\^.

vS.'^'^

PROCEEDINGS

^t^t^ J

OF THE

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF DUBLIN.

0 Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all : the
earth is full of thy riches. — Psalm, civ. 24.

VOL I.
1849-1855.

DUBLIN:

PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY,

BY M. H. GILL.

1860.

[The back Proceeoimos, from page 30, are re-priuted from the original Papers in
S^ ndert' News-letter. The Papers are arranged according to their subjects, under dis-
tinct heads.]

DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETrNG. NOVEMBER 23rd, 1866.
Robert Caldwell, Esq., M.R.I.A., in the chair.

The minutes of the last preceding meeting and other preliminary btuineM having;
been disposed of,

Mr. Andrews, honorary secretary, was called on for the annual report, which he
proccoded to read as follows : —

"Gentlemen — We have ajrnin the pleasure of submitting to you the annnal
transactions of the Society, and to report its steady and favourable progress to this
the seventeenth year of its proceedings. It has hitherto been invariably the practice
to lay before the members abstracts in detail of the papers and discussions on the
several branches of the natural sciences that had occupied each evening of the monthly
meetings throughout the session ; but these proceedings have been so very folly
given in the journal of the ' Natural History Review,' which publication aflfordf a
secure record of such transactions, that it will only now be necessary to enumerate
the subjects brought forward during the session of 1854-55: — * Notices of some
rare Crustacea contained on the West Coast' — communicated by Mr. Andrews, hono-
rary secretary. ' On the Coleoptera infesting Granaries' — James Haughton, Jan.,
Esq. ' On a digitate variety of Botrychium Lunaria, with observations on the forms
of other ferns, noting a new Irish habitat of Lophodium Spinosum' — Dr. Kinahan.
* Remarks on the bones of animals, and of some extinct species, found in a crannog or
fortified entrenchment, at Dunshaughlin' — communicated by Mr. Wakeman. / C a
Pectunculus Glycymeris, and on the local range of Molluscous animals traced'#ith
tlic dredge.' — Dr. Farran. ' Remarks on the soundings off the south-west coast, and
on an addition to the Fauna of Ireland, " Eunice tubicola" ' — Mr. Andrews. 'On
a very fine specimen of the head and horns of the red deer, taken from an excava-
tion in the bed of the river Boyne' — communicated by Mr. Trouton, of Drogheda.
' Remarks on the Serrani and Percidoe, and on an addition to the ichthyology
of Ireland, '•Polyprion Cernium"' — Mr. Andrews. 'On the capture of Larus
Islandicus, at Kenmare,' by Dr. George Gray Creighton. ' Notes on the Omitho-
loffy of the south-west coast, and on the occurrence of the greater shearwater,
Puffinos major; with remarks on the characteristics of Larus Bonapartii and Larus
ridibundus' — Mr. Andrews. 'Onlanthina communis, collected with other mol-
lunca on the west coast, with notes on the peculiar habits of lanthina' — Mr. Hopkins.
' Continuation of Mr. Wakeman's paper on the remains of animals, war implements,
^c, found at Dunshaughlin.* ' On the habits and varieties of some of the Larida;,
and of the characters of Irish specimens of Larus ridibundus,' by Mr. Watters. ' On
the advantage to botany of local lists and notes with reference to the algae of the
east coast of Ireland' — Gilbert Sanders, Esq. ' Remarks on some rare algae, south-
west coast' — Mr. Andrews. ' On the effVcts of the severe frost of the winter of 1865
on plants in the neighbourhood of Sligo,* by the Right Hon. John Wynne. ' Re-
marks on the plantations of the Ilazlewood Estate, Sligo ; and on pines and trees
best calculated for exposed plantations' — Mr. Andrews. 'Notices on the par and
on the salmon fry, and on the result oi the experiments at the Stormontfield pond**,
banks of the Tay' — Mr. Andrews. ' Records of the breeding of the Scaup duck in
Kerry, and on the occurrence in inland lakes in the summer months of the red-
hreasted Merganser M. serrator, and of the recent occurrences in several localities
of the turtle dove — Columba turtur.' These formed the principal features of the
proceedings of the past session. Some donations of interest have been added to the
collection, the chief being specimens of the Crustacea, from the Dublin coast, and
from the west coast of Ireland, presented by Dr. Kinahan and Mr. Andrews ; and

4 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

also by the latter, a well-preserved specimen of the Porbeagle shark — Lamna cor-
nubica, captured in Dingle Bay. The Iceland gull, Larus Islandicus, handsome
specimens of the hawfinch, Coccothraustes vulgaris, and the mountain finch, Em-
herJza montium, have also been presented by Dr. Harvey, of Cork, and Messrs.
Williams and Donibrain ; and some very fine specimens of lanthina, collected on
the west coast by Mr. Hopkins. A sub-committee in the several branches of zoology
having recently been formed, the society is now in a better position to receive and
to arrange in the museum any donations that may be forwarded, the collection
l>eing altogether confined to objects of the Natural History of Ireland. The mem-
bers added to the Society during the past year have more than equalled any with-
drawals or losses the Society may have sustained, and the ballot of this evening will
denote the vigour with which the Society is about to enter upon another session. A
principal feature in the business of the society has been the union of the late Micro-
scopical Society. Some time since arrangements for the union of the two societies
were drawn out, which received the assent of the principal members of the Micro-
scopical Society. The microscope, books, and the accounts of that society have
now been transferred, and a sub-committee of practical men in microscopic manipu-
lation nominated. It is thus anticipated that an interesting field of research is open
to the members of the Society, especially in cryptogamic botany, in the examina-
tion of vegetable and animal tissues, and in minute organisms. By this union,
members of the late Microscopical Society are placed upon the same terms, without
ballot, as the annual members of this Society. To increase further the interest of
the Society, it has been strongly advocated by many of the members that the pro-
ceedings of the Society should assume a more popular style, and a more general
admission of visitors be allowed. It is, therefore, submitted for your approval,
that a limited number of evenings throughout the session be named for that pur-
pose, apart from the usual scientific meetings, and that to these meetings the fami-
lies of the members and their friends be admitted, according to the arrangements
that may be proposed by the committee who have been appointed to consider and
to report upon the practicability of carrying out these views. The subjects pro-
posed are " Zoophytes and algaj," '' On marine, and land and fresh-water shells,"
'' On ferns, their habit and culture."

On being moved by Dr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. G. Sanders, the above report
was unanimously adopted ; and it was arranged that a committee should be ap-
pointed to carry out the recommendation of the council with reference to holding
meetings of a popular character during the session, apart from the ordinary meet-
ings of the institution.

Mr. R. P. Williams, treasurer, then submitted his statement, showing a balance
of jt'20 18s. lOd. to bo added to the reserve fund, making a gross balance of £60
18s. lOd. over all expenses. The society had existed for seventeen years, during
which time it had overcome many diflSculties. By the exertion of its members it
had been kept alive in the time of the famine, and it was now beginning to return to
a state of prosperity. They had lately taken the handsome and capacious rooms
in which they were then assembled, and he believed that, with a little exertion on
the part of the fifty-five members who belonged to it, they would shortly have an
income of about 1200 a year, with which they would be enabled to extend their
sphere of usefulness in no inconsiderable degree. Nine new members would be
proposed t)n that night, which was an evidence that an efibrt was now making in
this direction.

A ballot was then opened, and the following were elected members of the
Society : —

Associate Members — Messrs. Ryland Byrne and Daniel Sutherland, Boyal
Sappers and Miners.

General Members — Dr. William Stokes, 5, Merrion -square. North ; Colonel
Gough, C.B. ; Hev. Samuel llaughton, F.T.C.D. ; Dr. Corbett, Professor of Ana-
tomy, &c., Cork ; James E. Millar, Esq. ; Dr. Cathcart Lees.

Dr. Smith, 63, Eccles-street, has re-joined as a member ; and George Yeates,
Esq., Grafion-street, as a member of the late Microscopical Society.

The meeting was then adjourned.

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 0

DECEMBER 14, 1855.

James K Domdrain, Esq., in the Chair.

Tho minutes of the previous nneeting having been read and signed, Mr. Andrewt,
Honorary Secretary, stated that he had that day received a letter from his brother
secretary. Dr. Kinahan, dated Callao Hoads, Peru, detailing many interesting ob-
servations he had made. He hoped to be present at the meeting of the Society in
February next.

Mr. Andrews then gave a few observations on some of the rarer Fungi of Ireland,
which, he stated, were to be looked on as merely preliminary to fuller details, which
he hoped to lay before them at the next meeting. They had reference to species
collected by him during a short autumnal trip in the South-west of Ireland, prin-
cipally belonging to the genera Polyporus and Boletus, Mr. Andrews entering on
many interesting details concerning the scenery of the district.

Observations on these notes were made bv Doctor Stokes, Rev. Professor Hangh-
ton, and Professor R. W. Smith, principally with reference to the lichens of the
districts described.

Mr. Andrews stated that the arrangements with reference to the popular meet-
ings were nearly completed. Three should take place during the ensuing session,
but the full arrangement would be submitted to the members for their approval at
the next night's meeting.

After ballot, the Chairman declared J. K. Barton, Esq., M.B., T.C.D., Dublin,
duly elected as ordinary member.

The meeting then adjourned to the month of January, 185G.

JANUARY 11, IW6.

Samuel Qoroon, Esq., M.D., M.R.I.A., in the Chair.

The minutes and other preliminary business having been disposed of, Mr. An-
drews, Hf^norary Secretary, announced the following donations : — From George
Annesley Pollock, Esq. M.D.N.H. Soc, a beautiful specimen of the Alpine Hare
(Lepus Variabilis), perfectly black, shot at Bailieborough, County Cavan. From
S. Gordon, Esq., M.D., the four numbers of the Journal of Microscopical Science
for the year 1 855.

The thanks of the Society having been voted for these valuable donations, the
Chairman said, that with reference to the announcement made at the last meeting
on the subject of the popular meetings, and of the arrangement proposed by the
committee, he wished to learn whether the members had an^ proposition or sug-
gestion to make in reference to the more fully carrying out ot the proposals of the
Council, in order that such proposition might receive the sanction of the members.

Doctor Owens proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by Doctor
Lees, and unanimously carried : —

" That the Council having reported to the Society that it is advisable to hare
certain Meetings (not connected with the ordinary business of the Society), to
which Ladies should beadmissable, and at which Papers on Popular Subjects should
be read and discussed : that the recommendation of the Council be adopted, and
that the Treasurer be hereby empowered to call on each Member for an additional
Subscription of 3s. 6d., it being understood that each Member is entitled to receive
two tickets of admission for Is. each. And that the Council be requested to com-
plete their arrangements, so as to have the first of these Meetings as early as pos-
sible in the ensuing month."

This resolution was accordingly ordered to be entered on the minutes, and a copj
of it to be sent to each member.

Mr. Andrews then read his paper.

remarks on the FU.NGI of the south-west or IRELAND.

It has long been a matter of surprise to me, while the temperature and humidity
of the wooded districts in several portions of this country afford such extensive

I

6 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

investigations of interest throughout the seasons to the Cryptogamic botanist, that
but little attention has been paid to a tt^be of plants remarkable for their extraordi-
nary development, theirbeauty and vividnessofcolourinf?, theirseasonal reproduction,
their localinfluenees of growth, and the organization of forms constantly peculiar to
certain decaying vegetable bodies. Such are the Fungi or Fungal family, cellular
flowerless plants, propagated or reproduced by spores, chiefly growing upon decayed
organic substances, or developed from decomposed material. Although much in-
terested in the study of mycology, I shall not at present enter into remarks on the
organography or physiology of the subject, until observations that I have been
noting are more complete. I have long considered that these inquiries might lead
to jsuccessful results, by the adaptation of a suitable and favourable locale, where
a state of atmospheric influence necessary for the development of the more sensi-
tive forms of our Cryptogamic plants, which are brought forth only in the moist,
warm, and still atmosphere of the primeval woods of the south-west of this country,
might be gained. I have satisfactorily succeeded in carrying out these views in a
Fernery, which I have lately completed, where a proper aspect, subdued light and
temperature accomplish all that can be desired for the encouragement of healthy
growth and perfect development. Many of our more rare lichens, mosses, and jun-
germaniae have even in the most favourable localities never been known to fruit in
the British Isles ; yet, still, I am in hopes of tracing some facts of interest in their
development, as well as in the tribe of plants that I am about to submit to you
this evening. You are aware of the extreme interest excited by the study of the
Vivarium, where the habits and progression of animals can now be scanned, whose
ways were previously hidden in the deeps of the ocean. The fernery presents the
same interest to the Cryptogamic botanist.

So far back as the month of April, 1844, I recorded in this society the discovery
oftheMorell, Morchella esculenta, by Simon Foot, Esq., in the pine woods at
Hollypark, and at the Little Dargle, and at the time alluded to the state of
our knowledge of the fungi of this country. Since then but little has been brought
forward new in that branch of study. Although I have noted a large number
of the fungi that are prevalent chiefly in the woods of the south-west of Ireland,
yet I shall only now bring forward the record of one of some interest, and allude to
a few of the more remarkable that I have obtained. The specimens, among others,
that I shall submit to you this evening are the different stages of growth of the
Birch -tree Polyporus, Polyporus betulinus, which I do not find to have been
hitherto recorded in any of the notices on that section of the botany of this country.
This fine and handsome species is of annual growth, assuming a rapid and large deve-
lopment in the autumn months on the decaying trunk of the birch-tree. It is met
with in the more secluded parts of Tore and Cromaglouin woods, in the neighbour-
hood of Killarney, where, on the huge trunk of a fallen birch-tree, I obtained speci-
mens measuring more than two feet across. The pileus is a pale reddish brown,
or deep fawn colour, occasionally spotted with a darker brown — flesh very thick
and white — hymenium of the same substance as the pileus, and not separated from
it. The fungus is attached to the tree vertically by a short, thick, rather sessile stipes.
The pileus is suberose or corky, extremely fleshy in the recent state, but of a dry
and fibrous nature when preserved, and in this respect resembles Polyporus fomen-
tarius, a species remarkable for making amadou, and which fungus is also found
growing on the birch in Cromaglouin wood. The Polyporus betulinus is consi-
dered of rather local occurrence both in England and Scotland, as well as another spe-
cies of interest that I have obtained on the branches of the birch, Stromatosphaeria
elliptica. The Polyporus foment,arius, or real amadou, is distributed in every
region of the globe ; and although met with on oak, yet is most generally seen
on the birch, the species in the tropics being identical with those of the
temperate zones. This distribution and attachment to peculiar trees is strikingly
seen in the genus Cyttaria, which is peculiar to the beech in Terra del Fuego, and
used there as an article of food — the same fungus is found on beech trees in Chili,
and also on similar trees in Van Dieman's Land. Of the other species of Poly-
pori, P. squamosus, the largest of British fungi, and which attains an enormous
growth in the space of a few weeks, is met with in one of the wooded glens near the
tunnel, growing on the fallen trunks of the ash and the birch. In this fungus, as

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 7

well as in several of the boleti, the reproduction and cicatrising of displaced and
wounded parts are very surprising

In the month of September, in Cromaglouin wood, I noticed the beauty of Poly-
porus luciduH, as it grew in ranges along the trunk of a large ash, which, in a dell
of most luxuriant vegetation, had fallen and rested on huge boulders of rock.
Here, amid a mass of vegetation of the liveliest green, and whero the dense foliage
overhead shaded and preserved a moist and warm temperature, the bright chesnat"
colourcd pilous of Polyporus lucidus appeared strikingly beautiful. It was, indeed,
a spot genial to fungus vegetation, and reminded me of those primeval forests of
the tropics which humidity never abandons, and which the arches of foliage rarely
permit a ray of the sun to penetrate. It is of much interest to watch the develop-
ment of fungi, agaraous plants without epidermis, and consequently destitute of
stomata — their reproduction is singular and rapid. I had p>laced a'fine specimen
of Daedalia biennis in my fernery on the spreading mass of a lichen (Placodium
pluuibcum), and I was surprised m a few weeks to find that a plant of Daedalia had
formed upon the lichen. This Da;dalia is very beautiful, and richly marked with
concentric zones ; the hymeninm is large and fleshy, of a pinkish red tinge, and
wavy or sinuous. The Dtedalia quercina, which is a more common species, is of
a delicately fibrous texture, and when cut into slices has been used as a styptic.
Some time since I submitted to the society large masses of Racodium celfare,
mouse- skin byssus, which grew in quantities on claret casks that had long been
stored in the Custom-house dock vaults. It especially formed and grew where the
claret had leaked from the cask. This fungus is most valuable as a styptic. So
suitable is the fernery to such vegetation that a beautiful species of Xylaria,
Agaricus tuberosus, annually appears among Ilymenophyllum and Trichomanes,
and on a piece of oak wood Peziza aarnginosa displays its cup-shaped or turbinate
pileus of a most beautiful verdigris green, which colour penetrates and stains deeply
the wood.

I shall only briefly mention a few others, as I propose drawing out a detailed
list ; among them several are extremely beautiful, as microscopic objects. Agaricus
floccosus, a pretty species on the stump of an ash tree, Cromaglouin ; Boletus
luridus, and Amanita muscaria, both beautiful, but extremelv poisonous, near the
road side, leading to the tunnel ; Clavaria cinerea, C. fragilis, and C. coralloidea,
frequent on Tore mountain, especially along the deer paths. These are considered
delicious esculents, as also Il^dnnm repandum, which is abundant in MuckroM
wood, and of large size. Its odour is like the common mushroom, but of very
pungent taste before cooked '«Hydnum imbricatum also occurs, but not so frequent
as the other. In the woods of Muckross, bordering the lake, I met fine specimens
of Agaricus gilvus and A. comatus. In the same wood also occurred Phallus
impudicus, remarkable for its offensive odour. In the low grounds occurred Can-
tharellus cibarius, a good esculent, and on several fallen trees Tremella ferruginea
and T. intumescens, growing in large gelatinous masses. It is singular the force
of expansion that these soft and gelatinous funpi possess in their growth, rupturing
the hardest epidermis of the trees upon which they are parasitic. I have seen the
Tremella mesenterica, which is frequent on the furze, bursting through the tough
bark even of the living branches. This beautiful species is of a rich orange colour
• and of a soft texture

Mr. Andrews exhibited very large and fine specimens of Polyporus betulinus
from the earliest stage of growth to full development, and beautiful specimens of
Dtedalia biennis from Tore Wood, Killamey.

Dr. Stokes asked how these fungi were reproduced beneath the bark.
Mr. Andrews said that in the decaying state of the mature fungus, the spomles
scattered on the substance of attachment, and might probably bo absorbed, and the
mycelia form beneath the epidermis. The bame species of fuogus were often
annually produced upon the same tree.

Professor R. W. Smith then read a paper on Enterolithes, in which he enieied
very fully into the subject of Enterolithes, or the peculiar concretions found in the
bodies of animals. He explained their growth and effect in animal life, ami exhi-
bited specimens of these concretions found in the horse, cow, and other animals. He
also explained the origin of the term Beaoar, and the peculiar characters of the

8 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

masses so termed, as found in the horse, monkey, goat, gazelle, and other animals,
and even in man himself.

After some discussion, the ballot opened, at the conclusion of which the Chairman
declared the following duly elected ordinary members : — Glascott Syraes, Bonny-
brook, Artane ; J. Nalty, Esq. M.D., Dublin ; Kev. Eugene O'Meara, Dublin.

Tbe meeting was then adjourned to the second Friday in February.

FEBRUARY 8, 1866.

Charles P. Croker, Esq., M.D., M.B.I.A., in the Chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and signed.

Dr. Farran read the following paper '

ON THE GENUS 8KDA. (lESTRIDJE.)

I am not so vain as to suppose I can add anything very new in the observations
I am about to make on the very interesting and well-defined genus Lestris or Skua,
which has been so very ably commented on by the most eminent ornithologists of
the day, both by plates and description ; nevertheless, I think I would not be fulfil-
ling my duty as a member of the Natural History Society, if possessing, as I do, the
means of exhibiting in one view four out of five members of the European family,
I neglected the opportunity — besides, three specimens possess the intrinsic interest
of being the originals from which the late Mr. Thompson drew up his description of
the species in his beautiful and interesting work on the birds of Ireland ; and I trust
I shall be able to show presently that the remaining specimens are not void of
interest. I anticipate this further advantage — of drawing the attention of those
whose residence may be in the vicinity of the sea, or of those who occupy their
business on the great waters, to the habits of this singular family. I have bestowed
some attention on the modes of capturing the prey pursued in the several depart-
ments of the animal kingdom, and I find that it is procured by direct assault or
attack. Thus, the lion and all the feline tribe spring on their prey and devour it.
The eagle and its congeners pounce on their victims — the gentle swallow captures
its insect food directly, aided by the celerity of its flight and the rapidity of its evo-
lutions—the spider, having entangled its prey in its web, darts on it and destroys
it ; in fact, throughout the course of nature it may be laid down that direct assault
is the mode by which sustenance is obtained. But there is no rule without an ex-
ception, and this genus may be cited as forming the exception. Its habits will ex-
plain this more fully. It attends the gulls and terns, and quietly consorts with them,
never attempting to injure them when reposing on the water ; but no sooner do thej
perceive an individual has succeeded in taking a fish or any other variety of food,
than it is immediately singled out by the attendant Skua, who most violently assails
it, and, being of quicker and more powerful flight, soon overtakes the gull and com-
pels it to eject the contents of its stomach, which is at once caught by the Skua before
it reaches the water ; or, should there be more than one fish or morsel, he leisurely
picks them up in the water, where he remains until another unfortunate gull is brought
under his iron rule. It was this habit that suggested to Teraminck the name of
Lestris, robber or pirate, when he constituted the well-defined genus Lestris; and
has also obtained for each member of the family the euphonious epithet of dirt-bird
or dungeater. The genus Lestris consists of five species, and in giving a description
of one, it will equally apply to all. They are arranged in the following order : —
Lestris cataructes^ the largest ; Lestris pomarinus^ next in size ; Lestris Richard-
sonii follows ; then Lestris Jiuffonii, otherwise Lestris parasiticus^ or Arctic skua ;
and the list is completed by the Lestris described by Dr. Richardson under the name
Stercrariuscepphus. which has not as yet been found in England. The generic cha-
racters, asgiven by Yarrell, run thus: — Bill strong, hard, cylindrical, compressed,
curved, and hooked at the point ; bone of the upper mandible covered with a cere ;
nostrils situated towards the point of the beak, diagonal, narrow, closed behind, per-
vious ; legs strong, naked above the tarsi, which are rather long ; three toes in front
palmated, the hind toe small ; claws large, strong, very much curved ; tail slightly
rounded, the two middle feathers generally elongated, sometimes considerably ;

PROCEEDINGS OF SOaETfES. 9

wings moderate, the first quill feather the longest. To this mav be added an indo-
mitable and fierce courage, which gives them the complete mastery over the gulls
and terns. They inhabit the hiirher degrees of latitude in both hemispheres, where
they are more common than in tlie warm or temperate parts of the globe. It is
unnecessary on this occasion to go more minutely into description ; I hhall detail the
following incidents, which I witnessed, and which will exhibit the habits and instinct
of Lestris cataractcs: — In the middle of September, some five or six years agri,
when examining the lofty clifts in the vicinity of Stradbally, county Waterford, the
day being remarkably fine and warm, not a breath of wind stirring, the fea like a
sheet of glass, my attention was drawn to an immense flock of the herring gull
floating on the smooth water ; their shadows reflected so as to deceive the eye,
making each bird appear double. This flock was an object of great interest to a
number of fishermen, who mentioned to me that the gulls appearing in that
manner indicated the advent either of the herring or the sprat. Such a perfect pic-
ture of repose I have seldom witnessed, and I was about to pursue my ramble, when
suddenly the entire flock of gulls rose with a confused sound of screeching and
screaming which literally filled the air with a noise it would be impossible to descrilie.
To this was added a rapid whirling and turning, which strongly reminded me
of a swarm of bees when emerging from, the hive. The men at once observed that
the fish had arrived, and immediately left to prepare their not". However, on
gazing some time longeron the evolutions of the birds, I distinctly saw a large dark
bird pursuing a gull, which it hunted through the mazes of the screaming flock with
as much pertinacity and skill as a well-trained hound would follow its game, but all
to no purpose. Presently the gull separated from the flock and made towards the
spot I was standing on ; but its relentless pursuer was not to be baffled ; increasing
its speed and making a quick and sharp turn, it struck the gull fiercely and pullc<l
out a quantity of feathers ; on the moment the gull ejected two or three small fish,
which the Skua at once caught. The gull then winged its way back to the flock,
the Skua quietly following, and soon both were again reposing as quietly as before,
the entire flock settling down as if nothing had happened. On another occasiun
(the beginning of last year), during a severe gale, I went down to Kingstown to see
the effect of the very heavy sea which broke over the eastern pier. A large flock of
gulls had congregated immediately next the pier, where it strikes into the sea fipom
the shore. The gulls were busily engaged in the capture of the fry of the conger
eel, which had been disturbed by the violence of the waves from their hiding places.
The fry appeared to be very plentiful, and were about twelve inches m length.
However busy the poor gulls were there was an attendant on them (Skua cataraciejj)
far more industrious ; for no sooner had he perceived that a gull had taken an eel
than he was imraeiliately attacked and compelled to relinquish his gam<' ; and, how-
ever it might be regretted that the legitimate captor was deprived of his prey, still
there was an ample recompense in viewing the graceful manner of the skua when
taking the fallen fish from the crest of the wave. This bird is a great favourite in
the higher latitudes, bemg hailed with delight by the inhabitants of the Shetland
Islands as being the forerunner of the advent of fish, and being the protector of their
Iambs from the eagle, which bird they attack with surprising courage whenever
they approach their breeding grounds, and drive them off". I now draw your atten-
tion to the Pomarine Skua (Lestris pomarinus), which is noticed by Mr. Thompeon
" as of occasional occurrence in autumn and winter on various part<< of the coast of
Ireland — it is next in size to the cattiractes, partakes in the general habits of it and
the other species of the genus ;" preferring a life of plunder to one of independent
industry. There is but one record of the bird being obtained in adult plumage, and
that was in Ireland. It was the first in this plumage noticed within the British
Isles ; neither does it breed in the British Isles. The name of Skua is considered
to have been adopted from the note of this bird, which sounds like " skui." Bewick
appears not to have been acquainted with this bird, as he does not notice it in his
work. Altogether it is the rarest of the Skuas which visit our coasts. Richard-
son's Skua (Lestris Rtchardsonii) next occupies our attention. It is noticed by Mr.
Thompson ^*as occasionally procured on the coast;*' and the specimen before yuu,
shot at Malahide on the 27th September, 1837, is the bird-frwm which Mr. Thomp-
son drew up his description. The bird appears to me to be in immature plumage

10 PROCEEDINGS OP SOCIETIES.

ftlthough nenrly approaching maturity ; and I infer this— differing from Mr. Thomp-
son, who says that the bird is mature— by stating, that when it is approaching to
that stage a few yellow hair-like streaks appear on the sides of the neck, next the
sides of the neck all round become white tinged with yellow, the head remaining
the same colour as the back. This bird appears, like the last mentioned, to be
unknown to Bewick, as it is not recorded in his work. I shall not for the present
attempt to offer any further observation on this bird, as a difficulty arises as to
whether those two specimens to which I now point are the young of Richardson's or
the long-tailed Skua ; and as the question appears'to involve some difficulty I shall
first advert to the long-tailed Skua (Lestris parasiticus). Arctic Skua, or Lestris
Buffonii, Buffon's Skua, is noticed by Mr. Thompson " as of occasional occurrence
in autumn on some parts of the coast ;" and in a communication made to the Zoolo-
gical Society of London by that lamented gentleman, it was remarked that speci-
mens of the true Lestris parasiticus Temminck have repeatedly occurred in the
bays of Belfast and Dublin, and he was induced to mention the circumstance from
so very little being known of the bird as a British species. And this was truly sur-
prising, for the true Arctic Skua is altogether one of the most elegant of our sea birds
— light and handsome in its form, delicate in the colours of its plumage, and free
and graceful in its motion. It is one of those birds the rareness of which is a mat-
ter of regret. There is no difficulty with adult birds in distinguishing the difference
in species. Here you have Richardson's Skua nearly adult, and we are indebted to
Professor Melville, Queen's College, Galway, for the pleasure we enjoy in viewing
the fine specimens of the adult Arctic Skua. Professor Melville, aware that I re-
quired the bird to illustrate this evening's paper, in the true spirit of a naturalist
and kindness of a friend forwarded it to me. The bird he obtained some time pre-
Tiously, in the bay of Galway. But if there is no great difficulty in distinguishing
species when adult, such is not the case with immature birds, and more particularly
with the two species just under consideration ; and this brings me to a point I wished
to have touched on in the early part of my paper — namely, whether those two speci-
mens owe their parentage to Richardson's or the long-tailed Skua. The history of
those birds may tend to elucidate the truth. Towards the latter end of September
I was favoured by Mr. Ness, of Booterstown, with this bird, which he obtained
some distance from the shore. 1 sent it to Mrs. Baker to preserve. Shortly after
a specimen identical with it was forwarded from some part of the west coast of Ire-
land for Dr. Harvey, of Cork, to the same taxidermist; and about a fortnight after-
wards I was favoured by Mr. Ness presenting me with another bird of the same
species, which is now on the table. 1 examined those birds most minutely, and I
confess great difficulties presented themselves in determining whether they belonged
to Richardson's or the Arctic Skua ; but these were partly removed by looking into
the work of Bewick. You may remember I stated that Bewick was not acquainted
with either the Pomarine or Richardson's Skua, but he gives two excellent plates,
one of the Arctic, the other the black- toed Lobbe, dung- bird or boatswain, and
young Arctic gull, and in giving a description of the bird, he observes — " This bird,
which was formerly arranged as a distinct species," and a little further on he adds —
" The toes black, the webs are of the same colour, excepting a small space between
the first joint of the toes, which is white. ' Examine those birds and you will find
that they are exactly represented by his description ; on the contrary, it would seem
both from the descriptions and plates in Mr. Yarrell's work that he would make
them the young of Ilichardson's Skua ; but we have another witness of no mean
authority in Mr.Thorapson, who would place the parentage to the Arctic or long-tailed
Skua, and most fortunately he has left us his opinion inscribed on more than one
specimen, which places them, if we are to confide in his opinion, authoritatively as
such. In writing on this species, he says — " To myself this is the best known
species of the Lestris, and it was the first to come under my observation both in
Belfast and Dublin." He proceeds.and informs us that in the '^ Penny Journal'' of
March 9, 1833, a bird of an unknown kind was described and figured; being in
Dublin I went to see the specimen, which was in the collection of Mf. Massey,
of the Pigeon House Fort, and found it to be an immature long- tailed Skua.
That bird passed into the possession of Mr. Waters, in whose collection it now
is. I have compared mine with it, and I find them identical. He

PROCEEDINGS OP 80QETIE8. 11

mentions in another place a bird shot at Tramore, county Waterford, now
in the collection of T. W. Warren, Esq. ; and in comparing it with my
specimens, I find them identical, save in respect of plumage ; but, as if to increaM
the difficulty in discrimination, Mr. Thompson, in a note, remarks that Bewick't
black-toed gull is Lestris Kichardsonii ; but its plumage, and that only is men-
tioned in the manuscript, (no dimensions being given), will serve for the immature
Lestris parasiticus almost as well. Among such conflicting statements of eminent
men, little weight should be attached to any opinion of mine ; were I to give it,
I would say they are the young of the long-tailed Skua— from the fact of their
identity with those specimens named by Mr. Thompson ; from their being appa-
rently the more plentiful species ; from their being obtained from nearly the same
locality on the eastern coast; and from the fact of the adult long-tailed Skua being
found on the western coast, and an immature specimen occurring shortly after in
the same quarter : still, being aware of the fallibility of human judgment, I would
be unwilling to mark them as such in a public collection. I shall now close bj
quoting aparagraphfromMr.Thompson'ssummaryof the genus Lestris — "Without
the presence of gulls or terns which the Skua makes his caterer — they are not to
be seen unless accidentally. Although we cannot admire their predatory cha-
racter, they are very interesting birds, from the great power and rapidity of flight
which they display. As they come sweeping down on the large gulls it is extraor-
dinary to observe these drop their prey, which, apparently, with the next second of
time, is appropriated by the robber Bkua. These birds present a singular subject
for contemplation in being * bom robbers,' endowed by nature with every faculty
that will enable them to bear off and live upon booty seized from or dropped through
fear by their most nearly allied species, the gulls and terns." There are three beau-
tiful specimens in the Society's Museum of Richardson's Skua, and one of the
Pomari.ne. I need not refer to the fifth species, Stercorarius ceppus of Leach, as it
has not yet, as far as my information extends, been found in Great Britain.

Mr. Andrews said that the thanks of the society were due to Dr. Farran for
bringing before the meeting this evening such a fine series of the British species
of the genus Skua, and especially for obtaining, through the kindness of Dr. Mel-
Tille, of Galway, the exceedingly beautiful specimens of the mature bird of the rare
species parasiticus. He had no doubt, from the characters shown by one of the
specimens in the immature state, which Dr. Farran had lately obtained, that it was
the young state of L. parasiticus. There were great differences of opinion as to
the true characteristics of L. parasiticus. The specimen before the meeting clearly
agreed with the description of Lestris Buffonii, Boie— bill straight, notched ; middle
tail feathers long and gradually tapering ; tarsus almost smooth. L. parasiticus
Boie — bill straight, broad at base, entire ; middle tail feathers very long, and carry
the breadth to within one inch and a-half of the termination, where they are abruptly
narrow, and become slender and acute at the point; inhabits theoretic Seas;
exceedingly rare on the shores of North America and Europe, the young being
only occasionally seen in the more temperate parts. It was remarkable that the
young, or immature state of several of our rare Pelagic birds had annually been
met with on the western coasts of Ireland, while the mature birds which frequented
more northern latitudes were rarely seen. The several species of the Skua breed
in the Faroe Islands, and while the old or mature birds seldom came more southerly,
the young birds wandered extensively, particularly to more temperature shores ;
faence the immaturestateof those birds being of more frequent occurrence. TheL.ca-
taractes was the most powerful of this family, and most generally kept at a distance
from the land. Off the Blasket Islands 1 have observed those birds in pairs, where
they are the terror of the sea-gull tribe, and even the sea-eagle shuns their persecut-
ing attacks. The fishermen observed to me that they had seen the fierce and in-
trepid peregrine falcon, which breeds on the Tiraght rock, put these binls to flight.

Doctor Kinahnn confirmed the observations made by Mr. Andrews as to the
more extensive migrations of young than old birds. It appcaretl tm though the young
birds were not so well fitted for enduring the severity of the winter. He instanced
some remarkable examples which came under his observation during bb recent
▼oyage, bearing out those views, especially in reference to the various tpeciee of
AlbatrosSf off Cape Horn, and in the southern latitudes.

12 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Doctor Smith gave a clear detail of a malignant form of disease affecting the
meta-carpus of the red deer, and which probably caused the death of the animal,
as seen in a bone from Kerry, presented to him by William Andrews, Esq. This
peculiar disease affected the articulated extremities of bones, causing the ex-
pansion of the bone into a large kind of tumour.

Mr. James Haughton wished to record the occurrence of the common Bittern,
Botaurus stellaris, in the County of Kildare and Queen's County. One was shot
in Dunmanway bog, near Mageney, by Mr. Moore, of the railway station, during
the severe frost in the beginning of January, and who saw another in the same
locality. Another was shot at in Ballyteigue bog, Queen's County. It is of
interest to record these birds in the country, as, from drainage and reclamation of
lands, they are becoming almost extinct in their haunts.

Mr. O'Beilly exhibited branches of the hawthorn, having peculiar excrescences
on the young shoots. The general opinions offered were, that they were the pi'o-
duction of an insect, and not caused by fungoid growth.

After ballot, the Reverend Joseph Galbraith, F.T.C.D., and Doctor Frazer,
Dublin, were declared elected ordinary members.

The meeting then adjourned till the month of March.

MARCH U, 1856.

R. Callwell, Esq., M.R.I.A., in the Chair.

The minutes of the preceding meeting having been read and signed,

Mr. Andrews, Honorary Secretary, rose and said that it gave him much pleasure
to have to submit to the Society an interesting communication from one of their
members. Lord Clermont, accompanied by a valuable donation of birds for the
Museum of the Society, viz., a fine male specimen of the Egyptian goose (Ch.
-^gyptiacus), shot in Belfast Lough in 1853, being one of a flock of these birds
seemingly in a wild state ; a fine specimen of the black-tailed godwit (Limosa
melanura), and also of the male golden-eye in full plumage, obtained from Lough-
gill, Sligo, in 1850. Mr. Andrews then read the accompanying communication as
follows : —

" Birds observed near Ravensdale Park, during the last 18 months — Peregrine
Falcon (Falco Peregrinus). A fine female shot near Armagh, in a populous dis-
trict, October, 1853.

Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa Griseola. One pair breed yearly near Ravensdale
village, Louth.

Mountain Finch, Fringilla Montifringilla. Five were killed in the neighbour-
hood of Ravensdale Park, February, 1855.

Rose coloured Pastor (Pastor Roseus). One in full plumage was shot near
Carrickmacross, Monaghan, in a garden, August, 1855.

Bittern, Butor Stellaris. One shot near Carrickmacross, Monaghan, Nov., 1854.
One near Clermont Park, Louth, February, 1856.

Night Heron (Nycticorax Europseus). One shot by a countryman at Inniskeen,
Monaghan, January 10, 1855. I saw it the day after ; it was in immature plumage,
it rose from a marsh.

Black tailed Godwit (Limosa Melanura). One shot near Dundalk, Oct., 1855.

Long tailed Duck (Harelda Glacialis). A male bird in good plumage, caught
on a fishing line at Lurgan Green, Louth, in March, 1855.

Smew (Mergus Albellus). A female shot near Carrickmacross, Dec, 1854.

1 have seen in every case the birds which the foregoing list mentions as having
been obtained at Clermont."

The Chairman said that the Society was much indebted for the donations that
Lord Clermont had presented, and particularly for the interesting records of the
birds occurring in his neighbourhood. He hoped that his lordship's example would
be followed by others, not only in this, but with reference to the occurrences of rare
animals in other branches of natural history.

Mr. Andrews then begged to present from himself a specimen of the greater
shearwater (Pufiinus major), captured on a fisher-nan's liue off the coast of Kerry.

PROCEEDIKaS OF SOCIETIES. 13

Mr. J. R. Dombrain presented, on behalf of his brother, EdwarJ Dombrain, Esq.,
oTHallycullen, county Wicklow, two specimens of the blackcap warbler (C. atriea-
pilla) ; the one shot in that neighbourhood, in October, 1855, the other in January,
1856, rendering it probable that the latter specimen had wintered in the country.
Also, three specimens of the brambling(F. montium), shot in the same place during
the summer of 1854, and a male and two female crossbills (L. curvirostra), shot by
Charles Y. West, Esq., in Ovoca valley, in the same county.

The marked thanks of the society were voted to Lord Clermont, Mr. Andrews,
and Mr. E. Dombrain, for these valuable additions to the Society's collection.

The Chairman then called on Mr. Andrews for his paper on Madeiran forms of
ferns at Killamey.

Mr. Andrews said that in his review of the botany or zoology of a country or
district he had always been desirous of tracing aflinities and geographical distri-
bution, and the identity of animals or plants in different countries. He had already
brought before the Society the occurrence in Kerry of some of the plants of Corn-
wall, and numerous instances of those of Portugal. He now wished to draw the
attention of the Society to a beautiful and luxuriant form of Aspleninm, bearing a
strong resemblance to A. Trichomanes. He had obtained several of these beauti-
ful plants growing in a very sheltered and secluded spot near Killamey, surrounded
by high rocks. Its peculiar habits of growth, the great length of the rachis or stipes,
and the luxuriant and rich green of the fronds, stnick him as differing very re-
markably from the more common forms of A. Trichomanes. On referring to
Hooker and Greville's beautiful work, " Icones Filicum,'' T. 195, he found it to
be identical with the Asplenium fallax of the Kev. T. Lowe, named so by him on
account of its aflSnities with A. Trichomanes. It was, however, previously found by
Mr. Masson, and placed in the Banksian Herbarium, under the name Asplenium
anceps, Solander. The Rev. T. Lowe, who has given many interesting deuils
concerning the plants of Madeira and Porto Santo, found this plant at an eleva-
tion of 2,000 to 3,000 feet, and at Ribeiro d'Anatado at an elevation of 4,000 feet.
It was also found at a low elevation with Asplenium acutum. In Madeira it usurps
the place of A. Trichomanes. Mr. Andrews considered the Kerry plants to be
identical with those of A. Anceps of Madeira, and to bear the same relation
to A. Trichomanes as A. Acutum of Madeira does to the ordinary form of A.
Adiantum nigrum.

Professor Haughton recognised this form of fern as one which had been shown
to him by a policeman at Killamey, and which at the time struck him as differing
in many respects from the ordinary form of Aspl. Trichomanes.
After some further discussion, the Chairman called on

Mr. R. J. Montgomery for his paper on the occurrence of the Egyptian goose
(Chenalopex iEgyptiacus). These two specimens of the Egyptian goose were killed
on the river Boyne in November last, 1855. Having been told ^at a small flock
of barnacles (Anser leucopsis) had been resorting to the river lately, I went several
times to look for them, the barnacle being uncommon in that immediate locality.
I saw the flock repeatedly, but at a great distance ; I, however, remarked that they
had a patch of white appearing on the wing when extended and were not barnacle ;
and I may here observe that of all the different species of wild geese visiting this
country the Egyptian goose when on the wing is by far the handsomest. By
watching them closely day after day, and carefully noting their lime, and the course
they took ia their daily excursions, I succeeded on the 14ili of November in getting
a shot at them as they flew past the boat; the flock consisted of five individuals, I
knocked down one, the female on the table, but being merely wounded, I only t>uc-
ceeded in obtaining her five days afterwards. On the morning of the IGth I beard
that another had been shot by a man in the employment of James Brabazon, Esq.,
of Momington House. That gentleman in the most handsome manner at once pre-
sented me with the bird. The geese first appeared in that neighbourhood at the
beginning of November; about eight days before they were first noticed it blew a
strong gale for three or four days from N.E. to E.N.E, and continued still from
those points until thev were seen. These were the circumstances under which I
obtained the birds. Now, with regard to their being genuine wild geese, I am
aware that from the fact of Egyptian geese being so often kept on ponds in a state

14 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

of confinement, or rather of half domestication, many ornithologists are inclined to
doubt that the birds of this species, occasionally. killed at large in England, and
those met with once or twice in Ireland, were actually wild ; even the late Mr.
Thompson, whose judgment, accuracy, and intimate acquaintance with the orni-
thology of his native land, were, in my humble opinion, unequalled, in his account
of the Egyptian goose, vol. 3, page do (of the Birds of Ireland), after having men-
tioned some instances in which this species, freshly killed, had come under his
notice, says, " I cannot think that the birds here noticed were truly wild ;" but then
he qualifies it by adding, " though this species may possibly, as well as others, from
the south-east of Europe, and north of Africa, occasionally visit this island," thus
admitting the possibility of their doing so. Jardine gives the species a place among
British birds ; so does Yarrell, who, among several instances which he records of
their occurrence in England, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, mentions the remark-
able case of a flock of about eighty appearing in Hampshire in 1824. M. Teraminck
admits it in his " Manual of the Birds of Europe ;" and M. De Selys Longchamps
among the birds of Belgium. According to Temminck, it inhabits Africa from the
north to the middle ; is found in Turkey ; visits the mouths of the Danube ; the
islands of the Grecian Archipelago, and has been killed in Germany and Sicily. The
birds having thus been killed in a wild state in so many different parts of Europe,
including England, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands, there is nothing preposterous
in the conclusion that it sometimes visits Ireland in a perfectly wild state. Their
manners and habits during the three weeks in which I had daily opportunities of
observing them were certainly not those of tamed, or even partially tamed, geese.
In their mode of flight they more resembled the Brent (Anser torquatus) than any
of the other species of wild geese seen in this country. 1 think I have shown, on the
concurrent testimony of the different naturalists whose names I have enumerated,
that they are of discursive habits, and from my own observation I know they are of
very powerful flight. On one occasion in particular their vigour and strength of
wing were exemplified : it was blowing a strong gale from the westward, and the
geese were flying up the river Boyne right in the teeth of the storm at a great eleva-
tion. I watched them through a good telescope, and was much struck by their rapid
and well-sustained flight. The wary cunning and watchful habits displayed by the
wounded bird for the four or five days during which she baffled my many attempts
to capture her were certainly not those of a domesticated bird. I am informed by
Mrs. Baker, of Grafton-street (who in preserving them has shown her usual skill and
good taste), that the stomach of the male contained the roots of grass ; that of the
fcmale was empty, in consequence of being unable, from her wound, to reach the
feeding grounds. As far as I am aware, the only reason given by ornithologists for
supposing that the Egyptian geese hitherto killed at large in this country were not
wilcl is, that the bird being so often kept on ponds may have escaped thence. Cer-
tainly, in many instances, that may be true ; but when we find a flock exhibiting
none of the characteristics of birds which have been in a state of confinement, but,
on the contrary, possessed of all the attributes of a wild bird — when we remember
that these birds visit annually many parts of Europe, are endowed with great power
of endurance and strength of wing, I am only surprised that the species does not
oftener occur in Ireland. Compare the power of flight of this bird, still keeping in
mind its discursive habits, with that of so many stragglers, such as White's thrush
(Turdus Whitei), which you no doubt remember Professor Allman exhibited in this
society some years ago ; or with the beautiful specimen of the golden Oriole (Oriolus
galbula) in our museum, a species of which six or seven examples have-been killed in
Ireland within the last thirty years — nay, even look at many of our summer visitors,
whose little wings carry them in safety over hundreds of miles of trackless ocean, and
I think we may cease to doubt that these Egyptian geese have at one time actually
floated on the waters of the Nile. I once, on a stormy day in October, stood upon
the sunimit of a clifF(in Donegal), 1,954 feet above the Atlantic, whose white-crested
billows thundered against its base ; the only living things besides my three companions
and myself were a ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus) and a snow bunting (Plectro-
phanes nivalis). On a block of conglomerate, which in beauty almost rivalled the
costly scagliola, sat these two strangers, met for the firat time and the last — the one
the representative of summer, about to commence his long and perilous journey to

PROCEEDINGS OF SOaETIES. 15

the balmy south ; the other already clad in winter's garb, jost arrived from the
frozen north. Where had that little Plectrophanc8 rested his weary wing? Wi^-
ther from Greenland, Spitzbergen, Iceland, or Norway became, neither food nor rest
had he ; but the geese could rest upon the water, and even find food amongst the
floating: Zostera.

Dr. Kinahan made a few observations on Mr. Montgomery's paper, with which
he quite agreed, as he saw no greater difficulty in believing that l)ic Egyptian goose
was an occasional straggler to this country than in the case of those shurt-whiged
birds of Africa, and even America, which sometimes reach our shores. In addition to
those mentioned by Mr. Montgomery, he might recal to the memory of the members
the occurrence of the jay cuckoo, Cnculus glandarius, in the island of Omagh, and
the great cowcow, Coccyzus Americanns, on several occasions both here and in Eng-
land. Indeed, these birds could have no greater difficulty in reaching us'from Africa
than many of our annual summer migrants. As an instance of the manner in which
some of these latter are occasionally driven out of their course, he might mention t6
them an incident which fell under his own observation during his late voyage. On th«
22nd March, 1855, being at the time in latitude 40 S. longitude 38 E., a swallow (H.
rustica) flew on board during the evening, having first circled around the ship several
times through the dusk. The bird seemed tired out, but not excessively so, when
brought to him by the sailor who had captured it. It was plump, in good condition,
and most beautiful plumage — in fact, the most perfect moult he bad seen. Ue
placed the bird in the cabin, where it remained during that night and a great part of
the following day, feeding on the flies in the sky-fcght, but eventually made its way
out on deck, and after remaining hovering about the ship for some time, took its
departure in a northerly direction for a more congenial scene. Now, the bird evi-
dently had been driven out of its course ; for though a very careful look-out was kept,
no other land bird was seen, evidently proving there was not a regular migration
going on at that place — the nearest land, the Marion Islands or Crozets, being up-
wards of 400 miles away, and a most unlikely station for an insectivorous bird — so
that it is more than probable that the bird had been driven from the main lund,
which was distant 700 miles in nearest point, or probably 1,200 miles in that from
whence it is probable this bird was driven by the strong westerly gales which bad
been blowing for some time previous. Now, any one could understand how much
easier it would be for a bird like a duck or a goose to traverse an ocean, on which,
when tired, it could rest, and from whose treasure it could obtain sustenance, than
for a puny insectivorous feeder, no matter how great the power of the latter's flight.
Therefore, he thought it probable that these geese were bona fide stragglers to this
country, and that we owed their presence here to causes other than the interference
of man.

After some further conversation, the chairman said, as the evening was not very far
advanced he would call on Dr. Kinahan for some remarks relative to native ferns,
although not in the notice paper.

Dr. Kinahan rose and said — The few remarks I have to offer are in reference to
a matter which it had been my intention to have brought long ere this fully before
the society, had it not been for my departure from this country. They are more in
the way of queries than actual opinions, and are thrown out now in the hope that
some member may be able to take up the matter and clear up one of those doubtful
points, now that the season for thoroughly examining them is arrived. It is with
reference to the place which two of our British ferns should occupy in a natural
arrangement — the common moonwort (liot. lunaria) and the adder s tongue (Oph.
vulgare). Ferns, as you know, have been divided into two great classes, the annulate
and exannulate— the divisions founded on the absence or presence of a jointed ring
around the theca ; the annulate being placed at the head of the list, t.«., next to the
flowering plants ; the exannulate at the foot of the true ferns, as thongh they were
the link between ferns and the other forms of acotyledons ; now, it would appear
more natural to seek thb link among such genera as Trichomancs or Hymenopnyl-
lum ; but to pass this over, it seems as if we give this character of the presence or
absence of the ring too great a value ; for an examination would lead us to believe
that in all their other characters we find Botrychium and Ophioglossum more QOfi'l/
a|>proacbiug the flowering plants than the aunolate ibros do— f»r instance, in '

1 6 PROCEEDINOS OF SOCIETIES.

hullow Stems, in their vernation ; this in them is plicate or folded, and not circimite,
the former typical or at least the form most prevalent among flowering plants,
whilst the latter is that we find most general amongst the true ferns ; in their vena-
tion : this in true ferns is either purely dichotoinous, or some easily recognised
form of it— in the genera under consideration, either as in Ophioglossum parallel-
veined and reticulated somewhat like smilax, or as in Botrychium irregularly fan-
shaped ; in their roots, in these ferns more nearly approaching the true root and
differing much from the radicles of the other genera, being furnished with a clasping
sheath, an organ not found to my knowledge in any other group ; and lastly, in the
organs of reproduction, which in them is a special development other tlian the ordi-
nary frond, for the purpose of bearing the fructification ; in fact, a branch modified
for this especial function, similarly to the manner in which we find the leaf in flower-
ing plants transformed into sepals, petals, and carpels, while in the other ferns we
find the fructification borne on a frond, little, if at all, differing from the ordinary
fronds. That this is analogous to a branch, or separate flower bud, would appear
on examination of such forms as those of Botrychium, which I laid before you just
previous to my departure from this country (vide " Natural History Review," vol.
ii. Proceedings of Societies, page 15), and by those forms of Ophioglossum in which
we find two leafy fronds produced instead of one leafy and one spore-bearing frond,
between which extreme forms and the normal one we find intermediate stages, leading
us to believe, as I said betore, that these organs are true branches — if w e may call
them so — differing essentially from the spore-bearing organs of the other ferns, and
even from their close ally Osmunda, which in every respect (except the ring
around the theca, which it wants ) follows the annulate ferns, in its circinate verna-
tion, its dichotomous venation, radicular roots, woody stem, and spore-bearing mo-
dified main axis — thus leading us to believe that Ophioglossum and Botrychium
should be placed next to the flowering plants, then Osmunda, and next the other
ferns. These views, many of them already anticipated by other observers and
authors, I throw out for your consideration, in the hope that some among our many
members may be enabled during the coming year to assist me in the investigation,
and thus clear up this most important point. There is another point in connection
with these species worth inquiring into, whether, as Newman surmises, they be really
parasites or not.

After some discussion, Mr. Andrews exhibited a beautiful specimen of oak
spangles, in connexion with the galls brought forward last evening.

A ballot then opened, and at its conclusion the chairman declared Thomas Wil-
son, Esq., jun , Dublin, duly elected an ordinary member.

The meeting then adjourned till the month of April.

EXTRA POPULAR MEETING.

MARCH 26, 1856.

His Grace the Archbishop of Doblin, President of the Society, in the Chair.

Mr. Andrews gave a long and interesting paper on the Ferns of Ireland, their dis-
tribution and modes of cultivation, illustrating his remarks with a fine series of Irish
specimens, many of them very fine and rare, including Trichomanes radicans var ;
Andrewsii, from Kerry ; Asplenium Trichomanes var. lallax, Kerry ; Lastraea
spinulosa, Kerry, and many others of great interest.

APRIL 11th, 1856.

. James R. Dombrain, Esq., in the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed.
Dr. Frazer read the following paper " On the disease in gold fish, in connection
with the development of Saprolegnia ferox."

The plant which is the subject of the present communication is by no means of
extreme rarity, nor is it of local or limited occurrence. It has been observed with
considerable accuracy of many scientific naturalists, and we possess several good
descriptions and drawings of it. Thus, amongst others, Ledermulicr, Worsberg,

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 17

Spallanzani, Lyngbye, KutziiiK, Carus, N. V. Esenbeck, Agardh, Berkeley, Brauni
and i'speclally Unper, have eoch contributed to our knowledge of iU natural his-
tory, and recorded its most striking; peculiarities. It has been recognised in l)eo-
mark. Trussia, Au'itria, various parts of Germany, France, and the British Isles.
The following are the chief synonyms by which it has been known :— Saprulegnia
Ferox, Kutzing, Phy col, General ; Conferva Ferox, Gruithuiscn, Nov. Act. Leopold
Car. 1821; Byssun Aqiiaticus, O. F. Muller, Flora Dan.; Vaucheria Aquaticflf
Lyngbyo, Hydr. Dan. ; Hydronema, Carus, Act. Leopold. 1823; Saprolegnia Mol-
luscoruro, Achlya I'rolifera, N. V. Esenbcck ; Leptomitus Clavatus, Prolifera and
Ferox, Agardh, S^st. Aljrar. ; LepUunitus Piscicola, Berkeley. It is not uncom-
monly found growmg upon the bodies of flies and other dead animal substances
which have fallen into water, especially in the summer months, and it is also well
known to occur upon the bodies of living fish, and to produce a most destructive
form of epizootic disease amongst them — a perfect plague of extremely contagions
nature. M. Daviue has described its baleful progress amongst the carp contained
in a large pond in France. Hannover and Stilling also notice its appearing both
amongst living and dead animals, growing, '^avec une extreme rupidite,'* and pro-
ducing in the former illness followed by death. Unger likewise, in 1842, found sick
Cyprini, with the plant fully developed upon them, in a pond in the Gratz Botanic
Gardens ; and during the same year he asserts that the fish in the environs of the
town were similarly affected, in so much, that mouldy fish, as they were com-
monly termed, were oiten to be met exposed for sale in the public markets ; in one
large pond all the fish were exterminated by its ravages, and in the reservoirs the
thy male and trout also occasionally suffered. He says, " It killed in about 48 hours ;
few recovered which were once attacked ; it grew both on the body and the fins ;
the fish lost their natural activity, sought the surface of the water, and seemed
fatigued ; the plant extended from the mouth to the vent, like a covering of velvet;
the scales at the point attacked loosened and fell off ; the parts affected were evi-
dently enlarged, reddened, spotted with blood spots, and occasionally ulcerated ; the fish
appeared to move with pain, lay on their sides, or back, and these symptoms
usually preceded death for only ten hours." To complete its history, I may men-
tion that it has been met upon dead flies (Goethe and Nees) ; on the dead larvse of
the land salamander in water (Carus), of dead moilusca (Gruithuiseu) ; on the
wounded toes of the Triton Functatus (Hannover) ; upon a wounded eel (St.
Pierre) ; upon the eggs of Limax Agrestis (Laurent) ; and of Lymnaea Stagnalis
(Valentin) ; upon both the ova and wounded body of Cyprinus Nasus (Valentin) ;
upon the eggs of the stickleback (by M. Coste) ; and it is even stated that the cur-
rent of water through their nests is probably intended to prevent similar occurrences.
Valentin has also noticed it on the eggs of the Bufo Obstetricus ; Pennant described
it as it occurred upon roach kept in glass vessels, and it is well known to attack
various species of carp, especially our well known favourite, the Cyprinus Auratus,
or gold-fish. Of its occurrence on this animal we have a description by Dr. Bennett,
in the f^din. Philos. Transactions. Finally, Kutzing has described three species
(which I believe to be all identical), one of which is termed the Saprolegnia Xylo-
phila, and found growing upon twigs in water. I too have likewise in my
researches obtained it growing upon twigs, identical in its nature with his
drawings, and with the plant as it grows upon the bodies of living and dead gold
fish, and derived originally from them. Further reseturch on this subject has
obtained for mo the information that (what is probably the same plant) the Sapro-
legnia Capitulifera has been observed by Alex. Braun (Rejuvenescence of Nature)
to develop freely on decaying pieces of Nuphar pumilum, and also to attach itself
to flies falling into the water in the localities where it thus grows on the plant.
This plant (which fully deserves its name of Saprolegnia ferox), as it fell under my
notice, occurred amongst a number of young gold fish (about twenty- five) kept in a
parlour, contained in a round glass jar'along with four yt)ung minnows. The gold
fish had been obtained from the Botanic Gardens of tiie Royal Dublin Society, at
Glasnevin, in September, 1855, having been bred there in the Victoria Lily Uottse,
during the previous summer months. They were of small size, varying in length from
one to two inches ; and as I had obtained them for the purpose of makiug a series of
observations upon the changes which they undergo in colour during their growth,

18 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

I had them in every stage — gold, silver coloured, and white, and also dull brown.
On the 28th of January, 1856, 1 first noticed that two of tliese fish each had an ex-
tremely beautiful white tuft, resembling somewhat the api>earance of common
mould, upon their side. The extent of this patch of vegetation was not more than
the size of a spangle. The fish were swimming about briskly, and appeared in
perfect health ; and I am certain there could not have been any extent of this plant
— at least sufficient to be visible to the eye — present upon them twenty-four hours
previously. I instantly isolated the two attacked for observation, washed out the
jar, and placed the other fish in it. They were still to all appearance healthy
to the most minute scrutiny. In the course of twelve hours more the plant had
rapidly extended in the two fish, occupying fully twice as much of the surface as
it did in the morning, and next morning (24 hours) it had spread over more
than half the body, reaching from the nose to the ventral aperture. One was com-
pletely dead at ten a.m., and the other died early next day (30th January). As the
plant extended over their bodies they appeared to be stiff, and swam as if moving
with difficulty, seeking the top of the water ; they afterwards seemed unable even
to do this, sank to tlie bottom, and lay there sluggishly on their sides or in their
usual positions. Previous to this one of them appeared for a time to become top-
heavy, his head sinking down so far as to threaten to turn him completely round
on his back, and he made great and evidently painful efforts to regain his usual
level position. After death the plant still continued to grow over their bodies,
developing on the snout and over the mouth, and on the fins and tail. After a
few days the plant manifested itself amongst others of the fish in rapid succes-
sion, upwards of half of them dying within twenty days from its first appearance
amongst them (the minnow escaping Its ravages'). Those that last died presented
visibly merely the appearance of white films extending over their bodies and dang-
ling from their fins and tail, and did not develop during life the full-
grown plant with its tubuli, although in some it became sufficiently evi-
dent after death, and reached its perfect state and formed its zoospores. On
most of those attacked at this time I noticed red bruise-like marks behind
the gills, and especially upon the lower jaw, and in some also on the
upper ; similar appearances occurred around the ventral aperture, and in two or
three upon the sides ; but these first attacked did not present such appearances, nor
did those which died more recently. When attacked, my attention would usually be
attracted to them by their rising to the top of the water and swimming in a peculiar
uneasy manner, as if stiff or pained as they attempted to move, afterwards they
became more and more languid and sank to the bottom, breathing at longer intervals
than in health and irregularly, and dying usually as if suffocated, with their gill
covers widely distended and the gills visible. 1 may here state that I examined these
fish most carefully after death, their gills especially ; the most external of the bran-
chiae were in parts loaded with masses of germinating spores of the plant, which
evidently had the effect of destroying their structure and disintegrating them, strip-
ping off the fine lobed capillary processes from the denser cartilaginous structure,
and finally loosening the cartilages and necrosing them. The developed plant con-
sisted of very fine fibres, forming dense interlacing masses, which somewhat resem-
bled the fine nap on velvet. The fibres were of rather tough consistence. Those I
at first obtained were straight and unbranched, afterwards I found a branched con-
dition equally common. The tubuli contained an amorphous mucilaginous fluid,
with masses of globules, aggregated in very unequal amount in vaiious parts — the
larger were evidently oil spots, and almost filled the diameter of the smaller tubes ;
others were more minute, and multitudes were so small as merely to present the
appearance of the finest dots — these distinctly exhibited "Brown's movements" —
and in some instances I had fine views of the more perfect circulation, termed " cy-
closis." The tubuli rarely had partitions ; they ended when sterile in blunt tops,
gradually tapering upwards, and in oval capsules when fertile. I could trace all the
stages of the formation of these capsules. First the granular matter developing more
densely at the upper part of the tube than elsewhere, so as to give it a distinct
brownish colour, the top then becoming dilated into an ovoid form, and the granular
matter still thickening and becoming separated from the ordinary contents of the
tube, and the septa rapidly forming by the inflexion of the utricle. Afterwards,

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 19

exactly as described by Unger, the fructification progressed towards its develope-
ment, the granular matter continuing to become more dense and opaque, and in its
structure numbers of comparatively clearer spaces formed, which increasing, at last
showed the capsule filled with from twenty to fifty zoospores arranged like the meshes
of a network, and having still some granular matter evident at the sides of the cap-
sules. I then distinctly noticed a movement of the four anterior zoospores (this I
wish to state distinctly, us I find that Alexander Braun, whose accuracy of ob«er-
TatioQ is so well known, states that in ^^ Derbesia, Saprolegnia and Chytridium the
motion'* which commonly occurs in other families, '' does not become evident until
after birth of the previously crowded germ cells*' — I have also been able to verify this
movement more than once) previous to their escape from the mother cell, one of
them applying itself to the flask-like orifice, and gradually* forcing its way out ; evi-
dently, as sketched, undergoing considerable pressure in tne process, which probably,
in this instance, occupied half an hour. Its escape was soon followed by that of the
other zoospores, generally emerging two by two, one succeeding the other with grea(
rapidity, and darting out for some distance (at least half the length of the capsule)
into the water ; they then, after a short rest, floated off right and left with evident
motive power, and tlie other cells in the capsule in their turn began to exhibit inde-
pendent movements and to escape ; finally, the entire got out, leaving the capsule
empty, the process taking altogether half an hour or a little longer for its completion.
Almost all the zoospores that 1 observed resumed their globular form soon after escap-
ing, and ceased to display motile force in the course of six to ten minutes, after which
they became stationary. To illustrate the rapidity of the formation of these cap-
sules, I may mention that a tuft of barren tubuli, removed late at night and placed
for observation in a glass cell, had developed its fructification in great luxuriance by
next morning (within twelve hours), and from this I obtained the varieties of globu-
lar mother cells, and those with double and triple cells, and also those remarkable
monstrous forms in which the barren tube grows again above the apex of the capsule.
Some of the barren tubes grew to a very great size and thickness, and developed
spores within their substance ; this, however, was extremely rare. I also saw such
a tube emit four spores from its extremity, but they displayed little motile power,
and floated ofl* only a short distance after their escape. I cannot decide as to these
spores having cilia. Thurot describes their having two, Alex. Braun found only one
single short cilium. I did not succeed in getting them ; probably I might with
higher powers of the plant. It is, perhaps, too often assumed that cilia are indis-
pensable for producing motion in cells. I obtained very perfect views of the mode
of propagation of the spores. Many of them multiplied by a process of gemmation
exactly like the cells of yeast; and the freshly-formed cell might by observation be
seen with its fine granular contents aggregating together and forming large masses,
and even transparent glistening globules of oil. So rapid was this budding process
that the same parent cell had occasionally two, three, and four buds derived from
the various parts of its surface and in diff*erent states of development. As they ac-
quired a bulk nearly equal to that of the parent cell, I could generally observe the
formation of a division occurring between the two; and this rapid production of
cells soon formed dense masses of vegetation, which by a little care could be seen
growing under the microscope. I would wish to direct attention to a very interest-
ing mode of development which I have procured sketches of — the formation of thin
hair-like shoots proceeding from a parent cell, and at its extremity the reproduction
of the cell-form again resumed, in its usual condition prepared for active fissile de-
velopment. I would merely state, in connection with this, that the growth of some
forms of mould appears to be closely analogous to what I have described. Thus, I
have seen similar thread-like processes connecting the sporules of the Ascophora
Mucedo, and it api)ears to me to be both an indication of extreme vital energy in
the reproductive process and also an arrangement, the object of which is evident, to
enable the spores in their development to spread more rapidly over a more extended
surface, and to interfere less with each other in their mutual growth. Having thus
obtained a second condition of this plant, in which it is a rapidly budding unicellular
body, I watched with much care for its return to the tubular form, and was able to
trace it pretty perfectly. As the masses of cells developed they became rather larger
in bulk and loss defined (their utricle or limiting membrane) if at all existing, being

20 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

of extreme fineness), and from the surface of the growth, one of the cells deve.oped
the new shoot, which resembled in all thinprs the parent plant. It remains now to
describe what 1 believe is new, at least as far as ray researches go — the fact that this
unicellular rapidly developing condition of the plant is perfectly capable of destroying
life in fish ; many, indeed almost all of them, which have recently died with me, and
I have now lost all my fish but three, have presented this state of plant alone (at
least during life). It adheres in dense masses to the fins, the tail, and even to the
edges of the scales over the body ; it collects on the gills, disorganises them, breaks
down the higher organised tissues, lays bare the cartilaginous structures in the gills,
tail, and fins, and interfering with respiration (as it seems to me), proves even thus
more rapidly fatal than from its more slow but equally certain destructive action on
the vital tissues. It is impossible not to recognise in this, which might be termed
a " mycelium stage," a strong analogy with the mycelium stage of fungi. We
know how dry rot, for instance, produces its destructive ravages in wood in its
rapidly growing mycelial condition, not in its more advanced state of development,
and I have in my researches on this subject become strongly impressed with the
conviction, that it is to this as yet unrecognised state of the Saprolegnia we are in
reality to ascribe much, if not all, of the destructive action which it exerts on animal
life. In fact, I believe we have in it a clear instance of a plant causing disease in
healthy bodies, and not, as is too commonly believed, a mere vegetative growth
developed on a body already in a state of ill health. Such is, indeed, the general
doctrine held with reference to Epiphytic growths occurring in disease, which are
frequently regarded as accidental Epiphajnomena ; whereas their invariable presence
alone in such cases would of itself go far to the unprejudiced mind to prove a more
intimate connection between them and the diseased condition which they accom-
pany, or, as I think, frequently produce.

Mr. Williams corroborated the fact of the destructive properties of this disease, as
exemplified in gold fish formerly in his possession, which were completely smothered
by it. He attempted to destroy the disease by removing the diseased spots, but in-
effectually.

Mr. H. Barton mentioned that some years since he found that some minnows
and sticklebacks which he had in confinement died of this disease ; they had been
fed for some time previously on bread crumbs, after which he had placed them in a
vessel with some gold fish. These latter remained perfectly free from the disease,
though all the minnows and sticklebacks died.

Dr. Kinahan had seen this disease in the following aquatic animals while in a
state of freedom and alive ; gudgeon, Gobio fluviatilis ; loach, Cobitis barbatula ; eel,
Anguilla acutirostris (young), stickleback, Gasterosteus leiurus ; fry of salmon,
Salmo salar, and trout, Salmo trutta, and in the smooth newt, Lissotriton punctatus.
During one season it was so prevalent in one part of the Dodder, that nearly all the
salmon and trout fry were destroyed by it ; he had also seen it on the larva
of the dragon-fly.

Mr. Williams read the following

ON A REMARKABLE CHANGE OF COLOUR IN A FOWL OF THE HAMBURGH BREED-

Gentlemen, I beg leave to bring before your notice this night a re-
markable change of plumage in a hen of the Hamburgh breed, which is
painfully recorded in my mind, from the fact, that, by whatever affected, whether
fright or otherwise, I lost the chance of the silver cup in the crested class at the
last Liverpool show in January last. When I selected this bird in the beginning
of January, as one of a pen fit to compete, she was then perfect in the markings
so characteristic of her variety, each feather being accurately marked, as well as
having her legs blue, which is the proper colour of the breeds. The lot was not
commended, and on examining the several pens at the show with a critical ama-
teur, and discussing the several merits and why this pen was passed by unnoticed,
he pointed out what, in his opinion, was the cause, viz., that the legs of this bird
were white, as he could not detect any other defect ; in this view 1 was obliged to
acquiesce, but I was not the less astonished, thinking it impossible that I could

PROCEEDINOS OF SOCIETIES. 21

hare sent a bird with sach a blemish. On receiving my birds home, I partica.
larly examined her. and saw that her legs were opaque white. In about a fortnight
afterwardd they became vivid pink behind, which colour has since depart«d. I
further observed that some of the hucklo and back feathers were not laced
with black, although I am sure they were so before she left Ireland. I was about
to kill her, as of no further use, but on consideration thought it better to retain
her, and watch if this progressed. Prior to being deispatched, she was, as 1 said
before, perfect in e\ery respect, in apparently perfect health and laying sound
eggs ; shortly after her return she was constantly looking for a nest, and laying
soft eggs, and became so fat that her natural shape was altered. I immediately
procured some old lime rubbish, and in about a week her anxiety to lay diminiiihed,
and her eggs had the shell perfect as usual. I have continued to observe, and
found almost daily changes, the black markings vanishing and the feathers remain>
ing purely white. When despatched to Liverpool her tail feathers were pure white,
accurately laced with black, which almost totally disappeared, but now seem to be
increasing, though irregularly. This bird is now in her third year, and is one
of the lot with which I took the first prize at the December show of the Amateur
Poultry Society of this city. A sister of hers, in the spring of last year, presented
similar features, but not so remarkably, the markings becoming so indistinct as to
appear as if viewed through gauze. I had her killed, and she proved a very supe-
rior bird on the table ; some of her eggs were set, and of the produce four birds
were marked as the one now exhibited ; they were the largest chickens of the kind
I ever saw, being much larger than otlicrs of the same age, one of which presented
features so nearly approaching both sexes that until near a year old it could not be
decided whether it was male or female. When hatched they were pure white,
with the exception of some black spots on the side of the head, but on moultmg
acquired black collars and some spangled feathers, with almost obliterated mark-
ings. The exhibition of these will convey to the members how varieties of poultry
are produced. The bird in question, in common with others, was fed on India
meal, oats, potatoes, and barley occasionally, and had an extensive grass run. I
shall now pass to another portion which demands the attention of physiologists to
account for, and which, as far as I can discover, is unexplained. I have at various
times observed changes in the colour of feathers, but from not having carefully
watched them thought 1 must have been mistaken, until my attention was aroused
by a paper given in this Society on the changes that occur in the plumage of birds
without a moult, as in the case I allude to, that of the black-headed gull, Larus
ridibundus, where the feathers of the head change almost suddenly from white to
black, as also in the breast of the plovers. In the bird before you we have the
reverse. We are all aware that sudden discoloratfon frequently occurs in the
head of man, and that changes in colour appear in several animals from shocks of
the nervous system, disease, injuries, or abrasions ; in the case of farcy in horses,
whence they become spotted all over with white, under the collar and saddle, &c.
I knew a case where a hen, which I still have, was bitten by a dog across the back,
and white feathers almost immediau*ly appeared in the shape of the bite. These
disappeared on the next moult. I knew a case where a mare was bitten in the
crest by a horse, and for four generations the foals had a white mark on the crest
in the shape of the mouth. It has been my anxiety to produce male birds of the
Hamburgh fowl, whose tail feathers should bo white laced with black, as shown ia
the plate of Rees' Cycloi)a3dia (produced), and last year I was successful, but wm
surprised to see that on the moult of the bird for this year the body of the feather
was de^ly mossed ; some time after the bird was moulted, the mossing declined,
and some of the feathers were pure white, laced with black. I waa not able to keep
this bird for want of space, but shall from time to time hear what changes may
take place. I presume this subject has somewhat to do with Albinism ; on which
question, as relating to the ferret, I read a paper before this society some years ago,
and now lay on the table specimens of several birds in exemplification.

