19^2- Irish Societies. 21 



J.Wright exhibited with the microscope,Foraminifera from the Ebtuarine 

 Clays of Limavady Junction and Magheramorc. 



In the miscellaneous section F. J. Bigger had an exhibit of St. Brigid's 

 crosses, still made on St. Brigid's eve in every province of Ireland of rushes, 

 straw, or peeled seileach, and nailed up above doors and fireplaces or beds. 

 A. M'l. Cleland showed the various properties of the Bunsen flame. F. C. 

 Forth exhibited a series of geographical illustrations, showing (i) land 

 orms and (2) climate and vegetrtion ; also a set of relief maps of various 

 countries. The exhibit of recent find of stone and bronze objects from 

 prehistoric hearths at Dundrum, Co. Down, shown by Mrs. W. A. Green 

 and A. Shemeld, included a piece of pottery painted in brilliant colours, 

 probably Etruscan, a bronze axe and pins, stone axes, <^c. Another 

 exhibit of antiquarian interest was that of W. J. Knowles, who displayed 

 prehistoric impliments of stone, c^'C, showing comparision between Irish 

 and foreign examples. R. May showed a portrait of Patrick Doran, a 

 former well-known mineral and fossil collector. 



J. Orr's exhibit of electric furnace products included carborundum, 

 electric alundum, and graphite. S. Wear brought a series of interesting 

 microscopic slides. Amongst the photographic exhibits were some photo- 

 graphs by S. H. Doners J. S. L. Jackson, W. A. Green and J. Welch. 

 Miss Praeger's beautifully sculptured portrait of the late S. A. Stewart, so 

 long and closely connected with the Club, was exhibited. W. S. Mollan 

 show^ed water-colour sketches by Rev. A. L. Sydney Smith of the Rosa- 

 penna and Cavan districts. 



At nine o'clock a short business meeting was held — the President (R. 

 J. Welch), in the chair. Mr. Welch gave a brief resume of the Club's work 

 during the summer session, and drew special attention to the lately - 

 formed junior section of the Club. Six new^ members were elected, four of 

 whom were junior members. 



A lantern display followed of views mainly taken at the summer ex- 

 cursions by the Club members. D. J. Hogg's slides, showing sunset and 

 cloud effects, were much appreciated. Other slides were shown by Messrs. 

 Wear, Stelfox, Douey, Gray, and Welch. 



November 21. — The President (R. J. Welch) read an address on Sand- 

 hills, their formation, fauna, and flora, before a large audience. The 

 President, in the course of his address, which dealt largely with Irish ex- 

 amples, said coast dunes are one of the small compensations for the waste 

 of the land by the sea in other places, and they are formed by one of the 

 main causes of the latter — the wind. When formed they become the best 

 protection against marine erosion, as they form a very elastic buffer 

 against the waves. Dunes form rapidly where the sea accumulates sand 

 above low water -mark, so that it becomes dry between the tides. This may 

 be seen any windy day on the strand if the tide is low, especially if the wind 

 is blowing landwards. It may be asked from whence the enormous amount 

 of material in our big sand-hills is derived. The material, at least on the 

 east coast, is almost entirely fine quartz grains. It is formed by marine 

 erosion, the disintegrating action of frost, sun, and wind and rivers are 



