The Natural History Section of the Science Society

One hears of armchair philosophers. One also heats of theoretical biologists. So that we knew we were on the right crack when this group was instituted. The idea was to go forth and seek for marvels, bring such marvels back to the laboratory, where they could be pickled or not according to taste, and afterwards to refresh ourselves with tea and whatever dainties these depressing times permit. Thus it came about that stout shoes and old clothes were sought out, haversacks, tins, penknives and collecting bottles. And strange adventures followed.

Out at Petone there lies moored a launch owned by one Shepherd. At Dr. Wildman's instigation the worthy skipper sailed us over shallow waters of the bay, and we later returned laden with transparent shining jelly fish and Crustacea of strange shape and hue. Another day Mr. S. Reid led us over the Day's Bay hills to Butterfly Creek. Some of us turned over the rotten logs and made grand hauls of spiders and wetas; others dipped their fingers in the dimpling stream and chased the elusive crayfish and may-fly larvae among the pebbles and sand. Furthermore specimens of Peripatus were found. The latter is an unprepossessing and insignificant worm-like creature, but is yet of great biological importance and also fetches a large price in the United States and elsewhere.

Mr. L. C. King took us to Island Bay where our intellectual hunger was satiated with a veritable feast of sea cucumbers, sea eggs and starfish.

The latest expedition was to Wilton's Bush, an occasion memorable for the fact that our Professor experienced some difficulties among the rocks on the mountain sides. One weta was found; also Polyxemus, a millipede with 11 pairs of legs. Several trap-door spiders, alas, were merely sighted.

Several interesting lectures have been given at which Mr. C. E. Palmer has presided as chairman. Professor Kirk has lectured on "Water." Although we wash in it, swim in it, drink it and so on, it is surprising how really little we know about it. Mr. L. C. King talked to us of "the Geologist in the Field" and showed us some very fine lantern slides. And everyone must already know that Johannes Andersen brought inside our College walks some of the beauties of our native bush.

We had all looked forward to hearing Dr. P. P. Lynch on the subject of "Cancer" before the end of the term; unfortunately, however, this address had to be postponed and so we are still looking forward.