372 Proceedings. 



Hiitton's essay on the geograpliical relations of its fauna. In this paper the 

 author traces the relationship of the representatives of the different orders 

 of animal life "with those of other countries, and arrives at conclusions 

 respecting the geographical relations and changes in outline during past times 

 of the area of which JSTew Zealand forms part. Whatever difference of opinion 

 there may be respecting the more theoretical deductions in this paper, thei-e 

 can be no question about the immense industry and research which it displays. 

 To some extent the conclusions arrived at support the speculation on which I 

 entered in my last address, that the peculiar insular character of the forms of 

 life in New Zealand have been preserved from a very remote period. Bat on 

 this subject I am still of opinion that the evidence to be derived from the 

 recent and fossil botany of the country should have much greater weight than 

 mere considerations of the fauna. The investigation of the southern ocean 

 by sounding and dredging, which is to be performed by the scientific staff now 

 on board H.M.S. Challenger, will add so many new facts relative to this 

 subject that » it is premature to discuss it at present; but it behoves us in 

 these colonies to use the utmost diligence in the collection of facts that will 

 assist the eminent naturalists belonging to that expedition in making the 

 most of the short time which has been allotted in their programme for their 

 examination of this area. The collection which our Museum contains will, 

 no doubt, be scrutinized with keen interest, and the more ample material we 

 can obtain for their inspection, the greater advantage will the colony receive 

 from their reports ; moreover, collections of even the most common objects of 

 natural history will be welcome additions to their stores, which are being 

 formed with the special purpose of obtaining accui^ate information respecting 

 the geographical distribution of species. 



As relating to the study of the South Pacific Ocean, and especially its 

 meteorology, 1 must call the attention of members to the magnificent charts 

 recently issued by the Hydrographic Office, copies of which have been 

 presented to our library by our distinguished honorary member. Admiral 

 Richards. It is highly probable that the ensuing year will add to our 

 knowledge of the great southern continent, which lies only 1,200 miles off, or at 

 about the same- distance as Melbourne from Otago. The little we know of 

 this land is full of interest; its active volcanos, raising vast piles of scoria and 

 lava streams amidst the perpetual antarctic snows, probably exercise a marked 

 influence in producing the variations of our climate. There is a strong agitation 

 in progress to have a pai'ty of observers stationed at Possession Island, on the 

 coast of Victoria Land, in latitude 71° S., for a whole year prior to the transit 

 of Yenus, in December of 1874 ; and it has been justly pointed out that 

 collateral observations in meteorology and magnetism, which the party would 

 have an opportunity of making during this long period, would probably not be 

 the least valuable and interesting results of the expedition. 



