t 



16 DUBLIN NATITRAlL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



Homarm vulgaris. — All around the coast. Calls for no particular 

 remark. 



FaUemon serratus. — Common on the zostera- covered banks, very 

 largo in size. The distribution of this genus is rather confused. A 

 PaloBmon under this name has been recorded as follows: — Portrush 

 (0. C), DubUn?? (W.T.), Youghal (R.B.), Valentia Island, Dingle 

 ("W. Andrews), South Isles of Arran (li. B.), Gal way. 



The fact most worthy of notice suggested by this list is the occur- 

 rence of species, undoubtedly southern or western in their tendencies, 

 on the eastern coast. The most remarkable of these are Xantho Jlorida, 

 Portunus corrugatus^ P. arcuatus ; all common on the west, and 

 either rare or local on the east, at least in Dublin Bay, where I have 

 examined hundreds of localities similar to those in which these species 

 occur plentifully on the west, and have only found one or two speci- 

 mens. It would appear as though the tide of migration of these species 

 northwards sent off a small stream southwards round the north-east 

 coast of Ireland, which, probably, did not much extend beyond Dublin 

 Bay, as these western species are much more numerous to the north of 

 Howth than to the south of it They will, probably, south of this point, 

 if occurring at aU, be found to be inhabitants of the deeper zones, while, 

 as will be seen by reference to the lists above, on the western coast 

 they occur as littoral species. 



In the above list I have purposely abstained from mentioning many 

 of the true western species, inhabitants mostly of the deeper water — 

 such as AcJiceiis cranchii, taken by Professor Melville, of Galway Col- 

 lege ; Pisa tetraodon, by M'Calla, at Roundstone ; 27iia poUta, by 

 M'Calla, at Roundstone ; and also in Gal way Bay by Professor Mel- 

 ville, who at the time was ignorant of its previous occurrence on the 

 British coasts, &c. ; because this is not by any means intended for a 

 perfect comparative list, but merely as a contribution to such a list. Had 

 I drawn on the experience of others, the number of species could have 

 been much augmented ; but, for the reasons stated above, it appeared 

 preferable to record my own observations only. In conclusion, I may 

 observe, that of the most important species mentioned, specimens have 

 been placed by myself and others in your Society's Museum, where they 

 may be seen. 



Mr. James R. Dombrain wished to notice the occurrence of the rose 

 ouzel {Pastor roseus) at the Ball's-bridge Nursery, in the neighbourhood 

 of this city, in the month of July last. He had much pleasure in pre- 

 senting the specimen (which was the only one seen) to the collection of 

 the Society. It is a bird of very rare occurrence in this country. 



Mr. W. Andrews, Hon. Secretary, read a communication from the 

 Bight Hon. John Wynne, of Hazlewood, county of Sligo, recording 

 the interesting discovery of the true maiden-hair {Adiantum Capillus- 

 Veneris), in the vaUey of Glencar, county of Leitrim. This fern (one of ex- 

 treme rarity in Ireland, records of its occurrence being hitherto confined 

 to Tralee, Isles of Arran, TJrrisbeg, and Co. Clare) was growing at a 



