88 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



infrequency in ages past, as to their peculiar structure, which, being 

 altogether cellular, easily undergoes decay, their mushroom growth 

 being followed by as rapid a decline, and their tissues in but few in- 

 stances leaving the smallest trace behind by which they can be detected. 

 It is, however, very different in the case of the higher Cryptogamia, 

 which, having well-formed vascular structures, as woody fibre and scala- 

 riform vessels, are easily recognised by their fossil remains, minute frag- 

 ments of the latter tissue especially affording sufficient evidence of their 

 previous existence. 



In the instance before us we have, from a fortunate combination of 

 circumstances, specimens of fungi preserved in all their integrity 

 through many ages — indeed, so perfectly, that they are almost as avail- 

 able for microscopic examination as if they grew but yesterday. The 

 circumstances which appear to have conduced to this end were — first, 

 their extremely hard texture, so unlike the majority of fungi, and which 

 rivals that of many kinds of wood ; their slow growth, and long per- 

 sistent vitality, years being passed in their development ; and, lastly, 

 their having been buried in Irish bog, which is well known to have such 

 remarkable powers of preserving objects of vegetable origin. 



Microscopical sections of the fungi were exhibited. 



After the ballot, the Chairman declared W. J. Sargint, Esq., duly 

 elected an Ordinary Member. 



The meeting then adjourned till the month of April. 



DONATIONS TO MUSEUM. 

 DECEMBER 12, 1856. 



James R. Dombrain, Esq. — Pastor roseus, shot at Ball's Bridge. 



JANUARY 23, 1857. 



William Andrews, Esq. — Fuligula marila, breeding plumage, Co. 

 Kerry ; Pirimela denticulata, Ebcdia Cranchii, Ebcdia Bryerii, Atelecyclus 

 heterodon, Maia squinado, Portunus arcuatus, P. puber, P. depurator, 

 P. holsatus, from Dingle ; and some molluscs and birds' eggs. 



Charles Earran, M.D. — Portunus marmoreus (male and female), 

 Roundstone. 



Richard Ussher, Esq. — Colias JEdusa (male and female), from Ard- 

 more, Co. Waterford. 



FEBRUARY 13, 1857. 



Major O'Connor, Tralee, per G. V. DuNoyer, Esq. — Specimens of 

 Polyporus semi-fosilized. 



Vere Webb Macnally, Esq. — Portunus holsatus (wrinkled variety), 

 Dalkey Sound. 



John Robert Kinahan, M.B. — Vespertilio pipistrellus, Dublin; 

 Xantho rivulosa, Xantho florida (variety), Valentia Island; Inachus do- 

 rynchus, Portunus pusillus, Pinnotheres pisum, Pagurus streblonyx, 



