E.—7

53

Summary of Acquisitions.

[a.) New Zealand Zoology. —The register contains the large number of 327 entries, xvhich includes 30 echinoderms and 50 vermes, and several other non-vertebrates collected at the Kermadec Islands. A series of 20 spiders, collected by myself, chiefly in New Zealand and the outlying islands, have been identified by Mr. Hogg, the English specialist. A series of 63 named species of moths, kindly presented by Mr. A. Philpott, of Woodside, Invercargill, to fill up gaps in our collection: also 32 species from Mr. G. B. Howes; eggs of 25 species of native birds, presented by Mr. John Thomson; and txvo specimens of the very rare native frog (Liopelma Hochstetteri), obtained for the Museum by Dr. I. Marshall. (b.) Foreign Zoology. —ln this register are only 18 entries, amongst which are specimens of rare fishes (Protopterus and Polypterus) received in exchange from Professor Sedgwick, of Cambridge; a hedge-hog, captured at Mornington, presented by Mr. A. Bathgate; two emperor penguins—one from Sir E. Shackleton, already mentioned; the other, from* Professor David, of Sydney, was in too bad a state for skinning, but its skeleton has been cleaned. Some Crustacea from Fiji and elsewhere were given by Mr. G. M. Thomson. (c.) Palaeontology, Botany, &c. —The total number of 80 entries tire chiefly made up of 30 rockspecimens, and 28 botanical from the Kermadec Islands, .14 pieces of rocks from the Antarctic, as well as fungus peat, and diatomaceous earth from the fresh-water lakes in the vicinity of the winter quarters of the same expedition. The bones of a moa {Euryapteryx crassa) we're found in Stewart Island, and presented by Mr. Murdoch. {(I.) Ethnology, <(r. — The eight specimens in this register refer to the gift of Dr. Lindo Ferguson, weapons xvhich there is reason to beliex'e were collected during Captain Conk's voyages amongst the Pacific islands. These have been placed on exhibition. (c.) Among articles deposited in my care mention must be made of the valuable series of native Crustacea collected and named by Mr. G. -VI. Thomson, who is so well known as a leading authority on this group. Six heads of red deer were deposited by Mr. R. MoGowan, and are exhibited on the wall of the central hall. List of Donors of New Zealand Zoological Specimens. Phil. Benham —Bones of diseased rabbit. F. H. Blatch—Galaxias, from Palmerston. Brit ten den Company—Jellyfish. N. L. Buchanan, of Collingwood —Nests of mason wasps. Dr. Chilton, of Christchurch —Earthworms, &c. VV. Elder —Squid, from the Macquarie Island. H. Farquhar, Wellington—Starfishes, F. ii. Fothergill —Large skate. Dr. Fulton —Nests and eggs of birds. John Gray, Dunback —Earwig. G. B. Hoxves —Moths. .laiiies Jeffery—Several insects. J. Lyons —Black nelly. E. McAllum—Weta. Rev. J. G. McLeod, Stewart Island —Squid: weta. E. Marryatt —Cicada and aphids. Dr. Marshall—Corals from Mangaia ; frogs. James Matheson—Weta. A. Michael- Lizard; grasshopper. David Milieu-—Squid, insects, &c. Janet Miller, Canvastown- -Mantis. F. 11. Murdoch, Stewart Island—Moa-bones, insects, eV-c. AY. K. B. Oliver, of Wanganui—Many specimens from the Kermadec Islands. A. Philpott, AA r oodside —Series of moths. Dr. J. Scott—Tipulid larva. Fred. Smith—Fresh-water fish. H. Suter, Auckland—Mollusca : worms; starfishes. — Sweetings —Piebald sole. G. M. Thomson—Crustacea. John Thomson —Birds' eggs. AY. K. Wallace—A rat from the Kermadec Islands. Dental School. —Report of the Diebctob (Professor H. Percy Pickerill, M.8., Ch.B., 8.D.5., L.D.S. Eng.) During the past year the school has made steady progress. The equipment is now complete, thanks to the Government grant of £2,100, and in this respect the school may be' said to be second to no other British school, at least. The above grant, in addition to equipment, provided for a single-story addition to the building for the purpose of a pathological laboratory, but the Council of this University at its own considerable expense has added a two-story addition, thereby giving a much larger operating-] oom. This now accommodates fifteen operating-chairs, of which thirteen are noxv in daily use, and but for the fact that four students who entered did not continue the course the present accommodation would have been too small. This more than justifies the twostory addition.