THE OTAGO INSTITUTE.

Evening Star, Issue 4293, 29 November 1876, Page 2

THE OTAGO INSTITUTE.

ANOTAL SOIREK. The lirge attendauce at the Becond conversazione of the Otago Institute proves the interest with which science is regarded by the leading members of society. Last evening the very large number of ladies present was a gratifying proof that they fully recognise the efforts made by the society for the advancement of knowledge ; and although, of necessity, where each department presented objects of attraction, for a thorough examination of which a cursory glance is insufficient, enough was done to suggest thought and to stimulatr inquiry. The room was decorated with, flags, but pictures were dispensed with; a special ai tists' society having just closed its first exhibition. Nothing fresh, therefore, could be expected from pencil: but the Professors of our University and the Curator of the Museum fully compensated for tho absence of pictures by the rare specimens they had provided for examination. In the ornithological department there were birds of prey, birds to be preyed upon, birds that bunt and feed by day. birds fiat feed by night, birds that live on land, au<l birds that live on the water. And all tkese were so arrangsd ns to ailord some suggestion as to their habits. To Captain Hu'ton this able arrangement was due, and be added to them se-reral interesting animal specimens of some living species of low marine organisms. Perhaps not the least interesting exhibit in the natural history department was the leaf of a transparent aquatic plant, in which the circulation of sup was distinctly observable through the assistance of a powerful microscope. The spectroscope, under the able management of Professor Sham! and pupils, Lad abundant attraction for the largo number of both ladies and gentlemen wlio&vailed themselves of the opportunity of witnessing its beaut iful revelations. Professor Black exhibited and oxp'nined some very into resting chemical phenomena and had a hrge auditory. Chemical experiments are invariably attractive, and through the unerring certainty with which they can be conducted, they never disappoint spectators. Mr \V. Wicks, electro-metallurgist, furnirdied the apparatus and materials for the olectro-plating department, and also explained the processes of plating, gilding, and typing. Professor OongUlrey contributed several specimens of skulls, both, natural and artificial, exhibiting the peculiarities of different tribes, periods of existence, and species. Thsy were beautifully prepared, and so placed as to" onjible a fair comparison to be ms.de. of the probable intellectual development of each era of existence. Mr H. S. Chapman lent a collection of Arehpological pictnres and among oilier exhibits was a Maori bowl, lent for the occasion by Mr Finn. The astronomical department found many visitors, and was presided over by Mv W. J. Pereival, who, with the aid of his excellent equtitoriul telescope placed in the library of the University, save glimpses of the moon and sev«*a.J of the beautiful constellations visible from that asi«3,''t. Mr A. Beverley exhibited a new thermometer, Mr Skey a grate adapted to the coal of the Colony—a taost important practical invention, too little known, aptwitlistanding the frequent iic&ces of it by tho Press since first he inveuted it, porno three years or more ago. Mr A. Boss, who uss just returned from a trip to Great Britain, has not been idle or inattentive there. He exhibited last evening some most beautifal and useful implements and nautical instruments. Among the first was a compact combined lady's writing desk h.ud sewing machine, so arranged as to form a very elegant piece of furniture well suited to* a sitting-room, lumochanica he showed a screwless viu«, which has the great advantage of ! the jaws working ju lines parallel to each other. i This is effected through one jaw being fixed and the other working on a horizontal slide, the object grasped being securely held through the pressure of a knee-lever, -which, on being turned, firmly holds tlm moveable jaw iu jts place. Every blacksmith will appreciate this advantage, which is combined with immense saving of time. Thenautica! instruments arc of the utmost importance, as they provide the means of ascertaining a ship's course iiud position without the aid of a compass. In these days of iron ships, when so many disasters arc attributed to the disturbing action of tho metal upon the needle, the value of this invention cannot be ovftr-eutimated. Mr Eoss also showed an instrument invented by himself, by which the variation and dip of the uoedle ia different latitudes can be

absolutely determined. Of course intelligible de- I acnpt;ou apart f-om drawings j? impossible of in- ' iH-rumonts so fVi. ->te and complicated. I ibcMiuTit Eros, rrbib.tol r.n wh->r" ! mp.- b.-> vru'er.ci in tanr,- .- >:aHishnif.nt3. 'Mr C I'. '.e:;t. v.—t n.":iis;» ; ir:f.. rr.-i4.nl t>i 7V~'-~ an-\ fiov.ir-.il olioict i.r • -prions -,-.•>!•- ;;Ht ' ~z.terestiiis ns the various -inhibits we're, we'think additional zest would have been given if at stated intervals shout explanatory lectures had been riven Oi tho leading features of onch department. These, divested of scientific phraseology, would have directed the visitors to the chief peculiarities ot tne exhibits and explained why each h>ul been chosen as typical of a department of knowledge. The only drawback to the thorough enjoyment ot the soiree was that there was no *uide to the ditterent objects. We believe that th.3 committee ot management were not to blame for this, but ciiat, through one of those mishaps so frequent and apparently unavoidable where work has to be done by persons not familiar with it. programmes were printed, and deposited /somewhere where they c v i a or delivered at seme place where they were of no use. Refreshments were liberally provided, and every attention was paid to the comfort of the visitors.