550 Proceedings. 



Colour. — Above : dark-purple, lighter on the bead. Below : bright silvery colour, 

 with patches of rose. The web, which shows strong transverse lines, is of a pale rose 

 colour. 



Three specimens were obtained at Napier by Mr. C. IT. Robson ; but the pouches of 

 two of them contained each an Hectocotylu*, or third right arm of the male, peculiarly 

 modified in order that it may perform certain functions, not yet fully understood, in con- 

 nection with the propagation of its kind. 



The species being new, it has been named after the discoverer, who was good enough 

 to present the best specimen and also the Hectocotylus to the Museum. 



2. " On the Occurrence of English Butterflies for the first time, at 

 least in Wellington District," by T. W. Kirk. 



ABSTRACT. 



During the summer of 1881, the author captured in the Wellington Botanic Gardens, 

 a butterfly which, on examination, proved to be the English Red Admiral or Alderman 

 Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta). On several subsequent occasions specimens were seen, but 

 contrary to their habit in England, they proved exceedingly shy and capture was impos- 

 sible. However, examples of another English species, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly 

 (Vanessa iirticce) were obtained. 



The importation of plants and seeds from various countries is now so extensive, that 

 it is almost certain numerous insects, some useful, some destructive, will be brought into 

 the colony. In order, therefore, that the noxious forms may be more speedily detected, 

 and that confusion may not hereafter arise in our lists and catalogues, it is important 

 that the appearance in a district of any uncommon or foreign form should be carefully 

 noted. 



3. "On certain Phenomena of Burning Camphor in Water," by W. 

 Skey. 



ABSTRACT. 



The peculiarity is that the camphor moves in the direction from which the wind 

 blows, which is accounted for by the unequal output of oil around the camphor when dis- 

 placed by the oil collecting on the off-side of the camphor and forcing it through the still 

 water towards the wind. Experiments to illustrate this were exhibited. 



4. " On the Origin of the Old Lake Basins of Otago," by A. McKay. 

 (See Geol. Keports, 1883.) 



ABSTRACT. 



This paper dealt with two theories of the origin of the old lake basins of Central 

 Otago — that of Dr. Hector, which accounts for these basins by the unequal movements of 

 the land — and that of Professor Hutton, who advocates their having been excavated by ice. 



The author agreed in the main with Dr. Hector's theory, but differed in the details as 

 to how it was brought about, and with respect to the age of some of the beds found in 

 these old lake basins. The author's theory is, that in Miocene times a large river flowing 

 across North Otago was checked by the upheaval of the coast line, and converted into a 

 series of swampy lakes, the eastern outlet of winch was barred by volcanic rock, thus 

 gradually deepening the lakes, and determining for a time the outflow of their waters by 

 way of the Molyneux River. Subsequently, movements determined the area of the 

 Taieri watershed, and compelled its waters to escape by their present channel along Strath 

 Taicri. 



