Otago Institute. 453 



The Chairman announced that it had been resolved by the Council to 

 send an address to Mr. Charles Darwin, F.E.S. 



1. "On the Venous system of the New Zealand Skate (Raja nasuta, 

 Solander)," by Professor Parker. (Transactions, p. 412.) 



2. "On the new species of Holothurian (Chirodota dunedinensis ) ," by 

 Professor Parker. (Transactions, p. 418.) 



3. " On some new species of Carex," by D. Petrie, M.A. C Transactions, 

 p. 332.) 



4. " On the History of Fish Culture in New Zealand," by W. Arthnr. 



Election of Office-beakeks for 1881 : — - President — G. M. Thomson, 

 F.L.S. ; Vice-presidents — Dr. Hocken, A. Montgomery; Hon. Secretary — 

 Professor Parker ; Ho7i. Treasurer — D. Petrie, M.A. ; Auditor— Ti. Brent, 

 M.A. ; Council— Dx. Coughtrey, E. Gillies, F.L.S., W. Arthur, C.E., G. 

 Joachim, H. Skey, W. M. Hodgkins, W. N. Blair, O.E. 



ABSTRACT OF ANNUAL REPORT. 



Nine general meetings of the members have been held, at which the average atten- 

 dance has been very good. At four of these eleven origiiial papers were read, five of 

 which related to Botany, five to Zoology, and one to astronomy. At the other meetings 

 lectures were dehvered as follows : — 



1. " John Stuart Mill on ' Mind and Matter,' " by Mr. A. Montgomery. 



2 and 3. " On the Early History of New Zealand " (two lectures), by Dr. Hocken. 



4. " On Modern Histological Methods," by Professor Parker. 



5. " On the Study of Landscape Art in New Zealand," by Mr. W. M. Hodgkins. 

 The amoimt of interest manifested in these lectures justifies the Council in recom- 

 mending a continuance of this part of the Institute's work. 



Thirty- five additional members have joined the Institute during the year, making 

 the nominal number now on the roll amount to 260 ; but in accordance with the rule 

 that members' names shall be struck off when their subscriptions are two years in arrears, 

 a considerable deduction on this number will have to be made at the commencement of 

 another year. 



An order for several valuable works of reference was forwarded to London by mail of 

 3rd December, accompanied by a draft for £50. 



The balance-sheet shows on current account that the receipts for the year (including 

 balance of £12 17s. lOd. from last year) amount to £204 19s. 4d., and the expenditure to 

 £192 ISs. 8d., leaving a balance in hand of £12 Os. 8d. Against this, however, is an 

 overdraft from the Union Bank of Australia of £68 6s. 6d. 



The Eeserve Fund in the Post Office Savings' Bank now amounts to £121 19s. Id. 



