1 66 The Irish Naturalist. [July, 



PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES. 



Royal Zoological Society. 



Recent gifts include a monkey from Mrs. J. T. Campbell. Eleven 

 monkeys, two lemurs, an Ocelot, two Golden Agnotis, two Vulturine 

 Guineafowl, ten White-fronted Geese, and a number of small birds have 

 been bought. It is highty satisfactory to notice that the action taken 

 by the Council last year with reference to the protection of the Chough 

 has led to the issue of instructions to the Royal Irish Constabulary to 

 enforce vigorously the Wild Birds' Protection Act. 



Over 19,000 persons visited the Gardens in May. 



Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. 



May 20. — The members held their first Field Meeting for the year at 

 Armagh, whither a goodly party proceeded by the morning train. The 

 party at once proceeded to the celebrated Navan Fort, or Emania, the 

 pre-Christian residence of the Kings of Ulster, whose occupation 

 extended down to the fourth century of the Christian era. A formal 

 meeting was constituted, and Mr. John Vinycomb, M.R.I.A., was elected 

 chairman. The arrangements for the day were announced, some new 

 members were elected, and a discussion took place as to the desirability 

 of inviting the British Association to Belfast at an early date. The 

 Chairman delivered a short address referring to the historic events 

 suggested by the surroundings. The meeting was then addressed by 

 Mr. Robert Pillow, a local antiquarian, well versed in archaeological, 

 topographical, and folk-lore subjects. He rendered the party most 

 efficient service during the entire day by his prompt answers to every 

 question put him by the inquisitive members of the party. Leaving 

 Emania, an adjournment was made to the adjoining quarries, which 

 were successfully explored for the characteristic fossils of the locality. 



Returning to the City of Armagh, a visit was paid to St.Patrick's Well 

 and the Callan Water — a stream often referred to in the annals of 

 Ireland. The party next visited the Abbey, in the Palace grounds, and 

 then walked on to the Museum of the Armagh Natural Histor)' Society, 

 where, under the guidance of the Society's Secretary, they found an 

 excellent collection of natural history and antiquarian objects. The 

 Chairman pointed out the important and valuable collection of seals, 

 and made some suggestions as to their arrangement. Walking on to 

 the observatory, the party were very cordially received by the chief 

 astronomer, Dr. Dreyer, who conducted the members over the premises. 

 Next a visit was paid the Roman Catholic Cathedral, where a courteous 

 officer, by the kind direction of Rev. John Quinn, P.P., gave the history 

 of the building, and pointed out its prominent features and contents. 

 It was intended to visit the Armagh Library, but the time for closing 

 had arrived, so the members of the B.N.F.C. had to close their interest- 

 ing tour of inspection with a visit to the old cathedral. 



