Papers.

The President said he had received a letter from Dr. Hector, and he was quite sure the Meeting would be glad to hear it read. The letter contained a series of very interesting ornithological notes made during the voyage to England.

A paper was read from the Venerable Archdeacon Stock, containing remarks upon a large Bat that had been seen by him is 1854, which he believed to be a new variety.

Mr. Kirk stated that he had seen a large Bat at the Clarence River, but he had been unable to distinguish it from Scotophilus tuberculatus.

The President read a paper entitled "Notes on Gerygone flaviventris." The paper contained extracts from 'The Birds of New Zealand,' and observations in reply to a paper from Mr. Justice Gillies in last year's volume of 'Transactions.'

A paper entitled "Remarks on Dr. Finsch's paper oil Ornithology, in Vol. VII. of 'Transactions of the New-Zealand Institute,'" was also read by the President. The paper contained! criticisms on Dr. Finsch's views respecting classification, as pro.! pounded in a paper read before the Otago Institute.

A discussion ensued, in which the author of the paper and Messrs. Kirk and Graham took part, on the question "What page 15 constitutes a species?" The President contended for the specific value of Apteryx mantelli of the North Island, on the ground that it was readily distinguishable from the other bird, and that the variation was constant; while Professor Kirk agreed with Dr. Finsch, who proposes to call it Apteryx australis, var. mantelli, considering that the bird discovered in the North Island is merely a variety of the species in the south (Apteryx australis),the slight difference between them being insufficient to warrant their separation.

Mr. C. C. Graham, in proposing a vote of thanks to the President, said that the Society was fortunate in having at its head one who had so thoroughly identified himself with the furtherance of science in New Zealand. The able résumé contained in Dr. Buller's address gave a clear view of the rise and progress of science in this colony, and of its rapid development during the past few years. He asked the Meeting to join with him in congratulating their President on the scientific honours which had fallen upon him. Although born and bred in the colony, he had, through his devotion to science, achieved a position of great distinction, and was therefore entitled to the thanks of all who had the interest of the country at heart.

The vote was carried by acclamation.

Dr. Buller expressed his thanks, and then intimated that at the next Meeting, which would probably take place in the new lecture hall at the Museum, a paper would be read by Mr. Carruthers on "Volcanic Action regarded as due to the retardation of the Earth's Rotation."

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