448 Proceedings. 



Fifth Meeting, drd June, 1880. 



E. DoBsoN, President, in the Chair. 



IS^exv Members.— T. Crook, J. Crosby, W. D. Meares, W. H. Pilliet, F. 

 Valentine, Dr. J. Irving. 



PAPERS. 



1. " On the OrthojJtera of New Zealand," by Professor F. W, Hutton. 



2. " Notes re Metereological Stations," by W. M. Maskell. 



ABSTRACT. 

 The author pointed out that owing to the rapid growth of plantations around Christ- 

 church, the situation of the Metereological Observatory has ceased to give a satisfactory 

 average for the climate of the Canterbury Plains, and suggests the establishment of ad- 

 ditional stations in other parts of the district. 



3. " On Partial Impact," by Professor Bickerton. 



Sixth Meeting. 1st July, 1880. 



Professor J. von Haast, Vice-president, in the Chair. 



New Members.— C. Clark, W. Sparks, Jun., J, B. Stansell, J. E. Thorn- 

 ton, Mrs. Innes, E. M. Clissold, Professor Haslam, C. B. Taylor. 



papers. 



1. "On Harpagornis,'' by Professor J. von Haast. (Transactions, p. 

 169.) 



2. " On New and Eare New Zealand Plants," by J. B. Armstrong. 

 Transactions, p. 335.) 



3. "On a New Species of Diatom," by J. Inglis. 

 Nitzchia nova-zealandia. 



Frustule. — Front view linear, narrowing at the truncated extremities, 

 opposite side of each end obhquely sloping. Valve. — Linear on side view 

 and sigmoid, attenuated towards the extremeties and rounded at the ends. 

 One row of puncta round the margin of the valve. Pmicta. — There are 

 twenty-four puncta or beads to one thousand of an inch. 



I have been unable to make out any stride or keel under " Becks" one- 

 tenth immersion. 



The valves of Nitzchia nova-zeal andia resemble Homococladia sigmoidea, 

 but the latter is frondose, and the frustules are sigmoidal on the front view, 

 while the former is free and sigmoidal on the side view. 



I found this Diatom in quantities, during the months of April and May, 

 in a spring at Nga Pari, on the side of the North Moeraki Downs, facing the 

 Eiver Asliley. 



I am indebted to Professor Hutton for the verification of this descrip- 

 tion. 



