1922. Notes, 131 



Eucalyptus globulus in County Wicklow. 



In the early part of September while walking from Wicklow to Rathnew, 

 when near the latter village, my sister drew my attention to an unusual 

 tree growing between a cottage and the road. The tree stood between 30 

 and 40 feet in height, and the diameter of the bole was 8 to 10 inches. We 

 learned from the owner that the tree, which proves to be Eucalyptus 

 globulus Labill, carrying fairly abundant fruit, had been planted by his 

 brother some ten years before, and, although many gentlemen of the 

 district had endeavoured to strike cuttings, none had succeeded. The 

 demand for the fruit as a charm for wearing round the neck showed that 

 a good number of people believed in the preventive powers of the oil. 

 We noticed another example of the same species in the Abbey grounds 

 at Wicklow, but this example was not so fine, nor did we observe any 

 fruit. It is stated in the " Encyclopaedia Britannica," 9th Ed., that the 

 genus will not endure a temperature of less than 27"". Yet the peasant 

 told us that sometimes there are black frosts in Wicklow which did no 

 noticeable harm to the tree. I am indebted to Professor Henry for the 

 identification of the species. 



Rock Ferry, Cheshire. Wm. A. Lee. 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



July 22. — Mourne Mountains. — Thirty members took part. The 

 party, under the conductorship of the ex-President (S. A. Bennett) and 

 R. Bell travelled from Belfast b}^ char-a-banc. 



Crossing the Shimna River at Trassey Bridge, the route lay as far as 

 the Hare's Gap over a rough glacial moraine. 



By the courtesy of the Belfast Water Commissioners, and with the 

 permission of Colonel Wickham, Divisional Inspector of the Special Con- 

 stabulary, the Commissioners' lands in the Mourne Mountains were entered 

 just above the Hare's Gap, and a further climb of 300 feet brought the 

 party to the Diamond Rocks. 



At the Diamond Rocks on the Southern slope of Slieve-na-Glogh, 300 

 feet higher than the Col, fine specimens of the characteristic minerals 

 of the Mourne granite were pointed out by Mr. Bell, and specimens of 

 smoky quartz, felspar and mica \\dth a few topaz and the still rarer beryl 

 were collected. 



The botanists of the party noted the starry Saxifrage, Saxifraga 

 sfellaris L., and on the cliffs, above the Diamond Rocks, good colonies 

 of the Dwarf Juniper, Juniperus nana L. 



The Trassey Bridge was left at 5.30 p.m. ; tea was served at Newcastle 

 Station ; the usual business meeting was held, Samual Gibson, J. P. in the 

 chair. Eight new members were elected. The return journey was made 

 via Dundrum, Downpatrick and Saintfield. 



