1922. CoLK. —The Alleged Eruption of Knocklayd. 87 



the northern coast of the County of Antrim " was published 

 in 1786 ; but that usually quoted is dated 1790. On p. 94, 

 he refers to the basalt on the summit of " Knocklade," 

 and here surely would have been his opportunity had his 

 attention been called to any of the three Dublin publications. 

 There seems to be no mention of the story in J. E. Portlock's 

 excellent review of the discussions on the origin of basalt 

 in northern Ireland (" Report on Geology of Londonderry, 

 &c./' 1843). It would now be of interest if some Irish 

 naturalist could supplement Mr. Foster's researches by the 

 discovery of a contemporary criticism of statements so 

 circumstantially set down. Feehng ran high at the time 

 in geological controversy ; the Wernerian orthodoxy was 

 upheld in Dublin by the authority of Richard Kirwan ; 

 and some wit on the Neptunist side may have hoped to 

 stave off defeat by suggesting that a Vulcanist would 

 acclaim the action of " fire " even in the pluvial phenomena 

 of a bogslide. 



Royal College of Science, Dublin. 



IRISH SOCIETIES, 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



June 17. — -Lagan Valley. — Some forty members travelled by train 

 to Hillsborough, proceeding thence along the banks of the Lagan Canal 

 to Lisburn. The Sweet Flag — Acorus Calamus — was found in profusion 

 almost all the way to Lisburn. Elatine Hydvopiper, wiiich the late 

 G. H. Davies found abundant at Tullynacross — ■b33ide the tenth lock^ — ■ 

 was not noted, but a tiny local plant like this is easily overlooked. The 

 party on reaching Lisburn proceeded to the Friends' School where they 

 were entertained to tea by Mr. Spencer-Smith (the Headmaster) and his 

 wife, who afterwards conducted the party over the School. The usual 

 business meeting was afterwards held in a class-room, kindly placed at 

 the Club's disposal by the Headmaster, the President (Rev. W. R Megaw, 

 B.A.) in the chair. Ten new members were elected, and a vote of thanks 

 to the host and hostess closed the proceedings, 



1 Irish Nat., vii., 259, 



A 2 



