522 Proceedings. 



spread phenomena locally intensified, but it is the strong local convulsion that originates 

 the oceanic waves. Such waves could not keep pace with a tremour propagated through 

 the solid floor of the ocean, which travels at six times greater speed. The ocean wave 

 once generated would take its own time. 



Dr. Newman did not think we had yet sufficient data to decide on the subject. The 

 depth of the ocean should be considered. He could not agree with Mr. Carruthers that 

 earthquakes extended over so large an extent of the ocean bed. 



The President said that the works of Darwin, Humboldt, and Mallett, on this subject, 

 would be found interesting. He agreed with Dr. Hector that we must look for reasons 

 outside our globe for such disturbances, such as sun-spots, influence of the moon, etc. 



Before the close of the meeting, Dr. Hector drew attention to several exhibits on the 

 table, more especially to an albino of the New Zealand crow ( Glaucopis loilsoni), and to 

 a tui with brown plumage. A fine series of Crustacea from the Californian coast, and a 

 selection of the more interesting fossils obtained during the past year by the Geological 

 Dt partment, were also exhibited. 



Second Meeting. Ath August, 1877. 

 W. T. L. Travers, M.H.E., F.L.S., President, in the chair. 

 New Members. — Joseph Joseph, Gordon Saxby. 



1. Dr. Hector drew attention to several interesting additions to the Museum, which 

 were arranged on the table. Among the most important were a handsome bird from New 

 Guinea, the Goura victorice ; a collection of valuable old etchings presented by Mr. 

 William Swainson ; a petition to the Queen, dated 18i0, about which the Hon. Mr. 

 Mantell gave some interesting information ; a collection of New Zealand plants from the 

 Forests Department, which Mr. I\irk described ; iron-stones and fire-clays from Miranda 

 Eedoubt, remarked upon by Mr. S. H. Cox; a specimen of patent building stone, two 

 live kakapos from Preservation Inlet, and some splendid specimens of copper ore, 

 discovered by Mr. Docherty in Dusky Bay, which Dr. Hector spoke very highly of as a 

 form of copper ore that frequently contained nickel. 



2. Mr. Kirk called attention to a log of black maire, a species of olive, sent by Mr. 

 Elliotte, of the Pakuratahi, which, on account of its great hardness, is much used for 

 blocks and cogs in machinery, which fact was borne out by several present. 



Mr. Nicholl stated that he had used it in Nelson instead of brass in constructing 

 water-wheels. 



The Hon. Mr. Mantell stated that Mr. J. Kebbell had pronounced it superior, for 

 turning purposes, to boxwood ; he had himself in the old days engraved a heading for the 

 New Zealand Spectator out of this wood. 



3. The President read a letter from a friend in Peru, which confirmed Dr. Hector's 

 estimate , given at last meeting, of 8 p.m. on 9th May as the time when the eaithquake 

 occurred at that place, in connection with the tidal wave which was observed in New 

 Zealand on the 11th May last. 



4. Dr. Hector read an interesting letter from Dr. Berggren, of Lund, regarding his 

 description of certain New Zealand plants, and giving a short account of his discoveries 

 relative to the development of the Azolla rubra. 



The President remarked that this plant grew very abundantly, and was a trouble- 

 some plant in watercourses throughout the colony. 



