82 The Irish Naturalist. March, 



Our New Editor. 



We are glad to announce that henceforward we shall have the assist- 

 ance of Robert Patterson, F.Z.S., M.R.I.A., in the editing of the Irish 

 Naturalist. While exercising equal control with the present editors over 

 the general conduct of the Magazine, Mr. Patterson's special department 

 will be vertebrate zoology ; he will also see to the proper reporting in 

 our pages of the doings of the Belfast Societies, including the new 

 Biology Association, and will keep us thoroughly in touch with the 

 North and its many active naturalists. 



Plant Communities. 



We note that a popular lecture on "Plant Communities," delivered 

 last March by Prof. J. W. Carr before the Royal Horticultural Society, 

 and published in their Journal^ vol, xxvii,, part I., ha^ for illustrations 

 nine full page reproductions from the series of Irish botanical photo- 

 graphs, which form one of the most interesting sections of the natural 

 history work of Mr. R.Welch. 



The Dublin Club's Winter Excursions. 



We note with interest that the winter excursions, whicb are being 

 held by the Dublin Field Club, are proving decidedly successful. At 

 the two held so far there has been a good turn out of members, and 

 many interesting observations have been made. The practice of 

 holding these excursions on the Saturday before a winter meeting, and 

 devoting half-an-hour at such meeting to an exhibition of, and dis- 

 cussion on, specimens obtained on the excursion, is distinctly to be 

 commended. 



A Good Move. 



The Dublin Club has also led the way in a very wise extension of the 

 privileges conferred by membership of a Society of the kind. The new 

 rule recently adopterl, as reported on another page, reads as follows :— 

 Students, undergraduates, and artizans may, on the recommendation 

 of the Committee, be elected associate members in the manner pre- 

 scribed for ordinary members. Asjociates will pay (in advance) 2s 6d. 

 entrance fee, and 2s. 6d. annual subscription. They will have the 

 privileges of ordinary members, except the power of voting or of acting 

 as officers of the Club. Associates may become ordinary members by 

 election in the usual manner, and on payment of balance of entrance 

 fee {2s. 6d.), 



