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THE IRISH NATURALIST

A Blonthly Zournal

OF

GENERAL TRISH NATURAL HISTORY

ORGAN OF THE

Royal Zoological Society of Ireland; Dublin Microscopical Club ;
Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club; Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club ,
Cork Naturalists’ Freld Club; Tyrone Naturalists’ Field Club.

EDITED BY
GEORGE H. CARPENTER, M.Sc., M.R.LA.,

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

ROPER]: J2: WELCH, M-R IA.

MOG OAL,

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CONTRIBUTORS

TO THE PRESENT VOLUME.

05

AsBoTtT, W.M,, The Rectory, Fermoy.

ALLEN, J. E. R., Portora, Enniskillen.
ATKINSON, H. M., Technical Institute, Limerick.
BarinG, Hon. CeEciL, Bishopsgate, London.
BARRINGTON, R. M., Fassaroe, Bray.

BENNETT, ARTHUR, Croydon.

BoLaM, GEORGE, Alston, Cumberland.

Burkitt, J. P., Enniskillen.

CARPENTER, Pror. G. H., Royal College of Science, Dublin.

Cote, Pror. G. A. J., Royal College of Science, Dublin.
COLGAN, NATHANIEL, Sandycove, Co. Dublin.
CRAWFORD, GEORGE Brown, Rathgar, Dublin.
CUTHBERT, W. G. Dublin.

DARLING, J. FFOLLIOTT, Athlone.

DUKE, BLANCHE E., University College, Cork.

Foster, N. H., Hillsborough, Co. Down.

GREER, THOMAS, Curylasson, Stewartstown.

HatBert J. N., National Museum, Dublin.

Hart, W. E., Kilderry, Londonderry.

Hincu, J. bE W., National Library, Dublin.
HUMPHREYS, GEORGE R., Dublin.

JOHNSON, Kev. W. F., Poyntzpass.

KKANE, W. F. DE V., Drumreaske House, Monaghan
MALCoMSON, HERBERT T., Knock, Belfast.

METCALFE, HELEN M., Enfield.

Morrat, C, B., Ballyhyland, Enniscorthy.

NicHots, A. R., National Museum, Dublin.
NicHotson, G, W., Cancer Hospital, London,

PALMER, JOHN A., Rathmines, Dublin.

PATTEN, Pror. C. J., The University, Shetheld.
PENTLAND, G. H., Black Hall, Drogheda.
PETHYBRIDGE, G. H,, Royal College of Science, Dublin.
Puitiirs, R. A., Ashburton, Cork.

PRAEGER, R. Lioyp, National Library of Ireland, Dublin.
RATHBORNE, HENRY B., Greenan, Pettigo.

ScHARFF, R. F., National Museum, Dublin.

ScuLty, R. W., Dundrum, Co, Dublin.

iv List of Contributors

SOUTHERN, ROWLAND, Fisheries Office, Dublin.

STELFOX, A. W., Ballymagee, Bangor, Co. Down.
STELFOX, MARGARITA D., Ballymagee, Bangor, Co. Down.
WADDELL, Rev. C. H., Grey Abbey, Co. Down.
WARREN, ROBERT, Monkstown, Co. Cork.

WILLIAMS, ALEXANDER, Dublin.

WILiiAMs, W. J., Dame Street, Dublin.

WRIGHT, W. B., Geological Survey, Dublin.

PLATES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

Barrington, Richard M. (Portrait). . to face page 193

Hewitt, Thomas R. (Portrait) . to face page 77

Plan of Decoy in Co. Louth — k ; ‘ . ‘Page-292
ERRATA,

Page 41, last linc, for GREEN vead GREER,
», 156, last line, for H. FE. CUTHBERT read H. G. CUTHBERT,
., 174, after S. biscutata and S, spinipes, fov (Bagnall) read Bagnall,

INDEX.

Abbott, W.'M.: Jays in Co. Cork,
107.

Acherontia atropos in Co.: Mayo,
62.

Actinomycosis in Gorilla, 85.

Algae, marine, Cork Co. 54.

Allen, J. E. R.: Records of Lepi-
doptera from Enniskillen, 14.
Anderson, Prof. Richard John,

Obituary notice, 16,

Animal names, Irish, 166.

Aphrosiderite, 136.

Atkinson, H. M.: Analysis of a
Chlorite found in Cumeengeera
Valley, Co. Kerry, 136.

Asplenium —lanceolatum
Carlow, 170.

in: Go.

Baring, Hon. Cecii: Notes on the
fauna and flora of Lambay, 68 ;
Orchis pyramidalis on Lambay,
AL

Barnacles, floating, on the coast of
Antrim, 189.

Barrington, Richard M.: Decrease
of the Squirrel, 42; Fulmars on
the Skelligs, 91; last (?) Irish
Golden Eagle, 63 ; Lesser Spotted
Woodpecker, 74; Plants of Ben
Lettery, 169; Waxwings in Co.
Mayo, 15; Obituary notice of,
193.

Bee Orchis in Co. Donegal, 170.

Bees, selective instincts, 188.

Bees and colour selection, 156, 171.

Belfast Natural History and Philo-

' sophical Society’s prize and
research fund, 96.

Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club, 73,

86, £34, 152, 1.75, 187, 207.

Bennett, Arthur : Deyeuxia
neglecta var. Hookeri, 170,

Birds: bird-migration, 75; Irish
and British birds, 75; Irish

names of birds, 109; Irish names
on Rathlin Island, 211; Irish
birds, recent notices of, 170.

‘“ Black apple,” 13.

Bolam, George: Snakes and their
victims, 63.

Botanical notes from Co. Tyrone,
41.

Boulenger’s ‘‘ Reptiles and Bat-
rachians ’’ (reviewed), II.

Braula caeca, 105.

Bream, Long-finned, 97.

British Ornithologists’ Union’s ‘‘List
of British Birds ”’ (reviewed), 926

Barats <" fh Great Crested
Grebe, 218.

Buzzard: Honey Buzzard at Knock,
Co. Down, 15.

Callidium violaceum introduced in
Belfast, 136.

Carpenter, G. H.: Boulenser’s
“ Reptiles and Batrachians’”’
(review), 11 ; Thomas R. Hewitt,

Obituary noueeH 1. OF ATR
Lamarck’s ‘“‘ Zoological Jirl-
osophy ”’ (review), 40.

Cavers’ ‘“‘ Junior Botany” (re-

viewed), 151.

Cetacea stranded on the coasts of
the British Islands, 108.

Chantransia scotica, 213.

Chermes on Larches at Boherna-
breena, 155.

Chiffchaff, arrival of, 217.

Chlorite, analysis of, 136.

Clare Island Survey, 177.

Cole, Grenville A. J.: Geography
of Ireland as a field for Irish
Naturalists, I.

Cole; «Grenville .A. J.;\and .T.
Hallissy’s ‘“ Wexford Gravels and
their bearing on _ interglacial
geology ’’ (reviewed), 57.

Coleoptera : Some additional
coleoptera from Cavan, 5.

Colgan, Nathaniel: Irish animal
names, 160.

Cork Naturalists’ Field Club, 154,
214.

Corn Bunting on migration at
Tuskar lighthouse, 64.

Crawford, George Brown: Black
Rat in Dublin, 75; Black Red-
start and Roseate Tern in Co.
Dublin, 75.

Crow: Carrion Crow in Ireland, 9I.

Cucumaria Hyndmani, 85.

Cucumaria lactea, 85.

Cuthbert, H. G.: Bees and colour
selection, 156 ; Selective instincts
of bees, 188; Sirex gigas and
other insects in North Wexford,
207.

Cystidean from Co. Tyrone, 90,

vi Index

Dall’s “‘ Spencer Fullerton Baird—
A Biography ”’ (reviewed), 218.
Darling, qi ffolliott : Lesser
Spotted Woodpecker in Co. Ros-
common, 64.

Dascillus cervinus at Poyntzpass,
£73: .

Decoy in the Co. Louth, 209.

Deyeuxia neglecta var. Hookeri,
"70!

Dicranella Schreberi, 13.

Discopoma pulcherrima, 44.

Dixon’s “‘ Transpiration and the
ascent of the sap in plants”
(reviewed), 10.

Dolphins in the Boyne, 76.

Dublin Microscopical Club, 13, 44,
72°85) TO5, E55, 203.

Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club, 43,

__ 88, 105, 134, 152.

Duke, Blanche E.: Some marine

Algae of County Cork, 54.

Eagle, Golden, 63.

Fel, large, 273.

Eider Ducks at Inishtrahull, 79.

Elliot’s Translation of Lamarck’s
‘“ Zoological Philosophy,” re-

marks on review, 40.

Fauna and flora of Lambay, 68.

Flycatcher, Pied: On migration
at Maidens lighthouse, 208; on
migration at Tuskar lighthouse,
64.

Fogerty, George J.,
notice, 73.

Foster, Nevin H.: Distribution of
the Symphyla in Ireland as at
present known, 174; Natural
history notes from Carlingford,
Co. Louth, 101; Tree-sparrow
nesting in Co, Antrim, 191.

Fulmars on the Skelligs, 91.

Obituary

Geography of Ireland-as a field for

» Irish Naturalists, 1.

Grebe, Great Crested, 218.

Greer, Thomas: Botanical notes
from ‘Co;Tyrone;’ 41.

Green, W. S.: Retirement from
Irish Fisheries Office, 16.

Halbert; J. N.:° Recent ‘records
of Irish insects, 157; Salpingus
ater in Ireland, 62.

Hallissy’s “‘ Explanatory memoirs
to sheet 58, illustrating parts of
the Counties of Armagh, Fer-
managh and Monaghan” (2nd
Edition), with Petrographic notes
by G. A. J. Cole (reviewed), 192.

Hallissy, T., and Grenville A. J.
Cole’s ‘‘ Wexford Gravels and
their bearing on_ interglacial
geology ”’ (reviewed), 57.

Hart, W. E.: Death’s-head Moth
in Ireland, 74; Sunfishes in
Lough Foyle, 208.

Heath’s ‘‘ All about -Leaves”’
(reviewed), 95.

Hewitt, Thomas Robinson,
Obituary notice of, 77.

Hisch,>' <j]. de ove Cole and
Hallissy’s ‘‘ Wexford Gravels ”’

(review), 57; Hallissy’s “ Ex-
planatory Memoir to Sheet 58,
illustrating parts of the Counties
of Armagh, Fermanagh, and
Monaghan ”’ (2nd Edition),
(review), 192.

Holothurians of County Dublin,
86.

Holt, E. W. L.: Appointment in
Irish Fisheries Office, 16.

Hoopoe in Co. Waterford, 106.

Horwood’s “ Practical Field
Botany ”’ (reviewed), 58.
Humphreys, George R.: Arrival

of the Chiffchaff, 217,
Hypoderma bovis, 72.
Hypomyces Solani, 44.

Ichneumonidea from the North of
Ireland, 130.

Insects, Irish, recent records, 157.

Irish animal names, 166.

Irish Fisheries Office appointments,
16.

Irish names of mammals, 45.

Irish Naturalists in the army, 96,
108,

Jays in Co. Cork, 107.

Johnson, W. F.: Callidium viola-
ceum introduced in Belfast, 136 ;
Dascillus cervinus at Poyntzpass,
173; Death’s-head Moth in
Ireland, 14; Ichneumonidea
from the North of Ireland, 130 ;
Large eel, 173; Notes on lepi-
doptera, 173, 216;)— Pantilus
tunicatus at Warrenpoint, 216;
Robin and Mouse, 217.

Index. Vii

Keane, F. W. L.: Oblong Sunfish
off Co. Cork, 190.
Kilkenny plants, 136.

Lamarck’s “ Zoological Phil-
osophy ”’ (review), 40.

Lathraea squamaria in South
Dublin, 135.

Lepidoptera, notes on, 173, 216.

Lepidoptera records from Ennis-
killen, 14.

Locust’s gizzard, 72.

Malcomson, Herbert T.: Honey
Buzzard at Knock, Co. Down,
rs.”

Mammals, Irish names of, 45.

Mangan, Joseph: Natural History
Chair, University College, Gal-

way, 16.
Marten in Co. Kildare, 218.
Metcalfe, Helen M.: Marten in

Co. Kildare, 218.

Moffat, C. B.: Biographical Sketch
of Richard M. Barrington, 193 ;
bees and colour selection, 171 ;
British Ornithologists’ Union’s
“ List of British Birds ’”’ (review),
92; Sandwich Tern, 218.

Mollusca: Land and freshwater,
Dingle promontory, 17; South
Galway, 137.

Moth, Death’s-head, in Ireland, 14,

74-
Mouse and Robin, 217.
Myxomycetes from the
promontory, 37.

Dingle

Nasturtium sylvestre in Co. Down,
188.

Natural history notes from Car-
lingford, Co. Louth, ror.

Newt, larval, 72.

Nichols, A. R.: Floating barnacles
on the Coast of Antrim, 189.
Nicholson, G. W.: Some additional

Coleoptera from Cavan, 5.
Nosema apis, 86.

Obituary : Anderson, Prof. Richard
John, 16; Barrington, Richard
M., 193; Fogerty, George J.,
73; Hewitt, Thomas R., 77.

Ophiobolus graminis, 72.

Orchis pyramidalis on Lambay,

255,
Otter, speckled, 76.

Paimer,; <John. -A.\: Lathraea
squamaria in South Dublin, 135.

Pantilus tunicatus at Warrenpoint,
216.

Patten, C. J.: Eider ducks at
Inishtrahull, 79; Greenland
Wheatears on migration § at
Maidens lighthouse, $OTs:
Icterine Warbler on migration
at Tuskar, 42; Pied Flycatcher
and Corn Bunting on migration
at Tuskar, 64; Pied Flycatcher
and Lesser Whitethroat on
migration at Maidens lighthouse,
208; Redshanks on migration
at Maidens lighthouse, 190;

Rock-pipit on migration at
Maidens lighthouse 191; Tree-
pipit (a correction), 91; Tree-

. pipit on migration at the Tuskar
208.

Pentland, G. H.: Dolphins in the
Boyne, 76; Notes on a decoy in

Co. = Louth; $7266 < Squirrels,

disappearance of, 76.
Pethybridge, G. H.: Horwcod’s

““ Practical Field Botany ”’

(review), 58; Dixon’s “ Trans-
piration and the ascent of the

sap in plants’’ (review), 10;
Heath’s “ All About Leaves ”’
(review), 95; Cavers’ “ Junior

Botany ”’ (review), I5I.
Peucedanum Ostruthium, 135.
Phillips R. <A.: Non-marine

mollusca of South Galway, 137;

Trichomanes radicans and

Asplenium lanceolatum in Co.

Carlow, 170.

Photo-micrographs of seeds, 214.
Pipits: Rock-pipit on migration
at Maidens lighthouse’ tIo1;

Tree-pipit (a correction), 91;

Tree-pipit on migration at

Tuskar, 208.

Plants of Ben Lettery, 169.
Pleurocystis anglica, go.
Post-glacial levels of Lough Neagh,

8, 05.

Praeger, R, Lloyd: Bee Orchis in

Co. Donegal 170; Kilkenny
plants, 130; Peucedanum
Ostruthium, 135; Rook’s nest

fifteen feet above the ground, 217,

Ranunculus Auricomus in North
Kerry, 106. ;
Rat, Black, in Dublin, 75.

Vill

Rathborne, Henry B.:
in December, 15.
Redshanks on migration = at
Maidens lighthouse, 190.
Redstart, Black, in Co, Dublin, 75.
Reptiles introduced on Lambay,

Chiffchaff

go.

Reviews: Boulenger’s “ Reptiles
and ‘battachians,”’ 11 °° British
Ornithologists Union “ List of
British. Birds!” : 92 7, Cavers’
* Funior -Botany,? -151';° Cole

and Hallissy’s ‘‘ Wexford Gravels
and their bearing on inter-glacial
geology, 57; Dall’s ‘“ Spencer
Fullerton Baird—a Biography,”’
218; Dixon’s “ Transpiration
and the ascent of the sap in
plants,” 10; MHallissy’s “ Ex-
planatory memoir to Sheet 58,
illustrating parts of the Counties
of Armagh, Fermanagh, and
Monaghan ”’ (2nd Edition). With
petrographic notes by G. A. J.
Cole, 192; Heath’s “ All about
Leaves,’”’ 95 ; Horwood’s “ Prac-

tical Field Botany,” 58;
Lamarck’s ‘“ Zoological Philo-
sophy,’’ 40.

Robin and mouse, 217.

Rock-pipit on migration at Maidens
lighthouse, Igtf.

Rook’s nest fifteen feet above the
ground, 217.

Royal Zoological Society, 13, 43,
59, 72, 84, 104, 134, 152, 175,
207, B14:

Salpingus ater in Ireland, 62.

scharff, ‘hy P22). Baslatie Shark,
171; Beaked Whale on Wexford
Coast, 64; Clare Island Survey,
177; Irish names of birds, 109 ;
Irish names of birds on Rathlin

island, 211; Irish names of
mammals, 45; Long-finned
Bream, 97; Notes on Irish

Sharks, 99; Reptiles, introduced
on Lambay, 90; Speckled Otter,
76,
Sclerotinia fructigena, 13.
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, 105.
Scully, Reginald W.: Ranunculus
Auricomus in North Kerry, 106.
Seeds, photo-micrographs, 214.
Shark, Basking, 171.
Sharks, Irish,- 99.

Index.

Sirex gigas in North Wexford, 207.
Snakes and their victims, 63.
Southern, R.: Dall’s ‘“‘ Spencer
Fullerton Baird ’”’ (review), 218.
Squirrel: decrease of, 42; dis-
appearance of, 76.
Stelfox, A. W.: Land and fresh-
water Mollusca of the Dingle
promontory, 17; Post-glacial
levels of Lough Neagh, 8.
Stelfox, Margarita D.: Myxomy-
cetes from the Dingle promontory

37:
Sunfish, Oblong, off Co. Cork, 190.
Sunfishes in Lough Foyle, 208.
Symphyla, distribution in Ireland,
174.

Tern, Roseate, in Co. Dublin, 75.

Tern, Sandwich, 218.

Therioplectes tropicus, maxilla, 13.

Trichomanes radicans in Co, Carlow,
170,

University College,Galway :
Mangan’s appointment to
Natural History chair, 16.

Waddell; #46) Axa: Nasturtium
sylvestre in Co. Down, 188.

Wagtails, White, in Co. Mayo, 107.

Warbler, Icterine, on migration at
Tuskar, 42.

Warren, Robert: Hoopoe in Co.
Waterford, 106 ; White Wagtails
in Co. Mayo, 107.

Waxwings in Co, Mayo, 15.

Whale, Beaked, on Wexford Coast,
64.

Wheatears, Greenland, on migra-
tion at Maidens lighthouse, ror.

‘“ White heads ” in wheat, 72.

Whitethroat, Lesser, on migration
at Maidens lighthouse, 208.

Williams, Alexander: Acherontia
atropos in Co. Mayo, 62.

Williams, W. J.: Carrion Crow in
Ireland, gt.

Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted, 74;
in Roscommon, 64.

Wright, W. B.: Post-glacial levels
of Lough Neagh, 65.

VOL. XXIV. No. 1.
JANUARY 1915.

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QA flonthly Hournal

OF

;GENERAL IRISH NATURAL HISTORY,

ORGAN OF THE
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND,
tg DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB,
Ge BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,
4 BELFAST NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB,
DUBLIN NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB,
CORK NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB,
TYRONE NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

EDITED BY
Pror. GEORGE H. CARPENTER, M.Sc., M.R.I.A.
R. LLOYD PRAEGER, B.A., B.E. M.R.I.A.,

AND

ROBERT WELCH, M.R.LA.
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VOLUME XXIV.

emer GEOGRAPHY OF ITRELAND AS A FIELD
FOR IRISH NATURALISTS.

be oreo. GRENVILLE A. J. COLE, M.R.TA., F.G.S.

THE naturalist claims kinship with all scientific workers,
though many scientific workers would hesitate to regard
themselves as naturalists. The tendency towards speciali-
sation is often deplored ; but close attention to one line
of research soon leads to a sense of dependence on results
obtained in other branches. The whole of scientific work,
as the term is usually understood, deals with natural
phenomena, and nature herself becomes the ultimate region
of appeal. The physicist who speculates as to the earth’s
age becomes confronted by facts in biology and geology ;
the chemist, whenever he takes up a mineral, finds himself
in alliance with natural history ; and the engineer meets the
microscopist in the contemplation of a drop of water from a

_ town-supply, where competing organisms battle for the

lives of men. A wide field of Natural History has, more-
over, been opened out for every thinking man, for the
historian equally with the student of rock-weathering, for
the psychologist side by side with the meteorologist, through
the recognition of Geography as a science. Grasping the
significance of the movement in other lands, the Depart-
ment of Agriculture and Technical Instruction has lost no
time in including Geography in its curriculum for Secondary
Schools. Let us hope that in consequence the geography
of their country will be a familiar study to our rising Irish
naturalists.
A

tke The Trish Naturalist. January,

Anyone familiar with American or with German
journals will know that geography is no longer a
merely descriptive science. While the description of
surface-features has been undertaken with far more scru-
pulous precision than of old, an attempt is made to connect
them on the one hand with their modes of origin, and on the
other with their influence on living things, from mosses
and marmots up to man. We talk vaguely of “ our
country,” with a genuine feeling for it ; but in most cases the
grounds for this sentiment are concealed even from our-
selves. The pure beauty of a chain of hills, a band of
purple against the evening air, appeals to an instinct that
is more ingrained in Irish folk than in those of many other
lands ; but a Tipperary man will feel more affection for the
uplands of Knockmealdown than for the serrated edge of
Malvern, while he will set against the burial-hill of Maeve
in Connaught the limestone boss of Cashel of the Kings.

It is this natural and accumulated heritage that goes
by the name of country. Men fight and die for their
country, so they say, but in reality for what has
been reared in its wide and wind-swept spaces or in the
compelling shadows of its glens. Strength of body and
courage of soul have been brought to this focus by in-
vaders from other lands; and it is well to remember that
the earliest human occupants of Europe were invaders
on the acquired heritage of the Mammoth, the Rhinoceros,
and the Giant Deer. But such culture as invaders brought
to Europe with them has long become moulded into local
forms and usages. The conditions of the cultivation of the
soil have become reflected in the cultivation of the race.
The ground of the country, solum patriae, may be obscured
by the throng of chariots and of armed men trooping to the
ford ; but from its well-wrought furrows it has given those
armed men birth.

The study of an Irish county, or even of a group of |
townlands, becomes in every sense a work of natural history.
The naturalist will thus provide a sound basis for the archae-
ologist, and the association of the two types of observer
in our field-clubs will tend to become further justified.
Our river-systems, on the other hand, are in much need of

1915. CoLe.—The Geography of Treland. 3

investigation, since many of the main streams have a complex
origin, and their courses, like that of the Dee or the Severn
on the Welsh border, may have been greatly modified as
recently as Glacial times. J. B. Jukes, in 1862, in his
memorable paper on ‘‘ The River-valleys in the south of
Ireland,’ was the pioneer in enquiries as to river-capture.
The mere fall of a stream from point to point along its
course, when carefully worked out from maps, may suggest
relationships with the structure of the country ; while the
height of the barriers across which the stream appears to
have carved its way points in many cases to a very ancient
origin, when it rose on a land-surface now removed by
denudation.

As subjects for county-description, we may suggest
Tyrone or Antrim—the former marked out so definitely as
the basin of the Mourne, with its drowned continuation in
the Foyle, and the latter so largely dependent on the
volcanic activity of Oligocene times. R. Lloyd Praeger,
in a unique railway handbook, has shown what a naturalist,
intimate with all aspects of the country, can do with the
hilly lands of Mourne; and his “‘ Flora of the West of
Ireland ” possesses a distinctly geographic touch. But we
still need local studies, say, of the quartzite domes of
Connemara, or the sunken coast of western Mayo, or, a more
difficult and attractive matter, the successive peneplanes
in the county of Waterford. Up and down this varied
country, from the meanders and terraces of the local
streamlet to the glaciated mountain-sides or the cave-set
scarps of limestone, there are everywhere unworked fields
for the geographer.

The Ordnance Survey Maps, contoured and hill-shaded,
chosen for the observer’s particular homeland, form a
very pleasing basis. With due reference to the correspon-
ding sheet of the Geological Survey, an essay may be written
connecting the familiarly appreciated features with the
underlying geological structure. The sites of historic
buildings or prehistoric settlements may be found to have
been decided by some event which took place on the sea-
floor of Carboniferous or Silurian times. The glens cut
in stratified foothills, which play so large a part in the

A 2

4 The Irish Naturalist. January,

human history of Leinster, are consequent on an earth-fold
that formed part of the Caledonian continent. The
royal tombs of Rathcroghan in Roscommon are placed
on the high slabs of the limestone plateau, where it is free
from encumbrances of glacial drift, so that they have no
rivals in the landscape. De Courcy’s castle on the
rock of Fergus is planted on an igneous dyke, defiant of the
sea ; and the keep of Carrigogunnel, in Limerick, crowns the
ash and lava of a dead volcano.

The old trade-routes along the eskers deserve investi-
gation, and the rias of the coast have tempted equally the
Mediterranean races and the Norsemen from their viks and
fjords. A typical fjord, with huge glacial terraces at its
head, remains to be described in Killary Harbour ; and the
cirques of the Comeraghs await the young geographer
who will pitch his tent among them.

Lastly, we may note that Miss Newbigin’s essay on
‘* Modern Geography” in the Home University Library
has shown to thousands of readers the lines on which such
studies may be pursued. Albrecht Penck’s ‘‘ Morphologie
der Erdoberfliche,’ W. M. Davis’s works on Physical
Geography (particularly his ‘‘ Practical Exercises,” with
its atlas for personal development), and W. H. Hobbs’s
manual on ‘‘ Earth Features and their Meaning,” will fix
attention on the evolution of surface-forms. L. W. Lyde’s
“Continent of Europe” shows how such features have
affected civilisation in the region that concerns us closely ;
while H. J. Mackinder, with his exceptional feeling for the
physical foundations and the imperial outcome, appeals to
our knowledge of home-countries in his “‘ Britain and the
British Seas.” Matters may be narrowed down by passing
on to Miss J. B. Reynolds’s ‘‘ Elementary Regional Geo-
graphy of Ireland,’ or O. J. R. Howarth’s ‘‘ Oxford
Geography of Ireland,’ or A. M. Davies’s ‘‘ Geography of
the British Isles.” A systematic course of such reading,
in the company of a good atlas and local large-scale
maps, may be commended to groups formed within our
field-clubs, and the view gained of Ireland in relation to
her surroundings may prove especially fruitful at the
present stimulating time.

Royal College of Science, Dublin.

an > ae

1915. NICHOLSON.-—Coleoplera from Cavan. 5
SOME ADDITIONAL COLEOPTERA FROM CAVAN.

BY) Gai Ws. ‘NICHOLSON, M.Ai,,, M.D,

As I had the good fortune to take a specimen of Pleros-
tichus aterrimus, Pk., at Cloverhill, in September, 1913,!
I revisited that place at the end of May of last year, a
time that I thought would be suited for finding it again.
I was, however, doomed to disappointment. Diligent
search in every conceivable spot, both at Cloverhill and on
several of the neighbouring estates, produced no result as
far as this insect was concerned. In spite of this my time
was not wasted, and I now give a list of the more note-
worthy of my captures.

Among them there are the following additions to the
Irish list :— |

1. Ips iv-guitata, F. Six specimens in the burrows of
Hylastes palliatus, Gyll., under the bark of the stump of a
Scotch Fir, at the felling of which I had assisted the previous
September, in a wood at Cloverhill, on June 4.

2. Dryophilus pusillus, Gyll. Twelve specimens beaten
out of a pine on the avenue at Castle Saunderson, Co.
Cavan, on June 2, and another at Cloverhill on June 4.

3. Salpingus ater, Pk. A specimen beaten out of a
Birch on the bog at Cloverhill on May 25. This may be a
doubtful species, but my specimen agrees in every detail
with the description in Fowler’s ‘‘ British Coleoptera.”

4. Trypodendron lineatum, Ol. Ifoundasingle specimen
_under the bark of the same stump as the Ips on June 4.

The following species, all of which, I believe, are ad-
ditions to the county list, may be mentioned. Except
where otherwise stated the locality is Cloverhill :—

Bembidium punctulatum, Drap., B. bipunctatum, L.,
B. assimile, Gyll., and B. aeneuwm, Germ., on the shore of
Lough Erne at Castle Saunderson.; here I also found a
purple variety of Anchomenus parumpunctatus, F.; Brady-
cellus placidus, Gyll., in moss beside one of the Cloverhill
lakes ; Coelambus v-lineatus, Zett.; Hydroporus pictus, F. ;
Hi. tineaius, F.; HH. mgnia, F.; H. memnonius, Nic. ;
Agabus chalconotus, Pz.; A. affinis, Pk.; Ilybius ater,

1 Ivyish Naturalist, xxui., p. 68.

6 The lrish Naturalist. January,

De G.; J. obscurus, Marsh.; Gyrinus minutus, F., the
latter very common in bog holes.

Lesteva longelytrata, Goeze; L. stcula, Er., common in
moss; Stenus fornicatus, Steph., several specimens by
treading the vegetation at the edge of a lake, also one at
Castle Saunderson ; Philonthus gquisquliarius, Gyll., both
the type form and the var. dimidiatus, Er., on the edges of
lakes; Megacronus cingulatus, Mann., two specimens ;
Agaricochara laevicollis, Kr., one ina Boletus. This species
has only quite recently been added to the Irish list by Mr.
Bullock. Encephalus complicans, West., one by sweeping ;
Leptusa funuda, Er., a few in a dead Holly log ; Lachyusa
atva, Gr., one in mud by the side of a lake.

Eumucrus tarsatus, Mull., one on the lawn, by sweeping ;
Choleva Watsont, Spence ; Antsotoma calcarata, Er., a few ;
Colents dentipes, Gyll., one. I obtained the last two
species by sweeping under Beech trees in the middle of the
afternoon, on several days. On returning on the same
evenings at dusk, I never swept a single one.

Podabrus alpinus, Pk., a few on fir. trees; Telephorus
jiguratus, Man., common everywhere.

Cercus bipustulatus, Pk., common by sweeping over
boggy ground. One of my specimens is dark brown,
without the usual reddish spots on the elytra; Epuraea
obsoleta, F., in numbers in the runs of Hylastes palhatus,
Gyll.; here also I obtained twelve specimens of Ips dw-
punctata, Hbst., a species that I have only recently added
to the Irish list from Meath.” Both it and J. zv-guttata, F.,
occurred in the same runs together ; Rhizophagus depressus,
F., common under fir bark; Telmatophilus caricis, OL. ;
Lathnidius lardarius, De G.; Adalia obliterata, L. ab.
sublineata, Weise, several specimens together with the type
form on fir trees. This is the first time this aberration,
which differs merely from the type in the possession of two
black dashes on the elytra, has been recorded from Ireland,
although it no doubt occurs in many localities; Mysza
oblongoguttata, L., common; Halyzia xvi-guitata, L., one
on a fir tree.

1 Ivish Naturalist, xxili., p. 105.
2 bide Pe 71>

SRO

1915. NICHOLSON.— Coleoptera from Cavan. 7)

Cyphon coarctatus, Pk., on May blossom; Dascillus
cervinus, L., sparingly by sweeping.

Corymbites tessellatus, F. C. quercus, Gyll., both the
type form and the var. ochropterus, Steph., in great abun-
dance ; Cryptohypnus dermestoides, Hbst., under stones by
the shore of Lough Erne at Castle Saunderson ; Melanotus
rufipes, Hbst.; Elater pomorum, Hbst., very common both
under the bark of decayed birch posts and on the foliage
of young birch trees on the bog at Cloverhill ; Priobium
castaneum, F., in decayed Holly wood.

Rhinosimus viridipennis, Steph., common; Khagium
bifasciatum, F., common on May blossom.

Donacia bicolora, Zsch.; D. simplex, F. ; D. vulgarts,
Zsch. ; Phaedon armoraciae, L.; Galerucella nymphaeae, L. ;
G. sagittarvac, Gyll.; G. lineola, F.; Batophila rubt, Pk. ;
Aphthona lutescens, Gyll.; Apteropeda orbiculata, Marsh. ;
Cassida vibex, F.

Bruchus atomarius, L., very common on Vicra sepium.

Phyllobius argentatus, L. Among the numerous speci-
mens I saw, there was one of a grey colour (which corres-
ponds to the var. cenereus, Fowler, of P. maculicornis, Germ.,
but does not seem to me to be worthy of a name) ; Lzophloeus
nubtlus, F., common on Ivy; Barynotus obscurus, F., B.
elevatus, Marsh., common by evening sweeping on the lawn ;
Troptphorus obtusus, Bons., I secured four specimens of this
rare insect together with the last two species; Hypera
punctata, F.; H. rumeis, L.; H. pollux, F.; Grypidius
- equise, F., common; Dorytomus maculatus, Marsh. ;
| Tanysphyrus lemnae, F.; Coehodes quercus, F.; C. rubt-
cundus, Hbst., sparingly on Birch ; Phytobius canaliculatus,
Fahr.; Ceutorrhynchus viduatus, Gyll., one by general
sweeping; C. cochliariae, Gyll.; Limnobans pilstrnata,
Steph., very common in all the ditches ; Balaninus pyrrho-
cevas, Marsh., common; Anthonomus rubt, Hbst.; Anoplus
plantaris, Naez., common; Orchestes salicis, L.; Rhampus
flavicornis, Clair.; Czionus hortulanus, Marsh., common ;
Nanophyes lythn, F.; Apton cerdo, Th., A. subulatum,
Kirby, both these species, the latter of which has already
been recorded from Cavan, occurred together on Vucza
sepium ; the following common species of this genus were

8 The Lrish Naturalist. January,

also noted: A. dichroum, Bed.; A. apricans, Hbst.; A.
humile, Germ.; A. Gyllenhah, Kirby; A. ervv1, Kirby; A.
victae, Pk. ; Rhynchites minutus, Hbst.

Hylastes ater, Pk.; H. palliatus, Gyll. Inquilines in the
burrows of the latter species, which was very numerous in a
fir stump, were [ps iv-guttata, F., I. 1v-punctata, Hbst., and
Epuraea obsoleta, F.

Aphodius fossor, L.; A. depressus, Kug.; Geotrupes
stercorarius, L.; G. sylvaticus, Pz.; Melolontha hip pocastant,
F., one at Cloverhill, and another caught for me by the Hon.
Barry Maxwell at Farnham. This is the first record of
this species from Ulster. M. vulgaris, F., Cloverhill.

The weather was, on the whole, cold and wet, so that
many of the summer species I might otherwise have found,
no doubt escaped observation.

Oxford and Cambridge Club,
London, S.W.

THE POST-GLACIAL LEVELS OF LOUGH. NEAGH.

BY As W..STELEOX: oi Rois

Upon reading the very lucid account of the warping of the
shorelines of the Great Lakes in North America, in Mr. W.
B. Wright’s ‘‘ Quaternary Ice Age,” caused by the post-
Glacial elevation of the north-eastern part of that country,
it occurred to me that a similar warping of the shoreline
should exist in Lough Neagh. The post-Glacial elevation °
of the N.E. of Ireland, which has left its mark in the *‘ 25
feet ’’ raised beach round our coast, must, one would think,
have raised the level of the outflow of Lough Neagh, and
have caused a corresponding submergence of the shoreline
towards the southern end of the lake. But a few days after
this thought crossed my mind, I turned up in the Proceedings
of the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club (vol. ii., series ii., p.
117), an abstract of a paper read on 15th November, 1881,
by the Rev. Canon Lett, on ‘* Records of a former level of
Lough Neagh.” The following quotation is taken from this
paper :—

‘* Passing to his own observations, he stated that the

1915. STELFOX.— The Post-Glacial Levels of Lough Neagh. 9

water was remarkably shallow near the shore, so that a
person can wade out for many yards, there being a gently
shelving bank for some distance, and then a sudden precipi-
tous drop from three or six feet to a depth of from eleven
to sixteen feet. The shore population call this *‘ the edge
of the gut,” and its margin can be traced through the water
in summer or autumn by the fringe of Potamogetons which
find on it a suitable habitat. At one place a boat can be
rowed along this edge with two feet of water at one side,
and nine feet at the other. The formation is the Boulder
Clay. It is not possible that the undercurrents in stormy
weather could do this, and the edge is too deep to have
been scraped out by the ice of any recorded frost. This
second margin is more or less distinct all round the south-
east, south, and western shores, and is, in some instances,
at a considerable distance from the present shore. In the
opinion of the writer, this was a former escarpment, or shore-
line, worn away when Lough Neagh was at least 30 feet
lower than at present, and when some 20,000 acres at the
south margin was dry land, covered with waving woods.
The present Derryinver at-the mouth of the Upper Bann,
represents the Tuach Tubhear mentioned in the Book of
Leccan, to which the probable overflow extended. The for-
mation of the surface of submerged escarpment bears out
this idea. It is studded in many places with large root-
stumps 7m situ, and the fallen trunks of oak and fir trees,
and a thick stratum of peat. In the turf bogs which border
Lough Neagh, fir and oak roots of very large size are also
found far below the present mean level of the lough.”’

Canon Lett seems to infer, though he does not state,
that this submerged shoreline is absent from the northern
shore of the lake, which if so, would point to the tilting
of the bed of the lake, as a possible explanation of the
submergence of its southern shoreline. It would be most
interesting, however, if Mr. Wright would give his opinion
on the matter, and also whether he considers this submerged
escarpment or shoreline contemporaneous with the ‘‘ 25-
feet ’’ raised beach.

Belfast.

10 The Lrish Naturalist. January

REVIEWS.
THE ASCENT OF SAP.

Transpiration and the Ascent of Sap in Plants. By Henry H.
Dixon, Sc.D., F.R.S. Macmillan & Co., 1914. Pp. viii. + 216. Price
5s. net.

This book of eleven chapters is one of a series of science monographs
designed to “afford to authorities upon definite aspects of science a
means by which an adequate statement of their work may be made
available to the scientific world within a volume of reasonable dimensions
and at a moderate price.’”’ Although the earlier theories of the ascent
of sap are briefly reviewed and criticised in the book its main purport
is to give an account of the so-called “‘ cohesion theory,” first formulated
by the author and Dr, Joly in 1894, and of the data on which it is based.
In a general way therefore, perhaps, the most interesting part of the
book is chapter iv., where this theory is discussed. Briefly stated it
may be said that according to the older theories the ascent of sap was
presumed to result from pressure acting upwards from below on the
ascending column, assisted, according to certain authorities, by subsidiary
pressures developed locally and at intervals in the living cells distributed
in the woody tissues of the stem. According to the cohesion theory, on
the other hand, the ascent of sap during transpiration is due to a pulling
force developed in the leaves, acting from above downwards and trans-
mitted through the sap which is therefore in a state of tension in the
conduits of the wood. The later chapters of the book deal with the
tensile strength of the sap, the tension required to raise it, the osmotic
pressures of the cells of the leaves and finally the amount of energy
required and available for causing its rise. After studying these points
the reader cannot fail to recognise that this theory has very much to
recommend it, and, indeed, up to the present no substantial arguments
have successfully been advanced against it. It may be pointed out,
however, that the theory only explains the ascent of sap when the plant
is transpiring, and apparently would not account for its rise—if such
occurs—in a deciduous tree, for example, in spring before the foliage
buds have expanded, unless, indeed, transpiration from the bark of the
twigs be looked upon as capable of developing sufficient tension.

On reading the book one cannot but be struck with the critical attitude
which the author adopts, not only towards the work of others, but also
to his own work, sources of possible error being looked for everywhere
and when found eliminated as far as possible by approaching the various
problems along all the available avenues of attack. The book also reveals
the author (as his published papers have already done to those who have
studied them) as possessing great originality and resource in dealing
with experimental problems especially such as demand delicate and
accurate quantitative measurement. In these respects attention may
be called to the particularly interesting experiments in chapter ili. dealing

ee ae ee a eee

Ct he

1915. Reviews. II

with the elimination of poisonous materials developed in stems subsequent
to the killing of portions of them by heat, to chapter viii. on the thermo-
electric method of cryoscopy and to the new and elegant method of
obtaining apparently unaltered sap from cells after solidification of the
tissues by exposure to liquid air, described in chapter ix. Such a happy
combination of the talents of the naturalist with those of the physical
chemist in one author is as rare as it is valuable.

Some exception might be taken to the method in which the references
to the literature are presented at the ends of the various chapters. Thus,
one finds Strasburger’s well known volume of researches on_ the
“ Leitungsbahnen ”’ mentioned in the bibliographies of no less than four
chapters, but with no indication in any instance of the page or chapter
in the volume dealing with the points being discussed in the text. Again,
one may find an author and his publication mentioned in the bibliography
but not definitely alluded to in the text of the chapter. For a book of
this size it would probably have been more convenient to have been
content with one bibliography and to have made definite and explicit
references to it in the course of the text. Occasionally one feels in reading
the book that perhaps a gifted experimenter is not always the clearest
exponent of his work, but any slight lack of clearness here and there is
easily explained by the inevitable condensation of material which must
occur when space is limited. A couple of unimportant typographical
errors may be noted in passing :—On page 80, last line but one, “‘ Beders-
tung ”’ should probably read ‘‘ Bedeutung,’’ and page 202, line 25, “ rises ”’
should apparently be “‘ uses.” The appearance of this book is to be
welcomed, and it should be in the hands of every student of vegetable
physiology, not only on account of the theories and facts which it presents,
but also as affording a good insight into the ways and means by which
important and far reaching results in modern science are obtained.

GET Dy

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS.

Reptiles and Batrachians. By E. G. BouLENGER, F.Z.S. Pp. xiv. +
278. With numerous illustrations. London: J. M. Dent & Sons.
Pree 26s: net:

The author of this beautiful and interesting book is curator of the
“lower Vertebrates’’ in the London Zoological Gardens, and anyone
who has spent an hour or two in the new Reptile House in Regent’s Park
knows that Mr. Boulenger has abundant material for such a work, and
that he has a genuine delight in the creatures which he describes. The
volume contains a summary classification of the Reptiles and Batrachians,
alarge number of species being mentioned, briefly diagnosed and illustrated
by means of admirable photographs mostly taken from living specimens.
Visitors to the Dublin “ Zoo.’ will be interested to read Mr. Boulenger’s
account of the New Zealand Tuateras, the only surviving examples of

12 The Lrish Naturalist. January,

the order Rhynchocephalia. Our Dublin specimen by his behaviour
confirms the statement that “‘ very few ever become at all tame, and
they can never be handled without the risk of a rather painful bite.”

In turning to the chapter on Lizards, the Irish naturalist looks with
especial care for a notice of our only native reptile Lacerta (Zootoca)
vwipara, and is interested to learn that captive specimens of this species
“have to be kept in comparatively damp surroundings,” as in the wild
state they often seek haunts in the neighbourhood of water. It is
important to know that a number of Continental Green Lizards (Lacerta
viridis) ‘“‘imported some years ago by the Hon. Cecil Baring, and let
loose on the small island of Lambay off Dublin, have maintained themselves
and multiplied.”

The chapter on Snakes is noteworthy as affording reliable information
on the habits of these reptiles and their relations with their prey. “‘ The
power of fascinating other animals, so often attributed to snakes is known
to be a fallacy . . . for when live mice, rabbits, ducks, &c., are
introduced into their cage, these will often settle down on the coils of
the snake or force them, by biting or pecking, to quit some snug corner
which they desire to appropriate.”’ (This sentence, by the way, furnishes
an example of a slovenliness in construction and a want of clearness that
too often disfigure Mr. Boulenger’s English style). No animals, except
monkeys, appear to recognise snakes as dangerous, or to show any alarm
at their proximity. Snakes have the habit of passing the tongue all
over their prey, “ in order to locate the head ;”’ this habit, Mr. Boulenger
believes, has given rise to the statement that they salivate the victim
as a preparation for swallowing it. Like other naturalists who have
given attention to the subject, he can produce no evidence for the well-
worn legend that the female Viper shelters her young in time of danger
by temporarily swallowing them.

The concluding section of the book deals with the Batrachians (or
Amphibians as they are called in most zoological treatises). Mr. Boulenger
has tested experimentally Dr. Kammerer’s conclusions as to the co-
relation of the pattern of the Spotted Salamander (Salamandva maculosa)
with its environment, and has failed to obtain the results announced by
the Austrian zoologist; he does not refer to Kammerer’s remarkable
experiments in transforming the breeding habits of S. maculosa and
S. atva. Mr. Boulenger has succeeded, however, in obtaining frequently
the oft-quoted transformation of the Mexican Axolotl into Amblystoma,
by placing a specimen, “when about five inches in length, under
conditions which force it to make free use of its lungs.”

Mr. W. S. Berridge is responsible for the remarkably excellent series
of photographs that illustrate the book. The reptiles, frogs, and newts
have, almost without exception, been “‘caught” in a striking and
characteristic pose, and their life-like portraits have been admirably
reproduced. The book can be heartily commended to those naturalists
who, on the modest scale possible to their situation, follow Mr. Boulenger
in caring for the “lower vertebrates,’ be they alive or dead.

GAG

1915. Trish Societies. 43

IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include a Marmoset from Mr. F. Hoffman, a Blackbird
from Mrs. Winkworth, a Silver Pheasant from Mrs, Allen Morgan, a pair
of Californian Quail from Dr. Quinton Wallace, Grass Parrakeets from
Mr. H. P. Goodbody, and a Diamond Python from Mrs. Stanford Robinson.

NOVEMBER 18.—A public lecture was given in the Theatre of the Royal
Dublin Society (by kind permission of the Council) by Mr. L. E. STEELE,
M.A., on “‘ Animal Artists of the Ancient World.’’ After reference to the
cave-paintings of animals made by Palaeolithic Man, Mr. Steele described,
with great wealth of illustration, the zoological features of Assyrian and
Egyptian monuments ; pointing out that the specific characters of birds
and mammals were often strikingly depicted by the ancient artists, and
that the monuments afforded evidence as to the introduction of European
and Ethiopian animal types into Egypt under kings of various dynasties.
The President, Sir CHARLES Batt, Bart., expressed the thanks of the
large audience to Mr. Steele for his fascinating lecture.

DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.

DECEMBER g.—The Club met at Leinster House, Davip McARDLE
(President) in the Chair.

Pror. G. H. CARPENTER showed a maxilla of the Breeze-fly Therioplectes
tvopicus, a tabanid, calling attention to the presence of both the galea
and the lacinia of a typical maxilla, in the piercing stylet into which
the maxilla in these flies has been transformed.

Dr. G. H. PETHYBRIDGE exhibited a “ black apple.’ As exhibited,
the fruit was considerably shrivelled, but in the earlier stages, except for
the presence of a few spots of Fusicladium on its surface, its only
abnormality appeared to be in its colour. Gradually the whole of the
internal tissues, with the exception of some layers of cells near the skin,
became dried up and the fruit consequently contracted and became
wrinkled. These changes are due to the attack of the parasitic fungus
Sclerotinia fructigena Schroet., which causes the well known “‘ Brown Rot ”
of fruit. Sections through the peripheral tissues of the apple were
exhibited and showed very abundant fungus hyphae in and between the
cells. These hyphae as they approach the surface become darker until
they reach the cavities of the cells of the epidermis when they are of a
dense black colour, thus giving the apple its black skin. On a few areas
of the skin there were the first indications of the appearance of fructifying
pustules of the fungus but no conidia had yet been produced on them.
The specimen exhibited was obtained from Scotland.

D. M‘ARDLE showed specimens of Dicranella Schreberi Schp. a very
minute moss scarcely half an inch high, which grows in tufts of a bright
yellowish green colour. The leaf arrangement in a squarrose direction
from a broad amplexicaul erect base, gives the stem a characteristic
appearance ; from the broad half-sheathing base, the leaves rapidly
contract into a lanceolate subulate limb, which is irregularly denticulate

I4 The lrish Naturatvist. January,

for the greater part of its length; a well marked nerve reaches to the
somewhat broad apex. The plant is restricted in its distribution in
Ireland. In Dr. Moore’s work on the mosses of Ireland (Proc. R. l. Acad.
vol, i., Science, 1873, p. 137) under additional species he notes Dicranella
Schreberi. “‘ Hab, moist clay banks, near Dunsink, Dublin, D. Orr, October
1869. Not hitherto observed elsewhere in Ireland.’’ Since that period
we know it has been found in North Kerry and in the Counties
of Down and Antrim, and it has been recently found growing on clay
banks in the Glen of the Downs, Co. Wicklow, extending the distribution
to the south-east.

NOTES,

ZOOLOGY.
The Death’s-head Moth in Ireland.

I am able to add another locality to those mentioned by Professor
Carpenter in his note on this moth last month. This is Coolmore in Co.
Donegal, where a specimen flew into the Strand View Hotel at the end
of September and was brought to me. I have looked up the records of
its occurrence in Ireland as far as I am able, and find that it has been
met with in the following counties :—Antrim, Londonderry, Donegal,
Tyrone, Monaghan, Armagh, Down, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Sligo,
Galway, Dublin, Wicklow. Wexford, Waterford, Cork. That is in 17
out of the 32 counties of Ireland. From the distribution thus disclosed
I should say that the moth is probably to be found in every county in
Ireland were it looked for. It has a great fancy for flying into houses,
and it is thus most of the captures have been made. Unfortunately
most people are afraid of it and it thus escapes, I am sure, on many
occasions. Its great size, peculiar markings and power of squeaking
have invested it with superstitious terror. It would be interesting to
know if any additions can be made to the list of counties I have mentioned.

W. F. JOHNSON.
Poyntzpass, Co. Armagh.

Records of Lepidoptera from Enniskillen.

The following species of Moths taken last year are worthy of record :—

Hydroecia crinanensis, Burrows,—Abundant at night on ragwort
flowers, at Florencecourt, August, 1914.

Larentia flavicinctata, Hb.—On rocks at the head of a remote mountain
glen near Florencecourt, beginning of August, I914.

Phibalapteryx lapidata, Hb.—Discovered by me near Florencecourt, on
the slopes approaching Cuilcagh, September 20th, 1914.

Chesias spartiata, Fues.—One specimen, October 17th, 1914, found at
rest on the wall of a lighted room about 11 p.m,

j]. E.R. ALL,
Portora, Enniskillen.

a a

1915. Notes. 15

Honey Buzzard at Knock, Co. Down.

On November 15th, 1914, my attention was attracted by a number
of Magpies, which were chattering in some fir trees in my garden at Knock,
Belfast. I fired three shots at these birds with a rook rifle from an
upstairs window, before I discovered the cause of the disturbance, and
then I saw a large bird sitting on a lower branch. I fired at it with the
rifle, and it flew into a neighbouring plantation followed by the Magpies,
who kept on chattering at the stranger, and in so doing directed me to
where it had gone, and I killed it on the wing with a shot gun. I have
given the foregoing details to show its comparative tameness. It would
seem probable that the bird was blown out of its course by the strong
north-easterly winds which were then prevalent, and it has been suggested
that the cannonading on the continent might have had something to do
with it being so much out of its course. It is now in the hands of Messrs.
Sheals, the taxidermists, who identified it, and who inform me that it
is a young male Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus). It was in excellent
condition, and in its stomach were found the remains of bees and other
insects.

HERBERT T. MALCOMSON,

Knock, Belfast.

Waxwings in Co. Mayo.

I visited the Tearaght Rock light-house early in July, and one of
the keepers, Mr. Michael Roche, told me that in February, 1909, he saw
nine Waxwings on Eagle Island, Co. Mayo, when stationed there. He
described the birds accurately.

RICHARD M. BARRINGTON.
Fassaroc, Bray.

Chiffchaff in December.

I watched a Chiffchaff for some time this evening feeding in the Hazel
scrub which abounds along the shore of Lough Erne, here at Dreenan,
where large fiocks of Long-tailed Titmice and Golden Regulus also
congregate. I think it may be interesting to record it.

Henry B. RATHBORNE.
Greenan, Pettigo.

16 The Lrish Naturalist. January, 1915.

OBITUARY.

PROFESSOR RICHARD JOHN ANDERSON, M.D.

We regret to record the death, in July last, of Dr. R. J. Anderson who
for thirty years past has occupied the chair of Natural History at University
(or as it was called, until 1908, Queen’s) College, Galway. He has left a
monument in the Zoological Museum at the College, which contains a
remarkably complete series of teaching material and some noteworthy
individual specimens. An illustrated account of this museum was published
by Prof. Anderson in the Ivish Naturalist (vol. viii., 1899, pp. 125-131).
He was handicapped by the extremely wide scope of his teaching work,
but he attended constantly the meetings of the British Association and
of the International Zoological Congress, where he brought forward
several papers on details of the vertebrate skeleton. In the Irish
Naturalist (vol. X., I90I1, pp. 117-119, and vol. xiii., 1904, pp. 126-7)
he described the skull and teeth of the Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon
Hectori) ; writing also (Ib. vol. ix., 1900, pp. 150-2) on Crookedness in
the Sterna of Fowls.

NEWS GLEANINGS.
The Irish Fisheries Office.

Naturalists beyond the borders of Ireland will unite in wishing all
happiness and prosperity to W. S. Green, c.B., who has lately retired,
under the age limit, from his position as Chief Inspector of Irish Fisheries.
The work of surveying the western waters which is now carried on by the
Government Department was begun thirty years ago largely as the result
of Mr. Green’s private enterprise and enthusiasm. We wish him a long
and enjoyable leisure with abundant opportunity for continuing the
geographical and biological studies to which his life has given so much
encouragement,

The post of Chief Inspector has been conferred on the distinguished
marine zoologist, E. W. L. Holt, m.r.1.4., who has as his colleagues in
the inspectorate, Charles Green and R. H. Lee.

University College, Galway.

The Chair of Natural History vacated through the death of Prof. R. J.
Anderson, has been filled by the appointment of Joseph Mangan, M.A.,
F.R.C.SC.1., who from the Royal College of Science, Dublin, passed to
Manchester University as Research Scholar and Lecturer in Economic
Zoology, and has, for the past year been working as Assistant Professor
of Biology at the School of Medicine, Cairo. Galway is an admirable
centre for biological study—especially as regards the marine fauna and
flora, and we hope that Irish natural history will benefit by Mr.
Mangan’s transference from the east to the west.

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CONTENTS. A NY an
| Page _
The Geopraphy of Ireland as a Field for Irish Naturalis! s.— Vteeag

Prof. G. A. J. CoLE, M.R.IA., .. of a A eae a
Some Additional Bie from Cavan.—G. W. NICHOLSON, — an
1,1 6. Ue 5) OS 0) alee ’ e a i 5°
The Post- Glacial Levels of iB sae N seh —A. W. STELFox, e
M.R.I.A. ape a ms x. ot ss Ss.
REVIEWS : 4
H. H. Dixon’s ‘‘ Transpiration and the Ascent of Sap in Plants.”— ; |
(G.HCP,) ps ve n4 : oie oi te EOL Ls
E. G. Boulenger’s “ Reptiles and Wea ha yes H. C.), 54, ee 11
TRISH SOCIETIES : | } re 3
Royal Zoological Society. Dublin Microscopical Club,” .. oF 463 :
NOTES: f
Death’s Head Moth in Ireland.—Rev. W. F. JOHNSON M.A. oni 72 ara 14 ey
Records of Lepidoptera from Enniskillen.—J. K. R. ALLEN, MES. es te 14 i
Honey Buzzard at Knock, Co, Down,—H. T. MALCOMSON, x Ete MTS ce ‘
Waxwings in Co. Mayo.—R. M. BARRINGTON, F.L.S. © .. | 55 Sie = % eel
Chiffchaff in December.—-HENRY B. RATHBORNE, ie ee ys} z I id
OBITUARY :— | . % a
Prof. R. J. Anderson, .. by oo whens pare sour
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February, 1915. The lrish Naturalist. 17
A LIST OF THE LAND AND FRESHWATER
| MOLLUSCA OF THE DINGLE PROMONTORY.

BY ta Wo STELEPOXR, MR IA:

THE present paper deals with that portion of the Dingle
peninsula contained in the old Barony of Corkaguiny,
which, according to Praeger’s division of Ireland, is included
in the vice-county of South Kerry. It includes the Great
Blasket and the attendant islands, ‘‘ the nearest parish to
America,” situated off the extreme western point; also
the Seven Hogs or Magharees at the entrance to Tralee
Bay. |

Much of the peninsula les at a height exceeding 2,000 feet,
Brandon Mountain attaining the greatest elevation in 3,127
feet. Everywhere deep valleys, coombs, or rock-basins lie
between, the mountains, but the coombs are particularly in
evidence to the north of the main watershed. Cliffs with
rich, though low-growing, vegetation are frequent, especially
around Brandon Mountain and Connor Hill. Slates of
Silurian and Old Red Sandstone age form the greater part
of the district, but the presence of Glacial drift containing
limestone along the shore of Tralee Bay mitigates to
some extent the unfavourable nature of the slates and
conglomerates. The great areas of sand dunes round the
coast, which include in their composition a large percentage
of calcareous material, likewise have a stimulating effect on
the molluscan fauna. Were it not for these sandy areas
» the list of species would be considerably diminished, not
only in the case of the land shells, but also in that of the
freshwater species. The chief habitat for the latter is the
strip of marsh-land which lies behind the fringe of dunes
for several miles east and west of Castlegregory. The
Magharees and the peninsula stretching north from Castle-
gregory are formed of Carboniferous limestone, but no
part of this limestone area have I been able to work.

Compared with some other districts in which I have col-
lected, such as West Mayo, the Dingle promontory cannot be
said to be heavily peat-covered ; yet in the valleys and on
the northern slopes of the mountains much of the ground

A

1S The Lrish Naturalts?. February,

is clothed by peat bog. The southern and western flanks
of the mountains, especially west of Dingle, are remarkably
free from such deposits, the vegetation being mainly com-
posed of grasses and Evica cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, and
Ulex Galli. The last mentioned plant gradually disappears
at about 1,200 feet alt., above which elevation Juncus
squarrosus 1S a very conspicuous member of the flora.
None of these plants is considered a delicacy by land snails,
and it is not surprising, therefore, that over large portions
of the district Avion ater appears to be their sole represen-
tative.

For the preparation of this list I have visited the district
upon three occasions—r8th till 26th September in rgIo,
12th till 24th June in 1912, and from 12th till 28th Sep-
tember, 1914. Upon the first of these I had the assistance
of Mr. Robert J. Welch, M.R.I.A., and the following places
were searched :—Lough Anscaul, Lough Tooreenmartin,
Coumenare, Dingle, Burnham demesne; the cliffs from
Brandon Creek to Brandon Head; Gallerus and Smerwick
Bay ; Kilmalkedar, Inch, Ventry Bay, Slea Head, Connor
Hill, Cloghane and Brandon Mountain; the woods at
Fermoyle House; Stradbally and Castlegregory. On my
second trip I visited the Great Blasket and Beginish ;
Dingle, Dunquin, Ventry, Kilmalkedar, Brandon Head,
Connor Hill, Cloghane and Brandon Mountain, Stradbally
and Castlegregory ; and upon my third and last visit I
worked Burnham and Dingle; Ventry, Smerwick, Sybil
Head, and Ferriters Cove; Lough Anscaul, Connor Hill,
Brandon Mountain, Cloghane; Fermoyle and Kilcummin
Woods ; and finally the gorge of the Finglass River above
Camp, close to Castlegregory Junction.

Six main types of habitat occur in the district for the
land species, and three for the freshwater ones. These
may be tabulated as follows :—

For LAND SPECIES—

Type A.—Cultivated ground; roadside hedges
and banks.

type B.—Open ground; grazed by cattle and
sheep, but not cultivated.

1915. STELFOX.— Wollusca of Dingle Promontory. 19

Type C.—Coastal sandy areas; dunes or flats.

Type D.—Woodland ; native scrub or plantation.

Type E.—Cliffs, with rank, though low-growing,
vegetation.

Type F.—Marsh-land; edges of swamps and
coastal lakes.

FoR FRESHWATER SPECIES—
Type G.—Moving water; rivers and streams.
Type H.—Still water; lakes and tarns.
Type [.—Stagnant water ; marshes and bog-pools.

The following lists will show at a glance the character of
the molluscan fauna inhabiting each type.

Type A.—Field at Castlegregory Junction :—Limax
maximus, Agriolimax agrestis, Hyalinia ntidula, Pyramidula
votundata, P. rupestris, Hygromia rufescens, Helix nemoralts,
Cochlicopa lubrica, Vertigo pygmaea, Pupa cylindracea and
Clausilia bidentata.

From fields near Dingle :—Limax maximus, L. arborum,
Agrniolimax agrestis, Milax Sowerby1, Hyalinia cellaria, H.
alliaria, H. radiatula, Anon ater, A. subfuscus, A. circum-
scriptus, Pyramidula rotundata, Vallonia pulchella, Helicella
intersecta, Hygronua hispida, H. rufescens, Helix nemoralts,
H. aspersa, Pupa cylindracea, Vertigo pygmaea, Clausilia
bidentata and Carychium minimum.

Type B.—The fauna of the open ground has already been
referred to on the preceding page. It consists chiefly of
Arion atey and Limax arborum, with Hyalinia alliaria, H.
crystallina, Arion intermedius, Arion subfuscus, and possibly
Limax cimereo-niger.

Type C.—From dunes below the old church at Strad-
bally :—Agriolimax agrestis, Vallonia pulchella, Heltcella
ttala, H. intersecta (large form), Helix nemoralis, H. aspersa,
and Cochlicopa lubrica.

From dunes at Smerwick Bay:—A griolimax agrestis, Arion
ater, Valloma pulchella, Helicella itala, H. virgata, H. inter-
secta (small form), H. barbara, Helix aspersa, H. nemoralis,
Cochhicopa lubrica and Vertigo pygmaea.

From sandy area east of Dingle Harbour—Agriolimax
agrestis, Hyalinia pura, Arion ater, Vallonia pulchella, Helt-

A2

20 The lrish Naturalist. February,

cella wtala, H.. intersecta (small form), Helix aspersa, H.
nemoralis, Cochlicopa lubrica, Pupa muscorum and P.
cylindracea (type and var. anconostoma taken under the
same stones).

Type D.—From woods at Burnham House :—Limax
maximus, L. arborum, Agriolimax agrestis, Hyalimia cellania,
H. alana, H. nitidula, H. pura, H. crystallina, Zomtordes
excavatus, Avion ater, A. intermedius, A. hortensis, A. ctr-
cumscriptus, Euconulus fulvus, Pyranidula rotundata, Hy- .
gronua Iispida, Helix nemoralis, Cochlicopa lubrica, Pupa
anglica, P. cylindracea, Clausiia bidentata, Carychium
minimum.