Mr. Montgomery read some notes on experiments he had made to try the effect
ol extracting periodically eggs from the nests of birds, thereby causing them to lay

K

22 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

more than the usual number. He found that such eggs were deficient in marking*
and shape. He also observed that the birds hatched from them were weakly and
splashed with white. In this case the bird appears perfectly healthy, and yet these
abnormal changes have taken place. He had also seen great and rapid changes of
colour in the legs and cere of falcons, which were dependent on the state of their
health.

Dr. Frazer stated that he had observed as extraordinary changes in the hair of
the human being. During the year of the famine many of the half-starved crea-
tures who came up to Dublin from the west had regular piebald heads. In another
instance, in a man working in a brass foundry, he had seen a lock of greenish
hair occurring in the middle of a head of white hair.

Mr. R. J. Montgomery, in connexion with the subject, exhibited a most inter-
esting specimen of an Albino razor-bill (AIca torda), perfectly milk white, even to
its nails and eyes. When taken it appeared Wind. He considered the specimen as
unique. It was from Clogher Head, county Louth. He also exhibited a curiously
marked Albino magpie (Pica melanoleuca), in which the glossy black of the flanka
and wings were replaced with dull brownish white, except the quills^ which remained
black. For this specimen he was indebted to G. Rotheram, Esq., of Crossdrum,
county Meath. Mr. Montgomery also made some interesting remarks relative to
the mode in which wild birds change their colours, especially in regard to what he
called " edj;e-moulting,'' in which the tips and edges of the feathers wear away,
and bring to view the lower part of the feather. This is sometimes effected by the
bird itself biting oflF the ends of the feathers, and is well seen in the stonechat
(Saxicola rubicola), and snowbunting ("Saxicola oenanthe).

After due ballot, the Chairman declared the following duly elected ordinary
members : — William C. Stephens, Esq., Dublin ; Richard Ussher, Esq., Cappagh,
Cappoquin, county Waterford ; and R. W. Wilde, M.D., M.R.I.A.

MAY 16, 1866.

Charles P. Croker, Esq., M.D., M.R.I.A., in the Chair.

The following donation was announced to the library : — The Proceedings of the
Geological Society of Dublin for the Session 1855-56, from the Society.
James Haughton, Esq., junior, read the following —

REMARKS ON MOTHS WHICH CAUSE DESTRUCTION IN GRANARIES.

On a former occasion I brought before the Society some observations made upon
the destruction of corn by different species of coleoptera, more mischief being done
by the weevil tribe than by any other ; and my attention being called to the subject,
I was led to think that much damage was done by other depredators as well as
those at that time mentioned. I accordingly kept the subject in view, and acci-
dentally discovered a large colony of larvae, which, as far as damage to corn is con-
cerned, I think I may with justice rank second to the weevils. During the spring of
1855, whilst passing through a corn loft, my attention was attracted by a quantity
of wheat mixed with dust lying on a window-sill, which presented a somewhat
unusual appearance, a good deal of it being eaten in a manner totally different from
the way the weevils hollow it out, every grain touched having the larger or germi-
nating end just taken off, and neatly rounded. On looking for the cause, I
found a great number of small larvae, busily at work consuming the wheat.
A few days afterwards, on paying them a second visit, I found them either
spinning their webs, or preparing to do so ; and, from the great number of these
webs placed so closely together, irregular masses of wheat and dust could be lifted
in layers of from one to three inches in thickness. I placed a small quantity in a
box, where it remained forgotten until the middle of June or beginning of July,
when, on opening it, I found that a large number of small moths (T. granella and
cloacella?) had made their appearance, and about this time great numbers of similar
moths swarmed about the stores and the outbuildings arotmd them. About a month

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 28

•ince, I remarked, as I thought, a carious fangus growing from the beams in one

end of the loft. I cut a quantity of it away with my knife, and found that the wood,
which was partially decayed, was tunnelled out in every direction by similar larrss,
and even in some places the sound parts of the beams pierced like wood affected
with dry rot* The particles cut out during the process of boring were conveyed to
the end of the tunnel, and, being held together by a web-like substance, projected
in patches of from one-half to three-quarters of an inch in depth from the beams,
and formed the excrescence which at tirst caught my attention. Some time pre*
vious to this, the warehouseman called me to look at a large quantity of (.at be
thought; sea sand which remained after the removal of a quantity of wheat, and
which he imagined must have been mixed for the purpose of adulteration. On a
superficial examination the resemblance was very striking, bat on lifting it in the
band its lightness at once told that it was very ditferent. On close examination I
found it was entirely composed of the r^ectamenta of the larvsB alluded to.
The quantity on the loft was very considerable, which shows how destructive tho
moths are. The wheat is eaten in a peculiar manner. In every instance, as before
mentioned, the germinating end is destroyed, and the exterior coat of the grain
consumed in preference to the interior. In this they differ from the weevils, which
hollow out the interior of the grain, leaving the exterior almost antouched. I do
not mean to say that the larvae refrain from touching any portion but the outside
of the wheat, but that they appear to prefer it to the interior. It may be worth
mentioning, that in most cases where the cocoons were fastened to the walls, a
Dumber of these gnawed grains were attached to tho webs ; but this may, I think,
be perhaps attributed to tho wheat becoming entangled during the turning or shifting
on the loft. In the beginning of April of the present year 1 placed a quantity of
the wood cut from the beams, and well filled with larvae and cocoons, in a box, and
about the end of the month, on opening it, I found that a few moths had come out.
A peculiarity in their habit deserves to be noticed — namely, on opening the box in
which they were they did not at first attempt to fly, but ran quickly about, hiding
wherever they could amongst the contents, and, if well concealed, would not stir
nnless again disturbed.

The species Avhich occurred were Tinea granella, T. cloacella (a single
specimen), CEcophora pseudospretella, and Endrosis fenestrella. Of these.
Tinea granella were in the greatest abundance. Their larva are about one-
fourth of an inch in length, and whitish, with a reddish -brown head;
chrysalis brown and semi-transparent. Numbers of these larvae were found em-
bedded in old wood, and very many of them also hanging from the outside of the
beam, presenting an appearance somewhat similar to the larvae figured and described
by Mr. Haliday, as infesting the horns of oreas canna, which larvae were supposed
to belong to the Tineidaa— Ktrfe Page 23, plate 1, fig. 3.

The next in abundance was (E. pseudospretella : its larvae closely resemble those
already described^ difiuring chiefly in size, being larger and more active. The pupa
does not call for any particular description.

As for that " universal scavenger," Endrosis fenestrella, I need say but little,
owing to its being already so familiar to entomologists. For the idcntitication of
the species enumerated (with the exception of T. cloacella, determined by Ktr.
A. K. Uogan), I am indebted to the kindness of £. Percivai Wright, Esq., who
forwarded them to H. T. Stainton, Esq.

Mr. Andrews observed that the subject of Mr. Haaghton's paper was most
valuable, entering as it did upon a field of inquiry with regard to the destructive
properties of a class of insects whose ravages were not easily guarded against.
They were the pest of the naturalist (^?) as well as the farmer. He hopetl that Mr.
Uaughtou, from the favourable opportunities he had, would continue his observa-
tions, and endeavour to note the changes, and to obtain the pupa and perfect
insects, of the several species. They appeared more abundant in England than in
this country, and several species had been noticed to Mr. Andrews in the farm
granaries. The chief was the Tinea Granella. Preparations of vinegar and salt
had been used to destroy them, bat stronger remedies too Ircquenlly tainted the
wheat or other grain.

24 VBOCEEDINQS OF SOCIETIES.

The Rev. S. Haughton, F.T.C.D., Professor of Geology, read the follo\ving —

ON THE ANALYSIS OF SPODUMENE AND KILLINITE.

Having been asked to arrange the minerals belontring to this Society, and finding
among them fine specimens of Spodumene and KiJlinite, both of which mineraU
are becoming now rare, 1 was led to make a particular examination and analysis
of them, especially as the published analyses of Spodumene are, for the most part,
confessedly imperfect, having been made at a time when perfect atomic analysis
was not carried to as great perfection as it is now.

Spodumene is a rare mineral, which has hitherto, as geologists are aware, been
found in Europe, only in Sweden, in the Tyrol, and in Ireland ; not being found
in any other part of the British Isles. A careful analysis of the Society's specimens
gave the following result : —

ANALYSIS OF SPODUMENE.

= I

In the 100 parts.

Oxygen ratio.

Silica 64-28

Alumina ... ... 27-76

Protoxide of Iron 1-54"
Lime ... ... 0-67

Potash ... ... 0-54 •

Soda 0-48

Lithia 6-79.

3)-

1-397 =
0-540'

0-165^

101-06
Formula /3R0, Al^ 0) /2 Si 0

He next examined the Killinite, with a view to establish some doubtful points in
its history, and mentioned, that some time previous he had been given some
fine specimens of Killinite, from Killiney, of a leek green colour. These were handed
over to the llev. Mr. Galbraith, who had been engaged in an examination of the
ordinary hair brown variety of Killinite, and on analysis the two varieties proved
to be identical, except in colour.

It has been supposed that the two species, Killinite and Spodumene, ought
really to be considered as one. To this theory the above analysis seems to oppose
a very great diflSculty ; for, adopting Berzelius's theory of oxygen atoms, we will
find that in Spodumene, as shown above, the oxygen in the acid is as two to one
of the oxygen in the base, while in Killinite it is as three to two. The lithia,
according to Galbraith, is altogether absent from the Killinite; and, according to
Mallet, who has also published careful analyses of this mineral, it exists as a
mere trace.

The specimens of both these minerals, however, being very fine and perfectly
crystallised, Mr. Haughton was enabled to measure the angles, and thereby prove a
roost important fact, which is, that the angles of the crystals of the one mineral are
supplemental to those of the crystals of the other. This fact proves the perfect
identity of the two. To explain the seeming contradiction of the analysis,
we must take other matters into account. In addition to the difference
stated above, we find that Spodumene is anhydrous, and Killinite con-
tains 8 per cent, of water. We also find that whilst external appearances
are the same, the Killinite has a soapy feel, which Spodumene wants. This soapy
feel, which is generally looked on as a proof that we are dealing with an altered
mineral, gives us the clue to the whole matter. Killinite is an altered Spodumene,
which has become hydrated. The silica in it has followed the general rule and
become diminished by a fourth, and the lithia (one of the most soluble of the
^kalis) has been dissolved out.

Bev, J. Galbraith stated, that having this subject called to his mind by the

l»ROC]S£DINOS OF SOaETlES. 25

notice of the preceding paper, he had been led to look over the notes of hia analjtee

of KiUinite, given him by Dr. A. Smith, and also tlie Icck-grecn specimen men-
tioned. The results of these analyses Mr. Haugbtou had already stated. Kil-
linite is a mineral which has only been met wiih in Ireland, and then only in
KiUiney Hill, near this city. Several attempts have been made in Crermany and
eUewhere to identify this mineral with Finite and other minerals, but without
•uccees. He would nut detain Uie Society with a detailed analybis of the mineral,
as several most accurate analyses have been published — the tirst by Leight mad
Blythe, and since then by liobert Mallet, and others. He found, however, one
discrepancy between the analyses of these gentlemen and his own— viz., thequautiiy
of water present as their analyses gave ten per cent., while his gave only eighL
This fact, taken in connection with the extreme accuracy of their other analyses,
furnished an additional proof of the truth of Mr. Haughton's statement, as thej
showed that the specimens of Killinite vary in the proportion of water pres^it —
a discrepancy well known to exist between specimens of most hydrated altered
minerals. He perfectly agreed in the justness of Mr. Haughton's views, and con-
sidered the identification of the minerals as most valuable.
The meeting then adjourned to the mouth of June.

EXTRA POPULAR MEETING.

MAT 21. 1856.

Robert Callwell, Esq., M.R.I.A., in the Chair.

Doctor Kinahan gave a paper on the Crustacea podophthalmia of Ireland,
with especial reference to those found on the Dublin coast, illustrating his remarks
by diagrams and specimens from the Society's collection, including Thia polita, a
species 6rst obtained in Europe, by the lamented M^Calla, in Koundstone Bay, and
made public through the medium of this Society.

JUNE 13, 1856.

Rev. Professor Haughton, F.T.C.D.,M.R.I.A., in the Chair.

Minutes being read and signed, thanks were voted for the following donations
since last meeting : —

Address of the President of Cork Cuvierian Society for 1855-66 ; from the Society.

Third Report of the Commissioners of the Exhibition of 1851 ; from the Com-
missioners.

Doctor John Robert Kinahan, Honorary Secretary, read the following : —

ON BOTRTCUIUM LUNABIA — ITS MOST BKMARKABLE VARIETIES.

It may be within the recollection of some of your members that, two years ago,
I brought before this Society some specimens of varieties of the common moon-
wort (Botrychium lunaria), including two exhibiting a deltoid outline. I hope
1 will not be thought to be fruitlessly occupying the time of the Society "with
a twice told tale" if I again call your attention to this variety. On the former
occasion, being on the eve of my departure for Australia, I did no more than draw
your attention to the form. Indeed, its full value in reference to the laws of mor-
phology did not at that time strike me, and I contented myself with recording il
as a digitate subvariety of lunaria, and pointing out its bearings as illustrative of
the relations subsisting between the two, as they are called, ^^ fronds" of the ordi-
nary plant ; but into the relations subsisting between it and the classes of moostrons
forms — on a former occasion laid before this Society in some detail — I did not at
all enter ; for, having foimd but three plants partaking of these characters, it

26 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

appeared to be merely a sub-variety — i.e. a monstrous form of only accidental
annual occurrence.

Since ray return, however, happening, after a lapse of nearly two years, to be in
the neighbourhood of the station where I first found the original three plants, I
visited it, to see how the station was getting on ; when, to my surprise, I found no
less than eight plants, all partaking more or less of this character, three of these
exactly identical with my former specimens, as you may see on comparing the
plants on the table with these dried fronds. Four of the plants then found exhi-
bited the digitate form in full perfection ; the others, all more or less per-
fect ; one, in addition to the conversion of its lower pinnules in a pinnate pinna,
having some of these pinnule3 again converted into spore-bearing sprays, showing
in a beautiful manner the structure and development of that organ : two of these
have been figured (plate 5), the plant to the left representing the most perfect of
my specimens obtained in 1854 ; that on the right, another of the specimens then
obtained, illustrating in a remarkable manner the way in which the deltoid form
is produced.

From examination and comparison of these forms with other modifications of
this fern, it may be easily seen that, as conjectured by me on a former occasion
(vide ante Proc. Sec, p. 5.5), the fruitful part of the frond of Botrychium is to be
looked on rather as being the analogue to a branch, than a leaf ; being a branch
whose pinnules, representing the leaves, have been modified into spore cases, repre-
senting the flowers placed sessile around the branches. One of the specimens on
the table well illustrates this passage ; first, we have the ordinary barren branch
taking on the deltoid type, and then one of the so-formed triangular pinnse having
some of its minor pinna? converted into spore cases ; and on dissecting this plant I
found that the young fronds, which are to be found folded up at the base of the
plant, all exhibited the same curious type, so that, for three generations at least, had
this plant been undisturbed, these same anomalous characters would have been
preserved. I may add, that dissections of other specimens of the variety gave the
same results. This constancy of its characters, through succeeding years, places
the plant among my varieties.

The next question is, to what variety should it be referred ; and even a cursory
examination shows, that though so seemingly different in appearance, it really
belongs to the g^roup with cristate apices to the fronds, and for which I proposed
the name of Cnstatum ; for, on comparison with the forms of the common harts-
tongue (Phyllitis Scolopendrium) referable to that group, especially the highly
compound form called by its discoverer Digitatum (vide Nat. Hist. Rev., vol. 1,
page 145; note), we find that exactly parallel changes take place, the veins
which should normally be aggregated in a single bundle becoming separated into
several bundles and thus branched, the outline of the simple linear frond thus
becoming partially branched, even as in this case the simple linear outline of the
partite frond has become deltoid, of course the venations being of different types
in the two plants, this distinctive type is also kept up in the varieties.

In Botrychium lunaria var. cristatum, the following changes take place. In
the ordinary form two distinct classes of venation are observable in the barren and
fertile branches respectively. "We find, commencing at the ground, that we can
trace four distinct sets of vessels running up the stem, two destined for the fruit-
ful, and two for the barren branches. Those in the barren branch again pass up
as two distinct sets, one on each side of the axis, each set giving off" a single bundle
of vessels to each pinnule of its own side ; and the two finally giving origin to a
number of veins, arranged as a fanshaped venation at the apex of the frond. The
bundle of fibres given otF to each pinnule, in its turn giving origin to veins fan-
shaped in their arrangement, each pinntde, indeed, exactly analogous to the apex
of the frond.

In the fruitful branch we find each bundle giving off two bundles to each of its
bunches, these bundles in their turn giving rise to either double or single bundles,
according as the branch which they supply is branched or not — in short, each
terminal bunch or cluster representing the single pinnule of the barren branch.

PLATE. V.

Jl>l)'Simtka[el

KvsterACliikDiaiHii

PBOCEEDINGS OP 80CIETIE8. 27

This is the ordinary or more usual arrangement of the bandies, and may, I think,
be looked on as the typical or normal venstion of the plant. (Plate ti. fig. 2.)

Let us now contrast the arrangement of parts in variety Cristatam. The
fruitful branch remains, of course, unaltered, but in the barren branch great
changes occur, instead of one^ wo find that two bundles are given uif from the main
bundles at base of each of the lower pinnules, and each of these bundles gives off
in turn a siiiyle bundle to each of its secondary pinnules, and these tertiary bundles
compurt themselves exactly as the secondary bundles in the ordinary form. In fJACt,
the whole arrangement resembles very closely what has been stated to occur in the
fruitful branch, the arrangements being, in fact, identical, as proved by the spe-
cimen quoted before, in which these secondary branches of the main branch were
some of them fruitful, proving that these barren lower pinnae of the deltoid form
are identical with the fruitful branches of the common form, and that, therefore,
the fruitful branch, as already stated, is merely an extreme modification of the
barren branch, each pinnule of the latter representing a bunch or cluster of the
former, and each linear cluster of the former representing a single division of the
pinnule of the latter ; as also can be shown by examining the venation in the
pinnules of the deeply-incised form of the moonwort, which often bear sori on
their edges, each sorus presenting at its base an arrangement of veins similar to
what I have attempted to describe on the fruitful branch. (Plate vi. fig. 1.)

This variety now under consideration occurs both in the ordinary form of Botry-
chium Lunaria and in that with deeply-incised pinnules, and this brings us to the
consideration of whether this form may not be Doody'sold plant, recorded by Ray.
I am inclined to think it is ; though a most competent judge on the matter, Edward
Newman, has referred this plant of Doody's to the species Rutaceum, Swartz, as
also Sir J. E. Smith, in the English Flora (vol. iv., page 328). Ray describes his
variety as follows (vide Phytologist, vol. v., page 129 ; Newman's British Ferns, third
edition, page 320) : — "Lunariam minorem ramosam et Lunariam mmor foliis dLsectis,
Westmoreland, D, Lawson ; hujus plantae varietates ; non distinctas species opinatur.
(D. Doody, Syn. II., App. 340.) Lunariam minorem foliis dissectis revera dis-
tinctam speciem vult, cum segmenta seu lunulas nou solum eminenter sint secta^ sed
planta etiam elatior sit et botrus racemosior. Est Lunaria botrytis minor pinnulis
laciniatis^ in Borealibus nostris Pluk. Aim. 288." Now, this whole description,
especially /o/iw dissectis^ and " non solum eminenter sectae" (qy. cut at the apex)
sed planta etiam elatior (the broad-base of frond) et botrus racemosior (which also is
the case in several of my specimens), in my judgment more closely agrees with Bot.
Lun. var. cristatum Kin. than with Botrychium Rutaceum. Again, the plant
seems to have occurred amongst the ordinary form, but suflSciently rarely to call for
comments, all rather pointing to a variety than to an undoubted species, which, if it
had occurred so frequently as Ray's plant appears to have done, ought to have fallen
since then under notice of some of our botanists, and Smith, from his notice, does
not appear to me to have met the plant, as, had he met only the perfect form of
this variety, it is too remarkable to have been passed over without description ; and
had he met the intermediate forms, he certainly would have mentioned so strong a
proof as they would have aflforded of the specific identity of the two forms. I know
that these latter objections may also be urged against var. criatatum ; but still that
Ray actually saw or knew of Doody's plant is unmistakeable, and it seems more
likely to have been merely a variety of plant known to exist in England in quantity,
*than a plant of whose occurrence we have no proof, if we except Mr. Crnick-
shank's specimen of monstrous growth from Dundee (Brit, ferns, page 323), and these
are too much deformed to enable us to form an opinion with any degree of certainty.
These arguments are not for one moment to be supposed to be directed against,
the existence of Botrychium rutaceum as a species, but merely to prove that Doody *s
plants and these now exhibited were probably the same. If^so, it is interesting to
nnd a form apparently lost for so long re- appearing at a distance from the original
localities.

The other forms which are now exhibited illustrate all the varieties of form which
appear in the fern with which I am acquainted. They are, in addition to the ordi-

28 PROCEEDINGS OF 80CTETIES.

nary form, apeciraensof thelaciniate form of the plant, which is a true variety referable
to the class laciniatum ; and the sub- variety multi fidum exhibited in the barren branch,
which appears to be rather rare, thoni^h the same sub-variety is common enough in
the fruittul branches; and they illustrate well the danger ot founding a species on
character drawn from the mere circumscription or cutting of fronds. It is singular
to find so many varieties of form all crowded together in one small locality.

The point of whether this plant is truly a plant parasite or not has engaged my
attention, and the only conclusion I can come to is, that there is no actual con-
nection or contact between it and the plants among which it is found ; which is the
more strange, as it is evident from the nature of the localities in which it grows,
and from the testimony of all the most successful cultivators of the plant, that it
will not subsist unless amongst grass. Mr. WoUaston, than whom 1 know of none
more competent to offer an opinion on any subject connected with the growth of
ferns, has told me that he finds that to keep the plant over the second year, it is
absolutely necessary to grow it in a tuft of grass, and yet that he has never, even
after the most searching examination, by washing out the soil from the roots of
plants, succeeded in tracing any connection between the plants ; so that this must,
I fear, be, for the present, classed among those botanical puzzles which have
baffled all our efforts for their unravelling. In conclusion, let me urge on every
botanist who has the chance of studying this plant to never let slip an opportunity
of doing so, for, owing to the short time of the year during which these obser-
vations can be prosecuted, one golden opportunity lost may never occur again.

Mr. Andrews, Honorary Secretary, then read the following

ON THE OCCURBENCE OF OONEPTEEVX RHAMNI AND THECLA BETUL^ IN KERRY.

It is unnecessary to give any description of either of these beautiful species, as
they have both been frequently figured and described in many histories of British
lepidoptera.

The first, the brimstone butterfly (G. Rhamni), is an insect abundant in
the southern counties in England, scarce in the midland, and not found in the
northern, or Scotland. It is not so easy to speak with certainty of its occurrence
in this country, as, unfortunately, there is a great dearth of records of entomolo-
gical research here. It may, however, be assumed to be a rare and extremely
local insect, and we find no record of its appearance in any quantity, or with any
regularity, which is rather remarkable, as, in the sister country, it is one of those
insects which, though local, when it does appear is found in numbers, and also
annually. Last year, however, in the month of August, in a secluded part of
Muckruss, Killarney, in one of those tortuous mountain paths screened from the
breeze, amidst the bright rays of an autumnal sun lighting up the sprays of the
buckthorn and honeysuckle, the brimstone butterfly might be seen in numbers
basking in the sun's glare, or gaily flitting around with their beautiful sulphur-
coloured wings. Occasionally, as though for the sake of the contrast, they would
alight on the blue flowers of the field scabious (Scabiosa succisa), and quietly
closing their wings, allow themselves to be captured, a habit very different from
that of the beautiful red admiral and peacock butterflies (Vanessa Atalanta and
lo,) with which it was in company, and which might be seen, on the other hand,
when alighting, open fully out their wings, as though proud of their gay colouring.*
The same habit is also seen in the painted lady (Cynthia cardui), whose favoiuite
plants are the yellow flowers of the ragwort (Senecio vulgaris).

Near the same locality the brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae), a rare insect in
Ireland, a single specimen, was met with. The common gamma moth (Plusia
gamma) also made its appearance in great numbers in September last. During
the previous summer its larvae had proved very destructive to the peas and beans.

Mr. Andrews illustrated his remarks by specimens of the insects referred to.

Mr. E. Percival Wright, Secretary of the University Zoological Association, had
met Gonepteryx Rl^mni in the county Dublin. Although a scarce insect in

PB00EEDIN08 OF SOCTETTES. 29

the midland counties, he thought it was not rare in the sonth, and where it oc-
curred it was generally in great abundance. The capture of Thecla betuls was
of great interest, as it had been inserted in Mr. Greene's Irish list with a querj,
and even in England it was of rare occurrence.

Mr. James Haughton, Jun., had also met it near Roebuck, county of Dublin.

Mr. R. P. Williams thought that the occurrence in numbers of the brimstone
butterfly in Killarney was a matter of great interest, as this butterfly may be
looked on as one of the rarities of the collector's cabinet. In the Dublin collec-
tions he was only aware of two specimens: one in his own, collected by the late
Cooper Haffield, Esq., and one or two in the collection of the late Mr. Tardy,
now in the possession of Trinity College. Both these gentlemen were frequent
companions in entomological excursions, and the impression on his mind was,
that all the specimens alluded to had been captured in the Vale of Avoca, which,
at the time when the collections were made, was thickly wooded with large trees,
the underwood abounding in the common buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula;, which
is one of the trees on which the caterpillars of this moth chiefly feed.

The ballot having closed, the Chairman declared the following gentle
duly elected as an ordinary member: — John Irvine Whitty, LL.D.

EXTRA POPULAR MEETING.

The third and concluding of this series of meetings was held oi» Thursday
evening, June 25, 1856,

John Aldridge, M.D., M.R.I.A., in the Chair.

Dr. C. Farran gave a long and exceedingly interesting paper on the mol-
Insca of Ireland, in which he detailed, in a graphic manner, the more remarkabe
of his discoveries among these animals — viz., Pholas papyracea. Teredo norva-
gica, Fusus antiquus var. carinatus, and others of great interest, illustrating his
remarks with a splendid series of shells, and in the conclusion of his paper ad-
verting to the dredge as the greatest help the conchologist can possess.

COUNCIL FOR 1856.

The following gentlemen were elected as the Council of the Society for the
ensuing year: — Sir Edward Borough, Bart., M.R.I.A. ; Thomas F. Bergin,
M.R.I. A.; F.W.Brady; Charles Croker, M.D., M.R.I.A.; J. R. Dombrain;
Charles Farran, M.D. ; Samuel Gordon, M.D , M.R.I.A. ; W. H. Harvey. M.D.,
M.R.I.A.; Robert John Montgomery; James Edward Stopford, LL.D.; R. P.
Williams, M.R.I.A.; Gilbert Sanders, M.R.LA.; The Lord Talbot de Mala-
hide; John Aldridge, M.D., M.R.I.A. ; Joseph Todhunter; Robert Barklie.
Treasurer: Robert Call well, Esq., M.R.I.A. Secretaries: William Andrews,
M.R.LA. ; J. R. Kinahan, M.B.

BACK PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETY FROM 1849 TO 1866.

BEPRINTKD BY RESOLUTION OF THE SOCIETY.

Part I.— BOTANY.
JUNE, 1852.

NOTES OF A BOTANICAL EXCURSION IN CLARE. BY REV. T. o'mAHONY.

In hastily putting together the following brief notes of an excursion which
my esteemed friend Mr. Whitla and myself made through parts of the county of
Clare, about the end of last July, my object has been merely to bring under the
notice of your Society a few plants which, I believe, are new to the Flora of Ire-
land, and to record the discovery of some of our rarer plants in places not gene-
rally regarded as habitats. To this object 1 shall confine myself; for though
strongly tempted to dwell at some length on the magnificent coast and mountain
scenery of those districts we visited, and on the interesting antiquarian remains
scattered everywhere throughout the country, I feel such subjects would be out
of place in a meeting like this; while the consciousness of my own inexperience
as a botanist warns me to abstain both from entering minutely into a description
of these plants, and from attempting an enumeration, strictly scientific, of the
rich floral treasures which the county of Clare, and more especially the barony
of Burren, displays to the eye of the naturalist. I shall only observe, that the
lover of wild scenery, the antiquarian, and the naturalist, could all find there
enough to gratify their respective tastes, I shall first present to your notice a
species of Epipactis evidently differing from any of those described in our Floras,
both in its mode of inflorescence and in its place of growth. Mr. Whitla is in-
clined to consider it as identical with Epipactis ovalis of Babington. I do not
feel myself competent to give an opinion on the subject, not having had an op-
portunity of consulting such works as would enable me to speak definitely with
regard to it; but now that it has been submitted to you, I hope some one of
our eminent botanists — and I am happy to say we can boast of many such in
Dublin — will examine the plant and ascertain its true specific designation. As
I have said, it differs no less in its external characters from the other species of
Epipactis hitherto known as natives, than it does in the peculiarity of the posi-
tion where alone we met with it, near the very summit of one of the highest lime-
stone mountains in Burren— in the immediate vicinity of the Arbutus uva-ursi
and the Juniperus communis. While these last named plants love the somewhat
moist hollows between prominent ridges of loose rock, the Epipactis springs up
fearlessly on the very surface of the loose ridge, exposed to every wind, and to-
tally unprotected. I cannot well describe the exact nature of the ground, but
such gentlemen as have been in the district, and have seen the native haunts of
the Arbutus uva-ursi, are aware of the particular kind of limestone ridges, with
surface broken and chinky, that are to be found there running along the sides of
the higher mountains. On such ridges, among stones that can be separated
without much difficulty, and that, when removed, rattle over each other with a
peculiar metallic kind of ringing sound, the Epipactis, of which you have speci-
mens before you, grows in tolerable abundance. It was in flower when we found
it, in the last week of July — the flower of a deep purple. The slope on which it

DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 81

grew had a southern aspect. I am bound to observe, that I do not myself attach
any great weight to the circumstance of its situation being so different from that
of its kindred species in this country, and for this reason, that 1 perceived, not
without surprise, plants growing in places where, from my previous observation
of their usual situation, 1 would never have expected to find them. For instance,
the Valeriana officinalis, and the Eupatorium cannabinum, which in Kerry 1 al-
ways met in low moist places, by the borders of streams mostly, grow plentifnilj
on the high mountain tops of Burren, and sometimes on the face of almost per-
pendicularcliffs, where one cannot help wondering how they obtain sufficient mois-
ture. Hence it must be structural peculiarities alone that will determine its dif-
ference from, oridentity with, any of our previously described species of Epipactis.
The next plant to which 1 would direct your attention is one about which, happily,
there can be no dispute. It is new to Ireland ; but any botanist will at once
recognise it as a species of Spiraea (S. filipendula). I am not certain whether it
has been discovered before now by any member of our Society; but 1 believe I am
quite correct in stating that the fact of its discovery in Ireland has not been re-
corded. Its time of flowering I cannot specify, it being out of flower when we
found it, which was about tne 3rd of August. Its situation is in low, damp
ground, among limestone rocks. Connected with the finding of this interesting
addition to our Flora, I may mention a circumstance which clearly shows the
importance of examining closely every plant of whose identity one has not the
most perfect certainty. My friend and I were searching beside one of those al-
most countless little lakes, which, with their smooth surface reflecting the bright
summer sun, look like so many burnished mirrors, and form so interesting a fea-
ture in the dreary landscape, surrounded as they in general are by rocks of the
most rugged description, with scarcely a trace of vegetation to relieve their mo-
notonous bleakness. Passing along one of these, near a place called Glen Co-
lumkille, I noticed some leaves which struck me as being ones I had not observed
before. There was no flower stalk there ; I searched about, and found a sample
with a scape and seeds, for, as I said before, the plant was out of flower at that
season. Convinced 1 had never seen such before, I brought some to my friend
to ask him what plant they belonged to. He sent me back for the roots. These
I procured after no small trouble, it being no easy matter to get them up from
among the firmly fixed stones where they grew, and, on bringing them to my
friend, had the satisfaction of hearing that the specimen was one actually new
to our Flora. I need not say that I was delighted on finding it to be so. Every
true naturalist will easily conceive the joy that thrills the heart at the discovery
of anything new. I do not think it possible for a man to enjoy a pleasure more
innocent, more unalloyed. The gratification felt in such a moment is more than
ample recompense for weeks of labour, and there is hardly any amount of toil
which I at least would not cheerfully undergo in the hope of being rewarded at
its termination by the pleasing prospect of adding not only to my own know-
ledge, but also to the general knowledge of the natural productions of our coun-
try. There remain a few other plants to which I wish to call attention, not as
being new to ourFlora— of that 1 cannot be sure — but as presenting at all events
some peculiarities which it may be worth while to examine. Among these are
two kinds of Arabis— Mr. Whitla thinks one of them to be Arabis stricta.
There is also a species of Trifoliura, which he considers to be Trifolium rcsupi-
natum ; and a species of Helianthemnm, which he regards as not the Helianthe-
mum vulgare; it is probably Helianthemnm cannm. Then there is an orchida-
ceous plant, which he is inclined to look upon as the Gynmadcnia albida of Ba-
bington; it is very frequent on the high grounds throughout Burren. There
are, moreover, two species of Saxifrage— one has not yet flowered ; both were
out'of flower when we took them up; one of these Mr. Whitla considers to be
the true Cajspitosa. With regard to all these latter specimens, I cannot venture
to give a positive opinion. 1 leave the question to be decided by botanists of
more experience than I can pretend to. If any of them should turn out to be
new of course I shall feel most happy in havmg contributed in some way to

32 " DUBLIN NATUHAJL U18T0ST SOCIETY.

their discovery ; but I must say that in the case of these, as well as of those I
first submitted to your notice, the chief credit is due to my valued friend Mr.
Whitla, and not to me. I now proceed to the second portion of the task I have
undertaken for this evening, viz., to point out other habitats for some plants
commonly regarded as somewhat local ; and first I shall lay before you some
specimens of Orobanche rubra. On looking over the habitats of this parasite,
in Dr. Mackay's excellent work, I find he has given but two stations, namely —
decomposed trap rocks at Cavehill, Belfast, and basaltic rocks at Magilligan,
county of Derry. Of course it is not to be expected that any botanist, in pub-
lishing a Flora, can find room for all the known habitats of a plant; his doing so
would swell the work beyond all convenient proportion; and so it is not to be
inferred that he was ignorant of all other habitats save those indicated by him.
Still, it may not be amiss on an occasion like this to note any locality where a
plant comparatively rare may happen to be found. Persons in different parts of
the country then could have an opportunity of examining specimens in their na-
tive state. This Orobanche rubra which you have now before you, gentlemen,
we found among limestone rocks in the mountains above Ballyvaughan, a vil-
lage where I may remark, en passant, the naturalist may be sure of sufficiently
good accommodation. In every instance, and we examined the point most care-
fully, we found it parasitical on the Thymus Serpyllum. Indeed, I suppose the
question as to its being parasitical on this species of Thymus may be regarded
as definitively settled. I come now to the Helianthemum, of which you have spe-
cimens before you. In the " Flora Hibernica" the habitats given are — limestone
rocks, south isles of Arran, and southern coast of Cape Clear island. To these
may now be added that part of Burren which directly faces the isles of Arran,
it grows there on the cliffs, near enough to be washed by the sea spray
which in rough weather (if one may judge by the broken masses of rocks which
testify the violence of the surge that beats against those giant barriers) must
be driven some hundreds of feet inland beyond the face of the precipice. In the
same place we had the good fortune to discover some fine growths of that most
lovely of all our ferns, the Adiantum Capillus-Veneris. Here are some speci-
mens. I believe they differ slightly from the specimens found elsewhere, but
that may be owing to the peculiarly sheltered position in which they grew. The
recorded habitats of the Adiantum, I find, are three, namely — South Isles of Ar-
ran, Roundstone in Connemara, and Cahirconree mountain, near Tralee. On
looking through some old botanical works belonging to Mr. Whitla, I perceive
it stated, that formerly an immense quantity of this fern used to be brought from
Burren, for the purpose of procuring Capillaire. I doubt the truth of this
statement. If the fern mentioned had been Asplenium trichomanes, I should not
be surprised, for I never saw it in such abundance, or in such luxuriance else-
where. Among the other ferns observable in almost all directions, I may notice
Aspidium lobatum, Cystopteris fragile, and Grammitis ceterach. I have no doubt
that a close search would discover several other of our rarer ferns in this loca-
lity, so very rich in botanical wealth. It is almost unnecessary to say that the
Arbutus Uva-ursi and the Juniperus communis are to be found on nearly all the
mountains. So is the Dryas octopetala, which is so very plentiful that the
peasantry bring it in loads from the hills and use it as fuel. 1 found a few spe-
cimens marked by a peculiarity which I have not seen adverted to in any of the
books I looked into. It is, that the flower is polypetalous and sessile amid a
greater number of leaves than are usually found surrounding the flower stalk in
the normal specimens. Perhaps other gentlemen have observed the same devia-
tion from the general type, but it was quite new to me, and so I thought there
could be no harm in alluding to it thus. In Burren the plant most widely dif-
fused of all others is the Dryas. Next to it in this respect, at least at the time
when we paid our visit, seemed the Gymnadenia conopsea. In some places the
very air was laden with its delicious perfume. After it I should say the plant
most plentiful, particularly in the southern parts of Burren, when you enter it
from the direction of Moher, is the Geranium sanguineum, which, in the neigh-

DVhLUf HATVBJLL UlHTOHlf 80CI£TT. 33

bourbood of Bealnalack Castle, I bave seen spreading over acres of rocky
eround. The habitats recorded for this species of Geranium are, 1 believe,
Howth and Killinev. The Rubus saxatilis grows in great profusion above Bal-
Ivvaughan, on the high ridge over which the road to Inchiquin passes. So does
tne Rubus csesius, but much more sparingly. In the same immediate neighbour-
hood may be found the Asperula cynanchica and the Rubia peregrina in toler-
able plenty. In the valley which opens towards those sand-banks that lie right
opposite the Isles of Ajrran we found several specimens of the Gentiana verna.
It was out of flower at the time ; but, even so, it was not easy either to overlook
or to mistake it. Near a place called Rock Forest, on the borders of Clare and
Galway, about seven miles from the town of Gort, we found vast quantities of
the Potentilla fruticosa. A valley which was then quite dry, but which we were
told is completely inundated in winter, was actually covered over with this
handsome cinquefoil in full flower. The peasantry believe it to be most dele-
terious to such cattle as browse upon it. They told us of cattle having often
died in consequence of having eaten thereof. Not far from this valley we dis-
covered specimens of what seems to be Rhamnus frangula. It is rather a rare
shrub, I believe. Dr. Mackay, in his work, gives but one habitat, which is a small
island in Lough Beg, county of Derry. Ue gives also its flowering time to be
May. We found it in the first week in August, when it was in flower; but this
maybeowingto the difl'erence of aspect in both situations, for I observed that in
the vicinity of Darrynane, on the southern slope of the Dunkerrin Mountains, all
plants flowered a month, and in some cases two months, earlier than the period
mentioned in the Irish Floras. There is another of our native plants which some
have been inclined to consider as not indigenous, or which, at all events, has been
suspected — namely, Aquilegia vulgaris. We did not meet with it in Clare, but
we found it in two other places, widely separated indeed, and so situated as to
leave very little room for doubting the fact of its being indigenous. We met it
first on a limestone hill in Tipperary, where, by the way, we observed some beau-
tiful specimens of Gymnadenia conopsea, perfectly white; and in the second in-
stance among limestone rocks, near the shore of Lough Corrib, at no great dis-
tance from Menlough Castle. I have confined my notice almost exclusively to
such plants as wo observed in the barony which it was the more immediate ob-
ject of our visit to examine ; but I may remark, that after entering Clare from
the Limerick border, near Bunratty Castle, on both sides of the road we saw the
Dipsacus sylvestris in great abundance and of unusual size. Beyond the above-
named castle, on the fences along the road, the Humulus lupulus trailed its
long twining branches, and on most of the small sheets of water by the way,
especially between Ennis and Ennistymon, the stately Nymphsea floated grace-
fully, opening wide its snowy bosom to the morning beams. In our progress
through the country we endeavoured always to obtain, if possible, the Irish names
of such plants as we met. In this respect, however, I am sorry to say, our
efforts were not very successful. That our peasantry at no remote period pos-
sessed a considerable knowledge of plants, and were acquainted with the medici-
nal properties of many of them, is what will hardly be questioned; but at the
present day, when medical science has introduced more efficacious remedies, and
the establishment of local dispensaries in almost all districts throughout Ireland
has brought discredit on the once favourite specific of the village leech, while the
decline of superstitious observances, and the departure of Banshee and Sluagh-
shee has shaken, if it has not completely destroyed, the invalid's faith in the vir-
tue of the fairy-woman's charmed herbs, the peasantry have become quite indif-
ferent about those plants they formerly studied with care, and have forgotten
not alone their virtues, once deemed so potent, but even their very names. I met
very few persons indeed who could give me the names of the most ordinary
plants, except those alone which grew in cultivated fields ; of such they still re-
tain the names, owing, I should think, to their being obliged to remove them as
weeds, and having thus occasion to speak of them continually. Whatever names
we could get, Mr. Whitla has now in his possession. I wish the subject bad been

34 DUBLIN NATUAAL HISTOKT SOCIETY.

taken up warmly some time ago, ere the events of the last few years had so fear-
fully thinned the Irish-speaking portion of our peasantry. As it is, I do not think
much additional information can be gained. Before concluding, I shall crave
your indulgence for a moment or two, while I endeavour to impress on you the
necessity and the importance of increased exertion, and more diligent examina-
tions of such districts as have not yet been carefully explored. The subject is
far from being exhausted, and beyond a doubt the researches of a few years more
will make great additions to our Flora. I am induced to make these remarks
from considering that in a hurried passage through a district where we spent
but three days in all, though it would take a month to examine it properly, and
at a season too, when, especially in a limestone district, many of the plants had
faded so completely as to be beyond the reach of the keenest eye, my friend and
I had the good luck to fall in with so many objects of interest. This proves
what might be done there by a more prolonged and minute search at a more fa-
vourable season ; and I am sure the same observation will apply with equal force
to most districts in Ireland, for few places indeed, save those in the immediate
vicinity of Dublin, have been thoroughly explored at all seasons. Much, very
much has been done, but much remains to do ; and when a flying visit to any of
our remoter country parts almost invariably results in the discovery of something
new, what may not be expected were there an opportunity of instituting in those
localities a rigorous search, to be carried out carefully at all seasons of the year?
And now, gentlemen, with many thanks for the kind attention with which you
have listened to the reading of a paper so deficient in anything that could inte-
rest you, and so faulty in its arrangement and preparation, I conclude my notes
of our botanical excvu-sion in Clare.

Mr. Whitla, whohad accompanied Mr. O'Mahony in the excursion, then seve-
rally described the more interesting species that had been collected, noting their
peculiarities of growth, particularizing species found in that arid limestone soil,
and which in other localities were principally in marshy grounds. He could not
avoid dwelling upon and detailing the valuable researches of the older botanists,
especially with reference to Dr. Eaton. Much had been accomplished formerly
that were of late years recorded as new discoveries. Mr. Whitla went very fully
into this subject, of which he appeared to possess much information, and to have
taken up with great zeal.

MARCH 10, 1854.

ON THE FRUCTIFICATION OF THE GENUS DESMARESTIA. BY GILBERT SANDERS,

M.B.I.A.

At the request of my friend, Dr. Allman, I beg to present to the Dublin
Natural History Society a short description of the fructification of the Desma-
restia, as observed in the species Ligulata. Dr. Harvey, in both editions of his
Manual, and in the Phycologia, as well as every other algological authority I
am acquainted with, records the fructification of Desmarestia as unknown. I
was recently engaged in microscopically examining the structure of several
specimens of Desmarestia ligulata, when I observed some very minute brown
dots on the pinna I had under the microscope, which were resolved by a higher
power into small defined tubercles, through the pellucid walls of which I saw
assemblages of angular spores of the usual pink colour of the spores of the Flo-
rideae. Further examination showed that these tubercles were pretty freely
distributed over both surfaces of the pinna, on the margins as well as on the flat
surfaces ; those seen on the margins, being in profile, showed a hemispherical
outline, the greater part of which projected beyond the margin. I have no
doubt of these tubercles being the fruit, and that they are to be regarded as
conceptacula and superficial. I examined pinnae from two other specimens of

DITBLIIf K ATUBIL HI8T0RT SOCIETY. 35

D. Ugulata, which I had in my possession some years ago, and in both I noticed
traces of the same appearance of fruit, but not nearly so distinct as those on my
first specimen. In these last the capsules and spores appeared to hare dis-
charged their endochrome, which is very probable, as this ^enns is very im-
patient of fresh water or even exposure to the air, decomposition commencing
almost immediately after they are removed from the sea. If the mode of fruc-
tification is to guide us in the arrangement of the genera into orders, I con-
ceive Desmarestia should be removed from the order Sporochnacese to Dictyo-
taceie, as the fructification I have observed in D. ligulata is much more
comformable to the latter order than to that of the former. I have not as yet
perceived any symptom of fruit either on D. aculeata, or D. viridis, but the
scattered single spores so very abundant on Mr. Sawers's late important addition
to British botany, Desmarestia pinnatinervia, cannot but be the fruit of that
species. These spores have the same pink colour as those of D. ligulata, but,
instead of being in capsules, they appear on every part of the frond, like strings
of beads or chains. I think it not improbable that young spring plants of the
two other species, aculeata and viridis, will reward careful examination by a
discovery of their fructification, and I would recommend search to be made
among the Byssoid fibres with which the young plants are clothed.

I take this opportunity to exhibit some specimens of Desmarestia pinnati-
nervia, for which I am under obligation to Mr. William Sawers of London-
derry, to whom belongs the honour of adding it to the marine botany of our
country. Mr. Sawers sent specimens of his plant to the meeting of the British
Association at Hull, and to most of our best aleologists, some of whom
pronounced it a mere variety of a Laminaria. At length specimens reached
Dr. Montague, of the French Institute, who recognised it as his D. pinna-
tinervia, a description and figure of which he gave in the '^Annales des Sciences
Naturelles" for 1842, vol. xviii.

As there are some differences between the appearances of the Spanish plant,
as described by Dr. M., and those found by Mr. Sawers, I will refer to a free
translation which I have made of the article in the ^' Annales.** " Is it truly a
Desmarestia? That is a question not easily decided in the absence of any fruc-
tification. M. Agardh is inclined to believe it is to that genus we should refer
it. This alga requires careful description, because it has a perfect resemblance
to Laminaria debilis, collected on the coast of Corsica by my friend M. Solierol.
The only differences which I have found, though essential differences, and which
separates our plant from those with which 1 have compared it, are — first, the
presence of a well-defined stipe, about four or five millimetres long ; second, a
midrib, which traverses the entire length of the frond, and from which nervures
issue to the right and left at the distance of five to ten millimetres from one
another, forming with the midrib angles of about 24 degrees. All these nervures,
though strongly marked, are of the greatest tenuity. The form of the frond is
obovate, fourteen millimetres long by eight in width, at the widest part of which
is the summit. It has the same delicate tissue as Laminaria debilis. If it is a
Desmarestia, as all believe it to be, we must consider the frond as formed by the
fusion of the opposing pinnules, which will represent the nervures."

The differences which I find between the Spanish plant as described by Dr.
Montague, and the specimens of the Irish plant supplied by Mr. Sawers, are: —
The Spanish plant is dentated at the margin, obovate, and widest at the sum-
mit. Mr. Sawers' specimens are entire at the margin, very slightly waved,
lanceolate, and widest about one fourth of the length of the frond from the base,
tapering thence towards the summit; the proportions of the length and breadth
of the two plants are very dissimilar. However, I am inclined to regard them
at present as identical, merely altered by the circumstance of climate. It is
singular that, although the figure given in the Annates exhibits an appearance
of dots. Dr. Montague has made no mention of chain-like series of spores, such
as are contained in the dots in Mr. Sawers' plants. I imagine, from these spores
on our Irish specimens, that the exotic ones have them also. By some it baa
been doubted if the plants taken at Lough Foyle are indigenous to that coast, but

36 DUBLIN NATUEA.L H18T0ET SOCIETY.

have supposed them to be stray waifs, brought from more temperate regions by
tides or currents. I cannot subscribe to such ideas, from the fact of Mr. Sawers hav-
ing found fronds of his Desmarestia in tolerable abundance during a large portion
of last year (1853), even up to near Christmas, and as Desmarestia undergoes
decomposition so very rapidly when dead, I cannot believe it possible those
fronds which we see here in excellent preservation could have been knocking
about on the ocean for months. I therefore conclude they grew not far from
the spot where Mr. Sawers found them.

In conclusion, I would wish to remark on the doubt implied on Dr. Mon-
tague's paper as to the alga in question being a Desmarestia. The structure
certainly agrees with that of ligulata. As my specimens were quite dry when
they reached me, I could not determine if the single-jointed tube mentioned by
Dr. Harvey as traversing the fronds exists in Pinnatinervia. Should it be found
there, I have no doubt that it will appear in the nervures and midrib. Altogether
the question is one of much interest to the algologists, and I look forward with
expectation that Dr. Harvey will investigate the subject on his return, and
clear up existing doubts. 1 think it very evident that if the Pinnatinervia be
a Desmarestia, and if the tubercles I have observed on ligulata be the true Iruit,
then Dr. Harvey will have to construct the genus anew, for the diagnosis does
not meet the existing facts.

MAY 18, 1855.

ON THE ADVANTAGE TO BOTANY OF LOCAL LISTS, AND NOTES WITH REFERENCE
TO THE ALG^ OF THE EAST COAST OF IRELAND. BY GILBERT SANDERS, M.R.I.A.

As I have not seen a list of marine algae which have been collected from time
to time by various algologists in our bay and the neighbouring shores, I am in-
duced to offer a contribution to the formation of a local list ; and 1 pi'opose that
we consider Balbriggan as the northern limit, and Wicklow Head the southern
boundary, of what 1 would beg leave to term the Dublin district of coast. I have
selected these two extreme points, on account of their being favourable places
for collecting, and being so easily accessible by rail, as are also all the interme-
diate spots along the line of coast. The eastern shores of Ireland, bordering on
the Irish Sea and St. George's Channel, have not been sufficiently explored.
There is an impression that these shores are not prolific of species. One of our
most eminent algologists said to me, about four years since, that the Dublin
shores were not favourable for the study of algology; but I think that opinion
was incorrect. My friend. Dr. Cocks, of Devonport, spent about two hours at
Bray, and a similar time at Howth, in the summer of 1853, and in these two
hasty visits he saw upwards of tifty species. Low water, at spring tides, is the
most favourable for procuring the rarer species and most perfect specimens.
The rock-pools, which are only uncovered at spring-tides, are the best spots for
searching, these being the favourite habitats of many scarce algae. To search
these pools satisfactorily, we require considerable light, for without it we can-
not see to any depth, or even the sides of the submerged rocks under the shelter
of which the more delicate filamentous algae grow. On the south-western shores
of England, and the southern, western, and northern shores of Ireland, and all
the shores of Scotland, the time of low water spring-tides is from three hours
before noon to three hours after, during which there is sufficient light for col-
lecting; but, unfortunately for algology, in our own immediate district, the
same state of tide occurs at six or seven o'clock, morning and evening ; there-
fore, the examination of pools, at low-water springs, can be conducted on our
coast only for about three or four months — viz., the summer — and we are ex-
cluded from them altogether during the autumn, winter, and spring, — seasons
fully as interesting to the algologist as the summer months. The beautiful pen-
cilled tufts of the Sporochnac8B are only visible in spring, and many algae are not
in perfection except in winter. Possibly it may be owing to the unsuitableness

DFBLIN NATTRAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 37

of tho tides that the Dublin coast has the reputation of being unprolific. We can
see, however, in the examples before us, what may be done by assiduity, by care-
fully examining what the waves will bring us, especially after storms. When I
was able to devote some time to the sea-shore, I found the second or third tide
(high water), after the storm ceased, to be the best time for examining the re-
jectamenta. Marine botany will be much benefited, if colluctors will care-
fully note every circumstance connected with the abundance of certain plants in
fiarticular spots, or seasons, and likewise the changes they may perceive in the
orms. The sportive character of the algse has led to much dispute — some bota-
nists insisting that certain species of other authors arc merely varieties. Doubtt
of this description will be more surely cleared up by the observations of many ob-
servers ; and it must also be borne in mind by botanists who are not very fami-
liar with alga), that many of them put on such variable appearances, according
to the season, as to lead to the belief that a summer specimen and a winter spe-
cimen of the same plant must be perfectly distinct species. Whilst speaking of
the abundance or scarcity of some plants at the usual season of their appearance,
I will read an extract from a letter I recently received from Dr. Cocks, which I
regard as most interesting, and I look upon it as a^ery remarkable fact in algo-
logy. He says — '• I have now had eleven years' experience in collecting, and
have gained a certain amount of practical information, which, I confess, I had
heretofore not sufficiently attended to. Observation and experience have taught
me that there is not the same regularity in the time ofappearanceof the marine
algte as there is in plants growing on terra firma, and that theterms annual, bien-
nial, and perennial, are not applicable to the former ; and that their erowth and
time of appearance are governed by laws, or influenced by causes which the al-
gologist, even of the present day, is unable to explain. It is quite true that, in
certain localities where I had been in the habit of gathering certain species for
two, three, and more years successively, when I have afterwards wanted to ob-
tain more, they had disappeared, and, in some instances, have never since been
found. In other instances, some plants, which were previously considered to be
extremely rare and scarce, only picked up at intervals far and few between,
have suddenly appeared in the greatest profusion. Dr. Budd told me that two
years ago, having found out where it grew, he could have dredged thousands of
specimens of Stenogramme interrupta. Last year I could myself have dredged
a like quantity of Sporochnus pedunculatus and Haliserit^ polypodioides, neither
of which species I ever took before to say plentifully. A few years ago the mud
bank at Cremil Passage was strewed over at low water with quantities of Sphse-
rococcus coronopifolius, since when I have only taken two specimens. You will,
of course, remember when we gathered such a quantity of Dasya arbuscula at
Firestone Bay. I have carefully hunted over the same ground every year since,
and have never seen a single plant ; even the very commonest plants sometimes
disappear for two, three, or more years — such as Delesseria hypoglossum, D.
ruscifolia, Nitophyllum punctatum, &c." Such is the experience of Dr. Cocks.
It would be very desirable for other algologists to note the appearance and dis-
appearance of plants from a locality, and then to endeavour to trace out the
cause. With the view of promoting the object of this paper — viz., the prepara-
tion of a list of all recorded algse found on the shores between Balbriggan and
Wicklow Head — I suggest that other collectors will look over their collections
and give our Secretary lists of their gatherings on those shores, that we may
have as large a catalogue as possible of the marine botany of the district. I
hope soon to increase the list, which, for the present, is confined entirely to Mrs.
Davy's collection ; and before concluding I would beg to draw the attention of
the members to the very beautiful and natural appearance of the specimens,
which were prepared after the method laid down in the '* Seaweed Collector's
Guide," by Dr. Cocks, of Devonport.

38

DUBLIK NATT7BAL HI8T0BT 800IETT.

LMT OF MARINE ALO JS COLLBCTED AT SKERRIES, NEAR THE NORTHERN LIMIT OP
TH£ PROPOSED DUBLIN DISTRICT, IN THE SUMMER OF igM-

MELANOSPERMEiE.

Order — Fucace^
Cystoseira ericoides.

Order — Sporochnace^s.
Desmarestia ligulata.
,, aculeata.

,, viridis.

Order — Laminariaceje.
Laminaria digitata.
,, saccharina.
,, Chorda filum.
Order — DicTYOTACEiB.
Taenia atomaria.
Dictyota dichotoma.
Stilophora Lyngbyaei.
Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus.

Order— Chord ABiACEJB.
Chordaria flagelliformis.
Mesogloia virescens.
Leathesia tuberiformis.
Elachista fucicola.

,, scutulata.

Order — EcTocARPACEiB.
Cladostephus verticillatus.
Cladostephus spongiosus.
Sphacelaria scoparia.

,, cirrhosa.

,, plumosa.

Ectocarpus tomentosus.

,, littoralis.

,, granulosus.

RHODOSPERME^.

Order — Rhodomelaceje.
Rhodomela subfusca.
Bostrychia scorpioides.
Rytiphlsea thuyoides.

,, fruticulosa.

Polysiphonia urceolata.
Formosa,
fibrata.
elongata.
violacea.
fibrillosa.
Brodiaei.
nigrescens.
affinis.

atrorubescens.
fastigiata.
parasitica,
byssoides.
Dasya ooccinea.

Order — Laurenciaceje.
Bonnemaisonia asparagoides.
Laurencia pinnatida.
,, obtusa.

,, dasyphylla.

Chrysymenia clavellosa.
Chylocladia kaliformis.

Order — Delesseriacb^.
Delesseria sanguinea.
,, sinuosa.
,, alata.

,, hypoglossum.
Nitophyllum laceratum.
Plocamium coccineum.

Order — RHODTMENIACEiB.

Bhodymenia jubata.
Sphserococcus coronopifolius.

Order — Rhodymeniace^ — con.
Gracilaria confervoides.
Hypnea purpurascens.

Order — Cryptonemiacejb.
Gelidium corneum.
Gigartina mamillosa.
Chondrus crispus.
Phyllophora rubens.

,, Brodiaei.

Gyranogongrus plicatus.
Halymenia ligulata.
Ginannia furcellata.
Iridaea edulis.
Gloiosiphouia capillaris.
Dudresnaia divaricata.
Ptilota sericea.

Order — CERAMiACBiB.
Ceramium rubrum.

,, botryocarpum.

,, Deslongchampsii.

,, diaphanum.

,, echionotum.

GriflBthsia setacea.
Wrangelia multifida.
Callithamnion plumula.

,, cruciatum.

,, Turneri.

,, tetragonum.

,, tetricum.

,, roseum.

,, polyspermum.

,, corymbosum.

,, spongiosum.

,, floridulum.

,, virgatulum.

DUBLIM KATUBAL HI8T0BY 80CI£TT. 39

CULOROSPERME^.

Order — CoirrBRVAcsA.
Conferva melagonium.

Order — Ulvacba.
Enteromorpha intestinalis.
,, compressa.

M clatnrata.

Ulva latissima.

Order — Siphon acka
Bryopsis plumosa.

Order— CoNPBBVACEJt.
Cladophora rupestris.
,, laeteTirens.

„ albida.

t, uncialis.

,, glaucescens.

Mr. Andrews said, that the riews that had been given by Mr. Sanders were
most valuable and interesting, and reasons were clearly given why an appa-
rent dearth of algce existed on the east coast, compared with the west or
south-west. Zealous local investigation, like that shown this evening, would
still add much to the list. Mr. Andrews then enumerated many rare spe-
cimens that he had obtained oTi the west coast, which were, at present, com-
pletely local there. He had collected very large specimens of Taonia atomaria,
which he had given, with many others, to his friend, Dr. Harvey — the Taonia,
unfortunately, too late for insertion in his valuable work. Taonia is by no means
uncommon as a southern plant. Polysiphonia violacea is abundantly met at
Ferriter's Cove, county of Kerry, and specimens of Dasya ocellata are found
there. Conferva reotangularis was found in quantities in Killarney Bay, in the
Great Arran Island. This plant was previouslv discovered in great abundance
on the coast of Connemara, by the inaefatigable investigator, the late William
M'Calla. Mr. Andrews also mentioned that some years since he had obtained
Microcladia glandulosa, thrown ashore in the neighbourhood of Dalkey. It waa
singular, yet true, that seasons much affected the appearance and disappearance
of aquatic plants among the algae and confervw. In noticing such in his cor-
respondence, Mr. John Ralfs, of Penzance, author of the "British Desmidiae,"
observes — " I have watched for the last three years many stations of Mougeotia
coerulescens, Zygnema curvatum, various species of Desmidiae and Vesiculiferse,
and have never found the same species two years in the same pool, nor, indeed,
have I seen any of the above plants I found a few years since in the same water.
This should teach us to gather a good supply of specimens when we have an op-
portunity, lest we should not meet with them again."

JUNE 15, 1855.

OM THX BrFECTS OF SEVERE FEOST ON PLANTS IN THE NEIGHBOCBBOOD
OF SLIOO. BT THE RIGHT HON. J. WYNNE.

Having seen an interesting paper, read by Mr. Moore at a meeting of the
Dublin Society, on the effects of the late severe frost on the outdoor plants in
the Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin, it struck roe that it might interest the mem-
bers of the Natural History Society to have some information on the effect pro-
duced by that frost in the west of Ireland, where the severity of frost is gene-
rally so much tempered by the vicinity of the Atlantic Ocean. I, unfortunately,
did not possess a self-registering thermometer, so as to give the exact amount of
frost here, but I may give some facts which indicated its severity. First— The
adjoining lake was frozen across, so as to bear skating for about one-third of its
length for about a fortnight — a circumstance which never occurred in my recol-
lection, and 1 believe only once during the lifetime of my father, who lived to be
85, and spoke of his having once skated across the lake, which we did several
times this last season. Sicondly — The number of birds killed by it was very
great, especially sea birds— curlews and seagulls After the thaw, the sea^shore
was covered with dead sea fowl. However, we can arrive at a tolerable dej?ree
of accuracy, as the thermometer at Markree ObserrRtoFy, only six miles ^om

40 DtTBLIN NATUBAX HISTOET SOCIETY.

this, and equally near the sea, on the 12th of February stood at 18-2 Fahrenheit
and on the 13th, 176; on the 17th, 17*2 ; on the 18th, 15. There was no snow
here during the continuance of the frost — only about two inches fell on the first
day of the thaw — so that the plants were exposed to its full severity. Some days
after its commencement I had the roots of most of the plants, upon which I
feared its effects, covered with sawdust, but by no moans soon enough. In the
following list* the selection I have made to remark upon as uninjured will proba-
bly appear arbitrary, but 1 made it for the purpose of comparison with those
which were mentioned by Mr. Moore as having suffered : —

Plants killed — Erica arborea, Erica ciliaris, growing in bog ; same, very
slightly injured in garden ; Menziesia caerulea, Rhododendron altaclarense,
(Rhod. altaclarense, which I thought was killed, is now pushing out vigorously),
Adiantum C. Veneris, from Arran; this has been for years in the rockery,
covered during frost with a piece of calico. DavalliaCanariense — all the plants
have recovered, even one whichliad no covering except a fir branch.

Plants much injured — Edwardsia tetraptera, old plants on west wall ; E.
microphylla, old plants on north wall ; Laurus nobilis, § Myrtus communis, on
wall, both narrow and broad leaved ; Ulex Europseus, in some places, not the
least in others ; Calluna vulgaris, in bog ; § Abutilon striatum, on east wall, out
four or five years ; § Menziesia poUfolia, Verbena triphylla, § Aspidium longifo-
lium, covered with calico.

Slightly injured as to the leaves — Arbutus Unedo, much injured a few-
miles off; Photinia serrulata, both on wall and stand, and very slightly; Vibur-
num tinus, some plants, close to bays which were much injured, received no in-
jury ; § Ceanothus azureus, on south wall.

Uninjured — Fuschia globosa major, on east wall ; Magnolia grandiflora, on
south wall; M. tripetala, standard ; Rhododendron arboreum, R. chamoeustus.
Arbutus Andrachne, Olea excelsa, standard, sheltered ; Daphne Pontica,
Paeonia montana, Paulonia imperialis, Erica Mediterranea, E. ditto, Irish va-
riety ; Cedrus deodara, Auracaria imbricata, Cupressus tomentosa, Taxodium
sempervirens, Pinus Canariensis, Abies Webbiana, A. Cephalonica, Cryptomeria
Japonica, Quercus coccifera, Juniperus Bermudiana, Buddloea globosa, Cistus
ladaniferus, Garrya elUptica, Woodwardia radicans (S), covered with calico, as
it has been for some years; Trichomanes brevisetum, Pinguicula grandiflora,
Aneraotheca cruenta, Mimulus moschatus. I forgot Aponogeton distachium,
which I only got last summer, and. which is quite uninjured, though the water
in the reservoir in the garden in which it was placed was entirely frozen.

Mr. Andrews said that he was sure the members would feel much indebted to
Mr. Wynne for this communication, which was valuable for the notices of those
trees, shrubs, and plants that withstood the severity of such a winter, especially
as the plants had been completely unprotected by the sheltering covering of
snow. The comparison was also of interest with the records of those effects on
the east coast, as shown in the paper given by Mr. Moore. The grounds of
Hazlewood are among the most beautiful in the country, and many parts of Mr.
Wynne's extensive demesne bear striking evidence of the complete success of
the planting and of the beautifying of apparently most unproductive wastes, and
prove what judgment and perseverance can effect. Bordering the demesne was
once a wild tract of bog, covered only with the common heaths, coarse grasses,
and with juncaceae and cyperaceae peculiar to the wet and spongy soil of such
uncultivated wastes. Subsequently the growth of belts of pines skirting nume-
rous enclosures, drains, broad paths, and vistas were formed, and this paradise
bloomed with the most beautiful heaths, azalea, and rhododendra. Binding the
embankments thrown up from the deeply-cut drains, the varieties of berberry,
holly, Mahonia aquifolium, repens, and fascicularis, grew with rapidity and

• Those marked thus (§) were covered with sawdust.

DUBLIN NATUBAL HISTORY 80CIXTT. 4 1

luxuriance, throwing out innumerable suckers, and which, gaining strength by
growth, again sent out their branchlets in all directions. Among the Rosacec,
Kosaarvensis, and many of the ornamental briars, grew on the sunny slopes of the
peat embankment with great beauty. The sides of the once desolate valley of
Glencar, which were exposed to the furious and sweeping gusts of the north-
west gales, are now clothed and tinged with the fine growth and the varied hues
of the larch, the pinaster, black Austrian pine, and the stone pine. The judi-
cious olanting of the Austrian pine has proved a sheltering screen to the fair
growth of the rest. The Pinus Austriacus, peculiar to the Briema Forest in
the Austrian States, is a valuable tree, serving as a shelter, and enduring
exposure to the storms of the coast better than the pinaster or sycamore, and
of all the pines it bears transplanting with the least injury to its growth. These
improvements have been carried on extensively on each side of Lough Gill — a
lake five miles in length, and, in parts, nearly two in breadth, and, with its
islands, beautiful in its scenery. This lake, Mr. Wynne observes, was frozen
over during the severity of the past winter; its waters are only twenty feet
above the sea. The silver firs are among the finest in the kingdom, exceeding
ninety feet in height, and, at a few feet from the ground, eleven and twelve ia

firth. Sixty to seventy of these fine trees were blown down in the storm of the
th of January, 1839; one of the trees, thirteen feet in girth, boarded a loft
forty by twenty feet. The Chichester elm grows well, and becomes a fine tree,
and the Turkey oak has a most rapid growth, and bears the wind well, but the
white American spruce appears the best suited for high grounds, and to stand
exposure to storms. The rockery in the gardens exhibits, in all their vigour of
growth, some of the choicest plants and ferns of the mountains of Switzerland,
and there also Pteris longifolia, a West Indian plant, Trichomanes radicans,
and Adiantum Capillus Veneris, bear the open ground throughout the seasons.
Mr. Wynne informs me that the Trichomanes flourishes luxuriantly in his
Wardian case, but does not bear involucra ; on the rockery it fruits most freely.
The Pinguicula grandiflora blooms there with surprising beauty and profusion.
The influence of temperature has always affected the phenomena of vegetation,
and we find plants, natives of opposite spheres, enduring, in many instances,
extreme degrees of temperature, either of heat or of cold, if that temperature
be even, and not subject to sudden changes or transitions. Those plants, trees,
or shrubs, that suspend their powers during the winter, bear, without injury,
the utmost rigour of that season, whilst those, like the sweet bay (Laurus
nobilis), Laurustinus, and shrubs of similar habits, that have greater or less
vitality during the winter months, suffer most extensively. At Glazenwood
nursery, when remarking on the extensive ravages caused by the frost of 1837-
38, Mr. Curtis says : ♦♦ I have never known a more mischievous winter. Among
standard roses I observe that a great many that were moved in the months of
October and November survived, whilst those unmoved, of the same kinds,

f)erished from the fulness of their sap-vessels." In looking over Mr. Wynne's
ist, I find that amongst the plants that were altogether killed, or much injured,
were heaths, myrtles, old plants of the species of Edwardsia and the Laurus
nobilis; while, among those that were uninjured, were Pteonia montana,
Cedrus deodara, Araucaria imbricata, Trichomanes radicans, and the Rhodo-
dendra and pines generally. In my own fernery, which is enclosed in a small
greenhouse, the Trichomanes did not in the least suffer, although the fronds
were coated with ice the greater part of the period the frost lasted — neither did
Adiantum Capillus Veneris, nor the species of Hymenophylla. I have partica-
larly noticed in Mr. Wynne's list the Cedrus deodara and Araucaria; for, in
reviewing the records of the severe frost of the winter of 1837-38, those plants were
invariably found to stand the severity of the season, while, in all instances, the
destruction to the Laurus nobilis, or sweet bay tree, appeared to be generaL
These notices are from the principal gardens in England and Scotland. The
manager of the gardens ana Pinetum at Dropmoro states: — ** Araucaria im-
bricata— plants of this species, though not protected, and growing in exposed

42 DT7BLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

situations, have scarcely suffered, and the whole of the trees are growing
vigorously, Cedrus deodara proves to be quite hardy. The Laurustinuses,
bay trees, and the heaths. Erica Mediterranea, Australis, arborea, and vagans,
were killed to the ground, but are now growing freely. I fully expected all were
dead, as they were very late before they broke — Dropmore, Tith December,
1838." Time should be given to valuable plants apparently dead. The most
severe frost of the winter was the middle of January, 1838. In the island of
Jersey the coldest day was on the 19th, when Fahrenheit's thermometer, at five
o'clock p. M., was 18; on the 17th of the same month, it was noted, at the Nur-
sery in Kilkenny, that Fahrenheit's thermometer fell to 20. The magnolias, both
in England and on the Continent, suffered but little injury ; while the pines,
heaths, and rhododendra, extensively perished. A friend informs me that, at
the gardens at Cronstadt, St. Petersburgh, and Moscow, at the approach of
winter, all plants and vegetables are packed away, stored, and sheltered, and
throughout the winter the gardens present dreary scenes of desolation. At the
end of April the thaw hurries all into arrangement; and, with the vigour of the
sun, vegetation bursts forth like a thought; and, during the few months of
summer, the gardens are as gay as those in the neighbourhood of London. The
severity of a winter causes a corresponding heat in the ensuing summer, and
from the observations made by Mr. Erman (Humboldt, Asie Centrale), such
severe winters are followed by warm and dry summers. M. L. C. Seitz, Royal
Court and Botanic Gardener at Munich, remarks in the "Garten Zeitung," for
August, 1838, with reference to the severity of the winter of 1837-38 • — "We ex-
perienced an almost insupportable heat during the months of June and July,
when the thermometer continually varied between 23° and 25° of Reamur (80*»
to 85" Fahrenheit). On the 15th of July, at two o'clock in the afternoon, it was
260-25° Reamur (90' Fahrenheit) ."

