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THE IRISH NATURALIST:

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UK

GENERAL IRISH NATURAL HISTORY.

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF

The Royal Zoological Society of Ireland ; The Dublin Microscopical Club ;

The Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society ;

The Belfast Naturalists'' Field Club ; The Ihiblin Naturalists' Field Club ;

The Armagh Natural History and Philosophical Society ;

The Cork Naturalists' Field Club ; The Limerick Naturalists' Field Club.

EDITED BY

GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.Sc, Lond.

AND

R. LLOYD PRAEGER, B.A., B.E.. M.R.I.A.

VOL. III.

DUBLIN: EASON & SON, Limited,
S5 MIDDLE ABBEY STREET, and 40 LOWER SACKVILLB STREET;

BELFAST : 17 DONEGALL STREET.
LONDON : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & Co., Ltd

1 8 94.

Printed by Alex. Thom & Co. (Limited), 87, 88, & 89, Abbey-street, Dublin.

CONTRIBUTORS

TO THE PRESENT VOLUME.

REV. John Andrew, Belfast.

Miss M. K. Andrews, Belfast.

V. Baee, C.b., EE.D., F.R.S., Dublin.

G. E- H. Barrett- Hamilton, New Ross.

Arthur Bennett, f.e.S., Croydon, vSurrey.

Jas. Bennie. Geol. Survey, Scotland.

Ernest Bennis, Limerick.

Jas. Brandreth, Dublin.

Rev. S. A. Brenan, b.a., Cushendun.

D. C. Campbeel, Londonderry.

W. Howard Campbeee, Londonderry.

G. H. Carpenter, b.sc, Dublin.

N. Coegan, m.r.i.a., Dublin.

A. J. COEEINS, Belfast.

Miss Louisa E. Cuppage, Trim.

H. K. Gore Cuthbert, Blackrock.

J. E. Duerden, a.r.c.sc, Lond., Dublin.

G. P. Farran, Templeogue, Co. Dublin.

Rev. W. W. FeEmyng, m.a , Coolfin.

Rev. Hiederic Friend, f.e.S. Gockermouth:

J. N. HaeberT, Dublin.

H. C. Hart, b.a., f.e.S., Letterkenny.

J. Hunter, Woodenbridge.

H. Lyster Jameson, Killencoole, Co. Louth.

Rev. \V. F. Johnson, m.a., F.E.S., Armagh.

J. H. JohnTSON, Armagh.

W. F. deV. Kane, Drumreask, Co. Monaghan.

G. H. Kinahan, m.r.i.a., Dublin.

Rev. H. W. LETT, M.A., Loughbrickland.

H. C. LEVINGE, d.e., Knockdrin, Co. Westmeath

Rev. E. F. Linton, m.a., f.e.S., Bournemouth.

C. Longfieed, Enniskeen, Co. Cork.

David M'Ardee, Dublin.

R. M'CeEan, Sligo.

W. MacMieean,Co. Wexford.

REV. E. MaweEY, Berkhampstead.

C. B. MoffaTT, Ballyhyland, Co. Wexford

Prof. J. P. O'Reieey, ce., Dublin.

J. E. Paemer, Dublin.

Robert Patterson, f.z.s., Belfast.

iv Contributois.

R. Lu>yd Patterson, j.p., f.e.s., Belfast.

W. H. Patterson, m.r.i.a., Belfast.

W. H. F. Patterson, Belfast.

R. A. Phieeips, Cork.

Greenwood Pim, m.a., f.e.s., Dublin.

R. Leoyd PraEGER, B.E., Dublin.

W. E. Praeger, Keokuk, Iowa.

T. Meeeard Reade, C.E., F.G.S., Liverpool.

Miss Harriette E. Reyneee, Dublin.

R. F. Scarff, b.sc, Ph.D., Dublin.

Reginald Scueey, f.e.s., Dublin.

W. E. Sharp, Ledsham, Cheshire.

W. A. Shooebred, m.r.c.S., Chepstow.

W. Sinceair, Strabane.

J. Crosbie Smith, Monkstown, Co- Cork.

Prof. W. J. Soeeas, ee-d., f.r.s., Dublin.

R. vStanden, Manchester.

James Steefox, Belfast.

S. A. Stewart, f.b.s.e., Belfast.

H. J. Synott, Dublin.

Miss M. Thompson, Cork.

Miss S. M. Thomson, Belfast.

Brockton Tomein, LlandafF.

R. J. USSHER, Cappagh, Co. Waterford.

Rev. C. H.Waddeee, b.d., Saintfield.

C W. Watts, f.i.c, London.

R. Weech, Belfast.

E- Wieeiams, Dublin.

Wieeiams and Son, Dublin.

J. J. Woefe, Skibbereen.

R. M. Young, b-a., m.r.i.a. Belfast.

ERRATA.

Page 159, at beginning of line 1, insert May 17th.
,, 222, line 27, for" Lygus" read "Stygnus"

INDEX.

•:o:—

Accipiter atricapillus, 60.
Actinozoa of Rush, 232.
^cidium leucospermum, 159.
Alauda arborea, 137.
Algae, perforating, in.
Allis Shad, 224.
Allolobophora Georgii, 39.
American Bird Visitors to Ireland,

60, 126.
Ammothea echinata, 66.
Atnopaum Sorenseni, 139.
Ampelis garrulus, 92.
Andesite, Basaltic, 109, 112.
Andrew, J.— Melicerta ringens, 43.
Andrews, M.K — Dykes in Antrim

and Down, 93.
Anoplodactylus petiolatus, 67.
Arctic Plant-beds, 72.
Artemisia Stelleriana, 43, 92, 112,

242.
Asphalia flavicornis, 261.
Auk, Little, 47, 68.

Badger, 68.

Ball, V.— Account of Medieval
Ireland, by Bartholomew Angli-
cus, 74 ; Life and Death of
Johnnie, Chimpanzee, 1 ; Re-
cords of the Export of Irish
Wolf-dogs to the East in the 17th
Century, 101.

Barrett-Hamilton, G.E.H. — Bit-
tern in Co. Wexford, 47 ; Bristly
Oxtongue in Co. Wexford, 261 ;
Introduction of the Common
Toad into Ireland, 68 ; Jays, 68 ;
Long- tailed Ducks in Co. Wex-
ford, 138 ; Magpie in Ireland,
68 ; Rabbit on the Irish Isles,
68.

Bat, Reddish-gray, 116.

Bats, Irish, 69.

Beetles, see Coleoptera.

Belfast Nat. Hist, and Philosophi-
cal Society, 21, 42, 90, no.

Belfast Field Club in Donegal, 225.

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, 21,
24, 42, 64, 91, no, 139, 141, 159,
180, 180, 221, 240, 257.

Bennett, A. — Potamogeton undu-
latus in Ireland, 124.

Bennie, James — Possible Arctic
Plant-beds in Ireland, 72.

Bennis, E.— Woodcocks in May,

137-

Bipalium Kewense, 242.

Birds, American, in Ireland, 60,

126 ; breeding on Lough Swilly,

185 ; Breeding Range of, 160 ; of

Achill Island, 137.
Bittern, 47.
Black-cap, 177.

Bonnemaisonia asparagoides, 41.
Botany, see Flora, Plants.
Botaurus stellaris, 47.
Boulder Clay, see Glacial Deposits.
Brambles, 92, 156, 201.
Brenan, S. A. — Birds at Cushendun.

177.
Bunting, Snow, 92.
Bupalus piniaria, 176.
Butterflies, early, 114; Irish, 56,

92 ; see also under Lepidoptera.

Campanulina turrita, no.

Campbell, D.C.— Arrival of Spring
Migrants in Londonderry Dis-
trict, 137 ; Asphalia flavicornis at
Lough Swilly, 261 ; Grey Phala-
rope at Inch, Lough Swilly, 262 ;
Notes on the Breeding Birds of
Inch, Lough Swilly, 185.

Campbell, W. H. — Lithosia com-
planata in Co. Antrim, 243.

Carex axillaris, 202.

Carpenter, G. H.— Anoplodactylus
petiolatus off the S. W. Coast,
67 ; Cimbex connata on Valencia,
176 ; Cimbex femorata in Co.
Dublin, 223 ; Further Irish
Localities for Pycnogons, 202 ;
Pallene brevirostris and Ammo-
thea echinata in Dublin Bay, 66 ;
Stridulation of Corixa, 253 ;
Vespa arborea in Co. Dublin,
202 ; Wasps at Bray, 157.

Carpenter, Johnson, and Halbert
— Insects collected by the R.I. A.
Fauna and Flora Committee,
1893, 83, 103, 122, 153, 170, 198.

Cave Fauna, 183.

Cephalanthera ensifolia, 156.

Cephaloziahibernica, 245.

Cervus giganteus, 81.

Characeae of Kildare and Queen's
Co., 22.

Charadrius dominicus, 224.

Cheiroptera, 69, 116.

Chiff-chaff in December, 24.

Chimpanzee Johnnie, 1, 21.

577;

VI

Index.

Cimbex femorata, 223; connata, 176.

Cirrhoedia xerampelina, 243.

Clunio inarinus, 140, 256.

Clupea alosa, 224.

Ccenonympha pamphilus, 222.

Coleoptera; at Bray, 114; collected
by R.I. A. Fauna and Flora Com-
mittee, 103, 122, 153, 170; from
Armagh, 133 ; Irish, 45 ; of Boyne
Mouth, 181 ; of Courtown, 224 ;
of Dublin Co. 203 ; of Fermoy
district, 1S2 ; of Lucan, 222 ; of
Maynooth, 160 ; of Port Ballan-
trae, 23 ; of Rush, 241.

Colgau, N. — Carex axillaris and
Filago minima in Co. Dublin,
202 ; County Dublin Flora, 43 ;
Matricaria discoidea in Ireland,

215-

Collins, A. J. — Spring Migrants, 115.

Colurolejeunia calyptrifolia, no.

Conchocelis rosea, 63.

Coral Reefs, 91.

Corixa, Stridulation of, 114, 253.

Cork Nat. Field Club, 21, in, 182,
241, 247.

Corydalis claviculata, 140.

Coturnix communis, 177.

Cribraria aurantiaca, 89.

Crossbill, 47, 207.

Crustacea of Rush, 233.

Ctenacanthus denticulatus, 204.

Cuppage, L. E. — Deilephila livor-
nica in Co. Meath, 175.

Cuthbert, H. K. G. — Hymenoptera
of Co. Dublin, 67 ; Hymenop-
tera Aculeata of Courtown, Co.
Wexford, 18, 243 ; Irish Coleop-
tera, 45 ; Vespa arborea, further
Records, 223.

Deilephila livornica, 175.

Dendrobium teretifolium, 90.

Dendrochium rubellum, 63.

Dicranolasma scabrum, 139.

Dolerite with eurite veins, 89.

Diift, see. Glacial Deposits.

Dublin Flora, 8, 43, 91.

Dublin Nat. Field Club, 21, 42, 65,
91, in, 140, 160, 180, 182, 211,
222, 240, 258.

Dublin Microscopical Club, 41, 62,
89, 109, 138, 159, 200, 256.

Duck, Long-tailed, 158.

Duerden, J. E. — Hydrozoa and
Polyzoa collected between Lay-
town and the Mouth of the
Boyne,. 169 ; Notes on the Marine
Invertebrates of Rush, Co.
Dublin, 230 ; Beaumaris Shark in
Dublin Bay, 262.

Dykes in Antrim and Down, 93.

Earthworm, new Irish, 39.

Eleuchus tenuicornis, 90.

Elk, Irish, 81.

Eozoonal Structure, 112.

Equisetum Wilsoni, 135.

Esker, 151.

Eulejeunea patens v. erecta, 139.

Eupithecia togata, 176.

Falco candicans, 126 ; islandus, 126.

Farran, G. P. — Cirrhcedia xeram-
pelina and Triphosia dubitata in
Co. Dublin, 243.

Fauna; Glacial, 14, 17, 118, 140, 163,
196; of Mulroy Bay, 113; of
Rush, 230.

Feather Ornaments, 46.

Field Clubs, the Irish, 141, 211,
247.

Flemyng, W. W. — Cephalanthera
ensifolia in Co. Waterford, 157 ;
Early appearance of Butterflies,
114 ; Leucophasia sinapis and
Melitaea aurinia in Co. Waterford,

157.
Filago minima, 202.

Flora; Arctic, 72 ; of Boyne Mouth,
181 ; of Co. Antrim, 146, 167 ; of
Castletown Berehaven, 189 ; of
Courtown and Arklow, 241 ; of
Dublin Co., 8, 43, 91; of Fermoy
district, 182 ; of Innishowen, 22 ;
of King's Co., 173 ; of Lucan,
222 ; of North-east Ireland, 35,
52 ; of Rush and Skerries, 240 ;
of West Cork, 205 ; of Westmeath,
77, 96, 128.

Foraminifera of Mulroy, 113.

Fossils, glacial, 14, 17, 72, 118, 140,
163.

Friend, Hilderic — A New Irish
Earthworm, 39.

Frogs, 115.

Frullania germana, 42.

Fungi of Woodenbridge, 258.

Garrulus glandarius, 68.

Geese, Wild, 204.

Geological Photographs, 116.

Geology of Killarney, 262.

Glacial Deposits, 13, 30, 72, 117,
140, 150, 161, 194; Fauna, 14, 17,
118, 140, 163, 196; Flora, 72.

Glaciers, Recent Irish, 236.

Glaciology, Irish, 30.

Goshawk, American, 60.

Hairstreak, Brown, 223.

Index.

vn

Halbert, J. N. — Coleoptera at Bray,
114 ; Coleoptera of Courtown, Co.
. Wexford, 224; Coleoptera in Co.
Dublin, 203 ; Micralymma brevi-
penne at Mornington, Co. Meath,
176.

Halbert, Johnson and Carpenter. —
Insects collected by the R. I. A.
Fauna and Flora Committee,
1893, 83, 103, 122, 150, 170, 198.

Halosphsera viridis, 109.

Hart, H. C— Marten in Donegal, 158.

Harvestmen, 65.

Helminthia echioides, 260.

Hemiptera, Irish, 85 ; of Lucan, 222.

Henbane, 156.

Hepatic, a new, 245.

Hepatics of Dundalk district, 65.

Hepialus lupulinus, 242.

Hieracium cerinthiforme, 136.

Holly, Fall of Leaf of, 43.

Hornet-moth, 223.

Hunter, J. — Summer Migrants in
the Vale of Ovoca, 137 ; Wood-
larks breeding in Co. Wicklow,

137-

Hyalinia helvetica, 45.

Hydrozoa of Rush, 231 ; of Lay-
town and Boyne Mouth, 169.

Hymenoptera, collected by R. I. A.
Committee, 199; of Courtown,
18, 243 ; of Dublin Co., 67.

Hypnum confervoides, 66.

Hypomyces sp. 89.

Hyoscyamus niger, 156.

Ilex, Fall of Leaf, 43.

Insects, collected by R. I. A. Fauna
and Flora Committee, 83, 103,
122, 153, 170, 198 ; of Boyne
Mouth, 181 ; of Fermoy district,
182.

Irish Field Clubs, 141, 211, 247.

Isopoda, 4, 25, 181.

Jameson, H. L. — Irish Bats, 69.

Jarrow Coalfield, 262.

Jays, 68.

Jer-Falcon, White, 126.

Johnnie, Chimpanzee, 1.

Johnson, W. F. — Hepialus lupu-
linus at Armagh, 242 ; Spring
Migrants at Armagh, 137.

Johnson, Halbert, and Carpenter. —
Insects collected by the R. I. A.
Fauna and Flora Committee,
1893, 83. 103, 122, 153, 170, 198.

Johnston, J. H. — White variety of
the Sparrow in Co. Galway, 47.

Jungermannia attenuata, * 200 ;
cuneifolia, 90.

Kane, W. F. de V.— Reddish-grey
Bat in Co. Galway, 116.

Kinahan, G. H.— Kitchen Middens
in Co. Donegal, 138 ; the Recent
Irish Glaciers, 236.

Kitchen Middens, 21, 49, 138, 243.

Lachnea umbrosa, 138.

Lamna cornubica, 262.

Larus ridibundus, 173.

Lejeunia hamatifolia, 256.

Lepidoptera ; at Strabane, 45 ; at
Enniskillen, 45, 91 ; collected by
R. I. A. Committee, 198 ; early,
114; Irish (Review) 56, 92, 217
233 ; of Belfast District, 44, 91.

Lett. H. W.— Fall of Leaf of the
Holly, 43 ; a Moss new to Ire-
land, 66.

Leucophasia sinapis, 157.

Levinge, H. C— The Plants of
Westmeath, 77, 96, 128.

Ligia oceanica, 157.

Limerick Nat. Field Club, 65, in,
182, 222, 247.

Linton, E. F. — Hieracium cerinthi-
forme in Co. Kerry, 136.

Lithosia complana, 243.

Litosiphon laminarise, 200.

Longfield, C. — Smerinthus ocel-
latus in West Cork, 243.

Loxia curvirostris, 47, 207.

Lycsena artaxerxes, 92.

M'Ardle, D. — Hepatics and Mosses
of Dundalk district, 65 ; Visit to
Castletown Berehaven, 189.

M 'Clean, R.— Little Auk in Co.
Sligo, 68.

MacMillan, W.— Quail in Co. Wex-
ford, 177.

Magpie, 68.

Marten, in Donegal, 158 ; in Ire-
land, 92, 116 ; in Ulster, 90, 106.

Martes svlvatica, 90, 92, 106, 116,
158.

Martins, Sand, nesting in a ruin,
204.

Matricaria discoidea, 215.

Mawley, E. — Phenological obser-
vations, 91.

Meles taxus, 6S.

Melicerta ringens, 43.

Melitsea aurinia, 157.

Merganser, female assuming male
plumage, 24.

Mergulus alle, 47, 68.

Metzgeria conjugata, 63.

Micralymma brevipenne, 176-

Micrococcus carneus, 89.

Microsphseria comata, 63.

Migrants, 115, 137, 137, 137, 177*

VI 11

Index.

Moffat, C. B.- -Brown Hairstreak in
Co. Wexford, 223 ; Crossbill at
BaUyhyland, Co. Wexford, 207;
Small Heath Butterfly— single
or double-brooded, 223.

MollHSCa, Marine, of Mulroy, 113;
see also Shells.

Morchella crassipes, 155 ; elata,m,

»55-

Mosses of Dundalk district, 65.
Moths, Irish (Review) 217, 233.
Museums Association, 177.
Mussel in Belfast Lough, 136, 176.
Mytilus edulis, 136, 176.

Nectria bicolor, 63.
Nictea scandica, 24.

Obituary— Prof. Tyudall, 48.

Orcynus thynnus, 243.

O'Reilly, J. P.— Flock of Wild Geese

at Kingstown, 204.
Orthezia cataphracta, 109.
Owl, Snowy, 24.

Pallene brevirostris, 66.

Palmer, J. E. — Blackcap in Co.

Meath, 177.
Passer domesticus, white var., 47.
Patterson, R. — Green Sandpiper in

Co. Tipperary, 68 ; Notes on the

Occurrences of the Marten ill

Ulster, 106 ; Waxwing in Co.

Down, 92.
Patterson, R. Lloyd. — Gommon

Mussel in Belfast Lough, 136.
Patterson, W. H. — Shell-mounds

at Rosapenna, North Donegal,

49.
Patterson, W. H. F. — Frogs in the

Mourne Mountains, 115.
Pearl Fishing, 158.
Pearson, W. H.— A New Hepatic,

245-
Phalangida, 65.

Phalaropus fulicarius, 262.

Phenological observations, 91.

Phillips, R. A. — Hornet moth in
Co.Cork,223; Hyalinia helvetica,
an addition to the Irish Fauna,
45 ; Rare Plants in West Cork,
205.

Photographs, geological, 116.

Pica rustica, 68.

Pieris daplidice, 24.

Pirn. G. — Two notable Morels, 155.

Plants ; see Flora.

Plectrophanes nivalis, 92.

Plover, American Golden, 224.

Plunlularia similis, 201.

Polyzoa, Irish, III; of Laytown
and Boyne Mouth, 169 ; of Rush,
232. ' *

Porifera of Rush, 231.

Potamogeton uudulatus, 124.

Praeger, R. Lloyd. — Artemisia Stel-
leriana, 242 ; Characeae of King's
and Queen's Counties, 22 ; Equi-
setum Wilsoni, 135 ; Fauna of
Mulroy Bay, 113 ; Flora of Innis-
howen, 22 ; Henbane on Howth,
156; Notes on the Dublin Flora,
8; Palaeontological Notes (Glacial
Cliffs of Killiney Bay), 17 ; Plants
of Courtown and Arklow, 241 ;
Spring Migrants, 115 ; The Irish
Field Clubs, 141, 211, 247; The
Seagull Bog, Tullamore, 173.

Praeger, R. LL, andW. J. Sollas.—
Notes on Glacial Deposits in
Ireland, 161, 194.

Praeger, W. E. — American Bird-
Visitors to Ireland, 60, 126.

Protozoa of Rush, 231.

Puccinia coronata, 41.

Puffinus major, 48 ; obscurus, 158.

Pycnogons, 66, 202, 233.

Quail, 177.

Rabbit on the Irish Isles, 68.

Raia blanda, 260.

Reade, T. Mellard.— The high and
low-level Shelly Drifts around
Dublin and Bray, 117, 150.

Redshank, Spotted, 224.

Redstart, 176.

Reviews — A Catalogue of the Lepi-
doptera of Ireland, by W. F. de
V. Kane, 56, 217, 233 ; Journal of
the Cork Historical and Archaeo-
logical Society, 244 ; the Lepi-
doptera of the British Islands, by
C. G. Barrett, 56; Six years
Entomology in Co. Galway, by
R. E. Dillon, 217, 233.

Reynell, Miss H. E. — Bupalus
piniaria and Eupithecia togata
in Co. Meath, 176.

Rhiuosimus ruficollis, 21 ; viridi-
pennis, 21.

Rook, white, 177.

Rosapenna Shell-mounds, 21, 49.

243-
Royal Dublin Society, 22, 112.

Royal Irish Academy, 22, 140, 160,
260 ; Fauna and Flora Committee
Lists, 83, 103, 122, 153, 170, 198.

Royal Zoological Society, 21, 41, 62,
89, 109, 138, 158, 180, 200, 221, 240,
256.

Index

IX

Rubi, 92, 156, 201.

Rubus Rogersii, 201 ; villicaulis v.

Selmeri, 156.
Ruticilla phcenicurus, 176.

Sandpiper, Green, 68.

Scapania aspera, 64.

ScharfT, R. F.— Allis Shad in the
Erne, 224 ; Bipalium Kewense in
Ireland, 242 ; the Irish Wood-lice,
4, 25 ; Ligia oceanica on the
Galway coast, 157 ; A new species
of Ray from Irish Waters, 261 ;
a supposed new species of Limax
from Ireland, 261 ; the Tunny in
Irish Waters, 243.

Schmitziella endophcea, 63.

Scully, R., and H. J. Synott.—
Spring Migrants, 115.

Seagull Bog, 173.

Shark, Beaumaris, 262.

Sharp, W. E-— February Coleoptera
from Armagh, 133.

Shearwater, Dusky, 158 ; Great, 48.

Shell-mounds, 21, 49, 138, 243.

Shells ; Glacial, 14, 17, 118, 140, 163,
196 ; of Co. Donegal, 261 ; land, of
Giants Causeway, 67 ; of Kitchen
Middens, 50.

Shoolbred, W. A. — A Botanical
Trip to Co. Antrim, 146, 167.

Sinclair, W. — Lepidoptera at Stra-
bane, 45.

Smerinthus ocellatus, 243.

Smith, J. Crosbie.— Crossbills in Co.
Cork, 47 ; the Garden Warbler in
Ireland, 46.

Sollas, W. J.— A Walk along the
Glacial Cliffs of Killiney Bay, 13.

Sollas, W. J., and R. Lloyd Praeger.

— Notes on Glacial Deposits in Ire-
land, 161, 194.

Sphaerospora binominata, 256.

Sparrow, white, 47.

Spiranthes Romanzoviana, in.

Standen, R. — Shells from Co. Done-
gal, 261.

Streblonema simplex, 64.

Stelfox, J. — Spring Migrants, 115.

vStewart, S. A.— Ctenacanthus den-
ticulatus, 204 ; Notes on the Flora
of the North-east of Ireland, 35,

52.

Stridulation of Corixa, 114, 253.
Sylvia atricapilla, 177 ; hortensis,
46.

Thecla betulse, 223.

Thompson, M. — Stridulation of
Corixa, 114.

Thompson, S.M.— The Belfast Field
Club in Donegal, 225 ; the Com-
mon Mussel, 176 ; a Plea for Irish
Glaciology, 30.

Toad, Common, 68.

Tomlin B.— Coleoptera of Port Bal-
lantrae, 23 ; Land Shells at the
Giants Causeway, 67.

Totanus fuscus, 224 ; ochropus, 68.

Trichoniscus roseus, 41.

Triphosia dubitata, 243.

Trochilium crabroniformis, 223.

Tunny, 243.

Tyndall, Prof., obituary, 48.

Ussher, R. J. — Redstart breeding
in Co. Tyrone, 176.

Vanessa atalanta, winter larvae, 67,

157.
Variolite, 109.
Vespa arborea, 202, 223.
Vespertilio Nattereri, 116.

Waddell, C. H.— Rubus villicaulis
v. Selmeri, 156 ; Whins injured
by frost, 156.

Warbler, Garden, 46.

Wasps at Bray, 157.

Watts, C. W. — Lepidoptera of the
Belfast District in 1893, 44.

Waxwing in Co. Down, 92.

Welch, R. — Kitchen Middens in
Co. Donegal, 243.

Whins injured by frost, 156.

Williams, B. — American Golden
Plover in Ireland, 224; Chiff-chaff
in December, 24 ; Spotted Red-
shank in Dublin Bay, 224.

Williams and Son.— Snowy Owl in
Mayo, 24.

Wolf-dogs, 101.

Woodcocks in May, 137.

Woodlarksbreedingin Co.Wicklow,

137-
Woodlice, 4, 25, 181.

Wolfe, J. J.— Larvae of Vanessa ata-
lanta, a correction, 157.

Xylaria rhopaloides, 41.

Young, R. M .— On a recent Find
of Irish Elk bones, &c, in Belfast,
81.

Irish Naturalist, Vol. III.]

[Plate i.

"JOHNNIE,"

Chimpanzee at Zoological Gardens, Dublin.

Received at Gardens, 26th April, 1890 ; died, 26th November, 1893.

From a Photograph by Professor Birmingham, M.D. ; taken October, iSg2.

AR Y\ m

©Ije grf^ij Jtaftura

VOL. III. JANUARY, 1894. No. 1.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JOHNNIE, CHIMPANZEE.

Late of the Zoological Gardens, Dublin.

by v. ball, c.b., ll-d., f.r.s.

In the Report of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland for
1889 we find the following passage : — " It is with very great
regret that we have to record the death of the Orang-utan
" Sindbad," oh the 7th of April last. He had been purchased in
August, 1885, and during his three years and eight months of
residence in the Gardens was a universal favourite with all
visitors, while his engaging character secured for him the
affectionate regard of all who were more intimately acquainted
with him" — then follows in the same report a more detailed
account.

It was a case, or nearly so, as it always should be in a
Zoological Gardens, of " le roi est mort, vive le roi" for in 1890,
in the same month as the Orang died the Gardens received a
donation of a young Chimpanzee from Mr. Cross, of Liver-
pool, with whom many transactions in the way of buying and
selling animals have taken place.

If any reader seeks for a scientific disquisition on the Chim-
panzee he is advised to pass over these pages, and refer to
some of the regular text-books ; here we intend only to speak
of him as we might of a more or less respectable citizen, lately
deceased, or as the representative of a race of which, in the
orthodox fashion, we propose to describe the manners and
customs — it may be at once admitted that he had several of
each — more particularly the latter. His moral character was
such that we propose to say no more about it than what is at
the same time pleasant and instructive— as is sometimes done
with great effect in other biographies, on the principle

" de mortuis ?iil nisi bonum." \

A

2 The Irish Naturalist.

Johnnie was taught the gentle art of drinking-milk
through-a-straw by the keeper Supple, who relates that he
first tried him with the stem of a clay pipe, which soon got
broken ; then a quill was tried, but Johnnie hurt his gums
with it. Next Supple, taking a sound-looking straw, and
having removed the knots, presented it to Johnnie, who forth-
with sucked up a tumblerful of milk with it, and, moreover,
having watched the preparation of the straw, soon afterwards
began to prepare straws for himself by biting off the knots and
sucking through them to see if they were* free and drew well.
When he had thus prepared a good one, he would hide it away
till it was wanted. We have often seen him take a prepared
straw from its hiding-place, when he knew by the presence
of visitors, or other well-known indications, that he was about
to be given a glass of milk — or what he liked better, perhaps,
a glass of porter or of Parrish's food.

His ordinary demeanour was grave and dignified, and he
often regarded his visitors with an air of condescending
patronage ; when suddenly with a wild whoop, as though he
felt that " dulce est desipere in loco" he would seem to fling his
dignity aside, like the legal or ecclesiastical personages of bur-
lesque, and proceed to execute a number of somersaults — a
performance by which poor Johnnie, like our street Arabs,
earned many a reward such as he loved. His tumbles were
accompanied by much thumping and noise, so as to ensure
proper attention being given to him by his audience. In fact
Johnnie was horribly jealous of attention being shewn to the
occupants of neighbouring cages. Often his thumps and in-
dignant protests might be heard — for instance, when on
Saturday a party of the Council remained, in his opinion, too
long in the outer room inspecting the lion cubs and cheetahs.

For some months back Johnnie's gambols and light-hearted
manifestations of delight on the arrival of visitors have become
less and less ; and Supple has deplored his loss of appetite and
his consequent loss of flesh. Often has the writer been
invited to feel his spinal column, and to suggest some remedy
for the alarming loss of flesh which its sharpness indicated.

Some said that one thing, some that another, was required to
restore him to health and strength, but one nostrum, shall we call
it, seemed to prevail beyond all others, and that was that Johnnie
should be supplied with a wife ; indeed several who had tried

The Life and Death of foJmnie, Chimpanzee. 3

the experiment themselves went so far as to predict a long and
happy future for Johnnie if he were provided with the one
thing needful — a loving and affectionate mate.

The resources of civilization being called upon, proved
nearly, but, alas, not quite equal to the occasion, for in response
to a demand, a lady chimpanzee indeed soon arrived from
across the seas, but her extreme youth seemed to be an effec-
tual bar to the accomplishment of the project for the present.

When the state of affairs was mentioned to Johnnie (although
to be strictly veracious we must admit that he said absolutely
nothing), still, having assumed to some extent the manners of
the country of his involuntary adoption, he looked so to speak,
two severe notes of interrogation (? ?) one following the other.
Those competent to interpret his meaning assure us that the
first meant " Do yoic take me for a Hindu ? " and the second, i% Do
ye think I 'd be bothered with a brat like that} "

Thus was the cup of disappointment filled to the brim for
those who had expected such joyful results. They turned on
the dealer in beasts, who had sent over the infant, and he on
his part retorted with a charge of base ingratitude — "You
asked," he said, " for a lady Chimpanzee, and I, being anxious
to gratify you, obtained one with enormous trouble, &c, &c,
and have not earned a penny by the transaction."

The infant was sick for some time after arrival, but she is
now well and hearty, while as for poor Johnnie, we last saw him
alive on Saturday the 25th November, for on the following day,
Sunday, the 26th, he died, thus completing a residence of
exactly three years and seven months in the Gardens, or
almost the same period as that which his predecessor the
Orang-utan lived there.

The post-mortem which was made on Johnnie's body by
Dr. Cunningham has established the fact that he died of con-
sumption, so that it is probable that his life could not have
been prolonged by any other treatment than that which he
received.

Since his death many of his friends and admirers have only
became aware of the fact when they missed him from his place.
One special admirer, who weekly presented him with bananas
and Parrish's food, had not, at the time this was written,
visited the gardens since his death.

A 2

4 The Irish Naturalist.

It will be of some interest to see the results of the taxider-
mist's art in attempting to reproduce Johnnie as we knew him.
A niche of honour is reserved for his stuffed remains in the
Council Room at the Gardens.

The accompanying illustration (Plate i), which represents
him in a characteristic attitude, is from a photograph by Dr.
Birmingham, to whom we are indebted for permission to re-
produce it.

THE IRISH WOOD-LICK.

(WITH DESCRIPTIONS AND FIGURES OF AIJ, THE BRITISH

SPECIES.)

By R. F. Scharff, Ph.D., B.Sc.

Everyone knows what wood-lice are, although the name is
not very happily chosen, or correctly descriptive, since the
animals so-called are not lice, nor do they generally live in
wood. They are Crustacea, but differ chiefly from the rest of
the class to which they belong in the manner in which
respiration is effected. On the under side of the tail, which is
often short and inconspicuous, are a number of delicate
membranous plates, which look very much like the branchia
or gills found in the aquatic Crustacea, but are not, like them,
fit for performing the office of respiration in water. Instead
of acting as gills, some of these plates have been transformed
into a very rudimentary kind of lungs, their interior being
furnished with canals or passages into which the atmospheric
air penetrates by means of minute orifices. They thus perform
the same function as the spiracles in insects. The seven pairs
of legs attached to the underside of the body are usually so
much alike in size and shape that the wood-lice, along with
many allied Crustacea living in water, have been placed among
the Isopoda (equal-footed Crustacea). The head, as in other
Crustacea, is provided with two pairs of feelers or antennae,
but the lower pair are so minute in the terrestrial species of
Isopoda as to be scarcely visible. All the Irish wood-lice,
except one, have well-developed compound eyes fixed at the
sides of the upper surface of the head. One species, however
( Platyarthrzis HoffmanseggiiJ, is quite blind, and spends its
entire existence in the nests of ants, where it acts probably as
scavenger, and is, therefore, allowed to remain. But these

The Irish Wood-lice. 5

blind wood-lice are not adopted as one of the family, as the
ants, when disturbed, do not carry them out of danger, but let
their guests shift for themselves.

The female wood-lice are provided with a series of large
membranous plates at the base of the legs. These plates lie
in a horizontal position and overlap one another, so as to form
a kind of pouch within which the eggs are lodged during
incubation, and the young are retained there for some time
after they are hatched.

One species, Armadillidium vulgare, owing to its round
tail, is able to roll itself into a perfect ball, and
looks in this condition very much like a black pill.
Whether this fact has given rise to the belief that this
wood-louse has strong medicinal qualities I cannot tell, but
it was certainly in great favour formerly as a remedy for
indigestion. Some species try to roll themselves up when
alarmed, but the appendages at their tail seem to be rather in
the way, and prevent them from effectually performing this
evolution. Other species, like Philoscia and Trichoniscus,
when alarmed, feign death, and lie perfectly still on their
backs in the hope of thus escaping unobserved.

Wood-lice are all of retiring habits, and they always live in
damp situations, as the air they breathe must be saturated with
moisture to keep the gill-like breathing organs in working
order. It is for this reason that Ireland, poor as is its fauna
in many respects, can boast of a large number of species, the
climate being quite an ideal one for their general comfort.
None of the species have, like their near relations the shrimps,
crabs, and lobsters, tempted mankind to search for them as
food, and they have, therefore, remained in a happy state of
obscurity. Most of them only venture out at night, whilst
during the day-time, especially in dry weather, they remain
secluded under stones or in worm-burrows.

They must be put down as distinctly injurious animals to
the gardener. In the green-house they lurk in immense num-
bers about the bottom of flower-pots. There they eat the
tender tips of the roots, or, emerging at night, climb the plant
and feast on the young leaf-buds. In a fernery they are
especially destructive, as the damp which suits ferns is also
adapted to their requirements, and often some species of ferns
never get a chance of developing their fronds, unless saved by

6 The Irish Naturalist.

a persevering use of traps. In the economy of nature,
however, they seem to be serviceable by eating decaying
substances.

The late Prof. Kinahan, of Dublin, was one of the highest
authorities on wood-lice, and has published a number of
valuable papers on these and other groups of crustaceans, to
which I shall have occasion to refer again. Mr. Hogau, Prof.
K. P. Wright, and Mr. Haliday have all rendered useful
services in making the knowledge of Irish wood-lice more
complete. Much still remains to be done, however, and we
are still far from having obtained a thorough knowledge of the
exact distribution of the various species in Ireland. I have
now pleasure in announcing the addition of three species to
the Irish list. There are altogether seventeen British species of
wood-lice, all of which are figured in a separate plate which
will appear with next number. Of these twelve are common
to Great Britain and Ireland, two are found in Great Britain
and not in Ireland, and three in Ireland and not in Great
Britain, so that the fauna of Ireland, though poorer in
many respects than that of Great Britain, is richer in wood-
lice b}7, one species. The Irish species may be conveniently
divided into three families, viz., Ligiidcz, Oniscidce, and Anna-
dillidce.

In the nomenclature I have adhered almost altogether to
the monograph of the " Crustacea Isopoda Terrestria/' by
Prof. G. Budde-IyUnd, of Copenhagen, who has kindly deter-
mined some of the species for me, and confirmed the identifi-
cation of those not hitherto recorded for Ireland. I have also
to acknowledge the kind assistance I received from Mr. A.
Dollfus, of Paris, whose valuable papers on terrestrial isopods
I have had frequent occasion to refer to.

In drawing up this list of the Irish wood-lice, I have been
assisted with specimens by the Committee appointed by the
Royal Irish Academy to investigate the Irish Fauna and Flora,
and by Messrs. G. H. Carpenter, H. L,. Jameson, J. N. Halbert,
W. F. de V. Kane, A. R. Nichols, Dr. M'Weeney, and Mr. R.
Welch.

The following is a list of some of the more important papers
and works which have been published on the subject, and of
works bearing on the geographical distribution of the species
in the British Isles : —

The Irish Wood-lice. 7

1. Bate (C. Spence) & Westwood, S.O.

History of British Sessile-Eyed Crustacea, vol. ii., 1868.

2. BUDDE-LUND, G.

Crustacea Isopoda Terrestria. 1885.

3. Hogan, A. R.

On a new British Oniscoid found in Ants' Nests.

Natttral History Review, vol. vi. 1859.

4. Doi,i,FUS, A.

Catalogue raisonne des Isopodes terr. de l'Espagne.

Anal, de la Soc. Esp. de Hist. Nat., vol. xxi. 1892.

5. KlNAHAN, J. R.

Analysis of certain allied genera of Terrestrial Isopoda.

Natural History Review, vol. iv. 1857.

6. KlNAHAN, J. R.

On the genera Philoscia, Itea and Philougria.

Natttral History Review, vol, v. 1858.

7. KlNAHAN, J. R.

On the genus Platyarthrtts, &c.

Natural history Review, vol. vi. 1859.

8. Norman, A. M.

Note on the discovery of Ligidium agile, Persoon, in Great Britain.

Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (4), vol. xi. 1873.

9. Scott, Th.

The Land and Freshwater Crustacea of the District around
Edinburgh.

Proc. Royal P/tys. Soc. of Edinburgh, vol. xi. 1890-91.

10. Stebbing, T. R. R.

History of Crustacea, 1893.

11. Stebbing, T. R. R.

On a Crustacean of the Genus Zia.

Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (4). vol. xi. 1873.

12. Thompson, W.

Natural History of Ireland. vol. iv. 1856.

To those who wish to send, me wood-lice for identification, I
would urge the importance of putting them at once into spirit.
The bottle should contain a little cotton-wool to prevent the
specimens from injury by being shaken about.

(to be continued.)

Our New Cover. — We would draw the attention of our readers to the
new cover which is issued with the present number, and which will in the
future replace the plainer wrapper that heretofore enclosed the Irish
Naturalist. This artistic and appropriate design is the work and the gift
of Mr. John Vinycomb, m.r.i.a., ex-President Belfast Naturalists' Field
Club, whose name is well known in artistic circles, especially in connec-
tion with heraldic art. It will be observed that the various items of the
design are essentially representative of Irish Natural History, and that
they are, moreover, figured with strictly scientific accuracy. The skull
and antlers of the Irish Elk are carefully reproduced from a fine specimen
in the Science and Art Museum, Dublin ; the plant whose blossoms are
gracefully interwoven with the initial letter of the title is Saxifraga geum
(which is in Britain confined to S.W. Ireland), drawn from a specimen
collected in Co. Cork by Mr. Praeger ; the mollusc which crawls along
the bottom of the page is recognisable at a glance as the celebrated Kerry
Slug (Geomalaats maculosus), from a sketch from life by Dr. Scharff; and
the hovering insect is the Galway Burnet Moth {Zygana nubigena), from a
drawing by Mr. Carpenter : in Britain it is found only in Galway and the
Scottish Highlands. The title of the magazine, picked out in Celtic
characters, appropriately completes the design.

[ 8 ]
NOTES ON THE DUBLIN FLORA.

BY R. IXOYD PRAEGER, B.A., M.R.I. A.

Mr. Nathaniel Colgan's remarks on the flora of County
Dublin, recently published in this Magazine1, are of consider-
able importance to local observers, and have, no doubt, been
read with interest by botanists throughout Ireland. While
the writer's remarks on the history of Dublin botany are concise
and instructive, and while his lists of new or rare species form
a valuable contribution to our knowledge of local plant-distri-
bution, decidedly the most important feature of the paper is
the announcement that the writer is actively engaged on the
compilation of a Flora of County Dublin, on which, by his own
statement, he has been hard at work for the last two years.
With what painstaking care and accuracy Mr. Colgan will
carry out the task which he has undertaken, those who have
read his several communications to the Irish Naturalist
can judge; as can the present writer also, from the experiences
of several pleasant days spent in botanizing in the home
county with his friend, the author of the forthcoming Flora
of Dublin. While we must congratulate ourselves that the
laborious work of gathering together material for the new
Flora is already so far advanced, it is at the same time to be
regretted that Mr. Colgan has not earlier made public a scheme
'which is of such general interest. At last, however, Mr. Col-
gan has issued an invitation to his brother botanists (howbeit
only in a foot-note) to assist him by transmitting notes (and
specimens, no doubt) of rarer plants observed in the county.
This is only as it should be ; for there are many botanists in
Dublin, some of them possessing a long and intimate acquaint-
ance with the surrounding district ; and among them there
must be information respecting the local flora which it would
take a single observer many years to acquire, if, indeed, it
could now be acquired; it is to be hoped that all such informa-
tion will be freely tendered to Mr. Colgan. Naturalists will
judge the local flora, and also the industry and observation
of the custodians of that flora — the local botanists — by such
accounts as may be available ; and it behoves the Dublin
botanists to make the forthcoming account of their flora as
comprehensive, as detailed, and as accurate as is possible.

1 Irish Naturalist, Nov., 1893.

Notes on the Dublin Flora. 9

Dublin County is botanically interesting in several respects.
The flora is decidedly a rich one — as floras go in Ireland ;
witness the number of species enumerated in Mr. Hart's
"Flora of Howth." As the result of a season's rambling in
County Dublin, following on a somewhat intimate acquaint-
ance with the flora of Antrim and Down, the present writer
has been struck with the fact that while there is hardly a plant
of common occurrence in the latter portion of Ireland that is
not equally common in County Dublin, there are in Dublin
quite a number of common species which we have been
accustomed to reckon as rarities or desiderata in the North-
east. Such, for instance, are Ranunculus circinatus, Galium
mollugo, Dipsacus sylvestris, Erigeron acris, Senecio erucifolius,
Tragopogo?i pratensis, Thrincia hirta, Leontodon hispidum,
Crepis taraxacifolia, Galeopsis ladanum, Orchis pyramidalis,
Glyceria aquatica, Bromus erectus, B. sterilis, Hordeum murinum ;
but it is to be noted that some of these are plants of the lime-
stone plain, and are to be found in equal abundance from
Dublin to Galway, and from Fermanagh to Cork ; and that
others occur plentifully over the southern half of Ireland.
Perhaps the most characteristic feature of the Dublin flora,
certainly the one which first strikes a comparative stranger,
is the number of plants of various degrees of naturalization —
colonists, denizens, waifs — which it contains. What an in-
teresting paper Mr. More or Mr. Colgan could give us on the
casuals of County Dublin ; only the other day Dr. Percival
Wright told me quite a botanical fairy story of strange flowers
which he and the late Canon Grainger used to collect in years
gone by down at the North Lots, where their appearance was,
no doubt, intimately connected with the import trade at the
docks. Even as it has been historically, so botanically, Dublin
appears to have been for invaders a convenient landing-place
in Ireland. Some of these new-comers have been mere
phytological nomads, springing up unexpectedly for a season,
and vanishing as rapidly as they came. Such apparently were
Alyssum calycinum, Medicago maadata, M. denticulata, Centaurea
paniculata, C. solstitialis, Atropa belladonna, and other species ;
while in Appendix III. of his " Flora of Howth," Mr. Hart
gives a list of most unexpected exotics found in that neigh-
bourhood. In this category may also be placed a peculiar

group of aliens which Mr. M'Ardle and I found last season in

B

io The Irish Naturalist.

a gravel-pit near Clontarf, and which included Bunias orientalis,
Sisymbrium locsclii, Silene qrmeria, Anacyclus tadiatus ; and the

curious grass Lolium rcpcns, f. cristatum, gathered near Glas-

nevin.

Some other plants appear to have secured a firm hold in the
immediate vicinity of Dublin, but have not, yet at least, ven-
tured further afield. Note the abundance of Mercurialis annua,
which chokes the city back-gardens and rubbish-heaps, yet
vanishes as soon as we get clear of the houses and smoke of
the town. The Mercury, however, has established itself in one
or two spots in the South of Ireland, and a better illustration
is furnished by the rare Sisymbrium irio, which grows abund-
antly in the Dublin suburbs, and is unknown elsewhere in
Ireland. One or two other plants, on the contrary, which are
quite recent arrivals in Ireland, have been rapidly spreading
since they took up their abode with us. Two excellent
examples are furnished by Diplotaxis muralis and Li?iaria
minor, both of which, it is to be remarked, select railway
tracks as their favourite abode.

Diplotaxis was first found at Portmarnock in 1837, and
rapidly increasing, is reported as abundant at Portmarnock
and Baldoyle in " Cybele Hibernica" (1866). More recently
it is recorded from Howth1 and Sutton2 ; and last season I
found it abundant on the railway from Amiens-street to
Howth Junction, a distance of five miles, and recorded its
spread to Skerries and away down into County Armagh.3
Linaria ??ii?ior has a similar history. Mackay, in " Flora
Hibernica," remarks that he has not seen an Irish specimen,
but that the plant is reported to grow in County Cork. In
" Cybele " is published its first County Dublin station —
Stillorgan ; the "Guide to County Dublin" adds Sydney
Parade and the M.G.W. Railway ; Mr. Hart adds Howth ; and
last season Mr. Colgan noticed it on the railway from Clontra
to Bray River, and the writer found it along the same line the
whole way from Harcourt-street to Bray, and also at Wicklow
and Rathnew.

The additions to the flora of County Dublin, and additional
stations for rarer species published in Mr. Colgan's paper, give
ample proof of the zeal with which the author is exploring the

1 " Guide to County Dublin," 1878. 2 " Flora of Howth," 1887.

> I.N., 1893.

Notes on the Dublin Flora, 1 1

recesses of the district in quest of botanical information. But
here one cannot help wondering whether the rambles of
many years on the part of other local observers may not have
resulted in similar discoveries which might fitly have found a
place here, and whether a critical examination of the herbaria
and the memories of a few of his fellow-botanists might not
have furnished some additions to the list. I write with no
personal motive, for my own acquaintance with the Dublin
flora is very limited, being merely the result of a single season's
casual botanizing ; nevertheless I may, perhaps, not inaptly
bring these desultory remarks to a close by the addition of such
notes as I have of a few rarer plants observed in the county
during the past season, as a small contribution towards the
new Flora.

t Fumaria pallidiflora, Jord.— Cultivated ground at Dundrum and
Stepaside.

* IVIalva moschata, L. — In some abundance in a meadow near Old
Bawn, Delow Bohernabreena, This plaxt is extremely rare in Co. Dublin,
and doubtfully native. Howth and Templeogue appear to be the only
previous records. In the present instance, the occurrence of Trifolium
hybridum, Medicago saliva, and Cichorium intybus in the same meadow point
to its introduction with the grass-seed ; it remains to be seen if it will
establish itself.

Trifolium medium, L.— Kelly's Glen, Dublin Mountains.

% Prunuscerasus, L. — In hedges near Gormanstown, in the extreme
north of the county.

Rubus. — I have before me, as I write, a list of nineteen different Rubt,
as determined by Mr. Moyle Rogers, collected last season in various por-
tions of the county. The Brambles have been severely let alone by all
previous observers in this part of Ireland, Dr. Moore alone excepted ;
and even Mr. Hart's "Flora of Howth," in most respects so complete,
contains merely a reference to four forms. In consequence, all on my
list given below, with two exceptions (marked *), are new to the county,
and to district 5 : — R. rhamnifolius, R. nemoralis var. pule her rimtis, *R. rusli-
canus, R. silvaticus, R. macrophyllus, and var. Sehlectendalii, R. pyramidalis, R.
letccostaehys, R. mucronatus, R. echinatus, R. scaber, R. fuscus, R. rosaceus var.
hystrix, R. dtimetorum var. * scabrostis, R. coryllifolius and var. stiblustris and
var. conjungens, R, eoryllifolius x rusticanus, R. Bcdfouricimis. I hope to
give details of the distribution of these and other Irish Rubi in an early
number of the Journal of Botany.

Carduus crispus, L,.— By the shore below Raheny ; at Balbriggan,
and in the grounds of Gormanstown Castle l.

tMatricariachamomiIia,Iv.— In a gravel-pit at Clontarf. Previously
recorded from Baldoyle and Howth ; very rare in the county, and
apparently not yet established, as it is, for instance, in Antrim.

Echium vulgare, L.. — Abundant in a dry field near Gormanstown
Castle, nearly two miles from the sea; seldom met with inland.

Gormanstown Castle is in Meath, just over the county boundary, but
its extensive grounds lie chiefly in County Dublin.

1 1 The Irish Natiiralist.

Stachys ambigua, Smith (S. sylvalica x palustris).— Shady roadside
north of Balscaddan, close to the county boundary. Appears to be the
true S. ambigua; as remarked in Hooker's "Student's Flora," other hybrids
nearer to S. palustris are more common.

Stachys arvensis, L. — About the railway at Foxrock. Howth

{Flor. Howth) is the only previous Dublin record.

Polygonum aviculare, L. var. arenastrum {fide A. Bennett). —
Sandy shore north of Balbriggan, with P. Raii.

Ophrys apifcra, Huds. — In some abundance in meadows by the sea
between Ballybrack and Bray, R. LI. P. 13th July, 1886. (This is the
only note which does not refer to the past season.)

Carex riparia, Curt. — In a pool by the railway between Clontarf
and Raheny.

It may not be out of place to refer here to a scheme recently
set on foot for the compilation of a Cryptogamic Flora of County
Dublin. The cryptogams are so numerous, and most of them
are so minute, and require such careful study, that the pro-
posed cryptogamic survey of the county can be carried out only
by the combined investigations of a number of botanists. We
are fortunate in having in Dublin naturalists well qualified for
the work, and whose active interest in the Irish flora is already
well known. Mr. Greenwood Pirn and Dr. M'Weeney, who
have already done so much for Irish mycology, have under-
taken the Fungi. The mosses and hepatics will be in the hands
of Mr. M'Ardle. The marine Algae will be well looked after
by Prof. Johnson, and Mr. F. W. Moore has kindly promised
assistance in the difficult group of the fresh-water Algae. No
doubt fresh recruits will come forward as the work proceeds ;
and with the addition of the information that has been already
placed on record, it is hoped that in a few years time it will be
possible to publish at least a first contribution to a Cryptogamic
Flora of Dublin. In the meantime, any of the gentlemen
named, or the present writer, will be very pleased to hear from
any one who is willing to assist in the large amount of field
work which still remains to be accomplished.

l i3 i

A WALK ALONG THE GLACIAL CLIFFS OF

KILLINEY BAY.

BY PROFESSOR W. J. SOEEAS, EE-D., F.R.S.

A week before Christmas Mr. Praeger and I found ourselves
starting for a ramble along the shore from Bray to Dalkey.
A sunshiny day, with sun and clouds making one glory over
the headland of Bray behind us, and another over the shining
hills of Dalkey in front. The open sea, with its waves break-
ing in creaming foam upon the strand, made us think for very
contrast of Archangel and its ice-bound port, while the open
sky, with mere remnants of riven clouds, turned our thoughts
to London, with its sad and mournful canopy of smoke : and
we were thankful ; so, for our climate, a Dublin geologist
should ever be, but especially on a Sunday afternoon.

We scrambled over the clean -washed pebbles of the piled-up
beach by the mouth of Bray River, finding much of interest
and beauty in them, and so reached the low line of cliffs which
extends nearly all the way from Bray to Dalkey. The change
from the pebbles to the cliff-foot is marked, for the latter is
formed of a stiff resistant reddish clay on which walking is
sure and easy. This is the famous boulder clay, and in the
cliffs before us it can be traced upwards for 12 feet at least ; it
is succeeded by a marvellously irregular patchy series of sand
and gravel, which we may call "contorted drift," and this is
followed by coarser beds more horizontal and more regular,
full of great blocks of stone ; these we shall call for the nonce
" gravelly boulder beds." Thus in descending order we have
the following succession : —

Gravelly Boulder Beds.

Contorted Drift.

Boulder Clay.
The distinction between these different deposits looks much
clearer on paper than it is in reality ; as one walks along the
shore the cliffs seem to change in structure every few hundred
yards ; in one place the threefold division can be recognised at
a glance ; in another only two divisions are to be distinguished,
the boulder beds and contorted drift then forming a single
series of sands, gravels, and boulders ; in other places thick beds
of pebbles and sands sub-divide the boulder clay into several

14 The Irish Naturalist.

members, and the whole appears to form a single series, with
clay preponderating below and sand above, and in yet others
confusion baffles classification, and reduces the observer to
despair. The distinction between the contorted drift and the
boulder beds is the least constant ; these so generally pass into
each other that if we give them separate names it can only be
for our own convenience ; the line between them and the
boulder clay, however, can be more easily drawn, and is more
persistent. The full value of its significance we may hope to
ascertain when investigation has progressed further ; at
present our knowledge is surprisingly incomplete.

The boulder clay extends all the way from the mouth of
Bray River to Killiney, but with frequent changes of level and
with variable thickness. Sometimes its summit sinks below
the level of the beach, sometimes rises 15 to 20 feet above it ;
its base is nowhere seen. Though usually red in colour, it is
sometimes, especially in its upper portions, black, but even
then, wherever water can percolate, as along the numerous
cracks which traverse it, the black colour disappears, and is
replaced by red ; possibly, therefore, the red colour is not
original.

Irregularly scattered through the clay are numbers of small
stones, wTith here and there a larger one, sometimes gigantic by
comparison, as in the case of one granite block which measured
3 feet in length. The stones are usually irregular in shape, and
irregularly scratched, but not seldom a boulder with flattened
faces and longitudinal striae is to be seen. They commonly
consist of the limestone of the district, though, as Dr. Scouler
pointed out long ago, travelled boulders from the far north are
frequently met with ; thus, pieces of the hard chalk of Antrim,
beautifully polished and finely scratched, are far from rare.
That these are truly Antrim chalk may be proved by examining
thin slices under the microscope, when the characteristic
structure of this rock is seen in all its details.

But what is most remarkable about the boulder clay is its
richness in shells and fragments of shells. The fragments are
sometimes rounded, sometimes polished as perfectly as if by
the hand of a lapidary, and sometimes scratched. The entire
shells are either univalves or single valves of bivalves, most
commonly of the northern species Tcllina balthica ; one speci-
men of Tcllina was found with its natural colour as fresh as

A Walk along the Glacial Cliffs of Killincy Bay. 15

the day on which its inhabitant abandoned this life, and a
valve of Lzicina was found still retaining its outer horn}' coat,
the so-called "epidermis." A list of the species found in the
boulder clay is given by Mr. Praeger at the end of this
account.

Singularly hard and coherent as the boulder clay is, it
readily breaks down into a fine mud on boiling in water ; the
impalpable material of which it chiefly consists (much of
which is kaolin or China clay, and much finely divided
carbonate of lime) may then be washed away from a residue
of fine sand, which has the same general appearance as
the sand of the contorted drift and gravelly boulder beds ; it
consists of fragments of minerals of different kinds, including
quartz, which occurs as rounded grains, sometimes beautifully
smoothed and polished to a gem-like lustre even when only
one-fiftieth of an inch in diameter, and of little bits of shells,
also rounded and polished.

The mode of formation of this remarkable boulder clay is by
no means easy to discover. The scratched fragments of rocks,
some of which have been brought from Antrim, sufficiently
indicate the action of ice in some form or other. Ice has
carried them and ice has scratched them. The rounded
polished sand-grains and shelly fragments probably acquired
their characters on a wave and wind-driven beach, from which
they were transferred in some unknown way to the boulder
clay. The species of well-preserved marine shells concur with
the scratched stones in suggesting that the sea in which they
lived and in which the boulder clay was deposited was cold.

The hardness and coherence of the boulder clay is puzzling
when we consider that the bulk of it consists of a material
which is usually soft and plastic to an extreme degree, but no
doubt this character is connected with the presence of cal-
careous mud : not less puzzling is the source of the clayey
material itself ; it may have been borne along by streams
issuing from glaciers, or have been melted out from stranding
ice-rafts.

The sum of our conclusions would thus appear to be that
the boulder clay was formed in an icy sea which was tenanted
by northern species of molluscs, and that shelly sands from
ancient beaches, and ice-borne boulders, brought from far and
near, contributed to its formation.

1 6 The Irish Naturalist.

The change from the boulder clay to the contorted drift
marks some great change in physical conditions, the nature
of which we cannot at present fathom. The false bedding of
the lenticular masses of sand, the irregular disposition of the
gravel, often against buried cliffs made of its own material,
suggest frequently-changing currents, while the travelled
boulders, often bearing scratches, aiid the included marine
shells, seem to show that the currents were those of a sea still
laden with ice.

The relations of the contorted drift to the boulder clay are
frequently of a remarkable character ; often narrow curving
cracks, filled with the sand and gravel of the drift, penetrate
the clay, isolating large lenticular masses of it two or three
feet or more in length. Sometimes genuine boulders of
boulder clay, many feet long and several feet thick, are to be
seen lying well within the midst of the contorted drift. But
most curious are the numerous pipes and irregular funnel-like
hollows, sometimes with vertical sides for a part of their
course, which extend downwards from the contorted drift into
the boulder clay. These are now filled with the sand and
gravel of the contorted drift, which in the upper part of the
hollow lies in downwardly converging stream-lines, while in
the lower part it is sometimes more or less horizontallystratified,
or lies in concave layers like a pile of watch-glasses. These filled-
up cavities are difficult to account for except on the supposition
that the boulder clay at one time included in its mass great
lumps of ice, and that as these melted away the overlying sands
and gravels poured down, displacing the water, and filling up
the resulting pit. That the melting and filling up were com-
pleted before the deposition of the gravelly boulder beds is
shown by the undisturbed manner in which these lie over the
down-streaming sand of the contorted drift.

Much of the contortion of the last-named deposit is of
marvellous complexity. In a bed of sand not more than two
feet in thickness one may occasionally see in a length of a
dozen feet four or five folds, illustrating almost every type of
mountain structure, from the simplest anticlinal to the com-
pleted overfold with its reversed faults, or overthrusts ; and,
smoothing off every irregularity, there will follow upon this
another bed almost perfectly horizontal, and composed of
successive horizontal layers.

A Walk along the Glacial Cliffs of Killiney Bay. 17

Here, incomplete, we must leave this hasty account of our
afternoon's walk. The half remains untold, and even from
what we have described we can form no connected and con-
sistent story ; clear only does it appear that at the time these
deposits which form its latest cliffs were accumulating, the
Irish Sea was not in winter open, tossed with swift waves, as
now, but ice-bound like the frozen regions of the north.
Whether, however, a great glacier displaced its waters and
filled its channel from side to side with massive ice as some
would have it, or whether its waters still maintained their
place, nay, even with extended depth and margins, but sealed
under a thick layer of ice, like Hudson's Straits in winter, and
traversed by fleets of icebergs sailing south in summer, these
and other hypotheses we do not now touch ; more facts are
wanted before definite conclusions can be reached, and with
facts so easily to be collected and ascertained, the wonder is
that we have not more inquirers into this fascinating branch
of science.

PAl<^ONTOI,OGICAI< NOTES.

(BY R. u,oyd praegkr.)

Boulder Clay. — The boulder clay is everywhere highly fossiliferous.
The shells are almost invariably fragmentary ; bivalves are much more
abundant than univalves. Some of the fragments are highly polished on
both sides, with all the edges rounded ; a few are scratched ; but the
majority have sharp edges, and have not suffered very rough treat-
ment, as is strikingly exemplified by the fact that in some cases the
epidermis still adheres. The following is a provisional list of species
observed : —

* (N.) Ostrea edulis. (N.) Tellina balthica.

— Mytilus edulis. — Mactra subtruncata.
N. ,, modiolus. (S.) ,, solida ?

Ext. N. Leda pemula. — Saxicava rugosa.

(N.) Lucina borealis. — Corbula gibba.

— Cardium edule. (N.) My a truncala.

ji

echinaium. • — Turritella terebra.

(N.) Cyprina islandica. — Buccinum undaium.

(N.) Astarte sulcata (aggr.). — Murex erinaceus.

N. ,, compressa, var. striata. Ext. N ? Nassa, sp.
( S. ) Tapes aureus ? N. Balanus tulipa-alba.

* (N.) signifies that the habitat of the species is somewhat northern,
N. distinctly northern, (S.) somewhat southern ; and Ext. extinct in
British seas. The sign — signifies that the species is widely diffused both
north and south of Britain.

J 8 1 he Irish Naturalist.

Of the above, Cardium edule, Tellina balthica, and Turritella terebra occurred
most frequently. Of Corbula and Tellina complete valves were obtained ;
one valve of Tellina has its rosy-red colour beautifully preserved. The
one specimen of Nassa was complete ; the species has not yet been deter-
mined ; it is not recent British. Of Lucina and Mya the epidermis was
still adhering.

Brown Boulder Clay (separated from the underlying
mass of the Boulder Clay by a bed of gravel). — In this bed the
shell-fragments attain their maximum, the clay being thickly studded
with them. The species identified were —

(N.) Ostrea edulis. (N.) Tellina balthica.

N. My til us modiolus. (N.) Mactra solida ?

Bxt. N. Lcda pemula. — Saxicava rugosa.

— ■ Cardium edule. — Corbula gibba.

(N.) Astarte sulcata, var elliplica. (N.) Mya truncata ?

(N.) Cyprina islandica. — Turritella terebra.

(S.) Tapes virgineus . — Buccinum undatum.

Corbula was the only shell of which a complete valve was obtained.
Cardium, Tellina, and Turritella, were, as before, the commonest species.

Contorted Drift. — The fauna of this bed was only very cursorily
examined. Shell-fragments are frequent, but by no means so well pre-
served as in the boulder clay. Cardium echinatum, Cyprina islandica, Tellina
balthica, and Turritella terebra were the only species identified, but further
investigation will, no doubt, add largely to the list. Cardium echinatum
and Cyprina islandica were found to occur also in the gravels that gener-
ally form the upper portion of these beds, and within a couple of feet of
the top of the section.

THE HYMENOPTERA-ACUEEATA OF COURTOWN,

CO. WEXFORD.

BY H. K. G. CUTHBERT.

The pretty village of Courtown is the centre of a district of
considerable interest to entomologists. The great variety of
the landscape, upland and lowland, the abundance of wood,
and the extensive ranges of sand-hills which fringe the
coast, are all favourable to the insect-hunter. Hence various
rarities have from time to time been added to the aggregate
of our local fauna by collectors in this region. The following
list of Aculeate or stinging Hymenoptera is the result merely
of a few days' collecting in August, '92, and a couple of weeks

The Hymenoptera-Aculeata of Courtown > Co. Wexford. 19

in August, '93. For this reason it is far from being represen-
tative, even of the chief types of this branch of the order in
the district, and many genera and species are unrecorded
which would certainly be met with, granted greater diligence,
longer time, and an earlier season.

FORNIICIDJE.

(SOCIAL ANTS.)

Las i us niger, L. — Common at various points on or near the shore.

L. f Iavus, De G. — Very common on the sand-hills.

IYIyrmlca scabrinodis, Nyl. — Abundant. Males and females in great
numbers on fruit trees, especially plums.

FOSSORES.

(SAND AND WOOD WASPS.)

Ceropalcs maculatus, Fab. — Fairly common on flowers of wild
Carrot at Seafield.

Pompilus plumbeus, Fab.— Common on the sand-hills at Courtown
and Glascarrig.

P. gibbus, Fab. — Fairly common on clay banks at Cahore and
Kiltennell.

Tachytes pectinipes, L. — Rare. A single specimen on a clay bank
near Duffcarrick.

Pcmphredon Iugubris, Fab. — Common on Lilac at Courtown.

P. unicolor, Latr. — Also common. Usually occurs on the Sloe.

P. Iethifer, Shuck. — Frequent on Sweet-briar and Wild Rose.

IYIellinus arvensis, Fab. — Common everywhere near the sea. Fe-
males usually stalking Muscidcc and Syrphidtz on Ragwort ; males on
trees, especially Sycamore.

Crabro cephalotes, Panz. — Pretty common. Occurs not rarely along
the east coast between Clogher Head, co. Louth, and Cahore Point,
and probably further south.

C. leucostoma, L- — On laurels at Courtown and Kiltennell; not

uncommon.
C. peltarius, Schr. — Not common. Taken near Cahore.

VESPID^E.

(SOCIAL WASPS.)

Vespa vulgaris, L. — Very common all over the district.. The summer
of 1893 was unusually favourable to these pests.

V. rufa, L. — Not common. One nest at Seafield.

EUHIENIDJE.

(SOLITARY WASPS.)

Odynerus parietum, L.— Not common in the district. This species
is very abundant throughout co. Dublin.

O. trimarginatus, Zett. — I got three examples of this rather scarce
species on flowers of Wild Sage at Seafield.

20 The Irish Naturalist.

ANTHOPHILA.

(BEES.)

CoIIetes fodiens, Kirb.— Rare. One female taken from a clay bank
overhanging the cliff at Glascarrig.

C. Daviesana, Sm. — Scarce. A small colony in a cutting at the
Courtown brick and tile works.

Halictus rubicundus, Ch. — Very common in the district. Males on
hawkweeds, females on Ragwort.

H. cylindricus, Fab. — Fairly abundant, males especially, on thistles.

H. villosulus, Kirb. — Not common. Taken at Glascarrig and Bally-
money.

H. minutus, Kirb. — Rare. Occurred at Ballygarrett.

H. nitidiusculius, Kirb.— Not common. Taken at burrows at Sea-
field and Pollduff.

H. tumulorum, L,. — Pretty common, males at least. I was unable to
find any of the burrows of this and the next species.

H. morio, Fab. — Also fairly abundant. Usually on hawkweed, Marsh
Marigold, and thistle.

Andrena albicans, Kirb. — Abundant at Seafield and Ballymoney,
chiefly on bramble.

A. Wilkella, Kirb. ) Common throughout the district.

A. Trimmerana, Kirb. j ft

A. nitida, Fourc. — Rare, taken at Kilmurray.

A. f ucata, Sm. — Rare. One female at Ardamine and one on Taragh

Hill. I have also taken this species at Skerries, Co. Dublin.

Nomada altcrnata, Kirb. — Fairly abundant. The commonest of its
genus in the district.

N. flavoguttata, Kirb. — Rare. At burrows of Andrena albicans at Bally-
money.

N. bifida, Thorns.— Rare. Taker, at Pollshone.

N. ruf icornis, L. — Fairly common. This pretty " cuckoo " bee seems
to be parasitic mainly upon Andrena Trimmerana.

IYIegachile centuncularis. L,. — Common in the district in gardens.
Also about Wild Roses at Kilmurray and Kilbride. Burrows fre-
quently met with in Courtown Woods.

Bombus tcrrestris, L. )

B. muscorum, L. > Very common and abundant.
B. hortorum, L. )

B. Iapidarius, L- — Very abundant. The commonest bee in the district.
Its nests are most common in sandy banks, usually deserted rabbit

burrows.
B. syl varum, L. — Not common. In Courtown and Owennavarragh

Woods.
I found an empty nest of Vespa norvegica in a small pine-
wood at Kiltennell, but I did not meet with the insect. No
species of Osmia occurred, but I discovered at Pollshone a
number of clay cells attached to a stone in the cliff, which I
think referable to one of these " mason" bees, perhaps Osmia
ruf a. For the determination of some of the more obscure
species I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Edward Saunders,
FX.S., the well-known authority on this order, and Mr. G. H.
Carpenter ; and my best thanks are hereby tendered to both
these gentlemen.

21

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

ROYAD ZOOEOGICAE SOCIKTY.

Recent donations comprise four Peregine Falcons, from R. M. Bar-
rington, Esq. ; a Sparrow-Hawk, from R. P. Jacob, Esq. ; a Guinea-Pig,
from Master G. H. Mitchell ; and a Three-banded Douroucouli, from Dr.
R. E. Griffin. Two Glossy Ibises, two Night Herons, and two Mandarin
Ducks have been acquired by purchase.

The collection has sustained a loss in the death of the male Chimpanzee.
A notice on this animal by Dr. V. Ball, accompanied by a photograph,
appears in our present issue.

3,650 persons visited the Gardens in November.

Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society

DECEMBER 5th.- The following papers were read : — Mr. A. Tate,
M.I.C.E. — Report of the Society's Delegate to British Association ; Mr.
W. H. Patterson, M.R.I. A. — A Notice of ancient Shell-Mounds at
Rosapenna, Co. Donegal, illustrated by Finds (this paper will shortly
appear in our pages) ; Mr. Douglas Ljthgow — Gossipings about the
Parish of Saul. Two ancient carved stones from the Abbey of Saul,
presented to the Museum by the lecturer, were shown. Miss Susan
Richardson gave an exhibition of the latest improved phonograph,
brought from U.S.A. by Mr. Alex. Richardson, Lambeg.

BEDFAST NATURADISTS' FIEED CEUB.

December 19. — Mr. W. B. Yeats gave a lecture on the subject of Irish
Fairies. The Secretary read, for Miss Ceara Patterson, a short paper on
local children's games, illustrated by photographs. Mr. W. H. Patterson,
M.R.I. A., presented a report from the Ethnographical Committee, which
showed that the Committee were only waiting for circulars and informa-
tion from head-quarters before beginning systematic work in the
district.

DUBEIN NATURADISTS' FlEED CEUB.

December 12th.— The President (Dr. M'Weeney) in the chair. Mr.
J. M. Browne, B.A., read a paper on "The Cicindelida (Tiger Beetles) and
their Distribution." The reader explained the systematic position of the
family and their characteristics, and. gave an account of their habits and
their distribution. Mr. T. W. Lyster, M.A., exhibited a very rare book
— " Lithographia Wirceburgensis " — a strange geological hoax of the 18th
century. Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger, M.R.I.A., exhibited a collection of
Brambles, some twenty in number, made during the past season in Co.
Dublin. All of these were new to the county, and most of them to dis-
trict 5 of " Cybele Hibernica " ; three were additions to the Irish flora.
The Secretary exhibited (for Mr. J. N. Haebert) three beetles of the
genus Rhinosinms, of which one, Rh. viridipennis, appears to be new to
Ireland, and another, Rh. riificollis, is an addition to the Dublin list.

Cork Naturaeists' Fieed Club.
November 29th.— The President, Prof. Marcus M. Hartog, M.A.,
D.Sc, F.L/.S., gave the inaugural address of the session, entitled "The
Evolution Theory." After pointing out the character of scientific theories
in general, he proceeded to expound the general view of the evolution
theory, and pointed out the principal arguments for and against. A short
discussion followed. Mr. G. FarringTon, M.A., described a superficial
deposit of very fine sand on a mound sloping east and west at Clay Castle,

22 The Itish Nahiralist.

Youghal, manifestly caused by the action of wind. He remarked that on
the west side the layer was only a few inches deep, while on the east side
it was three or four feet, and gave as an explanation the dryness of the
east wind compared with the dampness of that of the west. A sample of
the deposit which he showed contained fragments of glass, cinders, and
earthenware, all much ground by contact with the sand.

ROYAE DUBININ SOCIETY.

November 29th. — Prof. T. Johnson, D. Sc, communicated a paper on
the systematic position of the Bcuigiacecr, a group of sea-weeds well repre-
sented in Irish water. The author follows Berthold and others in con-
sidering them Floridese, adduces several new arguments in support of the
view, and discusses Schmitz's objection to the same.

Royae Irish Academy.

November 13th. — A paper was submitted by Prof. A. C. H addon,
M.A.. on " Studies of Irish Craniology. No. 2. — Inishbofin, Co. Mayo."

November 30th. — Dr. C. R. Browne read a paper on "The Ethno-
graphy of Inishbofin and Inishshark, Co. Galway."

NOTES

BOTANY.

CHAR A CE^E.

Characeae of Kildare and Queen's County. — Most of the
under-mentioned plants were collected during a July day spent with Dr.
Scharff, near Monasterevan, on the borders of Kildare and Queen's
County ; and the remainder on a day in August, spent with Prof. Sollas
at Maryborough, Queen's County. The determinations have been kindly
made or verified by Messrs. H. and J. Groves. Chara fragilis — in the
Grand Canal near Monasterevan, growing in both counties ; and ditch at
Maryborough (form approaching barbaid). C. aspcra — in the canal near
Monasterevan, both counties. C. contraria — Same stations as last,
abundantly. C. polyacantha— in the canal in both counties, and ditch at
Maryborough. C. hispida— bog drain near Maryborough. C. hispida v.
rudis — canal in both counties. All the above appear to be additions to
the flora of district 3 of " Cybele Hibernica " ; and I find no previous
record of C. polyacantha in district 5. — R. Leoyd Praeger.

PHANEROGAMS.

Flora of Innishowen.- During a short geological ramble round the
coast of Innishowen, North Donegal, in September last, a few plants
were noticed which may be worth recording. Two of these are additions
to the flora of the district, as enumerated in Mr. Hart's paper in the
Journal of Botany for 1883 — Anthcmis nobilis, which I found at Ballyharry
east of Culdaff, and at Bree cross-roads near Malin Head ; and Cichoriwn
intybus, which grew in cultivated land at Greencastle. The following
species appear to be rare in Innishowen, according to Mr. Hart's list,
therefore additional stations may be worthy of mention : — Fumaria pallidi-
flora, Bree cross-roads on Malin Head ; Scandix pcctcn-veneris, Ballyliffan ;
Lamium intermedium, Bree cross-roads and Ballyliffan ; L. amplexicaule,
Greencastle; Polygonum Rati, White Strand Bay; Euphorbia portlandica,
undercliff a little north of entrance of Trawbreaga Bay; Junipcrus com-
munis, one large bush on a rock by the shore a mile west of Greencastle
lighthouses.— R. Leo yd Praeger.

Proceedi?igs of Irish Societies 23

ZOOLOGY.

INS E C TS

Coleoptera from Port Ballintrac, Co. Antrim. — Thefollowing
notes on Coleoptera are the result of a month's stay at Port Ballintrae,
Co. Antrim, during last August, but do not pretend to be the fruits of any-
thing more than very intermittent collecting. As a locality, the place
struck me as decidedly promising, being fairly rich in variety of wild
plants, and having in Bush Bay a good range of sandhills with plenty of
vegetation and a river running hard by. What struck me most, in collect-
ing the beetles, was the extraordinary abundance of some of the species,
due, no doubt, to the favourable summer — e.g., Longitarsus jacobcece, Apion
hccmatodes, and Otiorhynchus alroapterus. The first-mentioned was nearly
everywhere — their fat little yellow bodies studded the walls of the house
we were staying in, lined the window-sills, and they seemed as much at
home in one's bedroom as on the Ragwort which sheltered them in scores.
A low stone wall in front of the house and facing the sea was, whenever the
sun was on it, an excellent hunting-ground alike for this, for Apions, Coc
cinellas, and other more occasional visitors. On the whole, however, the
number of species was limited and rather disappointing. Mr. Gore Cuth-
bert's record of Helops pallid us from.Courtown, in the November number of
the Irish Naturalist, has interested me, as I reckon it one of my best cap-
tures at Ballintrae. It would be interesting to know whether he got it in
a similar habitat. By-the-bye, his experience as to scarcity of species
seems to coincide with mine. Below are the species that seem worthy of
individual record : one or two of them are probably new to the Irish list,
judging from Fowler's lists of localities : — Leistus rtifescens, only a single
specimen. I have never found this a plentiful species anywhere ; Dromius
mgriventris was not rare amongst the coarse grass on the sandhills, with
D. linearis, a very common species ; Badister bipzistulatus, only one of this
turned up ; Calathus mollis was extremely common in Bush Bay, but of C.
cisteloides I only saw one ; Anchomenusftdiginosus and A?nara ovata, one speci-
men of each ; Amara bifrons {livida), a few amongst C. mollis ; Bradycellns
harpalinus and B. verbasci, single specimens in a garden. The former is not
mentioned by Fowler as Irish, but must surely have been recorded; Cercyon
littoralis, common above high-water mark in Bush Bay ; Treckus minuttis,
common ; Helophorus rugosas, three specimens on the sandhills near the
River Bush ; Olophrumpictum, one at the Causeway in damp ground; Bryaxis
fossulata, not uncommon under stones with the last ; Silpha atrata v. sub-
rotundata, only one specimen. I have received this variety in numbers
from the shores of Strangford Lough ; Saprinus quadristriatus, one specimen
of this rare beetle on the sandhills in Bush Bay ; Brachypterus urticce, on
nettles. Fowler says •" probably in Ireland " ; Epuroca aestiva and Lathri-
dius lardarius, one specimen of each in August ; Corticaria cylindrica, a few
of this rare kind occurred with numbers of the common C.fuscuia by shak-
ing grass on the sandhills ; Aphodius contaminatus, common at the Giants'
Causeway ; ALgialia arenaria, common on the sandhills ; Niptus crenatus,
one in a house at Port Ballintrae ; Ceulhorhynchus contractus and C. sulcicollis,
not uncommon on Cruciferae ; C. rugulosus, a few on Chamomile by. the
.shore ; Apion loti and A. vorax, a few examples ; A. hceniatodes, very common
on stone walls by the sea, variable in size ; Hypcra polygoni, two fine ex-
amples on the sandhills ; Otiorhynchus atroapterus, very plentiful under low
herbage close to the sea ; a single specimen of 0. scabrosus also occurred ;
Chrysomela Banksii, probably not at all uncommon, but it wants a good
deal of looking for. I got it at the foot of walls, hiding in the_ grass;
Longitarsus jacobcece, I have already alluded to the abundance of this insect ;
L. hcridus was, of course, plentiful ; Apteropeda graminis, a single specimen
at Port Ballintrae ; Psylliodes chrysocephala and Ps. cuprea were very common
in a garden at Ballintrae on cabbage which had been allowed to run wild.
Of the former species the var. anglica occurred sparingly , formerly con-

24 The Irish Naturalist.

sidered a separate species, with yellow elytra and dark thorax ; Coccinella
xi-f-unctata, the few specimens that turned up of this beetle all belonged
to a singular variety of colouring, in which the light hinder spots had run
together in pairs, forming two regular black bands across the elytra, only
interrupted by the suture. The type did not occur ; Coccinella obliterata,
on stone walls by the sea. They must have flown from a distance, as
there is no fir about Port Ballintrae ; Hclops pallidus, this interesting
species I took in some numbers by pulling up the coarse grass on the
sandhills in Bush Bay and shaking it. It is variable in size, and lives at
a depth of two or three inches below the surface. — Brockton Tomi^in,
Llandaff.

A Correction. — Pieris daplidice. — The capture of this butterfly in our
December number was erroneously given as " this month." The insect
was taken in August, 1893.

BIRDS.
Female Merganser assuming Male Plumage. — On the 7th

March last I received, from Co. Galway, a Merganser, Mcrgus serratot,
which I at first mistook for a 3'oung male assuming adult plumage, but
upon dissection I was surprised to find that it was an adult female, and
from the condition of the ovary I think a very old, barren bird. Mr. H.
E. Dresser, who has examined the bird, writes : — The Merganser is a very
interesting specimen, and is, I should say, an old female partially
assuming male plumage. It is the first one in that stage of plumage I
have seen. — F. Coburn (in Zoologist for December).

Snowy Owl in Mayo. — A very fine specimen of the Snowy Owl
{Nictea scandiaca) was shot in the vicinity of Belmullet on the 13th
December. The bird measures five feet to the extreme tip of wings, and
twenty-five inches from beak to tail ; weighing four pounds four ounces.
The specimen has come into the possession of Mr. J. T. O'Reilly, Carne
House, Belmullet, who has forwarded it to us for preservation. —
Wigwams & Son, Dublin.

Chiffchaff in December. — I was greatly surprised on the 13th
Tecember to see a bird of this species in my garden in Rathgar, although
there had been severe frost a few days previous ; it evidently had little
effect on this individual, as it was hopping about quite as merrily as if it
were the middle of April instead of dreary December. — Edward
Wjxuams, Dublin.

GEOLOGY.

Irish Geology. — We learn with pleasure that Professor Cole,
F.G.S., has accepted an invitation by the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club
to give a course of lectures and practical work in Belfast during the
coming term. It is understood that this arrangement is the outcome of
the recent appointment by the Club of a committee to investigate the
glacial phenomena of the Belfast district, and that the lectures and
demonstrations will have special reference to local geology. We con-
gratulate Belfast on its appreciation of the claims of geology as a branch
of education, and on its good fortune in having secured such an able
exponent of the science as Professor Cole.

High-level Gravels. — An able paper by Mr. T. Mellard Reade,
F.G.S., in the current (December) number of Natural Science, deals with
the origin of the well-known high-level fossiliferous gravels found on
both sides of the Irish Sea. Mr. Reade has studied the beds with some
care, both in Wales and Ireland, and is in favour of the " Submergence"
view. He has kindly consented to contribute an article upon the subject
to our pages.

Irish Naturalist, Voi,. III.]

[Pirate 2.

X^f

A S. del.

THE BRITISH WOODUCE.

©Jje Qxx&\) Jtaturctltet*

Vol. III. FEBRUARY, 1894. No. 2.

THE IRISH WOOD-I.ICE.

(WITH DESCRIPTIONS AND FIGURES OF AIJ, THF BRITISH

SPECIES.)

By R. F. Scharff, Ph.D., B.Sc.

[Pl,ATE 2.]
{Concluded from page 7.)

LIGIIDJE.

Ligia oceanfca, L. (fig. 1).

This is the largest of the Irish Wood-lice. It differs so much from all
others that it is not easily mistaken. The outer antennae are about two-
thirds of the length of the entire animal, and their last joint, the
flagellum, as it is called, has 11-13 articulations. In no other Irish
species except the next has the flagellum more than 10. The tail or
caudal appendages are long and tapering (filiform) and of about equal
length. The general body-colour is of a greyish-green.

This species is common under stones between tide-marks only, never .
occurring inland. I have taken it along the east coast and also on the
west at Glengariff and Castletown-Berehaven. Mr. Jameson obtained
it at Bundoran.

Generae Distribution. — Common on the English (i)1, and Scotch
coast (8), and indeed along the whole west coast of Europe as far south
as Gibraltar and even Malaga (2). In the Mediterranean proper it is
replaced by the allied species Ligia itaiica.

[Ligldium hypnorum, Cuv.] (fig. 2).

L. Personii, Kin.

L. agile, Norman.

The figure unfortunately does not very clearly show the 10 (some-
times 13) articulations in the flagellum or last joint of the outer antennae.
As none of the species mentioned hereafter have more than seven
divisions in the flagellum, this character alone suffices to distinguish
Ligidium hypnortim from them. The size of this species and structure
of the caudal appendages separate it from Ligia oceanica.

It has not been found in Ireland.

General Distribution.— South-east of England (11), Western
Europe and Turkey (2).

1 The numbers refer to the works enumerated on p. 7.

A

26 The Irish Naturalist.

Trlchonlscus puslllus Brandt (fig. 3).

Philougria riparia, Kin.

This is the smallest of the Irish species, a full-grown specimen
measuring only 3} mills, iu length. It is of a claret-brown colour, smooth
and shining in texture, and dotted over with exceedingly minute white
spots. The outer antennae are a trifle too long and broad in my figure ;
three or four articulations make up the flagellum. As in the other
species of the genus, the tail is very distinctly narrower than the body.
The last caudal segment is deeply excavated over the insertion of the
posterior appendages. Trichoniscus pusillus is found only in very damp
places amongst moist leaves and under stones, and it runs with great
agility.

It is a very common species throughout Ireland.

General Distribution. — Widely distributed in England (1), and
Scotland (9), W., N., and Central Europe, Algeria and N. America (2).

Trlchonlscus vivldus, Koch (fig. 4).

Philougria vivida, Kin.

In colour and texture this species agrees almost precisely with
the last, but it is about double the size, and the flagellum has 5-7
articulations, instead of 3-4 in the other. The outer antennas are
also devoid of the hairs or setae by which the other two species of
Trichoniscus are distinguished, and the last caudal segment is not
excavated (emarginate).

This species has been taken under stones on the hills at Portlaw, Co.
Waterford (5), the only locality in the British Islands.

Generae Distribution.— France (2).

Trichoniscus roscus, Koch (fig. 5).

Philougria rosea, Kin.

A beautiful light vermilion colour, with a pale yellow stripe down its
back, distinguishes this species at once from all other British Wood-lice.
Occasionally perfectly white specimens are found, and in spirit they all
turn white.

This species has not been recorded by Kinahan. I found it plentifully
in my own garden in Dublin among damp cinders in autumn ; and I
have, quite recently, received from Mr. R. Welch a box-full of clay from
Ballyfinder, Co. Down, in the crevices of which I found an example of
this very rare species.

Generae Distribution. — Plymouth in England (1), W. and C.
Europe, Italy, Dalmatia, Algeria (2), New Zealand (10).

ONISCIDJE.

Porcellio scaber, Latr. (fig. 6).

This and Oniscus asellus are the two commonest species in Ireland,
and they principally do the damage to tender shoots in the green-
house. The colour is generally of a uniform grey-slate, but numerous
varieties occur, some being irregularly dotted with yellow; in others
yellow becomes the prevailing colour. The strongly-marked tubercles,
covering the whole of the back, are the most conspicuous feature. The
flagellum, as in other species of this genus, has only two joints, and they
are about equal in length in Porcellio scabcr.

It is common everywhere in Ireland in damp as well as in moderately
dry situations.

Generae Distribution. — Common in England (1), and Scotland (9),
N. and C. Europe, N. America, Greenland and Cape of Good Hope
(2).

The Irish Wood-lice. 27

Porcellio pictus, Braudt (fig. 7).

In size this species differs but little from the preceding one, and
although it bears a certain resemblance to some of the spotted forms of
P. scaber, the general colouring distinguishes it at once from all other
species. The head is entirely black, and the black and yellow markings
on the body are arranged in regular rows. It is also much less granu-
lated than the last species.

It is one of the rarest of the Irish species, having only been found in
Dublin and Belfast (5) in rather dry localities among stone rubbish.

General Distribution.— England (Kent only) (i), N., \V., C. & E.
Europe and N. America (2).

Porcellio dilatatus, Brandt (fig. 8).

