2J.8 Ui<- Irish Naturalist. Deceuiber, 



Kilroe, R. Clark, and T. Hallissy have all been at work, and 

 the revision of the " solid " map, as well as new drift and soil 

 maps, are well forward. 



On the whole, substantial progress has been made during 

 the year with the working out of the fauna and flora. Among 

 the animal groups, the lists of Mollusca, both land and marine, 

 are well advanced ; the same may be said, among the 

 Arthropods, for the beetles, spiders, v;oodlice, and decapods ; 

 also some of the groups of worms. On the other hand, owing 

 to one chance or another, some large groups have hardly been 

 touched yet. The birds and fishes need further attention ; 

 Lepidoptera hang back, owing to the unsuitable weather; 

 Diptera and other orders of insects have as 3^et hardly been 

 touched ; and the vast marine fauna has been onh^ very par- 

 tialh' examined, though here and there good lists have been 

 compiled. 



The flora has on the whole advanced more than the fauna. 

 The mosses and liverworts stand outpre-eminently, having had 

 the service of four skilled workers, and an aggregate period of 

 about seven weeks of work. The Phanerogams are up to 

 date, the marine Algae far advanced, the Fungi well begun. 

 The Lichens alone hang back, but extensive collections of 

 them have been made. 



As regards new or rare species, there are indications that 

 the report will be not devoid of interest. Several of the species 

 collected appear to be new to science, and already a number 

 are reported which have not previously been recorded from 

 Ireland, and others from the British Islands. 



In conclusion, it may be stated that in a number of groups 

 the Committee will be glad of further assistance. The district 

 over which their operations extend is a large one, and time 

 is short. The secretar}- (the WTiter of the present report) 

 will be pleased to receive communications from any fresh 

 volunteers, and to give information as to the conditions under 

 which ttie survey is being carried out. 



National Library of Irelaud, Dublin. 



