Auckland Institute. 475 
to other materials like flax. He remembered being surprised, in the 
Committee, to see the fibre produced by that method from an aloe leaf. By 
the percussion process they got rid of the epidermis and cellular tissue of 
the flax, and then there was left the fibre intact ; but that fibre consisted of 
a multitude of fibres glued together, as they UM see, by some matter 
which had been called a gum—an insoluble gum, and by other names. If 
they got rid of that gum, they reduced it from a fibre—a very strong fibre— 
into tow. If they got rid of the gum by chemicals, boiling, or in any other 
way, just in proportion as they got rid of it they also got rid of the tenacity 
of the fibre, and rendered it useful for other purposes, such as for paper 
making. The grand question was, where was the exact limit—where it would 
pay best—whether to get it in its greatest strength longitudinally, or to 
reduce it more or less into tow, when it might be useful for mixing with 
woollen, cotton, or other substances. 
Dr. Purchas said he had omitted to mention one thing in connection 
with the preparation of the flax, namely, that the refuse made most excellent 
food for cattle. 
SixrH Mererine. 5th October, 1868. 
F. Whitaker, President, in the chair. 
The President observed that he was sorry he had not been present at the 
meeting on the previous Saturday. Had he been so, he would have drawn 
up a closing address, and delivered it on this the closing night of the 
session. Had he known that such an address was expected from him, he 
would have been prepared to have drawn it up; but he had quite forgotten 
that that was the last night of the session. He made this explanation so 
that the members might not think he was careless in the matter. He would 
always be most glad to devote his time to advancing the interests of the 
Institute. Looking at the past session, he thought they had on the 
whole been as successful as they could have expected; and if the members 
would devote a little extra time, gathering up information in the recess for 
the next sessional meetings, there was no doubt it would be a very great 
success. 
The following contributions were announced :— 
One copper coin—Mr. Charles Hime. Two Australian birds— Captain 
Holt, from Sir George Grey. One frog—Mr. Isaac Hunt, Tapu. One 
specimen from the Kyber Pass claim—Mr. R. M. Heighton. Thirty- 
three rock specimens from the Thames—Mr. O'Keeffe. Janthina exigua, 
and two other shells; specimens of fossil wood—Mrs. W. Young. Skin of 
an undescribed petrel—donor's name unknown, left at the museum. Sundry 