This species is generally slightly larger and much broader than P. scaber,
and the outer antennae are a little shorter. The terminal caudal
segment is rounded at the tip, not pointed as in P. scaber. The colour is
grey, rather similar to that of the latter species, but it has a longitudinal
series of white tubercles arranged down the middle of the back, and the
surface is less strongly granulated.

It is extremely rare in Ireland, and has been found only in Dublin (5)
along with P. scaber. It has not been recorded from England. Abroad it
lives chiefly in cellars.

General Distribution. — C. and W. Europe, and Cape York,
(Australia) (2).

Porcellio Iaevis, Latr. (fig. 9).

The very smooth and shining surface of the back distinguishes this
species at once from the three preceding species of Porcellio. It is
larger too than any of the others, and the caudal appendages are of
great length. There are often two series of yellowish markings arranged
longitudinally along the back, and the under side of the body and legs
are yellow. The terminal segment of the tail is triangular and shorter
than in the other species. The colour is greyish-purple.

Like the last, it is a rare species, having been found only in Dublin
among stable-litter and at the foot of old walls (5).

General Distribution. — S.E. of England only (1), C, \V., and
E. Europe, Mediterranean Islands, Turkey, Turkestan, W. Indian
Islands, N. and S. America, &c. (2).

Cyiisticus convexus, De Geer (fig. 10).

Porcellio armadilloides, Kin.

In shape, this species reminds one strongly of Armadillidium vitlgare
(fig. 17), and like the latter, it is able to roll itself into an almost perfect
ball, which cmality is possessed by none of the other Irish Wood-lice to
the same degree, although some of them make an attempt at rolling
themselves up partially. The upper surface of the body is very convex
and shining, of an iron-grey colour, with a row of ill-defined whitish
.spots parallel with the lateral margins. The caudal appendages are
styliform, as in all other species of the genus.

Prof. Kinahan does not record this species from Ireland, and I myself
only recently discovered it under stones in a disused quarry at L,eixlip,
County Dublin. It runs with great agility.

General Distribution.— S. E- England only (1), Scotland (9), N. C,
and E. Europe, Turkey, N. America.

2S The Irish Naturalist.

Metoponorthus clngendus, Kin. (fig. n).

Porcellio cingendus, Kin.

Metoponorthus simplex, B.-L.

The narrow segments of the tail distinguish this species and the next
from those of the genus Porcellio, In this respect they resemble the
species of Tric/ioniscus, but the tail is never so long as in the latter, and
the structure of the antennae also is different. The colour of this
species is rather striking, being of a steel blue with red or yellowish spots.
It runs with great rapidity, and never attempts to roll itself into a Iball.
One of the most salient features is the transverse raised line on the
anterior portion of each body-segment.

It has not been taken in England, but in the mountainous districts of
Dublin, Wicklow, and Cork, and also on the coast of Kerry, and on the
Aran Islands, it is common.

General Distribution.— France (2).

Metoponorthus prulnosus, Brandt (fig. 12).

Porcellio pru inosus, Ki n .

The segments of the tail are rather wider than in the last species, and
in this respect M. pruinosus approaches the Porcellios, but is still suffi-
ciently distinguished from them. The surface of the body is more rough
and granular than in the preceding one, and the general body-colour is
of a uniform reddish-brown, often dotted with white spots.

I cannot agree with Prof. Kinahan that it is common in Ireland ; it
certainly is quite absent from the mountainous districts, and has only
been taken in the neighbourhood of Dublin. It often buries itself in
the ground.

General Distribution. — S. B. England only (1), Banff in Scot-
land (9), chiefly S. and W. Europe, but also in the East; N. and S. America,
N. Africa, Sumatra and Madagascar (2.)

Platyarthrus HoffmansegrgM, Brandt (fig. 13.)

I have already mentioned the fact that this species inhabits ants' nests,
and is devoid of eyes. It is perfectly white in colour. Moreover, the
short flattened antennae and the small size distinguish it at once from all
other Irish Wood-lice. The body-surface is strongly granulated.

The species is new to Ireland. I discovered it first at Leixlip, County
Dublin, and since then at Iyismore, County Waterford, and Glengariff,
County Cork.

General Distribution. — S. England (1), Banff, Scotland (9), C. and
W. Europe (2).

Onlscus asellus, Iy. (fig. 14.)

Oniscus ?nurarius, Cuvier.

O.fossor, Kin.

Of all the Irish Wood-lice this is by far the commonest. It was formerly
used in medicine, and was supposed to cure consumption and other
diseases. The general colour is of a light grey, but it varies from that to
light brown and dark grey, and it is marked with patches of yellowish
white, especially along the margins of the body-segments. The body-
surface is glossy, and furnished with raised tubercles. The three articula-
tions in the flagelluni of the outer antennae distinguish it at once from
any of the species of Porcellio.

It occurs in damp as well as in dry situations, especially under bark of
fallen trees and under stones everywhere. I recently submitted speci-
mens of Prof. Kinahan's Oniscus fossor to Prof. Budde-Lund, who failed to
recognize any specific distinction between it and this species. The young
of 0. asellus appear always to be less glossy than adults, and of a more
uniformly grey colour.

General Distribution. — Throughout England and Scotland (1),
almost throughout Europe, Azores, and North America (2.)

The Irish Wood-lice. 29

Philoscia muscorum, Scop. (fig. 15).

The species of the genus Philoscia have the narrow tail in common
with Trichoniscus and Metoponorihtis, but differ from them in the structure
of the fiagellum, which has three joints, whilst there are only two in
Metoponorthus, and generally more than three in Trichoniscus. If there
should be any doubt between Philoscia muscorum and M. pruinosus (to which
it bears a certain resemblance in size and shape), the very glossy surface
of the body and the dark markings along the middle of the back will
distinguish the former from the more dull and uniformly coloured M.
pruinosus. The colour of these species varies very considerably, from
red to reddish-brown and black. It is extremely common, having been
obtained in almost every part of Ireland, chiefly in woods under stones
and leaves.

General Distribution.— S. England (1), Scotland (9), C, W. and S.
Europe, and N. Africa (2.)

[Philoscia Couchii, Kin.], (fig. 16.)

Philoscia longkornis, Budde-Lund (fide Dollfus).

This species, like the last, is very smooth and shining, but it differs in
being rather smaller, and in the outer antennae being of greater length
and hairy. Its colour too, which is a uniform pale grey, distinguishes
the species from the preceding one.

It has not yet been found in Ireland.

General Distribution. — S. W. England (6), the shores surround-
ing the Mediterranean (2).

ARMADILLIDiZE.

ArmacUIIidium vulgare, Lat. (fig. 17.)

Armadillo vulgaris, Kin.

As I have mentioned before, this isthe only Irish Wood-lousein which the
caudal appendages do not project posteriorly, and in virtue of their trun-
cated shape it is able to roll itself into a perfect ball at the least alarm. It
is known as the " pill millepede " along with a real millepede (Glomeris)
which has the same faculty of rolling itself into a ball. P'ormerly it was
in great repute for its supposed medicinal virtues, and when dried and
pulverized it was spoken of very highly as a remedy for indigestion, and
even weakness of sight. It is very convex and shining, and varies in
colour from dark steel-grey to reddish-brown, and in the amount of its
pale markings.

In Ireland it is more common in the plain than in the mountains, and
it has not yet been taken on the west coast.

Genera^ Distribution. — England (1), Scotland (9), the greater
part of Europe, and the adjoining portions of Asia and Africa. (Monte-
Video, New York, Melbourne — introduced?) (2).

[ 30 ]
A PLEA FOR IRISH GLACIOI/DGY.

BY MISS S. M. THOMPSON.

Are we to have another Great lee Age ? If so, when ? Or
are we to consider that some unexplained and catastrophic
reason caused the glaciation whose traces are to be found al-
most everywhere over the surface of our continent ? These
questions are agitating the minds of geologists at present, and
the diversity of answers given may be assumed to indicate the
insufficiency of the evidence as yet accumulated to settle the
points in question. Perhaps rarely have so many different
opinions been held simultaneously by men well qualified to
pronounce judgment upon any special subject, as upon the
date, conditions, causes, and possible recurrence of an Ice Age ;
and the recent suggestion, that its date was not as remote as
supposed, has added zest to investigations into ice-action and
its traces. Some, who had carefully studied the subject in
former years, may wish to verify their previous conclusions,
and retain or modify them according to the results obtained ;
whilst others may be tempted by the interest of a subject so
fully illustrated in every journey they take, in every new spot
visited (at least in Ireland), to enrol themselves in the army
of patient accurate observers, whose systematic work is needed
to accumulate the mass of evidence required before any final
and satisfactory theory can be formulated by the master-minds
of our day.

Just a hundred years have elapsed since the strife between
the Plutonists and Neptunists was raging in Edinburgh, whilst
William Smith was patiently and laboriously accumulating
the observations upon which stratigraphical geology was
founded. Nearly half a century was to pass before the chilly
suggestion of a glacial period came to clear up many vexed
questions, and explain many strange deposits ; and within the
last few years astronomers and physicists have claimed per-
mission to theorize upon the subject ; and Dr. James Croll has
given to the world the wonderful conception of regularly
recurring glacial periods1, depending upon the relative positions
of our sun and earth. Who can tell what additions to our
knowledge the next few years may bring, under the stimulat-

1 J. Croll— " Climate and Time, ill their Geological Relations;"
London, 1875.

A Pica for Irish Glaciology. 31

ing influence of the New Geology ? Those who have listened
to Sir Robert Ball's eloquent description of the precession of
the equinoxes, and the periodic eccentricity of the earth's orbit,
the "breathing in and out" of that mighty ellipse, will realize
more clearly the astronomical side of the question, and more
readily believe that there may have been and may be other
glacial epochs. Some interesting facts in connection with
this view are given by Dr. James Geikie in a recent paper on
the evolution of climate1, where he mentions that erratics
have been found in Cambro-Silurian rocks as much as five
feet in diameter; and he quotes Sir William Dawson's account
of a large Carboniferous esker with erratics, and says that Sir
Andrew Ramsay believed he discerned ice- action in the Per-
mian breccias, and in erratics included in the Palaeozoic strata
of Scotland. Unfortunately, we are not likely to obtain much
information about those possible early glacial periods, but
surely we cannot rest content without investigating to the
utmost degree everything that speaks of what we must still
term par excellence The Great Ice Age ?

Splendid work upon the glaciation of Ireland has been
already done by the Rev. Maxwell Close2, who has not only
given the fruits of years of careful study on his own part, in-
eluding a map showing the direction of the ice striations, but
has also brought together much work done by others, especially
by the officers of the Geological Survey of Ireland. Those
who wish to familiarize themselves with much that has been
already written upon the subject, should refer to Professor
Hull's "Physical Geology and Geography of Ireland"3, which
contains a list of works on Irish geology in which papers on
glacial subjects by Mr. Kinahan4 and other writers are quoted,
and which is also furnished with an interesting map showing
the general direction of ice striae in Ireland ; whilst for local
work, the maps and explanatory memoirs of the Geological
Survey afford valuable and convenient assistance. Readers of
the Irish Naturalist will not require to be reminded of Professor

1 James Geikie—" Fragments of Earth Lore," 1893.

2 M. H. Close — "On the General Glaciation of the Rocks near Dublin,"
Jour. Roy. Geol. Soc. Ireland, vol. i., p. 3; " On the General Glaciation

of Ireland," Ibid., p. 207; "The Elevated Shell-bearing Gravels near
Dublin," Ibid., iv., p. 36, and Geol. Mag., 1874, p. 193 ; &c.

1 Hull— "Physical Geology and Geography of Ireland," London, 1878.

4 See also Mr. Kinahan's " Geology of Ireland."

32 The Irish Naturalist.

Cole's " County Dublin, Past and Present," which appeared,
in the first five numbers of this magazine1, and contains an
interesting discussion on glacial phenomena ; and in last
month's issue we have enjoyed some very recent information
from Professor Sollas, referring to glacial investigations which
he is at present engaged upon, in conjunction with Mr. R.
Lloyd Praeger, Hon. Sec. of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club.

Last summer, a communication from Mr. Percy F. Kendall,
F.G.S., Secretary to the Erratic Blocks Committee of the
British Association, was received by the Belfast Naturalists'
Field Club, urging them to commence systematic investiga-
tions into the glaciation of the north-east of Ireland, especially
with regard to erratics and other stones included in the drift.
In response to Mr. Kendall's request, a sub-committee "to
investigate the glacial phenomena of the district" was appoint-
ed in August last, and work was immediately commenced.
Glacial inquiry is, however, not a new departure in the Club,
as in its Report for 1879-80, a paper by Mr. Joseph Wright,
F.G.S., upon the Post-tertiary Foraminifera of the north-east
of Ireland contains a table showing their distribution in the
boulder clay of that district, and in the gravels at Balscadden
Bay, Ballybrack, and Ballyedmonduff, in the vicinity of Dublin.
The same Report also contains a paper by Mr. S. A. Stewart,
F.B.S.E., giving a list of the Mollusca of the north-eastern
boulder clay, and the Report for 1892-93 gives a list of both
Mollusca and Foraminifera collected during a recent investi-
gation of the Ballyrudder gravels near Glenarm. But the
inquiries now initiated deal more particularly with the stones
included in glacial deposits, and the measurement and record-
ing of the larger erratic boulders. Mr. Kendall tells me that
in the twenty-two years of the Erratic Blocks Committee's
existence no report has been received from Ireland ! Surely
we may hope that Mr. Kendall's reproach may be wiped away
during the coming year, and that Irish geologists will under-
take a united, systematic, and prolonged attack upon the icy
problems that lie awaiting the investigator and observer.

In a pamphlet written by Professor Sollas with reference to
the visit of the Geologists' Association to Dublin in July last2,

1 Irish Nat. 1S92.

2 W.J. Sollas—" The Geology of Dublin and its neighbourhood," Proc.
Geol. Ass., 1893.

A Pica for Irish Glaciology. 33

he mentions that he is studying the stones found in glacial
deposits, in conjunction with Mr. Pomeroy of Trinity College,
Dublin, and he has since commenced the other glacial inquiries
already referred to. There are other scientific societies and
clubs in Ireland, as well as many isolated observers, no doubt
able and willing to help the movement, and as the work would
be more valuable and more easily correlated with the glaciology
of other countries if carried out on a somewhat uniform method,
it may be worth while to draw attention to the little handbook
published by the Glacialists' Association1, giving an outline of
the work suggested, which can easily be modified to suit local
requirements.

In Belfast we have commenced to form a type collection of
stones from our glacial deposits, carefully labelling each speci-
men with the locality where it was found, and intend ultimately
to appeal to experts in petrology to assign to unknown foreign
rocks their parent locality. The height above sea-level of each
deposit is also being recorded, and general features of the sur-
rounding landscape. In addition to this, we are tabulating the
percentages of different rocks occurring in each bed, taking
ioo stones at random, large and small, and noting the number
of each rock found ; this is yielding interesting results. Photo-
graphs and sketches of the sections examined are obtained if
possible. A bag of the matrix, be it clay, sand, or gravel, is
also brought away for chemical and mechanical analysis, and
also for the very important and necessary search for minute
organic remains, which has yielded in the north such marked
and striking evidence of the marine character of the glacial
deposits as to make the belief in a submergence almost if not
quite universal among local geologists. The value of this
biological evidence cannot be too strongly insisted upon, as
not only dealing with the supposed submergence, but also as
affecting the question of milder interglacial periods. In the
paper previously referred to, Mr. Stewart writes that — "the
" so-called interglacial gravels seem to be only local deposits
"of one continuous period, during which arctic or semi-arctic
"conditions prevailed over this country without any interval
"of relaxation"; and that "the sands and gravels at Bally-
Hints for the Guidance of Observers of Glacial Geology, by Percy F.
Kendall, F.G.S. To be obtained from the Assistant Secretary, 19, Seaton
Buildings, Water-street, Ijverpool. Price One Shilling.

A 2

34 The Irish Naturalist.

" rudder, which Professor Hull regards as interglacial, yield
11 abundant specimens of a fauna as arctic in character as any
"portion of the boulder clay." It is interesting also to find
that such a fragile shell as Lcda pygmcea is frequently found in
the boulder clay in a perfect state, with valves united, and
that in spite of the great number of shell fragments, perfect
specimens are frequently found under such conditions as pre-
clude the idea of transportation or re-deposition.

The search for "foreign" rocks in the deposits is in itself of
surpassing interest, and the glacial geologist spends many
delightful hours in this exciting pursuit. We are watching
keenly for Scottish fragments, especially for the unique Ailsa
Craig eurite, which has been found at Greenore and Killiney
by Professor Cole, and at Greystones by Professor Sollas. It
is, however, possible that as the coalescence of British and
Scandinavian ice in the North Sea allowed Scandinavian erra-
tics to be found in Yorkshire and southwards, but not, as yet,
in Scotland, so the supposed meeting of Scotch and Irish ice-
sheets in the Irish Sea may have shunted the Scottish stream
south-eastwards, so that fragments from Ailsa may not have
reached our district — a suggestion which their presence in the
Moel Tryfaen deposits seems to favour; it is one of the problems
of modern glacial geology to account satisfactorily for the
transport of these fragments from their parent rock to their
Welsh resting-place, fully a thousand feet higher.

Remembering that where we now find the greatest rainfall,
the glacial period was also most severe, we see in Ireland an
admirable field for inquiry, and in the Irish Naturalist a valu-
able medium for recording and publishing the results obtained.
Nor can we doubt that from lack of such a publication in
former times facts remained unrecorded, and important obser-
vations were lost to science (we must earnestly hope not irre-
trievably), that may now be given to its readers. Many un-
published glacial observations must exist that were made
incidentally by members of the Geological Survey, as well as
by individual geologists, perhaps working at other questions,
which we may surely hope to see gradually collected in these
pages, so that our Irish magazine may be the means of contri-
buting to the scientific world valuable information, and casting
new light upon the, as yet, unsolved problems of Glacial Geology.

[ 35 ]

NOTES ON THE FLORA OF THE NORTH-EAST

OF IRELAND.

BY SAMUEL A. STEWART, F.B.S.EDIN.

By the preparation and publication of the " Flora of the North-
east of Ireland," ' in 1888, our knowledge of the native
vegetation of the three north-eastern counties of Ireland was
summarised to that date. That Flora, while focussing the
hitherto scattered researches of our local botanists, also served
another and a valuable purpose. It has had the effect of
stimulating the zeal of the younger naturalists. It has shown
them wherein our knowledge of plant-distribution in the dis-
trict was defective, and has led them, more or less, to
s3-stematize their work so as to remedy these defects, and to
strive to fill up the remaining gaps.

As w7ill be seen from the appended catalogue of species, the
results have been a most gratifying enlargement of our local
lists, and, in addition, we get a nearer approach to the truth
as respects the local distribution of our plants. The untiring
researches of Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger have been rewarded by
most valuable discoveries. Mrs. Leebody, of Londonderry, has
added considerably to our knowledge of the plant-life of her
county — notably in the case of Spiranthes Romanzoviana, the
finding of which in Deny followed so quickly on Mr. Praeger's
record of its occurrence in Armagh.

The list which follows contains all the known additions to
the north-eastern Flora (except Musci and Hepaticae) since
the publication of the work before-mentioned, and it also
embodies additional localities for many of the rarer species, thus
giving a truer idea of their distribution. A selection had to be
made of the more important plants, but it is hoped that ere
long a full and complete supplement to Stewart and Corry's
Flora may appear. In anticipation of this, and in order to
make it as complete as possible, local botanists should exert
themselves to their utmost, and prove that in this delightful
department of scientific work they will not be one whit be-
hind the foremost districts in the empire.

1 " A Flora of the North-east of Ireland, including the Phanerogamia,
the Cryptogamia Vascularia, and the Muscineae." By Samuel A. Stewart,
f.b.S.E., and T. H. Corry, m.a., F.I,.S., &c, 1888.

36 The Irish Naturalist.

It will be observed that many of the records here collected
have already appeared in various publications. The principal
increase to the County Down flora is due to the exhaustive
paper on the Mourne Mountain flora by Stewart and Praeger,
in the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy1. A number
of notes from the Proceedings of the Belfast Naturalists' Field
Club have been availed of; and the pages of the Irish
Naturalist and of the Journal oj Botany also contribute valu-
able information.

To the various naturalists whose names appear as con-
tributors in the succeeding pages I am deeply indebted. It is
due to their kind co-operation that this paper, condensed as
it is, has assumed such goodly proportions.

The contractions used for authorities are — S. and P. — Stewart
and Praeger, op. cit. ; R. 1,1. P. — R. L,loyd Praeger ; S. A. S. —
Samuel A. Stewart.

LIST OF RECORDS.

Ranunculus clrcinatus, Sibth. — In the Lagan Canal, Co. Down,
close to its junction with Lough Neagh, R. LI. P., 1892. Mr. Praeger
reports it as abundant in the lough further to the west, at Derryadd Bay,
Co. Armagh. This is a valuable and unexpected addition to the flora of
the north-east. The plant does not seem to have been previously found
north of the Liffey.

Papaver hybrldum, Linn. — One plant on roadside near Killough,
Co. Down, R. LI. P., 1892.

Barbarea prsecox, R. Brown— Fields at Struell Wells, near Down-
patrick, R. LI. P., 1891. This plant has been met with previously in the
south of Ireland as an alien introduced. Not hitherto found in the
north.

Cardamlne amara, Linn.— Abundant on Co. Down side of the
Lagan at Glenmore, near Lisburn, J. H. Davies.

Sinapls alba, Linn.— Abundant in many fields at Killowen,Co. Down,
S. and P. Killough, Co. Down, R. LI. P., 1892.

Draba lncana, Linn.— Refound on Magilligan sandhills by Mrs. Lee-
body, in 1890, but small and scarce.

Lepidium campestre, Linn. — Sparingly in gravelly fields at Kill-
owen, south of Rostrevor, S. and P. The only certainly ascertained
locality for this plant in Co. Down.

Raphanus maritimus, Smith — Mr. J. H. Davies finds (1893) a
second Co. Down station for this plant on the coast at Ballywalter. It is
plentiful from Killough to St. John's Point, S. A. S., 1893.

Droscra Intermedia, Hayne — Peaty marsh at Colligan Bridge on
the Kilkeel River, also in another marsh to the southwest, and in boggy
spots by the river near the base of Slieve Bingian, S. and P.

x " Report on the Botany of the Mourne Mountains, Co. Down " ; Proc.
Roy. Irish Acad., 3rd Series, vol. ii., No. 2, 1892.

Notes on the Flora of the North-east of Ireland. 37

Elatine hydropiper, Linn.— In Loughbrickland, Co. Down, Rev.
H. W. Lett, 1886, and subsequently. A new locality, and the only one
in Ireland where this plant has been found recently. Mr. Praeger, when
examining the duplicate specimens in the immense herbarium of Dr.
J. Boswell Syme, now in the possession of Mr. F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S.,
London, found a number of sheets of Irish specimens of this plant.
They are labelled, "Lagan Canal near high-tide water-mark, County
Antrim, coll. August, 1847, and comm. by Dr. Mateer." This is, no
doubt, the station " near Belfast, Dr. Mateer," published in Flora of Ulster,
but which was discredited by the compilers of Flora N. E. Ireland, as vague
and unreliable. Mr. Lett's new station, and Mr. Praeger's discovery are
most welcome contributions to our knowledge of the local history of this
very rare plant. There can be no doubt that it is now extinct in its
Belfast station.

Sagina cillata, Fries. — Very sparingly on sandhills at Newcastle,
Co. Down, S. and P. An addition to the flora of the county.

Spergularia rubra (Linn.), Persoon — Abundant on thedamp margin
of Lough Islandreavy, Co. Down, S. and P., 1890. Very rare in district
12, and not known elsewhere in the county.

Lavatera arborea, Linn. — Summit of an isolated sea-stack on the
shore of Rathlin Island, R. LI. P., 1892. No doubt native here.

Hypericum quadrangulum, Linn. var. macu latum Bab. — Lane
at Marino station, Holywood, R. LI. P., 1892. New to the Co. Down
flora.

Hypericum elodes, Huds. — Peaty marsh near Colligan Bridge, and
several other places in Mourne Mountains, S. and P. Ballyarnott race-
course, Co. Derry, Mrs. Leebody, 1891.

Geranium perenne, Huds. —Roadside near Whitewell quarries,
W. D. Donnan, 1890. A new county record.

Erodium moschatum, L'Herit. — Annalong, Co. Down, H. C. Hart,
Proc. R.I. A., 1884, and subsequently, S. and P. Waste ground near Kil-
lough, R. Hanna, 1893.

Rhamnus frangula, Linn. — Re-discovered (a good number of
bushes) in Shane's Castle woods by Prof. R. O. Cunningham, 1890.

[Ononis spinosa, Linn., has not been re-found in Co. Down, and was, no
doubt, a casual.]

TrifoIIum hybridum, Linn. — Frequent in sandy, cultivated fields,
and waste ground, and though without claim as a native, is thoroughly
established as a colonist.

Prunus cerasus, Linn. — Near Annalong, Crossgar, Downpatrick,
and Crawfordsburn, Co. Down, also Cushendall and Ballycastle in Co.
Antrim, and Draperstown in Derry, R. LI. P., but not considered a
native.

Poterium sanguisorba, Linn. — Plentiful in a meado w at Glenm ore,
near Lisburn, J. H. Davies, 1891. This is a limestone species, not known
elsewhere in the north-east, and a doubt has been expressed as to whether
the plant is a native here.

Sanguisorba officinalis, Linn. — Abundant and luxuriant on rail-
way bank near Donaghadee, J. H. Davies, June, 1S93. Interesting as
confirming former records, and widening the Co. Down locality of this
plant, so rare in Ireland.

Potentilla tormentilla var. procumbens, Sibth. — On the area
in front of the Belfast Museum, S. A. S. Kilbroney and Newcastle, S.
and P. Marino, Co. Down, R. LI. P.

Agrimonia odorata, Mill. — Roadside at Steamboat-quay, Down-
patrick, R. LI. P. 1889.

38 The Irish Naturalist.

Rubus ammobius, Focke — In very small quantity by the lake-
margin in Castlewellan demesne, Co. Down, S. and P., 1890. Not yet
found elsewhere in Ireland. It is one of the rarest British brambles.

R. nitldus, \V. and N. var. hamulosus. — Margin of Altnadua Lake,
Co. Down, S. and P.

R. rham n if oil us, W. and N.— Magilligan, Co. Derry (J. Ball, F.R.S.)
Focke, Jour. Bot., June, 1891. New to Co. Derry.

R. umbrosus, Muell.— Whitewater and Donard Lodge, Co. Down,
S. and P.

R. nemoralls, Muell. var. pulcherrimus, Neum.- -Lisdalgan near
Saintfield, Co. Down, Rev. C. H. Waddell, 1893.

R. pyramidalls, Kalt.— Tollymore Park, Donard Lodge, and plenti-
ful in Moygannon Glen, S. and P.

R. macrophyllus, Weihe, var. glabratus, Bab.— Thickets by the
Ghann River, Co. Down, S. and P.

R. Drejerl, G. Jensen — Common about Saintfield, Co. Down, Rev.

C. H. Waddell, 1893.

R. Koehleri, W. and N. var. pal I id us, Bab. — Saintfield, Co. Down,
Rev. C. H. Waddell.

R. chamcemorus, Linn. — After repeated unsuccessful searches by
several botanists, this plant has been refound in Ireland. Messrs. Hart
and Barrington were so fortunate as to meet with it in 1892, on the
Sperrin Mountains in Tyrone and Derry, thus verifying the old record of
Admiral Jones. They report it as stunted in size, barren, and in very
small quantity; vide /our. Bof., 1892, p. 279.

Rosa in vol uta, Smith — This and its var. Sabini, Woods, occur by
mountain roads near Hilltown, Co. Down, S. and P. Not known else-
where in the county.

[B. micrantha, Smith, was recorded in " Flora N.B. Ireland " as occurring
in Co. Antrim. This record was based on two imperfect specimens, con-
sidered by good authority as referable to that species. Last season, Rev.
S. A. Brenan conducted Dr. Shoolbred to the original bush, and Dr.
Shoolbred reports it to be A', mbiginosa. This reference has been con-
firmed by Rev. W. Moyle Rogers, and consequently K. micrantha must be
deleted from our lists.]

Epilobium angrustifolium, Linn. — Cliffs of Eagle Mountain, and
south of Blue Lake, Mourne Mountains, S. and P. Not found as a native
elsewhere in the County of Down.

Slum c rectum, Huds. — Mr. Praeger finds this plant of frequent
occurrence in the district around Downpatrick.

Llgusticutn scotlcum, Linn.— Rocky shore at Bush foot, Co. Antrim,
R. LI. P., 1888.

IYIyrlophyllum spicatum, Linn. — Western shores of Lough Beg,
Co. Derry, R. LI. P., 1893. An addition to the Derry lists.

Gallummollugo, Linn.- -Lawn at Rowallen, Saintfield, Co. Down,

D. Redmond, 1893. Eglinton, Co. Derry, Mrs. Leebody, 1892. Not pre-
viously met with in Derry.

Valerianella dentata, Willd. — Cultivated fields about Killowen,
Lisnacree, and Newcastle, S. and P. Killyleagh and Killinchy, Co.
Down, R. LI. P., 1890.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

[ 39 ]
A NEW IRISH EARTHWORM.

BY REV. HILDFRIC FRIEND, F F-S

I had almost come to the conclusion that the list of British
terrestrial Annelids must be closed. For years past I have ex-
amined specimens by the thousand from every part of the
country, and it is now many months since I have seen any-
thing new. I had tried in vain to secure collections from the
Highlands of Scotland and the western coast of Ireland, where
new material was most likely to be found. At last, however,
a well-tried collector and devoted naturalist, Dr. Trumbull, to
whom we already owe one or two similar discoveries, has
visited the west of Ireland and entered upon a successful
campaign. His first consignment of specimens, which reached
me about the middle of November, contained, in addition to
eight representative species, one which is new to Britain,
and has hitherto been recorded for only one other locality.
Three years ago Prof. Michaelsen published in one of the
Hamburg journals an account of a new species of earthworm
found at Valencia in Spain. I believe it has not been heard of
since, till unearthed at Clonmore, Co. Clare, Ireland. It seems
desirable, therefore, that I should give a diagnosis of the worm,
especially as I am able to enlarge, as well as endorse, the
account already supplied.

L,et us therefore take Prof. Michaelsen's account of the worm
from Valencia (Allolobophora Georgii), and compare our Irish
specimens therewith. I give a popular translation of the
scientific diagnosis, that those who are not experts may be
able to follow the account. My translation is based on the
description of the species supplied by Dr. Rosa in his recent
and invaluable revision of the Earthworms.1 The original
memoir of Michaelsen is not at present in my possession.

" The worm is 24 to 29 millimetres in length and i\ in diameter. It
contains from 105 to no segments, and the form is somewhat trapezoid.
The colour of the living animal has not been recorded, but the bristles
are in pairs, of which the individuals are close together. The lip, which
is small, has a large backward process or tenon, which cuts about a third
of the first segment or peristomium. The girdle covers seven, some-
times eight, segments, extending from the 28th or 29th to the 35th.
The tubercles on the girdle occupy segments 31 and 33, and are much
enlarged transversely. The male aperture on the 15th segment is on a
swelling, and the first dorsal pore is between segments four and five.

1 " Revisione dei Lumbricidi," Torino, 1893.

40 The Irish Naturalist.

Examined internally, the sperm-sacs in segments ioand n open into the
space between 9/10 and 10/11, in the direction of the fourth or dorsal setae.
In this respect it agrees with another species (A. turgida), with which
also it corresponds in other respects."

I am bound to confess that many investigators would regard

these two worms as simply varieties or sub-species, but this is

no sufficient reason for ignoring their differences, even if they

are slight ; for, as Wallace has pointed out, it is by the study

of minute variations such as these, which the older systematists

disregarded, that we may hope to obtain light on the evolution

of species. The specimens which I have received from Co. Clare

correspond exactly with the description already given, but I

am able to add a few details to the same, especially in regard

to colour. I have examined a dozen living specimens, and

may now submit the result.

Allolobophora Georgrii, Mich. — Length from 1^ to 2 inches,
breadth one-eighth to one-sixth. There are upwards of 100 segments,
twenty-eight of which usually precede the girdle, while seventy or more
follow it. The girdle covers seven or eight segments, is closely fused on
the back, but distinct on the under side, so that the rings can be easily
counted. The tubercles on the girdle are in pairs, on segments 31 and
33. In colour the worm is darker than is usually the case with its near-
est ally, A. calignosa (tiugida), and resembles some of the varieties of the
Green Worm (A. chlorolica). Head ruddy brown, with a lighter patch
where the sexual organs are situated, viz., between segments 9-12, and
a dirty brown behind. The girdle is lighter than the rest of the body,
and shews a tendency to a blue-grey. The colours are all indefinite,
obscure, and difficult to define. It is evident that the worm would be
specially adapted to poor soil. I have been able to detect the presence
of those peculiar bodies known as spermatophores on more than one
specimen, on segments 28-29 or 29-3°- The similarity between this worm
and its two nearest allies will be seen if the numerical formula repre-
senting the girdle and tubercle-segments of each are set forth. The
numerator represents the segments occupied by the tubercles or papillae
(itibercula pubertatis), and the denominator the girdle-segments. The
numbers in brackets shew the overlapping of the girdle where it is not
constant.

A. turgida. A. Gcorgii. A. chlorolica.

31 -33 31 : 33 3i : 33 '• 35

(27) 28 - 34 (35) (28) 29 - 35 (28) 29 - 37

There are now four earthworms known to occur in Ireland,
which have not been found anywhere in Great Britain. Two
of these (Lumbrictis papillosus, Friend, and A Hunts viacntrus,
Friend) are unknown at present outside the Emerald Isle. The
other two (A llolobophora hibemica, Friend, and A. Gcorgii, Mich..*)
occur in Italy or Spain, though the intermediate countries,
England and France, know them not. It is too early yet,
however, to speculate on the bearing of this fact upon the

A new Irish Earthworm. 41

interesting subject of island faunas and floras. I trust that the
discovery of Dr. Trumbull will result in other collectors from
the west and south consigning to me series for examination.1

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royae Zooeogicae Society.

The Gardens have recently acquired a Jaguar, a Hairy Tapir, a Golden
Agouti, three Tree Ducks, two Curassows, four Crested Quail, and two
Black Parrots, by purchase.

2,583 persons visited the Gardens in December.

Dublin Microscopical Ceub.

November 16th.— The Club met at Mr. G. H. Carpenter's, who
showed the stridulating organ of a red ant (Myrmica ruginodis). This
organ, which has been recently described by Dr. D. Sharp {Trans. Ent. Sac,
1893) consists of a number of very minute transverse striations upon the
constricted collar of the third abdominal segment. The hinder edge of
the second segment is produced downwards into a sharp ridge which,
by scraping across the striations, produces a note of very high pitch.

Dr. R. F. Scharff showed a woodlouse, Trichoniscus rosetis, hew to
the Irish Fauna. This woodlouse is distinguished from other members
of the genus principally by its brilliant colour, which is of a light ver-
milion with a yellow stripe down the back. A more detailed description
of this species and its affinities is published in this number of the Irish
Naturalist. It had previously been known only from Plymouth, where
it was found in Prof. Spence Bate's cellar; the present record is therefore
not only the first for Ireland, but also the second for the British Isles.
It was discovered among damp cinders in a garden in Leeson Park, Dub-
lin, and the identification has been confirmed by Prof. Budde-Lund of
Copenhagen.

Mr. Greenwood Pim exhibited specimens of Puccinia coronata, Corda,
sent him by Prof. Johnson from several localities in Dublin and Meath,
where this season it seems to have been a great nuisance. It is peculiar in
having short blunt appendages on the top of the spore, which are found
in no other British Puccinia. It is the first record in this Dublin district,
but Mr. Lett finds it in the North.

Mr. F. W. Moore showed the conidial stage of Xylaria rhopaloides,
sections of which had been exhibited at a previous meeting, the repro-
ductive stage not being then available.

Prof. T. Johnson exhibited a preparation of Bonnemaisonia asparagoidcs
C. Ag., showing carpospores germinating in situ. The specimen was found
drifted on the shore at Sutton on the north side of Dublin Bay and was
of interest because the appearance of the carpospores in some of the
cystocarps suggested zonate tetrasporangia ; B. asparagoides, though
growing round the whole British coast, being one of the few Floridese
in which tetraspores are not known.

1 Such packages, preferably tin boxes lightly packed with soft clean
moss to keep the worms healthy and fresh, should be sent to 7, Fern
Bank, Cockermouth, Cumberland, labelled Naturae History Speci-
mens oney.

42 The Irish Na tu ; -a lis t.

Mr. M'ArdlE exhibited specimens of a liverwort, Frullania gcrmana,
Tayl. which is often passed over for the commoner F. tamartsci, Mich.,
leaves of which he also exhibited to show the characteristic line of cells,
the contents of which are peculiar ; this peculiarity does not occur in the
leaves of F. gertnana, and forms one of the marks of distinction between
the two plants. It is also a more beautiful object than F. tamartsci, larger
and with greater lustre, and the bracts of the perianth are entire. The
auricles are larger and more highly coloured, oblong ovate in shape,
ventricose. Mr. M'Ardle also exhibited dried specimens of both plants
mounted on card-board, which he collected last October on Slieve Glah,
Co. Cavan, which is a new locality for the plant.

Prof. A. C. Haddon showed the two kinds of budding in the polyzoon
Flustra ; the one by means of which the colony is maintained, the other
peripheral, causing the growth of the colony. In the former the parent
organism decays and forms a "brown body" which is digested by the
daughter bud.

Dr. R. H. Creighton of Ballyshannon sent for exhibition micro-
photographs of Phyllopod crustaceans obtained in the north-west of
Ireland.

Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society.

January 2nd.— The President (Prof. FitzGerald, M.I.C.E.) in the
chair. Mr. Conway Scott, C.E., delivered a lecture on National
Health. An animated discussion ensued, in which the following took
part :— Dr. Whitaker, Prof. Redfern, Dr. MacCormac, Messrs. Cowan, C.E.,
Robert Gray, Seaton F. Milligan, M.R.I.A., J. H. Greenhill, John
Horner, J. P., William Armstrong, and Henry M'Loughlin.

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

December 20th.— The President (Mr. Wm. Swanston, F.G.S.), gave
a short opening address, his subject being " The Study of Geology, and
the advantages to be derived therefrom." Mr. Wm. Gray, M.R.I.A.,
gave a lecture entitled "What is a Stone ? Being a Demonstration of
North of Ireland Rocks."

Dublin Naturalists' Field Club.

January 9th.— Annual Meeting. The President (Dr. M'Weeney) in
the chair. The Secretary (Mr. J. M. . Browne, B.A.), read the annual
report, which was passed, as was also the statement of accounts, which
was submitted by the Treasurer (Prof. Johnson, D.Sc.) Both showed
the Club to be in a flourishing and sound condition. The election of
office-bearers was then taken up. Mr. G. H. Carpenter, B.Sc, was
elected President, vice Dr M'Weeney, retired. Prof. G. A. J. Cole was
elected Vice-President, vice Dr. Scharff, and Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger
Hon. Sec, vice Mr. J. M. Browne. Mrs. J. T. Tatlow, and Mr. N.
Colgan were elected to fill vacancies on the Committee. The new Vice-
President, Prof. Cole, having taken the chair amid applause, a hearty
vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing officers for their constant
devotion to the Club during their term of office. On the motion of Dr.
M'Weeney, a sum of ^5 was voted to the editors of the Irish Naturalist,
to help towards defraying the expenses of the Journal during the present
year. Prof. Johnson, D.Sc, announced his willingness to give a
course of lectures and demonstrations on botany for the benefit of the
members of the Club. Several members spoke in grateful terms of the
generosity of Prof. Johnson's proposal, and the Secretary was instructed
to issue a circular, in conjunction with Prof. Johnson, acquainting mem-
bers with the proposal.

t 43 ]
NOTES.

BOTANY.

PHANEROGAMS.

Artemisia Stelleriana in Co. Dublin. — In the Journal of Botany
for January, Mr. N. Colgan records the finding of this handsome plant
on the North Bull by Mr. C. B. Moffat. The plant grows in scattered
patches among the sandhills, and appears quite naturalized. It is a native
of Kamtschatka.

Fall of Leaf of the Holly. — It is worth noting as an effect of last
year's unusually long summer, that all the Hollies that I have observed
or heard of in this part of Co. Down and the adjoining districts of Co.
Armagh, let fall their old leaves of 1892 growth at the end of November and
beginning of December, 1893. April is the month when this evergreen
in ordinary seasons performs this change of leaf, so that what I have just
noticed has taken place nearly five months before the regular time of
the fall of the leaf of this shrub. — H. W. LETT, Loughbrickland.

County Dublin Flora. — On looking over the "Notes on the Dublin
Flora " which appeared in last month's issue of this Journal, it occurred
to me that some readers might be in danger of so misconstruing cer-
tain passages in the paper as to carry away an impression that I was
averse to receiving aid from other botanists in the work of preparing
a county Flora. To prevent any such misrepresentation, which, I am
sure, my friend, the writer of the recent notes, is quite as anxious to
guard against as I am myself, I take this opportunity of once more ex-
pressing my desire to receive any information likely to throw light either
on the history or on the actual state of the Co. Dublin flora. Before
the close of last year I had received assurances of aid from almost every
botanist who has paid special attention to the Co. Dublin. These willing
helpers are, I know, content to await full acknowledgement, at the
proper time and in the proper place, for the assistance they have already
given me, and will, I am confident, continue to give me. For them, such
a notice as this is superfluous. There are others, however, and perhaps,
not a few, who while they have made no special study of the Dublin flora,
may, nevertheless, have made some casual observations of interest ; and
it is to ensure the collection of such occasional memoranda that I have
requested the editors to grant me space for these few words. — Nathaniel
Coegan, Dublin.

ZOOLOGY.

R 0 TIFE RS.
IVlelicerta ringens. — In one of my aquariums I have at present an
immense generation of. Melicerta ringens of all stages of growth, from the
young ones busy laying the foundation-stones of their tubes, to very full-
grown tubes of unusual length. The thing, however, which I wish to
note is that sometimes one tube is seated upon another in almost every
variety of order from clusters oftwo up to clusters of seven. I have never seen
anything like this before in the case of Melicerta ringens. They seem to be
breeding very rapidly, for on a plant of Ranunculus aquatilis, which in
a beautiful arborescent growth fills the aquarium, they are abundant.
I think this clustered condition of the tubes arises from the fact that
there are no quick-moving creatures in the aquarium, such as water-
boatmen or water-beetles, to make a stir in the water, and the eggs being
extended in this motionless pool are not floated away to a new site, but
get attached to the side of the parent tube and proceed to build there ;
and so we find them as I have described. To see Melicerta ringens^ at work,
building and dining at the same time, is always an interesting sight ; but

44 The Irish Naturalist.

to see a cluster of them so engaged is a spectacle of beauty indeed. I
observe that this beautiful rotifer much prefers building on such narrow
leaves as the under-water foliage of Ranunculus aquatilis to building on
broader ones, such as the Potamogelom or even the Anacharis. I shall be
very pleased if any brother naturalist desires to see this case that he
should call at 25, Rugby-road, Belfast. I think it probable that any one
might have this rotifer in this condition by having a good seed of them
in a quiet aquarium where only the Planorbis and Limruca or such slow-
moving creatures are kept, and the water allowed to be very motionless.

John Andrew, Belfast.

IN S E C TS .

Lepidoptera In the Belfast District In 1893.— The season
of 1893 in this district, as in most others, has been fairly pro-
ductive in lepidoptera, although, in consequence of the abnormal
heat, many species emerged much before their usual time, and
had disappeared completely when they were looked for in their
usual localities. Of the butterflies, Vanessa atalanta and V. urticce
have been unusually abundant, and second broods of both species were
seen ; of Argynnis paphia, a few specimens were seen in Donard demesne
near Newcastle, Co. Down, 011 June iSth, a very early date for the
species ; Lycccna minima was out already on May 30th on the cliffs of
Island Magee, and a few were seen on Knockagh, near Carrickfergus ;
one specimen of a second brood of Comonympha pamphilus was takeu on
the Belfast Hills on September 3rd ; the species is regularly double-
brooded in England, but usually single-brooded in Ireland. Among
Sphinges, Macroglossa stellatarum was hovering about a white-washed wall
on the shore at Newcastle on July 16th, and M. bombylifmmis was abund-
ant at flowers of Pedicularis on the Belfast Hills as early as May 7th. Of
the Bombyces, Nemeophila plantaginis was abundant on the slopes of
Island Magee, June 4th ; Hefrialus vrfleda was very common everywhere
this year, flying in crowds over Bracken on the hills and over beds of
Nettles on the lowlands ; larvae of Bombyx quercus v. callunce were found
full-fed at Black Head, June 23rd, and larvae of Dicranura vinula, Saturnia
pavonia, and Pygccra pigra (or curtula) on dwarf sallow bushes in the valley
above Bloody Bridge, Mourne Mountains. Of Noctuae, Bryophila pcrla
occurred on walls at Newcastle, all the specimens being typical ; pale
form of A crony da rumicis comes commonly to sugar in the woods at New-
castle ; of Hydrcccia nic titans, the specimens occurring in this district, both
in the marshes about Belfast and on the sand-hills at Newcastle, belong to
the form which has been distinguished as a probably distinct species
(H. lucens). I have not taken typical nictitans in this district, but have a
specimen from Wicklow ; Apamea ophiogramma, one specimen in Belfast
marshes; A. leucostigma is common in the same locality, the type and var.
fibrosa being equally common. Miana literosa, a few in the same places as
the last species ; it was very abundant at Howth in July ; Celo>na Haworthii
was common on the hills at the end of August ; Stilbia anomala, one
specimen in the Mournes ; Agrotis vestigialis was abundant on the sand-
hills near Dundrum, Co. Down, nearly all being of the pale typical form,
but a few grey suffused specimens occurred; A. cursoria was scarce in the
same place ; A. tritici very abundant, mostly of the reddish-brown form
common on the Irish coast sand-hills, but a few grey and pale red
specimens were picked out of the hundreds that covered the flower
heads of Senccio jacobcea on the sand-hills; A. precox was common in the
same place, and a few A. lucernea also occurred ; Tozniocampa opima was taken
at sallow bloom in April, together with commoner species of the genus ;
Xanthiafulvago, at Belfast in August ; Cirrhaidia xerampdina, two specimens
on the trunk of an Ash in Castlewellan Park, August 14th ; Dianthacia
nana, commonly at flowers of Lychnis fios-cuculi in Colin Glen ; Hadena
adusta at rest on heather on the Belfast hills in May ; H. contigua : a re-

Notes. 45

markable specimen was taken in the Mourne Mountains in July ; it was
just out of the pupa, and all the dark parts of the fore- wings were
suffused with deep rose-pink, while the pale portions were a semi-
metallic green ; these colours faded gradually, and disappeared com-
pletely in about two months. Of Geometrse, Ellopia prosapiai-ia was
common in Donard demesne in June ; Nyssia zonaria, very abundant on
April 3rd at Ballycastle ; one female was seen on the 1st ; I failed to
find the species either at Whitepark Bay or at Portrush. Boarmia
repandata v. conversaria, a specimen of this fine banded variety was seen,
and missed, in Donard demesne on June iSth ; Gnophos obscurata, the
specimens from Newcastle are very dark ; it occurs both on the sand-
hills and on the hill-sides ; Eupithecia indigata occurred at Belfast and
E. constrictata at Island Magee ; Melanippe tristata was swarming about
Galium on Knockagh on June 7th; Phibalapteryx lapidata — of this scarce
species I took five specimens on the side of Divis Mountain on September
3rd ; the males were much worn, but the females nearly fresh from the
pupa ; P. vittata was as common as usual in the marshes near Belfast,
where its food-plant, Galium paluslre, is abundant. — Charges W. WaTTS,
Belfast.

Lepldoptera at Stralbane. — The Scarlet Admiral {Vanessa atalanta)
was this season in great numbers all over the north-west of Ireland, a
district where in most years it is unknown. The Painted Lady ( V. cardui),
which is generally to be found in the same seasons as V. atalanta, has
been, as far as I know, absent. I observed a Humming-bird Hawk-Moth
{Macroglossa stdlataruni) hovering over a scarlet Geranium in the garden
here. — W. Sinclair, Strabane.

Lepldoptera at Enniskillen. — Lieut.-Col. Partridge gives (Ent.
Mo. Mag. Dec. 1893) an interesting list of 283 species of lepidoptera from
this district.

IrishCoIeoptera — Remarks. — Mr.Tomlin'sexperiencelastsummer
at Port Ballintrae is quite parallel with mine at Courtown : —great abun-
dance of specimens in certain cases, but great paucity of species. About 1,200
species of beetles have now been put on the Irish list, and new records are
being made every year, owing to the recent increase of interest in local
entomology. Beetles, however, are distributed with considerable irregu-
larity, and it is not easy in the space of a summer holiday to compile a
large list for a particular district. For instance, Helops pallidus occurs at
roots of bent on the sandhills at Courtown, but I failed to find it after
much searching on the sandhills of south Louth ; Chrysomela hyperici is
absent from the St. John's-worts of south Louth, but abounds at Cour-
town on Hypericu?n dubium and H. perforatum ; Nebria cotnplanata is abun-
dant at Courtown, but absent in Louth ; on the other hand Dichiro-
richus pubescens and Phalei'ia cadavtrina are abundant in Louth, but I could
not find them at Courtown ; —yet the general features of both localities
are almost identical. Mr. Tomlin's list contains some interesting species,
one or two of which, e.g. Bradycellus harpalinus and Helophorus rugosus are
quite familiar to me, but he is hardly safe in taking Canon Fowler's
work as a guide to Irish records. It is not quite up to date. Thus
within the last four years I have taken various species, such as Pogonus
littoralis and Pocadius ferrugineus, not credited to Irish localities by Fowler,
Rev. W. F. Johnson, F.E.S., and others, notably Mr. J. N.'Halbert,
have added, and are constantly adding, new and valuable records to our
Irish list. — H. G. Cuthbert, Blackrock, Dublin.

MOLL USCS.

Hyallnia helvetica, Blum. ; An addition to the Irish Fauna.

— In November, 1892, I collected, at Whitegate, Co. Cork, a series
of shells belonging to a form of Hyalinia which did not agree with
any British species of which I had seen descriptions. In June, 1893,
I sent specimens to Dr. Scharff, who informed me that he had found at

46 The Irish Naturalist.

Bantry a few days previously a Hyalinia of the same form. Specimens
were then submitted to Prof. Boettger of Frankfort and Dr. Westerlund
of Ronneley, Sweden, both of whom agree, as also does the original
describer, in pronouncing it to be Hyalinia helvetica, Blum. This species
is new to the Irish Fauna, but it has been found in Switzerland, and
according to Mr. Westerlund also in Brittany. As both he and Prof.
Boettger assert that they possess English specimens of this species, it
may be the Hyalinia glabra of English authors (distinct from H. glabra,
Stud.) At Whitegate it appears to be very scarce, but Dr. Scharff says
that at Bantry it is common. The shell is about the size of H. cellaria,
but the umbilicus is much narrower (for description see Nachrichts bl.
Malak. Ges.)— R. A. Philips, Cork.

BIRDS

Feather Ornaments. —"A Lover of Nature " writes as follows to the
Irish Times, and his remarks are well worthy of the serious attention of
our readers : — Will you allow me to call the attention of your readers to
a letter by the clever author of "The Naturalist in La Plata," Mr. W.
H. Hudson, in the Times of October 17th, and now reprinted by the Sel-
borne Society, urgently expressive of the thoughtless cruelty of those
who wear, or encourage the use of, stuffed birds, wings, and "ospreys"
in millinery, and other decoration . Not only is it a useless waste of life,
but if this fashion continues much longer the next generation may
bitterly tax us with the destruction of the whole race of these beautiful
gifts of nature. Already the white herons which supply the " osprey "
feathers are entirely exterminated in Florida, where a few years ago
they congregated in flocks for the breeding season (in 18S7 I saw them
there myself), and the lovely, crimson-throated humming birds are
practically extinct throughout North America. And is this any marvel
when we consider that for 25 years the custom of wearing birds has
existed, and " nine years ago it was estimated that 20 to 30 millions of
birds were annually imported to this country to supply the demand."
Will not the ladies who are thus ruthlessly despoiling nature of its gems
and thoughtlessly flaunting cruelty, stop ere it is too late, and show that
they love beauty for its own sake and not merely as the conventionalities
of fashion dictate, and so refuse to buy hats and bonnets decorated with
birds and "ospreys"? Surely it is want of thought not want of heart
that keeps up this cruel fashion.

The Garden Warbler in Ireland. — It will interest many of your
readers to hear of the Garden Warbler {Silvia hortensis, Bechst.), being found
in the Co. Cork. As far as I have been able to gather, it has not been ob-
served in the county since 1852, when Mr. R. Parker, Sunday's Well,
Cork, saw it on several occasions. I had been taking notes for years on
birds, but accidentally burned them, so cannot say year for certain, but
think it was in 1876 that I saw a cock Garden Warbler at Cuskinny, near
Oueenstown. I saw no hen about, but it might have been hatching at
the time, though I saw no young ones later 011. In 18S8 I also saw a
cock bird at Rockenham, Passage West, and the same remarks apply to
it as the above. This year (1893) I had a good opportunity of observing
the Garden Warbler at Monkstown, Co. Cork. I cannot be mistaken in
the identity of this bird on these occasions, as I both saw it and heard it
in Cheshire in 1880 and 1888 on numerous occasions, and also several times
with an experienced ornithologist who was quite familiar with the
species. This year, by standing concealed for a considerable length of
time on several occasions in one position with an opera glass, I had a good
view of the pair. On one occasion the pair flew almost into my face
when the cock was chasing the hen rather ardently from some brambles
— they had to turn aside to avoid flying against me, so I had a good
view of them. The colours are more decided and in greater contrast than
in the other warblers, being olive-brown above and white underneath.

Notes 47

They were often in the branches of deciduous trees with an undergrowth of
shrubs, brambles, &c, amongst which they worked in and out and dropped
out of sight the moment observed. They do not remain in the same spot long,
and the only way to see them is to stay concealed till they conic to you (this
applies to many other birds), as otherwise they never give you a chance.
Where this pair was there is a good deal of shrubs and undergrowth of
brambles, &c, below the trees. The cock has rather an intense way of
singing, and it comes in a volley, and is very loud for so small a bird, and
has a resemblance to the song of the thrush and blackbird, but more
spasmodic and snatchy ; and the notes seem to burst out of him, and
when he gives a short song he generally flies off to another part of the
tree, or to another tree or shrub. The song ceased about 24th June. I
tried to find nest, but did not succeed ; I believe it was in a place I had
not access to.— J. Crosbie Smith, Monkstown, Co. Cork.

White variety of the Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in Co.
Calway.-On the nth November, Mr. P. Collis Johnston, of Fohena,
Co. Galway, secured a very fine specimen of a white Sparrow, which can
be seen at the establishment of Messrs. Williams and Son, Dame-street,
Dublin.— J. H. Johnston, Armagh.

Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) in Co. Cork.— In November,
1887, I heard the unusual sound at this season of the crackling of the fir
cones (in the heat of the summer the cones burst open with a crackling
sound and the seeds fly out). Though I had never seen a Crossbill before,
I said to myself " Crossbills," and sure enough when I looked up at the
fir-trees, I saw a lot of Crossbills at work on the cones. There must have
been hundreds, and they continued, on and off, about the district till the
spring, and remained, as far as I knew, till end of June, when I went
away and did not return till October, when they had all disappeared, and
I never observed any since. I knew of thirteen nests about the Monks-
town (Co. Cork) district, and I feel sure there were many others, as I saw
more birds than nests, and I also saw Crossbills at Ballybricken, Cool-
more, Currabinny, Carrigaline, &c. The nests were in the upper branches
of pines and firs, and were mostly on the outer end of the branch, and
were all inaccessible except to a very good climber, but I saw the parent
birds frequently about the trees and nests, and that satisfied me as to the
fact of their nesting. My own belief is that many birds are not so rare
as supposed, simply because we do not happen to see them, and as there
are so few observant ornithologists, many rare birds must pass unnoticed.
Some of the rarest birds that have visited our island were secured by
the merest accident, as one may see by the various accounts written on
the subject, and by what many know by their own experience. These
Crossbills were noticed by several other people. — J. Crosbie Smith,
Monkstown, Co. Cork.

Supposed Woodpecker in Co. Duplin.— One day about the
middle of November, while driving between L,ucan and Knockmaroon,
Co. Dublin, I saw a black and white bird that was new to me. It flew
across the river Liffey and alighted on a tree in Woodlands demesne. On
describing it afterwards my husband said it was probably a woodpecker,
and after looking at the woodpeckers in the Science and Art Museum I
think there is no doubt that the bird was a woodpecker, but of which
species I am unable to say.— Jane W. Shackxeton, Lucan.

Bittern (Botauris stellaris, L.) in Co. Wexford.— A Bittern was
shot, last March, near Drinagh, close to Wexford, by Mr Wheelock of
that town for preservation. I have been unable to see it. but it was seen
by Mr. J. H. Gurney of Keswick Hall, Norwich.— G. E. H. Barrett-
Hamii/ton, Kilmanock, New Ross.

Little Auk in Co. Sligo.— When walking on the Enniscrone sands,
on November 19th, I picked up the remains of a Little Auk, Alcrguhts alle,
destroyed by the gulls. It was in a perfectly fresh state, however, and
had evidently come ashore but a few hours previously. Along the same

4S The Irish Naturalist.

sands I also found several Puffins, Razorbills, and Guillemots, all driven
ashore by the N.W. gale of the two previous days. — Robert Warren,
Ballina (in Zoologist for January).

Great Shearwater in Killala Bay, Co. Mayo.— In the Zoologist
for January, Mr. R. Warren writes, that on 23rd April last, he watched a
flock of eleven Great Shearwaters (Puffinus major) fishing near the pier-
head of Enniscrone. He remarks that he never previously saw them on
the Irish coast in April, and suggests that they may possibly breed on
some part of the sea-board.

OBITUARY.

John Tyndai,i,.
The death of Tyndall on December 4th, at his house, at Hindhead,
Surrey, removes from the world of science one of the most famous
Irishmen of the century. He was born at Iveighlin Bridge, Co. Carlow,
in 1820. After serving on the staff of the Ordnance Survey, and prac-
tising as an engineer at Manchester, he began his purely scientific work
in 1847, as teacher of physics in a Hampshire school. Thence he pro-
ceeded to Germany, where he studied at Marburg under the celebrated
Bunsen, and aftewards at Berlin. Physical investigations of great value
then made him famous, and on his return to England in 1853 he was ap-
pointed professor at the Royal Institution, where he worked in company
with Faraday. He resigned his appointment in 1883, since which time
he has lived either in Switzerland or in Surrey.

It would be inappropriate, in this Magazine, to dwell upon the purely
physical researches which formed the greater part of Tyndall's scientific
work. At several points, however, his work touched the domains of
natural science. He was one of the most daring of Alpine climbers,
and during his holidays in Switzerland, he made the classical researches
upon the motion of glaciers, which must always guide our speculations
as to the action of ice in past ages of the earth's history. He was
also a pioneer in the study of the minute organisms which we know
generally as bacteria ; his researches, carried on in the pure air of his
Alpine retreat, proved that these humble forms of life are developed from
living germs, and that their origin from dead matter must remain a
matter for speculation. But Tyndall's best-known service to biology was
his popular advocacy of the evolution theory. His power of clear ex-
position, and his Celtic imagination and eloquence, which made his
physical lectures and books so popular, came to the aid of the evolution-
ists in the great conflict which followed the publication of the " Origin
of Species" in 1859. One of Tyndall's most powerful strokes in this
conflict was made on Irish soil, when, in 1874, he presided over the
British Association at Belfast, and delivered the address which roused
such a storm of opposition in some quarters. Tyndall's metaphysical
and anti-theological speculations which largely caused this opposition
need not be discussed here. It is recognised, by this time, that the
student of nature may accept the physical and biological positions of
the dead master without committing himself to those.

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Vol. III. MARCH, 1894. No

O'

SHELL-MOUNDS AT ROSAPKNNA, NORTH

DONEGAL.

BY W. H. PATTERSON, M.R.I.A.

I visited Rosapenna in July, 1893, and had an opportunity of
spending a little time among the sand-dunes there. The
great strand, Tra-More, at the head of Sheep-haven, is the
western boundary of the dunes, which are here about two
miles in length, while they extend backwards from the sea,
till a part of them touches the waters of Mulroy Bay ; in fact,
but for these sand-hills, it seems that the waters of the two
bays would meet, and that Rosapenna and Rosguill, which
now form a peninsula, would be an island.

These sand-dunes at Rosapenna must have been a favourable

dwelling-place, or at any rate a favourite camping-ground

with an early race of people. In many places among the

dunes the shell-mounds, or kitchen-middens, of the old people

are found, in most places broken down by the winds, and

their contents scattered, and bleaching on the sand. Some

portions of shell-mounds may still be seen undisturbed, and

their contents, thrown together by the old people, can still be

handled. Sand and wood-ashes, mixed with shells of edible

species of mollusca, and bones of all sizes, including numerous

large teeth, make up the bulk of these mounds. The bones

in the mounds are brown and damp, while those that lie on

the surface are dry and white, owing to the action of the sun

and weather. The shells also have darker and fresher colours

than those which have long since been scattered about.

A

50 The Irish Naturalist.

Mr. S. A. Stewart has been good enough to name the shells
which I put before him ; these were collected hurriedly, and I
feel sure do not represent all the species common in the
mounds ; most, if not all, of these were present in great
numbers : — Patella vulgata, Cardium edule, Littorina litoria,
Mytilus cdulis, Ostrea edulis, Pccten opercula?'is, Pectc7i maximus,
Buccinum undatum, Solen siliqua, Cyprina islandica, Lutraria
elliptica, Purpura lapillus, Venus verrucosa. Mr. Stewart adds :
— " Venus verrucosa is a southern species, and has not, I believe,
been found as a recent shell in the North of Ireland. It is
not uncommon on the southern and western coasts of Eng-
land and in the Channel Islands, and also in the south-west of
Ireland. It lives at five to ten fathoms on a sandy bottom. It
is plentiful in Clare, and is said to be used there as food."

In the shell-mounds, the limpet and Periwinkle (locally
called Wilk) were by far the most numerous, outnumbering
all the other species together. Man}' of the shells were of excep-
tionally large size, while all were mature specimens. In one
hollow place there was an extraordinary accumulation of the
shells of Lutraria, but all broken into small pieces, and three
or four large stones, which probably served as the blocks upon
which they were broken, were in and near the heap.

The Mussel-shells, which were numerous, were much de-
cayed ; this shell seems to be more perishable and to break
up more easily than any of the others named. The claws of a
large crab (Cancer pagurus) were among the specimens sub-
mitted to Mr. Stewart. I saw man}7 other fragments of the
shells of crabs, but they were all in a crumbling state.

The bones of large and small animals were literally in
thousands; the box of those which I brought to Belfast has not
yet been carefully examined, but the more apparent bones are
those of the Ox, Horse, Sheep, Pig, Dog, and Red Deer ; many
jaw-bones were quite perfect, while great numbers of large
teeth were scattered everywhere ; the long bones were generally
split lengthwise for extraction of the marrow. One blade-bone
had been deeply cut with some sharp tool. Birds' bones were
common, and an awl or spear-head made from the leg-bone of
a large bird, and ground to a sharp point, was found. A few
fish-bones were mixed with the shells, &c, showing that the
people had the art of fishing.

Shell-mounds at Rosape7ina, North Donegal. 51

Works of art among the shell-mounds were exceedingly few :
there was a total absence of pottery, also of flint ; not even
chippings were found, nor any of the axes so common in the
Danish shell-mounds. I was shown an ancient glass bead,
and several quern-stones or hand-mills, found in the sand-hills ;
also two beautiful bronze pins or brooches, one of which was
found by the manager of the Rosapenna Hotel, the other by
Mr. Robert Bland : these may have been 10th century. A
small portion of a bone comb was given to me : it is similar to
combs found in Irish crannogs, and may not be older than
1 600-1 700, A.D.

I observed a large quantity of pieces of furnace slag, show-
ing that at some period the smelting of iron-ore was carried on
here. I found some portions of a human skeleton, including
parts of the skull, and a good number of the teeth, some loose,
and some still in their sockets ; the teeth were perfectly sound,
but were worn down quite flat, evidence that much gritty
matter, either sea-sand or grit from the quern-stones, had
been mixed with the food used.

From the number of bones of animals which must have been
domesticated, it would seem that these people were not of a
very primitive race ; on the other hand, the absence of pottery
would point to a very early period. Probably further investi-
gations may lead to discoveries which will settle whether the
people who formed the shell-mounds, belonged to the earlier
or later stone age, or perhaps to some other defined period.

The illustration (Plate 3) which accompanies this paper
shows a portion of the Rosapenna sand-dunes near the new
hotel, where the wind is cutting into the ancient mound and
laying bare its contents ; it is from a photograph by Mr. R.
Welch, Belfast.

A 2

52 The Irish Naturalist.

NOTES ON THE FLORA OF THE NORTH-EAST

OF IRELAND.

BY SAMUEL A. STKWART, F.B.S.EDIN.

( Concluded from page 38.)

Soli dago virgaurea, Linn., var. angustffolia Gaud.— Plentiful
and characteristic on rocky banks of Shimna River in Tollymore Park,
and by the Bann above Hilltown, S. & P.

Bldens cernua, Linn., forma radlata is plentiful at Carrickmannan
Lake, near Saintfield, S. A.S., 1893. Ouoile marshes, Downpatrick, R. LLP.,
1892.

Saussurea alplna, DC. — One spot only, on Slievemuck, Mourne
Mountains, at 2,000 feet, S. & P. A few plants growing on dripping
rocks, but they seem to produce neither flowers nor seed. Not known
elsewhere in district 12.

Arctium minus, Schkur., var. majuscula Hartm. — Base of cliff at
Bankheads, near Larne, S. A. S., 1873, and waste ground at Larne, S.A.S.,
1876. The specimens referred to above were submitted to Herr Mur-
beck, the able Scandinavian botanist, who has specially studied the
genus Arctium or Lappa, and are the first certainly ascertained plants
from this district referable to this species. The authors of " Flora N. E.
Ireland " did not include A. minus in their lists, as at that time no North
of Ireland specimens had been determined on sufficient authority. Herr
Murbeck considers that A. nemorosum, Lej., and A. intermedium, Lange, are
synonymous, and if so one of those names must be deleted from our
local flora.

Card u us crispus, Linn., var. acanthoides, — Killowen, Co. Down,
S. and P. Mr. Praeger has refound this plant at Larne.

Card u us pratensls, Huds.— Several stations in the Mourne Moun-
tains, S. and P. The only other record for Co. Down was considered
doubtful.

Leontodon hirtus, Linn.— Dalchoolin near Craigavad, 1892, and
Narrow-water, 1893, R. LI. P.

Hleraclum euprepes, Hanb.— I met with this plant on the Cave
Hill, near Belfast, in 1877, and specimens collected then, and subsequently,
were sent to Mr. Backhouse, of York, for identification. After a corres-
pondence, which lasted for some years, he finally advised that my plant
should be put as a form of H. pallidum, and when preparing the " Flora
N. E. Ireland " this course was adopted. Mr. Hanbury of London, our
present authority on British Hieracia has, however, met with and studied
the same plant in Great Britain, and has raised it to the rank of a species
under the above name. Mr. Praeger informs me that Mr. Hanbury has
specimens of this hawkweed collected by the late Dr. Mateer, of Belfast,
on the Cave Hill in 1845. They are in the herbarium formed by the
late Dr. Boswell, now included in the Hanbury herbarium. The distri-
bution in Ireland, as at present known, is on limestone or basaltic rocks
almost entirely. Cave Hill and Sallagh Braes, Co. Antrim, S.A.S.
Boulder clay bank, Milltown, Co. Antrim, Dr. W. A. Shoolbred, 1S93.
Basaltic cliffs of Benevenagh, Co. Derry, S.A.S.

Notes 07i the Flora of the North-east of Irela?id. 53

Hleracfutn anglicum, Fries.— Frequent in Mourne Mountains,
S. and P.

Var. acutifolium, Back. — By the Shinma above Tollymore Park, and
by a stream on Luke's Mountain near same locality, S. and P.

Var. longibracteatum, Hanb.— Garron Point, and Glenariffe, Co.
Antrim, Dr. Shoolbred, 1893.

\H. pallidum, Fries. The Antrim and Derry localities for this species
have mostly been transferred to H. euprepes ; the remainder are doubtful.]

H. argenteum, Fries.— Cliffs of Eagle Rock (Slieve Donard), Ben-
crom, and Cove Mountain, in Mourne range, plentiful, and sparingly by
the Shimna River in Tollymore Park, S. and P. The H. argenteum of
Broughnamaddy has been described by Mr. Hanbury as a new species
under the name of H. hibemicum.

H. rubicund urn, Hanb. — Sallagh Braes, Co. Antrim, S.A.S. The
only other Irish station yet known is in Co. Donegal (Hart).

H. Farrense, Hanb. — Sallagh Braes, S.A.S. Not found elsewhere
in Ireland.

H. stenolepls, Lindeb. — Plentiful on Cave Hill, Knockagh, and
Sallagh Braes, Co. Antrim, S.A.S. ; Garron Point, Co. Antrim, and
Benevenagh, Co. Derry, Dr. Shoolbred, 1893. First recognised as
Irish from specimens collected on Cave Hill by R. LI. P. in 1886.

H. flocculosum, Back. — Basalt rocks of Sallagh Braes, Co. Antrim,
S.A.S., 1886. A new county record.

H. bifid urn, Tausch. — Benevenagh, Co. Derry, Dr. Shoolbred, 1893.
First Irish record.

H. Schmidtii, Tausch.— Granite cliffs of Bencrom, Mourne Moun-
tains, S. and P. The only station in district 12 at present known.

H. Fries!!, Hartm., var. Stewartii, Hanb. — A remarkable form
found sparingly in Tollymore Park, and abundantly on rocky banks of
the Bann above Hilltown, S. & P. The only British station. This plant
was recorded in " Botany of the Mourne Mountains " as H. Friesii.

H. hibernicum, Hanb. — Very sparingly on rocks at Broughnamaddy,
Mourne Mountains ; H. C. Hart, 1883 ; S. A. S., 1888 ; and S. & P., 1890.
This plant was mentioned, under " H. vulgatuw," by Mr. Hart in Proc.
Roy. Ir. Acad, in 1884. It was recorded in /our. Bot., 1886, and in Flora
N.F.I, in 1888 as H. argenteum. -Mr. Hanbury has shown that it is
distinct, and has named it as above. The only other certainly ascertained
station is in Donegal (Hart).

H. crocatum, Fries. — Cliffs of Pigeon Rock Mountain, Mourne
range, and by Shimna and Spinkwee Rivers, Tollymore Park, S. and P.

H. auratum, Fries. — Frequent throughout the Mourne Mountains,
S. & P. Many of the plants hitherto classed under H. corymbosum must
now be referred to this species. In Antrim it has been found on shores
of Lough Neagh at Cranfield, S.A.S., and cliffs by the sea at Cushendun,
R. LI. P.

Lobelia Dortmanna, Linn. — Abundant in lakelet on summit of
Binnagee (1,100 ft.), near Carnlough, Co. Antrim, R. LI. P.

Vacclnium Oxycoccos, Linn. — Marsh at Saul Camp, Downpatrick,
also by a lakelet near Carnlough, Co. Antrim, and on margins of Lough
Ouske, Co. Derry, R. LI. P. New to Antrim.

Mertensia maritima (Linn.), Don. — Refound on strand between
Portrush and Portstewart, Co. Derry, by Mrs. Leebody, 1893.

Wlyosotis col Una, Hoff. — Shane's Castle, Co. Antrim, R. LI. P.,
1891. Sandy warren at Portstewart, Co. Derry, Miss Davies, 1890. Not
previously recorded for Derry.

54 The Irish Naturalist.

Hyoscyamus niger, Linn.— Plentiful on distillery rubbish heap at
Comber, Co. Down, S.A.S. Imported with grain.

Orobanche minor, Sutt.— Abundant in a field by the sea at
Craigavad, H. C. Marshall, 1892. Imported with seed.

Llnaria repens, Ait. — By a lapsus this was printed in Flora N.E.I.
as L. minor. _ It is abundant near Killowen, and on the lower slopes of
Spelga Mountain, Co. Down, S. and P.

IYIelampyrum pratcnse, Tournefort, var. montanum. — Fre-
quent in Mourne Mountains at 1,400 to 2,394 feet, S. and P.

Erin us alpinus, Linn. — Wall of Downpatrick Goal, R. LI. P., 1890.
A plant of the Pyrenees established here, but not found elsewhere in
Ireland.

Veronica pollta, Fries. — Waste ground near the tramway station,
Bushmills, Co. Antrim, S.A.S., 1893.

Mentha sativa, Linn. var. paludosa, Sole. — Limavady Junction,
Co. Deny, Mrs. Leebody, 1893 (fide A. Bennett).

[Calamintha officinalis has been long extinct at our only station, Glendun
River.]

Lamium hybrldum, Villars— Fields at Killowen and Glas-
drumman, Co. Down, S. and P.

Caleopsis speciosa, Miller.— Field at Six Road Ends, Conlig, Co.
Down, S.A.S., 1893. Garron Point, Glenariffe, and Cushendun, Co.
Antrim, R. LI. P., 1892.

Stachys betonica, Linn. — Refound by the Bann at Kilrea, Co.
Derry, Mrs. Leebody, 1893.

Utricularia intermedia, Hayne. — Peat bog at Rasharkin, Co.
Antrim, " Cybele Hibernica." Overlooked when compiling the " Flora
N. E. I."

[Primtila veris, Linn., must be removed from list of native plants. It is
not now found at Rostrevor.]

Hottonia palustris, Linn. — Everogue Bridge, as ascertained by
Mr. Praeger, is at Crossgar, not Downpatrick, and Mr. Praeger finds
that the plant still grows in this, its original station.

Anagallis arvensis, Linn., var. ccerulea, Schreb. — Wayside at
Stranmillis Road, Belfast, Rev. John Andrew.

Beta maritima, Linn. — Portavo and Millisle, Co. Down, also
Whitepark Bay, and Kenbane Head, Co. Antrim, R. LI. P. Eownhill,Co.
Derry, Mrs. Leebody, 1891. No previous record for Derry.

Atriplex farinosa, Dumort. — Redbay, Cushendun, and Bushfoot,
R. LI. P. New to north Antrim.

Polygonum Raii, Bab. — Redbay and Ballycastle, R. LL P., 1890.

Callitriche autumnalis, Linn. — In the river at Bushfoot, Co.
Antrim, 1888, and in the Bann at Toome, 1893, R. LI. P. New to Co.
Antrim list.

Salix purpurea, Linn. — Marsh near Moneyscalp, and roadside east
of Crotlieve Mountain, Mourne range, S. and P. Near Holywood, and
Craigavad, Co. Down, R. LI. P. New county records, but stations for
this ornamental willow are often suspicious.

Populus tremula, Linn. — Native on cliffs south of Blue Lough,
Mourne Mountains, S. and P. New to Down flora.

Orchis pyramidalls, Linn. — About a half-dozen of plants on chalk
rubbish at Magheragall quarries, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, R. LI. P., 1888.
In some abundance at east end of Magilligan Strand, Co. Derry, Mrs.
Leebody, 1892.

Notes on the Flora of the North-east of Irela?id. 55

Cymnadenla albida (Swartz), Rich. — Conlig Hill, Co. Down,
R. LI. P., 1891. Glenariffe, Co. Antrim, Rev. S. A. Brenan. This plant
was found by Rev. W. M. Hind on Squires's Hill, near Belfast, more than
thirty years ago ; it has been refound there by Mr. W. H. Patterson in
1893.

Habenaria virldls, R. Br.— Kilbroney valley, and shore north of
Annalong, Co. Down, S. and P.

H. blfolia, R. Br.— Kilbroney and Annalong, S. and P. By Enagh
Lough, Co. Deny, Mrs. Leebody, 1892.

Llstera cordata, R. Br.— Many stations in the Mourne Mountains,
S. and P.

Neottla nidus-avis, Linn. — Wood above Bellarena station, Co.
Derry, Mrs. Leebody, and B.N.F.C.

Spiranthes Romanzovlana, Cham.— A number of plants by the
Bann, near Kilrea, Co. Derry, Mrs. Leebody, July, 1893. Northern
botanists were startled by Mr. Praeger's discovery of this extremely rare
orchid in Armagh. The announcement that Mrs. Leebody had met with
it in County Derry came, therefore, as a further surprise. The flora of
the north-east has been most unexpectedly enriched by this valuable
addition.

Sparganium minimum, Fries.--In a small lake near Warren-
point, Down, S. and P. Bog-holes west of Scawt Hill, Co. Antrim,
R. LI. P., 1887.

Typha angustifolia, Linn. — In Lough Neagh at the entrance of the
Lagan canal, Co. Down, R. LI. P., 1892.

Potamogeton nitens, Weber. — Annsboro Lake, Co. Down, and in
the Sixmile water near Antrim, S.A.S.

Cladiutn Mariscus (Linn.), R. Br. — Not yet extinct in Co. Down.
A few plants still linger on marshy margin of Altnadua Lake, near
Castlewellan, S. and P.

Carex muricata, Linn. — Marshy pasture between Springfield Road
and the Forth River above Clowney Bridge, Belfast, Richard Hanna,
1S93. Owing to encroachments of the builder, this plant will shortly
disappear from this, its second station in the north of Ireland.

C. stricta, Gooden. — Abundant and luxuriant on several spots
around Portmore Lough, Co. Antrim; also on islet on the Antrim side of
Lough Beg, and on the Derry side of the Bann below Toome, R. LI. P.,
1893. These records make an addition to the flora of Derry, and remove
all doubt as to the correctness of Templeton's statement of its occurrence
at Portmore, almost a century since.

C. aquatilis, Wahl.— Plentiful in a deep drain in Shane's Castle
Park, R. LI. P., 1891. There is no other station for this sedge in the
north-east. It was only recognized as an Irish plant in 1883. See Mr.
A. Bennett's paper in /. N., 1892.

C. pallescens, Linn.— Tollymore Park, Co. Down, S- and P.

C. limosa, Linn. — Marsh at Saul camp, near Downpatrick, 1889, and
margin of Lough Ouske, Co. Derry, R. LI. P., 1892.

Alopccurus pratensis, Linn.— Donaghadee, Co. Down, S.A.S. ,
1892.

Milium effusum, Linn. — South of Rostrevor, Co. Down, S. and P.
Avena pubescens, Linn. — Dry places by the shore at Craigavad,
Co. Down, R. LI. P., 1893. The only certain Co. Down station.
Aira flcxuosa, Linn. — Abundant in Mourne Mountains, S. and P.

\_Sclerochloa procumbens has been destroyed in the small spot it occupied at
Belfast by the paving of Albert Quay, where it formerly grew in a dense
patch].

56 The Irish Naturalist.

Schlerochloa rlglda, Linn. — Sea-walls at Killongh and Ardglass,
Co. Down, 1892, and at Maglieramorne, Co. Antrim, 1893, R. LI. P.
New to Co. Antrim.

Festuca sylvatlca, Villars, — Abundant by the Shimna River in
Tollymore Park, S. and P. It is thus certainly a Co. Down plant, but
cannot now be found at Rostrevor.

Equisctum hyemale, Linn.— Several stations in the Mourne Moun-
tains, S. and P. Banks of the Lagan at Edenderry, Co. Down, R. LI. P.,
1892.

Last reaf Nix-mas (Linn.) Pers.,var. abbreviata. — Eagle Mountain,
Mourne Mountains, S. and P. Quite distinct as a variety.

\_Asplenium Adianlutn-nigrum, var. acutum, Bory. Through the researches of
Mr. Praeger the mystery connected with Sherard's record of this fern has
been elucidated. Original specimens are preserved in the Herbarium
Sloaneanum in the British Museum, and in the Sherardian Herbarium at
Oxford. The former specimen has been examined by Mr. Praeger, and
the latter, on his behalf, by Prof. Vines. They prove to be referable to a
barren plumose form of Athyrhtm Filix-fcemina, practically identical with
the form known to fern-growers as " kalothrix" — S. and P.

Osmunda regal is, Linn. — The Royal Fern still lingers by Lough
Neagh at Shane's Castle. R. LI. P., 1891.

Chara contraria, Kuetz. — Brackish pools at Limavady Junction, Co.
Deny, 1889, and Clandeboye Lake, Co. Down, 1891, R. LI. P. An addition
to the Ulster flora.

IRISH BUTTERFLIES.

The Lepidoptera of the British islands. By C. G. Barrett,
F.E.S. Vol. 1., Rhopalocera. London, L- Reeve & Co., 1893. Price 12s,
Large edition, with coloured plates, £2 15s.

A Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Ireland. By W. F. de V.

Kane, M.A. Entomologist, 1893. (Introduction and Rhopalocera in
March to September parts.)

Entomologists in Ireland will heartily welcome the appearance of
these two works. The former is by one of the most experienced of
British lepidopterists, who, during his residence on this side of the
channel, did much to increase our knowledge of Irish insects. We could
wish that a fuller account of the structure of butterflies and moths, with
some notes on comparative insect anatomy, were to be found in Mr.
Barrett's introduction. For instance, the student is not told that the
sucking-trunk of a moth is formed by the modification of a pair of
jaws. A distinct improvement upon the order of our usual British lists
is adopted by Mr. Barrett in placing the " Blues " {Lyaenida) immediately
after the " Whites " (Pieridce). We hope, however, that it will not be
very much longer before workers at the British lepidoptera begin to use
the late Mr. Bates' natural order of the butterfly- families, with the
Danaidce at the head, and the Papilionidce near the end, just before the
M Skippers " (Ilesperiidci). This order has been in use by workers at exotic
butterflies for about twenty years past.

Irish Butterflies. 57

Mr. Barrett's descriptions of the various species and their varieties are
excellent. We are glad to see that he does not think it necessary to
-coin a number of varietal names, though he describes and figures many
striking aberrations, several of which are from Ireland. Notable among
these is Mr. Russ's dark form of Pieris napi, from Sligo, approaching the
continental alpine var. bryonies. Mr. Barrett has collected a mine of facts
on the subject of variation, but he leaves it to others to propound theories
in explanation thereof. From his own observations and the scattered
records of many workers, he gives full accounts of the habits, time of
appearance, &c. , of each species, as well as details of the preparatory
stages. Lists of past and present localities are full enough to enable us to
trace the varying range of each insect. This, alas ! in many cases has
become more and more restricted, and it is to be feared that two of
the finest English butterflies — Aporia craicegi and Lyccena acis — have gone
the way of Polyommaius dispar.

Four species of butterflies are given established places on the British
list by Mr. Barrett, on the strength of captures during the last few years.
The most striking is an American immigrant — Danais archippus — which
has occurred in southern and south-western England, and South Wales,
and might well be expected to visit Ireland occasionally. The two new
*' Blues " — Lyccena bcelica and L. argiades — are south of England species, and
might very likely be found near the south coast of Ireland. The new
"Skipper" — Hesperia lineola — seems to have its headquarters in East
Anglia, and is hardly likely to occur with us. The British list now
numbers sixty-eight species, but one of these is certainly, and two
others are probably, extinct.

Of these Mr. Kane inserts forty in his new Irish list. The necessity
for a revision of Birchall's list of 1866 has long been felt, and we rejoice
that the naturalist best qualified for the task has now begun it. Not
only have numerous important, but scattered, records, and avast amount
of unpublished material to be added, but not a few erroneous entries
have to be expunged. Mr. Kane tells us, in his introduction, that he
has clear evidence of the wrong determination of certain of the species
recorded by Birchall. As he remarks, it is of the greatest importance
that these should be noted and struck off, that the workers of the future
may have a good foundation on which to build. Though better known
than any other group of insects, there is yet much to be discovered about
Irish lepidoptera.

Forty-three species of butterflies were given as Irish by Birchall in
1 866. Four of these — Aporia cratcegi, Vanessa polychloros, Lyccena astrarche
(agestis), and L. corydon — were withdrawn by him in 1873, Dut two others,
Vanessa c-album and Syrichthus malvoe, were added. Both of these however
are omitted by Mr. Kane ; the latter appears to have been wrongly iden-
tified, while the former was not captured, only observed— at a distance of
several yards, as we have been told by one who was in company with the
observer.

Another species in the 1866 list — Nemeobius lucinia — which rests upon
unlocalised specimens in the Dublin University Museum, is also left out.

A3

58 The Irish Naturalist.

In place of these withdrawals, Mr. Kane has two species to add, both
"fritillaries," Argynnis selme, recorded by Mr. Sinclair several years ago,
and A. adippe. The latter, taken in Co. Gal way, by Mr. R. E. Dillon,
of Clonbrock, is a most interesting addition to our fauna. (Mr. Dillon
has made still more startling discoveries among the moths, to which
we hope soon to refer.) We noticed a record of A. adippe from
Galway by Mr. G. A. Harker in the Ent. Record for October, 1892, and are
glad to see the locality confirmed on such good authority as Mr. Kane's.
Ranging, as it does, nearly all over England and into South Wales,
this insect probably awaits collectors in other Irish localities. Thus Mr.
Kane gives us forty species as Irish, and the recent discovery of Pieris
daplidice {I. Nat., December, 1893), raises this number by one, though this
butterfly can be only regarded as a chance visitor, together with Colias
hyale, Argynnis latonia, and Vanessa antiopa.

Five butterflies — A. latonia, Melitcea athalia, Erebia epiphron, Lyceena agon,
and Hesperia thaumas — have not been taken or seen by Mr. Kane or any
of his correspondents, and still rest on Birchall's records of 1866. Though
there is no doubt as to the correctness of these records, the re-discovery
of the species is desirable.

The insect to which Mr. Kane devotes most space is Melitaa aurinia
(artemis) of which he distinguishes two Irish varieties, which he names
praclara and scotica (the latter form occurring also near Aberdeen and
having received this name in recent English lists). Birchall's variety,
hibernica, described in 1873 from Westmeath specimens, is practically
abolished by Mr. Kane, who says that he has found only one example
agreeing closely with Birchall's description, and that all Irish specimens
come short of the size given by Birchall. It must be remembered, how-
ever, that in his time variety-naming had not become the fine art which
it is at present. Birchall defined generally his var. hibei-nica as differing
from the English insect in having " the fulvous spots largely replaced
by white or cream-coloured blotches." This is a characteristic of both Mr.
Kane's varieties, and it seems doubtful if new names were necessary.

In common with all naturalists in the country, we shall watch with
interest the continuation of Mr. Kane's work, for which we owe him a
debt of gratitude, and we hope soon to summarise his further publications.
The appended list of Irish butterflies, abstracted from his, with a few
supplemental localities will, no doubt, interest our readers, and will, we
trust, lead them to consult for themselves his excellent work and that
of Mr. Barrett.

In the list as given here, we venture to adopt the modern order of
the families : —

SATYRID&.

Erebia epiphron, Knoch. — Croagh Patrick.

Pararge egeria, L. ) Common everywhere.
P. megtera, L,. )

Satyrns semtle, L,. — Maritime counties.

Epinephile ianira, L. — Common everywhere.

