﻿378 Proceedings. 



cated by tlieir Reaction with Test Papei'," by W. Skey, Analyst to the 

 G-eological Survey of New Zealand. (See Transactio^is, p. 325.) 



4. "Observations on an Albino Eel," by F. J. Knox, L.RC.S.E, 



(abstract.) 



The stream which passes my residence at Johnsonville abounds with eels, 

 and, so far as I can observe, to the exclusion of any other fish. The Gallaxias, 

 for instance, whilst it is numerous in the Tukapuha, which empties its waters 

 into Porirua Harbour, is not found in the Ngahauranga, although the latter 

 stream arises in the same group of hills, and is derived from the same locality. 



The Albino specimen, of which I place the skin and skeleton before the 

 Society, was observed, day after day, moving about towards dusk in search of 

 food. It resembled a poi'tion of soiled calico, and had a rather repulsive 

 aspect, more especially as the eyes wei-e distinctly visible, being of a peculiar 

 dead hue, and readily distinguished by their circular form. The specimen 

 was ultimately brought to me by a keen and successful eel-catcher, who, 

 although he had captured thousands, had never seen one of this description 

 before. He appeared to consider it diseased, otherwise I would not have had 

 the pleasure of bringing it under the notice of the Society. 



I have added my usual table of measurements, together with the dissection. 

 Its weight (recent) was 10 ounces. 



Measurements. 



Inches. 

 Snout to tip of tail . . . .20-5 



„ nostrils . . . •! 



,, centre of eye . . . -6 



,, angle of eye . . . ' '7 



„ gill aperture . . .3-0 



,, pectoral fins . . . 3"1 



„ cloaca .... 9*0 



„ dorsal fin . . . 6*5 



,, anal fin . . . . 9'1 



Lateral line well marked ; miicous apertures divided by 0*2 inch, secreting 

 abundance of mucous. The abdominal viscera appeared perfectly healthy. I 

 examined the entire intestinal tube with great care, and observed no parasites. 



5. Dr. Hector read a letter from Dr. Thomson, of Clyde, giving the account 

 of his exploration of the cave in which the Moa's neck was found some months 

 ago.* It is an irregular fissure in mica schist rock, about 50 feet in depth, 

 with three shelf-like ledges or floors, on which the bones have lodged. There 

 are two entrances — one on the hill side, and another by a funnel-shaped depres- 



* Iucorj)orated with Art. IV. Trans., p. 111. 



