G. V. Hudson. 



Abstract. 



The genus Dvclana contains some of the most beautiful of New Zealand moths. 

 They are not, however, generally decked in gaudy or vivid colours, but owe their 

 attractiveness to a pleasing arrangement of white or brown and grey. When rest- 

 ing on tree-trunks amongst lichen and moss they would be quite inconspicuous, 

 and, as they are chiefly forest-frequenting forms, their colouring is probably highly 

 protective. Being nocturnal insects, they are not liable to much persecution from 

 birds, though when found in the daytime they are eaten with relish. One member 

 of the genus, however — D. glaciatis Huds. — differs altogether from the others, and 

 is, I believe, an example — the only one known at present among our native moths 

 — of protective mimicry. 



/). 'jlachdis, unlike any of its congeners, is brightly coloured, orange and red 

 predominating. It is, I have no doubt, mimetic of the genus Metacrias. Of this 

 genus we have three forms. They are all black and orange or black and red. They 

 fly by day in the hottest sunshine, and when on the wing they appear to be bright 

 yellow or reddish insects. They are, 1 believe, nauseous in taste ; birds do not 

 appear to attack them, and I have seen them untouched in spiders' webs. Dcdanar 

 in general are quite opposite in appearance and habit to Metacrias, yet we find that 

 D. glariaJi-i has acquired a singular resemblance to the latter genus. It flies by 

 day : Mr. Hudson found it flying commonly in bright sunshine at Mount Cook, 

 and Messrs. Oliver and Pasco met with it under similar circumstances on Ben 

 Lomond, Wakatipu. On the wing the markings will not be noticeable, and it will 

 appear of the same reddish type as Metacrias. So unlike a typical Declana and so 

 superficially like a Mctacria,-' is the species that its describer, Mr. G. V. Hudson, 

 had placed it in the latter geuus, and only discovered the error by an examina- 

 tion of the wing-nervures, which are quite different in the two genera. There is. 

 I think, a very strong presumption that Dcclana glacialis is mimetic of the genus 

 Metacrias, though not perhaps of any particular species of that genus. 



2. " On an Instance of the Effects of Natural Selection and Isola- 

 tion in reducing the Wing-expanse of a Moth," by Alfred Philpott : 

 communicated by G. Y. Hudson. 



Abstract. 

 The moth in question [Notoreas synclinalis Huds.) was discovered at Seaward 

 Moss in January, 1900 (Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 3.5, p. 244). The locality is an exten- 

 sive mossy bog lying along the coast fiom the Bluff to near Fortrose, and stretch- 



