86 



Remarks on the subject were made by Dr. J. R. Nicholson, Dr. 

 Piirclias, and other members. 



Captain Hutton pointed out that the • occurrence of Mercury under 

 the conditions just described, afforded an additional instance of the 

 deposition of metals in rocks of late date, and that veiy near to the 

 surface. The hydro-carbon appeared to have been the cause of the pre- 

 cij)itation of the Mercury. 



2. On the Analogy between the Sanscrit and the Maori Languages," 

 by Edward Fairburn. (See Tra7isactio7is.) 



3. Specimens of Prion vittatus, presented to the Museum of the 

 Institute by Mrs. Yandle, were exhibited by the Secretary. 



Captain Hutton pointed out the difference between the beak of this 

 species and that of P. turtiLr, of which a specimen from the Museiim collec- 

 tion was also exhibited. P. turt%ir had not been included in the published 

 lists of New Zealand birds although several sjoecimens had been collected. 



The specimens of P. vittatus were captured in the Manukau, in July 

 last. The birds were probably driven in by stress of weather, and were 

 said to have been in great abundance. 



4. A Snipe, captured at the Little Barrier Island by Captain 

 Bennett, of the schooner " Mary Ann," and presented to the Institute 

 by Mr. T. B. Hill, was exhibited. 



Captain Hutton said that this bird was another addition to the fauna 

 of Auckland. Two specimens only were seen, of which the one now 

 exhibited was caught alive but died in confinement ; the other escaped. 

 It answered tolerably well to the description of Gallinago jnisilla, Buller, 

 although it appeared rather larger than that bird and somewhat different 

 in colour. But as Buller's description was from the single specimen 

 captured at the Chatham Islands, much importance could not be attached 

 to the discrepancies, which were of a trivial nature. 



Mr. Baber stated that he had seen this bird in Hobson's Bay, 

 Auckland some years ago. 



5. " On the Botany of the Country between Whangarei and the 

 North Cape," by T. Kirk. (See Transactions.) 



Mr. Kirk pointed out that in the list of Northern plants published 

 in the Transactions of the Neio Zealand Institute for 1869, several 

 important errors had been made, owing to the peculiar circumstances 

 under Avhich it had been prepared. The object of this paper was to 

 correct those errors, and to show the results of recent research in the 

 district. The additions now stated amounted in number to nearly one- 

 fourth of the original list ; and a similar increase might yet be expected as 



