81 



from, the Australian form (i?. alhisccvpa) ; lie concedes the point con- 

 tended for, that Platycercus Forsteri, Finsch, is of very doubtful value 

 as a species; and, on the question of Anthornis rtificejys, Pelzeln (dis- 

 covered by Dr. Haast in the South Island), which Mr. Buller contended 

 was merely A. vielanura with the forehead stained with the flowers of 

 Senecio cassinioides, Dr. Finsch frankly says, — " You are quite right in 

 respect to A . ruficeps. The red colour on the face is caused by external 

 influences, for my friend, von Pelzeln, has washed the type in the Vienna 

 Mtiseum, and the red tinge has partially disappeared." 



Mr. Buller's paper contains also the author's views on the causes that 

 have led to the almost total extinction of many species of New Zealand 

 birds, and to the rapid diminution of others ; besides numerous original 

 notes on this important section of local zoology. 



8. " On the Genus DeAnacrida, a group of Insects peculiar to New 

 Zealand," by Walter Buller, F.L.S. (See Transactions.) The author 

 communicated an article on the Genus Deinacrida to the Zoologist, in 

 August, 1867. It was suggested to him that he should place his 

 original notes at the disposal of this Society, which he has accordingly 

 done, adding thereto the results of his further researches into the luistory 

 of this curious group of insects. 



The paper is illustrated by detailed drawings, and a suite of speci- 

 mens i-epresenting the several species will be deposited by the author in 

 the Colonial Museum. 



9. "On Changes in the Hokitika Eiver," by James Rochfort, C.E. 

 (See Transactions.) This paper embodies the results of observations 

 taken by the author, from March, 1865, to November, 1869, on the 

 action of floods on the banks of the Hokitika River, and also the action 

 of the sea on the sand and shingle forming the beach there. 



10. "On three new species of Plants," by J. Buchanan. (See 

 Transactions.) Specimens of the plants described were interleaved with 

 the paper and exhibited. 



11. "On the Electro-motive Power of certain Metallic Sulphides," 

 by W. Skey. (See Transactions.) 



12. " On the Reduction of certain Metals from their Solutions by 

 Metallic Sulphides," by W. Skey. (See Transactions.) 



13. "On the Tutu plant (Goriaria rusci/olia)," hj H. G. Hughes, 

 of Hokitika. (See Transactions.) This paper gave an account of the 

 continuation of the research into the chemical properties of the plant 

 made by the author, and are supplementaiy to those by Mr. Skey, 

 printed in the last volume of Transactions. An important result of the 



11 



