igi2. Irish Societies, 243 



CORK NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



June 26. — Excursion to Brown Island Kitchen-midden. — A 

 number of members and friends travelled by 2.50p.m. train to Carrigtwo- 

 hill. The party walked to " Murty's Cross," a distance of about three 

 miles, and arrived at the sea-shore. Walking eastward many character- 

 istic sea-side plants were observed, and an abundance of Focniculum 

 officinale. Time did not permit an investigation of the flora, a circumstance 

 to be regretted, as many alien plants have become established in the 

 neighbourhood. On arriving at Brown Island, (an island no longer, the 

 adjacent slob -lands having been reclaimed) it was found that the pile of 

 shells constituting the kitchen -midden was considerably smaller than when 

 G. M. Atkinson communicated a description of it, with sketches, to the 

 Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland in 1873. Much of the mound 

 has been washed awav by the sea, The part now exposed to view is 

 nearly 100 yards in length. The heap is composed principally of oyster 

 shells, with traces of charcoal here and there. On the return journc}^ 

 Barryscourt Castle was visited. Close to the Castle some gigantic speci- 

 mens of Coltsfoot, Tussilago Farfara were noted. The projected visit to 

 the " Big Rock Caves " near the Railway Station, was abandoned owing to 

 lack of time. James Noonan conducted the party. 



July 24.— Excursion to Ashbourne. — A party numbering nearly 30 

 travelled to Queenstown Junction, to visit, for the first time, by kind 

 permission of Mr. R. H. Beamish, D.L.. his famous collection of plants 

 from various parts of the world. Ashbourne was one of the few places 

 in Ireland included in the Phy to -geographical excursion of August, 191 1 

 (see Irish Naturalist for February). The collection is remarkable not only 

 for the rarity and beauty of many of the specimens, but for the extraordin- 

 ary success accompanying the open-air cultivation of warm-temperate 

 plants. Mr. Beamish welcomed the members, and showed them over the 

 grounds, pointing out the characteristic features of the more remarkable 

 trees and plants. He subsequently entertained the party at tea. This 

 excursion was one of the most pleasant and successful known in the annals 

 of the Club. 



August 28. — Excursion to Kilcrea Abbey. — Despite inclement 

 weather, a small party, led by Mr. Holland, travelled to Kilciea station 

 and walked along the railway line to the old Franciscan Friary usually 

 called the " Abbey." On leaving, the members observed the few trees 

 which remain of the magnificent avenue wdiich once led up to the western 

 entrance. The last Government reward for killing a wolf is said to have 

 been paid for a wolf killed near Kilcrea. 



September 7. — Beekeeping Demonstration. — A Demonstration in 

 Beekeeping, under the joint auspices of the Cork Beekeepers' Association 

 and the Field Club, was given by Mr. Wm. Deely, Hon. Sec, Beekeepers' 

 Association, in the grounds of University College, which were kindly 

 placed at the service of the two Societies by Sir Bertram C. A. Windle, 

 President, There was a very large attendance. Wm. H. Johnson presided 

 at the Demonstration which included a sketch of the life-history of the 

 Honey-bee, and was illustrated by experiments sucli as the driving of 

 bees from one straw skep to another, &c. 



