228 The Irish Natu7alist. October, 1909, 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



May 15. -Excursion to Dei.gany Nurseries.- The members 

 travelled by the 10.15 train to Greystones, driving thence to Delgany, 

 where, under the guidance of I. Pennick Jones and D. Hou;iton, they 

 studied the interesting exotics and weeds of cultivation in the extensive 

 nurseries. Tea was taken in Delgany, and the members returning on 

 foot to Gre3-stones, travelled by the 6.5 train to Dublin. 



June 12. — Excursion to Brittas Ray. — Twenty members took 

 part in this excursion. The majority travelled b}- the 10.15 train to 

 Wicklow, driving thence to Brittas Bay. while a few cycled the whole 

 distance from town. The party subsequently divided into two sections. 

 One under H. Gore Cuthbert studied the zoology of the district. The 

 most interesting lepidopteron noticed was Colias cdtisa, also the larvae, 

 in some numbers, of Smerinthiis ocellatus. Beetles were very abundant, and 

 included Otiorrhynchiis atroapteriis., 0. ovatiis, Philopedon geininahis, Alo- 

 phiis iii-giittahis^ Opatriim salmlosttni, Heliopathcs gibbus, Acgialia arenaria, 

 Melolontha vulgaris . 



A second party, under W. B. Bruce, investigated the interesting 

 botany of the sand-hills. The plants collected included Saxifraga 

 gramilata, Festnca tmigluviis^ Trifolhivi glomeratiim^ Echium 7>ulgarc. The party 

 drove back to Wicklow in time for the 8.58 train. 



June 26— Excursion to FaSvSaroe. — A party of nearly fifty iravelled 

 by the 12.45 train to Bray, where they were met by their conductor and 

 host, R. M. Barrington, F.L.S. Brakes and cars convej'ed the party to 

 Fassaroe, whence they walked to Ballyman Glen and across the fields, 

 returning to Fassaroe at 4 o'clock, where tea was provided. The princi- 

 pal plants of interest were the rare Enophoruni latifoliiiiii^ Carex 

 tmiricata, Senecio saraceniais, and Minmhis luteiis. The party visited Mr. 

 Barrington's interesting museum of Irish birds, containing several 

 unique specimens. A cordial vote of thanks having been passed to Mr. 

 and Mrs. Barrington tor their hospitality, the party drove back to Bray 

 in time for the 6 p.m. train to town. 



July 3.— Excursion to Malahide— Owing to unfavourable weather 

 only ten members joined this excursion. Travelling by the i 40 train 

 they crossed b}' boat to the '• Island " (really a peninsula), where, 

 under W. B. Bruce, one section studied the sea coast plants. A second 

 section under R. Southern, B.Sc, dredged in the Sound, bringing the 

 catch on shore, where a demonstration was given. Heavy rain put a 

 stop to further collecting, and after tea in Malahide the members re- 

 turned to town. This excursion took the place of the proposed long 

 excursion to Omagh, which the committee had decided to abandon. 



