Canterbury Philosophical Institute. 465 



certain events are, so far as our experience goes, invariably succeeded by 

 certain other events, which we popularly call consequences. 



He who has studied the amazing grandeur and perfect order of the 

 heavenly bodies disclosed by the telescope, and has, by the aid of the micros- 

 cope, observed the construction of even the lower forms of organic life and 

 the laws by which they are regulated, must have used his intellect and reason 

 to very little purpose if he be not overwhelmed with feelings of reverence and 

 awe for the Creator, who, at the same time, rules a universe so vast that but 

 a small portion of its space can be comprehended by our imperfect intellects, 

 and forms his minutest objects so delicately that their organization is incom- 

 prehensible to our grosser faculties. 



A conversazione was then held, numerous objects of interest, and philoso- 

 phical apparatus, microscopes, etc., being exhibited by members. 



Second Meeting. 3rc? April, 1872. 



W. B. Bray, Vice-President, in the chair. 



New members.— Gr. B. Parker, M.H.E., W. M. Maskell. 

 Books presented since last meeting were laid on the table. 



1. " On Darwin's Provisional Hypothesis of Pangenesis," by A. C. Barker. 



2. " Note on the Size and Weight of the Smallest Particles visible to the 

 Highest Powers of the Microscope," by LI. Powell, M.D. 



A discussion ensued in which several members took part. 



Third Meeting. \st May, 1872. 



His Honour Mr. Justice Gresson, President, in the chair. 



Donations of books received since last meeting were laid on the table. 



1. "On the Spiders of New Zealand; Part I., Genus Salticus" by LI. 

 Powell, M.D. (See Transactions, p. 280.) 



2. "Notes on the Stridulating Organs of the Cicada," by LI. Powell, M.D. 

 (See Transactions, p. 286.) 



I 2 