Mr. Robert Callwell observed that in his large fernery he had noted,
within the house, the thermometer to fall to 18". Neither Trichomanes nor
Adiantum Capillus Veneris suffered in the least. He attributed this to the
temperature being in some degree uniform, and to the stillness of the atmo-
sphere.

JANUARY 16, 1851.

ON THE TREATMENT OF TRICHOMANES RADICANS UNDER CULTURE.
BY ROBERT CALLWELL, M. R. I. A.

(Abstract.)

The statements he was about to make were upon the successful results
of his several modes of treatment of the cultivation of that beautiful fern
(T. radicans). In the year 1842 Mr. Andrews had given him a plant having
two fronds — one about six inches in length, the other partially developed. These
he placed under a bell-shaped glass shade, which was about fifteen inches in dia-
meter and eighteen inches in height. The fern was planted in pure maiden
earth, or virgin mould, a good drainage being formed by placing inverted flower-
pots in the receiver. Through this mould he interspersed portions of charcoal.
The temperature and moisture was carefully regulated, although but little
watering was given to the plant. Great care was taken to keep the growing
fronds from contact with the glass, for so delicate and sensitive were the beauti-
ful fronds when expanding, that, should they rest against the glass, they become
blackened and unsightly. In the spring of 18-15, so luxuriantly had the plant
extended, that he removed the mass to a larger case. At that time there were
about twenty fronds, all fully developed, and presenting that beautiful green hue
and delicacy of texture which are the remarkable characteristics of the plant.
The new habitat was a framed case of neat mahogany, glazed on all sides, and

DUBLIN NATUBAL UISTOBT SOCIETr. 43

haying a deep tray of sine. Its measarements were three feet nine inohen long,
two feet six inches broad, and three feet three inches high, having a depth of tray
or receiver ten inches. ' Height in the case he considered of much importance
for the proper encouragement of growth. The line tray was placed on a strong
floor — the mass of plants were laid in soil, similar to that described, with charcoiu
throughout, having previously put, as before, the inverted flower-pots, with
the addition of cocoa-nut hu8ks, so as in every way to facilitate perfect drain-
age. It was of great importance to the healthy growth of the plants to prevent
any lodgment of moisture in the mould, or any tendency to the mould souring
from undue excess or retention of moisture. To avoid this, he had placed
around the case a vein of zinc, and by judiciously placing skeins of worsted, the
drainage was directed to a proper course, and the water easily carried off by
means of a stop-cock, which could be turned when necessary. Other most im-
portant measures were to regulate light and temperature. The case was placed
on a lobby where it received only a subdued light, with but partial rays of the
sun through the medium of green glass, and where the temperature was gene-
rally even throughout the year, for the plants would not bear any degree of heat
— moisture, an equable temperature, and a modulated light, were the essen-
tials for effective growth. It would appear, where Mr. Andrews had made the
discovery of such splendid plants in Kerry, that a shaded moist temperature
was the delight of this fern. The fronds in his (Mr. Call well's) case were not
80 largo or fine as the specimens found by Mr. Andrews, but his was a new
station in Iveragh, and those he collected were from Killarney. He should have
mentioned that, in forming the compost for the plants, he had raised a kind of
mound towards the centre of the case, that the plants might be better seen, and
now the entire case was filled and covered with the fronds. In the winter of
1849 he suspended from the roof of Ihe case a block of wood, and to this he
attached a plant, which had now crept over the wood with its rhizomata,
and was spreading its roots in all directions. Mr. Callwell said that he would
feel happy in showing his case to any of the members, or giving them any
further information of his system, and Mr. Andrews would now give them an
idea of the great beauty and peculiarity of the fern, by submitting the specimens
he had brought with him.

Mr. Andrews then exhibited beautiful specimens of this fern from Iveragh
and Killarney, in Kerry; also specimens both of Trichomanes and Hymenophyl*
lum from the Isle of France, the East and West Indies, Hong-Kong, and South
America. He observed that the remarks of Mr. Callwell could not be but of in-
terest to those who delighted in their gardens and in the cultivation of plants,
and those described by Mr. Callwell would repay the care bestowed upon them.
Mr. CallwelTs treatment had been most successful: indeed, it might be said
that no one had so extensively cultivated this beautiful plant. An equable tem-
perature, moisture, and a kind of diurnal twilight, were the features best suited
to the health and vigorous luxuriance of the plant. They would bear extremes
of cold, provided the temperature was even or not subject to transition. Mr.
Callwell had, however, tried a most successful plan of growth in the addition of
charcoal. 'The use of peat charcoal had been most advantageously applied to the
culture of plants in several gardens in England, particularly in those tine gardens
of Bacton, in Devonshire, where, with JSew Holland plants, the success of peat
charcoal was astonishing. Charcoal, loam, heath-mould, with river sand and
good drainage, will succeed with most plants. The first notice of this beautiful
fern in Britain was at Bellbank, in Yorkshire, a barren specimen only being
found. It was quoted in Hudson's Flora Anglia as Trichomanes pyxidiferum of
Plumier. Dr. Mackay, however, finding plants at Killarney in fructification,
considered it distinct from the plant of Plumier, and it was figured in English
Botany by Sir J. E. Smith as Hymenophyllum alatum, from its winged stem:
Subsequently it was named Trichomanes brevisetum, which name it retained
until the discorery in 1842 in Iveragh, Kerry. The peculiar character of growth

44 DUBLIN NATIJRAi HISTOKT SOCIETI.

and fructification at once showed its identity with Trichomanes radicans of
Swartz, and comparison with specimens from the Mauritius, from the West
Indies, and from South America, established its affinity with those tropical
species, and, as Sir William Hooker observed, spoke volumes in favour of the
climate of the south-west of Ireland. Mr. Andrews said that the treatment
adopted by Mr. Callwell, by regulating the temperature, would be applicable to
the culture of the exotic species of these beautiful ferns. The West India
Islands, particularly those of volcanic origin, are remarkable for the variety and
beauty of the family of the Hymenophyllee. The Iveragh plants, in the al-
ternate numerous pinnated, almost pellucid fronds, bear, as to growth, a near
resemblance to the Trichomanes radicans and Trichomanes brachypus of
Jamaica and St. Vincent's, which beautiful plants in those islands, at the highest
elevations, spread like a velvet carpet over the moist and massive trunks of
aged trees. The Rev. Lansdowne Guilding describes the T. radicans of
St. Vincent's to have long, creeping main stems or caudices. The true T.
pyxidiferum of Jamaica grows abundantly in the Island of St. Vincent's, at an
elevation of 2000 feet above the level of the sea, thus showing that this tribe
in the tropics affect a much higher elevation, where the temperature, being lower,
is more conductive to their healthy existence. The pyxidiferum is distinguished
by the broad revolute mouths of the involucres, the involucres being broadly
winged and sunk to the pinnules of the frond ; the receptacles are of consider-
able length. The plant from Kerry is similar in form to the Trichomanes
alatum of Jamaica, but from that it is separated by the more membranous
structure of the frond of the alatum, and the forked cilia existing at the
termination of the pinnae. Many of the Hymenophyllae are extremely beautiful,
and several bear striking resemblance to our native plants, Wilsoni and Tun-
bridgense. Thus, H. polyanthus has its reticulated ovate involucra divided
similarly to H. Wilsoni. H. dilatatum and semibivalve of New Zealand, Cris-
patum from Nepaul, and the West Indian Undulatum, are all beautiful examples
of the same ferns. The fruit of the H. cristatum bears in the character of its
orbicular involucre, and the position of growth, much resemblance to H. Tun-
bridgense. This beautiful plant is found in the Peruvian Andes, near the limits
of perpetual snow, embracing with its creeping rhizomata the trunks of trees.
But the handsomest is the Hymenophyllum elasticum from the Mauritius, which
covers the moist and shaded trunks of trees. Its pinnules are elastic, and its
shining appearance contrasts with beautiful effect with the black midribs.

Mr. Andrews, in showing the specimens of this beautiful fern, said that his
friend, Dr. Alexander, R. N., a most zealous botanist, had seen H. elasticum in
great abundance in a monster cave at Kow-Loon, the side opposite Hong-Kong.
He had also met that rare fern, Anthropium Boryanum, in shaded places on the
banks of the Sarawak, Borneo, near Rajah Brooke's residence. Mr. Callwell had
spoken of the manner he had grown the Trichomanes suspended — the plants ap-
peared to delight in that position of growth, and Mr. Andrews had successfully
cultured them in that manner, and the plants had produced fructification in per-
fection. In this manner, creeping over a moistened surface, none would appear
more beautiful than Trichomanes membranaceus, or those beautiful plants
T. reptans, apodum, and parvulum, which, like frondose Jungermania,
spread over the branches of trees. He would mention a very pretty Junger-
mania, peculiar as a parasite, to T. radicans, which he found on the Kerry
plants — the Jungermania minutissima. On receiving a specimen of T. radicans
from the Mauritius, he found this Jungermania on the frond identical with the
Kerry parasite. Jungermania Hutchinsea, and Protenema cryptorum, are also
favourite companions of Trichomanes. Mr. Andrews would mention a singular
character of the fern — that fronds that he had collected and planted in a case
in 1842 still were green and healthy.

Mr. Callwell said he would bear evidence to the same effect, that fronds that
he originally obtained were now in healthy condition ; and he would also state
that the only fern that he found to grow with Trichomanes in the same case
was the Aspleniam marinum.

DUBLIN NATURAL HIBTOBY SOCIETY. 45

MAY, 1853.

RECORD OF TRICHOMANBS RADICANB AT VALENTIA, KERRY.

Professor Harvey recorded a new locality of Trichomanes radicans, beinp^ a
notice of a communication that had been made to him of the discovery of this
beautiful fern in the Island of Valentia, county of Kerry. Notices of that fern
had so frequently been brought before the Society, that he thought it unneces-
sary to allude to it further than to state that it had recently been discovered at
Valentia by Miss Helen Blackburne, daughter of Mr. Blackburne, the Director
of the Valentia Slate Establishment. She also found growing with it Quantities
of Hymenophyllum Wilsoni and Tunbridgense. The little priestess of tne temple
intends keeping the retreat sacred, and will only introduce those votaries whose
pure love of the science will reverence the station. Dr. Harvey brought the
notice before the meeting, as he considered the Society the proper channel for
recording such discoveries. The specimen sent to him, which he submitted,
Dr. Harvey said was identical with the Killarney form, and not with that of the
Trichomanes which had been discovered farther west. He would mention the
singular circumstance that Trichomanes had not been known to exist in North
America until last year, when it was discovered in Alabama. A new species had
been discovered this year in America.

Mr. Kinahan said he took the opportunity of exhibiting several forms of Tri-
choqnanes from near Youghal. He mentioned their peculiarities and habits, and
observed that some were found growing on the face of barren and almost inac-
cessible rocks ; others in the shaded and moist crevices of dripping rocks ;
while other plants he found altogether growing in bog mould.

Mr. Andrews said that a variety of opinions had been oflFered and entertained
as to the species of Trichomanes found in the south-west of Ireland. The Kil-
larney form of the frond was triangular, the lowest pinnae being the longest, and
bipinnated. The plants found in Glouin Caragh had the fronds lanceolate, the
lowest pinnsB being the shortest, and bipinnated. The winging of the involucre
had also been noticed as peculiar. It was of much interest to hear of its disco-
very in so bleak and unsheltered a position as Valentia Island presented ; and
he thought the meeting of Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense there equally interest-
ing. Mr. Andrews said that he first found Trichomanes at Mount Eagle, west
of Dingle, a very rocky and barren locality. No doubt, trees flourished at one
period both at Mount Eagle and at Valentia, and Trichomanes might then have
grown abundantly in those places. The Hon. Dayrolles De Moleyns had also
discovered a station of Trichomanes near Dingle.

MAY, 1854.

RECORD OF DISCOVERY OF ELYMQS EUROP^US IN IRELAND, AND OF TRICHOMANES
RADICANS IN THE COUNTY OF CORK.

Mr. Andrews exhibited specimens of Elymus Eoropseus of Linnieus, Hor-
deum sylvaticum of Hudson, which had been sent to him by Mr. John Bain, of
the Botanic Gardens. Trinity College. Mr. Bain discovered this grass in the
woods at Mount Merrion, the seat of the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, and he at
once detected it as new to the Flora of the country. It grew in some abundance,
and, being of no value as an agricultural grass, it is not likely to have been in-
troduced.

Mr. Andrews also brought to notice and exhibited specimens of Trichomanes
radicans and Ophrys rauscifera, which were sent to him by Mr. Thomas Chandlee,
of Cork, who promised to be a most assiduous botanist. Mr. Chandlee had already
drawn up a Flora of the Phsenogamous and Cryptogamous plants of Fermoy.
Mr. Chandlee ob-serves, that he was in company with Mr. Isaac Carroll of Cork

N

46 DUBLIN NATTEiL HISTOET SOCIETY.

when the Trtchomanes was discovered in a locality north of the county of Cork.
The hill on which it grows is situated on the confines of Cork and Limerick, and
is composed of conglomerate. It displays a curious formation, as if the whole
hill had been split, and one half sunk considerably below the other. The per-
pendicular face of the rock thus exposed is much disintegrated, and shows many
horizontal fissures, in one of which, on pulling aside a tuft of withered ferns, the
Trichomanes was discovered in considerable luxuriance. A remarkable feature
was the dryness of the spot. The altitude of the mountain was about 1000 feet.
The Ophrys musciferawas found in a bog, between Ballitore and Athy, county
of Kildare.

DECEMBER 10, 1851.

RECORD or STENOGRAMHE INTERRDPTA IN CORK.

Dr. Harvey made some remarks on the addition to the marine algae of this
country of the extremely rare and beautiful sea- weed, Stenogramme interrupta.
Dr. Harvey had recently received specimens ofthe plant which had in the month
of September last been taken up in a dredge in Cork Harbour. The genus Ste-
nogramme was originally established by l3r. Harvey, in 1836, from a specimen
that had been found by Dr. Sinclair at St. Francisco, California, during Beechy's
voyage. It is characterized from all other alga) by the remarkable form of the
conceptacles, which assume a nerve-like line through the entire of each lacinia;
on this character the generic name Stenogramme was founded, and the specific
Californicum from the station of its discovery. The European species of Ste-
nogramme interrupta having been first found by Cabrera at Cadiz, was pub-
lished in 1823 by Agardh, as a Delesseria, the linear conceptacle having been
mistaken for a nerve; hence Agardh called the species Delesseria interrupta.
This probably might have passed unnoticed were it not for the interesting and
extremely important discovery by Dr. Cocks of Plymouth, in 1846, of this plant,
on the shore of Bovisand, where it was not unfrequently cast up, and subse-
quently, in 1847, by the Rev. W. S. Hore, on the shore near Mount Edgecombe,
which satisfied Dr. Harvey of the true characteristic of the plant. The obser-
vations of the Rev. W. S. Hore, who had found a barren specimen, destitute of
the supposed nerve, proved that the raised linear line was only common to the
fertile frond. In 1848 it was discovered at Minehead, Somersetshire, by Miss
Gilford, author of a popular Introduction to Marine Botany, and now, Septem-
ber, 1851, it has been added to the list of Irish Algae by Mr. Isaac Carroll of
Cork. The specimens first alluded to were found among rejectamenta, or cast
on shore, but the Irish specimens were far more interesting, having been ob-
tained by Mr. Carroll by means of the dredge, in four to six fathoms of water,
where they were brought up, growing on stones. These plants are in a very per-
fect state, some having the conceptacular fruit, which, as before observed, is
commonly produced, and some having sori of Tetraspores, which have been
rarely met. At the time ofthe publishing the " Phycologia Britannica," the con-
ceptacles were described as containing a dense mass of minute spores. The Te-
traspores were then unknown, but were discovered in the present year by Dr.
Welwitch, in the Tagus, below Lisbon, and are described by Dr. Montague in
the "Annals of Natural History" for June, 1851. This account had scarcely
been published when Dr. Harvey received magnificent specimens in both states
of fruit from New Zealand, which discoveries led to the belief that it is doubtful
whether Stenogramme Californicum be more than a variety. It is singular to
see the curious distribution of one species — California, Cadiz, Lisbon, Ply-
mouth, Minehead, New Zealand, and now, the most interesting of all, the har-
bour of Cork. For the latter discovery Mr. Isaac Carroll, of Cork, deserves the
merit, a zealous young naturalist, whose energy is ardently directed both to
zoology and botany.

SUBUN NATUEAL HI8T0BT SOCIETY. 47

JANUARY, 1854.

ON ▲ PECULIAR OBGAN IN JDSSKEA.

Professor AUman brought forward some observations he had made on a re-
markable peculiarity of the adventitious roots of Jussioea grandiflora. He de>
scribed a remarkable condition which he had observed in some of the adventi-
tious roots of a specimen of this plant growing in the College Botanic Garden.
Some of the roots, which proceed from tne nodes of the stem, instead of growing
downwards, so as to fasten themselves in the mud at the bottom of the water in
which the plant grows, assume an ascending direction and grow into the air,
where they present a very remarkable appearance, looking like portions of rush-
pith attached to the stem of the plant. When examined by the microscope, they
are found to have a central, slightly developed woody axis, round which is a pe-
culiar structure, formed of exceedingly delicate stellate cells, having between
them large intercellular spaces, and constituting one of the most regular and
beautiful examples of a system of air-chambers to be found, perhaps, in the whole
vegetable kingdom. A singular fact connected with these air-chambers is that
they are not surrounded by any epidermal investment, but open directly into the
external air. Professor Allman also mentioned his discovery of a remarkable pe-
culiarity of the woody fibres of the same plant, namely, the fact of these fibres
being filled with starch granules, a condition of prosenchymatous tissue almost
unique in the vegetable kingdom.

JUNE. 1853.

ON THE CLASSIFICATION AND NOMENCLATURE OF VARIETIES OF FERNS.
BT J. R. KINAUAN.

[Abridged.]

When at the commencement of the session — (vide infra) — I submitted to
your Society several undescribed varieties of native ferns, I stated that before
the close of the session it was my intention to offer you some remarks on the
subject of varieties of ferns. This promise I propose now fulfilling. The
rough outline of the system (if I may venture to use such a term) which I mean
to submit to you to-night has been already laid by me before the Royal Dublin
Society. As I have since had opportunities of establishing what then was only
surmise, and of fully working out what was then but a rough outline, I hope the

Present paper may be deemed sufficiently original to be worthy of a place in your
roceedings. In every work on the subject of British ferns we find species de>
scribed under two classes, viz. : the Ordinary Form, and what authors term Va-
rieties, under the latter including every departure from the original type, whe-
ther it be or be not permanent under cultivation, or affecting the whole plant —
a mere monstrosity, or a doubtful species. This system gives rise to great in-
conveniences, as the student is often unable to tell whether the plant so de-
scribed as a variety is (in relation to the original form) to be considered as a
form modified by climate, &c., or as a mere deviation from the normal type, aris-
ing from some accidental circumstance of soil, situation, &c. A second inconve-
nience under the present system with which students have to contend arises from
the want of fixity of nomenclature, authors having described these forms, even
in the same species, under different names, totally irrespective of those used by
others who have preceded them. A third inconvenience arises from authors
having described the same character of variety when found in different species
by different names, thereby burdening the student's memory with a host of
terms. These evils, doubtless, have in great part arisen from this subject not
having been studied, it bein^ the fashion with many to consider all monstrositie.s,
i. e. aberrant forms, as outside the pale, atid, as such, unworthy the attention

48 DUBLIN NATURAL HI8T0EY SOCIETY.

of the scientifio student, and yet, morphologically considered, they are most in-
teresting, not to say important; often tending to throw light on obscure points
in the economy of species. Furthermore, when such men as Sir Charles Linne
Willoughby and Ray deemed them not below their notice, surely they are not
beneath ours. To obviate these inconveniences, I beg to propose the following
plan : — Let all descriptions of forms of ferns be divided under the following four
heads:— i.e. First — Form or original type; second, Sub-form, or forms aber-
rant from some geographical influence, such as climate, &c.,and including what
are called doubtful species ; third, Sub-varieties, or non-permanent monstrosi-
ties ; and, fourth, Varieties or permanent monstrosities. Between these last we
shall find some very strange analogies, the sub-variety often appearing as
though it were but a link between the variety and original form. 1 say appear-
ing, because they never, at least as far as I can find, degenerate into one another ;
when any change does take place, the sub-variety returning to the original type,
and the variety either degenerating into some other variety, or else also return-
ing to the original form. To meet the last inconvenience I would suggest, that
to each sub -variety, variety, and sub-form, no matter in how many species
found, but one distinctive name be given, defining that name as species and ge-
nus are at present defined; so that, when we find this form under any species,
we need but to the specific and generic names append this distinctive name, in
order to render the identification of it easy, and thereby save ourselves from the
trouble of repeating with every species a probably long description. The
sub-forms would include all forms of the fern departing in a slight degree from
the original type, so as to present tangible differences, and yet approaching it
sufficiently near to be identified with the species generally prevailing through
the entire plants of a district, often returning to the normal form under cultiva-
tion, and bearing spores which produce plants similar to the original type — this
class will include many at present so called doubtful species. Variety would
include monstrosities, i. e. aberrant forms, or plants in which the origi-
nal form of the species is lost entirely or in part, so as to render identification
difficult, found generally in isolated plants, generally permanent under cultiva-
tion, uniform, i. e. affecting all fronds of the plant, if fruitful, generally pro-
ducing plants similar to the parent. Sub-variety, i. e. aberrant forms not
permanent under cultivation, always retaining in a great degree the original
type, not uniform, nor necessarily affecting the same plant every year, even in
a state of nature, and from its spores generally producing the normal form. In
accordance with these views, I have succeeded in classifying under the following
four heads, all the monstrosities described by authors, as well as many hitherto
undescribed. These classes and their distinctive characters I now hasten to lay
before you in the following order, using the terms Variety and Sub- Variety in the
sense I stated just now, I shall describe each analogous variety and sub-variety
together, not that I believe there is any necessary connexion between them, for
the reasons stated before, but merely for convenience sake. To the first sub-
variety I propose to give the name Multifidura, taking as its type the common
hart's tongue, var. multifidum, and including under it those forms in other spe-
cies to which the names Bifidum, Lobatum, Ramosum, have been given. With
these I propose to join, as the analogous variety, the form Ramosum, taking as
its type the common hart's tongue, var. Ramosum, and incorporating under it
those varieties to which the names crispum, viviparum, multifidum, furcatum,
diedalea, &c., have been by various authors given. The definitions of these two
will be as follows: — Ramosum, variety; Rachis, divided and sub-divided; seg-
ments rounded at their edges and apices, generally curled and crisped, mid- vein
terminating in a lash of branches, segments confluent at their edges. Next, the
variety which, taking the common polypody variety cambricum as the type, I
propose to call Cambricum ; it will include the varieties called Incisum, Poly-
schides, and Strictura. The allied sub-variety taking the analogous sub -variety
of the same fern, sinuatum, I propose to call Sinuatum ; it includes serratum,
proliferum, &c. These two 1 define as follows : — Cambricum, variety — Frond,

DXTBUW KATUBAL HI8T0BT 80CTETT. 49

either smaller or larger than original type ; pinnae serrated, or irregularly lobed
at their edges; outline rounded; segments rounded and confluent. This in-
cludes two almost distinct types, in one of which we find the parts of the origi-
nal type in excess, in the other we find them contracted ; this last corresponds
to strictum. Sinuatum — Pinna serrated and irregularly lobed ; segments
pointed and distinct ; frond generally more luxuriant than normal.

Sub-forms, owing to a difficulty in procuring specimens, I have not been as
successful in reducing to classes, though, that it can be done, 1 doubtnot. I shall
content myself, therefore, with laving one before you, which 1 propose to call
Abbreyiatiim, taking as its type the form of the male fern to which that name
has been given. This we find represented in the following species, and define as
follows: — Abbreviatum. Sub-form, frond contracted ^nallits parts regularly, the
pointed outline of the frond retained. Examples : Polypody of the oak ; sub-
form, Acutum (Newman), Youghal. Male shield fern; sub-form, Abbrevia-
tum (Moore), England. Prickly shield fern ; sub-form, Lonchitoides, Clare and
Ulster. Angular-lobed shield fern ; sub-form, Abbreviatum (mihi), county of
Wicklow. Wall rue, spleenwort; sub-form, Abbreviatum (mihi), county of
Clare Hart's tongue, sub-form, Angustifolia (Auct), Killaloe. Lady fern,
sub-form, Abbreviatum (mihi), Ardmore. I doubt not but other forms might
be referred to this class, ex, gr. : brittle bladder fern, var. dentata, &c., but suf-
ficient are quoted to show what 1 mean. This, Gentlemen, is a general outline
of the system proposed to be introduced — that it is not an unnecessary one will
b» evident, if we consider the number of those varieties which every day's re-
search brings to light, and the consequent number of descriptions which must
be introduced for them into our Floras, the greater part of which may be
avoided by pursuing the plan now sketched out. I think the same plan might
be pursued in general botany with a good effect ; but it is of far greater impor-
tance in filicology, as so many of this class of plants may be recognised by their
external form alone. Concerning the study of varieties, a few words in conclu-
sion. I know it has been urged as an argument against it, that it tends to in-
crease spurious species, but this statement is an error, as the eflTect of it would
be quite the other way, as nothing can tend so much to do away with spurious
species as a study of all the changes species undergo. In the kindred science
of zoology, when we are in doubt about points of economy, we seek them often
not in the perfect animal, but in the monster. Why then should we not in plants
apply the same rule, and seek amidst the vagaries of monstrosities for the rules
which govern regular forms? for thence can they often be deduced, as by the
breach of the law we oftentimes are reminded of its existence. To show that
this theory, system, or whatever you will call it, is not unnatural, 1 have drawn
out a table of eight species, in which we find these forms now described prevail-
ing in the following ratio : — The species are, male fern, hart's tongue, common
polypody, northern hard fern, lady fern, maiden's hair, spleenwort, angular
shield fern, and prickly shield fern. Amongst those, Ramosum occurs in the first
four, Multifidum in the whole eight, Cambricum in the first four, and the sixth,
i. e., in five, Sinuatum in the same five, and the sub-form Abbreviatum, in the
first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and eighth— six in all. This, Gentlemen, con-
cludes the subject. Whether my deductions are over-drawn or not, you can judge
for yourselves, as you have before you the greater part of the specimens from
which, as the materials, they were drawn. Alany of these, however, especially
among the sub-forms, are now very inadequate pictures of what they were when
growing, as it is impossible, even by the most careful drying, to preserve many
points of importance in distinguishing between the forms. They are all, with
very few exceptions, which I have marked, Irish specimens, gathered during the
last two years, and, therefore, fair specimens of the forms to be found in a state
of nature.

50 DUBLIN NATUBAt HISTOKT SOCIETY.

JUNE 10, 1852.

ON p. ANOULARB, VAR. VIVIPARUM.

Mr. Kinahan exhibited a variety of Polystichum angulare, found by him at
Bohernabreena, county of Dublin, in 1849, and made the following statement : —
The example of Polystichum angulare now submitted to your Society is cu-
rious, as being an exception to the law which seems generally to prevail among
the ferns as regards varieties. These generally differ from the typical plant by
having something added to them, either an actual expansion, or a subdivision of
the typical parts. We have a good example of it in this variety, of Polystichum
angulare, obtained in Ballinteer, in this county, in which, as you see, the pinnae,
particularly near the upper extremity, are enlarged so as to give a more ex-
panded appearance to the entire frond. Now let us contrast this with the va-
riety to which I first drew your attention, and the great difference must strike
}rou at once. In this we find the broad pinnae of the type replaced by narrow
inear leaflets, in some of the fronds resembling spines or points, while in
others they have totally disappeared, especially at the upper half of the frond,
which in many presents a long filament totally destitute of any pinnae. These
appearances have continued constant under cultivation, as must be evident, if
we compare the plant now with these fronds taken from it in August, 1849,
when I tound'it growing on slate rocks, by the side of a stream which, running
throngh Friarstown House demesne, falls into the Dodder, just above Boherna-
breena. This year some of the fronds show a tendency to produce bulbils in the
axils of the pinnae, but there are no other traces of a tendency to reproduction.
[After being three years under cultivation, sori were produced abundantly, the
general character of the plant remaining unchanged.] {Fide figure, Asp. acu-
leatum, &c.)

FEBRUARY 18, 1853.

ON AN UNDE8CRIBED VARIETY OF BLECHNUM SPICANT. BT J. R. KINAHAN, A. B.

It is my intention this evening to place on our annals a notice of some varie-
ties, or rather monstrosities, of ferns, most of them unnoticed hitherto in this
country, and one at least hitherto undescribed. The first I shall notice is this
striking variety of Blechnum spicant, Roth. It was found last July near Upper
Lough Breagh, county Wicklow, and has not hitherto been noticed by any author.
The nearest approach to it is a frond figured by Dr. Deakin, in his Flor. Brit.,
which is identical with a variety of the same plant of which I now show you
specimens gathered in the counties of Carlow, Clare, and Waterford. To the
latter the name of Multifidum may with propriety be given, while, for that first
mentioned, Ramosum would be appropriate. The two differ materially ; first,
Multifidum is inconstant, and not permanent, i.e., neither affecting all the fronds
of the plant nor remaining constant under cultivation: while Ramosum both af-
fects all the fronds, and remains permanent under cultivation ; secondly, Multi-
fidum has the apices of the fronds simply dichotomous, and distinct to their extre-
mity, the main mid vein running out to the extremity of each division of the frond,
&c.,each ofthe subdivisions terminating in apoint, and not curled ; while in Ramo-
sum the apices are subdivided, and the mid vein terminates in a lash of branches, so
that the segments are rounded and curled on themselves — in every respect, save
their single rachis, bearing a perfect analogy to a form of Scolopendriumvulgare,
▼ar. Ramosum or crispum, where we find the same appearances contrasting with
the multifid form of Hartstongue, as these specimens show. This form of Scolo-
pendrium has not, I believe, been found here. I cannot find any forms of any
other fern analogous to Blechnum spicant (ramosum). The multifid variety in
this country prevails in many other species.

The next on our list is this distorted variety of Bl. spicant. To it Francis,

^

FROND BOHERN^BRE E N A

COUNTY

DUBLIN SE P" I 649

-^

CULTIVATtD PLANT YOUNC FROND - MAY 1852
ASPIDIUM ACULtATUM VAR

DUBLIN NATUBAL BISTOBT SOCIETY. 51

who describes and figures it in his British Ferns, has given the name of Stric*
turn. His plants were procured from Ambleside. The plants before you were
procured at Glenmacnass, county of Wicklow, growing in a cleft of a rock, last
July ; they have continued under cultivation ever since without materially alter-
ing their character. The only satisfactory analogue to it recorded is a variety
of L. Filix Mas, of which specimens from Kilmashogue, near Whit^church, are
before you.

To the form of the Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix Fcemina) which next engages
our attention, several names have been given, of which the least open to objection
appears to be Furcatum. It differs, as you perceive, from the common form in
having its pinnae and the apex of the frond split up into a number of segments,
so as to present a tasselled appearance. This specimen was obtained in a hedge
row, at Caherpoher, near Feacle, county of Clare, growing on Silurian clay slate,
and has, as you perceive, retained its characters in cultivation. A more singu-
lar monstrosity of the same form is figured in " Newman's British Ferns." This
last was obtained in Mayo, and is remarkable for seeding freely, the seedlings
in every respect resembling the original plant. There is also in the College col-
lection a fern obtained at Killarney, by the late Mr. Ogilby, which closely re-
sembles that found by me in Clare; and Mr. J. Bain, to whom I am indebted for
the careful cultivation of the plants exhibited to-night, informs me that the same
form was found by him some years ago at Chatsworth. This is the only record
of this variety as English, though an allied form, Crispum, has been recorded in
Scotland. This form has been also called incorrectly Viviparum, for the habit
of the plant is not viviparous. Another name given to it is Multifidum, also ob-
jectionable, as a multitid form of the frond does exist, as this specimen shows, re-
sembling in its characters those multifid forms of other ferns to which I just now
drew attention. The only analogue recorded of this is a form of Lastrea Filix
Mas, to which the same name, Furcatum, has been given. I should mention Ath.
Filix Fsemina, var. Furcatum, has been also found in Wicklow.

"We next in order come to the variety of Polystichum lobatum, to which the
name of Lonchitioides has been given on account of its resemblance to the holly-
leaved shield-fern P. lonchitis. The plants I obtained at Curraghclune Ar-
thur, near Feacle, county of Clare, during last August. When cultivated, it is
said to resume its original form. It has been in the country recorded as growing
at Malone in Ulster, and I have seen specimens of it sent from Carlow as Lon-
chitis. It is at once distinguished from Lonchitis by the bipinnate character of
the lower pinnae. The fronds are fertile. It is very common in some parts of
Scotland. I also show you an analogous state of Pol. angulare from the neigh-
bourhood of Bray, and a form as yet unnoticed, though I have met it in many
parts of the country. In conclusion, I beg leave again to bring before your So-
ciety this variety of Polystichum angulare exhibited before you last session, and
to which I then gave the name of Viviparum, owing to its producing gemmae in
the axils of the pinnules. This is before you now, to show the autumnal fronds,
which in their characters differ greatly from those produced in the spring, more
nearly approaching the character of the typical form.

DECEMBER 18, 1854.

OM A DIGITATE VARIXTT OF BOTRTCHIUM LUNARIA, AND A NEW IRISH LOCALITY
FOB LOPHODIDM SPIN08DM. BY J. R. KINAHAN, M. B.

[With a Plate.]

As far as I can learn, this interesting form of the common moonwort has
been hitherto undescribed, differing so obviously as it does from the forms de-
scribed as Rutaceum and Matricarioides. Its chief interest is, 1 take it, twofold
— first, as showing the relation between forms of venation, which appear dis-
tinct ; and, secondly, as throwing not a little light on the true homologies and

62 DT7BLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

relations of the fruitful ♦•branch," as it is called, in this plant. Strikingly it dif-
fers from the linear outline of the ordinary form, with its simple pinnae and fla-
belliform venation, whilst this form has a deltoid outline, and the lower pinnae
decompounded, with pinnatifid pinnules, and a distinct mid-rib, and secondary
venation springing therefrom, being exactly the converse of the variety of Blech-
nura spicant, which I exhibited before you, under the name of dissectum (Kin.),
and which Francis first described as Strictura, in which we found the ordinary
linear pinnules of that fern reduced to simple pinnate lobes, and the venation,
instead of being made up of secondary veins springing from a [median axis, re-
duced to the flabelliform arrangement, which is the normal arrangement in Bo-
trychium. But it is in the second point I think its chief interest consists ; for,
taking this form in connexion with two other abnormal forms — viz., that in
which we find the pinnae deeply incised at their edges, and that in which we find
many of the pinnae soriferous at their edges — we are led to believe that these two
portions of the ordinary plant of Botrychiura, generally called branches, really
represent the two surfaces of an ordinary dorsiferous fern, only that in one the
venations take on the flabelliform, and in the other the branched form ; for, ex-
amine those fronds whose pinnae are soriferous at their edges, and we see the
nerves coalescing, and forming a sort of a mid-rib to the division of the pinnae,
on whose termination the sorus is placed ; nearly the same arrangement as we
find in the deltoid form just described, where we find the nerves uniting and form-
ing a common mid-rib, on whose sides the secondary divisions of the pinnae are
placed. Going a little farther — this may lead us to believe that the form of
Ophioglossum vulgatum, where we find two leafy fronds developed instead of
one leafy and one fertile frond, are really only plants whose fertile element, from
some reason or another, is not fully developed, but remains as a barren frond.
That this is the correct explanation of the change, is shown in one specimen, in
■which one half of the frond is normal, the other of the deltoid type ; and also in
Blechnum spicant, where, even in the same frond, we see parts in which the
usual linear pinnae are preserved, and others in which this, if I may call it so,
flabelliform type is well shown; while, by comparing the common form with this
variety, the interchange of the two types is well seen.

In conclusion, 1 have the pleasure of recording a new Irish habitat for Wi-
thering's Fern (Lophodium spinosum, Newm.), which I met with, in some quan-
tity, on the edges of the bog drains in Annagh Inch, parish of Dorrha, county of
Tipperary. Its occurrence as Irish has been previously made known by Lovat
Darby, Esq., in the county of Monaghan. — [Vide Proceedings, antey pp. 15, 25.]

MARCH 10, 1854.

Dr. Kinahan exhibited a plant of Scol. vulgare (var. marginatum), found by
him at Tinnohiuch, county of Wicklow, March 2, 1854, its first record as Irish.
This variety (first discovered in England by Sir W. C. Trevelyan) is remark-
able for having the epidermis on the back of the frond raised into a membra-
nous ridge or tuck, running in a wavy line along it, at some little distance from
the edge of the frond ; the fronds are scolloped and serrated along the edges,
the sori either continuous over the ridge to the edge of the frond, or stopping
at it, when we find a second set of sori arising outside the hem ; or, thirdly, the
sori are only produced external to the hem. The form is further remarkable for
having several modifications — firstly, that under consideration ; secondly, a form
named bimarginatum, in which there is a hem on both faces of the frond ;
thirdly, a form named supralineum, where the hem exists only on the upper sur-
face of the frond ; and, fourthly, in a form named dubium by its discoverer, G.
B. Wollaston, Esq., by whom it was raised from seed, in which we find the free
margin running along a frond with multifid apices. In all these forms we find an
irregularly serrated margin to the fronds, showing that probably the deficiency
of the substance at the edge of the frond and of the epidermis, or, taking ano-
Iher view of the case, the irregular growth of the epidermis and of the venules
and apices, proceed from the same cause.

DUBUN NATURAL HISTOBT SOCIETT. 63

JUNE, 1854.

BSCORD OP ATH. FILIX FiEBUM A, VAR. LACIMIATDM.

Dr. Kinahan exhibited a beautiful form of Athyrium filix>foemina, Newman,
obtained in June, 1854, near Castlekelly, county of Dublin. In it the segments
of the pinncB are pinnatifid ; the indentations entire at their edges, and beariofl^
the sori in the angle ; the spore-cases projecting beyond the edge of the fron^
which, added to the bulging forwards of the substance of the pinnule, giret the
plant much the appearance of a Davallia, or rather of a Loxsoma, thoueb, of
course, differing in the shape and position of the indusium from either of these
genera. In habit, this plant resembled Athyrium cicutarium, especially in the
remarkable fact of its segments bearing but a single vein and sorus, thus corro-
borating the illustrious Robert Brown's opinion, who rejects this as a distinctive
character, in opposition to Smith and Bernhardi, by whom the genus Darea or
CsBnopteris has, owing to this character, been separated from Athyrium. Thif
plant IS also a beautiful example of the variety laciniatum (Kin.). The plant was
growing in a shady nook along with a plant of the ordinary form. It is sparingly
fruitful.

APRIL 7, 1854.

ON THE ABNOBMAL FOBMS OF FERNS. — PART I. B¥ J. R. KIMAHAM, M. B.

When, on a previous occasion, I called the attention of this Society to the
subject of abnormal forms among the ferns, I statedmy suspicion that some ge-
neral law or laws would be found governing them in their entirety, as a class,
and thereby enabling us to group them. I then laid before you a sketch of the
groups into which, in conformity with these supposed laws, forms might be di-
Tided. This scheme, crude at that time, has, thanks to the contributions of spe.
cimens by friends, and additional opportunities of examination afforded to my-
self, since been confirmed in most or its details, so that the following may be set
down as established : — 1st. That the aberrant forms of ferns obey certain fixed
laws of form. 2nd. In accordance with these laws, that they may be divided
into two great groups, bearing certain relations to each other, similar, and yet
perfectly distinct. 3rd. That these great groups may be subdivided into pa-
rallel sub-groups, each sub-group in the one representing a sub-group in the
other, totally irrespective of generic or specific distinctions. To examine and
illustrate these laws will be my task to-night. First, a few words to remove a
misapprehension which I find many labour under with regard to former remarks
made on this subject. It is not the object of this scheme to establish new spe-
cies—far from it ; with species, as such, it has nothing to do, solely dealing with
the morphology of the plants under consideration, totally irrespective of species
or genus.

These two great classes, as was before stated, possess strong analogies both to
one another and within themselves, yet are perfectly distinct, never running into
orproducing one another, though we may find a group of the one class in acciden-
tal combination with one of the other. These two groups, for which I proposed
the names, variety and sub-variety, will be found to possess the following dis-
tinctive characters: — Variety is universally a permanent aberrant form, affect-
ing all the fronds of the plant — i. e. uniform ; under all circumstanees of culti-
vation preserving its distinctness, and occurring generally in isolated plants ; if
fruitful, often producing its own form. Sub-variety, an aberrant form, seldom
permanent unaer cultivation, affecting only a few fronds, often occurring in nu-
merous plants of a district, and from its spores producing the normal form — this
is sometimes permanent under cultivation, but never uniformlvso. The essential
difference between these two classes, then, in brief, is — variety, a permanent, oni-

o

54 DT7BLIN NATTTBAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

form monstrosity, and sub-variety, a monstrosity not necessarily permanent nor
uniform— ex. gr. in Lomaria spicant, var. cristatum* every frond each year dicho-
tomously rounded at the apex, while Lom. spicant, subvar. mullifidum, though
much resembling it in general character, has some years all the fronds dichoto-
mous ; other years, perhaps, a single frond dichotomous } and other years none at
all— in fact, in this the great difference consists between the two divisions ; in
the first, the monstrosity depending on some radical change in its nature, once
imprinted on the plant, is nearly indelibly so, extending often even to the pro-
duce of the spores (as w6 see in some monstrous forms of Athyrium) ; while in
the sub-variety, the monstrosity depending on some mere loc{j,l or climatal in-
fluence is liable to change as these are modified or removed. It is not meant to
be asserted that varieties will not sometimes change under cultivation into ano-
ther seemingly different variety, or that the spores will not produce plants of
the normal type, but that this much may be taken as proved — that variety never
changes into subvariety, or subvariety into variety ; therefore, the statement
put forward, to the effect that variety cristatum is but a form of sub- variety
multifidum, is based on error. Another grand distinction between the two, in a
state of nature, is, that seldom or ever do we find the variety in more than one
or two plants at most, while the sub-variety is often found more or less pervad-
ing the plants of a district — ex. gr., there is a little stream glen at the base of
the greater Sugarloaf, where L. spicant, subvariety multifidum, may always be
found, some years every plant bearing fronds more or less divided ; in other years
you will only get single plants so affected; while the variety cristatum was found
affecting only a single plant. The same might be said of the variety cristatum,
and sub-variety multifidum of Ath. incisum ; and all varieties found in collections
will be found to have had their origin from a few isolated plants found in various
localities. There are some characters, the uniformity of which, of primary im-
portance in considering genera and species, are but secondary in considering va-
riety— such as character of venation, division of frond, fertility ; these are va-
riously modified, according to the type of variety or sub- variety, and, of course,
to a certain extent, modify it in return. More generally we find the variety bar-
ren than the sub- variety, but this may arise from some mistake of manipulation in
cultivation. Indeed, for my own part, I believe most varieties may be made to
produce fertile fronds, at least in the two forms under consideration to-night.

All the groups thus formed are capable of general definitions, though it must
not be expected that this general definition will detail every minute feature of
variety found in the many analogous forms necessarily included under it, any
more than the definition of species describes every minute feature of the indivi-
dual plants comprised, these being of little importance, provided the general
characters are adhered to. To each of these groups a name is proposed to be
given, by which it may be known, so that, for most species, it will suffice to
quote this name to show what the form of the variety is. When two or more dis-
tinct forms of the same variety occur under a species, it will be but necessary to
mark them in some way, as with Greek letters, &c., after each, and describe the
salient points of difiFerence. Ex. gr., under Ath. Filix faemina, we find three
forms of a variety which we will call cristatum; these could be thus described —
Ath. Filix fsemina, var. cristatum (three forms).

A, rachis branched; pinnules decurrent; apices of segments curled. B, ra-
chis split into numerous linear segments ; pinnae contracted ; apices of pinnae
split into linear segments, tasselled. r, rachis and pinnae multifidly crisped at
apices, and tasselled. This is the only species in which the forms of this variety
cannot be referred to one description, and when the species of Athyrium are de-
finitely arranged, possibly the forms will be found to belong to different species.
(^Vide second part of paper.) To enter into all the sub-varieties and varieties
would detain you too long. I shall, therefore, content myself with one of each,

* This name is inibstittited for Ramostun at the sugfi^cstion of my friend, G. B. Wollaston.

I>yBUN NATTJBAX UISTOBT SOCIXTr. 55

taking those which are the commonest, and which, fortunately, also happen to
be the most fully worked out. These are — y&r. cristalum and Huh-var. muhifidum.
These both consist in a repetition of the various parts of the normal frond— this
is a true duplicature, not a mere modification of other organs such as we see in
double flowers. Every part of the aerial organs is found doubled ; some more
commonly than others. In simple fronds wo find it in the stipe, the rachis, and
the apex of the frond. In compound fronds, in addition, it is also found in the
pinnsB and the pinnules — in fact, it may bo found in every axis of the plant, pri-
mary, secondary, tertiary, &c. It is also found in the sori, though more diffi-
oult to demonstrate, as in some forms of Phyllitis scolopendrium ; 1 met, myself,
with a wild specimen of Trichomanes speciosum, which 1 now show ; when I got
it, almost all the thecso were in pairs.

Perhaps it is wrong to call the organs doubled, as they are not strictly so
all through, but arise single, and then split into two, obeying a law of nearly
universal occurrence in nature, in accordance with which we find that the aber-
rant forms of the higher groups copy closely t|io normal type of those below
them ; thus, the dichotomy, which obtains in these forms, is the normal state of
some, at least, of the Lycopodiacese — ex.gr. Selago, and is also seen in the seed
lobes of some exogens.

Some have proposed to separate into different groups the forms placed at the
head of those groups — i.e. where the division affects the stipe, but this appears
contrary to analogy. They ground their opinions chiefly on its rarity of occur-
rence among species, but even they allow that it is not a constant character ;
we will find it is rare, but not so rare as either the division of pinnule, or sori,
or thecte ; and if we do not make any distinction between the rachis and stipe —
which division, after all, is an arbitrary one — wo will find the form not so rare
at all — in fact, the nearer we go to the apex of the primary axis, the commoner
will we find this division; and it is what might be expected, the modifying
causes not having an opportunity to develop their action till the frond is par-
tially developed, for if it acted previously, we would have two fronds instead of
one. If we examine a simple frond, we will find this well shown, as the rarest
specimens are those divided deeply, and the commonest those having merely the
apex split, often multifidly so. The sub-variety is much commoner some years
than others ; the rule 1 have not yet satisfactorily established, and, therefore, I
shall content myself with enumerating the species, leaving it to some other
hand, or some other time to explain the laws. The variety cristatum, as, indeed,
may be said of all varieties, is uniform, much rarer, and is found in fewer .species
than the sub-variety. It is thus defined : — Variety, Cristatum ; constant ; stipe,
often bifid or multifid ; rachis, do., do ; segments rounded at edges and apices ;
confluent often curled and crisped; veins generally terminating in a lash of
branches : generally fruitful. Examples — Phyllitis scolopendrium, var. crislaluiu
(auc); Lomaria spicant, var. cristatum (Mei) ; Athyrium Filix F«miua, var.
cristatum (three forms) — Alpha, Beta, Gamma (as before), &c. All these forms
are allowedly fruitful.

The variations of this form arc numerous, from the simple, curled, almost un-
divided apex of one form of Ph. scolopendrium, to which the name Crista galli
has been given, up to the extreme divisions seen in the forms of Phyll. scolopen-
drium, var. multijidum. The sub-variety multifidum is very extensivelv repre-
sented ; out of the twenty-four genera of British ferns, enumerated by Newman,
being recorded in all but five — viz., Adiantum {vide list at end), rseuilathy-
rium, Hemcstheum, Cystopteris Woodsia.* It runs through every stage, from
simple lobing of the apex of the frond, or of the ends of the pinna; or pinnules,
down to the division of the stipe itself. In some species it is very common ; in
others very rare. Character — Subvariety multifidum; not uniformly constant ;
stipe sometimes dichotomous; rachis bifid or multifid; segments, following

#

• Newman fljcure* « frond of WoodaU allrcnsis, which appears to be ifiii//»/<lmii.— Brit. Feni#,
p. 187. Second edition.

M DTTBLIN NATT7BA1 HISTORY SOCIETY.

usaal ontline of frond, confluent or distinct, never curled or crisped ; midvein
terminating in a point at apex of each segment : generally fruitful. Examples
of group — -Ph. scolopendrium, sub-variety 7nM//i/icfw7?i;Lomaria spicant, sub-va-
riety viuhifidum ; Ath. Filix fsemina, subvariety mullifidum. There can but one
form of this occur, and we can, hence, easily distinguish in description what axis
of the plant is affected, using X to represent the primary, and Z the secondary,
&c., axis; if thought proper, marking the divisions of the rachis as X 1, the di-
Tision of the stipe as X 2. The same divisions might also be made in the va-
riety; but they are particularly well shown in the sub-variety {vide list).

The form Z is most striking in compound fronds ; but even in simple fronds
something, to say the least, strongly analogous is to be found, at all events, in
the variety in a form of Phyl. scolopendrium, called endivifolium by its disco-
verer, Mr. Young ; and also, though in a less degree, in the form named undu-
latum or crispum, which is said to be merely a degenerated form of ramosum.
( yide second part.) In Mr. Young's plant, we find the veins prolonged and
thickened, and almost converted into branches, rendering the fern multifid along
its edges. The same form is also seen in a more exaggerated state, in another
form, also forwarded to me by G. B. Wollaston, Esq. (thanks to whose kindness
I am enabled to illustrate this subject so well by specimens); he calls it Digita-
turn. In it we find regular midribs proceeding from the main midrib, and giving
the frond a regular branched pinnatifid appearance, yet manifestly but a modi-
fication of the ramose type. Indeed, for any one wishing to study these two forms
there can be no better species than Scolopendrium.

The subvariety multifidum is, as might be expected, found in many foreign
genera and species. I show specimens of Mohria thurifraga, and an exotic As-
plenium and Polypodium, thus affected. The system pursued in naming these
forms has been, when practicable, adopting the name given to the forms when
first described, choosing the most typical. These were, in the two classes, con-
sidered Phyll. Seol. cristatum, and multifidum.

I lay before you a list of the species in which these two forms occur, with
their synonymes, as far as I have been able to trace them, so that you can judge
of the extent of them for yourselves ; many other species, doubtless, will be
found to partake of these characters when the subject is more attended to. I
also show you specimens of many of them, mostly gathered by myself, and hope,
at a future meeting, to state a few more facts connected with the subject, and
to bring before you other classes which are as well defined as this.

LIST OF SPECIES OF BRITISH FERNS.

Variety Cristatum, and Sub-variety Multifidum.
[Explanation of Marks — Species in brackets, not recorded as Irish thus,
[(Woodsia)]. Marked thus, (?) I am in doubt concerning. X 1 shows rachis
divided ; X 2, stipe, do. do ; Z, pinnae, or pinnules.]

Adiantum Capillus Veneris (Linnseus).

X 2, cultivated plant; G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Eupteris aquilina (Newm.); sub-var. multifidum (Mei) ; Phyt., 1853, p. 1036;
X 1 and 2, scarce ; Z, rare (a diminutive specimen from top of Three-rock
Mountain, county of Dublin, has rachis divided to within half an inch of
ground). Not very uncommon about Ballinteer, in this county.
England: G. B. Wollaston, Esq., Epping Forest (Kin.).
Lomaria spicant (Desv.) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei); Phyt., 1853, pp. 892 and
1036. X 1 and 2, rather rare ; Z, rare. Clare and Dublin ; very fine at
foot of Great Sugarloaf, county of Wicklow; generally grows in moist si-
tuations.
Kerry: W. Andrews, Esq.

England. Figured Deakin, Fl. Br., p. 52. Very fine specimens of Z for-
warded me by G. B. Wollaston, Esq., as bifidum. Jersey, M. Piquet.
Phyt. ia53, p. 1135. J ^

DUBLIN KATUVAL HT8T0BT eOCISTT. 57

Var. Crigtatum (Mei);* Phyt., 1853, pp. 892 and 1036. Proc. Dublin Nat.
Hist. Soc., 1853. Lough Breagh, county of Wicklow.
Notolepeum Ceterach (Newm.) ; sub-var. multifidum ; Phyt., 1853, p. 1036.
X 2, rare. Specimen, from Lucan, county of Dublin, given me by W. H.
Luscombe, Esq.
Phyllitis scolopendrium (Newm.); sub- var. multifidum (Ray). X 1, verv com-
mon; X 2, rare; Z, rare. The commonest of the group in Ireland (Mack.
Flor. Hib., 343) ; very fine, near Chapelizod, county of Dublin.

England, common — vide Newman's British Ferns, &c. Synonyms, Lobatom;
ramosum. Jersey, M. Piquet, ut antea.

Var. Cristatum (Mei) ; England (Newm. Br. Ferns, 289. &c.). I am not
aware of the extreme form having been found in Ireland. iJndulatum, by
some called crispum has ; fine specimens of it from Colin Glen, Belfast, were
shown to me by A. Crawford, Esq., and Birenniforme (W.) given me by
W. H. Luscombe, Esq., from Dublin. I met cristatum at rortmarnock in
1859.

Syn. Ramosum (Moore, 179) ; multifidum (ib.) ; crispum. No. 176 ; daedalca
(Koch); Crista galli (Wol.) ; Digitatumf (Wol.); Undulatum? Endivifo-
lium (Young) (vide remarks^ furcatum (Wol.), Birenniforme (Wol.).
Amesium Ruta muraria (Newm.) ; sub- var. multifidum (Mei); Phyt. ut antea.
X 2, very rare. Dublin and Louth. A specimen also given me by W. H.
Luscombe, Esq.

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

Var. Cristatum (Wol.) ; England. Forwarded me by their discoverer, G. B.
Wollaston, Esq.J
Asplenium viride (Lightf.) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). X 2, rare.

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq,

Syn. ramosum (Linn.).
Aspm. trichomanes (Linn.); sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt. ut supr. Lo-
cal ; scarce. Very fine and abundant at Quin Abbey, county of Clare, in
1852; many plants nearly uniform, but not permanent.

England: (Moore, Brit. Ferns, 164); G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

Syn. monstrosum (collectors).

Var. Cristatum (Wol.).

England : discovered by G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

Simply multifidly crisped at apex.
Aspm. marinum (Linn.) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt. nt supr. X 1 and
2, rare ; Z, very rare. Ardmore, county of Waterford. A curious little spe-
cimen from Dunlicky, county of Clare, has the pinna biserrate, and the
stipe cleft.

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq., forwarded me as ramosum.
Aspm. Adiantum nigrum (Linn.); sub-var. multifidum ^Mei), nt antea. X 1
and 2, not uncommon ; Wicklow, Waterford ; sometimes nearly uniform.

England: G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Aspm. Lanceolatum (Muds.) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt., 1853. BL Pi-
quet.

Var. Cristatum (Mei)? Described to me as occurring with the stipes uni-
formly bifid; never seen, therefore, inserted in doubt.
[Aspm. fontanum (Br.)] ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt. at supra. Common
in cultivated plants. X 1 and 2.

Phyt., M. Piquet. Channel Islands.

• Barren fronds, multifldly didiotomous ; seflmenta of apex conflaent at their edj{e%
veinstenninatinglnaploeabilaihof brancbea. Fertile fh)Dds, hermaphrodite, bnmcbed
■imlUr to barren fhinaa, 18M.

f Crista ffiaU OVoL), apex offhind entire, curled on itadi; and reaembllng a eodua
(WIN (W(d.) : seooDdary midriba arlaing flrom main midrib : diTlalooa mvltttdhr eriaped and
with main ptHrtkna. .MraiiK^niM (WoL), ^tex of fhmd Udney-ahaped ; midrib
edge of segmenta.
.t Cristatum (WoL) : prlnuuT diviafoas of frxnd spUt and carted at thdr aplcec

58 LTTBLIN NATURAL HlSTOBT SOCIETY.

Athyrium molle (Roth) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt. ut sup. X 2. Clare,
Ath. incisum (Newm.) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei), ut supra. X2and Z, scarce.
Clare, Wicklow. X I, rare ; G. B. Wollaston.
England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq. ; as multifidum, and also in combination with

sub-var. truncatum as ramosum.
Var. Cristatum (Mei) — vide remarks. Three forms : A rachis branched ; pin-
nules decurrent ; apices of segments curled. Fruitful. Query, Ath. molle,
var. cristatum.
Ireland— Antrim, Mr. A. Smith. Scotland— Hill of Oran, Sir W. C. Treve-

lyan. Syn. crispum, Moore, Br. Ferns. Smithii of gardens.*
B. rachis, split into numerous linear segments ; pinnae contracted, apices si-
milar to apex of frond, pinnae decurrent, apices tasselled. Fruitful. Joyce
Country, Mr. R. Gunning. Query, Ath. convexum, var. cristatum. Fig.
Newman's Brit. Fern. Syn. Ramosum (Moore's Brit. Ferns, page 141). —
Vide note.*
G rachis and pinnae multifidly crisped at apices ; sparingly fruitful. Query,
Ath. incisum, var. cristatimi. Killarney (Ogilby), Wicklow (Newman),
Clare (Mei Phyt., 1853, page 893, very abundantly fruitful), England, Chats-
worth (J. Bain). Syn. viviparum (Steele), multifidum (Moore), furcatum
(Gardens).
Polystichum angulare (Newm.) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt. ut antea.
X 1, rare; X 2, not uncommon in the county of Dublin; Z, very rare; a
fine specimen of the three forms, obtained April 2, 1854, in King William's
Glen, county of Louth, had seven out of twelve fronds multifid ; one had five
branches arranged in a cup-like form on apex of fronds, which was two feet
high.
England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Var. Cristatum.

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Polys, aculeatum (Newm.) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt. ut antea. X 2.

Gort, county of Galway.
Polys. Lonchitis (Newm.); sub-var. multifidum (Mei) ? Miss A. Gissing. Phyt.,

1854, p. 81.
Lophodium Foenesecii (Newm.) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt. ut antea.
X 1 and 2, Z, rare. Ardmore, county of Waterford.
England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Loph. multiflorum (Newm.); sub-var. multifidum (Mei) ; ut ant. X 1, 2, and

Z, very rare.
Loph. Filix Mas. (Newm.); sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Phyt. ut antea. X 1, 2,
Z, common. Found both in forms Borreri and Affinis.
England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

Var. Cristatum (Moore) ; England, Cornwall ; fruitful. (Moore, Br. Ferns,
p. 109).
Lophodium fragrans (Newm.) ; [sub-var. multifidum, Wol.].

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Loph. spinosa (Newm.); sub-var. multifidum (Wol.).

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Gymnocarpium Phegopteris (Newm.) ; sub-var. [multifidum (Wol.)] ; specimen
communicated by G. B. Wollaston, Esq. In combination with sub-var.
Sinuatum (Mei) q. v.
Cystopteris fragilis (Newm.); var. multifidum (Mei).

England: G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
[Cystopteris Dickieana] (Sims) ; var. multifidum (Mei). X 1 and 2, common]
Z, rare.
Cultivated plants, Col. Bot. Gardens.
Cultivated plants, G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

• Var. Laciniattim in combination with Ramosum.

BUBLnr VlTUBiL HI8T0BT SOCrETT. 59

Ctenopteris ▼ii1gari8(Newin.); 8ab-Tar.(multifiduin)(Mei); at antea. Xland2»
Z. Fig. Newm. Br. Ferns, p. 111. Clare, Wicklow, Dublin; occort
here generally in only one frona of a plant.
England : Newm. Brit. Ferns. G. B. WoUaston, Esq.
Syn. bifidum (Moore) ; proliferum (ib.) ; multifidum (col.).
Trichomanes speciosum ( Wildcn) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mci) ; ut antea. Z.

One frond in cultivated plant.
Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense (Smith) ; sub-var. multifidum ^Mei). A fine spe-
cimen of X 2, among plants of this fern brought from Killarney, by James
Haughton, Jun., Esq., 1853.
Hymen. Wilsoni ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei). X 2 ; Killarney. G. B. WoUas-
ton, Esq. Dr. H. Allchin. Very fine.
Osmunda Rcgalis (Linn.).
Sub-var. multifidum (Mei). Z, verv rare. I have seen but one specimen ; on

a plant brought from Killarney, by Professor R. W. Smith.
Var. Cristatum.
Botrychium Lunaria (Smith) ; sub-var. multifidum (Mei).
Ireland: X 2; Mack. Flor. Hib. 346, and Kilnasantan, 1854.
England ; Newm., Br. Ferns. I. L. L. Buchanan, Esq. G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Syn. Ramosum (auct.).
Var. Cristatum (Mei) ; vide pp. 25, 26, 51.
Lunaria minor ramosa (Ray).

Ophioglossum vulgatum (Linn.) ; sub-var. X 2, multifidum (Mei).
Ireland: Kilnasantan, 1854.
Newm. Brit. Ferns. Deakin's Flor. Brit. p. 33.
Syn. Ramosum (auct.).

BRITISH SPECIES REPRESENTED IN FOLLOWING : —

Multifidum. Cristatum,

Adiantum One species. . Not represented.

Eupteris One ,, . . Not represented.

Lomaria One ,, . . One species.

Notolepeum One ,, . . Not represented.

Phyllitis One ,, . . One species.

Amesium One ,, . . One species.

Asplenium Six* ,, . . Three species; two doubtful.

Athyrium Two ,, . . Three species (?)

Polystichum Three ,, . . One species, 1860.

Lophodium Five „ . . One species.

Gymnocarpium One ,, . . Not represented.

Cystopteris Two ,, . . ,i

Woodsia One? „ . . „

Ctenopteris One ,, . . »,

Hymenophyllum ^ Two ,, . . ,,

Trichomanes One ,, . . *»

Osmunda One „ . . One species, 1860.

Ophioglossum One ,, . . Not represented.

Botrychium One ,, . . One species.

Generaunrepresented^Pseudathyrium, Hemestheum, AUosurus, Gymnogr&mma.

MAY 7, 1854.

ON THE ABNORMAL fO^MS OP TERNS. — PART U. BY J. B. KINAHAN, X. B.

Since I last had the honour of addressing you, I have, through the kindness
of its owner, had the opportunity afforded mo of examining a most extensive

* Including FonUnom m British.

60 DUBLIN NAXmiAL HISTORY SOCIETr.

collection both of growing plants and dried specimens in the possession of G. B.
Wollaston, Esq. This has enabled me to add several species and even genera
to the two divisions treated of at our last meeting. The genera are Cystopteris
and Adiantum, to the sub-var. Multifidum (including under them three species),
to which Hymenophyllum Wilsoni is also added by him. To the number of spe-
cies in the variety Cristatum I have not obtained any additions ; but in his col-
lection maybe found a most perfect series of forms illustrative of this monstro-
sity, and well worthy of study, exemplifying in a beautiful manner every grada-
tion of it in almost all the organs of the plant, from the mere simple renate di-
vision of the frond, up to the extreme forms of division recorded on the last day.
To-night I propose to conclude the subject, by considering the analogies of the
remaining abnormal forms of Filices.

Since I first attempted this arrangement, so many additional species of these
have been brought forward, that without any difficulty we can accomplish a di-
vision only hinted at then — viz., separate them into four classes — i. e., two va-
rieties and two sub-varieties, instead of one of each. Vide pp. 47, &c. For
these I intend to suggest new names, as there were many objections to
the names then used. The first, comprised under my old name Cambri-
cum, I mean to call Dissectum, the sub-variety I call Sinuatum still, but limit
its definition. — Dissectum variety — frond generally more developed than nor-
mal ; edges, both primary and secondary, crenately or irregularly lobed and
symmetrical ; segments rounded at ends ; their edges curled, and crisped, and
confluent; generally barren ; nervures terminating within leafy expansion, and
distinct throughout their whole course. Examples — As : Trichomanes, var. inci-
sum ; Cten. vulgare, var. Cambricum (Linn.). (This division includes so much
of my variety Cambricum as had the parts of the plant in excess.) Sinuatum,
sub-var. — frond mostly more luxuriant than normal ; segments irregularly
lobed and serrated, pointed, and distinct, generally unsymmetrical ; outline
pointed and distinct ; fruitful ; nervures terminating within leafy expansion.
Examples — As: Trichomanes, sub-var. Sinuatum (Mei) ; Cten. vulgare, var. Hi-
bernicum or Mackayi (auct.). These forms are essentially modifications of a
secondary axis (generally the veins and venules, which we find multiplied and
divided, but not symmetrically as a whole), and consists in the excessive
unsymmetrical development of some one or other. It is often difficult to
separate this variety from the variety Cristatum, especially in simple fronds ;
but we have a valuable guide in one character, which prevails almost through
the entire — the barrenness of the frond — a character so universal in the class, it
might almost be adopted as distinctive. In some species this may be explained
by the modification the veins undergo, the vein, which should be merely forked
and bear the spore case, becoming branched and barren, as is seen in Ctenop-
teris vulgare. The number of species in which it is found is rather limited,
though, doubtless, if investigation be made, others will turn up. The sub-va-
riety is fertile, the same modification not taking place in the venation. There
is a great latitude of modifications in the forms composed under Sinuatum, from
the simple irregularly crenate frond up to divisions as well marked as those with
which you are familiar in the Polypodium cambricum of Linnaeus. Under this
group we find an illustration of a previous observation, that a sub- variety and
a variety are sometimes found in accidental combination, — with this limit, that,
as far as I know, the parallel sub-groups are never found so. For example, you
will find variety Dissectum in combination with sub-variety Multifidum, but
never Dissectum in combination with Sinuatum cristatum in combination with
Multifidum. How far varieties combine with one another, I am not prepared to
state.* The next sub-group comprises the latter portion of my old Cambricum,

• The varieties are found combined with one another. The following are examples':— Vara.
Cristatum and Laciniatum, in Ath. Filix Fsemlna, R. Gunning's variety. The same vars. in Phyl. sco-
lopendrium, Guernsey form : but vide list. Sub-varieties obey tlie same law— ex. gr., Lophodium
Filix mas. Ramosum (Wol.) is sub-var. multifidum combined with sub-var. sinuatum, <fcc. The fol -
lowing remarlcB were made at the meeting held in June, 1854 :— In the paper read by me at at our last

DFBUN NATXTKAL HI8T0RT SOCIETY. 61

or that in which the parts of the original type are found contracted. For this
and its sub- variety it is proposed to use the names Laciniatum and Truncatum
— both names suggested to me by Mr. Wollaston. They consist essentially in
the absence of some organ or part of the plant, and bear the following defini-
tion:— Laciniatum, variety — frond less developed than normal, often reduced to
a mere midrib ; pinnse and pinnules contracted, often reduced to a mere line, or
absent ; epidermis, normal or puckered, sinuated and thickened at its margins,
often ending in a hem within the edge of the frond ; edges of the frond gene-
rally waved and cut ; nervures generally produced beyond, or else terminating
abruptly in the margin of the leafy expansion; outline linear, not curled or
crisped ; veins often very irregular in their distribution, often crossing one ano-
ther in their course ;• generafiy fruitful. Examples — Pol. angulare (var. stric-
tum Kin.): Phyl. scolopendrium, var. marginatum (Wol.). Truncatum, sub-va-
riety— frond, contracted ; segments either lobed or reduced to a mere midrib ;
generally symmetrical ; the apices of the pinnje and pinnules often truncated,
and then utisymmetrical ; nervures as in laciniatum ; generally barren. Ex-
amples— Am. ruta muraria, sub-var. truncata (K.). These groups, especially the
variety, present a most extraordinary variety of forms, agreeing all in the one
character of absence of some normal part of the fern. They appear to be di-
vided into several groups, according to the element affected, but unfortunately
we do not always find the same element affected two successive years. The ge-
neral type of the class is always adhered to : one year the deficiency occurring
in one set of elements, and the next, perhaps, in another ; however, when the
substance of the frond is present, we find it cut and lobed, though sometimes it
is entirely wanting. The following, or, in fact, any of the elemental parts of
the fern, may be wanting. The green colouring matter — the frond variegated
and lobed on the edges, as Ph. scol., var. sub-variegatum (Wol.); Aspl. A.N.,
var. variegatum (W.). The substance of frond — either in part, the frond lobed
in various ways ; or entirely the pinnae and pinnules or frond itself reduced to
mere lines, as Pol. Aug., var. strictum (Kin.). The epidermis deficient in some
way, its edges scolloped atid tucked, often pitted and thickened ; the apices end-
ing in a spur of fibres, as in the forms marginatum, &c., of Phyl. scol. and Lo-
raaria spicant, var. marginatum (W.). In fact, every conceivable variety of
deficiency occurs, and renders the study of numerous examples of this class ne-
cessary for the comprehension of the whole. This variety is much less perma-
nent under cultivation than either of the others, but still sufficiently so to be dis-
tinguished from the sub-variety. Some of its forms are most beautifully sym-
metrical, in so much that they have been mistaken for species, as the Polysti-
chum, found at Kew, with angularly linear leaflets, which bears the name of
Angustatum, and has the habit of producing bulbillscf in the axils of its leaves;

meetlnp, I stated that on one point I was still in doubt— viz. Jiow far varieties combine inter se. Since
then I have been enabled to arrive at the following conclusions on this subject— opportunely, indeed,
aa It completes the scheme I was endeavouring to lay before you :— I find that these combinations do
take place occasionally, and that they, with a very few exceptions (more, I am inclined to think, seem-
ing than real), take place only between the sub-groups of the same group— i. e., between variety and
Tailety,and sub-variety and sub-variety. 'Hiese conclusions, as well as those laid before you on for-
mer occadons, were aU confirmed by examinations of, I believe, the two best collections of tlie kind
In England— viz., tliat of Dr. II. Allchin, In London, and that of G. R. Wollaston, Ksq., in Kent.
Through the kindness of both these gentlemen, I have been much indebted both for Infomiation re-

farding the plants and by the opportunity afforded me of examining forms, many of them unioue. In
Ir. Wollaston's collection tliere is a form of hart's-tongue, raised by him from see<l, widcli well illus-
trates the combination of forms. In it the lower portion of the frond represents the var. ladniafttm,
while the apex represents the var. eristatuiH, In one frond this was shown in a remarkable maimer j
the stipe was cleft, one i>ortion was diminished to a fibrous liook, about a quarter of an incli long, the
other lK)re a frond, tlie base marglnate serrate, and the apex divldeii into two, tlie one division cris-
tate^ the other rc<luccd to a branched lash of bare fibrils. The establi.shment of this fact clears up the
only diftlculty in arranging the varieties I met witli, establisljing an additional class of mixed forma.
Thus, tlie Atljyriuni, found in .Joyce Country by Robert Gmming, and figured by Newman, as weU, I
believe, as the" form found by Mr. A. Smith, near Belfast, are to bo referred to a form Laciniato-crista-
tum, being a combination of laciniatum and cristatum.

• As in Fh. scoioiHjndrium : polvschides (Ray), wliich poflflesses a netted venation.
+ This hal)it of producing bulblLs Is foimd in two other species of British ferns— vix,, Am. Rata
muraria, where the fronds are generally nmltlfld and fruitful, and In PhyL scolopendrium (Galwav,
Dr. Allchin), where the fronds arc normal and fruitful.