From woods in the gorge of the Finglass River :—Limax
maximus, L. arborum, Agriolimax agrestis, Hyalinia cellania,
H. alana, H. mtidula, H. pura, H. vadiatula, H. crystallina,
Zomtotdes excavatus, Arion ater, A. subfuscus, A. inter-
medius, A. hortensis, A. circumscriptus, Pyramidula rotun-
data, Acanthinula aculeata, Hygromuia granulata, H. rufescens,
Helix nemoralis, Cochlicopa lubrica, Pupa anghca, P. cylin-
dracea, Balea perversa, Clausihha bidentata, Carychium min-
mum and Acicula lineata. °

From woods at Kilcummin and Fermoyle :—Limax
maximus, L. arborum, Agriohmax agrestis, Vitrina pellucida,
Ayalima alana, H. mtidula, H. pura, H. radiatula, H.
crystalina, Zomtoides excavatus, Arion ater, A. subfuscus,
A. intermedius, A. circumscriptus, Sphyradium edentulum,
Punctum pygmaeum, Pyramidula rotundata, Acanthinula
aculeata, A. lamellata, Hygromia fusca, Helix nemoralis,
Cochhcopa lubrica, Vertigo substriata, Pupa anglica, P.
cylindracea, Clausiha bidentata, Carychium minimum.

Type E.—From the cliffs of Knocknabreestee, Brandon
Head, at from goo to 1,200 feet altitude :—Agriolimax
agrestis, Vitrina pellucida, Hyalhinia cellaria, H. alliana,
H. nitidula, H. pura, H. vadiatula, H. crystallina, Euconulus
fulvus, Arton ater, A. subfuscus, A. intermedius, Sphyradium
edentulum, Pyranudula rotundata, Cochlicopa lubrica, Clau-
silia bidentata, Vertigo substriata, Pupa anglica, ba cylin-
dracea var. anconostoma, and Carychium minimum.

From the cliffs of Connor Hill, at 1,300-1,400 feet above
sea level :—Limax arborum, Agriolimax agrestis, A. laevis,

1915. . © STELFOX.—Mollusca of Dingle Promontory. 21

H. alliaria, H. pura, H. vadiatula, H. crystallina, Euconulus
fulvus, Arion ater, A. intermedius, A. circumscriptus, Sphy-
vadium edentulum, Pyramidula rotundata, Hygromia fusca
Clausilia bidentata, with Limnaea truncatula.

Typr F.—From the great marsh behind the sand dunes
at Stradbally :—Agriolimax agrestis, A. laevis, Hyahna
nitidula, H. rvadiatula, H. crystallina, Euconulus fulvus,
Zonitorides nitidus, Arion ater, Punctum pygmaeum, Pyra-
midula votundata, Hygromia /uspida (rare), H. granulata
(common), Vallonia pulchella, Cochhcopa lubrica, Vertigo
antivertigo, V. pygmaea, Pupa anglica, P. cylindracea, Cary-
chum mmumum, and Succinea Pferfferr.

Type G.—From the Owenmore at Cloghane :—Limnaca
pereger, Ancylus fluviatilis, and Margariiana margariitfera.

TypE H.—From tarns in Coumaknock, Brandon Moun-
tain, above 2,000 feet alt. :—Ancylus fluviatilis, Pisidium
pusillum, P. mtidum, P. obtusale, P. personatum.

From Lough Cruttia, 650 feet alt.:—Limnaea pfereger,
Ancylus fluviatilis, and Prsidium pusillum.

From Lough Doon, or ‘‘ the Pedlar’s Lake,” 1,050 feet
alt., at Connor Hill:—Ancylus fluvtatilts, Presidium Lalljeborgt,
and P. obtusale.

From Lough Anscaul, 250 feet alt. :—Ancylus fluviatils,
Limnaea pereger, Physa fontinalis, Pisidium casertanum, P.
bersonatum, and P. milium.

From Lough Gill, Castlegregory, 14 feet alt. :—Limnaea
bereger, Physa fontinalis, Planorbts albus, P. crista, P.

leucostoma, Paludestrina jenkinst, Pisidium casertanum, and
— P. lilljeborgt.

TypE I.—From the pools in the marsh at Stradbally
draining into Lough Gill, 14 feet alt. :—Limnaea fereger, L.
truncatula, Physa fontinalis, Aplecta hypnorum, Planorbts
leucostoma, P. crista, P. albus, P. glaber, P. fontanus, Palu-
destrina jenkinst, Sphaerium corneum, Pisidium casertanum,
P. subtruncatum, P. nitidum, P. personatum, P. pusillum,
and P. milium.

Previous to the year rgro I can find no published reference
to the mollusca of the promontory. In that year, almost
on the eve of my first visit, Mr. J. R. le B. Tomlin recorded
in the Journal of Conchology: forty-nine species which he

y)

1 Journ. of Conch., vol. xiii., pp. 77-79, IgI0.

22 The lrish Naturalist. February,

had collected in the neighbourhood of Cloghane in the month
of April of that year. In the list given below the letter T
follows the names of those species found by Mr. Tomlin.

The list of species which I found on the Great and Little
Blaskets in June, 1912, has already appeared in this Journal.’

Mr. Welch has discovered several interesting MS. notes
referring to the district in an interleaved copy of Wm.
Thompson’s Catalogue of the Insh Land and Freshwater
Mollusca. This contains the book-plate of Robert Callwell,
a well-known Dublin naturalist, and some of the pencil
notes in it are presumably in his writing? The first note of
importance is on page 117 under the heading of Limnaea
auricularia : ‘** Loch Niscaul, on side of Caherconree Moun-
tain, by Wm. Andrews.” The second note on page 125 is
more surprising ; it reads: “‘ P. corneus. Loch Niscaul, W.
side of Caherconree Mountain. Specimens obtained from
Wm. Andrews, June, ’41.”" There are several reasons for
doubting these two records. There is evidence to show that
Andrews did not always attach the correct locality to the
specimens which he sent to his friends. Moreover, there is
no lake on the western side of Caherconree Mountain ; but
some nine miles to the westward is Lough Anscaul, which
could easily be corrupted to read ‘‘ Lough Niscaul.” I
presume, therefore, that this is the lake intended. It 1s
fairly large, about half-a-mile long and nearly as broad,
apparently not deep, with stony margins, clear water, and
little vegetation, fed and drained by a small, rapidly flowing
river. It contains Ancylus fluviatilis, Limnaea pereger,
Physa fontinalis, Pisidium casertanum, P. personatum, and
P. milium. Since Andrews’ time the distribution of the
various species has been carefully worked out, and it is now
believed that Planorbis corneus is confined in Ireland to the
eastern part of the ‘‘ central plain,” and it is impossible to
credit that a habitat for 1t could be found in the district
around Lough Anscaul. It does not seem probable now

1 JI, Nat., vol. xxi., pp. 185-190. Plate 3. 1912.

> Other pencil notes are added later ; but all these are signed H, A, H.
The book appears to have passed into the hands of “ H. A. H.,’’ probably
subsequent to Cailwell’s death.

7 eo

Ig15. STELFOX.—Mollusca of Dingle Promontory. 23

that any large species could exist in Kerry and yet have been
overlooked by the various naturalists who have collected
there. Yet the occurrence of Elona quimperiana, a land-
shell whose continental range is so similar to that of several
species of plants and animals which occur in the south-west
of Ireland, is not beyond the bounds of possibility. It
is strange, too, that this Pyrenean shell should have a
somewhat superficial resemblance to Planorbis corneus.
Monsieur Bourguignat, in his work on the Mollusca of
Brittany,! states that Elona is most common on damp
days in June, and that it lives in humid and shady places
under decaying timber near streams or in woods. The most
likely habitat for this species would be, I imagine, in the
woods round the southern shore of Caragh Lake. This is
close to the spot where Andrews first discovered Geomalacus
maculosus in the year following that mentioned in Robert
Callwell’s note quoted above, namely, 1842.

It will be noticed in the list given below that several of
the more local shells are recorded from Glenfahan, near Slea
Head. This is in reality not a glen in the ordinary sense
of the word, but merely a small gully or stream-bed cut by
a tiny rivulet. In one spot fora few yards along the southern
side of the stream, shaded from the sun, there is a luxuriant
growth of ferns and mosses. In this habitat a true
‘** woodland’ fauna was found, the following species being
noted :—Agriolimax agrestis, Hyalhnia cellaria, H. pura,
H. radiatula, H. crystallina, Arion subfuscus, A. intermedius,
_ Punctum pygmaeum, Pyramidula rotundata, Acanthinula
aculeata, A. lamellata, Helix nemoralis, Cochlicopa lubrica.
Pupa anglica, P. cylindracea, Carychium minimum, and
Acicula lineata. 1 have but little doubt that the fauna
represented at Glenfahan had an almost universal distribu-
tion during the post-Glacial ‘‘ Forest Period ’’—the climatic
optimum—which is now so generally recognised to have
existed.

1 Malacologie Terr. et Fluv. de la Bretagne, 1860,

24 The Lrish Naturalist. wr February,

LIST OF SPECIES.

Limax maximus L.—-(l.)—Burnham woods, Gallerus, Cloghane, Strad-
bally, Castlegregory Junction, Dingle, Fermoyle and Kilcummin
woods, Finglass Gorge and Gt. Blasket. Apparently widely distributed
in the valleys, especially where woods occur or the remains of native
scrub lingers in the hedge-banks, The form which prevails throughout
the district is dissimilar from that which we find in the north-east of
Ireland. In the latter part of the country specimens are generally
spotted, but without distinct bands. In this district not only are
the bands distinct, but these are made more prominent by brilliant
darker spots, while the whole scheme of colouring is brighter. Mr.
Tomlin’s specimens from Cloghane have been referred by Mr.
Roebuck to var. sylvatica, Morelet.

L. cinereo-niger Wolf.—(T.)—-Mr. Tomlin records the type and var. maura,
and states that he found young specimens of both “ not uncommonly
on Brandon Mountain at an elevation of 2,500-3,000 feet.’’ It is
curious that on my three visits to Brandon I have never been able to
find a trace of this slug, though examples of Arion ater and Limax
avborum have always been abundant. Nor in other parts of the
promontory have I been more successful ; only on the Gt. Blasket did
it occur to me. Here two specimens of a rich chestnut-brown colour
were taken. I have since discovered that this slug is born yellow, and
in reaching its adult colouring passes through a chestnut-coloured
stage at about the age of six to nine months. As one of the specimens
taken on the Gt. Blasket was fully grown and the other about
three-quarters grown, perhaps we have to deal here with a primitive
race of the species with adolescent colouring. .

[L. flavus L.—Found by Mr. Welch near Burnham House, at Dingle. No
doubt an artificial introduction. |

L. arborum Bouch.-Chant.—(T.)—Abundant throughout the district to
the summit of Brandon Mt. 3,127 feet; to goo feet on the Great
Blasket. Two well-marked forms occur. One occupies the higher
ground, is small and often almost black, and has been identified by
Mr. Roebuck as var. rupicola, Less. and Poll. ; the second is confined
to the valleys, especially to the areas occupied by native scrub, is
very much larger and pale in colour, and considered to be typical of
the species by Mr.-Roebuck. The latter form is usually associated
with L. maximus. These two forms of L. avborum are so divergent
that I sent samples of both to Dr. A. E. Boycott, who reports that no
difference in their anatomy was to be observed. In no locality have
I seen these two forms associated. This species is not mentioned by
Mr. Tomlin as occurring on Brandon Mountain, which is more than
strange.

Agriolimax agrestis (L.).—(J.)—-Common throughout the district to 1,400
feet at Connor Hill, but noticeably absent from the higher ground:
Taken on both the Gt. Blasket and Beginish. Shows little variation
in colour from the type.

A. laevis (Miller).—(T.)—-At 500-1,000 ft. on Carrigblagher cliffs, west of
Lough Anscaul; Inch, rare ; Connor Hill at 1,400 feet alt.; in the

—

ee ee ee ee eee ee, ee, ee ee ee EE ee ee eee

1915. STELFOX.—Mollusca of Dingle Promontory. 25

marshes at Stradbally; and in a marsh near Cloghane (Tfomlin).
This species must be considered rare in the promontory, and was not
seen by me at all on my last visit. ;

Milax Sowerbyi (Fér.).—Mainly in the neighbourhood of dwellings or
plantations, but probably native. The prevailing form is very dark,
with a reddish orange keel, thus differing from the form which is so
abundant in gardens about Belfast and other towns in Ulster. In
most of the latter stations the species is almost certainly an intro-
duction. The places in the district where I have taken this slug
are as follows :—Burnham and “ The Grove,’’ at Dingle ; Gallerus ;
Ballintaggart, near Dingle ; Fermoyle ; and at the foot of the gorge
of the Finglass River.

M. gagates (Drap.).—(T.)—The presence of this slug on the Gt. Blasket
and on Beginish removes it at once from the suspicion of being an
alien. Mr, Tomlin records it from Cloghane—both the type and var.
vava—where I have seen it also. It is not, however, nearly so generally
distributed as in some other districts on the west coast, such as West
Mayo, and the only other habitats I can record for it are at Gallerus,
Ventry, Stradbally, and Ferriter’s Cove. The specimen previously re -
ported by me from the summit of Brandon Mountain! has, I regret,
turned out to be Limaw arborum, var. rupicola; at the time both
Mr. Welch and I were certain that it belonged to the present species.

Vitrina pellucida (Miller).—(T.)—Between 900 and 1,200 feet, on Knock-
nabreestee cliffs, at Brandon Head; Gallerus, and on the sandhills
round Smerwick Bay ; Fermoyle ; Carrigblagher cliffs, Lough Anscaul ;
on the dunes near Castlegregory ; on the Gt. Blasket and on Beginish ;
and recorded by Mr. Tomlin from the neighbourhood of Cloghane.
The examples from Smerwick are small, yellowish, and very globose,
which is, I think, the prevailing form in the district. This shell must
be regarded as distinctly rare on the promontory.

Hyalinia cellaria (Miiller).—(T.)—More generally distributed than in any
other district I have worked in the west of Ireland. Particularly
common and large on some of the cliffs; to 800 feet on the Great
Blasket ; at about 500 feet on the cliffs above Doon; and several
shells were taken at about 1,200 feet on Knocknabreestee cliffs, at
Brandon Head. This last is the highest record I possess for the species
in Ireland. All the specimens belong to the Vitrea hibernica of
Kennard.

H. alliaria (Miller)—(T.)—Generally distributed ; found on the Great
Blasket and on Beginish; and occurs to the summit of Brandon
Mountain, 3,127 feet above sea.

H. nitidula (Drap.).—(T.)—The type is widely distributed, and var. helmi
was taken at Fermoyle and on the cliffs west of Lough Anscaul. Both
forms occurred on the Great Blaskct.

H. pura (Alder).—(T.)—Common on the promontory and also on the Gt.
Blasket. Two specimens of a rather peculiar form, with raised spire,
small umbilicus, and a polished surface, were taken on the cliffs at
Connor Hill at 1,300 feet.

1Pyoc. R. Ivish Acad., vol. xxix., sect. B., No. 3, p. 75.
. Ibid vol, xxxi., part 23, p. 48.

ak

26 The Lrish Naturalist. February

Hyalinia radiatula (Alder),—-(T.)—Generally distributed, to 1,400 feet on
Connor Hill, but not so common as the last species. . Sparingly at one
spot on the Gt. Blasket.

H. erystallina (Miller).—(T.)—-On the Gt. Blasket and almost everywhere
on the mainland, to 2,300 feet on Brandon Mountain. At Glenfahan,
on Slea Head, this shell was very common in “ moss-shakings,’’ and
two forms of it are noticeable. One is greenish, with very deep whorls
and minute umbilicus ; the second is more white in colour, has flatter
whorls, and a slightly wider umbilicus.

Zonitoides nitidus (Miller).—(T.)—Recorded from Mr, Tomlin from a
marsh near Cloghane, and taken by me in the marshes at Gallerus
and Stradbally. In the latter locality it appears to be common.

Z. excavatus (Bean).—This species was only discovered on the promontory
on my last visit, and though common in parts of the woods at Burnham
and at Kilcummin, it is extremely local. All the specimens taken at
Burnham were of the type, while, on the contrary, all seen at Kilcummin
belonged to the greenish form. A single specimen of the type occurred
also in the gorge of the Finglass River. At Kilcummin this shell was
one of the three commonest in the woods, the other two dominant
species being Pyramidula votundata and Pupa anglica. It is, therefore,
more than strange that it is not more widely distributed in the district.

Euconulus fulvus (Miiller).—(T.)—Recorded by Mr. Tomlin as common near
Cloghane ; but though frequent throughout the district, to 1,300 feet
on Connor Hill, and on the Gt. Blasket, it never occurred to me plenti-
fully.

Arion ater (L.)—(T.)—Mr. Tomlin records the vars. castanea, ateryima, and
bicoloy from the neighbourhood of Cloghane. Var. ateryrima appears
to be confined to the mountains, and near the coast is replaced by
the type and the vars. castanea and plumbea. This slug was abundant
on the Gt. Blasket, occurred sparingly on Beginish, and on the main-
land is ubiquitous even to the summit of Brandon Mountain, 3,127
feet.

A. subfuseus (Drap.).—(T.)—Recorded by Mr. Tomlin as common at
Cloghane ; but appeared to me to be much rarer than in the north of
Ireland, and was distinctly local in its distribution. It occurred to
me at Glenfahan, at Slea Head; at 900-1,200 feet on the cliffs at
Brandon Head; in several places near Dingle; in Fermoyle and
Kilcummin woods; at Stradbally and Cloghane ; and to 2,800 feet
on Brandon Mountain, as well as on both the Blaskets visited.

A. intermedius Normand.—Generally distributed on the Blaskets
and in the valleys on the mainland, and occurs to at least 2,800 feet on
Brandon Mountain. The specimens taken in the last mentioned
habitat were of a golden yellow colour with a brilliant orange footsole.

[A. hortensis Fér.—Only seen in the plantations at Burnham and by the
Finglass River, near Camp. Unfortunately no specimens could be
found outside these two places. Here introduced plants are to be
found also ; and I, therefore, regard the species as of doubtful standing
in the district, and possibly introduced. This idea is strengthened
by the fact that it was not taken in Kilcummin woods, which contain
a much larger percentage of native trees than the two habitats
mentioned above. |

tore! STELFOX.—Mollusca of Dingle Promontory. 27

A. cireumscriptus Johnston.—(T.)—Burnham, [Knockavrogeen church-
yard, and The Grove, near Dingle ; on the cliffs of Carrigblagher and
Connor Hill to 1,400 feet; Cloghane, Finglass River, and in K<il-
cummin woods. Unlike the last species, this occurs frequently in
uncultivated ground, and is certainly native; but, as generally is
the case in western districts, it is very local.

Punctum pygmaeum (Drap.).—(T.)—Taken sparingly at Gleniahan on
Slea Head ; by the old church on the dunes at Ventry Bay ; at Strad-
bally marsh ; Fermoyle and Kalcummin woods, and near Cloghane,
Mr. Tomlin reports its occurrence near the latter village.

Sphyradium edentulum (Drap.).—(T.)—Taken commonly by Mr. Tomlin
when sweeping for coleoptera near Cloghane ; and by me at 200-500
feet on Carrigblagher cliffs ; at between 900-1,200 feet on Knockna-
breestee cliffs, Brdndon Head; at 1,300 feet on the cliffs at Connor
Hill; at Fermoyle, Gallerus, and on the Gt. Blasket. In the latest
work on the nomenclature of British L. and F. W. Shells, by Messrs.
Kennard and Woodward, this species is.once more placed among
the Vertiginidae and under the new name of Columella edentula.

Pyramidula rupestris (Drap.).—Thanks to the presence of limestone in the
Boulder-clay along the southern shore of Tralee Bay, this species
finds a habitat near Castlegregory Junction. It is no doubt prevalent
in this neighbourhood between the railway and the sea.

P. rotondata (Miuller).—(T.)—-Very common on the Blaskets and in the
lower parts of the mainland, and ascends to 1,400 feet on the cliffs
at Connor Hill. Its apparent absence from the cliffs on Brandon
Mountain, is unaccountable.

Helicella virgata (Da Costa).—Abundant on all the dunes at the western
end of the promontory—Ventry, Dunquin, Ferriter’s Cove, and
Smerwick—and also lives near Lough Naparka, north of Castle-
gregory, and on the Great Blasket. It appears absent, however, from
the great dunes at Inch, from Dingle, and from the dunes between
Castlegregory and Cloghane. West of Smerwick, towards Sybil Head,
this shell ascends to about 250 teet, where blown sand has invaded the
heathy area. As a general rule specimens are small, banded or plain
yellowish brown in colour; but at Ventry and Ferriter’s Cove some
very large specimens are to be met with. At Ventry also it shows
great colour variation, the vars. nigrescens, alba, and leucozona being
quite common, with var. vadiata and the common forms mentioned
above. At Smerwick Bay the white-shelled variety formed a great
colony on the dunes below Gallerus.

H. itala (L.) —(T.).—Common in all the habitats mentioned for H. virgata
and also occurs at Inch, Dingle, Cloghane, and Stradbally. Mr.
- Tomlin records the vars. instabilis and leucozona from the last locality,
and these are the prevailing forms throughout the promontory. On
the Gt. Blasket the form of this shell differs from any I have taken
_ elsewhere in Ireland, the coiling of the last whorl being quite excentric.

H. intersecta (Poiret) = H. caperata Mont.—(T.)—Like H. itala, the form
of this species taken on the Gt. Blasket shows slight insular pecu-
liaritiecs, being very compact, with a minute umbilicus and sharply

28 The Llrish Naturalist. February,

conical spire. The species occurs also on Beginish, and at Smerwick,
Gallerus, Ventry, Dingle, Inch, Cloghane, and Stradbally. Mr.
Tomlin refers to it as small in the Cloghane neighbourhood ; but the
large form is abundant on the dunes near Stradbally and in several
other places. ,

H. barbara (L.).—Much more local than the two preceding species, and it
is confined to the western end of the promontory and the Gt. Blasket.
It is abundant at Smerwick, Ventry, and Ferriters Cove, where the
beautiful var. sivigata is the commonest form, examples from Smer-
wick being very pronouncedly striped. Unlike H. virgata this shell
does not appear to inhabit the coast of Kerry north of Tralee, nor
did it occur to me in the Castlegregory area.

Hygromia fusca (Mont.).—Among Luzula in a wet gully, at 1,400 feet, on
the cliffs at Connor Hill, and in the woods at Fermoyle. Not seen
elsewhere ; but no doubt exists in other similar situations. In the
Finglass River gorge an attempt to beat this shell out of the great
clumps of Luzula and ferns only produced H. granulata and H.
vufescens.

H. granulata (Alder).—Abundant in the marshes north ot the old church
at Stradbally, at the roots of nettles, grasses, and reeds. Also ex-
ceptionally common in the gorge of the Finglass River. Many hun-
dreds were beaten out of the vegetation into an open umbrella in a
few minutes, in all stages of growth.

H. hispida (L.).—(T.)—Frequent about Dingle and Cloghane ; and also
seen at Burnham, Gallerus, Ventry old church, Fermoyle, and Strad-
bally. Nevertheless, this shell is exceptionally rare compared with
its occurrence in most other parts of Ireland. The form which occurs
is flat, very hairy, dark brown; but does not have the large open
umbilicus of the flat form which occurs in the eastern counties.

|H. rufescens Auct. = Hvgromia striolata (Pfeiffer).—(T.)—Its absence from
open ground and its general occurrence near habitations, coupled with
its apparcnt absence from the older deposits in England, the evidence
of its recent extension of range in Ireland, and its present geographical
distribution on the continent, have led me to doubt that this species
is anywhere native in Ireland,?

Mr. R. A. Phillips tells me that he thinks it may be native in some
parts of the south of Ireland; but there can be no question of its
introduction into the north-eastern counties in recent years. In
the present district I found it in the village of Ventry, in gardens
and on ditches about Cloghane ; in the ruins of the old church at
Stradbally ; in the ditches about Castlegregory Junction and Camp ;
about Dingle on roadside ditches for at least a mile outside the town ;
in parts of the plantations at Burnham ; and in the ruins of a cottage
at Ballintaggart, near Dingle. All the above records would be con-
sistant with the theory of its being an alien of perhaps 250 years’
standing in Ireland. In the gorge of the Finglass River, however, its
presence is more perplexing. In this locality it occurred, though
sparingly, on Luzula and other tall plants, with an undoubtedly

1Pvoc. Malacol. Soc. London, vol. x, pp. 290-291.

1915. STELFOX.—Mollusca of Dingle Promontory. 29

indigenous fauna. Along the top of this wood, which has at some
time been extensively planted, runs a road on the ditches of which
H. rufescens is common and it is possible that it may owe its origin
in the woods to this source. I prefer, therefore, still to consider its
standing in the promontory as “ probably introduced by man.’’|

Acanthinula aculeata (Miller).—(T.)—Apparently rare, and only seen by
me at Glenfahan near Slea Head, in Fermoyle woods, and in the gorge
of the Finglass River. It is recorded by Mr. Tomlin for the Cloghane
district.

A. lamellata (Jeffreys)—Even more restricted in its range than 4A.
aculeata. It occurred abundantly, however, in moss shakings from
Glenfahan, and was seen also in Fermoyle woods. Although searched
for carefully in the Finglass gorge and in. Kilcummin woods, no
specimens could be found.

Vallonia pulchella (Miiller).—(T.)—Common on most of the sandy areas,
such as Ventry, Dingle Harbour, Inch, Smerwick, and on the Blaskets.
In the marshes near Stradbally it was even more abundant. Reported
from the neighbourhood of Cloghane by Mr. Tomlin.

V. costata (Miiller).—(T.)—As is usual in the west of Ireland, this species
was not so common as the last and appears to be confined to the
dunes between Stradbally and Cloghane. Mr. Tomlin records it for
the latter place, and my only record for it was on the dunes opposite
Fermoyle House.

Helix aspersa Miiller—(T.)—In great abundance near the sea-coast,
wherever there is sandy soil, and sometimes extending its range inland
for a considerable distance, as at Anascaul and near Dingle. On the
Gt. Blasket and Beginish it is locally abundant. In the central
counties in Ireland this shell has the appearance of being a very
recent immigrant, and probably owes its origin there to man. In the
maritime areas, and more particularly in those of the western counties,
it is undoubtedly a very old resident, and, I think, unquestionably
native. The natural range of this species in Great Britain is obscured
by the inclusion of ‘‘ contaminated” records; but it probably
resembles that of Helicella barbara.

. H. nemoratlis Miiller.—(T.)—Has a similar distribution in the promontory
to H. aspersa and the most inland locality in which I have taken
it is on the cliffs of Carrigblagher, west of Lough Anscaul. Many
beautiful colour forms occur, more particularly on the dunes at Inch.
In certain localities some forms occur to the exciusion of others, as,
for instance, along the southern shore of the entrance to Dingle
Harbour, where yellow forms occur almost exclusively. Here also the
band formulae 00300 and 00345 predominate. The former band
formula is characteristic of the whole district, and in many habitats
the third band is twice the normal thickness. In the woods of the
Finglass gorge and at Burnham the customary fragile woodland form
occurs. In several places, but particularly in the neighbourhood of
Kilmalkedar, very large specimens are to be found, exceeding 25 mm,
in diameter.
A 4

~30 The Irish Naturalist February,

[Helix hortensis Miller.—Specimens from Dingle are reported (Journal
of Conchology, vol. xiil., p. 160) as having been exhibited at a
meeting of the Conchological Society by Mr. E. Collier. Mr. Collier,
however, informs me that he has no examples of this species from
Dingle ;| but that at the meeting referred to he exhibited white- |
lipped H. nemoralis, sent to him by Mr. Welch, from the Dingle q
promontory [Inch Sandhills]. The mistake is evidently due to a ‘
slip, and need not have caused confusion but for the fact that it has
been copied and appears in Mr. Taylor’s Mon. of the L. and F. W.
Moll. of the British Isles, vol. iii., p. 363. Moreover on the map,
plate xxix., Co. Kerry has been coloured red t indicate that Mr. i
Taylor has seen the shells and verified the record, which appears to
be an error under the circumstances. ]

Cochlicopa lubrica (Miller)—(T.)—Common throughout the low lying
parts of the promontory and on the Gt. Blasket, and also lives on
some of the cliffs to at least 1,400 feet.

Pupa anglica (Fér.).—(T.)—On the Gt. Blasket and throughout the pro-
montory, where suitable conditions occur. Particularly abundant
in Kilcummin woods and in the neighbouring marshes near Strad-
bally. All three colour forms occur, but the pallida and alba forms
are confined to the shaded woodland areas or where there is a rich
mossy vegetation.

P. cylindracea (Da Costa).—(T.)—Slightly more widely distributed than
P. anglica, and as a rule more plentiful than the latter, where the two
occur together. On wet cliffs and on similar spots, which appear
rather unfavourable to the growth of the species, the var. anconostoma
is generally the prevailing form. On the southern shore of Dingle
Harbour, by the old watch tower, I was surprised to find this dwarf
form and the type together, under the same stones, and apparently
without an intermediate form. On this sandy, open, sunny spot
conditions appeared most favourable. ;

P. muscorum (L.).—(T.)—Recorded by Mr. Tomlin from the Cloghane
district as occurring “‘ under stones near the sea.” The only two
habitats in which I found it alive were on the sands to the south of .
Dingle Harbour and on Lady’s Island, between Cloghane and Brandon.
Being unable to find Mr. Tomlin’s habitat for it, I made a special
journey to Lady’s Island at low tide, where I was pleased to find it
living, as around the coast of County Down this species occurs fre-
quently on such islets, although it has apparently ceased to live on
the mainland opposite. Its extermination on the mainland in such
cases is probably partly due to cultivation and partly to the recent
inroads of the sea. Lady’s Island is a very small rocky islet, covered
with blown sand, and is only cut off from the mainland at high tide.

Vertigo antivertigo (Drap.).—(T.)—Abundant in marshy places at Smerwick
Bay, Ventry Bay, Cloghane, and Stradbally, but not seen elsewhere.

V. substriata Jeffreys.—(T.)—-Perhaps the most widely scattered member :
of the genus in the district, occurring from sea-level near Fermoyle :
to an altitude of nearly 1,200 feet on Knocknabreestee cliffs, at f
Brandon Head. Unlike the next species and V. antivertigo it never

2 Ste IE 6 Map hoe cM

ee ee

“1915. STeLFOXx.—Mollusca of Dingle Promontory. 31

was taken in quantity. Besides the above stations it was found at
Smerwick Bay, on the cliffs of Carrigblagher, on the Gt. Blasket, and
near Cloghane (Tomlin). The specimens collected on the great sea-
cliffs of Knocknabreestee appear to be of a depauperate form, and

_ bear the same relation to the type that the var. anconostoma bears to
typical Pupa cylindvacea. In these dwarf examples only four denticles
appear in the aperture of the shells, instead of the usual six. One
denticle is situated on the body-whorl, one on the columella, and
two on the outer lip ; occasionally there is a trace of a second denticle
on the body-whorl.

V. pygmaea (Drap.).—(T.)—Generally distributed at low elevations, but
was not seen on the Gt. Blasket nor in several stations where V.
substriata occurred. In all the marshy areas it was abundant, asso-
ciated with V. antivertigo. In the neighbourhood of Dingle and
Cloghane it was frequently common on the tops of dry ditches and
in similar places. By the roadside on Slea Head many specimens
were taken also, and it was found associated with the last species
on the cliffs of Carrigblagher. In the last habitat it was proved to
live to nearly 700 feet alt., its highest recorded station in the district.

V. angustior Jeffreys.—(T.)—The abundance of this Vertigo in the earlier
Holocene deposits of Ireland and England, compared with its extreme
rarity in the living state, is a fact which will always lead to speculation
regarding the causes which have led up to its present scarcity. Mr.
Tomlin reports this species as “‘ extremely local, but not uncommon
under stones on the bank of a small stream, close to where it entered
the sea.’? One specimen was taken by me under a stone on the dunes
opposite Fermoyle House, which cannot be far from the habitat
mentioned by Mr. Tomlin; and three specimens were taken by me
from a similar position on the dunes at Ferriter’s Cove. No doubt
further search would have revealed additional specimens; but in
both instances I felt satisfied with proving that in this, as in other
western districts, the species was not yet extinct. All my specimens
are darker in colour than any I have seen previously ; they are as
dark, in fact, as normal V. pygmaea.

Balea perversa (L.).—(T.)—At Burnham and several other places near
Dingle ; in the gorge of the Finglass River ; on walls at Castlegregory ;
Gallerus ; and on the ruins of the old church at Stradbally. Mr.
Tomlin reports having beaten many specimens from Gorse bushes
in the Cloghane district, and remarks upon the frequency of its
association with this plant.

Clausilia bidentata (Str6m).—(T.)—On the Gt. Blasket and Beginish, and
generally distributed on the mainland to at least 1,200 feet, at which
height it is abundant on the roadside wall by the road from Cloghane
to Connor Pass. On the tombs in the graveyard at Stradbally this
shell was more abundant than I have ever seen it elsewhere.

Suceinea Pfeifferi Rossm.—(T.)—In the marshes at Stradbally, Inch,

_ Ventry, and Smerwick Bays ; and also by the shore of Lough Anscaul.
Reported by Mr. Tomlin from marshy ground near the shore in the
Cloghane district. All my specimens belong to the small obese form

32 The Llrish Naturalist. February,

prevalent’ in most parts of the west of Ireland, once the limestone
districts are left behind. The larger form, with more impressed suture,
elongated spire, and heavier shell, is considered by Mr. Kennard to
be referable to a distinct species under the name of Succinea Schu-
macheri Andreae.

Carychium minimum Miuller.—(T.)—Common in all damp places, on the
Gt. Blasket, and on the promontory, to about 1,200 feet altitude ;
but not seen on the higher cliffs, such as those at Connor Hill and
Brandon.

Ancylus fluviatilis Miller.—(T.)—Lough Anscaul ; Lough Tooreenmartin,
1,200 ft.; Coumenare Lakes, 1,100-1,350 feet ; and in the lakes of
Coumaknock, on Brandon Mountain, to 2,300 feet, at which height
the highest of these lakes lies. The form which occurs in these moun-
tain tarns is exceptionally fragile, as Mr. Tomlin has pointed out.
This is perhaps due to the low temperature of the water and to the
absence of lime. Two visits to Lough Avoonane failed to reveal the
presence of this species there, which shows that it is not universally
distributed in the district.

Limnaea pereger (Miiller).—(T.)—This usually ubiquitous species is not
by any means universally distributed in the district, but is found in
most of the lower-lying lakes and in the coastal marshes. It was taken
at Milltown, near Dingle ; in the marshes at Smerwick, Inch, and
Stradbally ; in Lough Gill and Lough Naparka, near Castlegregory ;
in Lough Anscaul, Lough Avoonane, Lough Cruttia (650 feet), and
in Clogharee Lough. I was greatly disappointed not to find examples
of the Limnaea involuta group in the mountain tarns, such as those
on Brandon Mountain, or Lough Doon or Lough Tooreenmartin.
An extreme lacustrine form of Limnaea peregey does occur, however,
in the five lakes mentioned last in the list given above. This form
has the regular striation which is characteristic of most lake forms
of the species.

L. palustris (Miller).—(T.)—Common in the marshes at Smerwick Bay,
below Gallerus, and reported from the Cloghane district by Mr.
Tomlin, but not seen elsewhere.

L. truneatula (Miller).—(T.)—Generally distributed over the promontory,
and in one spot on the Gt. Blasket it cccurred abundantly. It ascends
the mountains to a considerable elevation, being observed on Brandon
Mountain as high as 750 feet; on the cliffs west of Lough Anscaul
to 1,100 feet ; and on those of Connor Hill to 1,200 feet.

Planorbis albus Miiller.—Confined to the marshes near Stradbally and to
Lough Gill, on the northern side of the peninsula.

P. glaber Jeffreys=Planorbis laevis Alder.—A single dead shell occurred
in Lough Naparka. This was on my second visit to the district,
when all the lakes were unworkable owing to the heavy rain. Also
taken in the marshes west of Lough Gill.

P. crista (L.).—Fairly common in parts of the marshes at Stradbally, and
also occurs in Lough Gill.

P. leucostoma Millet=Planorbis spivorbis Auct. (?) Linné.—(T.)—The only
member of the genus which occurs along the southern shore of the

1915. STELFOX.—Jollusca of Dingle Promontory. 33

promontory or at its western end. It occurred at Milltown, near
Dingle ; in the marshes at Smerwick, Inch, and Ventry; also in
Lough Gill and the marshes west of this lake. Mr. Tomlin reports
it from the Cloghane district. The specimens from Milltown somewhat
resemble the real Planorbis spivorbis of continental authorities, but
possess a well marked reflected lip, which appears to be the chief
characteristic of the present species, and the one from which it derives
its name.

P. fontanus (Lightfoot).—Common in the marshes west of Lough Gill, near
Stradbally, but not seen elsewhere.

Physa fontinalis (L.).—Occurred in the habitats mentioned for the last
species, and in Lough Gill; also in Lough Anscaul, on the southern
side of the main watershed of the peninsula.

Aplecta hypnorum (L.).—(T.)—Abundant in parts of the Stradbally marshes
and in the shallow marshy fringe of Lough Naparka. My specimens
from the latter place are the largest I have ever taken. Reported by
Mr. Tomlin from the Cloghane district.

Paludestrina Jenkinsi Smith.—One of the most widely-distributed water-
snails in the promontory, and was taken at Milltown, near Dingle ;
in Lough Gill, and in the coastal marshes and drains at Smerwick,
Inch, and Stradbally.

P. stagnalis (Baster.).—Under stones by the embankment, opposite Fer-
moyle House, and no doubt occurs elsewhere.

Acicula lineata (Drap.).— Not so generally distributed as in most parts of
the west of Ireland, but no doubt frequent in shady mossy places
if specially searched for. In Glenfahan, a little stream-cut gully,
near Slea Head, this shell occurred in wonderful profusion. <A few
bags of moss yielded over two hundred specimens of the brown and
white forms ; one of the latter was found to have the spire reversed.
This species was taken also in the gorge of the Finglass River and in
the woods at Fermoyle.

Margaritana margaritifera (L.)—Very common in the Owenmore, which
drains the valley above Cloghane. After a spate, in September, 1914,
many of these shells were found to have been washed from out of their

hiding places and cast up on the banks or left in shallow pools.

Sphaerium corneum (L.).—Confined to the marshes west of Lough Gill,
near Stradbally.

Pisidium subtruncatum Malm.—Only taken in the marshes at Stradbally,
and apparently confined to the lower ground.

P. casertanum Poli.—Not nearly so common as in West Mayo and other
western districts, and was seen only in Lough Anscaul; in bog-pools
near this lake ; in the marshes at Smerwick Bay ; and at Stradbally.

P. obtusale Pfeiffer—-Common in the higher tarns in Coumaknock, on
Brandon Mountain to 2,250 feet; in Lough Tooreenmartin, Lough
Doon, Lough Nalackan ; and also at sea-level in the marshes at Inch.

P. nitidum Jenyns.—Ballinloghig ; Stradbally marshes; marshes below
Gallerus, in Smerwick Bay ; and in the tarns in Coumaknock to 2,300
feet.

P. pusillum (Gmelin).—(T.)—Under stones cn the cliffs of Knocknabreestee,
at Brandon Head; in the marshes at Stradbally ; and in the tarns

34 The Lish Naturalist. February,

of Coumaknock, to 2,300 feet. This is the only Pisidium mentioned
by Mr. Tomlin in his list.

Pisidium personatum Malm.—Occurred in what is probably the highest
possible habitat for a freshwater shell in Ireland : St. Brendan’s well on
the summit of Brandon Mountain! Also taken in the tarns below this,
in Lough Anscaul, and in the marshes at Stradbally.

P. milium Held.—Lough Anscaul; in the marshes at Stradbally; and
in the Coumaknock tarns, to 1,675 feet.

P. Lilljeborgi Clessin——Common in Lough Tooreenmartin, 1,200 feet ;
Coumenare Lakes, 1,100-1,350 feet ; Lough Doon, 1,050 feet ; Lough
Nalackan in Coumaknock, Brandon Mountain, at 1,150 feet; and
also in Lough Gill, which is but fourteen feet above sea-level.

All the above records for the Pisidia are on the authority
of Mr. B. B. Woodward, and I have to thank him once
more for his great kindness in naming specimens sent to
him. The record for P. pusillum from the cliffs near Brandon
Head, and that for P. personatum from St. Brendan’s well,
show how comparatively easy it must be for these species
to cross the barriers which divide one river basin from
another. The construction of the well above mentioned
precludes, I think, all possibility of the specimens having
been carried by birds. When returning my specimens
Mr. Woodward remarked on the fragility of the shells from
the tarns in Coumaknock, on Brandon Mountain. My
remarks under Ancylus fluviatilis are referable to these
shells also.

Several of the above species, although generally dis-
tributed throughout the promontory, are much less plentiful
than we find them in the north of Ireland. This is particu-
larly noticeable in the cases of Vutrina pellucida and
Hygromia hispida, as well as in those of Agrzolimax laevis,
Arion subfuscus, and A. circumscriptus. The presence of
so many freshwater species, belonging to the group which
has its headquarters, in Ireland, in the central plain, is of
interest. Their range in the district is a limited one, however,
and none but Physa fontinalis has been found beyond the
long tract of marsh-land which lies behind the dunes, from
Fermoyle to Castlegregory. Eastward of the latter place
along the southern shore of Tralee Bay there is much low-
lying marshy country, and between Tralee and the basin
of the Shannon there is also no great barrier to dispersal.
Hence, I think, we may trace their origin. As stated above,

AN Beets A Te RE atta Te er ly a ae

Bi: SA eg Oe Ge A ati’ Meee yh ati CNEL

1915. STELFOX.—Mollusca of Dingle Promontory. 26

only Physa fontinalis has penetrated further than. the
Castlegregory marshes, although extensive marshes, similar
to those near Castlegregory, exist at Smerwick and in other
places. This shell, alone, of the ‘“ central” species, occurs
in Lough Anscaul, which les to the south of the main
watershed of the peninsula.

There are but few absentees from the list which need be
referred to. Geomalacus maculosus was not found, although
carefully searched for, in suitable weather, which is strange
when one considers its abundance at Caragh Lake, across
the waters of Dingle Bay. Ayalinia lucida does not appear
to have been introduced so far, but it is plentiful at Tralee
in the town rubbish-heaps; and its introduction with
merchandise to Dingle and other towns 1s not likely to be
long delayed. Once introduced it will no doubt follow in
the footsteps of Hygromia rufescens and spread rapidly.
Succinea putris does not appear to have penetrated further
west than Killarney, and S. oblonga could not be found.
The semi-marine species Phytia myosotis, Ovatella bidentata
and Otina otts were not searched for. Planorbis umbtlicatus
occurs in the coastal marshes north of Tralee, near Ardfert ,
but was not seen nearer to the present district. The nearest
record for Planorbts contortus is the Gap of Dunloe, while
Valvata piscinalis, V. cristata, and Bithynia tentaculata are
not known to live nearer than the Shannon basin. All the
available evidence, therefore, points to the conclusion that
the bulk of the freshwater molluscan fauna of the pro-
montory has spread during comparatively recent times
from the adjoining mainland. Whether this migration 1s
still going on future work alone can show ; but I am inclined
to think that will prove to be so.

DEPOSITS CONTAINING LAND SHELLS.

Considering the great amount of blown sand which is to
be found on all sides of the promontory, deposits containing
land-shells must be numerous; but I had practically no
time to spare on any of my visits to search for these, let
alone to work them. Along the southern shore of Dingle
Harbour there are small deposits, which appear to contain

36 The lrish Naturalist. February,

shells, some of which are derived from much older dunes
than those existing at the present day. At Smerwick Bay,
resting on Boulder-clay, there is a sandy cliff containing
Helix nemovalis, which, if properly worked, should give
good results. At the present time this deposit is being eaten
into by the sea. At Ferriters Cove one section along the
shore showed a blackish band of perhaps a foot in height, a
sample of which I brought home and washed, with the
result given below. I think that this black band, of which
a mere remnant had been preserved by the more modern
blown sand, was of the same age as that above referred to
at Smerwick. If samples could be obtained from the
marshy area near Stradbally, I imagine that a large list of
land and freshwater species would be found in them. It
seems probable that the ‘‘ black bands,” such as that at
Ferriters Cove, have been formed under conditions some-
what similar to those which prevail along the marshes at
Stradbally ; but the general absence of freshwater species,
together with the absence of such moisture-loving shells as
Zonitoides nitidus and Vertigo antivertigo, shows that the
conditions were not identical. In many respects the fauna
of these ‘‘ black bands” resembles that of the little gully
at Glenfahan ; but here again there is the absence of Acan-
thinula lamellata to account for. It will be noticed, however,
that none of the xerophile species (Helicella ittala group)
occur in the black band at Ferriters Cove, although all are
common in the more modern deposits which cover it. In
his paper, now nearing completion, on the Irish fossil
mollusca, Mr. A. S. Kennard will deal more fully with these
deposits and the probable changes of climate which are
connected with them.

LIST OF SPECIES CONTAINED IN THE DEPOSITS.

Deposit in blown sand at Dingle Harbour :—Ayalinia
crystallina, Vallonia pulchella, Helscella tala, Cochlicopa
lubrica, Pupa muscorum, P. cylindracea, Vertigo pygmaea,
and V. angustior. All but the last named shell still live in
in the vicinity ; but the shells of this species probably have
been derived from some older deposit now destroyed.

1QB5ei1c STELFOX.—Mollusca of Dingle Promontory. 37

From a “‘ black band,” beneath blown sand, and resting
on Boulder Clay, at Ferriters Cove :—Mulax sp. (? M.
gagates), Hyahimia alana, H. ntidula, H. pura, H. radia-
tula, H. crystallina, Euconulus fulvus, Arion sp., Punctum
pygmacum, Pyranudula rotundata, Vallonia pulchella,
Acanthinula aculcata, Helix nemoralis, Cochlicopa lubrica,
Pupa anglica, P. cylindracea, P. muscorum, Vertigo pygmaea,
V. angustior, Clausiha bidentata, Carychium minimum, and
Acicula lineata.

In order to work out such a deposit as that at Ferriters
Cove, much time would be required for sieving and washing
on the spot. The quantity of sand which one person can
carry for a few miles is limited, and thus the above list must
be regarded as anything but complete. To show how hard
it is to tell if blown sand contains any shells or not, I may
add that the list from Dingle Harbour was compiled after
washing sand which did not appear to contain any shells
but Cochlicopa. I am now aware that I must have over-
looked dozens of deposits in this and other districts merely
because the shells did not appear to be numerous and only
a few common species were to be seen on the exposed
surface. In future I hope to be more careful, and here
desire to pass on the warning to others.

Ballywilliam, Donaghadee.
4

MY XOMYCETES FROM THE DINGLE PROMONTORY.
BY MARGARITA D. STELFOX, B.SC., A.R.C.SC.I.

DURING a visit to the Dingle promontory, Co. Kerry, in
September, 1914, I collected some specimens of Myxo-
mycetes, or Mycetozoa, and forwarded them to Miss G.
Lister, F.L.S., who when returning them to me suggested
that the list should be published in the hope that it might
stimulate others to search. In her report of the Clare
Island Survey! on the Mycetozoa, Miss Lister mentions
that Mr. F. W. Evans made a collection of ten species during
short holidays in the neighbourhood of Killarney and

Proc. Kil Aced. vol,’ xxxi., part 63, 1912.

38 The lrish Naturalist. February,

Glengarriff, in August, 1898, and August, 1902. He obtained
the following species :—

SPECIES HITHERTO RECORDED FOR THE SUB-PROVINCE Mj.

Cervatiomyxa fruticulosa Macbr.—Killarney (N. Kerry) and Glengarrift
(W. Cork).

Fuligo septica Gmelin.—Killarney.

Stemonitis fusca Roth.—Killarney and Glengarriff.

S. splendens, Rost. var. Webbevi.—Ksillarney.

Cribravia auvantiaca Schrad.—Killarney.

Lycogola epidendvum Fries.—Killarney.

Trichia affinis De Bary.—Killarney.

Arcyria cinevea Pers.—Glengarriff.

A. denudata Sheldon.—Glengarriff.

A. incarnata Pers.—Glengarriff.

The above are apparently all the recorded species for the
sub-province M,, with the exception of that for Stemonitis
splendens from Glengarriff by Mr. W. L. W. Eyre. One
would have expected a much larger list, especially from the
neighbourhood of Killarney, as the woods in that district
ought to prove an ideal hunting ground.

The Dingle promontory, contrasted with Killarney, is
markedly unfavourable, as there are very few woods, and
where these do occur they are small in extent and often but
recently planted. The places visited include the woods at
Burnham and The Grove near Dingle; Fermoyle and
Kilcummin Woods, near Cloghane ; and the Finglass River
gorge, near Castlegregory Junction. Of these, much the
best was Kilcummin Wood, where there was a quantity of
undisturbed fallen timber and some native scrub, such as
Holly, etc. The list of species collected is as follows! :—

List OF SPECIES COLLECTED IN DINGLE PROMONTORY.

Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa Macbr.—On fallen Sycamore, Ballintaggart,
near Dingle. Fermoyle and Kilcummin Woods, near Cloghane.
* Physarum viride Pers.—Kilcummin Wood.
* P, nutans Pers.—Kilcummin Wood. .
** P. virescens Ditm., var. nitens Lister.—On Ivy leaves and moss,
Kilcummin Wood.
Fuligo septica Gmelin.—Gorge of the Finglass River and Burnham
Wood. '
* Didymium nigripes Fries, var. xanthopus Lister.—On rotting cabbage
stalk, Cloghane.

1 Species new to M, are marked by an asterisk : those new to Ireland
by two such signs.

See Cr too. aie

~ Ohai ev

1915. STELFOX.-~—Myxomyceles of Dingle Promontory. 39

Stemonitis fusca Koth.—Finglass River gorge, Burnham Wood, and
Kilcummin Wood,

S. splendens Rost., var. Webberi Lister.—On fallen Blackthorn
branches, Kilcummin Wood.

** §. confluens Cooke and Ellis.—The Grove, Dingle. Miss Lister remarks
that the specimen had dried too rapidly, ‘‘ but with soaking in water
the irregular columella and capillitium and dark warted spores, 9,
diam., are quite distinct.”’

*? §. herbatica Peck.—Fermoyle Wood. Miss Lister considers that this
specimen, which is badly developed, may be a dwarf form of S. her-
batica, ‘‘since the regularly spinulose spores, 7-9, diam., recall
those of S. herbatica, though they are larger than usual. One
sporangium shows a certain amount of fairly close surface net.
This species has only been collected in Ireland at Glencar, Co, Leitrim,
July, 1914.

* Comatricha nigra Schroet.—Burnham Wood and Fermoyle Wood.
*C. typhoides Rost.—Growing withArcyria denudata on a large Ash
stump in a field near Castlegregory Junction.
Dictydium cancellatum Macbr.—Gorge of the Finglass River (type
and var. fuscum, Lister) and Kilcummin Wood.
Lyeogola epidendrum Fries.—Finglass River gorge and Fermoyle Wood.
Trichia affinis De Bary.—-Finglass River gorge.
* T. persimilis Karsten.—Finglass River gorge and Burnham Wood.
* T. varia Pers.—Burnham Wood.
* T. decipiens Macbr.—Burnham Wood and Fermoyle Wood.
Arcyria denudata Shelden.—Finglass River gorge, Burnham Wood,
and Fermoyle Wood.
A. inearnata Pers.—On a fallen gate post near Lough Anscaul.

Two of the above species, Physarum virescens and Ste-
montis confluens, are new to Ireland ; eleven, including the
two just mentioned, are new to the sub-province M, ;
while all the species listed are now first recorded for the
-vice-county South Kerry, for which no previous records
appear to exist.

Ballywilliam, Donaghadee.

1 See Proc. Belfast Nat. Field Club (2), vol. vii., part 2.

40 The lrish Naturalist. . February,

CORRESPONDENCE.
LAMARCK'S “ ZOOLOGICAL PHILOSOPHY.”

Permit me to thank the Editors of the Ivish Naturalist for the review!
of my translation of Lamarck’s “‘ Philosophie Zoologique.”’ The reviewer,
who signs himself ‘‘ G.H.C.,” writes with such conspicuous ability and
fairness that I have no sort of ground for complaint. But there is one
point in his article, which seems to me to be so important as to justify
me in seeking a small corner of the magazine’s valuable space. G.H.C.
criticizes me for stating that the rise of materialism is proportionate to the
advance of civilization : and he considers that the autumn of I914 was an
unfortunate time for the promulgation of such an opinion.

Now I wish to point out that I did not use the word ‘‘ materialism ”’
in the sense given to it by shallow journalists, but in its correct sense.
So far from the present war being a product of materialism, it arises, in
my opinion, from a complete overthrow of all materialistic principles ; for
it necessarily involves a heavy diminution of material prosperity to all
the nations concerned in it. Almost without exception, the philosophic
and scientific materialists of the past have been extreme pacificists ; and
the smallest study of the subject is sufficient to show clearly the powerful
opposition which has always existed, and still exists, between materialistic
beliefs and all forms of militarism or war. I need scarcely remind
G.H.C. that in German history, it is the spiritualistic philosophers like
Fichte who have most ardently upheld the gospel of militarism : nor need
I dilate upon the fact that the present Kaiser unites military and aggressive
ideals with a spiritualistic philosophy of the most extravagant and con-
temptible kind. Those responsible for the present war are as far removed
from scientific materialism as they can well be.

Our lower-grade journalists have apparently decided that ‘‘material-
ism ’’ is a suitable brick to throw at anyone who misuses his power, and
breaks moral laws. They have ordained that materialism shall be
synonymous with selfishness and immorality: and they do so doubtless
because they have not the slightest notion what materialism means, or
what its doctrines are. Any history of materialism or philosophy (such
as that of Lange) would show that materialism has ever been far divorced
from crime and physical force. In correcting this misapprehension,
permit me once again to thank G.H.C. for the courtesy and insight of his

review.
HuGcH ELLiot.

With my co-editors, I willingly afford ‘‘a small corner” of the Irish
Naturalist for Mr. Eliot’s courteous protest. The attitude that I intended
to attack, by the sentence to which he takes exception, was that of
complacency in our modern civilization whose progress, in Mr. Elliot’s
opinion, has been accompanied by the rise of materialism, as a philosophic
system. The war that has burst upon Europe seems to me to demand
from us all an abandonment of this complacency, and an acknowledgment

Ad, Nat. Vol, xxii PL25e:

ee eae

See

1915. Correspondence. 41

that, to a great extent, modern nations lack some factor essential to
any civilization worthy of the name. The future will show whether a
fuller devotion to materialistic philosophy or a return to true (not “‘ extra-
vagant and contemptible ’’) spiritual ideals will put this essential factor
within our reach. Our individual convictions with regard to this point
must certainly influence our judgment of the motives which rule those
German statesmen and soldiers who have desired and brought about the
present war. Mr. Elliot denies that these men should be classed as
‘““ materialists,’’ because they profess to follow spiritual impulses. On this
question I may perhaps quote one whom Mr. Elliot will not presumably
class among “ lower grade journalists.’’ Professor D. S. Cairns in “ An
Answer to Bernhardi’”’ (Papers for War Time, No. 12, Oxford Univ. Press)
writes :—‘‘ All the virtues, on this view [that there is no effective authority
higher than the State], become simply means to national existence and
greatness, to the possession of ice-free harbours and gold-mines, provinces
rich in coal and iron, over-sea markets, and so forth. This is plainly
materialism of a very elementary kind. The strange thing is that the
writer does not seem to see this, and uses idealistic, religious, and even
Christian language with the most edifying fervour.”
G. H. CARPENTER.

NOTES.
BOTANY.

Botanical Notes from Co. Tyrone.

In my rambles in search of lepidoptera I have noticed the following
plants, some of which are uncommon, and others are only recorded from
the west end of the county :—Thalictrum flavum, in a damp wood off
west shore of Lough Neagh, near Arboe. Agutlegia vulgaris, on lime-
stone rocks, near the village of Tullyhogue. Cavdamine amara, very
abundant along a small river in Tullylagan Demesne, four miles from
Cookstown. Sisymbrium Alliaria, on a gravel ridge, near Arboe Rectory.
Epilobium angustifolium, on rocks in a small stream, half-a-mile south
‘of Lough Fea. Lobelia Dortmanna, abundant at the south end of Lough
Fea. Vaccinium Oxycoccus, in a bog on the west side of Lough Fea, at
about 800 feet. * Lysimachia Nummularia, in a damp meadow in Killy-
moon Demesne, beside the Ballinderry River. * Mimulus guttatus,
naturalised along the Lissan River, also grows on damp gravel on the
edge of carriage drive in Lissan demesne. Pingwicula lusitanica, frequent
on the bogs around Lough Fea. Ovrchis pyramidalis, on the lawn in front
of Kallycolp House, near Cookstown. Scirpus sylvaticus, on the bank of a
mill-race in Tullylagan demesne. Osmunda regalis, five clumps of this
fern in a wet wood on Lough Neagh. Eguisetum hyemale, very abundant
in Tullylagan demesne on moist banks, and ina wet wood. Lycopodium
clavatum, growing in the middle of a plantation on red sandy soil, in
Lissan demesne, a curious station for this generally mountain plant.

Curylasson, Stewartstown, | THOMAS GREEN,

42 The Trish Naturalist. February

Icterine Warbler on Migration at Tuskar Light Station.

At 7 o'clock a.m. on September 2nd last, Mr. Glanville, Principal
Lightkeeper, picked up a Warbler on the Tuskar Rock. He knew it
was strange to him, and he most carefully preserved it in spirit, pending
my return from Australia. On examining the specimen I did not find
it a difficult matter to make up my mind that it was an Icterine Warbler
(Hypolais icterina), but to be doubly sure I took it up to Tring Museum
and showed it to Dr. Hartert, who very kindly examined it, and confirmed
my diagnosis. This interesting species is the first of its kind, that I am
aware of, which has been procured from an Irish light-station, and it is
the second Irish specimen which has come to hand duly authenticated.
Fifty-nine years elapsed between the capture of these two Icterine
Warblers. I hope to publish details later on. Mv cordial thanks are
due to Mr. Glanville for sending me this bird.

The University, Sheffield.
C.. J. Param

Decrease of the Squirrel.

The Squirrel, which arrived here for the first time in 1861,' and reached
its Maximum in numbers between 1895 and 1905, is gradually disappearing
—notably so within the past two years. This winter I only saw three
since September. Mr. C. B. Moffat has also noticed a great decrease in
Squirrels at his home in Ballyhyland, Co. Wexford. He writes that on
November 4th, 1901, he counted forty in view at once—all on the ground
looking for fungi. In I910, 1911, and 1912 only one was seen by him
during three weeks in September, and in 1913 (in October) only a single
Squirrel was noticed. At Fassaroe the decline is very marked. On the
other hand Squirrels are appearing for the first time in other parts of
Ireland, and in some localities have become so plentiful as to constitute
a pest—this is the case near Portlaw, Waterford. We can only speculate
as to the cause of their increase and disappearance—unfavourable seasons
disease, vermin, inter-breeding, food-supply, more numerous enemies, &c.,
suggest themselves—but at any rate the phenomenon is remarkable. ,

The Vole plague in S.W. Scotland caused great alarm some years ago,
but the little animals decreased as fast as they increased—and other
instances of a similar kind in the vegetable as well as the animal kingdom
can be mentioned. I can readily recall the dismay with which canal
companies regarded the rapid spread of Elodea canadensis in their water-
ways. Its decrease surprised everyone by its rapidity. Nature often
heals herself more effectually than the most drastic human remedies.

Fassaroe, Bray.
RicHD. M. BARRINGTON.

1 See paper, by the writer, on “ The introduction of the Squirrel into
Ireland.” Proc. Roy. Dub. Soc., 1880,

1915. Notes. 43

IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

JANUARY 16.—The President and Council entertained W. S, GREEN,
C.B., to breakfast in the Haughton House on the occasion of his retire -
ment from the Chief Inspectorship of Irish Fisheries. A party of fifty
guests were invited to meet Mr. Green, including his principal official
colleagues and a representative gathering of naturalists—both professional
and amateur. SIR CHARLES Batt (President) gave an interesting
account of Mr. Green’s career from his youthful dredging expeditions in
southern Irish waters to his invaluable administrative work in improving
the output and quality of the fish-harvest along the west coast, pointing
out that several valuable export trades of cured fish to North America
and Russia had been established by Mr. Green’s exertions. His achieve-
ment, as a geographer and climber in the Canadian Rockies and the New
Zealand Alps were also eulogised. Mr. Green replied in a characteristically
modest and humourous speech.

Recent gifts include a Rabbit from Miss E. Maguire, a pair of Pheasants
from Sir John Ross of Bladensburg, a Common Quail from Professor C.
J. Patten, and a piebald variety of the Common Eel from Sir Anthony
Weldon.

DUBLIN NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

SEPTEMBER 12.—EXCURSION TO GORMANSTOWN AND LAyTOWN.—
Owing to unfavourable weather in the morning, only seven members
attended this excursion, which left Amiens Street at 2 o’clock. The day
proved quite a fine one along the sea-shore, and the party, leaving the
train at Gormanstown, walked by the sea to Laytown, the geological
features and glacial deposits being pointed out by the conductor, J. de
W. Hinch. The raised beach north of Benhead attracted particular
interest. This part of the coast was marked by an absence of sand-
loving plants, being all within the tide-marks.

OcTOBER 3.—ExXCURSION TO LUCAN AND LEIxLip.—About twenty
- members turned up at Parkgate Street for this excursion, which was
conducted by Miss Knowles, and proved very successful. Flowering plants,
fungi, and sponges were the subjects on which attention was specially con-
centrated, Miss Stephens taking charge of the last-named department.
The occasion was particularly favourable for studying and comparing
the three Irish figworts, which grow in convenient proximity by the river
in Lucan demesne. Of the three, Scvophularia nodosa was the only one
not still in flower. Most of the other distinctive plants of the locality
were recognised, though the majority were past flowering. The marsh
marigold (Caltha palustris) was gathered in autumn blossom near the
Salmon Leap. The search for freshwater sponges proved successful,
and Miss Stephens identified (and afterwards exhibited at the Conver-
sazione) the species Ephydatia fluviatilis, which appeared to be abundant.

NOVEMBER 7.—EXCURSION TO HowTH.—Twelve members and friends
took part in this excursion, which concluded the year’s outdoor programme.

44 The [rish Naturalist. February, rg15.

The southern side of the peninsula and the demesne were visited and
explored for higher plants and fungi, and demonstrations of the geological
features were given by J. de W. Hinch who with the President, conducted
this excursion. Among the plants found in late flower the Goat’s beard
(Tragopogon pratensis) aroused some interest, as being fully expanded
at the unusual hour and date of 2 p.m. on November 7.. The fact that
some Frogs were also seen was a tribute to the mildness of the air.

NOVEMBER 10.—CONVERSAZIONE.—The winter session of 1914-5 was
inaugurated with a conversazione in the Royal Irish Academy House, at
which the Vice-President (Professor Carpenter) presided, and a short
address, illustrated with numerous lantern slides, was given by the Presi-
dent, N. CoLtGan, M.R.I.A., on “‘ Scrambles after Alpine Plants.” The
attendance numbered about eighty, and. great interest was shown both
in the lecture and in the large number of exhibits which were on view
in the Library.

DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.

JANUARY 13.—The Club met at Leinster House, D. M‘ARDLE
(President), in the chair.

Dr. G. H. PETHYBRIDGE exhibited a series of microscopical prepa-
rations illustrating the life history of the fungus Hypomyces Solani R. & B.,
as determined from the study of its behaviour in pure cultures, some of
which were also exhibited. The perithecial or ascospore-stage of the
fungus was first described in 1879 by Reinke and Berthold, who believed
that its conidial stage was Fusisporium (Fusarium) Solant. — It occurs not
infrequently upon decayed potato tubers, butit is a saprophytic conco-
mitant of decay, and not an actual parasite upon the potato. Pure
cultures were obtained from material supplied by W. F. Gunn in August,
1913, and exhibited by him at the Club meeting on March tr1th, 1914
(see Ivish Naturalist, vol. xxili., 1914, p. 121) the starting points being
single ascospores. From these, growths were obtained on various media
which produced Fusarium-like conidia as well as chlamydospores. Careful
study of these conidia and spores and comparison with those of certain
species of Fusarium, also grown in pure culture, show, however, that they
differ from the latter, and the conclusion is arrived at that Hypomyces
Solani is not the perithecial stage of a true Fusarium, After having been
grown in pure culture for about twelve months success was obtained in
inducing the development of perithecia, this being the first time that this
has been done with this species. Several cultures in which these peri-
thecia were present were exhibited.

J. N. HavsBert exhibited a specimen of the ants’ nest mite Discopoma
pulcherrima, Berlese, found last September in company with the black ant
Formica fusca in a decayed birch trunk at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow.
This handsomely sculptured species has not been previously recorded
from the British Isles. It was originally described by Dr. Berlese, from
Italian specimens which were found in rotten wood, and also in ants’ nests,
though in this case the species of ant with which it was found has not been
recorded, Bre 9 =

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March, 1015. The Irish Naturalist. A5

ON THE IRISH NAMES OF MAMMALS,
BY R. F. SCHARFF, B.SC., PH.D.

My knowledge of the Irish language being, unfortunately,
very scanty, I have endeavoured to collect information
from various sources on the names of the animals found in
Ireland. The list of names is already quite a large one,
though it is possible that many of the words I possess are
obsolete or altogether wrong. I consider it best to issue
the list in instalments, and I venture on this occasion to
limit my remarks to the group of beasts or ‘‘ mammals ”’
as they are called by zoologists.

Professor MacNeill kindly supplied me with a list of the
names that he knew, while Mr. Colgan gave me a series of

. words collected in the West of Ireland. Mr, oR. I Best

pointed out several errors in my manuscript, and indicated
sources of information which were unknown to me. I am
also obliged to Mr. L. G. Gogan for valuable suggestions.
I am greatly indebted to these friends, and I hope to receive
still more help, and especially criticisms, from others
interested in obtaining the correct names of all the animals
inhabiting Ireland. The few remarks I am now offering
on the Irish names of Mammals are not intended to supply
a complete list. Much more research and discussion is
required before such a list can be accepted as anything like
final. I bring the subject, therefore, under the notice of
readers of the Ivish Naturalist with 2 view to opening up
a field of linguistic study in connection with Irish natural
history.

The Irish names of many of the Mammals are, of course,
well-known, but in certain cases I think they have been
misapplied. New names will have to be supplied or created
for several species which do not possess an Irish name.
A large number of so-called English names of animals have
only been invented by naturalists within recent years.
It is doubtful also whether people readily discriminated in
bygone ages between nearly related species which are not
easily distinguishable, such as the House Mouse and Field

Mouse, the Common Seal and Grey Seal, the various kinds
A

46 The Irish Naturalist, March,

of bats and others. Several Irish words clearly referable
to Mammals have not as yet been identified, that is to say,
we do not know what kind of animal they were applied
to. This is the case especially among older words which
are now obsolete The peculiar interest in those words hes
in the fact that certain animals have probably vanished
from Ireland within historic times. If their Irish names
could be ascertained the approximate period of their
extinction might thus be traced.

Mr. Alston’s list of Scotch-Gaelic words contains many
supposed Irish names which I cannot find elsewhere, and
some of these may possibly have quite another meaning
than that indicated.

List oF NAMES.
e

(The numbers in brackets refer to the Bibliography, p. 53).

BADGER.

byioc.

BATS

1AlLtOs5 (2), mioltés teataip (2), DIAllos (6), 1altc6s
teataip (7), tiobdd5 Leatain (3), eatteos (6), pe1atan
Leatsip (1), cattaé (1), pespean tuc (1), Lerdbdin teatain (1).
The fact that so many different names should have
been given to this animal, suggests almost that different
kinds of bat had been noticed by the Irish and named by
them. No less than seven kinds of bat inhabit Ireland,
but some of these are very critical species and not readily
recognised. Most if not all the English names of these
species are of quite modern origin, such as Hairy-armed
Bat and Leisler’s Bat, and very few zoologists are able to
distinguish the various species except after close scrutiny.

BEAR.

matgamain (2), vbeitin (2), apt (12), véap (7) Young Bear,
uppos (6). :

1915. SCHARFF.—On the Irish Names of Mammals. 47

Although we know from the large quantity of bear
remains found in Ireland that bears must have been very
abundant in this country in the past, they had evidently
been exterminated before the gth century A.D., as St.
Donatus clearly states that bears did not exist in Ireland
about the year 800. |

BoAR (WILD).

cope (2), flactac coilte (6), fiadcullac (6), fradmuc (6)
muc attca(7), cyst (1), (older word).

Wild swine abounded in the forests of Ireland when
Giraldus Cambrensis visited this country in the rath
century. At what period they became extinct is not
known, although it has been asserted that they were
common until the 17th century.

DEER.

sia (2), prad puad (5), of, pes (1), (the last two are older
words).

We possess trustworthy evidence of the former presence
in Ireland of three distinct kinds of deer, viz., the Giant
Deer or so-called Irish Elk, the Reindeer, and the Red
Deer. It is quite certain that the first two species became
extinct in Ireland long ago, while the third still lingers in
a protected state in the south-west. The Giant Deer has
vanished altogether, the Reindeer has retreated northward.
_It may be argued therefore that the first is the oldest and
the Reindeer the second oldest of the Irish deer. Neverthe-
less all the three species may possibly have still lived
together in Ireland in early Christian times.

Several Irish names of Mammals have not yet been
identified. Among them may be words signifying Giant
Deer and Reindeer, and we may thus arrive at some more
definite conclusion as to the period during which these
animals died out in Ireland. O'Reilly translates boipce
by the word *‘ Elk” or ‘‘ Buffalo.” The Elk is a North
European deer which once lived in Scotland, though there
is no clear evidence that it ever spread to Ireland. The
same author gives us for reg ‘‘ Moose Deer,” which never

A 2

48 The Irish Natu alist. March,

inhabited Europe. It is quite possible then that either or
both these words were applied to the ‘‘ Irish Elk.” Mr.
Gogan suggested to me that the word ceapt might have
been used for that species. I cannot find the word in my
Irish Dictionary, but I presume it corresponds to the
Scotch-Gaelic ‘‘ carr’? or ‘‘ cer”? which has been rendered
by “Stage

The words ‘‘ brac”’ and ‘‘ fast’ are the Scotch-Gaelic,
according to Forbes, for Reindeer.

In Alston’s list two Irish words are given for Roebuck,
viz., reapoos and poc puad. But this deer never was
a native of Ireland, and O’Reilly translates the former by
Hare or Red Deer, while he states ‘*‘ Roebuck” is feapvoc
in Irish. The words f1ad pusd and fad fionn are
rendered by Fallow Deer in Alston’s list. This again is
probably a mistake, for this deer only lives in our large
parks in a semi-domesticated state and has never inhabited
Ireland as a wild species.

Stag—oath altard (2). Doe or Hind—eitid (6), boipce-
aut (6), ag (1), atic (12). Fawn—mansg (6), 14pn’0e0 (6).

Doc.

mAaoao, MADAO (a house dog, mongrel, &c. (2) or mastiff
(13)), maouig (6), coibpeapan (6), ope (6) (a small hound)
has also been applied to a whale, a pig, a hen’s egg and
a salmon. mearéu (lap-dog (13)), miotéu (greyhound (6)),
cu, sad04p (hound (2)).

The word ct means greyhound according to Kuno Meyer
and I feel sure that he had the great Wolf-hound in his
mind and not the modern slim Egyptian Dog that goes by
this name. On the authority of Father Hogan ca was
applied to the large hound that hunts game by sight. He
tells us that the word sa0ap designated a hound which
relies more on scent in hunting. Now it is of interest to
note that the evidence derived from fossil remains indicates
the former presence in Ireland of three types of dogs. They
were found in crannogs and peat deposits. One of these
resembled the modern Wolf-hound in shape and that would

1915. ScHARFF.— On the Lrish Names of Mammals. 49

have been the ca of ancient Ireland. The second was
something like a shepherd’s dog. It was evidently called
“sa04q, while the third or “mso0ad” was of the type of
the modern Irish Terrier.
Fox.

pionnac (2), msoda fusd(2), bannac (6), cliabac (6)s
cpiomtan (6). pdince (6), guince (6), poomuinn (6), poornu1Nn (6),
toi10 (1), (older word).

In several modern European languages there are numerous
names for the Fox, and it need not surprise us therefore
that there are so many in Irish. Some of the above,
however, may be wrongly identified. Thus Meyer translates
cliabac by ‘* Deer.”

GOAT.
sabap. Wild Goat—sabap piadain (7). Kid—mionnan (6).

HEDGEHOG.
Spdineos (7), syuun, puta (1) (the last two are older terms.)

HARE.
Sippeiad (2), seapppiad (6), miot maige (7), peoibepineos (6),
paca (6), pacadn (6), gad miot (1), fradmuin (6), (the last four
are older words). Leveret, vyeos (6).

HORSE.
cApall, eac (2), mayic (2), mapcan (6) (the last two probably
older terms). Stallion—pcait (7), sparsigie (6), sparqine (8),
saigesc (6). Colt—vpomac (6), 1omaé (6). Mare—taip (7).

MaARTEN (Marten ‘‘ Cat’).
catcpainn (1), maoypia cpainn (7).

I have been informed by Professor MacNeill that he is
doubtful whether the words togan, togmann and cpannéa
should be applied to this animal. The first term is certainly
the Scotch-Gaelic for Marten and it may therefore have
been used in Ireland. The word cpanncét has been translated
as “‘lap-dog” by O'Reilly, but Kuno Meyer is not in
agreement with this interpretation. The Polecat never
inhabited Ireland.

50 The Irish Naturalist. ~~ March,

y MOUSE. |

House Mouse—tué (10), Luc teas (3), muig (14).

Field Mouse—tueé péip (10). |

There are two different kinds of true mice in Ireland,

viz., the House Mouse and Field Mouse. The Shrew Mouse
is really not a mouse in a zoological sense, being more nearly
related to the Mole and Hedgehog. The small English
Harvest Mouse and the Dormouse are not found in Ireland.
The word tué is also applied to the rat, and it would,
perhaps, be better, as has been done by some authorities,
to call the latter tuc mop.

OTTER.
maosa twpse (2), maopsd ‘oonn (10), ci ‘oobvpdin (12),
ca fovorne (12), vobaped (2), conroipne (6), coibpeapnan
oovsy (6), (the last three are older words).

Ox,

04m (7), manc(2). Wild Ox.—vatm attca(6). Bull.—capnt(6),
oAam DaAitais (7). Cow.—bvo. (There are a great many
other words for cows in milk or dry, for horned and horn-
less ones, &c.) Calf.—bvov4n, béinin (12).

Pin

muc. (There are many other words for pig according
to condition, sex, and age).

opie (6) (older word). This word has also been translated
according to O’Reilly by “small hound” and many other
designations. (See Wild Boar).

PORPOISE.
muc maya (3), muc biopae (6).

No special names for the various kinds of marine mammals
allied to the Porpoise (such as the Dolphins, &c.) seem to
exist in Irish.

RABBIT,
coibpespan meio (6), comin.

The last word is a borrowed one according to Best, and
yet it is used in the ancient Irish poem quoted by Wilde (5).
Barrett-Hamilton believed the Rabbit to have been intro-

1915. SCHAREF.—Oxn the [rish Names of Mammals. 51

duced into the British islands by the Normans, although
he acknowledges that it must have existed in England
long before that, and supposes that subsequently it was
destroyed during the Ice Age.

RAT.
Lué, Lue mop, Luc ¢pdanneasaé (or simply) gpannecae (2).

Two different kinds of rats have been observed in
Ireland. One of them being characterised by its long tail
and black colour. If the last two Irish names were
applied to these two species, it would be best to
restrict tuc moj to the Black Rat and fpranncac to the
Brown Rat.

SEAL.
fon (6).

There are no distinct words for the two common seals
which frequent the Irish coast. In Scotch-Gaelic the large
Grey Seal is known by the name of ‘‘ tap-bheist,” while
the other has the same name as in Irish “‘ ron.”

SHEEP.
cdopta (2), cdepa (12), 01 (older terms) (2). Ram.—nperte (6).
yeitin (6). Wether.—mMotc (7), motcatn (7).
Many other words descriptive of sheep at different ages
and conditions exist.

SHREW MOUSE.”
Odllos (1), Dall6s-an-praore (6), cprsadtuc (1), san tue (1),
~ mattén (1).

Almost all these words are identified with the Mole by
both O’ Reilly and Alston, but as this animal never inhabited
Ireland it is unlikely that there should be so many Irish
names for it. Moreover the Scotch-Gaelic for Shrew Mouse
_is “‘dallag.’ It seems to me therefore that all the names
referred to should be identified with this species. The
word tuc féin which Father Dinneen translates by Shrew
Mouse is evidently the Field Mouse. O’Reilly mentions
still another word oall6s feoip as equivalent to Mole and

Dormouse. As already mentioned the latter is not an
Irish species.

52 The lish Naturatst. March,

SQUIRREL.
1ofla pius’d (3), peopos (6), of4 (10), 10714 (6).
The word esr6g often applied to the squirrel is obviously
wrong. (See Stoat).

The question whether the Squirrel is a true native of
Ireland has often been debated, and Barrington has written
a valuable paper! in which he maintains that this species
was only introduced into this country at the beginning of
the last century. On the other hand we have O’Flaherty’s
authority for the existence of the Squirrel in Connaught in
the 15th century, and in view of the fact that there are
two good Irish names for this mammal, it seems to me
more probable that it is indigenous. At the time when
the forests were so extensively cut down it would have
become very local and may only have spread again when
the introduction referred to infused new life and vigour
into the old stock.

Ir1sH STOAT (so-called ‘* Weasel’).

eros, ear (2), near (1), bL&étnait (12), 1andsg (6).

The Irish Stoat is quite peculiar to Ireland. It somewhat
resembles the English Stoat but is smaller and different in
other respects. It is often called ‘‘ weasel” in Ireland.
The true Weasel is not an Irish species and a much smaller
animal than the Irish Stoat which might be called ‘‘assogue.”

WALRUS.
cApall mapa(l), capalt paippse (1), capatt nire (1),
jlopustc (fide Best from the old Norse “ rosualt’’).

I am in doubt whether Alston is correct in identifying
these names with the Walrus, as there is no evidence of
the occurrence of this animal off the Irish coast. It is
possible, however, that this great marine carnivore
frequented the Irish seas in former times, as it is still
occasionally met with off the coast of Scotland.

WEASEL (see Stoat).
1 Proc. R. Dublin Soc., 1880.

IQI5. ScHARFF.—On the lrish Names of Mammals. 53

WHALE.
miol mop (2), fatain(6), boleo (12), bvtoac (12), parn,
masa (1) (older words).
There are several kinds of whales, as well as dolphins

in Irish waters (see Porpoise), and these are, as far as I
know, not discriminated from one another in Irish.

WOLF.
msaopsad Allard (2), faetca (11), mactipne (6), cpran (12),
opec (12), maopa altca (7), prdeac (6), fael, cu altaid (2)
(older terms).

It is astonishing that such a number of words should
exist for Wolf, but if, as I suggested, the term maopiad
was exclusively applied to the small watch-dog, two of the
words given might be eliminated as incorrect. The only
other somewhat wolf-like creature that inhabited Ireland
formerly was the Hyaena. It became extinct probably
long before the Reindeer and Irish Elk, and it is unlikely
that an Irish word for this animal should exist.

REFERENCES TO LITERATURE CITED.

1. Atston, C. H.—A list of the Gaelic names of British Mammals.
Scottish Naturalist, 1913, pp. 145-153.

2. MAcNEILL, JoHN.—Manuscript list of the Irish names of Mammals.

3. Corgan, N.—Manuscript list of the Irish names of animals used in
the West of Ireland.

4. Krocu, JoHN.—Zoologia medicinalis hibernica, Dublin, 1739.

5. WILDE, W.—On the animal remains belonging to the Academy. Proc.
R.I.A,, vii., 1860, pp. 181-211.

6. O'REILLY, EDwWArRD.—Irish Dictionary, new edition. Dublin, 1877.

7. DINNEEN, Rev. Patrick S.—Irish Dictionary. Dublin, 1904.

8. Fores, A. R.—Gaelic names of beasts, birds, &c. Edinburgh, 1905.

9

fe)

. Hocan, Rev. E.—History of the Irish Wolf-dog. Dublin, 1897.
. O'HANLON, REv. CANon.—History of Queen’s County, Vol. 1. (Irish
names of animals, p. 39).

11. Joyce, P. W.—The origin and history of Irish names of places.
Dublin, 1869.

12. Meyer, Kuno.—Contributions to Irish Lexicography. A-Dn. Vol. 1.
Halle, 1906-7.

13. STOKES, W.—Lives of Saints from the Book of Lismore. Oxford,
1890.

14. STOKES, W.—The tripartite life of Patrick. London, 1887.

National Museum, Dublin.
A 3

54 The trish Naturalist. March,

SOME MARINE ALGAE OF COUNTY CORK. °

BY BLANCHE FE. DURE. ®.SG,.,) AVR.Ca

The Marine Algae which I propose to deal with are the
rarer Irish species in the Herbarium of University College,
Cork.

Between the years 1878 and 1911 there were no ad-
ditions to the collection, but recently some rather interesting
species have been added from Courtmacsherry Bay and
Cork Harbour. Of these, two of the most noteworthy are
Callithammion arbuscula and Piilota plumosa.

‘“ Calltthamnion arbuscula is a boreal alga. It is found
in Norway, the Faeroes, Scotland, and Ireland, and is
abundant in the Clare Island district, forming a band on
rather steep exposed rocks. In the much colder waters
of the North Sea it does not occur south of Yorkshire, and
on our west coast it was known to descend to Ayrshire
and Isle of Man. Pétlota plumosa is also a northern species.
Found in Iceland, Nova Zemblya, and Spitzbergen, it de-
scends as far as Yorkshire on our east coast, and had been
recorded from North Wales and the Isle of Man on the west.
On Clare Island it is plentiful, being attached to the stipes
of Laminaria Cloustont and washed ashore in company
with such southern plants as Taonia and Callymenta rent-
formis.’ ‘‘ Both are supposed to occur in the South of
Ireland, but this requires confirmation.”

The quotations are taken from Mr. A. D. Cotton’s paper
on ‘* The Distribution of certain British Algae,” Journ. Bot.,
Feb., 1914. At that time he had not been able to see any
specimens and some so labelled were wrongly named. The
statement that they do occur can no longer be doubted,
both having been collected by me in Courtmacsherry Bay
last August.

This bay is very much sheltered on the western side, but
on the eastern side, from Garrettstown to the Old Head of
Kinsale, is decidedly exposed. It was at the very extremity
of the ‘*‘ Old Head,” near the lighthouse that Callithamnion
arbuscula was found. Here the cliffs are very precipitous,

ee +e ee

IQI5. DuKE.— Some Marine Algae of County Cork. 55

and C. arbuscula is fairly abundant on the perpendicular
and horizontal faces of the rocks a little below high-water
mark ; a band of Porphyra vulgaris occurs just above it.

Ptilota plumosa was for several days hunted for in vain,
but finally turned up after a storm, having been washed
ashore on the stipes of Laminaria Cloustont. There must be
a fairly abundant growth of it in the deep waters of Court-
macsherry Bay; the coast-line extending for about two
miles westwards from Garrettstown was examined, and P.
plumosa and its host were found in several places as well as
on Garrettstown Strand.

With regard to Cork Harbour, practically all the recent
collecting has been done on the western side. At Spike
Island, just within the mouth of the harbour N7tophyllum
Hilltae has been found. Myrtleville, which is outside the
mouth of the harbour has provided several interesting
species, ¢.g., Antithamnion crispum, Glotostphonia capillaris,
and Nitophyllum Bonnemaison.

The list of the rarer Irish species with the names of the
localities, dates when collected, and names of collectors is
given below. The system of classification adopted is that
used in Rabenhorst’s ‘“‘ Kryptogamenflora”’ by Dr. Ferdirand
Hauck.

I am much indebted to Mr. A. D. Cotton, Royal Gardens,
Kew, for verifying and naming certain critical specimens.

RHODOPHYCEAE.

Monospora pediecellata Ag.—Cork Harbour, Dr. J. R. Harvey.

Seinaia fureellata Bivona.—{1.) Cork Harbour, 1836, Dr. J. R. Harvey.
(2.) Ballycotton, July, 1836, Miss Ball.

Antithamnion ecrispum Thur.—Myrtleville, August, t911, Major H. A.
Cummins.

Callithamnion arbuseula Lyngb.—Old Head of Kinsale, August, ror4, B.
E. Duke.

Callithamnion eruciatum Ag.—Cork Harbour, Dr. J. R. Harvey.

Callithamnion plumula Ellis—Corkbeg, August, 1837, Dr. J. R. Harvey.

Callithamnion tetragonum Ag.—(1.) Bantry Bay, October, 1850, Isaac
Carroll. (2.) Courtmacsherry Bay, August, 1914, B. E. Duke.

Callithamnion spongiosum Harv.—Bantry Bay, July, 1878, I. Carroll.

Callithamnion scopulorum J. Ag.—Ringabella Bay, March, ror4, B. E.
Duke,

56 The Lrish Naturalist. March,

Piilota plumosa L.—Courtmacsherry Bay, August, 1914, B. E. Duke.

Gloiosiphonia capillaris Carm.—Myrtleville, August, 1911, B. E. Duke.

Ceramium flabelligerum J. Ag.—(1z.) W. cf Cork Harbour, 1850, I. Carroll.
(2.) Myrtleville, August, 1911, B. E. Duke.

Ceramium echionotum J. Ag.—Cork Harbour, September, 1851, I. Carroll.

Ceramium Deslongchampsii Chauv.—(1.) Cork Harbour, 1851, I. Carroll.
(2.) Bantry Bay, July, 1878, I. Carroll.

Halarachnion ligulatum Kitz.—(1.) Whitepoint, 1836, Dr. W. H. Harvey.
(2.) Courtmacsherry Bay, August, 1914, B. E. Duke.

Gigartina acicularis Lamour.—Rocks ovtside Cork Harbour, 1851, I.
Carroll.

Rhodymenia Palmetta Grev.—(1.) Youghal, Miss Ball. (2.) Myrtleville,
August, 1911, H. A. Cummins.

Nitophyllum Gmelini Grev.—Cork Harbour, July, 1836, Dr. J. R. Harvey.

Nitophyllum Hilliae Grev.—(1.) Cork Harbour, July, 1914, B. E. Duke.
(2.) Old Head of Kinsale, August, 1914, B. E. Duke.

Nitophyllum Bonnemaisoni Grev.—Myrtleville, August, to11, H. A.
Cummins.

Stenogramme interrupta Harv.—Near Spike Island, 1836, Dr. J. R.
Harvey.

Gelidium pulchellum Kutz.—Myrtleville, July, 1912, B. E. Duke.

Chondria dasyphylla Ag.—(1.) Myrtleville, August, 1911, B. E. Duke.
(2.) Kinsale, Apri, 1912, B. E. Duke.

Pterosiphonia parasitica Schm.—Myrtleville, August, 1911, B. E. Duke.

PHAEOPHYCEAE.

Cystoseira fibrosa Huds.—Bantry Bay, July, 1878, I. Carroll.

Cystoseira granulata [..—(1.) Cork Harbour, 1836, Dr. J. R. Harvey.
(z.) Myrtleville, August, 1911, H. A. Cummins.

Taonia atomaria G. et W.—Ballycotton, 1835, Miss Ball.

Striaria attenuata Grev.—Cork Harbour, 1836, Dr. J. R. Harvey.

Arthrocladia villosa Duby.—(1.) Cork Harbour, Dr. J. R. Harvey.
(2.) Cork Harbour, July, 1914, B. E. Duke.

Sporochnus pedunculatus Huds.—Cork Harbour, July, 1850, J. Wright.

Cutleria multifida Grev.—Ballycotton, August, 1835, and July, 1836,
Miss Ball.

CHLOROPHYCEAE.

Cladophora macallana Harv.—W. of Cork Harbour, 1850, I. Carroll.
Cladophora diffusa Roth.—Youghal, October, 1836, Miss Ball.
Cladophora gracilis Griff—Youghal, 1836, Miss Ball.

Cladophora pellucida Huds.—Bantry, November, 1907, Miss Hutchins.

University College, Cork.

oe

191s, Reviews. 4

REVIEWS.

THE WEXFORD GRAVELS.

The Wexford Gravels and their bearing on Inter-glacial Geology. Ly
GRENVILLE A. J. Cote, M.R.I.A., F.G.S., and T. Hatuissy, M.R.I.A.,
Geological Survey of Ireland. [Extracted from the Geological
Magazine (Decade VI.), Vol. I., n. 605, pp. 498-509, November, 1914.]

The Wexford Gravels have been the subject of considerable contro-
versy, much of which appears to have arisen from the efforts made by
geologists to fit in the facts of the Wexford area with theories advanced
to explain the geology of other parts of the British Isles. Regarding the
disputed succession of the deposits in the field, the views put forward
by the authors may be accepted as final—that the widely spread and highly
calcareous “‘ Marl”’ is the moraine profonde of the Irish Sea glacier, and
the “‘ Wexford Gravels’’ which occur sporadically in the district are de-
rived from this underlying Boulder-clay. These gravels in addition to the
northern erratics and shells usually found in east coast Glacial deposits
contain considerable quantities of chalk-flints, lignite, Pliocene mollusca,
&c., apparently derived from the submarine Cretaceous and Tertiary
outliers off the eastern and southern coasts. The main purpose of the
paper is, however, the bearing on interglacial geology of the Wexford
Gravels, and here the authors are on much more debatable ground.
It must be admitted that until late in the last century interglacial periods
were used in a very casual way by many geologists, the undoubted inter-
glacial deposits in alpine lands, and an assumed extensive submergence
in the British Isles giving much support to the theory. Active scepticism
regarding interglacial land-deposits on the one hand, and the disappearance
of the submergence theory on the other has in recent years reduced inter-
glacial periods to a rather precarious position—that is in the older sense
of an introduction of a fairly complete flora and fauna to these islands
during the period. The work of our authors on the Wexford deposits,
valuable on so many other points, cannot be said seriously to modify the
normal succession of Glacial deposits. The advance of an ice-sheet
laying down Boulder-clay—the denudation of this Boulder-clay resulting
in the formation of gravels in favourable localities—and the re-advance of
ice, usually local ice, depositing a loose stony loam, is a succession very
commonly found in Ireland, and this succession may be applied to the
Wexford deposits without straining the facts unduly. It may be that
our authors regard the lapse of time between the retreat of the Irish Sea
ice and the advance of the local ice as an_ interglacial period.
If this is their idea of an interglacial period they may
certainly be considered to have made a good case, but in view of the
meaning usually attached to the term, recession and re-advance of the
ice would appear much safer expressions.

a eDe Wy AA.

§5 The Lrish Naturalist. March,

AN ATTEMPT AT PLANT ECOLOGY.

Practical Field Botany. By A. R. Horwoop, F.L.S. London: C. Griffin,

& Co., 1914. Pp. xvi.+193. Illustrated with 20 plates and 26
figures in the text. Price 58: et.

The title of this book does not form a very accurate clue to its con-
tents, and anyone expecting to find it of value for actual field use will
probably be much disappointed.

The book opens with a preface in which it is stated that the informa-
tion in it has been gathered from many quarters including “the
Museums Association or Museums Journal, the Annual Reports of
Museums,” etc. Had it been obtained as a result of the first-hand study
of vegetation in the field possibly the result might have been more
stimulating.

Five chapters, an appendix and a bibliography follow. In the
appendix, amongst other things, instructions will be found for modelling
flowers in wax and for preserving plants in their natural colours.

The opening chapter deals with “ the scope, object and aims of botany,
with general notes on the subject and how, when and where to study
plants on the new lines.” The new lines, it should be explained are
ecological. The following chapter discusses ‘‘ the special methods used
in collecting, preserving, mounting and storing plants for herbaria ’’ and,
as may be supposed, is not very redolent of the field !

The third chapter consists of a disquisition on ‘‘ the necessity for
encouraging the study of botany on ecological lines, by the popularisa-
tion of pure life-histories of plants through nature study, museums,
scientific societies, and other associations, and in the university.” We

confess our ignorance as to what is intended to be conveyed by the

expression ‘‘ pure life-histories.”’ Have we thus far been guilty of
studying such life-histories in an impure or adulterated form? The
fourth chapter contains ‘‘ general outlines of the subject to be treated,
as part of the life-history of a plant : an attempt to remodel the
process of treating the description of plant forms.”

At long last in chapter 5, which is entitled ‘an outline of the plant
formations that can be studied npon a broad and convenient basis,’’ we
reach that portion of the book which should carry us to plants in the
field. This, however, consists mainly in an enumeration of the principle
types of plant habitats with copious lists of the names of the species of
plants likely to be found in them. It is to be feared that these bare lists
(sometimes giving the common at others the scientific names minus their
authors) are scarcely calculated to attract the beginner. Real ecological
treatment of the subject matter is wanting, but a word of praise should
be extended to most of Mr. Horn’s photographs of types of vegetation,
reproductions of which serve as illustrations of this chapter.

ge ae

fo ri. fee

iMG Rhine its Oe RE ee

cha ty

Neng Attire A Re i

a ho = tg

ee, See ee ee ee

Se ee et ee ee ee Te PP ae LN Be Be My

igts. Trish Soetelics. 50

IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include a Bonnet Monkey from Mr. Bryan, a White-nosed
Monkey from Dr. Coady, and a Jerboa from Mr. E. Touche, and a large
assignment of Salmon and Trout eggs from the Irish Fisheries Office.
Several Dingo pups have been recently born in the Gardens, as well as
four Lion cubs—three males and a female—the parents being ‘“‘ Red Hugh ”’
and “ Nigeria. ’’

JANUARY 27.—ANNUAL MEETING held at Leinster House (by kind per-
mission of the Council of the Royal Dublin Society), Sir CHARLES BALL,
Bart., M.D., in the chair. The Hon. Secretary (Prof. G. H. CARPENTER)
moved the adoption of the Council’s Report for 1914.

The sudden outbreak of the Great War in August was a heavy strain
on the Society’s resources, and brought about a great reduction in the
number of visitors to the Gardens, so that there was a decrease of (287 in
the gate receipts as compared with 1913, a year much below the average.
Forty new members (including twelve life-members) were admitted during
I9I4.

The year 1914 has been perhaps the most noteworthy in the whole
history of the Society as regards the large Apes. The Orang-utan,
“ Sandy,” procured in 1913, has remained in good health throughout the
vear. In October, 1914, a handsome male Hoolock Gibbon was offered
for purchase at a low price ; the animal had been a pet among the officers
ofa battalion of the Gordon Highlanders ordered to the Continent. As
the state-of the Society’s funds made purchase in the ordinary way im-
possible, some members of the Council raised the necessary money and pre-
sented the Gibbon to the collection. Of the Chimpanzees in the Ape
house at the beginning of the year the young female and the Hon. Walter
Rothschild’s great male “‘ Tom” have, unfortunately, died. The other
male, ‘‘ George,’’ is, however, still in splendid health, and deserves mention
as one of the most amusing and friendly Apes ever kept in Dublin. In
September a pair of large Chimpanzees were obtained from London in
exchange for two lion-cubs; the male appeared to belong to the rare
“ Bald” species (Anthropopithecus calvus), not to the common kind (4.
troglodytes) usually imported from West Africa. Unfortunately, these
specimens survived only a few weeks. A small, rather delicate, female
Chimpanzee was placed on deposit in the summer, and, though at first
sickly, became much stronger after a month’s careful tendance in the
Iveagh Hospital. In January, 1914, a small male Chimpanzee was
purchased, and is still alive and healthy. The Council decided to acquire
this animal, because it had been imported from West Africa in company

-with a female Gorilla, which was offered along with it. Never before

has a Gorilla been kept-alive in either the Dublin or London Gardens
for more than a few weeks; the Council is, therefore, much gratified
that under the care of the Superintendent and the Keeper, J. Supple,
“ Empress”’ has remained in splendid health throughout the year.
Probably the companionship of the Chimpanzee has been of great benefit

60 The Trish Naturalist March,

to the Gorilla, as solitary specimens of the latter in captivity usually
become morose, and rapidly lose condition. The two are, on the whole,
good friends, but they occasionally indulge in boxing and wrestling bouts,
to which the Gorilla often challenges her companion by drumming with
her hands on her chest.

So far as can be ascertained, the four types of Anthropoid—Gorilla,
Chimpanzee, Orang-utan, and Gibbon—have never been all exhibited to-
gether previously in any Zoological Gardens. The present assemblage in
our Ape-house constitutes, therefore, a ‘“‘ record’ of which the Society may
be proud,

Early in the year the opportunity of purchasing three rather scarce
African Monkeys—the Moustache, Red-eared, and White-nosed—was
seized ; these specimens are still in good health. A baby Rhesus Monkey
was born in the open-air cage, but it only lived for two days. Among the
American species the last of the Spider Monkeys has died, but four distinct
Capuchins are now in the house. Older specimens of the White-fronted
Capuchin which died during the year were found to have suffered from
osteo-malacia ; they afforded Prof. J. A. Scott with material for the
clucidation of this obscure disease, on which he contributed a paper to the
Dublin Biological Club. The Aye-aye and Slow Loris that were in the
Monkey-House a year ago have both, unfortunately, died, but another
interesting Lemuroid has been received in a Garnett’s Galago, kindly given
by Dr. A. Merrin.

The year just past has been signalized by the death of the two oldest
Lions, ‘‘ Romulus”? and “ Pluto,’ both born in the old Lion-House
seventeen years ago. Five cubs have been born during the year, all
of them males—a remarkable and unusual preponderance” of one sex.
The first family of two—born on May 22nd—were from ‘“ Conn” and
“ Mitze’’ ; the second family of three—on July 11th—were the firstborn
of the Dublin-bred Lioness, “‘ Fiona,’ “Red Hugh” being the father.

The pair of “‘ Conn’’—“‘ Mitze’”’ cubs born in August, 1913, were ex-
changed for the Chimpanzees mentioned above ; a pair from the “ Red
Hugh ’”’—“ Nigeria’’ family of December, 1913, were also disposed of

during the year. The stock of Lions now stands at twenty -two—thirteen
males and nine females.

The collection of large carnivores now includes five Tigers, the three
adult specimens for many years in Dublin, being supplemented by two
healthy cubs, which at the time of their arrival, in July, were about six
months old. These young Tigers are a gift from Col. Combes, Principal
Medical Officer for the Cochin States, S. India; the Council feel deeply
grateful to Col. Combes for such a valuable gift.

The stock of Bears has been depleted by the death of both the American
Black specimens which were in the Gardens a year ago. An interesting
animal has, however, come to us in one of the White-cared race of the
Brown Bear (Uyvsus ayctos leuconyx) from Chinese Turkestan, a generous
gift from Capt. Bury. One of the most serious losses in the Society’s
stock is due to the unfortunate death of both the Sea Lions ; the animals
were apparently in excellent health until a few days before they succumbed
to acute gastric trouble. The larger specimen may have sustained

vai
> o

1915. Irish Societies. 6I

some internal injury when, one night in October, it broke through the par-
tition between its own pond and the Beavers’ enclosure, climbed over the
three -foot railing around the latter, and disported itself for some hours
in the lake, where it caught and partly devoured a large Pike.

An especially noteworthy addition to the collection of Rodents is a male
Ingraham’s Hutia (Capromys Ingrahami) from the Bahamas, kindly
given by Dr. Edwin Bate. The Hutias are shy, tree-haunting beasts,
very rarely seen in menageries; found only in the West Indies, their
nearest relations are the well-known South American Coy i of which an
example may always be seen in the Gardens.

By the death of the Anoa—the peculiar Celebean Antclope—the
collection has lost one of its most interesting bovines. In the autumn the
Duke of Bedford generously offered to the Society a pair of Elands and a
Gnu from his famous collection at Woburn. The Council has gratefully
accepted this gift, but, owing to two outbreaks of cattle disease in the
English Midlands, it has not yet been possible to arrange for the shipment
of the animals to Ireland ; it is hoped that they will be imported early
in the new year.

The large and attractive collection of Birds has been well maintained,
noteworthy additions being a pair of Scarlet Ibis given by Mr. J. Nugent
Lentaigne, and a Sandgrouse given by Mr. H. B. Rathborne. Among the
Reptiles the death of one New Zealand Tuatera leaves only a single survivor
of that highly interesting ancient type in the Gardens.

It is gratifying to record a second season’s successful work at the Fish
Hatchery. From the Irish Fisheries Office 10,000 Brown Trout and
60,000 Salmon eggs were received in January ; these were supplemented
by a generous gift of 20,000 Brown Trout eggs from Col. Claude Cane.
At the end of the hatching season 45,000 Salmon and 22,000 Trout fry were
handed over to the Riparian Owners of the Liffey. Later in the year
some of the Hatchery boxes were used for rearing larval Axolotls.

Except a few necessary repairs no construction-work has been under-

taken during the year beyond the provision of a range of open-air cages
to the Monkey-House and the re-modelling of the adjacent indoor cages,
as described in the last Report. The work has been satisfactorily carried
out, and a number of the smaller carnivores—Civets, Genets, Racoons,
&c.—are now well housed in the outside cages. The opportunity has been
taken to improve greatly the access to the Anthropoid cages by providing
a passage-room on the west side in addition to the Keeper’s room on the
east side already provided.
t. From several admirable sets of photographs received for the yearly
competition in animal portraiture the Council had no hesitation in selecting
for the award of the Silver Medal the work of Mr. J. Manby, of Dublin.
The sets submitted by Mr. S. Sarne, of London, and Mr. A. MacCallum,
of Dublin, were also very good, so that special Bronze Medals were awarded
to them.

The subjects chosen by Mr. Manby are the four types of Anthropoid
now_on view in the Monkey-House. His beautiful pictures will serve,
therefore, as a permanent record of a noteworthy achievement in the
activities of the Society.

62 The Irish Naturalist. March,

The adoption of the Report was seconded by the Hon, Treasurer
(Dr. MacDoweEL CosGravg) who laid emphasis on the Society’s need for
financial support. In spite of a generous response to a special appeal
made in October, which brought in over £300, the year closed with a
debit balance of nearly 4600. The Report was adopted, and the officers
re-elected. Dr. R. F. Scharff; having served for twenty years on the
Council, becomes a permanent Vice-President, and Dr. A. Ball, F. Gifford,
and L, E. Steele were chos.n to fill vacancies.

An account of the year’s work at the Gardens, with lantern and cine-
matograph illustrations was then given by Prof, J. A. Scott.

NOTES.
ZOOLOGY.

Acherontia atropos in Co. Mayo.

County Mayo may be added to the list of localities recorded by Rev.
W. F. Johnson, where the Death’s-head Moth has been found, as I
possess a very fine specimen taken in a potato field at Dugort, Achill
Island, some years ago.

ALEXANDER WILLIAMS,
Dublin,

Salpingus ater in Ireland.

In Dr. Nicholson’s paper on Cavan Beetles, published in the January
number of the Ivish Naturalist, I notice he refers to Salpingus ater Payk.,
as not having been previously recorded from Ireland (supra, p. 5).
Apparently Dr. Nicholson has overlooked the record of this rare insect
in Dr. Power’s list of Irish Beetles published in the Entomologist for
1878, and there isareference to it in “ A List of the Beetles of Ireland”
(Proc. R. I. Acad., 1902). During the summer of 1910 I found a single
specimen on the top of Croaghpatrick, in county Mayo (‘‘ Clare Island
Survey,” Proc. R.I.A., xxxi., part 28), it was captured on a hot July day,
when numbers of typically lowland insects were noticed flying about
the summit of the mountain, such as Alianta incana, Malthodes flavo-
guttatus, Ceuthorrhynchus quadridens, &c. I have also found a Salpingus
by sweeping plants at Blanchardstown, and at Tibradden, in the Dublin
Mountains, which apparently belongs to this species. As Dr. Nicholson
remarks, Salpingus ater is regarded by British entomologists as a some-
what doubtful species, in all probability it is a mere form, or variety, of
Salpingus aevatus Muls. Fowler mentions only one British locality—
Aviemore (Invernesshire). I notice, however, that in the supplement to
his work this beetle is recorded from the Isle of Wight, Delamere Forest,
and the Peebles district in Scotland.

J. N. Hapert,
National Museum, Dublin,

ae

T9QT5. Notes. 63

Snakes and their Victims.

[ have not read Mr. G, A. Boulenger’s Book on Reptiles and Batrachians,
but in the excellent review of it, which I have just been perusing in the
Irish Naturalist for January, lam struck with the statement (apparently
made from the book) that—‘‘ No animals, except Monkeys, appear to
recognise Snakes as dangerous, or to show any alarm at their proximity.”
Surely that is a proposition which the experience of any naturalist con-
versant with Snakes must enable him to eontradict ? The fear shown by
Frogs introduced into a vivarium beside Grass Snakes, for example, must
be familiar enough to anyone who has kept those Snakes in captivity.
The Frog seems to know its natural enemy instinctively and znstanily,
and its fear is very evident in its frantic efforts to escape from the case.
I have even heard one “‘ squeal”’ (if that term be permissible in describing
the voice of a Frog) before it was struck by a Snake ; and the behaviour
of a Mouse in the company of Adders is very similar. I cannot have any
doubt, from such ocular demonstration, that these are not singular in-
stances, but that other animals, besides Monkeys, must be able to recognise
their deadly foe the moment they become aware of its presence, Perhaps
the insertion of this note in the Ivish Naturalist may bring expressions of
opinion from others.

GEORGE BoLamM.
Alston, Cumberland.

The Last (?) Irish Golden Hagle.

Early in January, happening to call at Messrs. Williams & Sons, No. 2,
Dame-street, Dublin, the well-known taxidermists, I saw, to my surprise
and horror, a freshly killed Golden Eagle—a fine old male, weighing
84 lbs., and whose extended wings measured 6ft. 3in. It had been shot
near Ardara, Donegal. This is no doubt the Eagle which my old friend

‘Mr. Ussher told me he had seen on the Donegal coast, north of Slieve
League in 10913. It has had no mate for some seasons, and is said to
have inhabited the district for forty years. The middle toe of one foot
was missing—showing that it had been trapped—but the wound was per-
fectly healed. After diligent search and enquiry this was the only
Golden Eagle which Mr. Ussher could then trace with certainty as existing
in Ireland—though he had heard rumours of one in Mayo.

What are we to think of those-who are responsible for the extermi-
nation of this magnificent bird—whose powerful flight amidst the wildest
glens and loftiest precipices added an irresistible charm to some of the
grandest Irish scenery ?

RicHp. M, BARRINGTON,

- = 2
Fassaroe, Bray.

64 The Lrish Naturalist. March, 1915.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Co. Roscommon.

On January 21st last while shooting in Co. Roscommon, about four
miles from Athlone, I came across a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendvo-
copus minor). He was very tame, and stayed within three yards of me
for several minutes. I could not make any mistake, as I have seen and
skinned many Woodpeckers in Africa. He ran about like a Tree Creeper
on the hazel stumps looking for insects. He was rather smaller than a
Goldfinch, I should say, speckled grey on the back and white underneath
—especially on the throat. The red patch on the head was very con-
spicuous. I visited the place several times since without seeing him again.
According to Ussher and Warren (“ Birds of Ireland ’’) the last record for
Ireland was in 1857 (which they look upon as doubtful), and previous to
that in 1847, and one in 1848.

J. FFOLLIOTT DARLING,
The Bay, Athlone.

Pied Flycatcher and Corn Bunting on Migration at Tuskar
Lighthouse.

On August 16th, 1914, at 1 o’clock a.m., a Pied Flycatcher struck the
Tuskar lighthouse lantern, and has been forwarded to me in the flesh by
Mr. Glanville, to whom I am greatly obliged for the specimen. This
is the fourth example of this species obtained from Irish light-stations
within twelve months time. (Vide Ivish Naturalist, November, 1913,
p. 220, and June, 1914, p. 148.)

Synchronously with the advent of the Pied Flycatcher at the Tuskar
lantern a Corn Bunting struck the glass, viz., at I a.m. on August 16th
last. Mr. Glanville kindly forwarded me this specimen. From what I
can gather this appears to be the only instance to hand of a Corn-Bunting
striking the lantern of a rock light-station round the Irish coast. Mr.
Barrington has no records in his book, but perhaps can add some since 1900
when his work on migration was published.

C. fj ... JPATTEN,
The University, Sheffield.

A Beaked Whale on the Wexford Coast.

This species (Mesoplodon bidens) is one of the rarest of the Irish Whales,
only two previous records being known. With its long beak and white
colour in the upper surface it forms rather a striking object. In the males
there are two powerful teeth in the lower jaw and no others. Both of the
earlier Beaked Whales, which were males, were stranded on the coast of
Kerry. During last autumn a young female specimen measuring about
twelve feet in length was cast ashore at Rosslare, Co. Wexford, and acquired
for the British Museum, where its skeleton will probably be set up.

. R. F. Scuarrr,
National Museum, Dublin,

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April, 1915. The Llrish Naturalist. 65

THE POST-GLACIAL LEVELS OF LOUGH NEAGH.
BY W: B, WRIGHT, B.A.,: F.G.S.

The very suggestive note by Mr. Stelfox in the January
issue of the Ivish Naturalist (pp. 8-9, supra), should excite
considerable interest in the post-Glacial levels of our larger
lakes. A study of the 25-foot or Early Neolithic beach
around the coast of Ireland leaves no doubt that a great
part of the country has been subjected to Post-glacial
tilting or warping. This beach, which is only a few feet
above present high-water mark in Donegal Bay and
southern Wicklow, rises steadily as it is traced round the
coasts in the direction of County Antrim, where it attains
an altitude of 18 or 20 feet above high-water mark. The gra-
dient is in reality very slight, the rise northward being on the
average about aninch to the mile. It appears to be some-
what steeper in the north, and in the neighbourhood of
Lough Neagh it might be taken at about two inches to the
mile, this being a liberal estimate. On this basis the eleva-
tion of the outlet would only be about two feet greater than
that of the south end of the lake, so that one would only
expect this small amount of post-Neolithic submergence.
This is quite a measurable quantity, and could no doubt
be detected by careful observation, but it is clearly no ex-
planation of the 30-foot change of level suggested by Canon
Lett.

If, however, there is any truth in Jamieson’s theory of
isotatic recovery of the earth’s crust from the depression
caused by the ice-load, the warping must have been in
progress ever since the disappearance of the ice, and not
merely since the Neolithic period. One would thus expect
the total post-Glacial warping to be much greater than the
post-Neolithic warping. Now, no Glacial or late Glacial
shoreline has been detected in Ireland which would afford
a means of measuring the total post-Glacial warping of the
country. There must of course have been a late Glacial
shore-line like the well-known ones in Scotland and Scan-
dinavia with their characteristic Arctic faunasand abundant

A

66 The lrish Naturalist. April,

evidence of floating ice. The fact that none has been
observed in Ireland may be due to defective observation,
to complete removal by denudation or to the fact that it
now lies below sea-level. At any rate it has not been found,
and we are left with a mere presumption that the post-
Neolithic warping only represents in part the total post-
Glacial warping.

We can get an idea of the total amount a post - -Glacial
warping which might reasonably be expected, in this way.
In Scandinavia the late Glacial and Early Neolithic shore-
lines are well known. Let us take a place which in its
position relatively to the Scandinavian centre of glaciation
corresponds roughly with that of Lough Neagh to the
Scottish centre. Christiania or Stockholm would do equally
well. At these places the gradient of the late Glacial
shoreline is about two and a half times that of the Neolithic
or Littorina-Tapes shoreline. Applying this ratio to the
case of Lough Neagh we get a gradient of five inches to
the mile for the total post-Glacial warping, and this would
correspond to a submergence of five feet at the southern end
of the lake. We are clearly still a long. way from Canon
Lett’s figure, but it is interesting to see that the amount
of post-Glacial warping recorded on the shores of Lough
Neagh ought to be considerably greater than that which
can be seen to affect the Early Neolithic raised beach around
our coasts.

It would be easy to apply a test to Lough Neagh to see
if its basin has really been affected by post-Glacial warping.
It is found that if we join up the points where the Neolithic
beach has the same altitude above high-water mark through-
out Ireland, England, and Scotland, we obtain elliptical
curves circling round the south-western Highlands of Scot-
land, 2.e., round the most powerful centre oi glaciation in
later Glacial times. These are called isobases, and it is
obvious that the isobase which passes through the outlet
of Lough Neagh ought, if it crosses the lake, to divide it
into two portions, one of which, to the north of the line,
ought to show traces of emergence of the land, and the other,
to the south, only submergence. This isobase separates off
Antrim Bay from the rest of the lake. One would therefore

tot5. WriGat.-— Zhe Post-Glacial Levels of Lough Neagh. 67

expect to find a complete absence of submerged tree stumps
or a submerged shore platform in this part of Lough Neagh.
We ought on the other hand to find anabandoned shore-line
a few feet above the surface of the lake at the head of the
bay. It should be a perfectly simple matter to find out
if this really is the case, and it is an enquiry well worth
making, for, as has been pointed out above, it might casily
lead up to a determination of the total amount of post-
Glacial tilting.

I understand that the level of the lake has been con-
siderably Jowered by drainage within modern times, so that
the water at the present day does not reach to the base of
the cliff. This introduces a complication in the making
of certain observations though it may facilitate others.
For instance, it might be necessary to use a theodolite or
some kind of level to find out if the abandoned shore-line at
the head of Antrim Bay is higher than elsewhere. Measure-
ments should be referred to the present water-surface, but
they should be made on the same day or else a gauge post
should be put up in the water for recording the change of
level between the several observations.

I think Mr. Stelfox’s suggestion as to a possible record of
tilting in the Lough Neagh basin is one of the most valuable
put forward in recent years in connection with this problem,
and I hope he will pursue the subject and make definite ob-
servations of his own in connection with it. If he cannot
find an opportunity to do this I shall some day try to make
one for myself, but I live far from the district, and Mr.
Stelfox is within easy reach of it.

Geological Survey, Dublin.

68 The Lrish Naturalist. April,
NOTES ON THE FAUNA AND FLORA OF LAMBAY.

BY THE HON. CECIL BARING.

THE statement, reprinted in the January number of this
Journal (supra, p. 12) from Mr. Boulenger’s Reptiles and
Batrachians, that ‘*‘ Green Lizards let loose on Lambay
have maintained themselves and multiplied,” goes perhaps
a little further than the facts warrant. The lizards in
question, in common with some other kindred creatures
which have been allowed to try their luck on Lambay
have certainly maintained themselves, and a great delight
they are to the eye, as they flash from one hiding place to
another on a warm day; but although eggs have been
found, there has been as yet no ocular evidence of repro-
duction, and it is too soon to speak with certainty of their
multiplication.

In the three years 1907-8-g some 2,200 reptiles and
amphibians were turned out on Lambay, and since 1909
smaller additions have been made year by year. Mr. C.
R. Walter, of West Bromwich, has given me valuable
assistance in procuring them. Most of the batrachians,
owing to lack of shelter and of suitable breeding places
and to the voracity of the bird population, have failed to
hold their own. Two kinds of lizards, on the other hand,
the Green Lizard and the Wall Lizard, have found the
surroundings congenial and have evidently survived several
successive wintefs, although, as already said, there is
no certainty that they have bred. The only reptile actually
known to have produced young on the island so far is the
so-called Glass-snake or Scheltopusik (Op/isaurus apus),
of which some six or seven have been put out at different
times. Tortoises, both American and European, hibernate
successfully, but they are apt to come out too soon and
thus to fall victims to cold and weakness in the early spring.
A marked specimen of the Moorish Tortoise, which must
have been on the island at least five years, was found
roaming about Lambay Head last summer. There is no
evidence of their breeding. Have tortoises, I wonder,
been known to do so in a wild state in the British Isles ?

Le a

1915. BARING.—Voles on the Fauna and Flora of Lambay. 69

Snakes I have not ventured to introduce on Irish soil.
Slow-worms and the aforesaid Scheltopusiks are as near
as I have come to it. Of the Skinks and Geckos only small
numbers were let loose. They have not been seen since.
Of the Eyed Lizards I think some may still be alive.

The following, for the possible benefit of future explorers,
is a list of the species turned out :—

CHELONIANS.—Testudo ibera, T. gracca, Emys orbicularts,
Clemmys leprosa, C. caspica, Chelopus Reevesit,
Chrysemys picta, Cistudo carolina.

SAURIANS.—Lacerta ocellata (from Spain), L. viridis (from
the Channel Isles and from the continent of
Europe—also the blue-headed variety, from
Turkey); JL. muralis (chiefly from Italy),
L. vivipara, L. agilis, L. Gallott (from Madeira
and the Canaries), Chalcides tryidactylus (from
Sicily), C. ocellatus, Tarentola Delandu (from
Madeira), Anolis principalis (from Minnesota),
Ophisaurus apus, Anguts fragilis.

AMPHIBIANS.—bu/o vulgaris (both the common English
and the large Spanish kind), B. viridis, B.
variabilis, B. calamita (from Scotland,) Pelo-
bates fuscus, Rana temporaria, R. ridibunda,
Hyla arborea, Bombinator bombinus, B. igneus,
Salamandra maculosa, S. atra, Triton cristatus,
I. taematus, T. alpestris, Molge vulgaris,
M. pyrrhogastra.

The present seems a good opportunity to put on record
a few scattered notes and observations made since the
‘‘ Natural History of Lambay” was Bes in the
Irish Naturalist in 1907.

The Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse turned out in
1906-8 have maintained themselves without artificial aid,
but the Quails have disappeared. Rheas have bred every
year since 1908, but they have never quite taken to a
wild life. African Crowned Cranes, the gift of a friend
(and a most glorious sight when on the wing), Demoiselle

A2

70 The [rvish Naturalist. | April,

Cranes, and Bustards have been liberated, but have either
left us or failed to establish themselves. In 1909 some
Chough’s eggs were put in two Jackdaws’ nests. One of
the nests was destroyed by a Puffin. In the other one
bird was hatched, but did not survive. Sand-martins have
been seen on passage. A young male Montagu’s Harrier
met death by misadventure in August, Ig09. A Carrion
Crow, as already recorded was seen here in 1913, and in
1910 and 1911 a Magpie spent some months on the island,
but does not appear to have nested. Dippers have not
been seen again.

The Moufflons now number over a dozen. A male
Chamois has been on the island since March, 1910; un-
fortunately it has been found impossible to procure a mate
for him. The Brown Hare (Lepus timidus) has bred
steadily since 1910, but without any considerable increase
in numbers.

A new mammal can be added to Lambay’s list in the
shape of the Hairy-armed Bat (Nyctalus Leislert, Kuhl.),
of which species an individual was caught in August, I913.
The Whiskered Bat (Vespertilio mystacinus) is already
recorded from Lambay, on the strength of a single specimen
caught in 1905 but not preserved. Assuming the latter
identification to be correct, it is noteworthy that the two
species should make their home in Lambay. The one
recorded in 1905 was caught in a tired-out state, in broad
daylight, and may possibly have been a straggler from
other regions; whereas the Hairy-armed Bat was taken,
with another, out of his breeding place in a tree, and is
undoubtedly indigenous. On the other hand, the claim
of the Long-tailed Field-mouse (Mus sylvaticus) to be
considered a Lambay mammal seems to me doubtful ;
it rests on a single specimen caught by me in 1905, which
at the time I took to be a House-mouse. No Field-mouse
has ever been seen on Lambay since, although we have
kept our eyes open for him and even set a small price on
his head. The ‘‘ grass-mice ” which we come across when
mowing the meadows have always turned out to be House-
mice.

1915. BARING.—JVotes on the Fauna and Flora of Lambay. 71

The Orange-tip Butterfly (Euchloe cardamines) occurs
abundantly ; so does the Ringlet (Epinephele hyperanthus).

Mr. W. F. de Vismes Kane has collected the following
additional moths and microlepidoptera :—

NOCTUIDAE. MICROLEPIDOPTERA.
Thyativa derasa. X*ylopoda fabriciana.
Acronycta pst. Cnephasia musculana.
Miana fasciuncula. Micropteryx calthella.
Noctua triangulum. Plutella maculipennis.
Noctua festiva. Clepsts rusticana.
Agrotis exclamationts. Eupoectlia maculosana.
Abplecta nebulosa. Gelechia ertcetella.

Hadena deracea (very abundant).
Leucania conigera.

(GEOMETERS.

Melanmppe fluctuata. Eupithecia satyrata.

The Horse-leech occurs on Lambay. I understand from
Mr. Halbert that it was accidentally left out of the 1906
list.
- The brittle-star Antedon bifida, was met with at Carrick
Dorrish, April, 1907. I have a note of Idotea (?) viridis,
also in 1907.

Among flowering plants, Orchis Morio, found in 1908
in six different places, and Czrcaea lutetiana (under Hill
Cottage), may be added to the Lambay list. In March,
1907, three patches of Hard Fern (Blechnum Spicant) were
found by Mrs. Baring between Saltpans and the Harper.

Bishopsgate, London.

7% The lrish Naturalist. April,

IRISH SOCIETIES.

ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include a pair of Elands and a Brindled Gnu from the
Duke of Bedford, a Bonnet Monkey from Mrs. Bryan, a Jerboa from
Mrs. Tombe, and a Ring-necked Parrakeet from Mrs. Mullally. Four
Lion cubs (three males and a female) have been born, the parents being
“Red Hugh” and “ Nigeria ;’’ also two families of Dingo puppies.

The “record ’”’ collection of the four anthropoid genera has been un-
fortunately broken by the recent death of the Orang-utan. The Gorilla
continues, however, in good health.

DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.

February 1o.—The Club met at Leinster House, D. McARDLE (Presi-
dent) in the Chair.

W. F. Gunn showed a slide of the gizzard of an Indian species of
locust. mounted dry, and drew attention to the efficient apparatus it
provided for triturating and reducing the food before passing into the
stomach. Attached to the interior walls of the organ is a complicated
arrangement of teeth, spines and ridges which are strongly chitinised
and in some parts quite horny in texture. These parts are controlled —
by a system of strong circularly arranged muscles which enable them to
act upon each other.

Prof. G. H. CARPENTER showed a transverse section through the body
of a larval Newt, in which the development of the arch of a vertebra
above the region of the notochordal sheath was exceedingly well shown.

C. J. McCartuy showed feelers of the Ox Warble-fly (Hypoderma
bovis) pointing out the sub-globular shape of the terminal segment which
fits into a hollow of the inflated cup-like second segment.

Dr. G.H. PETHYBRIDGE exhibited specimens of wheat received in August
from Co. Kerry suffering from the disease known as ‘“‘ White Heads.”
It is said to be caused by a fungus known as Ophiobolus graminis, Sacc.,
which is found at the bases of the stalks, forming a blackish mycelial felt
between the leaf-sheaths and the haulms. Microscopical preparations
were exhibited showing this black mycelium, as also were others showing
the presence of the fungus within the tissues of the haulms. No spores
of any kind were present. The fungus is said to develop its perithecial
form of fructification during the winter on the stubble, but on specimens
kept under observation for this purpose the perithecia had not up to that
time been developed. It was hoped by means of them to isolate the
fungus in pure culture and study its life history more closely, but owing
to the non-development of the perithecia this could not be done.

1915. Lrish Societtes. 43

BELFAST NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

SEPTEMBER 5.—GEOLOGICAL SECTION.—An excursion to the quarrics
in the neighbourhood of Carnmoney was held on this date. The rock in
the quarries visited is fine grained dolerite, but in each quarry a mass of
amygdaloidal structure appears. In this R. Bell pointed out the following
minerals :—Thomsonite, gahnite, saponite, fayalite, chabazite, and
calcite.

SEPTEMBER I19.—On this date the Geological Section had an excursion
to Cloghfin and Islandmagee district. The following fossils were found :—
Avicula contorta, Exogvra conica, Pecten orbicularis, P. quinquecostatus,
Ventriculites cribyosus, and Etheridgia mirabilis. In the basalt cliff near
Whitehead the minerals gmelinite and analcite were noticed.

MaARcH 16.—GEOLOGICAL SECTION.—A meeting was held in the Club
room in the Museum, College Square, North. The evening was devoted
to the exhibition of specimens. W. J. C. TOMLINSON exhibited speci-
mens of calcite from veins in iron ore, Rathkenny, Co. Antrim; from
“pockets”? in chalk, Moneymore, Co. Derry; and from vein in Carboni-
ferous limestone, Desertmartin; barytes and calcite from haematite
vein, Cumberland; quartz crystals on haematite-vein material; iron
pyrites and quartz crystals on haematite ; columnar basalt from dyke
in Carr’s Glen, Belfast.

Miss REA, on behalf of Dr. Charlesworth, showed fossils, Hippurites, sp. ?
Cancer patagonicus, Cuttlefish with ink bag in situ, amber enclosing insects.

R. WetcuH exhibited rude flint implements from raised beach
areas in Co. Antrim, and, for comparison, similar types from Grimes
Graves, Suffolk; also a collection of Pleistocene and Holocene Land and
Fresh-water Mollusca from deposits in Ireland and S.E. England.

R. Bett exhibited specimens of Nautilus striatus from Lower Lias,
at Barney’s Point; Ammonites Bucklandi; also orbicular granite from
Mullaghderg, Co. Donegal. Miss S. BLackwoop showed a collection of
specimens of rocks from the English lake district.

OBITUARY.

GEORGE J. FOGERTY, M.D., RN.

Irish naturalists will hear with deep regret of the death of Dr. George
Fogerty, of Limerick, at the age of sixty-four. | Since his retirement
from the medical service of the Navy he lived in his native town, and
took a prominent part in the founding and carrying on of the Limerick
Field Club, and was keenly interested in all matters relating to the natural
history and archaeology of the south and west of Ireland. His advice
and help were always at the service of scientific visitors to Limerick and
Clare, and his cheerful presence stimulated work at many excursions
of the Field Club Union and the local Society.

74 The lrish Naturalist. April,

NOTES,
ZOOLOGY.

