1 74 The Irish Naturalist, 



LEPIDOPTERA. 



In lepidoptera the best finds were full fed larvse of Dasychira fascdina on 

 hazel, a species which seems to occur only in the Bog of Allen, and one 

 Gcoinctni papilionaria on birch. Numerous species of EiipitheciiC were 

 flying on the Bog, but the attempt to capture these in a heavy sweeping 

 net was not at all satisfactory. A specimen of Nwiieria piilveraria was 

 secured at rest in Clonad Wood. Mr. E. Williams found the Green Hair 

 Streak {Thccla }-ubi) still frequenting a part of the Seagull Bog where he 

 had taken it in numbers some years ago, while the beautiful moth 

 Anuria myrtilli was also noticed regaling itself on the flowers of the Bog- 

 bean {Menyanthes trifoliata), and on the way back to the station Torttix 

 ministrana was captured flitting about the wooded margins of the road. 



NOTES ON THE FLORA OF HOWTH. 



BY R. LLOYD PRAEGKR, B.E. 



The bold promontor}^ of Howth, with its heather}^ hills, its 

 steep sea-slopes, and rugged cliffs, has long been a favourite 

 haunt of the naturalist, and indeed for him Howth has varied 

 attractions — the shattered and contorted Cambrian rocks, 

 carved into jutting crags and fantastic pinnacles by the rest- 

 less sea; the shell-bearing gravels and Boulder-clays that 

 overhang the town ; the eddying bird-life of the cliffs ; the 

 busy insect world that teems in summer among the rocks and 

 flowers and woods ; and the marvellous variety of plant-life, all 

 combine to render this favoured spot an oft- visited resort of 

 the lover of nature, whatever be his bent. It is to the botanist, 

 perhaps, that Howth especially appeals, for here are gathered 

 together in a small area man}^ of the rarest Irish plants ; and 

 leaving rarities out of account, who would not willingly 

 journey miles to view those great slopes overhanging the blue 

 water, decked with the crimson flowers of the Blood}' Cranes- 

 bill, and white sheets of Sea Campion, and masses of yellow 

 Bedstraw and purple Thyme ; to see the storm-beaten sea- 

 rocks, hung with grey Samphire, and the glossy foliage and 

 yellow stars of the rare Golden Samphire, and splashed with 

 purple patches of Sea-lavender ; or the wide heaths above, 

 blazing with Gorse and Heather ? Nor less attractive is the 



