'Natural History in Ireland. 85 



Art. V. Natural History in Ireland. 



Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Garden. — A number of gentlemen of 

 Belfast, and its vicinity, have formed a committee for establishing a garden ; 

 they have already purchased fourteen acres within a mile of Belfast. The 

 objects are, a delightful place of resort ; the cultivation of botanical 

 science; a superior style of gardening ; and the improvement of agricul- 

 ture. The garden will be the property of holders of shares of five guineas 

 each. Annual subscribers, of half a guinea each, shall have free access to 

 the garden ; and, with that liberal hospitality characteristic of the country, 

 the greatest facility is to be given to the admission of strangers. 



The Belfast Natural History Society, of the origin and progress of which 

 we hope soon to give some account, hold their anniversary, and publish 

 a report for the past year, on the 24th of May, the birth-day of Linnaeus. 

 An interesting memoir of Mr. Templeton, a well known botanist, was read 

 last year by the President, and will be found in our biography in a succeed- 

 ing Number. The report, among other things, states that the members of the 

 Society are increased to sixty-seven. No very large addition has been made 

 to the collection of minerals ; but some exchanges have been effected, and 

 others are contemplated, by which the different suites will be rendered more 

 complete, and better adapted to illustrate this department of natural science. 

 A collection of native birds was commenced towards the close of last ses- 

 sion, to which several valuable specimens have been lately added; and it is 

 to be expected that still larger additions will soon be made to this interest- 

 ing part of the collection. 



Some of the members who direct their attention principally to ento- 

 mology have, for some time, been engaged in forming a collection of 

 native insects, particularly of those found in the immediate neighbourhood ; 

 •and preparations are now making for receiving them into the museum. 



Various additions have been made to the Hortus Siccus, and we may soon 

 look forward to having a complete collection of the indigenous plants of 

 Ireland. An interchange of specimens, too, has been commenced with 

 America, by means of which the museum will be enriched with the vege- 

 table productions of that extensive continent. 



Some valuable exotics were lately received, which it is the intention of 

 the members to present to the Botanical Society; and thus, as should 

 always be the case, one scientific institution will lend its aid to the further- 

 ance of the plans of another. The connections already formed by the Na- 

 tural History Society will empower them occasionally to procure seeds and 

 plants from various quarters ; and the garden of the Botanical Society will 

 enable the Natural History Society to cultivate, to greater advantage, the 

 study of one of the most attractive branches of natural history. 



The views of this Society are not confined to the formation of a museum, 

 consisting, exclusively, of specimens of botany, mineralogy, or zoology. 

 Everything which can illustrate the history or antiquities of Ireland is 

 willingly received ; and the object embraces every thing interesting, as con- 

 nected with the arts and sciences, or the history of man. Besides some Irish 

 antiquities, a few coins have been lately received, which it is hoped will 

 form the commencement of an interesting collection in this department. 



During last summer excursions were occasionally made, by individual 

 members, to different parts of the adjoining country ; and plants, minerals, 

 and insects collected, to illustrate the natural history of the various dis- 

 tricts. Extra papers, founded on notes taken on those occasions, have 

 been read, and materials are thus gradually accumulating, which may form 

 the ground-work of more extensive statistical surveys. A series of meteor- 

 ological observations were also made, at the request of the Royal Irish 

 Academy. 



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