MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES, ASI 
meetings, the remaining evenings being devoted to subjects of 
more general interest, viz., to a conversazione atthe June meeting, 
and to discussions at the August and October meetings ; and that 
tea and coffee would be provided at the close of each meeting 
Dunedin, June 12th, 1883.—A. Montgomery, Esq., President, 
in the chair. 
New Members—A. Crooke, P. Goyen, — Mason, and Miss 
Wimperis. 
After the reading of the minutes the meeting resolved itself 
into a conversazione, at which the following, amongst others, were 
exhibited :—Water-colour Paintings and Autotypes, Messrs Hodg- 
kins and Joachim ; Microscopes and Miscroscopic objects, Messrs. 
Gillies, Goyen, Joachim, Petrie, Ulrich, and the Secretary ; copy 
of Bayeaux Tapestry, Dr. Hocken, for Mr. E. Humphreys; several 
early editions of Illustrated Books, Mz. F. Chapman; Electrica] 
Machine, invented and made by the exhibitor, Mr. Mason; 
Dynamo-electric Machine, aud various forms of Electric Lamp, Mr. 
R. Jones, for the N. Z. Electric Light Company ; Drawing of Pro- 
Me-caw \Vorks at the Otago “Tieads,-Mr.. G. M. Barr, C.E. 
Anatomical Preparation, Dr. Scott; recent additions to the 
Museum, including a great Ant-eater (stuffed), a Sting Ray (stuffed), 
and a Human Skeleton, Professor Parker. 
AUCKLAND INSTITUTE: 
June 4th, 1883.—The Right Rev. W. G.\Cowie, D.D., Pre- 
sident, in the chair. 
New Members—Prof. Brown, Prof. Thomas, Prof. Tucker, Dr. 
Mackellar, A. J. Hunter, J. K. Nicholls. 
The President delivered his inaugural address. After alluding 
to the munificent bequest made to the Institute by the late Mr. E. 
Costley, and to the endowment granted to the Auckland Museum 
during the last session of Parliament, he proceeded to enquire into 
the objects of the Institute and Museum, and how they couid best 
be attained. Many proposals of a practical nature were made, 
and suggestions were thrown out as to the propriety of enlarging 
the sphere of action of the two institutions. i 
The following papers were read -— 
(1.) ‘‘ Notice of the discovery of the genus Rhagodia in New 
Zealand,” by T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S. The genus Rhagodia had 
been hitherto supposed to be strictly confined to the Australian 
Continent, but during a recent excursion of the Auckland 
Naturalists’ Field Club to the little island of Otatau, in the 
Hauraki Gulf, specimens of one of the species—R. nutans, Br.—had 
been collected, and further investigation had shewn that it was 
abundant all round the island. 
2. “On a new genus of Sulphide,” by Capt. T. Broun, M.E.S. 
The writer alluded to the curious fact that all the members of this 
family found in New Zealand possessed habits quite different to 
their European representatives, being found without exception 
amongst decaying vegetable matter, while the European species 
fed on carrion only. The new genus described, and for which the 
name Microsilpha was proposed, was based on specimens collected 
among decaying alge on the coast near Dunedin by Mr. T. 
Chalmer. 
