75 



ton, wliile, by assay, lie could obtain a return of from 2 dwt. to 4 dwt. 

 It was found, too, that roasting the tailings did not increase the yield, 

 though the gold obtained was purer ; evidently pointing to the existence 

 of silver, in the form of a sulphide. He observed that the use of 

 sea water at the Thames, for stamping batteries, washing-down tables, 

 and other work about a quartz mill, did not hinder amalgamation, and 

 was only inferior to fresh water in so far as it jiossessed a greater specific 

 gTavity, and therefore was more likely to carry away gold than fresh. 

 Water pumped from the mines he found both hindered amalgamation 

 and injured boilers, and should therefore not be used if it could be 

 avoided. 



9. ■' On New Zealand Flax," by "W. Skey. (See Transactions.) 

 This joaper combatted certain deductions drawn by Captain Hutton, 

 F.G.S., of Auckland, regarding the treatment of flax fibre. 



10. "On a new form, of Iron Pyrites," by E. IT. Davis, F.C.S., 

 F.G.S. (See Transactions.) This })aper described a new form of iron 

 pyrites, Ksupposed to have come from the Chatham Islands. 



Dr. Hector said that the supposition was merely inferential, as the 

 specimens were found in a whare that had been occuj)ied by some of the 

 Chatham Island prisoners, after their escape to Poverty Bay, and had 

 evidently been intended to subserve the purpose of bullets. 



Seventh Meeting. October 22, 1870. 



Plon. Mr. Mantell, F.CS., President, in the chair. 



1. Mr. Crawford read a letter he had received from Mr. "Walter Camp- 

 bell, descrij^tive of an immense Cuttle-fish which had been found stranded 

 on the sea beach, on the east coast of this province. The monster was 

 10 feet 5 inches in length, exclusive of arms, which were 5 feet 6 inches 

 long. As very little appeared to be known of the cuttle-fish in New 

 Zealand, especially of its edible qualities, Mr. Crawford mentioned that 

 many years ago, while on a trij) from Corfu to Trieste, he had a variety 

 of cuttle-fish served up to him several times, and found it most delicious. 

 He had also, a long time ago, got cuttle-fish out of this harbour, which, 

 when cooked, were remarkably good, being both sweet and crisp ; and, 

 although Englishmen were rather apt to reject as worthless anything that 

 did not look very nice, he could safely recommend a trial of this strange- 

 looking fish. 



