242 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
5. That a responsible editor of the ‘‘ Transactions” be ap- 
pointed by the Governors, a suitable remuneration for his ser- 
vices being provided out of the funds of the Institute. 
6. That the selection of papers for publication in the “ Tran- 
sactions” be made in the first instance by the Council of the 
affiliated societies, the final decision in each case to rest with the 
Board of Governors. 
The Hon. Secretary was requested to forward copies of the 
foregoing suggestions to the other affiliated societies, soliciting 
their co-operation in carrying out the objects desired, At the same 
time the hope was expressed that these changes might be effected 
without altering or touching the ‘‘ New Zealand Institute Act.” 
Dunedin, rath August, 1884. D. Petrie, Esq., President, in 
the chair. 
Papers—(1.) ‘‘On the Anatomy of the Common Mussel (Mytilus 
latus),” by A. Purdie, M.A. 
2. ‘*New Species of N, Z. Plants,” by D. Petrie, M.A. This 
paper gives descriptions of three new species of Uncinia, and of a 
new species of Oarmichelia. The following is an abstract :— 
Uncinia laxiflora (n.sp.) is distinguished by its slender leaves 
and trigonous culms, long spikelets with small very laxly imbricated 
glumes, and small many-nerved utricles. The species has 
apparently a wide range, as it has been gathered at Stewart 
Island, Catlin’s River, and the Buller Valley (T. F. Cheeseman). 
It is most closely allied to U. cespitosa (Boott) and U filiformis 
Boott). 
Uncima rigida (n.sp.) is a form closely allied to the foregoing ; 
but differs from it in the shorter more compact bracteate spikelets, 
the terete culms considerably exceeding the leaves in length, and 
in the size of the utricles. This species has been found at Blue- 
skin, and is the commonest form in the Waitahuna and Roxburgh 
districts (Otago). 
Uncinia purpurata (n.sp.) is an exceedingly distinct torm, having 
affinity with U. vubva (Boott). It is distinguished by its rather 
short ebracteate spikelets, slender leaves much shorter than the 
culms, dark brown obtuse glumes, and brown utricles. It has 
been gathered at Signal Hill (Dunedin) and Maungatua (Taieri). 
Carmichelia gracilis (n.sp.) is also a very distinct species, having 
affinity to C. juncea (Colenso), but differing widely in habit and 
size. It forms a low, densely branched and rather spreading bush. 
The flower racemes are glabrous, the flowers rather large, and the 
pedicels about four times as long as the calyx. The pod is rather 
small, light brown or grey, shortly boat-shaped, and upturned at 
the abruptly narrowed end, which is continued into a semi-erect 
subulate beak. It is usually one-seeded. . This, the handsomest 
species of Cavmichelia native to Otago, unless we except C. Kivkii 
(Hook. f.), grows plentifully in the valley of the Kawarau and 
Clutha from Arrowtown to Clyde. It is not as yet known from 
any other locality. 
The paper contained besides some remarks on the distribution 
of the genus Caymichelia in Otago. The following species are stated 
to occur in the Otago District :—C. cvassicaulis (Hook f.), C. nana 
(Col.), C. grandiflora (Hook. t.), C. odorata (Col.), C. flagelliformis 