The Death’s-Head Moth in Ireland.

Considering how universal is the cultivation in Ireland of its food-plant,
the Potato, it might have been supposed that the Death’s-head Moth
should have an equivalently widespread distribution in this country, and
should not be very rare. I have been told that when digging potatoes
‘“ quite large’ pupz are sometimes turned up, which are always destroyed
at sight by the gatherers. The comparison was made in direct reference
to the much smaller chrysalis of the Great Swordgrass Moth. Would it
seem improbable that some of these large pupee may belong to Acherontia
atvopos ? If the same practice of destroying them is followed everywhere,
it may possibly have some share in accounting for the apparent rarity of
that species,

W. E. Hart.
Kilderry, Londonderry.

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Dr. ffolliott Darling is such a welcome and rare correspondent to the
lyish Natuvalist, that one hesitates to criticise his contribution about the
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Roscommon (supra, p. 64).

When he states that the bird seen was ‘‘ rather smaller than a Goldfinch,”’
his note is not convincing. Saunders gives the length of this Woodpecker
as six inches, and that of the Goldfinch as five inches (Manual of British
Birds, last edition, pp. 174 and 278), and from other text books we gather
that the only point in which the Goldfinch exceeds this Woodpecker is
in the length of the tarsus. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is the smallest
European representative of the genus, and it does not appear to extend
further into the African continent than Algeria and Tunisia. From what
part of Africa did Dr. Darling obtain his specimens? In England it
has mainly a southern distribution, and is said to be partial to tall trees ;
yet the Roscommon bird was looking for insects on hazel-stumps. I
trust Dr. Darling will not consider these criticisms as prompted by any
other motive than the desire to arrive at the truth.

kticup. M, BARRINGTON.

Fassaroe, Bray.

1915. Notes. 75

Irish and British Birds.

In the Proceedings of the Sheffield Naturalists Field Club (vol. ii., 1914,
pp. 24-26), Professor C. J. Patten writes on some birds of the Sheffield
district which are rare or unknown in Ireland. In making the field
observations thus recorded the author had the advantage of the
company of the late Edward Williams to whose memory the publication
of these notes forms a pleasing little tribute. Among the species men-
tioned is the Tree Sparrow not long ago recognised as an Irish migrant
by Prof. Patten at the Tuskar light station.

Bird Migration.

Prof. C. J. Patten gave two lectures on Bird Migration in last year’s
courses of the Royal Institution, London, dealing with general questions
concerning the routes followed by migrants, and drawing his illustrations
largely from observations made by himself at the Tuskar and Inishtrahull
lighthouses.

Black Redstart and Roseate Tern in Co. Dublin.

On Saturday, 20th February, | saw a specimen of that rare bird, the
Black Redstart, at a place quite close to Dublin. A friend of mine who
is a very keen ornithologist has had it under his observation for the last
three weeks, and we hope it may escape the fate usually meted out to
rare visitors who by accident or otherwise find themselves in this country.
My friend tells me that four years ago he saw a bird of the same sort at
almost identically the same place. Early in June last, accompanied by the
same friend, we saw two beautiful specimens of the Roseate Tern, also
within a short distance of Dublin, but we could not find any trace of them
having nested at any of the breeding places of the other terns on the
Dublin coast during the summer.

; GEO, BROWN CRAWFORD.
Rathgar, Dublin.

Black Rat in Dublin.

I may also mention a rather rare animal I chanced to come across
in November last at one of the stores near Ringsend, namely a Black Rat.
It was one of the kind (Mus rattus) with large ears and an extremely
long tail, and may have come ashore from some vessel in the port. I
mention it here as I have not seen a Black Rat now for a number of
years.

GEO. BROWN CRAWFORD,

Rathgar, Dublin.

A eres 7
‘

76 The Lrish Naturalist. April, 1915.

Disappearance of Squirrels.

I have had the same experience here that Mr. Barrington has had at
Fassaroe (supra, p. 112). Squirrels have practically vanished. Here,
however, they seem to have gone in a comparatively short time, 7.e, in
1914. In 1913 we had a fine crop of nuts, Kentish cobs, filberts, etc., but
the squirrels came down on them just as we were going to gather them,
and in two days every nut was gone. Last year they did not touch one,
and we gathered a fine crop. They were mischievous little rascals, but
I miss them and hope they will return.

G. H. PENTLAND.

Drogheda.

Dolphins in the Boyne.

Last autumn, about the last week in October, I heard that two
“ porpoises ’’ were stranded in the Boyne near Queensboro’, about a mile
from the sea. My daughter told me they were about six feet long, nearly
black above, white below, and had long beaks full of small teeth. When
she saw them they were not long dead. I went there next day, and
was disappointed to find that they had been skinned and a good deal
mutilated. However, the beak of one of them was intact. It was about
a foot long and full of small, sharp teeth, about forty-five on each
side, that is, about ninety teeth in the upper jaw, and about
the same number in the lower. I judged from this that the two unlucky
beasts were specimens of Delphis delphinus, and Dr. Scharff, to whom
I described them, thinks so too. I went back a few days later to secure the
skulls, but found the tide had drifted the animals into deep mud, and
I could not get nearer than twenty yards from them. There were eight
Great Blackbacked Gulls feeding on one of them, so greedily that they
absolutely refused to move. This, the so-called Common Dolphin, is by
no means common in these seas, so perhaps this is worth putting on
record, .

G. H. PENTLAND.

Drogheda,

The Speckled Otter.

In July, 1909, I published a note in the Ivish Naturalist (vol. xviii.,
pp. 141-2, pl. 2) on the occurrence in Ireland of a variety of the Otter
in which the fur is dotted all over with white spots. It was obtained in
Lough Sheelin, County Cavan. A few weeks ago Miss Knowles showed
me an Otter skin very much like the one described and figured in the
number of the Ivish Naturalist referred to, and I now learn from her that
it came from Kilcolgan, in the County Galway. This village lies at the
mouth of a small stream, unconnected with the Shannon drainage, which
empties its waters into Galway Bay.

R, F, SCHARFF,
National Museum, Dublin.

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Notes on the Fauna and Flora of Lambay. —Hon, eg

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THomas R. HEwittT.

To face page 77.

May, I9t5. The Trish Naturalist. a

THOMAS ROBINSON HEWITT.

THE volumes of this Magazine contain records of the life-
stories of many veteran Irish naturalists and of not a few
who have been taken from the midst of their useful
activities while in middle life. In Thomas R. Hewitt, who
died in Dublin on the 23rd March, 1915, at the early age of
twenty-seven years, Ireland has lost a young zoologist of
exceptional promise, who would assuredly have risen to
very high distinction had his life been spared. Yet in the
brief time allotted to him he has achieved enough to ensure
erateful remembrance.

Hewitt was born near Crossgar, Co. Down, on the 7th
September, 1887. From boyhood in the local school and
on his father’s farm, he passed to two sets of winter
classes, as organized by the Department of Agriculture.
Thence he gained an agricultural scholarship at the Royal
College of Science, which he entered in October, Ig09.
Passing through the three-years’ course with credit, and
taking several prizes, he obtained the Associateship of the
College as well as the National Diploma in Agriculture in
1912. The opportunity of a research assistantship in
agricultural zoology then came to him, the appointment
being intended especially to facilitate investigation into
the life-history of ox-warble-flies, which had been in
progress since 1904. Into this work Hewitt threw himself
with enthusiasm and soon showed a manifo'd aptitude
for the research, which involved careful studies of insect
anatomy as well as extended experiments and observations
on cattle, the winters being spent in the College laboratory,
and the summers at the Department’s Ballyhaise station
in Co. Cavan. Hewitt rapidly developed admirable skill
in minute dissection and remarkable powers as a draughts-
man. The beautiful plates illustrating our joint paper on
the Reproductive Organs and newly-hatched Larva of the
Warble Fly' were reproduced directly from his pen-and-ink

1 Sci. Proc. R. Dublin Soc., vol. xiv., no. 19, 1914.

78 The lrish Naturalist. May,

sketches. He also showed great care and critical judgment
in the field experiments and observations that he carried
out at Ballyhaise. The results of these were published last
autumn in this Magazine,’ and more fully in a Report? for
the Department’s Journal. By patient and long-continued
watching, Hewitt was able to see the tiny newly-hatched
Hypoderma-larvae bore into the skin of cattle, and thus to
settle a question which had been disputed among agricul-
tural. entomologists and veterinary surgeons for twenty
years. In the intervals of his work on this subject, Hewitt
dealt profitably with other insect-studies such as the Larva
and Puparium of the Frit-fly’ and the hibernation of the
Woolly Aphid in apple-cores.* A valuable report on Eel-
worms in Narcissus bulbs,® the result of much careful
observation and field experiment contains further results
of his activities, and a bye-product of this last enquiry
was the discovery of several species of Nematoda® new to
Ireland.

Such a record of two and a half years shows Hewitt’s
capacity for research, and moreover he voluntarily shared
in some of the teaching of the zoological laboratory. We
who knew and valued him looked forward to a prolonged
association in the work that he did so well. It was the
more praiseworthy, because he was frequently hindered by
ill-health, and his brave habit of ‘‘ making the best of
himself”? appealed to all. His cheerfulness and trustworthi-
ness won the affection of his fellows, as his talents moved
their admiration. And even now as we realise the loss we
have suffered through the sudden removal of our friend,
his faith, his hope, his devotion to duty speak to us from
the silence, and help to lighten our way.

G. H. CARPENTER.

1 Tvish Nat., vol. xxili., 1914, no. 8.

2 Journ. Dept. Agric. and Tech. Insir., Ivel., vol. xv., 1914, no. I.
2 Sci. Proc. R. Dublin Soc., vol. Xiv., 1914, no. 23.

-4 Journ. Econ. Biol., vol. viil., 1913, pt. 2.

6 Journ. Dept. Agric. and Tech. Instr., Ivel., vol. Xiv., no, 2, 1913.
6 Iyish Nat., vol, xxii., 1913, no. 8.

1915. PATTEN.—FHider-Ducks at Inishtrahull. 79

EIDER-DUCKS AT INISHTRAHULL.
WitH REMARKS ON THE STATUS OF THIS BIRD IN IRELAND.
BY PROFESSOR C. J. PATTEN, M.A., M.D., SC.D.

On Monday, September 8th, 1913, I observed two large
ducks on the sea, about two hundred yards off the east
headland of Inishtrahull, Co. Donegal. With the aid of
binoculars, I diagnosed them as Ejider-Ducks (Somateria
mollissima), in female or immature plumage.! As they
swam in close to the island their identity with the naked
eye became an easy matter. They were not by any means
shy ; however, if suspicious of danger they made out to sea
at rather an accelerated speed, not attempting to clude
observation by diving. They did not proceed far out,
but showed a decided inclination to turn about and come
in among the reefs in search of food. By sitting down on
the cliff and keeping quiet they afforded me an opportunity
of viewing them at close quarters ; sometimes they drew
_in too close and disappeared under the shadow of the cliff.
In their indifference to man’s presence they reminded me
more of domestic than of wild birds. At length they made
off, steering along the southern aspect of the island, until
in the distance they were lost to view. In the evening
they were seen in a little creek called Portahurry on the
west side. Here they remained quietly feeding among
the seaweed-covered rocks, until a boat, arriving from
Tory, frightened them off, and they were not noticed
again this day. However, two Eider-Ducks, in female or
immature dress, also tame in their habits, and presum-
ably the same two birds, frequented the island for several
deys after. They were generally seen feeding among the rocks

1 At that distance it was not possible to distinguish them from female
or immature King-Eiders (Somateria spectabilis), the plumage markings
of the two species being somewhat similar, and in both cases sombre-
shaded. To differentiate, it is necessary to examine the species by hand,
when it can be seen that the central tracts of feathers of the upper segment
of the beak hardly reaches half-way to the nostrils in the Common Eider,
whereas in the King-Eider these feathers reach as far as a line with the
nostrils. Fortunately, as the text of this paper states, I received the
head of a duck later on, which I identified as that of a Common Eider,
and probably belonging to one of the two seen this day,

A2

80 The Trish Naturalist. May,

close to the waters edge. Their presence aroused the
attention of numbers of the islanders. Late on Sunday
night, September 14th, I learned that one of the birds
had been shot at about 3.15 p.m. and had already been
cooked and eaten! The islander who secured it was indeed
welcome to the carcase for culinary purposes, but I much
regretted at the moment that he did not afford me the
opportunity of taking off the skin, or at least of seeing the bird
in the flesh, in order to enable me to establish the identifica-
tion of the species beyond doubt. Luckilya thought flashed
across my mind, namely: What had become of the head ?
Was it also relegated to the pot, thrown to, or purloined by,
a cat or dog, or was it still obtainable? In reply to my
message I was glad to learn that it had been cast into. a
cornfield, and that a hunt would be made for it in the
morning. At 6.20 p.m., September 15th, an_ islander
brought it to me remarking apologetically that he did not
think that a plain-coloured and ugly-shaped duck would
be of any use to me, and so he and some friends had a
Sunday feast off it! Sure enough the head was that of an
immature Eider-Duck (Somaterta mollissima). But it was
not the first recorded from Inishtrahull. Mr. Barrington+
has records from a light-keeper here that two were noted
as ‘‘ rare visitors” on February 2nd, 1890, and on November
5th, of that year three more were reported from the same
station. None of these specimens, however, was received ;
nor am I aware of any Inishtrahull specimen being
examined in the flesh and identified prior to the capture
of the specimen mentioned in this paper.

STATUS OF THE EIDER-DUCK IN IRELAND.

The status of this species in Thompson’s time 2 was that
of ‘‘an extremely rare visitant,” and altogether only about
four definite records of its occurrence had then been collected,
viz. :—One from Co. Wexford, 1834 ; one from Co. Dublin,

1“ Migration of Birds,” Analysis of Reports, 1881-1897, p. 261.
2“ Natural History of Ireland,” vol. ili., 1851, p. 114. _

1915. Parren.—Z£ider-Ducks at Inishtrahull, 8I

1840; two from Mayo, 1842.4 Watters? whose book
appeared a few years later, added nothing; he simply
reiterated what Thompson had stated. After a lapse of
thirty-four years A. G. More,? who regarded the Eider-
Duck as ‘‘a very rare winter-visitor,’ added some ten
records, repeating these, without additions, in the second
issue of his ‘‘ List of Irish Birds” published five years
later, viz., in 1890. Ussher, however, by gleaning in a
most painstaking way from every available source of
information, published or unpublished, was able to show
in his book, which appeared only five years later,‘ that more
than thirty records were extant. Filling in many gaps which
his predecessors had missed, he was enabled to place the status
of the Eider-Duck on a different footing in Ireland. He
certainly removed the notion that the bird was an ‘‘ extremely
rare’ or even a very rare visitor, and he called it ‘‘ a rare
and irregular winter-visitor.’ He pointed out the im-
portant fact that while records came from all sides of
Ireland, they were more frequent from the north coast,
especially Rathlin, where Eider-Ducks had been frequently
shot. He drew attention to the fact that it is surprising
that this island is not more frequently visited owing to its
proximity to Islay—twenty miles of water separating the
two—for the species breeds and occurs in large flocks
in the latter island. Since Ussher’s book came out
remarkably few records from Ireland have been published ;
so much so that Dr. Hartert in’ his book published twelve
years later, gives a total of ‘‘ under forty recorded from all
provinces.” He designates the Eider-Duck in Ireland
as a “‘ rare vagrant.” Between the publication of Ussher’s

1Two from Kerry, 1843 and 1845-6, named King-Liders by
Thompson, were many years afterwards identified as Common Eidere
by Ussher, vide ‘‘ Birds of Ireland,’’ 1900, pp. 211, 212.

2 Birds, ot Ireland,’ 1853,''p. ‘213.

8“ List of Irish Birds,” 1885, p. 31,

*“ The Birds of Ireland,” 1900, p. 211, et seq. N.B.—The occurrences
recorded by Mr. Barrington in his work on “‘ The Migration of Birds at
Irish Light-stations,” which appeared the same year, 1900, are incor-
porated in Ussher’s book.

5“ A Hand-List of British Birds,” 1912, p. 144.

82 The Lrish Naturalist. May,

and Dr. Hartert’s works the following notes on this duck
appeared in the Irish Naturalist :—

An Eider-Duck obtained at Malahide, Co. Dublin
in November, 1902 (E. Willams in vol. xu., April,
1903, p. I12). :
Two obtained in Belfast Lough, on August 1gth, 1905
(Ik. Lloyd Patterson in vol. xiv., November, 1905,
p. 248).
~ The records published since Dr. Hartert’s book
appeared, though not many, are highly interesting.
For instance we learn, for the first time, of the
nesting of .the Eider-Duck in Ireland. In _ regard
to this highly important discovery the following data
have been supplied by Mr. H. W. Robinson, in ‘‘ British
Birds,” vol. vi., 1912-13, p. 106. ~ Two nests were found
on a small island off the coast of Co. Down (corrected to
Co. Donegal on p. 166), on June 2nd, 1912, and the two
pairs of birds were seen. The nests were placed at either
extremity of the island three-quarters of a mile apart.

On November 12th, 1912, an Eider-Duck was obtained
in Wexford Harbour, being only the third record from this
county, the previous two being in 1834, and in 1876 (A. R.
Nichols in the Jrish Naturalist, vol. xxii., January, 1913,
p. -204

In the autumn of 1913, several Eider-Ducks appeared
on different occasions round Rathlin as _ recorded
by Miss Best and Miss Haviland,in the Irish Naturalist,
vol. xxiii, January, 1914, p. 12. The first four were seen
much about the same time that I observed the two at
Inishtrahull. The actual data are as follows :—‘ Four
ducks were noticed swimming off Church Bay on Sep-
tember 17th and 19th, and were then joined by a drake.
On the 2cth three birds were shot and the others disappeared.
On October Ist, however, four more ducks were seen at the
same place.” The islanders say that the species ‘‘ is not
uncommon in the spring and autumn round Rathlin. The
lighthouse-keepers say that as many as fifty or sixty are
seen together at once.” Reviewing the statistics which I
have furnished, it seems that as far as the north-eastern

1915. Parten.—Eider-Ducks al nishtrahull. 83

seaboard of Ireland is concerned the Eider-Duck can hardly
be regarded as a rare bird, but rather as one which appears
‘*in limited numbers,’ in other words what we are ac-
customed to call a “‘ scarce visitor.” Here again if the
evidence of the light-keeper be accurate it is not quite so easy
to decide that the bird is a scarce visitor, when sixty appear
together. However, this matter requires further personal
investigation carried out by a competent ornithologist.
Whether the Eider-Duck occurs as a regular annual visitor
in the vicinity of Rathlin is also a matter which
cannot be determined without further systematic investiga -
tion carried out over several successive seasons. We must
take, with caution, the islanders’ statement that the bird
is not uncommon in spring and autumn round KRathlin
though, personally, I see no reason to set it aside. The
evidence, so far as it goes, is useful, but quite insufficient
to put on permanent record. There remains, however,
an important question to be considered: Were these
Eider-Ducks, seen at Inishtrahull and Rathlin, Scotch
birds bred, say, in Islay, the nearest nesting-quarters to
Ireland? Not, by any means, necessarily so. On the
contrary, the two which came under my personal observa-
tion, judging from their marked tameness, and their juvenile
deportment, looked as if they belonged to Inishtrahull
or, at all events, had not wandered far from their place of
nativity. Furthermore the condition of the bones in
the head which I obtained indicated marked immaturity,
- the bird itself being probably not much beyond the stage
of a ‘‘ flapper.” On the other hand, these Eiders-Ducks of
tender age may have been wanderers, fatigued to a degree,
hence their apparent tameness. This idea I do not favour,
for having reached the shelter of the island and having
obtained plenty of food among the reefs, their fatigue would
pass off after a day or so. Hence fatigue ‘* tameness ”
could not keep possession of them for a week; yet it has
been pointed out that on each occasion, on the several days
that they were seen, they were remarkably tame. It is
now an established fact that two pairs of Eider-Ducks have
been found breeding in Ireland ; and we have no evidence

84 The Lrish Naturalist. May,

to show that this species has ceased doing so. It is very
likely indeed that it nests in small numbers on some of the
islands or islets off the north coast of Ireland adjacent to
the Scottish nesting-quarters. When this can be proved,
the status of the bird will then be : Resident! in very small
numbers in the north or north-eastern coastlands of Ireland,
the numbers being augmented by migrants probably every
autumn, and winter, To the other provinces of Ireland
this duck may still be designated as a rare and an un-
certain visitor, appearing mainly in the cold months of
the year.

The University, Sheffield.

IRISH SOCIETIES.

ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include a number of Irish birds from Mr. W. W. Despard.
A pair of Wolves have been received in exchange. The greater number
of the Salmon and Trout eggs received in December have been successfully
reared through the larval stage, and thousands of fry may now be seen in
the Hatchery boxes. Some account of an interesting discase that has
lately troubled the Gorilla is given on the next page in the proceedings
of the Dublin Microscopical Club.

‘

? It has become somewhat customary to apply the term “ resident ”’
to a species which breeds and is also found in the country at other times
of the year, But here it does not follow that individual birds which
breed remain. For example, many Song-Thrushes, Blackbirds, and other
well-known birds which breed in Ireland, migrate, though certainly not
all of them. The term “ resident” is, however, not applied to a species
which breeds with us, when none of its individuals remain after the nesting
duties are finished, ¢.g., Swallow, Willow-Warbler, Cuckoo, &c. And
yet the latter in a very cogent sense are to be regarded as “ residents ”’
which are only obliged to move off in winter in search of food, but which
return annually, with great punctuality and with not only patriotic
but even parochial interests to their residential sites, that is, to their
breeding homes. In the restricted sense of the term, the “ resident ”’
birds—that is to say, the purely stationary species, as the Jay and Dipper,
also the stationary individuals of migratory species, as the Skylark,
Blackbird, and Song-Thrush—are in our latitudes very much in the
minority.

IQI5. Trish Soctelies. 85

DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.

Marcu 10,—The Club met at Leinster House, D. MCARDLE (President)
in the Chair.

Prof. J. A. Scotr showed some preparations made from pus derived
from a tumour which grew on the right side of the neck and face of the
Gorilla at present in the Gardens of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland.
Microscopical examination of these preparations showed the case to be
one of actinomycosis. Treatment carried out on the lines suggested
by this diagnosis has greatly reduced the tumour and gives promise of
a complete cure.

This diagnosis was rendered difficult by the very small size of the par-
ticles in the pus; usually these are sufficiently large to be just visible to
the naked eye, and have a pale yellow colour in comparison with the
fluid in which they lie, receiving the name of sulphur granules. In the
present case they were so small as to be only visible with a lower power,
but when seen had a distinct radial arrangement and characteristic
grouping. Some of these when separated were teased apart, and on
staining by Gram’s method showed very plainly a mycelial structure
composed of very fine threads with the protoplasm very much separated,
giving the fibres a beaded appearance, these beads in the centre of the
masses appearing like micrococci. Nothing suggesting spores was observed,
In many cases the ends of the mycelial threads which radiate are thickened
like clubs, these forming the “ ray’ which gives the name of “ ray fungus ’’
to the disease, but in this case these clubs were completely absent.

Very many forms are included in this group, all of them associated
with the soil. It is generally accepted that infection occurs from injury
to some part, generally the mouth or tongue, with straw or coarse herbage
by which the mycelium is actually implanted in the tissues under the
skin or mucous membrane. In this situation it grows, and by stimulating
the tissue cells slowly produces the tumour. No method of immunizing
animals against the disease is known. The treatment which is successful
in most cases consists of the administration of some substance containing
a large proportion of iodine in its composition. Several such substances
_ have been used from time to time, depending on the position of the growth
and the animal affected.

N. CoLGAN exhibited a series of slides illustrating the dermal deposits
of two Co. Dublin Holothurians, Cucumarvia Hyndmani (Thompson) and
C. lactea (Forbes and Goodsir), the material being furnished by specimens
dredged recently off the Skerries islands. The first of these species is
rather rare in Co. Dublin waters; the second, which usually occurs in
the chocolate-coloured form named Ocnus brunneus in Forbes’s * British
Star-fishes,’’ is quite frequent. The shape of the body deposits in C. Hynd-
mani was shewn to vary greatly with age. While small specimens gave
thin, flat plates with numerous wide perforations, much larger and pre-
sumably older individuals gave solid elliptical deposits in which the
perforations had become quite obsolete or were reduced to small shallow
pits. A piece of skin from one of the larger specimens with these thickened
deposits appeared as if covered by a layer of oblong potatoes, the pits
or obsolescent pertorations representing the “ eyes.”

A 3

86 The lrish Naturalist. May,

In the Holothurians the closest apparent approach to a truly bony
structure is found in the collar of calcareous plates surrounding the gullet.
The structure of the collar segments of C. Hyndmani was shown in one
of the slides. They were seen to be made up of a close felt or net-work
of minute, interlocking, perforated plates, similar in form to the delicate
deposits found in the arbcrescent tentacles of this species. The collar
plates are, in fact, formed by a congestion of the free deposits found dis-
tributed in various shapes and sizes throughout the integument of the
animal.

APRIL 12.—The Club met at Leinster House, D. McArDLE (President)
in the Chair.

Prof. G. H. CARPENTER showed stained preparations demonstrating
the presence of the microsporidian parasite Nosema apis within the gastric
epithelial cells of bees suffering from ‘‘ Isle of Wight disease.’ The
trophozoites or feeding-stages of the Nosema were distinctly visible in
the cells of the bee’s chyle-stomach, displacing the nucleus, as described
and figured by Fantham and Porter (Mem. Liverpool School of Tropical
Medicine, 1913).

BELFAST NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

May 9, 1914.—-ExXcURSION TO HoLtywoop.—About fifty members,
under the conductorship of R. May, went to Holywood, where they in-
spected the maypole, St. Columbkille’s Church, the parish church, and
the ancient tumulus. They were afterwards entertained to tea by a
member of the Club, Mr. F. A. Heron.

JUNE 27.—LITTLE DEER PARK, GLENARM.—The members, to the
number of twenty-eight, under the leadership of R. J. Welch, left Belfast
by train for Larne, and drove along the Antrim Coast to the Little Deer
Park. Frequent stoppages were made by the way, and the features of
geological interest pointed out by the Conductor and R. Bell. Tea was
served on a grassy plateau below Hunter’s farm, and three new members
were elected.

SEPTEMBER 5.—ROSTREVOR.—Owing to the outbreak of war and
consequent dislocation of train service, the Committee decided to abandon
this excursion.

OCTOBER 29.—CONVERSAZIONE.—The Winter Session opened with a
Conversazione held in the Carlton Hall. Tea was served from 7 till 8
o'clock. The following is a list of the exhibits :—Wm. Gray, Large
Ammonite and Chameleon; R. May, Bed of Ammonites from the Lias ;
R. Bert, Local and Continental Fossils; JAMES OrR, Fossil Fish from
Italy, Lepidodendra from Roscommon, Scotch Pebbles from Ayrshire ;
JosEPH WRIGHT, Recent Foraminifera and Sponge Spicules from the
Carboniferous (under microscope); C. H. WappeELi, Mosses; S. A.
BENNETT, English Plants rare in or absent from Ireland ; Miss S. BLack-
woop, Plants collected in the English Lake District; A. W. STELFox,
Sibthorpia europaea (living plant) from its only Irish station ; Miss M. W.
REA, Mounted Sea-Weeds ; S. WeEar, Photographs of Natural History

1915. Lhish Societies. 87

subjects, including many rare plants photographed in situ; N.
CARROTHERS, Plants collected during Club’s summer excursions, including
Spivanthes Romanzofiana and Teesdalia nudicaulis from Washing Bay,
Co. Tyrone; JoHN HamiLton, Case of Lantern-Flies; R. J. Wertcu,
Mollusks, and a series of rude fiint implements of uncertain age from
North-east Antrim and Derry and Larne Lough ; N. H. Foster, Woodlice,
False Scorpions, Centipedes, and Millepedes collected during Long
Excursion ; Centipede from Australia. At 9 o’clock a short business
meeting was held—-the Vice-President, Dr. A. R. DWERRYHOUSE, F.G.S.,
in the Chair—when five new members were elected. N. H. Foster then
exhibited a series of lantern slides illustrative of British Birds and their
nesting habits, and the meeting concluded shortly after 10 o’clock.

NOVEMBER I7.—PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.—R. LLOYD PRAEGER gave
a most interesting and instructive address on “‘ Problems of dispersal
and distribution in the Irish flora.” The paper was discussed by REv.
C. H. WADDELL, Messrs. C. M. CUNNINGHAM, and N. H. Foster. Three
new members were elected.

DECEMBER 15.—F. J. BIGGER gave a paper on “ Social Archeology,”
dealing with a most interesting area in County Leitrim, especially that’
near Lough Melvin. The paper was well illustrated with lantern slides,
mostly from his own negatives.

JANuARY 1I9.—Dr. J. K. CHARLESWORTH lectured on the “ Palaeon-
tological Evidences of Evolution.’ The lecture was well illustrated with
lantern slides of extinct animals. A discussion followed on the probable
causes of the extinction of Dinosaurs and other great beasts, the excessive
formation of bone and their great size being instanced among others as
likely reasons.

FEBRUARY 16.—W. B. Wricut, B.A., F.G.S., delegate from the Irish
Field Club Union, gave a lecture on “‘ Recent Advances in Glacial Geology.’’
An animated discussion followed in which the President (R. Ll. PRAEGER),
Messrs. W. A. TRAILL, A. W. STELFOX, S. A. BENNETT, R. J. WELCH, and
W. J. C. TomMiinson took part.

MarcH 23.—Three short papers were submitted to this meeting.
R. Ll. PRAEGER spoke on “‘ Sedums or Stonecrops,”’ and displayed a large
series of native and foreign plants belonging to this group. W. J. C.
TOMLINSON read a paper on “ The Plants of Lough Neagh,’’ the more
interesting species being illustrated by specimens from the Club’s her-
barium. Miss M. W. Rea spoke on “‘ Mycetozoa,”’ illustrating her remarks
by a series of mounted specimens, also details of their structure under the
microscope.

The Mycetozoa comprise a group of organisms which in the early stages
of their life-history show affinity with the lower forms of animal life,
while, on the other hand, in the fruiting period they belong to the Fungi.
On being moistened the spores germinate and swarm-cells emerge, each
possessing a nucleus, and one or more digestive vacuoles. They soon
develop a flagellum by the aid of which they swim about. At the opposite
end of the swarm-cell delicate pseudopodia convey food to the vacuoles,
in which it is digested, the waste matter being left behind. After a time
the swarm cells unite to form a plasmodium or mass of naked protoplasm.

88 The [rish Naturalist. May,

(In the Fungi the swarm-cells form a mycelium or system of branching
threads). This plasmodium creeps about on rotten wood and on the
inner side of bark. When about to form sporangia, the protoplasm emerges
to the light and concentrates in small portions, eventually forming
sporangia of very varied types. Some of them have very elaborate devices
for liberating the spores. They are found in all parts of the world, 150
species being described from the British Isles. Seventy species have been
collected in Ireland, but it is hoped that further search will lead to the
discovery of many more.

ApRIL 13.—The fifty-second annual meeting of the Club was held
in the Museum, College Square North. In the absence of the Presi-
dent and Vice-President, the chair was occupied by RoBEert J. WELCH,
M.R.I.A., a past president. The various reports submitted to the meeting
showed that, although there had been some diminution in membership,
the Club continues to do valuable work, and that during the past year
the energies of its members had resulted in the recording of much useful
information in regard to the fauna and flora of Ireland. The Librarian’s

report dealt with the usual exchanges of proceedings with kindred societies

and with the cataloguing of the Club’s library. The Prize Sub-Committee
announced the award of prizes to two junior members, Miss Annette B.
Foster and E. W. M‘Clelland, for essays descriptive of any meeting of the
junior section held during the year, both these essays dealing with an
excursion to Belvoir Park in May last. The report of the Treasurer (N.
H. Foster) showed that the financial position of the Club had been im-
proved, and that there was a balance in hand. On the motion of the
Chairman, seconded by W. J. Fennell, F.R.I.B.A., the reports were
unanimously adopted.

The following office-bearers were elected for the year 1915-16 :—
President, R. Ll. Praeger, B.A., B.E., M.R.I.A.; Vice-President, Captain
A. R. Dwerryhouse, D.Sc., F.G.S., M.R.I.A.; Treasurer, Nevin H. Foster,
F.L.S., M.R.I.A., M.B.0O.U.; Librarian, Sylvanus Wear; Sectional
Secretaries :—Botanical, N. Carrothers ; Geological, Miss E. L. Andrews ;
Zoological, C. G. Robertson ; Archeological, Robert May; Junior, J.
A.S.Stendall. To fill the places of those retiring by seniority under rule 6
Miss S. Blackwood, R. J. Welch, M.R.I.A., and Professor Yapp, M.A.,
were elected members of Committee. Pursuant to notice given, J. A. S.
Stendall moved, and A. W. Stelfox, M.R.1.A., seconded—‘‘ That the
entrance fee of 5s. be abolished, and that rule 3 be amended accordingly.”
The motion was not carried.

DUBLIN NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

DECEMBER 8.—The President (N. Corcan, M.R.I.A.) in the Chair.
Nominations were received of Officers and Committee for 1915. Three
new members were elected. PROFESSOR BAYLEY BUTLER delivered an
address on ‘‘ Graft Hybrids and Vegetable Chimaeras,’’ showing by lantern
slide illustrations the results of many experiments in the production of graft
hybrids by buds, chiefly as between the Tomato and Solanum nigrum.

Wiel Sag Sep saan,” See.

voy

1915. Trish Socicettes. 89

The President, Pror, HENRy, Miss West, and W. F. Gunn took part in
the discussion that followed. The results of some cxperiments in
measuring the force exerted by expanding seeds were also shown by the
lecturer.

JANUARY 12.—ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.—The President in the
Chair. The Hon. Secretary read the Report for 1914, which showed
considerable activity on the part of the Club. Kk. Ll. PRAEGER delivered
an address, ‘‘Some Notes on Dispersal in relation to the Irish Flora,”
in the course of which he showed that there was practically no ground for
believing that Ireland could be indebted for any of the rarer and more
remarkable plants in her flora to the transporting agencies of water, wind,
or birds. The President, PRror. CARPENTER, PRoF. HENRY, A. C. FORBES,
and H. W. D. DuNLop took part in discussing various points raised in
the lecture.

FEBRUARY 9.—The Vice-President (Prof. CARPENTER) in the Chair.
Mr. A. E. MOERAN gave a lecture on “ Irish Woods, considered from the
point of view of some of their Furred and Feathered Inhabitants.”” Many
beautiful views of forest scenery were shown on the screen, and the forms
of animal life met with in Irish woods were well and amusingly described.
Pror. Henry and Messrs. O’ ByRNE, BARRINGTON, DUNLOP, with the
Chairman, took part in the discussion, and a vote of thanks to the Lecturer
was unanimously passed.

Marcu 9.—The President in the Chair. The programme consisted of
a series of exhibits, each exhibitor giving an account of the object shown,
which in most cases gave rise to some discussion. R. M. BARRINGTON
showed some birds from lighthouses, various objects of interest from
St. Kilda, and specimens of the extinct Large Copper Butterfly (Chryso-
phanus dispar). T. RK. Hewitt (in absence of the Vice-President) showed
stages in the larval history of the Warble Fly (Hypoderma), with an
account of recent additions to knowledge on this subject. The President
showed microscopic slides illustrating the dermal plates of some Irish
Holothurians. W. F. GUNN showed a microscopic exhibit of celery disease,
J. N. HALBERT a rare hemipterous insect (A phelochirus aestivalis) taken
in Co. Dublin, Pror. HENRY some cones and sprays of various exctic
pines grown in England, R. Ll. PRAEGER specimens illustrating the problem
of the Lough Neagh flora, Mrs. LonG a number of photographs of
Australian plants, and Mrs. W. B. WRIGHT a series of Crustaceans of the
Carboniferous Period, which she has lately been engaged in investigating
with deeply interesting results. One new member was elected.

MARCH 13.—EXCURSION TO THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—About thirty
members took part in this excursion, which was conducted by the Vicc-
President, with the assistance of Dr. Ferrar, who contributed a demonstra-
tion at the Fish Hatchery. The new arrivals at the Antelope Housc
(Brindled Gnu and Eland) and the Hoolock Gibbon excited special atten-
tion.. Tea was provided in the Haughton House at 4 o’clock, after which,
as the formal proceedings were considered over, the party broke up into
groups and explored the Gardens according to the taste of each section.

APRIL 10.—EXCURSION TO GORMANSTOWN AND BALBRIGGAN.—Rather
unfavourable weather diminished the attendance at this excursion to

90 The Lrish Naturalisé. May,

ten, inclusive of the two conductors, J. de W. HincuH and G. R. HUMPHREYs.
Leaving Amiens Street at two o’clock for Gormanstown, the party walked
from the latter station along the sea-shore to Balbriggan, their attention
being called on the way to the remarkable series of dykes of diorite and
basalt traversing the sedimentary Ordovician rocks. Bird-life was some-
what disappointingly scarce. After about two hours walking Balbriggan
was reached in time for tea before catching the 5.48 train home.

NOTES,

ZOOLOGY.
A Cystidean from Co. Tyrone.

Dr. I. A. Bather, F.R.s., has recently redescribed Pleurocystis anglica, a
Cystidcan species founded by O. Jaekel in 1899. Jaekel believed that
his specimen came from Scotland or S. Wales; but Bather (Trans. R.
Soc. Edinburgh, vol. xlix., p. 475) concludes that its true habitat is the
Ashgillian Beds of Bardahessiagh, near Pomeroy, in the county of Tyrone.
The two “ syntypes” of the species, which have been personally examined
by Bather, are in the collections of the Vetenskapsakademi in Stockholm :
but the counterpart of one of them, doubtless from the Portlock Collection,
is in the Museum of Practical Geology in London, and its locality is re-
corded as Bardahessiagh. Since Bather’s paper is entitled ‘“ Caradocian
Cystidea from Girvan,” it is well to call attention to the inclusion in it of
this interesting correlation of three Irish specimens. How the better
half of the example originally found by an Irish Surveyor made its way
to Stockholm is one of these mysteries that hang round all collections.

Introduced Reptiles on Lambay.

I was surprised to learn from Mr. Baring’s article in the April number
of the Irish Naturalist (p. 68) that over 2,000 reptiles and amphibians
had been turned out on Lambay. Although I am not favourably disposed
towards introductions as a rule, it must be admitted that these trials on
I.ambay are of quite a special nature. The experiment will certainly be
watched with interest. That the Green Lizard and Wall Lizard have
survived the dampness of the climate during successive winters is re-
markable. The cold alone dees not seem to aflect them much, but I
doubt whether they will breed on the island. Some of the amphibians,
on the other hand, ought to do well and breed. The Salamanders and
-Newts aré all hardy and the larvae require very little water. The Toads,
too, should breed, notably Bufo calamita. But*why should the latter
be imported from Scotland when it can be obtained plentifully in the
south-west of Ireland ?. In answer to Mr. Baring’s query whether tortoises
have ever been known to breed in the British Islands in the wild state, I
believe they have done so occasionally, and 1 can see no reason why

1915. Notes. . gl

Emmys orbicularis, tor example, should not breed on Lambay. I am
afraid some of the tortoises mentioned by Mr. Baring cannot succeed.
Chrysemmis picta requires plenty of water and does not seem to be able
to swallow its food on land. On the other hand, Cistudo carolina (the
Box Tortoise) ought to do well. It is hardv and fond of roaming about in
search of slugs and insects. It even takes to blackberries and other fruits
and lives to a good old age. Two other species might be well worth a
trial. The Diamond-back Terrapin (Malacoclemmys palustris or terrapen)
might do in the harbour, as it lives in North America in salt marshes. It
feeds on mollusks ana crabs and is very highly estimated as an article
of diet. Chelopus insculpius may succeed, as it is quite terrestrial, living
on tender vegetation and insects. A few small weedy ponds, however,
ought to be established on the island.
’ R. F. SCHARFF.
National Museum.

Fulmars on the Skelligs.

Mr. P. J. McGinley, lightkeeper at the Skelligs, writes that the colony
of Fulmars there this year amounts to about Ioo birds. It will be remem-
bered (Irish Naturalist, June, 1914, p. 133) that in 1913, when first noticed,
the colony consisted of only eleven or twelve pairs—last vear there were
about seventy birds, so their numbers are rapidly increasing, and I anti-
cipate that this northern species will in ten or twelve years be found on
most of the suitable cliffs on the west coast of Ircland.

Ricup. M. BARRINGTON,
Fassaroe, Bray.

The Carrion Crow in Ireland.

'As some dovbt has been cast on the statement of Mr. Mason (Irish
Naturalist, 1913, p. 83) on the occurrence of the Carrion Crow on
Lambay, it may- interest ornithologists to know that I saw a bird
‘and heard the unmistakeable call of this species at the North Slob, Wextord,
on February 15th this year. The bird passed within one hundred yards
of where I was standing ; it was the call of the Carrion Crow, quite unlike
that of the Rook to anyone who is familiar with both species, which drew
my attention to the bird.

W. J. WILLIAMs.
Dublin.

The Tree-Pipit—A Correction.

May I be permitted to point out a mistake which I see in the note
entitled “‘ Irish and British Birds,’’ which appeared in last month’s issue
of the Irish Naturalist (supra, p. 75). ‘‘ Tree-Pipit’’? should have been
printed instead of “ Tree-Sparrow.”

) C. J. Patren.

The University, Sheffield.

92 The Lrish Naturalsst. May,

REVIEWS.
THE NEW B.0.U. LIST.

A List of British Birds. Compiled by a COMMITTEE OF THE BriITISH
ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNIonN. Second and Revised Edition. London:
W. Wesley & Sons, 1915. Pp. xxii+430. Price 7s. 6d.

Thirty-two years have elapsed since the publication of the first edition
of the B. O. U. List of British Birds, and so many important ornitholo-
gical works have been published in that interval by writers who were not
inclined to subordinate their own views on correct nomenclature to what
they regarded as antiquated usage that something extremely like anarchy
has lately come to prevail on the subject for want of a recognized standard.
The new List may fairly claim to be the work of the most authoritative
Committee that could have been obtained, and it appears to have faith-
fully carried out its task in accordance with the important series of resolu-
tions (five in number) which it passed at its first meeting on the 8th
November, 1911. By these the tenth edition of Linné’s “ Systema
Naturae ’’ was accepted as the basis of priority, with certain reservations
intended to guard against the extreme confusion that must result from
either the alteration or the transference of a name that has been in use
for many years. Trinomial names were to be accepted for “ races recog-
nized by the Committee as occurring in the British Isles ’’—though this
was afterwards interpreted as meaning for races distinct from the typical
form, which was not to be trinomially designated—and names whose
retention was decided on as advisable in spite of their not having the
sanction of the strict law of priority were to be specially indicated as
‘“nomina conservanda.” It is unnecessary to say that these reservations
mark a large departure in the new List from the principle followed by
the “‘ Hand-List of British Birds” published in 1912, under the joint
authorship of Messrs. E. Hartert, F. C. R. Jourdain, N. F. Ticehurst, and
H. F. Witherby. .

It cannot be denied that the ‘‘ compromise ”’ plan here followed between
usage and the strict rule of priority will in some ways rather tend to in-
crease the existing confusion. If, for example, we take the name Tuvdus
musicus, without adding a trinomial, we find ourselves capable of being
understood in three different ways. Under the old B. O. U. list Turdus
musicus was the Song-Thrush. The Hand-List of 1912 following the
strict priority rule, transferred it to the Redwing. In the new B. O. U.
list that change is disallowed as too confusing, and Turdus musicus again
becomes the specific name of the Song-Thrush, but we are discouraged
from using the binomial name for the aggregate species, and are warned
that it ought to be understood as meaning only the Continental form,
while the British Song-Thrush (the Turvdus philomelus clarkei of Hartert’s
Hand-List) is the T. mutsicus clarkii of the B. O. U. List of 1915. So the
same systematic name may be variously used either for the Song-Thrush

1915. Revicw's 93

(aggregate), the Continental (as distinct from the British) Song-Thrush,
or the Redwing.

The total number of trinomials is, of course, very largely reduced by
the refusal to adopt them for the typical form—a refusal that rids us of
the unwelcome rush of self-echoing names like Pica pica pica and Cocco-
thraustes coccothraustes coccothraustes that came on us like a deluge in the
Hartert Hand-List. In other ways, too, the number of trinomials is
much diminished. The Committee have not recognised as valid all the
subspecific distinctions conferred by Mr. Hartert on British forms of
wide-spread birds. The Nuthatch, Goldcrest, Stonechat, Hedge-sparrow,
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker of the Britannic area
are cases in which such recognition is refused, and these birds, accordingly,
have binomial instead of trinomial names. In other cases the trinomial
has been escaped by an opposite process, 7.e., by recognising as a full
species a British bird to which Mr. Hartert accorded only subspecific
rank, such as the Pied Wagtail (which he had considered a sub-species of
Motacilla alba) and the Yellow Wagtail, retained as M. vazi in the present
List, though in the Hand-List it figured as only sub-specifically distinct
from the Blue-headed Wagtail under the title MW. flava rayi. The Scandi-
navian or true Gyr-Falcon is also here regarded as a full species, Hievofalco
gyrfalco, though the Iceland and Greenland Falcons are only subspecifi-
cally distinguished from each other as H. islandus and H. islandus candi-
cans. The Hand-List made all three of them forms of one species,
Falco rusticolus.

Irish naturalists are not deprived of the satisfaction that they derived
from the recognition by Messrs. Hartert and Ogilvie-Grant of distinct
Irish forms of the Jay, Coal-Titmouse, and Dipper. On the other hand,
it is rather startling to find that the Parrot Crossbill, which both in the
British Bird-Book (Appendix, p. 467) and in the Hand-List of 1912 was
treated as a “full species’? under the name Loxia pitvopsittacus, is
pronounced by the B. O. U. Committee to be undeserving of even sub-
specific rank. We are evidently as far from agreement as to the amount
of distinction that constitutes a sub-species as we are as to where the
line should be drawn in sacrificing long-established names on the altar
_ of a theoretical but absolutely unobtainable uniformity of language.

In the matter of classification the Committee have decided on following
Dr. Sharpe’s “‘ Hand-List of Birds,” though reversing the sequence so
as to substitute a descending rather than an ascending order. Even
with this modification, the arrangement will be to most British and to
nearly all Irish bird-students an extremely unfamiliar one. We are now
confronted with the fact that four such important and authoritative
publications on British Birds as the late Howard Saunders’s Manual,
Kirkman’s “ British Bird-Book,” the “‘ Hand-List’’? of E. Hartert and
his three colleagues, and (not least) the newest List produced by the
British Ornithologists’ Union—all four issued within the past sixteen
years—follow four different systems of classification, the number of
recognised Orders varying between eleven in Kirkman’s “ Bird-Book,”’
and twenty-one in the present B. O. U. List. It is hardly surprising
that the late Professor Newton should have decided on bringing out his

94 The [rish Naturalist. May,

ce b

magnum opus in the form of a “ Dictionary,” in despair of the possibility
of any better arrangement than the alphabetical one being attainable
in the present state of ornithological knowledge.

One hundred and forty-nine birds that have straggled to these islands
on occasions numbering less than twenty for cach species are included
in the List as “‘ rare visitors.” Those of special intcrest for Ireland are
the Greenland Redpoll, Eastern Sky-Lark (Alauda arvensis cinevascens),
Crested Lark (whose supposed Irish occurrence is considered doubtful),
Short-toed Lark, Rufous Warbler, Pallas’s Grasshopper-Warbler,
Melodious Warbler, Great Spotted Cuckco, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-
billed Cuckoo (the place of whose only occurrence in the British Isles—
Killead, Co. Antrim—is wrongly named Kilbead), Griffon Vulture, Spotted
Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Greater Snow-Goose (Chen hyperboreus nivalis),
Hooded Merganser, Collared Pratincole (Irish occurrence counted doubt-
ful), Bonaparte’s Sandpiper (ditto), Buff-Breasted Sandpiper, Bartram’s
Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Eskimo Curlew, American Golden Plover,
Sociable Plover, Bonaparte’s Gull, White-winged Black Tern, Wilson’s
Petrel, and Cape Pigeon—the last being included with a doubt which
Irish naturalists will regard as somewhat more than justified.

Reported stragglers which are not held entitled to a place in the List
are relegated to an Appendix, in which will be found such a miscellaneous
gathering as the American Goldfinch shot in Achill in 1894, the Slate-
coloured Junco killed at Loop Head in 1905, and the well-known Irish
records of the American Robin, Blue Rock-Thrush, Cape Bulbul, Purple
Martin, Belted Kingfisher, American Goshawk, Black-winged Kite,
Canadian Crane, Swift Tern, and Noddy. Several of these have long
been refused even bracketed mention in Irish lists, an error in one case,
and a trick in another, having been plainly acknowledged. It was,
therefore, carrying the right of arbitrary exclusion to excess—aunless,
indeed, an oversight has occurred—to ignore altogether, both in the main
List and in the Appendix—the case of the Sheathbill (Chionis alba) shot
on Carlingford Lough on December 2nd, 1892. Whatever the true
history of this bird, its occurrence in good plumage on the Down coast
was at least of equal interest with that of the American Goldfinch—in
frayed plumage—on Achill Island, to which Mr. Ussher thought it un-
advisable (perhaps wrongly) to make any reference in his “ List of Irish
3irds.”” 33

There are a few points in which the references to Irish ornithology
are slightly misleading, and in this connection I would like to mention
my indebtedness to Mr. Nevin H. Foster for having drawn my attention
to several statements that call for comment. One is-the reference to
Redstart breeding in this country “‘in Cos. Wicklow and Tyrone.” It
is to be feared that this is a statement of very doubtful accuracy at present
as regards either county. At any rate, Mr. Foster assures me that the
birds have not been seen in their Tyrone breeding place for several years,
and I have it from another informant who made careful local inquiries on
the matter that the once well-known Wicklow breeding-station has been
equally neglected.

I9T5. Reviews. 95

Again, the statement that the Tawny Owl “ has been introduced into
Ircland’’ would seem to suggest that some survivors of the introduction
(perpetrated in the year 1900) in Co. Down, which give rise to some corres-
pondence in this journal in 1901, are still in existence. But as four of the
six introduced birds are known to have been shot, and Mr. Foster tells
me that nothing has since been heard of the rest, it may fairly be assumed
that this would be a mistake.

Of the House-Martin—now to be known under the strange name of
Delichon urbica—we are told that it is less widely distributed (than in
England) “in Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland, and rare there as
a nesting-species.” The language is ambiguous, as the word “ there”
may possibly be meant to cover only the Highlands of Scotland, though
most readers would take it as including Ireland also. The House-Martin,
however, cannot fairly be called “rare”? as a breeding species in this
country. It is far less numerous than in England, and—though nesting
in every county—is often absent over considerable stretches of seemingly
suitable ground. This, however, might also be said of the Sparrow—
which the List—not quite accurately—describes as “ almost universally
distributed where there are habitations.”

On the subject of the Irish Coal Titmice, Mr. Foster’s experience in
Co. Down is not in accordance with the opinion suggested on p. 56, that
all our breeding birds are of the form /ibernicus. He considers that
most of the Down specimens are indistinguishable from P. ater britannicus.
Possibly closer examination might tend to show that they are an inter-
mediate form, but it seems undesirable that too many should be_ killed
to elucidate the point. On the whole, the subject of Irish birds has been
well and carefully handled, and it may have been advisedly that at least
one interesting case of the recent nidification of a rare breeding-bird in
this country has been left without mention. The Quail was certainly
common in Ireland up to a considerably later date than 1850, and Mr.
Foster says it continued so to his knowledge up to the early seventics
in Down, Antrim, and Tyrone ; but other local records with regard to
the decline ef this species seem hopelessly confusing.

GoB. M.

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96 The Lrish Naturalist. May, I9I5.

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IN 30 1915

June, 915. The lrish Naturalist. 97

THE LONG-FINNED BREAM

(BRAMA LONGIPINNIS, LOWE).

AN ADDITION TO THE BRITANNIC FAUNA.
BY R. F. SCHARFF, B.SC., F.L.S.

CP UATE I.)

On the 18th of May last year while a fisherman off the
west coast of Valencia Island, Co. Kerry, lifted his lobster-
pots, he noticed a large fish swimming on the surface of
the sea near by. He promptly gaffed it and dragged it ©
into his boat. When he landed on the island he showed
his prize to Miss M. J. Delap, whose skill and judgment in
zoological matters is well known in Valencia. She at once
proclaimed the fish to be something quite peculiar and
secured the specimen, which she dispatched to the National
-Museum of Ireland.

On the arrival of the fish in Dublin it was examined by
Miss J. Stephens, who pronounced it to be new to the
Irish fauna. It was evidently a Bream allied to Ray’s
Bream, and it seemed to agree best with the description
given by Lowe (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1843) of a fish
taken near Madeira. Lowe named this fish Brama longi-
pinms, and most of his type specimens were deposited in
the British Museum. Miss Stephens thought it desirable
_ to compare the Irish specimen with the type in order to
make sure of the correct identification. With the Depart-
ment’s sanction, I recently paid a visit to the British
Museum, and seized the opportunity of taking the Bream
to London.

Mr. Regan, whom I consulted, informed me that un-
fortunately the type from Madeira does not exist any more,
not being among the Lowe collection which was deposited
in the British Museum. On the other hand, Mr. Regan
showed me the type specimen of Johnson’s Brama princeps,

A

98 The lrish Naturalist June,

with which our Irish fish agrees in the most essential
characters. In fact, Mr. Regan expressed the opinion, with
which I concur, that Brama princeps and Brama longipinnis
cannot be readily separated from one another, and that
the latter term ought to be applied to the Irish specimen.
Miss Stephens’ original identification of the Valencia fish
should, therefore, be taken as correct.

As will be noticed from the accompanying photograph,
which was kindly taken for me by Mr. A. McGoogan, this
bream is especially characterised by its elongated dorsal
and anal fins. The dorsal fin arises behind the direct line
above the insertion of the pectoral. The front of the anal
fin lies about the middle of the body. The body is com-
pressed from side to side, the cleft of the mouth being
oblique, with the lower jaw slightly projecting. The scales
near the forked tail are provided with a tiny hook. When
the fish was caught it was brilliantly coloured, according
to the fisherman’s description. At the time of its arrival
on the island it had already lost that brilliancy of tint, as so
many fishes do. It was almost uniformly grey.

Our specimen measures 20 inches (50 centimetres) in
length from the snout to the fork of the tail. The height of
the body in a vertical line from the anterior base of the
dorsal fin amounts to 9} inches (23.2 cm.). The fish
weighed seven and a quarter pounds.

The genus Brama, to which the Long-finned Bream
belongs, occurs in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans,
and two species are now known from the Irish marine area.
Ray’s Bream (Brama Ratt) was first recorded in the year
1888, and still remains one of our great rarities. The Long-
finned Bream, as already stated, was first obtained near
Madeira, and this record is the first for the Britannic marine
area. One specimen has since been captured off the north
coast of Norway, while another was washed ashore on
Tceland.

National Museum, Dublin,

19156 ScHARFF.—Wotes on Irish Sharks. 99

NOTES ON IRISH SHARKS.

BY. Ry F.. SCHARFF, B.SC., F125.

I.—THE BASKING SHARK (Celorhinus maximus).

The Basking Shark, or Sun-fish, as it is sometimes called,
on account of its remaining motionless for a long time on
the surface of the water, is almost too common a species
to be recorded. Not long ago great numbers of them were
harpooned off the west coast of Ireland in order to obtain
the oil contained in the liver of these sharks. The oil
is rather valuable, and one of the Basking Sharks yielded
over a hundred gallons of it, which was worth from £50
to {100. This fishery has now been abandoned as the fish
have become less abundant. But they are by no means
rare, and I have a note received from Mr. J. Keane, of
Youghal, that two Basking Sharks measuring 224 and 234
feet in length were taken in salmon drift-nets towards the
end of May in Ig1z2..

I1.—THE SIX-GILLED SHARK (Hexanchus griseus, Ratin.).

Until a few yearsago no specimen of thisShark was known
from the Irish marine area. In September, tgr2, Mr. W.
Bindon Scott captured the first undoubted example of
this great shark near Dugort, Achill Island, on an ordinary
cod line. It measured g feet 4 inches in length, its weight
being estimated at from 3 to 5 cwt. Unfortunately this
fish was not preserved, but it was identified by Mr. Scott,
and to judge from a photograph he sent me the identification
is perfectly accurate. During the following May another
specimen was secured at the mouth of Kenmare River and
presented to the National Museum of Ireland by the Earl
of Dunraven. This shark measured 7 feet 4 inches. Finally
a very young example was procured during the Fisheries’
Survey of the Department’s steamer in 110 fathoms, near
the Bull Rock on the Kerry coast.

The Six-gilled Shark is not only of interest because it
is new to the Irish fauna, it belongs to a group of sharks

100 The Irish Naturatist. June,

which retains certain archaic characters found only in the
remains of fishes from older geological deposits. It is essen-
tially a Mediterranean species. It may be extending its
range northward, or the incursion into the Atlantic of
this voracious fish may be only in the nature of a temporary
raid. The snout is rounded, the eyes large, and there are
six gill slits at the side of the head instead of the usual five.
It grows to a length of about 30 feet, and was once recorded
from Scotland and several times from the south of England.

IIJ.—CENTROPHORUS AND SCYMNODON—TIwo DEEP-SEA
GENERA OF SHARKS IN IRISH WATERS.

The gents. Centrophorus includes small sharks
allied to the Piked Dog-fish, and was first recorded
from the Britannic area by Holt and Calderwood
in 1895.1 These peculiarly deep-sea sharks had pre-
viously only been known from the coast of Portugal
and Japan. A regular deep-sea shark fishery exists in
Portugal, the skin being used for polishing wood. The
species recorded (Centrophorus squamosus) was taken on
a long line at a depth of 250 fathoms, off the coast of Mayo.
Some years later Mr. Holt secured a second specimen
near the Bull Rock in Kerry in 110 fathoms of water, which
is now in our National Museum; while no less than nine
were taken by Dr. Schmidt, of Copenhagen, on a long line
off the west coast of Ireland. I am now informed by Prof.
Jensen, of Copenhagen, that Dr. Schmidt secured also a
single specimen of Centrophorus calceus off the west coast
of Ireland. These species had previously been known
from the seas of Portugal. A specimen of the allied genus
Scymnecdon was secured by Mr. Holt, off the Tearaght
Rock, in between 215-515 fathoms of water, and identified
by him as Scymnodon rvingens, Bocage, which, like Centro-
phorus, was known from the seas of Portugal.

* HOLT AND CALDERWOOD, Survey of Fishing-grounds, W. Coast of
Treland, 1890-91, Tvans. R.D.S. (2), vol. v., 1895.

1915. FOSTER.—Natural History Noles from Carlingford. Lot

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES FROM CARLINGFORD,
eo. LOUTH.

BY NEVIN TH. FOSTER, F.L.S:,.M.R.1A.

Having spent a few days—Saturday till Tuesday—at
Easter of this year at Carlingford, and obtained several
invertebrates hitherto unrecorded from Co. Louth, it has
been thought advisable to publish these as a contribution
to our knowledge of the fauna of this county. With the
exception of noting the Birds seen—and for this the pre-
vailing weather, cold and stormy, was not favourable—
my attention was confined to searching for Terrestrial
Isopods (Woodlice), Myriopods (Centipedes and Millepedes),
and among the Arachnids for Spiders and Harvestmen.
I also searched for Pseudo-scorpions, but failed to
find a specimen of this group. I have to tender my
thanks to Mr. D. R. Pack Beresford, who kindly
identified the Spiders and Harvestmen, and to Dr. A.
Randell Jackson and Mr. R. S. Bagnall for their assistance
in naming the Myriopods collected. It should be noted
that all the observations and collections were made within
a one mile radius from the town of Carlingford.

AVES.

During the four days 35 species of Birds were seen, the
most interesting perhaps being a Diver, in immature
plumage, probably the KRed-throated Diver, Colymbus
septentrionalis Linn., which was watched for nearly an hour
on Sunday afternoon as it fished in the bay. It was noted
that this bird travelled for long distances under water,
and it was only occasionally that it came sufficiently near
to the shore to enable me to see it clearly. The Chiffchaff,
Phylloscopus rufus (Bechstein), was seen and heard on 5th
April, five days earlier than I subsequently noted its arrival

at Hillsborough.
A2

102 The lrish Naturalist. June,

IsOPODA TERRESTRIA.

Ten species of Woodlice had been recorded from Co.
Louth, and of these two—Porcellio dilalatus and P. laevis—
were not seen at Carlingford. My list, however, contains
ten species, of which two—Tvichoniscus roseus and Haploph-
thalmus Mengui—are new to the fauna of the county. Il
had hoped to find Tvrichoniscotdes albidus and Cylisticus
convexus, but these species still await discovery in Louth.

Ligia oceanica (Linn.).—The shore at Carlingford, being in the main of a
sandy nature, does not afford a suitable habitat for this species, and
it is not therefore surprising that only one specimen was seen. It is
evidently not numerous here, as I recollect on a previous occasion
searching for upwards of an hour for this species before succeeding
in finding a specimen.

Trichoniscus pusillus Brandt.—As obtains everywhere else in Ireland,
this species proved very common in damp situations. It was found
in every place where there was sufficient moisture.

*T. roseus (Koch).—This species existed in considerable numbers on and
about a large rubbish-—heap by the side of the tennis court in front
of the hotel. As the situation was artificial, it is possible that it may
have been imported, but of this no evidence could be detected. In
my experience this species has always been found in dry situations,
3.€., among cinders, etc., and the heap in question doubtless afforded
a congenial habitat.

T. pygmaeus G. O. Sars.—It is extremely probable that this little species
is common all over Ireland, for in every county, with the exception of
Mayo W., where search for it has been prosecuted it has been found.
In my experience it is not so readily discovered between April and
October as in the colder months, and this factor may account for the
failure to find it in West Mayo, where visits were paid in the late
spring or summer. At Carlingford it was noted in small numbers in
various places.

*Haplophthalmus Mengii (Zaddach).—So far as our present knowledge
points, this species appears to be not uncommon, mainly in the
vicinity of the coast, and is generally found under deeply-imbedded
stones. At Carlingford four specimens were found, and it did not
appear to be numerous. Mr. A. W. Stelfox tells me that in Drumbo
Glen, Co. Down, he frequently turned over suitable stones and found
it in small numbers, but that on repeating the search late in the even-
ing it proved abundant; and he suggests that during the day it may
burrow in the ground and only approach the surface at the coming
of night. In Ballynamona Wood, on the shore of Lough Gill, Co.
Sligo, I found this species exceedingly numerous just previous to
nightfall, and looking in the same place during the forenoon I did not
find a single specimen.

Philoscia museorum (Scopoli).—This species proved common everywhere.
Most of the specimens were of the typical brown colour with more

1915, FOSTER.—Walural History Notes from Carlingford. 103

or less pronounced yellow markings, but bright and dull yellow speci-
mens were not uncommon, and a few red-coloured specimens were
noted.

