Wellington Philosophical Society, 631 



Dr. Newman asked how it was that in the case of boulder banks the larger stones 

 were found on the top of the beach and the smaller ones at the bottom. He gave 

 an instance of this, where the larger stones appeared to have been carried a distance of 

 twenty miles, whilst the smaller ones were to be found close to the water. 



The author stated that this was easily explained. When an unusually large wave 

 came the big stones were thrown up on the beach, and the ebb flow was not sufficient to 

 take them back, whilst the little stones receded with the waves, and were ground still 

 smaller. Alluding again to the effect rivers had in creating beaches, he stated that Lake 

 EUesmere was being gradually filled up by the debris brought down by the Eiver Selwyn. 



2. " On Nephrodium pentangulaj-um," by T. Kirk, F.L.S. 



8. " On tlae New Zealand Species of PhyUocladus,'" by T. Kirk, F.L.S. 

 {Transactions, p. 378.) 



4. " Notice of a new Variety of Tuatara Lizard (Sphenodon) from East 

 Cape Island," by Walter L. Buller, C.M.Gr., ScD., F.L.S. {Transactions, 

 p. 220.) 



The author said that Dr. Newman agreed with him that it was probably a new 

 species, though it was just possible that it was an accidental divergence from a kind 

 previously discovered, and not a distinct variety. Still, he was informed by Mr. 

 White that he had seen another exactly similar in the possession of a Maori. Speaking 

 of the lizards in his possession. Dr. Buller stated that they had lived without food for 

 twelve mouths, and had fattened during that time. However, they had taken to food 

 three or four months. ago, but they had not thriven so well since. One of the lizards he 

 found dead on the previous day, and some of the others did not appear in as good health 

 as formerly. 



Dr. Newman said there was more interest attaching to this animal than to the moa 

 and others which had created a great deal of talk. It was the last of its race, and its 

 study would, in his opinion, throw a good deal of light upon much that was not now 

 clear, and would extend even to the organization of man, and prove the correctness of 

 theories which had been recently advanced. 



6. "Further descriptive Notes of the Huia ( Heteralocha acutirostris),'" 

 by Walter L. Buller, C.M.G-., ScD., F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 211.) 



6. "Further Eemarks as to the Cause of the Warmer Climate which 

 existed in high Northern Latitudes during former Geological Epochs, by 

 W. T. L. Travers, M.H.K., F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 470.) 



Mr. Carruthers differed from the general opinion held as to the internal heat of the 

 earth. It had never been proved that such heat existed. People had simply inferred it 

 from the existence of volcanoes ; but it was now placed beyond doubt that volcanoes had 

 no connection with the centre of the earth. As for the belief that mines got hotter as a 

 further depth was reached, that would only be the case in volcanic localities. If a shaft 

 were sunk in a place free from volcanic influences, he believed it would be found that the 

 earth got colder the further they descended, and at twenty or thirty miles it would 

 probably be found that there was a mass of ice. 



After a few remarks from Mr. Travers, in reply to Mr. Young as to the eccentricities 

 of the earth's orbit, the discussion closed. 



