vi Preface. 
could not be printed, owing to the impossibility of procuring, in Wellington, 
the type for the algebraic formule which they contain. 
It is necessary also to explain that, owing to the difficulties of communi- 
cating in time, only those authors who resided in the neighbourhood of 
Wellington could be furnished with proofs for revision, but every oppor- 
tunity was afforded to make corrections consistent with the due progress 
of the work through the press. 
In future it is intended to have extra copies of the papers printed off 
for the various authors, as is customary in other scientific societies, pro- 
vision for the purpose having been inadvertently omitted from the printer’s - 
contract this year 
In the third part will be found the essays already alluded to as having 
been written for the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865. Five of these—viz. 
* On Ornithology,” by Mr. Buller ; * Geology,” by Mr. Crawford; “Trees 
and Plants,” by Mr. Ludlam ; * The Maori Races," by Mr. Shortland; and 
on “ Botany,” by Mr. Colenso—appeared in print shortly after that period, 
and were circulated to a certain extent among scientific persons; the 
remainder of the edition was purchased by the Government from the 
Exhibition Commissioners, and has been placed at the disposal of the Board 
of Governors for incorporation with this volume. The remaining essays 
now appear in print for the first time, and constitute a very important 
addition to the work: that by Mr. Colenso, “On the Maori Races of New 
Zealand," being especially worthy of attention under the present circum- 
stances of the colony. 
A few statistical tables, which are not aude available, have been 
added, giving information on subjects referred to in the body of the work. 
The Editor has also been desired to give publicity to the following list 
of subjects on which special information is desirable, which has been circu- 
lated among the Members of the Auckland Institute, in the hope that it 
may be found useful, as suggesting future communications to the various 
Societies :— 
1. History, mythology, ethnology, &c., of the Maori race. 
2. Fisheries—best localities, and seasons for fishing. 
3. Extraordinary meteorological phenomena. 
4. Hot springs, landslips, wearing away of coast lines and river 
banks, and other natural phenomena. | 
5. Formation and progress of sand dunes. 
6. Formation of sandbanks in rivers, and bars to harbours. 
: Occurrence of rare plants, animals, and minerals. 
8. Habits of animals, especially of those destructive to trees and 
cultivated plan: plants. 
