450 Proceedings. 



Third Meeting. 2'2nd July, 1872, 

 The Hon. T. M. Haultain in the chair. 

 New memhers. — D. E. Macdonald, W. H. Floyd, H. P. Higginson, C.E. 



The monthly list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the 

 Secretary. It included a copy of Loudon's " Arboretum Britannicum," eight 

 volumes, from the Hon. Col. Haultain. 



1. Referring to the occurrence of the sprat and anchovy at the Thames, as 

 reported at the last meeting, Mr. Gr. Thorne, jun., stated that in 1867 a small 

 herring had appeared at Melbourne in such abundant shoals that the water 

 looked quite black at a short distance. It had not been seen in that locality 

 since that date. He inferred from this that it was possible that the sprat and 

 anchovy were not regular visitors to the Ourakei Gulf. 



Mr. Kirk remarked that these fish had been observed at various parts of 

 the coast of both islands, and he was inclined to regard them as periodical 

 visitors which, until recently, had escaped notice. 



2. "Notes on the Flora of the Lake District of the North Island," 

 by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 322.) 



This was the concluding portion of the paper begun at the last meeting. 



Fourth Meeting, l^th August, 1872. 

 T. Heale, President, in the chair. 

 Nevj member. — Dr. Spencer. 



A list of donations to the Library and Museum was read. 

 A collection of gems and precious stones, also several rare minerals, 

 recently added to the Museum, were laid on the table. 



1. " On the Flight of the Black-backed Gull {Larus dominicanus)" by 

 Capt. F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. (See Transactions, p. 140.) 



2, " On the Occurrence of the Clover Dodder {Cuscuta trifolii) in the 

 Waikato District," by Major W. G. Mair. 



The existence of this vile parasitical plant in Waikato is a matter of 

 serious import to agriculturists. As far as I can ascertain, it was first noticed 

 in 1869. It is to be met with now on most of the farms about Ohaupo and 

 Pukerimu. In some places it was first observed springing from horse drop- 

 pings, and for this reason it is supposed by the settlers to have been introduced 

 in horsefeed. It is unfortunate that its appearance was not remarked upon 



