MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 231 
on the ground or on rocks, the same rule was found to apply, and 
several special cases were briefly described, the most interesting 
being where the spiders not only resembled in colour the rocks on 
which they were found, but also mimicked the colour of the lichens 
growing on the rocks. 
(3) ‘‘ Notes on the Origin of Language,” by H. G. Seth Smith. In 
this paver the theories of Max. Miller and Prot. Sayce were 
criticised at considerable length, and the speculations that had been 
thrown out by thinking’ men of all views were briefly considered. 
(4). Mr. H. G. Seth Smith exhibited a harmonograph for pro- 
ducing harmonic curves. The construction of the instrument is 
such that a finely-pointed glass pen, placed at the junction of two 
- cranks proceeding from the top of two pendulums vibrating at 
right angles to one another, traces curves on a sheet of paper. 
Attention was drawn to the endless variety of curves produced by 
varying the length of one of the pendulums; and it was pointed 
out that the curves were then only symmetrical when the ratio of 
the times of vibration corresponded to a definite interval in music, 
as a third, fifth, octave, &c. In other cases asymmetrical figures 
were produced. 
July 31st, 1882.—E. A. Mackechnie, Esq., president, in the 
chair. 
New members—F. Lawry, J. Street. 
Papers—(1.) ‘‘ New Genera and Species of Heteromera,” by 
Captain T. Broun. In this paper Captain Broun fully describes 
twelve new species of beetles belonging to the family of Hetero- 
mera. our of these were considered sufficiently distinct from 
other forms to constitute new genera. As to their localities, three 
had been brought from Nelson by Mr. Cheeseman, two had been 
collected in Otago by Mr. Fulton, one on the Patetere plateau by 
Mr. W. D. Campbell, and the remainder by the author in the 
Auckland district. Brief remarks were made on the affinities of 
the species, and several structural points of interest were fully 
noticed. 
_ (2.) Description of a new species of Cardamine, by T, F. Cheese- 
man (C. late-siliqua,n.sp.) Allied to C. fastigiata, Hk. f., but dif- 
fering in the more pubescent leaves, larger flowers, and in the pods, 
which are nearly three times as broad as those of C. fastigiata. 
Habitat—Nelson Province, abundant on Mount Arthur and Mount 
Owen, alt. 3,500 to 5,000 feet. 
(3.) ‘“‘ Futher Experiments with Sorghum,” by Mr. Justice 
Gilles, The author gave a full account of some experiments made 
during the past season in the cultivation of Sorghum, and also of 
his attempts to produce sugar from the syrup. Samples of the 
sugar and treacle were exhibited. | 
(4.) “On the Effect of School-life on the Sight,” by B. Schwarz- 
bach, M.D. The changes in the functions of the visual organs, 
Which were more immediately developed under the influence of 
school life were :—(1) Decrease of the range of vision; (2) decrease 
of the acuteness of vision ; (3) decrease of the endurance of vision. 
As a rule, short-sightedness was only feebly developed in children, 
and with proper attention could be stayed, and often removed. 
The most dangerous time for such eyes-was between the ages of 
eight and fifteen. The visual organ was then in a state of change 