E. tithonns, "L,. — Southern counties.

E. hyperanthes, L,. — Widespread ; often common.

Irish Butterflies. 59

Ccenonympha typhon, Rott. — Mountains and moors of Cos. Kerry, Cork,
Mayo, Sligo and Donegal ; midland bogs.

C. pamp/ritus, L. — Widespread and common.

NYMPHALIDjE.

Argynnis selene, Schiff.— Has been taken once in King's Co.

A. laionia, L. — Once at Killarney.

A. aglaia, L. — Occurs round the coast : — Deny, Cos. Antrim, Down,
Dublin, Wicklow, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Galway.

A. adippe, L. — Co. Galway.

A.paphia, L. — Generally distributed in wooded districts.

Melitcea aitrinia, Rott. — Widely distributed ; most plentifully over the
south of Ireland, but local : — Cos. Dublin, Wicklow, Carlow, West-
meath, Queen's Co., Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Gal-
way, and Sligo.

M. athalia, Rott. — Killarney.

Vaenssa urticce, L. — Common everywhere.

V. io, L. — Common in parts of the south, rare in Ulster.

V.'antiopa, L. — A few occurrences : — Belfast ; Co. Tyrone; Co. Kerry.

V. atalanta, L.) Fairly common in the three southern provinces, rarer
V. cardui, L. > in Ulster.

LYCsENID^.

Thecla betulce, L. — Munster ; Co. Galway.

T. quercusy L. — Cos. Dublin, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, and Galway.

T. rubi, L. — Southern counties, often abundant ; Co. Armagh.

Polyommatus phlaeas, L,. — Widespread; common in the south.

Lyccena cegon, Schiff. — Wicklow ; Rostrevor.

L. icarus, Rott. — Widespread and common.

L. argiolus, L. — Generally distributed in wooded districts, where Holly
is plentiful.

Z. minima, Fues. — Widespread, but local.

P1ERIDM.

Pieris brassicce, I,. — Widespread and common.

P. rapce, L,. — Widespread, but less common.

P. napi, h. — Widespread and common.

P. daplidice, L,. — Once in Co. Wexford.

Euchloe cardamines, L. — Generally distributed.

Leiuophasia sinapis, Iv. — Local: — Enniskillen ; Co. Sligo; Co." Galway;
Queen's Co. ; Killarney.

Colias hyale, L,. — Migrants occurred in the south in 1868.

C. edusa, Fab. — Occurs in certain years, generally in the south.

Gonopteryx rhamni, L,. — Very local: — Co. Longford; Co. Galway; Kil-
larney; Limerick.

HESPERIID^:.
Nisoniades tages, L. — Galway ; Enniskillen ; Co. Clare.
Hesperia thatimas, Hufn. — Cos. Wicklow and Cork.
H. sylvanus, Esp. — Wicklow, Killarney.

60 The Irish Naturalist.

AMERICAN BIRD-VISITORS TO IRELAND.

BY W. E. PRAEGER, KEOKUK, IOWA.

VI. — The American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus).

This American bird has twice occurred in Ireland. One was
shot in February, 1870, in the Galtee Mountains, Tipperary,
and in the same year another was obtained in King's County.
In the previous year it had been noted in Forfarshire, this
being its only occurrence on the Sister Island.

The Goshawk is a winter visitor to the United States, and
but few instances are recorded of its breeding south of the
British possessions, though it does so regularly in some
localities. Near Keokuk it is a rare winter visitant, and I have
seen only about five birds of this species obtained near here in
my ten years' observation. Early in February, 1888, one was shot
by a farmer while it was devouring a chicken it had just killed.
It was a very large and handsome female bird, and the most
beautiful hawk I ever saw. The following winter two more
were killed, which I saw after they had been mounted. A
year later, I find my last note on this bird. On the 19th
December, 1889, a friend of mine was out after Wild Turkeys,
in some rough wooded land, a few miles north of this city.
As he was standing on the edge of a small clearing he heard
the crows making a great noise behind him, as though they
were at their favourite amusement of mobbing an owl ; a
moment later, two hawks dashed out of the timber and over
his head, and he brought them down handsomely with a right
and left. The birds proved to be a splendid pair of Goshawks,
and I even now break the tenth commandment almost daily
as I pass the store window where they are displayed.

The Goshawk is perhaps the most rapacious of birds of prey,
and were it more common in the settled parts of the country,
the farmer would have a heavy score against it. But, save the
wandering trapper, few white men know the Goshawk in his
summer home, and neither Indians nor Eskimo are noted as
poultry-fanciers. But if a Goshawk appears near a farmhouse
trouble is sure to follow. For ferocious daring it has no equal
among birds. Several cases are recorded of this bird's pur-
suing fowls even into dwelling-houses, where they sought in

American Bird- Visitors to Ireland. 61

vain the protection of man ; of game just shot, carried off
before the eyes of the sportsman ; of newly-killed fowl carried
away almost from out the hands of the poulterer. Bendire
gives a case where he gave a Goshawk, that made a dash at
some chickens, a dose of light shot ; the wounded bird made
off, but he had hardly slipped a new cartridge into his gun
before it was back again after the chickens, but only to get a
load of heavier shot that ended its career.

The Goshawk has strongly developed that characteristic
human trait of killing just for the fun of the thing. One has
been known to kill and tear to pieces five Ruffed Grouse in a
single forenoon. Audubon records seeing one attack a flock
of Grackles that were crossing a river, and strike five down
before they could gain the shelter of the woods ; the hawk
then turned, and picking the disabled birds one by one from
the water, carried them to a chosen spot on shore.

The contents of this bird's crop and stomach usually bear
testimony to its destructiveness. By " destructiveness " we
mean that it kills and eats some of those species that man
considers of economic importance to himself — or in other
words, Accipiter atricapillus comes into direct competition with
Homo sapiens in the struggle for existence. The stomach is
mostly well filled with remains of Grouse, Ptarmigan, fowl,
Rabbits, or Squirrels. More rarely " vermin" are found, such
as Mice, locusts, or beetles, while one occasion is noted when
the bird had made a meal of a Weasel.

This hawk places its nest in a tree, usually at from 20 to 50
feet from the ground ; it seems indifferent as to the species of
tree selected. The nest is a rather rough and bulky affair,
built chiefly of sticks. The eggs are from two to five in
number, bluish white and unspotted, though sometimes slight
brownish stains are noticeable. If the nest is approached, the
bird will often defend it with great courage.

The Goshawk is readily distinguished from any other bird.
Though such a good flyer, its wings are very short, at least for
a hawk. Its size and proportions are unmistakable ; a female
will measure: — length, 24 inches ; wing, 14 inches; tail, 12
inches ; as usual among hawks the male is somewhat smaller.
It is not so easy, however, to distinguish the American from
the European Goshawk, and I should want to carefully com-
pare a specimen with other skins before deciding to which

62 The Irish Naturalist.

species it belonged. The American bird has the back greyer
and head blacker than the European, and the feathers of the
breast and flanks are irregularly marked where, in the
European bird, they are distinctly barred. Birds found west
of the Rocky Mountains are very dark- coloured, and are
usually considered as deserving recognition as a sub-species
(striatulusj .

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royae Zooeogicae Society.

Recent donations to the Gardens include a monkey from S. Cunning-
hame, Esq. ; six Demoiselle Cranes from Dr. C. B. Ball ; a Muscovy Duck
from Mr. Evans ; and a pair of Chilian Pintails from H. M. Barton, Esq.

The )'oung female Chimpanzee, mentioned by Dr. V. Ball in his
article in our January number (p. 3), did not long survive "Johnnie."
Another female specimen has been acquired by purchase ; she is named
"Bella," and appears to be of a different race to her predecessors in
Dublin, having a more hairy head.

Other recent purchases comprise a genet, a pair of silver-grey Rabbits,
a pair of wild Turkej-s, three Magellan Geese, and a male Yak.

2,320 persons visited the Gardens in January.

The Annual Meeting of the vSociety was held at Leinster House on
January 30th. The Report then presented shows that the past year has
been a successful one, having shown a considerable increase in the
number of visitors, though there has been a falling off in the number of
members. A most satisfactory addition to the buildings during the year
has been the new outdoor aviary, which affords much pleasure to the
birds by its spacious proportions, as well as to the visitors, who can
watch their flight. The monkey-house is now undergoing improve-
ments. Appended to the report are notices by Dr. V. Ball on lion-
breeding in the Gardens and on lion-tiger hybrids.

Dubinin Microscopical Club.

December 21st.— The Club met at Dr. M'WEENEY'S, who showed
plate aud tube cultivations (on obliquely solidified gelatine) of a micro-
organism, the colonies of which possessed a most brilliant red colour,
brighter even than that of Bacillus prodigiosus, the classic example of
bacterial chromogenesis. The organism had been obtained from cultures
of the pus of a large hepatic abscess. The patient was a young girl
who had died of pyemia in the Mater Misericordue Hospital. There
was also found in the pus a second organism, the colonies of which were
of a deep yellow colour. Neither the red nor the yellow organism liqui-
fied the gelatine ; both grew much better at 370 C. than at 20^ C. The
development of pigment however was not observed at the higher tempera-
ture, nor in the absence of a large supply of air ; but attained its optimum
on gelatine plates that had been kept at room temperature nearly a month-
The red organism refused to develop on potato. It consisted of excessively
minute cocci, often in pairs The individuals were decidedly smaller
than Streptococcus pyogenes. Minute abscesses in the lungs and spleen of

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 63

the patient contained similar cocci in close-packed colonies. It would
be necessary to experiment further with this organism and its companion
(a much larger coccus) before their biological position and their role in
this particular case could be ascertained.

Mr.F.W. Moore showed Dendrochium rubelhim. This fungus had not pre-
viously been recorded from Glasnevin. It was found growing on the
decaying pseudo-bulb of an unnamed species of Catasetwn which had
been imported from Brazil. Specimens were sent to Mr. Massee, who
identified it as the above-named species.

Prof. T. Johnson showed Conchocelis rosea, Batt., a perforating red
alga, growing in the razor-shell {Solen vagina), &c. The specimens were
found by the exhibitor in April this year on the shores of Dublin Bay.
The genus was founded in 1892 by Batters, on material gathered at Milfort,
Firth of Clyde, is the only floridean member of the " perforating algae",
and is regarded as a member of the Bangiacese. He also exhibited
Schmitziella endophlcea, Born. & Batt, an encrusting member of the Coralin-
aceae, found growing in the substance of the cell-wall of Cladophora pelhi-
cida on the coast of Clare, three miles north of Kilkee. The mouotypic
genus represented by this endophytic red alga was founded by Bornet
and Batters in 1892, and was recorded by them from the north coast of
France, the south-west and west coasts of England. Conchocelis rosea and
Schmitziella endophlcea are interesting additions to the marine flora of
Ireland. A type-specimen of the latter, and the only existing illustra-
tions of both, which the exhibitor owed to the kindness of Mr. Batters,
were also shown.

Mr. M'ArdeE exhibited a specimen of Metzgeria conjugata (Dill.) Djnd-
berg, showing the autcecious inflorescence (i.e., antheridia and the
curious echinate calyptra on the same frond). The specimens of this
rare and curious plant he collected in Ballyhaise wood, Co. Cavan, in
October, 1893. This is a new locality for the species. It is interesting to
note that this is the only species of Metzgeria which has the autcecious
inflorescence ; all the others known are dioecious.

January 18th.— The Club met at Dr. W. Frazer'S, who showed a
specimen of sandstone with aggregated white accretions, usually of
rounded form, the matrix being red ; both materials were similar except
in colour.

Mr. Greenwood Pim showed specimens of Microsi>hceria comata ob-
tained from leaves of Enonymiis on the Slane excursion of the Dublin
Naturalists' Field Club last September. This species, which is new to
Ireland, is remarkable for the great length of its conceptacle appen-
dages.

Mr. F. W. Moore exhibited Nectria bicolor, B. and Br., an interesting
and _ pretty fungus, which had been found growing on Ccelogyne pandu-
rata in one of the hottest greenhouses in Glasnevin. Ccelogyne pandurata
is a native of the swamps of North Borneo.

Prof. CoivE showed sections of an iron-stained chert with brecciated
structure. These were cut from a stone found six feet down in a bog
in Co. Galway, the object being recognized by the local workmen as
being of a most unusual character, and probably foreign to the district.
The stone was brought for examination in Dublin by the Ven. Dr. Tait,
Archdeacon of Tuam. One section has revealed a minute body that is
probably a radiolarian, while organic structures occur in others. But the
material is unsatisfactory owing to the amount of opaque hydrated iron
oxide that it contains. Prof. Cole suggested that the stone was carried
from some distant mineral vein by an ancient inhabitant of the district,
and was lost in the bog, where it became embedded.

64 The Irish Naturalist.

Prof. T. Johnson exhibited a fertile specimen of Streblonema simplex,
(Crn.) Holmes and Batt, a brown alga discovered by the Cronans in 1867
on the north-west coast of France, subsequently by E. M. Holmes on
the south coast of England, and by himselfin September, 1891, at Kilkee
(Co. Clare), and at Castletown-Berehaven (Bantry Bay) in May, 1893. The
species is figured by Holmes in the Journal of Botany for 1887 (Tab. 274, f.
161). S. simplex forms small dark brown patches on Codium tomentosum,
into which it sends creeping root-like filaments. The sporangi (plurilo-
cular only known) are stalked, conical, obtuse, and confined to the basal
part of the epiphytic tufts.

Dr. M'Weeney showed a number of curious pear-shaped hyaline
structureless bodies which he had seen in the body cavity and muscles
of a dead water- flea that had occurred in the sediment of Lough Dan
water collected for analytical purposes last December. The greater part
of the animal was filled up with these bodies, the regularity of whose
shape and their tendency to be connected in pairs strongly suggested an
organic origin. Their length was about 10-12 microns, their outline
highly refractive, their narrow ends frequently united. He suggested
that they might possibly be spores of some species of parasitic protozoon,
and be comparable with the " pseudonavicellse " of Gregarines and the
pole-capsules of Myxosporidia. Numerous species of the latter group
have recently been described, chiefly by Thelohan, as living in water-
fleas, and these spores might possibly prove to belong to one of them.

Mr. DuERDEN exhibited specimens and sections of a new species of
Zoanthus from the Bay of Bengal. The species is closely allied to Z. soa'alus,
Ellis, which is only known from the West Indies. The polyps in the
species exhibited are club-shaped when contracted, and grow in clusters,
the buds springing from the narrow bases of the polyps themselves. The
body wall is .smooth, and in some so transparent that the gonads and
mesenteries can be seen through. The ectoderm is vacuolated, and has
a " cuticula" on the outside, of the same nature as mesoglcea. This, along
with the brown cuticle, is very dendriform in appearance. In this
character and also in the basal canals of the mesenteries the species
differs from its ally Z. sociatus.

Mr. M'ArdlE exhibited a fertile specimen of Scapania aspera, Muller
and Bennett, which he collected in some quantity in the oak-wood, near
Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan ; he also gathered the plant sparingly on Slieve
Glah, a small mountain near Cavan, in October, 1893. These are the first
Irish stations recorded for this liverwort, which is an addition to our
flora. Mr. W. H. Pearson, who verified the Cavan specimens, collected
it on Tower Hill, Abergele, Denbighshire ; it is also recorded from several
localities in England and on the continent (Sweden, Switzerland, Ger-
many, Austria, and Italy.) Mr. M'Ardle also exhibited an excellent
figure of the plant by Mr. Pearson, published in the Journal of Botany, vol.
xxx., p. 353, tab. 329, December, 1892, and mounted specimens showing
the habit of growth of the plant.

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

January 16th.— The President (Mr. Wm. Swanston, F.G.S.) in the
chair. The following papers were read : — Relative Antiquity of Rath,
Cromleac, and Tumulus, as evidenced by some remains near Dromore,
Co. Down, by John M. Dickson; Pre-historic Forts and Raths in the
City and Vicinity of Belfast, by Francis Joseph Bigger; Notes on
Forts in the Townland of Greenagh, near Downpatrick, by John
Russell, C.E.

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 65

Dublin Naturalists' Field Club.

February 13th. — The President (Mr. G. H. Carpenter) gave a paper
on the Irish Phalangida or " Harvestmen," illustrated by microscopical
preparations shown in the optical lantern. The paper will shortly be
published in the Irish Naturalist.

Dr. B. J. M'WEENEYgave an account illustrated by test-tube specimens
and microscopical preparations of the pure cultivation of Moulds, stating
that he hoped by this means to bring to light a second method of repro-
duction in species where only one is at present known. A paper on the
subject will appear in the Irish Naturalist.

A discussion followed, in which Mr. J. E. DuERDEN, Prof. COLE, and
Mr. H. Ramage took part.

Mr. H. L. Jameson asked assistance from members of the Club in in-
vestigating the Irish Bats.

Limerick Naturalists' Field Club.

January 16th.— The Annual Meeting was held at 97, George-street.
The Report presented by the Committee showed the Club to be in good
condition, both as to membership and finances. The Officers for 1894
were elected as follows : — President, Mr. A. Murray ; Vice-Presidents,
Dr. FogerTy and Mr. E. Taylor ; Treasurer, Mr. J. Stewart ;
Secretary, Mr. F. NealE ; Members of Committee, Mrs. R. Gibson,
Mr. H. Martin, and Mr. R. D. O'Brien. A series of very interesting
lantern transparencies, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. G. H. Carpenter
of Dublin, and Mr. R. Welch of Belfast, were exhibited and explained,
the subjects thus dealt with being Lepidopterous Larvae, Birds' Nests,
Geological Stratification, &c, Foraminifera and Diatoms.

NOTES.

BOTANY.

muscine^:.

Hepatlcs and Mosses from the Dundalk District.— The

pleasant time spent on the long excursion last year will still be fresh in
the memory of the members of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club who
took part in it. My own principal object was to investigate the mosses
and hepatics of the district, no easy matter when the country and
scenery is new, not to mention the interesting antiquities on the route,
wmich claimed a large share of attention. I have before me in my note-
book a rough sketch of the famous cromleac and dolmen of Ballyma-
scanlan ; these alone were worth going to see. The cover-stone of the
cromleac measures twelve feet in length by six feet in breadth, and is
estimated to weigh fifty tons, and about eight feet is the height of the
supporting stones. Slieve Gullion looked dry and barren, so those
interested in cryptogams collected along the lower slopes, which were
more sheltered and likely to be productive of the plants we were in
search of. Amongst others I succeeded in gathering Cephalozia
Lamersiana, Huben, Plagiochila spinulosa, Dicks, Nardia hyalina, Lyell, and

66 The Irish Naturalist.

Blasia pusilla, Linn. Amongst the Cephalozia I detected a few stems of
Scapania umbrosa, Schrader, which must grow in some quantity at this
station. These are rare and interesting liverworts, probably new to the
locality. Amongst the mosses the best finds were Orthotrichum crispicm,
Hedwig, and Hypnum scorpioides, Linn. From the road near St. Patrick's
Bridge we ascended Carlingford Mountain ; piloted by Mr. Lloyd Praeger,
we kept close to the course of a small stream. Amongst the rocks in
sheltered places he pointed out to us the rare Polypodium Phegopteris, L.,
Hymenophyllum JVilsoni, Hook., &c. At the summit we had the benefit of
Professor Cole's excellent lecture on the geology of the district ; the spot
was well chosen, as it presented ample material for demonstration.
Amongst the liverworts collected was a fine purple form of Scapania
nemorosa, Dumort. This plant is often referred to Scapania undulata, L.,
wrongly, I think ; or there may occur purple forms of both species.
Riccardia multifida grows sparingly in boggy places. On the last day of
the excursion we descended the steep slopes of Ferry-hill, and crossed at
Narrow- water to Major Hall's demesne. On the side of a bank near the
pathway I gathered Nardia cremdata, Smith, A', hyalina, Lyell, and the
obtuse-lobed form oijunger mania turbinata, Raddi. The total number of
mosses collected or noted by me is 26 ; amongst the scarcer in the
district I may mention Tortulafaltax, Hedwig, on a bank by the roadside
near Newry ; Amblysteginm serpens, Dill, and Sphagnum rubeiium, Wils. on
Carlingford Mountain. Of Hepaticae I gathered 20 species ; I have
mentioned those which I believe are rare or new in the district. These
numbers fall short of what one would expect for three days' collecting.
I noted that on Slieve Gullion trees and wood of any sort are very
scarce ; it is on the fallen and decaying logs in sheltered, moist spots
that the rarest liverworts and mosses luxuriate, and there we find them
so abundant in the moist warm glens of the counties of Wicklow and
Kerry, where in the same space of time I could at least have collected
two-thirds of the known Irish liverworts and mosses. The labours of
Mr. Templeton, of Belfast, and Dr. D. Moore amongst cryptogams in the
northern counties are well known ; it only remains for me to notice those
of the present da)*. It is worthy of note that the copious and complete
lists of these plants published from time to time by Mr. S. A. Stewart,
of Belfast, the Rev. H. W. Lett, of Loughbrickland, and the Rev. C. H.
Waddell, of Saintfield, Co. Down, show these three workers to be
possessed of rare discriminating power, to acquire so large an amount
of knowledge under such natural difficulties of climatal conditions of
plant-life. — D. M'ArdeE, Glasnevin.

A Moss (Hypnum confervoldes, Brld.) new to Ireland.—

Amongst a day's gatherings of Mosses and Hepatics made by me in
August, 1893, in Altadore Glen, Co. Wicklow, I have found some fine
patches of Hypnum confervoides, Brid., which is, in the words of Dr.
Braithwaite, who confirms the find, "a good addition" to the Moss
Flora of Ireland. So far as I am aware there is no previous notice of
this plant having been found in the island. — H. W. LETT, Loughbrick-
land.

ZOOLOGY.

PYCNOGONIDA*

Pailene forevirostrls, Johnst, and Ammothea echlnata,
Hodge, In Dublin Bay.— A collection of marine invertebrates, got by
Dr. Scharffatthe North Bull, after the severe gales of December last,
included female specimens of these two pycnogons. They have not
before been obtained on the Irish coast, though recorded from the shores
of Norway, Holland, France, and Great Britain, the latter species
occurring also in the Mediterranean. — GEO. H. CarpenTER-

Notes. 67

Anoplodactylus petiolatus, Kr., off the South-West Coast.

— In my paper on Irish Pycnogonida (Set. Proc. R.D.S., vol. viii., p. 197), I
was able to record only a single female of this species, from Loughrosmore
Bay, Co. Donegal. Mr. J. E. Dnerden has lately found several examples
of both sexes which were dredged by the " Harlequin " in 55 fathoms
off the mouth of Kenmare River, but which had been overlooked when
the material from the survey was handed to me last year. — GEO. H.
Carpenter.

INSECTS.

Winter Larvae of Vanessa atalanta. — In the Entomologist's Record
for January, we notice a record that living caterpillars of the " Red
Admiral" were taken at Skibbereen on Jan. nth. It would seem that the
mild autumn of last year caused an abnormal second brood.

Hymenoptera in Co. Dublin. — The following Aculeate Hymen-
optera were among my captures in this county last summer. Social
Wasps — Vespa germanica, abundantly; V. sylvestris, sparingly; and V.
norvegica, in some numbers. Solitary Wasps — Odynerus pictus and 0.
parietum, abundantly; 0. parietinns, less commonly; and 0. spinipes once, at
Killiney. Bees — Megachile centuncularis frequently; and Ccelioxys elongata,
once. The latter curious species, parasitic upon Megachile, was taken in
my garden here, in company with its host. Two other bees of this class,
parasitic on the Andrenidcc, occurred at Foxrock — Nomada ruficornis and
N. succincta. Of Andrena itself I met with no noteworthy species, except
A. fucata at Skerries, but A. Gwynana was taken at Dundruni by my
friend, Mr. Percy Freke.— H. G. CuthberT, Blackrock, Dublin.

MOLL USCS.

Land -Shells at the Giant's Causeway. — Visitors to the Giant's
Causeway will perhaps recollect a rather marshy bit of ground in
Portnoffer, almost immediately below the " Shepherd's Path," which
leads to the top of the cliffs. It is strewn with stones, large and small,
and to a conchological eye suggests at once a happy hunting ground, —
a suggestion, the correctness of which no collector should fail to test,
if he has the chance. The dry summer of 1893 is hardly a fair season on
which to base a comprehensive estimate of the district's land-shells,
and I will only record a few interesting species that occurred in this spot
at the Causeway. I might perhaps make an exception with regard to
Helix virgata, as to the distribution of which in the north of Ireland I
understand that special interest attaches. This species was plentiful by
the side of the road leading down to the harbour at Ballintoy, but I saw it
nowhere westward of that place, my researches extending to Port
Ballintrae. Helix ericetoruiu and Coc Micella acuta were plentiful throughout.
To return to Portnoffer — the best shell to be had there is certainly
Vertigo substriata, and it is not uncommon, but a little villain to see. I
found that the only plan was to lie amongst the reeds full length, and in-
spect at the closest possible quarters the rough surfaces of the boulders,
turning down very carefully the grass and weeds round the edges. Some
specimens of course were to be found on small, manageable stones, but
the majority prefer the seclusion of the big, fixed blocks. Vertigo anti-
vertigo was extremely scarce, V. edentula fairly common, but V. pygmcca
occurred in profusion there as well as in other drier spots along the
coast. It is easy however to recognize substriata from the rest by its
paler yellow colour, and in fresh specimens the striae are distinctly
plain to the naked eye. The colour of the animal seems to be very pale
indeed. Pupa ringens was fairly common, and I got a nice series of
Helix rotundata V. alba. Perhaps the most abundant shell of all there is
Clausilia rugosa, and it was at once noticed that nearly all the shells were

68 The Irish Naturalist.

a very small variety— smaller than anything I have seen outside the
Channel Isles. This small variety figures on our lists as var. Everelti
(has this priority of var. minor, Moq. ?), and it is interesting to find that
Jeffreys specially quotes the Giant's Causeway as a locality for this variety.
Carychium of course was in evidence, and several Hyalinitz, the most
noteworthy being H. radiatula. — Brockton Tomein, LlandafF.

AMPHIBIANS.

Introduction of the Common Toad Into Ireland.— Some ten

years ago about twenty live Toads were turned down here, but although,
for a short time, one or two were to be found about the garden, it was
only for a very short time, and none have now been met with for years.
This note has been suggested by Dr. Scharffs assertion (in his paper on
the Frog in Ireland) that " artificial introduction almost invariably fails."
{Irish Naturalist^ 1893, p. 3). Might I point out that the Caves of Bally-
namintra are in the Co. Waterford, and not, as stated in Dr. Scharff's
paper, in the Co. Wexford ?— G. E. H. Barrett-HamieTON, New Ross.

BIRDS.

Our Autumn and Winter Migrants.— Rev. R. M. Miller sends us
a popularly- written article on the above subject, which he recently
(January7 24th) contributed to the pages of the Clonmel Chronicle.

The Magpie (Pica rustica) in Ireland.— I have been much in-
terested in Mr. W. F. De V. Kane's notes on the former scarcity of the
Magpie in Ireland (/. N, 1893, pp. 96 and 113), as they add slightly to the
notes I have collected on the subject. Mr. Kane will find a paper on
"The Introduction of the Magpie into Ireland " in the Zoologist (July,
1891, pp. 247-9).— G. E. H. Barrett- Hamilton, New Ross.

Jays (Garrulus glandarius). — As I am in want of a few Jays (both
English and Irish) for purposes of comparison, might I ask readers of
the Irish Naturalist who live in parts of the country where Jays are
plentiful to kindly send me one or two specimens, the receipt of which
will be at once acknowledged.— G. E. H. Barrett- HamieTon, Kilman-
nock, New Ross.

Green Sandpiper (Totanus ochropus) in Co. TIpperary. —

On January nth I received two birds for identification from Lough
Derg. One was a Dunlin ( Tringa alpina) ; the other an adult female Green
Sandpiper, being the first I have seen in the flesh. Its stomach contained
fresh-water snails and shells.— Robert Patterson, Belfast.

Little Auk (Mergulus alle) in Co. Sligo.— On the 27th Decem-
ber, 1893, I received a fresh specimen of the Little Auk. It was
found alive inland about four miles from the sea, but died shortly after.
Another specimen was shot on Lough Gill on the 29th of December, and
came into the possession of Owen Wynne, Esq., Hazelwood, Sligo. — R.
M'Ceean, Sligo.

MAMMALS.

The Rabbit on the Irish Isles.— Iu answer to Dr. ScharfFs query
{Irish Nat., 1893, p. 277), I may state that the Rabbit is found both on the
Saltee and Keragh Islands, off the Wexford coast In a letter dated
September 18, 1889, Mr. M. J. Kennedy, then light-keeper at Inishtra-
hull, Co. Donegal, stated that the Rabbit was " the only animal that
thrives well" on that island.— G. E H. BarreTT-Hamieton, New Ross

Badger (Meles taxus) in Co. Tyrone— "J. A.B." records in Land
and Water for January 13th the capture of a fine dog Badger, at Beltrim,
Co. Tyrone, and remarks that this animal is very rare in the county, only
four captures having been recorded in the last five years.

®lji> Qvi&\j Qainvali&L

Vol. III. APRIL, 1894. No. 4.

IRISH BATS :

How to coixect Specimens with a view to the
Investigation of their Distribution.

BY H. OYSTER JAMESON.

Last year I printed and circulated a few papers on the means
to be adopted for collecting Irish Bats, and, as the season of
the year in which they are most readily procurable is now
approaching, I would like to call the attention of the readers
of the Irish Naturalist to the wide field lying open for in-
vestigation, in the distribution in Ireland of our few species.

Our knowledge of the range and usual haunts of the seven
species that are at present known to inhabit Ireland is as
yet extremely limited, to say nothing of their habits. Few
people, except those living in the centres of towns, pass a
summer without opportunities for procuring specimens of the
Bat tribe, and such specimens are almost impossible to identify
without trustworthy books and a series of skins and spirit
specimens for comparison ; as in many cases the specific
characters are exceedingly minute. I therefore venture to
put before the readers of the Irish Naturalist a short account
of the most likely places in which to look for Bats. The Bats,
or Cheiroptera, are nocturnal mammals, coming out from
their sleeping-places at dusk to feed ; all our Irish species
are insectivorous, living principally on flies, which they
capture on the wing. In the day-time they lie hid in dark
recesses of buildings, caves, &c, and it is in these places
that they are most readily procured. The archaeological re-
mains of Ireland no doubt harbour numerous Bats, but they

A

70 The Irish Naturalist.

are in many cases extremely difficult to explore with any
results ; specimens in such cases can best be obtained
through farm servants, &c, who may know the part of the
building in which to search for them. Workmen engaged in
pulling down or repairing buildings frequently meet with
colonies of Bats. Churches afford also admirable quarters,
particularly in the towers and roofs. I have myself found the
Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) hanging in clusters from the
rafters of a church. Bats in such a situation hang with their
heads down and their wings folded to their body, a position
which is portrayed in many works on natural history. The
roofs and other parts of houses are also liable to be frequented.
When Bats are known to inhabit such a place as a hole in a
wall, tobacco smoke puffed in will generally succeed in bring-
ing them out. Old sheds and farm buildings, summer-houses,
boat-houses, &c, are excellent hunting-grounds.

In felling old trees, Bats may be found in holes and
crevices and under the loose bark ; hollow trees often are the
homes of colonies. Projecting shelves, holes, and other
such places in caves are inhabited by some species ; they may
be found hanging from the roof and bare walls. Very often
buildings and isolated hollow trees near a lake or river repay
a visit. When on the wing at night, Bats frequently fly in at
open windows. I captured four specimens this way last
summer and autumn in my room at Killencoole. When Bats
are on the wing at dusk a well-aimed charge of No. 8 (snipe)
shot will sometimes secure a specimen. Some species, such
as the Hairy-armed Bat, come out long before dusk. The
neighbourhood of water, particularly a canal, or the deep still
pools of a river, should be visited at dusk with the gun.

We have seven species of Bats in Ireland, representing four
genera. Our largest species is the Hairy-armed Bat ( Vesperugo
Lcislcri). This species, in my experience, is an early flyer ; the
specimens which I saw at Loughgilly, Co. Armagh, used to
appear some time before dusk. The flight is more " go-ahead"
and hawk-like than that of its next neighbour the Pipistrelle.
It has been found sparingly in the eastern counties as far
south as Wicklow.

The Pipistrelle ( Vesperugo plpistrcllus) is the common Bat of
the British Isles, and is probably pretty generally distributed ;
its flight is extremely erratic.

Irish Bats. 7 1

The three members of the genus Vespertilio are all rare in
Ireland ; the Whiskered Bat ( Vespertilio mystacinus) and the
Reddish-grey Bat ( V. Nattereri) inhabit houses, trees, and
caves in England. Daubenton's Bat ( V. Daubentonii) is also
rare ; it frequents the vicinity of water, and is likely to be
found in old water-mills and bridges. This species skims along
over the surface of the water, like a swallow, in pursuit of
small insects.

The L,ong-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) is common, and
inhabits the roofs of houses and other buildings.

The last species, the Lesser Horse-shoe Bat (Rhiuolophus
kipposidcros) is a cave dweller ; it is rare and local in Ireland ;
the limestone caves of the West should be well explored for
this species.

Specimens when procured, if alive, should be sent by rail,
labelled perishable ; if dead they can be sent by parcel post, but
it is preferable to send by rail. The locality, situation, date, and
name and address of sender should accompany each consign-
ment of specimens. It is much better in most cases to put
the specimens as they are captured into spirits, than to send
single specimens by post in small packages ; the tubes or
bottles containing the spirit specimens can be sent then in a
larger parcel by rail, or they can be taken out of spirits and
sent safely in a tin box. The full data should be attached to
each specimen when put in spirits, otherwise confusion may
arise. If senders desire, I will present specimens forwarded
to me for identification to the Science and Art Museum,
Dublin, in sender's name.

It cannot be made too plain that it is impossible to identify
Bats (except one or two species), without books and specimens
for comparison ; to senders who wish to make a collection, I
will gladly return specimens when identified. I will willingly
furnish any further particulars as to collecting and preserving
to those who communicate with me. Tubes for spirit
specimens can be had from Mr. Marsden, Bath.

There exists a strange idea that bats are noxious animals.
It is needless to say that our Irish species are perfectly harm-
less ; not one of them can inflict a bite sufficient to pierce the
skin.

Killencoole, Castlebellingliam.

72 The Irish Naturalist.

POSSIBLE ARCTIC PLANT-BEDS IN IRELAND.

BY JAMES BENNIE,

Her Majesty's Geological Survey of Scotland.

It has been suggested to me that a summary of what I have
got from Arctic Plant-beds in Scotland, and a description of
where and how they occur, might be of advantage to students
of nature in Ireland, as to where and how the same things
might be got in that country.

What has been got : — Chiefly arctic plants of six or seven
species, the most abundant being leaves of the arctic Willows
— Salix herbacea, S. reticulata, S. polaris, Oxyria digynia,
Betula ?ianay and Dry as octopctala, and associated with them,
the remains of Apus glacialis, a crustacean now only known
living in the land-lakes of Spitzbergen and Greenland. Of
the arctic Willows the one in greatest abundance was Salix
herbacea, which was in thousands upon thousands. 5\ reticulata
came next, then S. polaris. Betula nana, though not rare,
was comparatively infrequent, while Dryas octopctala was
excessively rare, only about half a dozen leaves being got
altogether. The Apus remains were comparatively abundant,
indicating hundreds of individuals. Besides leaves, seed-cases
were abundant. A few leaves of other plants occurred, and
seeds of the ordinary water-plants — the pondweeds and the
sedges were very numerous.

Where they occurred : — In the bottom of old silted-up
lakes, and generally in thin layers in silt or clay ; sometimes
amongst other vegetable debris, and occasionally as single
leaves in the silt. These old lake-deposits lie directly or
nearly so upon Boulder clay, in the flat spaces or hollows
between hillocks or mounds of that glacial drift ; and thereby
we get evidence of the date of their existence. It must have
been soon after the ice melted from off the land, and water
became possible as water, to form pools in the hollows, and
plants could grow on the hills or hillocks surrounding them.
This date is confirmed by the characters of the Arctic plants,
which are such as prove a climate 20 degrees colder than what
prevails in the same places at present ; and also by the occur-
rence of the Apus, which is now found living only in Green-
land and Spitzbergen.

Possible Arctic Pla?it-beds hi Ireland. 73

The places where these lake-deposits with the Arctic plants
and the Apus were got are Hailes Quarry, about three miles
west of Edinburgh, and in a sewer-cutting through the old
silted-up lake of Corstorphine, about four miles west of Edin-
burgh, the first being 150, and the latter 50 feet above sea-
level. The deposits cut through at Hailes were 10 or 12
feet of sands and grits, with occasionally patches of peat,
layers of vegetable drift-wrack, with pieces of drift-wood. At
Corstorphine, 4 or 5 feet of sands, then marl with the
ordinary lake-shells — Cyclas and Pla?wrbis being the most
common ; and the ordinary water-plant stems in such numbers
that the marl was felted by them. At the bottom of each was
the silt with the arctic plants, with the Apus remains inter-
spersed in fragments.

Such is a bald statement of what was got in these old lake-
deposits, but enough, it is hoped, to show that they are
worthy of investigation wherever found, as by them we may
know something of a land of which we know little — the land
of the later times of the Glacial period ; a land on whose hills
the only trees that grew were the creeping willows, and in
whose waters the liveliest creatures were the crawling Apus
glacialis.

A description of the methods b}^ which these results were
obtained will fitly close this notice.

If the plant-remains occur as layers in silt or clay, the
matrix should be dried thoroughly, then crushed gently with
the hand in a basin of water, when the silt will part readily
from the leaves or debris — some of the leaves and seeds and
mosses will float, but others will sink. When the silt is
thoroughly melted or divided, allow the water to settle ; then
pour it off into a sieve, and then as many of the leaves, &c,
as floated will be got with as little breakage as possible. The
remainder should also be sieved in the same way. Sieves of
different meshes are useful, say from \ of an inch in width, to a
fineness of 90 in a lineal inch. Sieves about 6 inches square
and 1 inch in depth, made of tin, with a wire round the top,
and the bottom turned inwards \ of an inch, to which the
brass wire cloth should be closely soldered, will be found con-
venient.

If the leaves should be in peat, then the peat should not be
dried, but taken soft as lifted, and crushed or bruised in water

74 The Irish Naturalist.

in the same manner as the silt. The reason is that many peats
grow so hard when dried, that the}7 will not divide or melt at
all ; some, however, will crush if boiled for a time.

By means such as these the results described have been
obtained without much trouble ; and their application to the
lake-silts or peats of Ireland should produce the same
results.

AN ACCOUNT OF MEDIEVAL IRELAND, BY
BARTHOLOMEW ANGLICUS (13TH CENTURY).

BY V. BALL, C.B., LL-D., F.R.S.

In the course of my researches among ancient authors
regarding the productions and myths of India, I have from
time to time met with accounts of various matters referring
to Ireland, and it has occurred to me that the following
extract, with explanatory notes, as a first contribution of this
nature, may prove of interest to the readers of the Irish
Naturalist.

The work of Bartholomew Anglicus, of which an epitome
has recently been published by Mr. Robert Steele1, was one of
the most widely read books of medieval times. The author,
an English Franciscan, produced this encyclopaedia about the
year 1260, in order to explain, many then current allusions
to natural objects, &c. Its popularity continued after the
invention of printing, and numerous editions in various
languages appeared in the 15th century.

OF HIBERNIA, CAP. LXXX.

" Yrlonde hight Hibernia, ami is an island of the ocean in Europe, and
is nigh to the land of Britain, and is more narrow and straight than
Britaiii, but it is more plenteous place .... In this land is much
plenty of corn-fields, of wells and of rivers, of fair meads and woods, of
metal and of precious stones. For there is gendered a six cornered stone
that is to wit, Iris, that maketh a rainbow in the air, if it be set in the
sun (1) and there is jet found. (2). and white pearls. (3). And concerning the
wholesome air, Ireland is a good temperate country. There is little or

(') Medieval Lore, An Epitome of the Science, &c, &c, of the Middle
Age, being gleanings from, &c, &c, of Bartholomew Anglicus (De Pro-
prietatis rerum), Edited by Robert Steele : London, Elliot Stock, 1893, pp.
79-81.

An Account of Medieval Ireland, by Bartholomew Anglicus. 75

none passing heat or cold, there be wonderful lakes, ponds, and wells.
For there is a lake, in which if a staff or a pole of a tree be pight, and
tarrieth long time therein, the part that is in the earth turneth into iron,
and the part that is in the water turneth into stone, and the part that is
above the water abideth still in its kind of tree. There is another lake
in which if that thou throwest rods of hazel, it turneth those rods into
ash : and ayenward if ye cast ashen rods therein, they turn into hazel. (4).
Therein be places in which dead carrions never rot, but abide there
always uncorrupt. Also in Ireland is a little island, in which men die
not, but when they be overcome with age, they be borne out of that island
to die without (5.) In Ireland is no serpent, no frogs, nor venemous
addercrop, but all the land is so contrary to venemous beasts, that if the
earth of that land be brought into another land, and spronge on the
ground, it slayeth serpents and toads. Also venemous beasts flee Irish
wool , skins and fells. And if serpents or toads be brought into Ireland
by shipping, they die anon. (6).

" Solinus speaketh of Ireland, and saith the inhabitants thereof be fierce
and lead an unhuman life. The people t'here use to harbour no guests,
they be warriors, and drink men's blood that the)- slay, and wash first
their faces therewith ; right and unright they take for one . . . Men
of Ireland be singularly clothed and unseemly arrayed and scarcely fed
they be cruel of heart, fierce of cheer, angry of speech, and sharp. Nath-
less they be free-hearted, and fair of speech, and goodly to their own
nation, and namely those men that dwell in woods, marshes, and moun-
tains. These men be pleased with flesh, apples, and fruit for meat, and
with milk for drink ; and give them more to plays and to hunting, than
to work and travail. (.7)."

(1) The term Iris was applied by Pliny to hexangular
crystals of quartz, which, when placed in the sun, were capable
of forming the prismatic spectrum on a wall. Another
variety, esteemed by the ancients, owed its colours to the
existence of internal fractures with which the phenomenon of
Newton's rings was manifested.

(2) Jet may occur in other places in Ireland, but is
certainly obtained from the Coal-measures of Ballycastle, Co.
Antrim, its characters being apparently due to the influence
of basaltic dykes on the coal seams which occur there. There
is a sample of an early polished specimen from this locality
in the Dublin Museum, and I have heard, locally, of ornaments
having been formerly carved from this material.

(3) As is well known, pearls are produced in a species of
freshwater mussel ( Unid) in the rivers of Fermanagh, Tyrone,
and Donegal. There are records of pearls of considerable
value having been found in these rivers.

76 The Irish Naturalist.

(4) The lake referred to is obviously L,ough Neagh, on the
shores of which partially silicified wood of Eocene age is found.
This subject has recently been discussed by Mr. Wm.
Swanston {Irish Nat, vol. ii., (1893) pp. 63 and 104). As is
so often the case with myths, this one has derived new features
with repetition. Bartholomew has, apparently, improved
upon his predecessors.

(5) These statements are from Giraldus Cambrensis'
Topographia Hibernia, and I am indebted to the Rev. D.
Murphy, S.J., for the following rendering of the original
passages : —

Cap. VI. — "There is an island situated on the western part of
Connaught, named Aran, which St. Brendan blessed. Dead bodies are
not buried there, nor do they grow corrupt ; but placed in the open air,
they remain incorruptible."

Cap. IV. — "There is a lake in North Munster, containing two islands,
one larger and a smaller. The larger has a church of an old religious
order ; the smaller, a chapel which Culdees serve. In the smaller no one
ever died or could die a natural death ; hence it is called the island of the
living. Sometimes the inhabitants are afflicted by mortal diseases, and
much affected, even to the drawing of the last breath. And when there
is no longer any hope, or vital power remaining, and they are so worn
out by the strength of the illness that they had rather die than live, they
have themselves taken in a boat to the larger island ; and as soon as they
touch land, they give up the ghost."

N.B. — The name of the island is Inis-na-mbeo, i.e., island of the living ;
now Mona-hincha, i.e., bog of the island. It is no longer an island, the
waters that surrounded it having been drained off. It is about two miles
S.E. of Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. There are remains of a very beautiful
Irish church of the 8th or 9th century on the island. — d.m.

(6) These remarks about serpents and venomous beasts
appear likewise to be derived from Giraldus, whose observa-
tions at large on such subjects are, perhaps, deserving of more
special and direct criticism and investigation than they have
hitherto received.

(7) I make no comment on this account of our ancestors
and predecessors, though it affords a subject for reflection
which would, however, scarcely be legitimate for treatment
in this Journal.

[ 77 ]
THE PLANTS OF WESTMEATH.

BY H. C I^KVINGK, D.I,.

The following list of plants, from which all the commoner
species have been excluded, fairly represents, I believe, the
Flora of the central part of the Co. Westmeath in the neigh-
bourhood of the larger lakes, Ennel, Derevaragh, and Owel ;
but though I think it unlikely the lists will ever be very largely
added to, it can hardly be called a complete enumeration of the
rarer plants of the county, as I regret I have not had many
opportunities of examining the remaining portion of the
county, but I believe the parts most likely to prove botanically
interesting have been thoroughly explored. I have availed
myself of the kind permission given to me by Mr. Barrington
to quote largely from the interesting paper by himself and
Mr. Vowell on the "Flora of the Shores of Lough Ree," and
have included, in my list, the names of all the rarer plants
which they observed in their explorations of that part of the
country inside the boundaries of Westmeath. It must, how-
ever, be remembered that in their abstract of names of plants,
new to district 7 of the " Cybele Hibernica," they have in-
cluded those which occur in the Co. Longford as well as those
of Westmeath. Mr. Barrington was kind enough to indicate,
for my use, most of the Westmeath species ; but there still
remain a few, noted as common or frequent round the lake,
regarding which some uncertainty exists, and in each doubtful
case I have made a separate note. The rock in the tract
immediately under notice is the Upper Carboniferous Lime-
stone, and the three lakes above mentioned form the prominent
feature of the country. Of these L. Ennel, supplied by the
River Brosna — 274 feet above the sea-level, and with an area
of 3,603 acres — is the largest ; next comes L- Derevaragh —
sometimes called Donore Lake— 210 feet above the sea, and
having an area of 3,051 acres. At its S.E. end rise three
considerable hills, Knock Body, Knock Ross, and Knock
Eyon, the top of the last named being 707 feet above the sea.
The River Inny, which flows through a series of large bogs
from L. Sheelin, enters and leaves the lake at its N.W. end.
Lastly L. Owel, 329 feet above the sea, and 2,527 acres in
extent, forms the summit-level supply to the Royal Canal,
which extends eastwards to Dublin and westwards to the

A 2

78 The Irish Naturalist.

Shannon. The water of this lake is exceptionally clear and
brilliant, and of a pale emerald-green colour in the shallows ;
but, being supplied almost altogether from springs, it is ex-
ceedingly hard, and the plants growing in it are consequently
much encrusted. With these few preliminary remarks I now
proceed to mention some of the most interesting plants found
in and near these lakes, and in other selected localities. On
the shores of I,. Knnel, Stellaria glauca, Cicuta virosa, Carex
paradoxa, and Carex CEderi were observed ; and it was in this
lake that Chara tomentosa was first discovered ; it is, however,
here somewhat dwarfed, and, as far as I have seen, does not
appear to grow to an}Tthing like the same size as in the other
lakes. In L,. Derevaragh I was fortunate enough to find
Ceratophyllum demersum, rather a scarce plant in Ireland, but
abounding in that part of this lake known as the " Pond of
Donore." Here also, plentifully distributed, grows the beauti-
ful Chara tomentosa, with its pink, coral-like, branched heads,
and in this part of the lake, as well as in the boat harbour of
Kiltoom, Tolypclla glomerata was found in abundance. Near
the Coolure shore, at the mouth of the Yellow River,
Callitriche hamulata and C. obtusangula were observed by
Messrs. J. and H. Groves. I,. Owel produces some un-
common plants, Potamogeton proelongus, P. Zizii, P. lucens, and
P. heterophyllus, as well as a species, growing near Mount
Murray, not fruiting or coming to the surface, which the
Messrs. Groves were unable to determine ; it resembles P.
nitens in foliage and general character. In this lake are also
Ra?iu?iculus pseudo-fiuitans, R. trichophyllus, Myriophylhim
verticillatum, M. spicatum, and Chara tomentosa, the latter
growing in a bay, or rather an inner lake at Tullaghan, even
finer and larger than in Lough Derevaragh. A variety of C.
tome?itosa was also discovered in a drain connected with the
lake by the Messrs. Groves, who have not yet, I believe, given
it a name. At the N.W. end, in the marshy, and at times sub-
merged land near the village of Bunbrusna, Lathyrus palustris
grows luxuriantly and plentifully along with Scutellaria
galericulala, Rumex Hydro lap athum, and Cnicus Forsteri, and
at the S.E. end of the lake, near the canal supply at Levington,
/uncus obtusiflorus occurs. But nowhere in the county have
so many rare plants been observed as in the 'Scraw bog' of
Loughanstown and Ballynegall, situate about half a mile to

The Plants of Westmeath. 79

the east of I,. Owel. This flow bog, which is three-quarters of
a mile long, and about one furlong wide, owes its name to the
'scraw' or mat of vegetation which, as it were, floats on the
water and mud beneath — and as there are many holes it is
essentially a dangerous place, especially after heavy rains, when
it is more or less submerged. The ' scraw ' is formed mostly
of Carex teretiuscula and C. filiformis, both rather uncommon
elsewhere ; other sedges are C. dioica, C. pulicaris, C. limosa,
&c. Vacciniuvi Oxycoccos here forms large beds from which
quantities of cranberries — or, as they are termed in Ireland,
bogberries — are gathered, while some of the drains are at the
proper time white with the delicate flowers of Hydrocharis
Morsus-1'ance. ; but the most beautiful plant here is Pyrola
rotundifolia, which grows in luxuriant profusion, generally
through tufts of willows ; Juncus obtusiflorus is also abundant,
and my friend Mr. A. G. More will have to modify the remarks
in " Cybele Hibernica " that the few Irish localities known are
" on or near the sea coast." In one of the small holes in this
bog Mr. H. Groves discovered, for the first time in Ireland,
that beautifully delicate little plant Nitella tenuissima. I have
searched diligently, but in vain, for this in other places ; it has
however been since found by Mr. Groves in a bog in the
County Galway. In some of the holes Potamogeton planta-
gineus occurs, and a fine form of Chara polyacantha, also
Chara fragilis var. barbata. In the list, frequent mention is
made of Knock Ross ; this hill, with its steep rocky slopes
covered with brushwood, which I believe to be indigenous on
its southern side at least, forms a promontory in the S.K. end
of I,. Derevaragh. Here occurs Cornus sanguinea, identical
with the Clare plant; there seem to be some doubts whether
it is truly indigenous in this locality ; but if it be not so, it is
at any rate thoroughly established and very plentiful. In the
wood, near the shore of the lake, I observed two rather un-
common grasses, Milium effusum and Festuca sylvatica, also at
the water's edge on the northern side Crepis pahidosa, and two
forms of Festuca elatior, var. loliacea, Huds., regarding which
some remarks will be found in the list. In the Knock Ross
woods I gathered most of the Rubi which are included in the
list below ; these have all been examined and named by the
Rev. B. F. Iyinton. I have no doubt that many more species
exist in this as well as in other localities in the county, and I

8o The Irish Naturalist.

much regret that, owing to my imperfect knowledge of this
difficult genus, I am unable to distinguish the several species
and varieties as now arranged by experts. In the bog of L,is-
clogher, situated quite at the eastern side of the county, near
the borders of Meath, and in the exploration of which I had
the great advantage of Miss K. Reynell's assistance, the fol-
lowing plants occur : — Saxifraga Hircuhis and Pyrola rotimdi-
folia,ho\h. sparingly; Empetrum nigrum, Viola palustris, Carex
dioica, C. limosa, Droscra a?iglica, and Lastrea Thelypteris.

The total number of species hitherto observed in the county
is 560 ; and when it is considered that the list of Rubi is still
incomplete, and that maritime plants are of necessity not re-
presented, it will I believe be found that this number bears
favourable comparison with that of other counties. In this
list, 66 additions have been made to district 7 of the " Cybele
Hibernica," inclusive of 15 Rubi.

In compiling the list it was my wish and intention to
include the names of the rarer plants only ; but as some of
the more common ones had not been recorded in the " Cybele
Hibernica " as from district 7, I have been obliged to notice
them, otherwise they might very well have been left out.

To Mr. A. G. More my best thanks are due for the kind
assistance he has always given me in determining doubtful
species, and for his advice in arranging the materials for this
paper ; also to Messrs. Barrington and Vowell for permitting
me to make use of their pamphlet on the " Flora of the Shores
of L. Ree " ; to Mr. E. F. Linton for examining and naming the
Rubi ; and to the Messrs. Groves, who identified the Characeae
and other aquatic plants.

In the list, the letters B. and V. represent Messrs. Barring-
ton and Vowell ; F. J. F. represents Mr. Foot ; and D. M., Dr.
David Moore.

The mark ! indicates plants which I have myself observed ;
but it has only been used in cases where others have also
collected the species. The number " VII. " occurring after
the name of any plant signifies that it had not previously been
recorded from that district as defined in the " Cybele Hiber-
nica." The marks *, f, and \ signify respectively that the
species so indicated have been certainly, probably, or possibly
introduced.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

[ Si ]

ON A RECENT FIND OF IRISH ELK BONES, &c,

IN BELFAST,

BY R. M. YOUNG, B.A., M.R.I.A.

(Read before the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society,

6th March, 1894.)

In connection with the great system of main drainage which
is now approaching completion in Belfast, excavations for an
intercepting sewer were made in January of this year under
the footpaths on the east side of High Street and Castle Place.
A quantity of human bones were dug up opposite St. George's
Church, where the burying ground of the previous Church of
St. Patrick had extended, but it was not till the workmen
reached Castle Place that anything of special interest was
found. On the 18th January an intelligent workman brought
me three jaw-bones which had been taken from a depth of
seven feet under the footpath at Mr. Watson's shop, No. 10,
Castle Place. Prof. R. O. Cunningham, M.D., kindly ex-
amined these bones, and pronounced them to be those of an
Irish Elk, Horse and Sheep. Opposite Messrs. Hart &
Churchill's shop quite a number of jaws of the Irish Elk
were turned up, with some fragments of leg and rib bones ;
these were associated with branches of trees, probably Willow,
and were 6 feet 10 inches under the surface of the footpath
flags. No other bones appeared till the excavation reached
Bank L,ane, where Mr. S. F. Milligan, M.R.I.A., secured some
bones, apparently of the horse and dog, which he has kindly
presented to the Museum.

As the fine specimen of the Great Irish Deer {Cervus
giganteus) in the Belfast Museum is well known, I may
merely mention that this splendid animal surpassed in size
the largest living deer {Cervus canadensis). Its antlers were
sometimes more than eleven feet from tip to tip, whilst those
of the Moose are only four feet. The most recent local dis-
covery of Irish Elk bones seems to be that described by Mr.
R. LI. Praeger on 16th February, 1892, when he exhibited at a
Field Club meeting a skull found in the preceding December
in excavating near the Spencer Basin. It was in the centre
of a peat bed, three feet thick, with a depth of thirty feet of
estuarine clay above. In the same bed of peat at the Alex-
andra Dock, bones of the Red Deer and Wild Boar are recorded
by Mr. Praeger. This present find of Irish Elk bones seems

82 The Irish Naturalist.

the first to be noted within the municipal boundary of the
city. In i860, when the sewer through which the Farset, or
High Street river, flows was re-built in Castle Place, a large
number of antiquities were dug up, but amongst them the
only bones were a human skeleton and a boar's tusk.

There are some features of special interest to be noted with
regard to this latest discovery of animal remains. They were
lying almost on the surface of the estuarine clay or " sleech,"
and the Irish Elk, horse, and sheep bones were found close
together as if either swept down by some flood or possibly
deposited in situ by human agency. This latter supposition
is strengthened by the remarkable appearance of some of the
larger bones, which apparently have been broken into short
lengths to extract the marrow. They resemble in this respect
the bones so treated by the cave-men and the Swiss lake-
dwellers. Prof. Cunningham has kindly promised to look
carefully over these bones again, as he could only give them a
hasty examination.

It is of importance to note that in 1868 a deposit of similar
geological age was met with at the Clowney River, where
the Broadway Factory now stands ; and amongst the bones of
the Red Deer dug up two were found with artificial markings
where flint tools had been at work.

Another recently discovered relic of the past may be men-
tioned as occurring in the same stratum of the estuarine
deposits about half a mile distant from Castle Place. I refer
to the supposed canoe which was cut through in driving sheet
piles at the Council waste ground near Albert Bridge, where
Messrs. Workman & Co. have a section of the main sewer in
construction. On visiting the place last December with Mr.
I,. M. Ewart, J. P., M.R.I. A., we saw at a depth often feet the
trunk of an oak tree, four feet in diameter, which was ex-
cavated or burnt out on the upper side like a canoe. A piece
was cut out of the centre by the piles, and measured 6£ feet
long by 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The thickness of
the side was not more than 6 inches, and the wood was
sound in the middle. The two extremities of the tree were
then undisturbed in the "sleech," but I understand that one
end has now been laid bare, and it forks off into two branches.
As the other end is still covered it might show visible signs of
a canoe in process of manufacture, if exposed.

[ 83 ]

INSECTS COLLECTED BY THE ROYAL IRISH
ACADEMY FLORA AND FAUNA COMMITTEE,

1893.

BY REV. W. F. JOHNSON, M.A., F.K.S., J. N. HAI,BERT, AND

GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC.

The Committee appointed by the Royal Irish Academy to
report upon the Irish Flora and Fauna directed insect collec-
tions to be made by us in four localities during 1893. We
have now pleasure in making public the result of our work,
which has been fruitful in adding many new species to our
known fauna, and extending our knowledge of the range of
many more. Yet, it is certain that much more remains
to be done before our knowledge of any group of insects
— even the best-worked — can be said to have approached
completion. We therefore make no apology for giving com-
plete lists of the insects collected, the range of the commonest
species being worth knowing exactly ; and we trust that our
present contribution may supplement the classic researches
of the pioneers of Irish entomology— Haliday, Hogan, and
Birchall — in affording material for the perfect lists of the
future, which we all hope to see.

A short description of the localities worked is desirable.
Mr. Johnson collected at Coolmore, Co. Donegal, in July ; Mr.
Carpenter worked along the southern shores of Bantry Bay at
the end of May and early days of June, and at Killarney at
the end of November; Mr. Halbert explored the Dundalk
district in July (on the occasion of the joint excursion of the
Dublin and Belfast Field Clubs), and the Cavan district early in
October. Regions in the north-west, south-west, north-east,
and northern midlands of Ireland have thus been worked.

The north-western station, Coolmore, is situated on the
southern side of Donegal Bay, about 4I- miles north-west of
Ballyshannon. Northwards the coast is sandy, with extensive
dunes, but southwards, towards the mouth of the River Erne,
it is rocky. Inland, the surface is hilly with a few trees in the
sheltered valleys. One day was spent on the River Erne above
Ballyshannon, and another at Brown Hall, Ballintra ; both
were very promising localities, but unfortunately it was im-
possible to spend more than a few hours at each. At Coolmore

84 The Irish Naturalist.

the sandy beach, dunes, and some marshy ground beyond them
were most productive. Some good things were also got at
Kilbrannan Castle on the cliff, and at Coolbeg on thistles, &c,
and under the bark of dead trees.

In the south-western district Killarney is well enough
known, and the insects obtained were but few and common ;
some rare spiders, however, rewarded the collector, but their
records are reserved for a general list of Irish spiders now in
course of preparation. At Bantry Bay, Castletown-Berehaven
was the head-quarters, and in its neighbourhood the wild cliffs
and the beautifully wooded demesne of Dunboy afforded
excellent collecting-ground. Dr. M'Weeney and Mr. M'Ardle,
when botanizing on Bere Island, were so good as to pick up
what insects they saw. Dr. Scharff made some interesting
discoveries during an ascent of the precipitous Hungry Hill,
which rises to the east of Castletown to a height of over 2,000
feet ; its slopes, now bare and rugged, are said to have nursed
a rich growth of Arbutus in former days. Would that a
collector had visited it then ! To the north of Castletown is the
lower range of the Slieve Mishkish, with wide-stretching
tracts of bog. A day was spent on Dursey — the island to the
extreme west of the peninsula. From Adrigole, a village to
the east of Castletown, an excursion was made, first over large
tracts of bog, and then by a rugged pass behind the Sugarloaf
Mountain to Glengariff. A few insects were obtained in the
woods at the latter place.

In the north-eastern district collections were made near
Dundalk, on Slieve Gullion (1,893 ft-) and Fathom Hill, Co.
Armagh, along the beach at Carlingford and Greenore, and
in the grounds of Narrow Water, Co. Down.

In the neighbourhood of Cavan, the collecting extended
from the 7 th to the nth of October; many of the localities
worked proved very productive, the best probably being L,ough
Oughter shore, one of a chain of lakes occupying a consider-
able portion of the centre of the county, and lying to the
west of the town ; on its margin are remnants of very old
woods, as well as Birch and Fir plantations ; the lake itself
looked barren and unproductive, partly due to the lateness of
the season, the vegetation being practically over, but from the
drains, and especially along the shore many interesting
species were taken, The country about the town is of a very

R.I. A. Committee — Insects in 1893. 85

undulating character, the principal elevation being Slieve
Glah (1,057 feet), which was carefully searched for the moun-
tain species, and the woods near Cultragh IyOugh, a large sheet
of water to the north of Slieve Glah, also yielded good results.
One day was spent at Ballyhaise, about four miles from Cavan,
the extensive plantation on the south bank of the river Anna-
lee, known as Oak Wood, being very productive. Those
species in the list localized "Cavan " were obtained by sweeping,
examining bark, moss, &c, in the narrow strips of planted
wood bordering the roads, in many places, in the vicinity of
the town ; a short time was also spent in the Farnham demesne.
Altogether, there are many promising localities, especially the
lake shores, which would undoubtedly repay a more thorough
investigation.

HEMIPTERA HETEROPTERA

In enumerating the insects of this group, we think it advisable to give,
in addition to the localities mentioned above, any others in Ireland from
which we know them to have been recorded or captured. So little is
known of the distribution of these insects in Ireland1 that it is advisable
to give the range as fully as possible. An asterisk is prefixed to the
species (four in number) which we believe to be new to the country.
We have to thank Mr. E- Saunders, F.i,,s., for identifying some of the
species.

PENTATOIYIIDjE.

Carpocorls baccarum, L. — Dursey. This local species has occur-
red also in the south-west near Dingle. Mr. J. M. Browne has taken it
on Gt. Aran Island, Galway Bay, and also on Inishbofin, off Co. Mayo ;
Dr. Power near Waterford, Mr. H. G. Cuthbert at Courtown, Co. Wexford,
and Mr. W. F. de V. Kane at Howth. In England it seems confined to
the south, and is specially characteristic of the south-western counties.

Tropicoris rufipes, L. — Berehaven. Also occurs at Armagh
(W.F.J.), Dublin (J.N.H.)

COREIDJE.

*Syromastes margin atus, L,.— Berehaven. This insect is new
to Ireland, and is also, we believe, the first example of its sub-family
(Coreznce) ever taken in the country. In Great Britain it seems confined
to the south of England and South Wales, a distribution characteristic
of the British insects of the family, not one of which, according to Mr.
B. Saunders, has been found in Scotland. Mr. Haliday took Corizus
partimpnnctatas, Schill. (sub-fam. Corizin<z) in Ireland.2

1 See B. Saunders, — The Hemiptera-Heteroptera of the British Isles,
London, 1893. W. F. Johnson, — Hemiptera in the North of Ireland,
Ent. Mo. Mag., xxix., 1893, p. 35. Dr. Power, — Entomologist, xv., 1878.

2 In Thompson's Nat. Hist. Ireland, vol. iv., p. 367, Haliday gives four
as the number of species of Coreidce in Ireland. From his MS. list
(kindly lent us by Dr. B. P. Wright) it appears, however, that three of
these are Berytidce,

86 The Irish Naturalist.

LYGJEIDJE.

Nyslus thy mi, Wolff— Coolmore. Has also occurred at Bundorau
(W.F.J.), and Dr. Power has taken it near Dublin.

Stygnus pedestrls, Fall. — Coolmore. Ballyhaise. Armagh
(W.F.J.), Dublin (J.N.H.)

S. arcnarlus, Hahn— Berehaven. Armagh (W.F.J. ). Near Water-
ford (Dr. Power).

Drymus brunneus, Sahib.— Killarney. Also at Powerscourt (Dr.
R. F. Scharff).

Scolopostethus decoratus, Hahn — Slieve Glah, commonly on
heath. Has also been recorded from Carlingford and Co. Armagh
(W.F.J.)

TINGIDIDJE.

Dictyonota crasslcornis, Fall.— Coolmore. Taken by Mr. Hali-
day in Co. Dublin.

lYIonanthia cardul, L,. — Coolmore. Also recorded from Armagh
(W.F.J.) ; locally common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

HYDRO IVIETRID^E.

Hydromctra stagrnorum, L. — Berehaven; Dursey. Also recorded
from Armagh (W.F.J.) ; common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

Vella currens, Fab. — Coolmore. Dundalk. Berehaven, common ;
Dursey. Common in Co. Armagh (W.F.J.) and Co. Dublin (J.N.H.), and
doubtless generally distributed,

Gerrls costee, H.-S. — Slieve Gullion, in a small pool near the sum-
mit. This northern and alpine species has also occurred at Newtown
Hamilton, Co. Armagh, and Ardara, Co. Donegal (W.F.J.)

C. thoraclca, Schum. — Coolmore. Also at Tallaght, Co. Dublin
(J.N.H.)

C. Iacustrls, L. — Coolmore. Berehaven; Dursey. Also recorded
from Armagh (W F.J.), common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

REDUVUDJE.

Nabis flavomarginatus, Scholtz — Dundalk; Carlingford. Also
recorded from Armagh (W.F.J.), and Dublin (J.N.H.)

N. Ilmbatus, Dahlb. — Dundalk, common. Also recorded from Co.
Armagh (W.F.J. ), Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

SALDIDJE.

Salda orthochila, Fieb. — Slieve Gullion, in moss near summit.
Also recorded from Armagh (W.F.J.) and Dublin (J.N.H.)

CIMICIDJE.

Anthocorls nemoralis, Fab.— Dundalk. Also taken at Ardara
and Armagh (W.F.J.), and in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

A. sylvestrls, L.— Dundalk. Cultragh Lough. Recorded from
Armagh and Ardara (W.F.J. ), common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

CAPSID/E.

*Plthanus Maerkell, H.-S.— Dundalk. This insect, widely distri-
buted in Great Britain, has not been recorded for Ireland before. Taken
also in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

Wllrls calcaratus, Fall.— Dursey. Recorded from Armagh (W.F.J.)
has also occurred in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

IYI. holsatus, Fab.— Coolmore. Recorded from Armagh (W.F.J.)
common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

R.I. A. Committee — Insects in 1893. 87

Leptopterna ferrugata, Fall.— Fathom. Recorded from Armagh,
Ardara, and Beleek (W.F.J.) and at Portmarnock (J.N.H.)

M onalocor is fillets, L.— Narrow-water. Cultragh Lough. Recorded
from Bundoran (W.F.J. ), Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

Calocorls blpunctatus, Fab.— Coolmore. Dundalk, common.
Recorded from Armagh, Bundoran, Ardara, and Beleek (W.F.J.), common
in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

C. roseomaculatus, DeG.— Carlingford. Recorded from Armagh
(W.F.J.)

Lygus pratensis, Fab.— Carlingford. Recorded from Armagh
(W.F.J.), common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

var. cam pest r is, Fab. — Dundalk. Recorded from Ardara
(W.F.J.), common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

*L. v! rid is, Fall. — Fathom. This species also taken in Co. Dublin
(J.N.H.) is distributed over the south of England, seems not to have been
previously recorded from Ireland.

*L. Iucorum, Mey. — Dundalk. New to Ireland Also taken in Co.
Dublin (J.N.H.); recorded from England, Wales, and Scotland.

L. pabulinus> L. — Dundalk. Recorded from Armagh and Ardara
( W. F.J. ) Common near Dubli n ( J. N. H . )

L. cervinus, H.S.— Dundalk. Recorded from Co. Armagh (W.F.J.)
Common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

Rhopalotomus atcr, L. — Coolmore. Dundalk. Recorded from
Armagh and Beleek (W.F.J.) Common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

Campyloneura virgula, H.S. — Narrow-water. Recorded from
Co. Armagh (W.F.J.) Taken in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

Mecomma ambulans, Fall. — Carlingford; Fathom, common.
Recorded from Armagh (W.F.J.) Common near Dublin (J.N.H.)

Plagiognathus arbustorum, Fab.— Coolmore. Dundalk, com-
mon. Recorded from Armagh, Bundoran, and Ardara (W.F.J.) Common
in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

P. virldulus, Fall. — Coolmore. Carlingford, common. Recorded
from Armagh and Greenore (W.FJ.) Common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

NEPIDvE.

Nepa cinerea, L. — Coolmore. Lough Oughter, under stones at some
distance from the water's edge. Recorded from Armagh (W.F.J.)
Common near Dublin (J.N.H.)

NOTONECTIDjE.

Notonccta glauca, L. — Coolmore. Slieve Gullion, lake at summit.
Lough Oughter. Doubtless generally distributed, as it has also been
taken at Armagh (W.F.J.) and Dublin (J.N.H.)

var. maculata, Fab.— Lough Oughter. Clonmacate (W.F.J.)

CORIXIDJE.

Corixa GeoffroyI, Leach. — Coolmore. Recorded from Armagh and
Ardara (W.F.J.)

C. atomaria, IHig- — Coolmore. Also recorded from Holywood, Co.
Down (W.F.J.)

C. striata, Fieb. — Coolmore. Recorded from Armagh and Holywood
(W.F.J.)

C. Fabric!!, Fieb. — Coolmore. Recorded from Armagh, Holywood,
and Ardara (W.F.J.)

Slgara mlnutlssima, L. — Coolmore. Only hitherto known as Irish
from specimens in the collection of the late A. H. Haliday.

88 The Irish Naturalist.

HEMIPTERA HOMOPTKRA.

This group has been even less worked in Ireland than the Heteroptera,
we therefore give all the localities known to us for the species taken.
An asterisk is prefixed to those for which we can find no previous Irish
record. Our best thanks are due to Mr. J. Edwards, F.E.S., to whom
most of the specimens have been submitted.

FULGORIDvE.

CIxlus nervosus, L.— Coolmore. Carlingford. Slieve Gullion. Also
recorded from Armagh (W.F.J.) Taken at Drogheda (G.H.C.)

C. cunicularis, h. — Fathom. Also recorded from Armagh and
Ardara (W.F.J.)

C. pllosus, 01. — Slieve Gullion. Also recorded from Armagh
W.F.J.)

CERCOPIDJE.

Aphrophora alni, Fall. — Coolmore. Also recorded from Maghery,
Co. Armagh; Bundoran and Ardara, Co. Donegal (W.F.J.) Common
near Dublin (J.N.H.) Taken at Londonderry (Mr. D. C. Campbell).

Philaenus spumarlus, L. — Coolmore. Dundalk. Recorded from
Armagh, Bundoran, and Ardara (W.F.J.) Common in Co. Dublin
(J.N.H.)

P. 1 1 neat us, L.— Carlingford. Recorded from Ardara (W.F.J.)
Common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

IASSIDJE.

Ulopa reticulata, Fieb.— Slieve Gullion. Recorded from Churchill
and Newtown-Hamilton, Co. Armagh, and Ardara. Also taken on Bray-
Head (J.N.H.)

rviacropsis lanfo, L. —Fathom. Not previously recorded from
Ireland, but was in the collection of the late A. H. Haliday.

Evacanthus Interruptus, L,. — Coolmore. Carlingford. Also
recorded from Armagh and Ardara (W.F.J.) Common in Co. Dublin
(J.N.H.)

* E. acumlnatus, Fab.— Fathom Not previously recorded from
Ireland.

Tettlgonia vlridis. L.— Coolmore. Dundalk- Aso recorded from
Armagh (W.F.J.) Common in Co. Dublin (J.N.H.)

Acocephalus nervosus, Schr. — Carlingford. Also taken near
Dublin (J.N.H.) Co. Antrim (Rev. A. Brenan).1

* A. alblfrons, L. — Coolmore. Has been taken in Co. Dublin
(J.N.H.) Not previously recorded from Ireland, but was in the Haliday
collection.

*Athysanus obsoletus, Kbm. — Dundalk. Slieve Gullion. Not
previously recorded from Ireland.

PSYLLIDJE.

* Psylla costal Is, Flor.— Coolmore. Not previously recorded from
Ireland.

* P. peregrin a, Forst. — Coolmore. Not previously recorded from
Ireland.

* P. Forsterl, Flor. — Coolmore. Has been taken near Dublin
(J.N.H.) Not previously recorded from Ireland.

G. B. Buckton— Monograph of the British Cicadae. London, 1890.

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 89

COCCI D^E.

Orthezia cataphracta, Shaw— Slieve Glah. Two females in moss
at the foot of the mountain. Occurs also at Armagh (W.F.J.) We are
glad to record new Irish localities for this interesting insect which
Mr. H. C. Hart1 found in Cos. Wicklow and Donegal. It is a northern
species, occurring in Scotland, Northern England, Lapland, and Green-
land, and has been found also in the alps of Styria, by Herr J. H. List.2

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royae Zooi^ogicai, Society.

Recent donations comprise a Wild Turkey from Dr. C. B. Ball, and a
Barn Owl and a Sparrow-hawk from E. Popham, Esq. An Indian
Antelope has been purchased, and a Pigmy Calf has been born in the
Gardens.

4,500 persons visited the Gardens in February.

Dubinin Microscopical Club.

February 15th.— The Club met at Mr. A. Andrews'.

Mr Greenwood Pim showed chlamydospores of a Hypomyces, prob-
ably //. cervinus, Tul., which occurred on Helvella gathered at Killakee last
September. All the species of Hypomyces are parasitic on other fungi,
usually Hymenomycetes. H. cervinus is the only one described in
Plowright's monograph (Grevillea, Vol. XI.) as occurring on Ascomycetes
(Peziza morchella). The specimen showed accorded very nearly with the
figure in Grevillea, Tab. 155, f. 2, as well as agreeing in the matter of
host plant.

Mr Moore showed specimens of Cribraria aarantiaca, Fr. They were
found growing on some peat which had been imported from Hampshire,
which was placed in a very hot, moist atmosphere. The fungus first
made its appearance on pieces of the dead stems of Pteris aquilina, which
were in the peat, and then rapidly spread over the whole surface of the
pot of peat, six inches in diameter.

Dr. Scott showed preparations and a pure culture of a micrococcus which
occurred as an air contamination on a plate-culture in the laboratory of
the Royal College of Surgeons. The naked-eye characters of the growth
in the early stage were very similar to Saccharomyces rosaceus, but later on
get a more waxy appearance, and a darker colour. The organism
does not liquify gelatin, but grows slowly on the surface, at first pink,
later of the colour known to artists as "light red." On agar-agar it
forms a pure salmon-colour ; on potato it is reddish. It is non-motile ;
in diameter about o*ooi m.m. These characters agree very closely with
Micrococcus carneus, described by Zimmermann as occurring in the Chemnitz
water supply.

Prof. G. Cole showed a large section of dolerite into which fine veins
from eurite have been injected, from a composite dyke south of Bloody
Bridge, coast of Mourne. The eurite veins run out from a dyke 7 feet
wide, which has intruded into a very wide dyke of dolerite. A delicate inter-
penetration has occurred along the south plane of junction, and some of
the minute veins contain products of fusion from the dolerite. The
latter rock has been locally remelted by the invading mass, and both
the veins from the eurite and the adjoining basic lava show traces of a
vitreous condition, the veins being composed of spherulitic rhyolite.

1 Entomologist, vol. xiii., 1880, p. 284, 304 ; See also J. W. Douglas, in Ent.
Mo. Mag., vol. xvii., 1880-1, p. 172, 203; and Trans. Ent. Soc, 1881, p.
297.

2. Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xxii, 1885-6, p. 240.

90 The Irish Naturalist.

I\Ir. G. H. Carpenter showed a male specimen of the strepsipterous
insect Elenchus Unuicomis, Kirb., which had been taken many years ago
near Belfast b)' the late A. H. Haliday. This very rare species, which
has only occurred elsewhere in Britain at a few localities in the south of
England, was long believed to be parasitic on bees, like Sty lops, but Mr.
E. Saunders recently {Ent. Mo. Mag., 1892) obtained in Surrey a male in
the act of emerging from a larval homopteron of the genus Libumia.
The female of Elenchus is still unknown. The Stylopidce are considered by
some authorities to form a special order of insects (Strepsiptera), but they
are now generally believed to be abnormal coleoptera, related to the
Meloia\c and Rhipiphoridae, which they resemble in their transformations
— the larva being at first active and campodiform, afterwards legless and
parasitic.

Mr. H. H. Dixon showed a transverse section of a leaf of Dendobrium
terelifolium showing a peculiar passage, which runs down the axis of the
cylindrical leaf. This passage when traced upwards is in communication
with the exterior by a very minute opening placed laterally to, but very
close to, the apex of the leaf. At the base the passage opens out into
a funnel-shaped chamber which encloses the apex of the stem which
bears the leaf, but which does not usually develop. The passage
probably represents the upper surface which has become enclosed ; it is
lined by cells, closely resembling those of the outer epidermis, but con-
siderably smaller. These lining cells are covered by a thick cuticle ;
however no stomata were found opening from the passage into the tissue
of the leaf.

Mr. A. F. Dixon exhibited a human embryo of about 25-27 days, ac-
cording to the method of dating embryos adopted by Prof. His. The
embryo appeared to be normally developed, showing the different organs
to possess relatively the proper sizes. It measured about 5 m.m. in its
longest diameter.

Mr. M'ArdeE exhibited a specimen of Junger -mania cunei folia, Hook.,
which he recently collected at O'Sullivan's Cascade, Killarney. This
curious liverwort appears to be confined to the Co. Kerry ; it has never
been found in fruit. Sir William Hooker, who figured the plant in his
grand work on the British Jungermania, tab. 65, writes — "The fructifica-
tion is not at all necessary for its identification, the leaves and stipules
affording abundant characters by which it may be known from every
other in the genus." The late Dr. Spruce in his exhaustive work on the
Hepaticse of the Amazon and Andes considers it belongs to his new
genus, Clasmatocolea ; the only known species is figured at tab. xx., and it
certainly resembles very much the Irish plant. At p. 440 he states —
" These curious little plants come very near Lophocolea, but are well dis-
tinguished by the peculiar habit ; the assurgent leaves, with a plane
antical margin — not convexo-defiexed, with the antical margin de-
current, and recurved at the base (as in Lophocolea) ; the biform under-
leaves, mostly entire, but some bifid. The perianth, turgid and
indistinctly carinate, is so fragile that the slightest touch breaks off the
short unequal lobes at the wide mouth. I cannot doubt that the Irish
Jung, cuneifolia, Hook., hitherto known only from sterile specimens, is a
true Clasmatocolea. Specimens gathered a few years ago on Mount
Brandon by M'Ardle are so like the arcuate barren shoots of CI.
fragillima that until I compared them closely I thought them the same
species. The Irish plant (like the Andine) has both entire and bifid
underleaves, and was correctly so described by Nees from original
specimens of Miss Hutchins." Mr. M'Ardle also exhibited drawings
showing the arcuate and divaricately branched stems, decurrent leaves
and biform stipules.

Beefast Naturae History and Phieosophicae Society.

March 6.— The President (Prof. FiTzgeraed) in the chair. Mr. R.
PATTERSON read a paper on "The Occurrence of the Marten {Maries

Proceedings of Irish Societies. Qt

sylvatica) in Ulster." Mr. R. M. Young, B.A., read notes on " A recent
Find of Irish Elk Bones, &c, in Belfast." The latter paper appears in
our present issue, and the former one we will publish shortly. Mr. S. F.
Milligan, M.R.I.A., read a paper entitled "Social Pictures of Ancient
Ireland."

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

February 20th. — The President in the chair. Mr. John CardwELL
read a paper on the ancient church of Lisnagarric, Co. Down. Messrs.
W. Gray, F. W. Lockwood, and F. J. BiGGER (Secretary) criticised the
paper.

Mr. R. Lloyd PraeGER, in a short lecture, contrasted the flora of
County Dublin with that of Counties Antrim and Down. He pointed
out the differences in the geological and physical features of the two
areas, and the extent to which these affect the floras ; and stated that the
Dublin flora differed from that of the Belfast district chiefly in contain-
ing many limestone-loving species, and others that affect light and
gravelly ground. A representative collection of characteristic Dublin
plants was exhibited. A discussion ensued, in which Rev. C. H.
Waddell, Prof. Cole, F.G.S., and Messrs. W. Gray, S. A. Stewart,
and F. W. Lockwood took part.

A paper on Localities for Lepidoptera near Belfast, by Mr. C. W.WATTS,
was read on his behalf by Mr. Praeger. The Secretary subsequently
read, for Lt.-Colonel Partridge, a paper on the Lepidoptera of Ennis-
killen. The election of a number of new members brought the meeting
to a close.

Dublin Naturalists' Field Club.

March 13th.— The President (Mr. G. H. Carpenter) in the chair.
Prof. W. J. Sollas, F.R.S., gave a lecture upon Ancient and Modern
Coral Reefs. After referring to the fact that the Carboniferous Lime-
stone, which forms so large a part of the surface of Ireland, is composed
of coral remains, Prof. Sollas gave an account of the various kinds of
corals now to be found living in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The
lecture was illustrated by photographs from Mr. Saville Kent's recent
work. Profs. Johnson and Cole, Mr. Duerden, and the President took
part in the discussion. Prof. Sollas, in replying, mentioned that an
expedition is to be organised to investigate the formation of reefs, by
means of deep boring.

NOTES.

Phenological Observations. — I am very anxious to obtain for
the Royal Meteorological Society a few more phenological observers in
Ireland, and more especially in the southern half of the Island. The
duties of an observer are extremely simple, and consist in accurately
noting each year the dates of first flowering of such well-known plants
as the Hazel, Coltsfoot, Wood Anemone, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, &c.,only
thirteen plants in all. Observers are also required to note down the
dates of arrival of the Swallow, Cuckoo and Nightingale among birds, the
first appearance of the Honey Bee, Wasps, and Small White Butterfly
among insects. To any who may be willing to send in observations, I
shall be happy to forward a specimen-observing form and complete
instructions. — Edward Mawley, Phenological Recorder, R. Met. Soc,
Rosebank, Berkhampstead, Herts.

[We gladly publish Mr. Mawley's communication and hope his appeal
will meet with several responses from our readers. — Eds.]

92 The Irish Naturalist.

BOTANY.

PHANEROGAMS.

Artemisia Stellerlana.— The Journal of Botany for March contains
an interesting and well-reasoned article by F. W. C. Areschoug on the
distribution of this plant; the writer considers the plant to be probably
native in Europe, and makes out a good case in support of his conten-
tion. This species is found in Scandinavia, Kamstchatka, and North
America, in maritime situations where it could not easily have arrived
by artificial means. Last season our correspondent, Mr. C. B. Moffat,
discovered it growing on the North Bull in Dublin Bay, which is its first
known station in Britain.

Irish Brambles. — In the Journal of Botany for March, Mr. Praeger
publishes a list of Rubi, collected by him last season in the Counties of
Dublin, Meath, Wicklow, Kildare, Queen's County, and King's County.
This difficult genus has been so little studied by Irish botanists that the
present paper extends the range of all the twenty-four brambles enumer-
ated. Two of them, R. fuscus and R. eckinatus, are additions to the Irish
list, and the notes on the remainder furnish a large number of new dis-
trict records.

ZOOLOGY.

INSECTS.

Irish Butterflies— Lycaena artaxerxes in Co. Galway.—

The list of Irish butterflies in our last month's issue has already received
an addition. In the Entomologist for March, Mr. R. E. Dillon records the
capture of Lyccena astrarche, var. artaxerxes, Fab., at Clonbrock, in July,
1893, in a list of lepidoptera from that locality. The discovery of this
North British form in western Ireland is of great interest We learn
from Mr. W. F. de V. Kane that the record of Argynnis adippe from Galway,
by Mr. Harker, was erroneous, and that Mr. Dillon's record is therefore
the only Irish one for this species.

BIRDS.

Wax wing In Co. Down. — On February 23rd I examined in the
flesh a Waxwing {Am pelts garrulus), received from Portaferry, Co. Down.
It. is a male, immature, with seven " wax " points on each wing, and
measures eight inches from point of bill to end of tail. It was picked up
dead in a potato shed, and was much emaciated, weighing only \\ oz.
Mr. Sheals, who kindly drew my attention to this rare visitor, remarks
that the only other Waxwing he has passed through his hands was
received on the same day last year— 23rd February, 1893.— Robert
Patterson, Malone Park, Belfast.

Snow Buntings in Kildare. — In the Zoologist for March Mr. A.
W. Hasted writes that during the winters of 1891-92 and 1892-93 a great
number of Snow Buntings {Plectrophanes nivalis) visited the Curragh of
Kildare. They apparently have a very local distribution there, as none
were seen in any portion of the country surrounding the Curragh,
though they were abundant on the open downs of the Curragh itself.

MAMMALS.
The Marten In Ireland.— The Zoologist for March contains a
valuable statistical article by the Editor (Mr. J. E. Harting, F.L-S.) on
the distribution of the Marten (Martes sylvatica) in Ireland, in which all
authentic records known to the writer are enumerated under counties.
We trust that the appearance of this paper will lead our Irish naturalists
to contribute what notes they have on the subject. We are aware that
some of them possess information that will considerably supplement the
records given in the present paper.

Irish Naturalist, Vol. ill.]

[PLATE 4.

:

Cross Dyke, Mackdox Point, Whitehouse Fig. 1

P>J»

North vStar Dyke, Ballycastle (Fig. 2).
From Photographs by Mary A'. Andrews.]

Vol. III. MAY, 1894. No. 5.

DYKES IN ANTRIM AND DOWN.

BY MARY K. ANDREWS.

The study of every portion of the earth's crust is instructive,
but the margin of our coast-lines is specially invested with
the most varied and peculiar interest. Here we seem to gain
a fuller insight into the architecture, so to speak, of the earth ;
the sea, aided by the various sub-aerial denuding agents, rain,
frost, wind, &c, constantly wearing down and wearing back
the coast-lines, as constantly bringing fresh surfaces to light.
Independently of this ceaseless change, there is another
reason why this belt of the lithosphere should claim our
attention and excite our interest. It is here that we find
some of the grandest displays of volcanic action. If we take
the borders of the Pacific on the one side, from Cape Horn to
the Aleutian Islands, on the other from Kamtschatka to
Victoria Land, we find it encircled by volcanic cones, the
greatest energy, at the present day, centring around the
Sunda Strait. The detonations of Krakatoa in August, 1883,
are still fresh in our memories.

Traversing the Atlantic Ocean from Greenland to Tristan
d'Acunha, we have a more interrupted series of volcanic
mountains ; many are apparently extinct, but we find active
vents in Iceland, in the Azores, in the Canaries and in other
islands. In this sinuous band, the volcanic rocks of the North-
East of Ireland may be included ; its sheets of basalt and
characteristic dykes remain witnesses to the igneous energy of
the Tertiary Period.

