Wellington. Philosophical Society. 529 
as far as Mills’ Foundry, this was carefully considered, and the author considers the line 
then taken to have been the best that could be adopted. The wharf also was run out at 
an acute angle to the breastwork for the same reason. The author considers that any 
future ax dide should be by building wharves parallel to the present wharf, thus 
increasing the amount of smooth water. Capt. Halliday proposes to make wharves at 
eR — to the Queen's Wharf, and the author is not prepared to say that this would 
not be an improvement on his plan. He condemns the proposal to reclaim land from 
Mills’ Foundry to the middle T of the wharf, as a lee-shore would thus be made, against 
which it would-be dangerous for ships to lie, and consequently it will be found necessary 
to construct another work to the northward to protect it. In the event of reclamation at 
the Te Aro end of the town, the author thinks it should be borne in mind that it is 
_ practically a wet dock at present, where small vessels can lie safely, and that it is more 
important to give additional smooth water for vessels than more land for stores and 
offices. 
Firra Meerine. 22nd September, 1877. 
J. Carruthers, M. Inst. C.E., Vice-president, in the chair. 
New Members.—William Fitzgerald, A. W. F. Halcombe, H. F. Rawson. 
1. * Notes on the Physiology and Anatomy of the Tuatara ( Sphenodon 
güntheri)," by A. K. Newman, M.B., M.R.C.P. (Transactions, p. 222.) 
The author did not confine his remarks to his written paper, which is of a technical 
nature but gave a popular account of reptiles generally, showing their relations to other 
forms. He exhibited a PEDE ee skeleton, lent by the Hon. Mr. Mantell from 
the Museum, and also a live specim 
Dr. Buller was pleased that is m had given his remarks in so popular a form, 
and he had listened to them with great interest. He had himsel! at a former meeting 
given a description of this lizard. Dr. Günther had published an elaborate description of 
Sphenodon punctatum, and now, with Dr. Newman's valuable paper ou S. güntheri, we 
could compare the anatomy of both. He hoped to see the whole of Dr. Newman's paper 
in the next volume of Transactions. He intended shortly to read a paper on a third 
variety of this lizard whieh he thought might prove a distinct species.* 
The author, in answer to a question by Mr. Buchanan regarding the growth of new 
bones in lizards’ tails when accidentally broken off, said that the vertebre when broken 
off never grew again, but merely an additional part without bone. 
r. Carruthers differed from the author regarding the earlier forms of life, which he 
considered were just as complete and perfect as at present. 
2. “On a means of selecting the most durable Timber," by John . 
Buchanan. ( Transactions, p. 190.) 
Mr. gee thought there would be some difficulty in procuring fair standard 
speci e did not altogether agree with the author that the heaviest timbers were 
the most ahh If cut at the proper season and heart-wood only used, nothing further 
regarding the selection of our timbers would be needed. He saw no necessity for the 
* Vide ante, p. 220. à 
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