Oniscus asellus Linn.—Extremely common everywhere. Numerous
specimens of the ‘“ butter-scotch’”’ variety were seen.

Porcellio scaber Latreille.—Very common, but not so numerous as the
preceding species except in situations a little above high-tide mark,
where large colonies existed entirely composed of this species.

P. pictus Brandt.—Only one specimen of this species was noted, at the
base of King John’s Castle, where it had previously been obtained.

Armadillidium vulgare Latreille.—With the exception of Oniscus asellus,
probably the most numerous Woodlouse in the neighbourhood of
Carlingford. An estimate of some of the large communal colonies
would probably yield the following proportion—Ph. muscorum 6,
O. asellus 60, P. scabey 20, and A. vulgare 40; and if the situation
were sufficiently damp perhaps T. pusillus 20 and T. pygmaeus 3 or 4
would be included.

ARANEIDA.

Mr. D. R. Pack Beresford has given me the following
list of the Spiders collected at Carlingford :—

* Amaurobius fenestralis Stroem. * Walckenaera acuminata BI.
* Lycosa ruricola de G. Textrix denticulata Oliv.
* Stemonyphantes lineata Linn. Bathyphantes concolor Wid.
* Harpactes Hombergii Scop. Drassus lapidosus Koch.

Pachygnatha de Geeri Sund.

PHALANGIDEA.

Only two species of Harvestmen were obtained :—

Nemastoma lugubre O.F.M. Platybunus corniger Herm.

CHILOPODA.

Six species of Centipedes were obtained, and it is strange
that Lithobius variegatus Leach—a species apparently
elsewhere common in Ireland—was not seen at Carlingford.

*Lithobius forfleatus (Linn.).

*L. erassipes L. Koch.—This species had only been previously recorded
from three Irish counties.

*L. glabratus C. L. Koch (=L. melanops, Newport).

Geophilus longicornis Leach (=G. flavus, de Geer.).

*G. proximus C. L. Koch.

*G. truncorum Meinert.

104 The lrish Naturalist. June,

DIPLOPODA.

The millepede collections also yielded six species. It
may be that the plantations here, consisting as they do
mostly of conifers (principally Larch), do not harbour so
rich and varied a Millepede fauna as would be the case
in plantations of deciduous trees. No specimens of Pauro-
poda were found.

Iulus albipes C. L. Koch (=J. niger Leach).

*J. fallax Meinert.

I. silvarum Meinert (=J. punctatus Leach.)

*J. pusillus Leach.—This species has only been recorded from four Irish
counties previously.

*Blaniulus guttulatus Bosc.
* B. fuscus.am Stein.

SYMPHYLA.

Two species of this class were taken :—

*Seutigerella immaculata (Newport).—This species had previously been
taken in five Irish counties, the first recorded being that by Prof.
Carpenter, from West Galway under the name Scolopendrella im-
maculata.

*§. biscutata Bagnall.—This constitutes the first record for this species
from Ireland. It has been taken in a few localities in the north of
England and in Scotland, and is unknown elsewhere. The specimen
has been deposited in the National Museum, Dublin.

In the above lists * prefixed to a species denotes a new
county record.

The finding of a few plants of Asplenium marinum at
Carlingford is the first definite record for this fern from
Co. Louth.

Hillsborough, Co. Down.

IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include a pair of Rabbits from Mrs. Herbilly, a Roseate
Cockatoo from Mrs. Clancy, and a Grey Parrot from Miss Twemlow.

1 Trish Nat., vol. iv., p. 256.

1915. Trish Societtes. 105

DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.

May 12.—The Club met at Leinster House, D. M‘ARDLE (President)
in the chair. The officers for 1915-16 were clected :—President, D.
M‘Ardle ; Vice-President, N. Colgan, M.R.I.A.; Secretary, Sir Frederick
Moore; Treasurer, W. N. Allen.

W. F. Gunn showed a type of the well known fungus Sclerotinia sclero-
tiovum which attacks the tubers of Jerusalem Artichokes (Helianthus
tuberosus). The first sign of the presence of the fungus is the appearance
of a white mycelium on the surface of the tubers which rapidly spreads
from one to another, and if not detected soon permeates the contents of
a whole sackful. Very shortly the large black sclerotia form here and
there over the tubers, which by this time have become a soft decayed
mass. These sclerotia function as resting spores, survive the winter,
and in the spring of the following year, germinate and give rise to an
ascomycetous form of fruit, the spores of which germinate and again
start the life cycle of the fungus.

Prof. G. H. CARPENTER showed specimens of Braula caeca, a bee-parasite
which belongs to the pupiparous division of the Diptera. The specimens,
lately forwarded from Carlingford by Mr. Harvey, are the first to be re-
corded from any Irish locality. Possibly they may have been introduced
from Italy where Braula is said to be abundant. The parasite is wingless
and remarkable on account of its large size in proportion to that of its
host.

It was decided to hold the annual excursion on June 19th, Bohernabreena
and Glenasmoill being chosen as the locality, but instead of having the
usual club dinner in the evening to make a collection among the members
for the benefit of Irish prisoners of war in Germany.

DUBLIN NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

APRIL 20.—N. CoLGAN (President) in the chair. Prof. G. H. CARPENTER
gave a lantern lecture on “‘ Recent Advances in Knowledge of the Life-
history of Warble-flies.”” A historical survey of the progress of investiga-
tion into the transformations of the insects was given from the work of

' De Réaumur and Bracy Clark in the eighteenth century to the present

day. These old-time observers had made out the principal facts with
regard to the later larval and pupal stages; during recent times interest
has been concentrated on the place and method of egg-laying, and the

means by which the newly-hatched larva enters the ox’s body—whether

by the mouth or through the skin. The experiments and observations
bearing on these questions which have lately been made in Ireland were
described and illustrated by a set of photographic lantern slides. The
main results of these enquiries were published in the Irish Naturalist
last year (vol. xxiii., p. 214). Prof. Carpenter stated that the muzzling
experiments of 1914-15 had so far fully confirmed the conclusions drawn
from former years’ work that there is no effective infection by way of
the mouth. The President, J. N. HALBERT, and H. Dun top took part
in the discussion.

106 The lrish Naturalist. June,

May 1I5.—EXCURSION TO COOKSTOWN (LOWER GLENCULLEN).—Thirty-
six members and visitors travelled by the 10.45 train from Westland
Row tc Bray, where they were met by the conductor, R. M. BARRINGTON,
under whose guidance the party drove to Enniskerry, where some alighted
and walked up the glen from the bridge on the western Scalp road. The
remainder of the party proceeded to Glencullen bridge, and, led by the
conductor, walked through the whole extent of the valley, watching
Cuckoos, crossing the river several times by stepping-stones, and stopping
to examine a Dipper’s nest and to collect larvae of aquatic insects. The
ascending section of the party was met opposite the great gravel cliff,
where Prof. Carpenter described briefly the history of the valley—a
deep stream cut through glacial sands and gravels. Mr. Barrington
pointed out many marks of the action of the great flood of August, 1905.
The whole party then wandered down to Enniskerry, the lower, well-
wooded part of the glen being full of breeding birds; a nest of the Gold-
crest attracted special attention. At Enniskerry bridge the vehicles
were waiting, and the drive was resumed to Fassaroe, where Mr. and
Mrs. Barrington most hospitably entertained the club. After inspection
of the museum and the expression of hearty thanks for the kindness
shown the members by Mr. Barrington and his family, the party returned
to Bray and caught an evening train back to town.

NOTES,
BOTANY.

Ranunculus Auricomus in North Kerry.

When driving around Ross Island, Killarney, in the last week of April,
Mrs. Jenner detected this Buttercup growing sparingly in one or two
spots towards its western end. While not uncommon along the east
side of Ireland, R. Aurvicomus is quite a rare and local plant in the west ;
it has only recently been found in Clare and Limerick, and is still un-
recorded for South Kerry and West Cork. Mrs. Jenner’s name is well
known to readers of Mrs. Gregory’s “‘ British Violets.”

REGINALD W. SCULLY.
Dundrum, Co. Dublin.

ZOOLOGY.
Hoopoe in Co. Waterford.

A fine specimen of the Hoopoe was sent for preservation to the Messrs.
Rohu, the furriers and taxidermists of Cork. It was shot on the 5th
of April by the head keeper of the Dromore estate, Co. Waterford.

ROBERT WARREN.
Monkstown, Co. Cork.

1915, Notes 107

Jays in Co. Cork.

Mr. UssHER in “ Birds of Ireland’ mentions that Jays formerly inhabited
the valley of the Blackwater, Co. Cork, but were exterminated there for
the sake of their wing feathers, which are in great demand in the making
of salmon flies. He also mentions the species as occurring irregularly in
the county. A small colony appears, however, to have settled within
recent years in the woods of Convamore, Ballyhooly. My informant,
who was one of a shooting party there last February, saw two of the birds
and heard others. The keeper told him that they came to the woods
about three years ago, and that he thought there were six or eight birds
there now. It will be interesting to see if they establish themselves here
again, though I fear they will have need of all their proverbial wariness.

W. M. AxBBortrt.
The Rectory, Fermoy.

White Wagtails in Co. Mayo.

The White Wagtails as usual made their spring visit to the island of
Bartragh this season, a little flock of seven birds being observed on the
12th of May at their usual haunt, the damp flat of coarse pasture between
the sandhills and the garden, and whenever a bird visits the island, it is
sure to be met inthat locality. Since the 29th April, 1893, when I first
observed two birds on the island, obtaining a lovely male specimen (now
in the collection of the National Museum, Dublin), a sharp look-out has
been kept for these birds every season between the 15th of April and the
first half of May, and it has been clearly and unmistakably proved, that
up to the present date the White Wagtails are regular spring visitors
to the island of Bartragh every season, when on their way to their northern
breeding haunts, the length of their visits depending on the state of the
weather. Ifasmart breeze of northerly or north-easterly wind is blowing,
their stay is prolonged for days, up to weeks, waiting for a change of wind
‘to the south ; then if it is only a gentle breeze, they suddenly disappear.
Frequently when arriving in calm weather, their stay may be only for a
day, or perhaps for a few hours. The flight that passes over Bartragh
on the northern journey evidently returns south by a different course,
for during the 22 years’ observation of these birds on Bartragh, only once
were a pair observed in autumn, which shows that no southern flight
passes over Bartragh. My esteemed and valued correspondent, Mr. T.
H. Nelson of Redcar, Yorkshire, informs me that White Wagtails pass over
the Isle of Man regularly in autumn on their way to the south, and that
the flight passes the district where his friend resides, and that he has often
trapped and put them in his aviary, in the hope of inducing them to breed
in captivity ; but what success he has had, I cannot say.

ROBERT WARREN,
Monkstown, Co, Cork,

108 The lrish Naturalist. June, 1915.

Cetacea stranded on the Coasts of the British Islands.

About a year ago a first report on the above subject was published
by Dr. S. F. Harmer, the Keeper of the Department of Zoology in the
British Museum, and just now the second report has been issued. It
appears that the Receivers of Wrecks were requested to send telegraphic
reports to the British Museum of the stranding of any of the whale tribe.
In this way it was hoped that useful information might be obtained with
regard to the geographical distribution of these creatures in the Britannic
marine area.

Most of the records contained in these two reports are from stations on
the coasts of Great Britain. Comparatively few come from Ireland, and
some of the latter have already been noted in the Ivish Naturalist. It is
of interest, however, to give a full statement of all the records of Cetacea
stranded on the Irish coasts according to these two reports now issued :

1913 Feb. 13.—Unionhall, Cork. Bottle-nosed Whale, 26 ft.

& Apr. 21.—Cromane, Kerry. Ca’in Whale ? 18 ft.

53 Aug. 9.—-Inishbofin, Mayo. Korqual, 80 ft.

Oct. 5.—Cleggan, Galway. Sp. ? 6 ft. 8 in.

3 Nov. 21.—Downings, Donegal. Dolphin, 6 ft. 7 in.

3 Dec. 1.—Keel, Mayo. Dolphin, 6 ft 6 in.

Me Dec. 13.—Dunaff, Donegal. Sp.? 18 ft.

1914. Feb. 9.—Bannow, Wexford. Dolphin? 6 ft.

e Feb. 18.—Carnsore, Wexford: Dolphin ? 4 ft. 9 in.

3 Feb. 28.—Derrynane, Kerry. Judolphi’s Rorqual, 60 ft.

4 Mar. 27.—Skerries, Dublin. -Porpoise, 3 ft.

5 Mar. 29.—Farribeg Bay, Clare. Porpoise, 5 it. (without tail).
> June r11.—Crossconnell, Donegal. Porpoise, 2 ft. 11 in.

KF July 24.—Ringsend, Dublin. VPorpoise, 5ft. Io in.

4 Sept. 21.—Rosslare, Wexford. Sowerby’s Whale, 11 ft. Io in.

NEWS GLEANINGS.

Naturalists in the Army.

To the list of officers given last month (p. 96 supra) may be added
J. Black, A.R.C.Sc., of the Avondale Forestry Station; C. J. M’Carthy,
A.R.C.Sc., from the Royal College of Science ; and T. Haigh, A.R.C.Sc.,
of the Geological Survey.

_—s—s TO SUBSCRIBERS, 6s. 6a. PER ANNUM, POST FRER.

“THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST,

oe, A MONTHLY MAGAZINE,
aoe EDITED BY
ae | WM. EAGLE.CLARKE. F.R.S.E., EuliS.,
eee pave, Natural History Department, Royal Scottish Museum, Edtnburgk.
WILLIAM EVANS, F.R.S.E.,
Member of the British Ornitnologtsts’ “Union ; ;

PERCY H. GRIMSHAW, F.-R.S.E., -
Natural Historv Department. Rivne Scottish Museum.

This Magazine—founded in 1871—1s devoted to the publication of Orizinal Matter relating to the
Natural History of Scotland, and includes Papers contributing to the elucidation of the Fauna,
Observations on Life Histories, etc., and Notes recording the occurrence of uncommon species and
other useful and interesting facts.

Edinburgh: OLIVER & BOYD, Tweeddale Court.

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¥
a »
Vol. xxiv., No. 6.
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| ‘TrIsn SOCIETIES: Fiamma wcunreNenm Ail a: ce os 8 0)
saint | iit ; (Sr cud Me RO AR
Royal Zoological Society. ee. oe ie ay eS Or rite a Se
ys “hateeee: Microscopical Club, RIN ee ee a Fe Va
ae Dublin Naturalists’ Field club, APE Tan OR: Co Zohn Nd
ea Heats) *

Notes: |
me Hoopoe : in Co. Waterford, ote - WaRRE, ae hi . i ne: ae oy

Jays i in Co. Cork. —Rev. W. ™M. Anport, M Bay
White Wagtails i in Co. ous Warnes, On

as _ HALF Paice 5 reba seca |
| QUARTER Pace,

hoe AR ehiation ig for a-

‘ =) “ :
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H © VOL. XXIV. No. 7.
JULY, 1915.

4
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Ge 268 Un wee

QA fMonthly Hournal

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JUL 26 1915

July, 1915. The Trish Naturalist. 10g

ON THE IRISH NAMES OF BIRDS.

By RK, B. SCHARF, B.SC, M.R.A.A.

In the March number of the Ivish Naturalist for this year
(supra pp. 45-53), I published a preliminary list of the
Beasts or Mammals of Ireland with their Gaelic or Irish
names. I pointed out that I hoped eventually to obtain
a list of many of the Irish names of animals now living
in Ireland, and of those which had become extinct within
historical times.

I have now completed the list of the Irish names of
Birds. My list differs considerably from that contained in
standard works such as Ussher and Warren’s “ Birds of
Ireland,’ because I omit a good many species.

In the collection of Irish birds in our National Museum,
all birds are included as Irish quite irrespective of the fact
whether or no they breed in this country. Thus we find
birds referred to as Irish, like the Redwing and Fieldfare,
which are usually common in Ireland during certain parts
of the year, but which have never made their nests or reared
their young in this country. On the other hand certain
species of birds are believed to have been common in Ireland
long ago, and have now either entirely disappeared from
this country or are included among the rare visitors. Both
of these groups are included in the present list because
Irish names for them are likely to exist. Most of the
accidental or rare visitors which are not believed to have
' been more abundant in Ireland in former times are
altogether excluded from my list.

I shall be most grateful to Irish scholars for any criti-
cisms or additional names of Irish Birds. I should also
like to mention that I propose to publish one or two
additional papers on several groups of animals not dealt
with so far, such as the Fishes, Insects and Mollusks. Any
information on that subject will be thankfully acknowledged.

I am indebted particularly to Mr. L. S. Gogan and
Mr. R. I. Best, for assistance and most valuable suggestions.

Mr. Colgan gave me a list of the names of Birds which he
A

1X0 The Trish Naturalist. July,

had collected in the West, while Mr. Halbert suggested to
me some new sources of information.

In the list of Irish names of Birds I have placed the
one first which appeared the best known and the one which
might be used if necessary on a descriptive label. Several
friends asked me to give the correct pronunciation of the
Irish words. As many of the Irish sounds are quite peculiar
this request is difficult to comply with. It would also make
this article very much longer than I had intended. As a
compromise I have endeavoured, with Mr. Gogan’s help, to
give the approximate sound in English of the first name
for most of the species mentioned. The first name as it
is pronounced is placed in brackets immediately after the
English name, and certain symbols are used at Mr. Gogan’s ~
suggestion. For instance an inverted e “a” is equal to
the English i in the word “sir.” The sound of ch is
always hard as in the Scotch loch, or the German “‘ kirche,”’
The_j is equal to the consonantal 1 or y (as in young). The
a is pronounced approximately as ‘‘a”’ in “‘ father,” or in
‘‘ was,” the é as the ‘‘ee”’ in ‘‘ meet,” the @ as ‘‘ 00” in
‘“ moon,’ and the 6w as in the English “‘ how.”

List OF NAMES.
(The numbers in brackets refer to the Bibliography, p. 129).

AUK.
Great Auk or Gare Fowl.
Little Auk (compare Black Guillemot).

I do not know an Irish name for either species. The
Great Auk became extinct about a century ago, and there
are reasons for the belief that it was abundant in Ireland
in former times. iets

BARNACLE GOOSE (see Goose).
BARN Owl (see Owl.)
BITTERN (biin-Gn)
bunndn (1), vonndn (12), vbonndn vurde (6), bondn Liana (6),
pceapnal (6).

1915. ScHARFF.—Jrish Names of Birds.' III

BLACKBIRD or OUZEL (lun-dhiiv).
Lon oub (1), crappac (1), ceippeac (1), ton (6), pean (6),
reas (6).

Kuno Meyer translates ceipre¢ by Woodlark, but
this term and its variations should probably be applied
to the Missel-Thrush (compare Thrush). The last two
words may be the Ring Ouzel.

BLACK Cock or BLACK GROUSE (léa-kjark).
uatcearpc (6), cubasipie (6).

This bird no longer inhabits Ireland and we do not even
possess a record of its having ever done so except that a
bone from a cave in the County Waterford has been referred
to it. A word corresponding to the one mentioned first,
according to Forbes, occurs in the Scotch Gaelic.

BoG LARK (see Meadow Pipit).

BUNTING (bwé-6g and g/dl-iin an ghib rowir).

Yellow Bunting or Yellow Hammer—buitdedsg (1),
burdeds Léana (3), Duroeal bude (7), bUTDesS BUacaipe (6),
The first word is used in Waterford, the second in Clare
Island, and the third in Donegal.

Corn Bunting.—seattan an sind paratp (1), seatban
psioboit (6). satttin (3).

Several other Buntings have been observed in Ireland.
The word satltn given by Colgan is referable to the Sparrow
I think.

BUZZARD (gilm).
sitm (6), béalbBan pad (6), cLarndn (6).

None of the Buzzards breed in Ireland now, though
they may have done so formerly. (Compare Eagle and
Falcon).

CAPERCAILLE (kél-dch kilje).
caileac coilte (2), capptt coitte (6).

This large bird seems to have abounded in the forests
when Giraldus Cambrensis visited Ireland in the 12th
century, and it only died out towards the latter part of
the 18th century. The last word given above is probably a

corruption of cabap coilte meaning “old bird of the
A2

112 The Lrish Naturalist. July,

wood,” and it is more in harmony with the current English
term, while there is not much sense in “‘ horse of the wood ”’
which is the meaning of Capputl coilte.

CHAFFINCH (brik-én bd-h4).,
byicin beat (6).
O’ Reilly translates this word by Linnet, but it evidently

corresponds with the Scotch ‘‘ brecan beatha ”’ which means
Chaffinch.

CHIFFCHAFF.
I am not acquainted with an Irish name.

Cock (kél-dch)

caileaé (6), coiteac (7).

CHOUGH (kd-6q).
cados (1), cwddg5 (6), cabos (6), cApds (3) (compare Jackdaw).
This bird somewhat resembles the Jackdaw, but is
easily distinguished from it by its long red bill.

Coot (kjark-kjan-in).
ceajic ceannfionn (3), 2? oubpndmarde (*).
I suggest the second word as a possible name for Coot,
although O’Reilly translates it. by Diver.

CORMORANT (6rél).
bporgiott (6), psagib (6), free maja (6), munabuscattle (6),
odds (6) (young Cormorant). ) |
The two words ombén and bsugeat are given by Ussher
and Warren. The former may be equivalent to oubeun
which is translated as Diver or Grebe by O'Reilly, while
the latter is probably another spelling for bporgiott.
According to Colgan cailteac Oub and faoitesé are used in
Clare Island. The first of these words is identified by
Forbes in the Scotch Gaelic with Shag, while I cannot
find the other in any vccabulary. (Compare Shag).

CORN BUNTING (see Bunting).

1915. ScuHarFr.—J/rish Names of Birds. II3

CRANE (ktir-esk).
? cop tape (6).

The Crane is believed to have been more common in
Ireland formerly than at present. It is only a rare winter
visitor now. The identification of the correct Irish word is
rendered difficult from the fact that popularly Crane and
Heron are synonymous terms, while in reality they are
quite distinct species. The word copy is applied to all
long-legged birds resembling Cranes or Herons. (Compare
Heron).

CROSSBILL (kom-ghub).
? CAMSOD.

Forbes gives cama-ghob for this species in Scotch
Gaelic. Although I can find no equivalent Irish word, I
suggest that a similar expressive term (meaning crooked
bill) may be used.

CROW (pr@-ach-an).
Black Crow or Rook.—ppéacdn (1), pprscdn out (3),
cndimpiac (6).
Hooded. Scald or Royston Crow.—fionn6s (1), peannos (6),
caplos vaén (3), cparoesc (6), cLuimeatta (6), Badb (7).

Cuckoo (kitach).
cusc (1), cdi (10), cubas (6).
) CURLEW (krtitach).
cpocac (1), cptucesé (10), captain (1), caiptian (11), cpotac
maid (6), Suitneac (6). (Compare Godwit, Plover).
, DIDAPPER (see Grebe).

DipPER or WATER OUZEL (qgéwa-dhww).
sobs oud (6).
This word quite corresponds with the Scotch term.
The Dipper is often confounded with the Kingfisher.

DIVER or LOON (qar-iq).
sais (6), Saipsseann (6), Saipsepe (6), saipsipe (6), Lacavvoip (6),
paoié mor (4).
Several kinds of birds are spoken of as Divers, but I
take it that sas and its variations as well as faoic
apply to the Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, both

114 : The Irish Naturalist. July,

of which are well known Irish species. The last bird has
sometimes been called ‘‘ Rain Goose,’ and this term is
translated by O’Reilly as tesps. The word vacavoip
given above as Diver is probably some kind of Duck
(perhaps the Tufted Duck).

DOTTEREL (6madh-dn mon-tich).
amaoan moincic (6).
In Scotch Gaelic this word is applied to the Ringed
Plover, Snipe or Dotterel, and in Ireland too the Ringed
Plover is often confounded with the Dotterel.

DoveE (kulam-an),
cotman (10).

There are three kinds of Doves resident in Ireland, and

one visitor—the Turtle Dove.
Ring-Dove, Wood-Pigeon or Wood Quest. cotlmén
coilte (6), péapidn (6), pmuodn (6).

According to Ussher and Warren this is called cotum in
Connaught, and cotuy in Munster. Colgan states that in
Clare Island the Rock Dove is known as cotum.

Stock Dove.—I am not acquainted with an Irish name.

Rock Dove.—Cotum (3).

Turtle Dove.—féapan vbpeadc (6), péapidn erdion (6).

Duck or DRAKE (lécha),
Laca (6), SaitLceac (6), Tunnos (6).

No less than 25 different kinds of Ducks have been
observed in Ireland. I can only identify the Irish names
of three of these.

Eider Duck.—? ari (10), Laca Loctannaé (6).
In the ‘‘ Book of Ballymote” there occurs the word aroip
which Kuno Meyer identifies with some unknown bird.
The only equivalent I can suggest is the Eider Duck, a
bird which is at present a rare winter visitor, The
Icelandic word ‘‘aedur’’ from which the modern word
‘* eider ”’ is derived agree in sound with the Irish word, and
it is quite possible that this bird was formerly less rare in
Ireland than it is now.

Mallard.—taca é1nn uaine (6), bApvoat (6).

Teal.—piotta (6).

IQI5. SCHARFF.—/yish Names of Birds. IIS

I cannot trace the word pyuptaca given by Ussher and
Warren.
DUNLIN.

I am not acquainted with an Irish word for this bird,

EAGLE (wlar),
1olagi (1), protan (6), protaip (1), 1olpac (4), acurt (6), 10tpa (3),
10LApl Speagac (6), 1oLap TiomCiollac (6).

Three kinds of Eagle and a Vulture have been recorded
from Ireland, as well as several large Eagle-like birds, such
as Harriers, Buzzards and the Osprey. It is possible that
some of the above terms may mean others than true Eagles,
(Compare Falcon).

FALCON, HAWK or HARRIER (shéw-ach),.

peabac (6), paotcon (6), cuba (10), pedtas (6), peas (7).

About half-a-dozen kinds breed in Ireland. (Compare
Kite and Hobby).

Goshawk.—merutlitin (6). This term refers probably to
the next species. Merlin.—meipneat (6), meipptitn (1).
Peregrine Falcon.—reabtac (1). Sparrow Hawk.—puavdan (1),
pusaosan atla(7), puaddn ailte (4), ppippeds (6), sotan
sdoite (6). Marsh Harrier.—ppéacan na scearzic (1). Dinneen
translates ppéacdn na sceasc by Kite or Scald Crow. Hen
Harrier—(Compare Eagle). Kestrel—fatcun (1). I
cannot find this word in any dictionary.

FIELDFARE (shdk-an).
reacdn (1), pocdn (6), tratpuips (6).

FLYCATCHER.
I cannot find an Irish word for this bird.

GANNET or SOLAN GOOSE (shilaré).

ritaipe (6), sus (10), usapotin (3).
According to Kuno Meyer cad4n is the Solan or
. Barnacle Goose, but these are two perfectly distinct birds
not likelyto have the same name. O’Reilly defines this word
by Wild Goose or Barnacle. Kuno Meyer gives s5usa for
“St. Kilda Goose which is another name for Gannet. I

cannot trace usapotin anywhere.
A3

116 The Trish Naturalist. July,

GOATSUCKER. (See Nightjar).

GODWIT (ghil-nach).
? suiLnedc (6).

Two kinds of Godwit visit Ireland, but it is doubtful
whether an Irish name exists. O’Reilly translates suitneac
by Curlew, a bird which somewhat resembles a Godwit.
I suggest that this word might have been used for the latter
bird, because roid-guilbneach seems to have been used in
Scotch Gaelic for Godwit.

GOLD-CRESTED WREN. (See Wren).

GOLDFINCH (kin-7én Or).
cinnin dip (1), oceapgan fyiaor1é (6), ? Lapaip Coilte (6).

The last word is identified by O’ Reilly as the Goldfinch
or Woodpecker, but these two birds are so entirely different
from one another that this word may originally have been
applied to quite another species. (Compare Wren).

GOOSANDER (shil-tiche).
piottaice (6).
As the Goosander is rather a rare visitor to Ireland, it
is significant that a name should exist in Irish corresponding
with a similar Scotch one.

GOOSE (qjae).
5é0 (6), sead (6), sé (6), sanpa (6) (gander); sannoat (11),
(gander), suaipin (6) (gosling), cpdin(10) (applied to the
female of many animals). |

Wild Goose.—sé0 fiadain (1). Barnacle Goose.—cavd4n
(1), catan (6). Brent-goose.—? 5éad oub(6). This is
rendered by O’Reilly as some kind of goose. - Consider-
ing that the Brent Goose is one of our commonest and
also a very darkly coloured species, the above term
meaning ‘‘ Black Goose,’ was probably applied to this
bird.

White-fronted Goose.—? 5éa0 beag fionn(6). O’Reilly
translates this word by Barnacle. It seems to me,
however, that this is probably a mistaken interpreta-
tion of the word. The White-fronted Goose which is the

1915. SCHARFF.—/rish Names of Birds. 117

commonest of the Irish wild geese has better claims to be

called ‘‘ a small white goose.”” Four other geese have been

recorded from Ireland for which I cannot find names. The

word teas has several meanings. Among them it has

been applied by O’ Reilly to the ‘‘ Rain goose.”” (See Diver).
St. Kilda Goose. (See Gannet).

GOSHAWK (See Falcon).

GREBE (p6s-léa).
paplagad (6), oub-éun (6), Sallan cuppa (6).
O’Reilly gives the old English word ‘‘ Didapper”’ or
** Diver’ for these three words. Two well-known kinds of
Grebe are resident and breed in Ireland. Three others
occasionally visit this country. Only the first word agrees
with the Scotch term for Grebe. (Compare Cormorant).
Little Grebe.—ppdsaine tuinn (6), ? Lapavdn (4).

GREENFINCH or GREEN LINNET (gl6s-Gn dhdr-ach).
Slapdn doypaé (7).

GREENSHANK.

I am not acquainted with an Irish word for this regular

winter visitor.

GROUSE (kjark-fré).
ceapice fpaoic (1), ceape fpaois (3), caileac puad (6),
pepiceayic (6).

The last word may perhaps be referable to the Black
Cock. The term muipéav given by Colgan cannot I think
be applied to the Grouse. It seems to me to be derived
from muipsead meaning “ sea-goose,’” and in Scotch the
latter means ‘‘ Bean-goose.”’

GUILLEMOT, MURRE OR WILLOCK (far-acha).
popiaca (3).

Black Guillemot.—cattag (6).

In Scotch this word is applied to the Little Auk, and
it is quite possible that in Irish it may be used for both
species,

i:

Irs The Irish Naturalist. July

GULL (fwél-an).
paoitteann (6), faoitedn (1), faoileds (6), peablann (6).
Large Gull.—cotbaé (1), cutuac (1), paipppeds (6).
Twelve different kinds of gulls have been recorded from
Ireland. Some of these are very scarce.
Great Black-backed Gull.—paoite mop (3). Black-
headed Gull. (Compare Tern).

HARRIER (see Falcon.)
HAwkK (see Falcon).
HEDGE-SPARROW (see Sparrow).

HEN (kjark).
cearic (6).
HERON (kura-glos).
coy star (1), copp pepéacds (3), coppgspian (10), copy
monavd (6).

Besides the common Heron, several other kinds of
Heron occur in Ireland as rare visitors.

Hossy (qjar-dn).
Seappan Ayvo (6).
The same word has been applied in Scotch Gaelic to
this bird which is at present a rare visitor.

JACKDAW (ka-iq).
céis (1), cées (12), cds (7), caiteds (10), cabog (6), cados (1),
cos (3).

According to Ussher and Warren both caig and catos
are used indiscriminately for the Jackdaw as well as
Chough. But as the Chough with its red legs and
bill is strikingly distinct from the Jackdaw it ought and
probably had originally aseparatename. All the apparently
different words given above are variations of c4, represent-
ing the birds’ cry. Colgan tells us that the people of Clare
Island call the Chough c4p6g which is evidently a corruption
of cabos, while Dinneen and Kuno Meyer state that c4gs or
cées5 means Jackdaw. It might be best, therefore, to use
caig and its variations for Jackdaw, and catos for Chough.
(Compare Chough),

1915 ScHarFr.—/rish Names oj Birds. 119g

JAY (schrae-choq).
repéacos (6), pspnéacos (6).

There are reasons for the belief that this bird was
formerly more widely spread in Ireland, where it is now
so little known that the Missel Thrush is often called “‘ Jay.”
(Compare Thrush).

KESTREL (see Falcon).

KINGFISHER (nvirlach),
muzilac (6), Soba uipse (6), bioqyrs (6), Dioppa an T-14psaipi (6),
bionpa Cpuroin (6), CAipneac (6), 1a4p5aipe caipneac (6).

It is possible that some of these words are really appli-
cable to the Dipper. The last but one certainly seems to
have several meanings, whereas the last word has also
been used for Ostrich and Osprey in the Irish Bible.
(Compare Dipper).

KITE (aen-fin).
eun fionn (6), é4n fionn(7), clamdn soblac (6), ppréacan
ceipicteac (6), cpomAn (6), cfomdn Lacoan (6).

It is uncertain whether the Kite ever visits this country
now. It may have done so formerly, yet it seems more likely,
as stated by Ussher and Warren, that the term “ Kite”
is wrongly applied in Ireland to the Harrier. If their view
is correct, some or all the words given above should be
identified with the various kinds of Irish Harriers. (See
Falcon).

KNOT.

I can find no name for this bird, which is related to the

Sandpiper.

LANDRAIL (see Corncrake).

LAPWING or GREEN PLOVER (pilib-én).
pitibin (7), filbin (1), pilbin (6), cuppacais (6), adaipcin (6),
reroeos (6), paitipleos (6).
The last word, which is more likely to mean Swallow, is
rendered ‘‘ Swallow or Lapwing” by O’Reilly. (Compare
Turnstone and Plover).

120 The Irish Naturalist July,

LARK (fwish-6q).
ruireds (1), uipeds (6), Laipeds (6), Leantos (6), Stiopds (6),
piabog (6), prabas (6).

Although three other kinds of Lark have been recorded
as Irish, only one is resident. Wood-lark.—wred6s coitte (6).

LINNET (g/al-un lén).
Sealban Lion (6), Sealban cpoise byuicin beata (6).
Green Linnet (See Greenfinch and Chaffinch). Mountain
Linnet (see Twite).

Loon (see Diver).

MAGPIE (pé-a).

pigead (6), pnas vpedc (6).

This bird is supposed to be a comparatively recent
addition to the Irish fauna. It is of interest, therefore,
that the first word corresponds with the Scotch ‘‘ pioghaid ”
meaning Magpie. Since pnas is a Woodpecker, the last
word may have been applied to the Spotted Woodpecker
which is likely to have been a resident bird when large
forests existed in Ireland, though now a rarity.

MARSH HARRIER (see Falcon).

MARTIN (gdwl-dn gé-hé).
House Martin.—? sobtaén saoite (6).
Although O‘Reilly gives this word for ‘‘ Swallow,” it

is more likely to mean House Martin, as the two birds are
habitually mistaken for one another. (Compare Swallow).

Sand Martin.—sotlén sainmesé (6).
Mavis (see Thrush).

MraApow Pipit (see Pipit).

MERLIN (see Falcon).

1915. ScHARFF.—/rish Names of Birds. 121

MERGANSER, SHELL DUCK or SPEAR WIGEON (thiim-ach-dn).
2 cumacan (6), ? cTumtaipe (6).
These words are translated by Diver or Dipper by
O’Reilly. I suggest that they mean Merganser, as Forbes
identifies the Scotch ‘‘tumaire”’ with Merganser.

MIsSEL THRUSH (see Thrush).
Motu Hawk (see Nightjar).
MurrE (see Guillemot).

NIGHTINGALE (shin-al-ach).
rinneataé (11), piniotaé (6).

This is not an Irish bird and there is no evidence that
it formerly inhabited Ireland. The Sedge Warbler has
sometimes been spoken of as the “Irish Nightingale.”
O’Reilly identifies rmottac with Nightingale or Thrush
(Compare Warbler).

NIGHTJAR, GOATSUCKER, FERN OwL or MotH HAWK
(thurna-lén).
cupna tin (1).
OsPREY (ular-ishké).
1oLap tipse (6), ppéacdn ceannan (6), syub (5), coipnesé (7).
The Osprey is now only a casual visitor. It seems to

have been common in Ireland formerly according to Ussher
and Warren.

OUZEL (see Dipper and Ring Ouzel).
Owl (kjdn kat).
ceann cait (7),ceann cuit (1), ultéabcdn (6), utlcaban (1)

Tuléabean (6), mules (6), molés (6), muca (6), mulac (6),
mutcén (6) cailleac o1dce (7), comacds (6).

The first two words meaning “‘ Cat’s head,”’ are generally
used now.

Barn Owl or Screech Owl.—coinnit (10), pppéacos preitse
(10), cosy pepeué (10).

Long-eared or Horned Owl.—meanad (6), eun fogta (6).

O’Reilly translates the first word merely by Owl, but
according to Forbes all the words beginning with the letter

122 The lrish Naturalist. July

‘“M” stand for Horned Owl. These two are the only
resident species in Ireland. Three others have been
recorded as visitors.

OYSTER-CATCHER (qjila-brédje).
S1OlLs vse (7), potlleac (3).
The Scotch Gaelic word corresponds to the first, while
the Scotch ‘‘railleach’’ stands for Redshank, and it is so
‘given by Pearse.

PARTRIDGE (path-risk).

paitpeaps (1), paitqure (7). procpuips (6), péaplos (6). ceapc
tomain (6)
PEACOCK (pae-chog).
péacds (6), peabcoiteac (6), padsat (6) Peahen.—
peabcearic (6).
This is not a native bird.

PEREGRINE (see Falcon).

PETREL (ltch-ig fwar-igeé).
?Lucard faipise (6).

Only one kind of Petrel breeds on the coast. The Irish
name given is translated as ‘“‘ Sea Mouse” by O’Reilly, a
term has been applied to the Petrel as well at to the Sand-
piper and Dunlin.

PHEASANT (kjark fya).
ceayic feavds, piarun (1).
This is not a native bird.

PIGEON (see Dove).

PipiT or TITLARK (kirk-én).
cigicin (1).

Meadow Pipit or Bog Lark.—juabogs mona (6), meann-
cén (3).

I am doubtful as to the correctness of Colgan’s inter-
pretation. In Scotch Gaelic the word ‘‘ miontann ”’ stands
for Long-tailed Tit, and Dinneen gives meanctén for Tit.

Rock Pipit.—cipcin tpdga (1). This Irish word is also
applied to the Sandpiper.

Pedal Nie 7. fae". Fake tT eee

|

19015. ScHARFE.—/rish Names of Birds. 123

PLOVER (krut-aq).
?cpotcas (6). (Compare Curlew).
Golden Plover.—froeog (1), peaods (1), peroeos (6). Grey
Plover.---tjuoltacan (6). Green Plover (see Lapwing).
Ringed Plover.—?amaoén moincic(6). (Compare Dotterel).

PTARMIGAN or TERMAGANT (tor-mach-an).
capimocan (6), Tap. mona (6).

This bird does not live in Ireland now. Some bones
found in Shandon Cave near Waterford have been doubtfully
referred to this species and it is quite possible that it may
have inhabited this country formerly. It still occurs in
Scotland, and the two Irish words given resemble the Scotch
words for Ptarmigan.

PUFFIN or SEA-PARROT (f6ch-ach).
racac (6), cuiltpeacdn (3), 2? c4nds (7).

The last word is identified by Colgan and also by Ussher

and Warren with the Shearwater.

QUAIL (gjdra-ghirt).
Seapipad Supe (6), Seagyra Supe (1), seappserpic (6).
RAIL.

Land Rail (see Corncrake). Water Rail—I can find no
Irish name for this well-known resident bird.

RAVEN (féach-dhiv).
pisé oub (1), prac (6), cndirmpiaé (6), bpan (1), bpan oud (6),
cuppa (10), biacac (6). According to O’Reilly bpan cub and
cndimpfiac may mean either Raven or Rook.

RAZORBILL (kul-thré).
coltpaige (6), cpopdn (3).
REDBREAST (see Robin).

REDPOLL.
I am not acquainted with an Irish name.

REDSHANK (kom-ghlos).
cam slap (6), poitteac (4), Sob Labapta (6), SobLAn magia (6).
I am in doubt as to the correctness of identification of
the last word. It is probably applicable to the Petrel or
other small sea-bird.

124 ; The trish Naturalist. July,

REDSTART (djarg-dn-alt).
vearisdn att (6), cesnnoapgan (6).

It is remarkable that two Irish names should exist for
such a rare bird, but as both of them have Scotch equiva-
lents, the identification is probably correct, and we may
assume that the Redstart was formerly more common than
it Is now.

REDWING.
I do not know an Irish name.

RinNG-DOVE (see Pigeon).

RING OuZEL or RING THRUSH (rar).
? pear (6), 2 néamg (6).

O’Reilly applies these terms to the Blackbird, but they
may possibly have stood originally for the Ring Ouzel
which is distinguished from the Blackbird by the possession
of a white ring across the throat.

ROBIN OR REDBREAST (spidj-6q).
rproeds (1), bptroeays (6), bpuinoeapsan (6).

Rock Prpit (see Pipit).
ROOK (see Crow).

SANDERLING, SAND LARK, or SEA LARK (lii-har-dn).
Luatapan (6).

SAND MARTIN (see Martin).

SANDPIPER, SANDTRIPPER Or SAND-SNIPE (gitibad-dn).
sobavén (1), sobacdn (7), cupicas (6), Ladpdn tpdga (4).
O’Reilly identifies sobacdn with Titling, but Dinneen

points out that the word means a little bird frequenting
sea-strands.
SCALD CROW (see Crow).

SEA GULL (see Gull.)

1915. ScCHARFF.—/rish Names of Birds. 125

SEA Parrot (see Puffin.)
SEA SWALLOW (see Tern).

SHAG (ctlj-ach ghww).
cailleaé Oub (1). (Compare Cormorant).

SHEARWATER (cin-6q).
cénos (1). Only the Manx Shearwater is resident in
Ireland. (Compare Puffin.)

SkyY-LARK (see Lark).

SNIPE (naesk).
naops (3), naopsa(1), naorea (7), nsopsac (9), naorcac (7),
paors (4), cpomdn Loin (6), cubas Stiogapac (6), soba
ordce (6), meanndn Aci (6), meantan (6).

I am doubtful as to the correct identification of the last
word. (Compare Meadow Pipit.) Jack Snipe.—meannan
aépac (1), meanndn acip (7), sabaipin peodta (7), Sabaipin
bainne beipttbcte (7). The last word is used in Clare.

SUMMER SNIPE (see Sandpiper).
SONG THRUSH (see Thrush).

SPARROW (gjdal-tin).
House Sparrow.—-seatban (1), seattn (6).
Hedge Sparrow.—sealban s4js10 (6), c10Lds (6).
Ussher and Warren give 714665 which according to
O’Reilly means Lark.
Tree Sparrow.—I do not know an Irish name.

SPARROW HAwk (see Falcon).

STARLING (dridg).
opurd (1), opuroeds (1), ctpovdn (6).

StocK Dove (see Dove).

126 The trish Naturalist. july,

STONECHAT (kap-én dthin),
caipin aitinn (1), cloépdn (6), caiplin ceann oub (3), caipcin
cloé (9), caiplin (7).

Ussher and Warren’s Irish word is not in any dictionary
while O’Reilly’s term cto1épan is translated “‘ Stonepecker.”
I have never heard Stonepecker applied to the Stonechat,
but presume these words to be synonymous, for in Scotch
Gaelic this species bears a similar name to the Irish term
alluded to. The last word caitlin or caiptin seems to be
the Whinchat. (Compare Whinchat),.

STORK (kiir-wdan).
corp b4n (10), coppia bAn (6).

At present the Stork is an extremely rare visitor to
Ireland. The fact that it has an Irish name tends to show
that it was more abundant in former times. The word
according to Kuno Meyer occurs in the Book of Leinster
and it is identical with the Scotch word.

SWALLOW (dal-7é).
Ainte (7), dinteos (6), raintedg (1), patcos (1), sobLan saoite(6).
The third word is a corruption of Ainteos.

SWAN (ald).
eata(1), a1 (6), Ata (6), aim (6), sei (1), Seine (6), Satt (6),
540° (6), cpeat (6), peapnpan (6), peappdn (6).

Some of these terms are probably obsolete. Three
kinds of Swan have been observed in Ireland, one of them
being an introduced species. | Bewick’s Swan is a regular
winter visitor.

SWIFT. .

I am not acquainted with an Irish word. This bird

is larger than a Swallow, and is dark-brown underneath.

TEAL (see Duck).
TERMAGANT (see Ptarmigan).
TERN or SEA SWALLOW (gtir-0q).

supos (1), seabpos (7). The first word is apparently a
corruption of 5seabpos. In Scotch Gaelic there are the words
‘‘steardan, sternal, sternan and steirnal,’’ meaning Tern,
which ought to have some Irish equivalents. There are
several kinds of Tern in Ireland.

1915, ScHARFF.—/7ish Names of Birds. 17%

THRUSH (smol-ach).
rmotac (1), pmot (3), pmotcac (6), cranpeac (6), céippeac (6).
(Compare Blackbird).

Ussher and Warren identify ci4ppeac and its variations
with the Blackbird. According toDinneen it may mean either
a female Blackbird, a Thrush or a Woodlark. O'Reilly
gives for it only Thrush. In Scotch Gaelic the word has
been translated Thrush and Woodlark, but Forbes suggests
that it may mean Missel Thrush and it is so rendered by
Lynch.

MIssEL THRUSH.—c14predc (9), céippeac (6).
TITLARK (see Pipit).
Tit or TITMOUSE (ké-ach-an).
ciocdn (6), meanc&n (7), cailleacas Ceann out (6)
Four kinds of Tit are common in Ireland.

TREE CREEPER (snog).
?pnags. (Compare Woodpecker).
A small bird sometimes erroneously called Woodpecker.
TREE SPARROW (see Sparrow).
TuRKEY (kyark fran-kach).
ceayic franca (6), coileac francac (7).
TURNSTONE.

This bird is related to the Lapwing, and one of the
words given under that heading may possibly mean Turn-
stone.

TuRTLE DOVE (see Dove).

TWITE or MOUNTAIN LINNET.

This bird is closely related to the Linnet and much
resembles it. There is no distinct Irish name.

VULTURE (kiin-iidhach),
confudnac (6).

Besides this word several others signify Vulture or any
other ravenous bird such as fans which is translated
Raven or Vulture by O’Reilly, whereas tacaj means
Vulture or any other large bird. The Vulture is only
known in Ireland as an extremely rare accidental visitor.

128 The Irish Naturalist. jeiy

WAGTAIL (glds-6q).
slapos (1), bpucin baintigeapna (6), pedinin an 6d6tain (1).
I cannot find Ussher and Warren’s last word in any
dictionary. Four kinds of Wagtail have been noticed in
Ireland. Only two of these are common.

WARBLER (Aj6l-iré).
ceolaipie (6), aAbpdnarde (7).

There are several distinct kinds of Warblers in Ireland,
most of them being rare summer visitors. It is probable
that the words given under Nightingale refer to one or more
of the Warblers.

WATER HEN (see Moor Hen).
WATER RAIL (see Rail).
WHEATEAR (kash-ten kluch).
caiptin cloé (1), caiptin (3).
Dinneen translates the last word by Stonechat.

WHIMBREL or May BIRD.
This is a regular visitor related to the Curlew. I do
not know an Irish name.

WHINCHAT.
Like the Wheatear this is a summer visitor, but less
common, and I am not acquainted with an Irish name.

WHITETHROAT.
No Irish name seems to exist for this common summer
visitor.
WIGEON (see Duck).
WILLOCK (see Guillemot).
Woopcock (kréu-ar).
cpeabap (1), cpeabaipe (6), cpeabsip (1), cpom na nouit-
Leds (6), woapas (6), cpeabapi cAoe (3).
WoopLark (see Lark).

WOODPECKER (sn0@).
rnas (6), pnasaoaypaé (6), ras oanac (7), 2 pnas dpeac (6),
Lapaipt Coitte (6).
O’ Reilly translates the last word by Goldfinch or Wood-
pecker, two birds which do not resemble one another in the

1915. ScHARFF.—/vish Names of Birds. 129

least. I have suggested that the word may mean Gold-
crested Wren (compare Wren). Woodpeckers are not
resident in Ireland now. They are classed among the rare
visitors, but it is quite possible that they may have been
common when large forests existed in the country. The
Term ‘‘ Woodpecker” is frequently applied to the Tree-
Creeper, which is quite a distinct bird. The word ‘‘snag”’ is
translated in the Scotch Gaelic by Tree-creeper or Wood-
pecker, whereas “‘snagardarach”’ is rendered by ‘“‘ Great
spotted Woodpecker.” (Compare Magpie and Tree-Creeper).

Woop PIGEON (see Dove).

WREN (dr6l-én).

Common Wren.—ovyeoitin (1), opeottan (6), opeotdn (7),
opeatan (6), Opeatan conn (6), Opean (6).

Gold-crested Wren.—opeoilin eapbois (1), opedilin an
eapotis (3). I cannot find these words in any dictionary.
The word tspaip Colle given above as Woodpecker may
be this species. ‘Willow Wren.—I do not know an Irish
word for this common summer visitor. Wood Wren.—
This is a rare summer visitor.

YELLOW HAMMER (see Bunting).

REFERENCES TO LITERATURE CITED.

1. UssHER, R. J., and R. WarrEN.—The Birds of Ireland, London, 1900,

2. KEOGH, JOHN.—Zoologia medicinalis hibernica, Dublin, 1739.

3. CoLGAN, N.—Gaelic Plant and Animal names.—Clare Island Survey.
Proc. R. Irish Acad. Vol. xxxi., 1911. ;

4. PEARSE, PaTRIcK H.—Names of Birds and Plants in Aran. Gaelic
Journal, vol. ix., p. 305, 1898.

5. WiLpE, W.—On the animal remains belonging to the Academy. Proc.
R. Irish Acad., vii., pp. 181-211, 1860.

6. O’REILtLy, EDwarp.—Irish Dictionary, new edition, Dublin, 1877.

7. DINNEEN, REv. PATRICK S.—Irish Dictionary, Dublin, 1904.

8. ForBEs, A. R.—Gaelic names of Beasts, Birds, &c., Edinburgh, 1905.

9g. Lyncu, D.—Names of Birds and Plants. Gaelic Journal, Vol. x., p. 31
1899.

10. MEYER, Kuno.—Contributions to Irish Lexicography. A-Dn. Vol i,
Halle, 1906-7.

Ir. Gocan, L. G.—LS. Notes of Irish animal names,

National Museum, Dublin.

130 The lvish Naturalist. July,

ICHNEUMONIDEA FROM THE NORTH OF IRELAND.
BY REV. W. F. JOHNSON, M.A., F.E.S., M.R.LA.

I have continued to collect these interesting insects
and give below the results of my work at them last year.
I have endeavoured not to record any species a second time
from the same locality except where some variation made
it proper to mention the species again. The localities are
practically the same as in my previous list, but I had a
short time at Bellurgan in Co. Louth where I picked up a
few specimens along the sea shore. I have once more to
thank Mr. Claude Morley, F.E.S., for kind help with various
troublesome species.

ICHNEU MONINAE.

Cratichneumon dissimilis Grav.—Coolmore roadside among sallows ;
@ Tare ‘species.

C. fabricator F. var. impugnator Wesm.—Poyntzpass, hill, in June. In
this variety the hind femora are entirely black. It is common here.

Ichneumon xanthorius Forst.—Poyntzpass in my stable window in June.
Coolmore on the roadside among herbage.

I. suspiciosus Wesm.—Coolmore on the roadside.

I. stramentarius Grav.—Coolmore among sallows.

I. militaris Grav.—Poyntzpass at flowers of Angelica in August. Nota
common species.

I. gracilicornis Grav.—Coolmore on roadside.

Spilichneumon Fabricii Grav.—Poyntzpass in my stable window in June,
July and October, in one of my fields at Umbelliferae in June.

S. occisorius Fab.—Coolmore on the roadside among sallows, a male
rather larger than usual.

Amblyteles oratorius Fab.—Poyntzpass. I captured a fine male flying
about hazel trees in my garden in June.

Platylabus rubellus Grav.—Coolmore on the roadside among sallows. This
species is not common in Great Britain ; abroad it has been recorded
from Sweden, Germany, and Austria.

Phaeogenes argutus Wesm.—Poyntzpass in my stable window in July.

P. heterogonus Holmgr.—Poyntzpass at Hogweed in July. Apparently
very rare in Great Britain. Mr Morley says ‘‘I know of but one
indigenous example of this species.”’ Brit. Ich. i., 252. The specimen
referred to was taken at Loch Leven in Scotland. Abroad it is
recorded from Sweden and is said to occur in Northern Spain.

P. ophthalmicus Wesm.—Coolmore among sallows.

1 Irish Nat., vol, xxiii., p. 64,

1915. JOHNSON.—/chncumonidca from the North of Ireland. 131

P. rusticatus Wesm.—Coolmore among sallows on the roadside; not a
common species in Great Britain.

Dicaelotus pumilus Grav.—Poyntzpass in my stable window in July.
Coolmore on the sandhills at thistles and on the roadside among
sallows.

D. Cameroni Bridg.—Poyntzpass in one of my fields in May; a female
form with the abdomen mainly red similar to those taken by Mr.
Donisthorpe at Rossbeigh, Co. Kerry, in 1902; Brit. Ich., i., 275.

D. ruficoxatus Grav.—Poyntzpass in my stable window in July. It is
rare in England and Scotland and on the Continent occurs in Belgium
and France.

Colpognathus celerator Grav.—Coolmore at flowers of Daucus Carota.

Centeterus opprimator Grav.—Coolmore among sSallows.

CRYPTIN AE.

Plectocryptus griseseens Grav.—Coolmore among sallows. An uncommon
species in Great’ Britain.

Microcryptus nigrocinetus Grav.—Coolmore on the roadside.

M. brachypterus Grav.—Coolmore among herbage.

Glyphichnemis profiigator Fab.—Poyntzpass at Hogweed in fuly; a
small female example.

G. suffolciensis Morl.—Poyntzpass in field at Hogweed in July.

Phygadeon bitinetus Gmel.—Coolmore on outside of bungalow and on
roadside.

P. dumetorum Grav.—Coolmore on roadside at Umbelliferae.

P. exiguus Grav.—Poyntzpass by sweeping in field in August : Coolmore
on roadside.

P. mixtus Bridg.—Poyntzpass in stable window in June.

P. seaposus Thoms.—Peyntzpass in stable window in July. Coolmore on
roadside among herbage.

P. dimidiatus Thoms.—Coolmore at Umbelliferae on roadside.

Hemiteles cingulator Grav.—Poyntzpass in window of my house in June.
Mr. Morley remarks of this species Brit. Ichn., ii., 135. ‘‘ It is by
no means uncommon with us and is usually found in house windows
in June and July.”

H. politus Bridge.—Coolmore on sandhills at thistles.

Pezomachus zonatus Forst.—Coolmore at flowers of Daucus Carota. An
apterous male, that sex being usually winged. The species has been
bred from a spider’s nest.

P. vagans Oliv.—Poyntzpass in moss in January.

P. carnifex Forst.—Coolmore among sallows.

P. fasciatus Fab.—Coolmore on roadside at Umbelliferae.

Atractodes tenebricosus Grav. (vestalis Hal.)—Poyntzpass in stable
window in July.

A. gilvipes Holmgr.—Coolmore on the sandhills at thistles.

Spilocryptus abbreviator Fab,—Coolmore among sallows ; a male of this
uncommon species.

Cryptus albatorius Vill.—Bel‘ast taken by the jate H. L. Orr in June,
1909"

132 The Lrish Naturalist, July,

PIMPLIN AE.

Pimpla punctiventris Thoms.—Coolmore on roadside.

P. ventricosa I'chk.—Coolmore on the sandhills at thistles both sexes,
one female had the areolet pentagonal.

P. examinator Fab.—Coolmore on roadside.

P. maculator Fab.—Poyntzpass at Hogweed in my fields in July.

Schizopyga circulator Panz.—Coolmore among sallows.

Glypta sealaris Grav.—Coolmore on roadside at Umbelliferae.

Lissonota Fletcheri Bridg.—Coolmore among sallows.

L. subaciculata Bridg.—Poyntzpass in field at Hogweed in July.

L. variipes Desv.—Coolmore on sandhills and roadside. I took a specimen
of this common species with the face entirely flavous and another
with the base of the antennae red.

TRYPHONINAE

Polyclistus mansuetor Grav.—Poyntzpass by sweeping in August,

Exochus podagriecus Grav.—Poyntzpass on hill in June.

E. globulipes Desv.—Coolmore among sallows.

E. prosopius Grav.—Coolmore among sallows ; not a common species.

E. nigripalpis Thoms.—Poyntzpass a female on the bark of Pinus sy
vestyis in June. .

Orthocentrus fulvipes Grav.—Poyntzpass in moss from a wood in January.

Bassus tricinctus Grav.—Poyntzpass on hill in June, Bellurgan on sea
shore in June, var. nemoralis Holmgr.—Coolmore at Daucus Carota
on roadside. i

B. variicoxa Thoms.—Coolmore on sandhills at thistles.

Homocidus cinectus Grav. var. lateralis Grav.—Omeath, Co. Louth, in
June. Poyntzpass in my house in August.

H. caudatus Thoms.—Poyntzpass on hill in June,

H. pictus Grav.—Coolmore among sallows.

H. signatus Grav.—Coolmore on sandhills at thistles.

Promethus suleator Grav.—Coolmore on roadside among herbage.

P. cognatus Holmgr.—Coolmore on outside of bungalow and on roadside
among herbage, the latter specimen has the abdomen dark.

Smicroplectrus quinquecinetus Grav.—Poyntzpass on the hill in June.

Perispudus sulphuratus Grav.—Belfast taken by the late H. L. Orr.

Euryproctus lateralis Grav.—Coolmore on the cliff at Owen’s Fort, at
Umbelliferae.

Perilissus fllicornis Grav.—Coolmore at flowers on roadside, a small
specimen of the female.

Eclytus ornatus Holmgr.—Poyntzpass on hill in July.

E. fontinalis Holmgr.—Poyntzpass in my back avenue in June.

Polyblastus marginatus Holmgr.—Coolmore at flowers of Daucus Carota
on roadside.

1915. JOHNSON.—Jchneumonidea from the North of [reland. 133

OPHIONIN AE.

Limnerium albidum Gmel.—Poyntzpass at Hogweed in July.
Meloboris crassicornis Grav.—Coolmore on roadside at Daucus Carota.
Angitia tibialis Grav.—Poyntzpass in window of my house in July.
A. majalis Grav.—Coolmore on sandhills at thistles.

A. fenestralis Holmgr.—Coolmore among sallows.

Mesochorus viticollis Holmgr.—Coolmore among sallows.

Cymodusa cruentata Grav.—Cookmore at Daucus Carota.

BRACONIDAE.

Bracon exarator Marshall.—Coolmore at Daucus Cayvota on roadside, several
females. Marshall (Trans. Ent. Soc., 1885), describing this species
says of its occurence in Britain ‘‘ A single female captured by Bridg—-
man at Brundall, Norfolk.’’

B. anthracinus Nees.—Poyntzpass at Hogweed in July. Bellurgan on
sea shore in June.

Phanormis catenator Hal.—Poyntzpass among herbage in field in July.

Spathius rubidus Rossi.—Poyntzpass in stable window in July. Less
common than §. exarator, L.

Rhogas gasterator Jurine.—Poyntzpass on hill and in field in July.

R. circumscriptus Nees.—Coolmore on roadside at Umbelliferae. This
female seems to correspond to Reinhard’s var. 7.

Microgaster globatus L.—Coolmore at Umbelliferae on roadside.

M. tibialis Nees. var. vulgaris Ruthe.—Coolmore at Umbelliferae.

M. hospes Marshall.—Poyntzpass in field at Angelica in August.

Eubadizon fiavipes Hal.—Poyntzpass in field at Hogweed in July and
August. Coolmore at Daucus Carpta on roadside.

Alysia manducator Panz.—Poyntzpass in July.

Phaenocarpa ruficeps Nees.—Coolmore on sandhills at thistles.

Coelinus podagricus Hal.—Poyntzpass on hill in June; first taken by
Haliday near Dublin.

C. niger Nees.—Coolmore on sandhills at thistles.

CYNIPIDAE.

Eucoela proxima Cam.—Coolmore at Umbelliferae.

I should mention that my collecting at Coolmore was
done during the month of September,

Acton Glebe, Poyntzpass,

134 The lrish Naturalist. July,

IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include a pair of Golden Pheasants from Mrs. Horne-Dyas,
a Peacock from Mr. Hornidge, Mergansers from Mr. H. B. Rathborne,
and a pair ot Muscovy Ducks from Mrs. FitzPatrick. Two female Lion
cubs have been born in the Roberts House, the parents being “ Fritz”
and “ Sheila.”

BELFAST NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

May 15.—HoLtywoop ForREsSHORE.—This was a half-day excursion
to the section of the raised beach resting on Boulder-clay which had been
so well exposed by storms last winter. The raised beach here contains
worked flints of a very early type, like those of Ballyholme, Larne, the
Kinnegar at Holywood, and Grimes Graves and- Cissbury in England.
Many of these were collected by members of the party, which numbered -
over sixtv. When all were assembled at the section the conductor, R.
J. Welch, called on DR. CHARLESWORTH, F.G.S. (who had brought a party
from the Queen’s University), to give a short talk about the geology
of that particular corner of County Down. A visit was then paid to the
Carboniferous fossiliferous shales at Cultra, from which the party proceeded
to the residence of a member of the Club, F. A. Heron, for tea. One
senior and three new junior members were elected, and the party then
split up, some hurrying off to the Permian outcrop, now exposed at low
water, others visiting the garden and Mr. Heron’s collection of living
birds, one of which, a Nightingale, was of special interest, so few members
of the party had ever seen one in the flesh. Others finished their collecting
of various invertebrate groups. Six species of Isopods (woodlice) were
noted, including two of our rare species, Trichoniscus voseus and Hap-
lopthalmus Mengii. Good collections of Arachnids and Myriopods were
brought away for identification.