P

62 DTJBLIN NATUKAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

a habit also of a beautiful example of this group exhibited by me before youf
Society, in 1852, in a plant of Pol. angulare. The Kew plant, or, at least, those
blants shown me as such, I believe to belong to Pol. aculeatum, an opinion I
know at variance with the generally received one. The preceding remarks, also,
in a great measure, apply to the sub-variety, in which we find the same irregu-
larities of form— the same occasional symmetrical arrangement of parts — the
same tendency to a viviparous reproduction.' The sub-variety in this group is,
however, much seldomer fertile than the variety; it is also very often uniform,
but never permanently so. The laciniate sub-group varies more under cultiva-
tion than any other, but always keeps sufficiently near to the type to be recog-
nised easily from any other, except the sub-variety Truncatum, between which
and it some confusion exists at present, principally arising from the group not
having (owing to its ugliness) been as much studied as the Ramose or cristate
type, but, doubtless, after a little more examination, it will be found as well de-
fined as that group. I have prepared a list of all the forms that appear to belong
to the groups mentioned to-night, but can look on them as, to a certain extent,
imperfect, as, doubtless, forms belonging to other groups are mixed up with
them, owing to a want of specimens and information about the plants. In-
deed, I think, the classes themselves are, to a certain extent, only provisional, con-
taining within them, probably, the nucleus of other classes. My object has been
to collect together all the abnormal forms, and, as far as possible, group them.
How far or how naturally this has been done, it must remain for others to judge.
A few words about a point of nomenclature. When a variety and sub-variety
are found in conjunction, it is proposed to call the form by the name of the va-
riety, merely adding after it, "in combination with sub-var., &c. ;" when two
varieties or sub-varieties are conjoined, either to name it after that best marked,
or make a similar addition to that above, or to call it after both, as we speak at
present of " red and white" roses, &e. To the names used, some may, and,
doubtless, will object. If the scientific world in general, or even the majority
of them, choose to adopt others, I am content, provided that there be unanimity
as to the names chosen, and to the definitions of these names thus chosen. Thus^
gentlemen, I have ended t^e task proposed for myself of collecting and group-
ing these abnormal forms ; how far I have succeeded, it is not for me to judge.
Doubtless, improvements and alterations can be suggested, but, I doubt, that
many of importance, as regards these six groups, will be made. Forms may he
removed from groups into which they are, at present, unwillingly placed,
as Am. R. M., var. dissectum, which is fruitful, and evidently belongs to some
form of Cristatum; the forms, with confused venation, at present included
under Laciniatum (which, probably, belong to some form of Cristatum), into
others to which they should belong, but, as I stated before, I believe the types
will remain intact. On physiology I have scarcely touched, my sole object
having been the collecting and grouping of those strange and varied forms
whose study is of almost equal importance with that of the limitation and defi-
nition of species, since by it I am convinced much light can be thrown on the
other. Any further information or explanation concerning this subject I have
in my power, I will gladly impart to those desiring it, and thankfully receive
additional information, either regarding the forms enumerated, or any others
unknown to me at present.

There is another large group of forms on which I have not touched — those
to which I gave the name of sub- forms on a former occasion. These I have not
studied sufficiently to say anything either newer practical about. [Dr. Kinahan
illustrated those remarks by numerous specimens of the forms mentioned, and
by plants of the following unrecorded forms : — Phyl. scolopendrium, var. Laci-
niatum, apex of frond normal, basal half of frond contracted and serrated un-
symmetrically, fruitful, venation in apical portion of frond confused — neighbour-
hood of Drogheda, county of Louth, March, 1854 ; Phyl. scolopendrium, var.

* Seen in PolTSk angulare ; vide p. 60, also Newm. Brit Ferns, 8rd ed., Polystich Ang. varieties.

DUBLIN NATUBAL HISTOBT SOCIETY. 63

Laciniatum (?), frond irregularly lobed, venatioQ very much confused, barren~>
Doanybrook, county of Dublin, December, 1853; Am. Ruta Muraria, var. Laci'
niatum (?), fronds symmetrical, contracted, fruitful — King William's Glen,
county of Louth, April, 1854 ; Am. Ruta Muraria, sub-var. Truncatum, fronds
irregularly contracted, leaflet reduced to a mere midrib — Marlay, county of
Dublin, 1853.]

LIST OF SPECIES OF BRITISH FERNS.

Varieties, Dissectum and Laciniatum ; and Sub-varieties, Sinuatum and Trun-
catum.
[Explanation of Marks — Not recorded as Irish, thus [Woodsia]. "Margi-
nate" the Epidermis on surface of frond raised in a hem, and scalloped along
edge.]

Eupteris aquilina (Newm.); sub-var. sinuatum (Mei). England, Epping Forest
(Kin. 1854), in combination with multifidum (Mei).

Var. laciniatum (Mei\

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

Sub-var. Truncatum (IVIei). G. B. "Wollaston, Esq.

Syn. depauperata* ( Wol.), often combined with multifidum.
Lomaria spicant (Des.); var. dissectum TMei). Barren.
• Ireland— Glenmacnass, county of Wicklow(Phvt. 1853, pp. 892 and 1037).

England — Ambleside (Francis' Synopsis) ; Tunbridge Wells, G. B. Wollaston,
Esq.

Syn. strictum (Francis) heterophyllum. (Wol.).

Sub-var. sinuatum (Mei). Ireland — Clare, Dublin (Phyt. ut supra).

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq. ; often combined with multifidum.

Var. [Laciniatum (Mei)]. England, G. B, Wollaston, Esq.

Syn. lancifoliumf (Wol.), marginatum^ (Wol.).

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei). Ireland— Clare and Dublin.

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Notolepeum ceterach (Newm.).

Sub-var. sinuatum (Mei). Ireland — Gal way, Waterford.
Phyllitis scolopendrium (Newm.).

Var. dissectum (Mei) ; Undulatum (?); barren. Ireland — Belfast. A.Craw-
ford, Esq., England.

Sub-var. sinuatum§ (Mei). Phyt. ut antea. Dublin.

Var. laciniatum (Mei). Ireland — Tinnehinch, county of Wicklow (1). Phyt.,
1854, 1087. Nat. Hist. Review, p. 83. Galway (7), Dr. Allchin. Donny-
brook, Dublin (9) TKin). Louth (10) (Kin.).

England — Somersetshire, Sir W. E. Trevelyan (1). Kent, G. B. Wollaston,
Esq. (1 and 5). Dorsetshire, G. B. Wollaston, Esq. (8). Yorkshire, (ib.)
*(3), Ray, &c. Guernsey (4), Dr. Allchin.

Synonymes marginatum (1), (Moore 174), supralineum (2), (ib. 179) [bi-
marginatum (3), [multiforme (4)], mucronatum (6), truncatum (7)], [sub-
variegatum (8)]. Polyschides (Ray) — vide Newm. Brit. Ferns, &c., cornu-
tum (6)JI

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei); not uncommon; Dublin.

• Depanperata, plniwo reduced to contracted rounded segments.

t Barren fronds contracted, often lanceolate, simply serrate Fertile fronds, sometime redacedto
near spike.

1 Marginatum (Wol), fW)nd raarginato and serrated.

8 Margins of fnmds spit Into squared segments.

I (8) Blmnrglnatum (VVoU, frond niarj^nate on both surfaces; edges irregularly crenato-scrrate
Torkshire. (4) Multiforme (WoL), frond marglnatc on both surfaces nmch serrated ; upj>er surface ol
firond scaly ; aiKJX cristate; Guernsey. (6) Mucronatum, outline of frond, untlulatetl ; crenattd ; the
midrib projecting and forming a fibrous hook ; Yorkshire. (7) Truncatiun (Wol.). ai)ex of frond un-
dulate and truncate; edges unserrated, ending in fibrous hook ; Galway, Dr. Allchin. (8) Sub-varie-
gatum, frond variegated ; Q. B. Wollaston, Esq., Dorset ; margins crenato-scrrate ; apex aometimefl
cristate (11 as 7) edges serrated. Dr. Allchin. Ireland. (9 and 10) rtde end of pM>er.

64 DUBLIN NATTJEAL niSTOEY SOCIETY.

Amesium Ruta Muraria (Newm.).

Var. dissectum (Wol.); fruitful : possibly belonging to var. ramosum—cirfe
remarks, antea.

Louth (Kin.).

England : G. B. WoUaston, Esq.

Var. laciniatum (Mei) ; Ireland — Louth (Kin.) ; described at end of paper.

England (?)— Kent ; G. B. Wollaston.

Syn. proliferum (Wol.) ? Plant proliferous. Fide note, page 51.

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei). Marlay, county of Dublin.
Asplenium adiantum nigrum (Lin.).

Var. Laciniatum (Mei).

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq. ; variegatum.*

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei). Louth.
Asplenium Trichomanes (Linn.) ; var. dissectum (Mei).

England — Yorkshire.

Syn. incisum (Auct.). (Newm. Brit. Ferns; Deakin, Fl. Brit., 74; Moore,
162.)

Sub-var. sinuatum (Mei). Clare (Phyt. 1853, p. 1037).
Asplenium marinum.

Var. dissectum (Mei)? Warrington (Mr. Shaw) — vide Francis' Synopsis,
page 46.

Sub-var. sinuatum (Mei). Ireland — Waterford.

England— (Deakin, Fl. Brit., p. 70). Moore, Br. Ferns, 160.
Asplenium lanceolatum (Lin.) ; var. laciniatum (Mei).

Guernsey.
Athyrium Filix foemina, var. dissectum (Wol).

Ireland : communicated by G. B. Wollaston, Esq. ; beautifully cut^

England — Kent, Wollaston ut antea.

Synonymes dissectum (Wol.) ; prsemorsumf (Wol.).

Sub-var. sinuatum (Mei). Ireland— Clare ; rare.

Variety laciniatumj (Mei). Ireland— Clare; Castlekelly, county of Dublin,
vide page 53.

England — Tunbridge Wells, Kent; G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

Synonymes Erosum (Wol.), in combination with sub-var. multifidum.

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei). Clare.

England: G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Polystichum Angulare (Newm.) ; var. laciniatum (Mei).

Dublin (Kin.) ; Phyt., 1852 and 1853, ut antea. ; barren. S. Foot, Esq., on
authority of Robert Ball, Esq., LL.D.

Syn. viviparum(Mei), strictum (Mei) — vide Dub. Nat. Hist. Soc. Proc.

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei). Dublin Mountains (Kin.).
Polystichum aculeatum (Newm.); var. laciniatum (Mei)? Kew and Devon;
G. B. Wollaston, Esq. — vide remarks above.

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei). G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Lophodium Foenesecii (Newm.) ; var. laciniatum (Mei).

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei). Ardmore, county of Waterford.
Lophodium multiflorum (Newm.); sub-var. sinuatum (Mei).

Ireland — Clare ; Dublin ; not uncommon in boggy places.

Var. laciniatum (Mei). Ardmore, county of Waterford.

(Phyt., 1853, 1037, as sinuatum).

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei). Ardmore, Waterford ; Dublin. (Phyt. ut antea).

• Variegatuin, frond variegated and irregularly serrate. G, B. Wollaston, Esq.
t Prseraorsum. frond cut unsymraetrically ; barren. G. B. Wollaston, Esq. ; found by Dr. Dickie.
t The form found In Mayo, by Mr. R. Gunning (vUle first part of list), is probably this form com-
bined with cristatura. Vide page 60.

DTTBLIN NATTEAL HI8T0KT SOCIETY.

65

Lophodium Filix mas (Newm.) ; var. dissectum (Mei) (affinis).

Clare (Phyt. ut supra ut cambricum) (K.).

Sub- var. sinuatum (Mei). Not uncommon (affinis and Borreri).

Dublin, Waterford, Clare.

England : G. B. WoUaston, Esq.

Var. laciniatum (Mei) ? Ardmore, Dublin.

Sub-var. Truncatum (Mei) ? Dublin, Clare.

England : G. B. WoUaston, Esq., as mueronatnm.*

N.B. — This -species requires more study as to its varieties, with regard to
L. Borreri.
Lophodium fragrans (Newm.).

Var. laciniatum (Mei) ? Yorkshire, G. B. WoUaston, Esq. ; in combination
with multifidum this may be Sub-var. sinuatum.
GTmnocarpium Phregopteris (Newm.) ; var. laciniatum? (Mei).

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq. Sometimes multifid.
Hemestheum oreopteris (Newm.) ; var. laciniatum (Mei).

England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq.
Ctenopteris vulgaro (Newm.) ; var. dissectum (Mei).

Ireland — Wicklow — vide Newman's British Ferns, &c. Second and third edi-
tions.

England, Wales, near London ; G. B. Wollaston, Esq.

Syn. cambricum (Linn.). Fig. Newm. Brit. Ferns.

Sub-var. sinuatum (Mei).

Ireland— Dargle, county of Wicklow ; Dartry, county of Dublin. Common
and fine in South and West.

England— Tunbridge Wells ; Torbay (Miss Griffiths).

Synonymes sinuatum (Francis 22, Moore 44), Serratum (ib.), Hibernicum
(ib.), Mackayii (gardens). Dargle Fern of Mackay's Flora Uibernica, first
found by Miss Fitton.
Osmunda regalis (Lin.).

Var. laciniatum (Mei).f .

Guernsey : Dr. H. AUchin.

Sub-var. truncatum J (Mei). Sneem, Kenmare Bay ; Professor R. W. Smith.
Two fronds shown me, through the kindness of its finder.
Botrychium Lunaria (Smith); var. laciniatum (Mei).

Ireland — Kilnasantan, county of Dublin.

England :

N.B. I have referred here, in doubt, the incised leaved form of the moon wort.

BRITISH SPECIES REPRESENTED IN FOLLOWING: —

Dissectum. Sinuatttm. Laciniatum. Truncatum.

Eupteris None. One. One. One.

• Lomaria One. One. One. One.

Notolepeum .... None. One. None. None.

Phyllitis One? One. One. One.

Amesium One? None. One. One.

Aspleniura .... Two. Two. Two. One.

Athyrium .... One? One? One? One?

Polystichum .... None. None. Two. Two.

Lophodium .... One. Two? Five? Three?

Hemestheum . . . None. None. One. One.

Gymnocarpium . . . None. None. One. None.

Cystopteris .... One. None. None. None.

Osmunda None. None. One. One.

Botrychium .... None. None. One? None.

Ctenopteris .... One. One. One. None.

• Mncronatam (Wol.^ apices of all the pinna tmncate, midrib projecting In a spike. A most
cnriotis lookiiiR plant. Kent, O. B. Wollaston, Esq.

t Laciniatum, pinnnlos pinnate ; segments crcnate.

i Truncatum, pinnules rounded, and, in some cases, stalked. Killamey, Professor R. W. Smith.
A moat remarkable form.

66 DUBLIN NATITKAL HISTORT SOCIETY.

UNRBPBESENTED : —

Dissectum and Sinuatum.— Adiantum, Eupteris, Polystichum, Hemestheum,
Gymnocarpium, Osmunda, Botrychium, Ophioglossura, Trichomanes, Hymeno-
phyllum, Pseudathyrium, AUosurus, Gymnogramma.

Laciniatum and Truncatum — Adiantum, Cystopteris, Pseudathyrium, AUo-
surus, Gymnogramma, Ctenopteris, Hymenophyllum, Trichomanes, Ophioglos-

JUNE 16, 1854.

RECORD OF RARE PLANTS. BT WILLIAM ANDREWS, M.R.LA.

Mr. Andrews said he was desirous of placing on record some rare plants first
noticed at the meetings of the Society. The first was a very remarkable form
of Saxifraga geum — fine specimens of which he submitted to the meeting. It
was first found by him in the Great Blasket Island, in 1842, and noticed in the
Society at the December meeting of that year. It was remarkable for its strong
growth and dark hirsute leaves, but more particularly for the glands which sur-
round the ovary, and which, in the flowering state of the plant, present a beau-
tiful appearance, the glands being of a deep rose-colour. It seemed remarkable
in connecting the Saxifragacese with the Parnassiae and Crassulacese ; it pro-
duces perfect seeds, and the seedlings present the same characteristics as the
parent plant. Dr. Harvey, who took specimens to England, writes : — " Charles
Darwin was very much interested in your Blasket Saxifrage, particularly in the
fact of its producing perfect seeds. He is working out some observations on the
continuability of varieties by seed, and wishes much to know whether the seed-
lings from this Saxifrage produce the metamorphic glands of the parent. I told
him I thought they did, but would get the full particulars from you." Mr.
Andrews said that his friend, Mr. Simon Foot, who cultivated the plant, con-
firmed the fact of the seedlings having the same formation of glands as the pa-
rent, and informed him that Dr. Lindley observed to him that he considered it
would prove to be a plant of great interest. Mr. Andrews also exhibited plants
of Saxifraga pedatifida, and Arabis Crantziana, discovered by the Right Hon.
John Wynne, of Hazlewood, the Saxifrage in Mayo, and the Arabis on Benbul-
ben, Sligo.

Part II.— ZOOLOGY.

MAMMALIA.

DECEMBER 9, 1853.

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF DAUBENTON's BAT (VESFEBTILIO DAUBENTONIl), IN
THE COUNTY OF KILDARE. BY JOHN ROBERT KINAHAN, A.B.

The bats, particularly in Britain, have been long confessedly a little known,
because an almost unstudied, family ; and hence, every observation made con-
cerning them or their habits has an interest for the naturalist. It is, therefore,
with feelings of great pleasure that I rise to-night to lay before your Society
some new, and, as I hope, though scanty, interesting observations, made when,
last summer, along with a friend, I had the good fortune to discover a new loca-
lity for Daubenton's Bat (V. Daubentonii). The specimens on the table were
obtained in Levitstown, in the county of Kildare, under the following circum-
stances : — For the first recent specimens of this bat I was indebted to Frederick

DVBUV NATUBAL HISTORY 80CIETT. 67

Hanghton, Esq., Levitstown, by whom they were shot on the Rirer Barrow, on
the 22nd of Juno; they were handed to me, with the remark that they appeared
to him lighter in colour than the bats he was accustomed to see about the place.
On examination it was soon evident what they were ; and having learned from
Mr. Haughton that he thought they had their nest in Tankardstown Bridge, aa
be had himself counted thirtv-five and upwards flying out of a hole in it, and had
been credibly informed that fifty-three were seen, I determined to examine the
locality. The place pointed out was a set of small holes in one of the triangular
abutments of the bridge, situated about four feet from the water at its ordmary
height, and evidently containing a large colony, as the stones around its edge
were polished and shining with the feet of the little animals running over them.
On poking a switch into one of the holes, a loud chirping and clicking was im-
mediately set up ; but as nothing could be done, on account of the earliness of
the hour, we let them alone till evening, when, armed with a gauze butterfly net
and an ordinary landing net, we again rowed to the place, where a loud chirping,
squeaking, and clicking announced that our little friends were already on the
alert — this was 8.30 p.m. ; it was, however, 9.30 before they made their appearance,
though all this time a great scrambling and scuffling was audible from the hole.
This evening we captured three, and counted (including captives) forty-one bats
coming out, between 9.30 and 10.30, and when we left, there seemed as many
more in the hole, — at least the chirping and scrambling was as loud as ever. On
arriving at home we examined our captives, which turned out to be, two full-
grown female specimens of Daubenton's Bat and one female Pipistrelle (S. Pipis-
trellus). The next night we proceeded again to the hole, and the bats began to
fly precisely to the minute at 9.30. We remarked, however, several bats coming
up the river half an hour earlier, either from Levitstown mills, or from an old
church which here overhangs the river. The evening was dark and cloudy, and the
night growing gradually more tempestuous. Natterer's bats began to return to
their nests at 10 p.m., flying about our heads, and almost mobbing us. The following
day was wet and stormy, and, though the evening cleared up, yet it continued so
cold that only one bat came out, and one stranger was seen on the river, and when
we left them, at 10.30, all was quiet in the hole. The next day we did not disturb
them at all. The 27th was a wet day ; it cleared up in the evening ; though still
cold, seventeen bats came out ; they had, however, grown very wary and learned
to dodge the net, and would not come out unless all was quiet ; they also first took
a peep out to see that all was clear, running back if the net was not held per-
fectly steady. So acute was their hearing, that every time the gunwale of the
boat touched the pier of the bridge, no matter how gently, there was a loud cry
of alarm from the hole, which 1 did not hear except then ; and whenever a bat
ran back from the net after this cry, all would grow quiet again for about five
minutes, and then the scuffling, scrambling, and squealing would begin again,
and in a few moments they would begin to come out. It was perfectly possible
to distinguish the two, both on the wing and when coming out of the hole — V.
Daubentonii coming to its mouth, and thence flying straight out; whilst the Pi-
pistrelle crept to the edge of the pier, and, letting himself fall from thence, flew
off. This, added to the latter's being more wary and active in dodging the net,
rendered him more diflicult to capture, and to retain when captured, as out of
three, supposed to be of this species, captured, I was only able to retain one.
V. Daubentonii does not fly as rapidly nor make such quick turns as the Pipis-
trelle, and when struck into the water, floundered in it so as to enable me to
catch him, while the Pipistrelle, under similar circumstances, just touched it and
was off. The cry of the Pipistrelle is much shriller than that of the other.
There was also an unmistakably fetid odour from the Pipistrelle, which I did
not remark from Danbenton's bat. 1 would say that of the bats counted eadi
night the following were the proportions : —

June 23rd, Daubenton's bat, twenty-seven; Pipistrelle, fourteen. 24th,
Daubenton's bat, twenty ; Pipistrelle, nine. 2jth, Daubenton's bat, one. 27th,
Daubenton's bat, eleven ; Pipistrelle, six. So that Daubenton's bat appears to bo

68 DUBLIN NATURAL HI8T0EY SOCIETT.

the commoner of the two, though this might arise from the Pipistrelle not begin-
ning to fly till half an hour later than the other. On confinement, their manners
are very different; the Pipistrelle being impatient, squealing, and biting like a
little fury, and running up and down the sides of the net ; while Daubenton's bat
was gentle, submitting to be handled, merely gaping with its mouth, and utter-
ing a soft, low chirp ; both species used the exserted tip of the tail as an addi-
tional foot. Out of the specimens of Daubenton's bat captured or shot, the pro-
f»ortion of sexes was seven females and two males. One of Daubenton's bats
ived for two days, and fed on flies very readily, and on raw meat. I re-
marked, however, that when the fly was not moving before his eyes, the bat took
no notice of it, although the fly was touching its nose, or walking over its ears and
head. I attempted to keep the others alive ; but though they fed well with me
for some days, the journey up in the train killed them. I did not remark the
great insensibility to the proximity of objects, which, according to Spallanzani,
is so well marked in some species, as one of them, which escaped from us in the
house, struck himself repeatedly against the ceiling and corners of the room, in
his efforts to elude recapture. I remarked, too, that several of them flew straight
into the net when held perfectly steady before the hole. Save in a few particu-
lars, the bats answer nearly to the description given in Bell's "British Quadru-
f>eds." There was a well-marked sulcus between the nostrils ; the sebaceous fol-
icles not well-marked ; exserted portion of tail, a line and a half in length; in-
terfemoral, with from eight to fourteen bands. This character is, it would seem,
of secondary importance, as the number of bands vary in my specimens. The
male and the female differ slightly in dimensions, the female being the larger.
The under surface of the latter, particularly the wings, was lighter than the for-
mer. The hind claws are thick and clumsy, and ciliated with stiff white hairs.
The distribution of this bat is curious, as in England it has only occurred in the
eastern counties, and in this country the only county in which it has hitherto
been recorded is Down, to the east, though I am sure it will, if looked for, be
found in other counties also. 1 regret I have not any more information to sup-
ply your Society with in regard to the bat* presented last February by me, as,
owing to want of specimens for comparison, I am still in doubt what species to
refer it to, as in its characters it partakes of those of both V. Daubentonii and
Mystacinus Bell. It resembles in one respect the species under consideration
viz., a slight fringe to the interfemoral ; but it differs so much in other
respects, that I do not think it can be this bat, being much darker in the
membranes and back and ears, and lighter on the belly ; the fur, too, is of a
different texture ; it is also slightly smaller, and the tragus differs. In conclu-
sion, I beg to lay before you a local list of the distribution of the mammalia of
part of Carlow, Kildare, and Queen's County, for which I am indebted to the
kindness of the same gentleman who gave me the bats, F. Haughton, Esq. : —
Pipistrelle — common, one, captured in 1853, in company with the next, at
Levitstown, county of Kildare. Daubenton's bat — nine, captured June, 1853,
in Tankardstown Bridge, Levitstown, county of Kildare— common, though,
perhaps, local. Long-eared bat — Levitstown. Hedgehog — common. Badger
— Kilmarony woods. Queen's County, rare. Otters, River Barrow — very com-
mon. Stoat — very common. Common fox — very common. Long-tailed field-
mouse — common ; Levitstown. Common mouse — very common. Black rat —
Carlow; single specimen killed. Norway rat — common everywhere. Common
marten — very rare ; last seen, about ten years since, at Bestfield, Carlow. A
skin obtained at Mount Leinster, county of Carlow, eighteen years since, was
sent to the late Mr. Vigors, by S. Haughton, Esq. Irish, or varying hare— ra-
ther rare; Oakpark. Rabbit — common. Common squirrel — very rare ; existed
formerly in Pollerton, county of Carlow, and still said to be found in Burton
Hall woods. This list, though containing but few rarities, is of importance, as
all authentic local lists are valuable. It contains but four rare animals — the

* This proved to be V. mystacinus. Vide Proceedings, vol iv., p. 154. ^

DUBLIN NATUBAL HI8T0BT SOCIETY. 69

squirrel, concerning which many doubt its ever having been indigenous. It is
said, in Rutty's ** History of Dublin," to have been found in Luttrelstown
woods, near this city, and there is a tradition that they used to be found near
Clondalkin. The other three rarities are — the marten, the black rat, and the
badger, all of which, from various causes, are becoming more and more rare in
this country.

[*»• This bat at the time of its occurrence was recorded as V. Nattereri.
The mistake was corrected at the subsequent May meeting.— n</e Proceedings,
vol. ii., page 156.]

Mr. Williams and Mr. Montgomery said, that they were of opinion that in
the more remote districts these animals were still frequent. The badger, Mr.
Williams observed, was constantly mot with in parts of Kerry ; and Mr. Mont-
gomery stated that in Mayo and Donegal both the badger and marten were not
scarce.

Mr. Andrews said he could confirm Mr. Williams's statement that the badger
was not uncommon in parts of Kerry. In some of the lonely recesses of the na-
tural woods, the marten was very frequent, and did much damage in destroying
the young of the game-birds of the country. Mr. Andrews had every reason to
believe that the true wild-cat was at one time well known in the Fiadhghleanna,
or wild jjlens of the western parts of Kerry, for the description he got of it was
totally different from that of the marten. The marten was called in Kerry
**catcrann" (cat of the wood), and the wild cat known as the •* cat fiadhachd*"
(hunting cat). The black rat, some years since, was very plentiful at a farm
near Bally nunnery, county of Carlo w.

DECEMBER 8, 1854.

ON EXTINCT IRISH OXEN. BT G. WAKEM AN.

Mr. Wakeman begged to present to the Society two heads of cows, with the
horns, which were obtained at Dunshaughlin, in digging turf. They were found
in a bog, where a lake once existed, but is now dried up, and in the centre of
which was traced a crannog, or fortified island. There appeared to have ex-
isted there a fortified encampment, where, among animal remains, the bones of
horses, cows, and an extinct species of pig were discovered ; also other animals,
besides weapons of war and ornaments. The heads of these animals before the
meeting appeared of some antiquity, belonging to the tenth century, and illus-
trated the kind of animals in Ireland at that period. He thought that such a
notice came within the province of inquiries of the Society, and "he would be
happy, on a future occasion, to give fuller details of the subject.

MARCH 23, 1855.

Mr. Wakeman gave the following eontinuation of his remarks on the remains
of animals, &c., at Dunshaughlin : — A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of pre-
senting to this Society a couple of heads of the ancient Irish cow, found with a
vast accumulation of animal remains, round what had been an artificial island,
in a lake now dried up, in the vicinity of Dunshaughlin. Of late years several
verv large heads have been discovered in various parts of the country, and it is
to be regretted that our Society does not possess a selection from those inte-
resting relics of ruins of animals which anciently existed in our island, and some
of which, at least, have become extinct. The first, and perhaps the most im-
portant of these discoveries was made about twelve years ago at Dunshaughlin,
in the county of Meath. The locality is well known in Irish history as Lough
Oabor, a name now softened to Lagore, and may be described as a boggy flat,
about one mile and a half in length by about a mile in breadth. The lake, pro-
perly speaking, has not existed in the memory of any living person ; but in win-

Q

70 DTJBLTN NATTJEAL HISTOET SOCIETY.

ter time, after heavy rains, the greater portion of the bog is covered with water.
A slight eminence, crowned by a solitary tree, is still called "the island ;" and
it was about this spot that the animal remains, amounting to so many hundreds of
cart-loads, were found. The bones were those of cows, deer, swine, sheep, horses,
and, I believe, of hogs. Several human skulls and other bones were also observed,
bearing testimony to the struggles which the annals inform us took place round
the island of Lough Gabor. Intermixed with the bones were found an immense
quantity of antiquities, consisting of spear-heads, swords, knives, brooches,
combs, &c. ; and these articles, so highly interesting to the antiquary, are
scarcely less so to the naturalist, as by an examination of their form and style
of ornamentation some conclusion may be arrived at as to the date of the depo-
sit. From the fact of the frontal bone in most of the skulls which had belonged
to the lower animals having been fractured, apparently by the blow of a hatchet,
many of which instruments were found among the debris, there can be but little
doubt that the creatures to which they had belonged had been killed as food by
the occupants of '* the island." How much, then, is it to be regretted that no
tolerable collection of these very interesting remains is known to exist. By a
careful collection and examination of such subjects much light might be thrown
on the history, and even pedigree, of existing species. Surgeon Wilde, indeed,
to whom is due the credit of having first mentioned the Dunshaughlin discovery,
about twelve years ago, has fortunately preserved many interesting specimens,
but his collection is far from complete. And when we recollect that since that
period at least two similar bone heaps have been found — one in the lake ofBal-
linderry, near Moate, the other at Strokestown, county of Roscommon, we can-
not help fearing that many subjects of great interest to the Irish naturalist
have been lost. I may add that, judging from the character of the antiquities
found under the same circumstances in each of the three localities, the animals
of which the horns had formed a portion could not have existed later than the
ninth or tenth century. In each of the localities referred to, antlers of the red
deer, similar to those before the Society, were found in considerable numbers.

FEBRUARY 7, 1855.

Mr. Andrews read a communication from Mr. Trouton, of Drogheda, with
reference to a skull and very fine antlers of the red deer, which were exhibited
before the meeting. Mr. Trouton observes : — " I beg to say that they were dis-
covered in August last by some fishermen whilst drawing their salmon net across
the river — the River Boyne ; the net having become fast in one of the horns, it
was with some difficulty they raised them from where they were embedded in
the centre of the river, but, using great care, they were enabled to take them up
in the very perfect state in which they appear. Although they have been taken
from the now present bed of the river, I have to remark that within the last few
years the river has been deepened by excavation about four feet, so that until
lately the horns were deposited in a stratum four or five feet below the water.
This, I think, will fix a very early date for their original deposit. The dark co-
lour of the skull and horns will, I think, bear out this idea."

The horns were those of the red deer, and were perfect and of full growth.

Several of the Members said that such specimens were by no means uncom-
mon in the country, and that they were frequently met in parts of the Boyne.

Mr. R. Callwell remarked that he had seen and obtained very fine horns of
the red deer, in a perfect state, found between Moate and Athlone.

DUBUN NATTRAL HISTOBT 80CIETT. 71

AVE8.

DECEMBER 18, 1851.

ON TBE OCCUBRENCB OF THE CRANE (ORUS CINEBBA) IN IRELAND. BT WILLIAM
ANDREWS, M.R.I. A.

In looking through the numerous writers on the subject of British Ornitho-
logy, 1 find the traditions and opinions adopted by almost every author to prore
that the crane was at one time by no means uncommon in the fenny districts of
England, and also in Scotland, making its visits in numerous flocks, with great
regularity, during the periods of its migrations : and it has even been stated to
have bred in the marshes of Cambridgeshire. The dates of these records, how-
ever, are at very remote periods; for even more than one hundred andfifty years
past but occasional visits had been noticed, Simon Latham, who published
on falconrv, ** The Falconer's Lure and Cure," in 1633, mentions the crane
as the noblest of game.

The most recent authority on the birds of this country (Mr. Thompson) in
the quaint style that precedes the history of each species, states, ** is an ex-
tremely rare visitant;'* and he has in the second volume of his •' Natural His-
tory of Ireland," given the few notices which his indefatigable researches into
the records, histories, and occurrences of the birds of the country enabled him to
trace. These, since the remarks by Smith, in the histories of the counties of
Waterford and of Cork, of the crane having been seen during the remarkable
frost in 1739, are but two — one mentioned by Mr. Glennon as having been shot
in the county of Gal way early in the present century, and the other shot in Tra-
lee Bay, by the Rev. John Chute, about the year 1826. The subject of the pre-
sent paper then forms the next record of the appearance in Ireland of this ma-
jestic bird. Mr. Thompson remarks that if the bird mentioned by Giraldus were
the true crane, it was as plentiful in Ireland as it was in early times in Eng-
land ; but so many doubts have been thrown on the descriptions of early writers
in confounding the crane with the heron, that the notices of its once frequenting
the country in such vast numbers appear questionable. Even at the present day,
the distinction between the crane and the heron, excepting to those versed in
ornithology, seems to be but little understood.

The Irish name, ♦♦bonan liana," for the crane, is equally applicable to the
heron, as the term, "bonan buidhe," is to the bittern.

The splendid and graceful bird which 1 have the pleasure of submitting to
the meeting this evening, was sent to me by Maurice O'Connell, Esq., M.P., to
be presented, in his name, to the Society. It was shot on the 5th of Nx)vember
last, in the county of Kerry, not far from Darrynane Abbey. A pair of these
fine birds were seen together, about a week previously, to the north-westward of
Darrynane, frequenting a place called Coom a Cloncane, or the *' Hollow of the
Sloucane." Being disturbed there, they resorted to a marsh to the eastward of
the Abbey, where the present bird was shot. Every eflFort was made to trace the
survivor, but unsuccessfully. About a fortnight after, a flock of five of these
birds appeared on the strand of Ballinskelligs Bay. Four of the birds took to
flight on being approached, but the fifth remained for some time, and (as de-
scribed) seemed looking for its companions, or probably it may have received
some shot when the other bird was brought down. Mr. O'Connell has kindly
directed a sharp look-out to be kept for other incidents of this kind.

Mr. Gordon opened it when I was present. It is a male bird, and the trachea,
or windpipe, which has been preserved (together with the sternum), passes
with several reflections, or convolutions, deeply into the sternum, or breast-
bone. The stomach was strong and muscular, the internal surface coated with
rasp-like processes. It contained a quantity of the roots of the water whorl

72 DTTBLIN NATtJEAL HISTOBY SOCIETY.

grass (Catabrosa aquatica), portions of some other aquatic root, gravel, and
pieces of the shells of snails. It seemed to have fed largely on the roots of aqua-
tic plants. The bird was in fine condition, and weighed 12 lbs. Its extreme
length was five and a half feet, from the tail to the bill four feet seven inches, and
the spread of its wings, from tip to tip, seven feet. Mr. Williams has obtained
the following information relative to others met with in the county of Cork.
Captain Douglas, R. N., when cock-shooting near Kinsale, saw three birds in a
ploughed field, one of which he shot. He had started them twice before from
stubble fields. It was a hen bird, and being only winged, defended itself most
obstinately before it was captured. Captain Douglas mentioned that the bird
was gorged with roots like the roots of grass.

Mr. KnoUes, of Oatlands House, subsequently met five others — one he shot,
and Mr. Dunn, of Kinsale, heard of another being found dead in a bog. These
birds were also feeding in upland or stubble fields.

The bird shot by Mr. Knolles,and which has been preserved by Mr. Gordon,
measured from tip to tip four feet three inches ; its weight 10|lbs.

The bird presented to the Society appears to have attained mature plumage ;
but it is unnecessary here to remark on any characteristics of the kind, as it is
beautifully figured in the works of Gould and Selby, and fully described in most
works on Ornithology.

To those who have not had the opportunity of examining so rare a visitant,
its superior size to the heron must be striking, and the manner that the seconda-
ries and tertials are elongated, forming gracefully curved plumes over the ends
of the wings and the sides convey, as has been represented, some affinity to the
ostrich. The smaller size and less pointed or obtuse point of the bill, as com-
pared with that of the heron, and the muscular stomach, adapt it more to the ha-
bits of land birds, deriving its food from roots, vegetables, and corn, as well as
from mollusca and aquatic insects.

The native climate and breeding places of the crane are stated to be the
higher northern latitudes both of Europe and Asia — that it makes its winter mi-
grations to southern climes until genial weather in its native regions again per-
mits its return. They migrate in flocks, and, notwithstanding their size, under-
take more wonderful and hazardous journeys than any other bird. Their re-
markable appearance in this country during the severe weather of 1739, and their
present visit, would seem to foretell a winter of more than usual severity. In
northern Europe the winter is reported to have set in with great severity. In
Upper Silesia snow covers the country, in many places forty and fifty feet deep,
and the whole distance from Vienna to Berlin the snow extends and spreads over
a wide tract, north and south of those cities.

Mr. Whitla said — The remarks already made by the several gentlemen who
have spoken, have left room for very few observations on my part. I may, how-
ever, state that this very rare visitant is enumerated in the zoology of Mr. Ray,
who says that in his time cranes were found during winter in large flocks in Lan-
cashire and Cambridgeshire.

I have repeatedly been told, and that by persons whose veracity you would
not question, but whose judgment and intelligence you might, that the crane has
been frequently a visitor to our island ; but the heron being almost constantly
confounded with the crane by non-naturalists, I was rather sceptical in crediting
it — perhaps too much so. I am enabled, however, to refer to one whose autho-
rity few will be inclined to question, to prove that the crane was an occasional
visitor to our shores — 1 allude to the author of the "Natural History of Ja-
maica," Dr. Patrick Brown, a gentleman whose works prove him to have been
intimately acquainted with every branch of a subject to which he had devoted
many years of his life abroad ; and on his return, though late in life, and with
shattered health and impaired fortune, he resumed his favourite pursuit, and em-
ployed him.self in investigating the natural history of his native country. The re-
sult was the completion of a Flora, a very interesting work, and " A Catalogue

DUBLIN NATUBAL HISTOBT 80CIETT. 73

of the Birds of Ireland, whether Native, Casual Visitors, or Birds of Passage,
from Observations, &c." In this catalogue we find enumerated, amongst others,
the following : —

Ardea grus, the Crane ;

Ardea cinerea, the Heron ;

Ardea stellaria, the Bittern ;
80 that there can be no doubt whatever the crane was a visitant to our shores
in Dr. Brown's time. His Catalogue is interesting, as showing the existence at
that period of several species which have become extinct, such as Tetrao uro-
eallus, Cock of the Woods, &c. He also compiled a catalogue of the fishes that
frequent our rivers and shores. His death occurred in MW.

MARCH, 1853.

ON THE TURNSTONE (STBVPSILAS INTERPRES). BT CHARLES FARBAN, M.D.

The following brief observations were suggested by a perusal of the charm,
ing work, ''The Natural History of Ireland," by the late and ever to be la.
mented William Thompson, the naturalist and accomplished gentleman, whose
memory must be held in veneration by the lovers of the science of Natural His-
tory : —

When mentioning his name, I cannot forbear quoting the elegant passage
contained in the University Magazine of April, 1852, in recording his death.
*♦ In the death of William Thompson, the cultivation of Irish Natural History has
experienced a loss which we dare not attempt to estimate. It was not alone by
his personal investigations that he advanced the progress of natural historv — his
delight was to see others carrying out what he had commenced ; utterly free
from envy, he was always ready to help onwards in the same path of science the
less experienced searcher after truth ; and many a living naturalist owes what-
ever-success has subsequently attended his career to the encouragement thus
cordially given." Such was William Thompson, and such I had ever found him.
To proceed— In that part of his work which is devoted to the description of the
Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres), Mr. Thompson remarks the comparatively
small number of those birds in respect to the other shore birds. Thus, he ob-
serves, when speaking of the Dunlin or Purre (Tringa variabilis), "the count-
less flocks" — or of the Knot (Tringa canutus), "great numbers;" but of the
Turnstone he says they appear in " small flocks ;" and he particularizes the har-
bours of Waterford and Youghal, where the species in the former place is con-
sidered as not uncommon — in the latter as being the reverse, clearly shovring
that in neither place they have been remarked for their numbers. I can well
picture to myself the surprise which would have been excited in the mind of this
faithful observer of nature had I had the good fortune of pointing out to him a
sight which I daily witness when at home at Clonea, near Dungarvan, a spot
Tery nearly equidistant from Waterford and Youghal ; to use his own expression
— •♦ a countless -flock of Turnstones;" but to keep the calculation within bounds,
their numbers may, in a degree, be estimated from the following fact : a flock,
separated by some casualty from the main body, flew past me ; this had subdi.
vided itself into two distinct bodies — the vanguard consisted, as nearly as 1 could
count, of one hundred birds; the other body was four times the size; consequently
there were nearly five hundred in that flock, and yet this was but a fraction of
the whole. Those birds are generally associated with the purre and ring dot-
terel, but they invariably alight together, and can be clearly distinguished both
in their flight and descent from their companions by the bright silver bars on
their wings. From not being much persecuted by the gun, they permit a near
approach, and the peculiar mode of seeking their food is easily seen. 1 cannot
doubt but this part of the coast, consisting of two very elevated beaches, pos-
sesses sufiicient attractions to cause the bird to withdraw from tlic localities of

74 DTTBLIN NATURAL HISTOEY SOCIETF.

Waterford and Youghal, and to congregate in such numbers in this favoured
spot. I agree with Mr. Thompson, that the turnstone breeds in some instances
in Ireland — probably oftener than we are aware of. The following note, made
by me on the spot, gives some support to this opinion : — On the 10th of August,
1844, walking through one of the remarkable dykes which traverse the granite
on the coast of Connemara, and particularly well exemplified on the islands
called the Hards, off Roundstone, and in a frame of mind approaching bewilder-
ment, a bird suddenly rose, meteor-like, within a few feet of me. It would be
impossible to describe the beauty of its plumage as seen flying between me and
the sun — gold and silver blended would give but an imperfect idea of the co-
louring. Fortunately, the bird only in appearance resembled a meteor ; its move-
ments were yery dissimilar, for it immediately alighted on a rock within four
yards of me, and I then saw in full nuptial plumage a male turnstone. As if proud
of his dress, he remained perfectly at rest for at least a quarter of an hour.
Having eyed each other most attentively (I cannot say whether he enjoyed the
sight as much as I did), he at last flew a little distance, and on my reaching the
end of the dyke, where my boat awaited me, I saw my new acquaintance take a
circular sweep round a portion of the island, until he reached the spot from
which I had disturbed him ; and no sooner had he alighted, than I heard notes
as if from five or six youngsters, joyfully welcoming his return. I feel convinced
that the entire of this scene was enacted to draw my attention from the spot
where his precious charge was deposited. I should observe, before concluding,
that this bird is one of the very few birds common to the new and old world. I
had been in hopes of presenting to the notice of the Society this evening a spe-
cimen of the male, in nuptial plumage, from New Jersey, North America ; ano-
ther specimen from British Guiana, South America ; and another from the vici-
nity of Dublin — all those are critically alike. Not having had the advantage of
seeing Mr. Gould's fine work on the birds of Australia, I cannot say whether it
extends its range to that country or not.

FEBRUARY 9, 1855.

OCCURRENCE OF ICELAND GULL AND HAWFINCH.

Mr. R. P. Williams requested permission to notice a fine specimen of the
Iceland gull {Larus Icelandicus), in immature plumage, which had been presented
to the Society through Joseph Todhunter, Esq., from Dr. Harvey, of Cork. Mr.
Williams said he was in expectation of the particulars of the capture of this rare
bird, and which he would submit at the next meeting (March 28th).

Mr. Williams read the following communication from Dr. George Gray
Creighton to Dr. J. R. Harvey, of Cork, relative to the capture of the Iceland
gull {Larus Icelandicus), which had been presented to the Society at the Febru-
ary meeting : —

" Kenmare, Feb. 23, 1855.

** Sir, — In reply to yours of the 19th, received yesterday, the circumstances
connected with the capture of the Iceland gull are as follow : — Walking one day
last December near the Suspension Bridge, I observed, at a distance of about
twenty yards from the edge of the surf, a large gull settled on the water — none
of his own kind or others being near. 1 am not in the habit of shooting gulls or
other birds without an object, but the uniform whiteness this bird presented in
the distance induced me to go towards it and shoot it as it languidly rose at my
approach. My dog fetched him out apparently little injured — in fact, he lived
a couple of days after in the garden. I have been living at and on the sea the
most part of thirty years, and been in the constant habit of shooting sea birds
for collections, particularly at such places as Larabay, Rathlin Island, Fair
Head, &c., and accordingly have rumpled the feathers of many an unfortunate
burgomaster, saddleback, shearwater, rosy tern, &c., and a species of entirely

• \

DUBUW NATT7BAL HI8T0RT 80CIETT. 75

••oty-black f^ull on the shores of South America and in the Gulf of Darien, * but
never aught like this.* I am, therefore, very glad it has fallen into such good
quarters, where his visit (though, no doubt, unfortunate) can be so well appre-
ciated and honourably commuuicated.

*<Geo. Gbat Creighton, M. D.
** J, R. Harvey, M. Dr

The donations announced were, from Mr Williams, two fine specimens of the
female hawfinch {Coccothraustea vulgaris), shot in the Phoenix Park; and from
Mr. Dombrain one male and two females of the mountain-finch {Fringilla montu
fringilla), obtained at the Meeting of the Waters.

MAY 3, 1850.

OCCURRENCE OF HOOPOE (UPUPA EPOPS), AND ORIOLE (ORIOLUS GALBCLA).

Mr. R. p. Williams brought forward a communication from Mr. William
Ashton Hackett, of Cork, relative to the occurrence of two Hoopoes ( Upttpa
epops), which were shot in the county of Cork during last month (April), one by
Lieutenant-Colonel Alcock Stawell, of Kilbrittan House, near ^andon; the
other by Edward Hodder, Esq., Fountainstown, Cork.

Mr. Whitla submitted to the Society a very beautiful specimen of the Golden
Oriole (Oriolus galbitla). It had been very lately met, having been shot off Dan>
cannon Fort, county of Wexford. It was presented by Mr. Gordon.

JUNE 15, 1855.

RECORD OF RARE BIRDS.

Mr. Williams wished to record the occurrence of the turtle dove ( Columba
turtur), seen in a potato field between Howth and Baldoyle, on the 9th of July,
1854.

Dr. Farran mentioned the occurrence of this bird in Carrick-on-Suir, in Sep-
tember last ; Mr. Montgomery noticed its having been obtained in Donegal ; and
the Chairman (Mr. R. Callwell) observed that he had seen a recent specimen,
which was yesterday shot in the neighbourhood of Castleknock.

Mr. Andrews recorded the breeding of the scaup duck (Ful. marila), the nest,
eggs, and the old bird having been obtained in an inland lake in the western part
of Kerry. Fine specimens of the red- breasted merganser {Mergus serrator), were
also obtained, which inclined him to believe that that bird also bred there.

Dr. Farran exhibited a beautiful specimen of the Larus ridibundus in its
adult and most perfect plumage.

Mr. Andrews observed that this beautiful bird, which was shot at Edenderry,
was in its fourth change, and most perfect state of plumage. The head had as-
sumed the dark hood, the back and wing coverts had lost the markings, and were
of a uniform pearl ^ray colour, and the dark bar or band on the tan had disap-
peared, the tail having become pure white. At the approach of the breeding sea-
son the feathers of the head become of a dark colour, forming a kind of hood or
mask, and this change was caused, not by a process of moulting, but by an altera-
tion of colour. The autumnal moulting changed the colour of the plumage, the
black hood disappeared, and the head was perfectly white through the winter
months.

DECEMBER 9, 1853.

OM AN ADDITION TO THE ORNITUOLOOT OF GREAT BRITAIN. BT WILLIAM
ANDREWS, M.R.I.A.

Mr. Andrews said in the records of the natural history of a country, the dis-
covery of any new object in its zoology or botany, affording some proof of

76 DUBLIN NATITEAL HISTOEY SOCIETY.

climate, of geological features, of peculiarity of seasons, or of the greater ex-
tent of geographical range or distribution of animals or plants, has always been
an object of interest. In this country we have the prevalence of a mild tempera-
ture proved by the finding of plants of Spain and Portugal on our western coast,
which do not exist in other parts of Britain. The rare Trichomanes, peculiar
to the warm and moist temperature of the tropics, and the beautiful Sticta mi-
crophylla, a native of the Isle of France and of South America, spreads over rocks
and the trunks of trees in Kerry, Our western shores also produce many beau-
tiful corallines, moUusca, and Crustacea, peculiar to the Mediterranean ; and I
am informed by Professor Melville, of Gal way, that he recently met in the lime-
stone of Clare, almost, as he expresses, acres of Gastrochoena pholadia, of which
previously a perfect specimen was considered a gem in the cabinet of the collec-
tor. In the ornithology of the country, notwithstanding the zealous inquiries of
our enthusiastic naturalists and collectors to complete the information regard-
ing the birds of Ireland, we are still advancing our records beyond the unique
collections of Messrs. Warren, Montgomery, and Waters, and of Dr. Farran, of
this city, and of those of our provincial friends, by the notice each year of the
occurrences of visitants, natives of the climes of Africa, of Northern Europe, and
of America. In May last was noticed the capture of the dusky shearwater
(Puffinus obscurus), off the island of Valentia. This exceedingly rare addition
to the ornithology of Britain frequents the shores of Africa to the Cape of Good
Hope, and is stated to be identical with Mr. Gould's Puffinus assimilis of Nor-
folk Island and the eastern shores of Australia. No doubt it may have hitherto
passed unnoticed in the south-western shores of this country, as it may readily
be confounded with the Manx shearwater (Puffinus anglorum), which it resem-
bles, and which breeds on the Skellig Islands. In August last I saw a recent
specimen with my friend Mr. Chute, of Chute Hall, Tralee, of the great shear-
water— Puffinus major, Faber(P. cinereus, Steph.). It was in immature plumage,
and appeared to be identical with the description of Puffinus fuliginosa of Strick-
land. This bird was obtained off the coast of Kerry, and, like the obscurus, has
a similar extent of geographical range. It is nearly allied to the great grey pe-
trel (Procellaria hsesitata), of the seas of Australia. Most of these species frequent
and breed on the Dezertas, a group of small islands six leagues from Madeira,
and it is, therefore, not improbable that during the prevalence of south- westerly
gales several species may visit the south-west coast of this country. I am ip-
formed by a very intelligent observer, Mrs. Blackburn, of Valentia, that the
Manx petrel (P. anglorum), breeds on that island, and that she had obtained a
specimen of the bird and its egg, taken in the middle of May. This same ob-
server, to whom the discovery of the Dusky petrel is duo, mentions to me that
it flew on board a sloop on the night of the 1 1th of May last, as the vessel was en-
tering the harbour of Valentia. The bird appeared quite strong, but very quiet,
and not at all shy. I shall now turn* to the subject of the present notice. This
handsome species of duck was shot in the month of February last on the east side
of Inch Island, Dingle Bay, in Castlemaine harbour, by a person who was in the
habit of looking for water-fowl. There had previously been several gales from
the south-west, and he had noticed some birds which he considered were teal, or
small brown widgeon. A flock of six birds were feeding in a creek, and, firing
among them, the present one was the only one shot. He preserved the bird for
Mr. Ross Townsend, the chief officer of the coast-guard, stationed at Croraane,
Castlemaine harbour, who is well experienced, and has long been familiar with
the varieties of water fowl visiting that coast. Mr. Townsend at once saw that it
was a species perfectly new to him, and he very kindly forwarded it to me in
June last. After a most careful examination, I could not identify it with any of
the described birds of Europe or of America, but, fortunately, having had the
opportunity of visiting the British Museum in August, I readily recognised it as
the membranaceous duck, Malacorynchus membranaceus, of South Australia.
Two specimens are labelled as having been sent home, and presented by his Ex-
cellency Captain G. Grey, from South Australia, and are by no means a common

BlTBLnr NATURAL HT8T0BT SOCIETY. 77

species. On further inquiries, Mr. Townsend informs me, that numerous small
flocks of teal were occasionally seen feeding in the same locality, and that the

f>er8on who shot the bird imagined the flock to be teal, and was, therefore, not
ed to examine them more carefully ; but the impression made was, that they were
all the same. After being fired at, they- flew to the eastward, in Castlcmaine har-
bour. It is not probable that a solitary stranger, 'among a flock either of teal
or of widgeon, would be the victim. The generic name, Malacorynchus, appears
to have been established by Swainson, the bill being similar to the Chauliodus,
common gad wall, but, having the substance soft, the tips of the upper mandibl«
on each side being furnished with a loose angular skin or membrane, the finely
pectinated laminae of the upper mandible are, like the shoveller (Anas clypeata),
prolonged beyond the margins. These singular membranaceous appendages to
the mandibles give it the specific name. There appears to me some confusion in
the adoption of generic names, as was Chauliodus of Swainson, for the gadwall
adopted by Selby and other authors, already adopted as a genus of fish by
Schnieder, and was adopted by Cuvier, in the Ichthyology of his Le Regno ani-
mal. The Chauliodus belongs to the Esocidae — Pike family ; Chauliodus being
the only species known of that fish, and never was taken except at Gibraltar.

This small duck, the Malacorynchus membracaneus, now recorded as visit-
ing this country, has hitherto not been known out of Australia. It is termed
*♦ Wrongi" in New South. Wales, and is by no means of common occurrence.
The colonists of Swan River call it the Pink-eyed duck, from an oblong mark of
rose pink immediately beneath the dark patch surrounding each eye ; the irides
are a dark reddish-brown, and the tarsi a yellowish brown. It is remarkable in
having the neck, breast, and all the under parts crossed by numerous dark
brown fasciae. The sexes are similar in plumage, the male being onlv distin-
guished by being of larger size. This beautiful barring of the neck and breast is
peculiar to some of the Natatores, and strikingly seen in the Magellanic goose
(Chloephaga Magellanica), the Antarctic goose (Bernicla Antarctica), and also
the ashy-headed goose of the Falkland Islands (Chloephaga inornata). In the
southern latitudes of Australia the membranaceous duck frequents the fresh- wa-
ter lagoons, in company with the green-necked duck and the New Holland sho-
veller (Spathulea rhynchotis), the shovel-nose duck of the colonists. The latter
is closely assimilated to the Spathulea clypeata of Europe. Another beautiful
little species, Malacorynchus fosterorum, frequents the mountain streams of the
interior. It is the •* Wiho" of New Zealand, being a pretty black duck with a
■white bill, and remarkable for its shrill whistle. As I have before mentioned, the
specimens of the membranaceous duck in the British Museum were sent home
by Governor Captain Grey, whose extensive knowledge of Australia will afl'ord
ample means of obtaining most valuable records of the productions of that coun-
try. Captain Grey, late of the 83rd regiment (now Sir Charles Grey), was ap-
pointed by Lord John Russell, when Secretary of State for the Colonies, to suc-
ceed Lieutenant-Colonel Gawler, from the great talents he possessed and his ar-
dent pursuit of knowledge. Having now submitted to you this addition to the
ornithology of this country, I am not so much surprised at this instance, from
the notices already, and but very recently recorde I, of many rare birds, such as
the spotted eagle (Aquilanasvia) of Eastern Europe and of Africa; thebee-eater
(Merops apiaster) ; great spotted cuckoo (Cuculus glandarius) ; the roller (Co-
racias garrula); golden oriole (Oriolus galbula); squacco heron (Ardea co-
mata); the common crane (Grus cinerea) ; and the Dusky shearwater (Puffinus
obscurus), with others ; and now that the taste for the natural sciences is more
widely difi^using, we may look forward to and expect in its several branches
equally interesting additions to our Fauna.

Mr. Montgomery exhibited specimens of the great cinereous shrike (Lanius
excubitor), and the black-capped warbler (Motacilla atricapilla), both shot by
him in BeauUeu Wood, county of Louth. The latter, though not uncommon, was
the first time he had met it in that county. The shrike, or butcher bird, was

78 DUBLIN NATUBAL H18T0BY SOCIETY.

the fifteenth recorded in Ireland ; and he would mention a singular circumstance
relative to this bird. On the Continent, in Germany and Holland, from the an-
tipathy of this bird to the hawk tribe, the falconers used it for the purpose of
capturing those birds of prey. In Holland the method was, when the falcons or
hawks passed over the great heaths, the falconers placed a shrike, secured between
three pieces of turf. On the appearance of a hawk, even at a great distance, the
shrike commenced a violent screaming, which attracted the hawk to the spot.
The falconer, in the meantime, had a live pigeon as a decoy ; the hawk, in
pouncing, was secured, the pigeon being drawn within a net set for the purpose.

Mr. Andrews said that with reference to the communication from Mrs. Black-
burn, she further mentions that a turnstone (Strepsilas interpres), with four
young ones, unable to Hy, were taken last June on the shore of Valentia, near
the old revenue station. An attempt was made to rear the young, but it failed.

FEBRUARY 10, 1854.

Mr. Andrews said that he had a few remarks to make relative to the paper
brought forward on a former evening, on the capture of the membranaceous
duck (^Malacorynchus memhranaceus), in Castlemaine Bay, county of Kerry. He
had since traced every circumstance of its capture, and they were fully confir-
matory of its capture there. Apparently, the membranaceous duck would pos-
sess great power of flight, although its wings were extremely short. Through
the kindness of Dr. Farran, he had the opportunity of exhibiting and comparing
fine specimens of the gadwall and of the shovel-duck. These beautiful birds,
like the membranaceous duck, were remarkable for having the laminae of the
mandibles largely developed ; they were strongly so in the gadwall, a provision
suited to their peculiar habits of feeding. The membranaceous duck, whose bill
was extremely soft in its substance, seemed only suited to feed upon the softer
mollusca and gelatinous marine animals ; the finely pectinated laminae retain the
minute creatures upon which the bird feeds, allowing only the watery portion to
escape. In the paper before alluded to, he had mentioned the capture, off the
island of Valentia, of the Dusky petrel (Pulfinus obscurus), and he was now,
through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn, of Valentia, enabled to exhi-
bit the specimen of this bird, the Puffinus assimilis of Gould, a native of Norfolk
Island and the eastern shores of Australia. This is the first record of its capture
in Europe, it never having been known north of the Mediterranean. It is, how-
ever, plentiful at the Cape of Good Hope, and probably on the north-west coast
of Africa, and it is the Dusky petrel (Puffinus obscurus). The Puffinus obscurus
is extremely like the Manx petrel (Puffinus Anglorum), but is readily distinguish-
able by its diminutive proportions. The Dusky petrel is a southern species,
while the Manx petrel is a northern. Mr. Andrews had also the opportunity of
exhibiting a specimen of the Manx shearwater, with the Qgg, taken in one of the
cliffs on the Island of Valentia. These birds were always considered to breed
on the Skellig Islands, but Mr. Andrews had never known the eggs to be ob-
tained there. An eg^ had been sent to him, taken from the smaller Skellig Is-
land, and marked as belonging to a petrel, and stated to be that of the Manx
shearwater ; but, on comparing it with the egg sent by Mr. Blackburn, it was of
much smaller size, and not so oval as that of the egg of the Manx shearwater.
On examination of the eggs in the British Museum, Mr. Andrews found one to
correspond with it, marked as the egg of Bulwer's petrel (Thalassidroma Bul-
werii). It was gratifying to have so well authenticated, by Mr. Blackburn, the
egg of the Manx shearwater, as it was but little known to the naturalists of this
country. The eggs of the petrels are large in proportion to the size of the
birds; and it would be extremely interesting yet to prove that the egg of the
petrel which had been sent to him was that of T. Bulwerii. Having noticed
such rare birds on the west coast, discovered within the last year, we may na-
turally expect to meet the other species of the petrels on that coast. The pe-

DUBLIN NATUBAL HI8T0BT SOCIETT. 79

truU on the south-west coast seemed principally to breed on the smaller Skellig
Island, and on the Islands of Innismaculuun and Inntsnabroe, two of the Ulasket
Islands. In concludine^, Mr. Andrews could not but observe on the extreme in-
terest of the birds exhibited this evening — two of the rarest additions to British
ornithology that had been made for years. The Dusky petrel excited great in-
terest when exhibited by Mr. Yarrell at the Linnean Society in June last; and
this Society was much indebted to the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn, of
Valentia, in affording them the opportunity of seeing the specimen, and that of
the Manx shearwater.

Mr. Williams said that ho had long and great experience in watching the
habits of water fowl, and he did not consider that the shoveller had any pecu-
liarity in its feeding ; he observed it, when swimming, to skim the surface of the
water with its bill, but to eat potatoes and meal in common with others of the
duck tribe.

The Chairman (Dr. Gordon) remarked that the habits of birds in confine-
ment could not be considered generally as the true mode of seeking and using
food, as their wild state influenced them. They more commonly adapted their
habits to the use of the artificial food supplied to them.

Mr. Andrews said that in the instance of a merganser, whose strong serra-
tion of the mandibles in the wild state enabled it to retain the fish it had cap-
tured, the serrated character of the bill became blunt, and, to some degree, od-
literated, by its change of food in confinement.

Dr. Kinahan observed that the paper possessed particular interest in the re-
marks relating to the breeding of the Manx shearwater and Bulwer's petrel in
this country. These stragglers had no right to be considered as natives, though
their occurrence should be always noted. He had no doubt that observation
would add considerably to the list of those burds which breed in this coun-
try occasionall v. He might remark that he believed the siskin ( Carduelis spinua)
was amongst the number, having met the species in Rathgar and Donnybrook,
in the county of Dublin, in Tipperary, and in Powerscourt, county of Wicklow,
so late as the 22nd of July. He had also little doubt that the redwing (Meruia
iliaca) also sometimes bred here; and it was tmdoubted that the blackcap
{Curruca atricapUla) did so too.

MAY 3, 1850.

ON THK OCCUBBENCB OF STERNA FI88IPBS (S. NIGRA), IN THE COUNTY OF
WATERFORD. BT CHARLES FARRAN, H.D.

I shall give a short account of the capture of the Black Tern, in the plumage
of the young of the year, near Dungarvan.

On my return home on the 5th November, 1849, in the afternoon, the day
being hazy and dark, I saw very indistinctly a bird flying round a pool of brack-
ish water, separated from the sea by a high beach, about thirty yards wide. Its
flight was so very different from any bird I had seen, that my curiosity was ex-
cited ; and, immediately procuring mv gun, went down under the protection of
a wall, which completely prevented the bird from seeing me; and having
reached the pond, 1 had an opportunity of observing its flight, which was ex-
tremely graceful — constantly flying round the pond, it every now and then de-
scended to the water, not by the plunge which characterizes the tern, but, gently
alighting on the surface of the water, it bent forward and took up its prey. No-
thing could be more elegant than its evolutions; and I candidly confess that,
touched by its extreme beauty, I had almost made up my mind to let it escape,
but science forbade such a resolve.

Having the specimen before the Society, it is unnecessary to describe it
more particularly than to say, that it measured two feet from tip to tip of the
wings, and ten inches in length ; its stomach was filled with water beetles and

80 DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

larva). I had it mounted by an able taxidermist, Gordon of Waterford, and,
anxious to give publicity to the capture of such a rare bird in Ireland, I for-
warded the specimen to Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, that gentleman having now
in course of publication a work on the Birds of Ireland, who, in acknowledging
the receipt of the bird, says : •' I am much obliged by your kindness, in sending
for my examination the very fine specimen of the black tern (Sterna nigra), and
finely set up too, in the plumage of the young of the year. This is a rare bird
in Ireland in any state of plumage."

The following is the account given by Mr. Gould of the black tern, which,
he says, '* differs in its habits, manners, food, mode of nidification, the situations
it selects for that purpose, and its manner of flight from the true terns, which
may at once be distinguished from it by their very long wings and swallow-like
form of tail, and by their giving a preference to the sea and its inlets, where
they obtain their food, which consists in a great measure of small fish, mollusca,
and other marine productions; but in the present bird we find the wings less
elongated, and the tail less forked, the tarsi longer, and the toes less webbed,
while the food is taken almost solely during the flight, and consists of winged in-
sects, such as moths, flies, and the larger species of gnats, to which are added
beetles and aquatic larvae, and occasionally small fishes."

The flight of the black tern also, instead of that heavy flapping motion
which characterizes the oceanic terns, is smooth and rapid, while the bird con-
tinues to pass and repass over the same space, like the swallow in search of its
insect food.

In England the black tern appears to be migratory, leaving it after the
breeding season is over, and returning the following spring. Although the young
of all terns diff'er in colour from {he adult bird, the contrast of the present spe-
cies is the most remarkable, the colouring of the two being almost diametrically
opposite ; they, notwithstanding, soon assume the adult state of plumage in co-
lour, and in about eight months their mature livery. The male and female are
alike in plumage. I am certain that if Mr. Gould had seen the peculiarly grace-
ful manner of alighting on the water practised by this beautiful bird, instead of
the headlong plunge of the marine tern, he would have dwelt on it, and made it
a strong distinctive character between them.

MARCH 23, 1855.

NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE SOUTH-WEST COAST, AND ON THE OCCURRENCE OP
THE GREATER SHEARWATER (PUFFINUS MAJOR). BY W. ANDREWS, M.R.I. A.

At a meeting in the month of February, last year, I had the pleasure, through
the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn, of Valentia, of submitting to the So-
ciety the specimen of the Dusky petrel (Puffinua obscurus), which was captured
off the Island of Valentia, being the only known occurrence of this rare petrel
on the shores of the British Isles. At the same time were exhibited the female
of the Manx shearwater (P. Anglorum), with the egg^ which were taken from the
nest in the cliff's of the same Island. I propose making some further remarks on
the petrels this evening, and upon the occurrence of the greater shearwater
(Puffinus major), on the south-west coast of this country ; but before doing so I
will submit a brief outline of the features of the south-west coast, descriptive of
the localities where the marine birds which visit annually that coast resort to
in the breeding season. Taking that portion with the Arran Islands and the
coast of Clare as the northern bound, and the Skellig Islands, oflF the coast of
Kerry, as the southern, I shall touch on those points along the ranges of those
coasts, which present an almost uninterrupted series of lofty and formidable
cliffs opposed to the furious surges of the Atlantic Ocean. On visiting the Ar-
ran Islands in the year 1844, 1 endeavoured to obtain information relative to the
marine birds that periodically visited those islands, and I was surprised to find,

DlTBLlir NATI7BAL HISTOBT SOCIEtT. 81

eren at that time, that there was a great diminution in the nnrobers that an-
nually bred there. The repeated robberies of the nests during the subsenuent
years of famine had considerably caused great desertions of the birds in difFe-
rcnt parts of the islands. The three Islands of Arran — Inishmor, Inishmean,
and Inisheer — are of much more interest to the botanist than to the ornitholo-
gist, for the varieties of marine birds are but few. At one time they were largely
captured for their feathers, a pound weight of feathers being generally the pro-
duce of sixteen gulls ; and an expert catcher had frequently taken in one night
five hundred eulls. The several kinds resorting there, chiefly the high cliffs on
the S.W. of the Great Island, were herring gulls, more abundant than others,
razor bills(-4/ca <orf/o),guillemot8((7ria), cormorants(PAa/acrocorax),kittiwake8
{Larus rissa), and the lesser black-backed gull (Z. fuscus). On the flats and
sands of the middle island, oyster catchers (Uoematopua ostralegus) were frequent
in flocks. To the E.S.E. of the southern island are the bold cliffs of Blackhead,
Cean dubh, only tenanted by the common gull {Larut canut), and by hawks and
ravens. Foxes and other animals are there very destructive to the breeding
birds. Southerly, along the coast of Clare, we come to the magnificent cliffs of
Moher, where the most towering of these are Cnoc alda Quin and Ail na Shar-
roch, with the bird-cliff. Ail na Nean. The great resort of birds on this part of
the coast is the lofty pinnacled rock styled Breanan or Mor, the Great Dung-
hill, from the innumerable birds that visit it for nidification. From the 1st of
April to the end of May the eggs are so plentifully obtained that horse-loads
might be brought away, if the weather permitted a landing. It is approachable
only by canoes, a perpetual surf playing around this island rock. The canoe
men around the rock take great quantities of pollock (Pqjlog) and Connor fish
(Bullachs). About the 24th of June the birds are most numerous there, being
the breeding place of the greater and lesser black-backed gulls, herring gulls,
kittiwakes, razor-bills, guillemots, puffins {Fratercula arctica), and cormorants.
It is the chief breeding place on the coast of Clare, although the cliffs of Baltard
and Cahoo na Faoilean — Seagulls' Quarter — are also much frequented. The
cliffs and caves at the entrance of the Shannon are famous for the multitudes of
the rock pigeon (Columba livia), and also those on the Kerry side. In the
neighbourhood of Ballybunnion, Sterna hirundo and S. minuta, and on the cliffs,
guillemots {Uria grylle, U. Brunnichii, and U. troile)^ Larus fuscus, L. argenta-
tus, and L. Rissa, have been noticed ; and I have seen on the flat lands about
the Cashin River, L. ridibundus in abundance. Cormorants and oyster-catchers
are very numerous, as also, on the grassy cliffs, the chough (Fregilusgraculus).
The Muchloch Rock — a lofty and steep rock off Tralee and Ballyheigue Bays,
with deep water all round— is a famous place for the greater and lesser black-
backed gulls, and most of the other birds already named. The nests of the
Arctic and Roseate Terns (S. arctica and S. rosea) are met in the Magheree Is-
lands. Sybil Head and the Three Sisters are tenanted by immense numbers of
the rock pigeon, hawks, ravens, and the sea-eagle (H. albicilla), but the most
noted places on the coast of Kerry are the Blasket Islands, and the lesser Skel-
lig. Of the Blasket group, which are numerous, the principal are the Great Is-
land, the Northern, Inishtuskert, Inishnabro, the Western Island, Inishmakei-
laun, and the Tearaght Rock— the four last are the most frequented breed-
ing places, the chief being the Tearaght Rock. 1 shall, therefore, confine
myself to a brief review of the birds during the breeding season, that I noticed
in a visit to that island rock in 1850. The Tearaght is but rarely visited ex-
cept in the finest weather, and then only by herdsmen from the western island,
who go to and fro with sheep, and to Inisnabro, where they leave the sheep to
fatten on the herbage which the cliffs of those islands afford. Men are some-
times employed in obtaining the birds for their feathers. According to the
Ordnance Survey, the Tearaght contains 47 acres, and the highest points of the
island attain 602 feet. Situated as it is in the Atlantic Ocean, being seven miles
W.N. W. of the Great Island, surrounded by the heavy rolling seas of the Atlan-
tic, and without any accessible approach for landing, it is but rarely visited.

