33 



like the American aloe, as soou as the plant flowered it began to die, and 

 therefore fibre derived after flowering time was inferior. As to the exact 

 season when the fibre was at its best, he found that a much vexed point, 

 and one that would take year's to determine. 



Mr. Smythies suggested the necessity of experimenting by selection 

 and inoculation of the flower. 



Mr. Travers mentioned a fact that came under his observation in 

 Canterbury that might be Avorthy of attention. He had seen there what 

 was called "half-stuff," of pulpy consistence, that could be produced very 

 cheaply, and seemed to be well adapted for the purpose of paper-making. 



Mr. Macffarlane said the article would only be admitted as a manu- 

 factured article. 



The Chairman thought a good many seemed to forget that Sir 

 Charles Clifford was one of the earliest flax manufacturers in the colony, 

 and carried on business on the beach as Clifford and Partridge. As to 

 the age of leaves, he had seen excellent fibre produced from leaves that 

 were lying withered on the ground. The idea that the plant died after 

 flowei'ing time was no doubt very sentimental, but he did not believe 

 in it for all that. 



Fourth Meeting. July 17, 1870. 

 Hon. Mr. Mantell, F.G.S., President, in the chair. 



1. Dr. Hector read a paper for Mr. Duigan, which went to show 

 that the earth of ISTew Zealand is as good a conductor of electricity as 

 that of any other country. The paper elicited some comment, some 

 thinking the weather, and the nature of the soil in particular localities, 

 influence electrical power in a great degree. 



2. Mr. Potts read a paper "On the Great Auk, or Northern Penguin," 

 (see Transactions,) and exhibited a drawing of an egg of that variety ^ which 

 he possesses. Although the bird at one time abounded at the Orkneys, 

 Auckland, and Farroe Islands, it is very rare now, if, indeed, it is not 

 entirely extinct, a view which is shared by Professor Owen and other 

 eminent naturalists. They base their belief chiefly on the fact, that 

 notwithstanding the many expeditions that have been sent out during 

 late years, no mention has been made of the Great Auk in any of their 

 records. There are those, however, who still believe that the bird is not 

 yet extinct, and think that it may have retired to the lonely and surf- 

 lashed Skerries in the Northern Sea. So high a value is set uj)on these 

 eggs, owing to their exceeding rarity, that one virtuoso gave £30 for a 



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