95 



After some discussion, Mi\ Bowen withdrew his suggestion for the 

 present. 



The petition was adopted and signed by those present. 



Eighth Meeting. Beptemher 7, 1870. 

 Dr. Haast, F.B..S., President, in the chair. 



The President made a few observations upon the recent earthquake, 

 intimating his intention of submitting a paper at the next meeting of 

 the Institute. 



1. "On the Ardetia lousilla, by T. H. Potts. (See Transactions.) 



The President read a letter from the Hon. John Hall, having 

 reference to the petition forwarded to him, at Wellington, by the Insti- 

 tute, in respect to the establishment of a Colonial School of Mines in 

 Canterbury. The letter stated that the only promise obtained from the 

 Government on the matter was, that they would take into their con- 

 sideration the advisability of establishing such a school at Wellington. 



The President announced that the Museum would be open in about 

 a fortnight, or at furthest, before the next meeting of the Provincial 

 Council. There had been much ixiore work than he expected in pi'e- 

 paring it, and hence the delay. 



Mr. T. Hall stated, in reply to a question, that the committee on 

 Native Gi'asses had not yet procured much information. The winter 

 however being over, they would no doubt soon be able to complete their 

 labours. 



The President said he had received a collection of seeds from Vienna, 

 among which were thirty-five kinds of grass seeds. These had been 

 placed in the hands of Mr. Armstrong, Government Gardener, who 

 would sow them in the gardens. 



Dr. Powell drew the attention of members to the cii'cumstance 

 of the curious phenomenon of Parhelion having been seen on Sunday 

 last. Between the hours of three and five o'clock he saw two bright 

 spots, one on each side of the sun, which had a tendency to form a circle 

 of prismatic colours round the orb itself. They were ascribed to floating 

 ice-crystals in the higher regions of the atmosphere. When the sun 

 sank lower it was suiTOunded by a very bright halo. 



Several members intimated that they had noticed the phenomenon, 

 and a conversational discussion ensued thereon. 