82 DUBLIN NATUEAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

From this account it may be conceived to be the resort of an enormous number
of pelagic birds ; and it is scarcely credible the numbers that could be counted
at the time of my landing there, early in the month of July, 1850. The part of
the island where we landed bore N.N.E., and was sheltered, being the lee side,
from the wind, which was N.E. The view of the island facing seaward forms a
very remarkable appearance, and is a striking object or mark to vessels from
the westward in making the Irish coast ; the singular perforation which forms
a wide opening through the island, and the Foze Rock, cause the bearings to be
easily known to the American traders. On landing, I found the ascent to be ex-
ceedingly difficult, the extreme slipperiness of the rock, which rose abruptly and
steeply from the sea, while many portions throughout the ascent were so easily
detached as to render every step slow and cautious. Here, on all points around,
were congregated such myriads of fowl, and their habits were so amusing that
1 almost fancied myself in the region of the Gallapagos Archipelago, or the
Falkland Islands, where the extreme tameness and stupidity of the birds are so
amusingly and interestingly described by Darwin. Preparation for the object
and time would have enabled us to have captured any number. My object, how-
ever, being a fishing expedition, and the cutter I had with me being tender to
canoes, engaged off the island in an experimental trial, I could only remain for
a short time. From my notes the following brief observations are taken: —
Along the line of rocks which margined the base of the island, the cormorants,
both Phalacracorax carho and P. graculus, were in gangs, perched motionless on
the rocks, most of them with expanded wings, in the act of drying them after their
morning's fishing. The ledges of the rocks presented tiers of birds, in singular
array, old and young, beside their nests. The kittiwakes (JLarus rissa) seemed
to occupy the lowest ledges ; higher up were observed the greater and lesser
black-backed gulls (Z. marinus and L. fuscus), and above them and to the high-
est summits, L. canus and L. argentatus. About midway up the cliffs a very beau-
tiful white gull, with dark legs, was pointed out to me by one of the men, which
bore a strong resemblance to the Ivory gull (jLarus eburneus). Being an expert
climber, he succeeded in reaching near to the nest, and stretching with his foot
kicked down several, but they, unfortunately, fell beyond our reach. Immature
birds of this species, and of the glaucous gull (Z. glaucus), have been obtained
along the west coast. The innumerable numbers of guillemots, razor-bills, and
puffins, congregated on all the ledges, led me strongly to suspect that the species
Uria Brunnichii and lacrymans were both frequent there. The difficulty, how-
ever, of picking up those that were shot, and of grasping those around us, as we
were obliged to hold on with one hand to prevent our falling with the detached
portions of rock, or being capsized by a sudden squall, marred many successful
captures. The young of the razor-bill (Alca torda), called Crossacaun, from the
white mark on the bill, are delicious when skinned and broiled, and their eggs
are good. It is singular that the fox has been seen on the island. Ravens and
the sea eagle, Fiolar na Mara, build on the highest cliffs, and a splendid race of
hawks of noble size (the Falco peregrinus) breed there. These are termed Fo-
raidheach — fierce or cruel. I obtained a very fine female bird from that island.
The eggs are similar in colour and shape to the kestrel, but of larger size ; like
the eagle, it lays but two eggs ; the kestrel has four. These rocks and those of
the western island abound in fine lichens. Roccella fusiforme, with Borrera fla-
vicans and atlantica, were fine. Ramalina scopulorum grew in very long pen-
dant tufts, and Parmelia aquila I found in beautiful fructification. Lichenapyg-
m«ea was abundant near the water's edge, and I found it equally so with L. con-
finis on the highest point of Sybil Head. I have never seen anywhere Plantago
ooronopus growing of such extraordinary size — the radical leaves long, spread-
ing, and almost succulent. The herdsmen of the west island informed me that
the sheep were extremely fond of the plant. Seals were seen in different direc-
tions, and I fired at an enormously large one as he raised himself above the wa-
ter. The seal was of a very dark colour, and not at all like the Halicharus gry-
phus. It is not the object of this paper to enter into any details of geological

DUBUN NATXriLLL HI8T0RT 800IBTY. 83

features ; but, as 1 have alluded to the peculiar outline of form of the Teara^ht
rock, 1 may mention that the loose and slaty rock, so easily detached, and which
renders the ascent difficult and dangerous, belongs to the Silurian strata, and
possesses great interest in a paleeontological character — this, with the fossilife-
rous slates in the neighbourhood of Ventry, Dunquin, and Ferriter's Co?e, will
afford investigation of interest to the geologist. The North Blasket and Wes-
tern Island, as well as Innisnabro, are famous for the multitude of rabbits, and
are the breeding haunts of the storm petrel {Tlialasiddroma pe/ojKca), termed, in
Irish, Gourdal. I have passed close under both Skellig Islands, but have been
unable to land. The Lesser Skellig is the breeding place of the gannet, and I
am certain of several of the shearwaters and petrels. Having drawn this out-
line, I shall turn to another portion of my paper, the occurrence of the Greater
shearwater (^Puffinu$ major), to which I have been led by the rather dubious ac-
counts of the distinctive characters, and of the mode of capture of the specimens
taken on the Irish coast. In the •• Annals of Natural History" for 1842, page
433, Mr. Thompson records two specimens of Puffinus major, on the authority
of Mr. Robert Davis, Jun., of Clonmel, obtained off the coast of Waterford, and
having subsequently the opportunity of examining one of the birds, he remarked
that the Irish specimens were identical with those described by Temminck as
frequenting the more northern seas of Europe, and with the Puffinus cinercus
figured by Selby. I>r. Ball, who observed the greater shearwater off Bundoran,
states that they appeared to be much more dusky than the Manx petrel, and
these views are copied by Mr. Thompson in his work on the Birds of Ireland,
also giving in addition the remarks of Mr. Robert Warren, Jun., who says : '* In
August, 1849, when hake-fishing off Cork Harbour, he saw two of the greater
shearwaters, which were easily distinguished from the P. Anglorum (of which
numbers were segn the same day), by their larger size and darker colour."
About two years ago a very fine specimen of the greater shearwater was ob-
tained by Richard Chute, Esq., from Dingle Bay. and, as I saw it in the recent
state, I noticed that it had all the characteristics of the bird obtained in 1832
by Mr. Strickland from the Tees mouth, and described by him as P. fuliginosus.
Mr. Strickland, however, subsequently obtained another bird of lighter mark-
ings and colour, apparently in the adult plumage, and in relation to which the
inquiries would lead us to be satisfied that P. fuliginosus of Strickland, and the
P. cinereus of Selby, were but the young of P. major, and not identical with the
true P. cinereus. You will observe that the birds now before you, and which
were captured in Dingle Bay, have very different characters from those hitherto
described as occurring on the Irish coasts. Superior in size, they are also very
different from the Manx shearwater, and with the plumage of the dusky petrel ;
are lighter in all the upper surface ; the head, cheeks, and back of an ash grey,
with the edges of the feathers, on their external margins, beautifully marked, of
a lighter colour, waves of light gray on the sides, while the throat and all the
under surface is pure white; thus being lighter in all its shades, and not having
the dusky and dark colour of the backs and wings of the P. Anglorum and P.
obscurus. These birds are evidently the true P. major in the adult plumage ;
and although it has been recently noticed as having been taken off Youghal on
gentlemen's lines, this is the first description of the adult bird captured on the
Irish coast, as Mr. Thompson's descriotions only refer to the figure and charac-
ters of the bird given by Selby, and which is identical with the specimen in Mr.
Chute's collection, being an immature bird, or the young of the year. The true
P. cinereus would strike me as being altogether distinct, of a larger size, and of
a universally dark colour. Darwin mentions the P. cinereus to be similar in co-
lour to P. gigantea, being of a dirty black. He saw hundreds of thousands of
them behind the Island of Chiloe, flying for several hours in one direction, and
states that when part of the flock settled oil. ^^e water the surface was black-
ened. They are frequent in the Antarctic regions, and numerous on the great
banks of Newfoundland, attendant on the fishing vessels. They are equally nu-
merous with the Fulmar petrel {Proceliaria gtacialis)^ recorded in the biros of

84 DUBLIN NATUKAL HISTOET SOCIETT.

Greenland by Captain Sabine, now Colonel Sabine, R. A. The whale fishers of
the Arctic Seas term them, with the Fulmar petrel, mallemucks, and, when a
series of visiting is carried on by the captains of the whale ships when together,
it is termed mallemauking. The manner in which the Irish specimens were de-
scribed as captured on hooks when hake fishing, puzzled me, as hake-fishing is
carried on with hand-lines, at a depth of 20 to 30 fathoms, and as these birds,
with long acuminate wings, are by no means adapted as divers, I wrote to my
friend, Mr, Chute, to obtain the information of their capture from our fishermen.
These shearwaters arrived in Dingle Bay about the end of September last year
(1854), and left early in November. They appeared in thousands in mild, foggy
weather, and during that time were exceedingly bold, approaching near to the
canoes engaged in hake-fishing, and seizing on all refuse thrown to them. They
were then easily captured with a. baited hook, the line and the bait always float-
ing; and any number could iiave been taken by the canoe men in that manner.
Their appearance always indicates a successful fishing season, particularly of
hake. They seemed in pursuit of sprats, and, except some odd birds, they had
not appeared in such numbers for seven years before. It was then in the month
of February, and at that time the glasson, or black pollock, fishing was most
successful, and the fishermen recollected a man to have caught, in one day, nine
score of pollock, and to have killed with a rod thrde score of the shearwaters.
Had I been aware of these facts last year.Icould have obtained any number of
the birds. The men who had been in American vessels had noticed these birds
all across the Atlantic. Like all the petrels, they are weak on the legs, but un-
tiring on the wing, treading the surface of the billows ; hence the French name
petit Pierre. Like the gannet, however, when settled on the water, they are un-
able to rise in flight, or do so with great difficulty, in calm weather. They have
not as yet been proved to breed on the Irish coast. To note the peculiar flight
of marine birds is a study of interest to the ornithologist. The greater shear-
water, from its long and pointed wings, speeds rapidly and steadily, skimming
the surface of the billows, while the storm petrel, swallow-like, darts into the
hollow, and over the crest of the wave :

<* From the base of the wave to the billow's crown.
Amidst the flashing and feathery foam,
The stormy petrel finds a home ;
And only seeking her rocky lair
To warn her young, and teach them to spring
At once o'er the waves on their stormy wing."

Captain Lyon, when in H. M. S. Griper, off Hatton's Headland, in Hudson's
Straits, and running in rather a heavy sea, saw large flocks of rotges, or rotche,
the little auk (Alca alle), fly directly against the steep sides of the wave and bury
themselves headlong in a moment, a most singular mode of diving which their
short wings assisted.

I now turn to another point of interest, the description of a beautiful little
gull which has been intrusted to me by Mrs. Baker, of Grafton-street, and I
only wish that she had placed it in abler hands, as I cannot at present, without
the opportunity of comparison with an authenticated specimen, satisfy myself on
several points relative to its distinctive characters. The beautiful little gull be-
fore the meeting has been submitted to me as the Bonapartian gull {Lnrus Bonapar-
tii), and most kindly by Mrs. Baker, had been sent to be recorded in the Proceed-
ings of this Society. This small gull was shot at Skerries, Dublin, on the 18th Fe-
bruary last, by Captain Watkins, of the Northampton Regiment of Militia. Not
having examined the bird in its recent state, I had no opportunity of learning ac-
curately its measurement or weight. Mrs. Baker, who first drew attention to
the characters, was so satisfied of their identity with those recorded by Thomp-
son, that she, on very good grounds, assumed the present specimen to be the
Bonapartian gull he describes. The bird is immature, and as I do not place
much reliance on measurements in the young state, I have drawn out the follow-

DUBLIN NlTUIUL HI8T0BT SOCIETT. 85

ing:— Bill dusky orango at the base, dark at the tip, form sleuder, similar to
L. ridibundus ; a black spot at the anterior corner of each eye ; a dark mark
behind each ear ; crown of the head slightly marked ; forehead and all under
parts white ; back, scapulars, greater coverts of the secondaries, and the upper
series of the smaller coverts light pearl gray, several rows of brown spots on
the small wing coverts, edged with dull white ; two first primaries white, mar-
gined with black on both webs ; third, white increases on the outer margin,
more black bordering the inner margin, and the extremity of the feather const-
derably more tipped with black ; fourth, very nearly all white in the margin,
dark margin of the inner fainter, feather pale gray ; tail with a band of choco-
late brown, edged with dull white ; underneath, tail white, with slight markings
of pale chocolate brown at the extremity ; ridges of the wings white, with a
slight dark mark. In the recent state, Mrs. Baker informs me that the legs
were of a pale flesh colour. Now, on comparing these characters with the de-
scriptions of L. Bonapartii of Richardson, L. capistratus of the Prince of Mu-
signano, L. capistratus of Yarrell, and the L. ridibundus of Montagu, Selby,
and others, 1 am inclined to refer the bird before us to one of those varied forma
and gradations of the L. ridibundus, as they so nearly correspond with the state
of the second change described by Montagu and Latham, that 1 cannot separate
the one from the other. Mr. Thompson has very judiciously decided L. capis-
tratus of Yarrell to be but a variety of L. ridibundus, and the examination of
numerous specimens of both have shown such differences in their relative pro-
portions ana size, that it would seem that much dependence could not be placed
on measurements. Mr. Thompson, at p. 339, alludes to an adult bird of L. ridi-
bundus having been shot at Lough Clay, smaller in proportions than any forma
described of either L. ridibundus or L. capistratus. We are aware how the eggs
of gulls vary in size, even in the same nest, and that, when the first or early eggs
of the season are taken, the eggs of the succeeding layings are in general of
smaller size — hence we may naturally infer, that those incubations may affect
the growth of the birds. Now, the different gradations of L. ridibundus, so care-
fully and accurately noticed by Montagu, I will concisely submit. In the first
plumage of the young of L. ridibundus, it is nearest to tne description of Ray's
brown Tern ; the second material chanee brings it to the Lathamian brown g^l,
of the second supplement of the general synopsis of Latham, and which exactly
accords with the description by Slontagu of a recent specimen shot on the 14th
of February, and agrees in most characters with the specimen before you. The
next change brings it to the brown-headed gull of Latham {L. erythropus), and
approaching to L. capistratus ; and the fourth change perfects it as L. ridibun-
dus. In several of the characters detailed by Mr. Thompson, particularly of
the Tern-like form and length of the wings, L. Bonapartii is so nearly identical
with forms described both of L. capistratus and L. ridibundus, that it is difficult
to separate them. I will here give the characters of Larus capistratus of Temm.
by the Prince of Musignano, from his Synopsis of the Birds of the United States
(No. 293). Mantle pearl-gray; quills black at the point, outer white, internally
pale ash ; shafts white ; bill very slender ; tarsus less than one inch and a half ;
tail sub-emarginate ; summer plumage, head only with a brown hood ; winter,
no hood. Brown-masked gull (Larus capistratus) — Nob. Am. Orn. IV. PI. In-
habits the north of both countries; not very rare during autumn on the Dela-
ware, and especially the Chesapeake; found as far inland as Trenton ; very rare
on the coasts of Europe. Closely allied and similar to L. ridibundus of Europe ;
hardly distinguished but by its smaller size, and its still more slender torn-like
bill. These references are shown to prove the confusion that might possibly arise
in the distinenishing allied species of birds in the immature plumage, more es-
pecially the Larida;, or the gulls ; and, as Wilson most truly remarks, on the
much- varied species L. ridibundus, "that less confusion would arise among au-
thors if they would occasionally abandon their accustomed walks, their studies,
and their museums, and seek correct knowledge in the only place where it is to
be obtained— in the Great Temple of Nature."

s

8G DUBLIN NATURAL HISTOET SOCIETY.

APRIL 27, 1855.

ON THE HjkBITS AND ON THE VARIETIES OF SOME OF THE LABID^. BY

J. WATTER8.

At the last meeting of your Society a paper was read by your Honorary Se-
cretary, Mr. Andrews, which contained a notice of one of the Xemaj, or Black-
headed Gulls, which coincided very closely with the measurements and descrip-
tions of Bonaparte's Gull (Larus Bonapartii). At the suggestion of Dr. Farran,
I have put together some notes on the habits of the Laridae, and on varieties in-
cident to the family, which, with some specimens to illustrate my observations,
I beg to submit for your approval. In the entire range of our Irish Fauna there
is no family comprised in it which demands more notice from the ornithologist
than the well-known and widely-distributed family of the Laridae. Tenanting
every variety of shore, sandy beach as well as precipitous rocks, the study of their
habit.<) not alone affords interest to the observer, but offers a criterion and an
infallible index to the fisherman that where they most do congregate fish is plen-
tiful. Simple as their habits may appear, I feel my own incompetency in endea-
vouring to create in your minds the interest with which the birds of this family
are invested. Indeed, it must appear to the ordinary observer as something very
strange, that these mere sea-gulls, flying past him along our quays, could pos-
sess habits of the slightest interest. But to any one who has observed them in
the neighbourhood of some rocky shore line, where story after story of rocks
take their position along the precipices, on whose tabular projections stand
not in tens or hundreds, but in thousands and tens of thousands, the various
members of this interesting tribe, there is almost an injunction conveyed in the
sight, that the ornithologist is bound to make known that such things exist. On
several occasions I have been fortunate enough in observing a great proportion
of the species comprised in the Laridse at their breeding haunts ; amongst those
I may mention the great and lesser black-backed gulls, the herring gulls, com-
mon gull, and kittiwake. Widely differing in their habits from the great and the
lesser black-backed gulls, we find the bustle and ceaseless activity of the smaller
species replaced with a sedateness and dignity consistent with their appearance.
Flying sedately from a crag in the neighbourhood of the nest, they employ them-
selves in sailing leisurely through the air, often at an immense height; at times
their loud, hoarse cackle comes distinctly from above, and is at once answered by
a continuous kleeking or yelping note from their partner on the nest. Fre-
quently we observe single birds rise from the rocks, and fly in a direct line sea-
ward for an immense distance, and then quietly settle down upon the water.
Occasionally we see pairs testing on the water in the vicinity of the rocks, the
tail being held so high, from the peculiar buoyancy of the bird, that often at a
distance it is difficult to determine which is the head and which the tail. When
flying from the sea, the great black-backed gull never hesitates passing through
a flock of terns, or herring gulls, a proceeding which the lesser black-back ap-
pears to be timid of, as it rises and soars over them, or swerves sideways to
escape them. Retired in habits as the great black-backed gull appears to be, the
lesser species is yet more so ; as on one occasion I saw a rook (Corvus frugile-
gus) in a ploughed field walk towards a gull of this species in a manner that
seemed to at once remind the intruder that he had better seek his proper pela-
.gic territory ; the decisive action of the rook was sufficient for the gull, as he at
once took wing, and sought his homestead amid the clifl^s. With the herring,
common, and kittiwake gulls there is considerable similarity in their habits.
More sociable than the other two species, these birds unite in flocks, and fly to
and from their nests together, fish in company, and are unanimous in the one out-
cry when disturbed. Of the three species, the herring-gull appears to possess the
most acute sense of hearing, as I have seen a few birds rise from their nests and
fly steadily seaward; by degrees the numbers increase, until the nests are com-

DITBUN NATUBAL UX8T0BT SOCIETr. S7

pletely deserted, and then, as it were, supposing, from the absence of their lar-
ger brethren, that they were more profitably engaged elsewhere, the other spe-
cies fly off to join the ilock. During the breeding season the herring-gull pos-
sesses a habit very similar to the rook — diving or falling through the air, and
turning over several times in its descent. This is frequently performed by 8e>
veral birds at the one time, and is accompanied by their peculiar laughing cry.
The presence of raptorial birds does not seem to occasion those birds the terror
that wo see manifested by others, as the peregrine (Falcoperegrinus) will fre-
quently glance past a flock without disturbing them from their avocation, or
the least outcry being raised against him. To one not versed in their habits, the
appearance of the peregrine at times would suggest difl^erent conclusions, as this
falcon chooses some commanding position along the precipice as a perching place,
where for hours he will maintain the same position, with the head inclined towards
the rocks, as if appearing to take an exceeding interest in the movements of the

fulls drifting upon the wind below him like so many snow-white feathers. This
abit of the peregrine is, however, the mere listlessness of repose, and is gene-
rally indulged in after repletion. A single common gull, or kittiwake, flying
along the face of the precipice, invariably stoops downwards, or otherwise
avoids the vicinity of its suspicious foe. Familiar as ornithologists may be with
the appearance of the breeding haunts of the Laridoe, as observed in the full
glare of sunshine, there is yet another view possessing the most engrossing inte-
rest— the same haunts observed at night time, when we see the gulls appear
like so many snow-white ribbons wound round the rocks — the gigantic masses
of shade flung by the rock during moonlight, and the spectral forms of the gulls
wheeling upward from their nests, and again settling with their usual clamour.
At times the cormorants join their hoarse guttural croaking, whilst the booming
of the sea appears more audible and more solemn in the silence of the night.
Fearing that 1 am occupying too much of your valuable evening, I will hastily
conclude with a few observations respecting the probability of the masked gull
(Larus capistratus), and Bonaparte's gull (Larus Bonapartii), being confounded
with varieties of the black-headed gull (L. ridibundus). Without presuming
upon a subject which is difficult to decide without a large number of sjjecimens,
it is to be remembered the confusion of which the Laridsc were the subject until
the last few years, when critical examination and practical observation proved the
wagel (Larus no^vius) to be the Larus marinus in its plumage, the gray gull
(La Mouette grise) of Brisson to be the lesser black-backed gull in young plu-
mage, the winter gull to be Larus canus in its seasonal change, and the tar-
rock (Larus tridactylus) to be the immature kittiwake (L. rissa). It is also to
be recollected that there is no infallibility in classifying species, as we find au-
thorities as grave as Brisson and Storr agree upon the claims of Larus naevius
to be a distinct species from the adult bird. One claim advanced for Larus Bo-
napartii being a distinct species, appears to be its diminutive size, length of
wings in exceeding the tail some two inches, and the peculiar colour of the tarsi.
If such be the case, the specimen now before you is a just candidate for the ho-
nour, as this veritable black-headed gull possesses in an eminent degree the ne-
cessary qualifications, so much so that the wings give it the peculiar tern shape,
and actually exceed the tail by three inches and a half A bird in the first year's
plumage, also before you, you will find to be much larger in size, and possess
more of the acknowledfged character of Ridibundus. It might be supposed that
the increase of age might have a corresponding increase of size ; but, as vour
Honorary Secretary Justly observed in his paper, that "the examination ot nu-
merous specimens of Ridibundus has shown such differences in their relative
positions and size, that it would seem much dependence could not be placed on
measurements." If a standard is to be erected, and all birds adjudged specific
distinction on account of a difference in size, it is impossible to say how many
more species may be discovered in our Fauna. The colouring of the wing fea-
thers is also laid down as a characteristic of Larus Bonapartii ; but in the spe-
cimens of Ridibundus now before you, you will find all of them without difficulty.

88 DUBLIN NATTJKAL HISTOBT SOCIETY.

1 have not seen the specimen of Bonaparte's gull in the Belfast Museum, but this
much, I hope to make the present specimen of Ridibundus coincide in every par-
ticular with the description taken by the late lamented Mr. Thompson.

[Mr. Watters then read the description given by Mr. Thompson, in " The
Birds of Ireland," of Larus Bonapartii, and which agreed in all its markings,
proportions, and distinctions (which have so fully been given by that author),
with the specimens of Larus ridibundus submitted by Mr. Watters, and which
he had verified to be a bird obtained from among that species of gull on this
coast, and with which species, with the exception of its smaller proportions, it
was identical in every respect. Mr. Watters also compared his bird with the
accurate drawing made by Mr. Du Noyer, of the bird shot by Captain Watkins,
and read from the report of the last Proceedings, the distinctive characters,
the details of which appeared to agree with those of Mr. Watters' specimen.]

Respecting Larus capistratus, I believe that there is no adult black-
headed gull but, before attaining the complete hood, was a perfect specimen of
capistratus. Were it not that on many occasions I have examined those birds
in their seasonal changes, I would feel much more diffident in advancing my
views ; but, as it is, I believe you will be inclined to admit the great probability
of the Larus Bonapartii described by Thompson agreeing in every particular
with a variety of Ridibundus, and the late specimen exhibited at your last meet-
ing, and shot by Captain Watkins, to have been nothing more than a variety of
the same species. If a further proof were required, I place before you the eggs
of the Larus ridibundus and argentatus, when you will in both instances perceive
the disparity in size of the same species, and, as we might reasonably suppose,
the birds produced fronr the small eggs would not have equalled in size those
produced from the larger.

Mr. Andrews observed that, when he expressed his views at the last meeting,
he was not at tbe time aware that any discussion on the subject had taken place.
He saw no reason, however, to change the opinions he had given. The markings
and size of Mr. Watters' specimen were identical with the one shot by Captain
Watkins ; and one character, in particular, was identical — the size of the tarsus.
Other characters were still more striking in Mr. Watters' bird — the more slen-
der or tern-like form of the bill, and the wings being of greater length, extend-
ing beyond the tail an inch more than the wings in Captain Watkins' specimen.

MAY, 1852.

A FEW OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF ORNITHOLOGICAL INFORMA-
TION IN IRELAND, AND ON THE INTEREST AND VALUE OF PRACTICAL INVES-
TIGATION. BY B. J. MONTGOMERY, A. M.

Although some of the remarks 1 intend offering to the Society have already
appeared, by means of the information supplied by me to Mr. Thompson, and
published in his excellent and valuable work, " The Natural History of Ireland,"
yet I think it not improbable that to many at least of my audience they may prove
interesting, being entirely the result of personal observation, carried on through
a series of years. Ireland has always appeared to me to possess many features
of great interest in an ornithological point of view. Her various chains of lofty
mountains, both in the neighbourhood of the sea and elsewhere ; her immense
inland waters of loughs, with their countless islets ; her numerous and wide-
spreading bogs and morasses ; the many small islands on her coasts (particu-
larly the western) ; the bold cliffs and headlands, which battle so unceasingly
with the ocean; and the number of bays, estuaries, and indentations, give never-
ending variety to this country, highly favourable to ornithological research.
The geographical position of Ireland will also be found to have its due effect in
regulating the number of species generally, both resident and migratory ; but
this portion of the subject I shall pass over, having but little to add to what has

DUBLIN NATURAL HI8T0BT SOCIETY. 89

been already so clearly and fully laid down by Mr. Thompson in the preface to
his first volume, and in the authorities to which ho there refers. But I think I
may make a few remarks on the great power which the winds exercise in direct-
ing and influencing the flight of birds, especially such as are actually performing
their spring or autumn migrations. It has often caused me much surprise that
rare species of birds are not more frequently met with in this country, especially
American birds, during the frequently long-continued prevalence of westerly
winds. The ocean presents no barrier to their flight, as is evident to every one
from the fact of our smallest summer visitants winging their way over the Medi-
terranean sea, both in their northern and southern migration; and from most of
our winter migrants crossing the Gorman ocean in autumn and spring, as also
the well-authenticated instances of different American species having been
killed in various parts of Ireland. You must all have observed that if it blows a
good stiff breeze from the eastward in the month of October, ducks of all sorts
are much more plentiful than in a season when westerly winds prevail about that
time. I have myself twice shot the gadwall (C. strepera), and on each occasion
the wind had been east for some days previously. This duck was so rare in
England in Montague's time that that distinguished ornithologist never suc-
ceeded in obtaining a recent specimen. I have, however, some reason for think-
ing that it is by no means unfrequent in Ireland in the spring of the year. In
spring and the early part of the summer, if south-eastern winds prevail, it is as-
tounding with what exactness and punctuality the summer visitors make their
appearance. Five times during eight years I witnessed the arrival of the wheat-
ear (Saxicola oenanthe) on the shores of Dublin Bay ; once on the 17th, and four
times on the 19th of March. On each of these five occasions the wind was south-
east, and at the same period of the three other years it was from the west, and
the consequence was, no wheat-ear made its appearance before the first week of
April. In autumn 1 have often remarked the wheat-ear (S. oenanthe), the whin-
chat (S. rubetra), the spotted flv-catcher (Musicapa grisola), the willow wren,
or willow warbler (Sylvia trochilus), the chiff chaff (Sylvia rufa), collecting in
considerable numbers, and gradually drawing down to the neighbourhood of the
sea, and remain there for days waiting for a favourable breeze. I have seen the
pied wagtail (Motacilla Yarrellii) collect in a field next the shore, actually in
hundreds, towards the close of an autumn evening. Before morning a gentle
west wind blew, and by clear daylight every wagtail had separated. It was just
after a violent gale of wind from the east I procured the specimen of the Kentish
plover (Charadrius cantianus) now before you. Mr. Thompson states that
three of these birds were killed in Belfast Bay, but not preserved. I therefore
looked on my own as the only Irish specimen, but I believe Dr. Ball has lately
procured one for the University Museum, killed at Baldoyle, county of Dublin.
Under similar circumstances, with regard to the state of the weather, the
example of the night heron (Ardea nycticorax), which I had the pleasure of
exhibiting to your Society in June, 1848, was obtained.

One fact, which appears to me as strange, is the very healthy condition in
which several species of birds were which 1 have killed in this country in the
rery depth of winter, and which are merely summer birds in England. I allude
to the blackcap warbler (Curruca atricapilla), of which species I shot two in
December, 1843 (see volume i., Thompson), both females. This bird has been
known to winter in England but very rarely ; but Mr. Thompson has noticed it as
wintering in Ireland, from time to time, in various localities, from north to south.
I shot these two specimens of the whitethroat (Curruca cinerea) — one, an old
male — when there was snow upon the ground, about the same time as the black-
caps ; the second, a young male, last January. The reed warbler (Salicaria
arundinacea) I shot also in the winter of 1843. The only mention of it as an
Irish bird is in Thompson's volume, as seen by Mr. Templeton, and shot by me.
The redstart (Phoenicura ruticilla) was killed in the month of February, 1847 ;
only six examples known to have been killed in Ireland. Of the three last-men-
tioned species I believe there is no record of their ever haring wintered in Eng-

90 DTJBLnf NATTIRAL HI8T0ET SOCIETT.

land, and yet all of these birds were in good condition, plump, healthy, and well
feathered. The hardy little chiff chaff (Sylvia rufa) I have seen on the 12th of
March. Had it then arrived, or had it remained all winter ? Montague states,
in his Supplement, •' that he several times saw the chiff chaff, in the winters of
1806 and 1808, in Devonshire;" and Mr. Neville Wood " has heard its note as
early as February 5;" but the earliest notice of its arrival, according to Yar-
rell, in England (I presume he means the southof England) is March 12 and 14.
The land rail (Crex pratensis), according to Thompson (vol. ii., p. 315), has been
found in Ireland in winter in several instances. Yarrell only mentions its hav-
ing been noticed twice in England. I have myself twice procured land rails in
January in the county of Dublin. One of them I kept alive for some months, when
it was unfortunately killed by a cat. A curious circumstance occurred with re-
gard to this individual : — It having been but slightly wounded, it very soon
nearly recovered the full use of its wings, and one morning flew over the wall of
the yard, where it was confined with a number of other birds, and was, as I sup-
posed, lost; but, to my great surprise, it was, six weeks after, brought back to
me by a man who stated that he had caught it near Skerries. As I had marked
the bird by clipping the tips of the wing feathers in a peculiar manner, as well
as putting a bit of leather round one leg, there was no doubt of its being the
same bird. The only point of objection which could be raised against the pecu-
liar aptitude of Ireland for the country of ornithology was its great moisture,
and this has been of late years considerably lessened by the great extension of
tillage and the amount of drainage which has been effected. There is but a
small portion, indeed, of our island more than fifty miles distant from the sea
coast, a circumstance which, though it would tend to increase the amount of
moisture, renders it, perhaps, less liable to severe cold than any of the neigh-
bouring countries. It is a well known fact that frosts are rarely severe in Ire-
land— never so much so as in England — and the snow never lies so long on the
ground in our favoured isle. That a great many of our finest species are becom-
ing every day more and more scarce, is a well known fact. This is to be accounted
for in various ways. The causes of the increase or limitation in the number of
any different species in particular localities are to be found in the plenty or scar-
city of food, and in the amount of persecution suffered, or immunity enjoyed by
them. The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is in danger of being utterly extir-
pated. The buzzard (Buteo vulgaris) is also becoming much more scarce than
formerly ; and though I have often looked for them in places where some years
ago they were to be met with, I have only seen two living buzzards within the
last five years. The universal system of drainage, too, so useful, perhaps, to our
subject in some respects, is still, however, daily encroaching on the haunts of the
bittern, and lessening its numbers. The peregrine (Falco peregrinus) has been
driven from its breeding places in the neighbourhood of Dublin — I mean Lara-
bay, Ir. land's Eye, and Howth ; the last peregrine I saw in Lambay was un-
mated and alone. I myself remember the chough (Fregilus graculus) and the
rockdove (Columba livia) nesting in considerable numbers in at least two of
those three places, but they are no longer to be found there. The ring ouzel
(Turdus torquatus), too, has now forsaken Lambay for three successive sum-
mers. Another interesting bird, the Manx shearwater (Puffinus Anglorum), is
greatly reduced in numbers in Lambay. All this is caused by the persecution
the birds endure, in being wantonly and uselessly shot ; while other species,
which do a much greater amount of mischief, for instance, the wood quest (C. pa-
lumbus), from whose crop I have taken 168 grains of wheat (merely the bird's
morning repast), are not by half so much annoyed. The mania for egg-collect-
ing lends an effective aid in lessening the numbers of our birds, both resident
and migratory ; not only is there an entire brood destroyed every time a nest is
taken, but when, in consequence of the nest being robbed a second time, the bird
lays a third time (which many species will do), the eggs are often deficient in
colour, deformed in shape, reduced in size, and diminished in number. This I
proved by actual experiment. The plan I followed was this : — I chose the nest

DUBLIN NATUEAL niSTOBT SOCIETY. 91

of a gray wagtail (Motacilla boarula) and a blackbird (Turdns memla), each of
which contained two eggs. Leaving one, I took the other, and so on, always
leaving one egg in the nest, until in the case of the wagtail she laid eleven eges,
her usual number being five or six ; the two last were small, deformed, and p^e ;
one of them I now hold in my hand. The blackbird, whose general complement
of eggs is four, laid nine ; and you now see the result. In both instances the
birds forsook the nest. Now, may we not suppose that if those deformed eggs
had ever come to maturity, the young birds would have been sickly, and unlikely
to live? Might not the colour of their plumage have been affected? The wanton
destruction of birds, especially on the coasts, as one of the causes of their dimi-
nution, has been so ably and feelingly alluded to by Mr. Thompson, that it is
quite unnecessary for me to enlarge upon it. However, with regard to a plenty
or scarcity of food afTecting their numbers in particular localities, the two most
reasonable instances within my knowledge have taken place on the coast of
Louth. Until within the last three or four years the common scoter (Oidemia
nigra) frequented the Bay of Drogheda in immense flocks, and often came into
the mouth of the Boyne. They have very much decreased of late years. I attri-
bute this to the following facts: — There were large beds of muscles in the
mouth of the river, and, in some places in the bay, which, I suppose, attracted
the scoters in such numbers. There is now a new trade in muscles to Liverpool
from Drogheda, and two or three hundred people, chiefly women, are employed
in collecting them. The muscles are becoming scarce, as well as other species
of small shell-fish; and, as these constituted the chief food of the scoters, it
accounts, I think, for the diminution in number of the birds. This specimen of
the velvet scoter (Oidemia fusca) was taken on a hook by a fisherman, in the bay
of Drogheda, and brought alive to me. The other case is the golden plover
(Charadrius pluvialis), which species frequent, in enormous flocks, the line of
strand in Port Bay, stretching from Clogher Head to Dunany Head. Separated
from it by the rocky promontory of Clogher Head is the equally long line of
strand from thence to the River Boyne. On this latter strand I have never seea
one golden plover, while, on the first, they are to be found every day except
during the breeding season. The reason, I suppose, is this — there are on Port
Bay strand numerous small patches of shingle abounding with small moUusca,
and on the other strand these patches of shingle are wanting. The specimens
of the ortolan bunting (Emberiza hortulana) and tree sparrow (Passer monta-
nus), now before you, I received as Irish examples, and I believe them to be so,
but, not having killed them myself, I cannot positively announce them as such ;
the first named is the green-headed bunting of Latham and some other authors.
According to Yarrell, it has only occurred in five instances in England. The second
bird is very locally distributed in England, and neither of them have been be-
fore taken in Ireland. As many persons in this country may never have seen
these species, which, having occurred once, may do so again, 1 thought they
would not only prove interesting to the Society, but insure their being taken no-
tice of if again met with.

JUNE, 1852.

ON THE PRESENT STATE OF ORNITHOLOGICAL INFORMATION IN IRELAND, AN©
ON THE VALUE AND INTEREST OF PRACTICAL INVESTIGATION. BY R. J.
MONTGOMERY, A. M PART II.

On the last evening the Society met, want of time prevented my concluding
the few remarks I offered to you. 1 then alluded to some of the rarer birdis
found in Ireland, and, in continuation of that portion of mv subject, 1 now beg
to call your attention to the example of the scops-eared owl (Strix scops) before
y ou Mr.Thompson mentions two instances in which this little owl was captured
in this country. This specimen was given me as having been killed in the
county of Clare ; and, judging from a very clear description of a small owl shot

92 DUBLIN NATTJEAL HISTORY SOCIETr.

by a person, an interesting gamekeeper in the county of Mayo, I have no doubt
that the bird occurred there also. Referring to the interesting remarks made
by Professor Allman on the curious state of the plumage of the snipe (S. galli-
nago) produced by him at our last meeting, I may here exhibit a specimen of the
jack snipe (S. gallinula), nearly white. 1 have occasionally met with examples
of the woodcock (S. rusticola) and common snipe, of a cream-colour, fawn, and
white ; but the common bunting (Emberiza miliaria) more frequently assumes
a mottled, pied, or nearly white appearance, as I have observed. It is much
to be regretted that the generality of persons residing in localities favourable
for ornithological pursuits are not better acquainted with the distinctive marks
of the commonest birds: for instance, here is a specimen of the Larida;, which I
have no doubt is often mistaken for the young of both the great black-backed
and herring gulls (Larusmarinus and L. argentatus), and, therefore, not appre-
ciated; whereas it is in reality a species of comparatively rare occurrence,
being an immature example of the glaucous gull (Larus glaucus). Some other
species I might with justice refer to, such as the gadwall, which, I have reason
to think, is often mistaken for the female of the common wild duck. The gray-
lag goose (Anser ferus), a bird which collectors experience considerable diffi-
culty in procuring in Ireland, is, I am fully persuaded, frequently confounded
with the bean goose (Anser segetum) ; but a little attention to the distinguish-
ing features, even independently of the superior size of the former, would at
once demonstrate its species to the most casual observer. I shall not intrude on
your time by further pursuing this portion of the subject, as I believe you will
all admit that a little practical observation would be sufficient to render parties
situated as I have described, not only capable of imparting knowledge to
others, but, probably, of adding considerably to the catalogue of our Irish birds,
both resident and migratory, and perhaps preventing many rare specimens from
being lost, and their occurrence unnoted by the naturalist. I shall conclude with
a few hints to those who, like myself, maybe engaged in the formation of a col-
lection of native birds, in the hope that those plain and simple precautions may
prove as beneficial to others as they have been to me. The collector should never
go unprovided with a basket or box, containing clean paper, cotton, and plenty
of plaster of Paris ; and as each bird is shot, sprinkle it with the plaster, put a
small piece of cotton between the wings and the body, and wrap it up separately
in paper. If it happens to be any species which lives on fish, such as the terns
gannet, carefully remove as much of the fish it has swallowed as possible, and
put some plaster and corrosive sublimate, or, if you are unprovided with the
latter, a little whiskey will do, down its throat, a bit of cotton in the mouth, and
lay it on its back. The reason for removing the food is, that the bird will not
only keep fresh longer, but unless you take these simple precautions, so much
blood and filthy matter will exude from the sides of the mouth as will disfigure
the bird greatly. I find all birds which live on fish, and hawks, require to have
the food removed from the crop, unless they go into the hands of the preserver
immediately ; by following this simple plan, your birds can be placed in the
hands of the taxidermist in such a state as will admit of their making handsome
and good specimens. I also find it a good plan to note down at the time, while
the bird is perfectly fresh, the colour of the irides, the bill, feet, and legs. Some
people, I know, are averse to colouring the bills and feet, because it is fre-
quently ill done or over done, but the reason is, because the exact colours are
not noted while the bird was quite recently killed ; and as the colours fade very
quickly, it is sometimes hard to tell what are the true colours. I trust the So-
ciety will kindly excuse me for not going more fully into the subject, as I had
intended, but I hope next session to make amends.

Mr. Andrews observed that the remarks made that evening, and at the pre-
vious meeting, by Mr. Montgomery, could not fail to be of interest to the orni-
thologist, and the numerous specimens of rare birds that had been exhibited on
both occasions had added much to the interest of the proceedings. Mr. An-

DUBLIN NATURAL UI8T011Y SOCIETY. 98

drews would mention that some jrears since he had presented to the Society throe
specimens of the mottled species of the rock pigeon, obtained by him in the
month of August on the cliffs of Sybil Head, in the county of Kerry, and be at
the time stated the remarks of Mr. Blyth, that numbers of these birds, all
shot, were brought to the London market, and that Mr. Blyth was of opinion
that they were of a distinct race from the Columba livia. They more nearly ap-
proached to the stock dove (Columba cenas), but they differed from that species
Dy having the lower part of the back white, that in the stock pigeon being uni-
versally gray. Mr. Blyth had since been appointed Curator of the Asiatic So-
ciety's Museum, Calcutta, and in his drafts for a Fauna Indica, he, in describing
the Indian rock pigeon (Columba intermedia), from which the tame are derived,
as those of Europe are from C. livia, alludes to a race identical with the mottled
species noticed by him in England, and which are distinct from C. intermedia.
Mr. Blyth continues his assertion, that this wild rock pigeon of the South of
England is distinct, and may he designated C. affinis, while the rock pigeon ot
North Britain and of Europe generally is the true Columba livia. It is, how-
ever, a fact, that a zealous collector in Kerry, and an admirable ornithologist,
had never been able to procure a specimen of this mottled species, although at
all seasons having the best opportunities for seeking them. Mr. Andrews had
obtained the old and the young birds, and also the eggs of the storm petrel, ia
the Blasket Islands. These little birds breed twice in the season, in June, and
again in August ; they lav but one egg each. They are easily procured from
the holes among stones where they breed. An old and a young bird were kept
alive for more than a week by simply dipping a feather in sweet oil, and which
the birds eagerly ran their bills over, taking the oil. The old birds placed on
the table did not appear in the least alarmed on being handled. The Tiraght
Rock off the Blasket Islands, and the smaller Skellig Island, are the best loca-
lities on the south-west coast for the breeding of birds. In the former the shear-
water is met, in the latter the gannet. Those who can rough the variable wea-
ther of that coast would be much amused by a visit to those islands. The birds,
onaccustomed to visitors, are stupidly indifferent to their own safety.

APRIL 8, 1853.

ON THX AUTUMNAL SONG OF BIRDS. BY JOHN ROBERT KINAHAV, A.B PART L

When I commenced this paper it was my intention to have confined myself
merely to a record of those birds which sing during the latter months of the
year, about Donnybrook, but on reviewing notes taken on this subject, I find it
impossible to separate them from their congeners, for in fact, as you will find,
most of our songsters sing nearly the whole year round. The remarks I would
now submit to you are an abstract of nearly daily records, extending over a period
of at least five, and, in some instances, seven years, and in everv case were made
by myself; and their value, if any, depends solely on this. With but few excep-
tions, which I have noted, they relate entirely to the birds of Donnybrook, and,
therefore, to a general naturalist are only useful as compared with similar re-
cords made in other quarters, as I, during the time I was making them, have
found a few miles sufficient entirely to alter my list. Our earliest songsters are
the robin, wren, pied and gray wagtail (Mot. Yarrellii and boarula), hedge fau-
vette (Act. modularis). Tnese commence their autumn song pretty much in the
order here set down. The robin (Erythaca rubecula) commences his autumn
song the second week in August, or first week in September. Twice during the
last five years do I find him noted before the former date, vir., on 1st August,
1851, and in 1852, when he commenced on the 7th August. He is, without ex-
ception, our most indefatigable songster. Every weather is alike to him ; son,
fog, frost, snow, wind, or rain. He sings all the year round, except about six
weeks in summer, i.e. from about the last week in June till the second week ia

T

94 DUBLIN NATITKAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

August. Ho generally sings every day, morning and evening, till about the mid-
dle of December, after which time he does not sing, except in the morning, till
about the middle of January, when he recommences singing in the evening, and
also changes his autumnal song for that of the breeding season. Sometimes the
song is not as regular as is here stated. In 1849 he commenced in September,
and sung regularly till the middle of November. Last autumn he recommenced
on the 7th August, and continued in song almost daily up to the present date.
In 1851 he commenced on the 29th August, but sang most irregularly, as I only
find him noted four times between that date and the 1st January, 1852. This
did not arise from the harshness of the season, for the winter of 1850 was a great
deal more severe than either of the other two, and yet we find him singing more
regularly than in the comparatively milder winter of 1851. "White, in his com-
parative'list of the song birds of Selborne, states that he "sings all the year
round except during frost." Frosty weather does not affect his song in this
country, as I have heard him singing even during snow. The song is delivered
from an elevation, and also when flying. This bird possesses also a singular
faculty of singing with the bill closed, even with a worm between his mandibles
— a faculty I have observed only in one other native bird, viz., the lesser willow
wren. He is also one of our nocturnal warblers, generally preferring a moon-
light frosty night for this purpose. In the winter of 1847 we had several such
in close succession ; and a robin used to sing imder my window every night, be-
ginning generally about twelve, and ceasing at two a.m. I have heard him once or
twice in the beginning of July. The wren (Troglodytes Europaeus), though
commencing later than the robin, is more regular as regards the period of com-
mencement of his song; once only, during the last five years, did he commence
earlier than the beginning of November. He sings most vigorously during
frosty weather, but is not at all so regular a daily singer as the robin, as he sel-
dom sings in open weather. In Scotland Mr. Hepburn records him as not sing-
ing in winter; and White states *' all through the winter except in frost;" sin-
gularly enough, the very time I have oftenest heard his song is about Donny-
brook. He sings generally, if not always, from an elevation, using a great deal
of action, and with quivering wings. His song ceases about the middle of June,
but is sometimes continued into July; the earliest date I ever heard him was
August 18, 1851. The wagtails sing all through the winter on fine days occa-
sionally, but are not such regular songsters as any of the others. For the most
part they sing on the wing, rising for a short distance in the air, and in sum-
mer and spring, even on a bush or wall. Early in the season they sing oftener
on the ground than anywhere else. Their song is continued late into summer,
as they may be heard occasionally even as late as the 20th of August. The
earliest date I have heard them singing was the second week in November. The
winter fauvette, or dunnock (Accentor modularis), is a more delicate bird than
any of those we have as yet considered, and, therefore, not so regular in his song
till spring. He delights in a soft, drizzling morning, but may be heard also
during frost ; I only once heard him singing during high wind : he generally
commences about the third or fourth week in November, and sings till about the
second week in July ; in some seasons he does not commence till the middle of
January ; this was the case in 1851. Early in the season he chooses a low bush
for his station while singing, but as the season advances he mounts higher and
higher, even to the top of high trees ; in the height of the breeding season he
even sings on wing : he is recorded as one of our night singers ; I have never
heard him myself at that period. Mr. Hepburn states that in Scotland he sings
•'from the second week in FebruaV-y till the first in August, and, occasionally,
in winter and autumn." White's record is " early in February, till July 10th."
The next in order, if we look to regularity of period in commencing their song,
are the thrushes; but it will be more convenient to consider first some of the
other songsters, which, though more irregular, yet generally begin earlier; these
are, the chaffinch, the tits, skylark, and goldcrest. The first (F. ccelebs) sings
occasionally on soft mornings, as, during the seven years over which these notes

DUBUN NATUBAL IU»TOKY bOClETV. 95

oztend, I find him recorded in erery winter month except November, though the
regular time for his 8ong is about the I4th February ; singularly enough, in
three several years, though previously to this day he had only sung occasionally,
and a single bird, hero and there, on the 14th February, thu groves, as though
by uoramuu consent, were filled with his sprightly song, lie olten sings till late
in July, though, generally speaking, the third week in June ends his season. The
earliest date I ever heard him was on the 20th October. He sings from a bough
generally at middle height from the ground. In Scotland he is recorded as be-
ginning the fourth week in January, and ceasing the 2nd July, and singing, oc-
casionally, through the autumn and winter. White records him as " beginning
in February, and ceasing in June." The tits found about Donnybrook are P. raa-
ior, ctcrulcus, ater, longicaudatus, and palustris. Of these, the last two may
be excluded from my list of singing birds of that locality, as the first of them is
merely an occasional winter visitant, and the second a very rare one, only hav-
ing occurred twice to me there, once in the latter end of the autumn, and once
in the summer. Of the other throe, the great tit begins earliest ; once I find him
recorded in August, and twice in September. He does not generally begin till
the middle of January ; he is the most indefatigable songster of his race ; in the
beginning of February and through the month of March, generally commencing
his harsh song some hours before daybreak, and then keeping it up for three or
four hours. Uc ceases in the middle of June, sings at an elevation, and while in
pursuit of food. The nun generally commences towards the latter end of Janu-
ary, and continues in song till towards the end of July. The cole tit commences
about the same time, but ceases a little earlier. The songs of all the tits are
jnuch alike, both in note, and also as to delivery, duration, &c. They all sing at
an elevation, and, if the season be open, do not mind a little frost. The long-
tailed tit, although not a resident in Donnybrook, is plentiful enough about Mil-
town and Rathfarnham. It has more pretensions to song than any of its con-
feners. It commences its song about tne beginning of February, and ceases in
une. The song is delivered on a bush, and may be heard even in frost. The
lark (Alauda arvensis) as a winter songster is very irregular, and generally
harsh and unmusical until the spring suns have warmed it. Some years, how-
ever, it sings in autumn as merrily as in the summer or spring. Last autumn it
was singing as sweetly as ever, even as late as October and November. It, how-
ever, seldom commences its song till about the beginning or middle of Februarv ;
it generally sings earlier in the morning than any other bird, and later in the
evening. Weather exercises little influence on its song once it has commenced,
singing as merrily in the midst of the pelting shower or driving sleet as in the
bright sunshine. Snow alone, or high winds affect it. It sings late into July,
but remains silent during August. Its method of singing I need not describe,
as it must be familiar to you all ; sometimes, especially in the breeding season,
it sings on the ground. I have shot the females in the act of singing. That little
fairy-like bird, the goldcrest (Regulus auricapillus) comes next before us ; he is
only an occasional winter songster. His legitimate time for song is early
sprmg, commencing in January and ending in the beginning of June. On frosty
days, however, he may be heard singing even as early as the 18th November.
The song is always delivered from an elevation, is short, and to some might
even appear harsh, much resembling that of the titmouse. The most regular
autumn songsters we have (excepting the robin and the wren) are those of
which we now come to speak — those peerless songsters, the thrushes, or at least
the two great types of the genus here— the common thrush and the blackbird.
The common thrush (Morula musica), I find, commences either early in
November or December ; the earliest note I find is the 12th November, 1830.
Its song is, of course, familiar to you all. Early in the season it sings either in
a low bush, or else on the ground, and only in the morning ; as the season ad-
vances, it sings in the evening, and chooses a higher station, till, in the height of
the season, it sings from the highest trees ; earlier, however, it prefers dose
brushwood, and hence may bo heard most regularly singing in such places as

96 DXTBLIlf NATUEAl mSTORY SOCIETY.

abound in thickets— the low bushes on the Donnybrook road, near Wellington
road, are a favourite station for them, as also the lowlands about Tallaght and
Crumlin. Later in the season their song may be heard in great perfection at
Lough Bray, and in the valley of the Dodder, part of which, Glen-as-Moil, gets
its name from the numbers of them found in it — they cease singing about the
third week in June. The weather that seems most congenial to them is soft,
open mornings, though they may be heard singing sweetly during frost. They
are our most beautiful night singers, and I have often heard them. One instance I
will transfer from my note- book : — "March 5, 1852; moon very bright, though the
night was misty and soft, the thrushes (M. musica) were singing as sweetly as
though it were morning." The next member of the group, the blackbird (M.
"'&•**). generally begins his song in November, though sometimes he may be
heard even as early as September. He is never so regular a songster as the
thrush; be ceases about the same time. Though a very common bird, the pecu-
liar charms of his song are known but to few, for, though of far less compass and
fewer notes than that of M. musica, it far surpasses it in plaintive mellowness.
Indeed, we have no word in the English language which can convey a notion of
it ; that usually adopted, viz. whistling, giving about as much idea of it as it does
of the sound of the trumpet. The thrush's note may surpass it in power, but
there is a melody in the blackbird's song much more pleasing than all the po-
lished execution of its rival's elaborate strain. To hear it in perfection you
should hear it in early spring, on a calm, misty, soft morning, or, better still,
in early summer, in that stillness which precedes or else follows a summer thun-
der storm, when the skies are black with lowering clouds, all things else silent,
except, perchance, the chirping of frightened sparrows in a neighbouring hedge,
then may the blackbird's song be heard, like some good spirit's voice, breaking
the solemn silence, and bidding us not despair, for that though the storm may
rage, it cannot utterly destroy. As far as my observations go, it invariably sings
from an elevation, and in spring its song is generally the precursor of wet ; it
sings at first only in the morning or midday, but about February or the begin-
ning of March, may be heard singing in the evening. Our other native thrush
(M. viscivora) is not a regular resident in Donnybrook. I can, therefore, only
state that I have heard him in January, February, and March, singing his un-
musical song in the tops of the tallest poplars. The water ouzel (Cinclus aqua-
ticus) is not found about Donnybrook. 1 have heard it singing, however, in the
valley of the Dodder, about Bohernabreena, during every month but July ; they
always, I believe, sing perched on a stone, with quivering wings — it is a night
warbler; the song is soft, low, and pleasing. The titlark (Anthus pratensis)
is the next bird which comes before us, and is truly a summer songster. Its song
is hardly ever commenced earlier than the second week in February, and ends
before the end of July. The song, which is short, is uttered on wing; the bird,
rising from the ground after the manner of the common lark, takes a short cir-
cular flight, and concludes its song on some tree or other elevated position — it
occasionally sings on the top of some high tree. You seldom hear this bird in
early spring, unless the day be soft and open, though it may sometimes be heard
singing even in raw, frosty mornings. This season (1853) was a most unpropi-
tious one, at the period when the bird generally commences, and I do not find
him in my notes until March. As the season advances, frost does not exercise
much influence on his song, a remark which applies to songsters in general ; the
females of this bird sing, as I have proved by actual dissection ; it rarely sings
on the ground. The next group we shall consider, the buntings, contains three
species, viz., E. miliaria, citrinella, and schoeniculus. Their songs very much
resemble one another in character. That of the common bunting is the most
varied and powerful ; it has been not unaptly compared to a bunch of keys
drawn rapidly round a notched ring. It may be heard, with very little intermis-
sion, from the beginning of February till the end of August. This bird sings at
all times of the day, but particularly during the bright hours of noon. The song
is always delivered from a slightly elevated position, such as the tall stems of

OUBLIK NATUKAL U18T0BY SOCIETY. 97

the cow-pargiiip, or on some bush slightly hieher than the rest of the hedf^e : ho
b not a very common bird about Donoybrook. Tho black-headed bunting ha«
a very feeble, harsh song ; he commences about a fortnight or three weeks later
than the last, and ceases as soon as tho breeding season is over ; he sings either
on the top of a high tree, or in a bunch of rushes ; he sings also at night. The
vollowhammcr (E. citrinella)has the same range of season as the common bant-
ing, and sings either from a bush or a wall, or from a high bank ; he, too, sings
at noun ; the sung is shorter, but not ho harsh ; it was in song on 25th January,
1852. The linnets found about Donnybrook are three (L. minor, montium, and
cannabina) ; but, owing to their not being regular permanent residents there, I
cannot speak fully about them : they are all generally in song about the second
week in February, and cease to sing in June or July ; they all sing from an ele-
vation. The greenfinch (C. chloris) generally begins his discordant song in the
latter end of February, and ends it in June, but may occasionally be heard in
August and September ; it usually, at least in the commencement of the year,
sings in concert ; they always sing from a height, and, as well as the true linnet,
may be heard in autumn recording for hours. The only other native songsters
heard about Donnybrook are three — the common starling (S. vulgaris), which
sings from the beginning of Januarv to the latter end of May, and chooses some
elevated spot for his orchestra. The woodlark (A. arborea).— This bird I had
the good fortune to come across only during one season — that of 1851, and he
commenced his song in the middle of February, and ceased in the beginning of
June. 1 remarked that he sung on wing, not rising up into the sky in rapid
spires, like the skylark, but, sweeping round in wide circles, he ended his song
on the ground. Whether this is its common method of singing or not, I do not
know, as it never bred in Donnybrook to my knowledge since. The stonechat
(S. rubicola) — This bird conducts us to the migratory birds; as the same re-
marks apply to it and to its allies, the whinchat and wheat-ear (S. rubetra and
S. oenanthe). The latter is not a resident in Donnybrook, only visiting us at its
entrance into and departure from this country. It is, however, very common
about Bohernabreena ; so that I have had copious opportunities of watching its
habits. They all generally begin their song, which is short, in the first week of
April ; though on one occasion I heard the whinchat and stonechat both in song
on Patrick's Day. They cease to sing before the end of June. They sing either
on a bush or on wing, rising for a short distance into the air. As the whinchat
is supposed to be only a summer visitant, I might as well mention that I have
killed or observed this bird in the months of October, September, and Febru-
ary. The chiffchaff (Sa. rufa) generally arrives here the latter end of March,
and sings as soon as he comes. The earliest date I ever observed him was the
10th March, 1849, near Templeogue, and I find him noted in every month until
the 15th of September. The song is delivered from some bush or tree, but gene-
rally among tne branches, about middle height from the ground. It has two
songs, X)ne of which is peculiar to the breeding season, the other to the remain-
der of his sojourn here. The lesser willow-wren (S. trochilus) arrives here a
fortnight or three weeks later than the last, and ceases to sing about the end of
July. He sings either on the topmost boughs or on wing ; his song is much more
prolonged than that of Syl. rufa. This bird sings with its bill closed, similarly
to the robin. I have only remarked this trait while he was feeding. The white-
throat (C. cinerea) arrives here in the beginning of the month of May, and sings
till August, with an interval of three weeks in July. Its song is a melancholy
wail, intermixed with a queer scolding note : it sings thus : rising from the t op
of some bush, with a great deal of action, fluttering wings, &c., it takes a short
flight upwards, and then, wheeling back to the point it started from, it ends its
song perched. The earliest record I have of it is the 2nd of May, and the latest
the 29th August, 1850. The three swallows (H. urbica, rustica, riparia) all
make an attempt at song. They generally do not commence their song till three
weeks after their arrival in this country, which usually takes place at this side
of the Bay in the following order :— The sandroartin last week in March, or first

98 DUBLIN NATURAL HISTOET SOCIETr.

in April; the earliest record I can find is the 20th March, 1849 — they are gene-
rally all gone by the first week in October. This bird has very little pretensions
to song ; sings on wing, or on a bank. The chimney-swallow — first or second
week in April ; the earliest 1 have noted occurred on the 4th April ; the latest
date I find recorded in Donnybrook is the 20th October, 1849. It has more pre-
tension to song than the rest of the genus, and sings sweeter in autumn — even
as late as the month of September. It does not sing during the latter weeks of
July. The window swallow scarcely sings at all ; it arrives here generally later
than the other two — the earliest date I find recorded is the 13th of April, 1852;
it leaves us about the middle of September, though last year a pair of them were
feeding their yonng, which were in the nest, as late as October 3rd. That po-
lyglot, the sedgewarbler (S. phragmites), concludes the list of summer song-
sters. He arrives here the first or second week in May. The earliest date
I find for him is the 2nd May, 1851 ; he is the most perfect of our migratory
songsters, and might most aptly be called the " Irish mocking-bird," as, hid in
some brake of briars or bunch of reeds, he pours forth a mingled imitation of
the songs of almost all our other warblers, mixed with his own harsh song.
Two years ago, a bird of this species frequented Donnybrook, which closely
imitated the black-bird, white-throat, wagtail, titlark, and bunting; he almost
always sings in the closest retirement. His melodious strains are not confined
to the day-time, but may also be heard during the stillness of our summer and
autumn nights. The latest date I have heard him was on the 5th September,
1851. This ends all I have been able to collect concerning the songsters of Don-
nybrook individually. The only other songsters I have met with are the gold-
finch (C. elegans), which only visits Donnybrook, or at least those parts I have
access to, occasionally. I have, however, heard him singing in August and
September, in the counties of Kilkenny and Waterford, and in early spring
about the brakes of Ballinascorney. The bullfinch (P. vulgaris) has only oc-
curred once to me in Donnybrook, and then in the depth of winter. The ring
ouzel I have heard singing in May at Lough Bray, county of Wicklow ; the song
harsh, short, and delivered from the top of a rock. I never met them in the
county of Dublin, save in a stream glen in the hills between Killakee and
Dundrum. The redwing and fieldfare, though recording here in early spring, I
have never heard sing. On our next night of meeting I hope, with your permis-
sion, to conclude this subject with a few general remarks on the causes which
influence and control the duration, &c., of the song of birds.

Mr. Andrews considered Mr. Kinahan's statement of great interest, record-
ing, as it did, within a limited range in the neighbourhood of Dublin, the habits
and the peculiar notes of such a variety of our smaller birds. Dr. Farran had
this day mentioned the occurrence, early this month, of rather a rare bird — the
black cap (Motacilla atracapilla) at his place, Rathgar House.

MAY 13, 1853.

ON OUR AUTUMNAL SONGSTERS. BY J. R. KINAHAN, A.B PART II.

At our last night of meeting I laid before you an abstract of the period of
commencement and duration of the songs of those birds which are found about
Donnybrook. To-night I mean to conclude the subject with a few remarks on
the natural causes, &c., which appear to control and influence the duration of
the song (premising that it is not my intention to confine this part of the paper
solely to notes taken in the county of Dublin, but to refer to other localities
whenever it will tend to the elucidation of the subject), first detaining you with
a few remarks on various irregularities, so to speak, in the manner and time of
singing. First, of night warblers — those which at this period have been noted
by me are, taking them in the order of their greatest frequency, the sedge war-

DUBUN NATURAL HISTORY 80CTETT, 99

bier (Sa. phragmitis), the robin, the song thrush, the blackbird, dipper, and
chaffinch — the last of these 1 have only once hoard sing at night; the others,
especially the robin, often. They generally select a soft, moonlight night for
singing — as 1 mentioned before, when speaking of the thrush. Birds often sing
after dusk, at least I meet several such notes as the following: — " March 22na,
1853, near Roebuck— Sunset at 6- 14; snow on ground and hanging from the
trees ; eveYiing still and frosty ; sky clear ; three-quarters moon ; at half-past
seven the song-thrush and robin wore singing very sweetly and continuously;
the blackbird occasionally." Indeed, at almost every season of the year you
will hear birds prolonging their strains into the darkness. All the birds men-
tioned above, however, 1 have heard after ten o'clock p.m. Secondly, birds
whoso females sometimes sing. — Those which have come under my observation
are two, the skylark and titlark ; in both instances I verified the observation
by dissection ; the song was short and weak, but soft. I also now hold in my
hand the ovary taken from a starling, shot April, 1849, which, when shot, was,
to say the least of it, endeavouring to sing ; this bird, furthermore, sported the
male plumage on her breast, and was shot by me in mistake as a cock. Thirdly,
those birds which sometimes sing with closed mandibles. This trait 1 have
only met with in two species, the robin, and the lesser willow wren (Sa. trochi-
lus). In the first, I have met with it three or four times ; once, when flying with
a worm between its mandibles ; the song was nearly as loud as ordinary, but
not so prolonged, and not resembling recording in the least. In the lesser wil-
low wren I have observed this but once, while the bird was feeding ; the song
had a most extraordinary veutriloquial effect, the sound seeming to proceed
from all around the listener.

The position chosen by birds for the delivery of their songs varies much : as
a general rule, among those which sing from a height, perched, we find that in
the commencement of the winter, and during the cold weather, they sing either
from the ground, or but a little removed from it ; and, as the season advances,
they choose a higher and higher station, till they at last sing from the highest
position they can find — of this we have a very good example in the song-thrush.
Some, such as the blackbird, almost always sing from an elevated position.
Those birds which sing on wing are verv numerous, and may conveniently be di-
vided into two classes:— First, those which sing soaring, as the skylark, titlark,
white-throat, whinchat, wheat-ear, almost habitually ; and, occasionally, on fine
days, the winter fauvette, stonechat, greenfinch, lesser redpole, lesser willow
wren, &c. These all rise into the air, singing, and remain for a while poised in
the act; sometimes, especially in the early season, they, or at least the first sub-
division of them, may be found singing on the ground. The second class merely
sing as they are flying from bush to bush, often with quivering wings ; this in-
cludes the robin, wren, goldfinch, tits, and siskin.

The period of the day when birds commence their song varies much with the
season. In winter, they seldom, if ever, begin till some hours after daybreak,
while, in early autumn, summer, and spring, they generally begin long before
dawn. In early spring, the tits generally commence the earliest; next, the
robin, which may be often heard in the twilight of a February morning ; and next,
the thrushes and larks. As the season advances, the lark usurps the first place.
Thus I find, April 30, 1851—" 255 a.m — Bright twilight; skylarks singing."

Again, May 28, 1852-— •♦ 2-30 a.m Morn breaking; songsters — lark, common

bunting, yellowhammer, song-thrush, blackbird, and chaffinch." Both these
notes refer to Donnybrook ; the next was taken at Robertstown, county of Kil-

dare "July 3, 1851 — Just dusk; 140 a.m., lark commenced to sing ; 2-0 a.m.,

chaffinch ; 210, blackbird and song-thrush simultaneously began ; in twenty mi-
nutes more, titlark ; and in five more, sedge warbler and white-throat ; and,
day having now broken, in a few minutes more the wagtails commenced.**
Again: "April 28, 1853, near Birr, King's County— 345, fine morning;, twilight,
robin and lark almost simultaneously; 4-0, chaffinch; 410, buntmgs; 420,
song- thrush and blackbird ; and in a few minutes afterwards, Sylvia trochilus.**

100

DUBLIN NATUEAL HISTOKY SOCIETY.

Having once commenced, many of them sing on late into the dusk, as I stated
before. I will quote one or two sets of notes illustrative of this: — " April 11,
1853— Fine soft evening ; Roebuck, 7*30 p.m. ; in song — robin, song-thrush,
blackbird, chaffinch, wren ; of these, the song-thrush, robin, and blackbird sang
up to 8*30 (the sun having set at 650), while the others ceased at about 8." It
is nothing extraordinary at this season of the year to hear the thrush, robin, and
blackbird singing for an hour, or so, after dusk. As a general rule, birds sing
oftener and more regularly in the evening, in the spring and autumn, than in
either summer or winter. The duration of song during the day varies in the
different species ; some, as the wren, singing but a few minutes at a time ;
others, as the thrushes and tits, will keep it up for hours. The most lengthened
strain that 1 find noted occurred in a song-thrush, which began his song under
my windows at eleven a.m., and six p.m. found him still at his post; how much
longer he sung, 1 do not know, as business took me elsewhere. The day was a
soft, drizzling one. From the preceding notes, we see quite clearly that those
authors who deny to birds the habit of autumn song are in error, at least in this
country ; in fact, in favourable seasons, no month is utterly songless. To show
this more clearly, I have drawn out from my notes a Table of Songsters in each
month, which I now lay before you.

TABULAR VIEW OF BIRDS IN SONG IN EACH MONTH, NEAR DONNYBROOK AND

MERBION.

(s) sings ; (r) records ; (..) not heard ; (*) not found at Donnybrook.

♦ Water oueel (C. aquatdcus),

Song thrush (M. musica), .....-•

Blackbird (M. nigra) •

Missel thrush (M. \iscivora)», . . . •

1

4

i

1

Pi

c3

•-3

1

<

1

1

i

1

s

8
8

••

8
8
S

8
B

K

8
8
S

8
3
8
8

8
8
8

8
8
8
S

8
S
8

8

8

8
S

8
8
8
S

8

a

a

a
a

a

a

8

8

8
8

8
8

8 '53

8*
8

a

8
8
8

8
8'63

8
8

6
8
8

8

8
8

8

8
8
8

K

8
8

8

S

Redwing (M. iliaca)b •

» Ring ouzel (M. torquata)", . . . • •
Robin (E. rubecula)-!, . . . . . •
Yarreirs Wagtail (Mot. YarrelUi)d, . •
Common ditto (Mot. boarula)<J, . . . •

K

8
8

S

AXThoof-^ar (^ rpnanthp'^f . ... *

■■

b
8
8

\NTiinchat (S. rubetra)K, •

Stonechat (S. rublcola) •

8
8

Sedgewarbler (Sal. phragmltis)^, . .

••

8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8

8
8
8
8
8
8
8

Goldcrcst (Reg. auricapillus), . . . •

Nun (Par. coeruleus),

Oxeve (Par. major}, •

Cole'tit (Par. ater)t, •

s
s

8
8

8
8
S
8
8
8

Hedgeaparrow (Ac. raodularis), . . . •

a

» Rare ; but breeds.

i> Winter migrants ; the latter bred once.

*= Not foimd in Donnybrook ; noted at Montpelier, and Three Rock Mountain.

<> Probably sings in every month.

' liare ; at Miltown and llathgar, occasionally. Summer migrant

f Summer migrant -. April to September

K Sununer migrant : April to September ; occasionally in winter.

^ Summer migrants ; May to September.

> Summer migrant ; April to .September,
k Summer migrant ; March to October.

> Scarce at Donnybrook.

• Donnybrook ; winter months only. Rathgar ; Phoenix Park,

Summer migrant.

DUBUN NATUILiL H18T0BY SOCXRr.

101

TABtfLAR YIBW OV BIRD* IN SONO IM BACH MONTB, MBAR DOMMYBROOB AMD

MBBRIOB — cotUinueiL

(8) sings; (b) records ; (..) not heard ; (•) not found at Donnybrook.

Titlark (Anth. pratensU), .
Sboretlt (Anth. aquaticuB)',
Starling (St vulffa^U)^ . .
Groenflnch (CocE. chlorla)",

OoUlflnch (Card, elegana),

Siskin (C. spinas)*,

Linnet (Lin. caunabina),

Lesser do. (L.. minor),

Mountain do. (L. montlum)*, . .

Chattlnch (Frinji. coelebs)'

Yellowliamnicr (Enib. cltrinella)«, .
Common Buntinp; (E. miliaria), . .
niock-lieiulcd do. (K. schueuiclos) .

Woodlark (Al. arborca)>>,

Skylark (AL arrenais)

Wren (Trog. Europieaa),

ChimneT Swallow (H. nistlca)', . .
Hooae Swallow (H. arbica)J, . . .

Sand Martin (H. riparia^k

Woodqnest (Col. palambos), . . .
(^mcrake (Crex. pratensis)', . . .

Merrion.

• Recording In December, in Tippcrary.

'Rare straggler: sinpring, Rathgar, 1849.

•Only breeds occasionally here ; recording In December, 18581

' Seldom begins till February.

« Rarely sings in winter.

fcRaro; bre<rin Donnybrook, 1850.

> Summer migrant, April till November, occasionally.

J Siunmcr migrant, April till September.

kDo., do.

I Occasionally remains winter; smmner, migrant

From this Table we find that in January, out of 45 species, 17 were noted;
1 recording. February, 27. March, 34, including 2 summer visitants. April,
37; summer birds, 7. May, 42; summer migrants, 11. June, 38; summer mi-
grants, 9. July, 22; summer migrants, 11 ; as the month advances, these drop
off one by one, so that in the middle of the month you seldom have more than 7
songsters, of which 5 are summer birds. August, 14; summer migrants, 5.
September, 10 ; summer migrants, 2. October, 1 1 ; summer visitants, 2. No-
vember, 9 (three very regularly). December, 11.

