MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 523 
their accord; but if this example be Ceratognathus zealandicus, then the 
Manual name must be reduced to a synonym as the insect is Mitophyllus 
parryanus Westd., Mun. Cat. 
As regards the other portions of the note in “New Zealand 
Journal of Science” I scarcely think I ought to attemnt to renly to 
them. Notwithstanding the way in which the writer expresses himself, 
I can assure him that if my rectification of mistakes he has made give 
him pain, I regret that fact sincerely; but he is mistaken in supposing 
I have treated him hardly. If there be any one in New Zealand who 
cares to form an opinion on this point will he be so good as to read 
consecutively my original note published (I believe) in No. 5, Vol. II. 
of the ‘‘New Zealand Journal of Science,” and the author of the 
Manual’s reply to it in No. 8 of the same vol. and the present note? 
Southampton, July 6th, 1885. D. SHarp. 
MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY. 
Christchurch, 2nd July, 1885.—Dr. Symes, President, in the chair. 
New Members-—Miss Lohse and Miss Wilson. 
| Papers.—(1) ‘‘ River Terraces,” by Capt. F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. 
| (See p. 511). 
Dr. von Haast attributed terraces to the cutting back of the source 
_ of the river and thus lowering of its bed. In the Glacier period the 
Rakaia was only 40 miles long, and its source only 800 feet high. The 
valley had been cut back since. 
Mr. Hogben suggested that the matter pushed out of the mouth of 
| a river would lengthen it, and thus raise the curve of the bed and cause 
| deposition. | 
Mr. E. Dobson had taken the levels of many of the Canterbury 
| rivers and found that their beds approached very nearly to the curve of 
| the parabola; the only break he remembered was in the Rangitata, near 
| the traffic bridge. 
Capt. Hutton could not agree with Dr. von Haast, as the river 
| vallies were far older than the glacier period. Mr. Hogben’s suggestion 
was no doubt correct, but the alteration of the river bed would be 
| extremely slight and would be counteracted by the working backward 
| of the source of the river. Both these causes might be eliminated from 
| an explanation of river terraces. The smooth curve of the river beds 
in New Zealand noticed by Mr. Dobson was owing to the great age of 
| the vallies, all the ha:d rocks having been worn down long ago. 
| 
| (2) “The Geology of Scinde Island,” by Professor Hutton. After 
|& summary of the views of previous observers on the subject, the author 
gives the result of an examination he made last January in company 
iwith Mr. A. Hamilton and Mr. H. T. Hill. The northern end of the 
