- 
Auckland Institute. : 558 
4. “ Tewkesbury,” by J. Adams, B.A. 
This was a review of the period of English History immediately following the battle 
of Tewkesbury. 
5. Dr. J. L. Campbell read some interesting personal reminiscences of the early 
history of Auckland, entitled “ Auckland in 1840, and how we lived then," and ** Auck- 
land's first native alarm, an episode of J anuary, 1841." 
Frrrg MxzrmNG. 22nd October, 1877. 
R. C. Barstow, President, in the chair. 
New Members.—W. Felkin, F.R.G.S., A. Heslop, A. Spicer, T. Whitson. 
1. “ Descriptions of new Species of Coleoptera," by Captain T. Broun. 
This paper dealt exclusively with beetles of the families Scaphidiide, Histerida, 
Bostrichide, Ptinide, Drilide, Diaperide, Cerambycide, Lamiade, and Chrysomelide. 
Two genera and nineteen species were indicated as new. Some interesting information 
as to the habits of three species of Bostrichide was also given, and the author drew 
attention to the serious nature of their ravages in Fagus timber. 
2. “ Notes on the Aphodiade of New Zealand," by Capt. T. Broun. 
This family of beetles was stated to have seven ERU ud. in New Zealand—two 
of which were now described for the first tim specimens of the five species 
collected by the author were found under stones Le logs, and were certainly not 
coprophagous in their habits as is uniformly the case with the European species. 
3. “Descriptions of two new Mollusks from Auckland Harbour," by 
T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S 
The species described were Pleurobranchus ornatus and Aclesia glauca. Coloured 
— of both were exhibited. 
- * Notes on a branched Nikau Tree," by S. Percy Smith. (Transac- 
x p. 957. s 
“On the Disappearance of the Small Birds of MR Zealand," by D. 
C. M (Transactions, p. 289.) 
Mr. Firth entirely agreed with the remarks made by the author in reference to the 
operations of the Acclimatization Societies. Of late years quite a howl had been raised 
against the Auckland Society for its introduction of sparrows, greenfinches, chaffinches, 
ete., and it had been even roundly stated that the skylark had turned out an undesirable 
colonist. He had no sympathy with such statements; and believed that they rested on 
very slender foundations. He would admit that at a certain season of the year the 
Sparrows and chaffinches might e: a little grain, or that the blackbirds might help 
themselves to strawberries and cherries; but the fact remained that for eight months 
out of the twelve neither grain nor fruit could be obtained, and that then the birds must 
depend on insects for their existence. The small amount of evil done was conspicuous, 
and was consequently talked about and magnified, while the much larger amount of 
good was in a great measure hidden from view, and as a rule altogether 
escaped notice. Some years ago a similar outcry was set up in England, and by means 
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