450 Proceedings. 



2. " On Sericiculture," by F. Adams. 



ABSTEACT. 

 The author quotes the opinions of Mr. Pozzi, formerly a silk grower in Canton 

 Ticino, Switzerland, and now a resident in Christchurch, to the effect that the soil and 

 climate of Canterbury is suitable for the establishment of silk culture, and recommending 

 as a preliminary step, that mulberry trees should be extensively planted. 



3. " On the study of the French and German languages," Paper 11., by 

 J. von Tunzelmann. 



Annual Meeting. Ath November, 1880. 

 E. Dobson, President, in the chair. 



PAPEES. 



1. " On Problems of Cosmical Impact," by Professor A. W. Bickerton. 

 (Transactions, p. 166.) 



2. "On the Structure of Hormosira billarclieri,'" by T. A. MoUet. [Trans- 

 actions, p. 818.) 



3. " Contributions to New Zealand Malacology," by Prof. F. W. Hutton. 

 (Transactions, p. 200.) 



ABSTEACT OF ANNUAL EEPOET. 



Nine ordinary and two special meetings have been held, at which twenty-eight papers 

 have been read by thirteen authors, being the highest number of papers read in any one 

 year since the founding of the Institute. 



In addition to the ordinary meetings the Council organised a series of popular 

 lectures, to which free admission was granted to each member and two friends. These 

 lectures were, by the kind permission of the Board of Governors, delivered in the Science 

 Lecture Theatre of Canterbury College, and were fairly attended. The lectures were as 

 follows : — (1) On the Origin of Living Matter, by Professor F. W. Hutton ; (2) on the 

 liambles of a Carbon Molecule, by Professor Bickerton ; (3) on the Progress of Modern 

 Photography, by Mr. N. K. Cherrill ; (4) on House and Home, by the President ; (5) on 

 Eaffaelle and his Contemporaries, by Professor J. von Haast ; (6) on the Telephone, by 

 Mr. W. G. Meddings. 



Thirty-two members have joined the Institute during the past year, and forty sub- 

 scribers have withdrawn from subscribing, or have left the district, making the total 

 number on the books at the present time 211. 



The accounts show total receipts for the year of £345 Os. 2d., with a balance in hand 

 at its close of £7 6s. 9d., the sum of £195 7s. 8d. having been devoted to the purchase of 

 books and instruments. 



Election of Officers for 1881 : — President — Prof. J. von Haast, F.E.S., 

 Vice-presidents — Eev. J. W. Stack, E. W. Fereday ; Council — Prof. A. W. 

 Bickerton, J. Inglis, E. Dobson, T. S. Lambert, N. K. Cherrill; Hon. 

 Treasurer — W. M. Maskell ; Hon. Secretary — G. Gray ; Auditors— C. E. 

 Blackiston, W. D. Carruthers. 