I do not pretend to say that these all may be heard singing every year in the
months stated, but merely give this as an analysis of lists, taken not only in Don-
nvbrook, but in Clare, Tipperarv, Waterford, and Kilkenny— in all of which
places I have met with autumnal songsters, e. g. in Ardmore, county of Wa-
terford, where the larks were singing merrily every fine day last October on the
pastures alone the sea; and in Glenboniff, near Feacle, county of Clare, where,
on each fine day last August and September, you mig^ht hear on the shores of
Lough Grancy, the blue nun, the robin, Yarrell's wagtail, and the two buntings.
Last year (1852) was, indeed, a very favourable year for our autumnal singers,
as I find that the lark began at Donnybrook as early as the 5th of October, and
the robin on the 7th of August. The autumn of 1851 was also very favourable.
Thus on the 24th August, at Kilmogannv, county of Kilkenny, the following
were in song: — Robin, sedge-warbler, chiffchaff, wren, yellowhammer,

U

birds were in song:

102 DUBLIN NATUBAL HISTORY SOClETr.

common bunting, and goldfinch. Next, wo shall consider the causes, &c., which
tend to, or at least appear to tend to, the regulating the commencement and re-
gularity of continuance of song. The first agent, most decidedly, is the wea-
ther ; wind appears to •xercise great influence over song ; cold, windy days are
generally songless. The effects of high gales are often most striking, causing
even a total silence in places where on the days both preceding and following
its occurrence we have had a full choir. Thus, on the 13th January, 1851 , which
is noted as high wind, there were no birds at all singing, though on the 12th
I have the following noted: — Blackbird, thrush, robin, dunnock, and chaflinch;
and on the 14th, fauvetto, blackbird, thrush, and robin. I have, though rarely,
heard the robin and fauvette sing in the middle of a gale, but they did not sing
for any length of time. Soft, calm mornings, especially if accompanied by
drizzle, are usually favourable to song; on such mornings, as I stated before,
the blackbird's song is remarkably mellow and sweet. The song-thrush does
not appear to like this sort of weather, as he is generally silent ; his kinsmen,
the redwings and fieldfares, usually choose such mornings to record on, as well
as the starlings, greenfinches, and linnets. Frost, unless very severe, does not
exercise much influence on song : indeed, sunny, clear, frosty days bring out the
wrens in force, and on such mornings you generally hear the goldcrest in early
spring. Snow, if of long continuance, and early in the year, generally silences
every songster, except, perhaps, the robin. I have heard the lark, too, singing
during a snow-storm. Later in the season, however, it influences them but
little, as you have had a notable instance this spring (1853). I suppose the
month of March is still fresh in your memories, so that I need not remind you
that it began to snow on Patrick's Day, and continued, with intermissions,
nearly to the end of the month ; during all this time, whenever the sun shone,
we had birds singing. Thus — "March 20, heavy snow, ground covered, robin
singing." My notes of the 22nd I have already quoted, when speaking of ni^ht
singers. *'23rd, College Botanic Gardens : cold day, snow on ground, snowmg
heavily; birds singing: robin, thrush, skylark, greenfinch, very powerfully, and,
after a while, the snow nearly ceasing, the chaffinch, dunnock, and wren, struck
up."

Perhaps you will ask, what then is the most favourable sort of day for
song ? In the spring, choose one of those calm, clear, frosty days we so often
have towards the end of February ; not a breath abroad ; a dead, unearthly
stillness in the air; a clear blue sky overhead ; a sun shorn of his heat, but not
of his brightness. Now the wren revels, singing, on the top of some bush, or
darting from bough to bough with quivering wings ; the robin pours out all his
soul ; the lark, as the poet hath it —

** Higher still and higher, from the earth now springeth,
Like a cloud of fire the deep blue he wingeth.
And singing still doth soar, and soaring ever singeth."

The thrush excels in melody — the tender fauvette dares to trust himself with
song on some spray, all diamond-tipped by the frost ; the yellowhammer utters
his spring strain while in the tops of the fir-trees ; the various tits keep up an
incessant sawing ; and, between whiles, from some deep sheltered glade, the
blackbird's mellow note is heard. For summer songsters, choose we a day op-
posite in many characters to this — a true summer's day, a sun almost vertical,
a sky cloudless, or, at least, its azure broken but by a few small fleeces of a
snowy whiteness, not a breath stirring — a blue glimmering haze, which might
almost be handled, rising in waves all over the country, all the insect tribes dis-
porting and dancing in the sun's beams — a balmy, lazy feel in the air, a stilly
calmness all around— then take your station in some mountain-stream gorge,
the sides of the hill clad with trees, the streams fringed with bushes and
brambles ; on its banks, meadows studded with occasional tufts of yellow furze
— from some rock in the stream you will hear the soft, low song of the dipper,
and the pleasing strain of the wagtails ; from the brakes along its sides the

BUBUN NATURAL BLI9T0BT SOCXETr. 103

sedge-warbler warbles incessantly a rich medley ; on the low meadows, near the
river banks, vou will see the titlarks rising and falling, singing merrily ; the
whitethroat, in the hedges, keeps up its miserable wail, changed, if disturbed,
into a scolding note of alarm ; on the tops of the bushes the buntings are ring-
ing, ringing, revelling in the genial heat; while, in the pastures below, you will
see the chats rising and falling in the air, at one while pursuing their insect

Erey, then uttering their short song on wing, or perched on the summits of the
ushes; while the wheat-ear may be seen now feeding on the ground, now rising
for a short distance, singing, and anon perched on some old bank or wall, perk-
ing his tail, and scolding you for disturbing his solitude ; in the woods above,
you hear the sprightly song of the chaffinch, or the blackbird's mellow strain,
Heating softly on the summer air ; in the tops of the trees you have the gentle
song of the lesser willow wren, or the harsh note of the green linnet; lower down
in the branches the chiffchaff ceases not chipchopping incessantly — there, too,
may you hear the soft low coo of the ringdove, and above your head the swallows
gliding along utter their low note of contentment. From the corn-field comes
now and again on your ear the monotonous creak of the rail or the plaintive
twit-twitter of the quail. From the corn the lark, springing as he rises higher
and higher, redoubles his song. On the bluff's above, the ring-ouzcl gives utter,
ance to his simple strain; and, high over all, the towering song of the thrush is
heard in all its surpassing melody. There is, or rather was, such a glen on the
Dodder, where you might, with few exceptions, hear all these songsters. There»
oft have I enjoyed this treat, when all things — the purling stream, the glorious
scenery, magically softened by the glimmering haze — the calmness, the sweet
songs, the solitude, might almost make you fancy that you were in fairy land, or
the far-famed Elysium of the ancients. The abundance or scarcity of food may
be reckoned as another influence, though my notes would lead me to believe it a
yery minor one ; otherwise, one would suppose a soft, open winter more suited for
developing song than a harsh one ; and we often find this not to be the case. To
quote one instance : the winter of 1851 was much milder than that of either 1850
or 1852 — so much so, that many of the lower animals did not hybernate till very
late, and yet, the autumnal songsters, though beginning early, were much more
irregular in their songs than in either of the other years. 1 beg to submit to you
a diary of the birds in song during January, 1851, illustrative, in part, of the
above views. That the song of birds was the language of love, and, as such,
only to be heard during the pairing season, is an old theory, but not the less in-
correct for its age, as indeed the foregoing notes have amply shown ; for, out of
many species which we find singing after July, but three, or four at most, build
second nests. I believe myself that song is mainly, if not entirely, dependent on
a joyousness and lightness of spirit, whether produced from genial weather,
abundance of food, love, or any other cause ; and, in fact, that a bird sings un-
der the influence of the same natural impulse as causes the yelping of the gam-
bolling pup, or the whistle of the idling schoolboy. Witness birds in confine-
ment ; supply them with sufficiency of food, genial warmth, and light, and you
may have them singing at any period of the year, and day or night ; the thrush
singing as clearly and sweetly by the glare of the gas lamp as in the bright sun-
shine. These are the conclusions to which my notes, taken at every hour of the
day and night, tend ; and, imperfect though they be, I have ventured to lay them
before you, as, perhaps, serving to throw some little light on a subject still
shrouded in a great deal of mystery.

l04 BUBLIN NATT7EAL HISTOKT SOCIETY.

BATBACHIA.

FEBRUARY 10, 1854.

ON THE REPRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE SMOOTH NEWT (LISSOTRITON
PUNCTATUS, bell) ; WITH A NOTICE OF THE SUPERSTITIONS RELATING TO
IT. BY JOHN ROBERT KINAHAN, M.B.

Some years ago my attention was directed to those interesting animals,
chiefly with reference to the number of species found in and about Dublin. I was
then so fortunate as to have an opportunity of watching the progress of some of
the earlier stages of development of our only Dublin species, the smooth newt
(Lissotriton punctatus, Bell). Within the last few months my attention was
again called to them, by a very interesting and valuable paper, by J. Higginbot-
tom, of Nottingham, in the Annals for December, 1853. In this paper, which is
stated to be the result of five years' close study, the author enters very fully
into the habits and distinctions of the different species, corroborating for the
most part the previous researches ofRusconi in his " Amours des Salaman-
dres," and of Professor Bell in his excellent Treatise on British Reptiles, and
also adding much to our knowledge by researches into what he calls their "ter-
restrial stage." On reading this paper, I was struck with several discrepancies
between Mr. Higginbottom's and my own observations. Whether this arose
from his observations having been made solely on the warty newt (Triton cris-
tatus), (on which point there is some ambiguity in his paper), and mine on the
smooth newt, or from some accidental cause, leaving others to decide, I shall
content myself with detailing what I saw, and pointing out the discrepancies
between the conclusions arrived at by Mr. Higginbottom and the results of my
experiments. On the 11th May, 1851, I placed two smooth newts (L. puncta-
tus. Bell), one a female, captured in the Bishop's Fields on the preceding day,
the other a male, taken some ten days previously, in a glass jar, four inches in
diameter, and about eighteen inches high ; this was filled with water within a
few inches of its summit, and had floating in it a plant of the Indian pond-weed
(Pistia stratiotes). On the 15th, I found that the female had deposited half a
dozen eggs ; these were small, and made up of a round white body, about the
size of a grain of white mustard seed (which it much resembled), floating inside
of a pellucid opal-coloured sac. During the two following days she deposited
about a dozen more ; they were arranged in strings of four to six, adhering
in rows, and intertwined among the long floating roots, and also through the
axils of the leaves ; but in no instance could I find them deposited singly in the
folded edges of the leaves, as Bell states, and Mr. Higginbottom asserts, is ne-
cessary for their preservation. Bell, indeed, states that they are sometimes
placed in the axils of the leaves. The female, when depositing the ovum, wound
her tail round the roots of the plant, as if to anchor herself. Of the ova pro-
duced I distributed among my friends all but two; these I placed in a small
bottle of water in a window facing the S. W., in a room of the temperature of
from 60° F. to 70° F. They were soon hatched, the one on the 3rd of June, the
other on the 5th. This appears to contradict Mr. Higginbottom's statement,
that the ova must be folded up in a leaf, and thus protected from the free access
of the water, as these ova were hatched while lying in the bottom of the vessel,
and had been knocking about for several hours in a small bottle in my pocket,
previous to having been placed in the window. I do not mean to assert that the
ova are not deposited also singly in the folded leaves, but merely that they are
not necessarily so. The progress of their further metamorphosis has been so
well detailed by Bell, that a lengthened description on my part were super-
fluous ; suffice it to state, that the newts lived with me for fourteen days from
the day they were hatched, and five weeks from their extrusion as ova ; they

DUBLIN VA.TVRAL HISTOBY 80CU£TT. 105

then died, and at this period the most forward had the anterior extremities well
formed, and the situation of the posterior marked by a protuberanoe on each
side, as you may see. With respect to fecundation, my experience with regard
to this species goes to corroborate the opinion of Professor Bell, as opposed to
that of liuseoni and others, including Mr. Higginbottom, that is to say, it is
internal with actual contact.

With respect to its distribution, this species is found through this entire
eonnty, eyen at considerable elevations above the sea. I have found them near
the summit of Howth, and in every quarry-hole among the Dublin and Wicklow
mountains. It is known by several names — in its aquatic state, as man-keepers,
man-eaters, dark-lewkers, daddy-lewkers, and art-lewkers; and in its terres-
trial stage as the dry ask lizard, and derrig na dawn. It is much earlier in
awaking from its hibernation and seeking the water here than in the midland
counties of England. I generally find them in the ponds in the Bishop's Fields
about the second week in February. In other parts of Ireland they are pretty
generally distributed. Thompson states, *' occurring from north to south, but
not generally distributed," and in his comparative list records it in Belfast,
Dubun, and the west. There are numerous specimens of this species, obtained
in the north, in the Ordnance Survey collection, now in the Museum of Irish In-
dustry. I have obtained it in, or received specimens from, the following
places : — North of Clare, rare ; south, common ; Tipperary, north, scarce ;
south, common; King's County, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford (where it is also
called Evet) ; Kilkenny, on the authority of the Rev. J. Graves, who informs me
it there goes by the name of dark-lewker, which, he suggests, is derived either
from dearc, a reptile, and leucair, brightness, i.e. the shining reptile ; or from
luacrac, a rush, i.e. the reptile dwelling in rushy places — by this name it is
known all over Ireland. It is also, I am informed, found in Louth and the
Queen's County. It is omitted in the Catalogue of the Cork Cuvierian Society,
and I searched for it unsuccessfully about Youghal and Ardmore, though I have
reason to believe it is found in part, at least, of the county of Waterford. Rutty,
in his ♦♦ Natural History of Dublin," mentions this animal among "the quadru-
peds," in its two states, as distinct species : 1st, the Dry Ask, or man-keeper.
2nd, the Water Ask, or arglogher (the last manifestly the same word as dark-
lewker, which name, in some parts of the county of Dublin, is pronounced art-
looker). He mentions, for the purpose of contradiction, two traditions con-
nected with it as current in his time — 1st, That it is poisonous ; 2nd« That it
can live in the midst of fire. With respect to its popular name, I find some of
the lower orders call both the Dry Ask and the Water Ask, man-keeper or man-
eater, while the names dark-lewker. Sec, are restricted to the animal in its aqua-
tic state. In Scotland, in Craelic, the animal is also called Dearc luachrach.

This brings me to the third part of my paper, viz., the Superstitions connected
with this animal. There are several of them curious and interesting, as having
a connexion with the religious belief of the former inhabitants of this country,
and which are now fast dying away. In almost every part of the country we find
these animals looked on with disgust and horror, if not with dread. This arises
from two superstitions — one, common to a great part of Ireland, relating chiefly
to the animal in its aquatic state, and which in the county of Dublin has earned
for it the names of man-eater and man-keeper, though the dry ask of the county
of Dublin, i.e. the animal in its terrestrial stage, is supposed to be equally guilty
with the first-mentioned in the habit of going down the throats of those people
who are so silly as either to go to sleep in the fields, with their mouths open, or
to drink from the streams in which the dark-lewkers harbour. They are also
said to be swallowed by the thirsty cattle ; in consequence, the country people
kill them wherever they meet them on land, and poison the stream the v are found
in by putting lime into the cattle's drinking pools. In either case the result is
the same; the animal taking up his quarters in his victim's interior — in some
way, it would puzzle a physiologist to explain how— it contrives to live on the
nutriment taken by the luckless individual or animal, so that, deprived of its

106 DUBLIN NATXTEAX HISTOKY SOCIETY.

nourishment, the latter pines away ; nay, so comfortable does the newt make
herself, that, not content with living by herself, she contrives to bring up a little
family. Often have I been told of the man who got rid of a mamma newt and
six young ones by the following recipe, which 1 am assured is infallible: — The
patient must abstain from all fluids for four and twenty hours, and eat only salt
meats — at the expiration of this time, being very thirsty, he must go and lie
open-mouthed over a running stream, the noisier the better, when the newts,
dying of thirst, and hearing the music oHhe water, cannot resist the tempta-
tion, but come forth to drink, and, of course, you take care they do not get back
again. The dry ask, in addition to this evil character, is also supposed to be
endowed with the power of the evil eye, children and cows exposed to its gaze
wasting away. The Rev. J. Graves writes to me, that in Kilkenny it is looked
on as " a devil's beast," and, as such, burnt. But, to compensate in some mea-
sure for its evil qualities, the dry ask is said in Dublin to bear in it a charm.
Any one desirous of the power of curing scalds or burns, has only to apply their
tongue along the dry ask's belly to obtain the power of curing these ailments by
the touch of this organ. In the Queen's County it is also used to cure disease,
but in a different manner ; being put into an iron pot under the patient's bed, it
is said to effect a certain cure, though of what disease 1 am not quite clear. Of
the other species of newts I have not been able personally to find any trace.
The warty newt (T. cristatus) rests solely on Mr. Templeton's authority. It is
an inhabitant of every part of England, and might naturally have been expected
to be found in Ireland; it may, perhaps, yet be found in the western wilds,
where Mr. Thompson has, from description only, recorded the palmated newt
(L. palmipes), which has been found both in England and Scotland. It is re-
corded in the Catalogue of your Museum, but of the locality where it is said to
be obtained I cannot find any record. ()ther points of interest relating to the
economy of these animals, many of them bearing on Mr. Higginbottom's paper,
I hope at some future period to lay before you, when I have made further expe-
riments.

FISHES.

APRIL 7, 1854.

ON THE ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF THE OVA OF THE SALMON, AND THE
PROGRESS OF THE EXPERIMENTS NOW CARRYING ON. BY J. FFENNELL, ESQ.,
INSPECTING COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES.

Mr. Ffennell said at the last monthly meeting of the Society he was una-
voidably absent on public duty, and he had now but very recently returned from
London, whither he had been hastily summoned. He was, therefore, not so
fully prepared as he could have desired on the subject, and he regretted much
that he had not been able to collect, so far, sufficient material to render any pa-
per of the kind of importance ; in fact, the experiments were not yet forward
enough to give the full statistics he had from time to time been collecting from
the parties who were, in different parts of the country, employed in such opera-
tions, and he would, as the season advanced, submit to the Society the progress
made by them in those experiments. In whatever light this subject may be con-
sidered, it was one of vast importance, in a national point of view, and in the
great value of its commercial tendency, and, therefore, valuable as to its eco-
nomy, and its practical utility to man. In Ireland these experiments were new
and novel, and no knowledge had yet been obtained as to the results of their prac-
tical usefulness. He felt the necessity of bringing those inquiries before the So-
ciety, as those who were engaged in the experiments were practical men, without
scientific knowledge, and, therefore, laboured under the difficulty of not being able

BUBUN NATURAL HI8T0BT SOCIETY. 107

to soWe any new features that presented, that a knowledge of the natural history of
the animal, and the aid of scionco might explain, and, consequently, enable them
to take advantage of. He (Mr. Ffenncll) did not understand the subject of the
fisheries scientifically, but ho had been practically engaged for many years. Ho
was a uractical man, but he was fully sensible of the importance of the study of
natural history ; and that science must promote practical knowledge. The aid
of those who made practical science their study would be of great value in car-
rying out the work of public or official bodies. Without such knowledge, in the
infancy of such undertakings, failures must be expected. The great interest
created in the progressive growth of the salmon fry, which were daily seen by
the public in the Exhibition, and of the explanation of their artificial develop-
ment from the ova, induced a Dr. Merron, Professor of Anatomy in one of the
London colleges, to come over to witness and to learn the system that had been
pursued throughout, as he was much interested in the proceedings of a company
that had been formed for the object of conveying the ova, and stocking the wa-
ters of New Zealand, where, although possessmg a climate almost similar to that
of England, salmon were not found in its rivers. The Messrs. Ashworth were
the first to introduce the artificial propagation of the ova of the salmon in this
country, and there were now several parties that had taken up the subject, and
were carrying on such operations — Mr. Doherty, at Bushmills ; Mr. Cooper, of
Markree, at Ballina, in Mayo; at Galway, by the Ashworths; and at Lismore,
in the Blackwater, by the Board of Conservators of the Fisheries. When the
results of all their experiments (of which he regularly received reports) were per-
fected, he would feel most happy in submitting them fully and in detail to tho
Society. The Messrs. Ashworth had not been so fortunate this year in obtain-
ing the quantity of impregnated ova as in the first year. The habits of the fish
must be more studied to insure certain success. On the grounds in the Cong
River, where the salmon were in the habit of spawning, the Messrs. Ashworth, at
the latter end of November last, at the time they considered the fish to be in a
fully-developed state for spawning, took a quantity of fish for the purpose of ob-
taining the ova for artificial impregnation, and they were surprised to find that
all the fish taken were male salmon. Mr. Foley, at Lismore, who has charge of
the salmon fishery in the Blackwater, experienced a similar result on the 1st of
February last. He was anxious to obtain the fish for a similar purpose, but not
a single male fish was captured — they were all females, and fiUl of ova. The
facts were — the male salmon always ascend the rivers at the approach of the
spawning season, before the females. They repaired to the spawning beds,
where they knew the females would come, waiting their arrival ; the desires of
the male fish being accomplished, they selfishly deserted the females, returning
to the sea, and leaving the females on the beds to complete the operations of
spawning — hence tho causes why the male fish were always to be found in the
commencement of the season on the spawning grounds, and in the latter part of
the season the meeting only the female fish. Mr. Ash worth's experiments had,
in some degree, failed this year. Much attention was also required in the trans-
port of the ova. Some had been sent to him from Galway, this year, in damp
moss, and, although the ova had been placed in a most favourable deposit-bee^
had altogether failed. Mr. Ffennell was happy to say, that all the little fish
shown in the Exhibition were lively and well, and had wonderfully grown. The
ova he had obtained during the last spawning-season, and which he had been
watching the development of at the Custom-house, had very recently produced
the young fry, and they were to be seen in numbers sporting among the grave),
with the yolk still attached. The period of the ova coming to maturity to the
extrication of the young fry was eighty days. He wished that any of the mem-
bers and their friends would call, and he would* be most happy to show the whole
process of the experiments. He was glad to say that, under the aid of the Board
of Public Works, he had formed a salt-water enclosure at Kingstown, where
there was a regular flow of the tide, and of sufficient depth, and where he pro-
posed, at the proper season (this month), to transport the young fry ; and he

108 DUBLIN NATUEAL HISTOBY SOCIETY.

was sure that plenty of natural food would be found there for them, brought in
by the tide. In fact, as he had been so successful in the growth of the young
fry in the fresh water, he fully anticipated their more complete development in
the salt water, and that he would be able at the end of the season to produce
salmon of many pounds in weight ; and he saw no reason why such enclosures
might not be generally practised, and that the estuaries and inlets of our coasts
might be conrerted into fish-parks as naturally as enclosures are formed into
deer-parks.

Mr. Andrews, as one of the Honorary Secretaries, said, that he considered it
due from him to thank Mr. Ffennell for the kind manner in which he came for-
ward to give this statement, particularly as his time had been so occupied by his
public duties. He had followed Mr. Ffennell throughout, and saw, step by step,
how important were such operations, and how valuable the results, to the extent
at present witnessed. He considered that Mr. Ffennell deserved the highest cre-
dit for so perseveringly carrying on those experiments, and which may proba-
bly result in great public benefit. The re-stocking of our rivers with valuable
fish by artificial means, must, for food, and in a commercial point of view, be
enormously beneficial. That excellent philosopher, the late Sir Humphrey
Davy, who was a good, practical fisherman, suggested the practicability of con-
veying the ova of the more valuable kinds of fish of the Continental lakes and
rivers, and propagating them in the barren waters of other countries. The dif-
ficulty of transporting the impregnated ova in a healthy state to remote dis-
tances is now comparatively trifling. To keep the water in the tanks of as cool
and even a temperature as possible, and the water pure by the growth of aqua-
tic plants, particularly the Charae, are all that seem necessary for the safe pre-
servation of the ova. In about ninety days the young will be liberated from the
capsule, and for at least thirty days more the fry will be independent of nou-
rishment, until the vitelline-sac is absorbed. Thus, in the present days of quick
transit, the ova could be transported to our remotest colonies in that state, re-
quiring but little attention before the time of reaching their destination. The
temperature of the water more or less influenced the earlier or the later deve-
lopement of the ova. The ova deposited in the beds of some rivers did not pro-
duce the fry for a hundred and twenty to a hundred and thirty days. Mr. Samuel
Gurney, Jun.jOf Carshalton, had successfully impregnated and distributed the ova
of the fine trout of the River Wandle, and had also introduced the trout of other
rivers of England to the "Wandle. He had successfully sent the ova to New Zea-
land ; and the trout of the Wandle were now flourishing in the rivers of that
country. Valuable experiments in science might be worked out by the enclosure
(where practicable) of a salt water inlet at the mouth of a river in which the
ova would be propagated, and allowing the fry, according to their instinct, to
take their course to the salt water. Mr. Andrews did not clearly understand
Mr. Ffennell as to the habits of the salmon on the spawning beds, nor did he
concur in such views. Our northern and eastern rivers appeared to produce
earlier fish than our western rivers. Much depended on the temperature of the
waters ; and those rivers connected with extensive lakes have a much higher
temperature than alpine rivers. Mr. Andrews did not think that the periods of
spawning were the same in all rivers ; there were early periods as well as late
periods of spawning, and clean fish are earlier in some rivers, and of a later run
in others. In some rivers in Wales and in Scotland salmon are in prime mar-
ketable condition very early in the season, and the greater part of the year,
such as the Usk in Wales, and the Kirkaig in Scotland. Mr. Andrews noticed,
as instances in Ireland, the River Caragh in Kerry, where, years since, he had
seen the salmon in abundance and in the primest condition, in the month of Ja-
nuary. In the Slaney, which he had often fished, he had seen salmon in prime
condition in October. The River Bandon, he had heard, was a late spawning
river, and that the salmon were in good condition later in the season. He could
notice many similar cases in the western rivers relative to the habits of the sal-

DUBUN NATUKAL HISTORY 80CIETT. 109

mon ; and he certainly was ofomnion that a difference existed in some lakes and
rivers with regard to the periods of the condition of the fish.

Mr. Ffennell said he did not a^ree with Mr. Andrews ; he, howerer, wm
aware that prime fish had been obtained in the Caragh in the month of January,
and at periods when they were not in condition in other rivers ; but he supported
the view that there should be the same periods of the close season throughout
the country; that in England, Scotland, and Ireland, the periods of spawning
were uniform ; and that no ditferences as to the season occurred.

Mr. Andrews asked Mr. Ffennell when he supposed the clean fish, known to
occur in the Caragh, in the month of January, spawned.

Mr. Ffennell said that the fish remained in the lake throughout the summer,
and spawned the following November.

Mr. R. P. Williams asked did those fish remain in the fresh water throughout
the year?

Mr. Ffennell said they did.

Mr. Andrews could not believe that salmon could be in a healthy condition
for spawning in November, remaining in the fresh water throughout the sum-
mer.

Mr. Ffennell said he was responsible for the opinions he put forward, as thej
were all grounded upon his own actual observations.

MAY 12, 1854.

Mr. R. P. Williams said, with reference to the proceedings of the last meet-
ing, and the discussion which took place relative to the observations made by
Mr. Ffennell on the habits of the salmon, he (Mr, Williams) had received two
communications from parties who had noticed the report of those proceedings,
and who did not agree with the views that Mr. Ffennell had put forward. One
was from a gentleman who had devoted much attention to the subject of the
fisheries, and who possessed sound practical knowledge and experience of the
habits of the salmon, especially with reference to the Bandon River, and that
part of Ireland, — Richard Quin, Esq., of Innishannon. He would, with the per-
mission of the chairman, read the remarks that had been communicated to him.

Mr. Williams then read the following : —

" 1 consider Mr. Ffennell is mistaken in his theory, that the male salmon first
ascend the rivers on the approach of the spawning time, as, from close observa-
tion of the habitB of the fish for eight or nine years at least, I am convinced that
on the approach of the spawning season both male and female salmon arrive at
the pitting ground together, or nearly so. In the ' Bandon' the greater number
of the large breeding fish do not make their appearance until the middle or lat-
ter end of November, and we never see a spawning bed on that river much be-
fore the 25th December. I have seen male fish killed in January and February
in company with pea fish, and both were full of sea lice, had not spawned, and
had all the appearance of having only just come up from the sea. With respect
to another part of Mr. Ffennell's theory, * that the male salmon, after having
their desires accomplished, desert the females on the beds, to complete the ope-
ration of spawning,' it seems to me that he means the fish actually copulate, and
that the male fish impregnates the immense body of ova contained in the female
(and reaching in a compact mass from the vent to the gills), in the ordinary way
adopted by land animals, viz. by copulation. This I take to be an impossibility;
besides, if it was sO, why should so much care be taken by artificial breeders of
salmon to use the milt of the male fish with which to impregnate the ova of the
female, after havinc^ pressed it from her. I have hundreds of times seen the
pea-fish for a considerable time on the pit, upon which she remained quite mo-
tionless ; at intervals she would rise twelve or sixteen inches from the bottom,
throw herself on her side, and • rig* in a curious wav, which I consider to be the
means to facilitate the expulsion of the ova. After being for some time occupied

1 10 DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETT.

in this way, I hare seen the male fish, who all the time closely attended (and
seemed intent on driving off the number of trout who were on the watch to snap
up the pea), come and take the place of the female, and remain on the pit for
five or six minutes, and I have not the slightest douljt but that he, during that
time, ejected a portion of his milt on the ova already deposited. As for the
males leaving the rivers together, I know they do not, any more than the fe-
males ; and both drop down the rivers slowly, and at intervals — a flood greatly
hurries their journey back to the sea. Mr. Ffennell remarks that the clean fish
which occur in the Caragh.in the month of January, spawned the following No-
vember. Now, I would like to know when they spawned, previous to the time
of their appearance as clean or spring fish in the month of January? If Novem-
ber was the time, then they had but two months to spawn, go to the sea, and
return as spring fish. I think it would not be very easy to pass for a clean run
fish one that was full of ova two months before. It would also seem by Mr.
Ffennell's theory that the fish which remained all the summer in the lake and
river must have been all females, as, according to his idea, the males do not ar-
rive until after the summer had passed and the spawning time had come. Now
it is notorious that during the summer, fish (both peale and salmon) of both
sexes are continually ascending the rivers ; and can it be possible that after the
close season commences, all the males turn back and remain in the sea or estu-
aries until the time for continuing their species arrives ? I perfectly agree with
Mr. Andrews that fish remaining all the summer in the fresh water are not in a
healthy state for spawning; every angler knows that even the spring fish, after
being in the river for any length of time, become discoloured, and the longer
they remain in the fresh water, the more they deteriorate both in appearance
and quality. But as for the male fish leaving the river en masse, I do not credit
it at all ; I know they do not in the Bandon River, as I every year take them
quite as late in the spring as the spent pea-fisli, both having the appearance re-
sulting from a lengthened stay in the fresh water. Mr. Andrews was quite cor-
rect in styling the Bandon a late river, and in stating that fish were in good
condition late in the season. It would, I think, vastly contribute to the increase
of salmon in that river, if the close season continued for at least fifteen days
longer ; and at the same time I think the open season might with the greatest
safety be continued until the middle of October. I killed two salmon on the 29th
September last, and I never saw or ate better fish — one was a male and the
other a female ; the pea in the latter was not larger than snipe-shot. I am,
therefore, of opinion that it is not fair to close the Bandon and other late rivers,
nor open them at the same time as rivers in which the fish spawn earlier ; in
fact, the principal spawning time in the Bandon is from the 12th of January to
the end of February,"

Mr. Andrews said that he was fully prepared to make a few comments on the
valuable statement that Mr. Williams had just submitted, as well as upon any
discussion that might arise ; but he agreed with the Chairman that the time of
the evening did not admit of discussion, notwithstanding the vast importance of
the subject. He regretted the absence of Mr. Ffennell, who, he was sure, would
clear up any of the points in discussion. Mr. Andrews did not consider that the
Society had anything to do with the legal question of the periods of the close or
open seasons ; it was the natural history and habits of the salmon it had to deal
with. Mr. Andrews always placed great importance on the knowledge of prac-
tical men, and, where science could be combined with such knowledge, there
were no difficulties of the subject that could not be unravelled. There was,
however, one class Mr. Andrews did not consider useful — non-practical philo-
sophers ; their names gave weight to their opinions, but he had seen some writ-
ings upon subjects, where, through the want of that practical knowledge, scien-
tific errors had been culled and perpetrated, to the injustice of the subject.

BUBUV KATUJUL HlblO&Y SOCUXY. 1 1 1

JUNE 16, 1654.

OBSEBTATIONS ON TBS SALMON, PARR, AND ORATELLINO. BY W. ANDREWS, M.B.LA.

It had been my intention this evening to have submitted to the Society some
peculiarities that I had observed in the spawning states of the SyngnathidsD, or
pipe-fish family, more especially with reference to Syngnathus lyphU—ihe deep-
nosed pipe-fish — and to the straight-nosed pipe-fish (^. ophidion), and to have
added a review of the several British species (all of which 1 have obtained on
the south-west coast), detailing their several habits, and seasons of spawning.
From this, however, 1 have been diverted by several commimicatious that have
been made relative to the habits of the salmon, and as to the identity of the fish
known as tlie parr, or gravelling, with the Salmo salar. This being a subject
of such importance, not alone in a scientific point, but in its practical applica-
tion, I have again laid aside my paper upon the Syngnathidse, with the hope that
this will afford full discussion of interest for the evening. It may be in the re-
collection of the Members that a paper of great interest was given by Mr. Ffen-
nell. Inspecting Commissioner of Fisheries, in the month of February, 1849,
** On the Habits and Spawning States of the Salmon, and upon the Salmon
Fisheries of this Country." In that paper Mr. Ffennell supported the views of
Mr. Shaw, of Drumlanrig, relative to the first or the parr state of the young
salmon, and its remaining two years in the river before it assimied the smolt or
migratory state ; and though he admitted that the seasons and the condition of
salmon were not the same in all rivers, yet he maintained that a imiform system
of open and close season should be adopted, in order to prevent the nefarious
and injurious system that might probably result in salmon being exposed for
sale in a public market, taken from a close river, while other rivers were open.
This paper was, in some measure, an explanation with reference to an inquiry
held on the fisheries of the Caragh and the Laune, in Kerry. My friend, Mr.
Williams, at that meeting of the Society, energetically disputed that the fish
known generally as the parr or gravelling was the young of the salmon. He had
made examinations of an extensive collection of that little fish, which he had
obtained thoughout the seasons from the rivers of Cork and of Wicklow, and he
was not disposed to agree with Mr. Shaw, of Drumlanrig, that all fish termed
gravellings were the yoimg of the salmon. At the meetings of April and of
May last, notices were again brought forward by Mr. Ffennell and by Mr. Wil-
liams, and 1 thought it might lead to interesting, and, I trust, useful discussion,
to submit some of the fish in the parr and in the smolt state, and to offer a few
remarks. At the time of that discussion, in 1849, my attention had been chiefly
directed to the sea-fisheries of the west coast ; but during the seasons of 1848,
1849, and 1850, I bad ample practical means of making observations in the sal-
mon fishery connected with the project 1 was engaged in. Determined to fol-
low out that inquiry as time and circumstances permitted, my friend, Mr. Wil-
liams, accompanied me on the 23rd of May to Carlow, to visit the little river
Greece. Former recollections and frequent fishing excursions satisfied me that
the little fish known and described as the parr by Yarrell existed there in abun-
dance. The rivers Greece and Ler, which stream through the borders of Car-
low and Kildare, and empty into the River Barrow, are famous for their excel-
lent trout ; the former, a lively stream, rapid over clean, gravelly beds, pro-
duces abundance of bright and well-fed trout

Although the day was in every way unsuited to the wishes of a ily-fisher, w«,
however, soon obtained the object of our search. Many years have passed sine*
my former visits, but there were the same purling, restless stream, the bmoks,
the untopped wall leading to the old bridge, unchanged and untouched, as it
were but yesterday. Carlow is delightfully rural ; its avcnue-lik«» roads, bor-
dered with tall, fri^rant hawthorn, made us buoyantly feel the change from city
life. Besides, to the naturalist every step afforded interest ; along the banks of

112 DUBLIK NATTJBAL H18T0EY SOCIETY.

the riyer the Ephemerce and the Phryganese, as they suddenly emerged from the
pupa state, almost as suddenly merged into the stomach of some lively trout;
the light and the dark ash-fox, brown and gray Coughlins, and the hawthorn
flies, as they floated along, or fluttered about the stream, were all the objects of
attraction. The question, which we sought the elucidation of, was not as to
whether salmon do or do not enter the Greece from the Barrow, or whether the
shallow beds of that little stream are or are not suited for spawning-ground;
but with regard to the distinctive characters of the parr existing there, its
comparison with that described in Yarrell, and with the true salmon-fry.
The local terras, lasprings, gravel-lasprings, salmon-pink, fingerlings, gravel-
lijDgs, parr, and samlet, have all been made of too general application, and no
proper separation has been drawn from distinguishing habits or characteristics,
but all are confounded as gravellings, and gravellings said to be the parr, the
voung of the salmon. My friend Williams had argued that the gravelling that
he had obtained in some of the rivers of Cork and of Wicklow were not the
young of the salmon, and so far he was right; for neither were those we ob-
tained in the Greece. These latter were identical with the accurate descriptions
given by Yarrell, by Dr. Heyshaw, and by several authors.

The head is of a greenish ash-colour ; back and sides, above the lateral
line, dusky or olivaceous brown, marked with numerous dark spots, bordering
the lateral line a series of carmine or verraillion-coloured spots ; belly, silvery
white, and the body marked with nine or ten bluish-coloured transverse bars;
gill-covers have generally two dark-coloured spots, one more strongly marked
than the other; dorsal iin with a few dusky spots; pectoral fins larger than
those of the common trout, yellowish white ; anal and ventral fins yellowish ;
caudal fin much forked ; body, deeper in proportion to its length ; general
length from four to six inches. Now, on comparing these specimens with those
of the true salmon- fry obtained from the Bandon, Laune, and the Caragh Ri-
vers, we find great distinctions in development and markings. In the true sal-
mon-fry, the head more blunt, broader on the neck and shoulders ; gill-covers
marked similarly with spots silvery gray; preoperculum much rounded, exter-
nal edge soft; back, dusky ash-colour, with numerous minute dark spots,
which do not go beneath the lateral line ; nine bright orange or approaching to
vermilion-coloured spots, along the lateral line, equalling in number the trans-
verse bars; pectoral fins long in proportion, yellowish-white, tinged with black ;
dusky spots generally absent on the dorsal fin ; caudle fin, largely developed ;
ventral and anal fins, yellowish white ; belly, white. The body is narrower in
proportion to its length than that of the parr, and the teeth in a more rudimen-
tary state.

All the specimens of the Salmonidse that I have obtained are more or less in
the young state characterized by those transverse bars. In the rivers where it
frequents the parr is abundant in all seasons, in the same stages of growth ;
and even when the memorable floods of the winter of 1849 were supposed to cause
the scarcity of I80O, the parr was equally abundant. An experienced salmon-
fisher, employed in the salmon-fisheries of the Laune, states that the barred gra-
rellings are to be found there all the year round, of the same growth ; that he
considers them to be distinct from the true salmon-fry, which is not to be found
at the end of May or the month of June, of any size— all the full-grown fry
having gone to the sea, while those of the season are too small to be noticed.
In order to illustrate that confusion might naturally exist with regard to the
gravelling, Mr. Andrews exhibited specimens of a series of the following: —
Salmon-fry, from the Caragh, Laune, and Bandon Rivers ; parr, from the
Greece, the Bandon, and the Caragh ; young of the white trout, from the Laune
and the Bandon Rivers ; young of the brown trout, from the Caragh; smelts,
•with migratory dress, from the Laune River. To all these the term "gra-
velling" is generally applied. A most intelligent friend of Mr. Williams
observes, that on the Bandon River he has marked numbers of gravelling, and
that afterwards he has taken them as peal. No doubt, among them he may have

BtTBLIV NATURiiL niSTOBT 80CI£Tr. 113

marked the true salmon-fry, and, on their return from the cea, hare taken them
as peal ; but no proof can be afforded that all the fish marked underwent the
same change. A characteristic mark in the young state of the salmon-fry and
the brown trout islhe yellowish-gray colour of the adipose fin of the former,
while in the latter it is tingod and tipped with orange. From the specimens ex-
hibited, and from some of the foregoing remarks, a question would arise as to
the several states of growth and age of the fry and smolts. To Mr. Shaw, of
Drumlanrig, undoubtedly belongs the merit of determining the several stages
of the fry as traced from the ova ; but still his observations have not been satis-
factorily conclusive. The trials and experiments on development, carried on
artificially in ponds and in tanks, may, to a certain extent, illustrate extrication
from the ova and the changes of the fry state ; but in an animal, peculiarly sen-
sitive during those changes of growth, that growth must be more or less re-
tarded by the deprivation of its natural acts and resources. Mr. Shaw suc-
cessfully proved by experiment the characters of the fry by taking them direct
from the spawning-beds of the salmon ; and to him much is due for so perse-
veringly pursuing such well-directed inquiries, to the shame of preceding natu-
ralists, who ought to have sifted what really were the young state and habits of
a fish of such importance in the economy of our industrial resources. His expe-
riments, however, only prove what really are the young of the salmon, not that
all young states of the Salmonidse, named parr or gravelling, are the young of
the salmon. In this treatise — ^* Experimental Observations on the Growth of
Salmon-fry" — Mr. Shaw mentions, at page 4, "that after the so-called smolts
have descended to the sea, none of the larger parr can be detected in the rivers."
The idea that the male parr consorts with the female salmon is too delusive to
be supported. What attainable object is advanced by such a departure from all
natural laws? That the ova and the milt, in a rudimentary state, may be de-
tected in the young stages of the true salmon-fry, I do not deny ; but that the
female salmon, which is said to be incapable of the fecundating development of
the ova until after the third year of existence, and first return and enlarged
growth from the sea, can be impregnated by the male of the fry, which had not
visited the sea nor undergone those changes necessary for mature growth, ap-
pears contrary to all physiological principles. It is true that parr, gravelling,
and small trout may be constantly noticed together on the spawning-beds of the
salmon during the periods of spawning, for such shoals of the river are their
proper locality. O'Gorman, who wrote •• The Practice of Angling in Ireland,"
a most experienced salmon-fisher, who now enjoys a fine old age in the town of
Ennis, could never be persuaded of the parr state of the salmon, but thought
that all the young retreated to the sea the first season of their existence. My
own observations and inquiries lead me to consider, that from the period of the
extrication of the fry from the ova to the change to its smolt or migratory state
is about thirteen or fourteen months. In some rivers the fry are in a more ad-
Tanced state in the winter and spring months than in others — that is, they un-
dergo earlier extrication from the ova, owing to the temperature of localities, or
to early or late breeding fish. Hence, the varied growth throughout the summer
and autumn ; and I further consider, that the great bulk of these assume the
migratory state in the following spring, descending early in April and May to
the sea. That they assume the silvery scales and full migratory dress in* the
higher portions of the river, before their movement to the sea, I have fre-

Suently proved. Referring to my notes, I find that, some years since, when
shiug in the county of Clare, about the first week in May, in company with the
late James O'Gorman, I met the salmon-fry in abundance, with the silvery
scales or migratory coat, in that part of the Cooraclare River between the
bridges of Ballydoneen and Goulbourne. Some dozens were taken in a part of
the stream that ran rapidly over a rocky and gravelly bed, which high banks
overhung— it was close to a spawning bed of the salmon. These fish had per*
fectly assumed the silvery scales of the smolt, were tapering iu form, their pec-
toral and caudal fins largely developed — the terminal parts tinged with a oark

114 DtTBLIN NATTTEAL HISTOKY SOCLETY.

shade. Subsequent observations on the subject led me to consider that they
•were the young of the ova of the previous year, and that they had only attained
their thirteenth or fourteenth month — their migration to the sea being between
the eleventh and fourteenth month from the period of extrication from the ova.
The River of Cooraclare — which assumes the name of Dunbeg where it falls into
the Atlantic Ocean, in the little estuary of that name— is famous for its salmon.
In August, 1835, I saw, in one haul, 104 salmon and 200 white trout, taken by
Michael Kennedy from the lake below the bridge and fall under Dunbeg Castle.
The Rivers Creegh, Annageeragh, and Annagh, which 1 have fished, are all
excellent in their seasons for salmon and white trout. In the little River of
Monmore, which runs through the great bog of that name, salmon and white
trout run up the stream in the autumn floods ; but I never recollect meeting the
gravelling there with the markings and bright hue of the parr. It is not my in-
tention now to enter into a statement of the salmon-fisheries, but merely to refer
to some of the observations made by Mr. Ffennell in this Society. At the meet-
ing in April, Mr. Ffennell mentioned that, at the approach of the spawning-
season, the male salmon invariably first ascend the rivers from the sea. It is
singular that authors have given the precedence to the females, both to the sal-
mon and to the trout. Allowing either the priority, experience has shown that
the parent fish are on the spawning-beds together, each occasionally engaged,
but more especially the female, in the excavation of the furrow or channel where
the ova are to be deposited ; and in this labour their principal exertions are
** snouting" the gravel. The clear and shoaler beds of a river, where it is ne-
cessary for the salmon to select the deposit-beds for the due maturating of the
ova, can be quietly watched, and all their operations noticed. In the Wandle,
Mr. Gurney has seen the large trout raise ridges of gravel, and has remarked
their noses or snouts to be lacerated by the work. Some have observed that the
hook of the male salmon serves some purpose in the spawning operations. This
curvature of the under jaw is peculiar both to the male salmon and to the trout,
and is more or less developed, according to the age or state of health of the
fish. On the ascent from the sea the hook is merely observable, but after the
exhaustion of spawning the reduced condition of the fish renders it more conspi-
cuous ; and, should obstacles prevent the proper period of return to the sea, a
cartilaginous extension takes place (whence the fish is called Carraughabaugh),
but which disappears on the renewed health of the fish, in its visit to the sea.
In aged fish, particularly in large trout, this curvature becomes permanent in
its enlargement, forming a deep fossette in the upper jaw. Without a good foun-
dation of scientific and practical knowledge combined in the pursuit of such sub-
jects, it is a task of great difficulty to comment on, with judgment, the plau-
sible opinions that are frequently advanced by writers of known character, but
who, at the time, perhaps, only possess general views of the matter of which
they treat. Thus, Mr. Keiller, in "Lloyd's Scandinavian Adventures," states
that the habits of the salmon of the Save, in Norway, are altogether difi'erent
from those of the British Isles ; forming no channel for the deposit of the ova,
but allowing them to float down the stream, impregnated by the milt, similarly
floating, and, finally, whatever escapes the rapacity of the river fish settles in
some crevice or rock until the fry is excluded. This is so contrary to the natu-
ral principles of the family of the true salmon as scarcely to be worthy of de-
pendence ; for it is more probable the floating ova that escaped the maws of
hungry trout would settle in some quiet pool beyond the medium of maturation,
and finally perish. In fact, it is more characteristic of the Clupeidje or herring
family, which, in the spawning seasons, seek the inlets and shallows of our
shores, where the excluded ova, in myriads, float away at the mercy of the tides ;
besides, a great distinction exists in the specific gravity of the ova of the sal-
mon, the trout, and the herring — of the former, the greater portion sink at once
to the bed or furrow, where they are impregnated by the male, and remain with-
out removal. In the Clupeida?, the ova expelled in masses spread far, and float
a considerable time, even where no force of tide or waves would drive. We

DUBUN NATUEAL niSTORT SOCIBTT. 115

know of that family that the shad — both Alosa finta and Alosa commonii
cend in the early part of summer from the sea to the fresh water, to spawn ; bnt
they seek the sluggish parts of a rirer, or the quiet waters of the lake, where the
ova float, to be impregnated, similar in habit to the herring. The shad has been
taken in salmon-nets in the lakes at Killarney, and in rivers in Kerry. Some
discussion also arose in the Society coucerning the clean spring fish ascending
the Oaragh River, in the county of Kerry, in January, remaining in the fresE
water throughout the summer, and spawning the following autumn without re-
visiting the sea in the interval. It is necessary, for the proper development of
the ova and milt, that the fish should be in the healthiest state of vigour; but a
sojourn in the fresh water for so many months must greatly deteriorate the con-
dition of the fish, and render them uneaual to such important functions. The
wild and romantic districts in Kerry, which supply the waters of the Laune and
the Caragh, have for years been familiar to me. Its salmon-fisheries, therefore,
would naturally interest me. Salmon are found ascending the Caragh very
early in the autumn for the spawning-beds, having at that time, in August and
early in September, the ova largely developed. These are the early breeding
fish, and, subsequently, the run of early spring salmon. After the operations are
completed in the spawnin";-beds, the fish return to the sea to recruit, and are
again to be met early in January, in the fresh water, in the primest condition.
1 nese fish do not then visit the river or lake for the purpose of spawning, nor
remain until that time approaches. Seasons and localities alone influence the
salmon to proceed to the spawning-beds, according to the condition of the early
and late breeding fish. Mr. Shaw's experiment proves that the salmon which he
captured for the purpose of obtaining the ova for artificial impregnation, and
placed in ponds aiter he had successfully effected the object, on being liberated
from the ponds, at once moved towards the sea. Frequent remarks have been
made, that to the destructive floods of 1848 and 1849 were to be attributed the
scarcity of salmon the following years. I was on the south-west coast in the
season of 1849 and 1850. Our salmon-fisheries in the Feohanagh and the Cle-
hane were complete failures in 1850; and there certainly was a scarcity of peal
this season. Our western rivers are very late, and salmon do not, in the gene-
rality of them, approach until late in the season. After the season had closed,
the salmon were plentiful in the estuaries, and this was strikingly the case late
in the season of 1850; for great quantities of fish were hanging about the
mouths of the rivers, unable or uninclined to ascend until very late in the sea-
son. The season of that year was uncommonly dry, and the rivers were low the
greater part of the autumn ; and it was not until October that the fish entered
the rivers. At that time, I heard that those that were taken were in prime con-
dition. On inquiries, the same season, I found that similar causes, to some
extent, affected the Lee and the Slaney, and that, long after the season had
closed, the salmon were to be found going up the rivers, and in prime condition.
This went to prove that, in some of those late rivers, the season closes much too
early (at least for the rod); and, on the other hand, the season should not com-
mence too early. Again, there are exceptions, for in some rivers there is a good
run of clean fish the greater part of the year. It is quite clear that salmon do
not desert the rivers of their origin, for, whatever natural causes may induce or
oppose their earlier or later ascent from the sea, they invariably seek the parent
stream. Their visits to the sea are confined to those depths off the coast where
the river disembogues, and where rocky ledges and sandy and shingly channels
afford protection, and abundance of marine animals for the proper nourishment
of their rapid growth. Experience has proved to me the unsound riews ad-
vanced concerning the migration offish. Cod, ling, haddock, hake, pollock, and
herrings are, throughout the year, in the deep water— their proper feeding-
grounds bordering the parts of the coast, and the bays and estuaries, where they
each soason approach to spawn. All oviparous fish visit the shoaler parts of a
coast to spawn, and those periods are now the seasons of the fishermen's har-
Test. An experimental cmise in 1850 prored the correctness of these views.

116 DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

On proper sounding-grounds off the coast, the finest ling and cod were taken
long after the usual season was over, thus fully bearing out the statements that
had been made to the late Admiral Sir Thomas Ussher and to the Earl of Cla-
rendon. In these inquiries it is difficult to overcome the prejudices and habits
of the coast fishermen : educated only in the knowledge of their fathers, they
are hostile to any innovation on that knowledge, and, therefore, cannot compre-
hend the views of the practical naturalist, in seeking to learn accurately the
nature of the soundings, the marine animals, the characteristics of and distribu-
tion offish, which all tend to arrive at the correct information so necessary with
regard to the feeding, the spawning-grounds, and the habits of animals con-
nected with so important a branch of resource. In concluding, these observa-
tions must oaly be considered general, as it is my intention hereafter to enter
more minutely into the distinctive details which characterize the Salmonidae.

JUNE 15, 1855.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE PARR(sALMO SALMULUS). BY WILLI AM ANDREWS, M.R.LA.

Mr. Andrews said that it maybe in the recollection of several of the Mem-
bers that a statement was made, more than five years since, in this Society, by
Mr. Williams, on the distinctive habits of the little fish known as the Parr(Salmo
salmulus) from that of the true salmon fry, and with regard to the rivers and
localities where that little fish existed. Discussions upon this subject were, at
several subsequent sessions of the Society, continued. These led to the paper
that I gave upon the subject at the meeting of the 16th of June of last year
(1854). I should premise by stating that the majority of opinions were in oppo-
sition to the views given on that paper, those opinions being in affirmation of
the presumed successful experiments made by Mr. John Shaw, of Drumlanrig,
and published in 1840, as the results of his several communications read before
the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Mr. Shaw and his numerous supporters main-
tained, until very recently, that the fry, the produce of the ova of the salmon, re-
mained two years in the fresh water, in the state called the parr, before it
assumed the smolt transition and descended to the sea. There were other
points advanced by him, such as the early breeding development of the male parr.
Having formerly been resident for several years in the western parts of Ireland,
and in all seasons practically fishing some of the best salmon and trout rivers
in that country, and in companionship with some of the most experienced salmon
fishers, and latterly having turned my observations to the science of the subject,
I felt that I might, with some confidence, detail the views that I had formed.
The principal points were, that the salmon-fry assumed the smolt or migratory
state, and descended to the sea from eleven to fourteen months after extrication
from the ova, that is, the young fish hatched and liberated from the ova in the
month of April, 1854, would assume the smolt state at the same period, or a
month later, and descend to the sea in 1855. That the fish known as the parr,
would be found in rivers throughout the seasons, of good size, and after the
salmon-fry, as smelts, had descended to the sea. The parr was similar in its
markings to the salmon-fry, but distinct in its habits. At the time I ad-
vanced these views I was not aware of the extent to which Mr. Andrew Young,
of Invershin, manager of the Duke of Sutherland's salmon fisheries, had carried
his experiments, nor of the writings of ♦' Ephemera," of " Bell's Life." I have
read their works, in which sound practical observations and masterly judgment
of the subject appear throughout. Fortunately for practical knowledge, and for
science, a well-organized series of experiments were arranged, and the grounds
adopted for the operations were the Stormontfield ponds on the banks of the
Tay, and these were skilfully managed by Mr. Buist, and others, of Perth. A
rather early investigation into the subject this year led Mr. Wilson, a naturalist,
of Edinburgh, backed by numerous savans and learned professors, to at once

DUBLIN NATURAL HUTOAT 80CIBTT. 11?

adopt and laud Mr. Shaw's theorios, and to promulgate such decbion, to the rast
benefit and importance of the national fisheries. These were sounded forth by
the Perthshire paper, and the excellent editor of" The Sootsmaiit" in support of
Messrs. Shaw, Wilson, Marshall, &c. ; but, lo ! a little time— the ponds glit-
tered with silver, the little fish congregated, and an intelligent writer thus com-
municates to me the transition: — ** The fry in the Perth ponds are all liberated*
they would not stop another year, but threw themselves by scores on the banks,
to escape imprisonment. Thus has passed the glory of Shaw and his followers.**
And thus, I may say, is confirmed the sagacity of Andrew Young and •* Ephe-
mera." Mr. Andrews then exhibited and made remarks on some fresh spad-
mens of the parr taken two days since from the Bandou River ; smelts taken
from the Laune River, county of Kerry, early in May, and the true salmon-fry,
taken in October last. The parr were of good size ; and from inquiries not a
single salmon-fry could be obtained this month from the Laune, the Caragh, or
the Bandon Rivers ; they had all gone to the sea. Mr. Andrews said that he bad
examined many of the smelts, or true salmon-fry, and could never detect the
milt or the ova but in a rudimentary state. In the male parr he had found the
milt developed in March and April, and also in October. Ue suspected that late
in the year the ova in the females might be found much formed.

JANUARY, 1850.

ON THE BUBOPEAN HEMIRANPHUS (HBMIRAMPHUS ECROPiBns), AND LB88BB-
FORKED BEARD. BT WILLIAM ANDREWS, M.B.LA.

By the naturalist it cannot but be admitted that the desire of record-
ing the addition of any new object to the zoology or to the botany of a
country is carried out with a zeal that too frequently leads to the overlooking
of the more important inquiries of the affinities and connexions that species,
both in zoology and botany, bear to each other. The ardent zeal of such natu-
ralists thus influences them to separate, as distinctly specific, any form deviat-
ing or varying from characters hitherto described, and thereby not unfre-
quently add to the already too much confused nomenclature of classifications.
Again : the works of men of acknowledged authority are treated with a defe-
rence undoubtedly due to them ; yet, by such admission, descriptions are re-
ceived unexamined, when probably in some instances the authorities themselves
had not the opportunity of practical investigation that would have enabled them
to have avoided the erroneous conclusions they may have drawn. We, conse-
quently, sometimes find such records unquestioned and perpetuated. It has ever
been my idea that, no matter how limited an opportunity of inquiry the zoology
or botany of a country may present, we shall meet a field of sufficient scope to
exercise the judgment and penetration of the well-grounded and practical natu-
ralist in the reviewing and in the tracing of numerous affinities, that will, no
doubt, lead to the framing of a more concise and systematic classification. The
subject that I shall notice this evening is the European Hemiramphus(Hemi-
ramphus Europaeus). I have not so much the opportunity of clearing away
error, as of bemg enabled to speak with certainty of the true character and al-
liance of the fish called Hemiramphus Europeeus by Mr. Yarrell, in his ** Sup-
plement to the History of British Fishes." It was first described by Mr. Couch,
of Polperro, Cornwall, found in the harbour of Polperro, and supposed bv him
to be the younp^ of the genus Hemiramphus. In August, 1837. Mr. Edward
'Clarke, of Ipswich, found the supposed young of the Hemiramphus in great
numbers on the coast of Suffolk, which is fully noticed by .Mr. Yarrell,
to whom the communication was made, in the ** Magazine of Natural His-
tory" for October, 1837. In that journal, however, and in the •* Supple-
ment to the History of British Fishes," Mr. Yarrell gives his views most
cautiously, considering the matter with some doubt, as no example of a

Y

118 STTBLm NATURAL HISTOBY SOCIETY.

species of an adult Hemiramphus had been recorded as found in the Euro-
pean seas. In the absence, therefore, of more confirmed information, he pro-
posed the species to be distinguished as the "Hemiramphus Europaus." The
genus Hemiramphus, of which there are several species, is only known in the
seas of hot climates, where it is met in both hemispheres. It is characterized by
the peculiarity of having the upper jaw extremely short; this, as well as the
lower jaw, is furnished with minute teeth, but the symphysis of the lower jaw is
extended into a long point, or half-beak, destitute of teeth — the scales are large
and round; in other respects it resembles, in the formation, viscera, position of
the fins, the common gar-fish of our coasts (Esox belone), of which family of the
*' Esocidae," the Hemiramphus forms a sub-genus. The Hemiramphus Brasili-
ensis, to which the Cornish specimens were supposed to be allied, is a native of
the American seas ; Mr. Swainson, who had the opportunity of examination in
the recent state, observes that on both sides of the lower jaw is a thin membra-
naceous fringe or skin, very delicate, and which is half the breadth of the jaw
itself; its uses, or the mode of the fish securing its food, with a mouth of a
structure so different from all other fishes, remain unknown. When in Dingle,
in the month of October, 1849, a seine had been used for the taking of sand-
smelts, anil I recollected to have noticed, brought in by the net, what I then
supposed to be the young of the gar-fish, with the upper jaw but partially deve-
loped. Since then, on reference to several writers on Ichthyology, I was led to
notice the importance placed by them on the abrupt termination of the upper
jaw, when compared with the extended and lengthened point which formed the
lower. Again visiting Dingle in the month of June, 1850, I at that season ob-
served immense numbers of the gar-fish (Esox belone), in the harbour ; and of
a fine or calm day they might be noticed in shoals, pursuing, at the surface of
the water, the fry of the sprat (Clupea sprattus), that were then in myriads in
the harbour. Large quantities of the gar-fish were at that time taken by our
Dingle men in the seine, and they were eagerly bought by the fishermen for
bait, their firmness and brilliancy of colour being exceedingly choice for bait.
Multitudes, however, escaped by throwing themselves over the head or back
rope of the net, or by forcing through the meshes. The gar-fish were of large
size, and evidently at that season came into the harbour for the purpose of
spawning, and also feeding on the fry of other fish. Numbers that were taken
had the ova fully developed ; others had apparently spawned ; but I could not
at that time obtain any of the young. In October last specimens of the young
of the gar-fish were sent to me from Dingle, taken in the seine, and from the
characteristics these presented, with the young state of those that I had before
noticed, satisfied me that the Hemiramphus of the Cornish and Suffolk coasts
were no other than the young of the common gar-fish. In the very young state
of the Esox belone, the upper jaw is scarcely developed, while the lower jaw is
much prolonged, the symphysis extending to a considerable length, but without
teeth. As it attains size and age, the intermaxillaries of the upper jaw become
more elongated, furnished with minute teeth, and, when closed, the upper lies in
a groove in the lower jaw, which, to the same extent as the upper, is also fur-
nished with minute teeth. The growth of the upper jaw increases until in the
adult fish it nearly equals in length that of the lower jaw. What is the cause
that in the young state renders necessary the gradual development of the
upper jaw, is a mystery. The young fry may certainly be seen rippling the
smooth water in pursuit of food, and, as it were, skimming the animalculae that
float there. Mr. Andrews exhibited the young of the gar-fish, showing the

f>artial development of the upper jaw, while the lower jaw was considerably
engthened. The lower jaw was only furnished with teeth to the extent of the'
length of the upper jaw.

Mr. Andrews also exhibited and made remarks on a fish of very rare occur-
rence, the lesser forked-beard (Raniceps trifurcatus) which, as far as he was
aware, was the first record of its having been taken on the Irish coast. It was
taken in deep water, in Dingle Bay, on a long line set for cod-fish. Much con-

DVBLnr NATUIUL HI8T0BT SOCIEir. 119

fusion had been perpetuated by different authors with regard to the family that
this fish has been placed in ; but it is probably owing to the rarity of its being
obtained in the recent state. Thus Pennant, Fleming, Yarrell, and eren Cu-
vier, in Rcgne, An. T. 2. p. 336, place it among the Gadidee, or cod-fish family.
Swainson states it as a connecting line between Motella and Phycis, and, in the
broadly-depressed head, as a singular prototype of the Fishing Frog-fish (Lo-

J)hius piscatorius). Dr. Parnell, however, in his contributions to the Ichthvo-
ogy of the Firth of Forth, and in the admirable scientific descriptions he has
drawn of the rare additions obtained by him on that part of the coast, satisfac-
torily showed the error, and considered that a newfamily ought to be constituted
for its reception. He states : " This affords an opportunity of observing how
liable we are to be deceived when we do not examine specimens in the recent
state, and how ready our zeal for discovering new objects is to hurry us into
creating species out of imperfect descriptions. The want of this opportunity
misled Dr. Fleming in forming it a new species, the Raniceps Jago. The Rani-
ceps trifurcatns, called also tadpole-fish, has a broad flat head, with the body
compressed, and narrowing towards the tail, the eves large, irides a pale yel-
low, colour a dark shade of brown, mottled with black, Tips white. It differs
from the cod-fish family, or Gadida;, in having the head covered with minute
scales, and as having the intestines free from csca. In the gadi, or cod, no
scales cover the head, and the intestines have numerous csecal appendages. A
specimen of the poor, or power-cod (Morrhua minuta), was exhibited. It is the
smallest of its genus. It was taken by a spilliard off Scariff Island, county of
Kerry. Where the Morrhua minuta is met, the fishing grounds are considered
good. The fishermen of the northern seas are always glad to meet it, and in tho
Baltic its appearance is a source of pleasure.

MAY 3, 1850.

IMTRODUCTION OF IflNMOW INTO THE SOUTH OF IB£LAMI>.

Mr. R. P. Williams read a letter from Mr. Hackett relative to the introduc-
tion of the Minnow (Leuciscus phoxinus) into the South of Ireland: — '♦ You may
think it worth recording that, on the 3rd of April, 1848, the Minnow, or Pink,
was first deposited in our waters. Dr. Herrick, of Mallow, brought ten dozen,
alive, per the Vanguard steamer, from Dublin ; four dozen and a half were
placed by me in the stream now crossed by the Great Southern and Western
Railway, about two miles from Cork, at Rathpeacon ; the remainder I placed in
the Blarney River, a tributary to the Lee. Since the communication with Dub-
lin by railway, 1 have had several lots of these little fish, but as yet we cannot
find that they have multiplied." Mr. Williams stated that having occasion, some
Years ago, to want minnow for trolling in the Bandon River, county of Cork,
he searched the Brinny River, a tributary, and was surprised to learn that the
Minnow was unknown, the fish used there as a substitute being the Loach, and
called there Caileach. He had, in consequence, made inquiry in several places
in the south, west, and north-west, and found that the fish had not been met.
The communication of Mr. Hackett was, therefore, of some importance. It
Seemed a remarkable thing that the fish introduced, two years ago, under fa-
Touring circumstances, had not increased, when it was known that they
abounded in all the rivers and canals of Leinster.

MARCH 5, 1650.

ON TUB SPECIES OF COTTD8 ON THE SOUTH-WEST COAST. BT WILLIAM
ANDREWS, M.R.I.A.

On a former evening I brought before your notice some remarks with refe-
rence to the second family of the Acanthopterygii, or those fishes with the bony

120 DUBLIN NATUEAL HI8T0ET SOCIETY.

temporal plates and with hard cheeks, as the significations of their anatomical
characteristics are intended to convey, and selecting for those remarks the ge-
nus Trigla, or gurnard family, with peculiarities of their characters, habits, and
distribution, on the south-west coast of this country. I, however, beg to state
that that communication, as well as the present, offered for this evening, are
merely intended to submit to your consideration the outline of some of the inte-
resting facts regarding the ichthyology of this country, which the very nume-
rous objects in that branch of natural history science present. Among the many
striking investigations that can be made into the zoology or botany of a coun-
try are the geographical ranges of the animals and plants, and the records thus
afforded of the associations of those of widely different climes. Thus we have,
in allusion to Irish ichthyology, genera and species of opposite temperatures,
natives of the Mediterranean and of the northern latitudes, which have already
been the theme of our evening papers. I have now the pleasure of submitting
an addition to the Fauna of Britain ; and, as far as reference can be obtained to
continental authors, to that of Europe. The species, whose characteristics I
shall briefly state, belongs to the same family of the Acanthopterygii and to the
genus Cottus, or bull-heads, of which the miller's-thumb of English fresh- water
rivers is a familiar example. The most striking appearances of the species arei
— the head large, depressed, and armed with spines, the latter character more
marked in the marine species, the body attenuated, without scales, and the ven-
trals imperfect, and with few rays. The markings of many are varied, and, at
certain seasons, are vividly beautiful in the male sex, but in none more so than
in the species to be submitted to the meeting this night. It is unnecessary to
enter into description of the characters of those of the British seas (so admira-
bly given in "Yarrell's British Fishes"), but merely to state that the species
Scorpius and Bubalis are very common in the Harbour and in the Bay of Dingle,
coast of Kerry. Scorpius I have seen taken in the trawls off Ventry. Bubalis
is frequently captured in Dingle Harbour, both in seine and dredge, and the
extremely vivid tints of red, yellow, and brown it presents cannot but be ad-
mired, however repulsive the appearance of the fish ; yet the markings, as also
that of the other species, are less varied and far less brilliant than the beautiful
object captured in that Harbour with Scorpius; and it is to the kind attention
of my friend James Edward Stopford, Esq., who was present at the time, that
we owe the introduction of this novelty to our Fauna of the Cottus Grsenlan-
dicus.* On reference to the volumes of the " Annals and Magazine of Natural
History" (which I presumed would form the surest guide as to the records of
additions to British Ichthyology subsequent to the publication of Yarrell), I
found a notice of this rare fish given by Mr. M'Coy in the number of that jour-
nal for February, 1841, recording no less than the capture of four of those fish,
within a short time, in the Bay of Dublin, and at the mouth of the River Liffey,
and referring to a fine specimen in the collection of the Royal Dublin Society.
A few days since, on examining that collection, I could observe none other than
forms of C. bubalis and C. scorpius; their colouring had been completely de-
stroyed by the spirit preparation, yet their characters were sufficiently identi-
fiable to show their distinctness from that of C. Graenlandicus. Mr. Thompson,
of Belfast, informs me that he has not had the opportunity of having his doubts
removed as to the admission, at that time, of that rare fish into our Fauna ; but
Mr. M'Coy, to whom I have written, will, I am in hopes, clear this difficulty.
In the meantime I shall consider this to be the first authenticated record of its
introduction into British Ichthyology. With the specimen of C. Gra;nlandicus
I received also a large specimen of C. scorpius ; both were females; the latter
appeared to have but recently spawned, and was in bad condition ; the Grajn-
landicus contained ova of a reddish and scarlet tinge. They were both taken
in a small seine when drawing for sand-smelts. Both seemed to have fed much
on several species of Crustacea, as the sac or stomach of each contained a quan-

* For flgare and further description, vide vol. ii. of Proceedings of Society, page 61.

DUBLIH NATUBAL HISTOBT SOCOCETT. 121

tity of the Carcinns maroas and Pagnrns Bernhardus ; and the C. Gracnlandieot
was much distended with rather a larfi^e-sized specimen of Portonus marmorena.
The marbled swimming crab is very frequent in parts of Dingle Harbour, and I
have dredged very fine specimens. I also observed in the specimens of C. scor-
pius taken in deep water off Ventr^, numerous fragments of, and some perfect,
Portunus pu&illus, showing the desire of these voracious fish in seeking the Crus-
tacea as rood. I shall reserve for the publication of our Proceedings the more
detailed notes of the specific distinctions of Granlandicus, in the number of and
peculiarities of its spines, and of the rays of its fins, but will here give fully the
character of its rich markings, as observed and taken when the colours were
brilliant in the recent state. Shades of the head of a Vandyke brown, the
deeper umber, beautifully glazed over with a pinkish or violet tinge — the dorsal
and above the lateral line more or less shaded and spotted towards the tail, and
having a line of numerous papilla) or tubercles (altogether absent in C. scor-
pius) below the lateral line ; large and irregularly formed white spots mark the
sides, shaded around with deep carmine and a rich chocolate brown, the tinge
towards the belly passing into rich orange ; the belly is also marked along the
line to the tail with a row of roundish white spots. Pectoral fins beautifully
shaded and barred, spotted with white, the terminal portions and margins of a
rich orange, ventral fins richly and regularly barred with white and deep rich
cinnamon-brown, inclining to orange, resembling and emulating in beauty the
rich colouring of the tiger moth. Irides of a deep golden yellow, tinged and
marked with orange. The posterior portions of the rays of the pectoral and
ventral fins are rough, with ciliated or minute spinous processes — these are not
present either in Scorpius or Bubalis, the rays in those species being perfectly
smooth on both sides. It is much to be regretted that the colours of such beau>
tiful fish cannot be retained by any known preparation. I have found that, by
clearing the stomach and intestinal canal, gently and thoroughly cleansing the
fish in tepid water, and then placing it in clear proof spirit, sealing the vessel
at once, that the colours are retained for some time, but, if taken out for exami-
nation, the colours will quickly fade away from the specimen after again being
placed in the spirit. Many of the fish captured in the trawl nets are brought to
the deck in full vigour of life ; and several being tenacious of existence, as in
the Cottus, show their brilliant colours, and the expansion of the pectoral and
dorsal fins to great advantage for the observer. The brilliancy, however, of
the Sebastes, and of the Wrasses, it scarcely retained even in the transit from
Dingle to Dublin. The Cottus Grrenlandicus is admirably figured and de-
scribed in Richardson's "Zoology of British America," known as the Greenland
bull-head, the Kaniock, and Kanininack of the Grecnlanders. It appears to
have been known to Bloch, for, in his account of Le Scorpion de Mer, he con-
founds it with that species, and supposes the difference of marking to arise from
the difference of sex. Of bis species he describes the abdomen as white in the fe-
male, and yellow in the male, with white spots, and, according to M. Tonning,
the latter of so vivid a yellow as to look like gold. In the males the pectoral
fins are larger than in the females, so that the sexes are easily distinguishable.
The pectoral fins are described as being of an orange yellow, barred and spot-
ted— ventral fins long, and, in the males, of a carnation-red, spotted with white.
Its main occurrence is in the northern seas and in America, and especially on
the coasts of Greenland and Mewfoundland. The C scorpius is known in Po-
merania as the Seemurre or Kuorham, names given on account of the noise it
makes when taken from the water and pressed with the hand. This has led to
a species, inhabiting the Indian seas and Brazil, to be termed Le^rondier, or
the grumbler or grunter (Cottus gruuniens).

The Cottus Grsnlandicus exhibited by Mr. Andrews was a very fine and
perfect specimen, and still retained in the spirit much of its brilliancy of colour-
ing ; it was taken in Dingle Harbour, in the middle of February. It is very sin>
gular, the meeting of this fish of northern latitudes in the Harbour of Dingle, as

122 DXTBLIN NATTJEAL HISTOET SOCIETY.

well as the Sebastes or Norway haddock, already described as taken in Dingle
Bay. The Bergylt, or Norway haddock, is generally met with in deep water,
and taken on long lines on the cod banks. We have, on the other hand, rather
abundant in Valentia Harbour, a species, peculiar to the Mediterranean, the
beautiful three -spotted Wrasse (Labrus trimaculatus).

