A^icklnnd Institute. ' 447 



8. " On the Habits of Prionoplus reticularis, with Diagnoses of the Larva 

 and Pupa," by Capt. T. Broun. {Transactions, p. 284.) 



Mr. Cheeseman exhibited, on behalf of Capt. Broun, specimens of the larva and pupa 

 of Prionoplus, and pieces of timber perforated by the larva. 



Second Meeting. 30^^ June, 1879 

 Dr. Purchas, President, in the chaa-. 

 Neiv Members.— T. W. Gudgeon, C. H. Haines, M.D., F.E.G.S., C. T. 

 Hetley, J. McElwaine, John Eeid, J. H. Upton, E. S. Wilcocks. 



1. " Notes on the Growth of certain Trees on Scoria Soil near Mount 

 Eden, Auckland," by Mr. Justice Gilhes. (Transactions, p. 357.) 



2. " On the Botany of the Pirongia Mountain," by T. F. Cheeseman, 

 F.L.S. (Tramactions, p. 317.) 



3. " On the Mound-builders of North America," by J. Adams, B.A. 

 This paper was illustrated by a collection of crania, pottery, stone adzes, arrow-heads, 



etc., taken from mounds in Illinois, and presented to the Museum by Mr. H. N. Rust, of 

 Chicago. 



Thikd Meeting. ^Ith July, 1879. 

 Dr. Purchas, President, in the chair. 

 New Members. — J. Alexander, E. Burgess, C. La Eoche. 



1. The Secretary read a letter from Mr. W. Atkins in reference to the growth of trees 

 in clay soils near Auckland. He pointed out that many of the Coniferaj enumerated by 

 Mr. Justice GiUies in his recent paper on the growth of trees on volcanic soils, do equally 

 well on stiii clay soils, provided that care is taken to prevent water stagnating about the 

 roots while the trees are young. Mr. Atkin also alluded to the death of many trees near 

 Auckland from the supposed attacks of a fungus on the roots, as a subject worthy of 

 enquiry. 



2. " The possible Pacification of the World by means of a rational Inter- 

 national Policy," by the Eev. S. Edgar. 



3. " The Distress in England; its Causes and Eemedies," by J. C. Firth. 



4. Dr. Purchas exhibited a number of trenails taken from the schooner " Kenilworth," 

 now being repaired at Auckland. The greater number of the trenails in the vessel were 

 eaten in a spiral manner on the outside by the larva of some beetle, so that many were 

 quite loose in the planking. None of the Auckland ship-buUders were acquainted with a 

 similar case. The vessel was twelve years old, and for the last nine had been trading in 

 the Malay Archipelago and South Sea Islands. 



