77 



broad-backed knife. The pectoral fin had twelve rays, the dorsal and 

 ventral eight each. 



6. " Notes on the Anatomy of the Kelp-fish," by F. J. Knox, 

 L.E,.C.S.E. (See Transactions.) This paper on the anatomy of the Kelp- 

 fish (Coridodax jJulluSjGithY,), otherwise known as buttei--fish, was read 

 by the author, who had presented a specimen to the Museum, beautifully 

 prepared by himself. The preparation revealed an interesting question 

 for zoologists, inasmuch as the bones being green, and unlike those of 

 fish generally, — whether or not that pectiliarity was owing to the food 

 of the fish, which, from its peculiar scissor-like dental structure, he 

 presumed to be the kelp amongst which it was foiind. He had not 

 found, from experience, that the fish was of that palatable and succulent 

 nature that might be natiarally expected from the name butter-fish, by 

 which it was sometimes known. 



The latter view, however, was not concurred in by some members of 

 the Society, who had found the fish to be rather delicious ; and the 

 discrepancy was therefore attributed to the primitive cooking of the 

 Porirua people. 



7. "On the Lizards of New Zealand," by Walter BuUer, RL.S., 

 F.G.S. (See Transactions.) This was a descriptive list of the Lizards 

 found in New Zealand, including a notice of the characters of several 

 new species. The nomenclature of some varieties, regarding which 

 confusion had hitherto existed, was noticed by the author. 



Preserved specimens of the different varieties were on view, so as to 

 enable those curious in the matter to examine for themselves. 



8. " On some new species of New Zealand Plants," by J. Buchanan, 

 of the Geological Survey Department. (See Transactions.) The paper 

 described several plants new to the New Zealand flora, either as very 

 distinct varieties, or species belonging to the genera Wahlenbergia, 

 Dichondra, and Aristotelia. 



9. " On the Birds of New Zealand," by T. H. Potts. (See Transac- 

 tions.) This" was a further contribution, by the author, on the subject of 

 the Birds of New Zealand ; and described the long-tailed cuckoo, the 

 kaka, and the quail. 



10. "Researches on the Absorptive Properties of Platintim," by 

 W. Skey, Analyst to the Geological Survey of New Zealand. (See 

 Transactions.) 



11. "On the capabilities of certain Sulphides to form the Negative 

 Pole of a Galvanic Circuit or Battery," by W. Skey. (See Transactions.) 

 This paper stated that sulphides of certain metals are conductors of 



