MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 525 
(2) “On the classification of the Alge,” by R. M. Laing, M.A. 
This paper, after giving previous classifications, including those of Mr. 
Bennett (“‘Brit. Assoc. Reports, 1880”), and Dr. Sach’s (‘Text-Book of 
Botany, 1882”), points out several objections to them in separating 
closely-allied groups, saying that the principal cause of error is the 
belief that all the Oosporez must be closely related. On the contrary, 
the author considers that as fertilization has arisen independently in the 
animal and vegetable kingdoms, so it has also arisen independently at 
least three times in the Alge—viz. in Fucacez, the Spheropleacee, 
and the Siphonee. This is followed by a tabular arrangement of the 
Alge, and a supposed genealogical tree according to our present 
knowledge. 
Professor Hutton said that the idea that fertilization had arisen 
independently several times in the vegetable kingdom was a very 
valuable one, and one with which he quite agreed. 
Mr. Chilton pointed out the importance of distinguishing between 
inherited and developed characters; it was the difficulty of distinguishing 
between these that caused the apparent anomalies in classifications. 
The papers of Mr. Laing were the result of researches in Canterbury 
College, undertaken for his M.A. Degree. He thought these research 
papers the most valuable part of the teaching, and was sorry to see that 
the University had resolved to discontinue them. 
(3) “The Wanganui System,” by Capt. F. W. Hutton, F.GS. 
This paper gives an account of the Wanganui Rock System as it is 
developed at Wanganui, Patea, and in Hawkes Bay; as well as a com- 
plete list of all the Mollusca found in it—280 species. The system is 
divided into two series, as follows :— 
1. Petane Series, in Hawkes Bay, from the River Esk to the 
N garuroro. 
2, Putiki Series, near Wanganui, and including the blue clay 
of Shakespeare’s Cliff and Patea. 
The Kaimatera beds, with pumice, near Wanganui, are placed in the 
Pleistocene, above the Wanganui System, which is considered to be 
Pliocene. The position of the Kereru Series is uncertain, as no list of 
the fossils found in it has been published. 
The base of the Wanganui System is not known in the western 
side of the Wellington Provincial district; but on the eastern side and 
Hawkes Bay it is always found resting unconformably on the Pareora 
System. The palxontological break between these two systems is also 
well marked. Of 279 species of Mollusca from the Wanganui System, 
179 are not found in the Pareora or older rocks; while of 233 species 
found in the Pareora System, 130 are not found in the Wanganui 
System, nor in the seas of New Zealand. The principal characteristics 
of the Wanganui System are the presence of Trophon, Columbella, 
Turricula, and Mytilicardia; as well as the absence of Peristernia, 
Nassa, Alitra, Conus, and Limopsis, all of which occur in the Pareora 
System. 
OTAGO INSTITUTE. 
Dunedin, 11th August, 1885.—Professor J. H. Scott, President, in 
the chair. 
