78 



voltaic electricity, and that they can replace the copper plate in the 

 formation of the orclinaiy zinc and copper battery, evolving, however, 

 sulphuretted hydrogen, and not pure hydrogen. 



The two preceding papers gave the results of experiments in con- 

 tinuation of that relative to the absorption of sulphur by gold, read at 

 the last meeting. 



12. "On a new species of Megapode, in the Auckland Museum," by 

 Walter Buller, F.L.S. (See Toxinsactions.) This paper described a new 

 species of Megapodius, or mound-building bird, from the Friendly 

 Islands, and for which the author gave the name of Megapodius Huttoni. 



Eighth (Special General) Meeting. October 29, 1870. 

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



The President explained that this meeting had been called for the 

 purpose of nominating a member of the Society to vote in the election 

 of Governors of the Institute, in accordance with Clause 7 of the 

 Institute Act. 



On the motion of Mr. Crawford, Mr. John Kebbell was appointed. 



Ninth Meeting. November 12, 1870. 

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



The Honorary Secretary announced that Mr. Pichard Watson Woon, 

 of Wanganui, had been elected a member of the Society. 



The Chairman said, with regard to the nomination of three Honorary 

 Members residing out of the colony, the Coimcil had made its choice 

 from the names of aboiit twenty scientific men, all of whom had con- 

 tributed, more or less, to the development of the natural history of 

 New Zealand. 



The names of the three gentlemen selected were submitted to the 

 meeting, and a resolution passed nominating the same for election as 

 Honorary Members of the New Zealand Institute. 



A list of presentations to the Society was read by the Honorary 

 Secretary. 



1. "On the Botany of Tahiti." (See Transactions.) This paper, 

 (which was supposed to have been written fully thii'ty years ago,) was 

 recently found by the President on looking over some papers of the late 



