DTTBUS VkTUULL HISTOET 80CIETT. 147 



There is another reason for a study of these traces. Often, as in 

 this case, they assume pseudomorphic forms, and the zoologist is called 

 on to pronounce as to whether the appearances are fossilized organisms 

 or mere tracks. Now, in many doubtful cases, if the naturalist, instead 

 of merely stating that the fossils submitted to him were not organisms, 

 could state positively what traces they probably were, the value of his 

 evidence would be much increased. 



I cannot conclude, therefore, without expressing a hope that the 

 time is not far distant when ichnology will just as naturally take its 

 place as a branch of study as osteology or any other of the particular 

 branches of the general science of zoology ; for, although the evidence 

 deduced from this source can never be as generally particular and posi- 

 tive as that furnished by some of the other branches — the study of 

 structure, for instance — yet, if thoroughly and properly studied, it will 

 be found that rules of identification do prevail, even among seemingly 

 irregular tracks, of so unerring a nature, that the observer can from 

 them deduce many of the characters of the nature of the surfaces, &c., 

 on which they were formed, the influences to which these surfaces were 

 subjected, and the nature and habits of the animals to whose labours the 

 tracks are due — subjects now of paramount importance, owing to the 

 growing conviction of the truth of the axiom, that fossil animal forms 

 were formed on the same general types as living ones, lived under simi- 

 lar conditions, and possessed the same or similar habits. 



Since writing the above, I find that Purpura lapillus and Littorina 

 rudts, &c., make tracks which are nearly undistinguishable from those 

 of Patella vulgaris. 



Specimens of the tracings alluded to accompanied the paper. 



After due ballot the following were declared duly elected : — 

 Benjamin G. M*Dowel, M. D., M. R. I. A., Professor of Anatomy, 

 Trinity College, as Ordinary Member. 



Robert Gage, Esq., Rathlin Island, as Corresponding Member. 



FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 4, 1859. 



"W1LLIA.M Andeews, M.R.I. a., President, in the Chair. 



The previous Minutes having been read, were signed. 



The President read a paper on the habits of the British species of 

 Hymenophyllum. (For this paper see end of April Meeting.) 



The HoNORABY Seceetaet read, in the author's absence, the follow- 

 ing paper — 



ON THE REMARKABLE DESTRUCTION CAUSED AMONG BIRDS IN KERRY BY THE 

 WINTER OP 1854-55. BY GEORGE HENRY KINAHAN, O. S. I., CORRESPONDING 

 MEMBER, DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



During the year 1855 I was stationed on the west coast of Cork and 

 Kerry, at which time the following notes of the effects of the severe 



r 



