424 Proceedings^ 



represented in the annual volume by valuable treatises that cannot be contro- 

 verted, but a little theory now and then in our papers may perhaps awaken 

 interest and provoke friendly discussion, which I take it is one of the most 

 useful objects of our association. 



With reference to the views expressed in the address, the Hon. Mr. 

 Mantell remarked that there was a legend extant of a native having killed a 

 Moa and taken the skin to Hawaiki. 



Captain Hutton pointed out that the Maoris could possess no traditions of 

 the cassowary or emu that would account for their knowledge of the Moa, as 

 these birds do not belong to any islands where the race of men from which the 

 Maoris are derived are found. 



The Hon. Captain Fraser thought at one time that the destruction of the 

 Moa had been accomplished by a race antecedent to the Maoris, which, nine 

 years ago, he had described to the Ethnological Society of London as a race 

 who grilled their food, in distinction to the Maoris, who bake their food, but 

 his recent explorations had convinced him that that view was incorrect. 



Dr. Comrie, H.M.S. " Dido," stated, with reference to the remarks about 

 leprosy, that it had been introduced into the Sandwich Islands since 1852 by 

 Chinese coolies imported to work the sugar plantations, and that it was 

 spreading rapidly amongst the natives. One of the greatest authorities on 

 such diseases had suggested to him that the peculiar virus might have been 

 imported in the dried fish which the coolies carry about with them as food. 



Mr. Carruthers stated that a form of this disease is not uncommon among 

 the negros in the American States. 



1. "Note on Colluricincla concinna, Hutton," by Capt. F. W. Hutton, 

 C.M.Z.S. (See Transactions, p. 226.) 



2. "Notes on Parasitic Animals," by F. J. Knox, L.R.C.S.E. 



This paper was descriptive of certain cases in which parasitic animals had 

 been observed in New Zealand in man and the lower animals. 



3. "Note on Ctenolabrus knoxi," by F. J. Knox, L.II.C.S.E. (See 

 Transactions, p. 308.) 



Fourth Meeting. 2 1st August, 1872. 

 Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 



]}leio members. — W. F. Parsons, R. Collins. 



1. " On the Life and Times of Te Kauparaha," Chapters I. and II., by 

 W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 19.) 



