324 Proceedings, &c., 1867. 
The blood was perfectly fluid. The number of cells marvellous, 
He had shown his experiments to Professor M‘Coy and other gentle- 
men, and he hoped at the next meeting of the Society to read a 
paper thoroughly bearing out the opinions he had long held. Of the 
result now, he had no shadow of doubt, and it only showed the 
correctness of the aphorism, “ Truth was stranger than fiction.” 
Professor M‘Coy corroborated the statements of Professor 
Halford. 
Dr. Thomas had been examining the blood of persons dying from > 
diphtheria, and other diseases, more particularly since reading Profes- 
sor Halford’s paper ; and amongst other things saw in the blood of a 
dog that died of distemper, globules exactly similiar to those figured 
by Professor M‘Coy. He believed also that the blood of the man 
that died from the bite of a cobra, and the blood of the dog dying of 
distemper bore an exact resemblance. He differed from Frotes 
M‘Coy’s conclusions. 
Professor Halford trusted Dr. Thomas would bring down te the 
Society drawings of the globules he had seen, so that there could be 
a general inspection. He offered Dr. Thomas half-a-dozen snakes 
for the purpose of testing the matter himself. 
Dr. Thomas promised some preparations for a microscopic exami- 
nation at an early date. 
Professor M‘Coy defended his observations, and Dr. Barker agreed 
entirely with Professor Halford. He considered the investigations 
of the Professor opened up a new study in pathology, and honour 
was due to Professor Halford for so steadfastly following up his 
researches until the opinion he had first formed had been generally 
admitted, 
Professor M‘Coy read a paper, ‘‘ On the Character and Species of 
Wombats,” exhibiting specimens showing the existence of four _ 
distinct species, in place of one, as was originally supposed. 
(Signed) Rost. L, J. ELLERY. 
14th October, 1867. 
ORDINARY MEETING. 
Monday, 14th October, 1867. 
The President, R. L. J. Ellery, Esq., in the chair. 
The following contributions were announced :—‘ Report on the 
Head-waters of the River Rakaia, with maps and illustrations,’— 
presented by the author, Julius Haast, Esq., of Canterbury, New 
Zealand. 
The Hon. Secretary brought up the following messages from the 
Council :—“ With a view to a more perfect report of the papers read 
before the Society appearing in the public journals, the Council 
recommend that members will prepare a digest of their papers, to 
