524 ; Proceedings. 
successfully cultivated in Ireland and in parts of England for some years—that it is 
much relished by horses, etc., and yields, according to Mr. Christy, as much as 80-120 
tons to the acre. It will grow upon dry soil even when poor and unsheltered. It must, 
however, be kept free from weeds, and the ground must be well manured. This plant is 
not to be confounded with Symphytum officinale, the common comfrey of Britain, which 
is quite worthless, In addition to its other recommendations it is said to be preventive 
of fever, lung, and foot and mouth diseases. Mr. Holroyd’s pamphlet is published by F. 
Cunningham and Co., of Sydney, and Messrs T, Christy and Co., of Fenchurch Street, 
London, will supply plants. 
Dr. Hector said that Mr. Ludlam, from enquiries in England, had thought it desirable 
to send out root cuttings of this plant, which were on their way. 
8. ** Notes on three dried Specimens of Matai ( Podocarpus spicata )," by 
T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 417.) 
These specimens were collected by Mr. Seymour, M.H.R., and the paper went to 
show that the author did not consider there was yet evidence to prove more than one 
kind of this tree. Although different in appearance, they were the same. 
Mr. Seymour still thought there must be two kinds of this timber, on account of 
difference in yalue, and he would endeavour to obtain further evidence to prove this. He 
did not think that age alone could cause the difference, as supposed by Mr. Kirk. 
A long discussion ensued, in which Mr. Carruthers, Mr. Higginson, Mr. Coleman 
Phillips, and others took part, on the relative value of the white and yellow pine, most of 
the speakers bearing testimony to the superiority of the yellow over the white; Mr. Kirk, 
however, believing that they were only different forms of the s 
botanical difference by which they could be separated. 
Dr. Hector hoped that they would soon have Mr. Kirk’s promised paper on these 
pines, and remarked that this discussion only showed how necessary it was to abandon 
all popular names in favour of scientific terms founded on the observed characters of 
these trees. 
ame tree, there being no 
Tum» Meetme. 18th August, 1877. 
W. T. L. Travers, M.H.R., F.L.8., President, in the chair. 
New Members,—B. T. Chaytor, Robert Govett. 
1. * Remarks as to the Cause of the Warmer Climate which existed in 
high Northern Latitudes during former Geological Periods," by W. T. L. 
Travers, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 459.) 
ABSTRACT. 
* This paper was a review of the progress recently made in our knowledge of the 
subject, and especially t} T 3 f NL. — Be aft Pag, SENEN . H 
of the moon’s 
surface, and the work by Mattieu Williams on the “ Fuel of the Sun.” The author 