Fringing this basaltic plateau, we have very interesting
groups of dykes, a few, such as those at the Cave Hill, being
exposed at considerable elevations. Several series are well
seen on either side of Belfast Lough at low water. Those
between Lower Whitehouse and Whiteabbey are particularly

A

94 The Irish Naturalist.

striking : traversing the Triassic strata of the district in a
general north-westerly direction, they appear as low wavy
walls of dark rock, very slightly raised above the surrounding
reefs. Macedon Point appears to have been in proximity to
a special centre of disturbance, for here we find two dykes
intersecting, thus forming a beautiful example of a cross dyke

(fig- 1).

Immediately opposite, in Cultra Bay, we find dykes striking
out to sea, in similar wavy lines, and traversing strata of very
varied geological age.

Carrickfergus Castle stands upon one of the largest dykes
of the district ; the basalt of which it is composed is more
Coarsely crystalline than the basalt at Macedon Point, and is
well exposed to view below and between the castle walls.
This dyke forms a landmark of both geological and historic
interest ; it shows how the original line of weakness in the
earth's crust, now strengthened by the filling in of consoli-
dated lava, has offered more resistance to erosion, than the
surrounding strata ; and how man, seizing upon the position
thus prepared by nature, has raised his structure on the point
of strength due to the igneous action of bygone ages.

The basaltic dykes of our northern coast do not always
strike out to sea in irregular branching lines ; they some-
times rather present the appearance of artificial masonry
composed of roughly rhomboidal blocks of basalt, such as
"North Star "dyke (fig. 2). This remarkable dyke traverses
the Carboniferous beds at Colliery Bay, and is known in the
neighbourhood as the " Black Ditch."1 It forms one of a
series of interesting dykes close to Ballycastle, which attracted
the attention of Dr. Hamilton, more than one hundred years
ago; in 1784 he describes them " as extraordinary partitions
of basaltes, which like walls of iron intersect the strata
attendant on the coal of that place, and divide in twain the
solid precipice from its summit to the base." Thirty years
later Dr. Berger read an interesting paper " On the Dykes of

1 " Ditch " is sometimes understoodin Ireland as equivalent to "fence "
or "bank." This recals the old term " whyn-dykes," which Dr.
Richardson tells us " obtained in Scotland the name of dykes from serving
often as fences, and from their material, that of lohyn, the Gaelic name
for basalt." Appendix to Dubourdieu's Statistical Survey of the County
of Antrim, p. 68.

Dykes in Antrim and Down. 95

the North of Ireland" before the Geological Society.
Although he found dykes at various altitudes, more than half
of those he observed were situated on the sea-shore. From
a careful determination of their compass bearings, he found
their general uniform direction to be from south-east to north-
west.

In the County of Down, we have a very interesting outlier
of the Basaltic Plateau of Antrim, Scrabo Hill, which may
possibly have been connected in the Tertiary Period with the
lava-sheets north of Belfast Lough. It contains very striking
examples of dykes, laid open in the faces of its various quarries.
The dolerite of Scrabo not only overlies the Triassic sandstone
of the hill, but has intruded along lines of weakness, in great
horizontal sheets, the edges of which appear in the exposed
sections as horizontal wavy dykes. In one quany, the whole
strata are traversed by a great vertical dyke, which not only
cuts through the horizontal intrusive sheets, and intervening
beds of sandstone, but pierces the capping of dolerite above.
This vertical dyke stands out as a great leaning pillar against
the hill ; it is of looser texture than the intrusive sheets, and
shows a tendency to spheroidal weathering.

In the present paper, I have only dwelt on a few out of the
many characteristic dykes of our district ; examples could
easily be multiplied, and their study offers an interesting field
of research.

Some geologists refer the basalt sheets of our plateau to
" fissure" eruptions, others refer them to eruptions from
volcanic cones, long since obliterated by glacial action. .It is
not easy to obtain direct proof where so many of the original
fissures must be concealed by the superincumbent masses.
The thought indeed sometimes forces itself, may not the one
form of eruption merge into the other, without any special
surface of demarcation ? To trace, where it is possible, the
connection between the dykes, and the supposed old volcanic
"necks" of the district might lead to interesting results.

To these sheets of basalt we owe the preservation of much
of our land-surfaces; they have suffered denudation through the
ages, but the denudation would have been much greater, had
the softer strata been exposed to it unprotected.

It is in the balancing between the external and internal
energies of the globe, that we find the conditions necessary

96 The itisk Naturalist.

to the preservation of life upon the earth, and nowhere can the
varied phenomena peculiar to each be studied with greater
advantage, than in the numerous dykes that have added so
much to the strength and beauty of our Northern Coast.

THE PLANTS OF WESTMEATH.

BY H. C. LKVINGK, D.I,.

( Continued from page 80.)

List of Species.

Thalictrum minus, L.— Shores of Hare Island in L. Ree, B. & V.,
and shores of L. Ree, J.F.

T. flavum, L.— Ladestown, near L. Ennel! Dysart, near Delvin,
Miss B. Reynell.

Ranunculus pseudo-fluitans, Bab.— I,. Owel, near Portloman ;
not previously recorded from Co. Westmeath.

R. trichophyllus, Chaix.— L. Owel, with the last, near Portloman !
and in a drain near Ballykeenan, L,. Ree, B. & V.

R. Drouetii, Godr.— (VII.) River Gaine, Knock Drin.
var. Godronii, Gren.— (VII.) Road ditch, Quarry Bog, Knock Drin.

R. sceleratus, L. — Scraw Bog, L,oughanstown ! near Athlone,
B. &V.

R. Lingua, L. — N.W. end of L. Owel! and in "suitable places" all
round L,. Ree, B. & V. But otherwise not previously recorded from the
Co. Westmeath.

R. auricomus, L.— In woods at roadside near Belvedere.

% Aquilegia vulgaris, L. — Near Killynon, Miss E. Reynell ! and near
Coosau Point, L. Ree, B. & V.

Papaver Argemone, L. — Sparingly on the sides of L. Ree, B. & V.

P. dubium. h. — Knock Drin and Drinmore ! not previously recorded
from the Co. Westmeath.

Fumaria confusa, Jord. — (VII.) Knock Drin.

* Cheiranthus Cheiri, L.— Old toll gate at Athlone, B. & V.

Nasturtium palustrc, DC— Shores of L. Ennel.

N. amphibium, R. Br. — Frequent in drains all round L. Ree, B. &V.

Carclamine flcxuosa, With. — (VII.) Knock Drin, frequent in the
woods.

Sisymbrium officinale, Scop. — Near Mullingar and elsewhere!
but not previously definitely mentioned from Westmeath, though said
to be common near L. Ree, B. and V.

S. Alliaria. Scop.— Knock Drin, and on the stony shores of Lough
Derevaragh at Knock Ross.

♦Erysimum cheiranthoides, L.— Knock Drin, not previously
recorded from the county.

The Plants of Westmeath. 97

f Senebiera Coronopus, Poir.— Roadside near Athlone, B. & V.

Raphanus Raphanistrum, L.— Drinmore, Knock Drin ! and near
Ladywell, B. & V.

Viola palustrfs, L.— Lisclogher Bog, near Bracklyn.

t V. odorata, L., var. alba, Besser.— (VII.) Wood near the old mill.
Knock Drin, well established.

V. tricolor, L. — Lisclogher Bog road, Miss Levinge ; not previously
recorded from the county.

Polygala serpyllacea, Weihe.— (VII.) Bog banks, N.W. end of L.
Derevaragh.

Lychnis diurna, Sibth.— Knock Drin woods, plentiful.

Cerastium glomeratum, Thuill.— Knock Drin, abundant; not
previously definitelv recorded from this countv, but common near
L. Ree, B. & V.

C. triviale, Link. — Knock Drin, abundant, not previously recorded
from the Co. Westmeath.

Stellaria glauca, With.— N.W. end of L. Owel ! shores of L.
Bnnel, near the mouth of the Brosna ! also near L. Ree, B. and V.

Arenaria trinervis, L.— Kilmaglish and Knock Drin.

A. serpyllifolia, L.— Top of Knock Kyon ! and Coosan Point, L. Ree,
B. and V.

Hypericum androscemum, L.— On banks, Knock Drin, &c,
frequent.

t ivialva moschata, L.— Knock Drin, only once found.

t HI. sylvestris, L.--Near the Crooked-wood.

f Geranium pyrenaicum, L.— Roadside between Mount Murray
and Baronstown, Miss Levinge.

C. lucidum, L. — Roadside near Lynbury, and at Reynella.

C. Robertianum, L. — Near Donore, with white flowers; the type
with pink flowers is the exception in that neighbourhood.

Rhamnus catharticus, L.— Knock Eyon, rare.

Hledicago lupulina, L. — Knock Drin ; not previously definitely
recorded from the county, but said to be common near L. Ree, B. and V.

Ononis arvensis, Auct. — Only once seen in a field near Ladywell,
B. and V.

* Trifolium hybridum, L.— (VII.) Knock Drin and Crooked-wood,
in cultivated fields.

Lotus major, Scop. — (VII.) Knock Drin, not unfrequent.

f Vicia hirsuta, Koch.— (VII.) Knock Drin, rare.

% V. tetrasperma, Mcench. — Knock Drin, rare.

V. sepium, L. — Knock Drin, not common.

Lathyrus palustris, L.— N.W. end of L. Owel, very luxuriant ! and
Temple Island, L. Ree, B. and V.
t Prunus avium, L. — Old wood, Knock Drin.
f P. Pad us, L.— (VII.) Knock Drin woods.
Rubus idceus, L. — Plentiful at Knock Drin and elsewhere.
R. f issus, Lindl. — (VII.) Drinmore, in boggy soil.
R. suberectus, Anders. — (VII.) Quarry Bog, Knock Drin.
R. umbrosus, Auct. Angl.— (VII.) Shefin Hill, Miss Levinge.
R. Lindleianus, Lees. — (VII.) Knock Ross

9§ The Irish Naturalist.

R. rustlcanus, Merc.1— (VII.) Hedges about Knock Drin, common.
R. macrophyllus, W. and N.

var. Schlcchtendalll, W. and N.— (VII.) Knock Ross.

var. ampllficatus, Lees.— (VII.) Knock Ross.

R. pyramidalis, Kalt.— (VII.) Knock Ross. Mr. E. F. Linton re-
marks on this " rather more hairy, and rather less glandular than usual."
R. Drejeri, G. Jansen.— (VII.) Knock Drin.

R. f uscus. W. and N.— (VII.) Knock Drin and Knock Ross, frequent.
R. dumetorum, W. and N., var. fcrox, Weihe.— (VII.) Knock Drin.
R. corylifolius x. cceslus.— (VII.) Knock Ross.

R. ccesius. L — (VII.) Knock Ross, on stony shore of Derevaragh.

var. Ilgerinus, Genev.— (VII.) Deer Park fence, Knock Drin.

var. intermedius, Bab.— (VII.) Roadside hedge, Garraree, near
Knock Drin.
R. saxatilis, L. — Knock Ross, abundant.

Geum rivalc, L-— (VII.) Balrath, near Reynella, Miss E. Reynell !

Agri mon ia Eu pator la, Iv.— Roadside between Mullingar and Sonna !
and at Knock Drin, Miss Levinge, not common.

Poterium Sanguisorba, L-— Shore of Rinardo Bay, L. Ree, B.and V.

Rosa spinosissima, L.— Hare Island, L. Ree, Miss Levinge; not
previously definitely recorded from this county, but reported as common
near L. Ree, B. and V.

R. tomentosa, Sm. — Knock Drin ; not previously definitely recorded
from Westmeath ; but said to be common near L. Ree, B. and V.

{ R. rubiginosa, L. — (VII.) Hedges in Loughanstown, Mr. Groves.

R. arvensls, Huds. — Roadside between Killynon and Reynella, Miss
E. Reynell ! not previously recorded from the county ; but referred to
District 7 by B. and V. St. John's Wood (the locality given) is, however,
in District 9, Co. Roscommon.

f Pyrus Aria, Sm. — Knock Drin woods; not previously definitely
reported from this county, but said to have been found in most of the
islands in L. Ree, B. & V.

Saxifraga Hirculus, L. — Lisclogher Bog ; I gathered a few speci-
mens of this rare plant in August, 1888, in the same place where it had
been formerly found by Mr. Reynell, vide " Cyb. Hib.," p, 117.

S. tridactyIItes,L.— Hare Island, L. Ree, Miss Levinge; not common
in the county.

S. hypnoidesf L. — Recorded as from a rock at Reynella ; but it is
not there now.

Parnassla palustris, L. — Shores of L. Derevaragh, Driumore, and
Knock Drin.

Cotyledon Umbilicus, L. — On ruins of Mortimer's Castle, near L.
Derevaragh ; rare.

Drosera anglica, Huds.— Lisclogher Bog.

Myrlophylium verticillatum, L.— (VII.) N. W. end of L. Owel,
and a curious dwarf form near L. Ennel in 1893, growing on ground dry
in the summer of that year, but usually submerged.

var. pectinatum, DC— Bog holes in bog of Lynn.

M. spicatum, L. — L. Owel and River Gaine at Kilmaglish ; not
common.

ML aiternif lorum, DC. — Brittas Lake and holes in Quarry Bog; not
previously definitely recorded from this county, but referred to Dist. 7
by B. & V. ; Kiltoom, the locality given, is in Roscommon, Dist. 9.

• R. rusticanus has been already recorded from District 7 in Journal
of Botany for March, 1894 (p. 76). —Eds.

The Plants of Westmeath. 99

Epilobium palustre, L,— (VII.) Kilmaglish, also edge of L. Bnnel.

Callltrlche hamulata, Kuetz.— (VII.) h. Derevaragh, J. and H.
Groves.

C. oDtusanguIa, LeGall.— (VII.) L. Derevaragh, J. and H. Groves.

J Smyrnium olusatrum, L.— Donore, near the lake at the Boat
Quay.

Conium maculatum, L. — Knock Drin ; not previously recorded
from the county.

CIcuta vlrosa, L. — Edge of L. Ennel, near the mouth of the River
Brosna ; this plant is said to be fatal to cattle, but it is regularly grazed
down in this locality, and the owner of the farm assured me that no harm
to his animals ensues.

* Carum Petroseli num, Benth.— (VII.) Established on an old wall
at Knock Drin.

Si um I at i folium, L— Near Mullingar, J. F., and in many places
along L. Ree, B. and V. I have not seen this in the county.

S. erectum, Huds. — Drains at Knock Drin.

% iEgopodlum podagraria, L.— Killynon, Donore, &c.

Conopodium denudatum, Koch. — Knock Drin and Donore woods,
plentiful; not previously definitely recorded from Westmeath, but said
to be frequent along L. Ree, B. and V.

* IVIyrrhis odorata, Scop. — Crossadree Churchyard, Miss E.
Reynell !

Anthriscus vulgaris, Pers.— Iu Westmeath, F. J. Foot. I have
not seen this in the county.

CEnanthe f istulosa, L.— Edge of L. Ennel ! By the River Inny, B.
and V.

<E. phellandrium, Lam. — Growing to ten and twelve feet in length
in deep water at Knock Ross and Knock Eyon in L. Derevaragh ; not pre-
viously definitely reported from this county, but said to be common
along L. Ree, B. and V.

^ t vEthusa Cynaplum, Iv.— Knock Drin, not previously recorded
from this county.

Daucus Carota, L. — Kilmaglish ; not previously definitely recorded
from this county, but it is common along the shores of L- Ree, B. and V .

Cornus sanguinea, L.— (VII.) Knock Ross, well established if it is
not indigenous.

Galium boreale, L. — Shores of L. Ree, F. J. Foot and B. and V. I

have not seen this in the county.

C. palustre, L. var. elongatum, Prest.— (VII.) Edge of Brittas
Lake, Knock Drin.

C. uliginosum, L. — Lisclogher bog ; Scraw bog, Loughanstown ;
bog of Lynn ; shores of L. Drin and L. Owel.

Valeriana officinalis, L. var. sambucifoila, Mik.— Knock
Drin and elsewhere; all the Valerians in this part of the county appear
to be this variety.

Valerlanella dentata, Poll.— Near Belvedere Lake, D. M. (Cyb.
Hib.). I have not seen this.

Antennarla dioica, R. Br. — Knock Eyon, locally plentiful.

Achillaea Ptarmica, L. — Curraghbrack, not common in the county.

Anthemis Cotula, L. — Knock Drin.

Petasltes vulgaris, Desf. — Ballynegall and Kilmaglish.

* Doronlcum pardallanches, L.— (VII.) Killynon, Miss E,
Reynell ! Well established

ioo The Irish Naturalist.

Car Una vulgaris, L.— Knock Eyon and Knock Ross.

Card u us pycnocephalus, Jacq.— Roadside between Killynon
and Reynella.

Cnlcus pratensis, Willd.— At Ladestown, near L. Ennel.

C. Forstcrl, Sm.— (VII.) N.W. end of L. Owel.

% Centaurea Cyanus, L.— (VII.) Knock Drin, in cultivated fields.

Crepis paludosa. Mcench. — Scraw bog, Loughanstown, and shore
of Derevaragh Lake, N. side of Knock Ross.

JCi taraxacifolla, Thuill. — Near Athlone and one or two other
places, B. and V.

Hieracium umbel latum, L. — Hare Island, L. Ree, B. and V.

H. boreale, Fr. — Coosan point, L. Ree, B. and V.

Leontodon hirtus, L.— Shore of L. Derevaragh at Gartlandstown.

L. hispid us, L. — Fields near Creggan Lough, B. and V.

Sonchus aspcr, Hoffm. — Knock Drin ; not previously definitely
recorded from this county, but referred to Dist 7 by B. and V.

Vaccinium Oxycoccos, L. — Quarry Bog, Knock Drin, and Scraw-
Bog at Loughanstown, where it is exceedingly abundant, forming dense
masses. An abnormal growth of this plant is of frequent occurrence in
both localities, caused by a fungus {Exobasidium vaccinea, Worsin). " This
fungus attacks Ericacece and Vaccinia of many genera in all parts of the
world, and many Rhododendrons in the Himalaya, with a general similarity
in its effects. Some quite small-flowered American Andromedas produce
under it flowers nearly three inches in diameter." Thus writes my friend
Mr. C. B. Clarke of the Kew Herbarium, to whom I sent specimens, and
by whom the plant was submitted to Mr. Cooke and other fungologists at
Kew.

V. Vitis-idaea, L. — Mr. A. G. More informs me that there is, in Dr.
Moore's Herbarium, a specimen of this plant found on the greater bog
of Bracklyn, which is about 280 feet above mean sea-level ; I regret I have
not had an opportunity of searching for it.

Andromeda polifolia, L.— Quarry Bog, Knock Drin, frequent in
the county.

Pyrola rotundlfolia, L.— Abundant in the 'Scraw bog,' Loughans-
town, and Ballynegall, and sparingly in Lisclogher Bog.

P. minor, Sw. — This is said, in " Cyb. Hib." to have been found in
the Ballygall (should be Ballynegall) demesne. I have searched carefully
for the plant, but have not succeeded in finding it.

Primula vcrls x vulgaris, L. — Knock Drin old wood, rare.

Lysimachia vulgaris, L.— Quarry Bog, and N.W. end of L. Owel.

Samolus Valcrandi, L. — Shore of L. Ennel at Ladestown.

Centiana amarella, L. — Drinmore.

IYIyosotis ccespitosa, Schultz.— Edge of L. Derevaragh ! not pre-
viously definitely reported from the county; but itis said to be more plenti-
ful along L. Ree than any other of the genus, B. and V.

Lithospermum officinale, L. — Edmonton, Miss E. Reynell !

Soianum nigrum, L. — Knock Drin, several times seen in garden
ground.

(TO BE CONCLUDED.)

[ ioi ]

RECORDS OF THE EXPORT OF IRISH WOLF-DOGS
TO THE EAST IN THE 17TH CENTURY.

BY V. BAU,, C.B., U,.D., F.R.S.

In his interesting " Notes on the History of the Irish Wolf-
dog," J Prof. J. P. O'Reilly has given evidence of the importa-
tion of these dogs in the 17th and 18th centuries into Spain,
where they were employed in keeping the wolves in check.
I would refer to that paper readers who may desire to become
fully acquainted with the subject, and with a philological
investigation of the Continental terms which were applied
to this variety of dog. Again, in his monograph on the Irish
Wolf-hound a Capt. G. A. Graham has given much informa-
tion about the export of these dogs to England in the 16th,
17th, and 18th centuries. Exportation appears to have been
progressing too fast, however, and in fact threatening exter-
mination of the breed ; for we find that

"In 1652 a Council Order of Cromwell's Government prohibited the
export of Wolf dogs, and offered rewards of ^5 and £6 respectively for
male and female wolves."

On the present occasion I propose to quote certain authors
in connection with the actual export of Irish Wolf-dogs to
the far East, and the high esteem in which they were regarded
there at a still earlier period. In the year 161 7, during an
interview between the Emperor Jahangir and Sir Thomas
Roe, the former having spoken slightingly of some presents
which had been forwarded to the latter for distribution at
Court, but which Jahangir had appropriated, added :

" I will keep them, and only desire you to help me to a horse of the
greatest size. It is all I will expect, and a male and female mastiff, and
the tall Irish greyhounds, and such other dogs as hunt in your lands, and
if you will promise me this I will give you the word of a king I will
fully recompense you, and grant you all your desires."

Sir T. Roe writes :

" I answered I would promise to provide them, but could not warrant
their lives, and if they died by the way, only for my discharge their skins
and bones should be preserved ; he gave extraordinary bows, laid his
hand on his heart, such kind gestures as all men will witness he never
used to any man, nor such familiarity nor freedom, nor profession of
love." 3

1 Proc. Royal Irish Academy (3rd Ser.), Vol. i., 1890.

2 Dursley, 1885.

3 Travels in India the 17th Century. London : Trubner, 1873, p. 91.

A '

102 The Irish Naturalist.

Rev. Edward Terry, Chaplain to Sir T. Roe, relates that in the
present sent to Court, as above referred to, English and Irish
dogs were included; but as only two out of eight arrived safely,it
was for that reason that the Emperor desired more. He says :

" In the year I went to India, the merchants here (as from the King of
England in whose name they sent all their presents), amongst many
other things then seut the Mogul some great English mastiffs and some
large Irish greyhounds, in all to the number of eight, dispersed in our
several ships ; one of these high-spirited mastiffs in our voyage thither,
upon a day seeing a great shoal or company of porpoises, mounting up
above the waves, and coming toward that ship wherein he was, suddenly
leaped overboard to encounter with them, before any did take notice
of that fierce creature to prevent that engagement, wherein he was
irrecoverably lost, the ship then having such a gale of wind, that she
could not suddenly slack her course, whereby that poor creature might
have been preserved. Another, one of the Irish greyhounds, had his
head shot off in our sight. The mange was the destruction of four more
of them, only two of the mastiffs came alive to East India, and they were
carried up each in a little cart, when I went up to the Ambassador (at
Agra) that he might present them to the Mogul." 1

He then describes how one of them broke loose and attacked
an elephant.

Another Chaplain, the Rev. J. Ovington, who made a voyage
to Surat in the}rear 1689, relates that

"A couple of Irish Wolf dogs were so prized in Persia, that they were
taken as a welcome and admired present by the Emperor (Shah) himself.
Two more of which (which were given to me by the Earl of Inchequin
when we put into Kingsale {sic) after the voyage) I disposed of to the
East India Company, who despatched them in their ships immediately
to the Indies, to be there bestowed on some of the Eastern Courts."2

He then relates, as an example of the value set upon

European dogs, how a combat between the armies of two

nobles, in consequence of a dispute as to the ownership of an

English mastiff, was narrowly avoided by a reference to the

English president who decided the merits of the respective

claims.

1 A Voyage to East India. Loudon, 1777, p. 140.
3 A Voyage to Suratt. London, 1696.

[ <03 ]

INSECTS COLLECTED BY THE ROYAL IRISH
ACADEMY FLORA AND FAUNA COMMITTEE,

1893.

BY REV. W. F. JOHNSON, M.A., F.E.S., J. N. HALBERT, AND

GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC.
{Contimced from page 89.)

COLEOPTERA.

This order of insects has yielded better results than any other. The
following list of captures, with some notes on distribution, contains
eighteen beetles (distinguished by an asterisk), which we believe to be
new to Ireland. It is remarkable that some of the insects now recorded
from Co. Donegal have in Great Britain a southern range, while several
northern British forms have been discovered in the south-west of Ireland.
We have to thank Dr. D. Sharp and Rev. Canon Fowler for identifying
some of the more critical species.

CICINDELIDJE.

Cicindela campestris, L. — Berehaven, common, especially in dry
sandy places near the coast. This beetle seems widely spread in the
south-west of Ireland, having been observed also at Slea Head, to the
west of Dingle (August, 1889).

CARABIDyE.

Carabus catenulatus, Scop. — Hungry Hill. Ballyhaise, in moss on
trees. Slieve Glah, under stones.

C. glabratus, Payk. — Mountains between Adrigole and Glengariff.

C. clathratus, L.— Slieve Mishkish,

These three species have not been hitherto recorded from the south-
west of Ireland. The occurrence of the two latter is of great interest,
as further evidence for the northern and alpine character of a section of
the fauna of this mild southern region.

C. nemoralis, Mull. — Coolmore. Ballyhaise, Oak Wood. Slieve
Glah, remains under stones.

C. gran u latus, L.— Coolmore. Slieve Glah, remains under stones ;
no living specimen found. Dursey. Near Killarney.

Notiophilus biguttatus, F. — Coolmore. Dundalk. Ballyhaise.

N. substriatus, Wat— Coolmore. Cultragh Lough. Dursey; an
addition to the fauna of S.W. Ireland.

N. aquaticus, L-— Coolmore. Ballyhaise.

N. palustris, Duft.— Coolmore.

Nebria brevicollis, F. — Cavan. Berehaven. Killarney, common.

Pelophila borealis, Payk. — Banks of R. Erne above Ballyshannon,
under stones, pretty numerous.

Blethisa mu It i punctata, L.— Coolmore, in a marsh.

Elaphrus riparius, L-— Coolmore, and banks of R. Erne near
Ballyshannon.

E. cupreus, Duft.— Coolmore, banks of R. Erne. Near Dundalk, in
marshy field.

Clivina fossor, L.— Coolmore. Shores of Lough Oughter.

Dyschirius politus, Dej.— Coolmore, on sandy beach in company
with Bembidium pallidipenne, both appearing to prey upon the Bledii
which abounded in the same spot.

D. globosus, Herbst.— Coolmore, under stones by a small stream,

104 The Irish Naturalist.

Broscus cephalotes, L. — Coolmore, very numerous.

Badlster bipustulatus. F.— Coolmore. Near Cavan.

Chiaenius nigricornis, F. — Coolmore, and banks of R. Erne near
Ballyshannon.

Bradycellus verbascl, Duft.— Coolmore.

Harpalus ru picola, Sturm. — On the shore at Greenore. This is
the only locality as yet for this beetle in Ireland. Rev. W. F. Johnson
took it there in 1888, vide Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xxv., p. 140. In England it
seems confined to the east and south-

H. ruficornis, F.— Coolmore.

H. aerie us, F. — On the beach at Greenore.

H. I at us, L-— Ballyhaise.

Pterostlchus cupreus, L.— -Coolmore.

P. versicolor, Sturm. — Bere Island, a very dark form.

P. madid us, F. — Coolmore. Near Cavan, common.

P. nlger, Schall.— Fathom. Dundalk.

P. vulgaris, L. — Coolmore. Slieve Gullion. Fathom.

P. anthracinus, 111. — Common under stones on Lough Oughter
shore. The only other Irish record is " near Belfast" by Haliday.

P. nlgrita, F. — Coolmore. Berehaven. Shores of Lough Oughter.

P. gracilis, Dej. — Shores of Lough Oughter.

P. minor, Gyll.— Shores of Lough Oughter.

P. strenuus, Panz. — Coolmore.

P. dillgens, Sturm. — Shores of Lough Oughter.

P. striola, F. — Coolmore. Slieve Gullion. Berehaven ; this seems the
commonest Pterostlchus in the south-west, being found by everyone who
collects in the district.

Amara spinlpes, Duft.— Coolmore.

A. Plfrons, Gyll. — Coolmore.

A. communis, Panz.— Coolmore.

Calathus cisteloides, Panz.— Coolmore.

C. fuscus, F. — Coolmore, at roots of Ammophila.

C. melanocephalus, L. — Coolmore.
var. nubigena, Hal Coolmore. Slieve Glah. Dursey. This in-
teresting melanic variety was until lately known only from consider-
able altitudes. Two of the above localities, however, are near the
sea-level. Dr. Scharff also has taken it on the Aran Islands in
Galway Bay, at a moderate elevation. It occurs also on the Faroe
Islands,

C. piceus, Marsh. — Ballyhaise, Oak Wood.
Taphria nivalis, Panz. — Coolmore.

Anchomenus angusticollls, F. — Banks of R. Erne above Bally-
shannon under stones, pretty numerous.

A. alftipes, F. — Coolmore. R. Erne. Cavan. Hungry Hill, common.

A. oblongus, vSturm. — Shores of Lough Oughter, very common under
stones.

A. marglnatus, L. — Coolmore.

A. parumpunctatus, F. — Coolmore. Shores of Lough Oughter.
Killarney.

A. viduus, Panz.— Shores of Lough Oughter.

A. micans, Nic. — Shores of Lough Oughter.

A. fuliginosus, Panz. — Ballyhaise.

A. gracilis, Gyll.— Coolmore.

R.I.A. Committee — Insects in 1893. 105

Bembidium rufescens,Guer.— Coolmore, common in tufts of grass
on the cliffs. Near Ballyhaise in moss on banks of R. Annalee.
B. obtusum, Sturm.— Shores of Lough Oughter.
B. IYIannerheimi, Sahl.— Coolmore.

B. Clarki, Daws.— Coolmore. The only other Irish record is Armagh.
B. lam pros, Herbst.— Coolmore. Dursey.

* B. nltidulum, Marsh — Coolmore, under stones in a damp piece of
ground close to the beach.

B. femoratum, Sturm.— Coolmore, in company with the last.
B. bruxellense, Wesm.— Shores of Lough Oughter.
B. saxatile, Gyll. — Coolmore with B. femoratum.

B. Iittorale. Oli v.— Coolmore. Shores of Lough Oughter.

B. pallidipenne, 111.— Coolmore, in great numbers on the sandy
beach, evidently preying on Bledii.

Trechus lapidosus, Daws. — Coolmore, rare.

T. mi nut us, F. — Coolmore.

Dromlus linearis, Ol.— Coolmore. Carlingford.

D. quadrimacuiatus, L.— Ballyhaise under bark. Killarne}\

D. melanocephalus, Dej. — Near Cavan, common.

HALIPLIDJE.

Haliplus ruficollis, DeG.— Coolmore. Lough Oughter, in drains.

DYTISCID^E.
Laccophllus intcrruptus. Panz. — Coolmore, in drains.
L. obscurus, Panz. — Lough Oughter, in drains.

Coelambus quinquelineatus, Zett. — Coolmore. Lough Oughter,
in drains.

C. novemlincatus, Steph. — Coolmore, plentiful in a drain leading
into a brackish piece of water. The only other Irish locality is Armagh.

C. lmpressopunctatus, Sch. — Coolmore, plentiful in company
with the last named species. The other Irish records are Waterford
(the late Dr. Power) and Killarney (Mr. Wollaston). A single specimen
has occurred at Armagh.

Hydroporus vittula, Br. — Coolmore.

H. palustris, L. — Coolmore. Lough Oughter, in drains.

H. erythrocephalus, L. — Coolmore.

H. obscurus, Sturm. — In a small pool near the top of Slieve Glah.

H. pubescens, Gyll.— Lough Oughter, in drains.

H. Iituratus, F. — Lough Oughter, in drains.

Agabus sturmil, Gyll. — Coolmore.

A. bipustulatus, L — Coolmore. Lough Oughter, in drains.

Ilybius fuliginosus, F.— Lough Oughter, in drains.

I. atcr, DeG. — Coolmore.

Dytiscus punctulatus, F.— Lough Oughter, in drains.

GYRINIDyE.
Cyrinus natator, Scop. — Coolmore.

* G. elongatus, Aube— Coolmore, in pools.

G. bicolor, Payk.— Coolmore. Armagh is the only other Irish
locality.

G. marinus, Gyll.— Berehaven.

* G. opacus, Sahl.— Adrigole. An interesting addition to our Irish
fauna, especially as it appears to be a northern species in Great Britain,
yet occurs here in the south-west.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

106 The Irish Naturalist.

NOTES ON OCCURRENCES OF THE MARTEN
(MARTES SYLVATICA) IN ULSTER.

BY ROBERT PATTERSON, F.Z.S.

Up to the year 1879 two species of Marten were supposed
to inhabit the British Islands, the Pine Marten and the Beech
Marten. The chief external difference was in the breast-spot ;
in the Pine Marten it was yellow or cream-colour ; in the Beech
Marten it was white or whitish. There were other slight
external differences, and the shape of the skull and size of the
teeth were supposed to distinguish the two species. The
habits of the two were also said to be different, the Pine Marten
frequenting Pine trees, and the Beech Marten Beech trees, as
well as mountains and rocks, while the latter was said to be
much more bold and daring.

In 1879 the late Edward Alston, who was an authority on
the subject, stated that in his opinion the Beech Marten (which
is the common Marten of the Continent) is not, and never was,
a member of the British fauna. " During the last ten 3^ears "
(1869-79), he adds, "I have missed no opportunity of ex-
amining native Martens, and have endeavoured to trace out
every supposed Beech Marten that I could hear of. I have
thus seen a very large number of specimens from various
parts of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and every one
has proved to be Martes sylvatica, the Pine Marten." It is
greatly to the credit of our Irish naturalist, the late William
Thompson, of Belfast, that, prior to 1852, he had arrived at
somewhat similar conclusions, remarking that the yellow
colour on the breast of the young gave place to white in the
adult. He considered this a satisfactory explanation of the
fact that the yellow-breasted form should be the more common
with us, as the young of all animals more easily fall victims to
man. Of thirteen Martens received by Mr. Steals, taxider-
mist, Belfast, not one had the white breast.

Martens are very destructive to every kind of game, and
consequently are trapped and killed by game-preservers on
every occasion. They reside chiefly in trees, and pre}' upon birds,
squirrels, and other small animals. But they will also descend
to the ground and destroy not only mice, rats, rabbits, and
hares, but even lambs. Thompson relates that a farmer in the

Notes on the Marten (Martes sylvatica) in Ulster. 107

neighbourhood of Donard Lodge, Co. Down, "had fourteen
out of twenty-one lambs killed in one night, and the des-
troyers contented themselves with sucking the blood of their
victims. On the following night the remaining seven were
treated in a similar manner, and a couple of Martens were seen
taking their departure from the scene of devastation." They
were traced, and were found to have taken up their abode in
a deserted Magpie's nest in Tollymore Park. In 1 881, as I am
informed by Mr. Ussher, a mother and two big young Martens
were killed at Oaklands, Co. Wexford. There had been a
destruction of lambs in the vicinity which was attributed to
Stoats, but the bites in the necks were larger than those made
by the latter animal. We need not therefore be surprised that
the Marten is becoming rare, in Ulster at all events. In the
following brief notes on its occurrences in our province, I begin
on that foundation-stone of most branches of Irish Zoology —
Thompson's " Natural History of Ireland." I have to thank
many landlords and game-keepers for information cheerfully
given, and I have especially to thank Mr. Sheals, of Corpor-
ation-street, Belfast, for valuable records taken from his books.
I give the counties in alphabetical order.

Co. Antrim. — Thompson mentions the following localities where the
Marten has occurred : — Glenarm Park, Glenariffe, Shane's Castle Park,
vicinity of Larne, Tullamore Lodge, Castle Dobbs, and Malone House,
within four miles of Belfast. At the latter place, he says, a pair of
Martens were discovered in possession of a Magpie's nest ; similar cases
occurred in Tollymore Park and Belvoir Park, Co. Down. In the Belfast
Museum the only Ulster specimen we had until quite lately is labelled
"Toome Bridge, Co. Antrim, May, 1851." About forty years ago one
was trapped at Garron Tower. In 1866 two were trapped in Glenarm
Deer-park, as I am informed by Lord Antrim. In 187 1 one was taken at
Shane's Castle, and another in 1884 at Glenarm — a very fine specimen,
weighing 5 lbs. Then comes an interval of nine years, during which I
have no records from Co. Antrim, until last year— 1893 — when three
specimens were taken— one in Glenarm Park in February, one in March
at Portglenone, and one in May at Templepatrick. Mr. Montgomery, of
Benvarden, Dervock, informs me that one of his game-keepers saw last
spring an animal which, from his description, seems to have been a
Marten, and as Portglenone is only about 12 miles distant, this was
probably the one trapped in March. Lord Templetown's game-keeper
informs me their specimen was the first seen there for over 45 years.

Co. Armagh.— Lord Gosford's demesne, Churchhill, and Tanderagee
are given by Thompson. Sir Wm. Lenox-Conyngham writes me that
one was caught at Churchhill about 25 years ago, and the specimen is

io8 The Irish Naturalist.

preserved. One was taken at The Argory about 24 years ago, as I ani
informed by Captain Shelton, who kindly sent me the skin for
inspection.
Co. Cavan. — No records.

Co. Donegal,.— Thompson says:— "J. V. Stewart notes the yellow-
breasted Marten in his catalogue of the mammalia of this county." It is
also mentioned by the late Col. J. Whyte. About 25 years ago a pair
nested in the thatch of an outhouse near Coxtown. Major Hamilton, of
Ballintra, writes that in one year, between 1865 and '70, he shot one and
trapped another, and he had trapped some before these dates. He says,
" They used to steal plums on the garden wall, and be caught on
" the top of it, but I cannot tell the dates or numbers. I have never
"seen any since, though I have heard of one." Mr. H. C. Hart saw one
at Glenalla in 1879, and in 1880 two were obtained, one at Horn Head,
and one at Ards. About 1S83 two were trapped in a demesne three miles
from Ballyshannon, and in September, 1883, one was killed not far from
the town of Donegal. Some years ago two were taken on a mountain
near Glenties. I am informed they have been occasionally seen in Glen
Veagh and near Lough Esk.

Co. Down. — In this county Hillsborough Park, Tollymore Park,
Donard Lodge, and Belvoir Park, are mentioned by Thompson as former
haunts. There were some in Portavoe in 1854. In 1874 or '75 one was
trapped near Castlewellan, as Dr. Gray kindly informs me. This speci-
men measures 2 feet 7! inches over all. In 1882 one was killed at Castle
Ward, near Downpatrick, and a particularly fine specimen from Narrow-
Water Castle was received by Mr. Sheals in January, 1886. In April, 1891,
one was trapped at Finnabrogue, Downpatrick, and was most generously
mounted and presented to the Belfast Museum by Major Maxwell. In
October of the same year (1891), another was killed by Lord Roden's
keeper at Bryansford. It measured 28 inches, weighed 3J lbs., and had
evidently been trapped before, as one foot was gone. Two were taken
some years ago at Montalto, Ballynahinch.

Co. Fermanagh. — Thompson's only locality in this county is Florence
Court. In former times it was frequently found in wooded demesnes
along the shores of Lough Brae, but now seems very rare. The last
Marten seen at Florence Court was killed by Lord Bnniskillen about 30
years ago. One was got in July, 1869, at Killaleas, Lough Erne. The
Earl of Erne kindly sends me the following information. " About 20 years
"ago, I killed a Marten Cat while cover-shooting on an island in Lough
" Erne, forming part of the Erne demesne. I never saw one there before
" or since. I recollect an old man, tenant of a farm on the island, who
" happened to be with me at the time, saying that they were very plenti-
ful when he was a boy, but that he had not seen one for at least 40 years."
Captain Archdale states that Martens were not at all uncommon about
Irvinestown 70 years ago, and that they were very destructive to wall-fruit.
It is 14 years since one was shot at Castle Archdale, and for 20 years
previously they were only occasionally seen.

Co. Londonderry. — Thompson mentions Castledawson ; I have no
recent records.

Notes on the Marten (Maries sylvatica) in Ulster. 109

Co. Monaghan. — My only note for this county is one on the authority
of Sir John Leslie, who informs me that a Marten was trapped by his
keeper at Glasslough in 1891.

Co. Tyrone.— On the 24th June, 1887, Mr. Sheals received a Marten
from Cookstown ; I have no other records.

I am well aware this list of recent occurrences must be very
far from complete, but I would express the hope that the
publication of it will be the means of bringing in fresh informa-
tion about this interesting and scarce animal. Almost nothing
is known about its occurrences in Counties Armagh, Cavan,
Londonderry, Monaghan, and Tyrone, and I shall be very
grateful for notes from these counties. All communications
addressed to me at Malone Park, Belfast, will be promptly
acknowledged.

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royal Zoological Society.

Recent donations comprise fresh-water fish from F. Godden, Esq. ;
two pairs of Pigeons from J. B. O'Callaghan, Esq. ; and a Heron from
T. Harey, Esq. Twelve monkeys and forty Water-fowl have been
acquired by purchase.

12,900 persons visited the Gardens in March.

Dublin Microscopical Club.

March 15th— The Club met at Mr. W. Archer's.

Prof. Cole exhibited a section and specimen of a Variolite (altered
coarsely spherulitic basalt glass), from near Ballagh Bridge, coast of
Mourne, a fifth locality for this rare rock in the British Isles. The
distinction between the dusky spherulites and the green altered glassy
groundmass is well seen in this example, which is, as in other cases,
clearly the result of rapid cooling of a basalt dyke.

Professor Cole also exhibited a section from another of the numerous
dykes of Mourne, in which skeleton-crystals of the constituents of bas-
altic andesite have developed with a beauty and abundance such as occurs
more usually in artificial slags.

Prof. T. Johnson exhibited a living specimen of Halosphaera viridis,
Schmz., a minute globular green alga, which was found floating at the
surface of the sea by the exhibitor, when with the fishery survey boat
" Harlequin," in April, 1891, off the coast of Galway. The material
exhibited had been sent from Plymouth by Mr. Garstang, who had taken
it there in the tow-net for a month past. The life-history of the weed
is incompletely known, and it is hoped, by the examination of specimens
now under cultivation, to make it known. Halosphaera was first observed
at Naples, several years later at Plymouth, by Mr. Cunningham, and in
1891 along the south and west coasts of Ireland. As a source of food
supply and as an oxygenator of the sea-water it must be regarded as an
important economic plankton member.

Mr. G. H. Carpenter showed female specimens of Orthezia cataphracta,
Shaw, collected at the foot of Slieve Glah, Co. Cavan, by Mr. J.N.
Halbert. This insect belongs to the Coccida, and is covered with a white,
waxy secretion, arranged in symmetrical plates. Two of these project

no The Irish Naturalist.

behind the bod}-, forming a marsupium or pouch in which the eggs are
carried. The winged male is very rare. This is a northern species
ranging through Lapland, Greenland, Scotland, and northern England
and Ireland ; it has been found in recent years in the Styrian Alps. Mr
H. C. Hart was the first to notice it in Ireland (in 1880), in Cos. Donegal
and Wicklow. Rev. W. F. Johnson has also found it near Armagh.

Mr. Duerden exhibited slides of Campanulina tnrrita, obtained from
various parts of the coast of Ireland. This species, so far as is known, has
only been obtained from Irish waters. It was first found by Professor
Wyville Thomson in Belfast Lough, and the description of the species in
Hincks's " Brit. Hydroid Zoophytes " is based upon his figure. At an
early stage the colony is of a very simple type, single hydrothecae rising
from the creeping stolon. Later the colony becomes larger, and much
branched. A fine colony, bearing the gonothecae, was shown growing on
the spider-crab Stenorhynchus rostratus and extending even to the ends of
the antennae.

Mr. H. H. Dixon showed longitudinal sections of the ovules of
Galanthns nivalis and HyacintJms orientalis stained in mixtures of saffranine
and iodine green, and also of fuchsin and iodine green. With these stains
the polar nuclei and the secondary nucleus of the embryo sac become
red, while the nuclei of the antipodal cells become brilliant blue, i.e. the for-
mer are erythrophil, and the latter cyanophil. The synergidae and the
oosphere are faintly cyanophil. The nucleolus oftheantipodalcellsis small
and stains brilliant red. There is a large red nucleolus in the oosphere. In
the nuclei of the endosperm formed later on, there are very large and
brilliant red nucleoli which, as is usual, are situated in a vacuole in
the nucleus.

Mr. M'ArdlE exhibited Coliirolejeunea calyptrifolia, Hook, a rare liver-
wort which is very minute, and is generally found growing epiphytic on
the larger Hepaticae. The leaves are two-lobed, the superior the largest,
which is elongated and formed into a shape which, in no small degree,
resembles the calyptra of some mosses ; the opening at the base in the
younger leaves is overlapped by half the sub-quadrate inferior lobe; the
stipules (underleaves) are oblong, closely adpressed and deeply divided into
two acute lobes. The specimens were collected at O'Sullivan's Cascade,
Killarney, by exhibitor, in November, 1893. The plant is also remarkable
as being the only British representative of the five known species which
are placed in the genus by Dr. R. Spruce in his work on the Hepaticae
Amazonicae et Andince. Mr. M'Ardle drew attention to an interesting
article on the "Adaptation in Liverworts," published in the March
number of Natural Science, by Mr. Jesse Reeves.

Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society.

April 3rd. — Prof. William Knight, LL.D., lectured on the Higher
Education of Women.

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

March 20th. — This was the annual meeting of the Microscopical Sec-
tion. The Secretary of the Club (Mr. F. J. BiGGER) read the report of the
Section, which was adopted. ' Mr. P. F. Gulrransen read a paper
entitled "Why do objects appear larger when viewed through a Micro-
scope ? " The Microscopical Committee was re-elected, with the addition
of the name of Prof. Symington. The meeting then resolved itself into
a conversazione, and the members examined the large display of micro-
scopical objects and apparatus that was spread on the tables.

March 29th. — Mr. William Gray, M.R.I. A., gave a lecture on the
Holy Wells of Ireland.

April 10th.— Mr. George Coffey, M.R.I. A., delivered a lecture on
the Pagan Cemeteries and Burial Customs of Ancient Ireland.

Proceedings of Irish Societies. in

Dublin Naturalists' Field Club.

April ioth.— The President (Mr. G. H. Carpenter) in the chair.
Prof. Johnson, D.Sc, gave a short account of a group of microscopic
plants which Bornet and Flahault in 1889 showed were active in the
gradual but complete disintegration of emptv molluscan shells. The
perforating plants belong to the blue-green, green, and red sea-weeds,
and in two instances to fungi. They are especially abundant in oyster,
cockle, and razor shells, which they colour green, grey, &c. Half of the
known species have been found within the last few years on different
parts of the Irish coast, partly by expeditious under the auspices of the
Royal Irish Academy. Reference was made to the discovery within the
last fifty years by Carpenter, Duckett, Moseley, Duncan, and others of
similar if not identical plants in recent and fossil corals, in foraminifera,
fish scales, and calcareous pebbles. It was also mentioned that some of
the boring plants are found in fresh water and also in shells of living
animals.

Mr. J. E. Duerden, A.R.C.S., gave a paper on " Irish Polyzoa." He
described the structure of those minute zoophytes, of which some form
the horny skeletons popularly known as " sea-mats." At one time they
were regarded as plants. Figures were thrown on the screen of some of
the rare forms which have been dredged by the various surveys of the
Royal Irish Academy. Several of the interesting fresh-water species
obtained by Professor Allman from the Irish canals and other localities
were next dealt with. At the close a demonstration was given of many
of our common Irish forms, and rarer specimens were exhibited under
the microscope. The President and Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger took part
in the discussion which ensued.

Mr. Greenwood Pim exhibited a fine specimen of a fungus, Morchella
near Smithiana, but possibly distinct, sent him on the previous day by a
member of the Club, Mr. W. F. De V. Kane, from Ahascreagh, Co.
Galway.

Mr. Praeger then exhibited specimens from Co. Armagh and Co.
Derry of the very rare orchid Spiranthes Romanzoviana. He said that in
the whole of Europe this plant was known to grow only in Ireland. For
many years it was known only from Co. Cork, but its recent discovery in
Armagh and Derry should encourage botanists to seek it elsewhere in
this country, and he urged members visiting boggy districts in August,
to look for this plant, which was as beautiful and interesting as it was
rare.

Cork Naturalists' Field Club.

April nth. — Annual Meeting. Prof. Hartog, President, in the
chair. The Treasurer's statement, showing a balance in hand of over
j£io, and the Report of the Committee were submitted and adopted.
The Report states that the formation of the Club has interested and
stimulated many in the study of natural history, and asks that increased
zeal may be shown by the members in the coming year. The want of a
club-room and museum is felt to be a drawback to the Club's work. The
following officers were elected : — President — Prof. Hartog ; Vice-
Presidents— Mr. D. Lane, Mr. W. H. Shaw, Miss Martin; Hon.
Treasurer— Mr. J. Gilbert; Curator — Mr. R. H. Phillips; Hon. Secre-
taries—Messrs. J. L. Copeman and BarringTON ; Committee— Mrs. J. H.
Thompson, Messrs. J. H. Bennett, H. Lund, O. R. Bergin, D. Hunter,
S. Harrington, J. Xoonan, T. Dillon, J. M'Kenzie, and J. Porter.

Limerick Naturalists' Field Club.

March 6th. — A series of photographic lantern slides, showing various
forms and stages of Pond Life, were exhibited by the aid of Mr. B.
Barrington's lantern, also living specimens of Volvos, Hydra, Cyclop,
Stent or, &c.

112 The Irish Naturalist.

March 20th.— Mr. J. Stewart delivered an interesting address de-
scriptive of ants, their habits, varieties, and distribution, illustrating the
subject by means of some very beautifully-coloured diagrams and lantern
transparencies, also living specimens from this neighbourhood.

ROYAE DUBEIN SOCIETY.

February 21st. — A paper upon Kozoonal Structure in the limestone
rock of Monte Somma, by Dr. J. W. Gregory, F.G.S., and Prof. H.
Johnston-La vis, FG.S., was communicated by Prof. Cole. The authors
show that the limestone blocks ofMesozoicage in Monte Somma (Vesuvius)
have frequently become metamorphosed into crystalline masses consis-
ting of alternating bands of calcite and various silicates. The authors
regard the silica, magnesia, &c, as derived from the igneous rock, by
chemical interpenetration and interaction. Where the silicate, as often
happens, is olivine (montecellite), or a pyroxene, a complete simulation
of the structure of the supposed foraminifer Eozoon canadenseis produced ;
the layers of silicates occur parallel to the surfaces of any igneous vein
that may have intruded into the limestone, and they become closer to
one another in the areas farther removed from contact. The " proper
wall," the "stolons," and in places the " canal-system " of Eozoon are
recognisable under the microscope ; and the authors adduce evidence to
show that the typical Eozoonal limestone of Canada may have arisen
similarly as a product of contact-metamorphism.

Prof. GrenvieeE A. J. CoeE, M.R.I.A., F.G.S., read apaper on Derived
Crystals in Basaltic Andesite of Glasdrumman Port, Co. Down. A large
composite dyke shows at this point a band of andesite on each side, from
4 to 17 feet wide, and a more recent dyke of eurite in the centre, 36 feet
across. The eurite includes numerous blocks of andesite, and sends off
veins into it; but the pyroxene and glass of the latter rock have become
remelted at the contact, a delicate interpenetration of the two magmas
has occurred, and the porphyritic crystals of quartz and pink felspar
from the eurite are found completely surrounded by the dark andesite.
Thus a pre-existing rock comes to include crystals derived from one that
has subsequently invaded it, and hand-specimens, apart from study in
the field, would be of a most misleading character.

NOTES

BOTANY.

PHANEROGAMS.

Artemisia Stelleriana in Ireland.— Mr. Colgan follows up Prof.
Areschoug's article in the March number of the Journal of Botany on the
position of Artemisia Stelleriana in the European flora, by an examination
of its claim to a place in the Irish flora, written in his usual careful style,
and published in the April number of the same journal. Mr. Colgan's
conclusion is that there can be no doubt that this plant is an introduc-
tion in its habitat on the North Bull. It appears that the plant was
cultivated for many years at St. Anne's, and that the refuse from the
garden there was shot on the foreshore within half-a-mile of where the
plant now grows. Given a westerly wind and a rising tide, a few scraps
of the Artemisia have floated across the narrow channel to the North
Bull, and, as the plant is a particularly hardy and free-growing species,
the mystery of its appearance is solved.

Notes.

ZOOLOGY.

113

Fauna of Mulroy Bay, Donegal.— On August 14th last, Mr. R.
D. Darbishire and Rev. A. H. Delap carried out some dredgings in
Mulroy Bay, North Donegal. I am indebted to the kindness of these
gentlemen for the notes, list of mollusca, and slide of foraminifera, from
which the present note is compiled. Particulars : — Four dredgings
taken with an iS-inch dredge in north loop of Mulroy — (i.)W. ofCroghan
Island, 21-25 fathoms ; (2.) N. by W. of Croghan Island, 18-19 £ ; (3-) S.
and K. of Doherty's rock, 17-18 f". ; E. of Lamb Island, 23-27 f. The result
in all four scrapes was very similar — a fine, thick, black mud, not
putrescent, with a little gritty sand and a few sharp quartz pebbles ;
only a few shells, live and dead. One or two scrapes were also taken at
the mouth of Moross Channel, in a few fathoms depth ; the dredge
brought up abundance of living Lima hians from 2 f., on a sandy bottom,
and from 5 or 6 f. in its nests among Laminaria ; also a small feather-
star in the stalked stage. The results were, as Mr. Darbishire remarks,
very disappointing, and the fauna remarkable for its poverty; nevertheless,
there are one or two interesting species, as I shall point out ; and so
little marine work has been done in Donegal that any acquisition to the
knowledge of the fauna is desirable.

Moi^ivUSCA (determined by R. Standen) : — Lima hians (Gm.) — alive and
plentiful ; Mytilus edulis, L. (young) ; Montacuta bidentata (Mont.) — valves ;
Kellia suborbicularis (Mont.) — valves ; Axinus flexuosus (Mont.) — alive and
plentiful ; Mr. Darbishire writes that it came up alive in every haul ;
Cardium edule, L. (young) ; Venus ovata, Penn. — dead ; Tellina tenuis, Da C.
— valves; Corbula gibba, Olivi — a few alive, small; Panopea plicata (Mont.)
— valves; Saxicava rugosa (L-) — valves; Cyclostrema nitens (PhiL.) ; Rissoa
inconspicua, Aid. ; R. striata, (Ad.) ; Turritella terebra (L-) ; Odostomia scalaris
(Phil.); 0. acicula (Phil.); 0. spiralis (Mont.); 0. interstincta (Mont.) ; 0.
insculpta (Mont.) ; O. pallida (Mont.); 0. rufa, Phil.; 0. turrita, Han.; O.
■unidentala (Mont.) ; Cerithium reticulatum (Da C.) ; Utriculus truncatulus
(Brug.) ; Cylichna umbilicata (Mont.). All the above univalves were dead.
One or two species in the above list call for remark. Lima hians has been
already recorded as plentiful at Moross by Mr. Hart {Zoologist, 1892) ; and
this second note of its abundance there is interesting, as, excepting a
single specimen dredged many years ago by the Ordnance collectors off
Belfast Lough (Thompson), and another in the same locality by Grooms-
port fisherman (Proc. Belfast Nat. Hist. Socy., 1859) there is no other
record of this pretty shell from Ulster. Montacuta bidentata is a rare shell
in Ulster. Axinus flexuosus, though widely distributed, has apparently
not been previously taken alive on our northern coasts. Panopea plicata
— I know of no previous Irish record for this as a recent shell ; it occurs
in the estuarine clays of Belfast (Stewart) and Magheramorne, near
Larne (Bell). Odostomia rufa (type) has not been previously recorded from
the northern coasts, though its var.fulvocincta is not uncommon; I have
to thank Mr. J. T. Marshall for kindly confirming the determination of
this shell. Several of the other Odostomice, Cyclostrema nitens, and Utriculus
truncatulus, have only once or twice been previously recorded from the
northern province, and additional stations are welcome.

Foraminifera (determined by Joseph Wright, F.G.S.): — Biloculina
depressa, d'Orb ; Miliolina seminulum, Linn. ; M. sclerotica, Kar. ;
Haplophragmium canariense, d'Orb ; Verneuilina polysttopha, Rss. ; Virgulina
Schreibersii, Cz. ; Bulimina pupoides, d'Orb; B. marginata, d'Orb; Bolivina
lavigata, Will. ; B. punctata, d'Orb ; Lagena Icevis, Mont. ; L. lineata, Will. ; Z.
gtacillima, Seg. ; Z. sulcata, W. and J. ; L. Williamsoni, Alcock ; L.
semistriata, Will. ; L. squamosa, Mont. ; Z. hexagona, Will. ; Z. laevigata, Rss. ;
Z. lucida, Will ; Nodosaria scalaris, Batsch. ; Cristallaria crepidula, F. and M. ;
Uvigerina angulosa, Will. ; Discorbina rosacea, d'Orb ; Rotalia beccarii, Linn. ;
Nonionina depressula, W. and J. ; Polystomella crispa, Linu. ; P. striato*
punctata, F. and M.

114 The Irish Naturalist.

Mr. Wright (to whom my best thanks are due for the above list)
remarks that the species are such as would be likely to occur in almost
any gathering at moderate depths around our coast.

A list of the worms, ascidians, &c, as determined by Mr. Darbishire
and Prof. Herdman, is not at present available. The Holothurian Synapta
inlmrens was taken, and the gephyrean Phascolosoma vulgarc in the deeper
water.— R. Li^oyd Prarger.

INSECTS.

Early appearance of Butterflies. — The present season promises
to be an early one. I caught a very fresh specimen of Lyccena argiolus, a
female, on the 26th of March, and on the 8th of this month (April), I saw
a specimen of Pararge egeria in my garden. The Azure Blue is very
common here in the woods of Curraghmore. One brood only has been
observed, viz., in the spring — though I have often searched for it
during the summer months. On looking over my note book I find that
the above-mentioned dates are the earliest that I have observed these
butterflies. — Wieriam W. FeEmyng, Coolfin, Portlaw, Co. Waterford.

Coleoptera at Bray. — On one of the fine days towards the end of
March I collected for a few hours on Bray Head ; many of the common
Coleoptera were taken as well as a few local species, the latter perhaps
worth recording. On the Head Notiophilus aqaatictis was common, darting
about at roots of heath ; from under stones and in moss I obtained
examples of Bradycellus harpalimis, Byrrhus pilttla, Orthoccetes setiger (pre-
viously recorded from Portmarnock); by searching the trunks of fir trees
about the foot of the hill, three good species of Coccinellidae were secured,
Anaitis ocellata (the variety with white surrounding the spots), Adalia
obliterate,, and a nice form of Mysia oblongogitttata. On the heath Lochmaa
suturalis and Cetit/wrrhynchtcs erica: occurred commonly ; and last but not
least Phlaophthorns rhododactylits, an interesting beetle living in the dead
stems of furze and broom ; it is apparently widely distributed over Eng-
land and part of Scotland, but I can find no previous record from
Ireland. — J. N. Harbert, Dublin.

Stridulatfon of Corixa. — I have been asked to write an account of
the stridulation of a Corixa I had in my possession for a short while.
It was brought in a bottle of water from some distance in the country,
but as I had had many of the same genus before, I took no particular
notice of it. For two days after its arrival, however, I was worried by a
sound, which I thought was produced by a cricket, but I could not
locate it. On the third day I traced it to the vicinity of the jar, but had
not the faintest idea that a water-insect was capable of making such a
sound. The next day I caught the note distinctly as proceeding from
the insect ; at once I removed it to a clearer jar and began to watch it. I
found that the sound was made by the rapid vibration, the clapping
together, in fact, of two appendages, ivory-white like the smaller legs,
that came into view between them while in use and then disappeared
again. There were two different notes, one rather rare, but which when
used preceded the more common one, was like the twittering of a bird
and was produced by an upward rather than a lateral motion of the
organs. The other, the principal note, was like the cry of the grass-
hopper I have heard abroad ; it was very acute and shrill. I could hear
it through much louder noises and through my own voice when reading
aloud. It sang at intervals during the day, but regularly in the evening for
hours ; if the light were let in on it suddenly it stopped until the curtain
was dropped again. This continued for eight or ten days when the
creature died. — M. Thompson, Cork.

[This observation is of very considerable interest, as Mr. E. Saunders,

Notes. 115

E.L.S. (with whom we have corresponded on the subject), tells us he has
never heard of stridulation in these insects. He writes : —

" I cannot see what organs could be intended as the appendages ' like
smaller legs,' I can only imagine that the coxae must be meant, possibly,
in a state of excitement, the legs might move rapidly and the coxse
show themselves unusually plainly, while all the time the stridulating
noise might proceed from other organs altogether, no clapping together
of the coxae could produce a sound like a grasshopper's chirp as far as I
can see — though the twittering mentioned might be due to such
action." — Eds.]

AMPHIBIANS.

Frogs In the Mourne Mountains.— On Easter Monday, March
26th, while standing on the shores of Lough Bingian, a small lake
situated in the heart of the Mourne Mountains, at an elevation of 1,350
feet, my attention was arrested by a curious, soft, purring sound, appar-
ently proceeding from the upper end of the lake, about one hundred
yards distant. On investigation I found this noise to proceed from an
immense gathering of frogs, which were splashing about in the shallow
water, and surrounded by large quantities of spawn. Every moment a
number of frogs would raise their heads above the level of the water,
and give vent to this croaking, which, however, resembled nothing so
much as the purring of a cat. I endeavoured to form some estimate as
to the number of frogs, and came to the conclusion that there must have
been between 500 and 1,000. I may mention that the hour was about
1.30 in the afternoon, and the sun very bright and warm. — W. H. P.
Patterson, Strandtown, Co. Down.

BIRDS.

Spring Migrants.— While walking along Bush Bay, near Giant's
Causeway, on 27th March, I observed three Sand-Martins (two females
and one male) flying backwards and forwards over the sand-dunes in the
vicinity, as if they had just arrived. I had been on the look-out the
previous day, but observed none. This locality is well suited for early
arrivals on account of the heat arising from the sand, and the number
of insects to feed on.— A. J. Coeeins, Belfast.

I heard the Chiff-chaff in Narrow- water Demesne, Co. Down, on March
24th. Mr. Robert Patterson writes me that he heard it at Belfast on
March 25th. I heard the Corncrake at Cultra, Co. Down, on March
27th.— R. Leoyd Praeger.

It maybe of interest that a Swallow was seen in Ormeau Park, Belfast,
on April 5th. It did not stay here, but (as our earliest swallows seem to
do) disappeared on the same day. — J. STEEFOX, Belfast.

On Easter Sunday, 25th March, we saw about twelve House Martins
flying along the Muckross shore of the Lower Lake, Killarney, and we
were informed by our boatman that he had observed them there on the
previous Tuesday, 20th March, and that he had never seen them at
Killarney in other years before the first week in April. Mr. A. G. More
informs us that this is exceptionally early. On 23rd March, near New-
castle, Co. Wicklow, we heard the Chiff-chaff. The Corncrake was
heard on the evening of the 17th of April at Glenageary, Co. Dublin, and
subsequent evenings.— R. W. Scueey and H. J. SVNOTT, Dublin.

E. W. writes to the Irish Times of April 12th, that Swallows have been
seen in the neighbourhood of Leixlip several times during the preceding
few days.

H. Richardson writing to the Irish Times on April 7th, says that Sand-
Martins have arrived at Sletty, Queen's County.

T. J. D. writes to Land and Water for March 17th, that on March 8th a
Cuckoo was seen in the neighbourhood of Waterville. The bird was
observed by a number of persons.

1 1 6 The Irish Naturalist.

MAMMALS.

The Reddish -grey Bat (Vespertlllo Nattereri, Kuhl) in Co.

Gal way. — I have the pleasure of recording the capture of a male speci-
men of this rare bat in the demesne of Lord Clonbrock near Ahascreagh.
I was out in search of moths on the 9th April, and caught it with my
net. Noticing that its characters differed from the common Pipistrelle I
forwarded it to the Dublin Museum, thinking that it might be the
Whiskered Bat. The chief characters which distinguish V. Nattereri are
the fringe of bristles which clothe the margin of the membrane between
the point of the tail and the calcaneum (or spur which projects from the
heel of the hind foot to support this part of the membrane). The fur is
light reddish brown, lighter than all the British species, except Vespertilio
murinus. The head is considerably raised above the face line, and the
muzzle, which projects forward and somewhat upwards, is broad and
prominent at the corners over the nostrils. The ears are longer than
those of the Pipistrelle, and extend TL-inch at least beyond the end of the
nose, having a vertical outer lobe near the end of the outer margin well
developed. The tragus (or inner ear membrane, so well known in the
Long-eared Bat), is very long, narrow, and sub-acutely pointed. The
measurement of this male exceeds that given of a female in the British
Museum Catalogue, being of the head and body 2 inches, but the tail is
shorter, namely 1*5 inch. In England this species has a wide but local
distribution, and has occurred in church roofs as well as in a chalk pit
reached by an underground shaft 70 feet deep. They are very social in
their habits, and roost in masses clinging together for warmth. They
are also found in Central Europe and on the Adriatic and Mediterranean
littoral (Bell).

Specimens have been taken at the Scalp, Co. Wicklow, in 1845, and in
Co. Longford by Mr. G. E. Dobson (Brit. Mus. Cat.) ; in Co. Donegal by
Mr. H. C. Hart, and at Dundalk by Mr. Jameson, whose notice of Irish
bats has recently appeared in this journal. — Wm. F. De V. Kane,
Drumreaske, Monaghan.

The Marten in Ireland. — In the Zoologist for April, Messrs. G. E.
H. Barrett-Hamilton, Robert Patterson, and J. J. Dowling supplement
Mr. Harting's paper, in the previous month's issue, by notes of the occur-
rence of this animal in various parts of Ireland. Cavan, Louth, Limerick,
and Roscommon appear to be the only Irish counties from which the
Marten has not been recorded ; but the list of counties in which the
Marten is now extinct would undoubtedly be a much larger one.

GEOLOGY.
Geological Photographs. — We have received from Mr. R.
Welch, Lonsdalestreet, Belfast, a copy of his Catalogue of Irish
Geological Photographs, a well printed pamphlet of 24 pages octavo.
We welcome this catalogue as being a useful and original piece of work,
and one which will be a boon to the student of Irish geology. Following
the negative-numbers and titles of the photographs, are terse descriptions
of the geological features exemplified in each, contributed by Professor
Grenville Cole, F.G.S. Even in the absence of the photographs, these
descriptive notes form interesting reading ; and when taken in conjunc-
tion with the views, which are all up to Mr. Welch's well-known high
standard of merit, the result is a production of much educational value.
The subjects catalogued include peat-bogs, sands and gravels, Boulder
clays, Cretaceous, Triassic, Carboniferous, Devonian, Silurian, and Cam-
brian strata ; dykes, lava-flows, faults, and foldings. A large series is
quoted illustrating denudation and erosion, and a second large series
exemplifies fully the many interesting features of the basaltic plateau of
Antrim.

f&tyg &vi&\) gtaturcdtei

Vol. III. JUNE, 1894. No. 6.

THE HIGH AND LOW-LEVEL SHELLY DRIFTS
AROUND DUBLIN AND BRAY.

BY T. MEU<ARD READE, F.G.S.

There has of late years been a great revival of interest in
Glacial Geology, more especially as relates to our own
country. The high-level shelly gravels have given enthu-
siastic glacialists both joy and tribulation. Joy where the
facts fit in with one's favourite theories, and tribulation when
we discover further and unthought-of difficulties in applying
the pet hypothesis of the hour. Personally, my endeavour
has been to preserve a philosophic calm befitting so difficult a
subject, but whether it has been successful or not must be left
to others to decide.

Very few geologists are aware of the great development of
shelly drift extending from sea-level up to 1200 feet which
exists in the neighbourhood of Dublin and Bray. Before I
examined the district under the experienced guidance of the
Rev. Maxwell Close, I was under the impression that all I
should see at the higher levels would be sporadic patches of
shelly sands and gravels. I was agreeably disappointed ; for
the continuity, extent, and bulk of the shelly deposits exceed
any of those in the classic regions of England and Wales.
These I had previously explored in a rather careful way, but
the deposits in Ireland supplement and help to explain the
better known deposits in England and Wales in some most
important respects.

All that one can pretend to give in these few pages is a
general conception of the high-level shelly drift, and its inter-
mediate relations with the drift of the coastal margin ; and to
do this, the natural way is to describe the coastal deposits,
and trace them up to the higher levels.

Beginning at the Hill of Howth, shelly sands and gravels
are seen in considerable development from Howth to the
Bailey lighthouse. They extend to 300 feet above the sea-

A

i iS The Irish Naturalist.

level, and where the sections are best exposed, reminded me
very much of the sands and gravels of Gloppa, near Oswestry,
which occur noo feet above the sea-level. There is little
doubt that at one time the whole of the present sea-cliffs of
the Hill of Howth were buried in drift, which has been cut
away by the action of the sea, leaving the drift in many places
merely hanging onto a steep surface of Cambrian rocks at the
top of the cliffs. Bailey lighthouse is built upon a spur or
promontory of drift based on Cambrian cliffs.

Let us now cross over Dublin Bay, and examine the splendid
sections of sands, gravels, and boulder clay exposed in the
cliffs of Killiney Bay. Here we may see and study a typical
section of glacial-marine drift, and observe the curious way
in which the several beds of sand, gravel, sand and gravel,
gravel and boulders, and boulder clay, behave towards each
other. In one place we see arched, in another horizontal
stratification, elsewhere contorted bands occur, truncation of
beds, lamination, and oblique bedding. Indeed, nothing but
a careful section can give one any adequate conception of the
nature of this drift. Marine shells, or shell-fragments, occur
in all of these beds, excepting the horizontally bedded fine
gravels near Ballybrack Station. We did not make any
attempt to get a complete collection of shells, which would
have taken a much longer time than was at our disposal,
being principally occupied with drawing the section. We did,
however, pick up As f arte arctica, A. sulcata, Cardium edule,
My a tru?icata, Tellina balthica, and other indeterminable frag-
ments. These are among the commonest shells in glacial
deposits.1 This character of drift continues south along the
coast, as far as the River Bray ; but on nearing that river it is
underlain by a hard, brown clay, which I call basement clay,
with a pretty decided line of demarcation between them. The
drift gravels, so far as described, consist, to the largest extent,
of Carboniferous limestone, occurring as gravel, pebbles, and
boulders — mixed with granite and Cambrian schists, and
some flints, chert, &c. The basement clay, though contain-
ing these rocks, is much more largely made up of Cambrian
schists, slates, and quartzites. These boulders can be seen

1 Mr. Lloyd Praeger, in the present volume of this Journal, pp. 17, iS,
gives a careful provisional list of the shells of the Killiney drift, naming
the beds from which they are taken.

High and Low- level Shelly Drifts around Dublin and Bray. 119

embedded in situ on the shore, so that their axial direction
may be noted, when it appears that they are preponderatingly
in a N.W. direction. The stones are often well striated, much
more so than in the overlying drift, and the striae point in the
same north-westerly direction. The stones are not neces-
sarily horizontal, but lie at varying inclinations. Shells occur
in this clay. I took out a perfect Turritella and a fragment
of a very large Cardium, having a highly porcellaneous glaze
on the interior surface. Another curious feature is the pre-
sence of vertically-inclined beds of laminated clay, which
penetrate both the basement clay and the drift overlying it.
Vertical dykes of gravel also occur.

A microscopic examination of the materials of this basement
clay showed that the larger grains were largely Cambrian
grit and schist, mica schist, and vein quartz, blapk chert, black
and grey limestone, quartzite, crystalline quartz, and a few
exceedingly rounded minute pebbles of black limestone. In
the smaller grains many well rounded and polished grains of
quartz occurred, and many flakes of mica.

As illustrating this phase of the glacial deposits it will be
well to pay a visit to the Bog Hall brickworks about one mile
from Bray on the road to Kilmacanoge. The level of the
deposit is, roughly speaking, about 200 feet above the sea-level.
The clay of which the bricks are made is of a rusty brown
colour, and there appeared at first sight to be an unusual pro-
portion of Cambrian rocks among those which had been thrown
out. A further examination showed that there were some
large limestone boulders about, but these may have come from
the upper part of the clay. The clay seemed to be separable
into two beds. In the lower bed an excavation had been
recently made, and all the rocks thrown out appeared to be
Cambrian, Silurian, or granite. One block of Cambrian
measured 3 feet 6 inches long, and was well-planed and striated.
A block of quartzite conglomerate occurred, over 1 foot 8
inches long, and one granite boulder measured 3 feet in
diameter. A mechanical analysis of a specimen taken of this
clay told the same story, the larger residual fragments, after
washing and riddling, consisting of Cambrian rocks, schists,
grains of quartzite, quartz veins, &c. The smaller grains had
a larger proportion of quartz grains from the disintegration
of granite, but otherwise they were of the same character.

What one would have hardly expected to find present in this

A 2

120 The Irish Naturalist.

clay were highly polished and rounded quartz grains. Flakes
of mica were common. All the residual material was non-
calcareous and did not effervesce with acid.

On and beyond Bray Head to the southward, sands and
gravels and boulder-clay of the shelly type continued. At
the south side of Bray Head I picked up quite a number of
pebbles of red Triassic sandstone which corresponded precisely
with the New Red Sandstone at Newtownards in County Down.
We have now rapidly traversed the coastal deposits of drift
with a glance at a bed of clay a little inland. It remains to
follow the drift of the valleys to the high-level developments
on the Three Rock Mountain and elsewhere, but before doing
so let us ascend the Great Sugar-Loaf. Starting from the
top of the Glen of the Downs we note the presence of granite
boulders lying on the side of the mountain between the level
of 1,000 and 1,100 feet. These, it is needless to say, are erratics,
as the Great Sugar-Loaf is of Cambrian quartzite. At about
1,100 feet the talus of the quartzite cone forming the summit
begins, so that if any granite boulders ever reached a higher
level they would most likely get covered up by the talus
material. On the descent to the north-eastward the talus
reaches a lower level, and at 880 feet above the sea a granite
boulder was observed amongst it. Also at 550 feet one 3 feet
in diameter occurred, while still lower down a much larger
one almost entirely embedded in the ground was to be seen.

On the main road from the Glen of the Downs to Bray some
very interesting gravel pits in esker-like mounds are to be
seen, consisting largely of limestone gravel and boulders
intermixed with granite. Shell fragments were found in all of
them, but mostly in a very chalky and carious condition, in
some cases being a mere net- work. They are mostly indeter-
minable excepting Turritclla and Cardium. These mounds
show oblique bedding of sand and gravel, in one case capped
with boulder-clay. Some of the fine gravel is so clean that it
runs like shot on being disturbed. We will now turn our
attention to the valleys, and first of all that of Glennasmole
enlists our sympathies, due to some extent to the splendid
conditions of weather under which it was explored. Again we
were indebted to Mr. Close's guidance and to Mr. Praeger's
help.

A drive by the banks of the River Dodder showed a fine
series of river terraces formed out of the glacial drift. At a

High and Low- level Shelly Drifts around Dublin and Bray. 121

level of about 860 feet above the sea a very careful search in a
large gravel-pit yielded a few glacial shell fragments of the
ordinary' type, but indeterminable ; most were chalky and
carious. A microscopic examination after riddling disclosed
the presence of a few shelly grains as also much granitic debris.
There is a great development of drift in this valley which is
best seen from the opposite side near the reservoir of the
Rathmines Waterworks. It is buff- coloured, clayey, to the
greatest extent limestone, but also containing granite,
Ordovician grit, and felstone. Some of the limestone pebbles
are striated. It is quite remarkable how this limestone gravel
has been swept up the valley and rests on the granite forming
the bottom rock. The drive back on the opposite side of the
valley — after a pleasant lunch in a sunny hayfield and admiring
glances at Kippure rising majestically at the head of Glen-
nasmole — showed plainly that, though the drift is still in great
force, much of it has been removed by denudation.

We may now with advantage devote a little attention to
Glencullen. This valley drains to the south-east, or in the
opposite direction to that of the upper part of Glennasmole.
In it is to be seen a grand development of drift, which has
already been described in this Journal by Professor Grenville
Cole, who accompanies his observations with a good photo-
graph.1 This drift is of a very stony nature, so much so that
I had to get a specimen I wanted out with a chisel. It is
mostly full of Carboniferous limestone pebbles of a dark blue
colour ; some well worn, and many well striated — some of the
boulders intensely so. There is also a considerable propor-
tion of Wicklow granite, some mica schist, and many flakes
of mica ; also boulders of red conglomerate from the ^ase of
the Carboniferous. The granite increases in proportional
quantity as we ascend the glen, until at Glencullen Bridge it
becomes predominant. In many places great blocks of gravel
are cemented together into a natural concrete by the deposit
of carbonate of lime. Further south, below Enniskerry, strati-
fied yellow sands are seen on the right bank of the Cookstown
River, probably 100 feet thick. In these sands are thin beds
of crushed granite and occasional thin beds of limestone
gravel.

(TO BE CONCLUDED).

1 a

County Dublin, Past and Present." L N., 1892, p. 92

*22 The Irish Naturalist.

INSECTS COLLECTED BY THE ROYAL IRISH
ACADEMY FLORA AND FAUNA COMMITTEE,

1893.

BY REV. W. F. JOHNSON, M.A., F.E.S., J. N. HAI,BERT, AND

GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC.

COLEOPTERA.

(Continued from page 105.)
HYDROPHILIDJE.

Hydroblus fusclpes, L.— Coolmore.

Anacaena globulus, Payk.— Lough Oughter, in drains. Slieve Glah,
in a pool.

Philhydrus melanocephalus, 01.— In a pool on Slieve Glah.

P. coarctatus, Gredt.— Coolmore.

Laccobius minutus, L.— Coolmore.

LI m neb His truncatellus, Thorns. -Coolmore.

Helophorus nubllus, F.— Coolmore.

H. aquaticus, L.— Berehaven.

H. brcvipalpis, Bedel.— Coolmore. Slieve Glah, in a pool.

Cyclonotum orbiculare, F.— Coolmore.

Sphaeridlum scarabaeoides, F. — Coolmore. Ballyhaise.

Cercyon Iittoralls, Gyll.— Coolmore. Greenore.

C. haemorrhoidalis, Herbst.— Coolmore. Carlingford.

C. flavipes, F.— Coolmore.

C. melanocephalus, L.— Coolmore.

C. quisquilius, L. — Coolmore.

C. analls, Payk.— Coolmore.

IYIegasternum boletophagum, Marsh. — Coolmore.

STAPHYLINID^E,

*AIeochara lata, Grav. — Coolmore, in dead bird. This is a southern
species in England ; its occurrence in Co. Donegal is therefore remark-
able.

A. cunlculorum, Kr. — Coolmore.

A. lanuginosa, Grav. — Coolmore.

A. nicest a, Grav.- -Coolmore.

A. gr i sea, Kr. — Coolmore.

Oxypoda opaca, Grav. — Coolmore.

Astllbus canaliculatus, F.— Coolmore.

Homalota viclna, Steph. — Coolmore.

H. atramentaria, Gyll.— Coolmore.
*H. Iongicornls, Grav. — Coolmore.

Tachyusa atra, Grav.— Coolmore.

Conosoma livid urn, Er.— Near Cavan, common.

Tachyporus obtusus, L.— Ballyhaise.
var. nitidicollls, Step.— Cavan, very common.

T. chrysomellnus, L.— Coolmore. Dundalk. Cavan.

T. humerosus, Er.— Cavan.
*T. tersus, Er.— Ballyhaise.

T. hypnorum, P.— Coolmore. Cavan.

Tachlnus ruflpes, L. -Coolmore. Fathom.

T. marglnellus, F.— Ballyhaise.

R.I. A. Committee — Insects in 1893. 123

Quedius mesomelinus, Marsh. — Oak Wood, Ballyhaise. It has
occurred as yet in only two other localities in Ireland, viz. — Armagh
and Santry, Co. Dublin.

Q. cinctus, Payk.— Shores of Lough Oughter.

Q. fulginosus, Grav. — Fathom. Cavan, common. Killarney.

Q. tristis, Grav. — Coolmore.

Q. molochinus, Grav. — Coolmore. Slieve Glah, under stones on
the summit.

Q. rufipes, Grav.— Coolmore.

Q. semlaeneus, Steph. — Coolmore.

f Coolmore. both type and variety

~ ... ... T were very plentiful in carrion. The

Crcophilus max, Iosus, L. \ van see Js \Q be regarded as a north-

var. ciliaris, btepn. | em fornij although taken by Haliday,

(.near Dingle.1
Staphylinus pubescens, De G. — Coolmore.
S. erythropterus, L. — Coolmore.

S. caesareus, Ceder. — Coolmore. Shores of Lough Oughter, under
logs. Dursey. It does not appear to have been previously recorded from
the south-west, which is remarkable seeing it is so conspicuous and
common an insect.

Ocypus olens, Miill.— Coolmore. Fathom, Shores of Lough
Oughter.

O. cupreus, Rossi — Coolmore. Ballyhaise.

O. morio, Grav. — Coolmore.

Philonthus splendens, F.— Coolmore, in carrion.

P. lam in at us, Creutz. — Coolmore.

P. aeneus, Rossi — Coolmore.

P. proximus, Kr. — Coolmore.

P. adclendus, Sharp. — Coolmore. Ballyhaise.

P. carbonarius, Gyll.— Oak wood, Ballyhaise.

P. politus, F. — Coolmore.
*P. lucens, Er.— One specimen on shore of Lough Oughter. A rare
species in Great Britain (where it has a northern and western range),
and a nice addition to the Irish fauna.2

P. var i us, Gyll.— Ballyhaise. Dursey.

P. marginatus, F. — Coolmore.

P. cephalotes, Grav. — Coolmore.

P. fimetarius, Grav.— Coolmore. Ballyhaise.

P. sangu indent us, Grav.— Coolmore. Ballyhaise.

P. varians, Payk. — Coolmore.

*P. fumarius, Grav.— Lough Oughter shore. New to Ireland.
Locally distributed over England and Wales, but not recorded from
Scotland.

P. trossuius, Xord.— Coolmore. Cavan, common.

P. puella, Nord.— Oak Wood, Ballyhaise.

Caf ius xantholoma, Grav.— Beach at Greenore.

JWe find that Carabus catenulalns and C. clathratus given in last
month's issue as new to the S. W. of Ireland, were also obtained near
Dingle by Haliday {Nat. Hist. Rev. vol. ii.)— Eds.

It will be seen on p. 134, that Mr. W. E. Sharp has found this species
in flood-rubbish from Armagh. — Eds.

124 The Irish Naturalist.

XanthoIInus glabratus, Grav — Coohnore.
X. punctulatus, Payk.— Cavan, common.

X. tricolor, F. — Coolmore; hitherto only recorded from the east
coast.

* X. dlstans, Kr.— Coolmore. Banks of R. Erne above Ballyshannon.
It has also occurred at Bundoran. It is a northern and alpine insect.

X. linearis, 01. — Coolmore. Cavan, common.
Othius fulvipcnnis, F.— Ballyhaise, Oak wood.
O. melanocephalus, Grav. — Ballyhaise, Oak wood.
Lathrobium clongatum, L.— Shores of Lough Oughter.
L. prunnipcs, F.— Coolmore. Cavan, common. Killarney.

* L. pallidum, Nord. — Coolmore. Another south of England
species now recorded as Irish for the first time, from a north-western
locality.

Stenus guttula, Mull. — Coolmore, plentiful on edges of little
streams.

S. Pimaculatus, Gyll. — Farnham demesne.

S. juno, F. — Farnham demesne.

S. carbonarius, Gyll. — Shores of Lough Oughter; only other Irish
locality is Killarney.

S. impressus, Germ.— Carlingford. Cavan.

S. pallitarsis, Steph . — Cultragh Lough.

S. bifovcolatus, Gyll.— Near Cavan.

S. nitidiusculus, Steph. —Cavan, common.

S. picipes, Steph.— Ballyhaise, &c, common.

S. similis, Herbst.— Cavan, common. Coolmore.

S. tarsalis, Ljun.— Lough Oughter shore.

S. Iatifrons, Er -Coolmore. Cavan.

Bledius arcnarius, Payk. — Coolmore, very numerous in the sandy
beach.

* B. fuscipes, Rye. -Coolmore, rare. New to Ireland; a northern
insect in Great Britain.

Platystethus arcnarius, Fourc— Coolmore. Cavan, common.

Oxytclus rugosus, Grav.- Coolmore.

O. nitidulus, Grav.— Cultragh Lough.

O. tctracarinatus, Block.— Coolmore, plentiful.

Haploderus ccelatus, Grav.— Near Cavan.

Lcstcva Iongelytrata, Goeze.— Coolmore.

Lathrimceum unlcolor, Steph.— Cavan, common.

Omalium riparium, Thorns.— Coolmore.

AnthoPium ophthalmicum, Payk.-Narrow Water.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

POTAMOGETON UNDULATUS, Wolfgang, IN

IRELAND.

BY ARTHUR BENNETT, F-L.S.

Recently I have gone through a good many gatherings of
Potamogeton perfoliatus, L., &c, with a view to see if any
could be referred to P. undulatus, Wolfgang ; attention to
which has been called by Mr. Fryer in the Journal of Botany
for 1891 (p. 289, t. 318), and in the Annals of Scottish Natural

Potamogeton undulatus, Wolfga?ig, in Ireland. 125

History, 1892 (p. 115). I find that a specimen from "Sixmile
River, Co. Antrim, 5. 6. 82 (leg.) S. A. Stewart," belongs to it,
and seems nearest to the var. Jacksoni, Fryer I.e. p. 290 {P.
perfoliatus, L,., var. Jackson^ F. A. Lees of the London Cata-
logue). Whether any other Irish specimens are extant I
cannot say, as I have not had any opportunity of looking
through the British Museum Herbarium or Kew Herbarium
for that purpose.

In Scotland P. undulatus has been gathered in Stirling ! ; in
England in Leicestershire ! , Yorkshire ! , Cheshire ! , Salop ! ,
Anglesea ! , and perhaps Surrey ? ; and it will no doubt be
found elsewhere if looked for, or searched for among herbaria.
For a very full description, and remarks on affinities, I must
refer to Mr. Fryer's paper in the Journal 'of Botany \

What is P. undulatus, Wolfgang ? It may be well to give
some of the opinions respecting it. Where originally de-
scribed in Roemer and Schultes' " Sys. Veg.," Mantissa 3, p.
361 (1827), it was considered a sub-species or variety of P.
crispus. Ledebour ("Flora Rossica," vol. iv. p. 29 (1853)),
seemed to think the same ; as also Eichwald (Nat. Shizz.
Lith., &c. (1830)); and as lately as 1890 it appears in Dr.
Richter's " Plantae Europoeae " (p. 14), simply as a synonym
of P. crispus. In the same year, in Ny man's " Conspectus
Florae Europoeae," Suppl. ii., p. 287, it is referred to P. deci-
piens on the authority of Schmalhausen. Dr. Tiselius (in Hit.)
was inclined to refer it to P. proelongus ; and by myself the var.
Jacksoni was considered a form of perfolialus, while Prof. Bab-
ington thought it might be a nitens form. This is a suffi-
ciently wide reference for certain, taking all the above. Mr.
Fryer, by cultivating the form Cooperi, and by a close and
careful observance of its various states, coupled with an
examination of an original specimen of Wolfgang's, came to
the conclusion that it is an hybrid between P. crispus L-, and
P. perfoliatus L-, and short of producing it by actual experi-
ment, it seems hard to dispute his conclusion.

