330 The Irish Naturalist, 



PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES. 



RovAi, Z001.0G1CA1, SociEi'y. 



Recent donations comprise a Kingfisher from Miss Lees, a dozen Trout 

 and other fish from F. Godden, Esq., a Brown Bear from Lieut. R. 

 Travers, a Lemur from Dr. More Madden, and a Seal from F. Flynn, Esq. 

 A Red Deer fawn and three Lion cubs have been born in the gardens ; 

 while a Gibbon, another representative of the man-like Apes, three Bar- 

 bary Apes, two Axolotls, six Hedgehogs, and a pair of Geese have been 

 purchased. 



12,680 persons visited the gardens during September. 



Dublin Naturai^ists' Fiei^d CIvUb. 



September 7th. — The Club held an Excursion to Gormanstown. 

 The weather was delightful, and a party of thirty-five proceeded by the 

 2.0 train northward, and entered the picturesque grounds of Gormanstown 

 Castle, where the afternoon was spent. The season was rather late for 

 the collecting of flowering plants, but numerous fungi were peeping up 

 through the dead leaves in the woods, and a number of species were 

 observed by Dr. M'Weeney, who found that one of the most remarkable 

 features of the day's collecting was the abundance of the genus Hygro- 

 phorus, which comprises bright-coloured mushroom-like species of a 

 peculiar waxy consistence. They are usually found much later on in 

 the season. To the heavy rains in August must doubtless be attributed 

 their early appearance this year. The species taken included Hygrophoriis 

 praiensis, Fr., H. coccineus, SchaefF, H. chlorophamts^ Fr., H. psittacinns, Fr., 

 H. niveus, Fr,, H. russo-coriaceus, B. and Br., H. nemorens, Fr., H. 

 calyptrceformisy Bk., Clavaria fastigiata, Linn., Helvella crispa, Fr., Leotia 

 lubrica, Pers., Pcziza badia, Pers., and Sporodinia aspergillus, Schriit. 

 The last-named, a beautiful parasitic mould, was taken in its 

 sporangiferous stage on a decaying agaric ; whilst awaiting examina- 

 tion, it conjugated, forming numerous zygospores. The chief interest 

 of the Gormanstown demesne lies in the fine old timber and rare shrubs. 

 Near the Castle stands a marvellous old Mulberry, whose history can be 

 traced back for 700 years. Close at hand are beautiful walks between 

 rows of ancient Yews, overshadowed by the far-stretching flat branches 

 of a great Cedar. Acacias and Cork-trees flourish exceedingly, and a 

 summerhouse has been built of cork grown on the estate. A glorious 

 Beech-tree came in for much admiration ; its branches sweep the ground 

 over an immense area, and have taken root, and will remain as separate 

 trees long after the parent has gone the way of all timber. In the walled- 

 in garden was pointed out an enormous Pear-tree, stated to be the largest 

 in Ireland. The district was not rich in insects. The pretty plant-bug 

 Phytocoris tilicB was taken in numbers by beating lime ; its variegated 

 patterns harmonising well with the lichen-covered twigs. Among the 

 spiders were Lycosa ruricola, Linyphia clathrata, and Bathyphantes nignmis, 

 wdiile Oligolophiis iridens and Liobmmni Black-wallnwQve noteworthy harvest- 

 men. The members returned to the station in time to catch the 6. 28 

 train to town. Miss E. H. Goodbody, and Messrs. R. A. Cammack and 

 H. G. Tempest, were elected Members of the Club. 



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