274 Proceed iH(/s. 



Twenty-four coins, ancient and modern, were received from Sir 

 Henry Atkinson, K.N., for the Museum. 



The Secretary read a note from Capt. Greenwood, 31st Regt., 

 Brigade Major, Auckland, New Zealand, presenting a box of choice 

 shells — marine, fresh water, and terrestrial. 



The skin of a squirrel-like animal {Acrobates PygmoBus Desni.) of 

 the size of a common mouse, from Port Albert, was received from 

 Mr. H. Best. 



A large specimen of prawn, and a fish (not named) were received 

 from Mr. A. B. Jones, having been caujjht in the bay near his farm. 



A note was read from Mr. A. Douglas presenting a case of dried 

 plants indigenous to New South Wales, collected by Mr. Mossman ; 

 the egg of an Emu {Dromiceius Novce Holland, Vieillol) from Gipps' 

 Land ; two eggs of the black swan {Cygnus Airatus) from Port Davey ;- 

 with some shells, recent and fossil ; the latter from Market Harborough, 

 Leicestershire, England. 



The Secretary reported the presentation from the Hon. Capt. 

 Kcppell, of H.M.S. Meander, of about fifty species of rare shells — 

 marine, fresh water, and terrestrial — collected on the Chinese coasts, 

 at Borneo, Labuan, New Ireland, and in the seas adjacent. 



The presentation from Capt. Collinson of a number of samples 

 of the timbers of New Zealand, of a size sufficiently large to admit 

 of their density, hardness, and tenacity, as compared with the timbers 

 of Van Diemen's Land, being thoroughly tested, was announced. 

 These specimens of New Zealand timbers were accompanied with 

 dried leaves of several of the trees yielding them, with memoranda 

 by Capt. C, and additional notes by W. Swainsou, F.R. and L.S., &c. 



A letter was read from Lieut. Lynd giving an account of a New 

 Zealand bird, allied to the Terns, about the size and having much 

 the plumage and general appearance of the common sandpiper of 

 the shores of Tasmania ; but remarkable in having its rather long, 

 acuminated bill turned to the right side, and slightly upwards. 



A specimen of New Zealand coal, said to have been procured from 

 beds of great thickness on the banks of a magnificent river in the 

 Waikato district, forwarded for examination by Lieut. Lynd, was laid 

 before the meeting : in structure, appearance, and qualities it 

 resembled the jet-like mineral which is found in the bed of the 

 Derwent, and more abundantly in the tertiary strata at Macquarie 

 Harbour ; like the latter, the New Zealand mineral is associated 

 with iron Pyrites and with a fossil resin which Lieut. Lynd 