The author of the plant, Wolfgang, was a close student of
the genus Potamogeton, and drew up a Monograph of it in
MS. with descriptions and drawings, and it is to that Mono-
graph that the numbers given to Roemer and Schultes by his
friend Besser apply. This manuscript is preserved in the
Library of the Moscow Society of Naturalists, according to
Trautvetter (" Florae Rossicae Fontes," p. 329 (1880)).

A3

126 The Irish Naturalist.

P. undulatus may be known from P. pcrfoliatus by its com-
pressed stem ; this is easily seen when the plant is fresh, but
is lost when dried ; also by its leaves only half clasping the
stem (not wholly, and cordate, as in pcrfoliatus). Usually the
nerves are much fewer than in pcrfoliatus ; the early growth
is also much like crispus in facies ; but as in all hybrids, it
varies much, sometimes inclining to one supposed parent,
sometimes to the other. From P. crispzis it may be known by
the nearly entire leaves (the apex of which has minute per-
sistent spines) not serrated as in crispus. Usually the mature
upper leaves are much broader than generally is the case in
crispus ; but I have seen a specimen of true crispus with leaves
nearly as broad as some of the undulatus forms.

AMERICAN BIRD-VISITORS TO IRELAND.

BY W. E- PRAEGER, KEOKUK, IOWA.

VII. — The White Jer- Falcon {Falco islandus, A.O.U. Check-
list ; F. candicans, most authors).
A glance over what has been written on the Jer- Falcon in
our systematic works, will convince the reader that in orni-
thology also the old saying is true, " Doctors differ." No two
authorities are quite agreed as to how many species of the
great falcon of the Arctic regions ought to be recognised.
The Jer-Falcous from various countries differ greatly from
each other, yet for the most part they intergrade perfectly ;
and the discussions of the savants, after all, only prove that
such things as .species do not reall}- exist in nature, but are
artificial groups, adopted for our own convenience, or in
deference to the opinion of our predecessors.

The Jer- Falcons inhabit the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.
They are true Falcons, [possessing the pointed wing and
toothed bill of this genus, of which they are the largest repre-
sentatives. A length of from 20 to 24 inches distinguishes
them from all their smaller allies. As is often the case in
Arctic birds, the tarsus is more extensively feathered than
among the more southerly species of the same genus. There
should be no trouble telling a Jer-Falcon at sight irrespective
of its colour ; but when we come to that characteristic, on
which the various species or sub-species are based, the ques-
tion becomes very complicated, and need not be entered on in
any detail here. It will be sufficient to say that in Labrador

American Bird- Visitors to Ireland. 127

occurs the so-called " Black" Jer-Falcon, of a nearly uniform
dark brown. Around Baffin's Bay the bird is nearly pure
white, while in Southern Alaska, the Fur Countries, Southern
Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, various forms occur between
these two extremes.

The White Jer-Falcon, with which we are now concerned,
has occurred ten or twelve times in Ireland, eight having
been taken in the winter of 1883-4. They have usually been
found along the west coast, which in winter almost rivals
their distant home in stormy desolation and rugged grandeur.

We call this an American bird, yet very few Americans
have ever seen it alive ; indeed, I do not know if it has ever
been noticed in the United States. Its centre of distribution
is the northern shores of Baffin's Bay and Smith's Sound, and
it probably occurs throughout the archipelago to the west-
ward. As far north as man has penetrated this Falcon has
been found. In that mysterious land of ice and snow, that
has so long defied the explorer's skill and courage, and has as
yet given up but a part of its secrets to the so-called lord of
creation, the White Jer-Falcon has its home. Among the
eternal snows in which it lives, its white dress is highly pro-
tective— not to protect it from enemies, for such a bird need
fear none, but, as in the case of the bears, foxes, and owls of
the same region, to aid it in the pursuit of its prey. The
bleak hillsides furnish it many a meal of Ptarmigan or Arctic
Hare, the cliffs are visited in pursuit of the Auks and Puffins
that breed there in myriads, and even the tyrant Gulls are
not safe from its attacks. One has been seen carrying off a
Kittiwake Gull in each foot.

As the White Jer-Falcon lives above the limits of the forest-
growth, it always nests on the ground, though some of the
more southern races build in trees. The nest is roughly built
of sticks, grass, and moss, and is placed most frequently on a
ledge of some high cliff. The eggs are creamy white, very
thickly marked with shades of reddish brown.

In the days of falconry the white bird was the most highly
valued of all hawks for the chase, and fabulous sums were
paid for trained birds of this species ; indeed, their possession
was almost confined to royalty. But this most interesting
subject cannot be entered on here, and we must leave the
reader to pursue elsewhere his studies of this fascinating
chapter in the history of the White Jer-Falcon.

I2S The Irish Naturalist,

THE PLANTS OF WESTMEATH.

BY H. C. LEVINGE, D.L.

{Concluded from page ioo).

|VerOascum thapsus, L.— Knock Drill, several times seen in
garden ground.

Scrophularia aquatica, L.— (VII.) Clondaliever, rare in the
count)'.

Linaria vulgaris, Mill. — Fields near L. Slieelin, Miss E. Reynell.

Veronica hederifolia, L. — Knock Drin ! Shore of Killinure
Lough, B. & V.

%V. persica, Poir. — Knock Drin, not previously definitely reported
from the county ; but placed in District 7 by B. & V.

V. montana, L.— Knock Drin old wood! Donore! also at Hare
Island, L. Ree, B. & V.

V. scutellata, L. — Drinmore, not common in the county.

Euphrasia officinalis, L. var. gracilis, Fr. — Bog banks at
entrance of R. Inny into L. Derevaragh, H. & J. Groves !

IYIelampyrum pratense, L.— Knock Eyon and Lisclogher Bog.

Lathraea squamaria, L. — Belvedere Woods, not previously re-
corded from the county.

Utricularia vulgaris, L. — Quarry Bog, and Scraw bog, Loughaus*
town.

U. minor, L.— Ouarry Bog ! and Coosan Lough, B. & V

'Mentha viridis, L. — (VII.) Naturalized at edge of R. Gaine, below
the old mill at Knock Drin.

Lycopus europceus, L. — Shore of L. Derevaragh at Kiltoom, rare !
not previously definitely recorded from this county; but found in
District 7, near L. Ree, B. & V.

Origanum vulgare, L. — Railway banks between Athlone and
Moate, Reynella, Miss E. Reynell.

Scutellaria galericulata, L.— N.W. end of L. Owel, locally

plentiful.

Lamium album, L. — Knock Drin.

L. Galeobdolon, Crantz — Woods at L. Ennel, near Mulliiigar
F. J. F. Not seen by me, though several times searched for.

Ballota nigra, L. — Near Turin, Miss E. Reynell.

Teucrium Scordium, L.— South end of L. Ree, J. & H. Groves,
also B. & V.

Littorella Iacustris, L.— Margins of Loughs Owel, Ennel, Dere*
varagh, and Drin ! also L. Ree, B. & V.

Chenopodium album, L- — Knock Drin; not previously recorded
from the county.

*C. Bonus-Henricus, L.— Roadside, between Ballinafid and Multi-
farnham.

Atriplex angustifolia, Sm.— Knock Drin ; not previously recorded
from the county.

Rumex hydrolapathum, Huds.— N.W. end of L. Owel. Not pre-
viously definitely recorded from the county ; but placed in District 7 by
B. & V., who found it near L- Ree.

Parletaria officinalis, L-— Walls of Mulliiigar Jail.

The Plants of Westmeath. I29

Salix pentandra, U— (VII.) Bog of Lynn, near Mnllingar, in
several places.

fS. fragilis, L-— (VII.) Quarry Bog, near road.

tS. alba, L — (VII.) Knock Drin.

tS. purpurea, L.— (VI L) Knock Drin.

S. aurita, L.— ) Knock Drin ; not previously definitely recorded
S. caprca, L. — / from the county.

S. repens, L. var. genuina, Auct.— (VII.) Lisclogher Bog.

var. prostrata, Sni.— (VII.) Scraw Bog, Loughanstown.

Empetrum nigrum, L.— Lisclogher Bog, 270 feet above sea level,
not previously recorded from the county. The plant is locally plentiful
011 this flat bog — Mr. Dowd reports it from " the tops of mountains four
miles from Parsonstown," King's County (District 7.)

Ceratophyllum demersum, L.— (VII.) L. Derevaragh, plentiful
in the part of the lake known as " the pond of Donore," but not fruiting,
probably owing to the water being too deep where it grows.

Elodea canadensis, Mich.— L- Ennel, L. Derevaragh, &c.

Hydrocharis Morsus-Ranae, L. — Bog of Lynn, "Scraw bog,"
Ballynegall, and road ditch, Robinstown Levinge.

Neottia Nidus-avis, Rich.— Knock Drin woods in two places ; not
previously reported from the County Westmeath.

E id i pact is Iatifolia, Auct.— Hare Island, L. Ree, B. & V.

E. palustris, Crantz. — One or two places round Killinure L., and
abundant in meadows near L. Ree, B. & V.

Cephalanthera ensifolia, Rich.— Hare Island, L. Ree, Miss
Levinge, also B. & V.

Orchis pyramidalis, L. — Knock Drin, plentiful.

O. IVIorio, L.— Kilmaglish and Knock Byon, in old pastures.

O. Iatifolia, L. — Shore of L. Derevaragh.

Ophrys apifera, Huds. — Tudenham Park, Hon. Mrs. Tottenham !
and Knock Drin ! rare.

Habenaria conopsea, Benth. — Knock Drin and Ballynegall.

H. viridis, R. Br. — Bog of Lynn and "Scraw Bog," Loughanstown—
rare.

H. Pifolia, R. Br. — Bog of Lynn.

H. chloroleuca, Ridley — Curraghbrack, Knock Drin ! and B. side
of Rinardo Bay, L. Ree, B. & V.

*Poly&onatum multiflorum, All.— (VII.) Donore— naturalized and
well established.

JuncuS supinus, Mcench., var. fluitans, Fr. — Quarry bog, in
holes ; leaves wider than in the mountain form.

J. glaucus, Ehrh.— Plentiful about Knock Drin! not previously
definitely recorded from this county, but said to be common near
L. Ree by B. & V., who have referred it to District 7.

juncus obtusiflorus, Ehrh.— (VII.) Scraw bog, Loughanstown,
Robinstown, Tyrrell, and near the bank of the canal supply at
Levington.

Luzula pilosa, Wittd. -(VII.) Knock Drin wood, Donore, and
Crooked wood.

u Sparganium simplex, Huds. — Gartlandstown ! and in the
Shannon near Athlone, B. & V.

S. minimum > Fr. — Quarry Bog ! and near Coosan L., B. & V.

bos:" ! and near Doonis

13° The Irish Naturalist.

Lemna trisulca, L.— Kilmaglish ! " Scraw
Lough, B. & V.

L. polyrrhiza, L. — Pond at roadside, near Portnashangan Rectory !
Belvedere L., I). M., and in a drain near Doonis L., B. & V. ; not
common.

Sagittaria sagittifolia, L.— L. Derevaragh, and River Inny;
plentiful.

Potamogeton plantagineus, De Croz.— In holes, "Scraw Bog"
Loughanstown.

P. rufescens, Schrad.— In a drain, near Ballykeeran, B. & V.

P. heterophyllus, Schreb. — L. Owel ; not previously definitely
reported from Co. Westmeath, but referred to Dist. 7 by B. & V., who
state that it is common near L- Ree.

P. nitens, Web.— (VII.) L. Derevaragh.

P. lucens, L. — L. Derevaragh, L. Owel, and L. Ennel.

var. acuminatus, vSchum. — L. Derevaragh, near mouth of R.
Inny.

P. Zizii, Roth.— L. Drin ! L. Derevaragh! and plentiful in L. Ree,
B & V.

P. praelongus, Wulf.— (VII.) L, Owel.

P. perfoliatus, L.— Brittas L. ! Knock Drin ! and L- Derevaragh,
and common in L. Ree, B. & V.

P. pusillus, L. — Stream from L. Drin ! and frequent in drains near
L. Ree, B. & V.

P. pect hiatus, L. — L. Ennel, and Ballynegall Lakes.

P. flabellatus, Bal.— In the Shannon, near Athlone, B. & V.

P. filiformis, Nolte. — Frequent in L. Ree, B. & V.

Scirpus pauciflorus, Lightf. —Shores of L. Drin, and of L. Ennel!
and common in L. Ree, B. & V.

S. Iacustris, L. — In nearly all the lakes ; plentiful ; but not
previously reported from the Co. Westmeath.

S. setaceus, L. — (VII.) Knock Drin; not common.

Cladium germanicum, Schrad. — Plentiful on the margin of L.
Drin ! L, Owel, &c, and L. Ree, B. & V.

Carex dioica, L.— Lisclogher Bog, "Scraw bog," Louglianstown.

Ci pulicaris, L. — Drinmore, and elsewhere, plentiful ! also common
in the neighbourhood of L. Ree, B. & V. ; but not previously definitely
reported from Co. Westmeath.

C. disticha, Huds. — Quarry Bog, and edge of L. Derevaragh at
Kiltoom ! also banks of the Inny in Co. Longford, B. & V., but not
previously definitely reported from the Co. Westmeath.

C. teretiuscula. Good. — "Scraw Bog," Loughanstown, and Bog of
Lynn ; frequent.

C. paradoxa, Willd. — Ladestown, only a few plants left in the old
locality. I have however lately found it in the bog of Lynn, and
sparingly in the "Scraw bog," Loughanstown.

C. rem ota, L. — (VII.) Knock Drin ; not a common plant.

C. oval is, Good. — Knock Drin, and Drinmore ! and frequently near
L. Ree, B. & V. ; but not previously definitely reported from West-
meath.

C. stricta, Good.— Ouarry bog, and elsewhere.

C. Iimosa, L.— Lisclogher Bog, and Scraw bog, Loughanstown.

C. pilulifera, L.— Edge of L. Drin ! Shefin Hill, Miss Levlnge, and
"frequent in suitable places" near L. Ree, B. & V, but not before
definitely reported from Westmeath.

The Plants of Westmeath. 131

C. binerviSr Sm.— Edge of L. Drin, not common.
C. f ulva, Good., var. Hornschuchiana, Hoppe.— Knock Drin and
Drinmore, not uncommon.

C. CEcieri, Khrh.— (VII.) Shores of L. Ennel.

C. filiformis, L.— " Scraw bog," Loughanstown, very plentiful
locally.

C. paludosa, Good. — Shores of Iy. Derevaragh, and Ouarry Bog.
C. vesicaria, L.— Near Athlone, B. & V.

Phalarisarundinacea,Iy.— Knock Drin, abundant ! not previously
definitely reported from the county, though mentioned as common near
L. ReebyB. & V.

} Kilmaglish ! Drinmore ! Both
Alopecurus penicillatus, L. — / are reported as common near

\ Iv. Ree ; but neither have been

A. pratensis, Iy. — I before definitely recorded from

J the Co. Westmeath.

Milium effusum, L.— (VII.) Knock Ross with Festuca sylvatica, rare.

Phleum pratense, h. — Knock Drin, and generally plentiful ; but
not before recorded from the county.

Deschampsia flexuosa, Trin. — (VII.) Quarry, Knock Drin.

Holcus mollis, L. — Woods and edge of Brittas L., Knock Drin ! not
uncommon near L. Ree, B. & V. ; not definitely reported before from
this count)'.

Trisetum flavescens, Beauv. — Knock Drin — same remarks as
above.

Avena pubescens, Huds. — Plentiful ; but not noted in the Cyb. Hyb.
as from this county.

*A. strigx>sa, Schreb.— (VII.) Knock Drin, in cultivated fields.
Arrhenatherum avenaccum, Beauv., and var. nodosum,
Reichb. — Knock Drin. The variety is perhaps the more common of the
two.

Sieglingia decumbens, Beruh. — Driumore, not common.
Catabrosa aquatica, Beauv. — Drinmore, in ditches ! frequent near
L. Ree, B. & V., but not before definitely reported from Westmeath.

IYIelica uniflora, Retz. — Knock Ross and Knock Eyon, locally
plentiful ; not previously reported from this county.

Poa nemoralis, L. — (VII.) Tops of old walls at Knock Drin,
thoroughly established, if not indigenous.

Clyceria aquatica, Sm.— Canal at Mullingar.

Festuca rig-ida, Kunth.— (VII.) Killynon, Edmonton, and near
Mullingar.

F. sciuroides, Roth.— Knock Ross and Knock Drin; not before
reported from Westmeath.

F. sylvatica, Vill.— (VII.) Knock Ross, rare.

F. arundinacea, Schreb.— Knock Drin, not before reported from
Westmeath.

F. elatior, L. var. loliacea, Huds.— Knock Ross. In this locality I
found two forms — awned and unawned— which were submitted to the
Watson Botanical Exchange Club. Both are alluded to in the report
for 1892-93 ; the awned form is there called "forma aristata" on Hackel's
authority— fide A. Bennett.

tBromus erectus, Huds.— (VII.) Knock Drin, in meadows, probably
introduced with grass seed.

B. sterilis, I,.— Athlone, Miss Levinge. B. & V. refer this to Dist. 7
in their paper on the plants of the shores of Iy. Ree, but do not state
from what county it was obtained.

13 2 The Irish Naturalist.

Bromus racemosus, L.— (VII.) Knock Drin.

J Lolium temulentum, L.— Knock Drin.

Agropyron caninum, Beauv.— (VII.) Knock Ross, near the edge of
the lake.

.jHordeum pratense, Hurls.— (VII.) Knock Drin, only one large
plant found.

« Asplenium Adlantum-nigrum, L.— Knock Ross and Knock
Eyon.

Ceterach off Id nam m, Willi— Walls of Poorhouse, nearMullingar.

Scolopenclrium vulgare, L., var. — Knock Drin, sori on the upper
and lower surfaces with anastomosing veins once found.

Cystopteris fragilis. Benin.— On walls at Sonna, near Ballymore,
F. J. F.

LastreaThelypteris, Presl.) r\ *i t • 1 * t.

J,, , ■ V Ouarry and Lisclogher Bogs.

L. spmulosa, Presl. > ~ J 5 &

L. aemula, Brack. — Knock Body, growing very luxuriantly in the
woods at the top of the hill above the lake.

Polypodium vulgare, L., var. serratum, Willd. — (VII.) Knock
Ross.

Osm Linda regal is, L. — Robiustown — Levinge, and Quarry Bogs.

Ophioglossum vulgatum, L. — Knock Drin, in meadows and pas-
tures.

Botrychium Lunaria, Sw.— Knock Eyon, Miss E. Reynell, Shefin
Hill, Miss Levinge.

Ecuiisetum palustre, L. — Drin tn ore ! and common near Iv. Ree ;
not before definitely reported from this count}7.

E. variegatum, Schleich,var.WiIsoni Newm.— Edge oflv. Drin, and
banks of canal near Killucan. Mr. A. Bennett remarks in the report of
the Watson Exch. Club for 1892-3, regarding this plant, " The specimens
have the stems not above half the thickness of the Killarney plants
( IVilsoni), and are altogether a much slenderer plant. I should have
named them E. variegatum, var. majus, Syme., that is, the same as the
Royal Canal plant at Dublin.

Selaglnella selaginoldes, Gray Edge of h- Drin.

Chara fragilis, Desv. — Scraw bog, Loughanstown, and in all the
lakes.

var. bar bata, Grant —Scraw bog, Loughaustown, rare.

C. aspcra, Willd. — Brittas L., Knock Drin, several forms.

C. polyacantha, A. Br. — Holes in Scraw bog, Loughaustown.

C, contraria, Kuetz. — Brittas L., and L. Ovvel, several forms, plen-
tiful.

Chara tomentosa, L. — Plentiful, and growing to a very large size
in Loughs Owel and Derevaragh ; smaller in L. Ennel.

var. — In a drain N.W. corner of L. Owel, a well marked, but un-
described variety, less branched than the type, found by Mr. Groves !

C. hispida, L, var. rudis, A. Br. — L. Drin and Brittas L, locally
common.

C. vulgaris, L— L. Ennel, several forms.

Tolypella glomcrata, Leonh.— L. Derevaragh, in the boat harbour,
Kiltoom, and in the part of the lake known as the " Pond of Donore."

Nitellatenuissima, Kuetz.— Holes in the Scrawbog, Loughaustown.
Pound in this locality— for the first time in Ireland— by Mr. H. Groves!

N. opaca, Agardh.— L. Derevaragh (Pond of Donore), and Brittas L.

[ *33 ]
FEBRUARY COLEOPTERA FROM ARMAGH.

BY W. E. SHARP.

Of all the votaries of practical Biology it is probable that the
Coleopterist feels least the limitations of locality and season.
There is indeed not a day in the circle of the year, except
during hard frost or deep snow, not a square foot from
mountain top to lake bottom which may not afford him spoil
or sport. There are coleoptera to be found in London bake-
houses and beneath high-water mark on our shores, they exist
everywhere and they are always in season. Any random
handful of moss or haystack refuse, or vegetable litter, may
provide the student, especially the beginner, with material for
the work of weeks. How many species would the L,epidopterist
or the Hymenopterist be likely to discover of their favourite
groups alive and unimpaired in a tangled bunch of decayed
herbage sent in a bag half across a kingdom ?

Yet the writer, when our rural Cheshire postman delivered
with evident relief a stout canvas bag, bearing the post-mark
of Armagh, heavy with wet moss and indeed itself dripping
with water, knew that in this unpleasantly moist parcel
myriads of interesting, and probably some, to him, new
Coleoptera were lurking, and rejoiced in the prospect of the
beetles of an acre comprehended in a bushel. The time was
immediately after a day or two's heavy February rain, the
origin of the parcel the kindness of the Rev. W. F. Johnson
of Armagh, who had gone to the trouble of collecting a quantity
of the indefinite refuse which collects after a flood in a locality
near that town, known as the Mullinures.

In an article on Armagh Coleoptera {Irish Nahiralist, vol. i.,
p. 15), the Rev. W. Johnson has already explained the nature
of this ground, and given a list of some of its beetle inhabitants.
It has however occurred to me that it might be interesting if
I were to very shortly enumerate the actual species which
were found in this mass of not more than seven or eight pounds
of " flood refuse." My method of capture was to shake out the
litter (in a common garden sieve, a few handfuls at a time),
over a large white dish with steep sides. A moistened
finger-tip transferred the beetles to a laurel bottle and their
doom.

134 The Irish Naturalist.

The appearance of this dish on the shaking out of one of
these handfuls was comparable to an ants' nest when one
removes the stone beneath which it is constructed. The
"staphs" were most numerously represented, Homalota and
Stcni absolutely swarmed, but a species of Bcmbidium,
B. Mannerheimii, ran them very close.

To begin in order at the beginning with the Geodephaga. There
-were two Notiophili, N. palustris and N. bigutiatus, Pterostichus strcnuus, and
P. nigrita, Anchomenus gracilis, and A. puellus, the Bcmbidia, B. Clarki, B.
don's, B. oblusu/u, and B. Mannerheimii. Of these there were only about
three B. dorrs, but B. Mannerheimii absolutely swarmed. There was also
Dyschirius globosus and Dromius melanocephahis. In a previous bag from the
same spot I took Agabus unguicularis, but on this occasion I discovered
no Hydradephaga.

Among the PaIvPICORNIA Limncbius truiicatellus, Hclcphorus aquatic us, and
H. ocncipcnnis, Ochthcbius bicolon, Cercyon melanocephalus, C.analis, C. Jiavipcs,
and of course Megasternum bolitophagum occurred.

Among the Ceavicornia the Pselaphida: were well represented. Tychus
niger was very common, there was also Bythinus puncticollis, Bryaxis
fossidata, and B. juncorum, and the minute and unsettable Euplectits
a/ubiguus. Then Scydmocus collaris was plentiful, and one specimen of
Clambus armadillo turned up. One specimen of Mcligcthes viridcscens, a few
Cryptophagus scanicus, two or three common Coccinellce, and, exceedingly
commonly, Coccidula rufa.

These concluded the Clavicornia if we treat Staph yeinid^E separately.
These latter formed by far the majority of the catch. The Homalotai
were (as far as I could identify them), H. analis, H. circellaris, H. dcbilis,
H. graminicola (in myriads), H. triangulum, H. hygroptcra, and of course
H. fungi. Very common was Oxypoda opaca, there were two species of
Aleochara, A. languinosa and mcesta. Astilbus canaliculata was very common,
and I was very pleased to identify the handsome Myrmedonia collar-is, to
me a new species. Tachyporus humcrosits was abundant, more so than the
three other species of this genus present, T. chrysomclinus, T. hypnorum,
and T. brunneus. There was Tachinus rufipcs in plenty, Mycetoponts nanus,
a couple. Then came Quedius semiceneus very numerous, Q. rufipcs, a single
specimen, Q. tristis also was conspicuous. The Philonthi were well
represented. I took two specimens of Philonthus luccns in a bag of
refuse from the same locality last year, and this, I fancy, forms the
only Irish record of this rare species1. I could however find none in the
parcel under investigation now. But there were Philonthus laminatus, P.
polities, P. varius, P. ceneus, P. nigrita, P. puclla, and more abundantly
almost than any other species, P. trossulus. There was Ocypus cupreus,
Lalhrobium brunuipcs, and (another species new to me) Lathrobriutn quad-
ratum, Oxytclus rugosus, and 0. tctracarinatus, Platystcthus arcnarius, Trogo-
phlaxts elongatus, T. corticinus, and Evccstcthus ruficapillus. The Stent were
also very much in evidence, and the following species occurred ; — Status
juno, S. ocmulus, S. speculator, S. dcclaratus, S. unicolor, S. binotatus, S. palli-
tarsis, S. bifoveolatus, S. rusticus, S. tempestivus, S. fiavipes (very abundant),
S. similis, S. tarsalis, and 5. latifrons. There were also Lesteva punctata
and Homaluim fossulatum.

The Lamellicornia, Serricornia and Longicornia were groups unrepre-
sented, but the following Phytophaga were more or less numerous ; —
Chrysomcla staphylca, Phocdon tuniiduhon, Hydrothassa ntarginclla, Longitarsus
nielanoccphalus, L. picipes, L. brunneus, and Cassida flaveola.

1 It will be seen from p. 123, of the present issue, that Mr. J. N. Halbert
lias taken this beetle in Co. Cavan. — Eds*

February Coleopt era from Armagh. 135

Among the Rhynchophora Apions were very numerous. A . fagi
took the lead, but A. mrens was also plentiful. There were several speci-
mens of Erirthinus scirpi, E. ccthiops, and Sciaphihis miiricatus, one Hypera
punctata, and one Orchestcs fagi. Of the Heteromera I could discover
no representative.

Such were the coleopterous captures in this bag of flood
drift, at least such as allowed themselves to be captured ; for
although the mass was well shaken out, it is probable that
many individuals refused to drop through the sieve, and so
escaped. Nevertheless, we have here some hundred species,
without counting certain species of Trichopteryx, which evade
my attempts at identifi cation . Of course the bulk of the species
noted are common enough, but the list, and still more the
number of individuals, which were quite beyond computation,
manifest how profuse coleopterous life is, show how easily
the student of this order may furnish himself with material,
and give some slight idea of the beetle fauna of the Armagh
district during a mild winter.

I ought not to omit some reference to the shells which
abounded in this bag. My friend, Mr. B. Tomlin, of Llandaff,
to whom I submitted them, tells me the following species are
represented : —

Planorbis contortus, Succinea elegans, Hyalinia alliaria, H. fulva, Cochlicopa
lubrica, and var. fusca.

As to the Mollusca, Myriapoda, Arachnida, and other
orders of Insecta besides Coleoptera, these I have no space to
enumerate, even if I could name them ; but to the urban
student of nature on whom the days of winter hang heavy, I
can recommend nothing more exhilarating or satisfying, than
a bag-full, such as this was, of the floating drift that comes
down on the floods of " February fill dyke."

NOTES

BOTANY.

VASCULAR CRYPTOGAMS.

Equisetum Wilson! The fruiting-time of this plant, as given in

the English botanical text-books, and in Cybele Hibemica, is July and
August. It may therefore be of interest to record the fact that along
the Royal Canal last March and April there was a luxuriant growth of
this horsetail, with abundance of fruit. Having had the plant under
observation for only one year, I cannot say if this is an abnormal
occurrence ; and whether it will fruit again in July and August remains
to be seen.— R. L,i,oyd Praeger.

136

The Irish Naturalist.

PHANEROGAMS.
Hicracium cerinthiforme (Backh. in litt.), F. J. Han-
bury, In Co. Kerry.— In the Journal of Botany (1886, p. 19) Rev. W.
R. Linton and myself gave a form of H. angiuum, Fr., for Mount
Brandon as "being in onr judgment the var. decipiens, Syme," not speak-
ing more definitely, as Mr. Backhouse spoke doubtfully of our naming.
The other day Mr. Hanburv was with me looking over all my anglicum
forms, and at once called the Brandon plant H. cerinthiforme. This
justifies the name we gave, as the plant we then called decipiens, Syme
(? the var. amplexicaule, Lond. Cat., 7th edition), has since been raised to
specific rank as H. cerinthiforme by Mr. Hanbury. As such it has probably
not been noticed for Kerry. We were very possibly wrong in stating in
the same paper (p. 18) that we found Alisma nutans in deep water, as well
as A. repens, Davies, at the margin. It is very likely that the plants out
in the lake, without floating leaves, may have been the same with the
marginal plant ; we thought at the time they were different ; but the
deep water plant ought to have been grown, if we had then had the
means to see which it really was. A. nutans must not stand for Kerry on
our notice of it. — Edward F. Linton.

ZOOLOGY.

MOLLUSCS.

The Common Mussel (Mytilus edulis) in Belfast Lough. —

This bivalve has long been abundant in Belfast Lough. Large beds of
them existed near low water mark at the edge of the Holywood Banks,
and considerable quantities used to be brought into Holywood and used
as food. This practice has to a large extent ceased of late. A few years
ago a demand for mussels sprang up from Scotland, where they were
used as bait in the East Coast fisheries. This Scotch demand in time
assumed large dimensions. Several boats' crews were daily engaged
during the winter and spring months dredging for mussels, and pulling
them up in bunches from the bottom by means of strong iron rakes
constructed for the purpose. The mussels were then conveyed to
Belfast, in the boats that had taken them, during the latter part of the
flood tide, and loaded on board of the Glasgow and Ardrossan steamers,
after which the boats would drop down on the ebb tide to resume their
work. The undernoted figures will show the dimensions this industry
attained to in the year 1889, when over-fishing had its usual result, the
following years showing a marked decline, till, in 1892-93, the trade
virtually ceased altogether, diminished supplies having made it no
longer worth following. Simultaneously with this the dredging of the
new channel was going on. This important local work cut right
through the point of Holywood Bank, where the principal mussel beds
were situated, and virtually destroyed these ; but, as since appears, the
mussels were not exterminated ; they only shifted their quarters ; and,
this spring, new beds, recruited by the few years rest, were discovered ;
and, the Scotch demand reviving, these beds proved fruitful and re-
munerative. Often, during February and March this year, have I seen
from 15 to 18 boats engaged in mussel fishing, and an almost similar
number, at a different time of the day, putting their takes on board of
the Scotch steamers. The extraordinary and sudden development of
this trade, after an interval of almost total cessation, will be best seen
from the undernoted official figures, for which I am indebted to the
courtesy of Mr. W. A. Currie, Secretary to the Belfast Harbour Com-
missioners. These valuable mussel-beds should be afforded the
protection they require to prevent a repetition of the virtual semi*
extermination that so lately occurred,

Notes. !37

Exports of Mussels from the Port of Belfast during the months of

January, February, and March, in the following years :—

Year. Tons.

1889, ... 483

256
233

5

1

1,532

1S90,

1891,
1892,

1893,
1894,

-R. Leoyd Patterson, Belfast.

BIRDS.

Spring Migrants at Armagh. —The arrivals of these birds vary
a good deal this year from last, some being much earlier and others
somewhat later. The Chiffchaff and Willow Wren came together on
March 24. Swallows were seen by Mrs. Johnson at Loughgall on April
6th, but I did not observe them here till the 10th. The next arrival was
the Cuckoo on April 17th, and on the following day I saw the first
Swift. The Corncrake was late, for I did not hear it till April 28th. On
May 5th, when out in quest of moths in the evening, I heard the
Grasshopper Warbler. The latest arrival was the House Martin, which
I did not see till May 7th. The Sand Martin I was not able to observe,
as I did not visit any of its haunts. — W. F. Johnson, Armagh.

Arrival of Spring Migrants in Londonderry District.— Most

of our summer visitors reached us this year at their usual date, one was
however much before its time while another was much later. I heard
the Chiffchaff first on 25th March. On the 3rd April the Sand Martins
arrived. The Wheatear appeared at Inch on 9th April. Last year I
heard the Willow Wren on 3rd April, while this year I did not hear it
until 9th. The Swallows did not reach us till 15th April, a very late date
for them. The Corncrake arrived on 24th April, the Cuckoo on 26th
April, and the Sedge Warbler on 27th April. Mr. Milne saw a Swift on
29th April, the earliest date I have ever known it to arrive. I did not
see it in numbers until 7th May. — D. C. Campbele, Londonderry.

Summer Migrants in the Vale of Ovoca. — I heard the Chiff
chaff on April 8th, the Sand Martins arrived on March 28th; the Swallows
on April 1st, House Martins on April 3rd, Cuckoo on April 12th, Landrail
on April 17th, and Swifts on May 7th. — J. HUNTER, Woodenbridge, Co.
Wicklow.

Rare Birds in Achili Island.— In the Zoologist for April, Mr. J. R.
Sheridan writes that on 12th December, 1892, he saw a male King Eider
(Somatcria speciabilis) near Dugort. Two Surf Scoters ( GZdemia perspicillata)
were seen on 25th October, 1870, and one of them was shot. A third
specimen was seen in Duach Bay in December, 1890. Two Mealy
Redpoles (Lino/a linarid) were shot in Achili Sound in February,
1893, by Mrs. Harvey ; Mr. Sheridan thinks this bird visits Achili every
winter. An adult male Buffon's Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) was shot
by Mr. Sheridan on 29th December, 1892, near the village of Duach.

Woodlarks (Alauda arborea), breeding in Co. Wicklow.—
After an absence of many years, five of these birds were observed in this
locality during October, 1893. They remained all through the winter,
and on the 26th of April we were fortunate enough to discover the nest
of one pair which contained three young birds and an addled egg.—
John Hunter, Woodenbridge, Co. Wicklow.

Woodcocks in May.— A correspondent writes to the Limerick
Chronicle (May 3rd), " that a dav or two since, Mr. Mollison, gamekeeper
to the Hon. W. C. Trench, of Castleoliver, Kilfinane, found a Woodcock,
with three voung ones apparently about a fortnight old, in the demesne,
near the castle."— Ernest Bennis, Limerick.

138 The Irish Naturalist.

GEOLOGY.

Kitchen Middens in Co. Donegal. — These were examined and
described years ago by Mr. Harte, County Surveyor, before the Royal
Geol. Soc., Dublin, and more recently by Mr. Mahony, of Ramelton, in a
paper read before the Geol. Soc, Glasgow. The inquiries of both these
observers extended round the north and north-west coasts of Donegal.
Subsequently, after examining those of Co. Antrim, I examined them,
and was surprised to find the contents so different in some respects, that
is, the total absence of worked implements and pottery — yet in this
portion of Donegal and in Antrim both appeared to have been of very
similar age, that is, they were commenced on Murrish, or Sea plains, be-
fore the accumulation of the dunes of ^Eolian Drift.

In Innishowen, Fanad, Roscuil, and Falcarragh, besides bones and
shells, were only found the rudest implements, such as slabs for breaking
on, and adapted stones that had been used as breakers, and " fire stones."
What were the latter used for ? Were they heated and the fish fried on
them ? Or were they used for boiling purposes ? The latter in these
cases seems improbable ; because if they were, we ought to have found,
as in the Co. Antrim, the rude clay pots in which the water was boiled.
The absence of flint implements seems remarkable, as Antrim flints
appear to have been largely imported into Donegal and manufactured.

Near Knockbrack, to the south of Letterkenny, there seems to have
been a factory at Curragh — as numerous chips, cores, and implements
have been found there ; while at the Brown Rock, between Letterkenny
and Church Hill, a large bunch of worked flints were found — also in
various places about the Kilmacrenan Barony, especially north ot
Rathmullen, worked flint can be picked up in the tillage. Curiously, in
the south-west of the Donegal County, in the sand-dunes of the Bundoran
neighbourhood, arrow-heads, made of the chert from the Carboniferous
Limestone, were found in the Kitchen Middens by Mr. Knowles, of
Ballymena. Why should worked implements be found at Bundoran to
the south-west, and in Antrim to the east, while along the intervening
coast in the Kitchen Middens of apparently the same age they have not
been found ? — G. H. Kinahan, Fairview, Dublin.

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royai, Zoological Society.

Recent donations comprise a Rabbit from Master H. Harvey ; a
Monkey from T. G. Waterhouse, Esq. ; two Long-eared Owls from
H. L. Jameson, Esq. ; three Stoats and a Guinea-fowl from Master R. L.
Weldon ; and eight Guinea-pigs from J. Condon, Esq. A large number
of animals have been acquired by purchase, including a Malayan Bear, a
Serval, a pair of Cranes, of Weka Rails, of Blood-breasted Pigeons, and
of Laughing Kingfishers ; a Brown Lemur, a Hog Deer, three Mandrills,
a Baboon, a Puma, two Marmosets, a Bear, two Porcupines, two Griffon
Vultures, four Red-shouldered Starlings, two Rosellas, twelve Rufous
Weaver-birds, two Grey Parrots, a Purple-capped Lony, and three
Egrets.

Upwards of 10,000 persons visited the Gardens in April.

Dublin Microscopical Club.

April 19th.— The Club met at Dr. R. F. Scharff's.

Mr. Greenwood Pim showed Lachnea (Pezizd) umbrosa sent to him by
Professor Johnson, who found it at Howth last autumn. The sporidia
are beautifully verrucose, in this point differing very markedly from
L. stercoral, which is exceedingly similar in general appearance ; from its
nearer ally, L. hirta, the present species is distinguished by the almost

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 139

globose instead of oval sporidia. Both L. hirta and L. umbrosa are
probably often passed by in mistake for L. stercorea.

Mr. G. H. Carpenter showed Dicranolasma scabrtim and Amopaum
Sorenseni, two remarkable phalangids of the family Trogiilidiz, brought
from Corsica by Dr. Scharff.

Dr. M'WeenEY showed preparations from the blood of a man affected
with the disease known as spleno-medullary leukcemia. Nucleated red
blood corpuscles were very numerous, and every stage of eccentricity in
the position of the nucleus could be traced, from a position only slightly
distant from the middle of the cell to an extremely peripheral one, and
in many cases the nucleus could be seen protruding. Finally nuclei
might be seen on the outside of the cells, and connected therewith only
by a short bridge of nuclear substance, and numerous free nuclei were
likewise to be found. The recognition of the latter was much facilitated
by the very remarkable metachromatism which the nuclei of the
erythroblasts showed as compared with those of the neighbouring
leucocytes, a much deeper tinge being invariably struck with the nuclear
stain. These observations appeared to the exhibitor of considerable
importance in view of the wide differences of opinion that prevail
amongst physiologists regarding the exact mode by which the nucleus
of the erythroblasts is got rid of. They seem to point unmistakably to
extrusion of the nucleus — the view formerly adopted by Rindfleisch and
now advocated by Howells, but by no means universally accepted.
Appearances indicative of fragmentation, and also perhaps of mitotic
division, in these nuclei were likewise demonstrated. The power used
was Leitz's oil-immersion, -fa in., giving, with the low eye-piece, a magni-
fication of about 900 diameters.

Mr. M'Ardle exhibited a fertile specimen of Eulejeunea patens,
Lindberg, var. erecta, M'A., which he gathered on Ross Island, Killarney,
in November of last year. From copious material he gives the following
characters by which this new form may be detected : — Plant about a
quarter of an inch long, growing on damp peat in dense compact patches
of a bright yellow colour. Stem stronger than in the type, erect,
irregularly branched, often secund, bearing numerous rootlets in isolated
tufts up to the apex, which show well marked haustoria. Leaves
closely imbricated, densely chlorophylliferous in the upper | of the plant
Under-leaves (stipules) larger than in the species, ovate or sub-rotund,
cleft for more than \ of their length into two obtuse (often acute) lobes.
Amentse short, consisting of four to six altered leaves. Perianths
copious, lateral, sharply keeled, stalk of the capsule with three or four
distinct articulations.

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

April 17th. — Irish night. The President in the chair. The programme
included report of work done by the Celtic class, by Mr. P. J. O'Shea,
conductor of the class; readings and recitations in Irish, by Miss Milligan,
Miss Carey, Dr. St. Clair Boyd, and Messrs. Ward, Foley, Griffin, and
Morrissey ; and a paper on local Celtic topography, by Mr. F. J. BiGGER.

April 25th. — Annual meeting. The President in the chair. The
Secretary (Mr. F. J. BiGGER) read the annual report, and the Treasurer
(Mr. W. H. Phillips), the statement of accounts, which were adopted.
The report stated that the roll of membersnow stood at 480. The election
of office-bearers was next taken up. Mr. F. W. Lockwood was elected
President, and Mr. Lavens M. Bwart, M.R.I.A., Vice-President. The
Secretary and Treasurer resumed office, as did the Committee, with
some slight alterations. The Secretaries of Sections then presented
their reports as follows :— Miss S. M. Thompson, report of Geological
Committee ; P. J. O'Shea, report of Celtic class ; Dr. St. Clair Boyd,
report of Microscopical Section ; W. H. Patterson, report of Ethno-
graphical Committee. Suggestions for the improvement and extension
of the Club's work were then considered.

140 The Irish Naturalist.

Dubinin Naturalists' Field Club.

April 2Sth. —Excursion to Kill-o'-the-Grange and Killiney. A party
of twenty-five members proceeded by 12.45 train to Kingstown, where
cars were in waiting to convey them to Kill-o'-the-Grange Brickworks.
Fine sections of bluish Boulder-clay were examined here, in which marine
shells of the genera Astarte, Tellina, &c, were observed. A section of sand
and gravel was also visited. Professor Sollas, F.R.S., who conducted
the party, briefly explained the nature of the deposits, and the theories
as to their formation.

The early season was witnessed by the discovery here of Ttifolium
procumbetis in full flower, while Arum maculalum had almost finished
blossoming. Sterile stems of Equisetum palustre were observed near the
brickworks by Dr. M'Weeney, who also searched the locality for fungi.
Agarics were, as might have been expected, scarce ; Coprinus micaceus, Fr.,
Panveohts phalenarum, Fr., and a few other manure-loving species alone
being found. A fine specimen of Polypoms (Fomes) fomentarins was
observed on a stump, while leaf-fungi were represented by Puccinia
malvaccarnm, Mont., and Synchytrium taraxaci, De By.

A rapid drive brought the party to Killiney, where some interesting
geological features on the summit of Ballybrack Hill claimed attention.
Along the junction of the granite and Ordovician rocks, the former has
invaded the latter rock along the cleavage-planes, with the result that
in places the shales have been entirely eaten up, nothing remaining to
attest their presence but bands of black mica in the granite. The
botanists of the party were well pleased to find among the gorse and
rocks, abundance of the rare Corydalis claviculata, some of the plants
already in good flower.

Descending to the beach,, the remainder of the afternoon was devoted
to investigating the fine sections of the drift that extend continuously
from Killiney to Bray, and which were recently described in the Irish
Naturalist by Professor Sollas (January, 1894, p. 13).

Along the shore the botanists found Honkeneja peploides already in flower,
and Viola arvensis was taken by Dr. M'Weeney in a grass field near the
mouth of the Loughlinstown river. The locality was not apparently an
inviting field for entomologists, but Messrs. W. F. de V. Kane and G. H.
Carpenter were fortunate enough to discover numerous specimens of
Clunio marinus, Halid., a small marine dipteron which seems to have
been overlooked since its describer, nearly forty years ago, took it on
the coasts of Kerry and Dublin. The present discovery was specially
gratifying, as among a colon}- of the midge observed upon a rock
covered by green seaweed {Cladophora) two examples of the hitherto
unknown female were obtained, and this sex is found to be wingless.
Subsequent examination of the Cladophora disclosed a larva — also un-
known hitherto. (A preliminary note by Mr. Carpenter, with figures,
will shortly appear in the Ent. Mo. Mag.). Prof. Johnson and Mr.
R. J. Mitchell assiduously collected seaweeds, but were not rewarded
by any form new to the coast. Tea was provided at the Bray Temperance
Hotel, after which a short business meeting was held for the election
of new members.

Royal Irish Academy.

April 9. — Mr. G. H. Kinahan read a paper on Quartz, Quartzite, and
Ouartz-rock. Mr. Kinahan has already laid before readers of this
Journal his views as to the origin of these rocks (f.JV., 1892). Prof. N-
Sollas, F.R.S., and Mr. McHenry(H.M. Geol. Survey) took part in the
discussion that ensued

C^tye |iri#lj |taturali0t.

Vol. III. JULY, 1894. No. 7.

THE IRISH FIELD CLUBS.

BY R. LLOYD PRAEGER, B.E.,
Secretary Dublin Nat. Field Club ; Ex-Secretary Belfast Nat. Field Club.

I. — The Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

In these modern days, when the number of persons who take
an intelligent interest in the natural phenomena by which
they are surrounded is steadily increasing, and when the army
of observers and investigators in every department of science
grows larger year by year, any institution whose object is the
advancement of science, and especially the popularization
of science, is sure to have our sympathy ; and in no way,
perhaps, has more been done to popularize natural science,
and to enlist fresh recruits in scientific work, than through
the instrumentality of the various Naturalists' Field Clubs
which are scattered through the country. Carried on on a
popular basis, and with a low subscription rate, the advantages
of these societies are within the reach of all ; and especially
by their summer excursions, when the field naturalists have
an opportunity of visiting selected localities under scientific
guidance, are the members brought into actual contact with
nature — the more so since skilled workers in the various
"ologies" are generally present, who are able and willing to
impart the lore pertaining to their several crafts, and thus to
reveal to untrained eyes the thousand marvels that lie hid in
field, and wood, and stream, and rock.

Here in Ireland, we cannot boast that by any means so
general an interest is taken in natural science as in England ;
but within the last decade there has been a most gratifying
and encouraging increase in the number of workers ; and a
result of this has been that the Belfast Field Club, for over 20
years the only society of the kind in Ireland, received in
1887 a comrade in the shape of the Dublin Naturalists' Field

A

142 The Irish Naturalist.

Club ; while within the last two years it has been our pleasant
duty to record in these pages the foundation of similar
societies in Cork and Limerick. I have thought that a short
sketch of the history and work of each of these Clubs may be
of interest to readers of the Irish Naturalist ; and we shall
begin with the oldest and also the largest of the Irish Field
Clubs, the

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.
We find the stimulus which resulted in the foundation of
this Club in the courses of lectures in geology, botany, and
zoology delivered in Belfast under the auspices of the Science
and Art Department by Mr. Ralph Tate (now Professor Tate,
E.G.S., of Adelaide University) during the winter of 1862-3.
Mr. Tate possessed in a rare degree the power of interesting
his hearers, and drawing them with him into the regions of
science, and his lectures were largely attended, and his
students remarkably successful in the examinations that were
subsequently held under the Department. As a practical out-
come of Mr. Tate's teaching and example, we find, in the
Belfast Press of January, 1863, letters advocating the formation
of a Naturalists' Field Club. The first suggestion came from
" W. T. C" (William T. Chew), and his letter was soon followed
by two others, signed " A Young Geologist " (Hugh Robin-
son), and " S. A. S." (Samuel Alexander Stewart). With the
heart)' co-operation of Mr. Tate, the preliminary steps were
soon taken, and a public meeting was held in March, when
the Club was formally constituted, and members were enrolled.
Looking at the prospectus which was then issued, of which I
possess almost the only copy now in existence, we find that
the first President (then "Chairman of Committee") was
John Grainger, M.A., subsequently Rev. Canon Grainger, d.d.
The first Secretaries were Mr. Tate and Mr. Chew ; while the
two other originators of the Club took places on the Committee.
Of these, Mr. Chew's name disappears early from the Club
records, owing to his removal to London. Canon Grainger
and Mr. Robinson maintained a warm and active interest in
the Club until their deaths, but a few years ; and Mr. Stewart
has, during, the thirty-one years that have elapsed, held his
place on the Committee, and holds it still, a loved and honoured
member. The prospectus concludes with the list of original
members, 107 in number, among which it is pleasant to notice

The Irish Field Chcbs 143

the names of not a few who are still members of the Club, and
of others who have left behind them indelible records in the
annals of science— notably Prof. Wyville Thomson, of
"Challenger" fame, and Prof. James Thomson, afterwards
of Glasgow University.

Founded thus auspiciously, the Club steadily grew, not-
withstanding the loss by removal to London of both Mr.
Tate and Mr. Chew at the end of the first year of its existence ;
at the end of the fifth year, we find the membership has risen
to over 200, and its annual report, which has been steadily in-
creasing in bulk, now extends to 50 pages. Two years later
the annual report gives evidence of a new departure, in the
publication of the first of the " Appendices " which have since
been issued from time to time — being local lists of various
divisions of the fauna and flora of the North of Ireland, or
descriptive papers of its archaeology ; the first contribution
being appropriately a " List of Irish L,iassic Fossils," by Mr.
Tate. During the winter of 1869 a partial fusion with the
Belfast Natural History Society was carried out. This latter
Society was already in the prime of life, having being founded
in 1 82 1, and having in its ranks a number of gentlemen
eminent in natural science. The first joint meeting was held
in November, 1869, when Dr. Wyville Thomson delivered an
address on "The Aims of Natural History Societies, and the
uses of Local Museums." During the next year, however, this
connection was dissolved.

In anticipation of the Belfast meeting of the British Associa-
tion in 1874, the Field Club undertook the preparation of a
local guide-book, and though the time was very limited, they
succeeded in producing *a volume of over 300 pages, dealing
with the fauna, flora, geology, archaeology, trade and statistics
of the district, which is a worthy proof of the energy and
attainments of the Club members at that time.

The year 1875 records the retirement from the Secretaryship
of Mr. William Gray after ten years of office ; to his zeal and
energy is largely due the progress made by the Club during
that period. Five years later his worthy colleague, Mr. Hugh
Robinson, retired, after 1 1 years of office ; these vacancies were
filled up by the appointment of Mr. William Swanston and
Mr. F. W. Lockwood, who faithfully carried on the work of
the Club for periods of 15 and 1 1 years respectively. The year

A 2

144 The Irish Naturalist.

1875 also witnesses the adoption of the title of "Annual
Report and Proceedings " for the Club's publication, which
had by this time assumed the proportions of an annual instal-
ment of 80 to 100 pages.

The years 1875 to 1890 provide a record of steady prosperity,
and good work, as witnessed by the numerous "Appendices,"
so that in 1886, a volume of these was published in collected
form, comprising twenty-one papers illustrated by twenty-
seven plates, and dealing with the Foraminifera, Coleoptera,
Ostracoda ; Post-tertiary, Glacial, Cretaceous, Liassic, Carboni-
ferous, and Silurian Fossils ; Fungi and Mosses ; and Cromlechs
of the North of Ireland. The summer excursions and winter
meetings went on regularly, with good attendances, while the
membership fluctuated between 220 and 300. The Presidents
during the first decade had been Canon Grainger, d.d., George
C. Hyndman, and Professor James Thomson, f.r.s. ; during
the second decade the office was held in succession by John
Anderson, f.g.s., Canon M'llwaine, d.d,, William Gray, Robert
Young, and Lieut. -General Smyth, f.r.s. ; while the interval
up to 1890 was filled by W. H. Patterson and Hugh Robinson,
two of the original office-bearers of 1863.

In 1890 the retirement of Mr. Swanston from the post which
he had so honourably held for 15 j-ears, led to the appointment
of the writer to the Secretaryship ; and when a year later Mr.
Lockwood asked to be relieved of his duties, Mr. F. J. Bigger
was selected to fill the vacant place. It was about this time
that there began that increase of interest in Irish science of
which I have already spoken, and which is witnessed by the
establishment of the three other Irish Field Clubs, and also of
the Irish Natiualist. Its influence soon became apparent in
the Belfast Club, and taking advantage of the flowing tide, the
Club rapidly advanced in numbers and in popularity, so that,
with a membership of 250 in 1890, the list at the time of
writing stands within one or two units of 500. This great in-
crease of membership has been accompanied by a correspond-
ing widening of the sphere of scientific work, and of the
amount of work done. It has been found desirable to form
sections for the prosecution of special branches of research,
and at present there are five .such sections in operation. The
Microscopical Section is the oldest, being started in 1891,
and under the Secretaryship of Dr. St. Clair Boyd is doing good

The Irish Field Clubs. 145

work. The Photographic Committee have under their care
the formation of an illustrated 'antiquarian survey of the
district, which already numbers 400 platinotype photographs,
and is rapidly increasing, thanks to the generosity of
the photographers of the Club, and especially of that talented
artist Mr. Robert Welch. The Ethnographical Section is
engaged at present chiefly in collecting local folk-lore, under
the Secretaryship of Mr. W. H. Patterson, and it is connected
with the Ethnographical Committees in Dublin and London,
which Professor Haddon has been instrumental in bringing
into existence. The operations of the Celtic Section consist
of a weekly class for the study of the Irish language, which is
ably conducted by Mr. P. J. O'Shea, a member of the Club.
And lastly the Geological Section, of which Miss S. M. Thomp-
son is Secretary, is hard at work on the Glacial deposits of the
district, and the first report, which was recently submitted to
the Club, shows that interesting results have already been
obtained, and gives good promise for the future.

The Presidential chair since 1890 has been filled by Mr.
William Gray, Mr. John Vinycomb, and Mr. W. Swanston, and
each of these gentlemen has done much to aid Mr. Bigger and
myself in our secretarial work. My own removal to Dublin
last year has thrown the entire work of the Club on my late
colleague, under whom the Club is still rapidly increasing in
numbers and usefulness. Nor must mention be omitted here
of the successful course of lectures delivered under the auspices
of the Club last winter by Prof. Grenville Cole, which have
stirred up much interest in local geology, and strengthened to
a considerable extent the Geological Section of the Club. I
understand that courses of lectures on similar lines are to be
delivered next session, and there can be no doubt that in this
direction the Club is performing most valuable educational
work.

In no way is the prosperity and usefulness of the Belfast
Naturalists' Field Club better shown than by its annual Pro-
ceedings. Commencing in 1865 with a 12-page pamphlet
covering two years of work, this publication has steadily grown,
so that the last issued part (1892-3) comprises 170 pages of
letterpress, with nine plates and ten other illustrations, and
includes important contributions to the fauna, flora, geology,
and ethnography of the North of Ireland.

146 The Irish Naturalist.

A BOTANICAL TRIP TO CO. ANTRIM.

BY W, A. SHOOLBRED, M.R.C.S., CHEPSTOW.

The following notes are from observations made during a
short trip to County Antrim in July, 1893.

My chief object, botanically, in visiting this part of Ireland
was to make a collection and take notes of the Hieracia of the
cliffs and glens.

By the middle of July in an ordinary season most of the
species of this genus would have been at their best ; but owing
to the long, hot, and dry summer many of those growing in
exposed parts of the cliffs were too far gone for identification.
In fact the majority of the cliff-plants had long since gone to
seed, and many were quite dried up.

My first day at Belfast was anything but propitious ; there
was an incessant downpour of rain until six in the evening.
It was almost the first rain I had seen for nearly three
months. However, after it had ceased, Mr. S. A. Stewart
kindly went with me to Holywood for Rosa hibemica. This
rose does not appear to ripen its fruit, at least in this locality.
On the marshes near we gathered CEnanthe Lachcnalii, and
searched some time for Zannichcllia polycarpa in the shallow
water, where Mr. Stewart had always before seen it in abund-
ance ; but although nearly poisoned by the stench caused hy
stirring up the sewage, we failed to find a single piece. Mr.
Stewart has since sent me specimens from a deep drain near
hy> where he subsequently found it in plenty. The dry weather
had doubtless caused the sewage in the shallow water to
become too concentrated for the plants to live.

Next day, after I had visited Cave Hill, Mr. Stewart again
joined me in the evening in a walk to part of the Black
Mountain for Pyrola media, which, like so many other plants,
had gone out of flower. Mel am py rum sylvaticum we failed to
find in its locality here, it having probably seeded down and
died off.

From Belfast I went on toLarne, staying there for one night
in order to visit Sallagh Braes. Unfortunately I did not give
myself enough time for this expedition, and the heat when
the cliffs were reached was too great for much scrambling
after a mid-day walk from L,arne.

A Botanical Trip to County Antrim, 147

From L,arne I went on round the coast, staying at Cushen-
dall, Ballycastle, and Giants' Causewa}- ; thence to Derry for
steamer to Glasgow. On the way from Portrush to Derry the
journey was broken for a few hours to visit Benevenagh.

My longest stay was at Cushendall. Finding that a good
centre, and surrounded by fine botanising country, my quarters
also at ' The Glens of Antrim ' being everything that could be
wished, I remained there a week, which was longer than I
had intended, and so had less time for working the country
further on. Two days out of the week, however, it rained in
such torrents that out-door work was well nigh impossible,
The rest of the time the heat in the glens was almost tropical.

The coast scenery of County Antrim is certainly very fine,
and would alone have repaid one for the trip. The contrast
between the white Chalk cliffs with their capping of dark
basalt and the deep red sandstone of Red-bay has a very
striking effect. The Giants' Causeway, so interesting to the
geologist, seemed rather barren botanically.

With a flora so varied, including as it does a considerable
number of maritime forms, the luxuriant vegetation of the
glens with their wealth of ferns and other shade-loving plants,
and a cliff flora including several highland types, I was sur-
prised at the rarity, or total absence from the district, of many
species which are of common occurrence in the West of
England. The common Yew and the White Beam, which
form quite a feature in many of the wooded valleys of this
part of England, were conspicuous by their absence. Among
others of our common plants which I did not see in County
Antrim were Papavcr Rhccas, Malva moschata, Bryonia dioica,
Galium Mollugo, Lamium Galeobdolon, Tamtcs communis, &c.
Mr. Stewart tells me that one of the rarest plants in N.E.
Ireland is the Moschatell, which may be found here in almost
every hedgerow, and completely carpets some of the woods in
early spring. I also failed to notice any of the sub-erect Rudi,
but as they were not specially searched for they may have
been overlooked.

The flora of the North-East of Ireland has been so
thoroughly worked that it is unlikely that I can add much, if
anything to what is already known. Mr. Praeger, however,
tells me that two species of Hicracium and a variety of another
species have not previously been recorded from the district.

148 The lush Naturalist.

One or two of the Rubi may be new records — R. Sclmeri, at
least, has only within the last few months been described as a
British plant by the Rev. W. M. Rogers.

I am indebted to the Rev. W. M. Rogers for looking over
my collection of Brambles and Roses ; to Mr. Hanbury for
putting me right as regards the Hicracia, and to the Rev. H. S.
Marshall for naming some varietal forms of other plants.

UST OF RARER PLANTS.

Fumaria pallidiflora, Jord. — The Rev. S. A. Breuan drew my
attention to this growing in a hedgerow at Knocknacarry.

Nasturtium palustre, DC. — Glendnn.

Arab is sagittata, DC. — Benevenagh, Co. Deny. I have no note
of this from the Antrim cliffs. This plant appears to be rare in N.E.
Ireland. It is very common on limestone cliffs and walls in this part of
the West of England.

Draba incana, L. — Sparingly on the higher part of the cliffs at
Benevenagh.

Gochlearia Armoracia, L. — Near Cushendnn — garden escape.

Viola palustris, L. — Boggy ground, Glenariffe; Glendun ; Fair-
head, and near Ballycastle.

V. canina, L. — Cushendun, near the shore.

Polygala vulgaris I,- 1 Common>
P. serpyllacea, Weihe.— S

Silene acaulis, L. — Fairly plentiful on Benevenagh.

Arenaria vcrna, L. — Plentiful on the cliffs on the south side of
Glenariffe, and on Benevenagh.

Geranium lucidum, L. — Glenariffe.

IYIelilotus altissima, Thuill. — Glenariffe.

Trlfolium medium, L. — Rocks near Ballintoy.

T. procumbens, L,. — Glenariffe.

Lotus pilosus, Beeke.— Glenariffe.

Vicla syivatica, L. — Glenariffe.

Prunus Padus, L-— One or two small trees seen in Glenshesk near
the river.

Rubus rhamnifolius, W. & N.— Glenariffe and Glendun.

R. pulcherrimus, Neum.— Cave Hill; Glenariffe; Glendun ; between
Cushendall and Knocknacarry, &c. Of a specimen from Cave Hill, Mr.
Rogers writes "with unusually broad panicle," and of specimens from
near Larne " I believe pulcherrimus, but in a form I do not remember to
have seen before."

R. vllllcaulis, Kcehl.— Glenariffe and Glendun.
var. Selmcri, Liudeb. — Glendun. Mr. Rogers writes "exactly
like a form of villicaulis, common in the south of England, which is var.
Selmtri, Lindeb."

R. Lindleianus, Lees.- Glenariffe and Glendun. A very striking-
looking form as regards foliage, grows in Glenariffe, which Mr. Rogers
considers cannot be kept separate from Lindleianus. It has unusually
broad terminal leaflets, and very large panicles,

A Botanical Trip to County Antrim. 149

R. rusticanus, Merc— Near Larne ; Glenariffe; Glendun, &c.

R. pyramidalis, Kalt.— Glenariffe.

R. leucostachys, Schleich. — Cave Hill ; near Larne ; Glenariffe, &c.

R. radula, Weihe.— Hedge-rows near Larne.

R. echinatus, Lindl. — Cave Hill; Glenariffe; Glendun, &c.

R. rosaccus, W. & N., var. hystrix (W. & N.)— Glenariffe. Mr.
Rogers writes "A strongly armed form."

R. Kcehler!, W. & N.— Glenariffe and Glendun.

R. dumetorum, W. and N. — Cave Hill; near Larne, &c. Of a plant
from near Larne Mr. Rogers writes " I think it must be a very weakly-
armed form of aggregate dumetorum. The foliage is very like that of our
var. diver sifolius, but the armature quite different."

R. corylifolius, Sm., var. a. sublustris, (Lees)— Common,
var. b. conjungens, Bab. — Near Larne.

R. saxatilis, L. — Frequent. In company with Mr. S. A. Stewart I
gathered this in good fruit on the Black Mountain near Belfast.

I have notes of having seen A', erytkrimts, Genev., andi2. micans, Gren. &
Godr. in Glenariffe and Glendun, but as I did not secure specimens I
think it advisable not to include them in the list. The Rubi in these glens
require and would repay careful working.

Potentilla procumbens, Sibth. — Glenariffe ; Glendun ; and Glen -
shesk.

P. procumbens x Tormentilla — {P. suberecta, Zimm.) — Glenshesk.
The Rev. E. S. Marshall kindly examined and named this plant for me.

Agrimonia odorata, Mill. — Glendun.

Rosa involuta, Sm. — Glendun ; " a form of involuta" but the
material sent was too imperfect for Mr. Rogers to name definitely.

R. mollis, Sm. — Glendun and Glenshesk.

R. tomentosa, Sm., var. scabriuscula (Sm.) — Near Cushendall.
A form very near sylvestris (Lindl.), gathered with Mr. Stewart on the
Black Mountain near Belfast.

R, rubiginosa, Linn. — Mr. Praeger had asked me to look out for
R. micrantha at Cushendun, and Mr. Brenan kindly showed me the bush
whence the specimens had been gathered on the evidence of which this
rose was included in the " Flora of the NOrth-East of Ireland." Mr.
Rogers writes of specimens submitted to him "not micrantha. A form
of rubiginosa."

R. canina, L., var. Iutetiana and dumalis — Common,
var. subcristata, Baker. — Glendun, and sandy ground by the river in
Glenshesk.

R. arvcnsis, Huds. — Remarkably scarce. One or two bushes seen
in Glenariffe and Glendun.

var. bibractiata (Bast.) — Hedgerow near Cushendun.

(To be concluded).

A3

150 The Irish Natttralist.

THE HIGH AND LOW-LEVEL SHELLY DRIFTS
AROUND DUBLIN AND BRAY.

BY T. MEU.ARD READE, F.G.S.

( Cone hided from page 121).

It is now time to get to the piece dc resisla?ice — the shelly
gravels of the Three Rock Mountain, first disclosed to the
scientific world by the Rev. Maxwell Close. I am specially
interested in these deposits from a previous study of similar
gravels in England and Wales. We examined the gravel pits
at Ballyedmonduff, reached by us from Glencullen. They are
evidently continuously connected with the valley drift, and
these high-level gravels occupy a considerable area. The
gravel is mostly of limestone,, with a good proportion of
granite boulders, also felstone, porphyry, Silurian grit, and
purple conglomerate. The gravel is interbedded with sand,
loamy sand, and sand and gravel. Some thin contorted bands
of sand are to be seen. Shell fragments are common. No
attempt was made at collection ; and for a list of the species
of mollusca found, the reader must refer to Mr. Close's
original paper in the Geological Magazine, 1874, entitled
" The Elevated Shell-bearing Gravels near Dublin."

A mechanical analysis of two specimens of the finer part
of the drift showed that the finer gravel was well worn, and
mostly limestone, mixed with sub-angular gravel. Some pieces
of black limestone occurred, very polished and slightly striated.
Among the smaller grains were well rounded and polished
grains of quartz, also calcite, mica flakes, and very decayed
grains of shell substance. Three minute siliceous cylindrical
bodies were found in this material, and similar bodies occurred
in other specimens of the drift from several localities, as well
as in the Greenhills esker, at Balrothery, presently to be
described. Dr. George G. Hinde, F.G.S., to whom these
were submitted, pronounces them to be sponge-spicules. He
writes : " They are for the most part portions of the long
cylindrical spicules, of which the anchoring ropes of hexacti-
nellid sponges, like the still existing Hyaloncma, were com-
posed, and they are the sponge remains most commonly
present in Carboniferous cherts and limestones in Britain."
The analysis disclosed the fact, that there was a considerable

High and Low-level Shelly Drifts around Dublin and Bray. 151

amount of granitic gravel and detritus among the other
material.

Further on we examined the site of an old gravel-pit, for-
merly a mound or mammelon, but now levelled and grass-
grown. We had no time to examine the other numerous pits
scattered about the mountain and mentioned in Mr. Close's,
paper, but I saw sufficient to enable me to understand the
deposit in the light of the other high-level shelly gravels I
have seen and studied.

Those interested in glacial phenomena should not omit to
visit Loughs Bray. At Curtelstown in Glencree, on the road to
these interesting corries, is a gravel-pit west of the Roman
Catholic Church, in which the gravel is mostly granitic detritus
mixed with some limestone pebbles, and containing man}7 large
granite boulders. Notwithstanding the unlikely-looking
aspect of this material, a few minutes search resulted in the
discover}7 of a fragment of a bivalve. The level is about 770
feet above the sea. Lower Lough Bray is about 1,225 feet
above sea level, and Upper Lough Bray 1,480, according
to my aneroid observations. The striking feature of these
corries or cwms is that they are all in granite, and the moraines
that enclose their lower margins, considering the small area
from which the material can have come, are remarkably large.
The moraine of the upper lough rises 80 feet above the surface
of the water, and is very broad at the base, in fact shades off
into the valley below in great parallel undulations. One block
perched on the summit I estimated to be 25 feet high. The
upper part of the inner slope of the moraine was at an angle
of 35 degrees. The great bulk of material in these moraines
must have taken a great length of time to accumulate, and
evinces a long life of the small glacier that made them.

We have now nearly come to the end of the descriptive part
of this paper, but must pause to say something of the Green-
hills esker. The question of the origin of eskers I do not
propose to discuss here. It is a subject to be considered apart
from the general glacial drift, and demands much more careful
consideration than it has yet received. Our exploration of
the Greenhills esker was confined to one day. We began at
the Balrothery end. I am simply recording facts, and refrain
from drawing any inferences from them. A very careful search
in the gravel-pit at the Balrothery end of the esker, the first we
came to, rewarded my son Aleyn with the discover}7 of a small

152 The Irish Naturalist,

portion of a Turrit clla terebra, and myself with a rounded and
chalky shell fragment pronounced by Mr. R. D. Darbishire, F.G.S.,
to whom all the shells were submitted, to be a portion of a Mya ;
also some extremely minute but indeterminable shell fragments.
A specimen of the finer material of the esker was mechanically
analysed ; the material proved to be mostly dark and grey
limestone, the grains being pretty well rounded. Amongst it
were some sponge spicules and two grains having shell-structure.
Some pebbles of granite were found in the gravel at this end.
We walked along the top of the esker, and examined other
gravel-pits, but the material appeared to be very barren, and
the granite seemed to be absent. At the northern end the
gravel and loam is seen to be horizontally bedded, and at one
part a deposit that might be called boulder-clay occurred.

A story is nothing without a moral, and a geological paper
without conclusions. The phenomena described ranged well
with most of the observations of high and low-level drift it has
been my good fortune to see. It supplements some of the
defective portions of the story as told in deposits elsewhere,
and strengthens other conclusions. It appears to me to lend
no support to the Irish Sea Glacier hypothesis. The general
drift of the materials has been from the north-west, and they
have been swept from the limestone plain far on to the granite
mountains. The major part of the granite debris is doubtless
from the Wicklow Mountains, and some of this has travelled
north on to the limestone. Granite from the Mourne Moun-
tains and from Newry are, I believe, found in the drift, but I had
neither time nor the requisite local petrological knowledge to
follow up this part of the problem. Triassic rock from the
North I have already recorded. Professors Cole and Sollas have
found the Ailsa Craig riebeckite in the drift as far south as
Greystones. Flints from Antrim are common. There is a com-
mingling of rocks here, as in the drifts of England and Wales,
but not perhaps from so great a base-line. The whole of the
phenomena in my judgment points to submergence. This is
not the place to appraise the relative value of the facts recorded,
but those who wish to pursue the subject further on the lines
here sketched out may be referred to the article in Natural
Sciefice,1 on high-level shelly sands and gravels in which I have
discussed some of the questions from several points of view.

^ol. iii. (Dec. 1893.)

High and Low-level Shelly Drifts around Dublin and Bray. 15

->

So ends the simple record of a very enjoyable time spent in
Ireland, which from the pleasant aid rendered, the perfect
weather, and the interesting nature of the geolog3r and scenery,
will not readily be effaced from the memory.

INSECTS COLLECTED BY THE ROYAL IRISH
ACADEMY FLORA AND FAUNA COMMITTEE,

1893.

BY REV. W. F. JOHNSON, M.A., E.E.S., J. N. HAI<BERT, AND

GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC.

COLEOPTERA.

[Continued from page 124.)

PSELAPHIDJE.
Bryaxis fossulata, Reich.— Ballyhaise.

SILPHID/E.

Anisotoma pu net u lata, Gyll.— Coolmore. Only other Irish
locality is Portmarnock.

A. calcarata, Er. — Coolmore.

Necrophorus humator, F.— Coolmore, in dead gulls.

N. ruspator, Er.— Coolmore, in dead rat.

Necrodes Iittoralis, h. — Coolmore, in dead gulls. Only other
Irish localities are Armagh and Dublin.

Silpha rugosa, L. — Coolmore, common in carrion.

S. atrata, L.var. subrotundata, Steph. — Coolmore. Very common
about Cavan, the black form at Oak Wood, Ballyhaise. Berehaven.
Killarney (brown form).

HISTERIDJE.

Onthophilus striatus, F. — Slieve Glah, by sweeping in a marshy
spot.

COCCI NELLIDJE.

Adalia obliterata, L,.— Farnham.

Cocci nel la x- punctata, L,. — Coolmore.

C. hieroglyphica, L. — Coolmore. Berehaven. Hitherto recorded
only from Churchill, County Armagh, and Waterford.

C. xi-punctata, L,. — Coolmore, common in the sandhills.
C. vii-punctata, L. — Berehaven. Cavan.
Halyzla xviii-guttata, L. — Ballyhaise.

H. conglobata, L.— Oak Wood, Ballyhaise. Haliday records it
from near Belfast, and Fowler from " the south of Ireland."
H. xxii-punctata, L. — Common about Cavan.
Coccidula rufa, Herbst. — Coolmore. Dundalk. Ballyhaise.

154 The Irish Naturalist.

NITIDULIDJC.

Epuraea florea, Er.— Coohnore. Carlingford,
lYIeligcthes aeneus, F.— Coolmore. Carlingford.

TROGOSITID/E.
Tenebrioides mauritanicus, L. — Coolmore, in a loaf of bread.

CUCUJID^E.

Rhizophagus dispar, Gyll.— Coolmore.

LATHRIDIID^E.
Cononimus nodifer, Westw. — Cavan.
Enicmus minutus, L. — Coolmore. Cavan.
E. transversus, 01. — Cavan.
Melanophthalma gibbosa. Herbst. — Wood at Cultragh Lough.

CRYPTOPHAGIDJE.

Cryptophagus scanicus, L., var. patruelis, Sturm.— Coolmore.

C. cellar is, Scop. — Coolmore.

*Paramccosoma melanocephaXum, Herbst.— Banks of River
Annalee, near Ballyhaise.

BYTURIDJE.
Byturus tomentosus, F.— Carlingford.

BYRRHIDJE-

Byrrhus pilula, L. — Berehaven.

Cytilus varius, F.— Shores of Lough Onghter under stones. Slieve

Glah.

Simplocaria semistriata, F. — Coolmore.

PARNIDJE.

Elm is parallelopipedus, Miill. — Coolmore. The other Irish
localities are Waterford and near Bandon, Mr. Wollaston recorded it from
the river Flesk, Killarney {Zoologist, 1847, p. 1571), and there are specimens
in Mr. Haliday's collection from Lough Neagh.

Limnius tuberculatus, Miill.— Coolmore.

Parnus prolifericornis, F.— Coolmore. Shores of Lough
Oughter.

LUCANIDiE.

*Sinodendron cylindricum, L.— Lough Oughter, dead specimens
in a log of oak on the shore. Though this species seems never to have
been definitely recorded, there are Irish specimens in the Haliday
collection, and Mr. G. C. Champion took it at Bray in 1878.

SCARABJEIDJEi

Aphodius fimetarlus, L-— Coolmore. Ballyhaise. Berehaven.

A. ater, De G. — Coolmore.

A. prodromus, Brahm.— Ballyhaise. Dursey.

A. contaminatus, Herbst— Ballyhaise.

A. rufipes, L.— ) _, ,

a >«AMMA«»..Ci T^„rr Coolmore.

A. depressus, Kug.- - )

R.I. A. Committee — Insects in 1893. 155

/Egialia arenaria. F.— Coolmore.

Geotrupes stercorarius, L.— Coolmore. Berehaven.

C. sylvatlcus, Panz. — Slieve Mishkish. Adrigole.

Serica fyrunnea., L. — Carlingford.

Phyllopertha horticola, L.— Berehaven ; Hungry Hill. This
chafer has been abundant in western Ireland during the last two
summers, and serious damage to garden and clover crops has been re-
ported as due to its ravages.

ELATERIDiE.

Cryptohypnus riparius, F.— Coolmore.

Athous haemorrholdalls, F. — Berehaven.

Adrastus limbatus, F.— Dundalk, &c, common.

Agriotes obscurus, L. — Coolmore.

Corymbites quercus, Gyll.— Glengariff. We believe this to be
the first record for S.W. Ireland; in fact there does not seem to be any
record of its capture further south than Dublin.

DASCILLIDJE.

Dascillus cervinus, Iy. — Adrigole. This also seems to be a new
species in the south-west.

Helodes m inula, I,.— Fathom.

H. margrinata, F. — Adrigole.

Cyphon variabilis, Thunb. — Coolmore. Cavan, common.
Killarney. *

IYIALACODERIY1ID/E.

Tclcphorus bicolor, F. — Berehaven.
Rhagonycha fulva, Scop. — Coolmore. Dundalk.

(To be con Untied.)

NOTES

BOTANY.

FUNGI.

Two notable Morels— (lYIorchella elata and M. crassipes). —

The Morel is almost the only fungus outside the ordinary mushroom, which
is admitted — by others than Fungomaniacs- to be fit for human food ; that
is so far as Britain is concerned, for many others are commonly eaten
abroad. The ordinary species, M. esculenta and M. conica, though
nowhere very common, are found not unfrequently in various districts in
suitable localities in April and May. They are usually about three or four
inches high, the curious strongly ribbed pileus or cap being about half
that size, and are generally met with in open spaces in woods, or partially
shady banks.

Two remarkable forms came under my notice this year, both new to
the Irish, and one, M. elata, to the British Flora. M. elata was sent to
me from Clonbrock Demesne, by Mr. W. F. de V, Kane, and was shown

156 The h ish Na tu ) -a list.

at a meeting of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, under the provisional,
and, as it proved, erroneous name of M, Smithiana (see p. in).
Photographs, and subsequently, by the kindness of Lady Clonbrock,
fresh specimens, were sent to Mr. W. Phillips, of Shrewsbury,
the great authority on Fungi of this class, and he pronounced it
without doubt as M. data, Fries, and that it was the first British
record. This species is described by Fries in his Systema Mycohgicum as
occurring in Italy, but rate. Colin also records it in his Kryptogamen
Flora von Schlesien . The specimen sent to me was nearly eleven inches
high, and the pileus or cap four inches in diameter.

The second Morel was a very large and abnormal form of M. crassipes,
and was found by Mr. Robertson in his garden at Ranelagh, Co.
Dublin. It was quite distinct from the Clonbrock species in shape and
on the arrangement of the ribs, the cap being rounded — while that of
M. data was markedly conical. I have to thank Mr. Phillips for kindly
identifying this species also, as being quite abnormal. It did not accord
at all with the figure in Cooke's Mycographia.

These two most interesting forms are preserved in the Dublin Museum
— Greenwood Pim, Monkstown, Dublin.

PHANEROGAMS.

Rubus villicaulis Koehl., var* to. Selmeri Lindeto.— Rev.

W. Moyle Rogers has lately {[our. Bot., Feb. 1894), identified the glabrous
form of Rubus villicaulis with R. Selmeri Lindeb., a Scandinavian plant, and
proposes to class it in future as var. b. Selmeri. The plant referred to
from " N. Ireland" in his paper (p. 43) was gathered by me at Saintfield,
in 1S93. No doubt it will be found in other parts of Ireland. Mr. Rogers
gives the following marks of distinction : — " It differs from typical
villicaulis by its long styles (equalling or exceeding the stamens) its sttong
falcate prickles, its greener and more roundish Its., and its much more glabrous
condition generally." — C. H. Wadded, Saintfield, Co. Down.

Whins injured by frost. —It was strange to miss the usual golden
bloom of the Whins or Gorse this spring. One would think such
hardy plants could not have been injured so much by frost. Nevertheless
the appearance of the country side here at Easter was quite altered by
the brown and withered flowerless plants instead of the usual glow. I
suppose it must have been caused by the severe frost in January coming
upon them in a too advanced state of flower, for many began to flower
in November. — C. H. Waddeee, Saintfield.

Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) on Howth. — It maybe of in-
terest to note that there is this year an abundant growth of the Henbane
on the southern slopes, close to the Bailey Lighthouse. This rather
rare plant, notoriously erratic and irregular in its appearance, has pro-
bably not been long in this station, or it could not have escaped the
vigilant eye of Mr. Hart, who gives Ireland's Eye as the only place in
the Howth district in which the Henbane is known to grow. — R. Lxoyd
Praeger.

Cephaianthera ensifolia in Co. Waterford. — I was fortunate
enough to find yesterday (June I) a number of plants of Cephaianthera
ensifolia, Rich. They were growing in a very wet, boggy place in the
woods of Curraghmore. I gathered two specimens, one for my herbarium,
and the other for planting in my garden. This represents a new District
(ii.) in Ireland for this plant.

According to Cybele HibcrnicaW. occurs in the following places : — Dis-
trict i., Glengarriff, Adrigoole, Co. Cork ; xi., near Lough Eske, Donegal ;
xii., near Larne, Antrim; Shane's Castle Woods, shores of Lough Neagh.
It has since (Recent additions to the Flora of Ireland, 1872, by Mr. A.

Notes. 157

G. More) been found in three other localities in District i. I have, my-
self seen it growing at one of these localities, viz., in the wood nearLickeen
House, Lough Caragh ; but in 1891 there were only a few plants. It has
also (Journ. Bot., 1889) been found about half a mile east of Brickeen
Bridge, Muckross (i.) A new station is mentioned in the June number
of the Irish Naturalist viz., Hare Island, Lough Ree, Westmeath,
which also adds another District (vii.)

In his description of the plant, Bentham (5th edition, revised by Sir
J. Hooker, p. 438) says: — " The bracts very short, mostly one to two lines
long, or the lowest rarely as long as the ovary." The lowest bract in one
of tlie specimens that I gathered is slightly more than half an inch longer
than the ovary. — William W. FlEmyng, Coolfin, Co. Waterford.

ZOOLOGY.

CRUSTACEA.

Ligia ocean ica on the Calway coast.— Mr. R. M. Barrington
has obtained a specimen of this isopod on the " Stags of Broadhaven," Co.
Mayo. This is the first record lor any of the Irish islands, and the
second for the west coast. (For description and figure of this species
see my paper on the Irish Woodlice in January and February numbers
of the Irish Naturalist, 1894).— R. S. Scharff, Dublin.

INSECTS

Leucophasia sinapis and IYlelitaea aurlnia in the Co.
Waterford. — Of the first-mentioned butterfly I was fortunate enough
to capture two specimens on the 16th of May. I have never before seen
them here. Five years ago, my friend, Mr. R. Reynett, an excellent
entomologist, took one specimen here. He has already got seven this
year. Of Mditcea aurinia 1 found, on the 26th of last month (April), three
larvae. They were feeding on one of their usual food-plants, viz., Scabiosa
succisa. Two of them have already (May 22) changed to pupae. — William
W. FlEmyng, Coolfin Rectory, Portlaw, Co. Waterford.

Larvae of Vanessa atalanta. A correction .—A friend suggests
that I should correct a slight error in a note on larvae of Vanessa atalanta in
the March number of the Irish Naturalist (p. 67). The larvae referred
to as sent in January by me to the Kditor of the Entomologists' Record, were
not found then, but had been reared indoors from about November 1st.
I have had V. atalanta emerging freely from pupae up to Christmas, and a
few much later ; but in no case have I found larva or pupa alive after
November 1st, about which time last year we had some heavy hoarfrosts,
and I do not believe that even in our mild climate it is possible for the
butterfly to survive the winter save in the perfect state Pupae seem
more easily destroyed by cold and damp than larvae, and I found con-
siderable difficulty sometimes in procuring nettles for them through the
winter. — John J. Wolfe, Skibbereen, Co. Cork.

Wasps at Bray. — Mr. R. M. Barrington has kindly sent me a lot
of queen wasps, as he did last year (Irish Naturalist, vol. ii., p. 199).
The great majority again prove to be Vespa vulgaris ; only two V. rufa
were to be found, while there were fifteen specimens each of the two
tree-building species — V. sylvestris and V. norvegica. I was glad to find
eight examples of V. germanica, a species not in last year's consignment.
The rare V. arborea, however, which so agreeably surprised us last year,
was not to be found on the present occasion. — Geo. H. Carpenter.

15^ The Irish Naturalist.

MOLLUSCS.

Pearl Fishing In the Strule.— In the past week quite a number
of valuable pearls were found in the Strule, between Omagh and New-
townstewart. E. Mullan got one weighing ten grains, and for which he
refused £\o. Thomas Short got six, all good colours and shapes;
William Muldoon, nine pearls ; J. Donnelly, fourteen, four of which
were perfection, and very valuable. The Strule, without exception, is
the best river in Ulster for pearls. — Belfast News-Letter, 6th June, 1894.

BIRDS.

Long-tailed Ducks in Wexford.— I received about March 24th,
an adult pair of Long-tailed Ducks, together with a female Scoter, from
a fowler of Wexford Harbour. According to Mr. A. G. Moore (List of
Irish Birds, Ed. II., p. 36), the Long-tailed Duck is a " rare winter visitor,
in small numbers, chiefly occurring in the North of Ireland."

I have no previous record of its occurrence in the Co. Wexford,
except that given in Thompson's " Natural History of Ireland," (vol.
iii., p. 141.) — G. E. H. Barrett- Ham 1 i/f on, Trin. Coll., Cambridge.

The Dusky Shearwater (Puff inus obscurus, Cm.). — Through
Mr. Ussher's efforts, the unique Irish specimen of this bird has been
secured for the Dublin Museum. Mr. Ussher was good enough to inform
me that it flew on board the "Olive" on the nth May, 1853, near the
Bull Rock on the coast of Kerr)'. It was immediately identified on the
island of Valentia by Mr. Bewicke Blackbourn, in whose possession the
bird remained until Mr. Ussher induced the owner to present it to the
Museum. This identical specimen is figured in Yarrell's British Birds. —

R. F. SCHARFF.

MAMMALS.

The Marten in Co. Donegal.— With reference to Marten in Co.
Donegal, I should tell }-ou that I had the remains of one, killed and
stuffed by my uncle, the late T. B. Hart, at Gleualla, thirty or forty
years ago. So that so far as these woods are concerned, the testimony
is more than eyesight and hearsay. The specimen was badly stuffed and
subsequently worried by a terrier. — H. C. Hart, Carrablagh, Co. Donegal.

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royal Zoological Society.

Recent donations include two Guinea- Pigs from J. H. Higgins, Esq. ;
Rabbits from H. G. M 'Night, Esq., and f . Williams, Esq. ; "three Cor-
morants from Major Murphy ; a pair of Cereopsis Geese from General
Sir R. Sankey ; and a pair of Ravens from S. B. Wilkinson, Esq.

An Orang-outang has been deposited in the gardens by Mr. W. Cross,
of Liverpool, so that visitors have now the rare privilege of seeing two
of the Anthropid Apes alive in one collection.

About 1 1,000 persons visited the Gardens in May.

Proceedings of Irish Societies. i59

Dublin Microscopical Club.

The Club met at Mr. Greenwood Pim'S, who showed specimens of
sEcidiwn leucospermum growing on Anemone coronaria in his garden. This
species is stated by Plowright to be uncommon in the JEcidium stage,
though the Puccinia is abundant. This ^Ecidinm occurred last year on
the same plants, and Mr. Pirn heard of it this season in several quarters.
It is a remarkably pretty form, the pendial divisions being white, and
the spores golden yellow.

Dr. M'Weeney showed cultivations and a slide of a curious micro-
organism isolated by him from purulent matter of a patient suffering from
pyelo-nephritis at theMater Hospital. Cultures in broth at 37VC. develop
on the surface a ring of green pigmentation, which, if the depth of the
vessel be not great relatively to the surface, gradually extends until the
entire fluid is of a brilliant green colour. Young cultures briskly shaken
become green throughout, but the colour speedily fades save at the
surface. It requires atmospheric air for its development, and, as was
pointed out to exhibitor by Professor Hartley, the fading of the colour
is due to the reducing action of the living microbes in the deeper strata of
the broth. Cultivations of this organism exhale a most peculiar sickly
odour which is quite sui generis. Injected into animals it produces fatal
septicaemia with a sort of emphysematous swelling at the point of
subcutaneous inoculation. Morphologically it is a short actively inatile
bacillus, with a tendency to stain more intensely at the poles, like the
microbe of chicken-cholera. The slide was from peritoneal exudation
of a rabbit that had succumbed to inoculation with this microbe which
is perhaps identical with that described in Comptes Rendus for 18SS by
Galtier, under the name of Bacillus chromo-aromaticus.

