128 The Irish Naturalist. December, 1923. 



that the Society should again become a member of the British Association, 

 and appointed Mr, AUworthy to represent the Society at the meeting in 

 Liverpool. The report also referred to the work of the archaeological 

 section at Nendrum Monastery, Mahee Island, and said that the chairman 

 (Sir Charles Brett) and hon, secretary (Mr. Lawlor) and those associated 

 with them deserved the thanks of Ulster for the work which was being 

 carried out. 



At a subsequent meeting of the Council, Professor Morton was unani- 

 mously elected President of the Society for the coming session. W. B. 

 Burrowes was re-elected hon. treasurer; R. M. Young, M.R.I. A. hon. 

 librarian ; and Arthur Deane, F.R.S.E., hon. secretary. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



Sept, 29. — Fifty-seven members and friends visited Purdysburn Glen, 

 under the guidance of Arthur Deane, M.R.I. A., F.R.S.E., in order to 

 study the fungus flora. 



On reaching the woods Mr. Deane gave a short account of the life- 

 history of fungi and their place in nature's economy ; how the older 

 and more primitive types were aquatic in habitat, and showed the 

 characters of the algae from which they are regarded as having descended. 



Many members collected keenly, and some interesting species of 

 fungi were found, particularly among the gill-bearing class, such as 

 Hypholoma fascicularis, Coprinus spp., Pholiota squarrosa, Pleurotus 

 ostreaius, Armillaria mellea, and Amanita muscaria, while among the 

 decaying bracken was found the " Birds Nest " fungus (Crucibulum 

 vulgare), but perhaps the most interesting were the Slime-fungi 

 (Myxomycetes), a specially large mass being found in the woods. 



On reaching an open glade at the glen head, an examination of many 

 finds was made, and a business meeting was held (Rev. W. R. Megaw, 

 B.A., presiding), when eleven new members were elected. 



ROUTE NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



August ii. — Excursion to Runkerry — The members met at Run- 

 kerry House, about two dozen strong, and made for the strand. Here, 

 amid a convenient circle of rocks, the Secretary read some notes furnished 

 by R. J. Welch, M.Sc, on the geology and zoology of the district. 



An adjournment w£is made to Runkerry House, where tea was pro- 

 vided through the kindness of the Misses Macnaghten, after which a talk 

 illustrated by many drawings and sketches, was given by Mr. J, J. Phillips, 

 C.E., Dhu Varren, Portrush, on the ancient Cistercian Abbeys of Down. 



September 15. — A visit was paid to the ruins of Dunseverick Castle. 

 Its history was dealt with in a paper by Canon Ford, read to the members 

 on the historic site by the secretary, the Rev. E. M. Guraley. 



