Anniversary Address. one 
“as the small Harrier now flies leisurely during the day-time over the plains 
and downs in search of its food, consisting of carrion, birds, lizards, and 
insects, so the Harpagornis doubtless followed the flocks of Moas, feeding 
either upon the carcases of the dead birds, or killing the young and disabled 
ones.”* Another gigantic bird, but belonging to a period of much higher 
antiquity than that in which any Moa remains have hitherto been discovered, 
is a huge Penguin (Paleeudyptes antarcticus), the bones of which were found 
imbedded in limestone rocks on the West Coast of the Nelson Province. 
Dr. Hector further contributes a description of the Seals which I was fortunate 
enough to shoot lust year in Milford Sound, while I was there in H.M.S. 
“ Clio.” They prove to belong to the species named by Dr. Gray Arctocephalus 
cinereus, and to differ from the Fur Seal of the Falkland Islands (Otaria 
nigrescens), with which they had previously been identified. Mention should 
also be made of two attractive papers on Natural History by Mr. Travers and 
Mr. P. Thomson, respectively ; and of the excellent observations by Mr. 
Fereday on the New Zealand Insects.. 
BOTANY. 
The botanical papers in last year’s volume are very interesting. The 
important subject of the distribution of plants in these Islands receives 
valuable elucidations from Mr. Kirk and Mr. Cheeseman. Mr. Kirk’s 
“ Comparison of the Indigenous Floras: of the British Islands and New 
Zealand,” showing the different effect of each on the landscape, is peculiarly 
attractive for the general as well as for the scientific reader. There is also a 
report, of a most practical kind, on the native and introduced grasses of the 
Canterbury Province, and their fitness for different purposes of pasturage. 
If time permitted, I would gladly advert to several of the contributions 
on Chemistry, Geology, and a variety of miscellaneous subjects. Indeed, the 
slight sketch attempted above gives a very inadequate idea of the extent and 
value of the work performed by the Institute and its affiliated Societies. We 
must ever rejoice in the intimate connection and general prosperity of these 
united associations, for-(to quote the words of Mr. Travers in a recent address) 
“each society is but one of a series of grafts upon the tree of scientific 
knowledge which has been planted in this Colony ; and the fruit which each 
of them bears must be good or indifferent, in proportion to the vigour of the 
common stock.”+ ; 
OFFICIAL JOURNEY OF THE GOVERNOR ACROSS THE CENTRE OF THE 
NORTH ISLAND. 
In my anniversary address of last year, after a brief review of the recent 
Transactions and present position of the Institute, I proceeded, in accordance 
* Transactions, Vol.IV., p. 194. + Transactions, Vol. IV., p. 356. 
