532 Proceedings. 



A specimen of wrought iron work was exhibited, representing a Fuchsia plant with 

 leaves and flowers, executed by Mr. Birley, of Auckland. 



The Hon. Mr. Mantell stated that the same gentleman had also executed other 

 works of a rare nature in iron, and had deposited at the Museum a knife-blade, in the 

 centre of which there was an unburnt straw. The imitation of the fuchsia in flower was 

 a really artistic piece of work, and it was hard to imagine, looking at the perfection of 

 the flower and leaves, that it had been made of such a rigid material as iron. A detached 

 flower with leaves was handed round amongst the audience, the workmanship of which 

 was much admired. 



Seventh Meeting. 1st December, 1877. 

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

 New Member. — F. W. Eiemenschneider. 



1. " Notes on the Ornithology of New Zealand," by Walter L. Buller, 

 C.M.G., ScD., F.L.S. {Transactions, p. 191.) 



Specimens of all the species mentioned in the paper were exhibited to the meeting ; 

 and among these was a young example of the plundering gull ( Stercorarius parasiticus), 

 obtained in Wellington harbour in the early part of the present year. 



Dr. Hector said that he had listened to the paper with very much interest, and 

 particiilarly the portion relating to the habits and migrations of the godwit. He was 

 glad that the author, not content with the laurels he had so well earned by the publica- 

 tion of his great work on " The Bhds of New Zealand," continued to prosecute his 

 researches and to lay the results before the society in so interesting a manner. 



Dr. Newman and Mr. Young took part in the discussion that followed. 



Mr. Kirk stated that the knot-bird is found at the Waitemata river at times, which 

 seems to be the limit for many birds — the paradise duck, for instance. 



2. " On Nephroclium. decowpositum, Br., and N. glabellum, A. Cunn," by 

 T. Khk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 398.) 



3. "Description of a new Species of Hymenoj^hyUum,'' by T. Ku-k, F.L.S. 

 (Transactions, p. 394.) 



In reply to Dr. Buller, the author stated that this was the nineteenth species of 

 Hymenophylluni now discovered in New Zealand. 



Mr. Kirk pointed out that Trichovianes armstrongii of Baker, which he had collected 

 in the Waimakarm, Arthur's Pass, and near the sea-level at Hokitika, was a true 

 Hymenophyllum, the involucre being distinctly two-valved and divided to the base when 

 mature. In some instances the involucres have the tips partially reflexed, resembling 

 those of H. bivalve, Swartz. 



Plate XXI.A., 1 and 2. Hymenophyllum armstrongii, Kirk, nat. size; 3, fertile 

 pinna, enlarged ; 4 and 5, sori, greatly enlarged. 



4. " On the relative Ages of the Australian, Tasmanian, and New 

 Zealand Coal-fields," by James Hector, C.M.Gr., M.D., F.E.S. 



The speaker's remarks were illu.strated by diagrams and maps, and by a large 

 collection of fossils which lie had obtained during a recent tour in the Australian 

 colonies. 



