Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 9 Supplement.djvu/19

Rh trusted that such a discussion as the present would have the effect of calling public attention to the subject, and would have some practical outcome. If there was one town above all others in New Zealand that had to complain of defective drainage, it was Wellington. The smells and stinks in some of our thoroughfares had become a bye-word and reproach all over the Colony.

New Members.—C.J. Pownall, H. P. Higginson.

1. "On the Simplest Continuous Manifoldness of two Dimensions and of Finite Extent," by F. W. Frankland. (Transactions, p. 272.)

2. "Description of two new Species of Veronica," by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 502.)

3. "Description of a new Lizard, Naultinus pulcherrimus," by Dr. W. L. Buller, C.M.G., President. (Transactions, p. 326.)

4. "On Insect Architecture, or Notes on the Habits of the Black Spider-wasp of New Zealand," by Dr. W. L. Buller, C.M.G., President. (Transactions, p. 343.)

Dr. Hector wished to be informed whether the Spider-wasp was known to the Natives, or whether there was any positive evidence of its being an indigenous insect. It had become plentiful during the past few years.

The President said that Captain Mair had observed it in 1857, and he had himself met with it to the north of Auckland more than 20 years ago. The Natives generally considered it an introduced insect, but he was not of that opinion himself.

Mr. J. H. Wallace said he had a distinct recollection of it thirty years ago, on his first arrival at Wellington.

Mr. Higginson said that the account given by the President agreed entirely with what he had himself witnessed in the habits of a similar insect at Mauritius many years ago. But that wasp appeared to prefer keyholes before any other situation, in which to construct its nest.

Mr. Buchanan believed the species to be identical with one inhabiting Australia.

Mr. J. Young said that the interesting details given by the President appeared to describe exactly what he had observed in a wasp in Tasmania, of which he proceeded to