401 



minutes after it was administered, so that the poison must be extremely powerful. The 

 quantity of the poison contained in the seed is 12 per cent, of the weight. Sir David 

 Monro stated that he had seen the cat while under the influence of the poison, and that 

 the symptoms exactly resembled those of a sheep that had eaten the Tutu plant, except 

 that the hind legs of the cat seemed to be paralysed, while a Tuted sheep stood erect and 

 had free use of its extremities, although unable to direct its movements. Specimens of 

 the poisonous oil in different stages of its production were exhibited, and also the oil of 

 the Karaka seed. 



(2.) "On two Seals of the genus Stenorhyncus, captured on the East Coast of 

 Otago," by J. S. Webb. (See ante, p. 28.) This paper described two specimens of seals 

 which are in the Otago Museum. The author considered these to be a new species 

 belonging to the genus Stenorhyncus which he proposed to name S. C'rassicollus, his 

 principal argument being that it is not Stenorhyncus Weddellii. The paper was 

 illustrated by photographs of both specimens. 



Dr. Hector said that Mr. W ebb had been misinformed as to this seal having been seen 

 by him on the West Coast of Otago ; the only one he had ever seen was at Moeraki, 

 forty miles north of Dunedin. He pointed out that having had access to works which 

 Mr. Webb had not been able to refer to, he had been able to determine the specimens 

 described to be the young male and female of Stenorhyncus leptonyx, a species originally 

 confounded with Leptonyx Weddellii. Mr. Webb is thus right in distinguishing it from 

 that seal, which has not yet been found in New Zealand. Dr. Gray first distingtiished 

 these seals from specimens of two skins and skeletons, accompanied by a minute anatomical 

 description of one captured in Wellington Harbour, and sent to the British Museum by 

 Dr. Knox many years ago. Mr. Webb's description, measurements, and photographs all 

 compared with that specimen. Dr. Hector exhibited a skull of one of the seals in 

 question, prepared by Dr. Knox, and also the coloured drawings of specimens of both 

 species of the seals referred to. 



(3.) " On the Anatomy of Naidtimis punctatus," by F. J. Knox, L.R.C.S.E. (See 

 ante, p. 20. ) This paper gave a minute description of the anatomy of the green lizard, in 

 the course of which the author discussed the theory that the lizards have the power of 

 reprodvicing the tails when they are broken off. He showed that the tail broke at a 

 definite place marked both in the skeleton and on the cuticle, and expressed an opinion 

 that no reprodviction could take place. 



Mr. Buller remarked that Dr. Knox was mistaken in the species, and that the lizard 

 he had described was Naultinus Greyii and not Nault'mus punctatus. He further pointed 

 out that in the Museum there were two specimens of lizards, in one of which the tail was 

 forked, and in another, a small appendage had evidently been reproduced from a broken 

 stump. Dr. Knox not being present, no explanation was afforded to account for these 

 specimens. 



(4. ) "Description of a new species of Ophisurus, found on the Coast of New Zealand," 

 by Dr. Hector, with " Anatomical Observations, " by F. J. Knox, L. R. C. S. E. (See ante, 

 p. 34.) This paper described a species of serpent eel found in a tidal creek near 

 Poverty Bay, and forwarded to the Museum by Mr. Campbell, R.M. 



Mr. Buller said he had never heard of this curious fish among the natives, and 

 thought it must be very rare. 



Sir David Monro suggested that the specimen should be dissected, in order to deter- 

 mine the structure of the breathing apparatus, as there might be in this genus, the 

 anatomy of which was imperfectly shown, an intermediate form of respiratory apparatus 

 between the reptile and the fish, as had already been detected in the Protius, Axylotyl, 

 and Syren. 



(5. ) " On the Physical Features of the River Basins of the Wellington Province," by 

 J. T. Stewart. (See ante, p. 198.) This paper contained a minute description, and gave 

 comprehensive detads of the topography of the southern and eastern districts of the 

 province, classifying the different water-sheds of the principal rivers and streams, and 

 the relative drainage area of each, with comments on the valleys affected by floods 

 from various quarters, and suggestions as to the districts in which it will be necessary to 

 conserve the forest, in order to prevent alternations of droughts and floods in some of the 

 valuable districts of the province. 



Mr. Crawford and Dr. Hector made comments on this paper, especially with regard 

 to the distribution of the alluvial terraces, and the relative levels to which river terraces 

 extend, which seem to be about 800 feet above the level of the sea, all over the province. 



(6.) "On Irrigation, as applied to the Cidture of New Zealand Flax," by J. C. 

 Crawford, F.G.S. (See ante, p. 129.) The author pointed out the importance of irriga- 

 tion to produce abundant crops of the flax plant, and described the different methods of 

 applying it, and the districts in this province where they could be employed in a 

 remunerative manner. He indicated the sandy tracts on the West Coast as being most 

 available. 



