52^ Proceeding^. 



Dr. Newman remarked that few reptiles cared to devour any object that was 

 stationary, they require to see it move. He did not agree in thinking that so slight 

 a difference as indicated by Dr. Duller in regard to the birds mentioned could make 

 a distinct species. 



Dr. Duller, in reply, pointed out that the great test as regards species was to ascertain 

 whether the differences were constant. As naturalists understood the term he considered 

 his examples were distinct species. 



6. "Notes on the Breeding Habits of the Katipo (Latrodectus katijjoj," 

 by C. H. Eobson. {Transactions, p. 391.) 



Dr. Duller called attention to his paper, in Vol. III. of the Transactions, on this 

 spider, which gave a good deal of information regarding its habits. A professor in Sweden 

 had since pointed out that the Katipo was the representative of an entirely new genus ; 

 and Dr. Smith, a celebrated homoeopathist, considered the extract from the spider in 

 question would produce a most valuable drug in homceopathy. He had requested him 

 (Dr. Duller) to forward a quantity to England for experiment. 



The President said that it was strange that this was the only poisonous animal in New 

 Zealand, and also that only two plants were known to be poisonous. 



Third Meeting, nth August, 1878. 

 T. Kirk, F.L.S., President, in the chair. 

 New Member. — W. G. Rntherfurd. 



1. "On the Deflection of Shingle-bearing Currents and Protection of 



Eiver Banks by Douslin's Floating Log Dams," by H. P. MackHn. (Trans- 

 actions, p, 144.) 



Mr. Maxwell said that this plan had been successfully carried out in many places 

 He did not tliink there was anything new to engineering in the paper. 



Dr. Hector explained that the author did not give this as a new invention, but 

 merely wished to point out how successfully the plan had worked as applied to the Opawa 

 Eiver, in protecting the town of Dlenheim. 



2. "Remarks on a Species of Lestris inhabiting our Seas," by Walter L. 

 Buller, C.M.G., Sc.D., etc. {Transaclions, p. 355.) 



The author exhibited specimens in illustration. 



Dr. Hector pointed out the difficulty of obtaining many of the oceanic birds, 

 naturalists having to depend on stray specimens cast ashore by the waves or blown 

 inland by a storm, and he expressed a hope that members of the society would never lose 

 an opportunity of securing such specimens and forwarding them to the Museum for 

 critical examination. He mentioned another larger species of Lestris known as the sea- 

 hen, of which he obtained some examples in Otago soon after he came to the colony. 



The President said that Dr. DuUer's paper would form a valuable contribution to the 

 Transactions. The seaHng parties visiting the various islands might be arranged with to 

 collect such specimens. 



3. "Further Observations upon certain Grasses and Fodder Plants," by 

 S. M. Curl, M.D. {Transactions, p. 403.) 



