﻿Canterbury Philosophical Institute. 401 



expected of it in Australia, but thouglit that the adoption of the narrow gauge 

 being at that time novel, and in some degree experimental, it "would not be 

 fair to draw conclusions from the results obtained there. 



3. " Additional Notes on Moas and Moa-hunters," hj Julius Haast, Ph.D., 

 F.K.S. (See Transactions, p. 90.) 



4. " Some Observations on the Annual Address of the President of the 

 Philosophical Institute, delivei-ed 1st March, 1871," by the Rev. J. "W. Stack. 

 (See Transactions, p. 107.) 



5. Dr. Powell drew attention to some remarks by Mr. Sclater, quoted in 

 one of the morning papers, casting doubt on the existence of a distinct species 

 of rat in ISTew Zealand, and suggesting that the so-called Kiore was merely the 

 common brown vat {ISIus clecumanus). 



A discussion ensued, in the course of which some of the older colonists 

 present expressed opinions in favour of the existence of the Kiore as a distinct 

 species, but much doubt seemed to hang over the question. 



6. " On a ISTew Species of Rail {Rallus j^icttts), Painted Rail," by T. H. 

 Potts. (See Transactions, p. 202.) 



7. The President exhibited a specimen of Hatteria functata, tlie large 

 lizard of the North Island. 



Thikd MEETmo. Zrd May, 1871. 

 Julius Haast, Ph.D., F.R.S., President, in the chair. 



1. " Notes on Ilarpagornis moorei, an Extinct Gigantic Bird of Prey ; 

 containing Description of Femur, Ungual Phalanges, and Rib," by Julius 

 Haast, Ph.D., P.R.S. (See Transactions, p. 192.) 



2. " On a New Species of Gull, Lanes (Bruchigavia) hulleri, Potts," by 

 T. H. Potts. (See Transactions, p. 203.) 



3. Dr. Powell exhibited the circulation of tbe protoplasm in the cells of 

 Nitella hooheri under the microscope. 



The President informed the members that tbe Honorary Secretary had 

 received instructions to call a special meeting of the members of the Institute 

 to consider the advisability of reducing the subscription. 



Fourth (Special) Meeting. 1th June, 1871. 

 Julius Haast, Ph.D., F.R.S., President, in the chair. 

 Mr. Fereday proposed, and Mr. Inglis seconded, " That the subscription be 

 reduced to one guinea." 



