PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 247 



Salicornaria farcinimoides. 



„ sinuosa. This can scarcely be considered as at all distinct from pre- 

 ceding species. 



III. Halcyonella. 



Alcyonidium gelatinosum. Howth and Lambay. 



,, parasiticum. Common on Sertularias. 



Cigcloum papillosum. 



IV. Vescicularina. 



FAMILY — VESICULARIDJE. 



Serialaria lendigera. 



Vesicularia spinosa. Seapoint. A. H. H. 



Valkeria cuscuta. 



„ uva. Dublin Bay. Eare. A. H. H. 



„ pustulosa. 



„ imbricata [Bowerbankia imbricata]. 



FAMILY — PEDICELLINiE. 



Pedicellina echinata. Dublin Bay. Very rare. A. H. H. 



The President said, such local lists, when drawn up with the care which had 

 evidently been taken in this instance, were the surest way of advancing science, and 

 he trusted many more such would, from time to time, be presented to the Association. 



The Association then adjourned for the long vacation. 



KILKENNY LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION. 



MAY 26, 1854. 

 Doctor Lalor in the chair. 



BLACK RAIN. 



Mr. Graves read the following communication* from the Rev. James Mease, 

 Freshford : — 



" The phenomenon of what was called black rain, occurred over a considerable 

 portion of the county Kilkenny, several years ago. Many of the common people 

 attributed the potato blight to that circumstance. Although there is not the least 

 grounds for this supposition, yet, I take it for granted, that a similar occurrence 

 a few days ago, will not be unworthy the attention of the Institution. 



u On Tuesday, the 23rd May, I was walking from Woodsgift Schoolhouse, which 

 is about four miles to the west of Freshford, towards Clomantagh, about four 

 o'clock. I observed a peculiarly black cloud hanging over the Kilcooly hills ; and 

 extending towards Freshford and Tullai'oan. I will not say that it was the blackest 

 cloud I ever saw; but it was so very remarkable, that I called the attention 

 several persons, whom I met along the road, to it. Its edges presented the 

 usual appearance of a thunder-cloud, ragged and well denned. Dark 

 streaks appeared to descend from it in some places, in a curved or twisted 

 form. These reminded one of the classical expression of ' torti imbris,' the 

 ' wreathed shower,' or l hail,' as it is always translated. This appearance was 

 observed before the cloud burst, which it did not do for some time. There were, 

 then, several peals of thunder; and the usual torrents of a thunder-storm 

 followed. 



* This communication was unavoidably held over from our last number.— Eds. N.H.R. 



