100 



with broad white webs or margins ; breast chestBut colour with light 

 buff margins ; nnder body and thighs brown with greyish white margins; 

 legs and bill yellowish green ; eyes rufous brown. *" 



3. " On the Skeleton of a Bird (supposed to be a Swan), found in 

 Dunedin," by A. C. Purdie. 



(abstract.) 



This skeleton was found in the bed of an old creek, near the "Water 

 of Leith, and to all appearances mu.st have been there at a period prior 

 to the formation of this settlement, as the ground has been in the 

 author's possession for upwards of nine years, and lias never been 

 disturbed. 



As set up, it stands 36 in. high ; full length of body from neck 

 vertebra to tip of caudal vertebra 17 in. j caudal 3 in. ; neck 33 in. ; 

 head and bill 5^ in. ; wings, humerus, 10 in. ; ulna 9| in. ; metacarpus 

 4|in. ; os magnum, or phalanx, 2 in. ; thumb l|^in. ; femur 3| in. ; 

 tibia 7 J in. ; tarsus 4^ in, ; centre toe 5^ in. ; number of vertebrae from 

 sacrum to cranium 30 ; caudal 8. 



Eighth Meeting. August 24, 1870. 

 •His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman, President, in the chair. 



The following new members were elected : — Revs. E. G. Edwards 

 and E. H. Granger; W. IST. Blair, Richard Wilding, Thomas Ulph, 

 J. B. Park, and John Stables. 



1. "On the Political and Economical Aspect of Railways," by 

 Mr. Justice Chapman. (See Transactions.) 



Mr. Bathgate expressed the pleasure he had experienced in listening 

 to the interesting and able address of the President, and was glad to 

 corroborate the statements made therein. He had considerable expe- 

 rience on this subject, and had had the honour to be examined 

 before Pai*liament with regard to more than one railway. The cost of 

 railways in England was 600 millions, the national debt 800 millions. 

 The introduction of railways into any country was a double gain ; it 

 increased production, and decreased the cost of production. He referred 

 to the necessity of constructing a cheap line of railway, which would be 

 sufficient for all their requirements, one not to cost over £5000 per mile, 

 and pointed out the advisability of their urging forward the formation of 

 railways in Otago. 



* Mr. Potts has identified this Bittern as Ardetta pusilla, Gould. See ante, 

 page 95; also, No. B. 75, Art. XI., Trans., Vol. iii.— Ed. 



