WeUington Philosophical Society . 529 



as far as Mills' Foundry, this was carefully considered, and the author considers the line 

 then taken to have been the best that could be adopted. The wharf also was run out at 

 an aciite angle to the breastwork for the same reason. The author considers that any 

 future improvements should be by building wharves parallel to the present wharf, thus 

 increasing the amount of smooth water. Capt. Halliday proposes to make wharves at 

 right angles to the Queen's Wharf, and the author is not prepared to say that this would 

 not be an improvement on his plan. He condemns the proposal to reclaim land from 

 Mills' Foundry to the middle T of the wharf, as a lee-shore would thus be made, against 

 which it would be dangerous for ships to lie, and consequently it will be found necessary 

 to construct another work to the northward to protect it. In the event of reclamation at 

 the Te Aro end of the town, the author thinks it should be borne in mind that it is 

 practically a wet dock at present, where small vessels can lie safely, and that it is more 

 important to give additional smooth water for vessels than more land for stores and 

 offices. 



Fifth Meeting. 22nd September, 1877. 

 J. Carrutliers, M. Inst. C.E., Vice-president, in the chair. 

 New Members. — William Fitzgerald, A. W. F. Halcombe, H. F. Eawsou. 



1. "Notes on the Physiology and Anatomy of the Tuatara ( Sphoiodon 

 guntherij," by A. K. Newman, M.B., M.K.C.P. (Transactions, p. 222.) 



The author did not confine his remarks to his written paper, which is of a technical 

 nature but gave a popular account of reptiles generally, showing their relations to other 

 forms. He exhibited a beautifully-prepared skeleton, lent by the Hon. Mr. Mantell from 

 the Museum, and also a live specimen. 



Dr. BuUer was pleased that the author had given his remarks in so popular a form, 

 and he had listened to them with great interest. He had himself at a former meeting 

 given a description of this lizard. Dr. Giinther had published an elaborate description of 

 Sphenodon punctatum, and now, with Dr. Newman's valuable paper on S. gilntheri, we 

 could compare the anatomy of both. He hoped to see the whole of Dr. Newman's paper 

 in the next volume of Transactions. He intended shortly to read a paper on a third 

 variety of this lizard which he thought might prove a distinct species.* 



The author, in answer to a question by Mr. Buchanan regarding the growth of new 

 bones in lizards' tails when accidentally broken off, said that the vertebrae when broken 

 off never grew again, but merely an additional part without bone. 



Mr. Carruthers differed from the author regarding the earlier forms of life, which he 

 considered were just as complete and perfect as at present. 



2, " On a means of selecting the most durable Timber," by John 

 Buchanan. (Transactions, p. 190.) 



Mr. Carruthers thought there would be some difficulty in procuring fair standard 

 specimens. He did not altogether agree with the author that the heaviest timbers were 

 the most durable. If cut at the proper season and heart-wood only used, nothing further 

 regarding the selection of our timbers would be needed. He saw no necessity for the 



* Vide ante, p. 220. 



q2 



