PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 525, 4 June 1909, Page 2

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

THE DISCOLOURATION IN THE HARBOUR.

. Mr v4; presided at the meet-' m 2 pf the \\ ellmgton • Philosophical Society on Wednesday night. There was a good attendance.. • .. . - •

Professor H., B. Kirk gave an interesting scientific explanation of the red' discolouration.lately observed in the waters of the Wellington Harbour. He said the phenomenon wjxs not unusual, and had been supposed by some to bo due to volcanic activity. In reality, was caused by a microscopic organism, which was broadly oval in shape. It was to> this that the apparent; turning'of the waters of Egypt into blood, ; as described in the Book of Exodus, was supposed to be duo. 'AVhen ohe of the organisms was placed under a microscope! it was' seen to pass rapidly over the field of vision, and to break up, , and a pigment of - a bright vermilion colour was then ,seen. .This was the explanation of the red colouring on the water. Ho had noticed that, when cast ashore, as they had been in great numbers, theso minute organisms caused no, smell, and the colouring soon disappeared. • ; Mr. 0. E. Adams exhibited and explained Darwin's Tidal Abacus and the/'Millionaire" calculating machine.' ' •' " . • ■ Mr. H. N'. M'Leod exhibited and described a whalo'srtusk and'some Maori implements found at'Seatbun. I

The president, by way of reminding members of tho.'Darwin Centenary, showed a fine portrait of the author /of the "Origin' of Species," and a picture of the Darwin bust which was presented by the New York Academy of Sciences to the Columbia' Museum.'