yi Preface. 



could not be printed, owing to the impossibility of procuring, in Wellington, 

 tbe type for the algebraic formula which they contain. 



It is necessary also to explain that, owing to the difficulties of communi- 

 cating in time, only those authors who resided in the neighbourhood of 

 Wellington could be furnished with proofs for revision, but every oppor- 

 tunity was afforded to make corrections consistent with the due progress 

 of the work through the press. 



In future it is intended to have extra copies of the papers printed off 

 for the various authors, as is customary in other scientific societies, pro- 

 vision for the purpose having been inadvertently omitted from the printer's 

 contract this year. 



In the third part will be found the essays already alluded to as having 

 been written for the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865. Pive of these— viz. 

 " On Ornithology," by Mr. BuUer ; " Geology," by Mr. Crawford; "Trees 

 and Plants," by Mr. Ludlam; " The Maori Eaces," by Mr. Shortland; and 

 on " Botany," by Mr. Colenso— appeared in print shortly after that period, 

 and were circulated to a certain extent among scientific persons; the 

 remainder of the edition w^as purchased by the G-overnment from the 

 Exhibition Commissioners, and has been placed at the disposal of the Board 

 of Governors for incorporation with this volume. The remaining essays 

 now appear in print for the first time, and constitute a very important 

 addition to the work : that by Mr. Colenso, " On the Maori Eaces 6f New 

 Zealand," being especially worthy of attention under the present circum- 

 stances of the colony. 



A few statistical tables, which are not generally available, have been 

 added, giving information on subjects referred to in the body of the work. 



The Editor has also been desired to give publicity to the following list 

 of subjects on which special information is desirable, which has been circu- 

 lated among the Members of the Auckland Institute, in the hope that it 

 may be found useful, as suggesting future communications to the various 



Societies : — 



1. History, mythology, ethnology, &c., of the Maori race. 



2. Pisheries — best localities, and seasons for fishing. 



3. Extraordinary meteorological phenomena. 



4. Hot springs, landslips, wearing away of coast lines and river 

 banks, and other natural phenomena. 



5. Pormation and progress of sand dunes. 



6. Pormation of sandbanks in rivers, and bars to harbours. 



7. Occurrence of rare plants, animals, and minerals. 



8. Habits of animals, especially of those destructive to trees and 



cultivated plants. 