Mr. H. H. Dixon exhibited Overton's Method of fixing and staining
minute organisms. This process is carried out by means of a small moist
cell in which the material to be fixed is kept in a hanging drop on the
under surface of a cover-glass. In this position it may be observed
with the highest powers until the stage in which it is desired to fix it is
reached. At this moment the cover-glass is raised and a crystal of iodine
is introduced into the cell and the cover-glass replaced. The vapour of
the iodine fixes the organism, if small, almost instantaneously. The
water may now be replaced by some watery stain. Overton recommends
the replacing of the water by alcohol, in case other treatment is desired,
by exposing the cover-glass, on which the drop of water has been changed
for a drop of 20 per cent, alcohol to the vapour of absolute alcohol in a
small chamber. In fixing and staining fungi the spores may be sown in
a drop of nutritive solution which is thickened by addition of gelatine,
so that during the whole process the plants which develop from them
remain stationary ; also collapse of the cells does not occur when they
are transferred into glycerine-jelly.

Dr. J. Joly showed Paraffin casts of the vessels of plants obtained by
himself and Mr. H. H. Dixon. In the course of some experiments upon
the motion of liquid in plants, they caused cut shoots of lime and elm to
draw up melted paraffin of low melting point (45^ C.) into the vessels.
On cooling and dissolving away the tissues with strong sulphuric acid,
paraffin casts (of extreme fineness) of the vessels were isolated. These
showed the pits as prominences of various shapes, and faithfully re-
produced all the markings upon the walls ; spiral, annular, etc. vSuch
casts make very beautiful microscopic objects. The method may be
used to determine the lengths of the vessels and their course.

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

May 19th. — Excursion to Fair Head and Murlough Bay. A party of
about 25 members left Belfast by the 6.30 a.m. train, reaching Ballycastle
at 9.30, where breakfast was partaken of. The party then drove to

160 The Irish Naturalist.

Lough-na-crannoge, near the summit of Fair Head, and walked along the
edge of the stupendous cliffs of the promontory, and past the Grey Man's
Path to Mnrlongh Bay, the interesting geological features of which
were lucidly explained by Mr. W. A. Traill. The party returned to
Ballycastle at 5.0, when tea occupied their attention, and the return
journey was accomplished, Belfast being reached at 9.0.

Dubinin Naturalists' Field Club.
May 26th. — This Club made the second excursion of their summer
session, the place selected being Maynooth. A party of nearly sixty
members and visitors proceeded by the 1 o'clock train, and under the
guidance of the Rev. T. B. Gibson, B.A., the grounds of Carton, the
Duchess of Leinster's beautiful demesne, were entered, and the afternoon
was spent along the banks of the Rye water, where the zoologists and
botanists found much to interest them, while the florists of the party
were much charmed with the " wild gardening " that is carried to such
perfection here, and whose beauties were ably demonstrated by Mr.
Brown, head gardener, who accompanied the party during the day. The
greater part of the demesne is too trim and well-kept to suit the taste of
the wild-flower hunter, but some interesting plants were observed,
such as Arenaria trinervia, which was growing in the greatest abun-
dance ; Geranium lucidum, Saxifraga tridactylites, Veronica montana, Listera
ovala, Viola hirta, Hypericum hirsntum, Hifpuris vulgaris. Messrs. H. G.
Cuthbert and G. H. Carpenter collected insects, and obtained the
following species of Beetles : — Pterosiichus strenuus, Anchomenus fuliginosus, A.
dorsalis, A. gracilis, Bembidium bruxellense, B. jlammulatum, Melolontha vulgaris,
Aphodius erraticus, A. merdarius, Onthophilus slriatus, Brachypterus urticce,
Corymbites cupreus, C. quercus, Cryylohypnus riparius, Telephones haemorrhoidalis,
T. pellucidus, Rhagonycha limbata, Malthodes marginatus, Grammoptera ruficornis,
Donacia bicolora, Hydrothassa marginella, Longitarsus mclano-cephalus, Cyphon
nitidulus, Dasytes cvrosus, Galerucella tenella, Sciaphilus muricatus, Phyllobius
calcaratus, Orchestes fagi, 0. sti°ma, deliodes quadrimaculaius, Cionus hortu-
lanus, Ceuthorrhynckus litura, C. polliuarius, Ceuthorrhynchidius troglodytes,
and Rhinoncus castor. Among the Hemiptera, Piezodorus liluratus, Tropicoi'is
rufipes, Acanthosoma hecmorrhoidale, Scolopostethus neglectus, Gerris argentata,
Microvelia pygmaa, Lygus pratensis, var. campestris, Liocoris tripustulatus, and
Lygus pastinacce were obtained. Two Dragon-flies, Pyrrhosoma minium and
Enallagma cyathigerum, and two Lace-wings, Henierobius subnebulosus and
Micromus paganus, were also captured. At 6 o'clock tea was served by the
Misses Gardiner on an open spot backed by fine beech trees, with a
beautiful prospect of river and wood in front, after which the members
returned to the railway station, some of them taking advantage of a kind
invitation to visit Maynooth College, where they saw much that
interested and pleased them. The party returned to town by the 8.45
train.

Royal Irish Academy.

June 4th. — Mr. R. J. Ussher read a paper on the Breeding Range of
Birds in Ireland. Recent inquiries have shown that the Golden Eagle
still breeds in a few spots in Western Mayo, Donegal, Galway, and Kerry.
A pair of White tailed Eagles had been seen in the Co. Mayo, and another
pair was found in the Co. Kern-. The Peregrine PAalcon also breeds in
many places throughout the country, but the Common Buzzard is nearly
exterminated. The Tree SparrowT was breeding in several parts of Co.
Dublin, and was increasing in number. On the other hand, the Raven
had become extinct in some counties, and was rare everywhere, while
the Bittern is now never met with in our midst.

&\)z gtri^ij |tatttrcdt#i

Vol. III. AUGUST, 1894. No. 8.

NOTES ON GLACIAL DEPOSITS IN IRELAND.

BY PROFESSOR W. J. SOU, AS, F.R.S., AND R. LLOYD PRAEGER, B.E,

I. — The Bray River.
The progress in the discovery of the history of the last great
glacial period advances like the glaciers themselves — so
slowly, that a sceptic might be pardoned for doubting whether
any advance is being made at all ; nor, considering the
extent, complication, and fragmentary nature of glacial
deposits, and the number, variety, and contradictoriness of
glacial theories, is this in any way surprising. Facts, and the
analysis of facts appear to be even still requisite before the
subject can be regarded as ripe for synthetic treatment.
In the series of notes of which this is the first, we will confine
ourselves to a detailed description of the deposits as they are
found in some localities in Ireland where we have had an
opportunity of studying them, drawing only immediate
inferences, and leaving generalization to a later period.

An account has already1 been given of the succession and
character of the glacial deposits as seen in the fine section on
the shore between Bray and Killiney ; we will now trace
their extension inland, availing ourselves of the numerous
sections which occur on both sides of the Bray River.

The Bray River, which flows eastward into the Irish Sea
some ten miles south of Dublin, is formed by the confluence of
the Dargle and Cookstown Rivers, which are made up of
numerous tributaries, having their sources among the granite
hills (1,000-2,000 feet) of the Leinster chain. Descending
from the granite, these feeders flow over Ordovician slates, and
micaceous and other schists produced by contact alteration of
the slates. The Bray River itself flows chiefly over Cambrian
rocks, down a wide valley thickly filled with drift, through
which the stream has cut a deep channel. The Carboniferous

1 Irish Naturalist, Vol, III., 1894, pp. 13-18.

l62

ihc Irish Naturalist.

rocks, which extend far to the west and north, are completely
excluded from its basin by the granite of the Leinster
chain. (See Map, fig. i.)

Fig. i.

-» ^H* j * ^ ' * *****

A . ■ V • / • < *

CAMBRIAN

ALTERED
ORDOVICIAM

GLACl/\LDRIfT

ORDOVICIAN

* -V \ -V *

CRANITE

ALLUVIUM.

Starting from the sea, we will follow the road to Ennis-
kerry, which runs first on the northern bank of the stream,
and for the latter half of its distance on the southern ; and
study the sections in the order in which we meet them. The
first section is seen by the roadside opposite Bra)' Common.
Here the drift presents steep faces some fifteen feet in height,
and consists of sandy clay and coarse boulders confusedly
intermingled, without stratification, traversed by vertical pipes
filled with coarse but otherwise similar material. The stones
consist of green diabase, porphyritic with felspar (Lambay
porphyry1), Leinster granite, and Carboniferous limestone, all

1 This rock, commonly known as " Lambay porphyry," forms a large
part of Lambay Island, fifteen miles N.W. of Dublin, and is common
in the Ordovician rocks of Eastern Ireland ; near Dublin it occurs in
numerous dykes at Glennasmoil.

Notes on Glacial Deposits in Ireland, 163

scratched, but usually very irregularly. This deposit appears
to correspond to those beds on the shore which we have
described under the name of " contorted drift," but which, after
further study, we now propose to refer to under the general term
of " boulder gravels." In the present section, as elsewhere, the
boulder gravels rest on red boulder clay, containing numerous
fragments of marine shells, and in all respects similar to the
boulder clay on the shore. A little further on, behind some
cottages, the boulder clay is seen better ; it contains seams of
fine red sand free from stones, though in its mass sub-angular
and rounded stones of quartzite, Lambay porphyry, Ordovician
schist, and L,einster granite are dispersed. Shell-fragments
are not uncommon ; Tellina balthica occurs, and pieces of an
exotic Pecten.

A good section of the boulder gravels occurs near a cottage
before reaching Vallombrosa. Here a massive deposit, twenty
feet in thickness, is seen resting on boulder clay, of which
some twelve feet is visible. The boulder gravels are cemented
together by carbonate of lime, and stand out in a bold cliff
over the road. A little further on, behind a cottage on a bye-
road, another section is seen, consisting of some twenty feet of
coarse, clean gravel. A census of the boulders and pebbles of the
deposit gave 50 per cent. Carboniferous limestone, 30 per cent.
Cambrian quartzite, 10 per cent, granite ; and there were also
present basalt, L,ambay porphyry, Ordovician ash, flint, slate,
and rhyolite, which was identified as coming from Forkill, Co.
Armagh. Shell-fragments were found sparingly ; Cyprina
isla?idica was the only species recognisable. The deposit rests
on boulder clay, and a big granite boulder was observed at the
junction of the beds. Such boulders commonly occur in such
a position. .

Following the main road, we now cross the Bray River, and
proceed up the southern bank. Opposite where the Vartry
water-main crosses the stream, we see a small exposure of blue
boulder clay, containing numerous shells, many of them in a
nearly perfect state ; Cardium cdule, Tellina Balthica, and
Turritella terebra are common, and there were also observed
Astarte borealis, Cardhim echi?iattim, and fragments of a Mytilus
and a Mactra, and of several indeterminable species. It is
worthy of note that the boulder clay at this point is dark blue,
whereas almost everywhere else in the Bray valley it is dark

A 3

164

The fris/i Naturalist.

red ; further observation is needed before we can speak with
certainty as to the significance of these colour-changes. The
top of the boulder clay is here about twenty feet above the
stream, in which the bed-rock (Ordovician slate) is seen.
Over the boulder clay lie forty feet of boulder gravels, con-
taining well striated Carboniferous limestone boulders, the
striae running parallel with the long axis, in the manner
characteristic of boulders striated by glaciers. Beside a steep
path to a roadside cottage, a band of blue boulder clay, two
feet thick, containing well striated boulders of Carboniferous

Fig. 2.

BOULDER CLAY.^,

Notes on Glacial Deposits in Ireland.

« 65

limestone, and shells of some of the species last mentioned, a
few of them perfect, but only as single valves, is seen inter-
calated in the boulder gravels, with fine sands above and
below it. The boulder gravels contain huge fragments of
granite and Cambrian slate. Similar intercalations are seen
elsewhere.

A little further on, at a bend of the road, a very remarkable
section is seen, as shown on accompanying sketch (fig. 2).
Immediately above the boulder clay are great blocks of
granite, ranging up to about two tons in weight. Clays and
sands succeed, and on their irregular surface lies a contorted
layer of characteristic red boulder clay, eight inches thick,
followed by pebble beds, sands, and clays in alternation. A
little further on the boulder clay underlying this layer of great
boulders is exposed for a depth of fifteen feet ; it is red in
colour, shell-fragments are common in it, as well as fragments
of Antrim chalk, and well striated Carboniferous limestone.

Fig. 3.

Apparent folding in the Glacial Drift, Bray River, near Enniskerry.
The crests of the folds point up the river valley. Length of section
about 15 feet.

A few yards further on, in a cutting made for the proposed
Enniskerry railway, the section seen in figure 3 is observed ;
this appearance is remarkably suggestive of folding, though
the inclusion in the boulder gravels of lenticular masses of

I

o

I

o

o

3

I

o

I

o

o

6

1 66 The Irish Naturalist.

boulder clay, such as may be seen in the coast section, might
possibly give rise to the same effect.

Near the road, within a stone's throw of Enniskerry, occurs
by far the finest section which is to be seen in the valley, and
of decidedly unusual character. Here the boulder clay, of
which only the upper surface is exposed, is seen underlying
about seventy feet of sands and gravels. The boulder clay
contains fragments of shells as usual ; it is succeeded by a
curious alternation of boulder clay and gravelly beds, so that
the lowest portion of the section is as follows : —

Feet. Ins.

Red-brown boulder clay,

Laminated sand, .

Limestone gravel, .

Red-brown boulder clay, .

Laminated sand, .

Limestone gravel, .

Top of thick deposit of boulder clay.

In the intercalated clay shell-fragments occur, and in the
beds of gravel Astarte compressa was found, with fragments of
two other shells. Attention may be called to the regular
gradation from gravels through sands to boulder clay, and, as
thin beds of boulder clay rest quite undisturbed on evenly
laminated sands, it would be an obvious suggestion, were we
dealing with any other than glacial deposits, that the whole
were of aqueous origin. The section is continued upwards
into varying beds of sand, frequently micaceous, some finely
laminated, some false-bedded ; sandy and clayey gravels, and
pebble beds, composed of Carboniferous limestone and granite ;
the several beds varying in thickness from one inch to two
feet. The whole concludes above with a massive band of
brown sandy clay, full of rounded, sub-angular, and angular
pebbles and boulders chiefly of Carboniferous limestone,
irregularly scratched. This section contrasts strongly with
the other exposures of boulder gravels in the extreme clean-
ness of the sands and gravels, and the apparent total absence
of shell-fragments above the last bed of boulder clay, i.e., in
the greater portion of the deposit.

(to be concluded.)

[ i67 ]
A BOTANICAL TRIP TO CO. ANTRIM.

BY \V. A. SHOOLBRED, M.R.C.S., CHEPSTOW.

{Concluded from page 149.)

Lythrum salicaria. L- — I do not recollect ever before having seen
piis plant forming such grand masses of colour as it did last summer,
especially in Glenariffe and Glendun. The flowers were brighter in
colour than usual, no doubt in consequence of the unusual duration of
bright sunlight.

Epilobium palustre, Iy.— Glenariffe, Glendun, Fair Head, Causeway,
&c.

E. obscurum x palustre (Teste B. S. Marshall).— Glenariffe,
Glenshesk, and Giant's Causeway.

Circoea alpina, h. — Glenariffe.
var. intermedia (Ehr.) — Glenariffe and Glenshesk.

Galium boreale, L.— Sparingly by the stream in the upper part of
Glenariffe.

Valeriana officinalis, L.— Common, but only var. Mikanii
noticed.

Centranthus ruber, DC — Wall near Ballycastle.

Cnaphalium syivaticum, L.— Glenariffe, sparingly.

Chrysanthemum segetum, L. — Extremely common in tillage
fields, while field poppies appear to be equally rare. In this part of the
West of England C. segetum is a decidedly rare plant.

Matricaria inodora, L. b. salina, Bab. — Giant's Causeway, &c. ;
c. maritima, Linn. — Red Bay.

Arctium nemorosum, Lej. — Fair Head.

Crepis paludosa, Moench. — Glendun.

Hieracium anglicum, Fr. — Frequent on the cliffs along the coast;
Fair Head, cliffs at Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim ; Beneveuagh, Co.
Derry.

This and H. iricum appear to grow more abundantly at quite low eleva-
tions in County Antrim than is usually the case in West Scotland. The
plants, too, growing at these low elevations are generally very luxuriant
with flower stems much branched and numerous heads of flowers. Near
Garron Head, at a few feet above sea-level, some very large specimens
were gathered, and near the bridge over the Cushenilt Burn one with a
single much-branched flower-stem bearing forty flower-heads in all
stages of development. Of this Mr. Hanbury writes " H. anglicum, Fr.
form." These plants have a very different appearance from the ordinary
two- or three-headed highland forms.

A plant from a bank by the Parkmore road on the north side of
Glenariffe, of which Mr. Hanbury writes, "I think only a form of H.
anglicum grown in a dry exposed place," looked, when gathered, very
unlike this species, the root-leaves forming a close flat rosette, from
almost orbicular to ovate, nearly entire, very shortly petioled, very
glaucous, coreaceous, and bearing on their surface numerous stiff white
hairs. No stem-leaf. Stem one-headed with a few abortive buds in the
axils of linear bracts. The involucre less hairy and rather more floccose
than in most forms of anglicum.

Another from Sallagh Braes, which Mr. Hanbury also considers a
form of anglicum, has thin long-petioled root-leaves very deeply and
acutely dentate in the lower half, teeth patent ; stem-leaf none, or one
narrow, sessile, and quite low down ; heads one to three.

On the Giant's Causeway cliffs a form with purple-spotted leaves was
found, very similar to a form seen a week or two later in Perthshire.

1 68 The Irish Naturalist.

var. longibracteatum, Hani).— Basalt cliffs on the south side of
GlenarifFe. Plants apparently the same, but too far advanced for identifi-
cation, were gathered on Sallagh Braes and near Garron Head.

H. irlcum, Fr. — Very fine on the cliffs near Garron Head. Plentiful
on the cliffs and by the river in the upper part of Glenariffe.

H. blfidum, Tausch. — Basalt cliffs, Benevenagh, Co. Derry. Only
three or four specimens collected and a few more seen quite out of reach.
Foliage apparently of this seen on Sallagh Braes, but flowering steins
quite dead.

H. cuprepes, Hanb. — Boulder-clay bank by roadside near Milltown,
Red Bay.

H, stenolepis, Lindeb.— Plentiful on the cliffs near Garron Head;
Glenariffe cliffs, Co. Antrim. Benevenagh ; Co. Derry.

H. murorum, Linn. — Glenariffe, not yet out of flower in shady places
by the river ; cliffs near Garron Head, &c.

H. vulgatum, FY. — Cliffs near Garron Head ; plentiful in Glenarifte
and Glendun, both on the higher parts of the cliffs and by the
streams.

H. Fries! I, Lindeb. — Riverbauks, Glendun.

H. auratum, Fr. — In several places on the banks of the river in
Glendun.

H. crocatum, Fr. — Cave Hill; boulder-clay bank near Milltown,
together with cuprepes and vulgatum ; Glendun.

H. eupatorium, Fr. — Riverbauks, Glendun.

Hypochaeris radicata, L. — A form gathered on the cliffs at
Benevenagh, in foliage and habit somewhat resembling H. maculata.

Sonchus arvensis, L. — Remarkably finely developed plants about
the bases of sea-cliffs near Giant's Causeway.

Lysimachia nemorum, L. — A luxuriant form with flowers much
larger than is usual with us, was noticed in the Glens.

Erythraeacentaurium, Pers., var. capitata (Koch.)— Sand-banks
near Giant's Causeway.

lYIyosotis palustrls, With., var. strigulosa (Reichb.)— Cushendun.

Euphrasia officinalis, L., var. gracilis (Fr.)— Between Ballyearth
and Balliutoy.

Bartsla officinalis, Huds., var. seroti na Reichb. — Giant's Cause-
way, &c.

Melampyrum prate rise. L— Both vars. Iatifolium and

montanum noticed in the glens.

Rhfnanthus Crista-galli, L-, var. angustifoiia— Fair Head.

Lamium intermedium, Fr.— Fields near Giant's Causeway.

Salsola kali, L Red Bay.

Atrlplex Iaclniata, L.— Red Bay.

Betula glutinosa, Fr., and var. pubescens (Walh.)— GlenarifFe
and Glendun.

Habenarla conopsea, Benth.--Fair Head.

H. alblda, R, Br.— Glenariffe.

H. chloroieuca, Ridley— Glenariffe.

Scirpus setaceus, L. — Near Fair Head; between Ballycastle and
Ballintoy.

Carex piiulifera, L.— Glenariffe cliffs.

C. penduia, Huds.— Glenariffe.

Sieglingla decumbens, Bernli.— Cliff bases, Glenariffe.

A Botanical trip to Comity Antrim. 169

Festuca durluscula, L.— Glenariffe.

Agropyron acutum, R. & S.— Sandy shore, Red Bay.

A. marlnum, h. — Benevenagh cliffs, Co. Derry.

Cystoptcrls fragllls, Bernh. — Sparingly on Benevenagh cliffs.

Polystlchum Iobatum, Presl and var. aculeatum Syme.— Glen-
ariffe and Glendun.

Lastrea FNIx-mas, L.— Some enormous specimens noticed in
Glenariffe with fronds nearly five feet in length.

Botrychlum Lunaria, Sw — There was not a frond of this to be
seen at Cushendun on the sandy ground near the shore where Mr.
Brenan told me it can usually be found in hundreds. The long drought
had probably shortened the season of grow th for this as well as for so
many other herbaceous plants.

HYDROIDS AND POLYZOA COLLECTED BETWEEN
LAYTOWN AND THE MOUTH OF THE BOYNE-

BY J. E. DUERDEN, A.R.CSC. (l<OND.)

The material upon which the following report is based, was
collected along the shore from Laytown to the mouth of the
River Boyne, a distance of about three miles, on the occasion
of the visit of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club on the 16th
June, 1894. Except at the mouth of the Boyne the shore is
one stretch of sand, there being none of the rock-pools which
generally reward the collector of zoophytes so liberall}\
In all twenty-three species of Hydroids and twenty species
of Polyzoa were obtained, which had been washed up from
more or less considerable depths. Two of the Hydroids,
Gonothyrcea hyalina, Hincks, and Sertularia gracilis, Has-
sall, are new to Ireland. Of the former a fine colony was
found growing profusely on Zostera, and exhibiting the
characteristic irregularly ovate gonothecae. It is a rather rare
hydroid, and is mentioned by Mr. Hincks (Brit. Hyd. Zooph.,
p. 185) only from Shetland, amongst British localities.
Sertnlaria gracilis is closely allied to the very common *S.
pumila, Linn., but is much more delicate in all its parts, and
is not exclusively littoral.

Diphasia attcnuata, Hincks, and Plamularia similis, Hincks,
were collected. They are rather rare forms, each having been
previously recorded from only two Irish localities.

At the mouth of the Boyne a few rock-pools are found, and
the water is slightly brackish. Obclia gclatinosa, Pallas, was
obtained, and C amp anul aria flextiosa, Hincks, was abundant
on the under side of the stones.

^3

170 The Irish Naturalist.

Amongst the Polyzoa Ccllcpora avicularis Hincks, was
obtained in great abundance encrusting Hydrallmania falcata,
Linn., and other zoophytes. So far this species has been
recorded in Ireland only from the coast of Antrim, but, as
Hincks says, it has probably been passed over from its super-
ficial resemblance to the common Ccllcpoi-a pumicosa, Linn.

As no collections have ever been previously recorded from
this district I give below the entire list of those obtained.

HYDROIDS.

Eudendrium ramosum, Linn. Clytia johnstoni, Alder. Obelia geniculata,
Linn. Obelia gelatinosa, Pallas. Obelia dichotoma, Linn. Campanularia
volubilis, Linn. Campanularia verticillata, Linn. Campanitlaria Jlcxuosa,
Hincks. Gonothyraa hyalina, Hincks, new to Ireland. Lajcca dumosa, Flem.
Calycella syringa, Linn. Coppinia arcta, Dalyell. Halecium Beanii, Johnston.
Sertularella polyzonias, Linn. Diphasia atlenuata, Hincks. Serlnlaria gracilis,
Hass., new to Ireland. Sertnlaria operculata, Linn. Serlnlaria abielina,
Linn. Sertnlaria argentea, Ell. and Sol. Hydrallmania falcata, Linn.
Antennnlaria ramosa, Linn. Aglaophenia plum a, Linn. Plnmnlaria similis,
Hincks.

POI.YZOA.

Eucratea c/ielala, Linn. Gemellaria loricata, Linn. Scrnpocellaria rcptans,
Linn. Scrnpocellaria scruposa, Linn., very abundant on Fncns. Cellaria
sinnosa, Hass. Membranipora pilosa, Pall. Membranipora membranacea, Linn.
Schizoporella hyalina, Linn. Cellepora pnmicosa, Linn, Ccllcpora avicularis,
Hincks. Crisia eburnea, Linn., with abundant ovicells. Crisia aculeata,
Hass. Tubulipora Jlabellaris, Fabr. Idmonea serpens, Linn. Lichenopora
hispida, Flem. Alcyonidium parasiticum, Flem. Vesicularia spinosa, Linn.
Amathia lendigera, Linn. Bowerbankia imbricata, Johnst. Valkeria uva, Linn.

INSECTS COLLECTED BY THE ROYAL IRISH
ACADEMY FLORA AND FAUNA COMMITTEE,

1893.

BY REV. W. F. JOHNSON, M.A., F.E.S., J. N. HALBKRT, and

GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC.

COLEOPTERA.

{Concluded from page 155.)

CHRYSOIYIELIDJE.

Donacla discolor, Panz.— Berehaveu ; Bere Island; Hungry Hill.
The only other record for Ireland is Ardara, Co. Donegal, but specimens
have been obtained (besides the localities just mentioned) at Killarney
(July, 1892), Leixlip, and the Royal Canal, near Dublin. We doubt,
however, if this form should be considered distinct from D. sericcus.

Lema lichen Is, Voet. — Cavan, common in moss on trees.

Chrysomela Banksl, F. — Coolmore.

C. staphylca, L. — Cavan, common.

C, hyperlcl, Forst. — Near Ballyhaise, in moss.

R.I. A. Committee — Insects in 1893. 171

Castroldea viridula, De G — Shores of Lough Oughter, sweeping

nettles.

C. polygon i, L. — Greenore, common in a meadow.

Phaedon tumidulus, Germ.— Dundalk.

P. armoraciae, L. — Coolmore.

Prasocurls juncl, Brahm.— Dundalk.

Lochmaea capreae, L.— Hungry Hill. New to the south-west of
Ireland.

L. suturalis, Thorns.— Fathom, off conifers. Shores of Lough
Oughter.

Calerucella lineola, F. — Berehaven, new to S. W. Ireland.
Adlmonia tanaceti, L. — Coolmore, great numbers washed on the
beach after a very hot day.

Longitarsus ater, F.— Ballyhaise.

L. Iuridus, Scop. — Cavan, common.
*L. suturellus, Duft., var. fuscicollis, Steph.— Cultragh Lough.

L. meianocephalus, All. — Coolmore. Cavan, common.
*L. distlnguendus, Rye. — Coolmore.

Li Jacobaeae, Wat. — Coolmore. Cavan, common.

L. gracilis, Kuts. — Coolmore. Cultragh Lough.

Haltica criccti, All. — Shores of Lough Oughter, one specimen by
sweeping in a birch plantation. A new species to the North of Ireland.
The only other Irish locality recorded is Waterford.

Phyllotreta undulata, Kuts.— Coolmore. Cavan, common.

Sphaeroderma cardui, Gyll.— Coolmore.

Crepidodera transversa, Marsh. \ Coolmore> Dundalk.
C. ferruglnca, Scop. J

C. ventralis, 111. — Coolmore.

Plectroscelis conclnna, Marsh. — Cavan, common.
Psyl I lodes chrysocephala, L.- -Ballyhaise.

P. napi, Koch. — Banks of River Erne near Ballyshannon. Bally-
haise.
Cassida viridis, F.— Dundalk.

MORDELLIDiE.

Anaspis frontalis, L.— .Fathom.

CURCULIONIDJE.

Apion subu latum, Kirby.— Ballyhaise.

A. cruentalum, Welt.— Woods near Cultragh Lough.

A. rufirostre, F. — Coolmore.

A. viciae, Payk. -\

A. apricans, Herbst. !- Coolmore. Cavan, common.

A. bohemanl, Thorns.)

A. dichroum, Bedel. — Woods near Cultragh Lough.

A. carduorum, Kirby.— Shores of Lough Oughter.

A.virens, Herbst. — Coolmore. Cavan, common.

A. ervi, Kirby. — Cavan, common.

A. vorax, Herbst. — Coolmore.

A. Gyllenhali, Kirby. — Coolmore. Cavan, common.

A. senicilum, Kirby.— Carlingford. The only other Irish locality
recorded is Waterford.

*72 The Irish Naturalist.

*ApIon march icum, Herbst.— Oue specimen at Cultragh Lough.
A. hum lie, Germ.— Coolmore.
Otlorrhynchusatroapterus, De G.— Coolmore.
O. mau r us, Gyll.— Carlingford.
O. ligneus, 01.— Coolmore.

O. picipes, F.— Carlingford. Fathom. Berehaven.
O. sulcatus, F.— Coolmore. Fathom. Berehaven. Dursey.
O. ruglfrons, Gyll.— Coolmore.
Strophosomus coryli, F.— Cavan. Berehaven.
Liophlccus nubilus, F.— Berehaven.

Barynotus Schonherri, Zett.— Coolmore. Slieve Gullion.

Alophustriguttatus, F.— Coolmore.

*SItones cambricus, vSteph.— Shores of Lough Oughter, sweeping
Phragmites at water's edge.

S. regenstelnensis, Herbst.— Cavan, common. Dundalk.

S. tibialis, Herbst.— Coolmore. Cavan.

8. hlspldulus, F. — Cavan.

5. flavescens, Marsh.— Coolmore. Lough Oughter. Slieve Glah.

6. sulclfrons, Thunb. — Coolmore. Cavan.
Hypera polgoni, L.~Greenore. Dundalk.
H. plantagi n is, De G.— Coolmore.

H. nigrirostris, F.— Slieve Gullion.

Hylobius ablet is, L— Berehaven.

Orchcstcs fagi, L. — Cavan, common.

Rhamphus f lavicornis, Clairv. — Coolmore.

Erirrhlnus scirpl, F. — Coolmore, not common. Lough Oughter,
Very local, several specimens on a patch of Scirpus on the shore.

E. acridulus, L.— Dundalk.

lYIecinus pyraster, Herbst.

( Coolmore.
Anthotiomus pediculanus, L. )

Nanophycs Iythrl, F. — Coolmore, on Lythrum salicaria.

Coeliodes quadrimaculatus, L.— Coolmore. Dundalk. Cavan,
very common.

Ceuthorrhynchus erysimi, F.— Woods near Cultragh Lough.

C. contractus, Marsh.— Coolmore.

C. pollinarlus, Forst— Coolmore. Cavan, common.

C. Iitura, F. Coolmore. abundant on thistles. Mr. Halbert has

taken it at several localities in Co. Dublin, but does not seem to have
recorded the capture.

Rhopalomcsltcs Tardy I, Curt.— Coolmore. Bantry. Killarney.

t 173 i

THE SEAGULL BOG, TUEEAMORE.

BY R. WDYD PRAEGER, E-.E.

By the kindness of the Rev. Canon Russell, of Geashill Rectory,
I had recently an opportunity of visiting a portion of the Bog
of Allen, including that bog, a few miles south of Tullamore,
which is celebrated as being one of the greatest breeding-
haunts of the Black-headed Gull (Lanes ridibundus, E.) in
Ireland — if, indeed, it is not the greatest. A morning train
on June 23rd speedily brought me to Geashill station, and a
rapid drive to the rectory, along a pine-fringed road, with bog
stretching away on either hand, only left time to note the
Bog Thistle {Carduus pratensis) filling a meadow by the railway
between Portarlington and Geashill, and the Rough Hawks-
beard {Crepis biennis) growing in abundance in the meadow
around the school-house in the little village ; I was informed
that it has been abundant in this meadow for some years.
This plant, probably in all cases originally introduced with
grass-seed, appears to be spreading in Ireland ; but it is still
local and rare. The forenoon was spent in Canon Russell's
company in exploring the bog lying between the rectory and
the railway. On the way thither I was pointed out a meadow
which is the only local habitat of the Bee Orchis (Op/irys
apifcrd), and here we obtained good specimens in full blossom.
Out on the bog the Marsh Andromeda {A. polifolid) was
abundant, as I was told it is on all the neighbouring bogs,
but its pretty pink bells were all already fallen ; in the wetter
portions, especially on the margins of pools, the beautiful
little Cranberry ( Vaccinium Oxycoccos) was in full blossom,
and the great tufts of soft green Sphagnum, covered with a
network of its wiry little stems with reflexed white-backed
leaves, and dotted all over with its pink flowers, were indeed
a sight to see. Here also grew two of the Sundews (Brosera
anglica and D. rohmdijolid), and other bog plants. On our
return to the rectory Arenaria trinervia was observed growing
close to the house. Early in the afternoon we started for
the "Seagull Bog," a pleasant drive of some miles along
roads with great hedges filled with the Dog Rose and Trailing
Rose (R. arvensis) and Honeysuckle and Guelder Rose in great
abundance. In more than one spot I observed the Alder
Buckthorn {Rhamnus Fmngula) which Canon Russell had

174 The Irish Naturalist.

previously found in other hedges in the district. Arrived at
the edge of the bog we were joined by Mr. Digby, J. P., agent to
his cousin, Lord Digby, the owner of the estate, under whose
care the " gulleries" are carefully preserved, and have in
consequence enormously increased in size of late years — a
wise as well as humane act of protection, for these birds are of
great service to the farmer, and destroy hundreds of grubs and
worms, and their appearance should be welcomed by the
agriculturist even- where. Our part)' having been reinforced
by several ladies, we passed through a couple of fields to where
the bog rose in front of us. I use the word " rose" advisedly,
for, like many of the larger Irish bogs, it rises, at first quite
suddenly, and then in a long smooth ascent, from the margin
to the centre, a distance of over half a mile. It is in the
central portion, where the bog is intersected by a maze of
pools and dangerous quagmires, that the gulls have made their
great colonies, and thither we were piloted under the skilful
guidance of Mr. Digby, who appeared acquainted with every
pool and tuft of heather of the whole region. This pilotage wras
indeed necessary, for danger lurks in the bewildering network
of water and soft moss that stretches on every hand, and ere
we left, several of our party had learned, by little bits of
personal experience more surprising than pleasant, the reason
why this bog is feared even by the hard)' and experienced
cottagers around its margins.

We were of course too late to see the eggs of the Black-
heads, and already the majority of the young birds were able
to fly ; but as we advanced into the centre of the breeding-
ground, and as hundreds upon hundreds of gulls rose as we
cautiously wended our way onward, we saw dozens of deserted
nests, and soon came on plenty of young birds running like
rats among the rushes and grass, or skulking in corners of the
pools ; while all the time continued the musical din caused by
the cries of hundreds of gulls. To watch the myriads of
graceful birds eddying overhead, and to listen to the wonder-
ful clamour, was most interesting ; but, on botanical things
intent, what struck me most was the curious and abrupt
change in the character of the vegetation on those portions of
the bog which the gulls had selected as breeding-haunts. Out-
side of this area the usual bog-flora reigned — lying {Cat lima
vulgaris^ Bog Heather (£rica tetra/ix), Scirpus ccespitosus and

The Seag u 11 Bog , Tu I la m o re. 175

Sphagnum making up the bulk of the vegetation, assisted by
Andromeda, Cranberry, Cotton-grass, and the two Sundews
previously mentioned. But where the gulls have settled an
abrupt change is noticeable. All the above plants disappear
and they are replaced by dense and luxuriant beds of rushes
(./• effusus and J. acutiflorus), Sorrel (Rumex acetosd), and Soft-
grass (Holcus lanattts), among which grow many plants which
do not normally affect the centre of an extensive and very wet
bog, such as the Chickweed (Stellaria media), Heath Groundsel
(Scnecio sylvaticus), Rape (Brassica Naptis), Creeping Crowfoot
(Ranunculus rcpens), Pearlwort (Sagina procumbc?is), Broad-
leaved Mouse-ear (Cerastium glomcratum), Small-flowered
Willow-herb (Epilobium parviflorum), and so on. That the
original flora is killed off by the continued trampling, and by
the accumulation of guano, there can be no doubt ; while other
stronger plants which love wet manured ground, and others
again whose seeds have been eaten by the birds, spring up to
take their place. It was late in the afternoon ere we again
reached the edge of the bog, and drove back to the hospitable
rectory at Geashill, where a few botanical notes were gleaned
from Canon Russell and his sisters, such as the occurrence of
the Toothwort (Lathreca squamarid) in some abundance not
far off, and of the Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) in Clonad
Wood, where it is thoroughly naturalized, if not native ; I was
shown specimens of the Fly Orchis (Ophrys musciferd) collected
in the county. An evening drive to the station, and a couple
of hours train journey in pleasant company, completed a most
interesting day, made doubly enjoyable by the kindly hospi-
tality that was extended to me.

NOTES.

ZOOLOGY.

INSECTS

Deilephila livornica in Co. Meath. — On Sunday, June roth,
1894, about 9.45 p.m., I took on the wing, near a clump of rocket plants
in bloom, in the garden of Riverston, Trim, Co. Meath, a fine fresh
specimen of this handsome hawk-moth. The insect was flying with the
wind, which was blowing pretty sharply from about north-north-east. — ■
Louisa E. Cuppage, Riverston, Trim.

[It appears from the catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Ireland by Mr.
W. F. de Vismes Kane, now being published in The Entomologist, that
there are records of captures of this insect on six or seven previous oc-
casions in Ireland. The number of specimens taken before the present
are amounting in all to twelve — i.e., two at Youghal, two at F,nnis, and

176 The Irish Naturalist,

one at Kilkenny (dates not given), four at Killarney in 1S64, and one at
Kingstown, and two near Belfast in 1888. The Dublin Museum possesses
a specimen labelled "Kildare, Douglas, 1869." It is to be observed that
the year 1888, like the present year, followed an unusually hot dry
season. — Eds.]

Bupalus plnlaria and Euplthecia togata in co. IVIeath. —

This week, when beating for moths in Mr. Winter's charming bog wood,
Agher, Co. Meath, I had the pleasure of capturing some specimens of
Bupalus piniaria, a rare and local species in Ireland. At the same time
and place I took two fine and fresh specimens of Eupithccia togata. —
Harriette K. REYNEivi,, Dublin.

Cimbex connata, Schr., on Valentia. — A female of this
scarce and handsome sawfly has been kindly forwarded to the Dublin
Museum by Miss Delap.

Mr. J. J. Dowling has taken two male Cimbices of extraordinary size at
Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. I am not yet satisfied if they are also C. connata ;
they may prove to be an American species. — Geo. H. Carpenter.

IYlicralymma brevipenne, Cyil. , at Mornington, Co. IVIeath.

— It was my good fortune to be present at the recent joint excursion of
the Dublin and Belfast Field Clubs to the district south of the Boyne
mouth ; quite a number of good species were taken. Of special interest
to me was Micralymma brevipenne, Gyll., which I obtained in some numbers
under stones where a small streamlet flows into the Boyne near Morning-
ton. I had also taken it in the Dingle district earlier in the mouth.
Little is known about the occurrence of this species in Ireland ; there is
no Irish locality given in Canon Fowler's recent wrork on the British
Coleoptera, but on making search I find that there are specimens in the
Haliday collection from Strangford Lough, and he also recorded it from
the Creek of the Owenbeg River, Co. Cork. — J. N. Hai<bert, Dublin.

MOLLUSC A.

The Common Mussel (IYIytilus eclulls). — Mr. R. Lloyd Patter-
son's mention of the mussel industry in Belfast Lough, and the fact that
they had shifted their quarters, reminds me that last year I noticed a
sudden increase of young mussels on the shore about Macedon Point,
where many square yards of ground are thickly covered writh them, and
this year, for the first time in my memory, boats have been fishing for
them with long rakes as he describes, and a donkey cart and hand-carts
have been gathering those close to the shore. — Sydney M. Thompson,
Belfast.

BIRDS,

Redstart (Ruticilla phoenicurus), breeding in Co. Tyrone.

— On the 16th June inst., I visited Barons Court, the extensive and
beautifully wooded demesne of the Duke of Abercorn, where an abundance
of fine old timber covers the hill slopes. In reply to my enquiries as to
the birds to be found there, Mr. James Maclean, the under-keeper, stated
that Redstarts had bred there three years in succession since he came
to the place, and he showed me holes in trees in which they had nested.
He then showed me the male and female Redstarts and found their nest
of this year containing three young just ready to fly, and three eggs that
had not hatched out. A fourth young Redstart that had left the nest
was caught, and is now in the Science and Art Museum. The nest was
in the hole of a broken branch of a large old birch. The parent Redstarts
remained near when we were inspecting it, uttering their alarm-cry like
the "twit" of a Willow Warbler, but much louder. The male was a
splendid bird, forehead white, face and throat black, back bluish grey,
breast and tail bright orange.

The Rev. G. W. Peacocke informs me that on the 26th and 29th May,
1S88, he saw and heard a male Redstart which he found frequenting Rash

Notes. 177

Wood in Co. Tyrone. He accurately described the bird, with which he
was acquainted in Kngland previously.

Hitherto the Redstart has only been recorded since 1885 as breeding
in Ireland at Powerscourt, so that these discoveries of it, both in the
same part of the Co. Tyrone, are unexpected. — R. J. Ussher, Cappagh.

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) in Co. Meath.— The Blackcap
is not mentioned as nesting in County Meath in the table of " Irish
Breeding Birds," compiled recently by Mr. Ussher, and I am not aware
that it has been elsewhere recorded as occurring in Meath ; but there
can be little doubt of its nesting in the county when it is found there in
full song on such a date as June 22nd. On that day I heard two different
birds of this species in full song in the woods of Slane Castle demesne,
and another in the woods of Beauparc. All three were within a mile of
each other. — J. E. Paemer, Dublin.

Birds at Cushendun, Co. Antrim.— I have to record the capture
of a young white Rook, at Cushendun, in May. The Spring Migrants
appeared as follows : — Swallows on April 1st, the Cuckoo on the 7th,
and the Corncrake on the 16th. — S. A. Brenan, Knocknacarry, County
Antrim.

The Quail (Coturnix communis) in Co. Wexford.— With

reference to some notes which appeared in the Itish Naturalist about this
time last year anent the Quail, I beg to say that I listened for some time
to a Quail calling in this county on the 20th July. I have not had a
nest for over 30 years. — W. MacMieean.

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Museums Association.

This young but important body selected Dublin as the place for its fifth
annual meeting, andover thirty delegates and associates from England and
Scotland attended the gathering held here during the last week in June.
Much interest was taken by the scientific public of Dublin in the meeting,
and the number of local members equalled that of the visitors from across
the Channel. Dr. V. Baee, C.B., F.R.S., Director of the Science and
Art Museum, was president. Naturally the staff of that Institution
were well represented at the meetings, and Mr. S. A. Stewart, the veteran
curator of the Belfast Museum, was also present. Even America wTas
represented by Dr. Talmage of Salt Lake City. Dr. Scharff and Mr.
Longfield acted as local secretaries and spared no pains to make the
meeting successful and pleasant.

June 26th. — On the morning of this day the English and Scotch
members arrived in Dublin. In the afternoon visits were paid to the
Botanic and Zoological Gardens, tea being provided at the latter. The
party were shown round the gardens and glass-houses at Glasnevin by
Mr. F. W. Moore ; the orchid-houses and the Killarney-fern house
specially pleased the visitors. At Phoenix Park, Dr. Gordon, President
of the Royal Zoological Society, received the members and conducted them
to the various houses ; the Orang and Chimpanzee, and the splendid
collection of large carnivora were much admired.

In the evening, the meeting was formally opened in the house of the
Royal Irish Academy, when Dr. Baee delivered his presidential address.
This discourse on the Museums of Dublin is printed in full in ATatuml
Science for July. In it, Dr. Ball traces the history of the various bodies in
Dublin which have acquired collections, and shows how the majority of
these, entirety or in part, have contributed to the formation of the
national institution in Kildare-street. Special attention is naturally
directed to the splendid collection of Irish antiquities formed by the

IjS The Irish Naturalist.

Royal Irish Academy, and to the natural history and other specimens in
the old Museum of the Royal Dublin Society. The history of the steps
leading to the transfer of these to the Science and Art Department in
1877 is traced at length, and the main points in the development of the
Museum up to the present day are sketched, the removal of the art
collections to the new buildings in 1890 being specially dwelt upon.

A vote of thanks to Dr. Ball for his address was moved by the LORD
Mayor, and seconded by Dr. Ingram, the latter expressing a hope that
the visitors might both receive and impart information during their stay
in Dublin. The Lord Mayor then invited the members to spend an
hour at the Mansion House, which they did with much pleasure.

June 27th. — The reading of papers commenced at Leinster House.
Mr. W. B. Pearsaee, f.r.c.s.i., described a "New Method of mounting
and arranging Dental Specimens and Casts." A tooth is cemented to a
fine wire inserted in the stopper of a glass tube, so that it can be readily
inspected from all sides. In the discussion which followed, the opinion
was expressed that this mounting would be suitable for such natural
history objects as small shells.

Mr. H. B. White, m.a , gave "A Description of certain of the Fittings
and Appliances in use in the Science and. Art Museum, Dublin," com-
prising the cases and systems of shelving in the various departments.
Special attention was drawn to Mr. De Sales' patent hinge by means of
which two doors can be hung back to back without an intermediate
style.

Mr. F. W. Rudeer, F.G.S., read a paper " On the Arrangement of a
Mineral Collection." He suggested that, in a small museum, the
minerals are better arranged by their bases, so as to bring together the
ores of the same metal, than bj* their acid constituents in accordance
with the most recent scientific classification ; the arrangement by bases
being more useful to miners and practical men. Where there is a large
collection, scientifically arranged, there should be subsidiary series,
illustrating metallic ores, precious stones, &c. This paper led to an
interesting discussion, some of the members advocating a strictly
scientific arrangement, while others thought (with Mr. Rudler) that the
popular and practical applications of the subject should receive most
attention.

Mr. J. Paton, f.E-S., of Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow, gave a
suggestive and humourous paper upon "The Education of a Curator."
He contrasted the old with the modern idea of a museum, and pointed
out with many illustrations how the curator of the present day is
expected to be an adept in all arts and sciences. His comparison of the
modern specialist to "an unicellular organism" specially amused the
meeting. He advocated a system of apprenticeship in museum work for
which preparation should be made by a sound general education,
specially in English, modern languages, drawing, and natural and
physical science.

Mr. G. H. Carpenter gave an account of the " Collections to
illustrate the Evolution and Geographical Distribution of Animals,"
which he has arranged in the Dublin Museum. The geographical collec-
tion is to be found along the south and west walls of the ground floor of
the Natural History building and illustrates by means of characteristic
specimens, maps, and descriptive labels, the general principles of
distribution, and the fauna of the six zoological regions of Sclater and
Wallace. The series to illustrate evolution is arranged in a wall case at
the eastern end of the same room, and shows by specimens, diagrams,
and labels some of the main facts of animal life and structure which
have led naturalists to belief in the doctrine of descent.

A paper by Mr. J. M. Campbeij,, of Glasgow, on co-operative collecting
was read by Mr. Paton. The author suggested that a number of
museums should club together to support a collector, and divide the
results of his work. In the discussion which followed, the opinion that

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 1 79

the division of the spoils would not be amicable, was put forth by several ;
and a medium for advertising duplicates available for exchange was
strongly advocated.

In the early part of the afternoon visits were paid to the National
Gallery, and the museums of the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal
College of Science, the officers and professors of each institution conduct-
ing the members through the rooms, and explaining the exhibits. Later,
the party gathered at Leinster House, where they were received by Dr.
Ball, who conducted them round the Science and Art Museum. In the
evening the Association dinner was held at Jury's Hotel.

June 28th. — This day was devoted to an excursion into County Wicklow.
The part}- took train to Bray, and drove to the Dargle, through which
they walked. Mounting the cars again, they were driven to Powerscourt,
where, by kind permission of the Viscount, the house and grounds were
viewed and much admired. Lunch was then provided at Enniskerry,
alter which the party drove to the Waterfall, returning in the evening by
the Rocky Valley to Bray. Most of the members then returned to town,
but several remained for tea, and a walk round the Head, where the
Cambrian and Drift beds were examined and some specimens of Oldhamia
obtained.

June 29th. — The reading and discussion of papers were resumed.
Mr. W. E. HoYLE, M.A., of the Manchester Museum, read a paper " On
Desk-cases illustrating the Foraminifera, and the classification of Bivalve
Mollusca," in that institution, showing by means of lantern slides
the arrangement of the cases and their contents. The case of
Foraminifera contains specimens and magnified models and drawings of
those minute and interesting creatures. Descriptive labels are largely
used, and explain the general structure of the animals and their classifi-
cation. At the end of the series, a selection of specimens and maps
shows the importance of the shells of these animals in forming sub-
marine deposits.

The case of Bivalve Mollusca described is arranged so as to contrast
the classification of Pelsener (founded on the gills), with that of Grobben
(founded on the hinge-teeth). Shells are arranged in series so as to show
the supposed genetic relationships, and the difference between the two
systems of classification is shown by different dividing lines.

A paper by Mr. B. H. MuuEN, M.A., of Peel Park Museum, Salford,
on Museums and Ratepayers, was read by Mr. Platnauer. This contribu-
tion advocated the liberal support of museums by town authorities,
specially urging that curators should be relieved, as far as possible, of
merely routine and mechanical work.

Mr. Hoyle, and his assistant at Manchester, Mr. T. H. Bolton, gave a
paper entitled " Classified Cataloguing as applied to Palaeozoic Fossils."
The system, applicable to all natural history specimens, indicates each
species by a symbol made up of a combination of letters from four
alphabets (aaaa to zzzz). By this means a far larger number of species
can be registered than by the means of numerals, unless an inconveniently
long series of digits be used. The system will be recognized as a modifi-
cation of the well known decimal system of numerals now used in many
library catalogues.

Mr. T. H. Bolton contributed a " Supplementary List of Type Fossils
in the Manchester Museum."

Mr. H. O. Forbes, of Liverpool, read a paper on "The Centralisation
ofTypes." Commenting on the inconvenience of naturalists having to
travel about the country to see the various type specimens of any
group at which they might be working, he urged that all type specimens
in the British Isles should be collected at London, Edinburgh, and
Dublin, and expressed his opinion that .specimens of general interest
might readily be got in exchange from the National Museums in those
cities, which would compensate the local museums for parting with
their types. This paper led to a very interesting discussion. Professor

1 80 The Irish Naturalist.

J. W. Carr, of Nottingham, expressed his entire agreement with Mr.
Forbes' views, and his own willingness to resign the types under
his care to the British Museum. But as curators were not the owners
of the specimens, he feared the realisation of the plan to be im-
possible, as the local authorities would not consent to give up their
most cherished specimens. Mr. PlaTnauer, of York, hoped that in
time, authorities might be educated up to such self-sacrifice, but con-
tended that many advantages accrued from the present system. The
specialist, in a visit to a local museum, sees many interesting specimens
which he might otherwise miss, while his experience is of great value
to the local curator. Mr. F. A. Bather, of the British Museum, thought
that type specimens should be preserved in the localities where found ;
he objected to have to go to America to see types from Germany, or to
St. Petersburg to inspect types from the British Isles.

Mr. F. A. Bather, m.a., read some " Notes on Travel," describing
museums he had seen in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and
pointing out features in their arrangement worth imitating or avoiding.

Professor T. Johnson, D.Sc, gave a paper on "The Functions of a
Botanical Museum," advocating that collections should be formed to
assist students in the study of various groups of plants, and that special
attention, particularly in Ireland, required to be paid to agriculture,
horticulture, and other practical applications of botany.

A short business meeting followed, at which Edinburgh was fixed as
the place of meeting for 1895, and the Lord Provost of that city was
elected President.

In the afternoon Trinity College was visited. The members wTere met
by the Librarian and Professors, and conducted over the Library, and the
geological, zoological, and anatomical museums. The ancient illumin-
ated books and other treasures of the Library much interested the
visitors, who also paid special attention to the anthropometric laboratory.
At the close of so well-occupied a meeting, however, it was no wonder
that some were observed to turn aside to watch the cricket match in the
College Park 1

Royal Zoological Society.

Recent donations comprise a Long-eared Owl from A. R. C. Newburgh,
Esq. ; a St. Kilda Sheep from Dr. A. Finegan ; and a Wood-Pigeon from
W. W. Despard, Esq.

10,580 persons visited the gardens in June.

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

June 30th. — Half-da)' excursion to Scrabo Hill. A party numbering
over eighty assembled at Linen Hall at 2.30, and drove via Dundonald to
Scrabo Hill, where the quarries of Triassic sandstone intersected with
dykes and the overlying deposit of boulder clay were studied. Tea
was subsequently provided at the Ulster Hotel, and the party reached
Belfast at a late hour.

Belfast and Dublin Naturalists' Field Clubs.

June 16th. — An interesting joint excursion was held on this date, when
a part)' of forty-five Dublin members proceeded northward by the 9.0
train from Amiens Street, which was stopped at Lay town, to allow the
members to alight, by the courtesy of the superintendent of the line. A
party of some fifty members of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club and

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 181

thirty-five members of the North Staffordshire Field Club came from
Belfast by the 7.0 a.m. train, and while the majority of the party elected
to alight at Drogheda and spend the day in studying the interesting pagan
cemetery of New Grange, others proceeded by rail to Lay town and joined
the Dublin Naturalists. No time was lost in proceeding to the shore,
where a cool breeze was coming in off the sea. The route lay northward
to the mouth of the Boyne, along a glorious sandy beach backed by low
dunes, and the members found ample scope for their various tastes. The
botanists of the party were pleased to find, among other plants, the One-
glumed Fescue Grass (Eesinca uniglumis), Green-winged Orchis {Orchis
Morid), Portland Spurge {Euphorbia portlandica), Sea Spurge (E. Paralias),
Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale), Sea-holly {Eryngium mar iti muni),
Viper's Bugloss (Echinm vulgare), and Common Bugloss {Lycopsis arvcnsis).
Others collected fungi. Mr. J. E. Duerden made good finds among the
hydroids and polyzoa thrown upon the beach by the tide ; a separate
note on these groups will be found on p. 169. At the mouth of the
Boyne, the three light-houses and the picturesque form of Maiden Tower
engaged attention, and the walk was resumed to the village of Morning-
ton ; on this part of their journey the botanists found the Hen-bane
{Hyoscyamus niger), Lesser Broom-rape {Orobanche minor), the Sea Worm-
wood {Artemisia maritima), Sea Purslane {Obionc pottulacoides), and other
commoner species.

The entomologists found much to interest them. As will be seen from
the following list very good work was done amongst the Coleoptera; the
more important species taken are as follows — Broscus cephalotes ; Badislcr
bipustulatus ; Haipahts tardus, taken by Mr. Carpenter, is a local insect,
having been recorded from only two or three localities in Ireland ; H.
anxius, Mr. Standen took an example on the sand-hills, we are not aware
of its having been previously recorded for Ireland; Dichirotrichus
pubescens and Pogonus chalceus on the shore near Mornington ; Bcmbidium
decorum and B. atroccvruleum ; A mar a trivia/is ; Calathits flavipes ; Demetrias
atricapillus ; Cercyon littoralis, C. flavipes ;Philonthus longicornis, one specimen
taken by Mr. Halbert on the sandhills ; Stenus iarsalis ; Micralymma
brevipenne, several under stones on the shore near Mornington ;
Saprinus maritimus, taken by Mr. Cuthbert ; Coccinella xi-punctata, the
larvae swarmed on the sand-hills ; Halyzia xxii-punctata ; Rhizobius litnra ;
Byrrhus dorsalis ; Cytilus varius ; Simplocaria semistriata ; Pityophagus
ferrugineus ; Dascillus cervinus ; He/odes minuta ; Telephorus nigricans, var.
discoideus ; Ochina kederce, Lacon murinus ; Rhagium indagator, Mr. Standen
was very fortunate in taking a specimen of this rarity off the Jessamine
growing near the farmhouse at the beginning of the Boyne sandhills, it
had probably emerged from some split logs which he saw lying on the
shore embankment, evidently intended for fencing purposes, this hand-
some Longicorn appears not to have been previously taken in Ireland,
but it is to be feared the logs may have been imported. PJuvdon tumidulus ;
Heliopathes gibbus occurred under stones in the sand-hills near Boyne mouth ;
Apion hydrolapathi, Gyllenhali, radiohis, etc. Otiorrhync/ms maurus ; Ilypcra
punctata; Anthotwmus rubi ; Grypidius equiseti ; Cassidaviridis. Mr. H. K. G.
Cuthbert obtained several fine species of hymenoptera on the sand-hills,
including Crabro peltarius. Dr. Scharff found several specimens of Meto-
ponorthtts pruinosus, Br., under a stone near the mouth of the Boyne.
This rare woodlouse has not been found in Ireland for many years ; its
only known locality here is near Dublin, where the late Dr. Kinahan
took it. The characteristic snail of the district, Helix pisana, was
observed in abundance.

At Mornington cars were in waiting to convey the party to the
Whitworth Hall, Drogheda, which was kindly placed at their disposal by
Mr. James H. Cooke, j.p. Here they were joined by a large party of the
Belfast and North Staffordshire members, who under the able guidance
of Mr. George Coffey, m.r.i.a., had spent a profitable day at New
Grange.

1 82 The Irish Naturalist.

The combined party, in number over 130, were served with tea by the
Misses Gardiner, after which Mr. I<\ W. Lockwood, President of the
Belfast Club, expressed the pleasure of the members of his Society in
meeting their Dublin fellow-workers, and in having with them a large
party of friends from Staffordshire. Mr. G. H. Carpenter, b.sc,
President of the Dublin Club, acknowledged the compliment on behalf
of his Society, and joined with his brother President in welcoming the
English Field Club members. Dr. Hinde, President of the North
Staffordshire Field Club, gracefully returned thanks, and spoke in terms
of approval of the organization and scientific work of the Irish Clubs.
After a number of new members had been elected into the various
Societies, the Belfast and Staffordshire parties drove off to catch the train
for the North. The Dublin members spent a highly interesting and
instructive hour in examining the antiquities of Drogheda, and returned
to town by the eight o'clock train.

Dublin, Cork, and Limerick Naturalists' Field Clubs.

A very successful meeting, and one which it is hoped marks an epoch
in the history of Field Club work in Ireland, was held on July 5, 6, and 7,
when the Clubs of Dublin, Cork, and Limerick met to spend three days
in examining the district lying around Fermoy, and to confer on the
extension of Field Club work in Ireland. Dublin was represented by a
party of 19, Cork by 9, while it is a matter of regret that the able
Secretary alone represented the Limerick Society. An English con-
tingent who joined the party included Professor Carr, President Notting-
hamshire Naturalists' Society. Assembling from different directions at
Mallow shortly after mid-day on July 5, the joint party proceeded to
Fermoy, where no time was lost in starting along the river banks for the
woods of Castle Hyde. In the Blackwater Ranunculus penicillatus was
observed in quantity, and Anacharis Alsinaslrum with remarkably
abundant blossom. The Castle Hyde woods yielded Euonymus europa'us,
Epipactis latifolia, Lychnis dinrna, great profusion of Veronica montana, Carex
sylvatica, and C. remota. The Hop (Jiuiiiulus lupulus) was observed
naturalised in hedges. By the old castle at Craig fine specimens of
Orobanche Hederce were gathered. Among the beetles collected were
Orectochilus villosus, Hydrothassa marginella, Le/ua lichenis, Galerucella nymphcece,
Rhinoncus pericarpius, and R% perpendicular is. Of the hemiptera Pithanus
Maerkeli, Calocoris sex-gutlatus, and the local and handsome Paloniena pmsina.
The dragon-fly Calopieryx splendens and other neuroptera were abundant
along the river. The long-horned grasshopper Leptophycs punctatissima
was found in the meadows. The party .returned part by water and part
by road.

On the following morning at 9 o'clock, all took their seats in wag-
onettes, and drove to the fine kistvaen known as the Hag's Bed, which
was examined with interest, and photographed. The fine spider Agelena
labyrinthica was observed in its snare in the stone wall. A little farther
on, Arabis hirsuta and Kcehleria cristata were gathered on walls, along with
quantities of Ceterach officinarum, Saxifraga tridactylites, Arenaria serpyllifolia,
and Geranium lucidum, which are very abundant in this district. Orchis
pyramidalis was seen in the adjacent meadows. Passing through the
village of Glanworth, time did not allow of inspection of the old bridge
and fine ruined castle. Hypericum dubium, Sambucus Ebulus, and Pastinaca
saliva were seen about the ruins. The next stop made was at Mitchels-
town Castle, where a short time was spent, after which the party drove
to Galtymore Castle, magnificently situated on the edge of a deep and
richly wooded glen at the foot of the Galtee mountains. Here Lastrea
anuria grew in profusion. There was much tempting collecting ground
in this vicinity, but time necessitated pushing on to Mitchelstown caves,
where lunch engaged attention for a short while, after which caudles

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 183

and matches were served round, and the inspection of the celebrated
caverns was commenced. The passage which serves as an entrance
appears to have been accidentally discovered during quarrying operations.
It descends for a considerable distance at a sharp angle, afterwards
opening out into a more or less horizontal series of passages with
occasional expansions into caverns of considerable size, richly draped
with stalactite and stalagmite. With the assistance of magnesium wire,
a member took several views of these caverns. Entomologists searched
eagerly for the characteristic cave spring-tail, Lipura kstilicidii, Schiodt,
discovered here forty years ago by Dr. E. P. Wright, and the late A. H.
Haliday, and their efforts were rewarded by a fair number of specimens
beneath the wet rocks. A few examples of another insect of the same
group, Templetonia crystallina, Midi., were also obtained. Male and female
examples of the small spider Porrhomma my ops, described by Simon from
caves in France, were also found, as well as a gamasid mite. A few
earthworms and a common Frog completed the observed fauna.

By the time the exploration of the caves was completed, the afternoon
was far advanced, and the return journey was commenced ; proceeding
zia Mitchelstown, Fermoy was again reached shortly after 8.0. After
dinner a meeting of the combined Clubs was held. The chair was taken
by Mr. G. H. Carpenter, B.Sc, President of the senior (Dublin) Club. In
opening the meeting, the Chairman expressed the pleasure of the Dublin
Club at meeting so auspiciously, representatives ot the Field Clubs of Cork
and Limerick, and of one of the English scientific societies. Such
meetings were calculated to encourage the members, and to bring about
a fellow-feeling between the different Clubs. He hoped they would now
hear something of the fortunes of the different Societies represented, and
hints for the extension of Field Club work in Ireland ; also opinions
respecting the proposed conference next year of all the Irish Clubs. On
behalf of the meeting, he begged to acknowledge the obligation they
were under to the various Secretaries, and to Mr. Copeman, Secretary of
the Cork Club in particular, for making the arrangements for the present
trip.

Mr. T. Farrington, F.C.S., Vice-President Cork Naturalists' Field
Club, endorsed the Chair man's remarks as to their obligation to Mr.
Copeman for arranging the excursion ; he hoped many more such com-
bined excursions would be held.

Mr. W. H. Shaw, Vice-President Cork Naturalists' Field Club, spoke of
the excursions of his Society, and of the advantage to be gained by Field
Club trips properly arranged.

Professor J. W. Carr, President Notts Naturalists' Society, thanked
the meeting on behalf of his party, for the kindly welcome that had been
extended to them on the present excursion, and for the friendliness with
which they had been treated. In reply to the Chairman's request for
information respecting the work of his Society, he thought that possibly
his Society had much more to learn from these young Clubs than they
could learn from the doings of his Society. He then proceeded to
describe the work of the Notts Society, and concluded by saying that
if an invitation were sent them to join the proposed Field Club excursion
and conference next year, some of his members might be glad to accept it.

Mr. F. Neai^e, vSecretary Limerick Naturalists' Field Club, regretted
that his club was not better represented on this important occasion. As
regarded the Limerick Club, he believed that good would come of the
present meeting, and he thoroughly approved of the suggestion for a
meeting of all the Clubs next year. His members sometimes felt the
want of a central authority to whom they might send records of interest,
or submit specimens for identification.

The Chairman pointed out that it was for these very purposes that the
Irish Naturalist had been established, and that the editors of that magazine
were only too anxious to help workers in Ireland in these or any other
ways.

1S4 The Irish Naturalist.

^Professor Grenyiixe Coee, F.G.S., Vice-President Dublin Naturalists'
Field Club, in response to a request from the Chair, gave a short account
illustrated by diagrams and maps, of the geology of the district. Subse
quently he spoke of the success of the present excursion, and of the
advisability of holding more of such meetings. He spoke in compli-
mentary terms of the Irish Naturalist, which he considered fulfilled the
very want Mr. Neale spoke of, and to which every member of the several
Clubs should subscribe.

Mr. John Iy. Copeman, Secretary Cork Naturalists' Field Club, thanked
the members for their kind appreciation of his efforts to render the
excursion a success. The Cork Club were quite in favour of the proposed
excursion next year, for which Athlone and Gal way had been suggested
as suitable rendezvous.

Mr. R. Lxoyd Praeger, Secretary Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, on
behalf of the editors of the I. N., assured the meeting of their anxiety to
give information and to publish records, and to act as a means of com-
munication between the Irish Field Clubs. As to the proposed Field
Club conference, he read a letter from Mr. Bigger, Secretary of the
Belfast Club, advocating such a meeting, and the meeting having now
definitely approved of the scheme, he thought the matter might be
safely left in the hands of his fellow-secretaries to carry out ; he felt no
doubt that it would have a stimulating and beneficial effect on Irish
Science.

The meeting then broke up.

Early on the third morning a start was made in wagonettes down
the beautiful Blackwater Valley for Lismore. On the way a few plants
were noted — Verbascum Thapsus, Arenaria trinervis, and Euphorbia hiberna
(one plant by road-side — planted ?). Arrived at Lismore Castle, the
" hanging gardens " were appointed a rendezvous, and members were al-
lowed two hours to engage in their favourite pursuits. The botanists
found good ground in the woods and neighbouring magnificent glen, and
returned with Milium cffusum, Festuca sylvatica (second record for Co. Cork),
Lastrea uvuula, and Orobanche Hederce.

The entomologists found Lismore an admirable collecting ground.
The very rare moth Grophria quadra was taken by Mr. F. Neale on the
bark of an oak tree, while the wings of Dasychira pudibunda were found in
a spider's web. Beetles included Bcmbidium pimctulatum, Deronectes dtpressus,
Elmis Volkmari, Crepidodera helixines, Leiopus nebulosa, Athous niger, Galerucelia
lineola, Lagria liirta, CcutJirorliynchus litura, Cassida equestris, C. viridis, and C.
Jlaveola. Among the Hemiptera were Palomcna prasina, Salda sanatoria,
Calocoris strialidus, and Sigara minutissima. The dragon-fly Caloptcryx virgo
and the stone-fly Perla maxima were taken near the river. A complete
list of the insects taken will be published in due course. Among spiders
Prosthesima Latreillei and Linyphia moutaua were noteworthy; also OligolopJius
cphippiatus among the Harvestmen.

At lunch, which was ready in the gardens, specimens of Orobanche
rapum, found in the neighbourhood by the forester of the estate, were
shown, and a house-spider, Pholcus phalangioidcs, new to Ireland, was dis-
covered by Mr. D. W. Freeman in a room. The return drive to Fermoy
was made along the southern bank of the Blackwater, where Hypericum
dubium grew in great abundance on banks by the roadside. Fermoy was
reached punctually at 5.0, when dinner was ready, after which the party
proceeded to the railway station and departed to their several homes,
amid mutual expressions of satisfaction and pleasure at the success of the
excursion, and the enjoyment derived from it, and at the beautifully fine
weather with which they were favoured.

Vol. III. SEPTEMBER, 1894. No. 9.

NOTES ON THE BREEDING BIRDS OF INCH,

LOUGH SWILLY.

BY D. C. CAMPBELL.

Thk district of Inch, Lough Swilly, with its heather- clad hill,
its extensive sloblands, and stretches of weed-grown fresh
water, is a most interesting one to the ornithologist. Indeed
nowhere have I found a locality frequented by so many species
of birds. Professor Leebody has given much interesting
information regarding the winter visitants to Inch {Irish Nat.,
Dec, 1892). In the following paper I give a few notes upon
some of the breeding birds and their nests, selecting only the
more interesting species.

The first I mention is the Whinchat (Pratincola rubctra,
L.)- In May, 1891, Mr. Gibson and Mr. Samuel Bryson
found a nest in a Whin-bush on the border of the slobland.
They saw and identified the birds. This is the only instance
I know of this species breeding near Derry.

The Sand-martins {Cotile riparia, I,.) used to breed in con-
siderable numbers in the sand-bank beside Inch Road station,
but of late years have almost abandoned the spot. The last
time I visited the bank only one pair had nested. Close to
this bank I had the pleasure of seeing together in the air at
the same time the Sand-Martin, Swallow (Hirundo rustica,
L,<)> Martin {Chelidon urbica, L-)> anc^ Swift {Cypselus apus,
L,.)- When the Swift arrives, the winter visitants are wending
their way northwards. A few, however, remain a week or
two later. The Scaup {Fuligula marila, L-)> Wigeon (Mareca
penelope, 1,.), and White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons, Scop.)
are to be seen until the second or sometimes even until the

third week of May.

A

IS6 The Irish Naturalist.

The breeding ducks are the Mallard (Anas boseas, L,.), Teal
Oucrqucdula crecca, L-)> Common Sheldrake (Tadoma cormtta,
G. S. Gmel.), and Shoveller (Spatula clypeata, L,.) The
Shoveller is called here the " Spoonbill Wigeon " or " White-
side." It is a constant breeder on the sloblands although, I
believe, in decreasing numbers. The herd boys are, no doubt,
responsible for the destruction of many eggs. The nest is
made on the bare slobland, and is placed in the centre of a
slight tuft of grass, or rather on a spot where the grass has
grown a little more thickly than usual. There is little or no
cover in the ordinary sense of the word to be seen on the
ground, and I have known a nest to be made on such a bare
ridge that one could not see what there was to cover the back
of the brooding duck. The bird scrapes out the ground
sufficiently to make a shallow saucer-like hollow. This is
lined with dry grass and old grass-stems and a plentiful supply
of down. In the spring of 1889 and 1890 I saw a few nests
from which the old bird had evidently been driven away
before lajdng. The usual number of eggs is nine to twelve,
and there is sometimes a slight variation in size and shape.
It is astonishing how the Shoveller's nests escape being
trampled upon by the grazing cattle as the}7 walk up and
down the ridges.

Close by the slobland the Waterhen (Gallinula chloropus,
L,.) and Coot (Fuliea alra, L.) breed in great numbers in the
rushes and sedges which cover the water here and there.
Many years ago the Water Rail (Rallus aquatiais, Iy.) bred,
but I have not heard of a nest having been found recently.

Some little distance from the marsh lands the shores are
barer and more sandy, and here we find the Ringed Plover
(/EgiaUics hiaticula, L.) during the spring. I have often
heard the little Plovers calling around, and yet the grey
plumage of their backs blended so perfectly with the wet
sand and shore that it was almost impossible to spot the
birds at any distance. There is much suitable ground for
their breeding, but the)- seem to confine their nesting to a
low flat sand-bank called the Farland bed. This bank is
some 200 yards long by about 100 broad, and is covered in the
centre with coarse grass and a few scrubby brambles. It is
surrounded on all sides by fresh water. The Ringed Plover
do not nest on the sand and shingle alone, A number lay

Notes on the Breeding Birds of Inch. 187

their eggs upon the grass, and my brother once found a nest
in the centre of a low patch of brambles which formed a
canopy over the eggs. Along with the Ringed Plovers a
colon}- of the Common Tern (Sterna fluviatilis, Naum.) fre-
quent the bank. The Terns arrive about the third week in May,
and the eggs are usually laid by the 20th June. The nests
are mostly to be found upon the grass, but in a few cases I
have seen them upon the sand or gravel. So far as I can find
no Arctic Terns breed in this colony. My observations
confirm Thompson's statement that the Arctic Tern breeds
on the coast and the Common Tern on more inland waters.

In the first week of June last Mr. John M'Connell, of Burt
Slob House, Inch, who takes a great interest in the birds of
the district, found the Great Black-backed Guee (Lcttzis
marinus, L.) breeding upon the Farland sand-bank. He
examined the nest, which contained three eggs. The Great
Gulls frequent Inch during the shooting season to prey upon
the wounded birds, but never before have I heard of their
remaining during the breeding season. The fact of Mr.
M'Connell's finding it nesting on a sand bank surrounded by
fresh water, and some seventeen miles from the open sea, is
most interesting.

Passing once more to the slobland we find the Lapwing
( Vanellus vulgaris, Bechst.) in great numbers. Its plaintive
breeding cry may always be heard as one traverses the ridges
on a nest-hunt. On the 4th April, 1893, while watching the
Peewits from the embankment with Mr. Gibson, we noticed
a male Merlin flying overhead. He had seen three Lapwing
below, and like lightning he fell upon one. He missed his
mark, but with a sudden and beautiful upward sweep and turn
he struck the bird dead to the ground. We lay close, being
only some thirty yards distant, and saw the Merlin trying to
fly off with his victim. It was evidently too heavy for him,
for he dropped it after flying a few yards. We then showed
ourselves, and off the Merlin flew to some distance, where he
kept beating about for some time, evidently loth to lose his
pre}r. When we lifted the Lapwing it was quite dead.

Along with the Lapwing many Redshank (Totanus calidris
L-) nest. The Redshanks leave their winter haunts along the
shores during the first and second weeks of April, and about
a fortnight later the nests are to be found. These are a little

A 2

1 88 The Irish Naturalist.

more artistic than those of the Peewits, but still can hardly be
called " things of beauty." They are slightly built of dry
grass, and are placed in the centre or by the side of a fairly
large tuft of grass. The nest is very hard to find, although
the old birds alwa3's betray its presence by dashing overhead
and uttering their loud alarm notes "tuhu — tu hu." From
this cry the bird receives here the name of " Tu-hu" or rather
" Big Tu-hu," the Dunlin and Ring Plover being called the
"Wee Tu-hu."

I have a most interesting note which shows the care the
Redshank takes of its 3'oung. On 21st May, 1891, I
was working the slobland with Mr. Gibson and Mr. Bryson.
We were most anxious to find a Redshank's nest, but
feared we were too late for eggs. A pair of birds were
however dashing about overhead, and every now and then one
of them dropped to the ground some way off. We felt sure
that the young birds were near, and for some time we marched
up and down the ridges, not missing a single yard of ground.
Still no nest or nestlings were to be seen. At last, while we
were talking the matter over we suddenly caught sight of one
of the Redshanks away at the other end of the slob-ridge,
running across the very line of march we had taken. With
the bird was a little nestling, and bringing our glasses to bear
we saw that the old bird was leading the little one back to the
ground which we had just so carefully searched, so that it
would be quite clear of the unsearched ground when we
arrived at the spot.

Among the breeding birds at Inch, the Dunwn (Tringa
alpina L,.), is to me about the most interesting. In summer dress
with richly marked back, and black-banded breast, it is very
beautiful, and looks so different from the plain little grey bird
that frequents the shores in winter. On reaching the slobland,
before we see the birds we hear their purring whistle. It is
very hard to locate the exact .spot from which the sound
comes. Now it seems to sound from the water's edge, now
from the distant fields. Thompson refers to the Dunlin's
song heard in spring and summer, but I cannot say that we
ever heard an)' notes which could be called a song. We met
the birds singly and in pairs, and now and then in small flocks.
When met with singly or in pairs they were comparatively
tame. The nest is very difficult to find, and it requires con-

Notes on the Bleeding Birds of Inch. 189

siderable time to hunt up five or six. The site chosen is
always one of those small tufts of rough grass that are scattered
over the slob. The nest is nearly always placed in the centre
of the grass, but occasionally I have seen it at the side. It is
deeper and more cup-shaped than the Redshank's. The
neat little nest, with its four richly marked eggs, is a beautiful
sight. In one nest the eggs will all have a warm brown
colour with very dark markings ; in another the quartet will
be pale olive with deep gray spots. Morris says that the
Dunlin will fly towards an intruder and endeavour to draw
him away from its nest. The very opposite of this was our
experience. In no case did we find the birds near their nests,
nor did they show themselves, like the Lapwing and Red-
shank. Thompson mentions the eggs being found upon the
gravel like those of the Ringed Plover. At Inch we never
found them so. In every case the nests were upon the slobland.

A VISIT TO CASTLETOWN-BEREHAVEN.

BY DAVID M'ARDIvB.

It was my good fortune during the May of last year to ac-
company the first excursion to the extreme South-west, which
was organised by the Royal Irish Academy Flora and Fauna
Committee, my object being the working-up of the Crypto-
gamic flora of these parts, and the obtaining of specimens for
the Herbarium. Dr. Scharff and Mr. Carpenter of the
Natural History Museum, collected and investigated the land-
fauna. Professor Johnson, with Mr. Duerden, investigated
and collected marine plants and animals, and to Dr.M'Weeney
fell the difficult task of investigating the Fungi ; he also con-
jointly with myself noted and gathered the flowering plants
and ferns. The principal object of my visit was to examine
the moss and liverwort flora, which proved to be very interest-
ing, as will be obvious from the appended lists.

The following is a brief outline of our proceedings. We left
Dublin by the mail at 6.10 p.m., on the 26th May, and arrived
in Cork at 11.30. Next morning we started at 9 o'clock for
Bantr37. The scenery on the route was beautiful. On the
banks of the Bandon River the Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)

190 The Irish Naturalist.

grows abundantly ; the water was dotted with pale sheets of a
Ranunculus, which floated many yards in extent, covered
with flowers. In the small lakes in the adjacent bogs the
White Water-lily (Nymphcea alba) was in full bloom, and ferns
of the Lastrea type clothed the ditch banks, mixed with large
specimens of the Irish Spurge (Euphorbia hibema). A shallow
peat-bog was most interesting ; the turf was being removed
for fuel, and exposed the remains of an ancient forest. Many
of the trunks were prostrate as they fell, others, much shorter,
were standing in their natural position. From Bantry there
are two routes to Castletown-berehaven, where we were to
stay, one by water, and the other by land. One of the party
went in a small steam-boat, taking luggage, &c, while the
remainder continued the journey by car, not a " Bianconi,"
on which most of us at some period or other have made long
journeys, but a comfortable omnibus, from the outside of
which one can enjoy the scenery, and we soon made con-
siderable progress through a most interesting country, the
road being flanked on either side by wild rocky glens clothed
with verdure. The harbour of GlengarifT soon appeared in
view, then the village, where we remained for a short time to
change horses, and on again for Castletown-berehaven. We
got an excellent view of the Sugar-loaf and Caha Mountains.
The " Deadhe," or Hungry-hill is conspicuous above all the
others from its towering height ; on its summit is a small lake
that bears the reputation of harbouring something " uncanny "
beneath its dark waves, and two of our party, when collecting
there, were warned in a solemn strain by a kindly native not
to go near it. We passed the famous waterfall at Adrigole,
and although only a slight stream was then falling we could
form an idea of its grandeur after a heavy rainfall. We soon
arrived at our destination, and were comfortably settled in
Mrs. Murphy's Hotel.

The following day (Sunday) was quiet, and with the excep-
tion of an afternoon stroll about Dunboy, we did no actual
work. On the 29th we carefully examined the bogs and lakes
about Castletown-bere, and on to Pulleen. On the river bank
Rosa viollissima was in bloom, and partly submerged Littorella
lacustris was in fine form. On the rocks at the mouth of the
river at Pulleen Cove we gathered Templeton's pretty
Enthostodon, and a rare liverwort, Fossombronia angulosa,

A Visit to Castletown- Berehaven. 191

Dicks., which was growing abundantly in the crevices of the
rocks forming the bed of the stream. On the 30th, Dr.
M'Weeney and I crossed to Bere Island, noted the more
common plants, and took specimens of any rare or interest-
ing ones, amongst which was Cicendia filiformis, of which Dr.
M'Weeney detected a few plants near the end of the island,
not far from Piper's Point. This was the most interesting
find amongst the flowering plants. We also gathered
Nasturtium amphibium, Br., Rosa pimpinellifolia, L,., Myosotis
collina, Hoffm., and a few plants of Pingtdcula lusita?iica, I,.
Amongst the mosses I gathered Campylopus /ongipihcs, Bridel.,
and C. setifoliuSy Wils., and the following rare liverworts : —
Fwillania germana, Taylor, Cephalozia denudata, Spruce (L,ind-
berg), previously known to grow in only two localities in Ire-
land ; C. divaricata var. Starkii, Spruce ( =J. Starkii, Funck),
Kantia arg7tta, Nees., Nardia hyali7ia, Lyell., Fossombronia
pusi/ta, L., F. angulosa, Dicks. The early part of the day only
was favourable for our work, as in the afternoon it rained
heavily, which, however, did not prevent us from covering a
large portion of the island, and gathering many plants. A
week might be spent collecting on the island with good results.
On the 31st, Dunboy Wood and adjacent bogs were carefully
examined. Saxifraga umbrosa and Euphorbia hiberna were
in fine form ; amongst the liverworts, Lejetmea flava, Swartz,
the typical plant, not differing in form or luxuriance from
specimens gathered by Dr. Spruce in the Amazon Valley in
South America, and seven other species of the genus were
gathered in more or less abundance in this moist, warm,
shaded wood, including Harpa-Lejeunea ovata, Taylor (Spruce).
I also detected Kantia arg?ita, Nees., Nardia kya/ina, Lyell.,
and Metzgeria conjugata, Dill., and doubtless other varieties
would reward a careful search. On the bogs, Drosera rotundifolia
and D. intermedia were abundant and vigorous in the bright
sunshine. A plant of the latter species had enfolded a Dragon-
fly with its glandular tentacles.

On June 1st, at 6 a.m., we all boarded the steamship
"Tearaght " in Bantry Bay, commanded by Captain M'Combie,
who was much interested in our work, and promised to land
us on Dursey Island, which he was passing. We had a good
view of the rocky coast, Pulleen Harbour, Ballydonegan Bay,
&c. ; a sumptuous breakfast with our kind host concluded

192 The /risk Naturalist.

this little sea trip, which is not likely to be forgotten by us.
The island we found scanty in vegetation on account of its
exposed position and the dry season. Sencbiera Coronop?is was
plentiful near the sea where we landed. Anthyllis mdneraria
was abundant in bloom everywhere, and isolated patches of
Rosa spinosissima were met with in several places. Asplenium
marinum and Crithmum maritimum were plentiful amongst
the rocks near the sea. Amongst the mosses Campy lopus
longipilus, Bridel., was plentiful in damp places, and on the
rocks Grimmia trichophylla, Greville, and G.leucophcea, Greville,
were gathered. The rarest amongst the liverworts collected
were Frullania germa?ia, Taylor, Cephalozia divaricata var.
Starkii, Spruce, Nardia obovata, Nees (Carrington), very
scarce ; this is the true plant, with ascending stems and
purple rootlets. N. hyalina, I,yell, Fossombronia augulosa,
Dicks., plentiful amongst rocks near the sea. We collected
carefully up to the highest point of the island at Ballymac-
allach (?), from which the view of the Kerry mountains
compensated in some degree for the scantiness of the vege-
tation. We crossed from the island to the mainland at
Garnish-point, and collected on the coast and hills for some
distance, where we were joined by the rest of the party, and
drove into Castletown. On June 2nd, we started early for
Adrigole, and struck the river about 3^- miles from the water-
fall, following its rather tortuous course, and some good
collecting was done . Cicendiafiliformis we gathered sparingly
by the side of a pathway ; Lobelia Dortmanna in bloom by the
river bank ; Pinguicula grandiflora was in great beauty, and
many pretty varieties of Orchis maculata ; O. incamata
Habenaria bifolia, and H. chlo7'a?itha, and other plants
wrere gathered in this moist valley. We ascended Caha
Mountain, following the margin of a small stream, and some
interesting cryptogams and other plants were collected. We
found Hymenophylhtm tunbridgense, Sm., and H. 7c?iilatcrale,
Willd., to be very scarce, though both species abound on the
other side of the range at Glengariff. Amongst others we
collected the following mosses and liverworts : — Campylopus
flexuosus, Dill., Distichhcm capillacczwi, Br. & Sch., Scapania
atquiloba, Dumort, S. zembrosa, Schrad., Plagiochila punctata.
Tayl., and Riccardia latifrons, Ljndberg. We arrived at the
summit about 6 p.m., and carefully examined the lakes, which

A Visit to Castletown-Berehaven 193

are numerous. Potamogeton polygo?iifolius was plentiful ;
Apium immdatum, Reich., we gathered in the largest lough
(Lough Brandy ?) We descended the rather steep slopes to
the valley of Glengariff, the woods of which afford good collect-
ing, but it was now too late to do much, so we hurried on to
the Belle Vue Hotel, tired after a hard day's work. Next
morning we started for Bantry, and on to Cork, where we got
the mid-day train, and arrived in Dublin about 5.30 p.m., and
thus ended one of those enjoyable excursions not to be for-
gotten, and far from being devoid of interest. The time for
collecting over such a wide area was very short, and the pace
in consequence was very fast. The total number of Phanero-
gams and Ferns collected or noted was 165. Of the mosses
38 species and varieties were collected, amongst them the
following nine species are not reported from Co. Cork in Dr.
D. Moore's work on the mosses of Ireland: — Campy lopus
longipi his, Bridel., C. setifo litis, Wils., C.flexuosus, Dill., Dis-
tichium capillaceum, Br. & Sch., Grimmia trichophylla, Greville,
G. lencophoea, Greville, Gymnostomum rupestre, Schwaegr.
( = Mo I Ha ceruginosa, Smith), Brytim psendotriqtietrum,
Schwaegr., B. cry thro car pum, Schwaegr. var. B. murorum,
Schimp. ( = B. imiralis, Wils.). Fifty species and varieties of
Hepatics were collected, many of these in Dunboy wood ; this
place and Glengariff would well repay a visit of longer
duration. The following twenty-seven have not been reported
from the Co. Cork previously, that I am aware of : — Fridlania
gcrmana, Taylor, Lcjetinea patens, Lindberg, L.flava, Swartz,
L fiava, Spruce (the yellow-green form), L. Moorei, Lindberg,
L. ovata, Taylor, Ccphalozia catenulata, Huben, C. bicuspidata
var. setulosa, Spruce, C. Lamersiana, Huben, C. curvifolia,
Dicks., C. {Odontochisma) demidata, Lindberg, C. divaricata
var. Starkii, Spruce, Kantia arguta, Nees, Lcpidozia setacea,
Web. (Lindberg), Scapania tmdulatavar. purpurascens, Huben,
£\ ?icmorosa, Dumort, S.umbrosa, Schrad., Plagiochila punctata,
Tayl., Nardia cre?iulata, Sm. Lindberg, N. gracillima, Sm.
Lindberg, N. obovata, Nees, N. hyalina, Lyell, Fossombronia
pusilla, Linn., F. angtdosa, Dicks. Pcllia calycina, Nees,
Metzgeria conjugata, Dill., Riccardia latifrons, Lindberg, R.
pinguis, Linn. To Mr. A. G. More, F.L.S., and Mr. R.
Lloyd Praeger I offer my best thanks for their kindness
when consulted on matters of doubtful nomenclature.

