582 s Proceedings. 
A specimen of wrought iron work was exhibited, representing a F uchsia plant with 
leaves and flowers, executed by Mr. Birley, of Auckland. 
The Hon. Mr. Mantell stated that the same gentleman had also exeeuted other 
works of a rare nature in iron, and had deposited at the Museum a knife- blade, in the 
centre of which there was an unburnt straw. The imitation of the fuchsia in flower was 
areally artistic piece of work, and it was hard to imagine, looking at the perfection of 
the flower and leaves, that it had been made of such a rigid material as iron. A detached 
flower with leaves was handed round amongst the audience, the workmanship of which 
was much admired. 
Seventa Meetine. Ist December, 1877. 
J. Carruthers, M. Inst. C.E., Vice-president, in the chair. 
New Member.—F. W. Riemenschneider. 
1. * Notes on the Ornithology of New Zealand," by Walter L. Buller, 
C.M.G., SeD., F.L.8. (Transactions, p. 191.) 
Specimens of all the species mentioned in the paper were exhibited to the meeting ; 
and among these was a young example of the plundering gull (Stercorarius parasiticus), 
obtained in Wellington harbour in the early part of the present year. 
ector said that he had listened to the paper with very much interest, and 
particularly the portion relating to the habits and migrations of the godwit. He was 
glad that the author, not content with the laurels he had so well earned by the publica- 
tion of his great work on “The Birds of New Zealand," continued to prosecute his 
researches and to lay the results before the society in so interesting a manner. 
Dr. Newman and Mr. Young took part in the discussion that followed. 
Mr. Kirk stated that the knot-bird is found at the Waitemata river at times, which 
: seems to be the limit for many birds—the paradise duck, for instance. 
2. “On Nephrodium decompositum, Br., and N. glabellum, A. Cunn,” by 
T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 898.) 
8. * Description of a new Species of Hymenophyllum,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. 
Tra: p. 894.) 
In reply to Dr. Buller, the author stated that this was the nineteenth species of 
Hymenophyllum now discovered in New Zealand. 
Mr. Kirk pointed out that Trichomanes armstrongii of Baker, which he had collected 
in the Waimakariri, Arthur’s Pass, and near the sea-level at Hokitika, was a true 
Hymenophyllum, the involucre being distinctly two-valved and divided to the base when 
mature. In some instances the involucres have the tips partially reflexed, resembling 
those of H. bivalve, Swartz. 
Plate XXI.A., 1 and 2. Hymenophyllum armstrongii, Kirk, nat. size; 3, fertile 
pinna, enlarged ; 4 and 5, sori, greatly enlarged. 
4. “ On the relative Ages of the Australian, Tasmanian, and New 
Zealand Coal-fields," by James Hector, C.M.G., M.D., F.R.S. 
The speaker's. remarks were illustrated by diagrams and maps, and by a large 
E of fossils which he had obtained during a recent tour in the Australian 
