Auckland. Institute. 458 
Szconp MzzgTING. 14th July, 1884. 
H. G. Seth Smith, President, in the chair. 
New Members.—F. H. Edgecumbe, A. G. Gover, J. B. Hobart. 
1. ** New Species of Pselaphide," by Captain T. Broun, M.E.S. 
“ The Curse of Charity," by E. A. Mackechnie. 
e author referred to the economy of the animal quid and showed that design 
in all the forms of the animal framework was the same in all c There was no real 
knowledge of au lifeis. It existed, and was va bya gas regulated supply 
of food and other conditions of growth and life, but no one knew really what it was 
xi puncture of the brain and it was gone; a Disa: of the regular pulsations of the 
and it ceased, and when once gone no power on earth could recall or restore it. He 
tis the resemblance between the lower animals and man in many cR and 
showed the degree of affection that sprang up between some members of the anima 
Midi and man. His remarks on this point were illustrated by reference to ** bd and 
his Friends," by Dr. Brown. But, while there was such a similarity between man and 
he lower animals with which he was associated, the lecturer held that man in his religious 
feelings, depth of sympathy, power of reasoning, etc., gave evidence of the existence in 
himself of a power or faculty which was beyond that which any of the lower animals 
possessed. The law of heredity was referred to, in the discussion of which he pointed 
out that the physical qualities were transmitted as well as the mental, and this led to his 
remarks on the ques stion of charity. With Herbert Sp he agreed that the exercize 
of charity has the effect of i increasing the demands upon it. There was a kind of parasitic 
quality in many people, and this quality was also E He compared this para- 
sitic, or r trait of character in human beings with the habits of parasitic plants. 
ittle support was derived from the plants upon which the parasites were 
PREN but a time came when they would depend wholly upon the supporting a 
ey to be ety Al as r “ep se ii Ere He É— to free education, and hel 
dens in tl pon the S t This reduced "i 
feeling of independence, which all should cherish Jaa the educati was not a useful 
one, as there was a tendency growing up among those who were thus educated to become 
dependent, with a disinclination to work, and in time they might become a burden to the 
careful and independent citizens. He showed that in all things there was a greater 
amount of care bestowed upon purely ornamental than upon useful objects. The girls 
should be taught household work, and learn to study books upon household economy; 
and boys should be educated in the several trades or occupations at which they would 
have to earn their living. For some time past the tendency of education had been as if 
the world no more required the performance of manual labour. This was a mistake, and 
mis- 
chievous. He referred to the position taken up by the unemployed, and contrasted it 
with the experience of the Messrs. Chambers of Edinburgh, Nasmyth the engineer, and 
others, who had shown a self reliant nature. Many illustrations were given of the 
dependence to which some have come, and the utter moral degradation to which some 
ment was referred to. It was found that many here were not ashamed to apply to the 
hospital for free medical advice who were well able to pay for such advice. He held that, F 
though the city was but small, it had its full share of lazy loafers and sturdy beggars, and 
