] G PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



horaologies and relations of the fruitful "branch," as it is called, in this 

 plant. ^Strikingly it differs from the linear outline of the ordinary form, with its 

 simple pinna; and flabelliform venation, whilst this form has a deltoid outline, and 

 the lower pinna} decompounded, with pimuitified pinnules, and a distinct mid- rib, 

 and secondary venation springing therefrom, being exactly the converse of the 

 variety of Bleehnum spicant, which I exhibited before you, under the name of dis- 

 sectum (Kin.), and which Francis first described as strictum, in which we found the 

 ordinary linear pinnules of that fern reduced to simple pinnate lobes, and the 

 venation, instead of being made up of secondary veins, springing from a median 

 axis, reduced to the flabelliform arrangement, which is the normal arrangement in 

 Botrychium. But it is in the second point I think its chief interest consists ; for 

 taking this form in connection with two other abnormal forms viz., that in which 

 we find the pinnce deeply incised at their edges, and that in which we find 

 many of the pinnte soriferous at their edges we are led to believe that these two 

 portions of the ordinary plant of Botrychium, generally called branches, really 

 represent the two surfaces of an ordinary dorsiferous fern, only that in one the 

 venations take on the flabelliform, and in the other the branched form ; for, examine 

 those fronds whose pinna; are soriferous at their edges, and we see the nerves 

 coalescing, and forming a sort of a mid-rib to the division of the pinnas, on whose 

 termination the sorus is placed ; nearly the same arrangement as we find in the 

 deltoid form just described, where we find the nerves uniting and forming a common 

 mid-rib, on whose sides the secondary divisions of the pinna3 are placed. Going a 

 little farther this may lead us to believe that the form of Ophioglossum vulgatum, 

 where we find two leafy fronds developed instead of one leafy and one fertile frond, 

 are really only plants whose fertile element, from some reason or another, is not 

 fully developed, but remains as a barren frond. That this is the correct explanation 

 of the change is shown in one specimen, in which one half of the frond is normal, 

 the other of the deltoid type ; and also in the Bleehnum spicant, where, even in 

 the same frond, we see parts in which the usual linear pinna? are preserved, and 

 others in which this, if I may call it so, flabelliform type is well shown ; while by 

 comparing the common form with this variety the interchange of the two types is 

 well seen. In conclusion, I have the pleasure of recording a new Irish habitat for 

 Withering's fern (Lophodium spinosum, Newm.), which I met with, in some quan- 

 tity, on the edges of the bog drains in Armagh Inch, parish of Dorrha, county Tip- 

 perary. Its occurrence as Irish has been previously made known by Lovat Darby, 

 Esq., in the county Monaghan. 



Mr. Wakeman begged to present to the Society two heads of cows, with the 

 horns, which were obtained at Dunshaughlin, in digging turf. They were found in 

 a bog, where a lake once existed, but is now dried up, and in the centre of which 

 was traced a Crannog, or fortified island. There appeared to have existed there a 

 fortified encampment, and where, among animal remains, the bones of horses, cows, 

 and an extinct species of pig were discovered ; also other animals, besides weapons 

 of war and ornaments. The heads of these animals before the meeting appeared 

 of some antiquity, belonging to the tenth century, and illustrated the kind of 

 animals in Ireland at that period. He thought that such a notice came within the 

 province of inquiries of the Society, and he would be happy, on a future occasion, 

 to give more full details of the subject. 



The thanks of the Society having been unanimously given to Mr. Wakeman, 



Mr. Andrews said, that in concluding the business of the evening, he would again 

 allude to the intended departure, from this country, of his brother Secretary, Dr. 

 Kinahan, but that his absence, however, would not be for more than a year. He 

 was sure the members would respond to his sincere and best wishes that he would 

 be successful in his enterprise, which was most cordially concurred in. 



The meeting then adjourned to the month of January. 



