unable to fulfil a long-cherished intention of endeavouring to expound from it the reasonableness of science and the piety of culture as they show themselves to my own mind.
The President then vacated the chair, which was taken by the newly-elected President (Mr. Gillies), who thanked the members for the high honour they had conferred upon him. In succeeding the late President he felt a considerable load of responsibility upon his shoulders, because never since the Society had been established was the President's chair so well filled, nor had the Society progressed to such an extent. He was afraid that during the ensuing year the Society would be a loser by the change, but he hoped to receive the cordial assistance of members in his endeavours to achieve success.
R. Gillies, President, in the chair.
"Further Remarks on some New Zealand Birds," by Dr. Otto Finsch, Ph.D., of Bremen, Hon. Mem. N.Z.I. (Transactions, Vol. VIII., p. 200.)
Second Meeting. 9th May, 1876.
R. Gillies, President, in the chair.
New Members.—M. Joel, W. C. Smith, J. A. Miller, Dr. Batchelor.
"On the Transportation of Salmon Ova," by Prof. Coughtrey, M.D.
Third Meeting. 6th June, 1876.
R. Gillies, President, in the chair.
New Member.—J. Wood.
1. The Secretary read a letter from Mr. J. Leece describing the Fall of an Aerolite, near Victoria bridge, in the Upper Clutha district.
2. "On the New Zealand Earth-worms in the Otago Museum," by Captain F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. (Transactions, p. 350.)
Fourth Meeting. 4th July, 1876.
H. Skey, Vice-president, in the chair.
New Members.—H. L. Squires, A. Christophers, T. Mackenzie.
1. "On a new Fire-grate for economising the Combustion of Coals and Lignite and increasing the Radiation of Heat," by H. Skey.
2. "Notes on the New Zealand Delphinidæ," by Captain F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. (Transactions, p. 349.)
3. Captain Hutton exhibited a specimen of Diomedea cauta, Gould, which had been obtained at Blueskin, and presented to the Museum by Mr. A. C. Purdie.
4. Professor Coughtrey explained a new mode of irrigating an object on a microscope-slide. The plan was to place a ring of blotting paper on the slide, round the covering glass, and then by a rapid movement to wet the complete ring with a camel-hair brush.