DUBLIN NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

JUNE 12.—ExcuRSION TO BALROTHERY ESKER.—Sixteen members and
visitors, conducted by the President, started from Terenure at 2.15 by
steam tram for Balrothery, whence they walked along the course of the
esker to Redcow, there turning to the right and returning by Drimnagh
and Dolphin’s Barn, reaching town about 7 o’clock. The walk for the
first half of its length leading through the extremely picturesque lane
past the ruins of Tymon and Ballymount Castle proved interesting at
every stage, and most of the local plants associated with the locality
were identified, though it is to be feared that the Scale Fern (Cetevach
officinarum) has vanished from an old habitat near Pallymount. The
common Dog Rose was in exceptionally good bloom for the early season ;
the Sweet Violet, though quite over, was found in its old abundance
below Tymon Castle, and among other local plants noticed were the
Grecter Knapweed (Centaurea Scabiosa), Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule),
the critical and rather uncertainly distributed Ranunculus heterophyllus

IgI5. Lrish Societies. 135

(which was in abundant flower in quarry pools near Ballymount),and, not
least in interest, the London Rocket (Sisymbrium Irio), This last was
accounted quite a discovery, the plant being found in remarkable
abundance for a distance of probably more than half a mile along the
Dolphin’s Barn and Drimnagh Road. It has long been accounted a plant
with a vanishing tendency about Dublin, and its status here shows some-
thing like renewed vitality. The quarry pools about Ballymount proved
interesting zoologically as well as botanically, and some leeches, planarian
worms, and water mites were captured and bottled, while a large water-
beetle (Dytiscus) and a good many other aquatic insects came under
observation. The small freshwater leech Helobdella stagnalis has been
identified among the captures made. Much interest was aroused at one
of the quarry pools by the presence of a small Trout, whose presence at
such a place seemed to point to some form of “‘ accidental dispersal.”

NOTES,
BOTANY.

Lathraea squamaria in South Dublin.

In a visit which I made lately to Friarstown Glen I noticed several
specimens of Lathraea squamaria growing on the roots of an elm tree.
In Mr. Colgan’s ‘“ Flora of Dublin”’ it appears to be found in districts
Past 6. wand *$/? but not in district * 7.’

Joun A. PALMER,
Rathmines, Dublin.

Peucedanum Ostruthium, Linn.

Outside of Ulster, very few Irish records exist for this plant. It appears
to be one of those, like Myrrhis odorata, which we mainly owe to Scottish
settlers, both being held in high repute in old times in regard to their
medicinal qualities. In the North-east, Myrrhis is a very familiar plant,
and is thoroughly naturalized, but the standing of the Masterwort is
more doubtful. I have always been puzzled by the observation of S. A,
Stewart on this plant in Flora of the North-east of Ireland ,—‘ An intro-
duced plant, brought with seed, and never permanent.” Now, this plant
increases mainly by its creeping rhizomes, and occurs (in the North-east)
mostly on banks near cottages, where it forms colonies. The circum-
stances suggest neither introduction by seed nor temporary occupation ;
rather deliberate planting, as in the case of Myrrhis, Tansy, Elecampane,
and other medicinal herbs and pot-herbs which are firm-rooting and
permanent concomitants of human habitations in the district. These
considerations were forced on my mind recently at Hilltown, in Co. Down,
where strong colonies of the plant were seen in several spots growing as
described. The plant had evidently been introduced by the occupier
of the ruined cottage near which it grew, and will certainly persist there
unless the banks on which it grows are entirely removed,

Dublin, R. Lroyp PRAEGER.

136 The Irish Naturalist. July, 1915

Kilkenny Plants.

When exploring Co. Kilkenny for the purposes of ‘‘ Irish Topographical
Botany,”’ the only bogland I came across lay in the- extreme north-west,
towards Urlingford, close to the Tipperary boundary, and almost the
enly records of bog plants from the county appertain to that visit. Lately,
in company with Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Wright, I visited one of the few 4
bits of bog which occupy the higher parts of the Kilkenny coal field, near |
Castlecomer. Here Andromeda polifolia, Vaccinium Ovxycoceus, and
Lastrea spinulosa, all very rare in Kilkenny, were seen. Two plants
new to the county were noted—Crepis biennis about Kilkenny and Castle
comer, and Eqguisetum sylvaticum about the latter place. Three other
species—Ranunculus Lenorvmandi, Botrychium Lunaria and Equisetum
maximum—with only one previous county record, were seen about
Castlecomer ; also plenty of Crepis paludosa.

R. LLoyp PRAEGER. :

— po ew val

Dublin.

ZOOLOGY.
Callidium violaceum introduced in Belfast.

My friend, Mr. James Orr of Garfield Street, Belfast, sent me a speci-
men of the above beetle which he had found among goods sent from
Sheffield. As the goods were packed with sawdust, the beetle had quite
a congenial resting place. \ It was quite a fresh specimen, so that it may
have been as a pupa in the wood of the packing case. It is easy to see
how this beetle, had it come under a less observant eye, might have made
good its escape and caused an incorrect record of its presence as a denizen
of the North of Ireland.

) W. F. JoHNson.
Poyntzpass.

GEOLOGY.
Analysis of a Chlorite found in Cumeengeera Valley, Co. Kerry.

Professor Cole has identified the mineral as an Aphrosiderite. Its
composition proved to be as follows :—

Per cent.
Loss on ignition be “4 ue 10.0
Silica ae vy Ae a 24.8
Alumina nae bs aM #3 23.4
Ferrous oxide *. ate Ba 30.6
Lime af. ~~ 3 a ay
Magnesia A bi Pd ae II.0

Colour, a dark green. Softness—z1. It consists of a mass of small
crystals whose optical properties could not be determined.

Municipal Technical Institute, Limerick. H. M. ATKINSON.

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sees 1915. The lrish Naturalist. 137

THE NON-MARINE MOLLUSCA OF SOUTH
GALWAY.

BY R. Ae PHILLIPS, M.R.I.A.

The Land and Freshwater Mollusks of the western and
eastern divisions of Co. Galway have been dealt with in
valuable papers in the ‘‘ Irish Naturalist” and ‘‘ Journal
of Conchology,” but, so far as I can discover, practically
nothing has been published concerning the mollusks of
the southern division (Vice-county No. 15 of Praeger’s
‘* Trish Topographical Botany ’’) which comprises that por-
tion of the county lying south of the railway from Oranmore
to Ballinasloe.

For some years past, as opportunities occurred, I have
at various times collected specimens, and investigated the
distribution of these animals, and am now in a position to
record the existence of one hundred and three species in
the vice-county, a number larger than is known to occur
in any other Irish county-division except Clare, which has
one hundred and six species.

Seventy-nine of these were found before the end of
the year 1910, and a list of them furnished to Mr. A. W.
Stelfox, who included them in the tables of distribution in
his ‘* List of the Land and Freshwater Mollusks of Ireland”!
but as details of local distribution are not given in that work
these particulars are here published for the first time.

The area under consideration is about 738 square miles
in extent, its surface is diversified and, for the most part,
well adapted to sustain molluscan life. The greater
portion, about four-fifths, lies on the Carboniferous lime-
stone, and the remainder on the Old Red Sandstone and
Silurian of the Slheve Aughty mountain range between
Woodford and Loughrea. It is well watered, in the east
by the Shannon with its tributaries and Lough Derg, in
the north by the River Suck and the Ballinasloe branch
of the Grand Canal, and in the south and centre by numerous
lakes, streams, and large drains.

« 1 Proceedings Roy. Irish Academy, vol. xxix., Section B., page 65-164,
Igil,
A

138 The Irish Naturalist. August,

Immense tracts of calcareous grassland, and numerous
and extensive peat bogs characterize the landscape in many
districts, esker ridges and hillocks are frequent, and bare
limestone crag is exposed over large areas. Many old
woods, native or anciently planted, occur, those on the
limestone crag at Coole, Garryland and Lough Cutra, near
Gort, and those on the Old Red Sandstone near Woodford
being of special interest. In the west a coast line of about
thirty miles is presented by the indentations of Galway
Bay, from Aughinish to Oranmore, along which are small
estuaries and brackish pools. ‘

The districts around Gort and Ballinasloe seem to
produce the largest land fauna, and the waters of the
Shannon, the Grand Canal, and Lough Rea present the
greatest number of aquatic species.

Lough Rea, a fine sheet of beautifully clear water about
a square mile in extent, situated in the centre of the vice-
county, with limestone bottom and surroundings, is ex-
ceedingly prolific, it contains no fewer than thirty-three
species, including ten of our thirteen Irish Pisidia, and is
also remarkable for peculiar forms of Limnaea pereger, L.
stagnalis, L. palustris, and Neritina fluviatilis. Immense
numbers of shells are cast up on its shores during gales,
and I have on such occasions met with deposits over four
feet long and two feet wide, consisting almost entirely of
Pisidia, and here and there large fringes of various univalves
and Sphaer1um corneum.

This is in marked contrast to Lough Atorick, situated
among the non-calcareous hills about six miles west of
Woodford, in which I have found only fourteen species,
and but very few drift shells scattered on its shores,

The Grand Canal in the neighbourhood of Ballinasloe
seems likely to be destroyed as a habitat for some of the
rarer and less hardy species. During the past two or three
years motor barges- have been used there; these stir up
the mud, and discharge quantities of oil which, mixing
together, keep the water in a constant state of pollution.
Already Bithynia Leacht, Amphipeplea' glutinosa, Limnaea
auricularia, and other species have greatly diminished in

1915. PHILLIPS.— Mollusca of South Galway. 139

numbers, and it is to be feared that some of them will soon
be quite exterminated.

_ At Woodford the association of old woodland species
and varieties is most characteristic. Here may be found in
one wood Limax cinereo-meger, L. arborum, Arion subfuscus,
Hyalima nitidula var. helm, Hy. pura, Zonitotdes excavatus,
Sphyradium edentulum, Acanthinula lamellata, and a thin,
white-lipped form of Helix nemoralts.

Xerophiles reach their highest development in the
districts where eskers occur, as at Ballinasloe, where Helicella
virgata, H. itala, H. intersecta, and H. barbara live together
in great profusion, and show considerable variation.

Large deposits of marl underlie the peat and soil in several
localities, notably along the Shannon valley, near Portumna,
and by Lough Rea; these deposits are largely composed
of freshwater shells mostly in a state of good preservation,
though fragile and bleached white, showing that in former
times lakes extended over many miles of country now
under meadow, pasture, or tillage. Material from the
deposit near Portumna bridge, where it is covered by a
dark peaty soil varying from two to four feet in depth,
which was examined by Mr. A. S. Kennard and myself
yielded the following species :—Limnaea auricularia, L.
pereger, L. stagnalis, L. palustris, L. truncatula, Amphi-
peplea glutinosa, Planorbis glaber, P. crista, P. carinatus,
P. umbthcatus, P. vortex, P. contortus, P. fontanus, Bithy-
nia tentaculata, Valvata piscinalis, V. cristata, Sphaerium
corneum, Pisidium amnicum, P. obtusale, P. pusillum,
and P. milium. All these species, except, perhaps, Amphi-
peplea glutinosa and Planorbis glaber, still live in the
neighbourhood. The marl near Loughrea has not been
thoroughly investigated, but from a rough examination
on the spot, its fauna seems to be poor in comparison with
that of the adjoining lough.

Deposits of a different nature occur in places along the
banks of the River Suck, near Ballinasloe ; these consist of
thin layers of shells sandwiched between alternate strata
of sand and clay. Samples taken from layers in the
exposed section of a fallen bank about three to four feet
below the surface of the adjoining field were found when

AZ

140 The Irish Naturalist. August

analysed to contain the following species :—Hyalnia radia-
tula, Zonmtoides nitidus, Hygromia hispida, Valloma pulchella,
Helix nemoralis, Succinea Pfeiffert, Carychum mmnmum,
Limnaea pereger, L. stagnalis, L. palusinis, L. truncatula,
Amphipeplea glutinosa, Planorbis albus, P. crista, P. carinatus,
P. umbilicatus, P. vortex, P. leucostoma, P. contortus, Physa
fontinalis, Aplecta hypnorum, Bithyma tentaculata, Valvata
piscinalis, V. cristata, Neritina fluviatilis, Sphaerium cor-
neum, Pisidium ammcum, P. subtruncatum, P. pusillum,
and P. casertanum. This seems to be a deposit of drift
shells formed at a time when the river was wider than it is
at present. All the species still live in the vicinity.

A noteworthy feature in connection with the molluscan
fauna of South Galway is the presence so far west of several
species such as Helix hortensis (var. olivacea), Ena obscura,
Amphipeplea glutinosa, Planorbis carinatus, Bithynia Leachi,
Sphaerium lacustre, and Pisidium amnicum whose head-
quarters in Ireland are decidedly eastern.

Bithynia leacht reaches here the extreme western limit
of its geographical distribution.

Species absent from the list, but recorded from one or
more of the adjoining counties and vice-counties are Hygro-
mia fusca, H. granulata, Vertigo Lilljeborgt, V. angustor,
Succinea oblonga, Paludestrina ventrosa, and Margantana
margaritifera. Suitable habitats for all or most of these
occur and further investigation may reveal the presence
of some of them here also.

Pisidia have been collected in many localities besides
those mentioned, but the only specimens recorded here,
except in the case of P. ammnicum, are those which have been
identified by Mr. B. B. Woodward, F.L.s., whose kindness
in thus assisting me I gratefully acknowledge.

My thanks are due also to Mr. A. S. Kennard, F.c:.s.,
for notes on collections of shells sent him from numerous
localities, to Mr. A. W. Stelfox, M.R.1.4., and Mr. J. W.
Taylor, of Leeds, for assistance in identifying closely-
allied species and abnormal specimens, and to the late Dr.
George J. Fogerty, of Limerick, who was my companion
and helper on many collecting expeditions in South Galway
and elsewhere.

i915. Puiniies.—Mollusca of South Galway. 141

The nomenclature and sequence followed in the list
of species are with one or two exceptions those used by Mr.
Stelfox in his Irish list.

LIST OF SPECIES.

Testacella haliotidea Drap.—In the garden at Portumna Castle, and under
timber and stones in a field adjoining the same garden. Also, var.
flavescens, specimen of a deep canary—yellow colour, in a garden
at Ballinasloe.

T. scutulum Sowerby.—In a garden in the town at Portumna, and with
the last species at Portumna Castie and Ballinasloe. Mr. J. W.
Taylor identified both species as occurring in a gathering sent him
from Portumna Castle. The three gardens mentioned are the only
ones in which I have searched for the snail slugs in the vice-county,
so they may be more widely distributed than shown by these records,
They have probably been introduced with plants in each locality.

Limax maximus L.—Frequent in the woods at Woodford, Portumna,
Gort, and Dalystown. Under stones and logs near Loughrea,
Ballinasloe, Kilmacduagh, and Oranmore. Var. fasciata at Wood-
ford and Gort.

L. cinereo-niger Wolf.—This beautiful slug is plentiful under stones and
in moss on trees in the old woods at Woodford, but I have not seen it
elsewhere in the county. .

L. flavus L.—Like most members of the genus this species is nocturnal
in its habits, and never leaves the small and narrow crevices in which
it hides during the day. At night, however, especially in damp
weather, a light thrown on old walls in the neighbourhood of almost
any town cr village will reveal numerous specimens actively gliding
over stones and mortar. Seen at Loughrea, Gort, Portumna,
Ballinasloe, and Oranmore. Also in a wood close to the village at
Woodford. Never found far from human dwellings, and therefore,
probably an introduced species.

L. arborum Bouch.-Chant.—Generally distributed in the woods and
in the open country where it shelters in stone fences and in the
crevices of rocks and limestone crag. Vars. bettonti and heynemanus
at Woodford.

Agriolimax agrestis L_—Common throughout. Varieties seen are albida,
lilacina, nigra, and reticulata.

A. laevis Mill.—Frequent in marshes and along the margins of rivers and
lakes near Portumna, Loughrea, Ballinasloe, Coole, Kilmacduagh,
Clarinbridge, Lough Atorick, and many other places. In woods at
Woodford.

Milax Sowerbyi Fér.—Common in gardens and under stones by roadsides
near Gort, Loughrea, Portumna, Ballinasloe, and Athenry. By the
sea, near walls and old buildings, at Oranmore, Kilcolgan, Kinvarra,
and Aughinish. Probably native, but an obvious introduction in
some places.

142 The lrish Naturalist. August,

Milax gagates Drap.—Rather rare. The habitats of this species are usually
more remote from human influence than those of M. Sowerbyi. It
occurs by the seashore at Kinvarra and Aughinish, and inland at Gort,
Coole, Ballinasloe, and Portumna. Var. plumbea is the prevailing
form ; var. rava was taken at Woodford, where it probably is an
introduction.

Vitrina pellucida Mull.—Widely distributed, but nowhere abundant. A
rather fiat form, probably var. depressiuscula, was found in woods at
Coole.

Hyalinia lueida Drap.—A few specimens in the garden at Portumna
Castle, and one dead shell in river drift at Portumna bridge. Not
native in South Galway.

H. eellaria Mall.—Abundant throughout the division. The prevailing
form is the large Irish one, Viirea hibernica Kennard, of which fine
examples measuring 13 to 14 mm. diameter were taken at Gort,
Kinvarra, and Kiltiernan. The var. compacta (= V. Scharffi Kennard)
occurs at Portumna and Dalystown.

The white form, var. albina is plentiful at Dunsandle, and occurs
also in the Woodford woods. A remarkable woodland form lives
in an old wood at Woodford, the shells being of a pale fawn colour,
very large and high-spired. It is figured in Mr. Stelfox’s Irish list
(Pl. VII., figs. 51 and 52). Specimens almost identical with these
were collate by Mr. R. Welch in old woods at Glencar, Co. Sligo.

H. alliaria Miller—A common species in woods, on moss—covered trees,
walls, and rocks in every locality visited. Fine specimens somewhat
resembling Hy. helvetica occur in the Woodford woods. A pale flat—
shelled form was found on limestone rocks at Coole and other places.

Var. vtvidula is scarce, it occurs at Garbally, Dalystown, and
Woodford. An opaque white form was taken on the seashore just
above high-water mark at Kinvarra.

H. nitidula Drap.—Generally distributed, but nowhere abundanf, the
small form—var. ntiens, prevailing. Two pretty forms of the white
var. helmi occur, one, of which I found a large colony on Church
Island in Lough Derg, is a rather large opaque waxy—looking shell,
the other is smaller, more compact, and san ees it is fairly
plentiful in the woods at Woodford.

H. pura Alder.—Widely distributed in woods and date places. The
typical white form is frequent in the Woodford district, the var.
nitidosa prevails elsewhere.

H. radiatula Alder.—Frequent in woods and other damp places, par—
ticularly abundant along the shores of Lough Derg, L. Rea, L. Coole,
and L. Cutra. Var. virtdtscenti—alba near Portumna, Woodford,
and Aughinish.

H. erystallina Mull—Common in woods and damp places throughout
the division. Var. contracta is frequent: I have noticed it at
Portumna, Coole, Woodford, and Loughrea.

Zonitoides nitidus Mull_—Common on lake shores, in marshes and by
the sides of ditches in all parts of the vice-county

- hk A ee See ele Gai gi vt

a
t
’
1
ad

1915. | PuHILLies.—Mollusca of South Galway. 143

Z. excavatus Bean.—The non-calcareous district of Woodford provides
the only congenial habitat for this calcifuge species in the vice-
county. It is plentiful in the old woods of that locality associated
with Limax cinereo-niger, Acanthinula lamellata, and Hy. nitidula var.
helmi. The typical dark form seems to be quite absent, all the
specimens seen by me being var. vitrina.

Euconulus fulvus Miill.—Widely distributed, but not common, except in
the decaying rejectamenta of lakes and rivers. Var. aldeyi occurs
by Lough Derg near Portumna.

Arion ater L.—Common throughout the district. Vars. castanea and
plumbea are frequent. Var. succinea is plentiful in the Woodford
woods, and var. bicoloy has been found near Portumna and Woodford.

A. subfuseus Drap.—Widely distributed, but not common. Vars. rufo-
fusca, cineveo-fusca and fuliginea were all taken in woods at Woodford.

A. intermedius Normand.—Generally distributed. | Seen in woods at
Woodford, Coole, and Dalystown ; on the shores of L. Cutra and L.
Derg ; under old coffin-boards at Kilmacduagh ; also at Ballinasloe,
Portumna,. and Oranmore. Yellowish-grey is the most prevalent
colour form.

A. hortensis Fér.—Common throughout. Abundant in gardens and by
walls near towns and villages. Frequent in woods, as at Woodford,
Dalystown, Portumna, and Lough Cutra, and by the sea at Oranmore
and Aughinish. The usual colour form is black, but grey and brown
specimens are frequent. Native in the woods and by the sea, perhaps
introduced in some of its other habitats.

A. cireumscriptus Johnston.—Generally distributed. Seen in nearly every
locality visited, but always in small numbers.

Punectum pygmaeum Drap.—In woods at Woodford, Portumna, Coole,
Lough Cutra, Castle Taylor, and Kilcolgan. Under stones and logs
on the shores of L. Derg. Very numerous in flood debris at Coole.

Sphyradium edentulum Drap.—Frequent in woods throughout, also in
marshy places near most of the lakes. Var. columella Jeffreys occurs
under stones by Lough Rea, on a wall near Portumna with Ena obscura
and Vertigo pusilla and in a wood at Castle Taylor. This form is not
S. columella von Martens.

Pyramidula rupestris Drap.—Exceedingly abundant on rocks and walls
throughout the limestone area. Sparingly on limestone boulders
in a small isolated deposit of boulder-clay about a mile west of Wood-
ford.

P. rotundata Mill.—Common everywhere. Varies in height of spire,
vars. turytont and pyramidalis both being represented. In old woods
at Woodford, Portumna, and Coole; also by the sea at Aughinish
and Kinvarra, greenish-white and fawn unicolours are common.

Helicella virgata Da Costa.— Widely distributed but, except along the coast,
not general. Abundant where it occurs at Aughinish, Kinvarra,
Kilcolgan, Oranmore, also inland at Gort, Ardrahan, Athenry, Ballina—
sloe, Portumna, and Loughrea. Banded forms and var. lutescens are
common. Vars. submaritima, albida, alba, and hyalozonata are

144 The trish Naturalist. August,

frequent. The dark varieties leucozona and nigrescens which are
frequent in the East of Ireland are quite absent here.

Helicella itala L.—Common over the whole limestone area, and occurs
also at Woodford. Along the shores of Galway Bay it is usually of
normal size, inland it is much larger, particularly at Loughrea, Gort,
and Portumna, where fine specimens may be obtained. Besides the
type; vars. alba, hyalozonata, lentiginosa, and leucozona all occur in
more or less abundance. A single pyramid-shaped specimen taken
at Gort agrees, according to Mr. J. W. Taylor, with the Helix gracilis
of Turton.

H. intersecta Poiret.—Widely distributed, but not nearly so plentiful as
either of the last two species. Taken in numerous stations from

Aughinish and Oranmore to Portumna and Ballinasloe. The shells —

are similar in size and form to those found in the central and eastern
counties, the large form of the extreme west being absent. The usual
colour variations are those described as vars. fulva and /utescens,
the var. orvnata is frequent in small numbers, and the rare var.
obliterata was found very sparingly on an esker at Ballinasloe.

H. barbara L.—Local. This species, which in Great Britain is always

| maritime in its distribution, occurs by the sea at Aughinish, Kinvarra,
and Oranmore, and inland at Kilmacduagh, Gort, and Ballinasloe.
The inland distribution of this mollusk in Ireland seems to coincide
with that of the eskers or deposits of sand and gravel which run
across and dot the central counties.

Hygromia hispida L.—Common over the whole area, but never so abun—
dant as it is in the southern and eastern counties. Var. hispidosa,
Mousson is the prevailing form, var. concinna Jeff. also occurs. The
var. nana Jeff., a well-marked, pretty little shell was taken by Lough
Rea, on Church Island in L. Derg, and near Dalystown, and the
white form, var. albida near Loughrea, Gort, Lough Cutra, and
Ballinasloe. Var. albocincta is frequent.

H. striolata Pfeiffer. —H. vufescens Auct.—Abundant near Weaken,
Oranmore, Gort, Loughrea, Portumna, Woodford, Athenry, Ballina—
sloe and most other towns and villages. Varies indiscriminately in
colour from white to reddish-brown, and in form from flat-to
round-spired. None of its habitats in S. Galway are very remote from
human influence, so it is probably an alien now thoroughly estab-
lished.

Acanthinula aculeata Mill.—Appears to be rare in the division, but it
is easily overlooked. I have taken specimens at Coole, Loughrea,
Portumna, Woodford, Garbally, and Dalystown. The spineless form,
var. sublaevis West. occurred by the shore of Lough Derg, and on a
tree-shaded wall near Portumna.

A. lamellata Jefireys.—Very local. Plentiful in the old woods of Wood-
ford, Derryvunlam, and Coole. ;

Vallonia pulchella Mill.—Typical V. pulchella is, as throughout Ireland,
rare in South Galway. I have taken it by Lough Rea and Lough
Derg. In each of these localities it lives under stones and drift

ee ie oe a a ee

me

A De. Sate A ip il.
“iss My. ele ae

915. PHIL LIPs.—Mollusca of South Galway. 145

timber, and at the bases of rocks in fields which adjoin the lake—
shores, and are liable to winter flooding. I have seen it in similar
situations in County Clare, and by a marsh in County Carlow.

The other form, V. excentrica Sterki, is more widely distributed,
occurring at Gort, Ballinasloe, Athenry, Oranmore, Kinvarra, Kil-
colgan, and other places. It is usually found under stones and on
rocks in dry fields, and on banks and eskers. These two shells are
regarded by many conchologists as distinct species, to me they seem
to be varieties of one, their difference in shape, which seems to be
the character chiefly relied on for separating them, being probably
the result of environment. Intermediate forms are frequent, and
it is in some cases almost impossible to decide which of the two
names should be applied to them.

V. costata Mill.—Rare and local. Seen only in three localities near
Portumna under stones in dry places, and on an esker at Ballinasloe.
None of the specimens I have seen approach V. excentvica in form
all have the umbilicus open and circular.

Helix aspersa Mill.—Very common. Abundant by the sea at Oranmore
and Kinvarra; also on eskers and limestone rocks in many places,
and in all cultivated and inhabited districts. A colony of var. minor
was found associated with the same variety of H. nemoralis at
Oranmore. Var. conoidea was taken at the same place. It does
not vary much in colour, but various modifications of vars. flammea,
undulata, fasciata, and nigrescens occur. Native by the sea and on
the eskers and limestone crag, but possibly introduced in many of its
other habitats.

H. nemoralis Mull.—This ubiquitous and beautiful species is generally
distributed, and, as usual, shows great variation in size, colour, and
banding. The most noteworthy forms I have collected are :—Vars.
minor, conica, compressa, citrinozonata, and rvoseozonata, all at Oran—
more. Vars. cavnea and albina at Kilmacduagh. Var. undulata
at Kilmacduagh, Ballinasloe, and Portumna. Var. albolabiata at
Portumna, Woodford, Kilmacduagh, Oranmore, and Coole. Var.
luteolabiata at Oranmore. Var. voseolabiata at Oranmore, Wood—
ford, Portumna, and Coole. Var. bimarginata at Portumna,
Woodford, Oranmore, and Kilmacduagh. A remarkable thin-shelled
form, white—lipped, with band-formula 00345 is plentiful in the
woods at Woodford. The apparent absence of the dark forms, vars.
castanea and olivacea, which I have not seen in the district, is re—
markable.

H. hortensis Mill.—This species, so rare in Ireland except in the east and
centre, I have seen only in the neighbourhood of Ballinasloe, where a
collection of thirty-seven specimens, all that were to be seen during a
search of one hour on a hedge-topped bank on a damp evening, con—
sisted of the following varieties :—olivacea, 15 specimens ; lutea—coalita
(12345), 9 specimens ; Juwtea 12345, © specimens ; lutea 00340, 2 speci-
mens ; lutea 00000, 4 specimens ; and.citvinozonata I specimen. At
other places in the locality only the type and bandless yellow form
were seen,

A 3

146 The Trish Naturalist. — August,

Ena obscura Miill.—This interesting species, whose Irish distribution
like that of Helix hortensis is chiefly eastern, is very rare in Galway.
I have taken it sparingly on a wall near Portumna, and under stones
on a bank near Ballinasloe. In the glen at the Punch Bowl near
Lough Cutra I found numerous individuals as late as October 28
(1911) resting on the trunks of beech, sycamore, and oak at various
heights up to fifteen feet. :

Cochlicopa lubrica Mill.—Generally distributed, usually of a rather
small form. Var. lubricoides is frequent. The white form, var.
albina, was found near Portumna.

Caecilioides acicula Mill.—Local and rare. Fairly plentiful on an esker
at Ballinasloe. Sparingly under stones at Coole near Gort. Many
specimens on caddis—cases in an outlet of Lough Brick near Loughrea.

Pupa anglica Férussac.—Frequent in woods and by lake shores. Plentiful
in woods at Woodford, Portumna, Coole, Garbally, Dalystown, and
Dunsandle. Abundant on the trunks of beech trees near Lough
Cutra early in November, 1911. . Under stones and rejectamenta
on the shores of Loughs Derg, Rea, and Cutra, also on Church Island
in Lough Derg. Var. alba occurs sparingly in the Woodford woods.

P. cylindracea Da Costa.—Abundant everywhere. Varies in size, vars.
curta and gracilis frequently occur with typical specimens. Brown-—
lipped and edentate specimens are not uncommon. Var. albina was
taken in Portumna demesne.

P. museorum L.—A local species. Plentiful by the sea on limestone
rocks at Oranmore and Kinvarra. In flood debris at Kilcolgan.
Under stones in a quarry and by the canal near Ballinasloe, and by
Lough Derg in Portumna demesne. Var. edentula is the prevailing
form, typical specimens being quite rare.

Vertigo antivertigo Drap.—Widely distributed in marshes, and by the
shores of lakes and rivers. Seen near Portumna, Gort, Loughrea,
Ballinasloe, Lough Atorick, Oranmore, Kilcolgan, and many other
places.

V. substriata Jeffreys.—Apparently rare. Taken only in woods at
Woodford and Coole.

V. pygmaea Drap.—The commonest member of the genus, and distri-
buted over the whole district, particularly on the limestone. On the
lake shores it occurs under logs and other drift. Exceedingly abun—
dant in the rejectamenta of the annual floods at Coole. It varies
considerably in size. A rather large glossy form of this species,
found by Lough Coole near Gort has been erroneously recorded as V.
moulinsiana in the Journal of Conchology, Vol. XIII., page 318, 1982.

V. pusilla Mill.—Very localandrare. This little shell, though abundant
as a fossil in some Irish sand-—dunes, has very rarely been seen in a living
state in Ireland. In 1909 I found a large colony living among loose
stones on a tree-shaded wall near Portumna, associated with Ene
obscura, Balea perversa, Clausilia bidentata, Vallonia putlchella,
Pyramidula rupestris and other species. So abundant is it there that
I have taken over one hundred specimens in an hour. I have also
found it very sparingly among decaying leaves in a wood at Coole,

“ae

oy, ‘SRE RA a Pty at & er,

915 PHILLIPS.—Mollusca of South Galway. 147

associated with A canthinula lamellata, A. aculeata, Hyalinia pura, and
Pupa anglica.

Balea perversa L.—This species, though of wide distribution, is scarce in
South Galway. It occurs on walls and trees at Portumna, Loughrea,
Ballinasloe, Lough Cutra, Dalystown, and Dunsandle.

Clausilia bidentata Strém.—Common on rocks, walls, and trees throughout
the division, varying only in size.

Suceinea putris L.—Rare and local. Fairly plentiful by the River Suck
near Ballinasloe ; on the bank of the river near Gort; in wet fields
and in a wood at Dalystown ; and sparingly in flood debris at Kil-
colgan. Rather small and pale in colour in all stations.

S. Pfeifferi Rossmassler.—Widely distributed in marshes and on the
margins of rivers and lakes. The small obese shell (= S. parvula
Pascal) is the usual form seen. The form with long spire and small
aperture, var. contortula, occurs in brackish marshes at Kilcolgan
on the shores of Lough Rea, L. Derg, and L. Brick, and by the canal
at Ballinasloe. This variety is considered by Mr. A. S. Kennard to
be the S. schumacheri Andreae. The Lough Rea shells are deeply
sutured and highly coloured. White specimens, var. albida, were
taken by Lough Derg near Portumna, near Bailinasloe and at Kil-
colgan.

Carychium minimum Mill.—Common in woods, marshes, and all damp
places.

Phytia myosotis Drap.—By the shores of Galway Bay at Aughinish,
Kinvarra, and Oranmore. Var. ringens in each locality with the
type.

Ovatella bidentata Montagu.—Very rare; seen only near Oranmore.

Ancylus fluviatilis Mill—Common throughout in lakes and streams.
Var. albida in Lough Rea.

Acroloxus lacustris L.—Rare and local. On plants in the River Suck
near Ballinasloe ; in the river at Gort, and in Lough Rea.

Limnaea auricularia L.—Rare. In the Shannon at Portumna Bridge.
Plentiful in Lough Brick near Loughrea. In the canal at Ballinasloe.
Var. acuta Jeffreys is the only form found in these localities, extreme
forms of this variety were found at Ballinasloe.

L. pereger Mill.—Common in all waters throughout the district, varying
greatly in size and form. The prevailing form is var. ovata, some
specimens of which are fairly large. An interesting form of the
var. lacustris Leach is abundant in Lough Rea, the shells are large
and glossy, and more than half of them are pure white (var. candida).
This seems to be a deep-water form, large quantities of the empty
shells with occasionally a few containing the living animal, being
cast up on the shores of the lake during storms. Other forms of var.
lacustvis occur in Lough Derg, Lough Atorick, and the Woodford
river. Var. Boissyi near the sea at Kilcolgan.

L. stagnalis L.—A widely-distributed species. Common in all the larger
lakes—L. Derg, L. Rea, L. Cutra, L. Tullaghnafrankagh, and L.
Cool. Also in the Shannon and its tributaries, and in small rivers
at Kilmacduagh and Cranmore. A pretty form, the var. fossaving

148 The Lrish Naturalist. August,
is very abundant in Lough Rea, the shell is small, rather solid, and ofa
purplish-grey tint. Var. Jacustyvis and the white form, var. albida,
also occur in Lough Rea.

Limnaea palustris Mill.—In marshes, rivers, lakes, and ditches throughout
the vice-county. Var. corvva, of which large specimens were taken
in Lough Brick near Loughrea, is frequent. A peculiar form of a
purplish-grey tint is abundant in Lough Rea.

L. truneatula Mull.—Widely distributed and found in all the districts
visited, but is never abundant. Var. elegans was taken in a quarry
at Ballinasloe and in roadside pools near Loughrea. Var. albida
at Kilcolgan.

Amphipeplea glutinosa Mill.—Very rare. In the canal at Ballinasloe lI
took a few specimens of the white form, var. albida, of this species. I
have not been able to find it living elsewhere in the vice-county, but
it occurs as a fossil in the Portumna marl, and in a river deposit near
Ballinasloe.

Planorbis albus Mill.—Generally distributed and common in all rivers,
lakes, and ditches.

P. glaber Jeffreys.—Rare and very local. Living specimens taken only
in Lough Rea. Abundant asa fossil in the marl at Portumna Bridge.

P. crista L.—Apparently rare, but possibly overlooked owing to its small
size. Taken in a pool near Portumna, large and some scalariform
specimens ; Lough Brick near Loughrea; Tullaghnafrankagh Lough
near Ardrahan; Lough Rea; in the River Suck and canal near
Ballinasloe. Plentiful as a fossil in the Portumna marl and in the
Ballinasloe river deposit.

P. carinatus Mill.—Local, but abundant where it occurs. In Lough
Derg, the Shannon, and all its tributaries, including the Suck, in
drains at Pollboy bog near Ballinasloe, also in Lough Rea and L.
Brick. Var. disciformis in Lough Derg near Portumna. Var.
albida in Lough Derg at Portumna, and in the canal at Ballinasloe.

P. umbilicatus Mill.—Generally distributed and common, frequenting
marshes and ditches, apparently not associating with P. cavinatus
which prefers the clearer waters of rivers and lakes. Very large
specimens occur in a bog near Ballinasloe. Var. yhombea in drains
near Portumna.

P. vortex L.—Local and rare. In the Shannon and Lough Derg near
Portumna. Abundant in the River Suck, the canal and Pollboy
Bog near Ballinasloe. Plentiful in the Gort river, Lough Coole, and
Lough Cutra near Gort. Also in Lough Brick and Lough Rea.
Occurs as a fossil in the Portumna marl and the Ballinasloe river
deposit. With the exception of the above-mentioned lakes and
rivers in the Gort and Loughrea districts, all of which drain into
Galway Bay, this mollusk appears, in the southern half of Ireland, to
be confined to the Shannon basin. The records for other rivers in
southern and eastern counties all seem to be erroneous and due to
large forms of P. leucostoma having been mistaken for this species.

P. leucostoma Millet (=P. spivorbis L. Auct.).—Common, ranging over
the entire vice-county. It is usually found in shallow pools, drains,

tgI5. PaiLiirs.—Mollusca of South Galway. 149

and sluggish streams, but sometimes occurs in the shallow margins
of large lakes, as at Lough Cutra and Lough Coole. White specimens
were taken at Coole and Portumna. This species has hitherto been
recorded by British and Irish conchologists under P. spirorbis L.;
but in a recent paper (Ivish Nat., 1914, p. 131) Mr. A. W. Stelfox
has given reasons why the two should be separated. I have not
seen the true P. spirorbis in South Galway.

P. contortus L.—Generally distributed. In rivers, lakes, and ditches
at Oranmore, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Woodford, Loughrea, Kilmac—
duagh, Coole, Lough Cutra, Portumna, and other places. Var.
albida Jeffreys occurs in Lough Rea. Fossil in the Portumna marls.

P. fontanus Lightfoot.—Rather rare. Taken in Lough Rea, Lough
Brick, pond at Ballyshrule, drains at Portumna and the River Suck
at Ballinasloe. Var. albida has been taken in Lough Rea. Fossil
in marl at Portumna Bridge.

Physa fontinalis L.—Common in rivers and lakes throughout the division,
usually of small size.

Aplecta hypnorum L.—Local and rather rare. Taken in pools and
ditches which are usually dry in summer near Loughrea, Portumna,
Ballinasloe, Dalystown, Dunsandle, and Lough Brick. Fossil in
river deposit near Ballinasloe.

Paludestrina Jenkinsi Smith.—Local. Exceedingly abundant in the
river at Gort, associated with Limnaea palustris, Planorbis vortex and
Acroloxus lacustris, the water here being quite fresh, and fully eight
miles from tidal influence, the river running for the last few miles of
its course underground, and mingling directly with the sea—water
through limestone rock at Kinvarra Bay. In Lough Coal and two
other small lakes near Kinvarra ; these little lakes are at a considerable
distance from the sea, but sea-water enters them during high spring—
tides through subterranean passages. Carinate and ecarinate
forms occur in each station.

P. stagnalis Baster.—Very common along the seashore from Aughinish to
Oranmore.

Bithynia tentaculata L.—Common in rivers, lakes, and ditches throughout
the area. The white form var. albida is frequent, occurring in Lough
Rea, L. Derg, L. Brick, L. Atorick, and in the canal at Ballinasloe.

Bithynia Leachi Sheppard.—The canal at Ballinasloe is the only habitat
known for this mollusk in South Galway. Outside the Royal and
Grand canals it has been recorded for Ireland only from the River
Batrow near Graiguenamanagh. I recently found a single specimen
with other drift shells in the Shannon at Limerick showing that it
probably lives somewhere in that river or in the local canal.

Valvata piscinalis Miill—Generally distributed and common, occurring in
nearly every river and lake. Specimens from Lough Derg have
been identified by Mr. A. S. Kennard as var. alpestrvis Blauner, and
this appears to be the prevailing form. Elongated and sub~—
scalariform specimens were found at Kilmacduagh and Ballinasloe.
Pure white specimens occur rarely in Lough Derg and Lough Rea.

150 The Irish Naturalist. August,

Valvata cristata Mull—Common throughout, occurring in practically all
waters. It is one of the most abundant fossils in the marls. Var.
alba was taken near Kinvarra.

Acicula lineata Drap.—Very rare. Seen only in woods at Portumna and
Castle Taylor. Var. alba with the type in each locality.

Neritina fluviatilis L.—Local. Abundant in Lough Rea and Lough Derg.
Common in the Shannon, the Suck, and Diniry rivers ; also in the
canal at Ballinasloe. Vars. cevina and nigrescens in Lough Rea and
Lough Derg. Vars. trifasciata and undulata are frequent.

Anodonta ecygnea L.—Local and rare. In the Shannon at Portumna
Bridge and in the canal at Ballinasloe. I have been informed that
it occurs also in a small lake a few miles from Portumna, but have not
been able to verify the statement.

Sphaerium corneum L.—Frequent and generally distributed. Abun-
dant in Lough Rea, Lough Derg, Lough Atorick, and most rivers
and large ditches. Var. nucleus occurs in L.Rea and in ditches near
Portumna. A pure white form was taken in Lough Rea and L. Cutra.

S. lacustre Mill.—Very rare and local. Taken only in the Shannon at
Portumna Bridge, and in a drain in the demesne at Portumna.

Pisidium amnicum Miill.—Local and rare. In the Shannon at Portumna
Bridge ; the Diniry river; River Suck and canal at Ballinasloe ;
sparingly in Lough Rea and, a thin-shelled, fragile form in a mill-
pond at Woodford. Fossil in the Portumna marls and in the river
deposit at Ballinasloe.

P. henslowanum Sheppard.—Locally abundant in the River Suck at
Ballinasloe.

P. subtruncatum Malm.—Frequent in lakes, rivers, and canal. Lough
Rea, Ballinasloe, Portumna, Kilmacduagh, and L. Tullaghnafrankagh.

P. pulchellum Jenyns.—Lough Rea, L. Derg, L. Tullaghnafrankagh, and
in a stream at Kilmacduagh.

P. casertanum Poli.—Lough Rea, L. Alee near Woodford, L. Tullaghna-
frankagh, near Ballinasloe, and very large specimens in a roadside
drain near Loughrea.

P. obtusale Pfeiffer.—In a drain near Portumna. Near Ballinasloe, and
in Lough Alee near Woodford.

P. nitidum Jenyns.—Lough Rea, L. Tullaghnafrankagh. Near Ballina-
sloe and Oranmore.

P. pusillum Gmelin.—Lough Rea, L. Atorick, L. Alee, L. Tullaghna-
frankagh, and in a stream near Kilmacduagh.

P. personatum Malm.—Lough Rea, canal at Ballinasloe, and drain near
Portumna.

P. milium Held.—Lough Rea, L. Derg, L. Alee, L. Tullaghnafrankagh,
bog near Ballinasloe, and drain near Portumna.

P. hibernicum Westerlund.—Lough Tullaghnafrankagh near Ardrahan
on a caddis—case.

P. Steenbuchi Mill.—Lough Rea.

P. Lilljeborgi Clessin.—Lough Rea, L. Koaek: L. Alee, and in bogholes
near SBallinasloe.

Ashburton, Cork.

1915. Reviews. 151

REVIEW.
BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS.

Junior Botany. By F. Cavers, D.sc., F.L.s. London: W. B. Clive, 1915.
* , Pp. 288. Price 2s. 62a.

The number of books on elementary botany must be almost legion,
and still they come. According to its preface the special object of the
present one is simplicity of treatment and avoidance of overmuch detail.
The book is divided into two parts: Section I. being an introductory
course in physics and chemistry, and constituting rather less than one-
fourth of the book, while Section II. deals with elementary botany.

There are probably others besides the present reviewer who would
doubt the advantage of including the subject-matter of Section I. in a
book of this kind. The author himself appears to feel his limitations in
the matter, owing to want of space ; and seeing that there is no lack of
books serving to give a good elementary introduction to physical and
chemical science it might have been better to rely on one of them rather
than attempt a necessarily limited treatment of them in a book on botany.

After a general account dealing with the principal parts of the flowering
plant, succeeding chapters take up the study of the seed and germination,
nutrition, respiration, transpiration, the structure and functions of the leaf,
root, and stem, as well as growth, movement, and adaptation. These
matters are dealt with largely from an experimental standpoint, and it is a
welcome and commendable feature of the book that the long-standing
divorce between morphology and physiology is replaced by the more
sensible hand-in-hand treatment.

The last four chapters dealing with the general characters of the
vegetative organs, flowers and their work, fruits and seeds, and some
families of flowering plants, remind one, perhaps, of the more old-fashioned
botany, where terms are described or families diagnosed, and examples
given to illustrate them. Even here, however, the paragraphs devoted to
methods of pollination and seed dispersal tend to relieve much that would
otherwise be rather dull.

It seems a great pity that a chapter or two could not have been devoted
to a study of plants in the field, showing their relations to each other,
and to their various environments, the more so seeing that the author is
pre-eminently fitted to deal with this side of plant life. The inclusion of
such matter would more than compensate for the total suppression of
Section I. But the book is based unfortunately upon syllabuses, which
explains much, although in justice it must be said that, for those who must
be bound down by such things, without doubt it succeeds in its aim, and
will be found valuable.

In his preface the author appeals for corrections or criticisms which
might serve to improve the book if a further edition is called for. Had he
asked for suggestions of a wider nature we should have liked to advise him
to burn his syllabuses and give us an elementary book on botany out of his
own heart, as a teacher.

G. H, P.

152 The Lrish Naturalist. August,

IRISH SOCIETIES.

ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include a Patas Monkey from Mr. T. K. Laidlaw, a pair of
Rabbits from Mrs. Dowling, a Peregrine Falcon from Mr. C. F. Stewart,
anda Jay from Mr. G. E. Low. A Puma cub has been born in the Gardens.
The musical performances given on Wednesday afternoons during the
summer by the excellent band of the South Irish Horse have attracted
many visitors on fine days.

DUBLIN NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

July 10TH. EXCURSION TO THE GLEN OF THE Downs.—Eleven _
members and visitors, leaving Westland Row at 1.28, started on cars
from Greystones and drove to the Glen of the Downs. The President
acted as conductor in the much regretted absence of Mr. Gunn, who,
though prevented from joining the excursion, had made all the previous
arrangements. Favoured by fine weather and a remarkable absence of
flies the Club found the wooded slopes of the glen full of interest, the flora
being almost exclusively that of undisturbed native woodland. On the
banks of the little stream at the foot, however, Mimulus guttatus was
flowering plentifully. This American colonist does not seem to have
been previously recorded from this station, but has probably been there
for about ten years. Walking back towards Greystones, the party noticed
near Delgany a few plants of Cetevach officinarum, probably in the spot
where it was seen by Mr. Praeger in 1893 (Iv. Top. Bot.). | Most birds,
except the persistent Chiffchaff, had ceased singing, but a few cones that
had evidently been opened by Crossbills were found under a Scotch Pine.
No evidence of the recent presence of Squirrels was observed, though it is
well known that these animals frequented the neighbourhood not long ago.
After tea at Greystones the party took the 6.45 train back to Dublin.

BELFAST NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB,

May 29.—LISNAGADE and LouGHBRICKLAND.—Fifty members and
their friends left by the 10.50 a.m. train for Banbridge. On arrival there
the party drove to Lisnagade, where the first portion of the time was spent
in examining the various raths by permission of Mr. Wm. Taggart. The
earth-works are all in very perfect condition, and form an interesting
monument.

After lunch the party rejoined the brakes and proceeded to Aghaderg
Glebe, where they were most hospitably entertained to tea by Canon and
Mrs. Lett. Those present had an opportunity of inspecting the many
rare and interesting botanical specimens collected by their host. In
addition to above, the botanical members collected during the day Rosa
arvensis, Ceterach officinarum, Melampyrum pratense, Myosotis versicolor,
Ophioglossum vulgatum, Galium erectum, as well as many other common
species. The zoologists were also busy, and made collections in several
groups of invertebrates, which will subsequently be worked out and

1915. Trish Societies. 153

recorded. Before leaving Aghaderg a short business meeting was held,
at which seven new members were elected. Afterwards the party drove
to Banbridge, returning by 5.45 train to Belfast.

JUNE 19.—GAWLEyY’S GATE AND SELSHAN.—Forty-two members,
under the conductorship of W. J. C. Tomlinson, visited Gawley’s Cain
and Selshan. The party travelled by rail to Lurgan, and then on cars
to their destination, situated on the east shore of Lough Neagh, and six
miles north of Lurgan. The lake shore and adjoining marshes and bogs
at Selshan were more easily accessible than usual owing to the long con-
tinued drought of the preceding weeks. The main interests of the ex-
cursion were botanical, as the district is a notable one on account of the
number of plants very rare locally which are recorded therefrom. A
number of these, however, had not been seen for over half a century,
and some were believed to be extinct, through drainage and other causes.
Two of these supposed extinct species were found in considerable pro-
fusion.t One of them, Rhamnus catharticus, was found in quantity, and
in full flower, in the shrubby wood on the lough shore at The Hogg, on the
west side of Selshan harbour. The other, Lathyrus palustris, occurred
plentifully in two places in the marhsy meadows on the shore, just west of
Selshan bridge. Two Carices, C. elongata and C. filiformis, recorded by
Dr. Moore from this locality were searched for without avail. C., stricta,
however, occurred in large tussocks, and C. Goodenowii in plenty. The
former has not been noted from Selshan before. C. canescens was found
in an adjacent bog, growing in proximity to Osmunda regalis. In addition
to these, the more uncommon plants noted were :—Thalictrum flavum,
Viola canina, Apium inundatum, Cicuta virvosa, Chaerophyllum temulum,
Oenanthe fistulosa, Lysimachia Nummularia, Veronica scutellata and Scirpus
marvitimus. The Adder’s-tongue fern was got on the Derrymore side
of the bay, and Aspidium aculeatum on the Hogg Park side. Galium
evectum was noted on the homeward journey on the roadside bank near
Kilmore House, an additional Co. Down record. Galium boreale, recorded
from the lake shore at Gawley’s Gate, was not seen. The same remark
applies to Lobelia Dortmanna, and some other aquatic rarities.

Forty species of birds were observed during the day. The most
interesting ornithological observation consisted in the recognition of a
Turnstone (it is probable there were three or four of them) on the boulder
clad shore, just north of Hogg Park Point. This bird is usually regarded
in this country as a winter visitant, but has been noted by the sea coast in
small numbers occasionally throughout the summer, and had been ob-
served at Lough Neagh in the month of May, 1902. The dry weather
conditions caused the collection of invertebrates to be rather meagre.
Four species of Terrestrial Isopods were noted, but these included one—
Porcellio pictus—which is not regarded ascommon. The Spiders, Harvest
men, Myriopods, &c., when worked out may possibly yield some interesting
discoveries.

1 It is worthy of note here that at Portmore, a fortnight later, Messrs.
Tomlinson and Foster found Sium 2 iy eis another of the missing
Lough Neagh plants.—Eds,

154 The Lrish Naturalist. August,

The members re-united at Selshan Cottage in the evening for an open
air tea, and subsequently returned to Lurgan, where they entrained for
town.

JuLty 3.—Scraso Hirri.—Although the weather conditions were very
unfavourable about twenty members entrained with the 1.35 p.m. for
Newtownards station, whence they walked to the hill. On the way a visit
was paid to the well-known nurseries of Messrs. Dickson, where by the
courtesy of the firm the members had an opportunity of inspecting many
interesting plants. | Upon reaching the more immediate object of the
excursion the remainder of the afternoon was spent in examining the geo-
logical and botanical features of the district. The extensive quarries
in Triassic sandstone with their well-known volcanic sills and dykes,
afforded specially favourable opportunities for the geological section of
the Club, and although no new items of interest were recorded by the bo-
tanists the members of this section were also well repaid for their exertions.
Upon the return journey a short business meeting was held, Mr. Adam
Speers, B.Sc., in the chair. Three new members were elected to the Club,
after being duly proposed and seconded.

CORK NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

FEBRUARY 24.—The Club met at University College, Prof. Swain,
President, who occupied the chair, gave a short address on “‘ Seismograms,
and what they tell us.””>. J. Noonan, who delivered an address on “‘ Field
Club Work in Co. Cork,”’ first sketched the attempts made to catalogue
the flora and fauna of the county. Botanists who have written on the
flora are Dr. Charles Smith in his “ History of Cork’? (1750), James
Drummond, Curator of the Cork Botanic Gardens (1818-20), Dr. Thomas
Power (1843) and Rev. T. Allin (1883). Dr. Power’s list of plants, and
lists of the fauna of the county by Dr. J. R. Harvey and J. D. Humphreys,
were presented to the British Association on its visit to Cork in 1843.
The papers were published in one volume by the Cork Cuvierian Society in
1845. The number of species of flowering plants in the county, has been
given by Drummond, Power, and Allin, respectively, as 710, 885, and 694.
Mr. Allin regarded many of Dr. Power’s records as not being properly
authenticated. Reference was made to the chapters on local flora, fauna,
and geology, by N. Colgan, R. A. Phillips, A. G. More, R. J. Ussher,
and G. H. Kinahan, in Smith’s “ History of Cork”? (Guy’s edition).
Details of work which might be undertaken by the Club, were given by
the lecturer, e.g., the compiling of a list of the galls of the county and their
inhabitants. It was pointed out that the north of the county offers a
field for the naturalist which has been only partially worked. The lecture
concluded with an exhibition of lantern slides showing places visited on
Club excursions.

The members then visited the Crawford Observatory. Here Prof.

Swain showed and explained the seismograph, and members had an
opportunity of viewing the sky under the guidance of H, Lund,

1915, Trish Societies. 155

May 3. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.—Prof. Swain in the chair.
The Hon. Secretary (Jas. Noonan) read the twenty-third annual report
which showed the membership to be 27. The statement of accounts
submitted by the Hon. Treasurer (Wm. B. Lacy), showed a balance in
favour of the Club of £11 3s. 4d. In accordance with notice of motion,
Prof. Swain proposed that a grant of £5, from the Club funds, be made
to the Cork Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Refreshment Committee. J. C. Rowe
seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.

The following officers and committee were elected for 1915-16 :—
PRESIDENT, Prof. Swain; VicE-PRESIDENTs :—Prof. Hartog, T. Far-
rington, M.A. ; W. H. Johnson, H. Lund, R. A. Phillips ; Hon. SECRETARY,
J. Noonan; Hon. TREASURER, W. B. Lacy ; COMMITTEE :—Miss M. E.
Bergin, Miss B. E. Duke, B.sc., Miss M. Dobbin, B.sc.; M. Holland, R.
Blair, D. J. O’Mahony, F.c.s.

May 19. Excursion To KILcREA.—A party of members, led by M.
Holland, travelled from Capwell station, to visit Kilcrea Abbey and Castle.

JuNE 9. VisiT TO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.—A large party assembled
in the new Honan Biological Institute, over which the members were
shown by Prof. Swain, who also delivered a short lecture on geology.
Proceeding to the College buildings, the members were received by the
President, Sir Bertram Windle, who fully explained the College scheme
for the archzological survey of Munster. An adjournment to the Presi-
dent’s house followed, when his private archaeological collection was
exhibited. Having seen the collection, the members were entertained to
tea by Lady Windle. After tea, a vote of thanks to the President and
Lady Windle was proposed by M. Holland and seconded by J. Noonan.
Sir Bertram Windle having replied, a pleasant function terminated.

DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.

JuNeE 19.—The annual excursion of the Club was held at Bohernabreena,
ten members driving by way of Rathfarnham and Firhouse to the grounds
of the Rathmines Waterworks to which access was kindly granted by
the township authorities. The day was beautifully fine and the gravel
cliffs clothed with trees, and the rich vegetation of the lake and river
tank in Glenasmoill showed to great advantage. The young larches
by the upper reservoir were found to be largely covered with colonies
of Chermes. Instead of concluding the day’s outing with the customary
Club dinner a special collection was made for the benefit of Irish prisoners
of war in Germany,

156 The lish Naturalist. August, 1915.

NOTES.

ZOOLOGY

Bees and Colour Selection.

I have lately seen an interesting instance of the preference which bees
collecting honey or pollen show for flowers of a particular colour. In
one of the example beds of the Trinity College Botanic Gardens there
are two clumps of Oxalis, planted so closely that their flowers partly
intermingle—O. floribunda with pink, and O. valdiviana with yellow
flowers.

On July 15th both clumps were covered by a host of bees, chiefly
workers of Bombus hortorum and terrestris with a few Hive-bees. Although
I watched them for half-an-hour I saw few cases of bees collecting
indiscriminately from blossoms of each colour. Where such occurred,
it was done by the Hive-bees alone. Occasionally a Bombus collecting
from the yellow or pink flowers would alight on an adjoining flower of
different colour, only to fly off at once, apparently to the nest.

On July 18th I captured and marked two bees, workers of B. hortorum,
from the yellow clump. After a lapse of twenty minutes I noticed one
of the marked bees on the pink clump, collecting industriously, but
carefully avoiding every yellow flower. Some time passed, and I was
leaving the spot when I suddenly noticed both my bees at work on the
yellow flowers, and on them alone. Both had evidently twice visited
the nest, subsequent to the marking, and appeared to confine their
attentions to a flower of uniform colour at each trip. The marking was
done by removing a circular patch of the upper abdominal pubescence
with a fine scissors.

The rule of restricting attention to one class of flower, by colour, on
each working trip, though adhered to by Bombus, was not so carefully
followed by Apis. It may be that this protected, winter-fed, semi-
domesticated insect has undergone a weakening of certain primal instincts
which still govern its wilder brethren; but the effect of this instinct
in limiting cross-fertilization was very well illustrated, at least in this
instance. |

One cannot generalize from a particular observation, but what I
noticed would seem to confirm Mr. Delap’s view as to the wider choice

exercised by the Honey-bee (Ivish Naturalist, vol xxii, p. 120), and is

somewhat at variance with Mr. Moffat’s claim for the superior
discriminating power of Apis (‘‘ Bees and Flowers,” Ibid, p. 65).

H. E, CutTuBerrt,
Anglesea Road, Dublin,

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SOME RECENT RECORDS OF IRISH INSECTS.

BY ]. N. HALBERT, M.R.I.A.

The following notes of Irish insects refer to records
which have appeared in leading British entomological
magazines during the last five years. These magazines are
the Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, the Entomologist,
and the Entomologist’s Record. Amongst the Lepidoptera
three species are additions to the known Irish fauna, the
most interesting being Leucania Loreyi, an insect of great
rarity in the British Isles. There are at least fifteen new
Irish records of Coleoptera, the greater part of these were
discovered by Mr. Tomlin and Dr. Joy during a visit to
the south-west of Ireland.

LEPIDOPTERA.

The result of two seasons’ collecting amongst the butter-
flies of the Curragh district is the subject of a short paper
by Lt.-Col. Manders' in the Entomologist. Only nineteen
species were met with or considerably less than half the
number recorded from Ireland. The writer comments on
the unfavourable weather conditions more especially on
the large number of dull, cloudy days “‘ which follow each
other with the most distressing regularity.” The butter-
flies were found within a five miles’ radius of the barracks.
By far the best locality lies about two miles east of the

Curragh ‘‘ a small stretch of broken, hilly country, covered
with furze and bracken, and on the top is a venerable earth
work, known as Knockaulin, covering some acres.” The
more interesting butterflies found in the district are the
Brimstone, Gonopteryx rhamni, of which only a single
specimen occurred ; the Wood White, Leucophasia sinapis,
locally common; Col. Manders’ observations thus ex-
tend eastward the known range of these two species.
The Greasy Fritillary, Meltaea aurinia, is described as
locally abundant, and from a batch of caterpillars of this
species found at Knockaulin the author ‘* bred a series which

1 Entomologist, xlvi. (1913), Pp. 292.

158 The lrish Naturalist. September,

comprised all the described Irish forms, and not a few of
the British.” It is to be regretted that the names of the
varieties actually collected were not definitely recorded,
for a general remark of this kind is not satisfactory. It
would be interesting to know, for instance, if the true
aberration hibernica described by Birchall, was met with.
In his ‘‘ Lepidoptera of Ireland” Mr. Kane gives good
reasons for the belief that it is really a very local form in
this country. A similar remark is made concerning speci-
mens of the Large Heath, Coenonympha typhon, of which
a few were caught ‘‘on the one favourable day and
in the same acre of bog.” Only three specimens of
the Peacock Butterfly, Vanessa 10, were seen, and the Dark-
green Fritillary, Argynms aglata, was locally common. The
absence of two or three common species such as the Red
Admiral, Vanessa atalanta, is noteworthy.

While on the subject of Curragh insects we may refer
to the capture of a Death’s-head Moth, Acherontia atropos,
by Mr. Stoneham’ on the road leading from Newbridge to the
Curragh during October ; and the same gentleman reports
the capture of a second specimen,’ in a very worn condition,
found running about on the deck of a steamer shortly after
leaving Queenstown. This fine moth is not infrequently
found at sea. There is a specimen in the Irish National
Museum caught at the Coningbeg Lightship, off the coast of
Wexford, and there is also a very fine specimen caught last
year at Eagle Island lighthouse, Co. Mayo.

Mr. Bicknell records a few Lepidoptera from the district
lying between Birr (King’s County) on the north, and
Nenagh (Tipperary) on the south, a locality which has been
but little examined by entomologists. Amongst butterflies
he records the Wood White, Leucophasia sinapts, in con-
siderable numbers ; the Greasy Fritillary, Melitaea aurinia,
‘*is apparently more plentiful in some years than in others,”
there is no mention of the particular forms frequenting
the locality ; and the Green Hairstreak, Thecla rubt. A

1 Entomologist, xlvi. (1913), p. 334.
2 Entomologist, xliii. (1910), p. 316.
® Eniomologist, xliii. (1910), p. 120,

1915. HALBERT.—Some Recent Records of [rish Insects. 159

few kinds of moths are also recorded, including the hawk-
moth Chaerocampa porcellus, and the beautiful Plusia
bractea, both were captured flying to the flowers of Valerian.

A useful list of the Pug Moths, belonging to the genus
Eupithecia, occurring in county Fermanagh has been
published by Mr. J. E. R. Allen... Twenty species were
found, some of which had not been previously noticed
in the locality. Amongst the less common species are
E. plumbeolata, not common ; EF. pygmaeata, a few specimens;
E. trisignaria, caterpillars found on Angelica sylvestris in
September; E. virgaureata, very abundant in May and
again in July and August.; hundreds of caterpillars were
found on Ragwort, but a number of these were “‘ stung ”’
by ichneumon flies; others found feeding on Golden-rod
were much less infested, and produced larger moths; E.
dodoneata is abundant, and two specimens of E. togata
were found in 1909. __—‘ The last is said to be an introduced
species a result of the planting of Spruce in Ireland.

A recently described moth, Hydroecia crinanensis, Bur-
rows, Closely allied to the common Antler Moth, Hydroecia
nictitans, has now been reported from various localities in
Ireland. Mr. Burrows’ records its capture by Colonel
Partridge at Enniskillen ; and a melanic form of it is re-
corded from near Londonderry? ; while a third specimen
‘“from Wicklow” has been recently found* in Mr. Tutt’s
collection, showing that the species is widespread in this
country.
| A reference to Commander Gwatkin-Williams’ discovery

of the extremely rare Moth Leucania Loreyi at Queenstown ©
has already been given in the Ivish Naturalist (vol. xxi.,
p. 245). It was originally recorded by Mr. G. F. Mathew’
in the Entomologist.

