Report. 465 
Natural History Collections.—Improvement has been made in the classi- 
fication of the collections; but, still, it is found impossible to effect any 
proper systematic arrangement without additional space, more especially in 
the zoological section. 
Mammalia.—The collections under this head have been re-arranged, and 
are now more conveniently placed for reference, full information regarding 
each order being given on tickets in the cases. Among the most important 
additions are a complete skeleton of Delphinus forsteri, obtained by purchase ; 
the skull of the male Dolichodon layardii, presented by Dr. Muller, of Blen- 
heim ; and a collection of marsupiate animals from Kawau Island, presented 
by Sir George Grey. 
Birds.—The chief additions in this branch are a black skylark (Alauda 
arvensis), presented by Mr. George Hall; a fawn-coloured variety of the 
native pigeon ( Carpophaga nove-zealandia), by Mr. Wise; a male lyre bird 
(Menura superba); and two specimens of the shy albatross, obtained by 
purchase. Dr. Buller records the first occurrence of this latter bird on the 
New Zealand coast in a paper in the Transactions of the New Zealand 
Institute, Vol X., p. 217 (1877). The collections under this section have 
increased very considerably, but cannot be fairly represented until further 
Space is provided. 
Reptiles, —Several fine specimens of the tuatara lizard (Sphenodon punc- 
tatum) have been received from Captain Fairchild, who obtained them on a 
rocky islet near Tauranga. A number of specimens of the more common 
kinds of lizard have also been received. 
Fishes.—Although not many additions have been made to this class, 
some interesting specimens have been received—viz., Trachichthys trailli, 
collected by Mr. McKay, of the department; Argentina decagon, the type of 
Mr. Clark's new species; and Trypterygium jenningsi and Notothenia parva, 
new species from the Auckland Islands, described by Professor Hutton, of 
e 
Invertebrates.—A large collection, comprising Marine Mollusca, Sponges, 
Polyzoa, Crustacea, and Echinoderms, was obtained by Mr. T. W. Kirk, of 
the department, on the west coastof the North Island, and a collection of 
corals and shells from Japan was presented by Mr. H. S. Tiffen, of Napier. 
Many other interesting specimens were received, the principal being the 
beak, euttle-bone, and suckers of a monster cuttle-fish, the body of which 
measured lift. . : : 
Ethnological.—'The most interesting additions under this section are the 
head of a supposed Moriori god, carved in pumice, presented by Mr. A. 
Clough, of the Chatham Islands; a typical skull of the Polynesian race, by 
Dr. Hector ; specimens of gritstone, used by the Maoris for grinding down 
