1 6 The Irish Naturalist . January, 



the Muskerry Railway. In addition to its botanical interest the district 

 traversed has many historic and literary associations, which were explained 

 by the conductor. 



July 12. — Excursion to Bishopstown. — ^The members walked from 

 Bishopstown station to Bishopstown House to visit the site of the 

 eighteenth century residence of the Bishop of Cork. The small chapel, 

 " Shell House," remains of old fish ponds, mineral springs, etc., were 

 shown by Mr. E. Neville. Returning to the city by " Kate Seha's Lane," 

 a fine glacial deposit was examined. West of it is a magnesian lime- 

 stone quarry. By the wayside, east of the Munster Institute, the Hop 

 {Humulus Litpulus) was found well established. This plant is gradually 

 spreading south-west of the city. 



August 2. — Excursion to Carrigrohane. — On this outing M. Holland 

 conducted the party of members who travelled out by the Muskerry 

 Railway. The growth of Centranthus ruber on the face of the limestone 

 cliff at the station is very conspicuous. Orohanche Hederae was found 

 at the foot of the cliff. After visiting the castle on the top of the cliff, 

 from which a fine view of the Lee valley was obtained, the members 

 walked by the Church Cross and Inchigaggin Lane to Leemount station 

 where tea was provided. Among the plants noted were : — Ononis repens, 

 Tanacetum vulgare, Linavia vulgaris. In the first decades of the last 

 century the Pearl-mussel, Unio niargaritifera was found in abundance 

 in the River Lee at Carrigrohane. 



August 30. — Visit to the Munster Institute. — A party of twenty- 

 six members and friends assembled at 3.30 p.m. at Victoria Cross, and 

 walked to the Institute by Jennings's Lane. Erinus alpinus was found 

 growing on a wall in the lane. This plant has spread considerably near 

 Cork since the Rev. T. Allin recorded it for Douglas in 1883. On 

 arriving at the Institute the party was received by the Lady Super- 

 intendent, Miss L. Murphy and the members of the staff, and shown 

 over the building, the gardens, dairy, poultry runs, etc. The visitors 

 were subsequently entertained at tea, after which a vote of thanks to 

 Miss Murphy and the staff was passed. 



September 9. — Excursion to Blackrock. — A party of twenty 

 travelled by tram to Blackrock, and walked by the Church Road to 

 Besborough, which was visited by permission of the Misses Pike. John 

 Griffin acted as conductor. Vervain [Verbena officinalis) was one of the 

 plants observed on the way. Within the grounds fir-cones bearing the 

 characteristic markings left by squirrels were met with. A very 

 luxurious growth of Mistletoe was observable on many trees in the 

 gardens, where Erinus alpinus and Orobanche Hederae were also noted. 

 Leaving Besborough and proceeding towards Lakelands, Geranium 

 striatum was found. The following plants were found in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of the River Lee : — Suaeda maritima, Beta maritima, 

 Anihemis Cotula, Statice Bahusiensis, Salicovuia herbacea, 