There are hardly any new records of Irish Microlepidop-
tera. Mr. E. R. Banks® mentions the occurrence of Monopsis

1 Entom. Record, xxiv. (1912), p. 33.
2 Entom. Record, xxii. (1910), p. 117.
3 Entomologist, xliii. (1910), p. 293.
4 Entom. Record, xxiv. (1912), p. 78.
5 Entomologist, xiii. (1910), p. 351.
5 Entom, Mo, Mag., x\viii, (1912), p. 39.
A2

160 The L[rish Naturalist. September,

crocicapitella, Clms., in the counties Dublin and Sligo,
apparently the first definite record of the species from Ire-
land.

Judging by the numbers of Irish butterflies and moths
recently exhibited at meetings of the London entomological
societies, collectors still think it worth their while to visit
this country in search of specimens. Apart from rare and
local species it is well known that many of our commonest
insects are of great interest from the standpoint of variation.
As an example one may refer to a note by Mr. Mathew'
commenting on the great variability in a series of specimens
of the common moth Odontopora bidentata bred from eggs
laid by a Cork specimen. The caterpillars were reared to
maturity, and the resulting moths were very varied “* hardly
one of them being typical, and there were some very beautiful
forms amongst them.” No less than six of the more
remarkable are briefly described by Mr. Mathew.

At a meeting ot the South London Entomological
Society, Mr. L.W. Newman’ exhibited a series of Lepidoptera
captured in counties Cork, Kerry, and Clare, including
very light examples of A flecta nebulosa, very dark Luperina
cespitis, Aphantopus hyperanthus with a greenish shade on
the underside, and bred specimens of Dianthoecia capsophila
and D. luteago var. Barrettit. No information is given of the
markings of the last-named species which is the very local
Howth Dianthoecia. Very probably Mr. Newman’s speci-
mens are the same as the distinctly-marked grey form
discovered a few years ago by Major Donovan on the Cork
coast. At the November meeting Commander Gwatkin-
Williams? showed females of the common Meadow Brown,
Epinephele janira, with banded hind wings ; a Cidaria which
may possibly be C. conctnnata ; Xanthorhoé montanata with
band obsolete ; Anthocera trifolit with confluent spots, and
female specimens of the Orange-tip Euchloe cardamines,
with ochreous hind wings.

At the annual exhibition of varieties held by the same
society, Mr. Newman‘ showed “a large selection of specimens

1 Entomologist, xlvii. (1914), Pp. 132.

2 Entom. Mo. Mag., |. (1914), p. 19.

3 Entom. Mo. Mag., |. (1914), p. 45.

4 Entom. Record, xxvi, (1914), p. 265 and 269,

tots. Harsert.— Some Recent Records of Trish Insects. 161

bred from Irish parents ” including the Green-veined White,
Pieris napt, with very dark and yellow markings ; brilliant
blue females of the Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus ;
Hipparchia semele, very pale examples ; and Neura reticu-
lata in which the usual dull ochreous colour is replaced with
a pink suffusion, these were bred from caterpillars found in
county Cork. Dr. Cockayne exhibited and described
gynandromorphous specimens of the Common Blue, P. icarus,
found in the counties Sligo and Ciare.

COLEOPTERA.

Amongst the beetles there is a list of 343 species collected
by Mr. Tomlin’ and Dr. Joy at Cloghane, a little-known spot
on the north shore of the Dingle peninsula. The list
contains many additions to the fauna of Kerry which is
now better known than that of many of our other Irish
counties. Considering that the visit was made in the spring
time the authors are to be congratulated on their success,
though it also accounts for the absence of many summer
insects. It is pointed out that the following species and
varieties are additions to the ‘‘ List of Irish Beetles”
published? in 1902.

Pterostichus cupreus var. affinis Sturm.
Hydroporus melanarius Sturm.

Ochthebius viridis Peyr.

Mycetoporus longicornis Kr.

Homolata malleus Joy.

Philonthus keystanus Sharp.

Homalium rugulipenne Rye.

Hister bissexstriatus F.

Coccinella xi-punctata var. brevifasciata Weise.
Micropeplus caelatus Er.

Crytophagus pallidus Sturm.
Longitarsus gracilis var. Poweyi All.

It may be mentioned, however, at least two of these, the
Ochthebius and the Homalium, have been previously re-
corded from Ireland; the Homolota and Philonthus have

1 Entom. Mo. Mag., |. (1914), p. 214.
2(Proc. R. I. Acad., ser. II1., vol. vi.)

162 The Irish Naturalist. September,

been described since the appearance of the “‘ Irish List.”
The ground beetle Carabus clathratus occurred not un-
commonly under stones on the top of turf walls, a very
usual locality for this fine insect.

Mr. J. Edwards’ writes of the small ground beetles
belonging to the genus Notiophilus concerning which there
is a tendency to revive some of the species formerly recog-
nized by Waterhouse and other entomologists. An inter-
esting mountain form of Notsophilus hypocrita, found by the
writer of these notes on the summit of Slieve Donard (2,796
feet), on Salt Lough Mountain (about 1,500 feet) in Donegal,
and on Achill Island, is described as a new aberration (ab.
Iibernicus). The type form of N. hypocnita has been found
on the summit of Croaghpatrick, and there is a specimen
from the top of Carrantuohill (Kerry) in the Haliday col-
lection.

In an interesting paper on the distribution of the ground
beetle Carabus clathratus Mr. Morley’ endeavours to confute
the records of its occurrence in England. One is strongly
inclined to agree with him that the ancient record from
Norfolk, where it is said to have been found as long ago as
1809, and a still more dubious record from Suffolk, are
in all probability founded on error. This handsome ground
beetle is well known as a Scotch species though the records
from that country are less numerous than are those from the
western parts of Ireland. The various Irish localities in
which it has been found are mentioned by Mr. Morley.

Amongst other notable records to be referred to are Stenus
oscillator, Rye,? found by Mr. Bullock at Killarney, this is
an extremely rare beetle, and it has not been noticed since it
was described by the late E. C. Rye from a single British
example, now in the British Museum. Mr. Bullock has
also found amongst moss at Killarney a very unusual form of
Hiydrothassa marginella in which the reddish-yellow margins
are wanting. Mr. Champion‘ says he has never seen an

1 Entom. Mo. Mag., xlix. (1913), p. 70.
2 Entom. Mo. Mag., 1. (1914), p. 97.

3 Entom. Mo. Mag., xlix. (1913), p. 88.
4 Entom. Mo. Mag., |. (1914), p. 246.

tots. HALBERT.—Some Recent Records of Irish Insects. | 163

example thus coloured. Apparently, however, specimens
with obscured yellow margins are not uncommon in Ireland.
The writer of these notes found, in the Mullingar and Ennis-
corthy districts, forms in which the pale margins are re-
placed by a dark purple colour. Dr. G. W. Nicholson‘
records some rare beetles amongst which are a few Irish
species, most of these have already been mentioned in his
valuable papers in the Jrtsh Naturalist.

Mr. W. E. Sharp’ writes of a few species of the genus
Lathrobium and refers to the occurrence in Ireland of the
variety atyipalpe Scriba of L. terminatum. In this country
it is the prevalent form, known by the unspotted wing-—cases
and darker-coloured legs. It is usually recorded under the
name of variety immaculatum Fowler.

The following beetles are now to be added to the known
Irish fauna :—Helophorus yienensis, an aquatic species
recently described by Dr. Sharp, specimens were found in
the North of Ireland by Mr. Balfour Browne, they are
‘“‘ rather larger and more robust than those found here, and
the legs and palpi are a little shorter.” It may be known
from the allied species by its broad, abbreviated wings.
Anisotoma curta Fairm. a rare British species of which a
single specimen was taken by Rev. W. F. Jobnson? on Bent-
grass at Mullaghmore on the southern side of Donegal Bay
(Co. Sligo); and Homolota malleus,t Joy, a new species of
the composite volans group of the difficult genus Homolota,
it is recorded from “‘ England and Ireland, probably com-
mon.” Mr. Cameron’s capture’ of another species, Homo-
lota picipennis, Mann., at Rathmullan in Donegal has
already been referred to in the Ivish Naturalist (1913, p. 41).

Excellent figures of two of our characteristic Irish
beetles, Bembidium argenteolum® and Ottorrhynchus auro-
punctatus’ have been published in the Entomologist’s Monthly

1 Entom. Record, xxiv. (1912), p. 168.

2 Ent. Record, xxiv. (1912), p. 259.

3 Entom. Mo. Mag., xlviii. (1912), p. 287.
* Entom. Mo. Mag., xlvi. (1910), p. 280.

5 Entom. Mo. Mag., xlvi. (1910), p. 280.

6 Entom. Mo. Mag., xlvi. (1910), Plate I.
* Entom. Mo. Mag., xlvi. (1910), Plate IV.

164 The Irish Naturalist. September,

Magazine. The former is a Lough Neagh insect, and the
latter has its headquarters on the coasts of Dublin, Meath,
and Louth; neither of them have been found in Great
Britain.

HYMENOPTERA.

Mr. Claude Morley" gives a short account of the Ichneu-
mon flies of the Haliday collection of Hymenoptera, now in
the possession of the Irish National Museum. This part
of the collection has been recently arranged by Mr. Morley,
and he has been successful in discovering many type
specimen of the species described by Haliday. As the great
majority of the specimens are unlabelled this is a valuable
improvement in the collection, and greatly enhances its
value for future reference.

A verification of Mr. Morley’s remark that the females of
Ichneumon lugens, Grav., “‘ are said to pass the winter in the
perfect state’ is supplied by Rev. W. F. Johnson? who has
found this ichneumon hybernating under loose birch bark
in Carr’s Glen near Belfast. 7

A paper by Mr. H. K. Donisthorpe’ on the ants of the
genus Myrmica contains lists of Irish localities, sufficient
to show that the species are widely distributed, though in
the case of Myrmica lobicornis there is but a single Armagh
record.

A beautiful coloured figure+ of the parasitic bee Pszthyrus
distinctus, Perez, appears in the Entomologist’s Monthly
Magazine. Mr. Sladen remarks that the specimens from
which these figures were made ** were bred at Dover in a nest
of Bombus lucorum from a female sent me by Mr. H. L. Orr
from the neighbourhood of Belfast.”” This handsome bee
is no doubt fairly common in the north of England, in
Scotland, and in the north of Ireland, and it is probably
parasitic on the Bumble Bee Bombus lucorum.

1 Entomologist, xlvi. (1913), p. 259.
*Entom. Mo. Mag., xviii. (1912), p. 91.
3 Entom. Record, xxv. (1913), p. I, &c.

4 Entom. Mo. Mag., xlix. (1913), Plate II.

1915. HALBERT.— Some Recent Records of Irish Insects. 165

DIPTERA.

Amongst the two-winged flies there is little to record.
Mr. J. E. Collin’ states that the fly Tetanocera robusta, Lw.,
is really distinct from the allied T. ferruginea, Fln., of which
it has been regarded as a variety, and remarks that he has
seen Irish specimens. He also records’ Mznettia trispina,
Rnd., found by Colonel Yerbury at Waterville and Glenbeigh
in the south-west of Ireland. There is also a reference’
to the capture of the distinct little fly Lophosta fasciata,
Meigen, at Parknasilla.

OpoNnaATA (Dragon-flies).

Mr. K. J. Morton‘ records an interesting visitor in the
large African dragonfly Hemianax ebhippiger, Burm., an
example of which was found at rest amongst grass at
Herbert Park by Master Albert Douglas in October, 1913.
Mr. Morton kindly identified the specimen, and it proves to
be the second recorded capture of this species in the
British Isles, the first was at Devonport in February, 1903.
Swarms of this insect visit the south of Europe from time
to time, and stragglers occasionally find their way north and
west.

Mr. Morton® has also been examining numbers of Scotch
and Irish examples of the common dragonfly Sympetrum
striolatum, and records what he has termed ‘‘ an Atlantic
race’ of this species characterized by the darker femora and

more pronounced marking of the mid-body as compared
with the typical English form. Although the Irish
specimens are not quite so strongly marked they closely
resemble those caught in the western parts of Scotland. A
similar form was described from Madeira by De Selys
many years ago.

National Museum, Dublin.

1 Entom. Mo. Mag., xlvi. (1910), p. 129.
2 Entom. Mo. Mag., xlix. (1913), p. 171.
3 Eniom. Mo. Mag., xlix. (1913), p. 171.
4 Entom. Mo. Mag., 1. (1914), p. 16.

5 Entomologist, xlvii. (1914), Pp. I.

Ai S,

166 The lrish Naturalist. September,

ON IRISH ANIMAL NAMES.
BY NATHANIEL COLGAN, M.R.1.A.

In tne first of a series of interesting and suggestive papers
on Irish native animal names contributed by Dr. Scharff
to the Ivish Naturalist for March last (supra p. 45) the
writer asks for criticism “‘ from others interested in obtain-
ing the correct names.’ As these papers are bound to
stimulate research in a branch of inquiry to-which the
scientific mind, the mind of the natural history student as
distinguished from the mind of the popular folk-lorist, has
but seldom been directed, I feel tempted to offer a few
remarks here, not so much by way of criticism of Dr. Scharff
as of exposition of the peculiar difficulties which beset the
subject.

At the very outset it is necessary to make our minds
clear as to the precise meaning to be given to the words
‘‘correct name” in this connection ; for plain though the
expression may seem to be it is by no means devoid of
misleading implications. If it be maintained that the
correct native name of an Irish animal is the name fixed
by long-established literary usage, then we must forego
all hope of ever arriving at the truth as regards perhaps a
majority of Irish animal names. Many of them are quite
unknown in literature. Many others which have appeared
in literature either occasionally or frequently in one or other
of the dialects of the language have never attained to
literary predominance in any. Others, again, having at one
time won a more or less secure position in literature are
now become mere linguistic fossils.

If, on the other hand, the correct name of an animal be
some name unknown in literature yet current in the still
surviving vernacular folk-speech of Ireland, then the ques-
tion immediately presents itself, which of the many names
for one and the same species contemporaneously in use in
the Irish dialects is to be preferred above the others ?
For the fact must never be lost sight of that folk names in
Irish, as in all languages, have often but a limited geogra-
phical extension. A mountain range, a river or an arm of

tote. | CoL_GANn.—On Lrish Animal Nanies. 167

the sea may serve as a linguistic no less than a biological
barrier. Where an animal has been long and generally
domesticated or is wide-spread and distinguished by some
conspicuous character we may find, no doubt, one name,
with more or less of phonetic modification, applied to it
throughout our Irish-speaking districts. But the number
of such species is small; and for the majority of animals,
as for the majority of plants, it remains true that the name
changes, and often quite rapidly, with change of locality.
To take at random an instance from the folk nomenclature
of plants current in the English shires, no less than 35
distinct names are given for the Common Arum in Britten
and Holland’s “‘ Dictionary of English Plant Names.”’ As
Professor Earle well expresses it, “‘the sphere of these
homely native names is very narrowly limited ; the number
of names that can be used with a certainty of being under-
stood is astonishingly few.” '

The more consideration one gives to this subject the more
inevitably is one forced to the conclusion that all names in
use by common consent over a fairly large area, say, as a
minimum, over a parish, should be regarded as correct, and
that it is the rule rather than the exception that one and
the same animal or plant should have several names, all
equally correct though differing widely in extension. In
the present state of the Irish language and literature the
subject of animal and plant names is, in fact, a branch of
folk-lore, a thing to be studied in the field rather than in
the closet ; and the task which lies immediately before the
worker in this department is the making of local lists. It
is only by the multiplication of such lists that we can deter-
mine whether an animal name is general or local or obsolete
or current, whether a given animal has one name or several,
or whether the same name is in different districts applied
to different animals. The production of a trustworthy local
list makes large demands on the caution no less than on the
patience and skill of the collector. The difficulties are the
same in kind though not in degree as those encountered by

1 English Plant Names from the Tenth to the Fifteenth Century. Claren-
don Press, Oxford, 1880.

168 The frish Naturalist. September,

the collector of native plant names. Animals are usually
mobile, while plants are fixed, so that your peasant infor-
mant may far more readily be confronted with the subject
of your inquiry when it is a plant than when it is an animal.

In the hope that some readers of the Ivish Naturalist may
be induced by Dr. Scharff’s papers to take up this most
necessary field work I venture to set out here some of the
precautions to be taken. In the first place, select as your
informant a country man or woman who has no tincture of
literature ; otherwise, you may find yourself put off with
book-names instead of folk-names. Next, be sure that
your informant has been reared, or if possible born and
reared, in the district where you are working. More than
once I have filled a page of my note-book with interesting
plant names only to find when I had finished that my infor-
mant was an immigrant from a distant county who had
carried with him his county plant names. Again, never
accept a name as fully ascertained unless given to you in
the presence of the animal named. In all cases get con-
firmation of the name from several authorities in the dis-
trict, checking your first result by inquiring not for the
name of the animal, but for the animal corresponding to
the name already obtained. Finally, where the name
appears to be obscure as to sound or meaning or both take
down carefully in phonetic rendering the name or names
given by each of your informants. From one or other of
these forms, or, perhaps, from a dialectic form found to
prevail in some other and far removed district, a ray of
light will often glimmer through what at first may have
seemed impenetrable darkness. Your knowledge of spoken
Irish may be slender, but this need not deter you from
taking up the work, though it should impress upon you the
necessity for caution. As old Thomas Fuller said when he set
out to write an account of Wales, a country which he had
never seen, “it matters not how meanly skilled a writer is so
long as he hath knowing and communicative friends.” So if
you are more at home in zoology than in modern Irish you
will no doubt find some friendly hand to help you over the
linguistic stiles which are certain to obstruct your path.

pes gL aes Bas +

1915. CoLGAN.—On Irish Animal Names. 169

In Dr. Scharff’s last paper, dealing with Irish bird names
(supra p. 10g) it will be seen that under the headings
‘‘ Bunting,” ‘‘ Grouse”’ and “‘ Pipit ’’ doubts are expressed
as to the accuracy of certain items in my “ Gaelic Plant and
Animal Names” which forms part iv. of the Clare Island
Survey Reports’ and was published in 1911. The names to
which exception is here taken occur not in the paper to
which they are credited by the reference (3), but in the list
of Bird Names given in the Addenda published in 1915.
This list, as appears from the introductory paragraph, is
entirely the work of Professor O’ Neill and the late Mr. R. J.
Ussher, authorities of acknowledged eminence in their re-
spective provinces, the Irish language and Irish ornithology,
and my connection with it is merely that of a communicator

of information received from a trustworthy source.
Sandycove, Co. Dublin.

NOTES.

BOTANY.

Plants of Ben Lettery.

On pp. 269-270 of *‘ Letters from the Irish Highlands of Cunnemarra,’
London, 1825—there is a very circumstantial account of the ascent of
Ben Lettery near Ballynahinch, and mention is made of some plants to be
found on this mountain. The writer, when describing the climb, says:
“ At one time a carpet was actually spread under our feet of the trailing
arbutus (a uva urst) with its red stalk and bright red berries, the club
moss (lycopodium selago) and the black-berried heath (empetrum nigrum).
We showed him, too, the Alpine ladies’ mantle (achemilla alpina) and the
London-pride (saxifraga umbrosa).’’ The person referred to as ‘‘ him”
was, we are told, a “‘ botanist and a stranger’ who accompanied the party.
I do not know who wrote the ‘ letters,”’ but as Achemilla alpina has never
been found in Galway or Mayo since Wade, in his ‘‘ Plantae Rariores,”’
1804, reported it from Maamturk and rocks at Cong—the writer of the
above ‘“‘ Letters’? must have fallen into the same error as his predecessor,
a mistake repeated by his successor the author of the “ Irish Flora”’
published in 1833, though Mackay in his “ Systematic Catalogue of Rare
Plants found in Ireland,’ 1806, makes no reference to this locality for
Achemilla alpina.

>

RicHDp. M. BARRINGTON.
Fassaroe, Bray.

* Proc, Rh. 1. Acad., Vol. xxxi.

170 The lrish Naturalist. September,

- The Bee Orchis in Co. Donegal.

Rev. A. H. Delap writes to Dr. Scharff that he found a Bee Orchis
(Ophrvs apifera) on June 24, at Coolmore, on Donegal Bay, and that Mr.
Hugh Allingham, of Ballyshannon, informs him that he obtained a specimen
of the same plant at Wardstown, four miles south of Coolmore, some years
ago. This beautiful Orchid has not previously been found in Donegal. It
is in Ireland strongly calcicole, ranging north-west across the Central
Plain to Sligo, Fermanagh and Monaghan. It is interesting to have it now
recorded from southern Donegal, where the Carboniferous limestone
finds its extreme limit.

Dublin.
R. LLoyp PRAEGER.

Deyeuxia neglecta var. Hookeri.

A friend has just sent from Norfolk specimens of Deyeuxta neglecta
identical with the var. Hookervi of Lough Neagh. In fact it looks more
like lapponnica than Moore’s original Hookevi did.

ARTHUR BENNETT.
Croydon, Surrey.

Trichomanes radicans and Asplenium lanceolatum in Co. Carlow.

On December 14th, 1913, while snail-hunting in a wood in Co. Carlow,
I was agreeably surprised to meet with an overhanging, dripping rock, the
underside of which was covered with a luxuriant growth of the rare and
beautiful Killarney Fern (Trichomanes vadicans). The rhizomes were
over three feet in length and some of the fronds, in fruit, measured from
twelve to fourteen inches.

On July 4th, 1915, I found Asplenium lanceolatum growing plenti-
fully in a bohereen near Gowlin, at the foot of Blackstairs. The fronds
varied, according to the situation in which they grew, from three to twelve
inches in length.

These interesting plants are additions to the fiora of District III. of
‘“ Cybele Hibernica’”’ as well as to that of Co. Carlow. The only previous
Irish records for Asplenium lanceolatum are from Cork and Kerry.

Rk. A. PHILLIPS.
Ashburton, Cork.

ZOOLOGY.
Recent Notices of Irish Birds.

The following are the titles of some recent notices of Irish birds :—
“Occurrences of Common and Black Redstarts at Light-stations in
Ireland”’ (R. M. Barrington in “ British Birds,” June, 1915, pp. sats =
“Aquatic Warbler on Migration obtained on Tuskar Rock”

1915. Notes. LI

(Prof. C. J. Patten in ‘‘ Zoologist,” March, 1915, pp. 81-92, plate 1) ;
“Late Stay of Fieldfares in North of Ireland”? (W. H. Workman, Ibid.,
July, p. 271); ‘‘ Notes on the Tree-Sparrow in Donegal” (Rev. J. M.
M'‘William, Ibid, August, pp. 297-302).

The Basking Shark.

In the June number of this Journal I alluded to the fact that the
Basking Shark Fishery had been abandoned because this species has
become less common in Irish waters, From the notes now furnished me
by Mr. F..W. L. Keane of Youghal, it appears that the Basking Shark in
certain districts at any rate is on the increase. Although practically
unknown in Ardmore Bay before 1912 altogether ten specimens were killed
during the past three years in this neighbourhood varying in length from
13 to 24 feet. All these were captured in Salmon nets, and Mr. Keane
states that they have caused so much damage to the nets that the fishing
industry had to be practically abandoned. Many more of these Sharks
have been seen in the bay without being caught. Whether any use was
made of the oil contained in the liver I did not ascertain, but this is unlikely
as I am not aware of any facilities existing on the south coast of Ireland
for extracting the oil. If it should be ascertained that a general increase
in the numbers of this fish has taken place in Irish waters it may perhaps
be possible to resuscitate the long-lost Irish industry of the Basking Shark
Fishery.

R. F. SCHARFF.
Dublin.

Bees and Colour Selection.

I am very glad that Mr. Cuthbert has been making such interesting
and valuable notes on this subject, and I am glad that he bears me out so
well in regard to the general accuracy with which both Hive and Humble
Bees stick to one kind of flower during a journey ; though I see that he
differs from me in regarding the Hive-Bee as somewhat less exact than
its wilder brethren, whereas I have generally found the Humble-Bees more
prone to error than Apis. This is a point on which further observation
may possibly alter either Mr. Cuthbert’s opinion or my own. His notes
on the marked bees are particularly suggestive as tending to prove that it
is an actual practice with these insects, though limiting themselves during
a journey to one kind of flowers, to change to another after each visit to
the nest.

I would like, however, to raise the question whether Mr. Cuthbert’s
observations really point to “colour selection,” or whether “ species
selection’’ would not be the happier term. The flowers at which he
watched his bees working differed in colour, but they also differed in other
respects, though not, perhaps, very widely. Can we be sure that the
workers of Bombus hoviorum which distinguished so well between pink
flowers of one species (Oxalis floribunda) and yellow flowers of another
(though allied) species (C. valdiviana) would have distinguished with like

172 The Irish Naturalist. September,

skill between pink-flowered and yellow-flowered plants of exactly the -
same species? The latter feat would be the true proof of colour discri-
mination ; and it was this sort of discrimination that struck me as so
remarkable in the Hive-Bee when I watched its operations at the wall-
flower-bed as detailed in my paper on “ Bees and Flowers.’ The wall-
flowers were all of one species, differing from one another in nothing but
colour, and even the colour-differences were not by any means so marked
as that between pink and yellow ; yet each bee confined itself to one of
the three colour-varieties represented—plain brown, plain yellow, or brown
and yellow streaked.

I have not yet got conclusive proof that any species of Bombus will
regard distinctions of colour where no other difference presents itself in
the flowers the bee is visiting. I have seen B. agrorwm, when working at
Milkwort, transfer its attention with seeming indifference from pink to
blue and from blue to pink—showing, on the one hand, that it had enough
botanical acumen to recognise the specific identity of these flowers in spite
of a conspicuous difference in their colours, and, on the other hand, that
the difference in colour did not seem to this bee a matter of practical
importance. Its action might almost have suggested doubts as to whether
it saw the colour difference at all; but as I once saw a bee of the same
species visit 24 flowering spikes of blue milkwort in succession, neglecting
pink, I cannot suppose that the colour sense is absent, though its teachings
are so often disregarded.

This summer I have been particularly interested in watching another
of the yellow bees, Bombus distinguendus, at a spot much frequented by
it, where it busied itself during July in collecting honey from bramble-
blossoms. Two forms of bramble, plainly though perhaps only sub-
specifically distinct, abound in this patch of ground, and are closely inter-
minged. I will hazard no guess at their names, but one has large showy
blossoms of a rosy pink hue, while the petals of the other are small, narrow,
and of a very dull or almost greenish white. With strange perversity,
Bombus distinguendus sticks to the dull whitish flowers and leaves the
bright pink ones alone. I can almost imagine the indignation of a
“lumping’’ botanist at the idea of a bumble-bee discriminating in this
way between two forms of the ‘‘ Common Blackberry.” I suppose the
only explanation he could suggest would be that Bombus distinguendus
has some preference for white over pink as a colour. But for my part I
do not think the bee distinguishes these plants by their colour at all! At
any rate, I have several times seen an individual bee dart straight to one
of the big pink blossoms as though to gather from it, but when almost in
contact with the flower it would discover it had made a mistake and dart
away again. Surely, if it saw the flower a foot away, it did not need to
come within half an inch before discovering that it was pink, not white.
It must either have seen that fact at the first, or not have minded it at the
last stage. I can only conclude that some other difference than that of
colour determines the discrimination shown by this species of Bombus—at
any rate with regard to brambles.

C. B. Morrat.
Ballyhyland, Co. Wexford.

1915. Notes. 573

Notes on Lepidoptera.

The first butterfly to appear here in the spring was as usual Vanessa
urticae, which I saw on the wing on March goth, but not till April 17th did
I observe any other species, when Pieris rapae and Pavrarge egeria made
their appearance, and on 22nd of that month I saw Euchloe cardamines
flying along the roadside at Jerrettspass. A good many moths flew to
my sitting-room window and into the room, attracted by the lamp light.
On March 16th I took Cevastis vaccinii inthis way. I had taken it freely
at ivy in the autumn, but this was the first time I had met with it after
hybernation. During April the Taeniocampae were about and I took
T. stabilis, T. instabilis and T. gothica, also Xylocampa lithorrhiza, Anticlea
badiata and Coremia multistrigarea, and on May 10th Lozogramma petrarea,
the last named I had not met with here before. On May 22nd I took at
a short distance from Poyntzpass a small specimen of Euchloe cardamines,
a male measuring 32m.m. in expanse of wings. I took a similar form
many years ago in one of my own fields. In June my friend, Mr. W. A.
Hamilton, J.P., sent me several specimens of Ino statices, which he had
taken on his lawn at Coxtown, Co. Donegal. They are smaller than
specimens I have from Wexford, and of a deep blue colour instead of
green. Zygaena lonicerae and Z. filipendulae were plentiful in early July
in hay fields where an abundant crop of Lotus corniculatus had given
provender for their larvae. On July 22nd I took in one of my own fields
a nice specimen of the beautiful little moth Trycheris aurana Fb. a species
I had not met with before.

W. F. JOHNSON.
Poyntzpass.

Dascillus cervinus at Poyntzpass.

In June as I was hunting for insects in a wood here where a number of
trees had been felled, I met with two specimens of D. cervinus ; both were
on bramble leaves. I was somewhat surprised to meet with it here, as
I had previously met with it on high ground, but I see that Canon Fowler,
' “ British Coleoptera,” vol. iv., says that it occurs on brambles and alders
as well as on flowers of Umbelliferae.

W. F. JOHNSON.
Poyntzpass.

A Large Eel.

I was recently shown an eel which had been caught by a boy in a
small stream near here. It was weighed and proved to be 43 lbs. in
weight. Unfortunately I did not measure it, but should judge it to have
been 3 feet or 3} feet long. The stream in which it was taken is quite
small and shallow, and it seems strange that so large a specimen should
have made its way up it.

W. F. Jounson,
Poyntzpass,

174 The [rish Naturalist. September,

ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SYMPHYLA IN
IRELAND AS AT PRESENT KNOWN.

BY NEVIN #H, FOSTER, F145; 4.8.lae.

By some zoologists the Symphyla are regarded as an
order of the Class Myriopoda, whilst others consider them
as worthy of Class rank.

Prior to the present year only one species, Scutigerella
immaculata, had been noted in Ireland, but during the past
few months I have collected some of these animals, among
which are four additional species—Scutigerella biscutata, S.
spinipes, Symphylella delicatula and Scolopendrellopsis
subnuda. The specimens have been submitted to Mr. R. S.
Bagnall, F.L.s., who has identified them, and for his kind
assistance I now tender my thanks.

As a basis for further work in this group, a list of the
species is appended with (so far as known to me) the locali-
ties in which they have been found.

Scutigerella immaculata (Newport).

Kerry S., Great Blasket ; Galway W., Gentian Hill ; Dublin, Lambay ;
Louth, Kilanny and Carlingford ; Fermanagh, South shore of Lough
Erne ; Armagh, Poyntzpass ; Down, The Spa (Ballynahinch), Hillsborough,
Cultra and Banbridge ; Antrim, Glenshesk (Ballycastle),

S. biscutata (Bagnall).

Louth, Carlingford (vide p. 104 ante); Armagh, Poyntzpass ; Down,
The Spa (Ballynahinch) and Banbridge ; Antrim, Portmore and Glenshesk.
S. spinipes (Bagnall).

Armagh, Poyntzpass; Antrim, Portmore and Glenshesk.

Symphylella delicatula (Bagnall).
Armagh, Poyntzpass.
Scolopendrellopsis subnuda (Hansen).
Antrim, Murlough Bay.

1915. Foster.—Distribution of Symphyla in Lreland. 175

The specimens of these hitherto unrecorded species from
Ireland have been deposited in the National Museum,
Dublin.

Hillsborough, Co. Down.

IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include three Black Mangabeys from Mr. T. K. Laidlaw,
a Mona Monkey from Mr. T. A. Finch, Peafowl from Sir F. Heygate and
Miss May, Pigeons from Gen. Beatty and Mr. T. E. Mills, and a Blue-
fronted Amazon from Mr. W. S. Colles. A Roseate Cockatoo has been
received on deposit.

Three Lion cubs—a male and two females—have been born in the
gardens, the parents being ““ Red Hugh” and “ Fiona.”

BELFAST NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

JuLy 10-14.—EXCURSION TO BALLYCASTLE DIsTRICT.—A_ party
of twenty-four left Belfast under the leadership of N. H. Foster and R. J.
Welch, on Saturday, the roth. Two more members joined at Ballycastle.
From the hotel, brakes conveyed the party to Fair Head, the inland road
being taken. En route the ruins of Bun-na-Margie Abbey—the ancient
burial-place of the clan MacDonnell—were passed. The party was con-
ducted along the summit of the cliff, across the outlet from Lough Doo,
and downwards towards the stream issuing from Lough-na-Cranagh, from
which a somewhat slippery path bordered by the Grass of Parnassus (now
in full flower) gave access to the road at Colliery Bay, whence the party,
remounting the brakes, returned to the hotel. For Sunday there was no
fixed programme. Some of the party devoted the forenoon to the woods
and flint gravels in Glenshesk, where also owls’ pellets were collected, and
the afternoon to Plantation Port, at Kinbane Head ; others paid a visit
during the day to Bun-na-Margie Abbey and to the camp of the Innis-
killings on the Ballycastle Heads. Bright sunshine favoured the party
on Monday in their exploration of Whitepark Bay. The profusion of
bloom on the “‘ Flower of Dunluce,” Geranium pratense, which here grows
in wild luxuriance, was admired. After lunch the members were led
from Portbraddan round the base of the limestone cliffs, tenanted, as
usual, by a large nesting colony of House-martens, to the sandy shore.
On reaching the kitchen-middens active search was prosecuted for relics
of ancient man. A fine series of photos of flint implements, &c., sent by
William Gray, M.R.I.A., and a number of the implements themselves
brought by R. Welch, greatly aided the party in their search, Proceeding

176 The Lrish Naturalist. September, 1915.

eastwards the members reached “ Ballintoy Rocks,’ curious sea stacks
and arches showing clearly the effects of rapid marine erosion in finely
columnar basalts, these being the results of local volcanic action through
the Chalk and Plateau basalts. The party thence walked to the coast-
guard station, where the brakes were waiting and the return drive was
commenced. Ballycastle was reached by way of Ballintoy village, where
a pleasant cup of tea was served shortly before seven o’clock. Tuesday,
which was showery, was devoted to the exploration of Murlough Bay. The
collectors ascended the glenin search of rarities—botanicaland zoological—
for which the place is justly famed. Others visited the great rock-talus
and old coal mine adits at Fair Head. The fine pot-holes on the Carboni-
ferous Sandstones at the Cottage also claimed attention. At 6.30 the
return journey was commenced. After dinner at the hotel the customary
business meeting was held—R. J. Welch presiding. A cordial vote of
thanks was passed to Mr. William Gray for his courtesy and kindness in
sending the photos of flint implements, &c., for the instruction of the
members. Robert Walsh Mussen having been elected a junior member,
the proceedings terminated. By the 10.30 train on Wednesday morning
the members left Ballycastle. Some time must elapse ere the scientific
results of the excursion can be ascertained. The specimens collected
from the kitchen-middens at Whitepark Bay will doubtless afford a basis
for many an argument as to the age to which they should be referred.
Among the more interesting plants noted were Geranium pratense and
Orchis pyvamidalis, at Whitepark Bay ; Orobanche rubva and Lastrea aemula,
at Murlough Bay; whilst Asplenium marinum was seen in both these
localities. At least eight or nine species of Myxomycetes (Mycetozoa)
were taken. During the four days fifty-four species of birds were observed,
but in the domain of ornithology a most interesting discovery was made
in the finding of a colony of Tree-sparrows (Passer montanus) nesting on
one of the North Antrim cliffs. In woodlice nothing new to the district
was seen, but it is worthy of note that a large colony of one of our rarer
species, Haplophthalmus Mengii, was observed in Murlough Bay. Good
collections of some other invertebrates were obtained, details of which will
duly be published in the Club’s Proceedings.

JuLty 24.—Incu ABBEy.—A party of thirty-five members and friends,
conducted by Robert May, travelled by the 1.50 train to Downpatrick. A
walk of about three miles from Downpatrick, on a road which leads through
the beautiful meadows of the Quoile, brought the party, now augmented by
other members and friends, to Inis-Cumhscraigh. This Cistercian house
was founded in the twelfth century beside an older Celtic foundation, still
used as a graveyard. Great interest was taken in the many beautiful
architectural features revealed by the recent excavations. The botanists
and zoologists of the party found the low marshes and the river’s edge
happy hunting grounds, and many important finds were made and noted.
The party having now returned to Downpatrick, visits were made to the
cathedral and St. Patrick’s grave. After tea at the Down Hunt Arms
Hotel a short business meeting was held, Joseph Maxwell, J.P., in the
chair,

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October, 1915. The Lrish Naturalist. 177

THE CLARE ISLAND SURVEY.

BY R. F. SCHARFF, PH.D., B.SC.

THE study of animals and plants of every country, of every
district, and of every island offers problems of complexity
and interest. But islands and their animal and plant
inhabitants possess quite a special attraction for the
naturalist. They differ strikingly as a rule in their fauna
and flora from the nearest portion of the mainland. How
came the animals and plants there at all? What were
‘their means of conveyance ? Why should so many species
which flourish on the mainland be absent from islands °
These and many other questions of biological interest are
raised by the study of an island fauna and flora; and it is
for this reason that so much attention has been devoted
by eminent naturalists to the scientific investigations of
islands. Darwin made a special study of the Galapagos
Islands and the origin of their animals and plants. Wallace’s
famous Island Life treats of the subject from a wider aspect,
and as the author aptly remarks islands offer the best
subjects for the study of the distribution of animals and
plants. The importance of this research has also been
recognised by the Government in so far as that the Trustees
of the British Museum have been permitted to publish
at public expense a full account of the exploration of
Christmas Island.

Stimulated by the gratifying results obtained by the
exploration of Lambay, which is situated near Dublin, a
small body of naturalists decided in 1908 that efforts should
be made to organise a biological survey of one of the islands
lying off the west coast of Ireland. Clare Island was selected
as the most suitable for that purpose, and it was resolved to
do the work thoroughly and to include if possible a geo-
logical survey of the island.

It was a formidable undertaking, for large funds were
needed, workrooms and accommodation on the island had

to be established, investigators had to be induced to travel
‘ A

178 The Trish Naturalist. October,

to the island and remain on it for some time, and finally
the results of their observations had to be collected and
published.. Here was an opportunity for an organiser who
feared neither trouble nor worry. The committee, having
no remuneration to offer for such a post, were not over-
whelmed with applicants. Indeed everyone felt that the
only available man capable of carrying out such a task was
Mr. Praeger. When the situation was offered to him he
cheerfully accepted the onerous duties connected with it,
_although enough work had been laid out to fill up entirely
his leisure hours for the next four years. It was soon
decided that the scheme at first proposed by the committee
was not comprehensive enough and that the opportunity
should not be lost of producing a printed record of a survey
far surpassing anything that had hitherto been attempted.
The enlarged scheme included not only a biological and
geological survey of Clare Island. It was to embrace the
history and archaeology of the island, its place- and family-
names, the Gaelic plant and animal names, the climate, as
well as the fauna and flora of the surrounding seas and the
opposite part of the mainland. All this increased the
original scope of the undertaking enormously, but the
committee succeeded in raising the necessary funds by
applying to the Royal Irish Academy, to the British
Association, the Royal Society of London, and the Royal
Dublin Society. Private donors also helped generously.
Assistance from specialists in all branches of zoology
and botany was imperative, and one of the most gratifying
results of the committee’s efforts was the generous response
to their appeal from naturalists who lived far from
the scene of operations. Thus Sir Henry Hawley,
Mr. Cotton, Mr. Wallis Kew, Mr. Scourfield, Mr. Rousselet,
Mr. Dunkerly, Mr. Heron-Allen, Mr. Earland, Mr. Wailes,
Miss Lister and Miss Lorrain Smith travelled from London
to Clare Island, some of them several times. Professor
West came from Bradford, Mr. Morley from Newmarket,
Mr. Carleton Rea from Worcester, Mr. James Murray
from Edinburgh, Dr. Tattersall from Manchester, while
Mr. Eugéne Penard braved even the long journey from

1915. ScHARFF.—The Clare Island Survey. 179

Geneva to place his valuable services at the disposal of the
committee.

Field work in the area, which now included far more
than Clare Island, was opened at Easter in 1909 and con-
tinued until the autumn of the year 1911. The real in-
vestigation of all the spoils gathered during those three
years then began. All the investigators who had helped in
the great survey were busy people. They had plenty of
other work to do, and many of them would gladly have
escaped the drudgery of writing long reports on their
observations. For three years more Mr. Praeger was kept
working away at full pressure, harassing his victims and
editing the manuscripts as they came in. They were pub-
lished in three parts aggregating over 2,000 pages of print.

It is worthy of mention that not a single accident or
hitch occurred during the whole time the survey took place.
The parties had to be conveyed to and from the island in
open boats, across very exposed waters, and many parts
of the island are precipitous and dangercus for explorers.

The following members of the Survey contributed
reports (forming volume xxxi. of the Proceedings of the
Royal Irish Academy). The President and Council of the
Royal Irish Academy were among the first to recognise the
value of these researches. They have earned the special
gratitude of all naturalists by ordering these reports to be
printed and published. These reports can be procured
separately from the Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson
~Street; Dublin.

PRAEGER, R. Ll.—General Introduction and Narrative.
WEstrRopP, T. J.—History and Archzxology.
MACNEILL, JoHN.—Place Names and Family Names,
CoLGAN, N.—Gaelic Plant and Animal Names,
WILson, JAMES.—Agriculture.
Lyons, W. J.—Climatology.
Hat.issy, T.—Geology.
ForBEs, A. C.—Tree growth.
PRAEGER, R. Li.—Phanerogamia and Pteridophyta.
Lett, Canon.—Musci and Hepaticae.
REA, CARLETON, AND H. C. HawLry.—Fungi,
SMITH, ANNIE LORRAIN.—Lichenes.
Cotton, A. D.—Algae (Marine),

A 2

I8o0

The Irish Naturalist. | October,

WEST, WILLIAM.—Algae (Freshwater).
BARRETT-HAMILTON, G. E. H.—Mammalia.
SCHARFF, R. F.—Reptilia and Amphibia.

FARRAN, G. P.—Pisces.

UssHER, R. J.—Aves.

FARRAN, G. P.—Tunicata and Hemichorda.
CoLGAN, N.—Mollusca (Marine).

STELFOx, A. W.—Mollusca (Land and Freshwater).
MorLEY, CLAUDE.—Hymenoptera.

GRIMSHAW, P. H.—Diptera.

Kane, W. F. DE V.—Lepidoptera.

HALBERT, J. N.—Neuroptera.

Jounson, W. F. and J. N. HALsert.—Coleoptera (Terrestrial).
Browne, F. BALFour.—Coleoptera (Aquatic).

HALBERT, J. N.—Hemiptera.

CARPENTER, G. H.—Orthoptera and Apterygota.

Jounson, W. F.—Chilopoda and Diplopoda.

CARPENTER, G. H.—Pycnogonida.

BERESFORD, D. R. Pack.—Araneida and Phaiangida.

MurRRAY, JAMES.—Arctiscoida. :

Kew, H. Wattis.—Pseudoscorpiones.

HALBERT, J. N.—Acarinida.

FARRAN, G. P.—Decapoda.

TATTERSALL,’ W. M.—Schizopoda and Cumacea.

TATTERSALL, W. M.—Amphipoda and Isopoda (Marine).

Foster, N. H.—Isopoda (Terrestrial).

FARRAN, G. P.—Entomostraca (Marine).

SCOURFIELD, D. J.—Entomostraca (Freshwater).

SOUTHERN, R.—Archiannelida and Polychaeta.

SOUTHERN, R.—Oligochaeta, Gephyrea, and Hirudinea.
RoussELeET, C. F.—Rotifera (excl. Bdelloida).

Murray, JAMES.—Rotifera (Bdelloida).

NicHors, A. R.—Polyzoa.

SOUTHERN, R.—Nemathelmia, Kinorhyncha, and Chaetognatha.
SOUTHERN, R.—Nemertinea and Platyhelmia.

NicHots, A. R.—Echinodermata.

STEPHENS, JANE.—Coelenterata.

STEPHENS, JANE.—Porifera.

DUNKERLY, J. S.—Flagellata and Ciliata.

LISTER, GULIELMA.—Mycetozoa.

HERON-ALLEN, EDWARD and ARTHUR EARLAND.—Foraminifera.
Wales, G. H., and EuGENE PENARD.—Rhizopoda and Heliozoa.
FARRAN, G. P.—Notes on Marine Plankton.

SOUTHERN, R.—Marine Ecology.

PRAEGER, R. Li.—General Summary.

The assistance of Mr. Robert Welch, of Belfast,
whose beautiful photographs adorn some of the pages

1915. ScHARFF.— Zhe Clare Island Survey. 181

of the volume, was especially welcome. All these
sixty-seven reports contain matter of biological or
general interest. Some of them are more complete
than others, yet they all may be described as good reports.
To discover new species of animals and plants was not
one of the main objects of the scheme. Nevertheless the
survey has led to the discovery of an astonishing number
_ of new forms of life, especially among the more obscure and
less known groups.

Among the 8,488 species described, no less than 120
plants and animals proved to be new to science. Two new
families and fifteen genera had to be created in the course
of the work connected with their classification, and one of
the genera bears the appropriate name ‘‘ Praegeria.”’

The additions which have been made to our knowledge
of the fauna and flora of Ireland and of the British Isles
are surprisingly large. The reports record the occurrence
of 343 species of animals and 55 plants not previously
detected within the Britannic area; while as regards
Ireland, 1,253 animals and 585 plants are added to the
fauna and flora of our island.

Many of the reports are models of thoroughness and of
painstaking work. Mr. Cotton’s paper on the Marine Algae
is not only the most complete enumeration of the Seaweeds
of a single region which has been published, but the large
ecological section of his report represents pioneer work in
that comparatively new study. His very complete results
were only obtained by means of visits to the district made
at all times of the year, winter as well as summer, and by
very carefully organized field-work.

Mr. Praeger’s report on the Flowering Plants, which is,
like Mr. Cotton’s, one of the longest contributions to the
series, is occupied largely with a full discussion of the
dispersal power of plants, with special reference to dispersal
across a barrier such as that offered by the channels which
divide Clare Island from the mainland. Mr. Praeger recog-
nises that from the time when man began to till the ground
and became a keeper of flocks, his influence upon the native
flora made itself seriously felt. By the importation of cattle,

182 The frish Naturalist. October,

sheep, horses, pigs, and fowls many seeds must have been
conveyed from the mainland to Clare Island. Sacks of seed
potatoes and oats, boat loads of hay, timber, furniture and
foodstuffs of all sorts enabled many seeds to cross the bay.
On the other hand, a certain number of native species were
probably destroyed in the course of ages through man’s
farming operations.

The whole flora of Clare Island has thus been modified
as the result of man’s influence. The fauna must certainly
have been affected in a similar manner; and yet in his
general summary (p. 8) Mr. Praeger only alludes to three |
possible agencies of dispersal across the barrier of sea, viz.,
the sea itself, the wind, and flying animals. As regards the
transport by means of surface drift or sea currents, he
shows clearly that the bulk of the Clare Island flora could
not have reached the island in that manner. His chapter
on the conveyance of seeds by wind is one of the most ex-
cellent and original pieces of work contained in the Clare
Island volume. On one of the stairways of the Royal
College of Science he tested the rate of fall of a large variety
of seeds, and was thus enabled to demonstrate that the
plume seeds are better adapted for wind-dispersal than
either the wing seeds or powder seeds. He also points out
that a seed with a high index of efficiency, during a
favourable gale, blowing at the rate of fifty miles per hour,
coud traverse the distance from the mainland to the island
in six minutes; but during that short time its fall would
amount to 216 feet. This, he says, represents the height
to which the seed must be raised by a lucky preponderance
of upward gusts over downward ones if it is to cross the
channel safely. According to these calculations, seeds with
a lower index of efficiency for wind dispersal would have
very little chance of being blown: across to the island.
Similar experiments on the wind dispersal of mollusks or
wngless insects have not been conducted, but what has
been done by Mr. Praeger enables us to form a sound
judgment as to their chances of being transported to Clare
Island in that manner.

With regard to the question whether seeds might have

1915. ScHARFF.— Zhe Clare Island Survey. 183

been conveyed to Clare Island by birds, he brings forward
some new and valuable observations of his own. Altogether
he arrives at the conclusion that birds have played an
important role in the dissemination of seeds to the island.
Nevertheless Mr. Praeger is equally positive that overland
migration is accountable for the introduction of the bulk of
the flora. This conviction is strengthened by the fact that
the island flora is actually richer in species than that of
most, if not all, equal areas of the adjoining mainland.

Among the zoological reports the work of Mr. Southern
bulks largest. This indefatigable naturalist undertook the
investigation of the whole of the worms and their allies, as
well as a general essay on marine ecology. His contributions
to the Survey publications amount to over 400 pages of
print, accompanied by 31 plates. Mr. Southern’s labours
have resulted in a surprising advance in our knowledge of
these groups, notably of the Polychaets and Nemathelmia.
Taking the Polychaets as an example, we find recorded a
total of 249 species—a larger number than has been found
in any other single area which has been investigated, even
after many years of work ; and of these no less than 16 are
new to science, 52 new to the British Isles, and 129 new to
Ireland. Among the Nemathelmia no fewer than 27 species
new to science were discovered, necessitating the creation of
eight new genera for their reception. It is impossible to
mention even the more important memoirs in detail, and I
must content myself with pointing out the special value of
Mr. Wailes’ work on the Rhizopods, and that of Messrs.
Heron—Allen and Earland on the Foraminifera. Both of
these reports are of the most far-reaching character, clearing |
up many difficult and doubtful points, revising old genera
and species and creating new ones, and very largely ad-
vancing our knowledge concerning these organisms in our
own seas.

The chief object of the Clare Island Survey was the studv
of the problems of dispersal and distribution of the fauna
and flora. Some of the naturalists connected with the |
Survey paid special attention to these problems in their
own branch of investigation. Unfortunately most of them

184 The lrish Naturalist. October,

were unable to do so. Taking the whole body of evidence
there is a practical unanimity of opinion among the
observers, resting on varied evidence derived from many
different groups of animals, that the narrow strait of sea
which separates Clare Island from the mainland represents
a very serious barrier to migration. The existing fauna as
a whole of Clare Island could not have crossed this barrier.
The Survey has thus led to a definite advance in our
knowledge of the conditions of dispersal of animals and
plants. We can now affirm, as the result of these investiga-
tions, that the biological evidence points to the existence
of a former bridge of land between Clare Island and the
mainland We need not imagine this bridge of land to
have looked like a bridge such as we construct nowadays.
The term ‘‘ land-bridge”’ has been used biologically in the
sense of a former continuous land-surface connecting two
areas now separated by the sea. The study of animals and
plants does not reveal to us whether this land connection
was narrow or broad or whether the whole coast-line
formerly lay far westward of its present site. In the latter
case Clare Island would have formed part of the mainland,
being surrounded on all sides by land. In any case we may
assume. that after.these events had taken place the land
either subsided or the sea rose so as to produce the geo-
graphical features of the present time. |
Now it seems as if we had not devoted sufficient attention
to the importance of the absentees in our fauna. Especially
is this the case among the aquatic species. It is a striking
fact, for example, that the Frog is absent from Clare Island,
whereas it occurs abundantly on the mainland as well as on
Achill Island. Less than half the fresh-water mollusks of
Ireland are recorded from Clare Island by Mr. Stelfox,
although this does not appear to be altogether due to the
absence of suitable habitats. Mr. Balfour Browne dwells
on the poverty of the aquatic beetle fauna of Clare Island ;
but he believes that the lack of variety of habitat is accoun-
table for it. As regards fresh-water entomostraca, the
island fauna is mainly noticeable for negative rather than
positive characters according to Mr. Scourfield. Of the five

1915. ScuHarFr.— The Clare Island Survey. 185

freshwater sponges found by Miss Stephens in the area
investigated only one occurred on Clare Island.

There is thus a general concurrence of opinion among
the investigators that the fresh-water fauna of the island
is decidedly poor as compared with that of the mainland.
The lack of suitable habitats may partly account for this
poverty, but not altogether. If we assume that the bulk
of the Clare Island fauna and flora reached its destination
by means of a land connection, the facilities for dispersal
of the aquatic forms may have been deficient at that time.
Or the poverty of the freshwater fauna may be due to quite
another cause. It may have been partially destroyed on
the island itself. No biological features are apparent which
would lead us to suspect such a destruction. Yet if we
suppose, for example, that the sea-level had stood higher
than it does now at any time after the arrival of the fauna,
many fresh-water species would have been killed as the
result of the serious diminution of the fresh-water area
on the island. Is the poverty in the fresh-water fauna due
to this cause? The geological evidence may possibly
elucidate the problem.

According to Mr. Hallissy, and most geologists agree
with him, arctic conditions set in not very long ago over the
whole of Northern Europe, with the result that ice-sheets
developed, burying the whole of*Britain as far south as the
valley of the Thames. During the period of maximum ice-
development, says Mr. Hallissy, Clare Island and the Clew
Bay area were overwhelmed by the Central Irish glacier,
which invaded the district in a direction a little south of west.
The belief in an Ice Age, such as it is described, is prin-
cipally founded locally on the presence of grooves and stria-
tions which have been noticed on the rocks of Clare Island,
together with the occurrence of boulders of mainland origin
and of scratched stones in the Boulder-clay. Formerly
these phenomena were held to be due to floating icebergs
during a partial submergence of the Irish area.

Mr. Hallissy does not express any opinion as to whether
any of the existing elements in the fauna and flora could
have survived these glacial conditions on Clare Island, but

186 The lrish Naturatist. ' October,

it is fairly evident that few, if any, animals and plants
would have had any chance of persisting through such
unfavourable conditions. He contends, however, that in
all probability a land connection existed between Clare
Island and the mainland which facilitated the passage of
the fauna and flora. This would make the age of the animals |
and plants on the island post-Glacial, that is to say, they
could only have migrated to the island after the Ice Age
had completely passed away from Ireland.

The theory of the former existence in Ireland of an
arctic climate, accompanied by widespread icefields, has
been adopted, as already stated, by almost all geologists,
and so far it has withstood the criticisms that have been
advanced against it. Nevertheless we must not forget that
it is only a theory, and that we should lose no opportunity
to test the soundness of the evidence on which it rests.
Polished and striated stones found in Boulder-clay are
generally believed to have been produced naturally by
glacial action. But Professor Meunier, of Paris,’ has carried
on experiments for the past twenty years as to the manner
in which similar results can be produced artificially. By
subjecting a mass of moist clay containing stones and
placed on a slope to great pressure, he found that a
gradual re-arrangement of the contents took place.
He noticed also that the stones became scratched in a
manner similar to that observed in Boulder-clay. As
the result of these and other experiments, he came to
the conclusion that most of the polished and striated
stones found in Boulder-clay are not produced by
glacial action, but in consequence of what he calls
‘‘subterranean denudation.” Prof. Meunier returns,
moreover, to the older view that the Boulder-clay itself is
largely the product of marine action aided by icebergs.
Unfortunately Prof. Meunier’s researches have as yet
scarcely passed beyond a small circle of French geologists,
and it is only quite recently that he has been prevailed

1 Meunier, Stanislaus: Observations sur la théorie générale des
_phénoménes glaciaires et sur les galets striés. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phile-
delphia, vol. |xviii., 1915.

1915. ScuHarFr.— The Clare Island Survey. 187

upon to publish some results of his work at the request of
the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Whether
his views will eventually be accepted by geologists remains
to be seen. In any case, however, the facts so laboriously
collected during the Survey of Clare Island will always be
available to investigators and will be of invaluable benefit
in future researches.

IRISH SOCIETIES.

BELFAST NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

AuG. 27.—ExXCURSION TO GLASLOUGH.—Twenty-seven members and
friends entrained at Belfast and travelled by the 9.30 a.m. train to Glas-
lough. Here they were met by Mr. W. F. de V. Kane, D.L., M.R.I.A.,
who conducted the party to the demesne of Colonel Leslie, D.L., who had
kindly granted permission to the Club for the exploration of his place.
Passing from the entrance gates towards the house the many species of
exotic conifers and other trees and shrubs absorbed the attention of the
members, and on reaching the terrace on which the house stands all paused
to admire the view embracing Glaslough Lake, backed by woods just
beginning to assume the mellow tints of autumn.

After examination of the art treasures of the house, Mr. Kane then led
the party to the lake side, where lunch was partaken of, and afterwards
all scattered to follow their particular bents. The earlier portion of the
afternoon was mainly spent in the woods bordering Glaslough Lake, and
some of the more energetic members paid a visit to Kivey Lake. By four
o’clock almost al) had reassembled in the gardens, through which they
were conducted by Mr. Bryce, though it proved somewhat of a disappoint-
. ment to some of the members that so tidy and clean was the place that
lurking places for “‘ vermin”’ were conspicuous by their absence. Shortly
after half-past four the conductor’s whistle summoned the party, and
all proceeded to the railway station, where they found tea awaiting them.
After tea a short business meeting was held, N. H. Foster, F.L.S.,
M.R.I.A., presiding. On the motion of J. R. Macoun, seconded by
Mr. F. A. Heron, hearty votes of thanks were passed to Colonel and Mrs,
Leslie for their kindness and courtesy in admitting the party to their
beautiful house and demesne, and to Mr. Kane, who attended to direct
their steps. Mrs. Aird, Mrs. M‘Carthy, Miss Young, and Hugh Aird
were elected members ; the proceedings terminated. About an hour was
now at the disposal of the members, which was devoted to collecting in the
neighbourhood of the station, etc.; and at 6.30 the reserved carliages
were re-entered, and Belfast safely reached at 8.15, thus bringing to a
successful termination the summer session of the club’s fifty-third year.

188 The Irish Naturalist. October,

NOTES,
BOTANY.

Nasturtium sylvestre in Co. Down.

The Narrow-podded Marsh Cress has not been found hitherto in Ireland
further north-east than Belleisle, Co. Fermanagh. Mr. S. A. Bennett
recognised it this year growing by the gravelly shore and on walls by
the River Quoile, near Downpatrick, between the town and the bridge.
I have specimens in my herbarium gathered at Hollymount in
September, 1898, during an excursion of the Field Club, which I named
sylvestre, but Mr. S. A. Stewart, who was one of the party, thought it was
only a form of palustre. I have similar plants gathered near Inch Abbey
in 1905, by Rev. C. K. Pooler and myself, and there is no doubt of its being
sylvestre, as it corresponds exactly with English specimens in my collection,
It is abundant all along the river Quoile in the Downpatrick neighbourhood,
where N. palustre also grows, but was not so abundant this season as the
rarer species.

C. H. WADDELL.
Greyabbey.

ZOOLOGY.

Selective Instinct of Bees.

I am glad to have Mr. Moffat as a co-worker in those very interesting
observations we have been making on this subject, and if his conclusions
and mine are rather divergent, at this stage, this seems due to insufficient
observation data more than anything else. It is true, as Mr. Moffat states,
there are differences, well-marked to a botanist’s eye, between Ovxalis
floribunda and O, valdiviana; but on the points that would apparently
most affect the bee, size of flower, depth of nectary, or supply of nectar
and pollen, there is really no difference.

In North Wexford, about the middle of last August, I had under observa-
tion a large roadside clump of Blue Scabious (S. succisa), about a hundred
plants or so, at one end of which was a small patch, eight or ten plants,
of the white variety of this scabious. There were also a few white flowers
scattered throughout the masses of blue; but I confined my attention to
the spot where these white flowers were most thickly massed. The bees at
work consisted of the Hive-bee, the humble-bees Bombus terrestris,
agrovum, hortorum, and sylvarum (or derhameillus), and a few others of no
importance in this matter (Halictus, Colletes, etc.). '

Apis throughout confined its attention to the blue flowers only, an
individual occasionally touching for a moment at a white flower, but
never collecting from it. During more than an hour I was unable to detect
a single Hive-bee working at a white scabious, though many must have
made the double flight, to the hive and back, in the interval. The nearest
hives of which I had any knowledge were about a mile distant. Bombus
was more promiscuous in its favours. I captured a large queen of B.

1915. Notes. 189

tevvestvis, and having no other means of marking, removed the scape of
her left antenna. Ten minutes afterwards she was back again upon one of
the white flowers (she had been taken on a blue flower) and for eight or
nine minutes she kept passing from one white flower to another, resting
now and again on a blue blossom, but not taking honey from it. Worker
bees of B. agrorum and terrestris occasionally passed from blue to white,
or white to blue, but hardly ever collected from the flowers to which they
changed. In two cases, however, where I watched them closely, I found
workers of tervestvis collecting from blue and white indiscriminately, or
rather gathering generally from one colour and occasionally from the other.

I am not in a position to theorise as to what bearing these selective
preferences may have upon the question of cross-pollination. Fertile
seed-bearing, as we know, is impossible, or nearly so, for many plants,
without the intervention of bees, or other pollen-transferring insects ;
but exactly how far insect preferences, granting they are well-established,
may be held to limit cross-fertilization is quite doubtful. I have grown
beds of red and yellow Wallflowers, from seed, each bed being self-coloured
and remote from the different colour; but from seed saved from each
flower-bed I have had plants with striped flowers, red and yellow. I
cannot prove that the bees were responsible for this, or that it would not
have occurred if the plants had been grown under glass, out of the reach
of bees. The white form of Scabiosa succisa is a sport, for the most part
a local sport, the type colour of the plant being purple-blue. No inter-
change of preferences by bees would be likely to affect it by cross-
pollination, though it may be argued that these instincts would affect
that purpose in the case of other flowers. My conclusion, however, is
that we have yet to be sure of the bearing of the natural law in this, if
there be such a law, and how it is modified by circumstances.

H. G. CUTHBERT.
Dublin.

Floating Barnacles on the Coast of Antrim.

While walking on the sandy shore near Portrush on the afternoon of
_ August 29th last, my attention was drawn to numerous whitish, globular,
spongy masses, varying in size from a marble to a tennis ball that had been
left on the shore by the receding tide. An examination of these masses
Showed that imbedded in them were the ends of peduncles of the barnacle
‘Lepas fascicularis ; the larger masses having about a dozen barnacles
attached to them. These spongy ball-shaped masses, although they had
much the appearance of Algae or other foreign organisms to which the
barnacles had attached themselves, are formed by the barnacles, and consist
of a vesicular mass of secretion produced by certain glands (cement-—
glands) situated in the peduncle of the barnacle. They had generally
grown round a piece of seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus chiefly) and serve to
give additional buoyancy to this species of barnacle, that is usually found
floating near the surface of the sea.

Darwin (Monograph of the Cirripedia, Ray Society, 1851) gives a
detailed description of their structure, and mentions a curious account by

I90 The Trish Naturalist. October,

Dr. Coates of an infinite number of these specimens through which he
sailed during several days in the southern Atlantic Ocean, and which
appeared like birds’ eggs and were mistaken for some Fucus. Thousands
of these objects were lying on the strand between Portrush and the White
Rocks, a distance of about two miles, on August 29th, more were left by
the tides on the three following days, also on the strand towards Port-—
stewart, and Miss J. Stephens tells me that she observed many at Bally—
castle on August 30th. A strong northerly wind had been blowing for
some days and had apparently brought them in from the ocean. The
barnacles were alive and mostly of large size, the capitulum of many of the
specimens having a length of 40mm. and a breadth of nearly 35 mm.
L. fascicularis has a very wide distribution, having been recorded from
the N. and S. Atlantic, N. and S. Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.

