p34 Proceedings. 



botany and zoology were so vast that a far larger number of workers than we had must be 

 engaged before they could be fully explored. Meteorology was making great strides all 

 over the world, and he was glad to see that soon New Zealand meteorologists would be 

 able to co-operate with those of Australia. Until that was done they could hardly expect 

 to reduce to laws the storms of these seas. He hoped soon every ship arriving in Austra- 

 lia would bring a record of all meteorological observations of the voyage, as was done with 

 good results elsewhere. Pure and mixed mathematical sciences had yet no foothold here, 

 but he hoped soon astronomy would here occupy the same status as it did in Australia. 

 In conclusion, Mr. Chapman thanked the society for the indulgence with which he had 

 been treated as president, and congratulated them on the selection made in his successor. 

 Dr. Buller proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman for his services as president, and for 

 his address. The year had not been so successful as it might have been, partly through 

 Dr. Hector's long absence. Still the annual volume would be of great interest. Dr. 

 Hector seconded. He thought the society was greatly indebted to Mr. Chapman for his 

 services as president. Carried unanimously. 



The following papers were read in abstract : — 



1. " Alpine plants of Otago," by J. Buchanan, F.L.S. 



Dr, Hector said this paper would describe the results of a botanical exploration of a 

 district in Otago which he first collected from in 1862, and which then yielded many new 

 and interesting species. He accordingly had sent Mr. Buchanan to join the geological 

 survey party this season, which, under Mr. S. McKay, has been at work in this district. 

 Mr. Buchanon had, with Mr. McKay's help, brought from the Otago ranges an enormous 

 collection of 25,000 plants, many of which were wholly new, and about others very little 

 was known. Among others there were some beautiful specimens of the alpine plants, 

 which were brought alive, and were exhibited on the table. Dr. Hector explained these 

 in a most interesting manner, they being a number of specimens of plants not higher than 

 moss, but really miniature shrubs. Seen under the lens, they were remarkably beautiful, 

 being covered with flowers. Dr. Hector said prior to this not five people had seen these 

 plants alive, as they were only to be found in the Southern Alps, and were under the 

 snow nine months a year. Among the plants brought Dr. Knight, F.L.S. , had discovered 

 a most interesting new species, of Lichen respecting which he furnishes a separate 

 notice. [Transactions, p. 385). 



2. " Notes on New Zealand Cetacea, Eecent and Fossil," by Dr. Hector. 



ABSTRACT. 



Dr. Hector explained that the illustrations of this paper would not be ready for the 

 forthcoming volume. The notes on the recent Cetacea give a detailed description of 

 Neohalienamarginata, two complete skeletons of which (adult and young) are now mounted 

 in the Museum. The presence of 17 pairs of ribs and the permanency of the remarkable 

 characters, afforded by the expanded and lammeller structure of the ribs and vertebral 

 processes, thoroughly establishes the generic independence of this Whale as a form inter- 

 mediate between the true Baleen Whales and the Korquals. 



Korjia brevicejps : A cow and calf of this miniature sperm whale, cast ashore at Lyell's 

 Bay. have been secured, and portions of the latter preserved in spirit for future exami- 

 nation. 



Orca : T\»^o examples of this genus have been obtained ; the first ran ashore at Lyell's 

 Bay, and the second, which appears to be a full adult example of Orca gladiator, was cast 

 up on the beach near Wanganui. 



