428 Proceedings. 
Mr. Travers drew Capt. Hutton’s attention to the fact that Mr. Rochfort 
had seen newts in a lake on the top of Mount Arthur ; that he had in his 
garden a carnivorous slug, and he also referred to a red parasite he had seen 
on a reptile on his station. He thought many distinctive forms of life had 
been introduced from other countries, but owing to the time required for 
distribution they were but imperfectly known. 
Dr. Haast would like to know if submergence had only been partial. 
There was no doubt that New Zealand was originally part of a large continent. 
Captain Hutton felt doubtful about the newts until he had heard further 
of the matter. 
The President after discussing some of the points raised by Capt. Hutton, 
said that the Society should be congratulated on the.paper, which was a 
practical application of the Darwinian theory. 
2. “On the Birds of the Chatham Islands,” by H. H. Travers; “With 
Introductory Remarks on the Avifauna and Flora of the Islands,” by W. T. 
L. Travers, F.L.S., (See Transactions, p- 212.) 
Mr. J. D. Enys asked if Mr. Travers could account for the gizzard stones 
of the kiwi being found in the Chathams, if it did not belong to it. 
Mr. Travers said it might have been taken over by the Maoris, but it 
certainly did not belong to the islands. 7: 
A skeleton of a Wallaby, prepared by Dr. Knox, was exhibited. 
Ercura MEETING. 18th September, 1872. 
Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 
New member.—J. B. Bradshaw, M. H.R. 
Publications received since last meeting were on the table. 
1. The President read a letter from Dr. J. E. Gray, expressing his opinion 
that the Seal described by Dr. Hector in last year’s Transactions as the young 
of the Fur Seal of the West Coast is in reality a different species. Dr. Hector 
gave. reasons why he still adhered to his opinion on’ the subject, and was 
supported by Capt. Hutton. 
2. “On the Chief Features of the Vegetation of the District between 
Maketu and Lake Taupo,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. 
This paper gave an instructive account of the culture of tobacco by the 
natives in the vicinity of the Hot Springs, and urged the necessity of pre- 
_ Serving the scanty remains of forest in the district, and of extending them by 
iy 
