Atichland Institute. 475 



to other materials like flax. He remembered being surprised, in the 

 Committee, to see tbe fibre produced by tbat method from an aloe leaf. By 

 the percussion process they got rid of the epidermis and cellular tissue of 

 the flax, and then there was left the fibre intact ; but that fibre consisted of 

 a multitude of fibres glued together, as they might see, by some matter 

 which had been called a gum — an insoluble gum, and by other names. If 

 they got rid of that gum, they reduced it from a fibre — a very strong fibre — 

 into tow. If they got rid of the gum by chemicals, boiling, or in any other 

 way, just in proportion as they got rid of it they also got rid of the tenacity 

 of the fibre, and rendered it useful for other purposes, such as for paper 

 making. The grand question was, where was the exact limit — where it would 

 pay best — whether to get it in its greatest strength longitudinally, or to 

 reduce it more or less into tow, when it might be useful for mixing with 

 woollen, cotton, or other substances. 



Dr. Purchas said he had omitted to mention one thing in connection 

 with the preparation of the flax, namely, that the refuse made most excellent 

 food for cattle. 



Sixth Meeting-. 5t7i Octoler, 1868. 

 P. "Whitaker, President, in the chair. 



The President observed that he was sorry he had not been present at the 

 meeting on the previous Saturday. Had he been so, he would have drawn 

 up a closing address, and delivered it on this the closing night of the 

 session. Had he known that such an address was expected from him, he 

 would have been prepared to have drawn it up ; but he had quite forgotten 

 th3,t that was the last night of the session. He made this explanation so 

 that the members might not think he was careless in the matter. He would 

 always be most glad to devote his time to advancing the interests of the 

 Institute. Looking at the past session, he thought they had on the 

 whole been as successful as they could have expected ; and if the members 

 would devote a little extra time, gathering up information in the recess for 

 the next sessional meetings, there was no doubt it would be a very great 

 success. 



The following contributions were announced : — 



One copper coin — Mr. Charles Hime. Two Australian birds — Captain 

 Holt, from Sir George Grey. One frog — Mr. Isaac Hunt, Tapu. One 

 specimen from the Kyber Pass claim— Mr. E. M. Heighten. Thirty- 

 three rock specimens from the Thames — Mr. O'KeefEe. lanthina exigua, 

 and two other shells ; specimens of fossil wood — Mrs. W. Young. Skin of 

 an undescribed petrel — donor's name unknown, left at the museum. Sundry 



