Wellington Philosophical Society. 447 ` 
6. The last paper brought before the meeting was one by W. L. Buller, 
F.LS., containing remarks upon a review of the author's Essay on the 
Übnlicices of New Zealand, which appeared in a German periodical, from 
the pen of Dr. Otto Finsch, of Bremen. (Transactions, p. 49.) 
Dr. Hector stated that, in order to understand fully this paper of Mr. 
Buller's, it would be necessary to read also Dr. Finsch's critique, and also a 
part of the original essay ; this would take a considerable time, and he would 
therefore move that the paper be considered as read, and that it be printed, 
so that members could then examine the interesting details of the ornitho- 
logy of New Zealand at their leisure ; this was the more. advisable, since the 
paper contained descriptions of ten new species of birds, and many valuable 
notes and abstracts, which will be treated in detail in Mr. Buller's large 
work on the ornithology of New Zealand, — to be published. The motion 
was agreed to. 
Freru Mertine. 15th September, 1808. 
The Hon. W. B. D. Mantell, F.G-S., in the chair. 
Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed, and other. 
routine business disposed of. 
1. “ On the Celtic Origin of the English Vowel Sounds," by the Right 
Reverend C. J. Abraham, Bishop of Wellington. (Zvansactions, p. 7. 3.) 
This treatise was discussed at considerable length by several of the 
members, including Mr. Crawford, Mr. W. Pharazyn, Dr. Hector, and 
Mr. Mantell. 
2. Dr. Hector read a notice of a Swordfish, which had lately been 
presented by Dr. F. J. Knox to the Museum. The specimen, admirably 
prepared by Dr. Knox, was exhibited. 
ABSTRACT. 
The fish had been stranded on the West Coast, in June, 1807. Dr. 
Hector explained that the specimen belonged to the genus Histiophorus, and 
not, as was supposed, to the Xiphias, the swordfish of the northern hemi- 
sphere, which is characterized by the absence of ventral fins. 
Mr. Travers gave a very interesting account of several rare species of 
fish which have been found on our coasts, such as Banks’ Oar fish, of the 
genus Gymnetrus. One of these, the fourth of the kind ever described, was 
cast ashore in Nelson, and fragments saved by him are now in the British 
Museum : it was of an extraordinary form; fifteen feet in length, and about 
twice the width of the blade of an oar, and almost as thin. He exhibited 
a specimen of Gallus, from Saltwater Creek, Canterbury, the second 
‘specimen ever found; and described some of the remarkable features of 
