WESTLAND INSTITUTE. 



First Meeting. Wth July, 1878. 

 K. C. Eeid, Vice-president, in the chair. 



1. "On Beach Protection," by W. D. Campbell, F.G.S., Assoc. Inst. 

 C.E. (Transactions, p. 146.) 



This paper was accompanied by diagrams. 



2. " Notice of a Tadpole found in a Drain in Holdtika," by F. E. Clarke. 

 The embryo amphibian was found in a small pool of water left in the 



bottom of the drain, after being cleared of rubbish, etc., by the Corporation 

 labourer?. 



It had suffered considerable injury, either from being trodden on or 

 from being cut by the shovel of the labourer, its bowels protruding through 

 the wound. Although alive when captured, this soon caused its death. 



From its appearance, it would be about three weeks old, the lungs and 

 hind-legs being well developed, but the fore-legs were merely rudimentary. 

 From its size it seemed to be the tadpole of a very large frog. 



No frogs or frog-spawn having been introduced nearer to the West Coast 

 of New Zealand than Nelson or Christchurch (in both of which places, 

 I understand, the "musical amphibians" are rapidly increasing), it is 

 puzzUng to conjecture in what manner the little stranger arrived in a terri- 

 tory having a climate so thoroughly congemal to its kith and kin. 



No others have been discovered since, although the drains and creeks 

 have been many times carefully examined. 



Total length, 2-3 inches ; length, from head to hind legs, -85 inches ; 

 diameter of eye, '1 inch ; width of mouth, -IS inch. 



8. " On some new Fishes," by F. E. Clarke. [Transactions, p. 291.) 

 This paper was accompanied by drawings of the fishes described. 



4. " The District of Okarita, Westland," by A. Hamilton. [Transac- 

 tions, p. 886.) 



Mr. Clarke stated that moa bones had been found in several places in Westland, and 

 in one instance in large quantities. 



Second Meeting. Qth January, 1879. 



His Honour Judge Weston, President, in the chair. 



1. " On a new Fisb," by W. D, Campbell, C.E., F.Q-.S. [Transactions, 

 p. 297.) 



