2 



opened the volume now befoi-e us will have probably turned, is the 

 instructive account given by Mr. Potts of Canterbury, of his observations 

 on the habits of a considerable portion of the birds of ISTew Zealand. 

 In my inangnral address, delivered two years ago, I took occasion to 

 advert to the urgent necessity of obtaining and placing on record in due 

 time, our existing knowledge of this subject ; — seeing that in the opinion 

 alike of scientific enquirers and of pi-actical observers, the indigenous 

 fauna of these islands (of which the birds form the most prominent 

 division), is fast disappearing before the species recently introduced from 

 other coimtries. It is, therefoi'e, equally important and gratifying to 

 possess in so early a volume of our Transactions, the history of nearly 

 one-half of the birds peculiar to these islands, narrated in so charming a 

 manner. It is to be hoped that Mr. Potts will add to onr obligations by 

 completing the work which he has so well begun — and I am sure that 

 we shall all concur with him in regretting and discouraging any wanton 

 destruction, especially of the more curious species of native ornithology. 



The other zoological papers of last year are chiefly devoted to the 

 cetacea inhabiting the seas around our coasts. This is a wide and com- 

 paratively untouched field for research. It is obvious that the acqui- 

 sition of more full and correct information concerning the whale fisheries 

 of the southern ocean, has an especial bearing on the commercial 

 interests of New Zealand. 



"We have received a valuable addition to the series of our botanical 

 treatises, in the papers of Mr. Kirk. In that, respecting naturalized 

 plants, botanists Avill find data for future observations of the changes which 

 are gradually modifying the flora of this country. Two highly suggestive 

 and clearly written papers by Captain Hutton and Mr. Nottidge, on the 

 structure of the leaf of the flax plant {Pliormhim tenax), are of particular 

 moment at the present time, when so much attention is given to the 

 collection and export of this valuable indigenous product. It cannot be 

 too often repeated, that the main object of the New Zealand Parliament 

 in foimding and endowing this Institute, was to supply practical sugges- 

 tions and assistance in the development of the natural resources of these 

 islands. 



I regret that time will not permit me to remark, in detail, on many 

 interesting papers contributed respecting chemistry, geology, and a variety 

 of miscellaneous subjects. It is obvious that we are gradually collecting 

 here a long series of local observations, which cannot fail to prove of 

 practical use hereafter. Let it never be forgotten that all great practical 

 discoveries in all ages and countries have been the result of much study, 