A 3

194 The Irish Naturalist.

NOTES ON GLACIAL DEPOSITS IN IRELAND.

BY PROFESSOR W. J. SOLLAS, F.R.S., AND R. LLOYD PRAEGER, B.E.

I. — The Bray River.

( Concluded from page 1 66.)

Crossing the bridge at Enniskerry, and turning back towards
Bray down the northern side of the stream, we find a steep
wooded slope rising above the stream-bed to a height of per-
haps ioo feet. This is formed of glacial deposits from foot to
summit, the lower half, roughly speaking, being boulder clay,
the upper half boulder gravels. Sections are few, and the
beds where seen are very similar in character to those on the
other side of the river, which have just been described ; we
therefore pass them by, and proceed to the interesting ex-
posures, not yet dealt with, which occur on the southern bank
between Bray and Dargle bridge. Leaving Bray, we cross the
end of a little valley where a streamlet has cut through the
drift to a depth of fifty or sixty feet, and find our first section
in a wooded bank which overhangs the stream ; the base of
the section is but a foot or two above the level of the river,
which here flows through a flat alluvium-filled valley to the
sea, with steep bluffs of drift rising boldly on either bank. In
our first section (fig. 4) we find twelve feet of red boulder clay
succeeded by a conglomerate of boulder gravels. In places
the boulder clay is clearly laminated ; at one spot fourteen
alternating horizontal layers were counted in a height of six
inches, the different laminae being distinguished hy the pre-
dominance of sand or clay ; while a band of small pebbles,
some three inches in thickness, was traced horizontally along
the cliff for a distance of thirty to forty feet. The stones in the
boulder clay are for the most part small (one inch in dia-
meter), but a few are one to two feet across ; they consist
chiefly of Carboniferous limestone. Cambrian quartzite, and
granite. The flatter stones lie parallel to the lamination planes ;
the larger and more irregular fragments lie in no particular
direction. A careful examination of this laminated clay re-
vealed no indication of shearing having taken place, and the
stratification appeared such as could only be produced by
deposition in water. Fragments of marine shells are frequent.
The clay becomes a little more stony towards the top, and is

Notes on Glacial Deposits in Ireland.

Fig. 4.

r95

MiAMihtM*

BOULOER
GRAVELS

BOULDER
CLAY

succeeded sharply by boulder gravels, in the form of loose
coarse angular sand, without clay, and containing pebbles of
all sizes. The surface of the boulder clay being cleared of this
deposit, it was observed that the stones in the clay projected
quite irregularly, without forming a pavement or showing any
general striation. The stones in the boulder gravels were as
usual — Carboniferous limestone, red Cambrian slate, granite,

196 The Irish Naturalist.

riebeckite granophvre, and vein quartz, many thoroughly
rounded. One inch above its junction with the boulder clay
the deposit is cemented into a hard conglomerate for a thick
ness of several feet. This section corresponds to that which
lies near the road on the other side of the river. As we pass
up the river-bank along this section, the boulder gravels
present us with an exceedingly complex succession of deposits.
Not far from the section just described, we observe above
the boulder clay a bed of fine sand some five feet thick, well
laminated, and containing numerous fragments of Tellina
balthica, Astai'tc siilcata, A. borealis, Leda per?iula, and other
species of marine shells. This is succeeded by fourteen feet
of boulder gravels, of the usual character in the lower half, but
in the upper half formed of an irregular layer composed
almost exclusively of fragments of slate. Above this is ten
feet of exceedingly fine laminated sand. The boulder gravels
contain blocks of granite, some three feet long by one foot six
inches thick. One of these is of particular interest since it
contains spodumene, and closely resembles the granite which
occurs at Ballycorus Hill, two miles to the N.W. ; granite con-
taining spodumene was also at one time found in the quarry at
Killiney, four miles N. The boulder gravels continue with
varying character some distance up the stream. The bed
characterised by slate fragments thins out in lenticular fashion
within a short distance. Near its termination the slate frag-
ments were observed lying parallel with the oblique lamination
which there characterises the deposit. A remarkable feature
of this bed here is the presence of numerous included rolled
fragments of red boulder clay. The occurrence of great frag-
ments and pebbles of boulder clay is a noticeable feature of the
boulder gravels near their junction with the boulder clay. The
occurrence near the base of the boulder gravels of a distinct
layer of pebbles to which pebbles of boulder clay contribute is
also to be observed. We need not refer again to the varying
character of the boulder gravels at this place except to observe
that the fine sand replaces the gravels and pebbly beds until
thirty feet of finest sand appears, extending down to within
twelve feet of the river. A little further up the valley pebbly
boulder gravels again come in, and eventually entirely replace
the sand.

As regards the boulder clay, its lamination may be frequently

Notes 07i Glacial Deposits in Ireland. 197

observed, particularly in its upper portion ; it is well seen in
the cliff at the sluice where a mill-race leaves the river two-
thirds of a mile above Bray Bridge. Here the lower part is
horizontally banded somewhat coarsely, and contains large
boulders ; in the upper portion it becomes much more finery,
but still horizontally laminated, and the included stones are
smaller ; in this portion blackish layers are separated by white
ones of granite sand, two inches in thickness. Shell fragments
are abundant here ; the species identified were Cardiumedule,
Cyprina Islandica, Astarte sulcata, A. borcalis, Tellina balthica,
Mya truncata. The boulder clay is here overlaid b}^ a bed of
boulders, remarkable for their size, being frequently three feet
long by two feet high. One of them was of I^ambay porphyry,
rounded, polished, and grooved. If we ascend the cliff and
the succeeding slope to the S.E., we reach a road leading to
Bray, which runs above the valley parallel to the stream, and
in a cutting here is seen a blue sandy clay, containing striated
boulders chiefly of Carboniferous limestone, together with
granite, and also fragments of marine shells. This is evidently
a boulder clay overlying the boulder gravels, and separated
by them from the thick deposit of boulder clay which we have
described ; numerous other sections terminate upward in a
somewhat similar manner.

It is an admitted generalisation, to which we have found no
exception, that the surface of the rocks underlying the boulder
clay have been denuded by glaciation ; and the district which
we have described, like other districts in Ireland, has evidently
been overridden by ice. This denuded surface is overlaid by
a thick deposit of boulder clay, which points clearly to a
period of deposition. The conditions under which the
boulder clay was deposited cannot have been, as appears
so generally assumed, the same as those under which the
district was denuded. Fine clay is generally deposited in
quiet waters some distance from its source, and our boulder
clay has much the aspect of a tranquil marine deposit. On
the other hand, the boulder clay contains large stones, but
these are of an exceptional character, they show signs of
glaciation, and are suggestive of a different mode of transport.
Judging from the thickness of the boulder clay, the conditions
under which it was deposited must have persisted for a con-
siderable period. The intercalation of occasional beds of

198 The Irish Naturalist.

gravel and sand marks episodes in this period prophetic of the
great change of conditions which brought in the boulder
gravels. These, by their coarseness, and by their sudden and
frequent changes of character, can only have been deposited
by swiftly moving water, which was even capable of denuding
the boulder clay in one place before depositing it as rounded
pebbles in another.

INSECTS COLLECTED BY THE ROYAL IRISH
ACADEMY FLORA AND FAUNA COMMITTEE,

1893.

BY REV. W. P. JOHNSON, M.A., F.E.S., J. N. HAEBERT, and

GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC.

LEPIDOPTERA.

No very striking results rewarded our work among the butterflies and
moths, the majority of the species obtained being common and widely
distributed. Under these circumstances we content ourselves with a
simple enumeration of the insects from each locality, commenting only
on the scarcer and more interesting specimens at the end.

At CooemorE the following species were taken : — Pararge egeria, P.
megecra, Satyrus semele, Epitiephele ianira, E. hyperanthes, Argynnis paphia,
Vanessa tirticce, V. atalania, Polyommatns phlaias, Lyca&na icarus, Pieris rapce, P.
napz, Zygcena filipendtilae, Niidaria mnndana, Arctia caia, Notodonia ziczac,
Lcucania conigera, L. comma, Xylophasia lithoxylea, X. monoglypha, Charceas
graminis, Luperina lestacea, Maniestra fiirva, Apamea leucostigma, A. didyma,
JMiana fasciuncula, AT. literosa, AT. bicoloria, Caradrina laraxaci, C.
quadripunctata, Agrotis vestigialis, A. tntici, Noctua augur, N. baia, N.
xanthographa, Triphccna ianthina, T. comes, T. pronuba, Amphipyratragopogonis,
Polia chi, Phlogophora meticulosa, Hadena oleracea, Gonoptera libatrix, Plusia
gamma, Habrostola tripartita, H. triplasia, Hypena proboscidialis, Selenia
bilunaria, Acidalia bisetata, Abraxas grossulariata, Larentia didymata, Hypsipetes
sordidata, Melanippe sociata, M. fluctuata, Camptogramma bilineata, Cidaria testata,
Pehirga comitata, Etibolia limitata, Anaitis plagiata, Scopula lutealis, Hydrocampa
stagnata, Platyptilia ochrodaclyla, Crambus tristellus, C. perlellus, C. cut melius,
Tortrix nbeana, Argyrotoza comuayana, Catoptria cana, Simcetkis fabriciana,
Eupcecilia atricapetana, Plutella annulatella, Lita marmorea.

At Cavan the only moths taken were Hydrcccia micacea, Tceniocampa munda
(pupae) Scopelosoma satellitia, Xanthia circellaris, Xylina ornithopus, and Oporabia
dilutata.

Around BEREHAVEN, the species captured or noted were : — Pararge
egeria, P. megocra, Cccnonympha typhon, C. pamphilus, Jlfelitoja aurinia, Vanessa
atalanta, Polyommatns phlceas, Lycccna icarus (these two lycaenids were the
only butterflies observed on Dursey), Thecla rubi, Pieris brassier, P. napi,
Euchloe cardamines, Gnophria rubricollis, Euchclia Jacobtcce, Nemeophila russula,
Spilosoma mentliastri, Boarmia repandata, Scodiona belgiaria, Ematicrga atomana,
Aspilates strigillaria, Lomaspilis marginata, Camptogramma bilineata, Botys
fuscalis, Scopula femigalis, Cram bits pratellus, Bactra lanceolana. At Gl,EN«
GARIFF, Angerona prunaria was taken.

iYlelitoea aurinia, Rott. — This butterfly was abundant at Bere*
haven. In low-lying meadows the typeform occurred, but on the slopes
of Slieve Mishkish and at Adrigole the cream-coloured var. hibernica,
Birchall (scolica, Kane) was found.

R.I. A. Committee — bisects i?i 1893. 199

Coenonympha typhon, Rott.— Common around Berehaven and
Adrigole, both on low-lying moors and on the mountains, often in
company with C. pamphilus. The presence of this butterfly, which in
Great Britain does not range south of North Wales and Derbyshire, in
the extreme south of Ireland is a striking instance of the northern
element in the fauna of the district.

Cnophria rubricoll is, L.— Berehaven; a specimen of this local
moth was taken in the wood of Dunboy.

Nemeophila russula, L,. — Berehaven; common on the elevated
moors of Slieve Mishkish and Adrigole.

IVIamcstra furva, Hb. — Coolmore ; a northern locality for this
species is of interest as Birchall recorded it only for Co. Dublin. Dr.
Scharff took it at Bundoran in August, 1889, Mr. Johnson in July, 1890,
as well as at Carlingford in August, 1888.

Apamea Ieucostigma, Hb. — Coolmore; apparently a local species
in Ireland, though widespread.

Taeniocampa munda, Esp Cavan, Killarney is the only locality

given by Birchall.

Xylina ornithopus, Rott. — Cavan. This species also is only re-
corded for southern localities — Killarney and Wicklow — by Birchall.

Camp-tog ram ma biIineata,L. — The ordinaryform of thiscommon
moth was taken at Coolmore and Castletown, but on Dursey a remarkable
melanistic variety was found, in which the yellow of both fore and
hind wings is largely replaced by a rich chestnut, a narrow transverse
ochreous band between the second and subterminal white lines alone
being left.

Pelurgacomitata, L. \ Coolmore. Birchall recorded these moths
Scopula Iutealis, Hb. J from Howth. Also occur at Armagh.

Platyptilia ochrodactyla, Hb. — Coolmore. Recorded from Cos.
Dublin and Cork. Occurs at Armagh.

Argyrotoza conwayana, Fb.— Coolmore. Taken by Birchall
in Cos. Wicklow and Galway. Occurs at Armagh.

Gatoptria cana, Haw. — Coolmore. Only recorded from Howth by
Birchall. Occurs at Armagh

Eupcecilia atricapitana, Steph. — Coolmore. Apparently not
previously recorded for the coast of Ulster.

HYMENOPTERA.

The only family of this order to which any attention was given were
the Ants, of which the following four species were taken.
Formica fusca, Latr. — Killarney. Berehaven.
Lasius flavus, D. G.— Coolmore. Killarney. Berehaven.
L. niger, Iy. — Berehaven.

IYlyrmica rubra, L., race ruginodis, Nyl.— Coolmore. Killarney
Berehaven.

race scabrinodis, Nyl.— Coolmore. Berehaven.

race Iaevinodis, Nyl.— Coolmore.

200 The Irish Naturalist.

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royal Zoological Society.

Recent donations comprise a mongoose from Mrs. Taylor ; a seal
from R. Chambers, Esq. ; a Cow-bird, a Red-headed Cardinal, a pair of
Pekin Bantams, and two Wax-bills from J. B. O'Callaghan, Esq. ; three
Corn-crakes from J. A. Cnrran, Esq. ; a pair of Long-eared Owls from L.
Owens, Esq. ; a pair of Canadian Ducks from H. M. Barton. Esq. ; four
Rabbits from Master R. L. Weldon ; three Turtle-doves from C. J.
Wallace, Esq. ; and a Water-rail from Mr. Keegan. A Golden Agouti,
two Java Peacocks, and two Wallabys have been acquired by purchase.

15,780 persons visited the Gardens in July.

Dublin Microscopical Club.
June 2 1 st.— The Club met at Mr. F. W. Moore's.

PROF. T. Johnson exhibited Litosiphon laminaria, Harv., a brown sea-
weed to be found growing in small tufts, epiphytically on Alaria esculenta,
Grew, near low-water mark all round the Irish coast. The interest of the
specimen was that it showed plurilocular sporangia, hitherto unobserved,
and filaments bearing unilocular sporangia also, an unusual feature in any
broAvn alga. Comparison of the species with Pogotrichum hibernicum,
Johnson, was made.

Dr. M'Weeney showed a slide of a curious species of Fusarium that
occurred in a zooglcea on the surface of a specially-devised nutrient liquid
which had been sterilised and then inoculated with a small trace of solid
sewage sludge. In addition to the usual sickle-shaped, triseptate spores,
smaller oval ones occurred intercalated on the mycelium, as well as
terminally, on exceedingl}7 thin, lateral, alt ernating branches. Mixed with
the hyphse, but not organically connected therewith, were very numerous
circular resting-spore-like bodies with twTo thick, highly-refractive
coats, and a relatively small amount of granular protoplasm in the centre.
Man)7 of these bodies attained a diameter of 20//, and were surrounded
by a sort of halo of finely granular mucoid-looking material. Thousands
of such bodies occurred in the zooglcea, giving it a peculiar opaque and
patchy appearance to the naked e}re. The mass of the zooglcea was
made up of the Fusarium, the bodies just described, and bacteria. The
only other organism present was a sort of uniflagellate monadine, which
jerked about with great rapidity, and was to be seen in various stages of
division, first into two, then into four segments, each of which assumed
a flagellum, and after rotating together with the others within a highly
transparent cyst wall, ultimately became free. Fortified by the opinion
of Prof. Marcus Hartog, to whom he had submitted fresh preparations,
the exhibitor was inclined to regard the thick-walled " resting-spore "
as part of the monadine's cycle of development rather than as belonging
to the Fusarium, with which it was certainly closely intermixed, but,
even with the best lenses, not organically connected. The double wall
of the object gave no cellulose reaction. The central protoplasm had
been seen to escape as an amceoid body through the inner wall, but had
not been seen to emerge through the outer covering.

Mr. M'ArdlE exhibited Jungermania attenuata, Lindenberg, an addition
to the list of Irish Hepatica:, which he collected in some quantity on the
hill of Howth in April and May of the present year, growing on peaty
soil amongst limestone rocks in company wTith TetrapJiis pellucida, Hedwig,
a pretty minute moss, with filiform erect stems, which has not been pre*
viously reported from the Count)7 Dublin. Mr. W. H. Pearson, of Man-
chester, who verified Mr. M'Ardle's specimens of the liverwort, states
that he believes Jungermania gracilis, vSchleich., has priority over attenuata,
Lindenberg, which is a pity, as the latter name is far the better.

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 201

Plants growing in dense dark green patches, stems from one-qnarter
to nearly one inch in length, lower half" nearly procumbent, radiculose,
leaves large, patent, roundish, concave, divided into two to four teeth,
innovations from upper half sub-cylindrical, leaves closely imbricate,
ovate, nearly quadrate, irregularly toothed or crenulated at apex, stipules
(underleaves) small ovate entire, often absent.

Jungerniania barbata, B. minor, Hook., Brit. Jung., t. 70, fig. 18-22 ; J.
attenuata, Lindenberg, Hepat. Europ., p. 48, No. 44 ; Dumort Hepat.
Europ. p. 71 ; Cooke's Handbook of British Hepaticse, p. 179 ; /". attenuata,
Carrington and Pearson Hepat. Brit. Exiccatae No. 74, from Abbey Wood,
Kent (E. M. Holmes) vera. In Herb. Trinity College, Dublin, under
Jungermania intermedia, Yorkshire (West legit.) Also found in Germany
and Switzerland.

Prof. GrenvieeE A. J. CoeE showed a section of Chert from the
Aptian sandstone (Hythe Beds) of Leith Hill, Surrey. The chalcedonic
silica has collected round the quartz-grains of the sand, firmly cementing
them, and includes also numerous grains of glauconite. The chief
interest, however, centres in the abundant glauconitic casts of the
tubules of hexactinellid and tetractinellid sponge-spicules, which have
been left behind as evidence of the spicular origin of the silica which now
exists in the form of chert. In some cases the original spicule remains
round about the internal cast. The casts are often larger in cross-section
than the normal tubules of sponge-spicules, owing to the enlargement of
the tubules by solution prior to the infiltration of the glauconite.

Mr. DuERDEN exhibited Plumularia similis, Hincks, a rather rare
hydroid obtained from shore-collections made between Laytown and the
mouth of the River Boyne, on the occasion of the recent visit of the
Dublin Naturalists' Field Club. It has only previously been recorded in
Ireland from Dublin Bay and Donaghadee.

Belfast Naturae History and Phieosophicae Society.

June nth. — Annual Meeting. The President (Prof. FiTzgeraed,
C.E.) in the chair. The Secretary (R. M. Young, M.R.I.A.) read the
annual report, which was passed on the motion of Mr. J. H. Davies,
seconded by Dr. M'Cormac. The Secretary read a list of the lectures
which will be given in Belfast next winter in connection with the
Gilchrist Trust. Prof. Fitzgerald having expressed his wish to retire
from the office of President, a vote of thanks to him for his services was
passed, on the motion of Mr. R. Lloyd Patterson, seconded by Mr. Work-
man. At a meeting of the Council held subsequently, Mr. R. Leoyd
Patterson was elected President for the ensuing year ; the other officers
resumed office.

NOTES

BOTANY.

PHANEROGAMS.

A New Irish Bramble. — In the Journal of Botany for July Rev. E.
F. Linton publishes, under the name of Rubus Rogersii, a description of a
bramble allied to A', plicatus, opacus, nitidus, and ajfinis, which he considers
distinct, and names in honour of Rev. W. Moyle Rogers, who has done
so much to aid the study of British brambles. One of its five known
stations is in Ireland— Saintfield, Co. Down, where it was collected last
year by Rev. C. H. Waddell.

202 The Irish Naturalist,

Carex axillaris and Filago minima in Co. Dublin. — Towards
the end of July last, while availing myself of permission kindly granted
me by the Great Northern Railway Company to examine the embank-
ments of their line within the Co. Dublin, I had the good fortune to come
across a few large tufts of Carex axillaris (Good.) in marshy ground near
Malahide. This rare sedge has been regarded as a hybrid between C.
remote and C. muricata ; but in this station, though the first of the reputed
parents was present in abundance, accompanied by C. vidpina and C.
divulsa, C. muricata, a species I have long sought for without success in
the Co. Dublin, was quite absent. Mr. A. G. More, to whom I have
submitted specimens, prefers to regard the plant as a product of C.
remota and C. vulpina. There is no previous record of C. axillaris in
Co. Dublin, and elsewhere in Ireland it appears to have been observed
in only one station in addition to those given in Cybele Hibernica and Mr.
More's Recent Additions to the Flora of Ireland, on the L'pper Barrow, in
Queen's Co., where it was found by Mr. Hart in 1884. (See four, of
Bot., Jan., 1885).

For Filago minima, a rather uncommon species in Ireland, there seems
to be no Co. Dublin station on record, so that it may be of interest
to note here its occurrence in considerable quantity at Balalley, near the
Three Rock mountain, where I found it growing amongst the debris of a
granite quarry in July last. — Nathaniel Coi^gan, Dublin.

ZOOLOGY

PYCNOGONIDA.

Further Irish Localities for Pycnogons. — On page 67 of the
present volume I recorded an additional locality for Anoplodactylus petiolaUts.
I have since received from Mr. J. E. Duerden numerous specimens of
both sexes of this species dredged by the Harlequin in yet two other
stations — one (222), Boylash Bay, Co. Donegal, 20 fms. sand ; the other
(148) to the south of Aran Islands, 39 fms. sand. This species is there-
fore known to range along nearly the whole of the west coast.

Mr. Duerden has also kindly handed me some pycnogons collected by
him in the rock pools of Dursey in May, 1893. The species represented
are Pycnogonum liltorale, Phoxichilidium femoratnm, Nymphon gracile, and N.
rubrum ; the last had hitherto been known only from the east coast.

From Mr. H. H. Dixon I have received Nymphon gallicum taken in
Smerwick Harbour.

A specimen of Chcvtonymphon hirtum, Fab., taken off Dalkey Island by
the late Dr. Kinahan, has recently come to light in the museum. Rev.
Canon Norman has recently (Ann. M. N. H., Feb., 1894. ) given good reasons
for reckoning C. spinosum, Goods, (which Thompson recorded from Belfast
Bay) as a synonym of this species.— Geo. H. Carpenter.

INSECTS.

Vespa arborea, Sm . in Co. Dublin. — In the Irish Naturalist for
July (p. 157), I mentioned that this rare wasp was not among those taken
this spring at Bray by Mr. Barrington. During June and July however
it occurred at two localities in Co. Dublin, Mr. H. B. Rathborne taking
a queen at Dunsink, and Mr. G. Low two at Dundrum. These latter are
remarkable in having the yellow line on the scape of the antenne
almost obsolete, but in all other respects they are typical. Mr. E.
Saunders, in his work on British Hymenoptera now appearing, states
that this wasp is a variety of V. austriaca, Pauz., by which name it will
therefore henceforth be known. It is to be hoped the male, and as yet
unknown worker, may soon be found. — Geo. H. Carpenter.

Notes. 203

Coleoptera in Co. Dublin.— The following is a list of some beetles
recently taken by me about Dublin, given with the intention of recording
a few species new to the district, or Ireland, and of supplying additional
localities for some already recorded. Elaphrus cupreus, Dodder bank,
Friarstown Glen, locally common ; Leistus rufescens, Santry ; Dromius
quadrinotatus, Enniskerry, and under hawthorn bark, Phoenix Park, much
rarer than quadrimaculatus ; Chlcenius nigricornis, Dodder bank, Friarstown
Glen ; Olisthopus rotundatus, common under stones on Howth ; Cillenus
lateralis, shore near Sutton, under sea-weed, previously recorded by Mr.
Haliday both from this district and the south-west coast of Ireland ;
Bembidium rufescens, Tolka Valley, under hawthorn bark ; B. atrocceruleum,
Royal Canalbank(newto Dublin list); Ccelambus quinquelineatus, Royal Canal,
Santry, Raheny, etc., frequent; Deronectes assiimlis, in the spring of last
3'ear this beetle was verv common in the Roval Canal near Dublin, it
seemed not to be so common this season ; Deronectes xii.-pustulatus,
Dodder, near Dublin (Dr. Scharff took it last May in the quarries near
Raheny) ; Enochrus bicolor, I found a specimen last summer in the old
quarries at Raheny and again last May (it does not seem to have been
previously recorded from Ireland) ; Laccohius sinuatus, in moss from
Dodder bank, Terenure ; Tachyporus obtusus var. nitidicollis, Santry, etc.,
common. Qmdius cinctus, and Q. molochinus, under stones, in moss, etc.,
plantations, Mt. Pelier, Dublin mountains ; in the same locality
last autumn I took a specimen of Q. picipes, a species as far as I
can ascertain not previously noted as Irish. Xantholinus glabratus
and X tricolor, both occurred on the Scalp ; Stenus jlavipes, Santry, etc.,
frequent ; S. cicindeloides, two specimens in moss from Portmarnock (both
species new to Dublin list) ; Philorinum sordidum, Howth ; Scaphisoma
agaracinum, in a rotten stump, Woodlands near Lucan ; Necraphorus
mortuorum, I found a specimen some years ago at Tibradden ; Hippodamia
xiii. -punctata, Woodlands; Adalia obliterata, common by sweeping under
Conifers, Santry, Lucan, etc. ; Hcdyzia xvi.-guttata, off Conifers, in the
Lucan demense; H. xviii. -guttata, Tolka Valley, Phcenix Park, etc.,
much rarer than H. xiv. -guttata ; H. xxii.-punctata, frequent, Santry,
Portmarnock (very common), etc., Telmatophilus caricis, quarries near
Raheny, sweeping; Paramecosoma melanocephalum, One specimen in
flood-refuse from Tolka (both this and the former species are
new to the Dublin list) ; Aphodius rufescens, Scalp, etc. ; A. p>orcus,
Woodlands, one specimen (new to Dublin list) ; Geotrupes spiniger, near
Dublin ; Corymbites quercus, occurred in the Lucan demesne ; Telephorus
nigricans var. discoideus, by sweeping at the edge of a small stream,
Tibradden; 1'elephoius tltoracicus, Royal Canal bank near Blanchards-
town, a local species in England (new to Dublin list) ; Malthodes
atomus, Santry, a few specimens, sweeping low plants ; Priobium
castaneum, Malahide ; Gastrophysa polygoni, local, Santry, Tallaght, etc.;
Lochncea suturalis, Howth and Bray Head ; Crepidodera rufipes, locally
common, Lucan, etc. ; Psylliodes cuprea, Portmarnock ; Cassida flaveola,
Santry, sweeping, last June (new to Dublin list) ; Crypticus quisquilius,
shore near Sutton ; Safpingus castaneus, Santry, one specimen, sweep-
ing under Conifers (new to Ireland) ; S. ceratus, local, Tibradden
and Blanchardstown ; RJtinosimus ruficolhs and R. viridipennis, Santry,
under moss on an old tree stump, last December (the former is new
to Dublin, and the latter, of which only two specimens occurred, is
apparently new to Ireland) ; Otiorrhynchus mourns, locally abundant, Santry,
Portmarnock, etc., I noticed it very common last summer ; Barypeithes
sulcifrons, Boh., one specimen, Woodlands ; Polydrusus chrysomela, several
last May, from under stones at one spot on the shore, near Sutton, a little
above high-water mark, it is, I think, very local, and only occurred to
me at the one place (I cannot find any previous Irish record for this
interesting species, but I believe Mr. Ray Hardy has taken it in
Co. Kerry). Phyllobius pomome, Portmarnock ; Barynotus Schonherri, Royal
Canal bank ; B. elevatus, in moss from Santry ; Hypera pollux, Santry,

204 The Irish Naturalist.

rarer than IT. rwnicis ; //. triUneatus, Tallaght. Orchestes ilicis, occurred
twice in the Lucan Demesne (new to Ireland); Bagous alismatis,
occurred in the Royal Canal, last summer ; Gymnetron labilis, in
numbers on a railway bank near Portmarnock (new to Dublin list) ;
A nthonomus ubni, Portmarnock ; A. rub?', frequent, Lucan, etc.; Ceuthorrhynckus
i ricce, Howth and Bray Head, common ; C. Utura, I obtained this species
off thistles, in several localities, Portmarnock, Santry, Castleknock,
etc. ; Mr. Cuthbert has taken it at Maynooth, and Rev. W. F. Johnson
in Co. Donegal ; it is remarkable howT such a conspicuous insect could
have been so long overlooked ; Ceuthorrhynchidiusfloralis, in moss, Dodder
bank, Terenure ; EubrycTdus velatus, I found this interesting species at
Santry by sweeping near a pond, in early summer, and again, last
November, it occurred in large numbers in the chinks and under the bark
of pieces of wood left on the mud at the edge of the pond (new to the
Dublin list) ; Magdalis armigera, Santry last summer I took one specimen
off a young birch tree, and recently another off elm. (I cannot find an}^
other Irish record). Its occurrence on the above-mentioned trees is
worth recording, as in England it is usually obtained in dead twigs
and hedges. — J. N. Halbert, Dublin.

BIRDS.

Flock of Wild Geese at Kingstown.— When on the platform of
the Kingstown railway station on Friday the 21st ult., during the regatta,
my attention was called to a flock of Wild Geese which was passing
over the Club House (R. St. George), going S.E. There were seven
geese going in single file. It is the first flock I have seen under the
circumstances, and the passage of these birds during the month of July
may be a matter worth bringing under the notice of naturalists ; hence
my short note.— J. P. O'REiiyi/Y, Dublin.

Sand Martins nesting in a Ruin. — Mr. R. Warren writes to
Zoologist for August that during last week in June he observed a number
of Sand Martins nesting in deep crevices between the stones of the ruined
castle on Garrison Island, Lough Cullen, Co. Mayo.

GEOLOGY.

Ctenacanthus denticulatus, IYI'Coy. — To the geological collec-
tion of Belfast Museum there has lately been added a specimen of a fossil
fish spine representing Ctenacanthus denticulatus. M'Coy. For this species
the late Mr. Davis, in his valuable monograph of the fishes of the British
Carboniferous Limestone, records only one locality, namely — " Monaduff,
Drumlist, North of Ireland,1" Monaduff is not in the North of Ireland :
the correct citation is Monaduff, Drumlish, Co. Longford. The Memoirs
of the Irish Geological Survey give us very little palseontological
information as to this place. They do not record this species, but mention
is made of undetermined fragments of fish remains at Monaduff. The
exact locality is Monaduff, quarries on south side of road to Arvagh, about
two miles north-east of Drumlish. The specimen now in Belfast Museum
is from the Carboniferous shales at Cultra, Co. Down. It is from the
collection of the late James MacAdam, F.G.S., and has been presented by
his brother, Mr. Robert MacAdam. The genus Ctenacanthus is stated by
Davis to occur only in the shales underlying the Coal Measures and this
holds good so far as our specimen is concerned. The rocks at Monaduff
are described in the Survey memoir as dark gray sandy shales and flags,
a description which answers equally well for the Cultra locality.
Another resemblance is the occurrence oiModiola MacAdamiiaX Monaduff,
so that both lithological and palseontological characters indicate that
the beds exposed in Longford and in Down are of similar age. — S. A.
SticwarT, Belfast.

1 Davis, Scicnt. Trans., Roy. Dublin Soc, part 25, 1883.

Vol. III. OCTOBER, 1894. No. 10.

RARE PLANTS IN WEST CORK.

BY R. A. PHIUJPS.

During the last fortnight in July, I spent a few days in the
neighbourhood of Castletown-Berehaven and Adrigole, with
the object of collecting, and to see growing for myself some of
the very rare plants which have been recorded from that
district.

On my first day at Castletown I visited the pretty little
waterfall of Millcove, about one and a-half miles from the
town, and in the wood through which the fall is approached
was agreeably surprised to see on a damp spot, a luxuriant
patch of Juncus tenuis, Willd. The following day I again
found the same plant in a very similar habitat in the
woods at Dunboy, about four miles south-west of the last
station. In both of these localities the rush grew sparingly.
During the next few days I met with it in abundance near
Adrigole, about eight miles east of the first station. Here
it was not so luxuriant as in the woods, and occurred prin-
cipally on damp roadsides, and bare spots by the sides of
streams, not in the turf, associated with such plants as
Cicendia filiformis, Anthemis ?iobilis, Eufragia viscosa, Scute/-
laria minor, Juncus bufonius, andy. lamprocarpiis.

This is one of the rarest of British plants, and in Ireland
has hitherto been known to exist only in a few places along
the estuary of the Kenmare River, where it was first found
by Mr. R. W. Scully, and it is with much pleasure that I now
record it as an addition to the Flora of Co. Cork.

The other plants which I noticed have all been recorded
from the county before, but some of them are new to the
Castletown district. Among the more interesting may be
mentioned Arbutus Unedo and Trichomanes radica?is, two
species which are probably on the eve of extinction in Cork.
Of the first I saw seven trees on Adrigole Mountain ; they all

A

206 The Irish Naturalist.

grew in the clefts of high rocks, and, as might be expected in
such situations, were rather stunted in appearance.

The Trichomanes I saw growing sparingly on two moun-
tains near Adrigole. This beautiful fern and its value are now
well-known to every peasant in the district, and many places
were pointed out to me from which it has been exterminated
within the last few years.

Near Adrigole I discovered a new station for Asplcnium
la?iccolatnm, but lest it should, like the Killarney Fern, suffer
the penalty of its rarity, and fall a prey to the Glengariff
guides and tourists, it will perhaps be better not to describe
the exact locality.

On the mountains and also near the sea-level, Saxifraga
umbrosa, S. hirsuta, and 6". Gcum were abundant, and on
Hungry Hill were quantities of Saxifraga stellaris, which in
this station assumes a large, hairy form, very different in
appearance from English and other specimens I have seen.
It was in a viviparous condition on wet rocks at about 1,000
feet, and particularly luxuriant on the turfy sides of a stream
which runs through the bog at the summit of the mountain.
On Hungry Hill I also gathered Sedum Rhodiola, Solidago
virgaurea var. cambrica, Ante7inaria dioica, Lobelia Dortmanna,
Campanula rotundifolia, Melampyrum pratense (a peculiar dwarf
variety), Pinguicula vulgaris, Littorella lacustris, Empctrum
nigrum, Eriophorum vaginatum, Hymenophyllum IVilsoni,
Lycopodhim Sclago and Isoetes lacustris.

On the lowland bogs and pastures were to be seen in abund-
ance Droscra intermedia, Hypericum elodes, Ciceudia filiformis,
Eufragia viscosa, Scutellaria minor, Pinguicula grandiflora,
P. lusitanica, Euphorbia hibcrna (well known in the district
by the name of " Bonnik-sean "), Rhynchospora fusca, R. alba,
Carex cxtensa, Lastrea cemula, and, not quite so plentiful, the
white varieties of Calluna vulgaris and Erica tetralix, Carrx
punctata, and Lastrea Oreoptcris.

The most notable wayside plants were Chelidouium majus
(near a house), Sileneanglica, Agrimonia odorata, and Anthemis
nob His.

Such are a few of the rarities observed during a short stay
in a district which is as full of interest for the lover of the
picturesque and the antiquary as it is for the lover of nature.

[ 207 ]
THE CROSSBIU, AT BALLYHYLAND, CO. WEXFORD.

BY C. B. MOFFAT.

According to Mr. Ussher's recent report on the breeding
range of birds in Ireland (R.I. A. Proc, (3), vol. iii.), the
large numbers of Crossbills observed in this country in 1888-90
have diminished. As the Crossbill is now (August, 1894)
more plentiful in this part of the County Wexford than I have
ever before known it, I think a few notes on the subject of
its visitations to our neighbourhood may be worth communi-
cating.

During the period indicated as that of the Crossbill's
maximum abundance in Ireland (1888-90), I saw it at Bally-
hyland but once, viz., in October, 1889, when I came on a
company of some fifteen birds eating Larch-seed in trees by a
roadside. But a flock of ten which I saw similarly employed
in the woods on January 15th, 1891, may, for aught I know,
have previously frequented the vicinity for great part of the
autumn and winter months of 1890, during which I had been
absent an d could not have discovered them . Again leaving for
Dublin on January 17th, not to return till mid-June, I saw no
more of these birds ; and careful search during the summer and
winter of 1891 failed to give any indications of their presence.

But on August 12th, 1892, noticing a footpath strewn with
green Larch-cones freshly hacked after the characteristic
manner of the Crossbill, I looked around more carefully, and
in a few minutes saw a party of the birds feeding near me.
Further investigation during the next few days revealed the
presence of several small flocks of Crossbills in different parts
of the woods. There were companies of seventeen, of twelve, of
three, and probably others, each party having its favourite feed-
ing grounds, where it might be found almost at stated hours
daily. The regularly-frequented trees were all Larches. At
odd times I saw a few Crossbills making a meal of Scotch Fir-
cones, or lighting on little patches of ground sprinkled over with
the debris of such a feast. But at no time of their residence
with us, which lasted for at least five months, and probably
longer, did they make more than an occasional repast in any
coniferous tree except the Larch.

I had many opportunities of watching these birds during
August, September, and October, and again (after a two

A 2

2oS The hi sh Naturalist.

months' absence on my own part) during some weeks of
December and January. By New Year's Day or thereabouts
several males had begun their song, and I hoped they would
breed. However I left the place too soon to make sure, and
when I returned, late in Jul}7, all the Crossbills had vanished.
From the somewhat recent aspect of the litter they had left in
two or three spots, I thought it likely enough that some had
stayed through the nesting-season.

Between July, 1893, and July, 1894, though not at Ballyhyland
except now and then for a few days at a time, I think I am
safe in savins: there were no Crossbills resident here. In
June last a few Larch-cones marked with their recognizable
imprint suggested that a family party had travelled by and
snatched a meal en passant, but nothing more. I was there-
fore agreeably surprised, after coming down here on the
evening of July 28th, in the present year, to see next day four
Crossbills fly across the avenue. Going into the woods on the
day following, I immediately came on another part}7 of three.
Shortly after a flock of some thirty passed overhead, and
numerous patches of ground strewn with the recently broken
green cones of the Larch plainly told that Crossbills had re-
turned in full force. In fact it was very soon apparent that
their forces had much increased since 1892, for though most
of the parties observed were small (twros, threes, fours, fives,
&c), the wild " chip, chip, chip" of the bird was continually
calling attention to its presence; as a little company flitted
from one feeding station to another; and it was quite impossible
to form an estimate of the number of such small family parties,
as I found them in every plantation in the neighbourhood.

These details may seem dry and unsuggestive, but they are
not, I believe, without their bearing on the history of the
Crossbill's migrations. During the summer of 1890 the harvest
of Larch-cones at Ballyhyland was abundant, and the birds
wThich I saw in the course of the ensuing winter were evidently
making these cones their staple diet. In 1891, on the contrary,
the Larches very generally failed to produce cones, — as the
Beeches, the same year, totally failed to bear mast,— and
though Pine-cones were as plentiful as usual we had no
Crossbills that season. In 1892 the crop of green Larch-cones
was abundant, and the Crossbills returned, remaining the
autumn and winter, and possibly the spring. But in 1893

The Crossbill at Ballyhyland, County Wexford. 209

again the Larches were unproductive, and by July the Crossbills
had left us, not to appear certainly earlier than June, 1894.
This summer we have again a rich abundance of Larch-cones,
and here we have again the Crossbills feasting upon them, in
greater numbers than ever.

Thus the experience of five seasons tends strongly to con-
firm the view that the Crossbill's migratory movements are
determined by local variations in the supply of its favourite
diet. The cones of Pinus sylvestris (the Scotch Fir) have been
plentiful every year at Ballyhyland during the period under
notice. Hence it is clear that the Crossbill (whose Scandi-
navian kinsmen have to subsist mainly on cones of this pine)
was not seriously pressed for food, but was merely gratifying
a preference in quitting our woods in 1891 and 1893 for other
haunts, where he may have found Larch-cones in sufficient
abundance for his liking.

So full an account of this bird's habits has already been
given in the pages of the Irish Naturalist (vol. L, p. 8., &c),
by Mr. R. J. Ussher that I am reluctant to occupy space with
further details. But I subjoin a few observations with re-
ference to its feeding habits, because these afford much the
readiest indications of the bird's presence in any given locality,
and because I have reason to think the Crossbill, in spite of
its brilliant plumage, tame character, and noisy manner during
flight, is still a bird which very commonly eludes observa-
tion, even in districts where its stay has been more or less
protracted.

The crackling noise which Crossbills make in the trees
when a number of them are feeding is frequently alluded to,
but it should be added that this is audible as a rule only in
winter, when the cone-scales are crisp ; and during the
summer months any person unaccustomed to distinguish
birds by their call-notes is likely to overlook the presence of
even a considerable number of Crossbills, unless he observes
and guesses at the meaning of the litter of cones under their
feeding-trees, — an unfailing clue, when once understood.

The only other common denizens of our woods which
habitually wrench off entire cones before proceeding to ex-
tract their seed are the Rook and the Squirrel, both of which
act quite differently from the Crossbill, as well as from one
another. The Rook carries off the green cones of the Scotch

2 1 o The I?ish Na turn list.

Fir in large numbers, and hacks away the exterior bit by bit,
so clumsily that one may pick up a dozen on which he has
operated without finding one whose seeds he has reached.
The Squirrel's mode is to snip off the scales, dropping a de-
nuded core to the earth. The Crossbill pursues a method
peculiar to himself. The cone which he lets fall, if a Larch
cone, is marked simply by two longitudinal gashes cut from
near the centre to the edge of each scale. If a Pine-cone,
it presents an aspect more illustrative of the bird's mechanical
power — the scales being all completely loosened, and hanging
disjointedly like the appendages of a rattle. At first sight one
would imagine that totally different methods had been em-
ployed in extracting the seeds of the two trees. The differ-
ence, however, is not in the Crossbill's modus operandi, but in
the stage at which the scales of the cone yield to it. Those of
the Larch (as might be expected of a tree whose seeds the Gold-
finch, Siskin and Lesser Redpole so easily extract) at once
suffer the points of the Crossbill's inserted mandibles to pierce
their tissue, and thus escape being loosened at the base by
main pressure. The toughness of the Pine-scale is the raiso?i
d'etre of the Crossbill's peculiar formation, and the same act
on the bird's part which rends into ribbons the scale of the
Larch merely disturbs and forces upwards that of the
Pine.

On one unimportant particular, I must venture to differ from
Mr. Ussher, who states {Irish Nat., vol. i., p. 9) that a Cross-
bill commences to work a cone at the apex. I have watched
the operation many times, and have invariably found the com-
mencement to be at the base of the cone. I have also picked
up scores of cones which had been dropped unfinished ; in all
these, without exception, the scales of the large end had been
lacerated, and those at the small end left entire.

In September, 1892, I was for some time much puzzled over
the voice of a bird I heard singing in the woods by night, at
full moon. Eventually it proved to be the Crossbill, to whose
" Songs, like legends, strange to hear,"

I thus listened, for the first time, under somewhat unwonted
conditions.

C 211 ]

THE IRISH FIELD CLUBS.

BY R. LLOYD PRAEGER, B.E.,
vSecretary, Dublin Nat. Field Club ; Ex-Secretary, Belfast Nat. Field

Club.

II. — THE DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB.

It might have been more appropriate that this short history
of the Dublin Field Club should have been written by Pro-
fessor Haddon, its founder, or by some other of the eminent
men of science who have watched over it from its infancy, and
still take an active interest in its welfare ; but though I cannot
write of the early days of the Club from personal recollection,
the minute-book lies open before me, so I trust that at least
I shall not err as to fact, however wanting niy account ma}-
be in regard to sentiment.

The conditions under which the Dublin Club came into
existence were widely different from those which I have al-
ready described as attending the birth of the Field Club of
Belfast. Firstly, there was the lapse of nearly a quarter of a
century, bringing with it a more general interest in, and
sympathy with science, and scientific research. And secondly,
Dublin had the good fortune to possess a comparatively large
body of trained scientific men, and also societies, schools, and
museums eminently favourable to the acquisition of scientific
knowledge — advantages which were almost entirely wanting
when the hard-working citizens of the northern capital founded
their Club. It is quite possible, however, that the foregoing
circumstances had a deterrent effect as regards the founding
of a Field Club in Dublin, for, while they were undoubtedly
conducive to the imparting of a more general interest in
science, and of a love of natural history pursuits, they at the
same time supplied, partially at least, the opportunity for
scientific intercourse and stud}' which it is the main object of
a Naturalists' Field Club to confer, and rendered less necessary
the banding together of persons scientifically inclined, for
the promotion of their favourite pursuits.

However this may be, it was early in the winter of 1885-6
that Professor Haddon, of the Royal College of Science, sug-
gested the formation in Dublin of a Naturalists' Field Club,
and the suggestion appears to have met with immediate favour.
A preliminary meeting was held by private invitation in the

212 The Irish Na turn list.

biological laboratory of the College of Science on December
1 8th, about twenty persons being present, and it was followed
by a public meeting, convened by advertisement, in the
theatre of the Royal Dublin Society on January nth. Dr. K.
Perceval Wright occupied the chair, and a provisional code of
rules, which had been framed on those of the Belfast Club,
was adopted, and officers for the ensuing year were elected.
The first President was Professor Wright ; Vice-president,
Professor Haddon ; Secretary, Greenwood Pim ; Treasurer,
R. M. Barrington ; Committee, Wm. Archer, V. Ball, F. W.
Burbidge, Rev. M. H. Close, H. C. Hart, W. F. de V. Kane,
F. W. Moore, A. G. More, Professor M'Nab, Professor O'Reilly,
Professor Sigerson. The list of members who entered their
names at this meeting numbers 99, and the Club entered on
its career with every indication of success. The Royal Irish
Academy generously placed their fine rooms at the disposal
of the Club for the purpose of evening meetings, a privilege
which the Club has enjoyed ever since, and which is duly
appreciated. The first summer excursion was made to Howth
on May 22nd, and was attended by about 75 persons, a number
which has not, I believe, been equalled on any excursion held
since. The first annual report of the Committee, laid before
the members at the annual meeting held on 22nd January,
1887, shows that five evening meetings were held during the
year, and five excursions, one excursion being abandoned
owing to bad weather. The membership stood at 172; the
officers, with the exception of three of the Committee, were re-
elected ; and the Club entered on the second year of its
existence.

The novelty of the excursions and evening meetings had by
this time worn off, and at the close of a rather uneventful
year it is not surprising to find the Committee, in their second
annual report, urging strongly on members the desirability of
showing a more active interest in the Club's operations. With
Mr. Greenwood Pim as President, Dr. M'Weeney as Secretary,
and a decreasing membership of 149, the Club commenced its
third year, which was destined to bring with it a severe crisis
in the Society's fortunes. The attendance of members at the
excursions of this season (1888) was so unsatisfactory that
after due deliberation the Committee determined to bring be-
fore the members a resolution authorizing the winding up of

The Irish Field Clubs. 213

the Club, " in order (to use the words of the ensuing annual
report) to ascertain whether they set any value on its continued
existence," and this was done at a general meeting held on
20th November, 1888. This momentous action proved the turn-
ing-point of the Club's fortunes. The resolution was vigorously
opposed by a number of members, offers of assistance at the
coming winter meetings were tendered, and so evidently was
the feeling of the meeting against the termination of the
Club's existence, that the resolution was withdrawn. At the
succeeding evening meeting the attendance of members was
considerably larger, and the greater interest shown in the
agenda proved that the dormant energy of the members had
been aroused.

The third annual meeting was held in January, 1889. The
report then presented contained, of course, a full reference to
the critical events of the previous year ; beyond this, there
was but little to call for remark, so much had the lack of in-
terest shown by members hampered the usefulness of the oper-
ations of the Club. At this meeting, Dr. Scharff succeeded
Dr. M'Weeney as Secretary ; the other officers were re-elected ;
the membership was reported as 94.

The fourth year of the Club's existence brought a decided
revival of interest among members. The attendance at winter
meetings showed an encouraging increase, as also did the list
of members who read papers or exhibited objects of scientific
interest ; and the summer excursions also received an aug-
mented amount of support ; so that the Committee were able
to render at the end of the year a satisfactory account of their
stewardship, and to report, for the first time since the founda-
tion of the Club, a slight increase of membership. At the
beginning of the fifth year (1890), Professor Haddon succeeded
Mr. Pirn as President ; the Secretaryship devolved on Mr. G.
H. Carpenter ; and Mr. Barrington relinquished the post of
Treasurer, which he had held since the Club was founded, Mr.
R. S. Chandlee being elected in his place. Thus officered,
the Club continued to make satisfactory progress. The ex-
cursion programme was successfully carried out, with an
average attendance of about 35 members ; during this year
there was an increase both in the number of excursions held
and in the amount of field-work which was done on them ; and
the attendance at the winter meetings was most satisfactory.

A 3

214 The Irish Na tura list.

In their report for 1891, presented at the sixth annual
meeting, 12th January, 1892, the Committee are again able to
record an increase in the roll of members, which now numbers
109. On account of the lamented death of Mr. Chandlee, Mr.
J. K. Palmer undertook the duties of Treasurer. It may be
noted that in this year the experiment was tried of holding
small extra excursions for the study or collecting of particular
groups of plants or animals by those specially interested in
them. During the first year of the Club's existence a similar
scheme had been attempted, a number of sections having been
started, each devoted to the stud)- of some special department
of natural history ; but in neither instance was the scheme
carried out for more than a single season ; probably a much
larger membership would be necessary before such a scatter-
ing of the limited scientific resources of a small Field Club
would be either advisable or successful.

Dr. M'Weeney was elected President for the year 1892 ; the
other officers were re-elected, and the Club continued to
prosper. It was early in this year that the suggestion was
made by Mr. Carpenter that a magazine devoted to Irish
natural history should be founded ; and from the first, the
Dublin Field Club showed an active and friendly interest in
the undertaking, and the existence of the Irish. Naturalist in
its present form is largely due to their prompt sympathy and
generous assistance.

At the beginning of 1893 the Club numbered 126 members;
Mr. J. M. Browne succeeded Mr. Carpenter as Secretary,
and Professor Johnson, Mr. Palmer as Treasurer. Once again
there followed a year of steady progress, the most noticeable
events being the opening of the winter session with a Conver-
sazione, which was in every respect successful, and will prob-
ably become an important annual event, as it is with the Bel-
fast Club ; and a three-day excursion to the neighbourhood of
Newry and Carlingford, carried out in conjunction with the
Belfast Field Club, which was considered, hy those members
who had the good fortune to be present, to be one of the most
enjoyable and instructive trips which have, so far, been held
by either of the Societies engaged.

And this brings us to the beginning of the present year,
when Mr. Carpenter succeeded to the Presidential chair, with
Professor Cole as Vice, and the present writer was elected to

The Irish Field Clubs. 215

the vacancy in the Secretaryship caused by the retirement of
Mr. Browne. At the commencement of the year the member-
ship was 128; since then, the increase steadily continues, so
that at the time of writing it has reached 160. The summer
excursions, now drawing to a close, have been enjoj^able and
instructive, and the pleasant re-unions with the Belfast Club
at the Boyne, and with the Cork and L,imerick Clubs at Fer-
moy, will not soon be forgotten. The Dublin Naturalists'
Field Club has a successful and useful future before it, and
especially hopeful are the prospects of a better knowledge of,
and a closer bond of union with our fellow-Clubs of the north
and south. May we all feel, and may we be encouraged by
the thought, that there is a fair field before us, and that
we are fellow-travellers in the march of scientific progress,
able and willing to help ourselves and to help each other.

MATRICARIA DISCOIDEA, DC, IN IRELAND.

BY NATHANIEL, COI.GAN.

On the 22nd of August last, while botanizing in the Dublin
Mountains, I gathered an unfamiliar rayless composite growing
on a granite freestone track alongside the Rathmines Water-
works Reservoir at the head of Glenasmoil. Two da}rs later, the
same plant turned up, quite unexpectedly and in much greater
abundance, on the footpath of the Glenamuck road, near
Carrickmines, fully seven miles distant from the first station ;
and, once again, on the 29th August, I came across it growing
in an angle of waste ground at Iyispopple cross-roads, eighteen
miles distant from Glenasmoil. On examination the plant
proved to be Matricaria discoidea, DC. The Carrickmines
specimens agreed perfectly with the description in the
Prodromus (vi. 50), the seed-apex being naked or obscurely
crowned. In the Glenasmoil and Iyispopple plants, however,
the seed was crowned with two distinct teeth, tightly clasping
the floret so as to render it quite persistent. This toothed
form of the seed, not mentioned in the Prodromus, is well
described in Asa Gray's " Flora of North America," 1886,
p. 364, where it is stated that the seed-crown "is occasionally
produced into one or two conspicuous, oblique auricles of

2 1 6 The Irish Na tit ra list.

coriaceous texture," and in my County Dublin specimens
this toothed or auricled seed appears to be correlated with a
marked difference of habit in the plants which produce it.
They are upright and stronger in growth than the variety
bearing the uncrowned seeds, which is quite procumbent.

The distribution of the species is thus given by Asa Gray :
"West California to Unalaska and Behring Island, E., to
Montana, and becoming naturalized in the Atlantic States,
near railroad stations (N. Asia and nat. in N. Eur.) " Accord-
ing to Wy man's Conspectus the plant occurs in many places
in Northern and Middle Europe, where it is thoroughly
naturalized. Hartmann (" Skandinaviens Flora," 9 Ed.
1 864), records it as then found in streets and cultivated places
in Christiana, Upsala and other stations. Willkomm (" Pflan-
zenreich Deutschlands," 1882), records it from the following
German stations: around Berlin, Frankfort-on-Oder, Breslau,
Dresden, Prague, and Constance. On consulting the herbarium
of the late Dr. Moore in Glasnevin Botanic Gardens, Dublin,
I find a specimen of the plant labelled : " Between Richmond
and Kew, J. G. Baker, July, '71," so that the plant has been
observed in England, in a suspicious locality, indeed, and
perhaps as a mere casual, twenty-three years ago. But it does
not appear to have gained ground in England, up to 1884, at
least ; for no mention of the plant is made in the appendix of
excluded species in the last edition of Hooker's " Student's
Flora." Quite recently (September 3rd), Dr. Eeitch, of Silloth,
has shown me specimens of a puzzling ballast plant gathered
by him at Falmouth on his way by sea from London to Dublin.
This plant is undoubtedly M. discoidea, DC, and Dr. Eeitch
tells me it is abundant in the Falmouth station. It would be
of no small interest to know what is the present English dis-
tribution of the species. In Count}* Dublin it cannot be
regarded as a ballast plant, the stations of Carrickmines,
Lispopple, and Glenasmoil, being respectively two and a half,
four, and ten miles distant from the nearest sea. In all these
stations it ripens seed perfectly, and it may be that this in-
teresting, but by no means handsome, stranger has come to
stay in Ireland, as it has in Scandinavia and Germany.

[ 217 J

IRISH MOTHS.

A Catalogue of the Lepldoptera of Ireland. ByW. F. de V.
Kane, m.a. Entomologist, 1893-4. (Sphinges and Bombyces from Septem-
ber, 1893, to July, 1894.)

Six years' Entomology in Co. Calway. By Hon. R. E.

Dii,i,on. Entomologist, March, May, and June, 1S94.

In the Irish Naturalist for March (p. 56) we noticed the commencement
of Mr. Kane's valuable list, and summarised the result of his work on
the Irish butterflies. By this time he has dealt with the families of
moths generally known as " Sphinges and Bombyces," and his account
of their Irish representatives will be gladly welcomed by entomologists
here and in Great Britain. A comparison of the new list with Birchall's
shows that Mr. Kane has found it necessary to expunge not a few
erroneous records, as well as to add new species. Of the hundred and
fifty-one British Moths in the families under consideration, just a
hundred were inserted in the Irish list by Birchall. Two of these —
Ocneria dispar and Pygara anachoreta owed their places only to caterpillars
which the recorder himself turned out, the former on the Killarney
moors, the latter at Howth ; consequently they have no more right to be
considered Irish animals than the Fallow Deer in Phoenix Park, or the
Black Swans in St. Stephen's Green, have to rank among the vertebrates
of County Dublin. Thirty years ago the importance of an accurate
knowledge of animal distribution was not recognised, but to-day a wilful
falsification of the geographical record should be considered a serious
offence by naturalists ; we are somewhat shocked to find that Mr. Kane
not only fails to reprobate such a proceeding, but confesses to have
himself let loose larvae of 0. dispar in County Sligo !

Of the ninety-eight remaining species of the 1866 list, four — Deilophila
euphorbia, Clisiocampa castrensis, Notodonta buolor, and N. trilophus — were
withdrawn by Birchall in 1873, and three others — Sesia culiciformis,
Lilhosia complana, and Sarrothripus undulanns, were added. Mr. Kane con-
firms these additions, and re-instates Notodonta bicolor. But he omits so
man)' as fifteen of Birchall's moths — Sesia for miciformis, Hepialus lupnlinus,
Nola citcullatella, N. strigula, Lithosia mesomella, Callimorpha dominula, Arctia
villica, Porthesia chrysorrhaa, P. similis, Psihira monacha, Endromis versicolor,
Lasiocampa trifolii, Cymatophora octogesima, Asphalia dilula, and A.flavicornis —
some of which were even recorded in 1866 as "common." We conclude
that Mr. Kane has, in each case, information which has inclined him to
regard the determination as untrustworthy, and that he has failed to con-
firm the insect's occurrence in Ireland by personal observation. It seems
however that Hepiahis hipulimis must be replaced in the list, as Mr. C.
G. Barrett states, in the second volume of his work on British Lepidoptera,
now in course of publication, that he has himself taken this species in
County Galway.

The various additions which have from time to time been made to
Birchall's list have been investigated by Mr. Kane, with the result that
some, specially among those recorded by the late Mr. Sinclair in the Sci,

2i8 The Irish Naturalist.

Proc. 7?. AS., 1S79, are rejected as erroneous or untrustworthy, while
others are adopted and incorporated. This sifting process is of the
greatest value, as a reliable basis is thus afforded upon which future
investigators can build.

Against the omissions, Mr. Kane has ten species to add to Birchall's
list. These are Smerinthus tiliae, Sesia muscifomiist Zygiena lonicera, Naclia
ancilla, Deiopeia pulchclla, Zeuzera pyrina, Macrogaster castanets, Heterogenea
limacodes, Dasychira fascelina, and Ptilophora plumigera. No less than six of
these are due to the work of Mr. R. E. Dillon at Clonbrock, County
Gal way, who also has published, in a separate list, his more remarkable
captures in that phenomenal locality. The occurrence of some of these
species in the West of Ireland is so startling that it is to be regretted
that the earlier among them were published by Mr. Kane, without the
name of their captor, thus giving an air of mystery to the records,
which might lead to doubt on the part of some. We observe, indeed,
that Mr. C. G. Barrett has not noticed them in his work, already re-
ferred to. It is now, however, a satisfaction to know to whom we are
indebted for the discovery of such rarities, and Mr. Dillon may rest
assured that the open publication of his work is well worth "the risk
of attracting undesirable collectors " which he deprecates. Startling as
some of these additions are, Mr. Kane's well-known carefulness is
sufficient guarantee that no mistakes have arisen through a mixing of
Irish with English or Continental specimens in Mr. Dillon's cabinet.

Of these additions, the most remarkable is Naclia ancilla, an insect
which appears only in the "reputed" British list on the strength of a
single occurrence at Worthing in Sussex. The family — Syntomida — to
which it belongs is otherwise unrepresented in Britain. The circum-
stances of the capture, in an old oak wood, of Mr. Dillon's two specimens
lead Mr. Kane to regard this moth as a truly indigenous species, not —
as Deiopeia pnlchella for example — a chance visitor. The vast amount of
deforestation which Ireland has undergone has probably led to the
almost total extinction of many woodland insects, the few survivors of
which remain to be discovered in favoured or protected localities. Hardly
less remarkable is the discovery of Macrogaster castanece in Co. Galway,
considering that in Great Britain it is confined to the eastern fen districts
of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

Mr. Kane has much of interest to record on the variation of certain
species in Ireland. It appears that all our " Galway Burnets " must be
referred to the var. nubigena, and that the typical Zygena pilosellct is un-
known in Britain, contrary to Birchall's opinion. Specially noteworthy,
also, are the remarks on the varieties of Spilosoma mendica and Cymatophora or.

As with the butterflies, we give a summary of Mr. Kane's list of these
families of moths, with a few supplementary localities ; adding Hepialiis
lupulinus on Mr. Barrett's authority, and Nudaria senex, which Col. Part-
ridge has taken at Emiiskilleu (Ent. Mo. Mag., Dec, 1S93.) The number
of Irish species thus stands at ninety-five, or about sixty-three per cent,
of the British species. The proportion among the butterflies is very
nearly the same.

Irish Moths. 219

In the light of modern researches it is impossible to regard am' longer
the " Sphinges " and " Bombyces " as natural groups. By the structure
of their larvae and pupae1, as well as by their wing-neuration2, the
Sesiidcr, Zygccnidcc, Cossida, Cochl'wpodidoe, and Hepialidcc are more nearly
related to the Tineida and Tortricidce than to the families near which
the}- at present stand. In the list as given here, we therefore ven-
ture to place these families in a more natural series than that in general
use. We use the momenclature of South's list, except in the case of the
" Eggars " which cannot be rightly known as Bombyddce, when the type
of Bombyx~B. mori, the Common Silkworm Moth — belongs to a quite
different family.

SATURNIID&.
Saturn la pavonia, I,.— Generally distributed ; often common.

SPHINGIDM.

Acherontia atropos, L.— Generally distributed, but not common.

Sphinx convolvull, L. — Generally distributed; common in some
years.

[S. Ifgustrl, L. — Limerick, Ballymena— records doubtful.]

Deilephlla gain, Schiff. — Has occurred twice on the coast of Co.
Dublin.

D. 1 1 vomica, Esp. — Has occurred near Youghal, Killarney, Ennis,
Kingstown, Kildare, Trim, and Belfast.

Chcerocampa celerio, L.— Has occurred in Co. Sligo.

C. porcellus, L. — Generally distributed; often common, especially
near the coast.

C. elpenor, L. —Generally distributed; often common, specially
inland.

Smerinthus ocellatus, L. — Local: — Cos. Fermanagh, Armagh,
Dublin, Wicklow, Westmeath, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, and
Clare.

S. popull, L. — Common everywhere.

S. tlllae, L. — Co. Galway.

Macroglossa stellatarum, L. — Generally distributed; common in
warm summers.

M. bomPyliformls, Ochs. — Widespread, but local; sometimes
abundant: — Cos. Donegal, Antrim, Monaghan, Tyrone, Roscommon,
Galway, Sligo, Westmeath, Dublin, Wicklow, Cork, and Kerry.

NOTODONTIDAL.

DIcranura f urcula, L.— Local ; sometimes abundant : — Cos. Derry,
Donegal, Cavan, Mayo, Galway, Westmeath, and Dublin.

D. bifida, Hb. — Rare: — Cos. Derry and Sligo.
D. vinula, L. — Common everywhere.
Stauropus f agi, L. — Once near Kenmare.

Ptilophora plumigera, Esp. — Once at Clonbrock, Co. Galway.
Pterostoma palplna, L. — Local and rare : — Cos. Tyrone, Cavan,
Wicklow, Galway, and Kerry.

1 T. A. Chapman "On . . . the Pupae of Heterocerous Lepidop-
tera . . ." Trans. Ent. Soc, 1893.

2 G. F. Hampson, '' The Fauna of British India. Moths," Vol. 1, 1892,

220 The Irish Naturalist,

Lophopteryx catnelina, L— Generally distributed; larvae often
common.

Notodonta bicolor, Hb. — Killarney.

N . dictaea, L. — Not common : — Cos. Antrim, Derry, Dublin, Wicklow,
Westmeath, Sligo, Mayo, and Gal way.

N. dlctaeoides, Esp. — Local, but more abundant than the last; —
Cos. Donegal, Cavan, Tyrone, Roscommon, Mayo, Westmeath, Dublin,
and Wicklow.

N. dromedarius, L. — Widely distributed and common in Cos.
Derry, Donegal, Tyrone, Dublin, Wicklow, Westmeath, Sligo, Mayo,
and Gal way.

N. zlczac, L. — Widely distributed and common, in same counties as
the preceding; also Armagh.

N. treplda, Esp.— Co. Wicklow.

N. chaonia, Hb. — Co. Wicklow ; Killarney; Clonbrock, Co. Galway.

N. trl macula, Esp. — Killarney.

Phalera bucephala, L. — Common everywhere.

Pygaera curtula, L. — Rare: — Larvae in Cos. Down, Roscommon,
Galway, and Tipperary.

P. pigra, Hum. — Widely distributed and common : — Cos. Donegal,
Tyrone, Leitrim, Down, Westmeath, Mayo, and Galway.

C I TMA TOPHORIDAL.

Thyatira derasa, L. — Generally distributed, but not often abundant.

T. bat Is j L. — Generally distributed ; sometimes common.

Cymatophora or, Fb. — Very local and rare : — Cos. Derry, Cavan,
Sligo, Galway, and WTicklow.

C. duplaris, L. — Local, and not common: — Cos. Derry, Donegal,
Tyrone, Monaghan, Cavan, Fermanagh, Westmeath, Wicklow, Sligo,
Mayo, Galway, Cork, and Kerry. All Irish specimens are referable to
the var. argentea, Tutt.

C. fluctuosa, Hb. — Very rare: — Cos. Sligo and Kerr}'.

LASIOCAMPIDM.

Tri chi ura crataegi, L.— Killarney.

PoecIIocampa populi, L. — Widely distributed; locally common.

Eriogaster lanestris, L. — Local: — Cos. Derry, Galway, and Kil-
kenny.

CNsiocampa ncustria, L. — South of Ireland; local: — Cos. Dublin,
Waterford, Killarney, Limerick, Clare, and Galway. Also at Ennis-
killen.

Laslocampa rubi, L.— Common everywhere.

L. quercus, L. — Has occurred only at Oueenstown and in Co. West-
meath.

var. callunae, Palm. — Common everywhere.

Odonestis potatorla, L. —Generally distributed, and locally com-
mon.

L YMANTRIIDsE.

Leucoma sallcls, L. — Co. Galway.

Dasychlra fascelina, L.— Bog of Allen, King's Co.

D. pudlbunda, L. — South of Ireland; local, but sometimes cora-
mon:— Cos. Wicklow, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, and Galway.

Orgyla antiqua, L. — Widespread, but local, and not often com-
mon,

(TO BE CONCLUDED).

[ 221 ]

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royae Zoological Society.

Five Lion -cubs were born in the Gardens on August loth. All are
males, an absolutely unique circumstance, and are doing well.
Three Capybaras were also born in the Gardens on September 4th.
Recent donations comprise a pair of Red-striped Lizards and some
Japanese Goldfish from J. B. O'Callaghan, Esq. ; two pairs of Skylarks
and a Quail from C. J. Wallace, Esq. ; a pair of Herring Gulls from
Capt. Boxer; and a Sparrow-Hawk from R. Maunsell, Esq. Two Persian
Sheep, eight parrots, and ten monkeys have been acquired by purchase.

14,600 persons visited the Gardens in August.

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

August nth. — Ballymena, Slemish, and the Braid Valley were visited,
the Club's usual good fortune in weather being in evidence all day.
Arriving at Ballymena, the party was met by Mr. W. J. Knowles,
M.R.I.A., and the Rev. George Buick, local members, who gave much
assistance throughout the day. No time was lost in mounting the
vehicles and driving through the town, going by the old road past
Drumfane Fort to Broughshane, stopping at the esker to examine the
sands and gravels. The current-bedding is here finely displayed owing
to recent weathering ; the softer strata have been taken full advantage of
by the Sand-martins, which have burrowed in and made their nests in
great numbers. The next halt was made at the pretty little church of
Broughshane, to the east of which is the cross-marked grave of the Club's
late President, Rev. Canon Grainger, whose kindly welcome and local
information were much missed on this, the first occasion of the Club's
visit to " Canon Grainger's country" since his demise. The slopes of
vSlieve Mis (1,437 feet) were soon reached, and its pleasant heights
ascended. This is an old volcanic neck, and from its vent doubtless
partly flowed that basalt which forms such a prominent feature of our
County Antrim surface. At Ballyligpatrick, between Skerry and Slieve
Mis, St. Patrick, then a captive youth, herded the flocks of the chieftain
Milchu for seven years, and here it was he dreamed those dreams and
saw the visions which were subsequently to be realised. The descent
from the hill having been made, a pleasant drive brought the party to
the ancient Church of Skerry (Sciric), situated on a rocky eminence, as
its name denotes. Formerly " stations" were held here, and great
crowds assembled round what is known as " St. Patrick's foot-mark," a
small depression in an adjoining rock. Close by is the Holy Well called
Tubernacool (pronounced soot), which Colgan styles " fons miraculosus."
In this district Avere found the pretty flower Gentiana campestris, and
several roses, including the rare Rosa Sabini and other interesting plants.
The return journey was then made to the Adair Arms, where tea was
partaken of, after which the members visited the valuable collection of
antiquities belonging to Mr. Knowles, and the fine Parish Church, on the
invitation of the rector. Belfast was reached at nine o'clock, bringing
back all satisfied with their pilgrimage to the scenes of the early labours
of Ireland's patron saint.

222 The Irish Naturalist.

Dublin Naturalists' Field Club.

August nth. — Excursion to Lucan. A party of about twenty pro-
ceeded to Lucan Station by I o'c. train from Broadstone. Arrived there,
the banks of the Canal were immediately invaded, and carefully ex-
amined as far as Leixlip, and they yielded a good harvest to the
collectors. The most note-worthy plants which grew in the waters or
oil the margins or slopes adjoining were Ranunculus Lingua, R. cininatus,
Nuphar luteum, Senebiera Coronopus, Epilobium palustre, Valeriana officinalis and
Lythrum salicaria in great quantit}*, Sium angustifolium, CEnanthe phellan-
dtium, CE. Jislulosa, Origanum vulgare, Linaria minor (on the railway),
Typha latifolia, Sagittaria sagitlifolia, Equisetum Wilsoni abundant, Chara
Jiispida f. rudis, C. aspera, C. vulgaris, C. contraria, C. polyacanlha. Near
Leixlip Carduus crispus and Reseda lutea were observed on dry banks, and
Gymnadenia conopsca and Parnassia palusiris in a marshy meadow. At Leix-
lip the party visited the Salmon Leap, near which huge specimens of
Scrophularia aquatica, some 8 or 9 feet high, were gathered. Thence the
route lay down the river bank, through the woods of Lucan demeuse.
Orobanche hcdercz was found in immense abundance and great luxuriance
under the trees by the river bank, and an adjoining pool was fringed
with Carex pendnla, and Orchis pyramidalis grew among the grass.

This is usually a very unproductive month for Coleoptera, but thanks
to the luxuriant growth of vegetation a few interesting plant- feeding
species were taken, numbers of the local Galerucella nymphccic occurred on
the water-plants in one place near Lucan, Cassida equestris (a species
widely distributed but local), Apiun Gyllenhali, A. carduorum, etc., Sitones
flavescens, S. lineatus, S. tibialis, Ceuthorrhynchus pleurostigma, C. erysimi and
C. litura, the last mentioned very common on thistles. The Hemiptera
were more plentiful, the best being Lygus rustic us, Nabis flavomarginatus,
Pithanus Maerkeli and Calocoris roseomaculatus, but the "take" of the day was
a single specimen of Myrmedobia tenella, Zett., on the Canal bank near
Lucan, a species which had not been previously known as Irish, and in
England is only known to occur in a very few localities.

LTnder a spreading Oak tree at the lower end of the demesne Miss
Gardiner had an ample tea spread upon the sward, to which full justice
was done. Subsequently, a short business meeting was held, Mr. David
M'Ardle in the chair, when the following new members were elected —
Mrs. Stewart Baskin, Miss M'Intosh, B.A., Miss R. MahafFy, Miss E.
Reynell, Major Gamble, Mr. G. F. Gamble. The party returned to town
by the 7.5 steam tram.

Limerick Naturalists' Field Club.

June 28th. — Excursion to Lough Gur and neighbourhood — a locality
some twelve miles south of Limerick, justly celebrated for its geological
characteristics, and the richness and great variety of its archaeological
remains. Time did not permit a careful examination of the district,
the most interesting botanical find being Henbane {Hyoscyamus niger), a
fine specimen in full bloom having been gathered by Mrs. R. Gibson.
^ August 6th.— Excursion to Broadford, Co. Clare, one of the very few
fine days of the month. The marshy meadows and peat bogs skirting
Doon Lake yielded Marsh Epipactis (Epipaclis palustris), Spotted Orchis
{Orchis maculata), Marsh Parnassia {Parnassia palustris), Yellow Loosestrife
(Lysimachia vulgaris), Water Mint {Mentha aquatica), Gipsywort (Lycopus
curopccus), Marsh Thistle {Carduus palusiris), Sundew {Drosera rotundifolia),
Reed Mace {Typha latifolia), Bur- reed {Spa?ganiuvi ramosuni), Lichen
Cornutus {Cladonia coccifera), &c, &c. Larvae of the Pebble Prominent
Moth (Notodonta ziczac), and pupae of the Bullrush Moth {Nonagria
arundinis) formed the most interesting entomological records of the day.

[ 223 ]

NOTES

ZOOLOGY.

INSECTS.

Vespa arborea austriaca). — Further Records.— I captured a
queen of this species about the middle of last July, in the nursery gar-
den, Monkstown, and another was taken, somewhat earlier, by Mr. Freke
at Dundrum. Both Mr. Freke's specimen and mine were taken in
company with V. sylvestris. The identity of our V. arborea with the
Continental V. austriaca can only be fully confirmed by the discovery of
the male. The best way to secure this would seem to be by examination
of the nests of V. sylvestris, if, as seems probable, V. arborea be really an
inquiline species inhabiting the nests of the former.— H. G. Cuthbert,
Blackrock, Dublin.

Cimbex femorata, Linn, in Co. Dublin.— Examination of the
British Museum collection has convinced me that the male Cimbices
taken by Mr. J. J. Dowling (p. 176), are remarkably large examples
of this species, and neither C. conuata, nor American immigrants
as I at first supposed. Mr. Dowling has kindly written to inform me
that the insects were taken at Foxrock, not at Stillorgan. — George H.
Carpenter.

The Brown Halrstreak(ThecIabetuIae) In County Wexford.

— In Mr. Kane's list of Irish Lepidoptera, Minister and Galway are
mentioned as this rare British Butterfly's Irish habitats. It is an insect of
annual occurrence in Killoughrim Forest, Co. Wexford, from which
locality I sent Mr. Kane a male and a female in 1889. Mr. Kane, in his
reply, was good enough to inform me that they were the only Irish
specimens of Thecla betulae he had seen : so the omission of Co. Wexford
from his list must be due to an oversight. I have picked up with my
finger and thumb four of these Butterflies in succession while walking
through the forest without a net. In some seasons, however, they are
by no means so easy to obtain. Other local Irish Butterflies which fre-
quent Killoughrim Forest and its outskirts are the Purple Hairstreak
{Thecla quercus'), Greasy Fritillary Melitcea aurinia), and Dingy Skipper
{Nisojiiades tages).—Q. B. MOFFAT, Ballyhyland,

The small Heath Butterfly (Ccenonympha pamphilus):
Single or Double-Brooded? — I cannot agree with a remark I see
made in the February number (p. 44) by Mr. C. W. Watts, that
Ccenonympha pamphilus, though regularly double-brooded in England, is
in Ireland usually single-brooded. I do not doubt its being single-
brooded in Ulster, but should be surprised to learn that southern ob-
servers consider it so in their districts. In Wexford it is a normally
double-brooded insect, appearing about the end of May and end of July.
This year the second brood was freshly out in profusion on July 30th.
In 1886, however, I find August 14th noted as the date of its emergence ;
while in other years I have such dates as August 31st and September 8th
mentioned as those on which the latest specimens were observed. The
question of this Butterfly's single or double-broodedness is one on which
it would doubtless interest many readers of the Irish Naturalist to have a
comparison of notes from various districts, north, south, and midland. —
C. B. Moffat.

The Hornet Moth (Trochllium crabroniformis, CI.) In
Co. Cork. — On July 2 1st while botanizing near Berehaven I captured
a good specimen of this very pretty insect. Mr. Carpenter, who has
kindly confirmed my determination of the species, states that it has
not been previously recorded for this county.— R. A. PHir,UPS, Cork.

224 The Irish Na in ra list.

Coleoptera at Courtown, Co. Wexford On a recent trip to

Courtown, Co. Wexford, Mrs. Tatlow was kind enough to collect what
Coleoptera she met with during her stay. In the collection thus made
are some examples of the local Bcnibidium pallidipenne taken under debris
at the mouth of the river north of Courtown ; there are also Nebria
complanata, Anchomenus marginalise A. oblong us, Pteroslichus vernalis, Staphylinus
civsarius and many other species of more common occurrence. — J. N.
Halbert, Dublin.

FISHES.

The Allis Shad (Clupea alosa, L.) in the Erne. — Mr. Allingham
of Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, has forwarded me a specimen of the Allis
Shad from the River Erne, with the remark that the fishermen called it
a "French Herring." This species of Shad is extremely like the " Twaite
Shad," which occurs chiefly in the South of Ireland — indeed, the only
reliable method of distinguishing the two species is by means of the " gill
rakers." These are processes projecting from the outer gill-arch, and
are well seen by lifting up the gill-cover at the side of the head. In the
Allis Shad, there are from 60 to 80 of these processes, whilst the other
has only from 20 to 30. Both the species are in the habit of ascending
rivers from the sea, in order to spawn. Although Dr. Day records their
having both been obtained in Ireland, yet Thompson, in his Natural
History of Ireland, appears to entertain some doubt whether the Allis Shad
should be admitted as Irish. — R. F. Scharff, Dublin.

BIRDS.

American Golden Plover (Charadrius clominicus) in Ire-
land.— On the 12th of September, whilst examining a lot of Golden
Plover which had been forwarded from Belmullet, Co. Mayo, to our
Dublin market, I picked out a bird of this species, an adult, still retain-
ing a good part of the black of the summer plumage on the breast. It
differs greatly from our European bird {Charadrius pluvia lis) in many ways,
being much longer in the tarsus, the axillary feathers being smoky
black (in our bird pure white), and a broad band of white over the eye.
I think I am correct in saying one or two specimens have occurred in
Heligoland, and one in Scotland, but the species has hitherto been un-
detected in Ireland. — Edward Williams, Dublin.

Spotted Redshank in Dublin Bay. — The Spotted Redshank
(lotanus fuscus) is usually considered a very rare Irish bird, but from the
number of times I have met the species, I should be inclined to say it is
far commoner than is supposed. In the month of September, 18S8, two
birds passed me with a peculiar note, on the marsh at the North Bull,
which I could not identify at the time, but having heard the note of the
Spotted Redshank a good many times since, I have no doubt were birds
of this species. In September, 1890, one was shot out of a flock of
Common Redshanks at the Bull. On the 23rd September, 1891, I ob-
tained a beautiful specimen on the marshy point in Baldoyle Estuary.
October 3, 1892, I saw one at the same point, but owing to its excessive
wildntss, I failed to get a shot at the bird. This year, while out shooting
with my friend, Mr. C. Patten, on 7th September, one passed us at about
a hundred yards, just opposite Dollymount, on the North Bull. The note
of the bird is a peculiar twitter, quite unlike the bold whistle of the
common species, but the most distinguishing mark is the absence of
the broad white bands on the wings so conspicuous in our ordinary
Redshank.— Edward Williams, Dublin.

11

Irish Naturalist. Vol. Ill

Ll'LATK 5.

CONTORTED OFARTZITK, CUFFS ()F MUSLAC, ROSAPENNA,

CO. DONEGAL.

From a Photograph hy Mr, A'. Welch.']

Vol. III. NOVEMBER, 1894. No. 11.

THE BELFAST FIELD CLUB IN DONEGAL.

BY MISS S. M. THOMPSON.

In splendid weather, and just in the mood for an enjoyable
tour, about forty members of the Belfast Naturalists' Field
Club started for North Donegal on the nth of last July.
The Club rather prides itself upon the favour shown to it by
the " Clerk of the Weather," and as even the warmest admirer
of our climate could scarcely assert that the summer of 1894
was a fine season, the members had much reason to con-
gratulate themselves upon that fortunate circumstance."
True, we had one heavy shower that day during the journey
from Deny to Fahan, but the train unaccountably stopped
until it was over, and a member gratefully suggested that the
directors wished to spare us a wetting whilst crossing Lough
Swilly. Very beautiful was this passage in the special steamer
chartered for the occasion, across the "Lake of Shadows,"
richly deserving its name as it lay basking in the varying tints
and flitting lights of a most perfect summer day.

Leaving Fahan on the right hand, Buncrana with its
charming golf-links soon became visible, with the grand
Innishowen Mountains slumbering in the sunshine ; whilst
the western coast, with the strange serrated ridge of the
Devil's Backbone culminating in the fine mass of Knockalla,
completed a picture not soon to be forgotten. Steaming
northwards, leaving Dunree Fort on the right, we presently
reached the merciless quartzite rocks at the entrance of
Ballymastocker Bay upon which H.M.S. Saldanka struck
during a storm in 181 1, and driving on into the bay perished
with all on board. But this day Dame Nature was propitious,
and the beautiful sandy shore was smiling a welcome to the
hungry travellers as Xhey reached the little Port Salon pier at
two o'clock, and streamed up the lawn to the hospitable

hotel.

A

226 The Irish Naturalist.

Then came dinner, and a long delightful afternoon, as the
party leisurely proceeded to visit the beauties of Fanad under
the kindly guidance of the Rector, the Rev. A. H. Delap. Of
course the famous Seven Arches were our first object, and
very marvellous and interesting are these great sea-caves,
carved by the restless waves, whose erosive power has been
assisted by the natural jointing and stratification of the rock,
and which are still tunnelling through long dark rifts landwards,
to form yet more arches for the inspection of future Field
Clubs. These Donegal quartzites were very interesting to the
party, who had recently visited Scrabo, whose ripple-marked
and current-bedded sandstones imitate these much older
rocks, with the addition of the richly varied colouring that
gives such a charm to the County Down Trias. Here too, as
at Scrabo, are great intrusive dykes running through the
sedimentary rocks, but in this case composed of diorite.

But a still finer sight awaited us further on, when Doagh

Beg met our delighted eyes— a grand arch standing in proud

isolation, seeming to defy the elements that had carved it to

injure or deface their work. How indescribably subtle is the

difference betwixt arch and arch, between curve and curve,

that makes the one or other perfectly satisfactory to the artistic

instinct, is familiar to everyone who visits a cathedral, or

revels in the beauty of mountain forms ! But we sat on the

sunny turf, and gazed with supreme admiration at our arch,

and were contented. And the landscape beyond the lough

was a worthy background for this noble specimen of Nature's

architecture. Innishowen peninsula lay stretched in beauty

before us — the main range with Slieve Snaght and other

mountains in abundant confusion, then a low sandy neck, and

out to the north crouched Dunaff Head facing the Atlantic

like a mighty guardian lion. Some of our party clambered

round below upon the rocks, and others gathered shells,

whilst Mr. Delap guided the remainder along the cliffs to

obtain a view of the Binn, a vertical precipice of rock

towering above the waves, said to be the finest piece of cliff

scenery on I^ough Swilly. Thence we turned homewards,

past the boggy hollows bright with Asphodel, Bog Cotton, and

the pretty little pink Pimpernel, the road winding amongst

level-topped hills capped with diorite, and the characteristically

different quartzite hills, until we reached St. Columba's Well.

The Belfast Field Club i?i Donegal. 227

We tasted the water, added a stone to the cairn, and noted the
votive rags tied upon the bushes round the simple little
fountain, sympathizing with the grateful affection that placed
them on the spot hallowed by traditional memories of a great
teacher.

It was nine o'clock before the hotel was reached, and we
gathered in for tea in the long pleasant dining-room, decorated
with a wonderful profusion of white "Bride" Gladioli. After
tea some went off to inspect the gloomy recesses of a great sea
cavern by candle-light, but most of us thought we had seen
enough for one day. Some were early astir next morning to
enjoy a plunge in the lough, and see the cavern by daylight,
whilst a few started at six to drive along the splendid strand
past the golf-links (where the exquisite view must surely
interfere with due attention to that royal game), to visit a
curious ridge of hardened sand in the sandhills, and inspect
the beds of conglomerate that run along the foot of Knockalla
Mountain. Their precise age gave rise to much discussion, but
they are now declared in the Geological Survey Memoir to be
Old Red, brought down by a fault into their present position.
Close by are pale blue beds of highly crystalline limestone
dipping at a high angle, part of a range running right across
Fanad and re-appearing in the Innishowen peninsula.
Returning to the Hotel we passed Col. Barton's residence,
where two cannon from the ill-fated Saldanha do duty as gate
pillars at the entrance.

After breakfast the baggage was despatched on cars to wind
round the head of Mulroy Bay to Rowross Ferry, and the
majority, bidding farewell to Miss Barton, started to walk to
Moross Ferry on Mulroy, and cross the peninsula known as
" Between the waters" to the north-west arm of the bay, where
Rowross is situated. A small minority drove to Fanad Glebe,
whence Mr. and Mrs. Delap conducted them to the boathouse,
and they were soon gliding down the north water to see the
strata of limestone on the eastern shore of " Between the
waters," which are much contorted into synclinal and
anticlinal curves of evenly bedded rock, sometimes only an
inch or two thick. Mulroy Bay is as remarkable for its depth
of 162 feet as its perplexing windings, and here where it is
only half a mile in width two tiny islands of igneous rock rise
out of water 150 feet deep. On the mainland a larger mass

A 2

228 The Irish Naturalist.

rises to a height of 500 feet, crowned with the remains of an
old fortification, from which is gained its name of Cashelmore,
and close by is the cottage where Miss Patterson was born,
who subsequently married Jerome Bonaparte, but was divorced
by Napoleon's orders, living on to the advanced age of 93.

The scenery about Mulroy recalls the Scottish Highlands,
"with its tumbled masses of grey rocks, Heather, Mountain Ash,
and every kind of brushwood, and Mr. Delap drew our atten-
tion to the Wood Vetch clambering and blossoming above the
bushes. As we approached Moross Castle we saw the rest of
the party waiting in the ferry-boat, having already examined
the extraordinarily contorted schistose rocks upon which
Moross Castle is built, which are puckered and frilled in leafy
layers, most tempting to cameras and the hammers of amateur
geologists !

