THE HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3156, 9 August 1881, Page 3

THE HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

This feociety held their ordinary monthly meeting last night. NotwithBtanding the rain there was a very fair attendance of members, and several ■visitors, among whom were some ladiea, whom we were glad to see there. Mr Bold, V.P., in the chair. A letter was read from the President, the Bishop of Waiapu, apologising for his absence, which he greatly regretted, —he having to leave town early to-day on a long official round through the interior. The hon. secretary read another interesting paper, being part 4 of a series "On the Ideality of the Ancient New Zealaudere,"— the subject this evening being, "their myths and legends respecting the origin and the introduction of their valuable liumara plant, together with a specimen of the charm, or invoca tion, used by them on the commencement of the planting season." The whole was very curious and interesting, particularly the said or prayer, which was analysed and explained by Mr Oolenso. Several peculiar manufactured exhibits were also shown, in further proof of the skill patience and perseverance and taste of the ancient Maoris; —among them were, —a large fish hook with artificial bait, j curiously and ingeniously constructed of human and Moa bones, —some specimens of hand made cord, (obtained by the exhibitor in 1837,) one being closely bound round with another fine cord, much like the silver string of a violin — and, also, a tobacco pipe, (same age,) cleanly and neatly cut out of a white bard stone. Mr M. R. Miller proposed and Dr. Spencer seconded a vote of thanks to Mr Colenso, for his paper and exhibits. Other novel Zoological specimens were also shown by the hon. secretary ; among them were fresh-wrter and marine shells, (TJnio, and Patella?) originally discovered, and described, by him 40 years ago, yet still but little known ; the specimens though old were in admirable preservation. Also, some peculiar and fine spiders, dug up in swampy ground, 1-2 feet under the surface, and captured and presented by Mr J. Drummond of Onga Onga; these are believed to be an entirely new species, though allied to the famed trapdoor spider of Otago, which is there found in similar localities. All were further illustrated with explanations and descriptions, and with quotations from works on Natural History on the table. Much interesting discussion was excited and kept up until a late hour. Some newly published Books recently received were also shown:—One. by Baron Mueller of Melbourne, on select extratropical plants worthy of cultivation and preservation ; and one by Professor Berggren, a Swedish Naturalist who I visited Napier a few years ago, (and who , kindly sent a copy of his new work by Mail from Upsala to Mr Colenso,) being a description of several new plants of N.Z., discovered by Prof. Berggren, amply described and illustrated by a very large amount of beautifully executed drawings and dissections. Votes of thanks to the kind donors of epecimeae and exhibits were proposed and seconded by Messrs Kinross and Hamilton, and Messrs Rearden and Stcrra, and carried unanimously. The meeting was by far the most lively one we have known of this society for some time. At the close of the Ordinary Meeting, a meeting of the Council was held, when two new members were elected, —Mr J. H. Wilson of Whakakii, and Mr G. Rearden of Napier. The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.