Wellington Philosophical Society. 591 
Dr. Newman asked how it was that in the case of boulder banks the larger stones 
were found on the top of the beach and the smaller ones at the bottom. He gave 
an instance of this, where the larger stones appeared to have been carried a distance of 
twenty miles, whilst the smaller ones were to be found close to the water 
The author stated that this was easily explained. When an unusually large wave 
came the big stones were thrown up on the beach, and the ebb flow was not sufficient to 
take them back, whilst the little stones receded with the waves, and were ground still 
smaller. Alluding again to the effect rivers had in creating beaches, he stated that Lake 
Ellesmere was being gradually filled up by the débris brought down by the River Selwyn. 
2. * On Nephrodium pentangularum,” by T. Kirk, F.L.8. 
. On the New Zealand Species of Phyllocladus,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. 
(Transactions, p. 878.) 
4. “ Notice of a new Variety of Tuatara Lizard (Sphenodon ) from East 
poc Inland, " by Walter L. Buller, C.M.G., ScD., F.L.8. (Transactions, 
p. 220 
The author said that Dr. Newman agreed with him that it was probably a new 
species, though it was just possible that it was an accidental divergence from a kind 
previously discovered, and not a distinct variety. Still, he was informed by Mr. 
White that he had seen another exactly similar in the possession of a Maori. Speaking 
of the lizards in his possession, Dr. Buller stated that they had lived without food for 
twelve months, and had fattened during that time. However, they had taken to food 
three or four months ago, but they had not thriven so well since. One of the lizards he 
found dead on the previous day, and some of the others did not appear in as good health 
as formerly. 
Dr. Newman said there was more interest attaching to this animal than to the moa 
and others which had created a great deal of talk. It was the last of its race, and its 
study would, in his opinion, throw a good deal of light upon much that was not now 
clear, and would extend even to the organization of man, and prove the correctness of 
theories which had been recently advanced. 
5. “Further descriptive Notes of the Huia ( Heteralocha acutirostris )," 
by Walter L. Buller, C.M.G., ScD., F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 211.) 
6. * Further Remarks as to the Cause of the Warmer Climate which 
existed in high Northern Latitudes during former Geological Epochs, by 
W. T. L. Travers, M.H.R., F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 470.) 
Mr. Carruthers differed from the general opinion held as to the internal heat of the 
earth. It had never been proved that such heat existed. People had simply inferred it 
from the existence of volcanoes; but it was now placed beyond doubt that volcanoes had 
no connection with the centre of the earth. As for the belief that mines got hotter as a 
further depth was reached, that would only be the case in volcanic localities. If a shaft 
were sunk in a place free from volcanie influences, he believed it would be found that the 
earth got colder the further they dede and at twenty or thirty miles it would 
probably be found that there was a mass of ic 
After a few remarks from Mr. Travers, in deity to Mr. Young as to the eccentricities 
of the earth's orbit, the discussion closed. 
