14 DUBLIN UNIVKKSITY 



4th. The materials necessary to the colour of insects and reptiles 

 are prepared equally under the influence of white light, of the different 

 coloured rays, and of darkness. 



Dr. Gladstone's experiments on plants are mentioned by Dr. Dobell, 

 as showing that the development of the colouring matter in the petals 

 of flowers is independent of the influence of light ; that flowers raised 

 under the different coloured rays, and in darkuess, have the same colour 

 in their petals as when raised in ordinary light. Thus, even in vege- 

 tables, etiolation is confined to those parts of the plant which depend 

 for their colour upon the condition of the chlorophyle, to the green 

 appearance of which some portion of the solar beam is evidently essen- 

 tial. 



I am well pleased to find that on those points which touch upon each 

 other, my observations receive support from those of Mr. Higginbottom 

 and Dr. Dobell, while all coincide in showing the error of Edwards' 

 very generally received views — error which, I am very sorry to say, 

 seems not to be accounted for by mere inaccuracy. 



The Meeting then adjourned to December 20. 



FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20, 1859. 

 De. Carte, M. R. I. A., F. L. S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Minutes of last Meeting having been read, were approved of, and 

 signed by the Chairman. 



Me. David Mooee, A. L. S., M. R. I. A., read : — 



OBSEEVATIONS ON THE PEE VAILING AND EAEE PLANTS OF EEEIS, AND OF 

 SOME OTHEE POETIONS OF THE COUNTY OF MAYO. 



Foe the purpose of obtaining living plants for the Royal Dublin Society's 

 Botanic Garden, and procuring specimens of some scarce kinds, to dry for 

 correspondents, I made a journey to the most westerly parts of the county 

 of Mayo in last July. This enabled me to add considerably to my previous 

 knowledge on two subjects I have paid a good deal of attention to 

 namely, the geographical distribution of plants in Ireland, and the for- 

 mation of peat bogs. On the former of these topics I have long enter- 

 tained a theory, the correctness of which can only be proved by extensive 



