414 



account of the bearing of the lava streams and trachytic dykes, and treated of the 

 resemblance which a portion of the district bears to the formation upon which Shortland 

 and Grahamstown are built. 



(2. ) " An account of a remarkable Phenomenon observed at a Hot Spring near Lake 

 Taupo, " by Captain J. G-. Corbett. The phenomenon described occurred, on the 3rd of 

 January, 1S69, about eleven o'clock in the evening, when the writer was disturbed in a 

 whare near Lake Taupo by a sound resembling the rushing of a strong wind. On going 

 outside he observed a large column of vapour, which was being ejected from a hot spring 

 near at hand, to a height of 200 feet. 



The President remarked that the natives assigned the rise and fall of the waters in 

 the chain of Rotorua Lakes to atmospheric causes. 



Mr. Wilson observed that there was little doubt that the meteorological conditions 

 had a considerable influence on the hot springs, but it was difficult to define their exact 

 action. He questioned whether the greater density of the polar over the equatorial 

 winds would be sufficient to account for all the changes in the state of the springs. The 

 wind had a different effect on different springs at the same time. In some cases the 

 tendency of an equatorial wind was to depress and in others to expand the waters. The 

 condition of waters of the various springs, too, was not uniform, some being largely 

 charged with mineral matter, while in others it was almost totally absent. They were 

 also largely charged with gases, which he believed had a considerable influence on the 

 eruptions, and if a light were applied to the waters of some a flame would be observable 

 from the combustion of the gas emitted. A fire lighted near the springs would also at 

 times have the effect of causing an eruption, but whether the result was brought about 

 by the expansion of the steam or gases by the heat, he had not sufficient data to decide. 

 Within a few miles of the spot indicated by Mr. Corbett, he had before seen eruptions, 

 but he thought that the action of the geysers was subsiding. 



(3.) "On the Grasses and other Plants adapted for pasturage in the Province of 

 Auckland," by T. Kirk. (See ante, p. 102.) In this paper the author described the 

 most suitable native and introduced grasses, which were carefully classified for the benefit 

 of the agriculturist and botanical student. The paper contained a mass of information on 

 the subject, which would prove most useful to those interested in pasturage, 



Mr. May suggested that it would be most advantageous were the Acclimatisation 

 Society to plant various patches of different kinds of grasses to ascertain which sorts are 

 best adapted to the climate of the colony. 



Fifth Meeting. September 20, 18G9. 

 T. B. Gillies, President, in the chair. 



The names of the following new members were announced : — Messrs. E. Maclean, 

 J. Gwynneth, H. Williams, and H. Campbell. 



The list of donations to the Museum during the past month was read by the 

 Secretary. 



Papers read : — - 



(1.) "Description of Nyroca australis, Gould, and Mstrelata Gouldii, Hutt., n.s., 

 two Birds new to the Fauna of New Zealand," by Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. (See 

 ante, p. 78.) 



A specimen of JEstrelata Gouldii was exhibited. 



Mr. Kirk remarked that it was barely possible the ^Estrelata Gouldii might be 

 identical with the original Procellaria macroptera, the differences being those of age only. 

 The description in each case was drawn from a single specimen. It must, however, be 

 pointed out that this view was scarcely supported by the relative measurements of the 

 two forms. 



(2.) " On the occurrence of Orobanche, a genus new to the Flora of New Zealand," 

 by T. Kirk. (See ante, p. 106.) 



(3. ) "Description of the Lava Caves at the 'Three Kings,' near Auckland," by James 

 Stewart, C.E. (See ante, p. 162.) 



(4. ) " On the Comparative Performances of certain River Steamers on the Waikato," 

 by James Stewart, C.E. (See ante, p. 220.) 



(5.) " Diary of a Canoe Voyage up the Waikato and Waipa Rivers, in September 

 and October, 1852," by the late Dr. Sinclair, — read by the President. (Reserved.) 



