AucHand Institute. 463 



may be but little, but let tbat little be clone. "We may be wanting in tbe 

 qualifications necessary to complete sucb a work, but it only requires tbat 

 wMch is in our power — energetic and judicious efforts — to complete tbe 

 small portion of tbe task that falls to tbe sbare of the present generation. 

 The rest must be left to time and posterity. ' 



1. " On the Botany of the Northern Part of the North Island," by 

 T. Kirk. (Transactions, p. 84.) 



Dr. Hector spoke in commendation of the paper. He hoped that such 

 excursions as that of the cutter " Glance," during which the observations 

 were made, would more frequently be undertaken than hitherto. He 

 himself had had a six months' excursion in the same quarter. Novelties 

 could now hardly be looked for in New Zealand, for the plants were pretty 

 equally distributed, and a number of excellent observers had devoted them- 

 selves to exploration in it. Passing from botany. Dr. Hector made some re- 

 marks upon the geology of the district to the north of Auckland. Although 

 the geology of New Zealand was very complex, still the great features were 

 now fairly ascertained. Dr. Hochstetter's researches had surpassed the 

 others in published results, but he must have derived a great deal of informa- 

 tion from Major Pleaphy and other local geologists. Dr. Hector then gave 

 a most interesting account, first, of the geology of the New Zealand Islands 

 as a whole ; and next, more particularly of the geology of the northern part 

 of Auckland, pointing out especially the areas occupied by palaeozoic rocks 

 that might prove auriferous, and also the area and extent of the great 

 northern coal field. The lecture was illustrated by a geological map of the 

 Northern District, which was published by Dr. Hector in 1866, and also 

 by unpublished maps and sections of the coal fields. 



Captain Hutton followed with some remarks on the same subject, saying 

 that he believed Dr. Hector's account was the first that had been given of 

 the general geology of New Zealand, and more especially of that part which 

 had been more minutely described. 



The Eev. Dr. Purchas expressed his gratification at the remarks that had 

 been made by Dr. Hector and Captain Hutton. He said he had visited the 

 Thames Gold Pields, and had been surprised at the quantity of gold lost there 

 owing to the presence of sulphurets and the fine nature of the gold. That 

 loss, he thought, might be obviated. He moved that the thanks of the 

 meeting be given to Dr. Hector for his interesting statement. 



Dr. Pischer seconded the motion, which was agreed to. 



Thanks were also given to Mr. Kirk. 



2. The Secretary then read a paper " On the Crater of White Island," 

 by Dr. Eolston and Lieut. Edwin, of H.M.S. " Falcon." 