JANUARY 13, 1854.

REMARKS ON HARBOUR FISH AND FORMATION OF PISCINA. BY W. ANDREWS,

M.R.I.A.

In this statement I shall as briefly as possible remark on some of the peculi-
arities and habits of those fish that are easily obtainable in our harbours
throughout the seasons, for the object (not at the present treating on their
economical uses) of creating an interest in a physiological point of view, by ob-
serving in those large cisterns or tanks, which may be termed " piscina?," the
habits, the modes of progression, and the seeking of food which influence marine
animals. Most are aware of the great pleasure generally afforded to the visitors
during the last year, at the Zoological Gardens, London, in the examination of
the numerous marine and fresh-water fishes, and of the Chelonia, or Tortoises,
which were seen in the full beauty and spirit of life in the large crystal cisterns
and troughs. In the following I shall allude principally to the smaller kinds,
chiefly marine, that would form objects of interest in their investigation, and, in
many instances, may lead to views entirely new, as the absence hitherto of such
facilities has led to erroneous decisions, put forward in ichthyological works,
at variance too with physiological facts. Among the Percidfe, or family of
perches, the greater and lesser, weevers, Trachinus draco, and T. vipera, are
singular in their habits. The latter is most frequently met in sandy inlets ; and
I have in several cases witnessed the severe effects of its wound. It is well
known in Kerry as the sting-fish, and it is surprising that some works on ich-
thyology still represent the injury to be caused by the dorsal spine ; but my
friend Dr. Allman has clearly proved the action to be from the strong opercular
spine. It is a pretty fish, streaked with brown and yellow, with a silvery abdo-
men; having , its eyes fixed upwards ; like the gobies, it settles in the sand,
watching the approach of its prey. A few specimens of T. draco have been met
in Ventry Harbour. Of the same family, the striped red mullet (Mullus surmu-
letus) is of most remarkable beauty in its living state, its scales being of a bril-
liant red, passing into a silvery pink on the belly. In confinement it timidly
moves about, waving its barbules to and fro, as organs of touch. It is frequently
taken in the herring-nets, at the entrance of Ventry Harbour, and is probably
by no means uncommon there, and when taken from the nets exhibits great
brilliancy of colouring. Its scales are easily rubbed from the body, so that those
seen in the fish-shops in London are rarely good specimens, the scales being all
detached by the working of the trawl-net they are taken in. The Basse, or sea
perch (Labrax lupus), is plentiful at seasons in Brandon Creek, and, like several
of our marine fish, thrives well kept permanently in fresh water. Under the
head of the mailed cheeks, or gurnard family, are the several species of bull-
heads, such as Cottus scorpius, and C. bubalis, which are most amusing when
captured. Some give a slight hissing sound, and make their formidable spines
very prominent by the inflation of the head. Nothing can equal the extreme
beauty of the Cottus Grajnlandicus, or Greenland bull-head, fine specimens of
which were taken in Dingle Harbour — the richest tints of carmine, and deep
marone, with spots and barrings of most vivid brilliancy, characterize these
beautiful fish when living. The ova, or roe, is different from that of the other
species, being of a fine scarlet, which was remarkable in the species I dissected.
The natives of Greenland are fond of this fish, and even eat the roe in a raw
state. The Pogge, or armed bull-head, is very frequent in the harbours and

DUBLIN NATURAL HI8T0BT SOCIETT. 123

small inlets of the west coast. The action of this little fish, and the singularly
recurved spincA of the snout, must render an observation of its habits of inte-
rest. Of the stieklubacks, the ten-spincd and the Bf'tecn-spined frequent the
harbours, particularly the latter (Gasterosteus spinachia), in great numbers, in
Dingle Harbour. They are taken in the seine, and I have admired their play-
fulness and extreme beaiity when placed in a tub of water. Except in anger or
alarm, they do not exhibit their spines, which then lie closely adpressed to the
dorsal ridge, in a sulcated groove. They are interesting in their movements in
seeking and attacking their prey, through the tangled masses of Fucus serratus
and Confervse, among which they form their nests and deposit their eggs; it
unshyingly, almost immediately after capture, seizes the food offered. Passing
over many species and families, which are altogether deep-water fish, the next
presents the ribbon-shaped form, the Ticnioidce, in which is the beautiful Cepola
rubescens, red-band fish, which assumes the richest carmine to a pale rose-tint.
It has frequently been taken on the west coast, and sometimes cast ashore
among sea- weeds after a gale of wind. It is met at low spring tides among the
stems of laminaria and the stronger fuci. It would form a beautiful object in
one of the crystal cisterns, to observe its sinuously-gliding motions between
the stems of sea plants, its eyes large in proportion to its head, directed in pur-
suit of the soft molluscous animals upon which it preys. Through the kindness
of Dr. Farran, I obtained a specimen from the south coast. Of the Mugilidae,
the mullets are among the most lively and playful of our harbour fish. The grey
mullet (Mugil capito) are in great numbers in Ventry Harbour, and of large
size. Every water seems suited to their growth — salt, brackish, and fresh, and
they are easily fed. The atherine or sand-smelt (Atherina presbyter) are in
abundance in Dingle Harbour, and frequent sandy inlets in the winter and
spring months in great numbers, at which seasons they are in a prime state for
the table. They are in Dingle Harbour all through the year, but in spring ap-
proach the shore to spawn. It is different from the true smelt (Osmerus oper-
lana), which belongs totheSalmonidte, or trout family. The next con tains a great
many pretty species among the GobioidsD, or the gobies. Of these, the blennies
are remarkable — the viviparous blenny possesses much of interest in its exami-
nation. The spotted gunnell (Gunneilus guttata) is very numerous in Dingle
Harbour, and called the butter-fish, from the unctuous feel of the body. It is
every tint of rich brown, yellow, and purple, and the large dark spofs in some
specimens are very conspicuous along the line of the dorsal fin. Young speci-
mens of the sea- wolf ( Anarrhicas lupus) have been taken in Dingle Harbour,
and a large specimen in the Bay, remarkable for its hideous head and powerful
jaws. The black goby (Gobius niger), beautiful in the spawning seasons with
the deeper shades it assumes, and the rich orange tints of its dorsal fins, is
plentiful in Dingle Harbour ; and also the spotted, the one-spotted, and the
double-spotted gobies, have all been taken in Dingle and Ventry Harbours, and
also in deep water in the Bay. In Ventry Harbour I met with a very beautiful
species, presumed to be the Gobius reticulatus, peculiar to the Mediterranean,
and distinguished by the rich rosy tints of its dorsal fins. In a calm and sunny
day, in the month of August, and in a little sheltered inlet in Sneem Harbour,
I watched for some time the movements of multitudes of gobies. I was sur-
prised at the number of the black goby, which occupied, with their young, a
muddy recess between rocks, from which they occasionally darted, seizing, and
returning with their prey. The shanny (Pholis lievis) was more exposed, and,
in sandy grounds, they occasionally rose to the surface, perpendicularly, with
the aid of the pectoral fins, and, with the aid of the same movement, appeared
singularly to raise themselves, or creep up the face of any perpendicular rock or
stone. Both these species had numerous young, which they seemed carefully to
protect. The speckled gobies were in clear, sandy, and sunny spots, and the
two-spotted goby remained near the surface, perfectly motionless. Of the Dra-
gonets, the gcmmeous (Callionymus lyra) is beautiful in the living state, richly
marked, and the transparent beauty of its dorsal fins is singularly delicate. It

124 DXTBLIW NATURAX HISTORY SOClETr.

is only obtainable in the trawl, in deep water, for I have only met in the Har-
bour the Sordid dragonet (C. dracunculus), which possesses no beauty. The
family of Wrasses, or Labridre, vie with all others in the brilliancy and gaudi-
ness of their colours. Of these I have obtained Labrus maculata, L. lineatus,
and L. variegatus, and beautiful specimens of the three-spotted wrasse (L. tri-
maculatus), in Valentia Harbour, its colours most brilliant rose and reddish
orange. In the seine, in Dingle Harbour, 1 have taken the Comber wrasse (L.
comber), and a beautiful little wrasse, marked with a lateral band, similar to
the Rainbow wrasse, but having the abdomen reddish, and the head marked
with wavy orange lines. The Goldsinny, or Goldfinny (Crenilabrus Cornubi-
ensis), I have taken in numbers ; it is an extremely beautiful fish. I am certain
that others of the Crenilabri will be met with on the coast of Kerry, and even
some that are peculiar to the Mediterranean. There is no class of fishes that
would be more beautiful in a vivarium, nor none that could be more easily fed,
living as they do upon Crustacea and the harder mollusca, which their jaws,
armed with strong conical teeth, enable them to crush. Thus, imagine such a
species as the Labrus lupina, silvery, with three broad longitudinal bands
formed of vermillion dots, with yellow pectorals and blue ventrals. The Eso-
cidse include the garfish (Esox vulgare), which, in the young state, has afforded
to me some degree of interest in the examination, particularly with reference to
the supposed existence in our seas of a species of Hemiramphus. However, the
numerous opportunities I had of examining the different stages of growth con-
firmed me in the opinion that the Hemiramphus Europseus was no other than the
young of the garfish, and that the young state of Esox belone presented an un-
developed form of the upper jaw, which gradually extended in growth until
maturity perfected its equal development with the lower jaw. In July immense
numbers enter the Harbours of Dingle and Ventry, seeking the fry of other fish,
and to spawn, and they are taken in numbers in the seine, little cared for as
food, but are eagerly bought up by the fishermen for bait. In October and No-
vember the young appear. A specimen of the Saury pike (Scomberesox saurus)
is in the collection of the Society, which was taken at Ballina, on the coast of
Sligo. There are multitudes of others I shall pass over, and some, although
taken in the harbours, much longer continue in fresh- water, as the Salmonidae,
and which merely frequent, at periods, the salt-water estuaries. The several
species of Motella, the three, four, and five-bearded recklings, are frequent in
Dingle and Ventry Harbours ; and I have taken in a boat-trawl in Ventry the
mackerel midge, the beautiful little Motella glauca. Of the Pleuronectida) many
in the young state are to be met with in the harbours. In the summer
months the French, or lemon sole (Solea pegusa), and the variegated sole (Mo-
nochirus variegatus), are not uncommon in Ventry Harbour. The Cyclopte-
ridae, or suckers, are, many of them, very frequent ; the Cyclopterus lumpus
has been taken, of very large size, in Castlemaine Harbour, sometimes frequent-
ing the salmon Weirs. In some specimens the belly is of a rich azure. The
Cornish sucker (Lepidogaster Cornubiensis) has been taken at low water, at-
tached to the stones in Smerwick Harbour, its light tinge of carmine hue at-
tracting attention. All the known British species of the pipe-fishes (Syngna-
thidjc), I have obtained on the south-west coast; some are beautifully and
vividly marked in the living state, and their singular marsupial habits would
render observance of their movements and peculiarities interesting. The deep-
nosed pipe-fish (Syngnathus typhle) I met rather abundantly in the spring months
in Dingle Harbour, and the^Equoreal pipe-fish (Acestra aequorea) more frequent
during summer. The former may be seen of an emerald green, beautifully
barred, and the latter with rich tints of yellowish orange, barred with white
lines. The Hippocampus brevirostris, short-nosed sea-horse, has been taken at
low water in Smerwick, adhering, in its peculiar manner, to the rigid stems of
Cytoseira. Fish, like the gay plumage of our birds, assume their gaudiest
tints in the bridal season ; and this is remarkably seen in the Syngnathidae, in
the Cottidffi, and in the Gobies. Skates and rays, and the singular horny

DUBLIN KATUBAL HI8T0BT 80CIETT. 125

Ciohes containing their young, aru met in all the harbours ; but sufficient bac
n said of the objects of interest which exist and which a dredge and a
small boat-seine can always command the capture of. To follow out more
closely such investigations, how interesting would be the experiments resulting
from daily examination of the habits of these different fish placed in those large
tanks, with shingly and sandy beds, rock, and with sea plants and confervcc, to
please their habits and tast«s. Thus, beautiful fields of interest are laid open
to the astonishment of admirers of nature's works, and the hidden mysteries of
the tenants of the deep unveiled and unravelled to the workers in physiological
science. In the large cisterns of the vivaria, at the Zoological Gardens, I have
watched with interest the perfect lifelessness of the pike and the perch ; they
appeared like beautifully varnished specimens suspended in the fluid, motionless
and inanimate, and no perceptible pulsation of the opercula or gill covers, hir-
ing in an element heavier than air, and suspended in a liquid of nearly the same
specific gravity as their own bodies, their forms are beautifully proportioned to
offer the least resistance to progression, while the muscular powers of the
tail in some, and of the pectoral fins in others, are admirably adapted for rapid
movements of progression and of elevation. Fishes, of all vertebrated animals,
are said to be the least sensitive to emotions of pain or pleasure ; their organs of
sensation awaken no impressions ; rigid in countenance, eyes almost immovable,
and which no tears dim, nor eyelids protect, they seem, with all their beauty of
form and brilliancy of colour, mere automatons in sensibility, and mute as the
silent depths they inhabit. This, in the fullest extent, is not strictly accurate,
for they recognise the hand that feeds them, and follow, apparently with jov and
sportive liveliness, the movements of those that protect thenj. Mr. Andrews
then alluded to the great interest of the vivarium which, some years since, had
been formed and kept up by Mr. Bland, of Derriquin Castle, Kenmare Bay. In
an inlet, guarded by reefs of rocks in Sneem Harbour, a strong barrier of stones
had been closely formed across the entrance, but through which every tide
flowed and ebbed, leaving a sufficiency of water within. In tnis, mullet, whiting,
bream, soles, and plaice succeeded best; haddock did also well, but gurnards
became paler in colour. Whiting became so tame as to feed out of the hand, and
all assembled at the feeding time at the appearance of the tray ; all seemed fond
of potatoes. Many admirable positions existed on the west coast for the for-
mation of extensive marine store ponds, and where^turbot, soles, haddock, cod,
and lobsters, could be securely stored and made available in times of scarcity and
boisterous weather. Under such circumstances, the artificial propagation of the
turbot, the sole, and the cod-fish and haddock could, with the same results, be
accomplished from the spawn, as the propagation of the ova from the salmon or
trout.

Mr. R. Call well considered the subject brought forward was one of great va-
lue, not alone to the scientific man, but in a practical and economical point of
view. He could confirm, with regard to the fisheries, how useful the formation
of those store ponds would be. At the Island of Inishtrahull, about six miles
from Malin Head, off the coast of Derry, he had observed, the islanders were
prepared to bring fish to vessels passing the island. The fishermen of that
island had very fine whale-boats, which were sheltered and drawn up in a sandy
creek. In a store-pond, naturally formed in the island, the fish taken by them,
such as turbot and other prime fish, were deposited, and they were always pre-
pared to put fish on board the steamer passing from Sligo to Glasgow, or to Li-
verpool.

MARCH 10, 1854.

ON THB 8PBCIBB OP CREMILABRD8. BT Vf. ANDREWS, M.RI.A.

Every fact of interest bearing upon new features in the natural history of
animals and plants is a useful record. At a recent meeting he had giren a re-

z

126 DTTBLtW NATXTBAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

▼iew or the harbour fish of the south-west coast, among which he had mentioned
several species that were considered extremely rare, and of local occurrence on
the coasts of Great Britain. He now exhibited species that frequented the
Harbours of Dingle and Ventry, and among them were fine specimens of the red
mullet (MuUus surmuletus). No branch required more practical investigation
than that of our maHne ichthyology ; and the numerous opportunities that Mr.
Andrews had of forming accurate notes, proved to him that much additional in-
formation had been obtained of the marine fish of this country, beyond what had
been noticed in Mr. Yarrell's work on British Fishes. He had every respect for
Mr. Yarrell, and considered his book a valuable reference ; still, however, species
had been described upon too slight grounds — Mr. Yarrell, probably, not having
had the opportunity of examining recent specimens, or of being supplied with
information of sufficient accuracy. The Labridje, or Wrasses, present very va-
ried features of markings and form, which have led to the describing of one
species under those of Crenilabrus Tinea, C. Cornubicus, and C. Gibbus. Mr.
Andrews had obtained numerous specimens in Dingle Harbour, at different sea-
sons, in all stages of growth, and he was perfectly satisfied that those several
species could not be separated from that of C. Tinea. Mr. Andrews exhibited
a fine specimen of C. Tinea, with the black spot at the termination of the lateral
line, at the base of the caudal fin, and which Mr. Yarrell considered to be the
constant and distinguishable characteristic of C. Cornubicus. A small specimen
of C. Tinea had also the same mark; and specimens possessing all the charac-
teristics ofC. Cornubicus were destitute of that mark. Mr. Andrews considered
that the black mark was not strictly peculiar to either C. Tinea or C. Cornubi-
cus, but was occasionally present or absent in both. This species is very plenti-
ful in Dingle and Ventry Harbours. It was named Cornubicus, as local on the
coast of Cornwall. The habits of these several named species are the same.
Mr. Andrews also exhibited specimens of Crenilabrus Microstoma, taken in
Dingle Harbour.

FEBRUARY 9, 1845.

REMARKS ON THE SERRANIAND PEKCIDJE, AND ON THE ADDITION OF POLTPRION
CERNIDM (cUV.) TO THE IRISH LISTS. BY WILLIAM ANDREWS, M.R.I.A.,
HONORARY SECRETARY.

Before submitting to your notice the subject of the present paper, I shall
briefly make some remarks upon the Percoides, or Perch tribe, to a division of
which family it belongs. These fish, the Perches, are extremely numerous both
in genera and species, in the lakes and rivers of Europe, and in the seas of warm
climates, and afford excellent and wholesome food. The far greater number of
Percoides have the ventral fins inserted under the pectorals, and form the first
division, or thoracic perches. These are further characterized by seven rays to
the gills, two fins to the back, and all the teeth dense and even. To this divi-
sion belongs the common perch of our fresh-waters, the Perca fluviatilis. Dis-
tinctions of the opercula and tongue characterize others, as the sea perch, or
Bass, Labrax lupus, which is found of much finer quality on the English coasts
than the coasts of Ireland, although I have seen them of good flavour taken in
Wexford Harbour. Very large species of the bass are on the coasts of the
United States. An extensive series of the division might be enumerated, re-
markable for their beauty and for their usefulness as food, especially the Aspro
vulgaris, the zingel of the Rhone and the Danube, and the common pike-perch,
the Lucioperca Sandra of the Danube, the Elbe, and the Oder. These, as I have
before remarked, might be transported, with useful results, to the barren wa-
ters of our inland lakes. The second division of the Percoides is distinguished
by the single dorsal fin, has seven rays in the gills, and the genera are placed
according to the characters of the teeth. To these belong the Serrani, a very
numerous marine genus, frequent in the Mediterranean, but chiefly abounding in

pUBUir NATUiUL niSTOBT SOOIJtTT, 127

•MM of warm latitudes, brilliant and beautirul in their coloori, and exeeUen(
ai food. Thoy soldofii range so far north as 3ritain. Two species, however,
that inhabit the Mediterranean, have been recorded as Britihh, the smooth aer-
ranus (Serranus cabrilla), and the dusky serranus (S. gigas), both taken on the
coast of Cornwall. The former is of common occurrence on the coast of SiciJjr.
The denticulated, or serrated preoperculum, and the bony operculum, terminated
with one or two points, are characteristic of the genus. This leads me to the
description of what now is established as an addition to the Ichthyology of this
country, the •* Polyprion cernium." — Cuv. The genus is formed from a single
species common in the Mediterranean, and having an extensive range to the
Western Isles, Madeira, and the coast of America. It is fully described in the
Supplement to Yarrell's •' History of British Fishes," as •* Couch's Polyprion,"
having been first recorded as British on the coast of Cornwall. It is also known
as the stone bass, and the wreck fish. The genus Polyprion is distinguished by
being entirely covered with small rigid scales ; all the opercular bones are den>
ticulated, strong bony ridges and asperities covering the head, and over and be-
hind the eyes ; but the most remarkable character is a strong bony ridge on the
operculum, in a line above the pectoral fin, and directed backward, ending in a
point The discovery of the fish now submitted to the meeting is due to Mr.
Eugene Moriarty, of Dingle, who superintends the stores and management of the
Dingle men in the employment of the Royal Irish Fisheries Company. When
forming my records or every incident connected with the sea fisheries of the
coast of Kcrrv, Mr. Moriarty mentioned the circumstance of a singular fish
which he recollected to have been taken, some years since, in Dingle Bay, fol-
lowing and feeding upon the barnacles attached to floating wreck timber : but
he never knew an instance of the fish being taken by the hook. His accurate
description satisfied me that it was a species unrecorded on the Irish coast. la
the month of September last Mr. Moriarty was fortunate enough in obtaining
this fine specimen, under most singular circumstances. One of the fishing-boats
off Ventry, in the Bay of Dingle, picked up an American meal barrel, that had
been for some time floating. It was partly filled with water, and when taken
into the boat the fish was found floundering in the barrel, supposed to have got
in in a wash of the sea ; and it is very likely at the time that numbers of the fish
were swimming around the barrel. It is a deep-water fish, frequenting and feed-
ing on rocky and corally ground. Mr. Moriarty forwarded the fish to me, and

1 at once saw that it was the Polyprion cernium of Cuv. and Valen. Its history
and description are so well given in Yarrell's Supplement to British Fishes, and
in Cuv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss., that 1 shall only here add an outline of the spe-
cimen before you. Its weight when taken, 10| lbs. ; length, from tip of lower jaw
to the base of the caudal fin, 22 inches ; entire length to termination of tail,

2 feet 1^ inches; caudal and ventral rays fasciated ; nostrils double; irides
dull silvery white, upper part of circle tinged with a dusky shade ; fin rays,
D., spinous 10. 11, soft 14. P. 16, V.6, A. 10. C. 21 ; back, dark ash colour, shaded
with umber; belly, dirtv white; lower jaw projected beyond the upper; teeth
numerous and blunt, and with numerous teeth covering the palate; a prominent
ridge on the operculum, terminating in a short spine; preoperculum toothed ;
upper part of orbits ridged, and with pectinated or denticulated elevations from
each orbit, directed toward a short prominent ridge on the nape; head covered
with rough strong scales ; the spines of the first dorsal fin very strong. In the
Mediterranean this fish attains a large size, and its flesh is esteemed, being
white and tender, and of excellent flavour. I trust that I have thus drawn atten-
tion to the interest that the ichthyology of our coasts may present, for I am sa-
tisfietl that, upon more careful investigation, other species that have been
recorded as occurring upon the coast of Cornwall, and also Mediterranean
species, will yet be traced on the southern and western coasts of this country.
In continuation of the arrangement in the British fishes of the Percid« are the
great and the lesser weevers, or sting fish, Trachinus draco aad T. vipera, both
of which I have before noticed as frequenting Dingle and Ventry Harbours ; and

128 DUBLIN NATTJEAL HISTOET SOCIETY.

I feel assured that that beautiful Mediterranean species, the radiated weever
(Trachinus radiata) and found on the southern shores of France, will on our
south-west coast be recorded in the Fauna.

FEBRUARY 18, 1853.

OCCURRENCE OF TETRODON PENNANTU ON THE COAST OF WATERFORD.

Mr. Kinahan wished to be permitted to put on record the following notice of
the occurrence of a rare fish on tiiese shores, for which he was indebted to Mr.
Sargint. The specimen to which he alluded he saw afterwards, and it was now,
he believed, in the possession of Mr. Ussher, of Camphire House, county of Wa-
terford. It was considerably larger than one taken off the coast of Wexford
during 1850, and which Mr. Kinahan also saw. It makes the third recorded off
these shores, another specimen having been taken off the coast of Waterford
some years ago : —

** Ardmore, September 28, 1852.

*' I am anxious to put on record the occurrence of Pennant's Globe-fish (Te-
trodon Pennantii), a fine specimen of which was washed ashore here on Sunday
last, the 26th ult., after a smart north-easterly gale. The specimen was dead
when captured. Its measurements were as follow : — From mouth to extremity
of caudal fin, 21 inches; from commencement of spines below lower jaw to vent,
13 inches ; circumference around the moderately dilated pouch, 33 inches. The
fin notation as follows: — Caudal, 7; dorsal, 12; anal, 12; pectoral, 14. Its co-
lours are most brilliant; ultramarine blue on the back, belly silvery. The pouch
was covered with white spines, each arising by four roots. The spines extended
from below the lower jaw down to the vent. After the fish was skinned and
stuffed, the colour on the back faded to the steel blue-colour of the common cod's
back. The fin rays of the tail were of singular structure, being each made up of
a pair of fin rays joined at their base. A wavy row of dark depressed spots ex-
tended from the snout laterally over each eye, curving downwards anterior to
the branchial openings. After the skin dried, these spots became elevated, and
rough to the touch.

** Yours, " Edward H. Sargint."

Two specimens of Echinorynchus (species not before recorded in Ireland),
taken from the pectoral muscles of this specimen, were presented to the Society
by Mr. Sargint at a subsequent meeting.

FEBRUARY 9, 1854.

OCCURRENCE OF PORBEAGLE SHARK (l. CORNUBICA), AND FOX SHARK (CARCHA-

RIAS VULPES).

Mr. Andrews presented to the Society a well preserved specimen of the Por-
beagle shark ("Lamna cornubica). This was the second specimen that Mr.
Andrews had obtained in Dingle Bay. Those sharks generally appear in the bay
in the autumn months, during the time that the hake and herrings are plentiful
in the bay. Thev are of less frequent occurrence than the blue shark (Carcha-
rias glaucus), which appears at the same season, and is sometimes troublesome
to the fishermen's lines. Mr. Andrews also presented the tail-fin of a shark,
supposed to be that of the Fox shark, or Thresher (Carcharias vulpes), taken
from a fish captured in Dingle Bay. Mr. Stopford informed Mr. Andrews that
he and the crew of his yacht had noticed the Thresher shark in Dingle Bay.

Mr. R. Callwell mentioned that in one of the tours of inspection in the Ballast
Office steam vessel, he had visited Carlingford Lough in the month of August.
Herrings at the time were plentiful in the Lough, and he had noticed a species

DrSLIN KATUBAL HISTORY BOCIETT. 129

of shark frequently springing several feet out of the water, which the crew
pointed out to him as the Thresher shark, from the peculiarity of the action of
its tail-fin.

MAY 9, 1852.

ON THE SPAWNING OF THB SMOOTH-TAILED STICKLEBACK (aASTXBOSTBUS
LEIUBUS), WITH A LIST OF THE FISHES INHABITING THB DODDEE. BT J. B.
KINAHAN, A.B.

Concerning the manner in which this little fish preserves its spawn, not the
slightest notice, if I may be allowed to judge from the silence of our latest autho-
rities, has been taken by any Enylish naturalist. This is the more strange, when
we recollect that a habit, analogous in its nature, has been recorded of another
species of the same group, whose habitat (the sea) renders it more difficult to
make observations thereon, while the species under consideration mav be found
at every man's door, being, without exception, the most extensively distributed
of all the British fishes; yet, neither Yarrell in his •♦ British Fishes," nor Sir W.
Jardine in the '* Naturalist's Library," makes any mention of this habit, though
the latter has recorded the nest- making powers of the marine species to which I
alluded just now(G. spinachia). In France, M. Coste has entered very fully into
the matter in a paper read before one of the Societies in Paris, in 1847 ; but as the
following observations were made long prior to my having seen his paper, and
differ in some respects from the facts recorded by him, and as he has not men-
tioned the species on which his experiments were made, 1 thought these observa-
tions might not be unworthy of a place in your Transactions. In 1846 my atten-
tion was first called to this curious habit by a friend of mine. I then made a
series of observations, most of which I have been able to confirm during each
succeeding year, the substance of which I now hasten to lay before you. Into
the question of whether this be a distinct species, or merely a well-marked va^
riety of Gasterosteus aculeatus of Bloch, it is not my intention to enter ; suffice
it for us to consider it as a distinct species, the smooth-tailed stickleback, the
G. leiurus of Valenciennes and Cuvier. It is the only species I have been able
to detect about Dublin, where it abounds in prodigious numbers. When about
to spawn, the fish select a suitable spot for the foundation of their nidus, pre-
ferring a gravelly bottom, not too deep, and over which a current runs ; hence
the best place to look for the nests is where clear streams empty themselves into
a river. At such a place you will almost invariably find abundance of them in
the months of May, June, and July. Another favourite locality is a large flat
stone at the bottom of the river, over the edge of which the water flows, so as to
produce a ripple. Having chosen a suitable spot, he (for it is always the male
that builds) begins by laying a foundation. This is slightly modified, according
to the materials of wliich the superstructure is to be made. If, as is most usually
the case of straws and such like, the first thing done is to lay a number of these
on the bed of the stream, carefully tucking the ends of them down into the gravel
upon which they rest ; across these are laid other straws, the ends of which are
either interlaced amongst the first row, or tucked into the gravel. This last
operation is always performed by means of the animal's snout, the point of which
he places on the end of the straw, &c., and then, raising his body perpendicularly,
he thus presses the straw, or other material, among the stones or mud. Amongst
and over these straws confervse and such like are interwoven, rendering the
whole one compact mass, through which the water, however, can have free pas-
sage. He always takes care to preserve a dome-like hollow in the centre, on
the top of which there is a small round hole; the edges of this he takes particu-
lar care to strengthen, tucking in the straws, and rounding off the edges most
industriously ; and every now and then he pauses in his task, and remains hover-
ing over the nest, as though trying by the current produced by the motion of his
fins whether the structure is secure enough or not. Sometimes the nest is en-

130 DUBLIN NATTJEAL HISTOET SOCIETY.

tirely made up of fresh- water alges* and in this case the foundation is a most
beautiful object, being as circular as though marked out with a pair of com-
passes. I have also seen it composed almost entirely of decayed leaves of trees ;
this was in a muddy ditch, and the nest was a most untidy-looking affair.
Whatever materials he uses he always takes care to preserve the hole in the
centre, boring at it every now and then with his snout for five minutes at a time.
It is most interesting to watch the little architect at his labours ; one while with
a straw or piece of stick in his mouth, three or four times as long as himself, or
else carrying a bunch of confervas, in which his head is nearly completel v con-
cealed ; at another while either hovering over the nest, or boring at it with his
snout, or else attacking some audacious intruder who has dared to trespass on
his demesne ; for I believe it is well known that these fishes always select a spot
for themselves, over which they keep guard with the greatest jealousy. One
morning I was much entertained by a contest of this kind. Two fish had selected
a large flag of about two feet square as the foundation for their nests. Every
minute or two, either in procuring straws or in returning with them, they would
come in contact, then there would be a rush at each other, and in a minute or
two, the weaker fish having given way, there would be a chase for two or three
minutes, during all which time the fishes never dropped the straws, the con-
queror invariably returning in triumph, and sailing, proudly, two or three times
round his nest. They seem to have some judgment in the selection of their ma-
terials, as I have often observed a fish, after carrying a straw for some distance,
to drop it, as though of no use ; and it invariably happened that if another fish
took up, by any chance, a straw which had been thus rejected, he also, after a
short while, dropped it, as if his instinct informed him that it was worthless.
The time the nest takes in building varies considerably; one that I timed took
five hours in the building, from the time that the first layer of straws was laid
till the fish stopped work. I never was fortunate enough to see the operation of
depositing the spawn, as I never was able to spend mere than five or six hours
at a time watching the fish, and believe the spawn is deposited in the dusk of
the evening. The spawn having been deposited, the male, or, as the country
people call him, "fAe coc/i," mounts guard, never going far from the nest, at
least for a time, and may be seen hovering over the sacred deposit, ready to give
battle to any enemy approaching its neighbourhood. At this time they are very
bold and pugnacious ; and I have known them even to dart at my hand, and
strike me with their spines when I went to take the nest. How long this watch
is kept up, I am not positive, but I think it must be continued till their young are
hatched, as I never found a nest unguarded. These are the principal observa-
tions I have been able to make on this little fish. I doubt not that they have oc-
curred to other naturalists, but, as I do not find them recorded, I feel myself
justified in bringing them before your Society.

As to the distribution of this little fish, it is found through the entire course
of the river, from its head, in the Butt of Kippure, to the Liffey mouth, and in
all its tributaries. Of other fishes, there are twelve, three of which, at least, if
not five, were introduced. They are: —

1. The trout (Salmo fario), found throughout the entire length of this
river and its tributaries. In the upper part of the stream, near its source, they
run very small, seldom, if ever, exceeding from a quarter to half a pound in
weight. In the lower part of the stream they have been caught, weighing as
much as 10 lbs. The general weight, however, here, seldom exceeds 3 lbs. The
year before last I saw one taken on an eel-line, which wanted but an ounce of
4 lbs.

2. The salmon (Salmo salar) principally come up the river during the win-
ter and spring floods ; salmon-fry are, however, taken nearly every autumn.

3. The gravelling (Salmo salmulus), principally found in the lower part of
the stream, and swarms in the river at particular seasons.

4. The loach (Cobitis barbatula"), found plentifully all through the river.
The largest I have seen was taken a liitie below the fair- green at Donnybrook ;
hey exceeded 6 inches in length.

DTTBLIlf H ATITEA L HTCTORT SOCIBTT. 1 3 1

5. The floander (Platessa flessns). This fish formerW, b«fore the erection of
Haigh's Weir, used to bo quite eomraon all along the fair-green. The erection
of this weir confined them to the portion of the river below it, so that the onl j
specimen I know of as having been taken in Donnybrook was a small one, about
tne size of a crown-piece, taken by teeming a hole, after a flood, just below where
the wooden-bridge stands. Within the last year the weir to which I allude has
been removed, and flounders are now taken up as far as Ball's Bridge.

6 and 7. Both sharp-nosed and blunt-nosed eels (Anguilla acutirostris and
A. latirostris) may be taken at any time, but especially after the early au-
ttimnal floods. They grow as large as from 2^ lbs. to 3 lbs. weight.

8. The rudd (Leuciscus erythrophthalmus). These used to be very common
in the lower parts of the stream below Rathfamham ; but, a few years since,
owing to the deleterious effects of the waste waters from some mills, they became
very scarce. They are, however, becoming plentiful again, and on a fine sunny
day may be seen in shoals in many parts of the stream, especially below Anglesea
Bridge, playing on the top of the waters. They seldom grow larger than 6 to 9
inches ; they abound in the pond attached to Rochford's iron- works at Clon-
skeagh, but are rather shy of taking bait. The lower orders call them perch.
I have great doubt as to their being indigenous ia this river, and am rather in-
clined to think that they, as well as the next, have found their way into these
waters from the canal which joins this river at Ringsend.

9. The perch (Perca fiuviatilis). As stated just now, I have strong doubts
of the claim of this fish to be considered a native of this river ; however, there is
gfood proof that it has been found here for the last twenty years. The only
places I know of its having been captured in are three : — Rochford's Pond,
where, as I have been credibly informed, a fish weighing 6 lbs. had been taken
tome years ago, and where I have seen fish of nearly a pound weight captured
in I8fi0 ; in the bed of the river just above the weir which supplies the Donny-
broc^ saw mills ; and just below Anglesea Bridge ; 1 myself introduced nine
perch, of from a half to a quarter of a pound in weight, as an experiment, into
the last- mentioned locality in 1849. They throve and bred, as I saw them
about the place where I had liberated them, in 1850, but I have not seen them
since, and have not been able to find out anything more of them. [Seen again
by me in 1858.— J. R. K.]

Whatever doubts there may be as to whether any of the above-named fi^
have been introduced, there can be none, I think, concerning those to which I am
now about to allude, the gudgeon and minnow.

10. The gudgeon (Gobio fluviatilis) was introduced into the Dodder from the
Swords River, about twenty years ago, by a fisher who, living in Dublin, dis-
liked the trouble of going so far for bait. Such, at least, was the account 1 got
of the matter, and, from inquiries made, I believe it to be true. They now abso-
lutely swarm in the river, growing often to the length of 10 inches. I have never
seen them above Templeogue.

11. The minnow T Leuciscus phoxinus). This, as I have stated before, was
introduced with the last, and, like it, now swarms in certain parts of the
stream. The largest I have seen were taken just below Classon's Bridge, near
Miltown. Some specimens were as much as 4 inches in length. The capture of
these a»d the last-mentioned fish, for bait for anglers, affords employment for
throe or four men during the summer months.

This concludes the list of the Dodder Fish, exclusive of marine species,
many of which are found at its mouth tide-way ; but as I have never had an op-
portunity of examining them, I have preferred passing them over altogether, to
giving details of the truth of which I was not certain. I have also been told of
a pike that had his lair below Clonskeagh Bridge, but as I never could satisfy
myself of his existence, I have omitted him altogether, although I do not see
Why a stray jack might not make his way up this river from the Grand Canal.

This concludes my notes ; and, imperfect in many respects as thev are, I
have been induced to lay them before your Society, first, in the hope of drawing

1^2" DXTBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

from some of the Members who are better qualified for the task, similar lists
for other localities ; and, secondly, because 1 am convinced that nothing solid
can be done for developing the natural history of this island, until we have si-
milar local lists of at least every county in Ireland — lists, not merely of the
fishes, but of every class of animated nature, showing the distribution, variety,
&c., of every species, and thereby clearing away a great many of the mysteries
and doubts that at present envelop the Fauna of this country.

Mr. Kinahan referred to the statements of Yarrell and others on the spawn-
ing of Gasterosteus, that they deposit their ova on the leaves of aquatic plants,
and stated that he Iselieved it was an error copied from previous writers, as he
never found the ova on plants, but invariably deposited in the dome of the nests,
several of which were exhibited to the meeting.

JUNE 16, 1854.

FURTHER REMARKS ON THE SPAWNING OF THE SMOOTH-TAILED STICKLEBACK
(G. LEIURUS). by J. B. KINAHAN, M.B.

Yesterday, when walking along the River Dodder, above Clonskeagh, my at-
tention was attracted by what the Norwegians call a " lek,"i.e. a number offish
assembled at the edge of the pond for spawning purposes. On examination, I
was slightly surprised at finding that they were my old friends the stickleback,
as on the 23rd April I had taken at Moorefield, Roebuck, the nidus of this spe-
cies containing ova on the point of bursting. This led me to watch the proceed-
ings, and I had the pleasure of witnessing the process of the deposition, and, as
I believe, the impregnation of the ova. Among the many " cock" pinkeens
anxiously mounting guard over their nests, one especially attracted attention by
his movements ; instead of boring at the upper entrance of the nest, as I for-
merly described, he would make convulsive darts at the edge of the nest, which
seemed to me larger than usual ; he also seemed more tolerant of the presence of
intruders than ordinarily is the case. The cause soon appeared, as in about
three minutes a large female darted out at the opposite side of the nest I now
show, in which, doubtless, she had been depositing her spawn ; the male imme-
diately wriggled himself in, and remained there upwards of thirty seconds. He
then came out, sailed round the nest, tucking in the loose straws with his snout,
then swam off to his partner, and, after conducting her into deep-water, re-
turned to the duty of mounting guard, as I formerly described it. Another cock
also attracted my attention from the brilliancy of his colours ; and, from obser-
vations made on him, I am strongly inclined to think that these fish are not po-
lygamous, but monogamous. His occupation was endeavouring to persuade a
•• hen" pinkeen to deposit her ova in his nest. The manoeuvres of both fish were
most amusing; on the whole it appeared as if he was more courted than court-
ing. He would suddenly sail off from her ; she would follow, sailing round him
in circles till she almost touched him, when he would turn and look at her, and
off they would sail, side by side, towards the nest. On approaching this, he
would impatiently dart forward and poke his nose into the side entrance, as if
to show what a grand house he had prepared for her, but she would immediately
coquettishly turn off, and sail slowly away ; he immediately would follow, but
after a short pursuit would return, as if in dudgeon, to his old beat, on which
she would begin her old circle-sailing and teasing of him. Sometimes another
fish would intrude on him while thus engaged, when an instant chase would oc-
cur. If the fish were a gudgeon, I remarked he as often let them alone as chased
them. If this chase lasted too long, the hen would sail off for deep-water, and
then it was his turn to follow her and bring her back, darting backwards and
forwards in the most ludicrously distressed manner possible; and, when he found
her, pretending not to see her, but keeping aloof — a proceeding she did not at

DUBLIN NATURAL HI8T0BT 80CIETT. 133

all seem to relish, as she began her old o4role-sailing immediately. Neither this
male pinkeen nor that first mcntiuned would allow a second female, on anj pre-
tence, near the nest, chasing' them awayeren more rancorouMlj than the males,
from which 1 believe those hsh to be strictly monoeamous, though authors state
the contrary. I could not remark the fishes in their contest using any other
weapon than their teeth, though I watched carefully for the side charge with
their dorsal spines, described so fully by authors. From the quantity of oTa in
this nest you may form some slight idea of the pest that the fish can become in
a pond, though there is a great check put on their numbers by the numerous in>
dividuals doToured by the full grown males of other nests.

MARCH 10, 1854.

ON THI DE8TRDCTION CAUSED BY THE SMOOTH- TAILED STICKLEBACK (O A STE-
B08TEUS LEIDRUS) IN FISH-PONDS AND VIYARIA. BY J. B. KINAHAN, M.B.

During the former session I had the honour to submit to your Society some
observations on the spawning of the above fish ; to-night I have occasion again
to call your attention to it with reference to a very different matter, the destruc-
tion it causes among young fry, a subject of economic importance, since the
breeding of fish has become not only a fashionable amusement, but even an ob-
ject of commercial speculation. That the smooth-tailed stickleback, and indeed
all the fresh-water fish of that genus are, when grown, most destructive to fry,
even of the fish much larger than themselves, such as gudgeon, rudd, dace,
minnow, trout, &c., has been long established by Baker and others, and any one
anxious to verify it for himself need but to watch the shallows adjacent to the
spawning-beds where the fry congregate, to have ample proof of it among the
myriads of pinkeens which swarm in such places. In fact, the voracity of the
mature or half-grown stickleback almost exceeds credibility. Nothing comes
amiss that has life — small crustaceans, molluscs, fry, often double their own
size, worms, grubs, all alike are acceptable to the little tyrant. Thus I have
often been amused by the struggles and efforts of a pinkeen to engulf one of those
large white moths which in the autumn are so often found floating on the water ;
the fish, being unable to get a sufficient purchase to enable him to overcome the
resistance offered by the insect's outspread wings, wotild return again and again
to the charge, spinning the moth round and round on the water, and often, in
his eagerness, springing completely out of it himself. I once had a remarkable
instance of this greediness myself, having, when bait-fishing, captured a pinkeen
scarcely more than an inch long on a No. 5 hook, armed with a gentle nearly as
big as himself, which the little brute had the impertinence to swallow, and was,
in consequence, hooked through the lip. But, though acquainted with the vora-
cious appetite of the full-grown fish, I must confess I was not prepared to find it
more strongly developed in the fry scarely six weeks old, rendering them the
terror and scourge of the fish-pond — a fact first brought under my notice by the
same accurate observer who called my attention to their nest-building powers,
Mr. C. Brunetti, to whom I am principally indebted for the details. In the
month of September the following fish were placed in a long glass jar, viz., two
dace, about naif an inch long, four gold-fish, hatched in June, about an inch in
length, one gudgeon, a minnow, and a single smooth-tailed sticklfback, the last
. measuring about a fourth of an inch in length. For about three weeks the fish
^lived in harmony together, and seemed to oe thriving, feeding freely on bread
crumbs, but at the end of that time my informant remarked that the stickleback
had given up feeding on the bread, while the gold fish seemed out of sorts, lan-

§uid and pining, lying more at the bottom than had been their wont, and evi-
ently not thriving ; this led him to watch them, when he was witness to a sin-
gular scene. He saw the pinkeen, after deliberately setting one of the gold-fish,
as a dog would a hare, make a dart at it, and bite a piece out of one of the gold-

3 A

134 DITBIIN NATTTEAL HI8T0EY SOCIETY.

fish's pectoral fins, and, retaining th^iece in its mouth, rise to the top of the
water, and there chew and masticate it in the peculiar manner common to most
fishes, till he had reduced it into a sufficiently comminuted state to allow it to be
swallowed. After a momentary rest, the little glutton would, diving, select
another gold-fish, and go through the same round of setting it, and biting a
piece out of its fins, making as many as five or six attacks in as many minutes.
Having devoured as much of their pectorals as he could, the little epicure next
attacked their tails, and so persecuted them that at length the unfortunate gold-
fish, unable to preserve their balance, turned over on their backs and died. Our
little tyrant then paid similar attentions to the dace, which was about double
his own size, and succeeded in stripping its pectoral fin, but the dace, being a
hardier fish, bore this rough handling better than the gold-fish. The minnow
was also attacked, but proved too active for its tiny foe ; while the gudgeon es-
caped uninjured, protected either by his size, or, perhaps, because nis fins are
too tough. These details prove, I think, a voraciousness on the part of this fish
exceeding all his fresh-water congeners, not even excepting the pike, and opens
up the question whether some effort should not be made to exclude him, if pos-
sible, from our spawning-ponds — a task, it must be confessed, of some difiiculty,
when we consider the myriads of these fishes that are found in almost all our
waters ; but, perhaps, by watching the spawning grounds of the gasterosteus in
the proper season, much might be done, at least, to lessen their numbers. I may
as well mention a singular circumstance with reference to the distribution of
this fish. There is a district in the north of Clare, around Feakle, where the fish,
as far as I could learn, is utterly unknown, even by name, its place in the streams
being taken by the smooth loach (C. barbatula), called there Cailliagh rhua,
i.e. red hags, and the gudgeon, which (generally a local fish) here literally
swarms in the sandy rivers, even in the subterranean tourmines of Kiltannon.
I was told by several persons who knew the pinkeen well, that it did not exist
there; and a careful search on my own part, during six weeks' sojourn, failed to
discover it ; a fact the more singular as a great part of the district is bog, in
the pools of which, in some of the neighbouring counties, the smooth-tailed
stickleback is plentiful ; neither could I find the minnow there, though both
perch and trout abound ; and in Loughgraney, I was told, bream were found ;
but I did not see any myself. In my former notes on this fish, I gave a list of
the fishes of the Dodder. To these I may now add the dace (Leuciscus vulga-
ris), which has lately been introduced into ponds connected with the river, into
which latter they will probably eventually find their way.

MAY, 1830.

ON VARIETIES OP THE PLEDRONECTIDiE. BY W.ANDREWS, M.R.I.A.

He said that although on this evening he had several donations of interest to
present to the Society, he would allude but to one or two, as there were papers
of much interest to follow. His remarks, therefore, would be brief, as he would
take the opportunity, on another evening, of noticing more fully the subject he
had proposed to bring forward. The first was a very singular variety of the
common sole (Solea vulgaris), presented by Maurice O'Connell, Esq., M.P., one
of the directors of the Royal Irish Fisheries Company, and taken when Mr.
O'Connell was on board one of the company's boats when trawling off Valentia.
The singular character of this sole is, having both sides similar, the left side
being equally as dark as the right, and covered with similar rough ciliated
scales. Mr. O'Connell had noticed this character of sole taken on long lines off
Darrynane, where it was known by the name of rock-sole. It had also a mal-
formation of the head, like that described by Mr. Yarrell of a brill. Another do-
nation was from James Edward Stopford, Esq., also a Director of the Company,
of a very handsome and fine specimen of the britt or brill (Rhombus vulgaris),
taken by one of the company's boats off the Blaskets. This fish presented simi-

DUBLIN NATURAL HI8T0RT SOaETT. 135

lar characters as those described of the last, having the right side dark, and
marked as the left. In the Plcuronectidec, the characters are, having one side
white and smooth, the left being so in the soles, the right, in the brill and turbot.
Another donation of great interest, and presented by the company, were two
handsome specimens of the Bergylt, or Norway haddock (Sebastes Norve-
fficus), taken by the long lines, in deep-water off the Wild Bank, Dingle Bar.
This is a rare and interesting addition to the ichthyology of the country. A sci-
entifically accurate drawing, while the vivid colouring of the fish existed, was
taken by Mr. R. F. Williams.* A singular production, taken from the stomach
of a ling, Mr. Stopford would bring to notice.

Mr. Stopford said that this singular bait was a white metal spirit-flask,
which was taken out of the stomach of a ling by the son of the canoe-builder to
the Company. The flask contained spirits, which was secured in the flask by a
screw-top. He could only account for it by the fish seizing it as the flask fell
overboard, or out of the pocket of the owner. He hoped, however, that the poor
fellow did not lose his mess at the same time. Mr. Stopford said that he had
much pleasure in presenting the flask, not to the Society, but to a Member pre-
sent, his friend, ^Ir. FfenneTl. One side of the flask, under the head of the Royal
Irish Fisheries Company, bore the following inscription : —

This Flask,
• containing aboat two glasses of an ardent spirit,

was found in the stomach of a Ling, taken off Brandon Head,

County of Kerry, Febniary, 1849.

Presented by James Edward Stopford, Esq., LL.D., Director,

and William Andrews, Esq., Manager,

To William J. Ffennell, Esq.,

In testimony of esteem, and of their 8en.se of the services rendered

by him as Commissioner of Fisheries.

Mr. Ffennell said that he felt extremely gratified with the complimentary
manner in which this singular bait had been so kindly presented to him. It was
one of his oflicial duties to gather and promote every information with respect
to the obtaining baits most useful in the fisheries throughout the seasons. He
was not sure that he could recommend such a bait as that now brought before
the meeting, but he would take the matter into consideration.

MOLLTJSCA.

MARCH 5. 1850.

OBSEHVATIONS ON THE PECULIAR LOCAL POSITION OF SOME SPECIES OT THS
PHOLADIOiE ON THE COAST NEAR DUNOARVAN. BY CHARLES FABRAN, M.D.

On taking up my residence last autumn at Clonea Castle, situated within
three miles of Dungarvan, county of Waterford, I made inquiries from those
most likely to afford me information as to the objects of natural history which
were to be found in this locality. The answers I generally received were unfa-
vourable ; and, being much occupied in other pursuits, I was prevented making
that personal examination which can alone be satisfactory to a naturalist.
Shortly after Christmas an accident occurred which clearly shows that a field
apparently barren to a superficial observer will be found replete with interest
to those zealously seeking information, and should afibrd a sound practical les-
son to the young naturalist, to take nothing by hearsay, but to go into the field,
examine, and judge for himself. Clonea House stands on a ledge of impure lime-
stone, projecting into the sea ; on each side a semicircular strand appears, ex-

* Vide figure and remarks, vol. U., page 61.

136 DUBLIN NATUEAL HISTOKY SOCIETY.

tending a considerable distance ; that on the right, to which I shall draw atten-
tion, lies between Clonea and Dungarvan, and, 1 should suppose, is about half an
English mile in length, and is terminated by another projecting ledge of lime-
stone. About sixteen or eighteen years ago, the owner of the soil built a low
protecting wall between this space, to prevent the sand drifting on the land.
Shortly after this, a beach of pebbles was formed, which has gradually increased,
so that at present it appears, when walking alongside of it, to be the accumula-
tion of centuries, in some places measuring thirty or forty yards in breadth, and,
by estimation, ten to twelve feet in height. Its contents could only be calculated
by the hundreds of thousands of tons ; it is composed of fragments of conglome-
rate, sandstone, gray and red quartz, and slate, of all sizes. 1 have been parti-
cular in describing this very curious geological fact, as it greatly enhances the
interest attached to the incident I am about to narrate. Shortly after Christmas
heavy gales from the S.E. prevailed, and on going down to the strand I perceived
a large black mass in the distance, on the very top of the beach. Naturally sup-
posing it to be some part of the hull of an unfortunate wrecked vessel, 1 hastened
towards it. My surprise may easily be imagined when, instead of finding what
I had anticipated, I found a large block of turf, containing some cube yards.
On examination, I perceived that it was perforated like a honeycomb on its upper
surface, and on cutting down in the direction of the holes, I found the beautiful
shell, Pholas candidus, at the bottom of each — some dead, others alive. My at-
tention was further drawn to the circumstance of there being a great difference
in the size of the holes, and on examining the large-sized orifice, I found that
Pholas crispata was the occupant. On further examination I found Hiatella
rugosa (Venus perforans) in the cavities of the dead shells of Pholas crispata.
I remarked that Pholas candidus had invariably formed a tube of agglutinated
sand, reaching from the orifice of the hole to the animal, completely preventing
the contact of the turf-mould. This was not the case with P. crispata. In a few
days after, favoured by a remarkably low tide (that which threatened the over-
flowing of the cellars in Dublin), I again visited the strand, where, as far as the
eye could reach, a submerged bog presented itself to view, apparently of a
spongy texture, but really so hard as scarcely to take the pressure of the foot ;
the cellular appearance arising from the inBnitenumber of holes, each indicating
the habitation of a Pholas ; so numerous were they, that I found it impossible to
cut into the turf without destroying numbers of those beautiful shells — in fact,
tesselated pavement could not be more thickly set. Here, also, I obtained Hia-
tella perforans of large size in the dead valves of either Pholas, free from
wrinkles, and nearly of double size of any recorded specimen. But the most in-
teresting part of this necessarily short examination remains. On my striking
into the root of a fir, I found it densely populated by that enemy to the mariner,
the ship- worm. 1 have not as yet been able critically to determine the species,
whether Teredo Norvegica or Navalis, but of as large size and development as
any I have seen either on the bottom of ships or timber floating for any length
of time in the sea. This fact possesses in my mind great interest, as up to this

Eeriod I have never found this mollusc in any locality, nor do I find it recorded
y others, save iu Forbes and Hanley's work on the British Mollusca, where
some port in the North of Ireland is given as a locality ; so that, although in
Mr. Thompson's " Fauna of Ireland" it is noted as being found on all the shores
of the island, still no defined locality is given. The timber which it inhabits is
driven on all our shores, and thus it is stated to be found wherever the timber is
beached. Now we have its position ascertained, and no doubt can exist as to its
being a "genuine native of our soil." The tide rapidly coming in, to my great
regret, prevented my making any further examination into this most interest-
ing spot, aud I shall close this brief notice by a few observations which vividly
present themselves to my mind. Must it not strike with wonder any person in
the habit of observing the operations of nature, how such an enormous beach as
I have described could have been accumulated in such a comparatively short pe-
riod; and must it not equally surprise him to find this huge mass passing over

DUBLIN NATURAL BI8T0RT BOCIETr. 187

those fragile ereatores, and tearing them unhurt. A broken shell is not to be
found ; their habitation appears to bid defiance to injury, though placed in such
an apparently perilous position ; yet Wisdom, perfect in all her ways, adapts the
means to the end. Must it not be evident that a change, both in tide and cur-
rent, has taken place; and, moreover, must not the conviction that a great sub-
sidence of the bog had taken place, force itself irresistibly on the mind I These
facts, thus laid before us, would it be out of place to speculate on the changes
which would occur if, at a future epoch of time, another disturbance of the crust
of this portion of the earth should take place, and elevation be substituted for
depression, what a complexity of geological phenomena vvill be presented to the
observer. The beach, with its disk-like components, occupying an elevated po-
sition, and placed immediately next the bog— this, eeneralfy hostile to the
existence even of fcesh-water shells bearing molluscs, will be here found not only
inhabited, but densely crowded by marine animals, generally seeking in lime or
sandstone, or thick adhesive cluy, a place of safety in holes drilled in those sub-
stances by a wondrous mechanism, but here placed in the soft peat, carefully
sheathed with a coating of marine sand. But the last wonder remains — that
cosmopolite of the ocean, the ship-worm (Teredo navalis), the insidious de-
stroyer of our navy, the mariner's dread, will be found quietly located in the
root of the fir, a noble member of our primseval forests, now laid waste by the
unsparing hand of time. What a study for the future geologist ! and, applying
the observation to ourselves, how cautious it should make inquirers of the pre-
sent day, when investigating an equally difficult subject, not to doubt but that
he will solve the problem by patiently observing the alternations which have
taken place on the surface of the earth, and of which I have just pointed out a
remarkable instance.

Mr. Bergin was certainly of opinion that the piece of timber exhibited was
not drift-wood. It had the appearance of having for a considerable time been
embedded in the bog, and might have been dislodged and thrown up by the same
force that the large mass of turf had, as mentioned by Dr. Farran.

APRIL 15, 1851.

A CONTINnATION OF OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHOLADIA AND LITHOOOMI OF THS
COAST OF CLONEA, NEAR DUNGARVAN, COUNTY OF WATEBFORD. BT CHARLB8
FARRAN, M.D.

I find that it will be necessary to revert to the paper I had last the honour of
presenting to the Dublin Natural History Society, on the Pholadia found on the
coast in the immediate vicinity of Clonea, county of Waterford, where I at pre-
sent reside, inasmuch as I propose that the paper I am now about to read shall be
a continuation of it ; and indeed the subject is so intimately connected in both,
that it would be impossible to separate them. In my first paper I gave a general
outline of the contour of the coast which presented itself for examination, to the
naturalist apparently the most forbidding, but which proved on a more intimate
acquaintance to atford a wide field of interest, rarely to be excelled. The Mem-
bers may hold in recollection that I described a submerged bog, which, at low
tide, is laid bare, and thus its treasures are exhibited to those anxious to dive
into the mysteries of the deep; but this privilege is seldom afforded ; and even
in the most favourable season the time is so very short that the naturalist must
be quick, otherwise he will lose his advantage. It was in one of those critical
moments 1 had the good fortune to discover that rare shell. Teredo Norvagica
(ship-worm), embedded in the root of a fir-tree (Finns sylvestris) in situ, sur-
rounded by a bog on which it grew, and in which myriads of Pholns crispata and
Candida, with Pullastra perforans, were crowded together. A short descriptioo
of the ship- worm may possess some interest, particularly as we have the diffe«

138 DUBLIN NATUEAL HI8T0EY SOCIETY.

rent parts of the animal before us. The head is contained within two plates of
shell, carved in the most elaborate manner, and held together by ligament and
cartilage of a very complicated structure, the cartilage forming sockets into
which the several rounded processes are inserted, and which enable the animal
to move the plates in a somewhat similar manner to those animals possessing the
ball and socket joint. From those plates the worm springs, attaining a great
length, and terminating with two palette-like plates of shell, termed the caudal
appendages. It is by those plates that the different species of Teredines are
distinguished — Teredo navalis being deeply notched, but T. Norvagica, our
species, having the palette entire. 1 have stated that the animal attains a great
length ; I have seen it, when contracted, measuring eighteen inches ; it would
exceed that considerably if in its natural state. It appears to be filled with the
wood excavated, which is reduced to an impalpable pulp ; the microscope will
determine whether it is so or not ; but the most singular portion of the struc-
ture or domicile is the calcareous tube, which the animal secretes from the mo-
ment he enters the wood, and in which he subsequently lives ; its length appears
to be limited only by the length of the timber ; the fine specimens on the table
will demonstrate the mode of deposition. There are many points of interest un-
touched connected with this mollusc, which would occupy more time than can be
afforded at present, but which, I trust, I shall be able at some future period to
bring before the Society. I now have great pleasure in laying the results- of my
investigations before the Society, and exhibiting, in propria persona, the speci-
mens obtained amongst some turf inhabited as I have described ; and, in addi-
tion, a specimen of Pholas dactylus, which, although not of large size, suffi-
ciently attests its existence, and the probability that it will be found of full size,
and in eqnal abundance as the others, when favoured by a low tide. This spe-
cimen I obtained shortly before the following incident: — In the middle of July,
1850, perceiving a very low tide, I took a spade, and, going down to the strand,
commenced my "diggings," not, as you may perceive, in a golden vein, but in
the humble bog ; nevertheless, on counting up my gains on the returning tide, I
found, to my great delight, not an ounce of gold dust, but a noble specimen of
Pholas papyracea, now on the table. I feel that I am safe in asserting, both that
I prefer that discovery to many ounces of gold, and that it was the first time
it ever was found in Ireland, and thus that an addition to the Fauna of our island
has been made. As if to give an additional interest to this discovery, I was
shortly after favoured by a visit from Professor Edward Forbes, who accompa-
nied Sir Henry de la Beche on a geological excursion to my neighbourhood.
He said it was the finest specimen he had seen; and Sir Henry de la Beche ob-
served that it was typical of the red marl of Devonshire. This observation
should be held in remembrance, as Waterford partakes not only largely in its
geological structure with Devon, but also in its mollusca. It will be seen from
the above statement that we have four members of the very natural family of
Pholadiae, associated with Teredo Norvagica and Pullastra perforans, occupying
the same ground, and vying with each other for the maintenance of their free-
hold. I think this a favourable opportunity of observing, that the mode by
which the Pholadiaj sink into the turf or wood, and subsequently enlarge the
orifice upwards, is two-fold. There can be no doubt that the foot is the instru-
ment by which the mollusc works its downward passage through the turf or
wood, and that the tongue or tube subsequently enlarges the orifice upwards,
and thus secures a free communication for that organ with the water from which
it derives its support and nutriment. This view, I conceive, will be apparent,
by examining the shell in situ now on the table. It would be out of place here
to discuss the modus operandi employed by the animal in this rather complex
motion, so I shall proceed to draw your attention to another class of borers, or
Lithodomi, who apparently have a much more difficult task to perform in ob-
taining a habitation in the living rock. It must have occurred to the majority
of those present to have seen on the . sea-shore, and frequently in fancy rock-
work, limestone boulders perforated in such a manner as to resemble a sponge.

DUBUH FATU&AL HI8T0BT SOCIETr. 139

Those holes are generally excayated by Hiatella rugosa, specimens of which are
here presented. I should say that in the majoritv of cases this is the mollose
which will be found on breaking^ up those stones ; but there are other and rarer
shells to be found, which I shall now bring under your notice, and which I pro>
cured in my immediate vicinity, thrown on the beach. The first is Venenipis
irus. Old and obsolete fraements of this shell were found by me in breaking up
some of those boulders, and I placed them on a card, which I hold in my hand,
and notice them as the first inaication of this desideratum. Encouraged by this
gleam, I laid on my blows with a heart and a hand, and was rewarded by obtain-
ing those fine specimens. It may be in the recollection of some of the Members
present that I noticed the fact of baring obtained this shell in my paper on the
shells of Bertirbie Bay, but under very different circumstances. There the
shores are bounded by granitic rocks ; not a particle of limestone is to be found ;
how the germ of the mollusc was preservea, and how the animal, arriving at
maturity, could maintain its life and position, is a matter of high interest. Into
the rock the animal could not enter ; if it were there, it would be safe, but it
would be certain destruction if it were free, and subject to the currents.
•• Fixity of tenure" seems to be essential for the preservation of bivalves. This
end was attained by the animal being provided with a byssus of great strength,
by which it attached itself to the rock, which held it so firmly that it was with
difiiculty my poor and talented friend M'Calla could detach it. What wonderful

EroviRlons are accorded by the great Creator for the preservation of the hum-
lest of his creatures 1 In company with Venerupis irus I found Gastrocheena
pholadia. This mollusc affords another wondrous example of the power of adap-
tation, so as to insure preservation in almost any position it may be placed in.
Here 1 found it burrowing in hard crystalline limestone. On the other hand, I
found it in Berterbie Bay in its more elaborate form, an account of which I had
the honour of laying before the Society in the paper I read on the Shells of that
Bay in December, 1844. That Bay is surrounded, as I said before, by granitic
rocks; there is a total absence of limestone. We have seen how the animal of
Venerupis irus sustained itself in the midst of such a difiiculty. Let us now ex-
amine how this tender Gastrochaena not only protects itself, but lives safely,
until its privacy is intruded on by the sharp edge of a dredge. 1 have herei a
beautiful exemplification. The animal, when in its free state, selects (there is no
chance) a suitable situation for its domicile, generally the obsolete valve of Lu-
traria or Pectunculus pilosus; it immediately agglutinates the siliceous particles
which lie immediately about it, moulds them into the form of an exquisite dome,
and thus effectually and permanently protects itself. But this process would
prove fatal to the animal, as completely shutting out the water — how does it
obviate this difficulty ? It augers or bores a hole through the shell, on which it
rests, immediately under the dome; but this would rather expose it to danger;
at least it would very imperfectly protect it from the intrusion of what might
prove hurtful to it. What further steps are taken to rectify this difficulty ? It
erects immediately over the hole a calcareous tube, broad at the base and taper-
ing towards the top ; its fleshy tube accurately fills this, and thus the entrance
is effectually closed against any hurtful substance or hostile animal. Thus pro-
tected, it has nothing to fear ; it is completely cased in a coat of mail, and at the
same time a free communication with the water is maintained. I have thus given
a hasty sketch of this highly interesting mollusc. It may be considered only a
repetition of what was said before; but, independently ot the interest attached
to the subject, I have a personal motive in thus noticing it again ; and it appears
te me that the Society has also an interest in the matter — for I cannot conceal
the fact, that the moment a paper, whether good or bad, is read before this body,
it ceases to be the property of the author, and becomes that of the Society ; and
this, in my mind, should prove a most cogent reason for publishing the Trans-
actions of the Society, unless it is determined still to permit the credit of any
discovery in natural history, made b^any of its Members, and communicated to
it, to be torn from it. I shall explain the reason of my offering those observa-

140 DTTBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOClETr.

tions. In the year 1844 I dredged Birterbie Bay, and had the good fortune to
discover Gastrochaena pholadia. Shortly after my return to Dublin, I submitted
the specimen to the examination of Professor Edward Forbes. That distin-
guished zoologist informed me that he had never seen it before, unless in a fossil
state in one of the tertiary strata on the northern shores of the Mediterranean.
Subsequently, in December, 1844, I read my paper on the shells of that Bay be-
fore the Society, and particularly alluded to finding Gastrochaena, which 1 ex-
hibited to the Society. In September, 1845, I met Mr. Barlee in Bantry, and
gave him the bearings of the bank in Birterbie Bay, where he would find the
shell. Guided by my directions he did get it. You may judge of my surprise
on finding in the new work on the British Mollusca, edited by Professor Edward
Forbes and Mr. Hanley, that the discovery of this interesting mollusc has been
divided between Mr. Barlee and myself, whereas I claim the undivided credit of
having brought this interesting mollusc to light. 1 attach no blame to Professor
Forbes, who, I consider, would be totally incapable of committing intentional in-
justice ; the Professor has such a multiplicity of occupations, that it is natural
to suppose that some mistakes may occur in his works. Neither do I censure
Mr. Barlee ; but I mention the fact to show the absolute necessity of publishing
in a permanent manner the Proceedings of the Society. I now approach the dis-
covery of Thalassema Neptuni, or Gaertner's spoon-worm. This very singular
animal has hitherto evaded the observation of any naturalist in Ireland, at least
any living one. Mr. Thompson, the best authority on such subjects, and whose
experience is great, says in a letter to me that he never saw the animal in a liv-
ing state; and it appears to be nearly as rare in England. Mr. Forbes, in con-
junction with Mr. Goodsir, saw but one alive, and the description given in Mr.
Forbes's excellent work on the Radiata of Great Britain is a copy taken from
that given by the celebrated naturalist and zoologist of Devon, Colonel Mon-
tagu ; and it is to that great naturalist the credit is due for first determining
the true relations of the Thalassemacae ; for, speaking of this worm, he ob-
serves : — " I think it might with propriety immediately precede Holothuria."
Other celebrated authorities associate the spoon- worm with the Annelida, but,
from the conjoined labours of Mr. Forbes and Mr. Goodsir, it is now conceded
that structurally they are Radiata, and their relation with the worms to be a re-
lation of analogy. In Mr. Forbes's book it is stated that hitherto this animal
has only. been found on the coasts of Devon and Cornwall. Gaertner and Mon-
tagu describe it as living among the rocks. From my observation, those emi-
nent men would have been nearer the truth had they stated that they lived in
the rocks, for such truly is the case ; they are stone-borers, of which no doubt
can be entertained from the following statement: — In searching for Gastro-
chaena I broke a limestone boulder recently thrown on the beach, to which was
attached a plant of Laminaria. In this stone I found a specimen of that Mol-
lusc, and immediately adjoining I perceived, in a diff^erently-formed cavity, a
purplish-coloured animal with an appendage of a bright saffron colour. Struck
with its singular appearance, I endeavoured to take it out of the hole, but found
that without destroying the animal this could not be done; I accordingly struck
the stone on what I considered to be the line of cleavage, and on examining the
result found, to my delight, eight or nine of the same animals placed in cavities
which they accurately fitted, and out of which I gently shook them. In this po-
sition they were all nearly alike as to size. Putting them into my box, I has-
tened home, and at once placed them in a finger-glass of salt-water. Here a
metamorphosis, as unexpected as singular, took place, which baffles all descrip-
tion. Some of them assumed the shape of a balloon, others of an hour-glass ;
some elongated themselves, so as to exactly resemble the iron spoon used in the
kitchen ; some, having projected their tube, or what appeared to be such, ex-
panded it so as to resemble a disk, from which the tube appeared to arise again,
and produce the same appearance further on ; the edges of the tube and that
of the disk all this time were fringed and kept in constant motion, like vibratile
ciiise; some assumed the shape of a small sausage; in fact, they were ever va-

DITBLIN ITATUBAL BISTORT 80CIBTT. 141

Tying both In shape and colour. On examination It could be plainly geen that the
organ called a tube was nothing more than a thin membrane which the animal
could coil or roll up like paper, and over which it exercised as complete control
as the elephant over his trunk. It has been supposed that it is through the in-
strumentality of this organ that locomotion is performed ; but if my view of the
animal being a stone-borer is correct, this cannot be its use ; the animal must
be stationary, from its position in the stone, and, consequently, the organ is used
merely for the purpose of capturing its prey or food, whatever that may be.
When I had satisiiud myself as to what the animal truly was, it struck roe that
it would add greatly to the interest of its history if I could establish the fact of
its being a stone-borer. I was aware that it might be objected to this view, that
the animal merely occupied the cavity made by some other of the Lithodomi; but
the very first view I had of the animal convinced me that such was not the case,
for, as 1 stated before, I found it impossible to remove the animal through what
may be termed the neck of the cavity ; however, to satisfy myself further ou the
subject, I again applied my hammer to a recently thrown up stone, which solved
the problem to my satisfaction. I found four or five specimens in this stone, and
I distinctlpr traced from the surface of the stone to the animal a passage, nar-
row and smuous, but equal in breadth through its length (about an inch), and
through which the animal projected its tube at pleasure ; the excavation then
suddenly increased to the size of the animal, in the form of a cone, into which
the animal accurately fitted. Now, if you examine the cavity formed by Hiatella
rugosa, it will be seen that it assumes the form of a pear, suddenly swelling out
from the point where the animal first entered the stone until it completes its
chamber. I consider that I have given sufficient proof to remove all doubt as to
its being in its economy a stone-borer, and that its tube is most wonderfully
adapted in its construction to supply the animal with all necessary food from the
surrounding waters ; moreover, I should say, if it were not encased in its stony
apartment it would easily fall a victim to its enemies, as it is scarcely possible
to coaceive a more helpless and defenceless creature. It may be proper here to
give some explanation as to the mode bv which the Lithodomi excavate into the
stone. The theory adopted by the earlier writers on zoology was, that the ani-
mal secreted an acid which acted on the limestone, and thus enabled the animal
to make its passage into the stone, and subsequently to enlarge it, as the animal
increased in size ; but modern chemistry has demolished this very plausible ex-
planation, by showing that no sugh acid existed either in the animal or in its
secretions ; and, consequently, that was not the agency by which the operation
was performed. The theory now adopted by the most eminent zoologists is, that
the tongue being armed with sharp siliceous particles, and kept in constant mo-
tion, wears away the stone by the friction, the animal during this process accu-
rately fitting itself into the cavity ; and the proof adduced in support of this view
is, that on anatomical examination being made, it is found that the tongue is
thus armed, and, moreover, that it is an organ of great strength and power in
addition. On subjecting the matter, or residuum, found in the cavity, after re-
moving the animal for examination, it is found to consist of two substances — a
limestone powder mixed with those siliceous particles. The inference drawn
from this fact is, that they have been rubbed off by the friction used, and mixed
together. As this theory satisfies such eminent men as Alder and Uandcock, it
would be rash to call the accuracy of it into question ; but of this I am certain,
that in the many examinations I have made into the cavities of the Lithodomi, I
never could detect the slightest remains of such residuum ; neither do 1 think
the animal could exist with it in the cavity, a perfectly smooth surface being an
indispensable ingredient to the well-being of the animal. A slight examination
will satisfy you as to this. Look to the inner surface of any shell, univalve, or
bivalve — could it be more smooth? Examine the sides of the cavitv made by
the Lithodomi, and you find that it is polished as finely as if from the hands of a
statuary. The necessity of this internal polish was so well known to LinnsBoa
that ho suggested an artificial mode of manufacturing pearls, by scratching the

2 B

142 DTJBLIN NA.TUEM. HISTOEY SOCIETY.

internal surface of the unio (or fresh-wator mussel). To remove the irritation
caused by this, the animal immediately secretes the pearly matter over it, and
thus proauces pearls. Ingenious as this suggestion was, it unfortunately did not
fully answer the expectation of its author, for the pearly matter did not assuroo
the globular form, which adds such value to the pearl. I now adduce the cir-
cumstance to prove the great care taken by the animal to secure for its domicile
a smooth and polished floor. I will only further observe, if the theory enun-
ciated as above be true, what must our astonishment bo, when we see such ten-
der and frail animals as Gastrochajna, Pholadia, and the shelless Thallassoma
diving into the heart of a crystalline rock, with as great ease and certainty as
the hardest chisel. In conclusion, I would most anxiously impress on those
whose sympathies are engaged in the charming science of natural history not to
be deterred by the unpromising appearance of a coast, but with patience mi-
nutely to examine every accessible spot; and I can promise that they will be
rewarded for their trouble, as I have been in my examination of the coast adjoin-
ing Clonea.

