Natural History in Colonisation. 137 
intimation of his arrival, and thereafter announce, from time to 
time, the localities he is about to visit, calling upon settlers of 
every kind to. note all peculiarities of rocks in their neighbour- 
hood, and to collect specimens of rocks and minerals—all which 
should be produced in due time to Dr Hector. This would pro- 
bably direct his attention to places and circumstances that might 
otherwise escape him. I have myself derived great benefit from 
collectors of “ curiosities,” which generally include a miscellany 
of rocks, minerals, fossils, shells, eggs, insects, and so forth. I 
have frequently seen specimens in such collections which at 
once arrested my attention, Their owners or collectors knew 
perhaps little or nothing of their value, but they could tell 
where they picked them up, and could lead me to the spot. In 
such a way some of the most interesting geological phenomena I 
have seen have come under my notice. These so-called “ curi- 
osities” were casually collected as mementoes, perhaps, of visits 
to localities beyond the beaten track of travellers, as playthings 
for children, or as mantelpiece ornaments. Were, however, the 
attention of the same collectors directed to the fact that such 
specimens might lead the Provincial geologist to discoveries, if not 
practically important, at least scientifically interesting, with this 
higher motive, and a more intelligent conception of the bearings or 
value of such specimens on the promotion of scientific research, 
they would become more careful observers, more diligent collectors, 
and ultimately many of them efficient co-operators, and learned 
geologists. Dr Hector will probably necessarily be engaged for 
some time-in Dunedin preparing the groundwork of his survey, 
and Government would therefore, on or after his arrival, have 
ample time—especially as it now has at its command the inestim- 
able advantages of a daily newspaper—to communicate with the 
settlers in the most remote parts of the province, and so set them 
on the alert as observers and collectors in Natural History. It 
is evident that the more the Provincial geologist sees and hears 
of the geology of your province—the greater the number of speci- 
mens presented to his notice—the more varied and abundant the 
information supplied,—the more valuable will be his survey report, 
and the better pleased you will be with the expenditure of your 
money. Let me hope, then, that, in the light of your own inter- 
ests as well as in those of science, you will accord your heartiest 
assistance to the able naturalist you have been fortunate enough 
to secure as Provincial geologist. 
Botanie Garden. 
A second great desideratum in Dunedin is a Botanic Garden, 
whether regarded in a purely scientific light, or in that of a public 
NEW SERIES,—VOL. XVIII. NO, I.—gsULY 1863, S 