Thompson (‘‘ Natural History of Ireland,” vol. iv., London, 1856)
gives a few Irish localities for this species, and states that Mr. Hyndham
in 1831 found it attached to Fucus vesiculosus and F. nodosus thrown
ashore (and quite fresh) at Magilligan and Portstewart, and subsequently
at the Giant’s Causeway on both species of Fucus, as well as on the feathers
of sea—fowl.

Farran (‘‘ Occurrence of the Floating Barnacle, Lepas fascicularis,”’
Ann. Rep. Fish., Ireland, 1902-03, Pt. ii., App. vii., 1905) refers to the
most exceptional occurrence of this barnacle in immense numbers off the
West Coast of Ireland during the quarterly cruise of the ‘‘Helga’’ in August,
1903. It would seem to be thrown ashore occasionally on the Atlantic
coasts of Ireland, though seldom in such numbers and of as large size as
during the last three days of August, I9I5.

A. R. NICHOLS.
National Museum, Dublin.

Oblong Sunfish off Co. Cork.

It may be of interest to record that a specimen of the Oblong Sunfish
- (Orthagoriscus truncatus) was captured near Baltimcre at the end of May
last. The fish was found on a beach at the Calves Islands and was brought
to Baltimore, whence it was sent by Mr. Hanlan, Customs officer, to the
British Museum, where it was identified. I did not see the fish myself, so
am only able to give the approximate length—zft. 6 ins. I am indebted
to Dr. Scharff for kindly advising me to publish this record.
F, W. L. KEANE.
Baltimore, Co. Cork.

Redshanks on Migration at Maidens Lighthouse.

On Sunday night, August 15th, large numbers of Redshanks appeared
round the lantern of the Maidens Lighthouse. They frequently crossed
and recrossed the paths of the luminous beams with great velocity of
flight. Several struck the glass and then fluttered obliquely down to the

I915. Notes. IgI

sea. Three killed outright were picked up; of these, two found on the
balcony were males, and one found on the rock at the foot of the tower
was a female. I am much indebted to Mr. McCann for handing me over
these specimens which he collected. I have already noticed Redshanks on
migration from this light-station in Spring ; and from what I can gather
from the keepers, it would seem that Redshank fatalities at Maidens
lantern are not by any means infrequent.
C. J. PATTEN.
The University, Sheffield.

Rock-Pipit on Migration at Maidens Lighthouse.

At I1.15 p.m. on September 12th a Rock-Pipit struck the lantern of
the Maidens Lighthouse. I am indebted to Mr. Barlow, who handed
me over the specimens, which I saw him collect as I stood vigilating on
the balcony. The record is very interesting, because it is a clear instance
of a Rock-Pipit being taken striking at night the lantern of a rock-station
lighthouse, where the bird does not breed nor even frequent.

C. J. PATTEN.
The University, Sheffield.

Greenland Wheatears on Migration at Maidens Lighthouse.

On September 5th, between II p.m. and 2 a.m., Greenland Wheatears
appeared in small numbers round the lantern of the Maidens Lighthouse.
Very few, however, made contact with the glass, though several came in
close enough for one to discern that they were of the large race. I measured
the wings of one which struck at 11.30 p.m. They were 10.3 cm. The
next night this bird appeared in somewhat larger numbers, but not
numerously. I measured the wings of two birds which struck the lantern
at 1.30 a.m. and 1.38 a.m. respectively. The measurements were 10.4 cm.

C. J. Patten.
The University, Sheffield.

Tree-Sparrow nesting in Co. Antrim.

When with the Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club on their long excursion
in July last I noted a colony of Tree-Sparrows, Passer montanus, nesting in
holes in one of the cliffs on the North Antrim coast. Mr. Fergus M. Greeves
and I watched the birds through our binoculars for some time, and saw
them bring food to and in other ways attend to the wants of their young.
_ With them were a few House-Sparrows, but the colony appeared to consist
mainly of Tree-Sparrows. . On visiting the place again in mid-August I
saw a Tree-Sparrow visit a hole in the cliff twice during my stay, but failed
to see any other Sparrows in the vicinity. Later in July Mr. Greeves spent
a couple of days on Rathlin Island, and while there saw a Sparrow, which
he believes was P. montanus, but his opportunity for accurate identification
was marred. Mr, R, M. Barrington thinks this bird should be found on

1g2 The Llrish Naturalist. October, 1915.

that island, and, as has been more than once surmised, it is extremely
probable that the Tree-Sparrow exists in many localities on our coasts,
but its presence has not been detected owing to its close resemblance to the
House-Sparrow.
NEVIN H. FOSTER.
Hillsborough, Co. Down.

REVIEW.

GEOLOGY OF CENTRAL ULSTER.

Explanatory Memoir to Sheet 58, illustrating parts of the Counties of
Armagh, Fermanagh and Monaghan (Second edition). By —¥.
Ha.uissy, B.A. With Petrographic Notes by G. A. J. CoLz, F.G.S.
(Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Ireland). Pp. iv. + 26.
Map, I plate, and 2 text figures. Dublin: H.M.S.O., 1914. Price 34d.

The first edition of the Survey Memoir of the Monaghan area was pub-
lished in 1885, and since then so much new information has been collected
in the district by the Survey that this second edition has become very
desirable. As regards the solid geology, the widely spread grits, slates,
and flags which were formerly vaguely classed as belonging to the Lower
Silurian of Wales have been re-examined and are now referred to the
Ordovician and Gothlandian, and correlated with the great series of rocks
of a similar type which stretch from Lough Gowna through Cavan and
Down to the Southern Uplands of Scotland. A considerable mass of
gabbro, discovered by Mr. R. Clark at Tanderageebrack, to the southward
of Monaghan town, has been mapped, and a petrological description of this
interesting intrusion and of the other igneous rocks of the neighbourhood
is contributed by the Director of the Survey, Prof. G. A. J. Cole.

The Boulder-clay of the district is of local origin, and as regards its
composition and erratics presents no features of special interest. The
great development of drumlins between Monaghan and Clones raised the
question of the origin of these long, low, smooth-backed ridges of Boulder-
clay, and Mr. Hallissy, the editor of this edition, gives a general account
of the theories advanced to explain their formation. That they are accu-
mulations of ground moraine may be assumed, but whether they are
the product of the advance of a single ice-sheet or are produced by the
erosion of earlier accumulations of the drift by the advance of a second
ice-sheet is still uncertain, and the examination of the Monaghan area
gives no fresh information on the question. A chapter is devoted to the
minerals of the locality, the Calliagh shales yielding iron and manganese,
while lodes of galena have been worked for lead in many places. The
memoir is illustrated by an excellent map in colours showing the new
divisions into Ordovician and Gothlandian ; it is a great pity, however,
that the photograph illustrating drumlins scenery should have been so
badly reproduced.

; J. pe W. H.

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BARRINGTON,

M.

RICHARD

To face page 193.)

November, 1915. The Trish Naturalist. 193

RICHARD MANLIFFE BARRINGTON,
Majed? F:1.S.,.M.RdcA,

THE shock caused throughout the whole circle of Irish
naturalists by the news of the sudden removal from amongst
us of a man so universally beloved as Richard M. Barrington
is beyond the power of words to convey. He was the
central figure among the enthusiasts for natural science who
survived More, and while there was scarcely a leading
man among the zoologists and botanists of the United
Kingdom whose friendship he did not possess, he had in a
no less remarkable degree the confidence of the large circle
of lesser naturalists and mere beginners, to whom his mag-
netic zeal proved a stimulus that there was no resisting.
Of an old family that had settled in Queen’s County
about 1564, Richard Manliffe Barrington (born at Fassaroe,
on the 22nd of May, 1849) was the eighth and youngest son
of Edward Barrington, J.p., of Fassaroe, co. Wicklow, and
only son and eldest child of his second wife, Huldah Bar-
rington (née Strangman). Edward Barrington was the.
eldest son of John Barrington, of Glendruid, co. Dublin,
in whose family strong scientific learnings clearly existed.
Of John Barrington’s sons, the first (Edward) showed this
family feature by the care he bestowed on the meteoro-
logical record that he started at Fassaroe, where he also
instituted a system of farm accounts that may still be
described as a mode! for all farmers; Richard, the second,
was a good botanist, and the third son, John, is honourably
remembered as the founder of the Barrington Lecture
Trust. Young R. M. Barrington was a delicate-looking,
white-faced boy, but with much open-air life and exercise
he grew up a remarkably vigorous and energetic man.
The love for nature, and particularly for wild plants,
grew up with him like an instinct. The beautiful sur-
roundings amid which his childhood was spent had doubtless
a strong influence on him in this direction, and he was
fortunate also in having among his e'der relatives several
who encouraged his tastes, and helped him in different ways.
He used afterwards to speak with special gratitude of the
4 A

194 Lhe Irish Naturalist. November,

debt he owed to his eldest half-brother, Edward, who not
only gave him books on natural history, but also made a
point of reading them himself, to become a more intelligent
helper. From a journal he began to keep at thirteen, and
in which notes of natural history observations are frequent,
it is plain that plants were his “‘ first love,’ but birds quickly
gained a high second place in his affections. His first note
to the Zoologist, in 1866, is a well-informed one on the food
of the Woodpigeon. It contains the characteristic state-
ment that a Woodpigeon shot by him in the previous winter
(1.e., when he was sixteen) ‘“‘had 98 beech-nuts in its
crop.” Ina farm so well kept as that of Fassaroe it is not
wonderful that his zoological talents were early turned to
good account. ‘‘ When a boy,” he records in a later note,
‘nearly all my pocket-money was earned by rat-catching,
my father allowing me one penny per head, so I soon became
expert at the trade, and well acquainted with the habits
of the rats.” A good deal of miscellaneous information
not suggested by the headlines found its way into his early
short notes. For instance, the fact that Squirrels were
already numerous at Fassaroe in 1867 is incidentally
mentioned in a note on “‘ rats eating grapes.”

Prior to entering Trinity College he was taught chiefly
by tutors at home, though for about a year he attended
a day school at Bray. In 1866 he entered Trinity College,
Dublin, where he graduated with honours in 1870 as a
Moderator in Experimental and Natural Science. These
two subjects were in the following year formed into separate
Moderatorship courses, and Barrington was unlucky in
taking his degree in the last year in which his favourite study
held only a subordinate place.

In 1875 he was called to the Bar, and went the Leinster
Circuit. But he soon found the work of a land valuer far
more to his taste than attendance at the Four Courts, and
amongst its other advantages it kept him, even in the midst
of his professional duties, largely in the open air.

It was during his undergraduate years that, during
some of his visits to the Royal Dublin Society’s Museum,
he ‘‘ discovered ’’—as he afterwards expressed it—‘‘ that
there was somebody there who took so great an interest in

1915. Richard Manliffe Barrington. 195

all my inquiries that I thought him quite the most delightful
person I had ever met.” This was, of course, A. G. More,
and it is unnecessary to say how close was the attachment
ever afterwards maintained between the two. Through
More it was that nearly all Barrington’s early friendships
with other British and Irish naturalists were formed.
Perhaps the earliest of these was with Robert Warren,
who in 1874, during the meeting of the British Association
at Belfast, called at More’s request on the Barringtons,
father and son, and thus started a friendship that only
increased in cordiality as years went by. No words could
describe what his friendships meant with Barrington, and
an enumeration of them here would be impossible. Among
the closest formed with the naturalists whose names are
specially associated with scientific or exploring work in
Ireland must be mentioned those with R. P. Vowell, R. J.
Ussher, and the brothers Edward and William Williams.
Outside this island perhaps, the strongest, and those most,
frequently and enthusiastically recalled in his conversation
were with the late Howard Saunders, Colonel Feilden, and
Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown. More, however, continued
throughout his life Barrington’s chief counsellor and
prompter in all matters relating to natural history explo-
ration in Ireland, and it would be difficult to form an esti-
mate of how much each of them owed to the other.

What seems to have interested More most among the
fruits of Barrington’s early researches was his finding on a
little hedgebank at Fassaroe on the Dodder (Cuscuta Trifolit),
growing in this locality as a thoroughly established plant,
though needing, in most seasons, a sharp eye to detect its
presence. In the supplement to the Cybele Hibernica
(‘‘ Recent Additions”) published in 1872, Barrington is
quoted as an authority for new localities of plants in as
many as six counties—Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Water-
ford, Galway, and Armagh—no inconsiderable proof of his
early proficiency.

Losing his father in 1877, Barrington became more
closely concerned than before with the management of the
extensive farm at Fassaroe, into which he entered with a
thoroughness that would even in the absence of other

Az

196 ; The lrish Naturalist. . November, - |

calls on his time have made him a busy man. The vigour
with which he addressed himself to an immense variety of
pursuits, along with the proficiency which he seemed to
attain in all alike, was amazing. Looking back on one
aspect of the life of those years, he was able to say in 1888
(Zool., xii., 367) ‘‘ For nearly twenty years I have been
visiting out-of-the-way islands on our western and southern
coast, from North Rona to St. Kilda, and then southward
to the Skelligs and Blaskets, not merely flying visits, but
living on them for days and weeks at a time in the height of
the breeding season. I have scarcely missed a year.”
It was during these years that he carried out (always
in company with some brother botanist) the explorations
on Irish islands, lake-shores, and mountains the results of
which appear in his papers on the plants of Tory Island
(1879), the Blaskets (1881), shores of Lough Erne (1884),
Ben Bulben range (1885), and shores of Lough Ree (1888),
while ornithological notes were gathered with equal zeal
on innumerable islands ; the breeding haunts of the Gannet,
in particular, being to him always of special interest. Time
had been found within the same period for visits to Iceland
(1881), St. Kilda (1883), the Rocky Mountains (1884), and ~
North Rona (1886)—-the expedition to Shetland was made
later, in 1890—and two visits to Switzerland (1876 and 1882)
had given him a reputation among Alpine climbers that is
probably in some respects still unsurpassed. Following the
footsteps of his brother, Charles, who had been the first to
ascend that mountain, he successfully climbed the Eiger in
1876, and in the stormy and unpropitious summer of 1882 he
achieved the feat of ascending within eleven days (July 26 ~
to August 5) the Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn, Jungfrau,
and Matterhorn, with an equal number of high passes,
making in all a record of 84,500 feet within that brief period.
Scarcely less remarkable was his walk across the Rocky
Mountains two years later with the Rev. H. Swanzy. In
his visit to St. Kalda he was unlucky in not obtaining—
despite continuous efforts—a specimen of the Wren of that
island, described as a new species a year afterwards by
Dixon and Seebohm ; but it seems, nevertheless, to have

tors. Richard Manliffe Barrington. 197

been one of the most thoroughly-enjoyed of all his expe-
ditions. His geniality and love of humour made it a
peculiar delight to travel with him, though this sometimes
(as in North Rona) involved sleeping for a series of nights
on the ground, or at other times (as in the Rocky Mountains)
adventures more suited to the pages of romance than of
science.

In 1882 began his regular correspondence with the light-
keepers on the migration of birds. It was the turning
point of his scientific life, for the work proved an infinitely
greater tax on him than could ever have been foreseen
when, conjointly with More, he became responsible for the
Irish section of the work of the British Association’s
Migration Committee.

The Irish lightkeepers entered heartily into the scheme,
-and filled up the schedules sent to them with, in many
cases, surprising regularity, fulness of detail, and—as far
as their knowledge went—accuracy. But it soon became
evident that the value to be placed on these observations
would be very limited, unless specimens were constantly
forwarded to ensure correct identification of the various
birds referred to. For instance, the earliest ‘‘ Reports”
bristled with notes of the passing or striking of large num-
bers of ‘‘ Wrens,” ‘‘ Tits,” ‘‘ Flycatchers,”’ and ‘‘ Linnets ”’ ;
while it was clear that only in a very small minority of the
cases could the birds referred to under any of these names
have been correctly described. When in 1886, at More’s
suggestion, the lightkeepers were asked to corroborate their
observations by the frequent sending of the legs and wings
of the birds found killed, the value of the results of the
inquiry became immeasurably greater; but by the end of
1887 the British Association considered that enough ex-
pense had: been incurred in the printing of the lightkeepers’
voluminous reports, and so brought the series to a close just
as its results had begun to look most promising. It was a
great disappointment to many ornithologists, and Bar-
rington quickly resolved that, so far as Ireland was con-
cerned, the inquiry, and the publication of results, should go
on. From 1888 onwards the whole expense of the Irish
Migration Reports was therefore borne by him alone.

198 Lhe lrish Naturalist. November,

This so absorbed him that though, in 1890, he was
associated with A. G. More, R. J. Ussher, and Robert
Warren as the proposed joint authors of a new work on the
‘¢ Birds of Ireland,’ he soon found it advisable to with-
draw his name from that undertaking, and concentrate his
ornithological attention on the migration schedules and
specimens.

His large book on the Migration of Birds as observed
at Irish light stations embodies the result—at least up to
1898, for the accumulation of facts and specimens went on
after the publication of the book as unceasingly as before.
Perhaps the chief feature of the book—as compared with
other works on the same subject—is that by printing the
lightkeepers’ reports in full Barrington publishes all his data,
so that no risk is incurred of any over-confident statement
of conclusions founded on those data carrying more weight
than an examination of the data warrants. As the evidence
is so largely cumulative, this is an important merit.

One important product of the Migration inquiry was the
wonderful Fassaroe Museum, in which the rare birds re-
ceived from lighthouses, and the legs and wings of the
commoner species, were arranged and preserved. As many
as sixteen of the species represented in this collection (or
eighteen if we include two that are suspected of having
received partly ‘‘ assisted ”’ passages) are birds that had not
been proved to visit Ireland at all until the first specimens
were sent by the lightkeepers to Fassaroe. The eighteen
birds (bracketing the doubtful ones) obtained for the first
time in Ireland through Barrington’s lighthouse corres-
pondents, are the following :—

Greenland Wheatear. Reed Warbler.

Lesser Whitethroat. Aquatic Warbler.
Yellow-browed Warbler. Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler.
Melodious Warbler. Dartford Warbler.

Lapland Bunting. Redbreasted Flycatcher.
Eastern Sky-lark. [Black Snowbird].
Short-toed Lark. Greenland Redpoll.
Shore-Lark. Little Bunting.

[Yelluw-billed Sheathbill]. | Woodchat Shrike.

1915. — Richard Manliffe Barrington. 199

Though a few of these—such as the Woodchat—are rep-
resented in the collection by legs and wings, nearly all were
sent entire, the lightkeepers having recognised them as
probably rare enough to be worth preserving ; and this in
itself is no small tribute to the acumen developed in so many
of the men by Barrington’s encouraging influence.

With all his absorption in migration work there was,
however, no falling off in interest in other branches of nature
study. Indeed, he would sometimes say in a quiet talk
that plants always exercised over him a fascination even
greater than that possessed by birds. The charming grounds
of Fassaroe are the chosen breeding haunts of two such
particularly interesting birds as the Blackcap and the Cross-
bill, and it undoubtedly afforded him a rare satisfaction
during the present year to watch some Crossbills at their
nesting operations near his house, while some observations
well worthy of record on the nest material used by the Black-
cap furnished matter for his last communication to British
Birds, only a few weeks before his death. Yet what thrilled
him with most pleasure during his walks about those
grounds was the sight of some of his favourite and long-
studied plants—the self-sown seedlings of the Arbutus that
flourished as in a native home, the little Dodder plant that
had so long held its own in a spot where its presence com-
pletely belied its general reputation, the Mimulus that im-
parted most extraordinary beauty to the stony bed of the
Enniskerry stream, and the Soapwort that flourished in
masses on the adjoining bank. Nothing else in natural

history, he once told a member of his family, gave him such
intense pleasure as the finding of a new plant.

The re-discovery by himself and H. C. Hart in 1892 of
the long-lost Rubus Chamaemorus, in an expedition specially
undertaken for that purpose to the Sperrin Mountains,
was quite a sensational episode in Irish botanical history ;
and it was all the more gratifying to Barrington’s warm
heart as yielding a triumphant proof of the accuracy of
A. G. More’s judgment in holding, against a host of dis-
believers, that the original record of the plant’s existence
on those mountains must be correct. The finders having
agreed that the secret of the exact locality should be pre-

200 The trish Naturalist. November,

served, the only other botanist to whom it was subse-
quently imparted was Barrington’s life-long friend, R. P.
Vowell. There is, therefore, no one now living who knows
the exact spot. This, however, is certainly not Bar-
rington’s fault, for so lately as in the closing days of last
July he tried to persuade another naturalist to go with him
to Tyrone to be shown the plant im situ. In any case,
it is believed that means have been taken to render re-
discovery a comparatively light task.

The expedition to distant Rockall in 1896, originally
planned by Mr. Harvie-Brown and himself, and in great
measure financed by them, is still a fresh memory to most
of those who took part init. In the following year occurred
an event of great importance in Barrington’s life—his most
happy marriage with Lena Gyles, daughter of Capt. G.
Gyles, of Kilmurry, co. Waterford. As a small mark of
Mrs. Barrington’s helpfulness to her husband, it may be
said that the formation of the Fassaroe Museum was her
suggestion. The bringing out of the book on the “*‘ Migration
of Birds ’”’ was also largely accelerated by her aid.

In the year following the publication of his book his time
was even less at his own disposal than it had been before,
as an important official appointment in the Land Commis-
~ sion made heavy demands on it; but his ready aid could
still always be relied on in movements for the spread of
nature knowledge—as may be seen from the active part he
took in responding to the calls of various scientific and other
educational societies, including the Royal Dublin Society,
the Royal Irish Academy, the Royal Zoological Society
of Ireland, the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society, the
Dublin Friends’ Institute—frequently addressed by him on
zoological topics—The Dublin Naturalists’ Field Club, and
the Irish Society for the Protection of Birds. His help-
fulness behind the scenes was as important as the happy
address that made him a universal favourite on the plat-
form. To the Field Club he was ever a most generous
and ready friend, often coming to Dublin to attend its
evening meetings, and personally conducting its summer
excursions to places like Lough Bray and Glencullen—
excursions that were invariably arranged by him to wind up

1915, Richard Manliffe Barrington. 201

with a delightful visit to the hospitable house at Fassaroe.
To the Irish Naturalist his help and friendship were in-
valuable. Of his constant support to this journal—as a
guarantor, a frequent contributor, and a generous friend
in other ways, as in the special celebration of its ‘* coming
of age”’ in which he was the moving spirit in April, 19g13—
it would be difficult indeed to say too much. The Irish
Society for the Protection of Birds also owes more than
can well be expressed to the interest he always showed in
its work. And at home, in the midst of his little family,
he seized every opportunity, whether indoors or in the
fields, to pour out instruction on some branch of his favourite
study, having no firmer faith in his mind than that such
knowledge is a lasting joy to all who possess it.

His writings during those years generally took the form
of short notes recording occurrences of lighthouse birds,
and it is probable that he will be better remembered through
some earlier ones, like the admirable essay on the Intro-
duction of the Squirrel into Ireland, and his remarkable
chronicle of the breeding habits of Field Mice in captivity,
' as well as the story of the finding for the first time in Ireland
—or, for that matter, in the British Islands—of a large
colony of Hairy-armed Bats. He also contributed a highly
interesting list of the birds of Dublin and Wicklow to the
British Association Handbook in 1908 ; nor should mention
be omitted of his illuminating account in the Irish
Naturalist of the astonishing inland bird-rush of the night
of March 29-30, 1912. Four obituary articles written for
this journal on his friends More, Edward Williams, Hart,
and Ussher yield striking evidence of how strongly Bar-
rington possessed the ‘‘ genius for friendship.” In some
(not strictly biological) papers read to the Statistical
Society, such as the ‘‘ Drought of 1887” and the better-
known one on the prices of Irish agricultural produce, his
interest in meteorological statistics, and his profound
knowledge of practical agriculture must impress all who
open them; and his account of the ascent of Stack-na-
Biorrach, St. Kilda, contributed to the Alpine Journal in
1913, is well described by one of his most attached friends,

202 The Irish Naturalist. November,

Colonel Feilden (in a letter to Mrs. Barrington), as ‘‘ an
epitome of the man’s character.”

It is pleasing to reflect that the last summer of his life
must have been one of the happiest he had spent for many
years, for on his release from the responsibilities of his
Land*Commission work he was able to throw himself with
greater freedom into all his old studies, and in the course
of one nesting season successfully looked up at their homes
all the rarest Irish breeding birds—the Red-throated
Diver, Red-necked Phalarope, Roseate Tern, and Common
Scoter—besides finding a new colony of the Sandwich Tern,
and being shown what looked like strong evidence of the
nesting of the Black; necked Grebe in Ireland. He might
well call this a “‘ record”’ circuit.

His end was touchingly consistent with his whole career.
Arrested suddenly by the hand of death when driving his
motor car home from Dublin on the 15th of September,
with no other companion but his little son, he had the
presence of mind and strength of will to draw up and com-
pletely stop the car almost immediately before expiring
without having uttered a word, or shown a sign of suffering.
He had discharged his duty to the last with the quiet
thoroughness that marked his entire life.

C. B. MOFFAT.

1915. Richard Manliffe Barrington. 203

LIST OF THE SCIENTIFIC WRITINGS OF R. M. BARRINGTON.

Note.—In many instances titles have been abbreviated. Also,
since year of publication is given in the margin, it has not been thought
necessary to quote the volume number of periodicals, save in the case of
British Bivds, where each volume includes portion of two years.

BOTANY.

1872. Plants recorded from Ireland. J. of Bot., 1089.
1877. Irish Plants collected by J. Reilly. J. of Bot., 178.
1879. Plants of Tory Island. J. of Bot., 263.
1881. Flora of the Blaskets. Pyroc. R.I.A. (2), iii., 368.
1884. Flora of shores of L. Erne. Proc. R.I.A. (2), iv., 693.
[with R. P. Vowell] Epilobium alsinefolium in Ireland. J. of Bot.,
247.
1885. Flora of Ben Bulben range. Proc. R.I.A. (2), iv., 493.
1886. Flora of St. Kilda. J. of Bot., 213.
1888. Flora of shores of L. Ree. Proc. R.I.A. (2), iv., 693.
1890. Trientalis europaea in Foula. J. of Bot., 315.
1892. [with H. C. Hart] Rubus Chamaemorus in Ireland. J. of Bot.,
279, and Ir. Nat., 124.
1899. Records of Connemara Ferns. Ir. Nat., 142.
1903. Ranunculus Auricomus [var.]. Iv. Nat., 197.
[with R. P. Vowell] Rubus Chamaemorus again observed. .c., 317.
1904. Sisyrinchium angustifolium on Ben Bulben range. Ir. Nat., 207.
1905. Witality of Seeds. Ir. Nat., 69.
Epilobium alsinefolium in Leitrim. i¢.c., 260.
1906. Names and uses of Molinia coerulea. Jr. Nat., 219.
1915. Plants of Ben Lettery. Iv. Nat., 169.

ZOOLOGY.

1866. Food of the Woodpigeon. Zool., 498.
1867. Summer Migrants, co. Wicklow. Zool., 754.
Food of the Woodpigeon. i.c., 758.

Rats eating grapes. t.c., 987.

1869. Abnormal dentition of Rabbit. Zool., 1843.
Albino Sand-Martin. t.c., 1847.

1874. Siskins breeding in Ireland. Zool., 3914.
Golden Eagle at Powerscourt. f.c., 3952.
Position of feet in Tree-Creeper. f.c., 3998.
Hairy-armed Bat in Armagh. t.c., 4071.
Migration of Spring Visitants. .c., 4100.

1875. Hairy-armed Bat in Wicklow. Zool., 4532.
Mouse eating flies. f.c., 4571.

Rat killing its own species. f.¢., 4662.
Migration of Redwings. t.c., 4722.

204

1876.

1877.

1878.
1880.

1882.

The Llrish Naturalist. November,

Siskins breeding in Wicklow. Zool., 4957.

Eagle trained to hunt wolves, &c. f.c¢., 5162.

Rooks attacking acorns. Zool., 299.

Natural History of Donegal. t.c., 223.

Blackcap in co. Wicklow. f.c., 299.

How Rabbits and Rats eat turnips. Zool., 178.

Introduction of the Squirrel into Ireland. Proc. R. Dublin Soc.,.
N.S:; volpaL

Breeding Habits of the Field Mouse. Zool., 121.

1882-7.[Conjointly with A. G. More]. Reports on the Migration of Birds.

1883.

1884.

1885.

1888.

1889.

1890.

1892.
1893.
1895.
1896.

1897.

1899.

1900,

Igo!.

Note of Manx Shearwater. Zool., 28, 82.
Hairy-armed Bat in Fermanagh. t.c., 116.
Dipper singing during frost. t.c., 179.
Woodpigeon cooing at night. Zool., 231.
The St. Kilda Wren. —7.c., 383.

Breeding stations of Gannet. #.¢., 473.
Breeding places of Gannet. Zool., 32.
Note on Snow-Bunting. t.c., Igo.

Dormice turned loose in Ireland. t¢.c., 479.
Manx Shearwater on Skomer. Zool., 367.
Red-breasted Flycatcher in Ireland. #.¢., 391.
Pied Flycatcher in Ireland. t.c., 391, 425.
Surf Scoter in Ireland. Zool., 32.
Lapland Bunting in Ireland. f.c., 76.
Wood-Wren in Mayo. Zool., 272.

Manx Shearwater on Saltees. t.c., 275.
Great Skua on Foula. f.c., 297, 391.
Birds observed in Shetland. t¢.c., 345, 394.
Hobby on Irish coast. t.c., 357.
Greenland Falcon in Achill. Zool., 77.

Sheathbill on Irish coast. Zool., 28.
Nesting of the Goldcrest. Zool., 448.

Wasps catching flies. Ir. Nat., 272. .

[conjointly with J. A. Harvie-Brown!. Report on the Ornithology
of the Rockall Expedition R.J.A. Tvans., vol: xxxi., part iii.

The Frog in Ireland. Ir. Nat., 88. ;

House-Martin nesting on sea-cliffs. ¢.c., 224. -

Battle between Wasp and Spider. ié.c., 325.

Mealy Redpoll off Kerry coast. Zool., 513.

Great Spotted Cuckoo at light-station. t.c., 574.

Rare Visitors to Ireland. Jbis, 158.

Notes on Razorbill. ‘Iv. Nat., 132.

The Migration of Birds (embodying the Migration Reports 1888-
1897). London (R. H. Porter), and Dublin (Ponsonby). ~

Late Wasps’ Nests. Irish Nat., 108. .

Acherontia atropos off Wexford Coast. t.c., 233.

Young Cuckoo on Migration. Iv. Nat.; 50. if

[with 0. B. Moffat). Wasps in Co. Wicklow. #.¢., 197.

a ee ee

1915.

1903.

1906.

1907.

1908,

1909.

IQIO,

IQII,

IgI2.

1913.

Richard Manliffe Barrington. 295

Migration of White Wagtail. Jr. Nat., 198.

Aquatic Warbler in Ireland. ¢.c., 300.

Snow-bird in Ireland. Ir. Nat., 137.

Melodious Warbler in Ireland. t.c., 157, 194.

Buffon’s Skua on Clare Island. t.c., 193.

Pomatorhine Skua from Loop Head. t.c., 192.

Gannets on the Little Skellig. ¢.c., 235.

Superfoetation in Sheep. Ir. Nat., 164.

Scarcity of Wasps. t.c., 323.

Birds of Dublin and Wicklow. Brit, Assn. Handbook, 113.

Locustella certhiola in Ireland. Brit. Birds, ii., 230.

Little Bunting in Ireland. t.c., 238.

Little Bittern in Donegal. Irv. Nat., 59.

Migrants at Rockabill. ¢.c., 139.

New British and Irish Birds.~ Sct. Proc..R...Dubin, Soc.) xii.
Mo.-2,:p. 18.

Do Rabbits eat Cuckoo-pint? Iv. Nat., 157.

Little Gull in Ireland. t.c., 99, 183.

Invasion of Crossbills. Jv. Nat., 13.

Bird records from lighthouses. if.¢., 104.

Measurements of Martens. it.c., 104.

Red-backed Shrike in Ireland. f¢.c., 243.

Shore Lark in Ireland. Brit. Birds, iv., 215, and Ir. Nat., 256.

The Irish Jay. Brit. Birds., iv., 296.

Black Redstarts in 1910. Jr. Nat, 16.

Phe Inish-Coal Tit. -¢.c., 79.

Barrett-Hamilton’s ‘‘ Mammals” (review). ¢.c., 86.

The Bird-rush of March 29-30. i.c¢., 97.

Fulmar Petrel breeding in Ireland. t¢.c., 143.

Marsh Tit and Nuthatch introduced t.c., 220.

Disappearance of Rare Birds. Zool., 111.

Swallow Movements at Rosslare (note). Ir. Nat., 72.

“ Birds new to Ireland.” ‘t.c., 84.

Barred Warblers at Rockabill. Brit. Birds, vi., 185., and Ir. Nat.,
g07. 2°“

Wryneck on Aran Islands. Ir. Nat., 207.

Greenland Wheatear in Ireland. t.c., 222.

Dartford Warbler in Ireland. Bmt. Birds, vi., 220, and Ivy. Nat..
292.

Eastern Skylark in Ireland. Jy. Nat., 20, and Brit. Birds, vi., 254.

Carrion Crow at Lambay. Ir. Nat., 83.

Snowy Owl on Tory Island. #.c., 122, and Brit. Birds, vi., 373.

Swallow record from Natal. Brit. Birds, vi., 321.

Ivory Gull in Donegal. Zool., 150. Brit. Birds, vi. 373, and
Ir. Nat., 123.

Irish Wild Cat. Ir. Nat., 124.

Lesser Whitethroat at Rockabill, Brit. Birds, vii., 17, and Ir,
Nat., 163.

206 The Trish Naturalist. November,

Fulmar breeding in Kerry. Brit. Birds, vii., 56.
Tree Pipit and Pied Flycatcher at Rockabill. t.c., 170, and
f+; Nat, 220.
Little Auk in August. Brit. Bivds, vii., 174, and Ir. Nat., 235.
1914. Wanderings of Blackheaded Gull. Iv. Nat., 50.
Waxwing in Ireland. t.c., 72.
Fulmar and Gannets on Skelligs. t.c., 133.
Habits of the Badger (review). ¢.c., 146.
Pied Flycatcher at Ballycottin. t.c., 148.
The Gannet (review). t¢.c., 156.
Bird-Rushes and Wrens. t.c., 241.
Sexes of Migrants. Brit. Birds, viii., 13.
1915. Damage to Skua’s tail feathers. t.c., 254, 269.
Sense of Direction in birds. Zool., 115, 194.
Waxwings in Mayo. Ir. Nat., 15.
Decrease of the Squirrel. i?.c., 42.
The Last (?) Irish Golden Eagle. f.c., 63.
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (reported). t.c., 74.
Fulmars on the Skelligs. t¢.c., 91.
Redstarts at Irish Lightstations. Brit. Birds, ix., 23.
Nest material used by Blackcap. t.c., 93.

OBITUARY ARTICLES.

Alexander Goodman More. Ir. Nat., 1895, 109.

Edward Williams. Ir. Nat., 1906, 21.

Henry Chichester Hart. Ir. Nat., 1908, 249.

Richard John Ussher. Iv. Nat., 1913, 221, and Brit. Birds, vii., 182.

MISCELLANEOUS,

The Remarkable Sunsets, 1883. Nature (1884), 153.

The First Ascent of the Eiger (communicating full account in letter from
Charles Barrington). Alpine Journal (1883), xi., 79.

The Drought of 1887. Statistical and Social Inquiry Soc., Jan., 1888.

The Ascent of Stack-na-Biorrach, St. Kilda. Alpine Journal, May, 1913,
p- 195.

Field Club Prize Scheme. Iv. Nat., I900, 128.

General Index to the Irish Naturalist, vols. i.-xviii. (MacFarlane and
Erskine), I9QITI.

IQI5. Trish Soctettes. 207

IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Recent gifts include a female Eland from the Duke of Bedford, a
Rabbit from Mr. L. Ward, a Barn Owl from Mr. T. Shiel, Sparrowhawks
from Miss Baker and Mr. W. M‘Culloch, a Cygnet from Mr. Dease, a Wood
Pigeon from Mr. W. W. Despard. The female Eland is a very large and
handsome specimen ; visitors to the gardens have now the opportunity
of seeing both sexes of this largest of the African antelopes.

BELFAST NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

SEPTEMBER II.-—EXCURSION TO ARDTOLE.—About forty members of
the Archaeological Section and friends, conducted by R. May, travelled
by the 1.56 train to Ardglass to visit the ancient church of St. Nicholas,
Ardtole. They were met by F. J. Biggar, M.R.1.A., who described the
good work lately carried out by the Board of Works in conserving what
remained of this historic church, and subsequently entertained the party
to tea at Castle Shane. :

NOTES,
ZOOLOGY.

Sirex gigas and other Insects in North Wexford.

On the 2oth of last August I spent a few hours on the summit of Tara
(or Taragh) Hill, about three miles south-east of Inch, in north county
Wexford.

This hill, rough and heather-clad in its upper portion, rises to a height
of about goo feet, and is crowned by a cairn of boulders and stone blocks
of varying size, whilst many rocks and large stones lie around, half-buried
in dwarf furze.

The day was fine and very warm, and I noticed a great profusion
of large insects flying over the cairn and settling on the rocks. At first
I took them to be dragon-flies, but they proved to be Sirex gigas, and all of
the same sex, males without exception. This I thought the more re-
markable, as there are no pine-woods near the hill, although there are
conifers in abundance in various demesnes not many miles off. Besides
this saw-fly other insects which I noticed at the same place on the same
occasion included the butterflies Vanessa atalanta and io, the hawk-moth
Smerinthus ocellatus, a great gad-fly, probably Tabanus suecicus, and
queens of the social wasps Vespa sylvestris and rufa (type form).

Dublin,
H. G. CUTHBERT,

208 the Irish Naturalist. November, 1915".

Sunfishes in Lough Foyle.

Seeing a note in the Irish Naturalist (supra, p. 190) on the
occurrence of a Sunfish (Ovthagoriscus truncatus) near Baltimore, co.
Cork. I venture to send the dimensions of a big fish of this genus
(I cannot speak as to the species) at present lying here on the shore of
Lough Foyle :—

Length from mouth to tail, 6 ft. 4 in.
Depth from base to base of fins, 6 ft.
From .tip to tip of fins, 7 ft. 4 in.

These measurements, owing to partial decay, are probably less than-
when the fish was alive. This is, I believe, the largest example of its
kind that I have seen; but it is not an exceedingly rare thing for them to
be cast up along these coasts.

I enclose a copy, kindly made for me by Miss M. Colgan, of the figure
of a Sunfish, shown at the top of an early map, entitled “‘ A New Map of
.the City of Londonderry with its Confines; As it was beseiged (sic) by
the Irish army in the year 1689. Exactly survey’d by Capt. Francis
Neuill.’”’ Over it is the superscription :—‘‘ This Fish was taken on ye
N: W: Side of ye Kay of Derry on ye Lords day while the people were at
Church by a Ship boy not long before ye shuting ye Gates ; It was 4 foot
long, 2 foot broad, & 5 foot 3 inches from poynt to poynt of the finns ”’.

A story heard long ago from an old countryman regarding this fish
may, perhaps, be worth repeating. After a description, quite unmista-
kable, of the monster, he went on to relate how the fishermen lifted it
upon their oars, and carried it to “The Master.” ‘“‘ The Master” told
them it was called “ Fish, Flesh, and Fowl.’”’ And when it was cut up,
they found one part flesh, like beef; another part like fowl, and a third
part fish !

Kilderry, Co. Donegal. W. E. Hart.

Tree-Pipit on Migration at the Tuskar Lighthouse.

On the night of September oth last a Tree-Pipit struck the lantern of
the Tuskar lighthouse, Co. Wexford, and was procured by Mr, Glanville,
to whom. I am greatly obliged for the specimen.

C. 4. PALFES
The University, Sheffield.

Pied Flycatcher and Lessor Whitethroat on Migration at
Maidens Lighthouse.

At I.I0o a.m. on September 17th I obtained a Pied Flycatcher which
struck the lantern of Maidens lighthouse. At 4.35 a.m. on September
19th I found a Lesser Whitethroat at the foot of the lighthouse tower. ©

C. J. Patten.
The University, Sheffield,

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December, 1915. The lrish Naturalist. 209

NOTES ON A DECOY IN THE COUNTY OF LOUTH.
BY G. H. PENTLAND.

THERE must have been many decoys in the counties of
Louth and Meath in bygone days to judge by the frequency
with which the word occurs, but few of them are even
recognizable as such, so neglected and overgrown are they.
However, there is one very perfect example still in existence,
and I think a short description of it would interest many
readers of the Irish Naturalist. It hes about half a mile
north of the old Jacobean mansion of Beaulieu, three miles
east of Drogheda, in a ‘onely position ‘n the fields, and few
people are aware of its existence. The tidal estuary of
the Boyne (a great haunt of wildfowl) is nearly a mile away.
This decoy (of which I give a plan) is in the middle of a grass
field of about ro statute acres. It is square with a pipe
at each corner, and measures 100 yards square. ‘There are
four buttresses or piers, one in the middle of each side, each
about 9 yardssquare, There is also a square island of about
the same size in the middle of the pond. The pond is
surrounded by a smooth grassy bank about 6 yards. wide,
and quite level all round. This bank seems to have been
12 to 18 inches above the surface of the water. Each of the
pipes consists of two straight parts connected by an obtuse
angle (see plan), and is only about 4o yards long. The
field in which the decoy lies is quite square, and was entirely
‘surrounded by a moat about 10 feet wide, with banks 6 or
8 feet in height, and containing at least 2 feet of water.
_ Three sides of this moat were taken away, and replaced by an
ordinary ditch and bank some forty or fifty years ago, but
the north side is still quite perfect. A flat-bottomed boat
used to be kept on this moat. It was there in the lifetime
of the father of a man who is now living, say, about 1800 or
later. The pond is usually dry now (or rather marshy), but
water can be let into it at any time, and the whole place is so
perfect that it could be put into working order in a week.
There are some special points of interest about this decoy.
The buttresses and the little island are uncommon features.
A

210 The Trish Naturalist. December,

They were probably made for the birds to “‘ bank” on, as
the old expression was. The pipes form an obtuse angle.
The usual shape isacurve. The small size of the pond, and
its elaborate and careful construction and good state of
preservation seem to show that it was made not earlier than
the latter part of the eighteenth century. However,

Inlet of Watep

neither the records of the Montgomery family, whose
ancestors have lived at Beaulieu since 1660, nor local tra-
dition make any mention of either the building or the work-
ing of it. The feature of most interest, however, is the
moat or canal which goes round the field, and by means
of which the decoy-man in his flat-bottomed punt could
go right round the field unperceived by the fowl on the
pond, and view them from any point he desired. So far as

IQI5. PENTLAND.—-Voles on a Decoy in Co. Louth. 211

I know this is a unique feature in decoys, and its con-
venience and utility are obvious. The depth of water in the
pond could not have been more than one or two feet.

Black Hall, Drogheda.

SOME IRISH BIRD-NAMES HEARD ON. RATHLIN
ISLAND.

BY R. F. SCHARFF, B.SC.

On Rathlin Island off the coast of Antrim many Irish
speakers are still to be found and Mr. Francis Joseph Bigger
collected last August some of the Irish names of birds
current among the inhabitants, and also from Gaelic fisher-
men from the Scottish islands whose tongue is similar to
that of Rathlin. He also noted the local English equiva-
lents. Both of these names are of interest and they are
almost all additions to the list of names I published in
the Irish Naturalist in July last (supra p. 100).

BRIAR BUNTING is a word usually applied in the north
of Ireland to the Corn Bunting. The Irish names used in
Rathlin Island are cpovoeos and sapsaipt.

BRIDLE-NEB is according to Mr. Praeger, the Razorbill.
The Rathlin Irish word is rmanacé.

CooT—bolacoan.

. CRANE pronounced ‘ Crann”’ is here evidently employed
to denote Heron. The Rathlin Irish word cuppai span
seems to correspond to copy §4n as given by Dinneen
for Heron.

CORNCRAKE was entirely omitted from my list through
an oversight. Ussher and Warren give tpatna, tTpadnac,
cpineac. The Rathlin Irish word is pian or tapqutpian.

CucKkKoo—cutas.

FaLcon—Peregrine—peabas. See ee ge Kestrel
—rpeiplas star.

Frost Brrp is unknown to me, and Mr. N. FH. Bestex
never heard the name. It may possibly be the Brambling.
The Irish name, s4tban an pgiat bfeac—meaning the

A2

2%

212 The lrish Naturalist. December,

Finch with a speckled wing—is rather suggestive of the
Brambling, which comes to us in the winter.
GANNET is known in Rathlin as abpan.

GEESE and Ducks :—The following words are mentioned
by Bigger :—

Barnacle Goose.—catan. Grey Lag-Goose.—gsead slap.
Merganser.—piotcac. Pintail—piovaipe. Mallard.—tacéa
pabac. Teal.—cpanntac. Wigeon.—toétannac. Eider
Duck.—taésa mop.

GOLDFINCH is called burde0sg An Cinn Op.

GOLDEN PLOVER.—fea005.

JACKDAW.—fesnnss beds.

KITTIWAKE GULL.—psaipess.

LAPWING.—padapican.

Moss-CHEEPER is according to Praeger the Meadow Pipit.
The same word is also current in the north of England.
Bigger states that the Irish word is wreos, which in most
parts of Ireland is applied to the Lark. Ussher and
Warren’s fuiréos for Lark is merely another form of the
same word.

NIGHTJAR.—cwu1eal mop.

PuFFIN is the term applied in Rathlin to the Guillemot,
while the Irish words given are pullsn and fuapan. The
term eun oub 4 psavain is probably the Black Guillemot.
Bigger also mentions catos for this bird.

RAVEN.—fitcac. Carrion Crow.—reannas oub. Hooded
Crow.—pfeannas slap.

SEA PARROT is the true Puffin and the Irish word
albansé used in Rathlin has also been employed for this
bird in Scotch-Gaelic.

SCARF, the term used for Cormorant and Shag, is apparently
the anglicised form of the Irish rsap6 which is commonly
employed in the north of Ireland and also in the Shetlands
for this bird.

SEA-SWALLOW has been applied to various species of
Tern and also to the Petrel. The Rathlin word feataé is
unknown to me. :

SKYLARK. —wwipeas.

SNIPE.—suDAbvoco,

tors. ScHarKr.—J/rish Bird-Names on Rathlin /sland, 213

SNow-Birp is probably the Snow Bunting of which no
Irish name was hitherto known. Large flocks of this
species often reach Rathlin in the winter months and it
must be well-known to the inhabitants. The Irish term
Leabapi uipse is peculiar and may possibly be a corruption
of a more appropriate one.

STARLING.—ofiurv0eas.

SWALLOW is known in Rathlin Irish as attog léap.

SWAN.—eala f1adaic.

TITLARK.—peabss.

WHEATEAR.—clLo¢yian.

Witty WactTair is probably applied to the two
common Wagtails. The Irish word given by Bigger is
Slaipeos sual.

WoopDcock.—coitlesé coitte.

National Museum, Dublin.

IRISH SOCIETIES.
DUBLIN MICROSCOPICAL CLUB.

OcTOBER 13.—The Club met at Leinster House, the President in the
chair.

D. McARDLE exhibited Chantransia scotica, a rare alga which was
discovered in a Curious way. Dr. Pethybridge sent a water-moss
Fontinalis squamosa to the exhibitor for determination, with a _ note
stating that a minute alga was growing on the moss, which had been
collected in the Glasnagollum Brook, a tributary of the King’s River, at
Ballinagee Bridge, 889 feet above sea level in Co. Wicklow. The locality
is given in full with the hope that the plant will be collected in fertile
condition. Mr. Takeda, who is making a special study of fresh-water
species, has named the alga. The plant is caespitose, attached to the
leaves of Fontinalis, scarcely a half-inch long, sparingly branched, branches
attenuated of a light steel blue colour, or more inclining to the colour
of C. pygmaea, joints 2-3 times as long as broad, cells I mm, in diameter.
Threads sparingly and shortly branched, monospores very fugacecous,
similar in shape and size to those of C. pygmaea, with isolated carpospores.
The sexual reproduction has been fully worked out in C. corymbifeva,
Thur. On the fertilization of the carpogonium it develops numerous
gonimoblasts upwardly and on one side. There is therefore formed a
naked corymbose cystocarp, the terminal cells of the gonimoblasts
producing the carpospores. The antheridia are likewise developed in
clusters. A sexual reproduction occurs by tetraspores and also by
other spores which remain undivided and are known as monospores

214 | The 1 tsh Naturalist. December,

These on germination divide into four cells in one plane giving rise to
the basal stratum from which the branched filaments spring. In West’s
excellent work on ‘‘ British and Freshwater Algez,’’ p. 39, there is a
portion of C. pygmaea figured showing monospores, and a portion of the
thallus of C. scotica from Cornwall, showing the pits in the transverse
walls x 400. In Rabenhorst’s Flora Europaea Algarum, iii., p. 402,
1868, he notes. ‘In lignis vetustis irrigatis prope Clifton, Anglize
(Liepner); in Scotia legit beat Klotsch (herb. Berol.).’’ In Cook’s
British and Fresh-water Algae seven species of Chantransia are included,
among them the subject of these notes of which he writes ““ We have no
knowledge of this species. The figure is reproduced from Kiutzing ”’
(Species Algavum 80, p. 922, Leipzig, 1849), who states that the plant
is found in Scotland. Adams in his Synopsis of Irish Algae (Proc. R. I.
Acad. Vol. xxvii., Sect. B., No. 2, p. 36) notes C. scotica as having been
found in Ulster. Prof. G. 5. West writes that this record refers to the
Gobbins, Co. Antrim. When tracing the geographical distribution of
this interesting plant the exhibitor was fortunate in having the assistance
of Miss M. C. Knowles of the Herbarium, National Museum, Dublin, and
Mr. Gepp, of the British Museum, London.

W. F. GuNN exhibited a series of photo-micrographs of seeds for the
criticism of members. They were photographed by gas light, using a
low power objective and subsequently enlarging to ten and fifteen
diameters. In several cases the sculpturing of the testa or seed coat
showed up more distinctly on the prints, than when. viewed under the
microscope at a similar magnification.

R. SOUTHERN exhibited specimens of Ogma Murrayi, an interesting
Nematode worm recently described in the Reports of the Clare Island
Survey (Proc. R. Ivish Acad., vol. xxxi., Part 54, p. 65).

ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

‘Recent gifts include a Hare from Mr. Allen Morgan and a pair of
Bantams from Mr. C. Bellingham.

CORK NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.

JUNE 23.—EXCURSION TO Heaty’s Brrpcr.—A party of fourteen
travelled from Muskerry station to Healy’s Bridge by 2.40 p.m. train.
The study of trees was the principal object of this excursion, and many
different species presented themselves, at the station and near the bridge,
as well as in the adjacent grounds of Kilcrenagh, which were visited by
permission of Mr. Eben Pike, D.L.; the members were shown over the
green-houses. Some entered the Leemount grounds near the station,
and continued their investigation there, and by the wayside as they
walked homewards. D. L. Murphy conducted the party.

JuLy 14..-ExcURSION TO CASTLEMARTYR.—A large party travelled to
Mogeely by 2.50 p.m. train and walked to Castlemartyr. By permission
of Captain Loftus P. Arnott, the members visited the Castlemartyr

1915. Trish Societtes. 215

demesne, which occupies about 500 acres, all finely timbered, the trees
being in great variety. Even in the days of Arthur Young this demesne
was well known to students of forestry. The party was shown by Mr.
Brooke through the grounds and gardens and the well-preserved Imokilly
Castle, where the celebrated Lord Broghill (the first Earl of Orrery) dicd
in 1679. In the “ Camellia Garden’’ a fine specimen of the Golden
Wellingtonia was seen. Squirrels were found to be established in the
woods here, as in many other woods in the county. The barony of
Imokilly, in which Castlemartyr is situated, has much to interest the
student of animal folk-lore, being rich in legends of enchanted animals,
some of which are partially preserved in the place names of the district.

SEPTEMBER 18.—ExXCURSION TO MUNSTER INSTITUTE.—A party of
sixteen assembled at O’Neill Crowley Bridge, when the conductor, John
Griffin, began by calling the attention of members to a pool south of
the bridge, where, in what, a few years ago, was a sandpit, many species
of water plants now grow, and explained the manner in which such plants
spread themselves. Proceeding to a lane between Victoria Cross and
Dennehy’s Cross the alien plant, Evinus alpinus, was found well established
on a wall, and an opportunity was afforded of explaining the development
of Ergot. Further on in the lane the fruit farm of Mr. Thomas Jennings
was reached. Here much was found to interest the members. The
adjoining grounds of the Munster Institute were next entered. Prof.
Swain gave a short account of the geology of the River Lee near the
Institute. Having been shown over the gardens by the conductor, the
members walked back to the city. Among the plants noted on the
excursion . were :—E/lodea canadensis, Pulicaria dysenterica, Sparganium
natans, Callitriche verna, Linum catharticum. Two places in which the
King-fisher has been known to breed in recent years were pointed out
on the return journey.

OcTOBER 13.—ExXcURSION TO DUNSCOMBE’s Woop.—Owing to
unfavourable weather, the number of-members who walked from Thomas
Davis Bridge to ‘‘ Dunscombe’s Wood,’ Mount Desert (visited by
permission of Mr. G. W. Dunscombe, B.L.) was somewhat small. The
study of Fungi was the object of this meeting, and a collection, fairly
representative of the commoner orders, was made. The system of
classification, method of identification, &c., were explained by the
conductor, Miss B. E. Duke.

NOTES,
BOTANY.

Orchis pyramidalis on Lambay.

Orchis pyramidalis was omitted, owing to my inadvertence, from the
list of additions to the Lambay flora, which was printed in the April
issue of the Ivish Naturalist (supra, p. 71). The plant in question was
found in the Castle enclosure in the summer of 1908.

- - CEcIL. BARING:

216 The Irish Naturalist. December.

ZOOLOGY.
Notes on Lepidoptera.

In August Hydvaecia nictitans and H. micacea came to light, flying
into the house to the lamp light. The latter also occurred in October,
a very fine female specimen, almost equal in size to the remarkable
specimen which Mrs. Johnson took on the road between this house and
Poyntzpass (Ent. Mo. Mag. 1903).

I spent September at Coolmore, Co. Donegal, and saw Pypaitiiis cavdut
and Vanessa io on the wing there ; both species were fine fresh specimens.
Mrs. Johnson also saw P. atalanta. I was surprised and disappointed
not to meet with any of these butterflies here this autumn. Why it
should be so I cannot conjecture. October was a very fine month, and
I have frequently seen P. atalanta here during it.

I met with some larvae at Coolmore, prominent among them being
those of the Buff-tip Moth (Phaleva bucephaia) which had in some cases
stripped large portions of the sallow bushes on which they were feeding
entirely of foliage. Besides these the larvae of the Fox Moth (Lasiocampa
yvubi) were common, but I did not trouble to take any of them, having
found that they have a rooted antipathy to be reared in captivity. I
also met with larvae of Acronycta psi, A. rumicis and Notodonta ziczac.

In October I took two beautiful dark specimens of Cidaria psittacata
in my house here. They had probably flown in from the ivy outside.

Miss May Alexander, of Acton House, sent me a full grown larva of
the Peppered Moth, Amphidasys (Pachys) betularia, which she found
feeding on rose leaves at Caledon, Co. Tyrone. It has pupated, and I
hope to have a nice specimen in the spring. The curious thing was that
just before this my friend, Mr. N. H. Foster, M.R.I.A., sent me a description
of a larva which was feeding on broom in a nursery garden at Hillsborough,
Co. Down. I was unable to recognise it from the description at first,
but when I got Miss Alexander’s capture I was able to decide that Mr.
Foster’s larva was the same.

W. F. JOHNSON,
Poyntzpass.

Pantilus tunicatus at Warrenpoint.

On October the 12th I was at Warrenpoint, and as it was a very fine
sunny day I was sitting out on the lawn at my friend, Mr. Connor’s,
residence, and looking over the day’s newspaper, as well as enjoying
the sunshine and the beauty of Carlingford Lough. While thus pleasantly
engaged an insect alighted on the newspaper, and I was roused to action
and forthwith transferred it to a bottle. The next day I inspected my
capture and found it to be Pantilus tunicaius Fab. a Hemipteron which
Mr. Saunders in his work on the British Hemiptera-Heteroptera states
to have been recorded by Haliday from Ireland, but of which I cannot

1915 . Notes 2377

find another record for Ireland. It belongs to the Capsidae, which
are mostly attached to various plants and bushes, and is said to be found
on hazels. There were not any hazel trees near where I was sitting
that I saw, and I don’t think a Hemipteron would mistake a newspaper
for that tree. I shall hope to be able, on another occasion, to make
further search for this interesting species in the same locality.

W. F. JOHNSON.
Poyntzpass,

Robin and Mouse.

I was rather surprised to observe a mouse running along the branches
of a laurel bush in my shubbery here; but still more was I surprised
when a Robin flew from an adjoining bush and made an attack on the
mouse. The mouse, however, did not run away, but faced its assailant,
rising on its hind quarters and biting at the Robin. The latter evidently
did not bargain for so warm a reception, and flew away, whereupon the
mouse resumed its journey and disappeared in the direction of my
stackyard.

I have wondered ever since whether the Robin thought the mouse
was a big moth or something like that which it could eat, or whether
it was prompted to its action by its innate pugnacity ?

W. F, JOHNSON.
Poyntzpass.

The Arrival of the Chiffchaff.

Mr. Nevin H. Foster mentions (Ivish Naturalist, 1915, p. 101) that the
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus rufus, Bechst.) was seen and heard at Carling-
ford on 5th April this year, five days earlier than he subsequently noted
its arrival at Hillsborough. This species was in song in the woods at
Kylemore Castle, Co. Galway, on the 2nd April, 1915, the opening date of
my visit to the neighbourhood. My notes show that at the same spot in
1910, I heard and saw the Chiffchaff on 27th March.

GEO. R. HUMPHREYS
Dublin.

Rook’s Nest Fifteen Feet above the Ground.

At Aughavannagh, Co. Wicklow, a little colony of Rooks nest in a
small group of wind-swept Larches and other trees. The trees are not
more than about 25 feet high, and the lowest nest is 15 feet above the
ground. Is not this unusually low for a Rook’s nest ?

R, Lioyp PRAEGER,
Dublin,

218 The Irish Naturalist December

The Great Crested Grebe.

This bird, to be seen on all our numerous lakelets in spring and summer,
leaves them in October,and is then noticed in large numbers on a sheltered
part of the main lake (Erne), but between 11th and 24th November, it
disappears altogether till between the 2nd and 25th February, when it
returns, Such at least is my experience of several years. { presume it
goes to the coast. I wonder if any similar observations have been made
by others, or if the birds are in special numbers on the coast in December
and January. I mentioned the matter to the late Mr. Barrington, but
he appeared to have no special information.

; j}.=P. Burgi,
Enniskillen. |

- The Sandwich Tern—a Correction.

I have to thank both the penetration and the courtesy of Mr. Robert
Warren for having drawn my attention to a mistaken statement made
by me in the November number of the Ivish Naturalist, that the late
Mr. Barrington found “ a new colony of the Sandwich Tern ”’ in the course
of the present year. I had, indeed, received information to that effect
from my friend, Mr. G. R. Humphreys, to whom I am also much indebted
for many other facts of interest kindly communicated to me in connection
with Mr. Barrington’s ornithological tours; but Mr. Humphreys now
tells me that in this respect he had been under a misapprehension, and
that the colony of Sandwich Terns which Mr. Barrington visited during
the breeding season of. 1915 was one of those already known to exist.
Mr. Warren, whose inquiries have led to this matter being set right, had
very justly concluded that so interesting a fact as the discovery of a new
Irish breeding station of Sterna sandvicensis would have been communi-
cated to him in one of Mr. Barrington’s letters written after the expeditions
of last summer.

C. “B.- Morrat.
Ballyhyland, Co. Wexford, :

Marten in Co. Kildare.

Mr. W. H. J. Tyrell, of Ballindoolan, Co. Kildare, tells me that a
Marten Cat was trapped early in July last at Grange, Co. Kildare. It
was a male, and he put the age at about two years. The specimen has
been preserved for him by Mr. Williams, of Dame Street.

HELEN M. METCALFE,
Enfield,

’
.

1915, Reviews. 2Iy

REVIEW.

AN AMERICAN NATURALIST.

Spencer Fullerton Baird. A Biography. By W.H. Dati, D.Sc. Phila-
delphia and London: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1915. Pp. xii.+
“62, § Price 15s, net.

Irish and British naturalists in common with their transatlantic col-
leagues, may thank Dr. Dall for this valuable account of a worthy life.
Spencer Fullerton Baird was born at Reading, Philadelphia, in the year
1823, and died at Wood’s Holl in 1888. From his earliest youth he was a
keen student of natural history, and at an early age was a leading
authority on American birds. He was fortunate enough to make the
acquaintance of many naturalists, and he carried on an animated Corres-
pondence with Audubon, Dana, Agassiz, Leidy, and Asa Gray. In later
years he did much work at fossil vertebrates, reptiles, and fishes. His
chief claim to fame, however, does not rest on his original investigations,
though these were considerable, but on his great capacities for organisation.
In the year 1850 he was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Smith-
sonian Institution, with the special duty of creating the United States
National Museum, and this institution was largely the result of his design
and development. In 1871 the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries
(now the Bureau of Fisheries) was founded, and Baird was appointed
Commissioner. He was amongst the first to appreciate the importance
and necessity of adequate scientific investigations as a basis for legislation
designed to improve the condition of the fishing industry. A permanent
Laboratory for marine research was built at Wood’s Holl, Massachusetts,
whilst the steamer A/batross began her notable explorations of the deeper
waters off shore. By many practical measures he added to the wealth
of the American fisheries, and prevented the depletion of stocks through
excessive fishing and injurious methods of capture. He introduced the
Carp to America, built hatcheries for both fresh-water and marine
fishes, and successfully transferred the Shad to the Pacific coast, where it
has flourished exceedingly. His attempt to stock the Eastern rivers with
Salmon from the Pacific coast, was, however, a complete failure. Many
millions of young Salmon were liberated in the rivers of New England,
but of them all, after they departed for the sea, not a single one has
returned. In 1878 Baird became Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution. He was a hard and conscientious worker, and the ill-health,
which terminated in his death in 1888, was largely due to over-work.
The inspiring story of his life is well told in the handsome volume now
introduced to English-speaking zoologists.

iS,

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Rook’s Nest Fifteen: Feet. above the Gtound=R. Lh. Paaxe
The Great Crested Grebe—J; ‘P.. ‘Burkes, B. So .
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