Mulroy Bay is net only perplexing from its windings, also
remarkable for its tidal arrangements ; even twenty-two miles
from its mouth there is a rise of eight feet, whilst there is an
hour's difference in high tide between the outer and inner
waters. At a narrow part called the " Hasseins" the tide
pouring over a kind of sill of schistose quartzite is only seven-
and-a-half feet deep, and within a boat's length outside is
water sixty-two feet in depth ! No wonder a special steamer
had to be built to navigate such a passage as this.

Time pressed, and we were remorselessly hurried across
the ferry, and traversing the peninsula " Between the
Waters " soon reached Rowross Ferry, crossed to I^ord
I,eitrim's pier, and drove through Carrigart and across the
sandy bay to Rossgull peninsula, lying between Mulroy and
Sheephaven, where Rosapenna hotel, a picturesque Nor-
wegian wooden structure, nestling among sandhills replete
with kitchen-middens and putting-greens, was our destina-
tion.

After dinner most of the party were kindly conducted by
the Rev. Father Gallagher to the ruins of Mevagh and its
weatherbeaten stone cross, returning over the summit of
Ganiamore (682 feet). But some of us wished to visit Sheep-
haven, and w7hilst waiting for a boat watched with much
interest the embarkation of Messrs. Welch and Wilson with
their cameras in a curach to photograph the contorted quartzite
strata of Muslac, which Mr. Welch has kindly allowed to be

The Belfast Field Club in Donegal. 229

reproduced to illustrate this paper (Plate 5). A delicious breeze
sent our substantial fishing boat spinning across Sheephaven
and back to Downing's Pier, whence we skirted along the hills
and ascended Ganiamore, where we revelled in the astonishing
panorama spread before us. At last Mulroy's windings could
be understood, and we gazed with great interest at our route
of the forenoon and the morrow. Southward lay L,ough Salt
Mountain and the other Donegal giants, with Muckish leading
our gaze westward to the noble cliffs of Horn Head, highest
and grandest of the northern headlands, Tory Island, upon
which the gunboat Wasp was lost in 1884, lying like a dream
upon the horizon.

A rough scramble brought us down to Mevagh Church with
its rude impressive cross ; returning homewards we visited
the inscribed stones in passing. Ice-worn and time-worn,
they rise from the turf, decorated with concentric circles and
patterns like the New Grange carvings, mute witnesses of a
bygone race and their art.

Next morning we started for Belfast, and Donegal wept
over our departure all the way to Derry. We drove from
Rosapenna, across the sandhills (where some of our party had
been ransacking kitchen-middens before breakfast) ; past the
site of Rosapenna House, formerly the residence of L,ord
Boyne, now covered with blown sand, only the tops of the
garden walls remaining visible, eighteen houses in the
vicinity having suffered a similar fate. From Carrigart we
turned southward, driving along the western shores of Mulroy,
sometimes wild and bare, sometimes between woods carpeted
with Lastrea <zmula and other ferns — passing the spot where
Lord Iyeitrim was murdered in 1878, over Bunlin Bridge, where
the scenery is like a Canadian lake, and so into picturesque
Milford, where a short halt was made for lunch at Mrs.
Baxter's hospitable little hotel. Then across the rising
ground, past bogs and tarns and ice-scratched rocks, to Lough
Swilly, and along its western shore to Rathmullan, where
another pause gave time to inspect the ruins of the castle and
abbey. But the little steamer could not wait, and in dripping
rain we crossed the lough to Fahan, and soon reached Derry
once more. By the courtesy of Dean Smyly the cathedral
was specially opened for the Club, and after visiting the
historic walls the party assembled at the Northern Counties

230 The Irish Naturalist.

Station for tea. Some had been left behind at Rathmullan,
to revisit Port Salon neighbourhood, whilst others remained
over the Sunday in Deny, but the bulk of the members
returned home in the exquisite evening light, cordially
agreeing that it had been a most charming and successful
trip amongst enchanting scenery.

NOTES ON THE MARINE INVERTEBRATES OF

RUSH, COUNTY DUBLIN.

BY J. K. DU3RDKN, A.R.C-SC. (L,Ond.)

The following notes are based principally upon the material
gathered on the excursion of the Dublin Naturalists' Field
Club to Rush and Skerries on the 8th September, 1894. The
excursion was organized for the purpose of studying the
marine fauna and flora of this portion of the Dublin coast.
So far, few collections have been recorded from the district.
Owing to the fact that it was low water about noon, and that
the party, following out the programme arranged, could not
reach Rush before three o'clock, I found it desirable to go by
an earlier train, and was thus collecting on the shore before
the tide turned. I devoted the time to the rock-pools a little
north of the harbour at Rush. Here the Upper Carbonifer-
ous Limestone crops out at a considerable angle, the direction
of the strike being almost at right angles to the shore.
Many rock-pools occur here. These are occupied largely hy
algae, amongst which, and along the sides of the rocks, I found
a moderately rich fauna. I again visited the place during the
next spring tides and added a few specimens to those collected
on the excursion. On this occasion I confined my attention
to the rocks a little north of the martello tower.

The sides and stones in some of the rock-pools were coated
with the red calcareous alga Mclobcsia and the pink Litho-
thamnion polymorphism. Many of the zoophytes, especially
Obelia and Fhistra, were of a bright red colour, due, as I was
informed by Prof. Johnston, to the presence of Rhodochorton
mcmbranaceum, a red alga only recently added by him to the
Irish flora. The calcareous spicules of one of the_sponges
examined (Lcucandra nivea, Grant), were already attacked by

Notes on the Mari?ie Invertebrates of Rush, Co. Dublin, 231

one of the minute forms of algae which have lately been shown
to perforate shells and other calcareous skeletons, and restore
the lime again to a soluble form.

Amongst the Protozoa specimens of the arenaceous
rhizopod Haliphysema Tumanozvitzii, Bowk., were abundant,
growing upon Crista and Scrupocellaria. Professor Haddon in
his report on the Fauna of Dublin Bay1, has recorded this
species from Dalkey Island, and refers to its chequered history,
it having first been placed amongst the sponges, and again
regarded by Hseckel as the type of a distinct class. I have
previously found it abundant from Howth, growing upon
Scrupo cell aria. Some of the zoophytes were perceptibly
coloured by the minute green horny sheaths of the infusorian
Folliatlina ampulla, Mull.

Porifkra. — The sponges were abundant, coating the sur-
faces of the rocks, stones, and weeds. I obtained the follow-
ing : — Sycon compressum, Auct., Grantia coronatunt, B. & S.,
Leucandra nivea, Grant, HalisarcaDujardinii, Johnst., Hymen-
iacidon sanguineum, Grant, Halichondria panicea, Pallas, and
Dendoryx incrustans, Ksper. Of these Leucandra nivea is new
to Co. Dublin, and, so far as I can learn, to Ireland. Small
patches, encrusting the rocks, occurred at low water.

In the nomenclature of the sponges I have followed Dr.
Hanitsch's Revision {Trans. V pool Biol. Soc, vol. viii., 1894,
PP- T73 to 206). For the opportunity of seeing this I am
indebted to Prof. Haddon, who has kindly helped me on
several other matters connected with the paper.

Hydrozoa. — I obtained upwards of twenty species of
hydroids, of which the following only call for notice — Atrac-
tylis are?iosa, Alder, growing upon Dendoryx i?icrustans. This
is a very minute and rare zoophyte. I have only obtained it
once previously from Ireland2. Colonies of Coryne vagitiata,
Hincks, were abundant amongst the sea- weeds. Campamdina
ttirrita, Hincks, found growing upon Campajiularia verticillata,
L,inn. First found by Prof. Wyville Thompson in Belfast
L,ough, and described by Mr. Hincks, I have since obtained
the species from different points of the Irish coast, but so far
as I am aware, it has never been collected beyond Irish waters.

1. Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. (2), vol. iv., No. 5 (Science), p. 523.

2. Rep. on the Hydroids of the S.W. of Ireland. Proc. Roy. Irish Acad,
(3), Vol. iii., No. 1, p. 140.

232 The hish Naturalist.

Especially abundant was the delicate Plumularia eclmiulata,
Lamk., growing on quite a variety of objects.

Actinozoa. — On one of the ledges of rock a considerable
number of specimens of Metridium (Actinoloba) dianthus, Ellis,
were found, of the brown and white varieties. Cylista tmdata,
Mull., was represented by an immature specimen. The com-
mon Actinia cqtu?ia, Linn, was abundant everywhere. One of
them has since increased my stock of anemones by six young
ones. Several specimens of Ancmonia sulcata, Penn., both the
variety with iridescent green, rosy tipped tentacles, and the
one with plain grey tentacles were obtained. Bunodes gem-
maceus, E- & S., was represented by three or four young ones,
while large numbers of Tealia crassicornis, Mull., were seen.

EchinodKRMATA. — Only two species of Ophiuroids were
obtained — Ophiothrix fragilis, Mull., and Amphiura elegans,
Leach.

Vermes. — Under the stones, Lineus marinus, Mont, was
found, while Phyllodoce viridis, Linn., was common at low
water, creeping amongst the crevices of the rocks. The
arenaceous tubes of Terebella, and the smooth tubes of mud
formed by Sabella were obtained, but unfortunately not the
inhabitants themselves.

Of the Polyzoa I identified about thirty species. Of these
the following are recorded in the Brit. Assoc. List as being
rare in Co. Dublin : — Eucratea chelata, Linn., Bicellaria ciliata,
Linn., Cribrilijia punctata, Hass., Valkeria uva, Linn., and
Pedicellina cenma, Pall. Schizoporella unicornis, Johust., is
new to Co. Dublin. It has only been previously recorded for
Ireland from Antrim. This is the first time Alcyonidhim
mytili, Daly, has been mentioned for Ireland, though con-
sidering its abundance in Dublin Bay and elsewhere around
the Irish coasts, it has probably been passed over for some of
the other species of the genus. It is very probable that the
Sarcochitum polyotim, of Hassall1, obtained from Dublin Bay
growing on Fucus shells and stones, belongs to this species.

Moixusca.— Of the Nudibranchs, I obtained several
specimens of the beautiful Eolis coro?iata, Forbes, upon the
lower part of the stems of Halidrys siliquosa. Also a single
example of Eolis exigua, Aid. and Hanc. This minute species
has previously been recorded for Co. Dublin by Prof. Haddon,
from Kingstown Harbour.

1 Ann. Nat. Hist., vol. vii., p. 484.

Notes on the Marine Invertebrates of Rusk, Co. Dublin. 233

Crustacea. — Amongst the Amphipods, Caprella linearis,
Linn., was in considerable abundance, looping about amongst
the weeds and zoophytes. In similar places the Isopod
Idotea tricuspidata, Desm., occurred abundantly. Two smaller
forms, Dynamene rubra, Leach., and D. viridis, Leach., were
plentiful on the Fuci. The}^ are about one-fifth of an inch
in length, and are often found together. They are both new
to the fauna of Co. Dublin. Mr. Thompson has taken the
former at Bangor, and the latter at Lahinch in Co. Clare. The
edible crab, Cancer pagutus, Auctt., and the common shore
crab, Carcinus mcenas, Leach., were collected. The smooth
rocky floors of some of the pools formed a convenient battle-
ground for small hermit crabs, Eupagurus bernhardus, Fabr.
Overturning the stones rewarded one as usual with numbers
of Force lla7ia platycheles, Linn., and P. longicomis, M. Kdw.

The Pycnogons collected were handed over for determina-
tion to Mr. G. H. Carpenter, and he has kindly returned me
the following list : — Nymphon rubrum, Hodge, Pallene
brevirostris, Johnst., Phoxichilidhim femora turn, Rathke,
Anoplodactylus petiolatus, Kr. This species is new to the
east coast of Ireland. Phoxichilus Icevis, Grube, Ammothea
echinata, Hodge, Pycnogonum littorale, Str.

IRISH MOTHS.

(Concluded from page 220.)

ARCTIIDJ&.

Nemeophila russula, L.— West of Ireland; local, but often abun-
dant :— Cos. Antrim, Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Cork, and Kerry.

N. plantaginis, L. — Generally distributed on heaths and bogs: —
Cos. Derry, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Sligo, Galway, Westmeath,
King's, and Kerry.

Arctia caia, L.— Common everywhere.

Spilosoma fullginosa, L.— Widespread ; locally common.

S. mendica, CI., and var. rustica, Hb.— Rare:— Cos. Antrim,
Armagh, Dublin, Wicklow, Waterford, Iyimerick, Galway, and Cork.

S. lubricfpeda, Esp. ) _ ,

~ *«_ ■ -cv \ Common everywhere.

S. menthastrl, Esp. ) J

A 3

234 The Irish Naturalist.

LITHOSIIDM.

Delopela pulchella, L— Has occurred singly at Ardmore, Co.
Waterford, and Bandon, Co. Cork.

Euchella Jacobaeae, L.— Common everywhere.

Nudaria senex, Hub.— Once at Enniskillen.

N. munclana, L. — Generally distributed, and common.

Setina Irrorella, CI.— Cos. Mayo, Galway, and Clare.

Calllgenla miniata, Forst.— Co. Galway.

LIthosIa sororcula, Hufn.— Killarney.

L. lurideola, Zinck.— Galway.

L. com plana, L. — Widely distributed along the coast : — Cos. Deny,
Down, Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, and Cork.

L. caniola, Hb. — Very local, and it is feared extinct; formerly at
Howth, Co. Dublin ; Tramore, Co. Waterford.

Gnophria quadra, L. — Very rare :— specimens at Ashford, Co.
Wicklow ; New Ross, Co. Wexford ; Lismore, Co. Waterford ; and
Limerick.

G. rubricoliis, L. — Widespread in the south and west: — Cos. Dublin,
Waterford, Galway, Cork, and Kerry7.

NYCTEOLID^E.

Sarrothripus undulanus, Hb.— Local: — Cos. Tyrone, Westmeath,
Dublin, Wicklow, Galway, Limerick, and Kerry.

Hylophila prasinana, L. — Widespread: — Various localities from
Derry to Kerry.

N0L1DJB.
Nola confusalis, H.-S.— Generally distributed.

DREPANULID^E.

Drepana lacertinaria, L.— Generally distributed; sometimes

common.

D. falcataria, L. — Rare: — Cos. Tyrone, Mayo, Galway, and Kerry.

Gilix glaucata, Scop. — Widespread, but scarce and local: — Cos.
Tyrone, Armagh, Dublin, Wicklow, Westmeath, King's, and Galway.

COCHLIOPODID&.
Heterogenea limacodes, Hufn.— Clonb rock, Co. Galway.

ZYGMNIDM.

I no stat ices, L. — Generally distributed, and locally common.

Zygaena pilosellee, Esp., var. nubigena, Led. — Cos. Galway and
Clare.

Z. trifolil, Esp. — Rare :^Cos. Donegal, Fermanagh, Monaghan,
Armagh, and Galway.

Z, Ionlceraa, Esp. — Rare : — Cos. Armagh, Galway, and Kerry.

Z. f illpendulae, L.— Generally distributed and common.

Irish Moths. 235

SYNTOMIDJE,
Nad I a an cilia, I,.— Clonbrock, Co. Gal way, two specimens only.

SESIIDM.

Trochilium apiformis, CI.— Rare and local .-—Cos. Dublin, Water-
ford, and Cork.

T. crabroniformis, Lewin— Widespread, often common :— Cos.
Down, Deny, Monaghan, Westmeath, Dublin, Kildare, Clare, and Cork!

[Sesia scoliiformis, Bork.— Killarney— supposed larva-borings
only]. &

S. tipuliformis, CI.— Probably widespread :— Cos. Derry and
Dublin.

S. myopiformis, Bork.— Rare :— Dublin and Cork.

S. culiciforinis, Iy.— Rare :— Killarney, Ballinasloe, and Derry.

S. musciformis, View.— Rare :— Howth, and Saltee Islands, Co.
Wexford.

COSSID^E.

Cossus ligniperda, Fb.— Local :— Co. Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare,
Carlow, King's, Waterford, and Galway.

Zeuzera pyrina, L.

Macrogaster castaneae

I Clonbrock, Co. Galway.
9 Hb. >

HEPIALID^E.

Hepialus humuli, L. — Common everywhere.

H. sylvan us, L. — Clonbrock, Co. Galway; two specimens only.

H. velleda, Hb., and var. gallicus, Led.— Generally distributed;
often common.

H. Iupulinus, L. — Co. Galway. Armagh (Rev. W. F. Johnson).
Dingle (J. N. Halbert).

H. hectus, L. — Widespread, but local; — Cos. Antrim, Fermanagh,
Tyrone, Westmeath, Galway, Wicklow, Cork, and Kerry.

In dealing with the butterflies, we had Mr. Barrett's completed volume
on the group before us as well as Mr. Kane's list. Naturally the pro-
gress of the former gentleman's work is considerably slower than that
of the latter's. We hope when Mr. Barrett's second volume is completed,
to notice it, and also to review Mr. Kane's lists of Noctuidae, Geomelridae>
and remaining families as they appear. Mr. Dillon's records for the
Noctuids and Geometers are already before us, and we find that in these
families he has added Moma orion, Leiuania extranea^ Dipterygia scabrwscula,
Cloantha polyodon, Luperina cespitis, Pachnobia hyperborea, Calocampa solidaginis,
Xylina semibrnnnea, Pericallia syringaria, Engonia fiiscantaria, Zonosoma
orbicularia, Chcimatobia borcata, Eupithecia fraxinata, E. indigata, and Thera
juniperata to the Irish list.

236 The Irish Naturalist.

THE RECENT IRISH GLACIERS.

BY G. H. KINAHAN, M.R.I. A,

The title of this communication may not possibly be strictly
correct ; however, the ice or frozen snow accumulations, to be
mentioned hereafter, have already been called by the Rev.
M. H. Close in his publications " corrie glaciers " ; it therefore
may be allowable for me to similarly classify them ; also
similar snow accumulations in British Columbia along the
Canadian Pacific Railway are called glaciers. The latter how-
ever are permanent, lasting from year to year, while those in
Ireland disappear in the summer.

When examining the west Cork hills some forty years ago,
there were in the different cooms and valleys peculiar ac-
cumulations evidently in some way due to ice or its adjuncts.
It is probable that, at that time, in my ignorance, a wrong origin
was suggested, as it was supposed that they belonged to the
Glacial period ; while knowledge since gained would seem
to prove that these terminal moraines may possibly be
accumulating at the present day, similar to those that can
be occularly proved in the Cos. Galway, Mayo, and Wicklow ;
possibly also in other hill districts ; but the above counties
are specially mentioned, as this phenomenon has been studied
in them.

Chance led to the study of these glaciers in Galway and
Mayo. When stationed one winter in Connemara we were
snowed up for nearly three weeks, and as our supply came
from Galway, all fresh meat had to be procured by the gun in
the hills.

Previously to this there had been observed peculiar stacks
of blocks, such as that in Glen Inagh, that rose in the centre
of the valley 30 or 40 feet high ; also in places on a slope
below a cliff, part of the pasture would be more or less
thickly sprinkled over with stones. If you asked what
brought them there you were told they were " cloghsnatty "
or " snow stones," but at the time the reason for the name
I could not understand, not knowing Irish, and my man not
being able to properly explain in English.

However, shooting in the Connemara Hills, during the big
snow, explained all. In the cooms and under the high

The Recent Irish Glaciers. 237

cliffs great snow- drifts accumulated, from fifty to hundreds of
feet in depth, and often from 200 to 500 or more yards wide.
These drifts had certain defined limits, due to shoulders on
the hill slopes that acted as groins, behind which the snow
was impounded. After the snow-fall ceased, the surface of the
drifts melted and froze ; so that after all the snow elsewhere
had disappeared, these drifts still remained, often for months.
As is always the case after a severe frost, blocks and other
detritus are displaced by falls when the thaw conies on ; and if
the fall is from a cliff over one of those drifts, the blocks and
other stuff slide over it and form round its edge a terminal
moraine. After a severe winter this phenomenon can be
studied in the month of March, in the Co. Wicklow, at the
North and South Prisons, Slieve-na-calliagh, and in the coom
west of Kelly's Lough ; as in these places, great and long
enduring drifts form during any heavy snow-fall. These
snow-drifts nearly invariably disappear in as sudden a manner
as they were formed ; they may last for weeks or months ; but
when the ground gets to a certain temperature all go at once.
About the year 1870 there were great snow lakes in the
valleys of the tributaries of the Ovoca ; and the snow barriers
all burst nearly at the one time — at mid-day early in June,
flooding the whole valley and carrying away the bridges.

Those who wish to study this phenomenon should visit the
hill districts when in deep snow, and thereby learn the localities
of the deep and lasting drift, and afterwards visit them in the
subsequent thaw, and see the stones sliding over them as they
break loose.

Under a cliff on L,issoughter, Co. Galway, there was such a
drift/that I was going to cross in the thaw when out shooting,
but my man advised me not to do so, for although the snow
was quite safe, blocks might come down ; he, at the same time,
pointing to a mass that he said was loose ; this broke away
and slid over the glacier before we left the spot. A stack of
blocks in Glen Inagh over which I was puzzled led me to visit
this valley at this time. Here about 200 yards from the cliff
there was an isolated stack ; on visiting the place in snow I
found, under the nearly perpendicular cliff margining the valley
to south and west, there was one of those frozen snow-drifts,
while near the centre of it was a valley between the peaks
called Benbawn and Bencorrbeg. Down this valley, in

238 The hish Naturalist.

the thaw, blocks shot straight over the glacier to one spot,
there accumulating the stack that had so often puzzled me
when shooting in the glen. In other places in these hills,
those of Mayo, Donegal, &c, I have seen similar stacks, but
in no places did I verify their formation but in this locality.

In the Co. Donegal, between the highlands of Kilmacrenan
and Boylagh baronies, and the highlands of Barnesmore, that
lies between the valleys of the Swilly and Finn, there is a
comparatively low country, in which in places I saw stacks of
small dimensions. Their origin interested me, and during my
residence of some five or six years at Iyetterkennyand Ramelton
I found that if there was a fall of snow in the county it was
greater in this area than elsewhere, even on the hills, except
Knocksnatty, east of Glenties. You could scarcely get from
Iyetterkenny to Stranorlar on account of the snow-drifts,
while you could drive anywhere through the Northern
Highlands.

Snow-drifts in the Donegal Highlands while I was there were
not as marked features of the hills as those in the Co.
Wicklow, but there was one large drift to the north-east of
Errigal, over which, during the thaw, the quartzite detritus
slid, and has formed at its margin a massive esker-like high
accumulation of shingle. In this county, between Falcarragh
and Gweedore, there is, in the valley through which the road
runs, a peculiar ridge of large blocks, which I suspect must be
due to a snow-drift under the cliff to the westward ; this,
however, I was not able to verify while I was in this county.

On the flat between this valley and the sea south of the
Bloody Foreland, there is an irregular curved line of blocks,
or rather there is a tract without blocks, and a tract with
blocks ; the blocks becoming more frequent as you approach
the curved marginal line. The reason for this was familiar to
me — the slope in some years was covered with frozen snow,
over which stones from the high ground slide, when the
thaw commenced. This I had previously studied in the Cos.
Wicklow and Wexford, especially at Ballinsillog, on the slope
north-east of Croaghan Kinshallagh, near the boundary of the
two counties. When this slope was visited there was scarcely
any snow on it, but what had been there had melted and frozen
and was a sheet as slippery as glass. Over this stones were
sliding, from the size of eggs to over half a hundred-weight,

The Recent Irish Glaciers. 239

the escarpment above not breaking np in large pieces. At the
beginning of the thaw the detritus ran down all the way to
the wall between the pasture and the tillage, but as the ground
melted they stopped on the pasture, so that, when the frost
was gone, they had to be carted off. There was a tradition
in the place that in old times no rent was to be paid for the
townland if there were snow after the first of March.

In my description in the Memoirs of the Geological
Survey of the drift of the mountainous districts examined
by me, various ridges and stacks of blocks will be found
mentioned, the origin of which I could not then satisfactorily
state or even suggest. This is specially the case in the low,
but hilly granite ground, between Galway Bay and the valley
from Clifden to Oughterard.

Experience, however, teaches, and after seeing what took
place in the Co. Wicklow during a winter of heavy snow, the
origin of such ridges and stacks dawned on me. Subsequently
I saw in the cuttings of the Canadian Pacific as it crossed the
Rockies, in the Kicking Horse Pass, well-exposed sections of
these snow-drifts and nev6 marginal remains. What is to be
seen there is most instructive, as it fully explains our Irish
recent glaciers. At the time of my visit to the "Foot Hills"
of the Rockies the snow-drifts were gone for the season, but
the terminal moraines were there, being more or less similar
to the Irish ones; higher up in the Rockies the drifts and their
moraines were intact, so that the railway cuttings exposed
good sections. My visit to Canada was so short that my
conclusions can scarcely be of much value. Yet it was long
enough to explain points in the Irish drift phenomena
previously inexplicable.

While stationed in the Co. Cork I had a rare opportunity,
during an exceptionally hard winter, of studying the recent
ice and glacier work, but unfortunately I did not avail myself
of it, but ran out of the county and did not return till March.
It was not till I went to Connaught that I saw what I ought
to have previously seen ; and subsequently, on all occasions,
when in the vicinity of hills, they were visited in the snow
and thaw. Anyone interested in the phenomena could not
do better than spend a week or fortnight at Fogarthey's Hotel,
Drumgoff, Glenmalure, as he would be within an easy tramp
of the summit of Slieve-na-gollian, and from it study the
peculiarities of snow-drifts. He should go up the valley to

240 The Irish Naturalist.

the pass, then south along the ridge to the summit of Slieve-
na-Culliagh, and return eastward by Kelly's Though. An
inquirer, however, would have to pay at least two visits ; one
during the snow-fall and at least one after the general snow
had gone and only the drifts remained. Glendalough of St.
Kevin's does not appear to be a good centre, as I went there
in heavy snow and frost when all the lakes were frozen
over, but was disappointed in getting information as to the
results of the drifts.

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royal Zoological Society.

Recent donations comprise a pair of Toads from Rev. S. A. Pelly, a
Cockatoo from Rev. J. E. Moffat, and a Snake from R. B. Hall, Esq. A
Red Deer fawn has been born in the Gardens, while two Ostriches, two
Black-backed Jackals, two Hyaena-Dogs, a large Baboon, three Monkeys,
a Lemur, and two Bull-frogs have been purchased.

Belfast Naturalists Field Club.

August 25th. — Excursion to Dundrum, attended by a party of over
fifty. Proceeding by the 9.15 train, the first point of interest was the
fine Anglo-Norman castle, which rises above the town ; its principal
features were described by the President (Mr. F. W. Lock wood). The
ruined church of Maghera, and the cromlech and pillar-stone at Sliddery-
ford, were subsequently examined. The party then proceeded to the
sandhills, where the fine raised beach and overlying traces of pre-historic
human habitation claimed attention. On the dunes the botanists
gathered the Meadow Rue {Thalictrum minus v. dunense), Hound's-tongue
{Cynoglossum officinale), Sea Spurge {Euphorbia paralias), and Sea Holly
(Eryngium marilimuni). The members partook of tea at the Downshire
Arms hotel, and returned to Belfast by the evening train.

Dublin Naturalists' Field Club.

September 8th. —Excursion to Rush and Skerries. A party of forty-
five members and friends took the 1.30 train from Amiens-street to Rush.
On the walk from the station to the shore some plants were found,
including Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare), Flixweed (Sisymbrium sophia),
Scale Fern (Ceterach officinarum), Wild Mignonette (Reseda lutea), Tansy
{Tanacetum vulgare), Bugloss (Lycopsis arvensis), while some members
who examined a stretch of sand-dunes lying a little to the south,
got in addition a number of remarkably large specimens of the pretty
Hare's-foot Trefoil (Trifolium arvense), two feet in height, and a few
plants of the Black Mustard (Sinapis nigra) and of Sea Purslane (Atriplcx
portulacoides). Passing through the village of Rush, the route lay north-
ward along the shore, where the highly-inclined and vertical beds of
Carboniferous limestone, projecting into the sea in long ridges, excited
the interest of the geologists of the party. On the low cliffs and steep
banks grew abundance of Samphire (Crit/imum maritimum) and Sea
Lavender {Statice occidentalis). Here also the Field Woundwort (Stachys
arvensis), a plant very rare in County Dublin, was obtained. From the
Martello Tower a beautiful view was obtained, embracing the mountains
of Dublin, Wicklow, Down, Louth, and Armagh, and the lower grounds

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 241

of Meatli ; and a glorious prospect of blue sea, on which thousands of
sea-birds were busily engaged in fishing. The rock-pools were explored
by Mr. J. B. Duerden, and his results appear in a paper in our present
issue. Mr. H. K. G. Cuthbert collected beetles, and obtained the following
species : — Dromius mcridionalis, Ocypus morio, PhUonikus laminatus, Stemcs
gultula, Astilbus canaliculars, Lcma lichenis, Halyzia xviii. -guttata, Salpingus
castaneus, Ceuthorrhynchas litura, and C. pleurostigma. Among other insects
obtained were the caddis-fly, Limnopkilus vittatus, and the grasshoppers,
Stenobothrus viridulns and .9. bicolor. Mr. Carpenter secured the harvestman
Phalangium saxatile, for the first time in Ireland. Soon the quaint little
village of Lough Shinny was passed, and a pleasant walk through fields,
where harvesting operations were in full swing, brought the naturalists
to Skerries, where the Misses Gardiner had an ample repast spread in a
meadow facing the sea. After tea the road was taken to the station.
Near the old windmill both the Black and White Mustard {Sinapis nigra
and S. alba) were observed, and abundance of Black Horehound (Ballota
nigra), and fading twilight did not deter the botanists from detecting in
the gravel pit near the station several uncommon species, such as the
Long Prickly-headed Poppy {P. Argemone), the Blue Flea-bane {Erigeron
acns), and the Red Hemp-nettle (Ga/eopsis Ladamim). The party returned
to town by the 6.40 train, well pleased with their day's outing.

Cork Naturalists' Field Club.

August 29th. — One of the most successful expeditions of the above
Club took place on this date, when a small party paid a visit to the in-
teresting limestone caverns at the Ovens. The part}*, which included
Professor Hartog, D.Sc. ; W. H. Shaw, B.E- ; T. Farrington, M.A. ; D.
Franklin, J. P. ; H. Lund; J. H. Bennett; W. Hill; R. Blair; C. Franklin;
J. Noonan, and several ladies, started by the 2 p.m. train for Kilumney
Station, and after a pleasant walk reached the entrance of the caves
about 3 p.m. After about three hours stay underground, during which
several passages were explored, and the foundations for a plan of the
caves laid, the party adjourned to the Station house, where the fore-
thought of the ladies had provided a comfortable tea. Thence the
company dispersed to travel home by road or railway.

NOTES.

BOTANY.

PHANEROGAMS.

Plants of Courtown and Arklow. — Courtown Harbour, Co,
Wexford, did not appear to be so productive in the way of plants as it
is with regard to insects. During a few days spent there in August, the
following were noted. On the narrow belt of sandhills that fringes the
coast for some miles north and south grew Thalictrum maritimum,
Eryngium, Gentiana campestris, Convolvulus Soldanella, Cynoglossum, Euphorbia
paralias, and E. portlandica, the last named being recorded from this locality
in " Cybele Hibernica." Lithospcrmum officinale, and Equisctum hyemale
grew in bushy places by the shore a mile north of Courtown. In a pool
among the dunes where the river which now flows into the harbour
formerly entered the sea grow Potamogeton pcctinatus and Ruppia niaritinia —
the typical form, with long spiral flower-stems and inflated sheaths.
Crithmum is abundant on all rocky places by the sea. By the river in the
demesne are Epipactis lalifolia, Malva moschata, and Stachys sylvatica x.
palustris — the common form, much nearer paluslris than sylvatica.
Between Courtown and Gorey, which is four miles inland, Achillcea
ptarmica, Linaria vulgaris, and 7'ypha latifolia are not uncommon.

242 The Irish Naturalist.

A few plants grew on the Arklow sandhills and salt-marshes, on the
extreme southern edge of Co. Wicklow, which may be worth recording.
On the sandhills — Viola Cur/isii, Eryngium, Euphorbia paralias and E.
portlandica, Convolvulus Soldanella. In the marshes — Sagina maritima,
(Enanthe Lachcnalii, Typha latifolia, Carex extcnsa. In the river — Scirpus
fluitans, S. setaceus. On roadsides — Erodium moschatum, Chcerophyllum
anthriscus. By far the most striking plant of the Arklow sandhills is
the rare /uncus acutus, which grows in great tufts five feet high, and
many yards in diameter. — R. Li,oyd PRAEGER.

Artemisia StcIIeriana.— Prof. Areschoug's statement [Journ. Bot.,
1S94, p. 73), that the flowering season of this plant occurs rather late in
autumn, while it may be true with regard to Scandinavia, does not quite
agree as regards its behaviour in Ireland. I visited the North Bull on
the last day of July of the present season in quest of this handsome
colonist, to find it quite out of flower ; by its appearance, it would appear
to have been in full bloom about a fortnight before — say mid-July ; but
the species apparently flowers twice, at least in some seasons, for there
was an abundant crop of new flowering stems rising up, which would
bloom three or four weeks later. The plant grows on the North Bull,
exactly in the position described by Prof. Areschoug as forming its
habitat in Sweden — close to the sea-margin, among Psamma arenaria, and
just above the zone of Cakile, Atriplcx, and Salsola. Botanists need not
go so far as the North Bull in order to acquaint themselves with the
appearance of this Wormwood, as it is used as an edging to one of the
beds in Leinster Lawn, and grows in the flower-border in front of
Alexandra College. — R. L,i,oyd Pr^EGER.

ZOOLOGY.

WORMS.

Bipalium Kewensc (Moseley) in Ireland. — Although this re-
markable species of terrestrial Planarian Worm is probably not indi-
genous in this country, its occurrence deserves mention, as it has made
its appearance, within recent years, in quite a number of places in
England. Its nearest relations live chiefly in Ceylon and China. Only
two species of Planarian Worms are indigenous in Burope and in all
probability will be found in Ireland, though neither of them has as yet
been recorded.

Bipalium Kewense has once been obtained before in Ireland, viz. in
Major Barton's greenhouses at Straffan, Co. Kildare. It was exhibited
last year at a meeting of the Royal Zoological Society of London by
Prof. Bell, and a second specimen has now been sent to me by Major
Barton from the same locality. Like some of the slugs, it secretes a very
tough slime, and I was able to observe that it suspended itself from a
thread of slime, which did not break till it had reached a length of eight
inches. I may mention that some excellent figures with a short descrip-
tion of this worm have been published by Prof. Bell in the Proc. Zool. Soc.
London, 1886.— R. S. SCHARFF, Dublin.

INSECTS.

Hepialus iupulinus at Armagh.— On May 28th, I strolled down
to Mullinure in the afternoon. Not expecting to meet with anything
particular, I did not take a net with me, but merely put a iew boxes into
my pocket. As I was returning home, I noticed a moth flying up the
lane in front of me. I made at it with my hat, knocked it down, and
successfully boxed it. It proved to be a male of //. Iupulinus. On June
1st, another specimen was brought to me by Master A. Townsend, who
had caught it at Cathedral Close. Taking these captures with Mr.

Notes. 243

Barrett's record from Galway, it would seem likely that a diligent search
would produce this moth from other districts. On September 8th, I had
the pleasure of adding Orgyia antiqua to the Armagh list, by capturing a
fine male in the Mullinure meadows, when beating for Peroneal. These
last were anything but plentiiul, though I managed to get a couple of
nice white forms of P. variegana. — W. F. Johnson, Armagh.

Smerinthus ocellatus in West Cork.— Referring to the list of
moths found in Ireland in Irish Naturalist, October, Smerinthus ocellatus
was taken in the County Cork, about seven miles west of Bandon, in the
month of May, 1893. — C. LongfiELD, Enniskeen, Co. Cork.

Lithosia complana In Co. Antrim. — Early in June I took a
larva on Lady's Fingers (Anthyllis vulneraria), at Whitehead, Co. Antrim,
from which I bred a fine specimen of Lithosia complana. Mr. Barrett
kindly confirmed my identification of the species. I believe this is the
first record for the North of Ireland. — W. Howard Campbell, London-
derry.

[Mr. Kane records the species from Co. Down.— Eds.]

Cirrhcedia xerampelina and Triphosia du fa it at a in Co.
Dublin. — On September 6th, my brother and I had the good fortune to
capture a specimen of Cirrhoedia xerampelina at light, and on September
27th, Triphosia dubitala, on a window. Mr, Carpenter, who kindly deter-
mined the species for us, believes that the former is new to the Dublin
district. — G. P. Farran, Templeogue, Co. Dublin.

Hymenoptera of Courtown, Co. Wexford. — The following
aculeates, additions to my list for the district, were taken at Courtown
Harbour, last August, by Mr. Freke : — Mynnica ruginodis, Pompilus rtcftpes,
Vespa germanica, Psen pallipes, and Ccelioxys elongata. Two species, Tachytes
pectinipes, and Colletes Daviesana, which I met with very sparingly in the
locality last year, were taken by Mr. Freke in some numbers there this
summer. Pompilus rufipes is a very local insect in Great Britain, and I
cannot find any previous record of its capture in Ireland. — H. G. CuTH-
bfrT, Blackrock, Dublin.

FISHES.

The Tunny (Orcynus thynnus, L.) in Irish Waters. — A young
Tunny was obtained on the 5th October, by Sir Thomas Brady, in
a mackerel net, at Baltimore, Count}7 Cork. There have only been two
or three previous Irish records — only one of which was a full-grown fish.
The present specimen was 4 feet long, and weighed 57 lbs. In the
Mediterranean, where the Tunny is common, it frequently attains the
weight of 1,000 lbs., and preserved in oil with salt as "thon marind," is
a well-known dish in France. The Tunny seems to prey on smaller
fishes such as the Herring, Mackerel, and Pilchard.— R. F. Scharff,
Dublin.

GEOLOGY.

Kitchen Middens in Co. Donegal.— With reference to Mr.
Kinahan's note in the Irish Naturalist for June, the statement that there
is no pottery in the Rosapenna shell-mounds is incorrect. I do not say
that there is plenty, but plenty to prove that pottery was used there. In
March and in May last year, I found, in a few minutes, five or six pieces
exactly like the White-park pottery, on one of the sites about 100 yards
S. W. of the hotel. One of these pieces, the largest, I left with the
manager for a little museum he was thinking of forming ; it had the
impressed ornament near the rim, that is so common on the White-park
pottery also, evidently made with a twisted thong or fibre while the ware
was soft. — R. Welch, Belfast.

244 The Irish Naturalist.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL BIOLOGY.
The Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological
Society.

For some time an annotated reprint of Charles Smith's quaint
and interesting " Antient and Present State of the County and City
of Cork " (1750), has been appearing as an appendix to the Journal of
the Cork Historical and Arch Ecological Society, and the work has now
progressed as far as that portion of Book IV. which deals with the
natural historj' of the County. The account as we read it in the original
edition is clear enough, but in the reprint it is sufficiently puzzling.
First comes the enumeration of the " fish " (from whales down to jelly-
fishes), reprinted from the original without comment, but with a number
of minor alterations in the text. Following this we find, to our great
surprise, a second " Chapter V." in which the freshwater fishes are enu-
merated by Mr. A. G. More, F.L.S. This contribution is, we presume,
a modern one, but there is not one word to show that we are not dealing
with a portion of Smith's book, and that the distinguished writer of this
chapter did not flourish in the middle of the eighteenth century. We
next come to the birds, and here a fresh surprise awaits us. Smith's
chapter is expunged in toto, and in its place we are presented with a full
and excellent account of the present avifauna, by Mr. Ussher. At the
head of this chapter we are told that it has been " re- written by Mr. R.J.
Ussher, J. P.," which saves us from the danger of relegating another of our
esteemed contributors to a distant period ; but what connection his valu-
able list has with a reprint of Smith's History of Cork it is not easy to un-
derstand. Following the birds, are two paragraphs dealing respectively
with the mammals and reptiles of the County. No clue is given as to their
origin, but as they do not appear in the original book we presume they also
are modern insertions. The amphibia are not mentioned, but on scrutiny,
we find that the frog, toad, and newt have been classed among the
reptiles ! Next conies a useful list of land and freshwater mollusca, by
Mr. R. A. Phillips — but again without a word to show that it is another
recent insertion. Finally we have, in the last issued part (September),
the commencement of Chapter VII., which is devoted to the plants of
County Cork. This appears to us to be the best done portion of this
very bewildering " reprint." The original account is reproduced (though
not so exactly as might be desired) while, distinguished from the text
by being enclosed in square brackets, are notes by Mr. N. Colgan, giving
the modern synonymy of each plant, and remarks on its distribution.

While we would heartily welcome the appearance of a Fauna and Flora
of Cork, bringing our information up to date, we do not quite know what
to say to this strange jumble of ancient and modern science. One re-
flection occurs to us — the Arch Ecological Society which in another hun-
dred and fifty years reprints the present edition of Smith's " Cork " will
have a difficult task in discovering which portions of the work represent
the knowledge of 1750, and which that of 1894. It is to be hoped that
the biologists of the future will not think that Irish naturalists, in the
present year of grace, consider frogs to be reptiles, or whales " fish
breathing by lungs." ^

/

Ill .

Plate 6.

.

&\)z gtrtelj Jtaturaltei

Vol. III. DECEMBER, 1894. No. 12.

A NEW HEPATIC.

BY W. H. PE ARSON.
CEPHALOZIA HIBERNICA Spruce MSS.

Dioicious, creeping amongst mosses, with few rooting
flagella, small, of a whitish, crystalline or pale green colour.
Stems stout, flexuose, ramose, procumbent or somewhat erect,
plano-convex, antical aspect 3 — 4 cells wide, postical with a
band of 4 by 5 much smaller cells ; branches postical, irregular,
sometimes attenuate and gemmiparous, gemmae capitate ;
rootlets hyaline, on the lower part of the stem, or at the apices
of the arcuate stolons. Leaves approximate or contiguous,
alternate, almost horizontally inserted, decurrent at the base,
subalate, plane, so that the stem appears bialate, bifid from a
third to the middle of the length, sinus rounded, segments
subconnivent or erect, sharply acuminate, apical cells 2-4 in
single series, texture delicate, cells large, hyaline, 4, 5 and 6-
sided surface, pitted when dry as in Ceph. comiivens, walls thick,
trigones wanting. Stipules absent. Flowers (female) terminal
on very short postical branches, bracts oblong, divided to about
two-thirds into two unequal lanceolate-acuminate segments,
subbract smaller, divided to about the middle, sometimes with a
third small segment on one side, segments acute ; bracteole
oblong, bifid to about the middle or entire, unidentate near
the middle, segments lanceolate-acuminate ; subbracteole
oval, divided to about \, segments obtuse, 3rd subbracteole
small, slightly bifid. Immature perianths only met with, mouth
fringed with long cilia, 12 to 15, each composed of 3 or 4 long,
single cells. Audrcecia on short postical branches, perigonial
bracts 4 — 5 pairs, closely imbricate, complicate-concave, oval,
bilobed to about one-third ; antheridia single, oval.

A

246 The Irish Naturalist.

Dimensions. — Stems I inch long, with leaves 1-25 mm. wide ;
diam. of stem, '2 mm. ; leaves, "j mm. by "45 mm. ; segments, '25
mm.. 2 mm., '5 mm. by '3 mm.; seg., '2 mm., '15 mm., '55
mm. by '35 mm. ; seg., '2 mm., '175 mm. ; branch leaves,
•35 mm. hy '2 mm. ; seg., "15 mm., 'i mm. ; cells, -04 mm. by '05
mm., '05 mm. by -o6 mm., "04 mm. by '04 mm. ; cells of seg-
ments, "065 mm., '02 mm. "05 mm. by '03 mm.; bracts, r mm. by
•35 mm.; seg., '6 mm., "8mm., 1*2 mm. by "35 mm.; seg., '6 mm.,
•9 mm., bracteole, '85 mm. by '4 mm. ; seg. *6 mm., 1. mm. by '4
mm. ; pistillidia, '125 mm. by '04 mm. ; perigonial bract, '275
mm. by '2 mm. ; explanate, seg., '075 mm.

Habitat. — Among Plagiothecium borrerianum, Spruce, on
banks, Killarney, Dr. David Moore, 1865. Killarney, Mr.
Reginald W. Scully, 1889.

Specimens were sent by Dr. David Moore to Dr. Carring-
ton in 1865 as Jung, cotmivens, who, recognising it as distinct
from that species, brought it under the notice of Dr. Gottsche
of Altona. He referred it doubtfully to Jung, crassifolia, I411-
denb. & Gottsch. It would probably have remained unre-
corded until fertile plants were found, had not a fragment of
Moore's specimen been forwarded to Dr. Spruce, who at once
referred it to Cephalozia crassifolia (L,. & G.) ; since then he
received further specimens from Killarne3^, collected in 1889
by Mr. Reginald Scully, and wrote to me some time before his
death, that he was inclined to consider the species distinct,
and proposed the MS. name of Cephalozia hibctnica. I feel
doubtful until fertile specimens have been found whether it
can be separated from Ceph. crassifolia. In any case it is a
distinct addition to our Flora.

There is a strong resemblance in habit, texture, and struc-
ture of this plant to the genus Zoopsis, its plano-convex stem,
with the band of small cells running through it, giving it a
vertebrate appearance, its remarkably plane leaves, the cells
of which cross the stem unaltered. It is not difficult to trace
the transition from the apparent simple ribbon-like frond of
Zoopsis argcntca (Tayl.) through Z. sctulosa, I^eitg., with its
claw-like leaves, to the more perfect leaf form of Z. Lcitgebia?ia,
C. &. P. and so to the distinctly foliose Cephalozia crassifolia
and Ceph. hibernica.

It is distinguished from its nearest ally, Ceph. connivcns
(Dicks.) by its dioicous inflorescence, the longer segments of
its leaves, which are composed of 2 to 4 single long cells, and
other characters.

A Nezv Hepatic. 247

I am indebted to the late Dr. Carrington for assistance in
the preparation of this paper.

DESCRIPTION OF PIRATE 6.
Fig i. riant natural size. 2. Portion of stem, antical view X 24 (Kil-
larney, Dr. Moore). 3. Cross section of stem x 85 (ditto). 4-6. Leaves
X 64 (ditto). 7. Branch leaf by 85 (Killarney, R. Scully). 8. Portion of
leaf x 290 (Killarney, Dr. Moore). 9. Portion of segment of leaf x 290
(ditto). 10, 11. Bracts x 31 (ditto). 12, 13. Bracteoles X 31 (ditto). 14.
Portion of the mouth of an immature perianth x 31 (ditto). 15. Portion
of male stem, antical view x 31 (Killarney, R. Scully). 16. Perigonial
bract x 85 (ditto).

THE IRISH FIELD CLUBS.

BY R. LLOYD PRAEGER, B.E.,
Secretary, Dublin Nat. Field Club; Ex-Secretary, Belfast Nat. Field Club.

III. — The Cork and Limerick Naturalists' Field Clubs.

We now come to deal with the two Field Clubs which have
recently been founded in the South of Ireland, and I take the
earliest opportunity of acknowledging my indebtedness to
their Secretaries, Mr. J. L. Copeman of Cork, and Mr. Francis
Neale of Limerick, for the full information respecting their
Clubs which they kindly placed at my disposal for the pur-
poses of the present memoir. The history of these Societies
is short, when compared with that of the Belfast Club, or
even writh that of the Field Club of Dublin — three and two
years respectively, compared with thirty-two and eight years,
and the exigencies of space demand that the present notice of
them should be correspondingly brief. Not that we consider
these young Societies one whit less important than the elder
brethren in Ireland ; their foundation is one of the most
interesting events in the recent history of Irish science,
more especially when the proximity of their head-quarters
to that surpassingly attractive biological region, the extreme
south-west, is considered. Irish naturalists should not only
wish these Clubs every success, but, in the interests of Irish
science, they should endeavour to ensure that success by
whatever means lie in their power.

The foundation of the Cork Naturalists' Field Club is to be
ascribed to one who still appropriately holds the office of

A 2

248 The Irish Naturalist.

Secretary, Mr. J. L. Copeman, who, on 25th February, 1892,
read a paper before that important local body, the Cork
literary and Scientific Society, entitled, " A Plea for a
Society's Room, Field Club, and Museum." The discus-
sion on this paper showing that some interest in the
subject had been aroused, it was followed by a meeting in
the Crawford Municipal Buildings, on 18th March, convened
by a circular signed by Mr. Copeman, with the object of
founding a Field Club in Cork. This meeting was attended
by about 40 persons ; resolutions were passed, approving the
proposal ; a code of rules, very similar to those which govern
the Belfast and Dublin Clubs, was adopted, and the following
officers were nominated and subsequently elected: — President,
Prof. Marcus Hartog, d.sc. ; Hon. Vice-President, Rt. Rev.
Dr. Sheehan ; Vice-Presidents, Denny I,ane, m.a., W. H.
Shaw, M.A., W. J. Knight, u,. d., J. Cotter, m.d. ; Treasurer,
John Gilbert ; Curator, R. A. Phillips ; Secretaries, W. B.
Barrington, J. Iy. Copeman ; with a Committee of ten Members.
Rooms for meetings were obtained in the Crawford Muni-
cipal Buildings ; a local museum was founded ; and the
Cork Field Club entered on a life which will, we trust, be a
long and prosperous one. The first business meeting was
held on 1st April, when the President inaugurated the first
session with a ''Gossip on Pond Life." The first excursion
was held on 18th April, when the historic neighbourhood of
Blarney was visited by some 36 members and friends ; on
this occasion, Mr. J. O'Sullivau made the munificent offer to
hand over to the Club the whole of his large local herbarium,
when accommodation was provided for its reception. During
the ensuing summer and winter, a large number of excursions
and indoor meetings were held. The first annual meeting
took place on 17th April, when, according to the official
notice sent to this Journal, the report " showed a highly
creditable position. " The membership stood at 89, and the
financial position was good. The Officers and Committee
were in most part re-elected, the only noteworthy change
being the appointment of Miss Martin as a Vice-President, in
place of Dr. Cotter.

The second year was quiet, but many places were visited,
and a number of scientific subjects discussed, and on the
whole, the interest in the Club proceedings was fairly well

The Irish Field Clubs. 249

maintained. The second annual report, presented to the
members on nth April, 1893, shows a membership of 50.
Three winter meetings and seven excursions had been held ;
the very sensible suggestion is made, that one well organized
meeting per month is as much as should be attempted. The
want of a Club Room, and of accommodation for the Museum
are referred to. The principal office-bearers were again re-
elected ; Mr. T. Farrington, m.a., succeeding Dr. Knight as a
Vice-President. The Treasurer reported a substantial balance
in hands.

Of the present year, the most important event has been the
three-day excursion to Fermoy and Lismore, held in con-
junction with the Dublin and Limerick Field Clubs, on which
occasion the Cork Club was represented by two Vice-
Presidents and the Secretary, as well as seven other members.
The attendance at the other excursions has not been so large
as hitherto, and the membership at present does not exceed
40, but this decrease does not necessarily signify any dimin-
ution in the Club's efficiency. While a society is new, there
will always be found people who will join it, only to drop
away when the novelty has worn off. Such members leave
but little trace behind them, and indeed their sphere of useful-
ness is generally limited to the amount of their subscriptions.
The Workers are more constant in their affections, and,
though it is encouraging to have a larger audience before
whom they may lay the result of their labours, the}7 displa}7
none the less zeal because the circle is diminished.

Of the youngest of our Clubs, the Limerick Naturalists'
Field Club, the story is soon told. It owes its origin to Mr.
Francis Neale, formerly a useful entomological member of
the Dublin Club. On his removal to Limerick, four years
ago, he found in Mr. Joseph Stewart and Dr. W. A. Fogerty,
two men whose tastes were somewhat similar to his own ; and
as a result of various conversations, a meeting was summoned
by circular for 13th December, 1892, when the promoters
brought forward their suggestion for the formation of a
Naturalists' Field Club in Limerick, and submitted a simple
set of rules. The meeting, which was attended by some 20
persons, adopted the suggestion therewith ; Mr. Archibald
Murray was appointed President ; Dr. Fogerty, Vice-President ;

A3

250 The Irish Naturalist.

Mr. Stewart, Treasurer ; Mr. Neale, Secretary ; who, with three
additional members, formed the Committee. With regard to
the rules, we may remark that the annual subscription was
fixed at half- a- crown, being one-half of the amount which is
payable in the other Irish Clubs. Twenty-two names were
enrolled at this meeting ; and at the end of three months the
list had increased to 45. The first regular meeting took place
on 17th January, 1893, when Dr. Fogerty described "Some
Low Forms of Animal Life. " Since that date, monthly
meetings have been regularly held ; the winter meetings being
well attended, and decidedly successful. The summer ex-
cursions presented greater difficulties, on account of the small
number of members who have taken up any definite branch
of collecting ; but the founders of the Club had no reason to
be dissatisfied with their first season's work. The first
annual meeting was held on 16th January, 1894. The state-
ment then submitted showed that the membership was steady,
and the finances in a satisfactory state. Mr. B. Taylor was
elected a second Vice-President, and the Committee under-
went some change. It is a matter of regret that unforeseen
circumstances prevented several members from fulfilling
their intention of attending the joint excursion to Fermoy,
where the discussions and interchange of ideas on Field Club
work would have been sure to encourage and stimulate them ;
but we note that, at the other excursions of the present }Tear,
the attendance has been satisfactory, and that the member-
ship still steadily retains its original figure, about 45. Placed
as they are, in the midst of a district varied and interesting,
and about which there is still much to be learned, the
members of the Limerick Naturalists' Field Club are certain
to derive an increasing pleasure and interest from the study of
local Natural History, and should not regret the day when
they banded themselves together for mutual intercourse and
combined study.

I have now sketched briefly the history and fortunes of the
Field Clubs of Ireland. The record is a creditable one, espe-
cially when we take into consideration the lack in Ireland of
a general interest in Natural History when compared with
England or many parts of the Continent. Four working Clubs
for over 31,000 square miles of country is certainly a very

The Irish Field Clubs. 25 1

modest allowance, but we must be content, and hope for
better things to come. It may be noted that the larger Field
Clubs are located on the east coast, whereas the most interest-
ing regions for the naturalist lie along the western seaboard ;
the future Field Clubs of Galway and Sligo will have a
glorious district for investigation lying at their very doors.
Yet the eastern districts offer a wride and varied scope for the
biologist, and the Clubs are steadily fulfilling their mission of
investigation. The " Flora of the North-east of Ireland," the
" Guide to Down and Antrim," and the " Systematic Lists,"
published by the Belfast Club are worthy of any scientific
society, and the numerous papers which appear in these pages
from the pens of Dublin Field Club members show that that
Society is pursuing its appointed course. Nor have the mem-
bers of the Cork and Limerick Clubs failed to contribute to
the pages of the Irish Naturalist.

Glancing generally at the story of the Irish Field Clubs one
or two facts become apparent. We note, for instance, that
financial matters, the stumbling block of so many organiza-
tions, have never been a source of difficulty ; the treasurer's
duty has always been plain sailing, and the crux — when crux
there was — has been the small number of members whose
interest in natural science was sufficiently keen to induce them
to support their Club by a regular attendance, \>y the steady
pursuit of some branch of research, and by the contributing of
papers at the winter meetings.

Another prominent fact is that there is often a period in the
history of such Clubs, generally a few years after their founda-
tion, when the novelty of their existence has worn off, which
requires all the pluck and pertinacity of the executive to steer
their ship through. We have seen that the Dublin Club passed
through a most severe climax of this kind, which, fortunately,
it safely weathered, and emerged into a steady prosperity.
The successful and influential Field Club of Belfast also saw
its evil days during early years, and though matters never
assumed the critical condition that imperilled the existence
of the Dublin Club, still they had up-hill work for a while.
The two younger Clubs may still have difficulties of this kind
before them. The rapid fall in membership of the Cork Club
seems to show that there history is repeating itself ; but we
trust that the lowest ebb has been reached, and that Mr.

252 The Irish Naturalist.

Copeman's laudable efforts will meet with the success which
they deserve. The Limerick Field Club appears to be quietly
pursuing its course, and it is possible that its exceedingly
modest beginning may save it from the danger of a relapse.

But cannot the now successful and, one might say, power-
ful Clubs of Belfast and Dublin encourage and assist their
southern brethren? Will their members look calmly on while
these 3Toung societies fight the hard battle of life, without
stretching out a helping hand ? Valuable assistance they can
give, and that easily ; and it would be unworthy of the tradi-
tions of either Club if such aid were not tendered promptly
and generously. Is it not in fact desirable in the highest
degree that all the Irish Field Clubs should assist each other ;
that they should know each other better, and feel that they are
comrades, working together for a common object ; that there
should exist a bond of friendly communication between them,
and that as frequently as possible the members of the various
Clubs shouldmeet each other ? These questions have had the
earnest consideration of the Secretaries of the Irish Field Clubs
for some months past, and the result of their consultations
will shortly assume the form of a definite proposal. It is sug-
gested, in short, that an Irish Field Club Union should be
formed, the business pertaining to which will be carried on by
a committee composed of representatives of all the Clubs ; that
the Union should have for its objects the consideration of matters
of general Field Club importance, the providing of mutual
help among the Clubs, and the bringing about, by means of
joint meetings and otherwise, of a closer and more frequent
intercourse. Pending the general conference of the Irish
Clubs, which it is proposed to hold next summer, a memoran-
dum, embodying the above suggestions, will shortly be sub-
mitted to each Club, in order that the benefits which will arise
from the Union may come into operation as early as possible.
At next year's conference it is confidently anticipated that the
foundations will be laid of a true and lasting Union, a bond of
sympathy and friendship and scientific intercourse that will
help the Clubs in their work, and stimulate them in their for-
ward march ; a Union which will be a pillar of strength to the
Field Clubs, an aid to British science, and a credit to Ireland.

t 253 ]

THE STRIDULATION OF CORIXA.

BY GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC.

In the May number of the Irish Naturalist (p. 114), a note
by Mrs. Thompson, of Cork, recorded the interesting obser-
vation that a small water-bug of the genus Corixa had been
heard to produce two distinct sounds. One was of rare occur-
rence and resembled the twittering of a bird ; the other, fre-
quently heard, was a continuous shrill note, like the chirping
of a grasshopper. Mr. E. Saunders, F.L.S., well known as a
high authority on the hemiptera, had never heard of the power
of these insects to make such sounds. Mrs. Thompson's
observation was, therefore, sufficiently noteworthy, though
the cause of the stridulation remained doubtful. Mrs. Thomp-
son noticed, however, that the singing was accompanied hy a
motion of the front pair of legs.1

In view of the problem presented, it is with much satisfac-
tion that I find that similar sounds have been recently heard
by a French naturalist, M. Ch. Bruyant, from a water-bug,
Sigara minutissima, of much smaller size than the species of
Corixa. He believes these sounds to be caused by the motion
of comb-like rows of bristles, situated upon the front feet,
across the rostrum or beak of the insect. A translation of his
remarks2 may be of interest.

"The tarsus of Sigara is formed of a single joint — the pala of authors.
It is simpler than that of Corixa. It presents the form of a somewhat irre-
gular oval, and carries at its distal extremit}7 a thick, stiff bristle which
a high power shows to be bifid. The lateral anterior edge is armed
with a series of strong, equally rigid bristles, usually as many as
thirteen or fourteen in C. minutissima ; these bristles appear to be inserted
in some hollows of the integument. The lateral posterior edge, on the
other hand, has only a few. . . • These strong bristles moved rapidly
across the beak produce the stridulation which we have mentioned, a
monotonous sound, not metallic, but exactly like that which the teeth
of a comb produce by playing on the edge of a thin plate; indeed, the
two instruments are present [in Sigara], but they are microscopic."

But M. Bruyant's paper was specially welcome in affording

a reference to a similar observation upon some species of

Corixa, thus confirming Mrs. Thompson's note. This is due to

a German naturalist, Dr. Schmidt-Schwedt, who records it in

a chapter on insects contributed to Dr. Zacharias' work on

1Mrs. Thompson has, since the publication of her note, told me that
the "two appendages" therein mentioned were, doubtless, the front legs.
2Comptes Rendus, vol. cxviii., 1894, p. 299.

254

The Irish Naturalist.

fresh-water plants and animals.1 A translation of his remarks
on the subject reads as follows : —

" The front pair of legs present a peculiar shovel-like appearance.
Together with the beak, they act in some species (or in all ?) as a musical
instrument. I have heard, only always in the evening, rather loud and
continuous "music" from insects which I have kept. They remain
under water, keeping the middle legs still, and fiddle on the beak with
the front legs. The synchronism of the sound with the motion of the
legs was clearly observed."

It will be seen that Dr. Schmidt-Schwedt records only one
kind of sound, evidently the shrill note heard by Mrs. Thomp-
son. He observed the stridulation only in the evening, while
Mrs. Thompson, though finding the sound then to be con-
tinuous, heard it also at intervals during the day.

Being curious to know exactly what structures on the front
legs produce the stridulation, I have made a microscopic ex-
amination of these limbs in several species of Corixa. There
is a general tendency in aquatic insects, towards a shortening
and thickening of these legs, while the intermediate and hind
pairs remain relatively longer, the latter usually functioning
as oars. Most kinds of water-beetles afford good illustrations
of this fact. Among the water-bugs {jCryptocerata) we notice
that in Noto?iecta the front legs are but little modified, closely
resembling the middle pair. In Nepa and Ranatra these
limbs are adapted for seizing prey, but in Corixa and Sigara
we find them much shortened and thickened. All the di-
visions are stout, and the tarsus or foot consists of only a
single joint. This has the shape of an irregular " half moon "
(fig. i.), whose inner or concave edge is directed downwards
and inwards, in the ordinary position of the limb. This inner

Fig. i. — k Fig. 2.

Right front tibia f \ Right front tarsus of

and tarsus of Corixa / / Corixa striata.

Linnei.

}>--

ir>;

Die Tier und Pflanzenwelt des Susswassers. Leipzig, 1891 (vol. ii., p. 114).

The Stridulation of Corixa. 255

edge is provided with a row of numerous, closely-set bristles
or cilia (fig. 1 ., a) while a raised keel, with another row of
rather stronger bristles (fig. 1., b) runs in a curve over the
inner face of the joint, both ends terminating at the inner
(lower) edge. These rows of bristles, which are found on the
feet of both sexes, are not, I believe, strong enough to pro-
duce the music which has been heard from the insects. But, in
the males of all the species which I have yet examined, I find
situated between the second row of cilia and the outer edge
of the foot, a row of strong, deeply set teeth (fig. 1., c). I have
no doubt that the shrill note of Corixa is due to the vibration
of this " comb, " quickly drawn across the face. A single
row of teeth, like that shown in fig. 1., seems to be usually
present in the males of Corixa. In C. striata, however, this
has been divided into two short rows (fig. 2.), the proximal of
which (c) is situated towards the middle of the inner face of
the foot, and the distal (d) towards the outer edge. In
most of the species, the teeth resemble blunt pegs, but in
C. striata they are sharp and conical (fig. 2, e).

The individual Corixa which was heard by Mrs. Thompson,
was kindly forwarded by her, but arrived in too broken a con-
dition for specific determination. Its sex, however, was
evident, and it was a male. It seems clear, from the absence
of the sound-producing teeth on the feet of female Corixce,
that singing, in these insects, is an accomplishment reserved
for the males ; a similar state of things to that found in other
stridulating insects, such as the cicads, which were con-
gratulated by the ungallant poet, upon having " silent wives."
The "song" doubtless serves as a call-note to the female.

Across what particular part of the face the comb is
drawn, will perhaps be discovered by careful observation of
living Corixa in the act of stridulation. The nature of the
rarer, twittering note heard by Mrs. Thompson, must also
remain doubtful for the present. She noticed that, while the
shrill note was accompanied by a lateral motion of the legs,
the twittering was due to their upward motion. I find upon
the femora a large number of irregularly arranged, stout
spines, and an upward motion of the limb would bring these
into contact with the edge of the face, or of the coxal
cavity. Vibration set up in this way, might perhaps be the
cause of the peculiar twittering sound.

256 The Irish Naturalist.

PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.

Royae Zooeogicae Society.

Recent donations comprise a Peafowl from Mrs. Prince ; a white rat
from Miss Lewers ; a Starling and some Crayfish and Roach from P.
Mahony, Esq. ; a cockatoo from Miss M. Little ; a Rosella from Master
P. Little ; three toads from Miss Nugent ; a Fox from J. F. D'Arcy, Esq. ;
a pair of Call Ducks from S. Brunton, Esq. ; numerous fresh-water fish
from F. Godden, Esq. ; an Indian Mynah from J. B. O'Callaghan, Esq. ;
and a Barn Owl from R. M. Barrington, Esq. A Llama has been born in
the Gardens, while ten Curassows, six Black-headed Ibis, and three
American Night-herons have been received on deposit.

We regret to have to record the death of the young female Chimpanzee.

8,600 persons visited the Gardens in October.

Dubinin Microscopical Ceub.

October 25th. — The Club met at Mr. HedeEy's, who directed the
attention of the members to a thread worm about 2\ inches in length,
and stated that he had found this worm infesting the Common Earwig.
He had found the nematode free in the garden soil, and had also found
a nematode in hyacinth bulbs, but whether the latter and that infesting
the ear-wig were identical he could not offer an opinion although there
did not appear to be any macroscopic difference. The life, history and
name of these nematodes he had failed to make out, although he had
submitted specimens to several observers.

Mr. F. W. Moore showed Sphierospora binominata, Massee, n. sp.
Dr. Johnson collected at Bundoran specimens of Jungermannia turbinata
which he forwarded to Glasnevin. When examining these, a fungus was
detected growing on them, and specimens were forwarded to Mr.
Massee, who made it out to be a new species and named it as above.
It has not yet been described.

Mr. G. H. Carpenter showed male and female specimens of the sea-
midge, Clunio marinns, Halid., taken at Killiney, in April, on the Dublin
Field Club excursion. The insect, except for a single record from
Hastings, appears to have been overlooked since Haliday took it forty
years ago in Dingle and Dublin Bays. The male only was known to him.
The female, which proves to be wingless, and with legs and antennae
much shorter than those of the male, was, together with a larva dis-
covered on the same occasion, described and figured by exhibitor in the
Ent. Mo. Mag., June, 1894.

Mr. M'ArdeE exhibited a specimen of Lejennea hamatifolia, Hook., an
extremely minute liverwort which was in fruit. The perianths are
obovate, distinctly ribbed with five prominent and acute angles, which
extend from the base to the apex, serrated, the mouth is contracted,
elevated, and tubular, cut into fine sharp teeth. The specimens were
collected by Mr. M'Ardle in November of last year at O'Sullivan's
Cascade, Killaruey, where it grows plentifully, but is very rarely seen in
the fruiting condition.

June 21st. — Mr. F. W. Moore showed portion of a species of Utricularia
bearing several bladders. The plant of which part was shown had been
imported from South America, growing on a Bromelia. It forms thin
running stems which intertwine amongst the leaves of the Bromelia, and
bear large peltate leaves, one to two inches in diameter. At intervals,

Proceedings of Irish Societies. 257

root-like branches are given off. These are very fine, and bury them-
selves in the water at the base of the leaves of the Bromdia, on which the
Utricularia has taken up its abode, eventually bearing numerous bladders
which are covered by the water, and in which they float about fully ex-
panded.

[The above notice of exhibit was received too late for our report of
this meeting (p. 200).]

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.

September 15th. — A party numbering 120 — the largest turn-out of the
season — drove from Belfast over the hills through Crumlin to Langford
Lodge. The interesting historic, and other relics in the house, which
was kindly thrown open by its proprietor, Rev. A. Pakenham, J. P.,
excited much interest. The adjoining gardens and woods were examined,
after which the majority of the part)7 proceeded by boat to Ram's Island,
to inspect the round tower, &c. Tea was subsequently served on the
lawn, after which the return journey was made. Very little field-work
was done on this excursion.

October 26th — The winter session was opened by the usual social
meeting in the Exhibition Hall of the Royal Botanic Gardens, when
there was a large attendance of members and friends, notwithstanding
the very inclement weather. The upper portion of the hall had been
beautifully arranged with plants and flowers, mingled with fountains and
fairy lamps, by Mr. Charles M'Kimm, the curator of the Gardens, whilst
the walls of the other end of the hall were covered by a collection of fern
fronds, grown by Mr. W. H. Phillips, and not to be easily equalled for
rarity and appearance. Tea was made by the ladies of the Club from
seven till eight o'clock, when most of the company had arrived. After
tea, the President, Mr. F. W. Lockwood, C.E., bade all welcome to this
the annual exhibition of the Club's work, and pointed out the different
exhibits. The principal one contained a collection of geological
specimens, illustrating the Carboniferous formation, including some fine
ornaments made from coal, lent by Mr. James Stelfox, c.E. This exhibit
was under the care of Messrs. William Gray, m.r.i.a. ; Joseph Wright,
F.G.S. ; and Alexander G. Wilson. The side walls were covered by a large
collection of photographs taken during the season by the members on
the Club's excursions ; also, an explanatory geological series by Mr. R.
Welch, and a comprehensive set of ethnographical views illustrating
some of the manners and customs of the inhabitants of Ireland. Mr.
John Vinycomb, m.r.i.a., with his usual taste, exhibited a lovely series of
Ex Libris, a subject upon which he is now accepted as an authority,
whilst Mr. Ernest Hanford displayed a representative series of water
colours, illustrating the favourite district of Cushendall. Mr. John
Hamilton excited much interest with the objects in his aquaria. Fifty
rare Irish plants collected during the past season, for which a special
club prize had been awarded, were exhibited by Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger,
m.r.i.a. Stereoscopic views were shown by Dr. Cecil Shaw, and under
the guidance of Dr. St. Clair Boyd there was a goodly display of micro-
scopes by the members of the Club. Mrs. Allen, of Stormount Castle,
exhibited a huge Tarpon, whose silvery scales attracted much admiration.
Mrs. White-Spunner had on view her huge album of Irish flowering
plants, which was shown at the Chicago exhibition. A lantern exhibition
was given during the evening, when a series of sea-gull photos, were
shown and some Club excursion views, taken by Messrs. Welch, Gray,
Leslie, and MacLean. After the lantern a short business meeting was
held, when twenty-five new members were elected, bringing up the total
membership to about 500, the largest ever reached in the history of the
Club. The president announced that Professor Cole would commence
his course of lectures on " The Story of Life on the Globe " in January

258 The Irish Naturalist.

next. All who intend to join the course should apply at once to Miss S.
M. Thompson, the Hon. Geological Secretary, or to the Secretary of the
Club.

Dubinin Naturalists' Field Club.

September 29th. —The excursion season was brought to a successful
close by a fungus foray to Woodenbridge, Co, Wicklow. A party of over
thirty left Harcourt-street by the ten o'clock train, favoured by magnifi-
cent weather. Woodenbridge was reached at noon, and, by kind per-
mission of Col. Bayley, the naturalists were soon dispersed through the
beautiful woods of Ballyarthur.

The woods were unusually dry, in spite of the lateness of the season,
and there was in consequence a distinct absence of many species which
would no doubt have otherwise been taken. Moulds and the minute
and more delicate hymenomycetes were not to be found. Not a single
Cortinarius was observed, and the only Pezizoid discomycete encountered
was the Chlorosplenium which was found in perfect fruit. Undoubtedly
the best find of the day was that of Cyathus strialus which was detected
growing on the ground by Miss Hopkins. The following complete list
of fungi taken has been kindly furnished by Dr. M'Weeney, who
conducted the party and identified the captures. Hydnum repandum L.,
Clavaria cinerea, Bull., C. cristata, Holmsk., C. coralloides, L., C. fusiformis,
Sow., C. contorta Fr., Lycoperdon (two species), Scleroderma vulgare, Fr., S.
geaster, Phallus imptulicus, L., Cyathus strialus, Hoffm., Sepedonium chryso-
spermum, Lk., Puccinia luzulae, Chlorosplenium aruginosum, Tab, Amanita
muscaria, Linn., A. rubescens, P., Lepiota excoriata, Schieff, Armillaria mellea,
Vohl., Tricholoma columbetla, Fr., Laccaria laccata, Scop., Clitocybe nebularis,
Batsch., Entoloma jubata, Fr., Hypholoma fascicularis, Fr., H. sublateritia, Fr.,
Stropharia aeruginosa, Curt., S. semiglobata, Batsch., Psilocybe semilanceata, Fr.,
(ringed form\ Panosohts fmiputris, Bull., Coprinus micaceus, Fr., Paxillus
involutus, Fr., Lactarius turpis, Fr., (and two other species unidentified),
Russula emetica, Fr., R. ingricans, Fr., Cantharellus cibarius, Fr., Hygrophorus
calyptrafotmis, B. and Br., H. chlorophanus, Fr., H. pratensis, Fr., Boletus
flavus, With., B. subtomentosus, Fr., B. edulis, Bull., B. p achy pus, Fr., B. scaber,
Fr.

Mr. D. M'Ardle secured the following liverworts : — Lunularia cruciata,
Linn., Cephalozia divaricaia, Smith var. (rare), Lophocolea heterophylla, Schrad.
(very scarce), and Trichocolea tomentella, Erhart. This curious liverwort
was gathered in some quantity by Miss Constance Pirn. It occurs in almost
every county sparingly, excepting Kerry, where it is often found growing
in large masses. The branches are from two to four inches long, not
unlike some mosses of the Hydnum filicinum group. The leaves are
unequally two-lobed, each lobe divided and sub-divided into long ciliary
fringes. The stipules or under leaves are cleft into two portions, which
are fringed with cilia, giving the plant a spongiose appearance, and it is
capable of imbibing large quantities of moisture. It is one of the plants
selected and described by Mr. Jesse Reves in a series of articles on
" Adaptation in Liverworts" in Natural Science, vol. iv., p. 195, March, 1894.
Diplophyllum albicans, Linn., Nardia crenulata (Smith), Lindberg, and Nardia
gracillima (Smith), Lindberg, were also taken.

Mr. Carpenter secured among beetles Chrysomela polila, and among two-
winged flies Tipula dispar, Halid., an interesting crane-fly, whose female
has aborted wings. Spiders were numerous, and included Zora spinimana,
Linyphia insignis, L. hortensis, Gonatium rubellum, and Lycosa lugubris. The
local harvestman Phalangium parietinum was also taken.

The party returned to town by the five o'clock train, well satisfied with
the day's work.

October 30th. — The Club opened their eighth winter session with a
successful conversazione in the rooms of the Royal Irish Academy, which
were courteously placed at the disposal of the Club by the Council.

Proceedi?igs of hish Societies. 259

At eight o'clock the President of the Club (Mr. G. H. Carpenter, B.Sc),
who was attended by the Secretary (Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger, B.B.), took the
chair, and opened the proceedings. He bade welcome to the many
members and visitors present, expressing the hope that many of those
who now came as visitors would soon attend as members. He referred
to the success of the summer excursions of the Club, now over for the
season, and especially to the important joint meetings that had been
held at Drogheda in connection with the Belfast and North Staffordshire
Naturalists' Field Clubs, and at Fermoy in conjunction with the Field
Clubs of Cork and Limerick. Such meetings of the different clubs were
sure to assist their mutual aims. He was pleased to say that arrange-
ments were in progress for the holding of a conference of all the Irish
Field Clubs next year at Galway, when they would together explore the
lovely and interesting district of Connemara, and take council together
iegarding their mutual interests.

He then called on Mr. David M'Ardle, who showed some specimens
and lantern-slides of rare Irish liverworts. These plants grew in damp
places, and among moss, and many of them were of much beauty and
rarity, and their distribution on the surface of the globe was very
peculiar. Mr. R. Welch, of Belfast, next showed a series of lantern views
from photographs taken on the recent excursion of the Belfast Natur-
alists' Field Club to Portsalon and Rosapenna, North Donegal ; also a fine
set of seagulls on the wing, taken from Southport Pier and on the
Northumberland moors. Mr. Carpenter followed with photographs, by
Mr. F. T. Kason, of the Irish house-spider ( Tegenaria hibernica) and its
web. A second lantern exhibition was given later in the evening, when
Professor Sollas, F.R.S., showed a photograph of a model, produced by
spreading a sheet of gold-leaf over a film of gelatine, and allowing the
latter to dry slowly. The puckerings and cracks, and circular elevations
caused by air bubbles which are produced in the goldleaf resemble in a
remarkable degree the features of the moon's surface. Dr. M'Weeney
exhibited a very fine series of bacilli of diseases, such as diphtheria,
cholera, and tuberculosis, and explained lucidly the nature of these
minute organisms. Professor Haddon subsequently described a series of
beautiful views, by Mr. R. Welch, of Irish country life, illustrating the
occupations, conveyances, and monuments of the people in the more
remote parts of the country.

Displayed on tables in the various rooms were a large number of
exhibits of scientific interest. These included microscopical preparations
of the sea-midge, Clunio marinus, shown by the President. The male of
this insect, though very rare, was known to occur in the district, but the
female, which was also shown, has never been found before it was
taken on the Club's excursion to Ballybrack in April last. Mr. H. K. G.
Cuthbert showed an interesting set of inquiline Hymenoptera and their
hosts. Mr. J. N. Halbert exhibited local insects taken in Ireland during
the year, among which were several not previously found in the country.
Professor A. C. Haddon, F.Z.S., showed specimens of Irish Foraminifera,
and enlarged models of the same, which gave an excellent idea of the
beautiful and varied shells of these minute organisms. Professor T.
Johnson, D. Sc, was represented by a series of Irish sea-weeds, and
some microscopical botanical preparations. Several interesting speci-
mens from the Science and Art Museum were exhibited, including the
beautiful green fungus Chlorosplenium, found by Miss Kelsall, and some
fossil corallines from Dublin Bay, by Professor O'Reilly. Mr. F. W.
Moore, F.L.S., exhibited a number of rare exotic plants in the live state,
including insectivorous species. Dr. Scharff, B. Sc, contributed a col-
lection of the land and fresh water shells of County Dublin— a very
complete series ; and also showed the first Irish specimens of a planarian
worm, Rhynchodesvius terrestris. Professor Grenville Cole had on view a
magnificent series of photographs taken among the higher Alps by the
late W. F. Donkin; he also exhibited models and photographs illustrating

260 The Irish Naturalist.

the results of earth movements. Mr. Turlough O'Brien showed a
hornet's nest taken in Middlesex. Mr. R. Welch was to the fore with a
good series of his well-known photographs illustrating Irish geology
and ethnography. One of the principal exhibits consisted of a large
table on which, amid living ferns and grasses, a large collection of fresh
Fungi were naturally arranged as if growing on a green sward of mosses,
each species bearing its scientific name. There were agarics of all
shapes and sizes; boleti, puftballs of various kinds, hydnums and
polypori. The whole exhibited a wonderful variety of form, and almost
every shade of colour — greens, purples, scarlets, browns, yellows, and
whites, and showed in a striking degree the variety and beauty of this
class of plants. This series was collected chiefly at Dundrum and
Howth by Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Tatlow, Miss C. Gardiner, and Mr. Praeger,
and, considering the lateness of the season and the inclemency of the
weather, it formed a very striking display of local fungi.

At 9.15 the President again took the chair, and called for nominations
of new members. The Secretary read the list of nominations sent in,
and the President announced that these would be balloted for at next
meeting. After a further display of lantern-slides, under the manage-
ment of Mr. Greenwood Pirn, F.L.S., the exhibits once more claimed
attention, and the members did not disperse until a late hour.

November 13th. — The Vice-President (Prof. Coee) in the chair. Mr.
J. N. Haebert gave an account of the insects taken on the Club's three-
day excursion to Fermoy and Lismore in July last, and exhibited the
specimens. This paper will shortly appear in extenso in our pages. Prot.
Haddon, Mr. Duerden, and the Chairman complimented the reader on the
industry displayed by his list of captures.

Mr. R. Leoyd Praeger gave a lecture on the varieties of British Ferns.
He said that this group of plants exhibited an extraordinary power of
variation, unequalled in any other branch of the vegetable kingdom.
With the aid of numerous lantern slides and some hundreds of dried
fronds, he demonstrated how in general the most extreme forms wTere
developed by a process of regular evolution from the type, and how, in
various species differing widely from each other in appearance, the types
of variation run in different parallel lines. He finished- with some
reference to crossed varieties, and to the several interesting new modes of
reproduction that have recently been discovered in certain varieties of
British ferns.

Prof. Haddon, Mr. Duerden, and the Chairman criticised the paper,
after which Mr. Praeger replied.

The following new members were elected : — Mrs. W. Haughton Baskin,
Mrs. Bradford, Miss Brown, N. M. Falkiner, M.B., Miss E. J. Haughton,
Miss K. M. N. Maguire, M.D., Mrs. Minchin.

Royae Irish Academy.

November 12TH.— Dr. R. F. Scharff read his report on the origin of
the Land and Freshwater Fauna of Ireland. His conclusions, based
chiefly on the geographical distribution of Mammals, were as follows : —
That the entire fauna (except those species which originated in the
country) migrated to Ireland from Great Britain in Pliocene times, and
that at that time the central portion of the Irish Sea was a freshwater
lake. The southern land connection between Wales and the south of
Ireland broke down at the beginning of the Pleistoceme system, whilst
the northern one with Scotland persisted for some time after. The Irish
Sea was thus converted into a marine estuary, and the freshwater fauna
to a large extent driven to smaller lakes to the east and west of it. A
fuller paper dealing with this highly interesting subject is promised for
an early date.

[ 261 ]

NOTES.

BOTANY.

PHANEROGAMS.

Bristly Ox-Tongue in Co. Wexford. — I found Helminthia echioides

at Kilmanock, Co. Wexford, in October, 1894. It has previously been
recorded for the Co. Wexford by Mr. H. C. Hart and Miss L. S. Glascott,
but is very rare. I sent a specimen to Mr. J. H. Burnill, Curator of the
Cambridge University Botanical Museum, for identification. — G. E. H.
Barrett-Hamilton, Kilmanock, New Ross.

ZOOLOGY.

INSECTS.

Asphalla flavlcornls at Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal.— On

26th July, 1883, we took a larva of A. flavicornis on birch near Buncrana,
and on 3rd August another at same place. One of them died ; from the
other we reared an imago, on 7th March, 1884. On 14th June, 1884, we
beat another larva from birch at Rathmullen, but did not succeed in
rearing it. By an editorial mistake this species was wrongly entered as
C. or in my list of the Lepidoptera of this district (/. Nat., January, 1893.)
It is satisfactory to know that this moth may, therefore, be reinstated
in the Irish list. — D. C. Campbeee, Londonderry.

MOLLUSCS.

A supposed new Species of Llmax from Ireland.— Another
new species of slug from Ireland is described by Mr. W. E. Collinge
(Journal of Malacology, Vol. 3, No. 3, 1894), but although he remarks —
"Anatomically there seems to be little doubt but that there are sufficient
grounds to separate it from any other known species of the genus," yet
he acknowledges that " it is a form of L. maximus, possibly ^ sufficiently
distinct to be regarded as another species." Before definitely adding
the species to our list of Irish slugs, we must wait for further details and
figures which are promised. — R. F. Scharff, Dublin.

Shells from Co. Donegal. — The following is a list of the shells
collected by Mr. R. Welch in Co. Donegal, on the long excursion of the
Belfast Field Club and at other times : — Bundoran: Helix nemoralis, type
and 10,345 in about equal numbers; var. casianea, alive, but denuded of their
epidermis by drifting sand, plentiful ; var. libellula, one specimen ; var.
hyalozonata, with white lip (= var. albolabiata), two specimens. Rath-
mui.IvEN : Helix rufescens, two specimens of type. Rosapenna Links :
H. tricelorum, dark form, and H. acuta. BOTTOM SHORE : H. nemoralis,
type, one a pretty shell with the second band reduced to dots, = 1 : 345
band formula ; Helix erketorum] very fine, and mostly bandless.

Rejectamenta from Portsaeon Links yielded H. pulchella, Pupa
muscorum, Hyl. fulva, Carychium minimum, Coch. lubrica, and Vertigo angustior.
With these a good many specimens of Rissoa striata, JR. costata, and R.parva
occurred, and one specimen of Lepton Clarkice. Rejectamenta from
BOTTOM Shore, Portsalon, contained great numbers of Rissoa punctura,
R. striata, R. costata, and R. cingillus, also many juvenile Phas. pulla, Cerith.
reticulatum, Turritella communis, and Trochus cinerarias.— R. STANDEN,
Manchester.

FISHES.

A new Species of Ray (Rata Planda) from Irish waters.

In the Journal of the Marine Biol. Assoc, (n. s. vol. iii. No. 3, 1894), Mr. Holt
describes a new species of Ray, which he met with first on the west

262 The Irish Naturalist.

coast of Ireland. The species is now described from North Sea
specimens, as a complete series of Irish examples could not be obtained
at the time. Raia blanda is closely allied to Raia metadata, but is much
larger and differs from it in some other important respects. The eye is
smaller, the teeth are also smaller and more numerous, but the distance
between the snout and the coracoid is greater in R. blanda than in
R. maculate The latter never attains anything like the same develop-
ment of the asperities of the upper surface as is present in half-grown
R. blanda.

Beaumaris Shark In Dublin Bay.— On ist November a shark
was caught just outside Dublin Bay in a trawler's net, and was exhibited
at Messrs. Powell's shop, Rathmines-road. It proved to be a large speci-
men of the Porbeagle or Beaumaris Shark, Lamna cornubica. It was about
seven and a half feet long, Unfortunately it was sent away to the manure
works before I had an opportunity of dissecting it, but I secured one of
its characteristic teeth, which are lanceolate, with a small basal cusp on
each side. The Porbeagle is occasionally taken on different parts of the
Irish coast. The only one I can find previously recorded from Dublin
Bay was one taken in 1838, forty-five inches long, and described by Mr.
William Thompson. The usual length is about four feet. They feed
chiefly on fishes.— J. E. Duerden, Dublin.

REPTILES.

Snake Cannibalism.— Apropos of the snake-swallowing incident
which recently took place, I once witnessed a similar event at the Zoo
in London. Whilst watching the serpents feed I noticed two attack the
same frog — they each got hold of a back leg and commenced swallowing
same slowly. By and bye, the noses of the serpents met, and one
gradually went into the mouth of the other. After a little while the
frog escaped, but the less fortunate serpent kept on its slow movement
down the throat of the other. At this point I called the keeper's
attention to it ; and he at once opened the cage and pulled them
asunder. Neither serpent seemed any the worse, but forthwith attacked
separate frogs which they duly devoured. — Jas. Brandreth, Dublin.

BIRDS.

Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fullcarius Linn.) at Inch,
Lough Swilly. On 26th October Mr. M'Connell shot a Grey Phalarope
which he sent to me for identification. This is the only occurrence I
have noted in this district since October, 1891. — D. C. Campbeu<,
Londonderry.

GEOLOGY.

The Geology of Ki Harney. — In a paper by Mr. C. White {Brit. Nat.,
August and September, 1S94), the scenery and geological features of the
Irish lake district are ably and lucidly discussed. The writer passes in
review the various rocks of the region, and shows how by upheaval,
denudation, and glaciation, he believes the present features of the
scene which so delight all visitors have been produced.

The Jarrow Coalfield. — Mr. T. H. Bolton contributes to the
current volume of the Trans. Manchester Geological Society (vol. xxii., p. 613),
a valuable description of plant and fish remains from this coalpit in Co.
Kilkenny, figuring Myriolepis hibemica, a species described by Dr. Traquair.
He notices that the anthracite of the region does not rest on fire-clay,
but on a black shale, and concludes that it represents the overflow of a
peaty lagoon.

WH 1AAY i

lIII