Dr. Hector took the opportunity of bearing testimony to the value of the Venerable Archdeacon Stock's services in this matter. Although himself responsible, as the official head of the Observatory, the practical work had chiefly been done by the Archdeacon. He further stated his agreement with the Archdeacon's conclusion that the longitude of the charts should be adhered to in giving time, although the result of the cable signals was to show it to be slightly in error—only four seconds. He did not agree with Mr. Thomson's doubt of the results on account of the personal equation not having been ascertained, as such error would have very minute effect on transit observations. But the question was the practical one of giving time to seamen, and that scarcely required such refinements.
Mr. Thomson said he admitted that for all practical purposes the observations might be sufficient, but that in such matters he looked for the strictest scientific accuracy. For purely scientific purposes, the ascertainment of personal error was undoubtedly necessary.
4. "Notes on New Zealand Cetacea," by Dr. Hector, C.M.G., C.M.Z.S. (Transactions, p. 477.)
Archdeacon Stock, who had always before considered the sperm whale peculiar to the Southern Seas, actually saw one spouting in the Bay of Biscay.
Mr. W. T. L. Travers referred to an interesting fact mentioned by the author as to certain Cetaceans traversing the ocean from north to south across the tropics. He had himself, some years ago, met with Banks' oar-fish in New Zealand; this form being met with also in English waters, in India, and in Africa.
Dr. Newman said he could not agree with the view that whales could traverse the tropical seas.
Dr. Buller said that the present discussion brought to his recollection a theory propounded by Dr. Günther, at one of the meetings of the Zoological Society, regarding the distribution of certain pelagic species, to the effect that they performed their migrations from one part of the globe to another, by diving to such depths in the ocean as would give a temperature suited to their nature.
Dr. Hector said he quite believed that this was the true solution of the matter; and the results of the "Challenger" expedition had shown that sufficiently cold water was to be found at no great depth in the tropics to make it quite feasible. Of the fact that the species mentioned were identically the same on both sides of the equator there could be no doubt whatever.
5. "Notes on New Zealand Ichthyology," by Dr. Hector, C.M.G., F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 465.)
6. "Notes on some ancient aboriginal Câches near Wanganui," by H. C. Field. (Transactions, p. 220.)
This paper was read by the President.
Mr. Crawford remarked that the paper was not only well written, but well reasoned out, although in respect to the petrified wood having been brought from Australia, he differed from the author, there being plenty of it all over this island. He took exception also to Mr. Field's introduction of volcanic agency as a factor in the phenomena described by him, the nearest centre of volcanic action being Ruapehu, fully seventy miles off.
Dr. Hector said he had listened to the paper with interest, but would like the author to give further details; for example, as to the size of the stones forming the remarkable circles described by him.
