15 



The Secretary reported that the proceedings of the Society for 1878 

 were now ready for distribution to the Fellows on application. 



The Bishop submitted specimens of the larva and chrysalis of the Cod- 

 ling Moth, taken from the tree the same morning. 



Mr. Barnard exhibited eggs, larva, chrysalis, and fully developed insect 

 of the Codling Moth, and read extracts in reference to it from Johnson's 

 Cottage Gardeners' Dictionary, 1857. 



Specimens of the Colorado Beetle (Chrysomela decem-Uiieata ) were 

 placed on the table for inspection. 



The Bishop read a paper on the " Law of Storms," supplemented by a 

 report on a Cyclone, which occurred between Tasmania and New Zealand 

 in 1876, furnished hj Captain Chandler, formerly of the United States 

 steamer Swatara. The probable course of the Cyclone was illustrated by a 

 chart. 



Mr. A. B. Crowther read a paper on '•' The Habits of the Platypus." 

 Discussion took place, when the conflicting theories as to the generation of 

 the animal were noticed. After referring to the admirable investigations 

 of M. Verreaux at New Norfolk, and the writings of Professor Owen 

 (Annals of Nat. Hist., Vol. 2, 2ud series) thirty years ago, Mr. Stephens 

 remarked that viviparous generation was generally accepted as a certainty. 



Mr. E. Swan stated Professor McCoy was still of opinion that additional 

 information was required before this point would be considered as finally 

 settled. [In a paper on this subject, by the learned Professor, which 

 appeared in the Australasian of the 10th August, 1878, the following 

 passage occurs : — " The whole interest attaches to a very short interval, for 

 the little naked young found by several observers could have only been 

 a short time out of the e^g, it such were really laid ; and on the other 

 hand, at a period very shortly before this, the ova have been, by ourselves 

 and many others, found in the ovaries as large as cherries ; but whether 

 the young are excluded from the eggs while still within the body of the 

 mother, and brought forth alive, so as to make the animal ovo-viviparous, 

 as so many reptiles are, or whether the creature is oviparous, and the eggs 

 are laid, and the young afterwards break out, as in all birds, is still the 

 point to be determined."] 



It was agreed that specimens of the female Platypus should, if possible 

 be obtained during the next breeding season, commencing about the middle 

 of November, at intervals of a fortnight. The gravid uterus, in various 

 stages of development, could then be dissected liere, or transmitted to 

 Professor Owen, agreeablv to his wish expressed to our late member, the 

 Rev. W. W. Spicer, in 1877" 



The Bishop read a paper on " Sewage and Health." 



His Excellency, in confirmation of some points alluded to by the 

 Bishop, adduced a striking instance of the value of the Earth Closet 

 System, In a large prison at Fremantle, Western Australia, where the 

 death-rate previous to his visit had been excessive, he (the Governor) 

 directed Earth Closets alone to be used, and the effect was that the subse- 

 quent diminution nf disease and death was most remarkable. Similar good 

 results from a,ttention to the closet system had also come under his notice 

 in New Zealand. 



Further discussion having taken place, 



Mr. Justice Dobson, after alhiding to the value and interest of the 

 papers just read, proj^osed the usual vote of thanks, which was carried, and 

 the proceedings then terminated. 



