1 2 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



continuous with Knockangin. On the strand of Knockangin, near Balbriggan, 

 Scalaria Turtoni had been found, and named in honour of Dr. Turton. Dr. Kinahan 

 had obtained Helix pisana rather abundantly near Baltrae, on the north side of the 

 Boyne, and also very fine specimens on the south side of the Boyne. Dr. Kinahan, 

 on the same evening, gave a continuation of his paper " On the Abnormal Forms of 

 Ferns," bearing out his former observations, and adducing many views in support of 

 a systematic arrangement of all those varied departures from the original type which 

 their several gradations might justify. Mr.Williams then made some remarks on the 

 opinions advanced by Mr. Ffennell at the last meeting, with reference to the habits 

 and periods of spawning of the salmon, and read a communication that had been 

 forwarded to him by a gentleman experienced in the river fisheries of the south, 

 more especially those of the Bandon river. The next month, June, Mr. Andrews 

 gave a paper, u Observations on the Salmon, the Parr, and the Gravelling." This 

 paper was a review of the several opinions that had been given upon the subject at 

 the two previous meetings, and of the observations that Mr. Andrews had made on 

 the habits of the salmon and on the peculiarit ; es of the western rivers, noted by him 

 from his inquiries in connection with the fisheries. Some confusion prevailed with 

 reference to the young fry, in classing all the young states of the salmonidaa as the 

 parr or gravelling, and such to be the young of the salmon. Sufficient distinction 

 had not been understood as to the characters of the young salmon fry, nor as to the 

 periods of their several changes of growth. Most of the salmonida? and species of 

 trout presented very strikingly in the young state the peculiarity of the transverse 

 bars ; and Mr. Andrews was satisfied, that in many of the clear, gravelly, and swift- 

 running trout streams of this country, a species similar to the description of the 

 parr, figured in Yarrell, having the dark spots on the gill-covers and the trans- 

 verse bars, were to be met at all seasons, and that they were distinct from 

 the young of the salmon, at the same time ; in those rivers frequented by 

 salmon, the salmon fry, at different stages of growth throughout the year, exhibit 

 the transverse bars, and dark spots on the gill-covers. The practised eye of the 

 scientific ichthyologist can at once detect the symmetry of form, and peculiarity of the 

 pectoral and caudal fins, that distinguish the young of the salmon before assuming 

 the smolt state. These views, however, have fully appeared in the proceedings of 

 the Society, and which Mr. Andrews at the meeting illustrated by a complete series 

 of the specimens of the young of the salmon in its early stage and in its migratory 

 dress, and also the parr ; the young of the white trout and of the brown trout, 

 brought from the Bandon river, county Cork ; the Laune and Caragh rivers, Kerry ; 

 and the Greece, in Carlow. Dr. Kinahan, in connection with the subject (the 

 spawning of fish), exhibited recent specimens of the nidus and ova of the smooth- 

 tailed stickleback, taken the previous day in the Dodder. He gave an account 

 of the habits of this little fish on the spawning ground, and its extreme pugnacity in 

 defending the nest. Further observations made by Dr. Kinahan on ferns and 

 their varieties, and his examination of the extensive collections of Dr. Allchin and 

 G. B. Wollaston, Esq., had cleared his doubts as to how far varieties combine 

 inter se. Dr. Farran expressed a hope that a greater number of ornithological facts 

 would be in store for the ensuing session, and mentioned the occurrence of a flock 

 of male wheatears he had noticed at Knockangin, in April last, feeding in the man- 

 ner of flycatchers, and the singular fact of the total disappearance of the Brent 

 goose (Anser Brenta) from the Dublin market. These proceedings and remarks 

 terminated the session ; and your Council trust that the Society has maintained 

 throughout the transactions its course in a scientific as well as in a popular style, 

 and that the subjects on the natural history of this country, brought before the meet- 

 ings, have proved original, useful, and instructive. 



On being moved by K. Callwell, Esq., and seconded by Doctor Farran, the Ke- 

 port was unanimously adopted. 



The donations made to the Society during the last session were detailed under their 

 several heads by Dr. Kinahan. 



The Treasurer then submitted his statement, and observed that he had only to 

 reiterate the views expressed by him at the last annual meeting, as to the continued 

 prosperity of the Society. The expenses had been heavy, but he was gratified to 

 announce that he had a balance in hands of 88 10s. Id. 45 of which had been 

 carried to the credit of the sinking fund account. 



