436 Proceedings. 



4. " Description of a Reflecting Telescope made in Wellington," by W. F. 

 Parsons; communicated by Dr. Hector, F.E,.S. (See Transactions^ p. 125.) 



The instrument described was exhibited, and the use of certain machinery 

 employed in its construction ^yas described by Mr. Parsons. 



Mr. Travers asked why the speculum was not made of metal instead of 

 glass. 



Mr. Parsons explained that metal was likely to corrode, and that the glass 

 speculum could always be resilvered and made as good as new. Besides that 

 the glass specula prepared by Browning's process gave greater light than any 

 others. 



5. " Observations on the Comparative Anatomy of the Penguin," by 

 P. J. Knox, L.B.C.S.E. The author gave a demonstration of two beautifully 

 prepared skeletons of Eudyptes 'pacliyrhynclius and Eudyptula minor^ which 

 were exhibited. 



Mr. Travers did not think the penguin was a deep diver. 

 Capt. Hutton, on the other hand, considered that the penguin's wings 

 were particularly adapted for diving. 



6. " On the Kingfisher (Halcyon vagans) and the Green or Striped-faced 

 Wren {Xenicus longijjcs),^' by T. H. Potts, F.L.S. (See Transactions^ p. 171.) 



Capt. Hutton said he thought the name Xenicus longij^es was incorrect, 

 and that it probably should be X. stoJcesii, but Mr. Potts had taken the name 

 from Dr. Puller's work now being published. 



Captain Hutton said in answer to Mr. Graham that the increase of the 

 Kingfisher might be due to the increase of cultivation, for they lived chiefly 

 upon insects. 



7. " On the Absorption of certain Alkaloids by Aluminous Silicates," by 

 W. Skey, Analyst to the Geological Survey of New Zealand. (See Transac- 

 tions^ p. 375.) 



8. " On the Proposed Substitution of Acetate for Sulphate of Copper in 

 the Manufacture of Iodine," by W. Skey. (See Transactions, p. 376.) 



9. " Critical Notes upon the alleged Nuclear Action of Gold reduced from 

 Solution by Organic Matter," by W. Skey. (See Transactions, p. 372.) 



10. " On the Mode of producing Auriferous Alloys by Wet Processes," by 

 W. Skey. (See Transactions, p. 370.) 



11. "On the Formation of Gold Nuggets in Drift," by W. Skey. (See 

 Tra'osactions, p. 377.) 



12. "Directions for Raising and Spreading Ammo2)1iila arundinacea and 

 Elymus are'iuirivs,^^ by J. C. Crawford, F.G.S. (See Transactions, p. 111.) 



