152 The hish Naturalist, August, 



IRISH SOCIETIES. 



BELFAST NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



June h. — Dromore — The party, which numbered about sixty, 

 travelled b}- the 2 p.m. train, and were conducted by J. M. Dickson. On 

 arriving at Dromore, the Cathedral was visited. Other features of 

 interest visited during the afternoon were the Bishop's Palace, the great 

 rath, the holy well of St. Column, and the ancient stone cross. The 

 geologists of the part}' examined a glaciated surface which is exposed 

 in a disused quarr}'. The lower part of the quarry is excavated in a grit 

 of Ordovician age, and the upper part in Boulder-clay. The surface of 

 the grit is striated, the markings running from N.N.W. to S.S.E. The 

 botanists of the party went down the banks of the River Lagan and 

 explored the Gillhall demesne, with its magnificent beech and lime 

 trees. The plants noted included Cornns sangjiinea, Carex acuta, 

 Ceranmm Phceum, Epipagtis latifoNa, and Arenaria trinervia. Owing 

 to the dryness of the day collectors of invertebrates were at somewhat 

 of a disadvantage, and only a few common species of coleoptera, lepi- 

 doptera, and mollusca were noted. Of the terrestrial isopods four species 

 were observed, one of which was the pigmy wood louse Trichonisiiis 

 pygvKTus, which has only recentl}' been added to the Irish fauna, the 

 first specimen having been found in County Down. After tea, a short 

 business meeting was held, Mr. N. H. Foster, M.B.O.U., in the chair. A 

 vote of thanks was passed to the Rev. J. W. and Miss Cooke for kindlj- 

 exhibiting to the party the various articles of interest in the Cathedral. 

 One new member, Mr. Rankin, was elected. The party returned to 

 Belfast by various trains during the evening. 



June 25. — Parkmore and Glenariff.— The party travelled by the 

 9.15 train, and on reaching Parkmore drove to Glenariff Lodge, where 

 they were received by Miss Dobbs, who acted as conductor. The day 

 was spent in exploring the upper part of Glenariff, after which all met at 

 Glenariff Lodge, where they were entertained to tea. After tea a business 

 meeting was held on the lawn, the Vice-President (W. J. C. Tomlinson) 

 in the chair. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs., Miss, and Mr. Dobbs 

 for their kindness in giving the Club the opportunity of exploring the 

 glen and for their hospitality. Two new members — Miss Minnie 

 Murray and Mr. J. A. S. Stendall— were elected. Belfast was reached 

 a'ooitt 8.10 p.m. 



A considerable amount of field work was done. The geologists had 

 an opportunit}' of studying the mineral contents of the aluminous 

 and iron-ore beds. The mineral contents were best studied at some 

 of the old ore workings, and also at the ravines, gullies, and stream- 

 courses of the escarpment. The woodland species of land mollusca 

 were well represented, i^.?//jr ///jfTfl:, .^. lamellata, Umax arbonou^ and Acme 

 h'neata being taken in the glen below Glenariff Lodge. Freshwater 

 species were almost absent, but Ancylus fliwiatilis was plentiful to an 

 altitude of about 1,000 feet. On the upland bog the only species seen 

 was Limnaea truncahda and a Pisidium, No species of mollusca was, 



