86 The h'ish NahiraUsf» March, 



rhyolites. In connection with Slemish dolerite, Miss Andrews men- 

 tioned that it was in this rock Dr. Andrews, by a magneto-chemical 

 process, discovered native iron widely diffused in microscopic par- 

 ticles. In conclusion. Miss Andrews drew attention to the aid which 

 microscopic sections give in studying the hardness and durability of 

 rocks. 



H. GuivLAN, Superintendent of Works for the Corporation, made 

 some 'interesting remarks on the use of Irish materials for square setts. 

 His department, he stated, is proceeding to lay down in Corporation- 

 street a series of pieces of square setting of different Irish rocks for 

 the purpose of trying the wear of the rocks in question. He also 

 mentioned that similar experiments are being carried out in connection 

 with the macadamising of Townseud-street. The experiments, he 

 pointed out, were likely to proceed to good results for the development 

 of Irish quarries. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



January 20.— The President (F. J. Bigger) in the chair. W. H. 

 Phh,IvIPS (Treasurer) brought forward the communication from the 

 Irish Field Club Union which is published on a previous page. The 

 President and John Hamii^TOn spoke briefly on this communication. 



R. Liy. Praeger read a paper, entitled " Recent Progress in Irish 

 Botan3^" He said that in reviewing the present state of Irish botany he 

 referred, as was proper in a Club devoted to studies in the field, 

 especially to systematic and to geographical botany. To take the great 

 plant groups in order, it shovild be noted that little was being done in 

 Ireland among the algoe, either marine or fresh water. The energies of 

 their few workers at marine algae had recentl}- been concentrated in 

 other directions, and a fine field remained open for the student. It was 

 to be hoped that, in connection with the work of the proposed Belfast 

 biological station, the seaweeds would not be lost sight of The fresh- 

 water algae were even more deserted at present, but a peculiarly bright 

 spot in the otherwise dark landscape was furnished by the recent 

 excellent work of Mr. William West, of Bradford, upon the alga flora of 

 Ivough Neagh and Donegal. The fungi and lichens were examples of 

 great groups which had attracted but little attention in Ireland in 

 recent years. The lichens especially had long been in need of a 

 champion. The mosses and hepatics were in a much more satisfactory 

 state, and the knowledge of their distribution in Ireland was tolerably 

 complete ; but much detailed work remained to be accomplished, and 

 many districts still awaited exploration. Northern botanists had borne 

 their full share of the work at these interesting groups. To come 

 finally to the flowering plants and their allies. In reviewing in detail 

 the most recent progress, he said the date of publication of " Irish 

 Topographical Botany" (1901) might be taken as a starting point, 



