MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 193 
Professors Stephens and Liversidge commented at considerable 
length on the paper, after which the author replied to Mr. Wilkin- 
son's objections seviatim. (We must again refer our readers to the 
Sydney Morning Herald for a tull report of this most interesting 
discussion.) 
AUCKLAND INSTITUTE. 
May 29th, 1882.—E. A. Mackechnie, Esq., president, in the 
chair. 
New Members elected—Messrs. R. Anderson, J. Banks, R. 
Prowmine,C. E. Bourne, M.A., F. E, Compton, J. M. Dargaville, 
fein. IN: Giblin; E, W. Hanmer, Aj G. Horton, A. EB. Isaacs, 
Dr. Kenderdine, Dr. Kidd, Messrs. A. H.: Nathan, J. M. Shera, 
Geb; Stone, W. Thorne, and FH. J. Wickens. 
1, The President delivered his inaugural address. He briefly 
sketched the progress of the Institute during the past year. He 
then proceeded to enquire into the aims and conditions of 
scientific progress, and its supposéd antagonism to religion, 
endeavouring to show—(1) Every advance in science enlarges our 
conception of the universe. (2) The scientific mind is, in a great 
measure, a religious mind. (3) Scientific speculation is not 
science. Reference was also made to the gifts of Mr. T. Russell, 
Dr, Campbell, Mr. Mackelvie, and others toward the promotion 
of art, and the requirements of an art gallery and hbrary. 
2. ‘‘On some recent additions to the New Zealand Flora,” by 
Weeeseneeseman, | .1L.S. The tollowing new species were de- 
scribed :—(1) Cotula linearifolia, allied to C. pyvethnifolia, Hk. f., in 
the structure of its flower-heads, but differing from it and from all 
the known New Zealand species in having narrow linear entire 
leaves. Hab., Wairau Mountains, Nelson; alt., 3000-4000 feet. 
(2) Veronica Cheesmamt, Benth. (Hk. f., in ‘‘Icones Plantarum,” t. 
1366). Belonging to the same division of the genus as V. canescens, 
but a larger, densely-tufted plant, with lobulate or pinnatifid 
leaves and calyx lobes, and small white flowers. Hab., summit of 
Gordon’s Nob., and on the Raylan Mountains, Nelson; alt., 
4000-5500 feet. (3) Cavex devia, allied to C. testacea, but amply 
differing in habit; glumes and utricle. Abundant in mountain 
districts in Nelson ; alt., 2000-4000 feet. 
3. ‘‘ Additions to the Geodephaga of New Zealand,” by Capt. 
T. Broun. In this paper Capt. Broun named and fully described 
24 new species of carnivorous ground beetles, or Geodephaga. 
Of this number 12 had been collected in Otago by Messrs. S. W. 
Fulton and T. Chalmer, 5 had been brought from Nelson by Mr. 
T, F. Cheeseman, and the remainder had been collected in the 
North Island by Messrs. P. G. Sandager, W. D. Campbell, and 
the author. The finest specimen was stated to be Tvichosternus 
opulentus, discovered in the Wangapeka Valley, Nelson, by Mr. 
Cheeseman, but several of Mr. Fulton’s captures in Otago were 
nearly equally noteworthy. Capt. Broun stated that. nearly all 
the larger and finer species of the group are inhababitants of the 
Southern portions of the colony, those found in the North Island 
being much less conspicuous, and those from Auckland province 
the poorest of all. He considered, however, that future explora- 
tions in the mountainous interior of the North Island may possibly 