Mr. Andrews observed that the Society must feel deeply indebted to Dr. Far-
ran for his valuable communication this evening, and for the interest he afforded
to it by the splendid series of illustrations. The favourable opportunities of in-
vestigating the subject that Dr. Farran had, and the perseverance with which
he followed it out, but few Members could accomplish ; therefore, but little
could be remarked on what Dr. Farran had submitted. The very fine examples
of Teredo Norvagica embedded in the root-timber of Pinus sylvestris ; the re-
marks on Gastrochasna pholadia, Venerupus irus, and Hiatella rugosa, were
all additional facts of interest. The Society had long been sensible of the im-
portance of publishing its own Transactions, and it had often been noticed at
the meetings. He was, however, glad now to say that the determination of
doing so would be acted upon. The discovery of Pholas papyracea was a re-
ward of perseverance. It had often, in the young state, been met on the coast
of Devonshire, and known as the P. lamellata. It was, again, a subject of im-
portance, the geographical and geological distribution and position of animals.
The peculiarities of the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall, with that of the
south-western parts of this country, afforded many analogous cases both in
zoology and botany ; and, as before stated, with reference to other discussions,
with the shores of the Mediterranean. With regard to the very remarkable no-
tice and discovery by Dr. Farran of *' Thalassema Neptuni, as a stone -borer,"
Mr. Andrews would mention that he had met with several specimens of that sin-
gular animal long since in Dingle Harbour. They were embedded in hard sand
in the dead valves of Lutraria and Venus exoleta. These singular worm-like
creatures were of great beauty in the living state ; the body, of a grayish and
purplish tinge, and the projectile proboscis of a rich saffron orange. In these
valves were also specimens of that pretty little mollusc, Kellia suborbicularis.
In stating this, it was not Mr. Andrews's intention to wrest from Dr. Farran the
merit of the discovery which he undoubtedly possesses, but merely to record the
additional interest that the zoology of our coasts presents ; and, were we all to
investigate with such zeal, there can be no doubt that numberless new objects
and facts of interest would be noticed. Mr. Andrews saw no reason but that the
south-west coast would afford to us another very pretty genus closely allied to
Thalassema and Bonnellia, differing only in the forked proboscis, and which is
susceptible of great extension. Bonnellia viridis is an inhabitant of the Medi-
terranean, burrowing to some depth in the sand.

Professor Allman said he could confirm the observations of Mr. Andrews
relative to the Thalassema. Some time since Mr. Andrews gave him specimens
for dissection, but circumstances and numerous occupations prevented his tak-
ing up the subject, and making the minute examination that Mr. Andrews had
requested of him.

143

MAY 3, 1850.

ADDITIONAL M0TB8 OH TBBKDO NOBVAOICA. BT CBABLB8 rABBAH, M.D.

Before I bring under the notice of the Society the capture of a very rare bird,
the Black Tern^Stema fissipes) — vide ante, page 70— permit me to say that I re •
gret there should hare been an? ambiguity in the description I gave of the situa^
tion of the timber in which I had the good fortune to discover the Teredo, or
shipworm. The remains of the tree were ia si'/i/, the very spot where it grew
ana iluurished in ages past, and where it met the fate that levelled not it alone,
but countless numbers of others, which were visible on the day I was so fortu-
nate in visiting the strand. Any person conversant with the appearance of a
bog in the turNcuttin^ season, or after the removal of a quantity of turf, must
have observed how thickly studded the bog is with the butts and roots of trees,
the shai'ts of which are generally to be found in the immediate neighbourhood,
and which appear to have been prostrated by some violent hurricane. This is
the exact state of the submerged bog under Clonea ; and it was in the root of
one of those trees, and attached to the butt, that the colony of Teredos had lo-
cated itself.

Now, in respect to the Teredo which I had the pleasure of submitting to the
consideration of the Society, I should mention that 1 most unfortunately mislaid,
in the hurry of the moment, the only portion of the animal by which I could cri-
tically determine the species. In this genus the extremity of the animal is fur-
nished with two plates of shell, termed the •• palettes," or caudal appendages. In
the Teredo navalis those are deeply notched, while those belonging to T. Norva-
gioa are entire. The animals in both species are so much alike, that without this
very clear anatomical difference, it would be hard to distinguish one from the
other.

Since this communication had been drawn out, Dr. Farran stated that he had
been most fortunate in finding the palettes of the Teredo, which were attached to
one of the animals. I obtained them (says Dr. Farran) in the root of the fir, and
which at once determined the species to be Teredo Norvagica. I had a note
from Mr. Thompson on the subject, who states that he found the same species
years ago in the neighbourhood of Belfast, where it was also met below the
streets of Belfast, of ver^ large size, in oak, &c. It is, however, of interest to
observe my obtaining it in the south, showing the extent of its distribution. I
found one portion of a large root on the shore, which was completely perforated
by the Teredo, generally in the direction of the fibre of the root. In addition,
Pholas crispata had also been perforated, but at right angles with the Teredo,
across the grain. It is an interesting specimen, and on the first opportunity I
will forward it to be exhibited to the Society.

JUKE 10, 1853.

ON THE D18C0VBBT OF BULLA HTOATI8. BT CHABLE8 FABBAN, M.D.

On the last occasion, when I had the pleasure of bringing before the notice
of the Societv some notes on the Turnstone, the subject was so intimately asso-
ciated with the memory of the late William Thompson, that I availed myself of
the opportunity of recording the high estimation in which it is held by the luvcrs
of natural history. A similar melancholy task now falls to my lot in mentioning
the name of William M'Calla, a most distinguished and enthusiastic naturalist,
who, with indomitable zeal, unaided by fortune, has achieved a reputation in the
science of natural history seldom equalled, certainly never surpassed : the se-
veral recent standard works on the various branches connected with that science
attest this most amply. I select the following incident (from a multitude) to

144 DUBLIN NATUEAL HI8T0ET SOaETY.

exhibit the wonderful quickness of his perception : — I had with Mr. M'Calla vi-
sited the various collections, both private and public, of native shells in the me-
tropolis and elsewhere, and in all we found specimens of Bulla hydatis ; but
never could obtain from the proprietors or collectors the locality from whence
procured ; in fact, when pressed, the answer given was, that the specimens were
English. It is true that Mr. Thompson, in his " Fauna of Ireland," indicates the
point where this mollusc is to be found, but on asking him for the precise spot,
he was unable to point it out, and candidly stated that he had never seen the
shell with its animal alive ; at the same time he remarked that it would be a
great desideratum to obtain it.

I find that there is a notice of this shell in the ♦•Fauna of Cork," compiled
by Mr. Humphreys, as occurring in sand at Belgrove, East Ferry, Cork Har-
bour, but on making inquiries from that gentleman, he acknowledged he had seen
the shells, but never in a living state ; and as to the specimens in the Institution,
their locality was not noted, as he was not certain from whence they were pro-
cured. I have it in recollection seeing this shell in the collection of Mr. O'Kelly,
the intimate friend and associate of the late Dr. Turton ; it was marked as
English, and, as the collection was made during the lifetime of the Doctor, had
it been Irish, I have no doubt it would have been remarked as a notable addi-
tion to the zoology of Ireland. Until the incident to which I have alluded oc-
curred, I was under the impression that the shell was only to be found in the
English seas ; having been found on the western coast of Ireland, holds out the
promise not only that this English shell, but others, will be obtained by a dili-
gent search, which will amply repay the labours of the conchologist. In the year
1844, accompanied by Mr. M'Calla, I dredged Roundstone and Berterbie Bays
■with a success far beyond ray most sanguine expectation ; however, there was a
spot in Berterbie Bay which both agreed should be re-investigated, although
holding out little prospect of adding anything new to our collection, inasmuch
as we had gone over the ground before, and found that the floor of that part of
the Bay was covered with a great thickness of dead and decomposed nullipore,
and this, again, coated over by a thick deposit of slimy mud. We had observed
that wherever this peculiar formation occurred, our search for shells was fruit-
less. As we had, in tacking, only crossed this ground, we were determined now
to take it in the length, and accordingly gave our steersman orders to commence
at the tail of the bank and bring us up to the head of the inlet. Throwing the
dredge overboard, and running it out for a short time, we found on raising it
that it was filled to the utmost with the mud and nullipore, whidh was, as usual,
spread on the deck, and into which Mr. M'Calla at once plunged. Being occu-
pied examining this foetid mud for some time, he handed me a fragment of shell
very similar to the paring of a human nail, and, in rather an excited manner,
asked me what I thought it was. On looking at it and examining it as well as the
uneasy motion of the boat permitted (for the wind was fresh), I replied that I
conceived it to be a fragtnent of Bulla akera. " No, sir," was his prompt re-
ply, "it must be Bulla hydatis ; it will prove a fine addition to the Fauna of
Ireland." On again letting down the dredge we obtained larger fragments,
which you see placed on the card precisely as we found them; and by continu-
ing the course to the head of the inlet, we had the good fortune to obtain the
perfect shell, as seen in this bottle, with the animal; it contained about twenty
specimens. We were unable to return the same course from the shoaling of the
water, otherwise 1 could have ascertained the exact locality of our prize; and
I have no hesitation in saying that if ever I am permitted to revisit Berterbie
Bay, 1 shall be able to find Bulla hydatis. This circumstance brings to mind
the wonderful perception recorded of some palaeontologist, who, from seeing a
fragment of a tooth, was enabled to construct and bring to life, as it were, an
animal of gigantic frame, who inhabited the surface of our earth in bygone
ages ; but this was accomplished in the calm and quiet of the study. Poor
M'Calla made a near approach to this marvellous act of induction, but under
very different circumstances — immersed in a mass of mud and slime, and tossed

DUBLIN KATURAL HI8T0BT 80CIETT. 145

about by the swelling of an angry tea; however, it is to him alone that the cre-
dit of mailing this interesting addition to the Fauna of Ireland is due.

MAT, 1854.

CM HKLIX PI8ANA AND ITS LOCAUTIK8. BT CHARLS8 FABBAN, M.D.

I consider a favourable opp9rtunity occurs in presenting a few specimens for
the acceptance of the Society, of bringing forward a notice of the beautiful and
extremely local shull, Helix pisana, ur, as it was formerly designated, "Cin-
gcnda." I am particularly anxious that this record should be identified with the
Proceedings of our Society, and that the vagueness of its recognition as an Irish
shell should be reduced to a certainty. I am led to this by having latelv read in
Mr. Gray's edition of** Turton's Manual of Land and Fresh Water Shells of the
British Islands" the following observations relative to Helix pisana: — *'It is
one of the most beautiful of our snails, and extremely local ; it is common in the
Sonth of Europe and Northern Africa, but is not found in the northern coun-
tries ; Wales may be considered its northern limit. According to Montagu, no
mean authoritv, it is one of our most rare species ; he only found it in one olace
— on the land west of Tenby, where it is confined to a small space ; and Mr.
Rackett has found it at St. Ives, in Cornwall." Mr. Gray concludes by observ-
ing:— ** It has also been said to be found near Dublin." If from Hfteen to
twenty miles be meant as near Dublin, I can answer, with perfect safety, that
such is the case. In early life I frequently visited the strand of Knockangin,
about a mile and a half north of Balbriggan, in purstiit of wild fowl, which were
abundant there at certain seasons. On one of those visits, fatigued with watch-
ing for the flight of the game, I sat down on the grassy bank bounding the tide.
My attention was soon attracted by the appearance of numbers of a beautiful
snail. Being an inexperienced conchologist at the time, I thought the best thing
to be done was to bring them under the notice of those better acquainted with
the subject. Accordingly, filling my pockets with them, I presented them to my
lamented friend, the late James Tardy, an enthusiastic naturalist, to whom we
are all indebted as giving the first impulse to natural history in Dublin. Mr.
Tardy subsequently brought the shell under Dr. Turton's notice, and I had the
pleasure, a short time afterwards, of pointing out the locality to Mr. Tardy. 1
regret to say that, on visiting Knockangin on Monday, the 3rd of April last, I
found that the cuttings of the Drogheda Railroad had completely obliterated the
favoured locality of this shell, and where, before this occurred, I could have ob-
tained them in any number, a couple of dozen of rather inferior specimens were
my only reward; however, I should say they may be procured '* longo inter-
vallo" at Laytown, Bettystown, and up to Drogheda ; those places, being conti-
nuous with Knockangin, may be considered as one localitv-^and, except this, we
have no authentic record of any other in Ireland. The late Mr. JNrCalla in-
formed me he had seen the shell in Bunowen, one of the extreme points of Con-
nemara, but ho did not exhibit a specimen ; and my friend Mr. Andrews has
lately informed me that he has had the shell from Kerry. Reasoning by analogy,
both those localities would be very likely to produce it, as they contain many
species of plants, molluscs, and shells found on the southern shores of Europe.
Connected with this shell, I should allude to a singular fact — the im)K>ssibility
that exists of preserving the animal when taken from its native soil, at least so
far as the experiment has been tried. I collected twenty dozen of the finest and
most vigorous specimens for the late Butler Bryan, Esq. ; half of those he dis-
tributed on his property in iho county of Meath, and the remainder in the de-
mesne lands of Ferns, county of Wexford, the scene of his appalling murder.
Mr. Bryan distributed them himself, assimilating the soil as closely as possible
to their own, but without success. He wrote to me that the experiment was ft
total failure, but he was determined to give it a more extended trial on a future
occasion. I tried the experiment at Feltrim, near Malahide, with the same re-

146 DT3TJLTN NATXTEAL HISTOEY SOCIETY.

suits, although I succeeded in rearing Helix pomatia, or edible snail, in a degree.
I most carefully watched them, but within a month or two they invariably de-
clined and melted away. The last locality I placed them in was Portmarnock,
one in every respect similar to their own. Hero failure again occurred. Whether
they were picked up by the naturalists who frequented this interesting spot, or
that the locale was unfavourable, I cannot say, but I could not again find them ;
that they never increased is quite evident. In referring once again to Knock-
angin, I should observe, that it was on this strand Scalaria Turtonis was
first noticed, and which was named after Dr. Tiirton, who had done so much to
elucidate the science of Conchology.

Mr. Andrews said that the thanks of the Society were due to Dr. Farran for
his notes on this beautiful shell, and for the perfect series he now presented to
the Society. Some years since, when making a botanical ramble in the county
of Kerry, he (Mr. Andrews) found a dumber of specimens of Helix ciiigcnda,
firmly attached by a kind of deposit, or incrustation, to the leaves of the yellow
water iris ; with these, on the same plant, were found specimens of Succinea
putris. The animal of H. pisana is of a pale ash-colour, with eyes intensely black,
but the shells present such variableness of character — some yellowish and white,
and altogether wanting the bands — that he communicated with the late eminent
zoologist, William Thompson, inquiring of the views that ardent zoologist
might entertain of these forming specific differences. Mr. Andrews read Mr.
Thompson's reply, dated April, 1845: — " You did well not to trouble yourself
about the species of the shells, for it is a most critical study, and I should be
most sorry now to spend the time on it that I once did. The species is most in-
teresting, being Helix pisana (H.cingenda), hitherto known only in one locality."

Dr. Kinahan laid before the Society a number of specimens of H. pisana,
which he had, in company with Mr. Montgomery, collected at Baltrae, north of
the Boyne, early in March last. Dr. Kinahan corroborated Dr. Farran's state-
ment of their extremely local occurrence, and of the narrow slips they were con-
fined to in those localities. Dr. Kinahan' s specimens presented great variable-
ness of character — some pure white, or bearing translucent in place of coloured
bands. The young shells were carinated, and some were extremely large,
equalling the specimens he had seen in the British Museum, obtained from
Corsica.

JANUARY, 1856.

ON PECTUNCULUS GLTCIMERIS, AND ON THE LOCAL RANGE OF MOLLUSCOUS
ANIMALS TRACED WITH THE DREDGE. BY CHARLES FARRAN, M.D.

It may be in the recollection of some Members present that I laid before the
Society the result of my examination by the dredge of Berterbie Bay, in the year
1844 ; and although that communication extended to an unconscionable length,
I felt that many most interesting circumstances had been, of necessity, omitted,
which 1 then purposed, at a fitting opportunity, to bring under the notice of the
Society, when I had satisfied myself of the correctness of my views by a re-exa-
mination of that interesting bay. In accordance with this determination, I have
selected from many subjects of high interest the history of the beautiful shell,
Pectunculus glyciraeris, specimens of which are placed before you, purposing to
touch but slightly on it as to its general distribution, but dwelling somewhat
more particularly and at greater length on its relation with Berterbie Bay and
the shells associated with it in that locality. Its history may be briefly given.
It is laid down by the best authorities on the subject as being an inhabitant of
the European seas, attaining the size, generally, of from two to two and a half
inches inlength, and nearly the same in breadth, increasing in intensity of colour
as it approaches the south, and generally covered with a thick villous coat, from
which it had for a length of time derived its specific name of ♦• Pilosus," but

DTTBUN NlTim\L 1II8T0BY SOCDBTr. 147

which has now boon laid aside, and tho Linncan namo G1 jeimerif sobstitntcd on
tho ground of priority. It is recorded as haring been found in varions localities
and at diiTerent depths on the English coasts, and is of great beauty in the seas
surrounding the Channel Isles, and it constitutes both genus and species. As a
fossil it is found generally diffused in the tertiary formations, preserving its
oolour markings and villous coat in a surprising manner. I will now proceed
to what more immediately concerns the subject before us. Any gentleman who
has the good fortune to possess a copy of Mr. Thompson's "Fauna of Ireland,"
a work which I cannot permit to pass without observing that, although small in
compass, it exhibits a depth of patient research seldom equalled, never surpassed.
In that work he points out that Pectunculus had been found on three sides of our
island, but that it had not been discovered in the west when his work was pub-
lished in 1843. I have a distinct recollection of having seen in mv first visit to
Roundstone, some years before 1844, obsolete valves of Pectunculi brought up by
a very bad dredge which Mr. M'Calla had then in his possession, and subsequently,
having mentioned the circumstance to Mr. Thompson, he was unwilling on such
evidence to admit it as having been found in the west, although he candidly con-
fessed it was more than likely it would be found in situ hereafter. When I made
a more accurate examination on my visit in 1844, I found that at the entrance*
or nearly so, of Bcrterbie Bay, a large bank of obsolete shells had accumulated
in the middle of the channel, and, running parallel to the shore on each side, it
is so formed that by keeping close to the shore when sailing up the bay, and
doing the same on returning on the opposite side, you will not find a trace of this
large bank ; but by crossing the bay you will at once come on it. "When you ex-
amine the contents of the dredge after drawing it over this bank, you will find
they consist of obsolete valves of Pecten maximus, Lutraria elliptica, Cardium
Norvegieura, and Pectunculus glycimeris. Of the occurrence of the three first-
named shells I felt but little interest at that time, as I was tolerably conver-
sant with their history ; but as to the Pectunculus, I certainly was very anxious
to discover its whereabouts, as I would then be able to fill up the point indicated
as wanting in Mr. Thompson's '• Fauna," as well as to satisfy myself as to its
habits. But the question at once presented itself to mv mind — from whence did
this largo mass of shells proceed — from what source did that supply flow ? After
much reflection, I arrived at the conclusion that situations suitable to the
various molluscs within the bay, more particularly the banks of yellow sand from
which the bay derives its name, and which are very numerous, must be the
birth-places of the various animals, and, having remained there for their ap-

Eointed time, their empty shells were carried by the drift to the entrance of the
ay, where, meeting with the incoming tide, they were prevented from proceed-
ing further, and thus this accumulation had occurred. Impressed with this con-
viction (which I shall presently show was very fallacious), i devoted a consider-
able time to the examination of those banks, which were generally covered by ton
or twelve fathoms of water, but without any success. I suggested to the boat-
men that we should proceed to the bottom of the bay, and, having tried several
banks there, we were fortunate in finding a single specimen of Pectunculus, and
one also of Venus casina. Encouraged, I remained on the bank for a length of
time, tacking backward and forward, but without any further success. Although
this was very discouraging, still I felt gratified that I had found Pectunculus in
situ, thereby filling up tho points wanting in Mr. Thompson's •' Fauna." and com-
pleting its circle round our island ; but, on the cgntrarv, I felt somewhat morti-
fied on finding that my well-digested theory was not borne out by fact, as the
supply and maintenance of the accumulation never could have been brought
from that quarter — so, very philosophtcallv, I did as others do in similar cases,
I cushioned the subject, and never reverted to it until this evening, when 1 trust
to be able to give a satisfactory solution of the problem. I was enabled, last
summer, to revisit the scenes of my former labours, and, of course, Berterbie
Bay was the first obiect. Stimulated in no slight degree b^ again seeking for
Pectunculus, this 1 aid, but without any success; neither did 1 obtain any spe-

148 DXTBLIN NATXTRAI HISTOET SOCIETY.

cimens of the rarer shells which I formerly got, so that I confess I was some-
what disappointed ; I, therefore, willingly agreed with our steersman to try new
ground, and, accordingly, proceeded to the ground called emphatically by that
functionary " clean ground," on which the fishermen shoot the spilliards lying
between the Deer and Hard Islands, about five miles from land. When we got
into twenty fathoms of water the dredges were thrown overboard, and soon I
was gratified by obtaining Pectunculi associated with Venus casina, in consi-
derable numbers, of large size, and finely coloured. However, we met with so
many annoyances from the dredge becoming entangled in rocks, that we shifted
more inshore, to ground lying between the Hards and Innislacken Islands, and
was astonished to find, on hard and clean sand, Pectunculi in such numbers that
it was only a matter of time as to obtaining any number. I present for your in-
spection specimens of rich colouring and marking — small and large — the latter
measuring nearly three and a half inches, being three-quarters of an inch lar-
ger than those recorded by Forbes and Ilanley in their work on the British
shells. Associated with Pectunculus I found Venus casina, Solecurtus coarc-
iatus, and Cardium Norvegicum. I can entertain no doubt that this is not only
the natural habitat of the Pectunculus, but also of the other shells specified, par-
ticularly Cardium Norvegicum ; and this may be fairly inferred by comparing
them with the same shell found within the bay, the first being smooth and clean,
with a bright citron colour, those within the bay presenting an ochreous, worn,
and dead appearance. I can only account for this fact by supposing that from
the vast accumulation of animal matter thrown together on this bank, gases are
extricated which act on the shell, and thus produce the decayed appearance pre-
sented in those specimens. The same may be observed in the specimens of
Venus casina and Pectunculus found at the top of the bay in 1844. Gratified
as I felt by the discovery of this interesting locality, my pleasure was greatly
heightened by its affording a clue in solving my problem ; for I ascertained that
the current or drift which passed over this spot set directly into Berterbie Bay ;
and the seamen told me that sometimes the power of the current is so great that
it carries everything coming within its influence into the bay ; or, as they gra-
phically described it, by saying "that it sucked up everything that came to its
mouth," from which it never returns ; and from hence I think I may fairly con-
clude that 1 have obtained a correct solution of my problem; for, the mollusc
dying, the shell is disengaged from the position it held during life, and is carried
directly by the current or drift into the bay ; and thus the bank increases daily
in size, and, ultimately, will shallow the bay. Cardium Norvegicum is subjected
to the same process, for it is evident that its natural habitat is on this spot —
those found within the bay, as I pointed out, not presenting the same appear-
ance of health as those external to it. It may be instructive to remark, that
the same association of shells found in Berterbie Bay is also found in Bantry Bay ;
and I entertain no doubt that when other bays have been investigated, some sin-
gular results will be elicited. Having thus given an outline -of the history of
Pectunculus glycimeris, I beg to call the attention of the Society to an able pa-
per by the late Professor Edward Forbes, entitled, "The Geological Relations
of the existing Fauna and Flora of the British Isles," contained in the "Me-
moirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain." In this paper he lays it down
as an axiom that all animals and plants have specific centres, from which the
members of the family radiate by different processes. If it would not be consi-
dered very presumptuous in such an humble votary of science as myself, I might
fairly conclude, from the great number, large size, and varied colouring, that if
I have not reached the centre, I have, at least, come across a most flourishing
colony of this interesting species. I shall take an early opportunity of again al-
luding to Professor Forbes's paper. I think I would be guilty of great injustice
if I did not bring the merits of the dredge on the table prominently forward — •
invented and manufactured by our fellow-citizen, Mr. Rochford. It was my
good fortune to be possessed of this admirable instrument on my late visit to
CoDnemara, and it is owing to its capability that I have the satisfaction of plac-

DUBUN KATfT^^L HISTORT 80CIBTT. 149

iDj? those fine specimens before the Society. I can safely say that no naturalist
wUl be disappointed in having it as bis companion when at sea, and I coQuder
that it must supersede all others. Dr. Farran then exhibited a splepdid series
of the Puetuuculi in all stages of growth, and pointed out the several fpecimens,
which, from diiTurent depths and positions in the bay, varied in size and in the
beauty of their markings. He also exhibited fine specimens of Venus cassina,
Cardium Norvegicum, and Solecurtus coarctatus.

Hr. G. Sanders observed upon the correctness of Dr. Farran's remarks as
to the accumulation of the dead valves of the Pectunculi, which he attributed to
the set of the currents from the grounds where the molluscs were abundant in
the living state. On the south coast of England he had found the dead valves
in quantities in Whitsand Bay, but the living animals were rare. In shoal wa-
ter the shell appeared to be more covered with the villous coat ; in deep water
the shell was more free from it, and the markings wore more vivid. Off Plv-
mouth Sound the true habitat of the animal was, he considered, in sixteen u-
thoms.

Mr. Andrews said, — Being aware of the great interest that the display of
such an unrivalled series of fine specimens of Pectunculus glycimeris would
create, and the importance of the discovery on the west coast of the living ani-
mals in such profusion as recorded by Dr. Farran this evening, 1 have been led
to offer a few remarks from my own notes of the south-w«8t coast of Ireland. I
fully concur in the statement made by Dr. Farran, as to the value of the admir-
able report drawn up by the late William Thompson, Esq. — valuable for the
scrupulous attention to details, and omission of all questionable or doubtful re-
cords of localities ; up to the period of its publication it is a standard reference of
the known distribution of the invertebrata of Ireland. This report, however,
can only be considered as a general review, for few at the time had any
very extensive local information of the zoology of the country, especially with
reference to the west and south-west coasts ; and this may account why Pec-
tunculus glycimeris, and Bulla hydatis, also recently recorded by Dr. Farran,
should have escaped being marked in Mr. Thompson's report as western species.
These molluscs, which Dr. Farran has established to occur in such abundance on
our west coast, with Venerupis irus and Kellia suborbicularis, have a most exten-
sive distribution, being found on the shores of Spain and Portugal, and off the
Canary Islands, and Madeira. Robert M'Andrew, Esq., a most practical scien-
tific investigator of the distribution of marine mollusca, obtained P. glycimeris
abundantly off the Canary Isles in fifty fathoms sandy soundings, r^ow that
marine investigations are assuming philosophic bearings, local Faunas must be-
come of great importance, as affording a more perfect survey of animal life, of
great importanci; to the study of zoology and physical geography. Hitherto our
investigations of the marine zoology of the western and southern coasts have
been limited, especially in deep water, where the different soundings afford
endless forms of animal organization ; forms, I may say, innumerable in beauty,
and in vividness of colouring; ;manyof the most delicate structure inhabiting the
greatest depths of the ocean where animal life can exist. Before bringing to
your notice one of these beautiful, yet fragile animals, which I obtained in the
deepest soundings off the coast of Kerry, and considered new to the Fauna of the
country, I would make some remarks on the soundings of the south-west coast.
AJU)ng that coast, and off the entrances of the Shannon, Dingle, and Kenmare
Bays, the soundings run gradually obt from forty to one hundred fathoms, and
where, as also inside, around, and off the Blaskets and the SkcUig Islands, the
soundings vary, with bottoms of fine sand, sand and mud, shelly and pcbblv,
coarse gravelly, rooky and corally grounds; and these constitute tnc di£>
furent feeding grounds of the cod, ling, haddock, turbot, and sole, as well as
many of tho more common kinds of our edible fish. Where the fish roost fre-
quent to seek the food suitable to their habits, there tbe marine animals most
abound ; and it is on the feeding grounds of the ling, the cod, and the haddock,

2 C

1 50 DUBLIN NATURAL HISTOBT SOClETr.

that many of our most rare Pelagian mollusca and Crustacea are met. I have
observed that the paucity of our information is attributable on the west coast to
the confined examination of the dredger, whose labours have principally been
engaged in the exploration of the bays and estuaries, and not to any depth of
soundings off the coast. Instances are recorded of many rare molluscs captured
on the lines of the fishermen on the great bank of Newfoundland, and also the
minor banks, as well as frequently taken from the stomachs of the cod fish. I
have taken fine specimens of Fusus Islandicus on the lines in eighty-one fathoms ;
and Dr. Farran informs me that Buccinum Zetlandicum has only been taken on
the fisherman's lines at a distance from the land sinking Urrisbeg mountain.
Animals enjoying life at great depths of the ocean are more extensively distri-
buted in different latitudes from the tmiformity of temperature ; while warm or
cold climates affect those animals that are peculiar to shoaler grounds. The
western shores of Spain and Portugal abound in marine animals, and it has been
remarked that the eastern shores of the American continent are barren in pro-
portion to its western coasts, which are plentifully inhabited by testaceous ani-
mals. The west of England affords nearly two-thirds of all the marine animals
yet discovered in Britain; and we may, therefore, conclude that the rich shores
of the west of Ireland may yet add largely to its Fauna. Among recent la-
bourers you witness this evening what has been accomplished by Dr. Farran,
and I may add, that from this coast much is to be expected from the well-di-
i«cted researches of Professor Melville of Galway.

ON JANTHINA COMMUNIS COLLECTED ON THE "WEST COAST, WITH OTHEB
MOLLUSCS. BY W. HOPKINS.

At your last meeting, when I had the pleasure of adding a few specimens of
Janthina communis to your collection of Irish mollusca, I was requested by Mr.
Andrews, your Secretary, to give a short paper on this interesting shell, and
now beg to bring the occurrence of this and other species on the west coast of
this country under your notice. In the month of August, 1851, being at Kilkee,
which I knew to be a locality where the Janthina is of tolerably frequent occur-
rence at certain seasons, I determined to watch closely for them. At length,
after ten days, during which time there was an uninterrupted succession of wes-
terly gales, I had the satisfaction of finding a single specimen of Janthina com-
munis and one of Spirula Peronii. This incited me to closer investigation. The
wind now veered to N.W., and, after three days more had elapsed, I was re-
warded with finding the Janthina communis, in large numbers, in company with
five specimens of Janthina pallida and three of Spirula Peronii, together with
large numbers of the velella and several species of anatifa and vitrea. From the
circumstance of the janthina being drifted in after N. W. winds, it is evident that,
though a native of the warmer latitudes of the ocean, these individuals must have
been"floating fully as far, if not farther north than Kilkee. The best locality for
them I found to be at the south side of the entrance to the bay on the Duggann
Reef, where I took them alive immediately after high water, floating on the sur-
face in pools situated in clefts of the rock. I would here remark, that from the
coast being so rocky, more than two-thirds of the specimens I obtained were,
unfortunately, irretrievably damaged. The animal, on being taken, exudes a
purple liquor, which stains the hand a dingy blue ; this stain it requires some
short time to remove. I placed several of the janthinae alive in a vessel of fresh
water, to which they immediately imparted a purple colour, and, after standing
six to eight hours, it assumed a dirty bluish-green hue. The float by which the
janthina is buoyed upon the surface of the ocean has occasioned many conflicting
opinions, and, among others, I will refer to Whitelaw and Walsh's " History of
Dublin" (London, 1818), in the Appendix to which is a catalogue of Irish shells,
and from a note to Helix janthina, by which name it was then known, I take the
following extract : — ** Brown in his * Account of Jamaica' gives the following ac-

DUBUN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETT. 151

count of this shell : ' Purple ocean shell. The creature which forms and inhabits
this shell is a native of the ocean, and lives frequently many hundred leagues
from any land ; but, having met with many of the kind between Bermuda and
the Western Islands in my voyage from Jamaica, it enabled me to communicate
the following account of thum. The creature probably passes the greater part
of life at the bottom of the sea, but rises sometimes to the surface, and to do so
is obliged piacium more, to distend an air-bladder, which however is formed
only for the present occasion, and made of tough, viscid slime, swelled into a ve-
sicular transparent moss, that sticks to the head of the animal at the opening of
the shell. This raises and sustains it while it pleases to continue on the 8ur>
face, but when it wants to return, it throws off its bladder and sinks." Though,
as I believe, this account of Brown's coincided with the generally received opi-
nion at that time, it will be found incorrect on referring to Forbes and Hanley,
-who, in their work on the British Mollusca, remark, that Cuvier observed there
was an anatomical connexion between the two bodies, i.e. between the animal
and the float, and this was oonflrmed by Dr. Coates, who, in the fourth volume of
the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, gives an inte-
resting account of his experiments on the float in the living animal. He found
that it was entirely secreted by the foot, and that, when a portion was removed,
the injury was rapidly repaired. After having quoted such high authority, it
may appear superfluous for me to remark, it is my opinion that, were the jan-
thina capable of inflating and exhausting this float, it would never be found on
our coasts in any profusion, as it would naturally, on the appearance of stormy
weather, retreat from the surface by exhausting the float, and remain at the bot-
tom until the gale had subsided. A very interesting paper on the janthina, from
the pen of that talented naturalist, Mr. William Clark, of Bath, is published in
the " Annals of Natural History," January, 1853, and as it contains much valu-
able information, I claim permission to make the following extract : — " This
genus has long caused embarrassment to naturalists, and is still a source of dif-
nculty in regard to the structure of the animal, and its natural position ; but I
think the obstacles to a true determination will disappear on attentive conside-
ration. The great stumbling block is the float, as it is called, or vesicular mass
attached to the foot, which has been considered an hydrostatic apparatus. This
idea is erroneous : the organ is the membraneous vehicle of the contents of the
ovarium and matrix, that has descended from under the mantle, and flxed itself
to the foot, for a very obvious purpose of the animal economy in reference to the

Eulli, in the genial season. It is probable that as the animal, from its peculiar
abitat, cannot, like the tribes of the coasts, deposit the germs of reproduction
on marine substances, it makes use of the foot as a substitute, until its young
emerge from the agglomerated mass of capsules to shift for themselves ; and then
the temporary vesicular deposit is cast ofl^. I have seen a similar appendage to
the foot of the Pileopsis Hungaricus, and several other gasteropoda. That this
organ is not necessary for the flotation of the animal is strongly supported by
the fact, that the sexes are distinct, that many may be presumed the males, and
such often occur without the so-called float. Many of the Littorinte, with a shell
ten times more ponderous in proportion than theglobular delicate janthina, float
with the shell beneath and foot uppermost, in every direction, for days, without
descending from the surface of the waters." From this extract you will have
perceived that it is Mr. Clark's opinion that all the janthina are females which
are found with the float attached, and I must remark that I cannot agree with
him. It is well known this shell occurs only in shoals gregarious, if 1 may use
the term, on the surface of the ocean, and 1 should imagine that it was from one
of these shoals being drifted in at Kilkee I had the good fortune to meet with
them. Now, all the specimens I procured — and I obtained some hundreds— had
the float attached, and, therefore, all, adopting Mr. Clark's idea, would be con-
sidered females. Whether I obtained the entire or only a portion of the shoal, is
matter of doubt ; but I think I may safely conclude, I must, at least, have found
a fair average of the whole ; and I cannot conceive the strange anomaly of there

152 DITBLIK NATURAL mSTOET SOCIETY.

being a colony solely female, met with under any cifcumstdncies. I would now
beg to observe that I cannot make all my specimens agree with the description
given by Forbes and Hanley, who say of this shell — " The suture is distinct, but
simple, and never canaliculated," — and I have the pleasure of laying before you
a series exactly answering to this description. I have also selected another, in
all of which, from the young up to the adult, the suture is strongly marked, and
I think I should be justified in stating that it is slightly canaliculated. In addi-
tion to this, as far as I have observed, the shell grows to a larger size, is hea-
vier, more spiral, the whirls more globose, and it is often more closely striated.
I beg to lay this series also before you, in order that you may judge of the cor-
rectness of my observations. I would suggest, though with much diffidence, that
there are sufficient distinguishing characteristics in this second series of jan-
thinie to entitle them to be made, at least, a variety of the species Communis. I
had written thus far, when I was much gratified by accidentally finding that my
views — though not, as I imagined, original— agreed with those adopted by Forbes
and Hanley, in the Appendix to their work on the British Mollusca, as in it
they figure a janthina closely approximating to those in my second series, re-
specting which they write, that — "Until the genus Jjlnthince shall have expe-
rienced a thorough revision, and the eff'ect of local circumstances in producing
variation of colouring, chasing, and contour upon its migratory members^ shall
have been duly estimated, it will be hazardous to define the limits of the s'everal
varieties or species which by the past generation of conchologists were included
in the Helix janthina, by the present in the J. fragilis or communis." Krauss,
in his useful work on the Testacea of Southern Africa, remarks, " That the in-
digenous shell figured by Chemnitz is very distinct from the Neapolitan one
termed bicolor by Philippi, though both are usually cited as identical. Our Bri-
tish examples, again, seem different from either, and were considered so by Dr.
Leach, who, we are informed by Mr. Jeffreys, termed them Britannica." Refer-
ring to this plate, which, I might mention, is taken from an Irish example, they
say, that " It differs from those previously described in so many particulars
that it becomes of importance to specify them." But I will not introduce that
description here, as I have not given a detailed one of that which I consider to
be truly entitled to the specific name Fragilis. It is only just for me to mention
that they, in conclusion, express some doubts as to its being admitted as a dis-
tinct species, inasmuch as they remark that " A more than ordinary latitude
seems permitted to shape in this species, because the larger turns do not always
strictly coil in a regular spiral, but, sometimes deflecting, attach themselves
below the periphery, in which event the spire is wont to become more elevated,
and its more rounded turns to swell out in some degree above the suture." I
hope I have succeeded in establishing sufficiently good claims for this shell to
induce naturalists to give it a more attentive investigation ; and it is a subject
of so much interest that it will, I think, amply reward them. At the same time,
as I before observed, I obtained Janthina pallida. This very rare species has
only twice before been found on our coasts — once at Miltown Malbay and once
at Kilkee. The specimens of Spirula Peronii which I found were all dead. This
beautiful shell has only, I believe, occurred five times on the Irish coast, and but
once in England, on the Cornish coast. It has been provisionally excluded from
the list of British Mollusca, ** because," as Dr. Fleming observes, *' we have to
determine their capability of living in our seas before their right to a place in
our Fauna can be estabfished." Lar^e numbers of the Velella were also thrown
ashore in company with the Janthinae. When floating on the surface, with the
sail or membrane drifting before the wind, they present an interesting spectacle,
which I observed to advantage when rowing in the bay in one of the small ca-
noes or corachs peculiar to the west coast of Ireland. The vellela, when cap-
tured, throws off a very deep purple viscous liquid, which stains the hand much
more intensely than that exuded by the janthinae ; indeed, I believe some natu-
ralists have expressed it as their opinion that it was probably from devouring
tbese VeleW» the purple colour of the Janthina was derived. I omitted men-

DUBLIM NATUBAX HlflTORT 80CIBTT. l$3

tioning that I found the Anatifa sulcata and Vitrea ritrina attached to many
specimenH both of Jantbina communis and pallida. A few of these cirrhipedes
were fixed almost on the apex of the shell, but by far the greater number wore
attached immediately below the umbilicus. Through the kindness of my friend
Dr. Farran, I have great pleasure in laying before you a series of another spe-
cies, J anthina exigua, which is of very rare occurrence on our coasts. Tbes«
samples were procured by him, many years ago, after west winds, at Gurteen,
near Roundstone, county of Oalway. In conclusion, I must apologize for baring
occupied so much of your erening, but I really could not compress a subject of
so much interest in a shorter space.

nrsBCTA.

DECEMBER 8, 1854.

ON THE COLEOPTBRA INFESTING GRANARIES. BT JAHE8 HAUGHTON, JUH.

Having, for some time past, had frequent opportunities of observing the ha-
bits, &c., of many of the coleoptera which infest the granaries in this city, I beg
to bring before vou a few observations which I have recorded about them, in the
belief that any facts concerning even the most insignificant insect cannot fail
to be of some interest to those to whom their habits are not generally known.
In the summer season many of our corn stores are visited, in vast numbers, by
the weevil tribe, which commences depredations on a scale which, I think, classes
them amongst the most destructive of all insects. To give an idea of the mis-
chief they are capable of committing, I may mention that, previous to the repeal
of the corn laws, when the duty upon grain was very high, wheat, which had re-
mained in bond for a length of time, -frequently became so infested with them
that it might actually be seen shifting its place on the lofts from the movements
of the living mass contained in the heap, and, in some instances, the portion left,
not being worth the duty, had to be thrown out ; also, an instance of a loft of
wheat, containing 1000 barrels, having, in a few months, become deficient up-
wards of fifty barrels, in addition to a depreciation in the value of the remain-
der of about ten per cent. — almost all of which loss was caused by the common
com weevil (Calandra granaria). From the foregoing statements it is obvious
that it is of great importance to find out some way by which these mischievous
insects can be destroyed without injurv to the grain. The wheat to which I
have last alluded was Egyptian, which, from its excessive dryness, is peculiarly
suited to the multiplication of the species. A curious fact connected with them
is, their propensity for gathering into masses in one place. The amount of heat
they generate when thus collected is quite surprising, and is even more observ-
able when the wheat in which thev are stored is in sacks, instead of being thrown
loosely on a loft. On applying the ear to the outside of a sack in which there
are manv weevils, one can quite distinctly hear the buzzing and crackling noise
caused by the incessant boring going on inside. When the grain is stored in
bulk on a loft, and removed from its contact with the walls, the weevils creep out
in immense numbers, and are then easily swept up and destroyed. I mysolt have
seen manv malt shovelsful taken away in a single day. 1 have brought with me
some of the weevils, of which it will be easily perceived there are several kinds,
and also some wheat bored by them, which will g^ve a good idea of the ravages
thev commit, as, in many instances, nothing is left of the grain but the outside
shell or bran. Most workmen about corn stores assert that they bite wickedly ;
but, although I have constantly been on lofts on which they abounded, I can say
that, as regards myself, I have never been bitten. They are very susceptible of
cold, and on the approach of winter, if the day be chilly, 1 have seen them fall-
ing in great numbers off the walls, &c., on which they may have crept. If it were

154 DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

not that the cold kills them, the mischief they would do would be incalculable,
as they multiply exceedingly fast, and are very active during the continuance of
the hot weather. Another fact in connexion with them is the partiality they
have for collecting in or on places where wet has been spilled. I have seen small
spots covered with them to the depth of about half an inch. This may, perhaps,
be accounted for by their crawling on blindly, and so becoming entangled in the
wet. I do not, however, think this likely, as they must have gone out of their
usual course to get to the wet portion of the flooring. This is a curious fact, in
opposition to their usual custom of selecting the driest and warmest places they
can find. 'By their borings in wheat they cause a large quantity of dust to ac-
cumulate, which, mixed with the Nile mud, which«is always more or less mixed
through Egyptian wheat, makes, as I am credibly informed, an exceedingly fer-
tilizing manure, almost equal in its forcing effects to guano. I regret that my
information as to species, &c,, is too limited ; but as I have not studied them
scientifically, I hope I shall be excused on that head. Their appearance under
a microscope exposed to a moderate magnifying power is exceedingly beautiful,
and agreeably disappointing to one who has only seen them with the naked eye.
They are covered with brilliant spots, bearing some resemblance to those on the
elytra of the diamond beetle. 1 tried several modes of killing them, and found
hot water the speediest. Chloroform (which will destroy without injury almost
any insect) also kills them ; but, if put into cold water, and left for a consider-
able period, when taken out and placed in a moderately warm situation, they,
in many instances, recover, although, to all appearance, quite dead. With re-
spect to chloroform, it may not be out of place to say, that I have found it the
most humane, and, at the same time, the quickest way of killing them without
injury — butterflies, moths, beetles, and, in fact, most insects ; and even if
spilled on the most delicate insect, the evaporation is so rapid that it does not
injure it in the slightest degree ; whilst a few drops put into a box with the most
refractory butterfly or moth kills it in a few seconds.

Dr. Kinahan said he could, from his own observation, corroborate Mr.
Haughton's statement as to the number and destructiveness of these insects. On
examination he found there were evidently six coleopterous and one dipterous
species present among the corn. These he submitted to his friend A. R.
Hogan, Esq., who kindly examined thenl, as well as the packages of insects
taken from the wheat, in which latter Mr. Hogan detected another species of
coleopterous insect. From Mr. Hogan's list it appeared that the most numerous
species present were Calandra oryzae and granaria, as well immature as full
grown. These two species made up the great bulk of the heaps. Next in point
of numbers came Corticaria ferruginea and Cor. pubescens, in about equal
quantities. The other species present were Stene ferruginea and Silvanus Su-
rinamensis ; this latter detected by Mr. Hogan. These, with a single specimen
of Tenebrio molitor, make out no less than eight species of granivorous beetle
infesting this parcel of corn.

MAY 12, 1854.

OCCURRENCE OF DI8COMYZA INCDRVA IN IRELAND.

Dr. Kinahan exhibited a specimen of Discomyza incurva (the species kindly
determined by A. R. Hogan, Esq.). This fly, now first added to the Irish lists,
was found by him in the shell of Helix nemoralis, where the insect had evidently
undergone its transformation, as, when found, it was in the act of cutting its
way out through the epiphragm. It was captured in the early part of April,
1854.

DUBLIN NATURAL HIBTOBY 80CIETT. 155

CBUSTACEA.

DECEMBER 8, 1854.

Mr. Andrews said he would make a few remarks on some fine specimens of
Crustacea, which he presented to the Society, being the first of a series he in-
tended to give towards forming a complete list of the Irish Crustacea. These
were fine specimens of Stenorynchus phalangium taken in Dingle and Ven-
try Harbours, coast of Kerry ; and also large specimens taken in deep
water, in the trawl, in Dingle Bay, with Inachus Dorsettensis and Corys-
tes Cassivelaunus. He also presented several species of Paguri, or hermit
crabs, taken in the shells of turritella and natica, at the depth of eighty-four
fathoms, off the Blasket islands ; among them, P. Hyndmanni. Mr. Andrews
mentioned that he met with many minute species of Crustacea in that depth of
water, taken up in a small dredge with the pebbly and shelly soundings. Pan-
dalus annulicornis, and the common prawn, Palsemon serratus, were also taken
at that depth, and the latter was found in quantities in the stomachs of the cod-
fish, taken on the long lines. Mr. Andrews presented specimens of Palsemon
serratus thus taken. Although the specimens of Crustacea in the collection of
the Society were at present by no means perfect, yet he would mention that very
complete lists of the Irish Crustacea had been noticed and recorded in the Pro-
ceedings of the Society. So far back as the 3rd of January, 1845, Dr. Farran
read a paper, the results of an extensive series of observations of the late Mr.
William M'Calla, enumerating a very full list of the collections made by him on
the west coast of Ireland. Those lists contained the record of the discovery of
Thia polita, the original specimen being in the Museum of the Society. A notice
of it was also made by Dr. Scouler in the Annals of Natural History for March,
1846.

ECHINODERMATA.

Dr. Charles Farran being absent, the following letter was read —

ON THE DISCOVERY OF A NEW IRISH PENTACTES.

•♦ Clonea, Dungarvan, November 21 s^ 1852.

••Dear Mr. Andrews, — An opportunity has at length occurred which
enables me to testify the high regard I entertain for you as a friend, as also to
the great value of your disinterested services as Secretary to the Dublin Natural
History Society, a situation which you have filled with credit to yourself, and
with such eminent advantage to the charming science of natural history.

'• in recording the discovery of an animal unknown to the zoology of a coun-
try, the first wish of the discoverer is to name it after a naturalist who loves the
science for its own sake ; therefore, I could not select one so thoroughly entitled
to that distinction as yourself. I will, therefore, with your permission, give you
a short history of Pentactcs Andrewsii.

•• Walking on the shore at Clonea, after a heavy gale, at the latter end of
January, I found what I conceived to be a portion of Alcyonium digitatum, or
dead man's hand, attached to the root of Laminaria. It exactly resembled an
angular fragment of that animal severed from the body, and assuming the form
of the Roman V, each limb being about one inch in length, brown and coriaceous
in appearance.

•• Not suspecting that it ceuld be anvthing else, I carelessly threw it into my
box, and, having filled it with other marine specimens, on reaching home emptied

1S6 DUBLIlf NATUEAL HISTOET SOCIBTY.

its contents into a basin of salt water. On examination I discovered symptoms
of life in this fragment, and, putting it into a finger-glass of clear sea- water, I
found that it became elongated, and assumed the outline of a slug; still, vitality
was very languid, and I scarcely entertained a hope of finding it alive in the
morning ; when that arrived, I examined the glass, and you may judge of my as-
tonishment on finding, in place of the languid brown slug, an animal about two
inches in length, of a beautiful frosted silver appearance, having five rows of
suckers the length of the body, each in motion, the whole presenting an irides-
cent appearance. It could be readily mistaken for a lady's brooch of exquisite
workmanship. I immediately perceived that I was in possession of an unde-
scribed Holothuria; and, on examining the best authorities on the subject (Pro-
fessor Edward Forbes's work on the British Star Fishes included), I found my
suspicions verified.

" The animal, as I stated, was about two inches in length, of a white silver
colour, having five rows of suckers, about the eighth of an inch in height, placed
IcJngitudinally on the body — two ventral, used as organs of progression, two la-
teral, and one dorsal ; those converged towards the extremity, and formed a
bushy tail, which was generally elevated.

" The mouth, or dental circle, at the other extremity, was surrounded by a
dark band, immediately inside of which there were eight or nine tentacula, as far
as I could detect (but more probably ten), of a beautiful canary colour. These
the animal pushed out with a peculiarly graceful motion, retracting them in like
manner.

*' Animals similar to this are generally objects of disgust to females ; but in
this case it was quite the contrary. A sympathy for the captive Holothuria was
elicited; regular visits and reports were made as to his state, and from these I
may extract the following : —

" Three or four days after its capture it appeared to be completely recovered
from the effects of the hard treatment it had received, and, being carefully sup-
plied with fresh sea- water morning and evening, a sufticiency of food evidently
was afforded. It assumed many shapes — sometimes it would contract itself into
an oval disk, not one half of its usual length, lying at the bottom of the glass ; at
at this time all its suckers disappeared, and it was perfectly passive and still ;
again it would suddenly elongate and inflate itself, push out its suckers to their
full length, and set off and creep round the glass in a spiral direction, and, having
placed itself in a position horizontal to the surface of the water, suddenly lower
its mouth and protrude its tentacles in the graceful manner described, and con-
tinue this operation for more than an hour. When it had satisfied itself, it would
again descend, and lie at the bottom of the glass ; but it invariably ascended
when it required food. Sometimes it would be found half way down the glass,
but then it would be torpid.

•* I could not determine whether it preferred day or night for feeding, but I
noted that, very shortly after the fresh water was given, it commenced its tour
to the top of the glass ; there it remained until it satisfied itself, and then de-
scended.

'♦ After six weeks passed in this manner, a change came over the poor captive
which foreboded evil. It became very languid, seldom went to the top, and when
it did protrude its tentacles, it was found that the beautiful canary colour was
passing away, and that a dirty brown was substituted — the symptoms of languor
increased for a week to such an extent that I thought it was dead, but still sup-
plied it with fresh sea-water, in hopes of preserving life. In a day or so, on
looking into the glass, I found that a strange occurrence had taken place — the
animal was reduced to one-half its size. This arose from its having thrown off
its mouth or dental circle, with all its tentacles and appendages, and which lay
near the body ; or, in other words, that it had thrown off that organ which in
other animals would represent the head, but that it still lived; and the rudiment
of a similar organ was visible where the other had been separated ; the animal
lingered for a few €iays k>Bger, and then died. I preserved its remains ia spirits,

DUBUN NATUBAL BI8T0BT 800IBTY. 157

but thev would badly represent an animal so beautiful, and which, when alive,
afforded such an intense interest.

*' I should add, that Pentactes Andrewsil belongs to the second family of
British HolothuriadsD, which have the suckers arranged in five regular rows, and
are more or less angular in form.

••I remain yours very faithfully,

** C. Fabbam.

** William Andrewi, Esq.

** P.S. — I had the pleasure of meetine; Professor Edward Forbes here a short
time since, and on giving him a description of the Pentactes he at once said
that it was completely new to science, inasmuch as the canary-coloured ten-
tacles were entirely unknown— he had never seen such."

Subsequently (said Mr. Andrews), I had another communication from Dr.
Farran, in which he states that he had fortunately obtained two specimens alive
of Pentactes Andrewsii^one three and a half, the other three inches in length.
The following is its purport : —

'♦Everyone is aware of the tangled appearance of the root of Laminaria
digitata. Taking up one of those which adhered to limestone, and examining
it, I perceived your namesakes, so intertwined among the root, and so much re-
sembling them, that, had 1 not somewhat of a naturalist's eye, I should have
thrown the root away — they were so firmly secured that I had to take away
root by root until I liberated them, and, when freed, I thought the pressnre must
have been so great that life could scarcely be maintained, the impression of each
root resembling a deep welt on the skin ; however, on putting them into a pool
of water, these were obliterated, and shortly they assumed the appearance of
th^ finger of a glove, leathery and coriaceous.

" This short description of their position will at once account for the great
diflBcultv in obtaining tne animal ; no dredge could reach them, and no violence
short of the breaking tip of the floor of limestone on which the Laminaria vege-
tates, could reach the animal. The dredge could raise the gravelly soil, heavy
blue clay, or other tenacious soils, on which some of those exist; but here per-
fect safety appears to preside over their habitations.

♦• Putting them into a large glass bowl, the following changes took place: —
Both became gradually inflated, the larger reaching the length of four and a
half inches — the lesser three and a quarter inches, their colour becoming a light
brown — here and there presenting in patches, as if the skin was abraded, the
silvery white which I described to you in a former letter ; the rows of suckers,
much inflated, appear to be double ; the mouth and dental apparatus of a deep
sooty black; the tentacles, ten in number, of a light canary colour in the
branches ; but the stems black, their length about the third of the body — these
are in constant motion, graceful in the extreme; and, contrary to the habit of
the first described specimen, which generally fed with the tentacles downwards ;
those feed with them upward and upright. They appear to have a perfect power
of locomotion, although it would seem that they had little occasion for it, from
the position I found them in. When first I placed them in the bowl, they were
at a considerable distance ; shortly after, they were together, and remained so,
until, being suddenly called to town, I was most reluctantly compelled to termi-
nate their existence by putting them into spirits. I have now placed them in
your hands to exhibit to the Society at its next meeting.**

Specimens of the Pentactes, preserved in spirits, were exhibited ; also a draw-
ing of the animal in the living state. The animal was about four inches in
length, the body coriaceous and wrinkled, and having five rows of diaphanou*
vibratile cilia, arranged in pairs ; the oral orifice was of an intense black colour,
ten tentacula much branched, of a deep canary colour, dotted with black.

2 D

158 DTTBLIN NATURAI HISTORY SOClETy.

ANNELLIDA.

JANUARY, 1855.

ON THB OCCURRENCE OF NEREIS TUBICOLA. BY WILLIAM ANDREWS, M.R.I.A.

In one of the experimental trials in which I was engaged, in connexion with
the fisheries, we had run out soundings nearly ten miles to the north-west of the
Tiraght Rock, one of the Blasket group, where we found bottoms of fine gravel
and shells, from fifty to eighty fathoms, and which we found, on trial, to be va-
luable fishing-grounds. The soundings were taken up in a small dredge, to
which a heavy iron box had been attached. I shall pass, for the present, the
several objects of interest captured, and submit to you the subject of the present
paper. It belongs to that class of articulated animals, the Annelides. The An-
nelides and Nereids constitute a tribe of exceedingly interesting animals, appa-
rently insignificant from their habits, yet beautiful in structure, and rich in
brilliant tints. These invertebrate creatures form a peculiar class in the eyes
of naturalists, verging on the confines of the sub-kingdom, yet exhibiting modi-
fications of their higher groups. Their annulose character and nervous system
range them in an intermediate link between the Articulata and Radiata. They
possess a vascular apparatus for circulation, with generally a long, slender
body, soft, and divided by circular folds into a great number of rings. On each
side of the body is a long series of fasciculi of bristles, supported in fleshy tu-
bercles, which act as feet. The characters, however, vary in many species. In
some the head is distinct, in others it is wanting ; and the head is frequently or-
namented with fascicles or plumose cirrhi. These animals are distributed (the
greater number marine) from the shoalest to the deepest water. Some, for pro-
tection, form a calcareous tube, almost like the shells of molluscs; others form
a coating by agglutinating grains of sand or shells, and, likewise, some are in
tubes, which are entirely membraneous or horny. Of this last number is the
species that I shall bring to your notice, as being an addition to the Fauna of
Ireland. It belongs to the genus Eunice Cuv. — characterized by having plumose
branchiae, proboscis armed with horny jaws, each foot armed with two cirrhi and
a bundle of setaa, five tentacula surrounding the mouth and nape. The animal,
in the living state, was almost colourless, inhabiting a horny tube, beautifully
transparent, and from 2| to 3 inches in length — the head of the animal plumose,
the plumes of a delicate pink or violet tinge. I obtained three specimens from a
depth of eighty-one fathoms, in soundings of fine gravel. It appears to be iden-
tical with the Nereis tubicola of Muller, which inhabits a horny tube, and is
figured and described in the Zoologica Danica. I may mention that I have also
obtained on the same coast, in shoal soundings of soft sand, Pectinaria Belgica,
the animal enclosed in a fragile tube of agglutinated grains of sand, the head of
the animal ornamented with golden plumes. It is beautifully figured in Dono-
van, as the Sabclla tubiformis.

POLYPIFERA.

FEBRUARY 11, 1852.

Dr. Allman communicated an abstract of his views of the Medusae and Hy-
droid Polypes. He believed that the essential part of the disk of a Medusae was
the system of gastro-vascular canals which at their origin communicate with the
stomach, and thence radiate to the margin of the disk. These canals are repre-

OUBUN VATDBAL UI8T0BY SOCIETr. 159

seated by the tentacula of Hjdra, which consists of two distinct layers, besides
muscular fibres, and thus, so far as structure is concerned, correspond with that
of the gastru-vascular canals of the Medusie, while the relation of the tentacula
in the one, and the gastro-vascular canals in the other, to the digestire system,
is also precisely similar in the two groups. The peduncle of the Meduste is
exactly represented, both in internal structure and external form, by the ante-
rior portion of the body of the Hydra. We have thus, in order to convert a
Hydra into a Medusn, only to suppose the external layer or dermis of the ten^
taculato be extended at each side into a kind of web, uniting the tentacula to
each other, and the posterior elongation of the body with its adhesive disk to
become suppressed, neither of which conditions involves any essential modifica-
tion of structure. The hydroid polypes, generally, are fixed animals, incapable
of locomotion — in Hydra an imperfect locomotion is permitted, and the creature
can detach itself from the bodies to which it adheres, and slowly creep about by
means of its tentacula and adhesive disk ; while in the Medusae the locomotive
powers are carried to their maximum, and the tentacula, which in the polypes
are free, are united by a membrane in the Medusa), and thus constitute the large
locomotive disk by which these beautiful animals swim with rapidity and ease
through the surrounding water.

INDEX.

Adiantum Camllus Veneris, 32.

Albinism in Birds, by R. J. Montgo-
mer J, 22.

AlgiB ooUeoted at Skerries, near the
northern limit of the proposed Dub-
lin district, in the summer of 1854,
38.

of east coast of Ireland, by Gil-
bert Sanders, on the advantage to
Botany of local lists and notes with
reference to the, 36.

Algology, 36.

Allman, Professor George J., M.D.,
M. R. I. A. Vide Jussioea ; Medusa.

Andrews, William, M.R.I. A., Hon.
Sec. Fide Birds; Cottus; Crane;
Crenilabrus; West; Fish; Gonep-
teryx; Hemiramphus; Ornitholoey;
Parr ; Polyprion ; Pleuronectid» ;
Serrani ; Salmon ; Shark ; Nereis,

Aquilegia vulgaris, 33.

Arabis stricta, 31.

Asplenium anceps, at Killaruey, 13.

Athyrium Felix foemina, var. laoinia-
tum, 53.

Bat in county of Kildare, by J. R.

Klnahan, A.B., on the occurrence of

Daubenton's, 66.
Birds, record, and presentation of rare,

U, 12, 13,74,75.
■ of south-west coast ; and on the

occurrence of the greater Shearwa-
ter, by William Andrews, notes on,

80.
On the autumnal song of, by J. R

Kinahan. ParU I and II., 93.
in song in each month. Table of,

100.
observed near Ravensdale Park,

during the last eifi;hteen months, by

Lord Clermont, 12.
Blechnum spicant, on an andescribed

variety of, by J. R. Kinahan, 50.
Botanical Excursion in Clare, by Rev.

Thaddeus O'Mahony, notes on, 30.
Botaurus ttellaris, occorrenoe of, 12.

Botrychium, and Ophio^lossum, by
J. R. Kinahan, on affinities of, 15.

— — lunaria, its most remarkable va-
rieties, by J. R. Kinahan, 25.

— — lunaria, and a new Irish locality
for Lophodium spinosum, by J. R.
Kinahan, M. B., on a digitate va-
riety of, 51.

lunaria, var. cristatum, 26, 51 ;

var. rutaeeum, 27.

B ullahydatis, by Charles Farran, M.D.,
on the discovery of, 143.

Callwell, Robert, M. R. I A. Fid* Tri-

chomanes.
Carduelis spinus, breeding in Ireland,

79.
Chenalopex iEgyptiacus, 12, 13.
Clare, notes of a botanical tour in, 30.
Clermont, Lord. Fide Birds.
Coleoptera infesting granaries, by

James Haughton, jun., on the, 153.
Colour in birds, change of, 20.
Cottus on south-west coast, by William

Andrews, on the species of, 119.
Crane, in Ireland, oy William An-
drews, on the occurrence of, 71>
Creighton, George Gray, M. D., vide

Gull.
Crenilabrus, by William Andrews, on

the species of, 125.
Crustacea from west coast, 155.

Deer, exhibition of fossil head of red,

70.
— — by Professor R. W. Smith, on

malignant disease in bones of red,

12.
Desmarestia, on the fructification of

the g^enns, by Gilbert Sanders, 34.

Ligulata, 34; pinnatinervia, 35.

Discomyza incurva in Ireland, by J. R.

Kinahan, record of, 154.
Dryae octopetala, peculiar form of,

32.
Dublin Coast. List of Algie of, 38.

162

INDEX.

East Coast. List of Algae of, 36.

Elvmus Europeeus. Discovery in Ire-
land of, 45.

Enterolithes, on, by Professor R. W.
Smith, 7.

Epipactis ovalis in Clare, 30.

Farran, Charles, M.D. Vide Bulla;
Helix ; Pholadidffi ; Pholadia ; Pec-
tunculus ; Pentactes ; Skua ; Sterna ;
Turnstone ; Teredo.

Ferns. On classification and nomen-
clature of varieties of, by J. R. Ki-
nahan, M.B., 47.

On abnormal forms of, by J. R.

Kinahan, 53.

Madeiran forms occurring at

Killarney, 13.

Affinities of certain genera, 15.

Varieties of, described, 25, 50,

51, 52, 53, 63.

Ffennell, J., Esq., Inspecting Commis-
sioner of Fisheries. Vide Salmon.

Fish in connexion with the develop-
ment of Saprolegnia ferox, by W.
Frazer, M.D., on the disease in
Gold, 16.

Forked-beard, lesser, discovery of,
118.

Fowl of the Hamburgh breed, by R.
P. Williams, on a remarkable change
of colour in a, 20.

Frazer, William, M. D. nde Fish.

Galbraith, Rev. Joseph, F.T.C.D.
Vide Killinite.

Geranium sanguineum, 32.

Goose, on the occurrence of the Egyp-
tian, by R. J. Montgomery, 13.

Gonepteryx Rhamni and Thecla Be-
tuljB in Kerry, on occurrence of, by
William Andrews, 28.

- •— Rhamni in Dublin, 29.

Grus cinerea, 71.

Gull, Iceland, on occurrence of, by G.
G. Creighton, M.D., 74.

Gymnadenia albida in Clare, 31.

Harvey, William H., M.D., F.R. and

L.S., Professor of Botany T.C.D.

Vide Stenogramme ; Trichomanes.
Haughton, James, Jun. Vide Moths ;

Coleoptera.
Haughton, Rev. Samuel, F.T.C.D.,

F.R.S., Professor ofGeology T.C.D.

Vide Spodumene.
Helianthemum canum in Clare, 31, 32.
Helix Pisana and its localities, by

Charles Farran, M.D., on, 145.

Herairaraphus, and Lesser forked

beard, by William Andrews, on the

European, 117.
Europseus, <jnly the young of

Esox belone, 117..
Hirundo rustica at sea, occurrence of,

15.
Hoopoe, occurrence of, 75.
Hopkins, W. Vic^e Janthina.

Janthina communis collected on the

west coast with other Molluscs, by

W. Hopkins, 150.
Jussioea grandiflora, by Professor G.

J. Allman, on a peculiar organ in,

47.

Killinite, analysis of, by Rev. Joseph
Galbraith, 24.

Kinahan, John Robert, M.D., F.L.S.,
Professor of Zoology, department of
Science and Art. Vide Athyrium ;
Botrychium ; Bat ; Blechnum ; Birds ;
Ferns; Newt; Polystichum; Stick-
leback ; Discomyza.

Malacorhynchus membranaceus, 75,
78.

Medusae and Hydroid polyps, by Pro-
fessor Allman, 158.

Morchella esculenta in Dublin, 6.

Minnow, introduction into the South
of Ireland of, byR. P. Williams, 119.

Montgomery, Robert John, A.B. Vide
Albinism; Goose; Ornithological.

Moths which cause destruction in gra-
naries, by James Haughton, Jun.,
remarks on, 22.

Nereis tubicola, on the occurrence of,
by William Andrews, M.R.I.A., 158.

Newt, with a notice of the supersti-
tions relating to it, by J. R. Kina-
han, on the reproduction of smooth,
104.

Nycticorax Europaeus, occurrence of,
12.

O'Mahony, Rev. Thaddeus. Vide Bo-
tanical.

Ophrys muscifera, 45.

Ornithology of Great Britain, by W.
Andrews, an addition to, 75.

Ornithological information in Ireland,
and on the interest and value of
practical investigation, by R. J.
Montgomery, observations on the
present state of, 88, 91.

Oxen, by G. Wakeman, on extinct
Irish, 69.

INDEX.

163

Parr, by William Andrews, obterra-
lions on. 108, 1I&

Poctunculus glycimcr'M, and on the
local range of molluscous animals
traced with the dredge, by Charles
Farran, 146.

Pontactos, by Charles Farran, M.D.,
on the discovery of a new Irish, 155.

Andrews!! (Farran) {$pec. iiov.)*

155.

Pholadia and Lithodomi of the coast
of Clonea, near Dungarvan, county
of Waterford, by Charles Farran,
M.D., a continuation of observations
on, 137.

PholadidoD on the coast near Dungar-
van, b^ Charles Farran, M.D., ob-
servations on the peculiar local po-
sition of some species of the, 135.

Pleuronectida;, on the varieties of, by
William Andrews, 134.

Popular meetings, resolutions concern-
ing, 55; notices of, 16, 25, 29.

Polyporus betulinus, 6 ; squamosus,
ib. lucidus, ib.

Polyprion cernium, new to Ireland,
128.

Polystichum annulare, var. viviparum,
by J. R. Kinahan, on, 50.

Quin, Richard. Fide Salmon.

Racodium cellare, 7.
Reproduction of Smooth Newt, 104.
Rhamnus frangula in Clare, 33,

Salmon, parr, and gravelling, by W.
Andrews, observations on, III.

and the progress of experiments

now carrying on, by J. Ffennell,
Esq., on the artificial propagation
of the ova of, 106.

Notes on, by William Andrews,

108.

' Observations on, by Richard

Quin, 109.

Sanders, Gilbert, M.R.I.A. Vide Al-
gae; Desmarestia.

Saprolegnia ferox, 16.

List of animals attacked by, 20.

Sargint, Edward Henry. Fide Tetro-
don.

Scolopendrium vulgare, variety mar-
ginatum, notice of, 54.

Serrani and Percids, and on the addi-
tion of Polyprion cernium to the

Irish lists, by William Andrews, re-
marks on, 126.

Shark and Fox-shark, by William An-
drews, on the occurrence of Por-
beagle, 128.

Skua, on the genus, by Charles Far-
ran. M.D.. 8.

Smith. Professor R. W., M.D. Fide
Enterolithes; Deer.

Spirula Perronii, 150.

Spiraea filipendula, discovery of, 31.

Spodumene and Killinitc, analysis of,
by Rev. Samuel llaughton, 24.

Stenogramme interrupta, by Professor
W. H. Harvey, record of in Cork,
46.

Sterna fissipes in the county of Water-
ford, by Charles Farran, M.D., on
the occurrence of, 79.

Stickleback, with a list of fishes inha-
biting the Dodder, by J. R. Kina-
han, M.D., on the spawning of the
smooth-tailed, 129.

Further remarks on the spawning

of the smooth-tailed, by J. R. Kina-
han, 132.

in fish-ponds, and vivaria, by J.

R. Kinahan, M.D., on the destruc-
tion caused by the smooth- tailed,
133.

Taenia atomaria, 39.

Tetrodon Pennantii on Coast of Wa-
terford, by E. H. Sargint, record of,
128.

Teredo Norvagica, bv Charles Far-
ran, M.D., aclditional notes on, 143.

Thecla betulae, 29.

Trichomanes radicans under culture,
by Robert Callwcll, on the treat-
ment of, 42

at Valeutia, Kerry, by Professor

W. H. Harvey, record of, 45. T

in county of Cork, 46.

remarks on, 41, 43.

Turnstone, by Charles Farran, M.D.,
73.

Wakeman, George. Fide Oxen.

Watters, John. Fide Laridse.

West Coast, by William Andrews, on

fungi of, 5.

rare algse of, 89.

Williams, Richard Palmer, M.R I.A.

Fide Fowlh Minnow.
Wynne, Right Hon. John. Fide Frost

i cT? 1901

■<^.

p:

ERRATUM.

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